Hitting a 'rat' should be more about deterrence.

If, in old school, its about the famiglia not the individual. Then deterring future 'rats' for the good of the family is more important than preventing testimony in a specific case, that is, saving one member. Shouldnt it?

And Im not sold on averting the 'wrath of the feds'. It's not the 20's and the Feds are looking the other way on 'acceptable' social pursuits (crimes ie gambling, loansharking). If the feds or local can bust a game room, they will. This perception they're looking the other way is dated.

So, hypothetically, if Massino was hit. What the feds would bust a whole bunch of members that they're currently letting practice crimes daily? Bullshit.

If the feds or local or whoever CAN bust your ass, they will.

SO, why not hit Joey? They cant bust what they cant prove. And they WILL bust what they can. Whether Joey's hit or not.

So why not hit him? (Or Paciello or one of the hero's they can find)

You're going to get done on what they can prove anyway. Why not throw in a deterrent?

This is about the family, not you after all.


Just mulling.