Tony,

First off, I agree. Anyone who chooses a life of crime is an idiot.

However, you are off. He didn't kill his way to the top, the feds took down Stanfa and idiot supporters and that left Merlino and Natale. And during the war with Stanfa, Merlino was supported by the Scarfo guys inside and by most of semi-retired guys in south philly. Stanfa was a moron and not respected, he was simply a guy Gotti backed since Scarfo was taken down.

NY always chooses the boss in Philly. There have never been "elections". NY chose Bruno, they chose Testa, they chose Scarfo, they chose Stanfa...and the Genovese backed the Merlino faction against Stanfa and ultimately recognized Natale and Merlino as boss and underboss in '94.

I never said Merlino was a good boss nor did I say he was a good racketeer...he was a gangster. He knew LCN in and out thanks to his dad and he out-smarted Stanfa during the war and outlasted him..as well as Scarfo who also wanted Merlino dead. The guy is a survivor, and in this day and age, that's all you gotta be.

Gotti died in prison...Merlino got out before he was 50.