The Cosa Nostra

You know, Ned, what I find interesting is that, despite the fact that no one disputes that the historical purpose of the Mafia was to defend Sicilians against oppression and exploitation, none of the posters other than myself seem to be willing to acknowledge that this function was transferable to the United States. Or, that it still applies to some degree in Italy, itself. This is very curious. Of course, the oppressors will never acknowledge that they are oppressing anyone. They are just "enforcing the law". Their law, of course! And, no doubt, even in their presumed role as defenders of native Sicilians, the Mafia exhibited, at times, the same brutality, exploitation and control of their "people", as the Mafia currently do with their own. Indeed, currently, the Mafia is depicted as pure evil by much of the Italian government, while having great respect, particularly in the South of Italy, and works hand in glove with the Vatican simultaneously with the Pope denouncing them! I think what we're dealing with, here, is simply the fact that human nature, and human behavior, are always selfish, and usually not very pleasant, at all. So, it's possible to both be defender, and exploiter, good, and bad, almost precisely at the same time. The real advantage of alternative governments is simply that -- additional options. They aren't perfect options, none are, but, they may be useful, and probably will be, at times, anyway. The media's portrayal of the American Cosa Nostra is indicative of this. It tends to be highly ambivalent. They are vicious, at times, but "very human". We can relate to them. We can use them. It's only in the government circles that directly compete with them for power, that they are thoroughly detested. No surprise there, is there. Of course, we can say that the Mafia does "bad things". Drugs, Prostitution, Gambling. So much worse than our great, American national institutions -- The Pharmaceutical Industry, The Marriage Business, and The Stock Market!!??!! As I say, they're just an alternative government that works like any other government -- money, brutality, control, exploitation.

A good man

His goodness oer'spread the banks, Of rivers and streams, It formed a great Tsunami, Through field and cemetery. The wealth and gold he had so ruthlessly acquired, Now, partially, in ruined, impoverished Ghettos enmired. The arisen dead, could not resist, Their youthful corpses to insist, To make him be partaken, in final repast, Yes, a true Philanthropist.

Death

The Dragon hears, he smiles, After the Fire of blood, iridescent An assembly-line of misery and death, Hammering steel, The metal of the soul Through eyes like Crystal Palaces That see too much.

Владимир Путин и Дональд Трамп - гомосексуалисты.

Разве не очевидно, что Владимир Путин и Дональд Трамп - гомосексуалисты? Как у них ссоры любовника. То, как они препираются и борются, но, просто не могут держаться подальше друг от друга. Дональд Трамп не просто любит русских. Дональд Трамп любит одного русского, а именно - Владимира Путина. И это чувство, очевидно, совершенно взаимно. К сожалению, гомосексуализм очень жесток. Таким образом, у этих двух любовников может быть ядерная война. Плохо, да?