I was wondering... there isn't a mafia around anymore is there?.. No offense to black people or anything, but didnt the black majority start thinking they took over the mafia? Someone let me know please.

-Rob MC

FAI is this you under a different name?

Yes there still is a Mafia. They are not as strong as they were, but you never know with the mafia. The Mafia will more than likely make some kind of comeback. They are very resilient. Right now, the Mafia is not on the news too much, so things could be starting to go their way. Actually, the Mafia probably perfers to not be on the news all of the time. People have a misconception about them.

Yes there still is a Mafia. They are not as strong as they were, but you never know with the mafia. The Mafia will more than likely make some kind of comeback. They are very resilient. Right now, the Mafia is not on the news too much, so things could be starting to go their way. Actually, the Mafia probably perfers to not be on the news all of the time. People have a misconception about them.[/b][/quote]Also, other ethnics have seized parts of "organized crime." West Indian "posses" run drug-trafficking in many African-American neighborhoods. Russian mobs have grabbed many rackets, often using international connections to launder their money. Asian gangs (Hong Kong, Vietnamese, etc.) are very big in many cities.

Yeah, but none of 'em has the class of the Mafia. Killing civilians and little kids in their "drive-by" (read: cowardly )shootings really pisses me off. Chris Rock made a good point regarding that. He said he thinks bullets should cost $5000 each. That way, these idiots would be a lot more cautious and hit the right target.

The Mafia does have more class than those gangs. At least, they do not kill children and civilians. Even though, both kill and I cannot begin on how horrible that is.
I've talked to some people who live in NYC and they say that things were better when the Mafia was stronger. I think I recall there being an article in a Boston newspaper with the heading, "Bring Back The Mafia." If I recall, it spoke about how things were when the Mafia was in charge and how the gangs were being controlled by them.

The mafia are men of honour the 'others' I think, have no honour or morals

No gangs have honor or morals even the Mafia. Anyone who kills people for power or money have no honor or morals.

That's accurate, Don Palentino, especially the "morals" part. But there is what's called the "honor among thieves." For example, child molesters have a rough time in prison because other cons tend to beat 'em to a pulp for their sins against children. "Honor" may or may not involve morals. It really rather focuses on adhering to what is deemed "right," or what is labeled "acceptable behavior." It all boils down to who is doing the defining. Situational ethics come into play with "honor."

As far as "morals" however, I don't believe that issue is quite so relative. But what's odd is even the mobsters would argue that they're morally upright. They sincerely believe that whacking a guy is not only acceptable but necessary, because they view themselves as soldiers in a war. As far as their "businesses" are concerned, they would argue that all they're doing is responding to the desires of the people they service. That's why Michael can sit in on his godson's baptism as his men whack the other dons and not bat an eye when the priest asks, "Michael, do you renounce Satan?"

Personally, I think their morals are zilch. If morals aren't absolute, then why should we bother with laws, courts, and police enforcement? Even the most primitive tribe in the deepest jungle has a code of morals (incest, for example, would demand the harshest penalty). And honor? You and I know that true-blue honor encompasses morals, integrity, etc. But, as I said, it could pass muster in certain contexts (just maybe not your context or mine). I certainly don't idolize real mobsters, and I don't believe what they do is right or morally acceptable. But I just said all this to demonstrate that in their own eyes, there is no contradiction. But I do believe it's their definition of what's honorable which sets them apart from the gangbangers, crackheads, Russian mobsters, Triads, etc., and gives them at least the appearance of some class.

The mafia are men of honour the 'others' I think, have no honour or morals[/b][/quote]Very true. Plus the others as you put it just dont' care about anything, heck they don't even care about say a 20 year prison term. Cause where they came from, a 20 prison term is a piece of cake.

I miss the old Mafia. But never count them out.

The mafia are men of honour the 'others' I think, have no honour or morals[/b][/quote]Very true. Plus the others as you put it just dont' care about anything, heck they don't even care about say a 20 year prison term. Cause where they came from, a 20 prison term is a piece of cake.

I miss the old Mafia. But never count them out.[/QB][/quote]Glad to see you understood where I was at Iceman, I dont condone gangs and drug runners etc etc,and certainly not any child molesters (where did that come from anyway Snake?)At one time, there was honour amongst thieves and a code of conduct that didnt include harm to 'civilians' now, my point is, there is no code of anything it's all a free for all

That was my point exactly, Family Honour. The "molesters" reference was to illustrate that how even in prison among what we generalize as a jail full of scum, there are varying degrees of what's acceptable and what's not among the inmate population (hence, "honor among thieves"). It's pretty common knowledge that child molesters or those who have killed or otherwise harmed children are -- as a rule -- looked upon with disgust by the rest of the inmates, and in fact are deliberately targeted for harm. Likewise, some generalize the Mafia and throw them in the same categorey as gangbangers, crackheads, pimps, etc., when in fact they are (in this context) more "honorable." That's what I meant...I just took the long way around the barn to get there!

Snake I agree with you. And don't you think too, that one reason the mafia stayed in power as long as it did (in it's prime), was because the higher ups in the mob were intelligent men who thought their moves out very carefully. Unlike people who do drive-bys, crackheads pimps, etc., for the most part, they would never or seldom whack someone on impulse"!! They planned a stragedy, and follow it thru. Murder is murder, and of course that can never be condoned, but these people were NOT stupid.

most of the people liked it when the Mafia's are still active in their place. they feel secured, no robbers, rapist etc . . . no need to call the police. Mafia's will take care of them. the people are very cooperative with them, when the police came and ask who did this, who did that?(to the robbers or rapist) people keep their mouth shut.

GoodFella

I was watching a show and they said that while the Mafia was in charge in New York, people would walk around at night with no fear. People were not afraid of getting mugged because there were less muggers. Most of the gangs were afraid of the Mafia.

Leaders of Families as of 1999
Joe Torado-Buffalo (Maggadino family)
John DiFronzo-Chicago (Outfit)
Joe Losse Iaccobacci-Cleveland (Lonardo Family)
Jack Tocco-Detroit (Zerilli Family)
Tony Civella-Kansas City (Civella Family)
Peter Milano-LA (Dragna Family)
Joe Camminiti-Milwaukee (Balistrieri Family)
Luigi Minocchio-New England (Patriarca Family)
John D'Elia-Scranton, PA (Volpe Family)
Frank Natale-Philadelphia (Scarfo Family)
Lenny Strollo-Pittsburgh (LaRocca Family)
Skinny Velotta-San Fancisco (Lanza Family)
Salvatore Marino-San Jose (Cerrito Family)
Vincent LoScalzo-Tampa (Trafficante Family)
John Junior Gotti-NY (Gambino Family)
Dominick Cirillo-NY (Genovese Family)
Steve DeFede-NY (Lucchese Family)
Joey Massino-NY (Bonanno Family)
Jackie D'Amico-NJ (Provenanzo Family)

Extinct Families
Joe Civello-Dallas 1978
Clarence Smaldone-Denver 1984
Carlo Caputo (Deceased)-Madison,WI 1993
Carlos Marcello (Deceased)- New Orleans 1994

Last Known Leaders of Families
Angelo Amico-Rochester, NY 1991
Frank Buscemi- Rockford,IL 1994
Matthew Trupiano-St. Louis 1994
Vito Rizzuto-Montreal 1994
Carmen Barillaro (Murdered)- Hamilton, ON 1998
Andrew Russo-NY (Colombo Family) 1996

researched by me at americanmafia.com