Those wacky Italians

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/22/AR2007102201575.html

 

It was mentioned on NPR a couple of days ago also. It's funny b/c I have always thought Ferrari operates somewhat like the mafia.

 

They could be reading this thread...............................

 

Those of us who do business with, are married to, or grew up with Italians know what other's are just now learning of.

 

Careful!

 

Hey, hey now; all four of my Grandparents were from Sicily which makes me a full blooded American-Sicilian (notice how I put AMERICAN first). We could also say the same above comment about the Irish, Russians, Japanese, Germans, Columbians, and just about every other nationality. FYI at the Italian Mafia's peak in the U.S. there were less than 4,000 members and with nearly 9% of the U.S. with Italian blood that is a minute % of the total to make such a broad stereotype comment. Now if your referring to our passion for family, food, cars, work ethic, ingenuity and/or the way we articulate our point of view; then I'll give you a pass.
JT

 

lol, I was wondering when someone would get a little bent over the thread title ... (replace with another nationality and watch a sh*& storm prevail) ...

 

why? the article is about italians.

 

Hey,
Look at the article....WE do the bending!

 

Let me clarify. My Great-grand and Grand parents came through Ellis Island from Italy. They did that from 1890 to 1905. They made a life here, not just to work but, to become Americans. That they did. They never went back. My Grandfather memorized the English dictionary. I am an American. I am not a hyphenated anything. I am an American. When I joined the US Army, my Grandfather cried because he had been too old to join himself. As he lay dying, my Mother refused to let me come home from OCS for the funeral because he and she wanted me to graduate with my class. My Uncle was General Westmoreland's barber. They and we, are Americans. We are nothing else. Articles about Italy or the Mafia do not apply to me. I am an American. I plan to rest at Arlington, the ashes of my Dress Blues to become part of the American landscape. IMHO.

 

My Grandparents also came through Ellis Island after WWI and my family has served in every war this country has been engaged in since, including the current one. I agree with your statements about being an American, Italy and the Mafia. With that being said we will alway have a vowel at the end of our surname and the stereotypes attached from the uninformed and/or ignorant (or those who choose to be) especially those envy of our success. Also I was referring my original comments to the broad statement posted by 1ual777; "Those of us who do business with, are married to, or grew up with Italians know what other's are just now learning of". I doubt he was referring to citizens of Italy, he is referring to anyone who has Italian blood and/or a vowel at the end of their name. I look forward to meeting you one day you sound like someone I would possibly enjoy a deep conversation with. Now lets get back to Ferraris.
JT

 

Funny thing is, every ethnic group has its organized crime; be it the Russains, the Middle Easterns, the Turks, the Israelis, the South and Central Americans, the Asians and so on.

If anything, I blame Hollywood for popularizing (and romanticising) the association of Italians to the world of organized crime.

 

Perfect! We know who we are. I just needed to vent. We're back to subject. Graci!