Organized crime has existed in society for hundreds of years in one form or another. It generally exists in prosperous societies where strong class distinctions -- sometimes brutally enforced -- exist. The history and dealings associated with major crime organizations have been well documented. In this paper, the effect of La Cosa Nostra (Our Thing or Cause) will be discussed in relation to its effects on modern society. This paper will also discuss the efforts and results of law enforcement on the Mafia.
Organized crime in the United States has been around for a long time. Since the early 1900's, "organized" crime has existed and continues to exist in the United States today. Organized crime is generally prevalent in regions of high population density, where there are sufficient opportunities available to make money illegally. Organized crime can be therefore classified as a society-influenced crime. In recent years, however, the growing strength of organized crime over international borders and the end of the cold war has resulted in concern for the U.S. government and policy makers. Crime, terrorism, information warfare, weapons of mass destruction and proliferation are also some of the growing concerns that are related to organized crime.
The Italian Mafia originated in Sicily. Sicily is the biggest island in the Mediterranean. Historically, Sicily has always been subject to foreign occupation: Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, French, Spanish and Austrians ruled Sicily. Sicily's indigenous residents, subject to foreign rule, were always considered slave labor. The Mafia, a secret society that provided for the poor was born as a reprieve for the sufferings of the poor and the oppressed. Vendetta was justice for the Mafia in rural Sicily along with the golden rule of omerta (honor). The clannish nature of the Sicilians, and their instinctive dislike for inconsistent law enforcement and a repressive hereditary aristocracy, created a favorable climate for the Mafiosi, the forefathers of the present day Italian Mafia. (Salerno and Tompkins, 1969)
Don Vito Cascio Ferro was the first Sicilian Capo de Tutti Capi. He is known to have founded the American Mafia in 1910. He formed a group called the "Black Hand" whose members were hardened fugitives-criminals from Sicily (MurderInc.com, 2001). Italians immigrated into the United States en masse. They came to the land of opportunities to start afresh. Along with a language and religion they also brought over the makings of the Mafia. This group of immigrants called themselves the American -- Italian Mafia, or La Cosa Nostra. (Salerno and Tompkins, 1969) The Mafia later reorganized itself into what are known as the "families." There were 26, well-organized families in the United States at one time with New York becoming the hub of operations. Events of 1919 really brought the Mafia into prominence in this country. When the Volstead Act (National Prohibition Act [of alcohol]) was passed, the American Mafia got fully involved in bootlegging. Al Capone, the noted "Capo" of the time also helped create, "Murder Incorporated." Here, the Mafia pooled its resources and supported a "hit squad," which would enforce the syndicate's law. The American Mafia also realized the value of making political contributions and having the blessing of the lawmakers -- the police and the local and state politician. (Mahan and O'Neil, 1998)
Another two events stamped the power of the Mafia on the hearts and the psyche of the American public. The first was the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. It occurred on 14th February 1929 at a warehouse. A plan was hatched to pick up smuggled Canadian whiskey. Mafiosi were waiting for the consignment. A police car with five men in it, three in uniforms and two in civilian clothes (masquerading as police) arrived at the warehouse and proceeded to shoot all the waiting men. The identity of the killers was never determined. The public, who had romanticized Al Capone up to that time were shocked, as were the authorities. (Taylor, 2001) "The Meet" (Tuohy, 2002) was the first time the mobs made a move towards organization. This conference, held at Atlantic City, was the first major mob conclave in American history. Formal meetings were held in a large conference room. The attendants were the most powerful Mob bosses of the time. A national commission was created at this conference with every mob family represented. It was decided that no killings would be under taken without this commission's permission. The commission also agreed to divide revenues from gambling, labor rackets, extortion and drugs businesses between the various gangs. Capone suggested that any major dispute between the families should be settled by a conference of the national syndicate leaders.
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Introduction King David is a significant character in the Bible because he foreshadows the coming of Christ, Who was foretold to be a descendant of the House of David. David’s faith also foreshadows the faith that Christ sought among His people (yet in most cases failed to find). While the Bible is the only historical source of information for King David, other than the Tel Dan Stele in the archeological field,
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