Flashback: The following is something I had written, in relation to a post on my Facebook Page on Sept 10th, 2012, in honor of Giovanni Falcone...
"Here is another one of my favorite people of all time: "Giovanni Falcone"; Who was a man, with a deep passion for eliminating Organized Crime and the Mafia, from Italy. You know, there is a certain stigma, when you have such a strong Italian name as mine, in America; Mostly because, of the Godfather movie, (which sort of like glorified the Mafia, and all) and the man (from the movie) unfortunately (for me) named: "Vito" Carleone. So much so, that if I had a nickle for everyone who asked me, over the years, if I belonged to the Mafia, (because of my name) I'd be a rich man right now! (And find it very disturbing, when people indicate that they like my name, for all the wrong reasons!) But really, the name has a much more noble meaning, then being identified with the Godfather in the Mafia movie of the same name. Its english translation is really the word: "Life". I guess, meaning, someone who loves "life". Or loves the idea of "life", and everything "life" represents. (The exact opposite of "death", as a matter of fact). Ironic, huh? And I mention that, so other decent Italian-Americans do not have to be ashamed either, if they also have that same name. (In fact, I was given the name by my father, out of respect for his father, my grandfather, who immigrated from Italy). It's also really ironic, as well, because I have always hated the Mafia, and Organized Crime, to begin with. (Also for reasons that I am not going to fully get into here). And, as with many law-abinding, good, decent, hard-working, Italian-Americans, I also, found 'The Sorpranos' TV series to be very offensive. Especially, when the series never showed any one of them ever brought to justice. (Sort of like, glorifying that whole lifestyle, and the evil, and corruption, it represented). Bad inflluence on America's youth, as well. (Small wonder we have the problems we have; With portraying that lifestyle as acceptable, and all). Although, I do believe in free speech, and things related to that, within reason; And am definately not for banning things, in general. (But once again, the fact that it sort of like showed how it is actually a part of the fabric of our society, with no one ever really brought to justice, is what I found most disturbing. Not to mention, the people who idolized the characters in the show, to begin with!) In 'The Maxi Trials', for instance, one can see what absolute animals many of these guys really are. And how they targeted and murdered people, in absolutely brutal and barbaric ways. And got pleasure out of doing so. Putting people in vats of acid and watching them melt, with glee, for example! (Definately an indication of not only deep malice, and cruelty, and serious psychopath and sadistic behavior, but other extremely disturbing things that they are capable of, as well. And something not quite right going-on in their heads). Unfortunately, I have excellent reason to believe, that Organized Crime is still very much alive and well in this country, and has a very negative effect on our very way of life, and our economic system; And is like a cancer on our economy, that by its very nature, eventually destroys it! (Like in the movie 'Goodfellas', for example. Where they intimidate the business owner, then extort money from him for protection, milk the business to the bone, run it into the ground, and then burn the place down, to collect the insurance money!) As Matt Taibbi so brilliantly writes in The Rolling Stone article post. Which is not even the whole of it. And not to go overboard on this, but (like the detective says in 'The Biography' post above), I also have excellent reason to believe, that they have their tentacles in just about everything; And have evolved in new ways, and taken on different shapes and forms. (Within seemingly legitimate businesses, as well). But it always comes down to the same thing, and the same pattern. Yet, once again, I do not want to go overboard on this. Don't want to come across as unnecessarily paranoid. And I know times are tough, for allot of people. (And don't want to shoot myself in the foot, as the saying goes). Whatever the case may be, however, I thought this as an appropriate place to post this link, in honor of Giovanni Falcone; Who represents the best of the Italian-American ancestry..."
I also have to say, even though I do not consider myself very religious in the true sense of the word, (and take it for what it is worth), but I get the distinct impression that if there really is such a place as Heaven, Giovanni Falcone IS THERE! I don't know man, but I get the feeling that his spirit (or soul) is like bathed in light. I mean, like he is a saint! (In the true sense of the word). Ya know, this would sorta' like prove that there are individuals that the Catholic Church for instance, who officially considers or canonizes as saints, are definitely not the singular proof that there are others who have passed, who also are saints, (in the true sense of the word), and favored by God, because of their exceptional character. (In fact, I believe and get the feeling, that some of my own family members who have passed, who were very good people themselves for instance, are like 'saints' in Heaven). Giovanni Falcone may not have even been very religious himself, but it would never-the-less (despite the tragic and horrific manner in which he died), indicate the compassion and true nature of a just God in the end. Let's hope so anyway. Or nothing else really makes any sense, in a way. If you really (sincerely and honestly) think about it. (Because, nothing really justifies how Falcone was murdered to begin with, for example). But that is beyond the scope of this post...
Personally, I think the Mafia are basically sorta' like descendants of characters such as Nero and Caligula; who represent the worst of Italian ancestry...