If you had to be a historical mobster who would you be?

[Fedord Spaniard]

hey if your ok with your spellin grammer and puntuation then im okay with it


.

lol yea i can see that

 

["Skeet" McD]

I do find them interesting. Firstly, while not all people approved, many disinfranchised people, rightly or wrongly, saw them as robin hoods or heroes. Not necesserily good role models, but then again, they lifted themselves out of the ghettos of the cities and poverty to run large organizations. Pity they did not have more doors open to them, for they might have become huge successes in the legitimate business world. Yes, they still could. But only the naive about history would deny that many doors were closed to these populations.

They were quite fascinating individuals, weather you approve of them or not.

All very good points and quite true, I think. However, one of the other interesting questions is...some of the folks from those groups DID face all the difficulties and manage to gain a foothold in society by legitimate means: the folks we're discussing here chose another method. And THAT is the--almost certainly unanswerable--question: why, in the individual case, did these individuals (many of them with willpower; talents; and intelligence) choose this route?

"Skeet"

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Why, in the individual case, did these individuals (many of them with willpower; talents; and intelligence) choose this route?

Because it fell in line with their temperaments, situations, and opportunities?


.

 

[Fedord Spaniard]

[QUOTE="Skeet" McD]All very good points and quite true, I think. However, one of the other interesting questions is...some of the folks from those groups DID face all the difficulties and manage to gain a foothold in society by legitimate means: the folks we're discussing here chose another method. And THAT is the--almost certainly unanswerable--question: why, in the individual case, did these individuals (many of them with willpower; talents; and intelligence) choose this route?

"Skeet"[/QUOTE]

it was probably the lack of education and upbringin for some. many were street kids that grew up on the streets of new york and didnt have any kind of schoolin. they were raised by the tough streets and ambitious drive. others were just born psychos and did it because they enjoyed doin evil.

 

[dhermann1]

Maybe a more apt, but less provocative title, would have been something along the lines of "What historical mobster do you find most interesting or intriguing?"
There's no question that we seem to be fascinated by these guys. Maybe it's because we see them getting away (if only for a while) with stuff we'd like to try. Or maybe it's just the idea of rebellion, or whatever. They fascinate us.
While this thread has strayed perilously close to the (fill in the blank: ridiculous? inane? absurd?) it hasn't gone over that line. It's been a fun thread to read.
So, most "intriguing" mobster? Whooo . . .
Mad Dog Cole? Capone? Joe Columbo? Dillinger? Benny Siegal? Meyer Lansky?
Warren Beatty showed us how interesting even a loser like Clyde Barrow could be.

 

[reetpleat]

[QUOTE="Skeet" McD]Dear RP...(great name, BTW)...yes, I agree: I don't think we actually do have a disagreement on this thread, at least: I had occasion somewhere else on FL to say recently that EVERYTHING is interesting...if you know enough about it. As it happens, I don't know much at all in detail about historical gangsters...but am very interested to learn--and this should be the place to do it!

Believe me: there are the kind of goons out there in reenactment-land that you fear. I DO know them...and I fear them too . But they are a very small minority.

"Skeet"[/QUOTE]


Actually, I did not even suggest that. It would creep me out to think there are clansmen reenacting in civil war reenactments, or nazi skinheads in the german camp, although I suspect there are.

I was just saying that I do not think that the rebs or huns were doing it just because somebody has to. I suspect that the rebs find something worth emulating, that does not include slavery, such as states rights, independence, love of home and family. and I think that the german reenactors either have a respect for the german army, aside from the politics of their leadership, or just think the uniforms are cool, which they definitely are. The German army was a fascinating entity. And I don't think you have to be a nazi or racist or whatever to admire certain things about them.

 

["Skeet" McD]

Because it fell in line with their temperaments, situations, and opportunities?


.

In a word--yes. Which brings us back to individual responsibility and away from "it was society's fault"....

"Skeet"

 

[Foofoogal]

No such thing as enough Johnny Depp nonsense.

seriously, he could stand still and I will pay to look at him. Not his looks BTW. His attitude!



I am sure many gangsters today are in prison that took wrong route and are very intelligent.

Because it fell in line with their temperaments, situations, and opportunities?

Every time I used to ride by the prison in Texas I always wondered how many one night got stoned and made stupid choices that led to lifetime of mess. Once on this path it is almost impossible to go another route.
----------------
In all fairness to this thread my father used to tell us that in parts of Texas during the depression Bonnie and Clyde were almost folk heroes and seen like Robin Hoods.

 

["Skeet" McD]

it was probably the lack of education and upbringin for some. many were street kids that grew up on the streets of new york and didnt have any kind of schoolin. they were raised by the tough streets and ambitious drive. others were just born psychos and did it because they enjoyed doin evil.

Dear FS,
As far as your first point, absolutely; but there were other lads who faced the same difficulties, and didn't choose to become criminals. On your second point, just...."absolutely."

Feel better now? Remember: just a few days ago you were thinking nobody had noticed you were here lol

 

[celtic]

I'm new(ish) here, and I don't post much. Also, I do not have a lot invested in this site like a lot of you do.

As such, I don't have much weight in what is said or allowed to be said, and I don't make the rules or enforce them.

I don't claim to know much, but I do have the right to my thoughts and opinions.

I don't have more time right now to discuss this further, but I just wanted it to be known that sometimes I find that I don't post my opinions and thoughts.

And the reason why I don't can best be explained by reading some of the responses to this new member's threads (as well as quite a few others from the past). The elitism and condescension sometimes baffles me.

My point:

If you wish to keep this forum to a very tiny handful of like-minded folks who pat each other on the back for like-minded ideas and like-minded dress, you're doing a fabulous job.


If you wish to have an open forum where new members feel comfortable posting, even though they don't live up to your exact idea of what is right (morally, gramatically, fashionably, etc...) then lighten up a bit.

I'm not going to argue, drag up posts, belabor the point, or bring it up again, but I have felt like saying it for a long time here.

rant off.

 

[reetpleat]

[QUOTE="Skeet" McD]Dear FS,
As far as your first point, absolutely; but there were other lads who faced the same difficulties, and didn't choose to become criminals. On your second point, just...."absolutely."

Feel better now? Remember: just a few days ago you were thinking nobody had noticed you were here lol[/QUOTE]

While I am sure we all agree that we must take personal responsibility, I think we can not, as a society, let ourselves off the hook. It is easy for those of us that had an upbringing that would lead us to where we are now, to look at others and blame them for their choices. While it is true, it is also the fault of society. The fact that some people were able to avoid the same traps does not mean that the situations these people were put in by society were not partly to blame. if for no other reason than our own well being, we must take some responsibility as a society, for the worst of us. lest we end up living in gated communities, behind barbed wire, railing about how terrible the criminals are.

 

[Edward]

.[/COLOR]

Everybody enjoys a good villain in their stories..... true or fictional. I would tend to the view that on some level having our own little wannabe villain fantasies are a way of maybe exploring some kind of side to ourselves that we would never let out in real life - the side that is no holds barred, ready to do anything, ruthless, about getting our own way.... the old game of thinking what you'd be like if you were very different than you are.

I do find them interesting. Firstly, while not all people approved, many disinfranchised people, rightly or wrongly, saw them as robin hoods or heroes. Not necesserily good role models, but then again, they lifted themselves out of the ghettos of the cities and poverty to run large organizations. Pity they did not have more doors open to them, for they might have become huge successes in the legitimate business world. Yes, they still could. But only the naive about history would deny that many doors were closed to these populations.

They were quite fascinating individuals, weather you approve of them or not.

Definitely. When casinos were legalised in England in the 60s, had the Krays gone legit at that point, they would have been very wealthy men, and never have done time. Reggie was a sharp man, but Ronnie's fantasy avbout being an English Al Capone, a wiseguy, The General, dragged him down.... then we also know that Ronnie suffered from severe mental illness, but the family hid it and he never was treated due to the stigma of mental illness at the time, plus I suppose fear of him being locked up in some looney bin.... Certainly interesting to think how they could have turned out differently.

As an aside, but related, point, I am also always fascinated by how, while many celebrate these people inappropriately, many others demonise them to a cartoon degree. It always seems to me that the real world is never that black and white.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

If you wish to have an open forum where new members feel comfortable posting, even though they don't live up to your exact idea of what is right ... then lighten up a bit.

It's a two-way street. Lighten up? Good idea. Grow a thicker skin? Just as good.


I wish to have an open forum where all members (even new ones) are willing to swim upstream at times.

... even though they don't live up to your exact idea of what is right ... grammatically,...

My exact idea? Is English grammar completely relative, then?


.

 

[Fedord Spaniard]

[QUOTE="Skeet" McD]Dear FS,
As far as your first point, absolutely; but there were other lads who faced the same difficulties, and didn't choose to become criminals. On your second point, just...."absolutely."

Feel better now? Remember: just a few days ago you were thinking nobody had noticed you were here lol[/QUOTE]


yea Skeet, my only concern is that i dont want to offended anyone here because i became a member of this forum to interact with people who seem to share my love of hats, suits, hobbies ect, and not be flamed or belittled and vise versa anyone no matter how much i would disagree with them about somethin. ive seen how in other threads brawls between members start over the slightest things and wish that didnt happen.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

.

When casinos were legalised in England in the 60s, had the Krays gone legit at that point, they would have been very wealthy men, and never have done time.

The infamous Piranha brothers: Doug and Dinsdale!

.

 

[Lefty]

I think I've got this thread mapped. Does this sound right?

Historical mobsters - guns - pirates - reenactors - spelling/grammar - nature vs. nurture - the p.c. question again

and now, to lighten up a bit again:

Who will win America's Next Top Model?
I'm going with Fo.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

The elitism ... sometimes baffles me.

Interesting word choice. An example, please?

.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

yea Skeet, my only concern is that i dont want to offended anyone here because i became a member of this forum to interact with people who seem to share my love of hats, suits, hobbies ect, and not be flamed or belittled and vise versa anyone no matter how much i would disagree with them about somethin. ive seen how in other threads brawls between members start over the slightest things and wish that didnt happen.

I don't honestly think anyone is flaming you as a person for this topic.

Huge difference between saying 'wow, this is a silly thing to want to pick one and say emulate' and 'wow, you are a jerk for posting this'

We can dislike the -idea- of picking a gangster to be all we like yet have zero issue with you personally being a member around here and discussing hats, or whatever other topics.....

Just like if I posted a thread about how I like to wear flip flops all the time, I would -expect- there to be a backlash.....

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Who will win America's Next Top Model?
I'm going with Fo.

Like, was she gunned down or something?


.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Like, was she gunned down or something?


.

obviously by a mobster...



full circle my friend...full circle