Omertà - The conspiracy of silence

The word omerta in Italian refers to the silence the mafia imposes on people within its sphere of influence. One of the reasons the mafia clans of Cosa Nostra (Our Thing) and The Camorra have been able to become so powerful is its ability to discourage anyone who might have seen a crime committed by a mafia member (mafioso) to speak to the police or be a witness in court. In addition to intimidating people, omerta is also followed by a member of the mafia who becomes a made man, or a Man of Honor. During the initiation ritual, a man of honor will prick his finger and smear the blood on a burning image of a saint. As the paper is burning, a boss of a local cosca (family) will hold the inductee’s hands and as the paper is burning, the inductee will vow never to betray the organization, or his flesh will burn and turn into ashes like the burning piece of paper with the image of the saint. It is this powerful code of silence, which has helped the mafia, continue to thrive in Sicily and much of the southern part of Italy.

Interestingly the current meaning of omerta derives from the Italian word for humility, umulita- or in Sicilian dialect, umirita. The original meaning of the word was used by the Sicilian mafia members as a way to denote respect and devotion to the sect. Humility or umirita eventually evolved into omerta, which still means silence.

Due to the power of omerta, the power of the mafia in Sicily could never be proved. However, after Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino proved during the maxi trials against Cosa Nostra and their evidence withstood an extensive cross-examination in court, the power of Cosa Nostra could not be disputed.

Like the power of the mafia to induce omerta in its sphere of influence, Silvio Berlusconi also uses the same tactics as Cosa Nostra to intimidate and silence any of his critics. The silencing of the press by Berlusconi and his ability to have people removed from television like Daniele Luttazzi and Sabina Guzzanti proves he is no friend of democracy.

The following video was posted by Beppe Grillo this year and Opinione wanted to share this powerful video with you. The beginning of the video shows a reenactment of the bombing of Giovanni Falcone and then the actual footage of the aftermath. Immediately following that scene is also a reenactment of the killing Paolo Borsellino outside his mothers home in Palermo and then the actual aftermath. After the two bombing scenes, you will see Daniele Luttazzi interviewing Marco Travaglio along with Silvio Berlusconi embracing his friend and founder of his political party Forza Italia, Marcello Dell’Utri, who has since been convicted at the second level of collusion with Cosa Nostra in Sicily.

Isn't it good to know more about the types of governments American tax dollars related to the military industrial complex support.