I think he's implying I go out of my way to diminish the stature of the Outfit, whereas in reality I am just reacting, as you note, to people like him, who tend to chronically overestimate it.

Anyone who thinks what remains of today's Outfit even remotely resembles the frighteningly powerful organization it was in the past needs to learn more about the glory days. Here is one tiny example:

In the past they outright dominated countless unions.

Today a moron like Rudy Fratto will get busted trying to pull some half ass scheme at McCormick and people will say "They still have the unions."

Yes, they likely have a very small amount of influence in a few unions, but that is absolutely nothing like having the Teamsters in your pocket.

It's obvious to anyone who's not living in a complete fantasy.

But, as they say, a man with a hammer...