When I think of Bascianos problems now I always remember in Anthony DeStefano's book where he details a wiretap convo between Vinny and another Bonanno where Vinny professed his undying loyalty to Massino. He was like "He is my Boss, I am living and dying with that one guy, hes my guy" something to that effect.
I also remember that lawyer (later charged) who passed messages from Massino and Vinny and when he met Vinny at a diner, he told Vinny Massino appointed him Acting Boss, Vinny was soo happy he told the lawyer to repeat the words multiple times, and he was like tell Joe "I love and miss him, I think about him everyday" and "Tell him to keep his head up, I will be waiting for him when he gets out." Obcourse we all know what Massino wound up doing in the end.
This was all in some NYPost articles from a few years back
yeah those quotes were pretty funny - i remember reading those. They would also call each other 'Bo (an affectionate term im assuming is short for Bonanno) . What's weird about that is I remember reading something , also in the Post I believe, about Vitale saying Massino never cared for Basciano - he thought he was too flashy, too hot headed, didn't like how he was dealing in drugs, and would even leave CasaBlanca when Vinny would come in for dinner.
I think excerpts from those jailhouse conversations between the two are on DeStefano's website now
as far as being tough, jail, whining and all that - who wouldn't do/say anything possible to get OUT of jail or get better conditions. they don't want to be there. of course they're gonna say they're sick, the conditions suck, basically say or do anything they can short of snitching to get out or better their situation. it's got nothing to do with not being tough. people like basicano, sonny franzese, whoever... they're the type of guy who is going to run shit no matter where they are, inside or out.
