What is the status of the Italian Mafia these days? Haven't read much about them lately.

[Bobbieo]

Is there any presidential candidate they would support if they have the clout?

[cboy4]

1. What is the point of this?

The Italian Mafia?

[tomreedtoon]

3. Quite right. They're not what they used to be.

Ever since "omerta" broke down, they're no longer scary. The Tong, the Yakuza, the Triad, the Russian Mafia, and whoever runs cocaine in South America are the real power brokers. The Italan Mafia are more like the Civil War nostalgics who remember their moment of power with a sweet, sad smile.

[Bobbieo]

4. Not to many years ago, they were a powerful force in American politics and the ones in

my state were Democrats.

[Syrinx]

6. I'll step out on a limb here

Giuliani.

Not because he is Italian.

Take a look at his business associates. We know he does business with criminals.

I don't know what Kerik's ethnicity is. But we know he's a crook, and he was Rudy's best friend.

And Kerik isn't the only very shady character that Giuliani is associated with.

Read the recent Vanity Fair article about him. If he's not associated with the Mafia, he certainly resembles them in the criminality of his actions.

And I know that Giuliani has a reputation as a Mob prosecutor. But maybe he prosecuted one "family" to protect another.

I can't say with certainty that Giuliani is associated with organized crime, but I CAN say with confidence that Rudy is himself a criminal, and will say or do anything to advance himself in pursuit of money and power.

His MO is straight out of the Mafia playbook. Brute force, kickbacks, and intimidation.

THAT IS "Rudy."

So if I had to guess, it's Giuliani.

[The Backlash Cometh]

19. That would be a good bet.

[OneGrassRoot]

21. Old school Family members despise Guiliani...

He was very active in RICO cases.

Much as they despise Patrick Fitzgerald for the same reason.

[Syrinx]

2. I don't know

My HBO went black right when I was about to find out.

;)

[Bobbieo]

5. I remember when it got its foothold in prohibition in the 1920's..

We lived on the Canadian border and half the town, including my dad, was involved with the Mob from New York. Dad fixed cars so they could carry booze across the border. It was a very unsophistcated operation but effective.

We lived very well until Prohibition was lifted.

[Syrinx]

7. Do you know where the Kennedy fortune came from?

It came from bootlegging.

Honestly, I don't really have a problem with that, as long as it didn't involve murder and stuff like that.

[Bobbieo]

8. I got to thinking about a friend of mine who picked me up at my house

one night in his dad's old Pierce Arrow just before we got into WW2.

My father saw the car and said, "I worked on that one during Prohibition".

[Syrinx]

9. I just remembered...

You're the guy that claims to be real old... like 90 or something. Is that right?

I don't mean to offend you, but I think you're joking about that. Merry Christmas. :)

[Bobbieo]

11. Wrong - I am the gal who was born 4/4/23 - so I'm close to 90.

In spite of arthritis I do 200 situps every morning, am the cook in the family and take care of a family of red-earred water turtles in the Arizona desert. Now, that ain't easy!!!

Felix, Oscarina and their six hatchlings. BTW - she was Oscar until she laid eggs!!!

[Syrinx]

12. yowza!

I'd be honored to be invited to sit on your legs when you do your situps. And I mean that! :P

[hlthe2b]

14. Wow, Bobbieo, how much I've learned this morning!

Cool on you, super lady! I'll be watching your posts more closely to learn more about ya! Happy Holidays. Those are some fascinating memories you have...

[Bobbieo]

15. Thanks for the leg sitting offer - sounds sexy as hell. Also -

I am also the old lady who got her 27 year old mortgage paid off this month. Now, I'm very proud of that accomplishment!!!

[hlthe2b]

13. LOL

my thoughts, exactly....

[Lucinda]

29. Beat me to it.

:rofl:

[ellisonz]

10. Ron Paul.

[Bobbieo]

17. For those of you who may be wondering what I am doing on the computer

at 5:31 a.m. When you get to be my age - sleep is sporadic. So, I go to bed at 10pm but I'm wide awake at 3am - so I either read or get on the computer. Then,I go back to bed and sleep til 10am.

I call it "one day at a time!"

[OneGrassRoot]

22. I hear you!

I'm 44, but after having my daughter 15 years ago and working 80 hours a week since she was three months old (though I do it from home), my hours are insane. The Internet and ability to connect at any time of day is a beautiful thing for people like us. :)

Bravo to you for being so actively engaged!!! You inspire me!!!

:pals:

[Double T]

16. The Italian Mafia has been replaced by the neocon mafia.

The neocon mafia is doing 'very well' and residing in the WH.

[Bobbieo]

18. And they all have Anglo names!!!!

[The Backlash Cometh]

20. You are my new best friend.

I have the same strange sleep patterns, though I think mine came earlier than it should have due to extraordinary events.

[whistle]

23. Rudy Giuliani is the mafia candidate

[Seabiscuit]

24. If they're not working as casino hosts in Las Vegas,

they're working on the set of "The Sopranos".

[suston96]

25. Alas, there is no more "set of the Sopranos"....it ended a couple of months ago.

...with a very dark ending.

[Seabiscuit]

28. Oh, yeah, I forgot... I guess when it ended that bunch moved on to Atlantic City.

[rucky]

26. Rudy's got connections

ask Bernie Kerik.

[Enrique]

27. they endorsed Alan Keyes

didn't you hear?