A Guest Post by Michael Estepa, Author of “Purged by Darkness”.

Are the police making any progress with organized crime?

In my opinion, yes they are, but the law enforcement are a long way from completely ridding the world of organized crime. While it is well documented that the once powerful La Cosa Nostra is now on its last legs, there will always be other organized crime gangs to take over, if the law does succeed in wiping them out.

The quote “Your enemies become stronger on what you leave behind” is a perfect example of what I said previously (this quote was said during the movie of The Godfather II). During the time of prohibition in America, the Irish and Jewish mobs were the most dominant then the Italian mob took over. If the law succeeds, there’s always the motorcycle outlaw clubs, the Russian Mafiya, Asian organized crime gangs, Hispanic or African American gangs who are waiting in line - fighting to take over.



With tough new anti gang laws in place and local, state, federal and international law enforcement agencies making an effort to work together, it seems gangsters are finding it difficult to make a living in the modern age. While it may be difficult, it is not impossible. The one thing I have learnt about gangsters is that they are incredibly resilient. In my book, Purged by Darkness the reader will see just how many enterprises both legal and illegal gangsters are involved in to earn a living. Gangsters will look at all the angles and make money out of areas you thought there was no money to be made. Just like the law, gangsters are constantly evolving. They have to if they want to survive.

You may think all is lost, but you couldn’t be farther from the truth. “The best cure is prevention” and by educating our youth of today we empower them with knowledge to make the conscious choice to stay clear of a life of crime. At the end of the day, it really comes down to that individual caught in this crossroad to make the right choice.

My thanks to Michael for taking the time to do a guest post for my blog.

Purged by Darkness by Michael Estepa Author

Life in a gang is depicted in an almost text book manner. The rise and subsequent disillusionment of a “boss” is depicted. Kai’s struggles with his self identity and his life goals smash against tradition’s harsh walls.

The book was hard to like. Estepa paints a sad portrait of young men pulled into a life by tradition and greed. The love and loyalty they have for each other and the disillusion with the life style provide a counterpoint to the casual acceptance of lethal violence as a business tool. Kai’s introspection and his eventual personal redemption by his own hand show the stark reality of how youthful indiscretion can lead to adult despair.

I recommend the book, it isn’t an easy read but it may provide better insight to the motivation of the young men who fill the ranks of gangs worldwide regardless of their society.

Body of work of Michael Estepa

Review

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I,Alex Cross By James Patterson

Alex Cross faces yet another threat to his family. Set in the real world of political intrigue and back stabbing, Alex faces the seamy side of Washington D.C. that directly impacts his family.

Alex Cross loves his family passionately. I like that aspect of his character. He jumps in with both feet and treads where angels would fear to tread. Alex bows to no authority, none whatsoever. In this book he faces political pressure beyond belief and stands solid. A foe he can’t face attacks one of his most beloved relatives and he sits on the sidelines watching others fight that fight for him. The mystery was intriguing with plenty of disturbing action. This was a masterful and classic Patterson.

I highly recommend it.

Body of work of James Patterson

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Amanda Knox Outrage

My last post posed hypothetically that anti-Americanism may have played a part in Amanda Knox’s ludicrous conviction. After doing a web search, it appears that I am not the only one that questions the basis of the conviction. It appears that this young woman is being a scapegoat to the rabid anti-American feelings in a very conservative Italian community. The more I read, the more I am outraged. Here is a link to a site that summarizes the case. Don’t just read this article look at others and make up your mind. If you are as outraged as I am, email or call your congressman and senator, perhaps official pressure may help.

I have found a website that claims to be the Amanda Knox defense fund. I have emailed the Associated Press and asked if their reporter, Gene Johnson who has done many stories on the Amanda Knox case, can verify if the website is legitimate. If it is legitimate, I am going to donate, that family is taking an emotional and financial beating.

Italian Justice, An Oxymoron?

If you don’t know who Amanda Knox is, you are probably living in a cave. I am sure I don’t know enough to rant about the jury’s verdict but I do have to question how it was reached. If the news reports are accurate, there was no, repeat NO forensic evidence to show that Miss Knox was ever in the room where the murder took place. Somehow that seems to indicate reasonable doubt. Of course reasonable doubt is part of the judicial process in the good old US of A. It doesn’t appear that is the case for the Italian judicial process. One hesitates to suggest that the seeming mindless pursuit of a guilty plea regardless of evidence may be indicative of the European dislike of Americans in general. It would truly be a tragic miscarriage of justice if a young woman is sentenced to 26 years in prison primarily due to her nationality.

Once A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

“Once A Witch” is a delightful coming of age story. Tamsin perceives herself as an outsider in her own family. The family universally displays “talent”. Tamsin shows no signs of following the hereditary skill set of her family of witches. How she works through this problem and the relationships she establishes are the gist of the book.

MacCullough captured the essence of teenage angst. As a counselor, I saw many teens searching for personal identity and MacCullough portrayed this search with accuracy and sensitivity. The story line was good, it recognized that even good people may find themselves doing bad things for the “greater” good. The relationships and the soul searching were believable. I suspect this will be a very successful series.

I highly recommend it.

Body of work of Carolyn MacCullough

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Hollywood Moon by Joseph Wambaugh

Hollywood Moon is so goofy if it wasn’t so closely related to reality you would scoff at it. Hollywood is goofy. I have a nephew who works on the 911 phone line. He, as well as those whom I know work the emergency room, confirms that a full moon seems to bring out those who aren’t wrapped as tight as the rest of us. A cop story in traditional Wambaugh style.


The characterizations are so rich, vivid, colorful and flamboyant that they often make you laugh out loud. The interplay between partners provides a thoughtful perspective on how relationships can develop in the pressure cooker of a shop.(squad car) The story often seemed to range widely but finally came down to a tied up conclusion. Some of the action may seem preposterous but it doesn’t take much research to see Wambaugh does his homework. The book paints cops as people, not as stereotype characters of sterling character but people. People with ethics, concerns and lives that are held to a higher standard of behavior than those they police. You can’t help but respect the jobs they do, in conditions that are often amazing.

I recommend it.

Body of work of Joseph Wambaugh

Review of the book


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