"Loddi Doddi, Free John Gotti, the King of New York...", that was a good song.
Seriously, Americans have a fascination with mobsters. This is proven by the popularity of the subject in entertainment. The mob movie is to the NYC area what the Western is to its subject area. Full of crap and romance. But entertaining none the less. I feel that explains a lot about the "respect" he recieved.
I do remember lots of wailing in the streets on his troubles, and reports of the "good" he did for charity (this reported by the mainstream press, no less.) Seems he WAS loved by some in the community.
None the less, Gotti was a hood and a thug. Not one I would want my kids to see a a hero of any sort.
Good riddence to bad rubish.
