La Cosa Nostra: a criminal enterprise or a romantic lifestyle?

The largest mob bust in recent history took place today (January 20, 2011) in New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island.  The raids were a joint effort conducted by the FBI, the New York State Police, the U.S. Marshalls and the New York Police Department.  U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced at a news conference that 127 people were charged in 16 unsealed indictments.  The charges range from illegal gambling and racketeering to extortion, narcotics trafficking and murder.  “This is one of the largest single-day operations against the mafia in the FBI’s history, both in terms of the number of defendants arrested and charged and the scope of the criminal activity that is alleged,” Holder said.  It “sends the message that our fight against traditional organized crime is strong and our commitment is unwavering.” Attorney General Holder and the law enforcement agencies that carried out this operation are to be commended.  They did their jobs. 

But let’s face it: America LOVES gangsters.  We do.  One of the most famous families in American history are the Corleones and THEY aren’t REAL.  They are an organized crime family.  This family is featured in the best motion picture ever made, The Godfather .  The patriarch of this fictional family, Vito Corleone, has a Wikipedia page that describes his make believe biography!  Another famous American family are the Sopranos of New Jersey.  This family was featured in HBO’s award winning series "The Sopranos".  In fact there is an ongoing debate between those of us who are absolutely fascinated with both of these families about which one of these crime families is the most famous (in this corner, it is the Corleones and THEN everyone else).   The Corleones were featured in two more movies; one of which (The Godfather II) was just as acclaimed as the first.  There are other movies about organized crime that were box office hits: "Goodfellas"; "Donnie Brasco"; "The Untouchables" … I’m sure I have overlooked some.  I encourage readers to add any titles that were overlooked in the comments section.   There are some real organized crime families that we are fascinated with as well: the Gambino family; the Gottis led by their patriarch, John Gotti; the Genovese family; the Columbo family.  Not to mention arguably the most famous real ganster of them all, Alfonse (Al) Capone.  These people were real and the crimes they commited are well documented.  In addition to being some of the most famous people in our culture, they are some of the most notorious people in our culture, too.  Yet we are fascinated with these people.

What is it about La Cosa Nostra ("this thing of ours") that fascinates us? Is it that a part of us would like to be a member of the mob?  How many times have you wanted to make someone “an offer they can’t refuse”?  What is it that attracts people to become "made" and join the mob?  It is widely assumed that only Italian-Americans are behind organized crime families.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  There are Chinese gangs (the Wo Hop To, one of the most notable), Polish gangs, the Russian Mafia, the Polish Mafia, the Aryan Brotherhood … the list is long.  Organized crime is both diverse and global.

Gangsters are idolized in America.  In some cases, they are HEROES.  There is a part of a great number of us that wants to be a part of La Cosa Nostra.  Because they are cool.  Because they have money.  Because they have power.  Because they have US.

By the way, my alter ego is "Luca Brasi".  “Don Corleone, I’m honored and grateful …"

More on the arrests: Feds arrest over 100 in massive East Coast Mob takedown

Mafia website: Mafia Today

Peace.

Craig Riggins

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