ode

I think organized crime these days is more gang-affiliated than mob-related, although I'm sure that there's a small underbelly still intact despite the dismantling that occurred in the 80's and 90's. To what extent he feels comfortable/safe... he's authored a book and has done detailed interviews with cable television networks that do mob-related documentaries on the NJ/NY syndicates from back in those days.

In fact, I recently watched a documentary that featured Pistone detailing the "Donnie Brasco" operation just a few weeks ago, and no effort was made whatsoever to hide his appearance or anything of that nature during his interview. But his brother maintained that he still very much makes it a point to not disclose his whereabouts to anyone other than his immediate family. So to some degree - he still looks over his shoulder, I guess you could say.

A few other tidbits his brother told me... once Pistone was assigned to go after the semi-truck hijackings that had become a serious problem in the mid-late 1970's, the agency quickly realized how easily he was able to infiltrate the NJ crime family, and then gave him the cover of a jewel thief, which began the famous "Donnie Brasco" operation. He not only infiltrated the Jersey mafia, but networked into the NY syndicate as well.

Once assigned to the Brasco operation, he spent 6 years away from his family and friends, his only connection being his brother (who I played golf with). He said he would go months without hearing from him, worried sick about him, no way to get in contact with him, firmly believing on more than one occasion that his cover had been blown and that he'd been killed. He told me of one particular instance, in which the FBI used him to funnel operational money to his brother... He was informed of a vehicle that Joe would be driving, told him where it would be and when it would be there, but that his brother would be nowhere around... and to put the money in a hidden compartment within one of the seats. So he makes the drop, and three weeks later his brother calls him from a payphone asking him where the hell the money is, he needed it asap.

The brother informs him of where he put it... Joe had no idea that he'd been driving around for three weeks with $50,000 cash in his car. Luckily it was so well hidden that none of his mob associates (who'd ridden in that same car with him since then) found it. Otherwise they would've undoubtedly assumed that he was holding out on his collections and killed him on the spot.

Anyway... very interesting stuff, to me anyway. One of the more enjoyable rounds of golf I've had in a long while.

    6 days later

    Getting ready to watch John Wick II on DVD. I considered trying to do the kill count myself, but if it's anything like the first flick, I'll never keep up.

    Right now- Billions on Showtime (at the gym), Bloodline with the wife on Netflix, and American Gods on STARZ (weekly)

    Celtics/Lakers Best of Enemies on ESPN.....brought back memories (both good and bad)
    of probably the most intense sports rivalries of the 80's.
    And Magic vs Bird,doesn't get much better,man those guys were great in their prime!

      Weirfan
      Only thing I've seen in that list is Sherlock - which I really like. We may have very different tastes in TV, or its my lack of TV watching.

      I was getting a kick out of Lucifer for a while, but its gone a bit soap opera-ish lately. While I haven't watched all of the Netflix/Marvel series (liked Daredevil and Jessica Jones, couldn't get through the rest), I am looking forward to the Defenders.

        Justified, Fargo, Daredevil, and just started watching Orange is the New Black to see what it's about, pretty good.

          darpar

          I agree. I've got this series on DVR, looking forward to watching it. This was back when the NBA was a lot more interesting than it is today, back when true rivalries existed. These guys respected their opponents to such a degree that they hated losing to them with a passion, to the point where they'd never remotely consider the thought of joining forces to create a Super Team to win championships.

          We'll never see rivalries like that again imo. The entertainment value was so much better, it isn't even measurable.

            a year later

            I'm into the 2nd episode in Season 2 of Ozarks via Netflix. So far, pretty good.

            I'm still interested to see how this story unfolds in the coming episodes.

              No regular shows. Been using the YouTube app on the smart TV to watch old Laurel & Hardy silents. Just watched "Big Business" last night. Haven't seen it in at least 40 years. Tom and Jerry couldn't cause as much destruction as they did in that one.

                Mid-Am on FoxSports -- didn't even know it was on.

                PA-PLAYA I'm into the 2nd episode in Season 2 of Ozarks via Netflix. So far, pretty good.

                I'm still interested to see how this story unfolds in the coming episodes.

                Just finished Bloodline and Ozark. Both outstanding. Currently in Season 2 of House of Cards. Kevin Spacey is one evil sumbitch.

                    sdandrea1

                    Spacey was a phenomenal actor. I don't condone anything he allegedly did off-camera. But on-camera - he was incredibly talented. Baby Driver, American Beauty, The Usual Suspects, Pay it Forward, The Negotiator (which is one of my favs with Samuel Jackson), Glengarry Ross, etc. I mean the list goes on and on. Some of the most talented people also happened to be the most messed up in their private lives.

                    But I stopped watching HoC after the third season. The script was getting a bit too wayward for me.

                    Then again, Robin Wright is a phenomenal actress and certainly played the part to a tee. She's one of my favorite actresses. Great series. But like most series - they reach a point where the writers are struggling to figure out how to either continue the series or to end it. It's why screen writers like David Chase (The Sopranos) and Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul) - their careers are elevated as high as they are. They not only kept the story line going for more than just a season or two, but actually made it more interesting the longer it played out, and knew how to end it all.

                    I think Ozark is heading in that direction. We'll see. I thought season 1 was great, and season 2 hasn't lost me after two episodes. Jason Bateman is also a great actor.

                    Bloodline was also very good.

                    Bloodline and Ozark (imo) is the best two series Netflix has released in a while. 👍