American Gangster, Mafia Code of Ethics, Hermosa Beach

By Joy A. Kennelly

I've been wanting to write about this for quite some time. Did anyone else catch the Mob's Code of Ethics article mid-November? I found it extremely interesting, especially after seeing American Gangster last night.

Here's a link to the BBC's article on the mafia in case you missed the original. But back to the movie for now.One of my friends is a former rapper (I believe there's a lot of illegal activity going on in that genre too, but that's a discussion for another day.)

One year we decided to hit the Oscar Gifting Suites for fun and publicity since he's a celebrity. To make sure he received a lot of attention he wore his PINK fox fur mid-length jacket along with his customary pink and black spotted mink top hat.

Now if you can visualize a 6'2" solidly built, black rapper turned filmmaker wearing that coat in the Beverly Hilton hotel around Oscar time you can IMAGINE the attention he received. When I was watching Denzel Washington stride into the boxing arena area wearing such an ostentatious chinchilla coat, I had to text my friend to tell him DW was wearing his coat to tease him. My friend also has a floor length pink fur coat, but says it's not ever cold enough to wear it in CA. He totally cracks me up!

That movie was great. I was kind of bummed that I'd seen so many of the pivotal scenes in trailers and commercials, but it was still great. Almost every night of my classes, one of the guest speakers brings up that movie, or one of my classmates does. I think Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington did an amazing acting job in it. The actors and/or the movie have got to be nominated for something come Oscar season.

I also enjoyed seeing Cuba Gooding Jr. play someone other than Mr. Happy. He had range which was fun to watch. I couldn't place Josh Brolin until I saw his name in the credits. Excellent bad guy. Makes me wonder, based on that movie, how much more corruption is going on in the South Bay,CA that we don't even realize. Even my attorney agrees with me. I personally don't think I really want to know everything.

I will share selections from the Mob's Code of Ethics because I think it applies to Hermosa Beach and city council and others doing business here. I'm also revealing the end of the movie so if you haven't seen it yet, I'll tell you when to stop reading to avoid ruining the surprise.

According to yahoo, 

"The list bars mobsters from hanging out in bars, from befriending police and being late for appointments. It also bars them from 'taking possession of money that belong to others or other families.'"

No bars, eh? I wonder if city officials would do a better job of running the city if they stayed out of the bars they're meant to govern. Just a thought. Ha! Not to say that all or any of them do, but we know one recently elected candidate who's been and is very cozy... P.T. anyone?

You know what else totally cracks me up about living in Hermosa? The amount of former councilmen and mayors I keep bumping into. I guess in a city that's only a mile or so with a population of 18,000 it's inevitable right? However, I've never, ever met that many in casual settings anywhere else I've lived. I guess it's a rite of passage or something for the men down here or there's nothing else to do. LOL!

Now from the Herald Sun on the same mafia topic:

"The list, found typed on a single sheet kept in Lo Piccolo's leather case, also dictates a Mafia member can never approach a rival without a third person present."

Maybe it's a good thing that former Mayor/bar owner, JL Bowler is escorting us on our little bar hop excursion after all. Although our planned visit is a friendly one. Just fact finding and fun with former Fat Face Fenner Faloon restaurant owner turned PR guy for all the bars in Hermosa Beach. Very interesting.

I liked the fact that the mob isn't supposed to "befriend" the police too.

Here's a quick blurb explaining why this code of ethics is a good idea from a cool blog called The Business Ethics blog. For the whole article click through. And I quote:

"It's worth pointing out the parallels between the Mafia code and the ethical strictures placed on members of legitimate business enterprises, including:

""#3.  Never be seen with cops." (i.e., avoid even the appearance of conflict of interest)
"#4. Don't go to pubs and clubs." (presumably this is to make disclosure of 'company secrets' less likely)"

Very interesting, right? Just keeping it real.

Back to American Gangster (click for the Hollywood Reporter's review.) Now here's the paragraph to avoid reading for the ending ok?

I loved that Richie, the good cop played by Russell, when offered a bribe by Frank, the drug lord played by Denzel, totally turned it down and also turned in a million dollars when there were so many other dirty cops.

I also loved that as a result of Richie's integrity, so many of those crooked cops and others were caught. I don't know what it would take to clean up the corruption here, but one can only hope that eventually the truth will be revealed. Dateline?  20/20? LA Times? KNBC?
 

That's all. I'm sure everyone wants to believe that there isn't corruption in our city, but I think it's rampant everywhere in the country. It's just a little closer to the surface in certain parts.

More to be revealed. That's all. Gotta run.

Have a great Saturday and don't forget to visit the Los Feliz Village Holiday Festival tonight taking place from 6pm - 10pm on Hillhurst between Franklin and Hollywood. It's freeee... Great for the whole family.

See you there...