Submitted by Ewan Eaton, May 31, 2007 03:58

Dear Editor:

As a school teacher i felt obligated to respond to the article "Delight at Mob Deaths Dogs Lawmen"

The word "mafia" was the name of a criminal syndicate in Sicily and their descendants in the USA until sensation-hungry journalists turned it into a word to basically describe a group of people making money and at present ive seen it used in the following way:

* Mexican Mafia, Russian Mafia, Israeli Mafia, Balkan Mafia, African Mafia, Samoan Mafia, Jamaican Mafia, Terrorist Mafia and so on..

* Betting Mafia

* Land Mafia

* Trenchcoat Mafia

* Pink Mafia

* Gay Mafia

Now there is a new series tipped to be the next Desperate Housewives called "Cashmere Mafia" which revolves around the lives of four glamorous career women.

My point is:

The word "Mafia" or "Mob" can mean anything these days. How do you expect the younger generation to understand an article when simply quoting "Mafia" or "Mob" ?

According to some mafiosi who had turned Government witness , the real name of the Italian Mafia in Both Sicily and The United States is " Cosa Nostra" .

Why isnt the correct term "Cosa Nostra" used ?

Do you think it may be time to change your writing practice when writing about Italian & Italian-American Organised Crime ?

Simply referring them as "Mafia" is out of date.

I look forward to your response.

Ewan.

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