Does Family Secrets hurt all Italians?

I think people are smart enough to know the differences between a group of criminals who happen to share a similar biologic heritage and all the individuals from that same area.

However, I find it difficult to believe you have no opinion on the subject. What matters is whether that opinion lowers the quality of reporting, which I don't think it will.

My observation is that people who make the argument about the case slurring all Italian-Americans are trying to change the subject to divert attention from the fact that organized crime and public corruption in northern Illinois still exists, and thrives in places like Chicago and Rockford.

Keep up the great work!

In these overly-sensitive, PC times, I can see how some people of Italian decent might be a bit bothered. And I can certainly see how in less PC times, when Italian-Americans were rising to the top of American society and living "the dream" by sending their kids to college and becoming doctors, lawyers, judges, scientits, and heads of corporations, how a flood of names ending in vowels in the newspapers upset them. Much the same way I feel when I see a Jewish name in the papers attached to nefarious deeds. However, both communities have done so much for our "melting pot" and have become so entrenched in society and have done so many good things for America, I can't believe that this or any trial (or TV show in the case of the Sopranos) could have a negative effect on the larger population of Italian-Americans.

And let's not forget that The Outfit was, by mob standards, and equal-opportunity employer. Italians, Jews, Greeks, Irish, Poles, etc. all took part in making The Outfit the most successful crime organization in the US

I asked you several days ago about Italian heritage,I particulary aske why Jow Rizzas name had to come up with the impacation of Freddy B.There are several members on on boards of the banks mentioned. Two of the men are Italian,why do the rest of those members not get mentioned.
And you ask if we Italians feel persecuted? . If you were Italian what you feel like,

Thanks for opening this separate topic up Mr.Warmbir. The reporting on the trial has been great as well, so thank you for that also.

To the poster above, definitely Italian organized crime does still thrive here in northern Illinois, just as it does in NYC, Jersey, Miami, LA, and so on. I will never try to divert attention away from it or pretend it is not so. And this trial will hurt it, but it is something that I do not believe can ever be "killed" completely.

Personally, as a 1st-generation Italian-American myself, who has a strong and very obvious ethnic name, I feel that it does tar us all (in SOME ppl's minds at least, and at some level) w/this ugly 'Mob' brush.

However, that having been said, WE are also primarily to blame for this phenomenon I believe. Because, A) every time there's a serious Mob case that comes up, in any city, the indictment sheet usually looks like a Roman phone book, so clearly there must be some kernel of truth to certain stereotypes, and B) a hell of a lot of Italian-descended ppls living in America, Canada, or even Australia, heartily embrace the image of the Italian-descended person as gangster, thug, 'wiseguy', and so on.

Look at who has created & starred in most if not all of the major Mob-related Hollywood films; Puzo, Coppola, Scorsese, DeNiro, Pacino, Pesci, etc etc.

I've met Italian-American guys at an Italian club I belong to who will play the ethnic 'victim card' , or something very much like it, while at the same time deliberately cultivating an 'image' of themSELVES (thru their behavior, dress, etc) as stereotypical 'goombahs', or ... what-have-you.

So, this problem is - as are any problems like this which exist w/in ethnic or racial groups - a very deep and complex one.

I know that my father, Italian-born (now naturalized American), hates cases like this when they're all over the news because he's an honest businessman who hasn't ever stolen ANYthing in his life or harmed anyone, and he suspects (he's probably just being paranoid about it) that Americans (non-Italian descended) will at some level (even if only 'subconsciously') relate him or his name or his family or whatever to the kinds of activities which are being discussed daily and talked about in the papers at this trial.

Especially since he discovered our family surname is actually ON the original indictment - as it is evidently shared by an unindicted co-conspirator / member of the '26th Street Crew'.

Even though I don't believe the man named is a direct relation, he or his parents are (or were) most probably from the very same poor rural region in southern Italy that my family was from (EVERY one with this particular last name usually is). Luckily the name hasn't gotten too much play at this trial or, therefore, in the papers. I'm just happy our last name is not Calabrese....

I have faith that most people are easily able to distinguish criminal elements of a group from the group in general.

Do I think Rudolph Guiliani or Umberto Eco is a ganster because I sat in on the Family Secrets trial for a few days? Of course not.

If people are actually worried about damage to Italians' reputation, it's more sensible to be concerned about David Chase and Francis Ford Coppola -- those who glorify mob life style -- than this criminal proceeding.

I feel that it does in a way continue the stereotype of all Italians being associated with Organized Crime.

The fact of the matter is the media justs loves this kind of stuff because it makes them a lot of money.

The FBI loves it as well, because it leads to more press, and more promotions.

Where are all the high profile cases against Russian, Albanian, Black, Mexican, Columbian, and Jamacian gangsters.

The large Black and Mexican gangs in Chicago surely are as much of an enteprise, and a threat to the public.

I'm not much for people moaning about "discrimination", but I think the facts speak for themselves in the amount of attention anything "Italian" gets when related to crime.

All criminals need to be punished; don't just pick out a select bunch because it will hit the headlines.

I have been following this case since the indictments came down. I am a first generation American-Italian.

I am not offended by what anyone has said or done since the reporting on this trial started.

I just knew sooner or later people were gonna pull this card out.

The people that are crying about the "slur" this trial is giving "honest Italian Americans" need to get a life!!

Not everyone involved with the trial is even Italian.

I think what makes Italians look bad are the idiots crying about it.

For one to say that the Outfit was a "equal-opportunity" employer is crazy and naive.

Yes the outfit are willing to work with Afro-Americans or Hispanics as long as all could make a profit and are not willing to "associate" with them.

The "Outfit" are hypocrats and racist-believing that what the "Outfit" are doing is pursuing the so called "American" dream while the minorities are savages and willing to kill their own mother for a nickle.

Go figure. Yet, I don't believe this will have any harm with the Italian community or should feel persecuted since we do know the difference upstanding good law abiding people from any race and criminals-from any race.

This question can best be answered by quoting what Joe Valachi said before that Senate Subcommittee back in 1963 when asked basically the same question.

Valachi's answer was this: "We're not talking about Italians. We're talking about criminals."

The US Attorney's office in Chicago, (a Republican/Political, office created by James Thompson) will never let the mob litigation dye because it is the best fuel they have ever had to raise themselves to stardum.

They get their name in the paper everyday and eventually they get a big job with one of the "silk stocking firms," in Chicago, for big money.

(Would HBO have done as well with the adventures of Conrad Black, in lieu of the Supranos-please!)

This coupled with the fact that the "Republicans," can continue to embarrass the democratic mayor and City Government because of its affiliation with an alleged mobsters fifty years ago.

(If Republicans ever take over City Hall, they'll steal the furniture!) It's over.

But the "government," does not want it to be over for many reasons - two of which I have alluded to above. (It finaly came out that our government fires US attorney's who don't indict enough democrats-what a supprise!) "Get out of the box," and stop wasting the tax payer's money with your silly politics. (the government employees making the decision to prosecute this trash are not even elected officials - how dare you!)

We have serious problems in our country: There are people in the world, as we all know, that want to turn us into a "grease spot'"... and these clowns are worrying about "Joey the Clown," who could hardly walk into a restaurant "gum down'" a piece of pizza.

Meanwhile, our enemies are probalby planning another 9-11, or worse. Don't misdrect the people's attention with nonsense leave that to the magicians. Wiseup.

The Sun times cares about one thing only...selling news papers at all costs of journalistic integrity.

Dear Steve W.,

Please stop mentioning people who were mobsters 50 years ago. It is not news worthy, then again is anything the Sun Times prints newsworthy?

Sincerely,
Proud Subsciber of NY Times

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I'm unclear who you are talking about.

The prosecution claims the people who are on trial are either mob associates or members right now, not 50 years ago.

I'm glad to see you're a subscriber of the N.Y. Times. It's a great newspaper.

I'll note the N.Y. Times has written about the trial and put a story of the indictment on its front page when it came down.

No one can convince me that this on going trial does not have an impact on Italian Americans.

First of all...people who are not of pure Italian decent have no understanding of the implications involved with a trial like this.

It is part of the Italian experience and I for one have experienced it firsthand.

For generations, it appears that the American public has made this certain group of Italians (and even some more innocent Italians) the brunt of sinister jokes eventually making concurring events like these... modern day "fokelore".

The "mob" according to the electronic and print media, movies, etc., is a money maker. It sells.

But it is also a known fact that this group in Chicago, has always been an equal opportunity employer.

Yes it's true, these defendents are no angels; but do they now pose a threat to society? I doubt it.

After this trial is over and all is said and done, what was really accomplished?

I believe it is way over due to start focusing on the new generation of criminals; especially the young gang bangers who prey on innocent people... with all of the senseless drive by shootings killing innocent people and especially our children! Nobody is doing enough.

But it goes on from there. Since the beginning of time, all nationalities and races have their own version of criminal "groups" and some are now known today to be much more ruthless than the so called "outfit" will ever be.

Maybe the government and society should start lock stepping their every move, cracking jokes and making a media circus off the excapades that these idiots have to offer.

There are theories as to why there is a lax in concentrating on these modern day animals.

For instance;lack of resources, funding, etc.

But let's face it, what the government spent on this trial and the preparation thereof, they could have allocated the fiscal efforts to focus on these real American terrorists.

Also, the government says that the "outfit" is more organized than any other group. I do not believe this.

You have gangs even in small towns that have weapons ( such as AK 47's with lasar scope) and organizational techniques far surpassing local police... they cannot keep up.

Again, I am not condoning the past actions of these defendents on trial, but I do believe we have much more pressing issues in America today than to concentrate on a modern day "witch hunt".

With all due respect as a fellow journalist, I hope that you have the decency of posting this blog and letting my voice heard. Thank you.