I'm glad you think so, Sonny .

In your own words, Me chuckles .

Hey PB threw something your way on PM

Gotcha .

Italy doesn't need RICO (they already have an equivalent; modified, as several provisions of RICO would undermine the civil rights laid out by the Italian constitution) The issue in Italy isn't the legislation it's the widespread corruption that prevents the laws being effectively utilized. Really what Italy needs is a way to hold its public servants accountable to the people... Actually most everywhere needs more laws like that.

it's a slippery slope, though, when you start deciding that certain people re not entitled to certain rights because they belong to "X" or "Y" group.

Or do you simply take that right away from everyone? Does the need to prosecute a tiny minority of criminals outweight the need for rights of the law abiding many?

I think this is a question many Americans will be asking themselves soon as well. Perhaps not specifically about RICO, but certainly the need for law enforcement and other public servants to be held accountable for their actions.

Seriously..

Ditto...period!!

The power of mafia obviously lies in integration with the rest of the society.I suppose the death of the social clubs reflects the death of the mob. I understand that in the old days the social clubs were a big part of the neighborhood culture. With them (and the Italian neighborhood)gone, I guess it's not possible to be part of the neighborhood in this sense. To a degree.

The death of the social clubs was purposeful...in particular, Joey Massino ordered all the Bonanno social clubs closed due to the ease of surveillance for the FBI. But more to your point, the death of the all Italian neighborhoods has been a real blow to the mob. The local capo and his crew could always count on the insulation a friendly (or fearful) population...now that has disappeared to a great extent, especially in the smaller cities....all the little Italys are either gone or just a single street of restaurants anymore. On the other hand, it has forced the crews to be more cautious and secretive.

Baltimore has at least one active social club..buffalo, from what I hear has a few "after hour clubs"

Baltimore has no LCN...maybe some freelancers, but no family.

Baltimore has Mayor Carcetti

There are many that are freelancing these days ,with the La Cosa Nostra disorganized the hundreds of associates and shelved made guys(They did not all of a sudden become upstanding citizens.)

They are in the suburbs, beach towns,Etc.
The way native New Yorkers talk about the Italian neighborhoods disappearing,it is easy to run a racket under the radar.(In suburbs compared to intercity)When everyone is so spread out, that there is no sidewalk talk and social clubs like back in the day where that info would come around much faster.

I have not herd of one person being extorted in my area since the 90's . Of course i am talking about connected people, or old shelved guys.These people are still doing there thing ,just not organized. And if not mistaken this also does not allow the law to use rico as easy as an organized crime group.

There are so many that still get extorted if they were on record when Scarfo was in. Skinny is such a ass he was and does go after businesses and rackets that Nick had, that are in Skinnys blood family.The money he gets from them alone can afford that life he is living (That no one can figure out were he is getting cash) .