Nick Against the World (69 Viewers)

Seven

In bocca al lupo, Fabio.
Jun 25, 2003
39,439
Vinman said:
ermm...its M A F I A

and there is much more to Sicily than the mafia...
Well it's maffia in Dutch you wanker.

And I've been in Sicily five times, perhaps I've even been there more than you. Honestly, can you ever get one of my points? Do you miss them intentionally or are you being genuine here?
 

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Respaul

Senior Member
Jul 14, 2002
4,734
Jeeks said:
Probably because he was a reason for Italy to hold the 82 WC. Imagine Heskey scoring a hattrick in every game in the WC and England lifting the trophy because of his efforts.
Nah... I'd thank him for his efforts but never think him to be any more than he is...

I'm not saying theres anything wrong with Vin's choice by the way... I was jus wondering his reasons we all have players we like for different reasons...

There are many players i have a soft spot for based on meeting them or acts outside of the field rather than their actual talent.
 

Respaul

Senior Member
Jul 14, 2002
4,734
The Pado said:
Ahhhh, but what a time to play three wonderful matches.

Paolo Rossi's heroics secured a World Cup, what Italian wouldn't love the guy?
fair enough... I actually know quite a few italians that dislike him, but thats mainly down to the bullshit he comes out with on tv these days... Rather than his prowess (or lack of) on the field
 

Respaul

Senior Member
Jul 14, 2002
4,734
Jeeks said:
I see your point, Paul.

I have a question not related to the talk, what the fork is your avatar about? :D
Thats a character from what in my view is the best film of recent years and one of the best films ever made... Guilermo Del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth"
 

Zé Tahir

JhoolayLaaaal!
Moderator
Dec 10, 2004
29,280
is a formerly partially state-owned Italian telco. It was once known as SIP. It has the largest user base in Italy.

Telecom Italia also owns shares in Telecom Argentina and Telecom Personal, fixed and cellular networks in Argentina. In Europe, Telecom Italia is also present in Germany (Hansenet), France (Telecom Italia France which acquired Liberty Surf in 2005) and the Netherlands (BB Ned). With Telecom Italia Media the company controls also three Italian TV networks: La7, MTV Italia and FLUX.

In Italy, it's the company with more customers in mobile (Telecom Italia Mobile) and fixed lines.

-Wikipedia

It's really that big? :confused:
 
OP
IncuboRossonero

IncuboRossonero

Inferiority complex
Nov 16, 2003
7,039
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread Starter #58,508
    There is no choice but to abide by the unwritten rules in Sicily. THere is a reason Riina and Provenzano lived on the island for more than 30 years before capture...Sicilian cosa nostra does not operate like its American counter part where a rat is simply ostracized bad mouthed and 'hunted'. A rat / turncoat in Sicily is an instant death to his family including kids...its one thing becoming an 'informant' when you will be behind bars its another when you have to think of your wife and kids being murdered.
    The reality is that Sicilians probably would want to do away with the Mafia but it is so entrenched in every day life from opening a business to getting a job that its impossible to even fathom riding the island of the 'old rule'. More over, Sicilian mob influence springs to far parts of the globe like Columbia, Canada, the United States and all over Europe...its not a corner store thug in the piazza. Mussolini fought the mob with his own mob which led to a revolt where Sicily demanded it become an American state. Sicilians figure 'better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.'
     
    OP
    IncuboRossonero

    IncuboRossonero

    Inferiority complex
    Nov 16, 2003
    7,039
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread Starter #58,509
    Respaul said:
    A question for Vinni...

    In the Favourite players thread, you list Paolo Rossi amongst yours... Why ?

    Not being funny but he was firstly a disgrace to football and then in reality played just 3 good matches in his entire career... Sadly stinking up the pitch for Juve along the way...

    What is it that you like about him ?
    Genuinely interested...
    Paolo Rossi reminds me of the worst years I lived as a Milanista...
     

    Enron

    Tickle Me
    Moderator
    Oct 11, 2005
    75,705
    Respaul said:
    Unfortunately we all have certain individuals that are insensitive, bigots, racists etc etc.. Its the way of the world, Sad but true...

    But we do have to look at a few things here...

    For instance.. Is it irrelevant that One of Palermo's main fan groups has the Puppet motif on their own emblem ? Can they really complain as you could jus say they have taken the badge of the hammers fans and that of one of palermo's fan groups...

    Did we hear you complaining when both Juve and Milan fan groups unfurled mafia related banners when palermo were in town last season ?
    Or is that ok as its within italy ? If so, do we actually know the ethnicity of those that created these shirts, being that many of the sellers outside west ham are of italian descent...

    For the record I do think this was wrong and an unfortunate way that many of the worlds people relate to italians and especially sicilians...



    Of course there is, Sicily is a wonderful island, But it has to be said that they dont do themselves any favours... Whilst we know the sicilian people rose up against the Mafia... It also has to be pointed out that they have not been shy to make a dollar from it either... With the numerous Mafia related souvenirs that can be bought in sicily and the Mafia tours etc that they lay on for the tourists...





    Whilst to a certain extent true, you moreso have to look to the italian-americans like Mario Puzo and his 100's of Italian-american copycat authors that made the subject popular and encouraged the belief of them accurately portraying the italian culture... These films were only made on the back of these authors and even then many of the film makers were also of italian descent... As such People need to look to those betraying their own roots before pointing the finger at the rest of the world.



    Whilst we all know that the people of palermo rose up against the mafia and led to the capture of Toto Riina... To say the Sicilian authorities fought hard against the Mafia is pure fallacy.

    Many of the mafia heads openly associated with the mayors and politicians in sicily for years, including the likes of Bontade, Inzerello, Badalamente, Riccobono and Marchese...
    The sicilians authorities only came down and took notice when the presure from the mainland and of sicily's own people made their positions untenable if they didnt immediately act. They only reacted to save their own arses, not to stop a business that was making them all incredibly rich and protected men in their own right... Not to mention the fact that several known key mafia families went unpunished and continued their association with the authorities long after Riina's incarceration.
    Even the arrest of Riina was laughable at best... After 30 years they eventually find 'The Beast' at a family home in Palermo... Where he had indeed been living for the duration of his time as a fugitive... During which time he had been treated under his own name at the local hospital on numerous occasions for his Diabetes and all four of his children were also medically registered under their real names in the city... Doesnt exactly seem hard to find...

    Sadly, You are indeed right that it takes decades to change the way people think... But it will happen eventually
    I agree with Paul but in a different way. The world is too touchy. The thing with stereotypes is that there is truth behind them. Anyone who doesn't agree with this is either blind, stupid, or a liar. And no matter how much you say "Oh we've moved on from that" or "That is all overwith". The fact is that others haven't moved on and do still engage in whatever embarassing or unmarketable activities and/or lifestyles that were "good enough" to become stereotypes in the first place. While I realize that most of us are not these stereotypes, some fucker, somewhere is and for that reason we've all got to pay. Before we all start the tears and turn this thread into a pansyfest I want everyone to remember one important fact. Stereotypes always work both ways, so enjoy them and try not to get worked up over your "dirty uncle" because the guy sitting next to you has one as well.
     

    Enron

    Tickle Me
    Moderator
    Oct 11, 2005
    75,705
    AngelaL said:
    They did so to "have a go" at the italian/sicilian team, because of where they came from. I don't go around calling people from W Virginia "rednecks". Just because such derogatory terms refer to white people, it does not make it right/ok to use them. I suppose you think that it was ok for Glasgow Rangers fans to sing about being "up to their knees in catholics blood" when they were in Spain during last year's CL was ok too?
    That was over the line as it called for the blood of Catholics. The Mighty Hammers on the other hand were merely wearing T-shirts. Which was no doubt very clever considering the mafia did come from Sicily which is the same island Palermo calls home. And I'm sure the Palermo firm or whatever its called in Italy will have something put together for the return trip. Perhaps, some banners showing bad food, worse weather, and/or Mary Fucking Poppins is in order. As long as blood shed and the call for it are left out, I see no problems. Only sensitivities.
     

    Vinman

    2013 Prediction Cup Champ
    Jul 16, 2002
    11,482
    Respaul said:
    Did we hear you complaining when both Juve and Milan fan groups unfurled mafia related banners when palermo were in town last season ?
    Or is that ok as its within italy ?
    unlike you, I am not in Italy every week, and dont know everything that goes on. And yes, I do think the mafia banners are uncalled for


    Seven said:
    Well it's maffia in Dutch you wanker.

    And I've been in Sicily five times, perhaps I've even been there more than you. Honestly, can you ever get one of my points? Do you miss them intentionally or are you being genuine here?
    this is an English forum, so we speak and spell our words in ENGLISH !!

    Why do you not understand that more than half of what comes out of your mouth can be viewed as offensive to many different people ??

    Respaul said:
    A question for Vinni...

    In the Favourite players thread, you list Paolo Rossi amongst yours... Why ?
    I admire his abilities, and of course the fact that he brought us home the WC . He was also the first player I actually sat down and watched. I remember how excited I was when he signed a contract to come and play indoor soccer for the Buffalo Stallions of the MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League), back in 1983. He never made it, BTW :cry:

    I dont know much about his personal life, nor do I really care

    Vieri is also one of my favs, but his personal life isnt as squeaky clean as mine :D
     

    Bjerknes

    "Top Economist"
    Mar 16, 2004
    116,950
    Everywhere I go all I ever seem to hear is bang bang, bang bang. No matter where I go, all I ever seem to hear is bang bang, bang bang.

    Too bad that's what I wish was located next to my dome piece.
     

    Seven

    In bocca al lupo, Fabio.
    Jun 25, 2003
    39,439
    Vinman said:
    unlike you, I am not in Italy every week, and dont know everything that goes on. And yes, I do think the mafia banners are uncalled for




    this is an English forum, so we speak and spell our words in ENGLISH !!

    Why do you not understand that more than half of what comes out of your mouth can be viewed as offensive to many different people ??
    All I said was that Sicily will always be identified with mafia. Regardless of what I think of Sicilians and Italians in general, people will always associate them with organised crime. That's just how it is.
     

    Bjerknes

    "Top Economist"
    Mar 16, 2004
    116,950
    Whatever the case, I have come to the realization that nothing really matters. Terrorists can fly planes into buildings like jets on a runway, yet life goes on. George Bush can order 10,000 troops be sent to Iraq along with a 20% casualty rate, yet more and more troops are called upon despite their own free will... who gives a fuck what one of those dunderheads think. A car could essentially hit a parked Dodge Neon and run through my livingroom window, thus taking out my new television set and your's truly neck all in one simple direction and magnitude. Who gives a fuck, life still goes on. Wall Street resumes in the morning, right? That's all that matters.

    10,000 people are killed in Rwanda before sundown, yet half of my compatriots have no fucking clue where on earth said country is located. They did not join Oxfam international, nor Save the Whales, and proceeded to ask me what the fuck Hezbollah is when I strolled down the street wearing my obviously comical Team Hezbollah shirt. If you would so happen to be kind enough to provide me a 9-mm and secure location, I'll be kind enough to pull the trigger against your worthless narrow-minded overzealous two pounds of ignorant worthless membrane compartment.

    Fly planes into buildings, call all Muslims terrorists, support obviously corrupt politicians such as Bush and Ahmadinejad, sarcastially make a remark about how you apparently care for other living things before yourself, and you might as well introduce yourself to Dr. Kevorkian.

    Sleep is the cousin of death.
     

    GordoDeCentral

    Diez
    Moderator
    Apr 14, 2005
    71,062
    Andy said:
    Whatever the case, I have come to the realization that nothing really matters. Terrorists can fly planes into buildings like jets on a runway, yet life goes on. George Bush can order 10,000 troops be sent to Iraq along with a 20% casualty rate, yet more and more troops are called upon despite their own free will... who gives a fuck what one of those dunderheads think. A car could essentially hit a parked Dodge Neon and run through my livingroom window, thus taking out my new television set and your's truly neck all in one simple direction and magnitude. Who gives a fuck, life still goes on. Wall Street resumes in the morning, right? That's all that matters.

    10,000 people are killed in Rwanda before sundown, yet half of my compatriots have no fucking clue where on earth said country is located. They did not join Oxfam international, nor Save the Whales, and proceeded to ask me what the fuck Hezbollah is when I strolled down the street wearing my obviously comical Team Hezbollah shirt. If you would so happen to be kind enough to provide me a 9-mm and secure location, I'll be kind enough to pull the trigger against your worthless narrow-minded overzealous two pounds of ignorant worthless membrane compartment.

    Fly planes into buildings, call all Muslims terrorists, support obviously corrupt politicians such as Bush and Ahmadinejad, sarcastially make a remark about how you apparently care for other living things before yourself, and you might as well introduce yourself to Dr. Kevorkian.

    Sleep is the cousin of death.

    what a grim existence it must be to believe the world arbitrary; nihilistic a bit are we tonight?
     

    Bjerknes

    "Top Economist"
    Mar 16, 2004
    116,950
    Altair said:
    what a grim existence it must be to believe the world arbitrary; nihilistic a bit are we tonight?
    Nihilism? Not sure about that, however Mr. Cuervo is such a powerful influence that it becomes apparent terrorism is the least of your concern. It's not me rejecting morals... it's society and the feelings within their convoluted psyche.
     

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