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Stella 1977 NOt sure if "cowardice" is the right word for Sammy. Self-serving, POS, sociopath... maybe, but regardless if John felt he was right in killing Castellano, he wasn't. He did not get approval (Vinnie the Chin and Gaspipe Casso took exception). John was just as in the wrong, and Sammy was the attack dog.
Sammy was the earner and John was probably a bit jealous, which is why he blew off steam. John had to flip the bird to the government with his flashy ways. I know Carlo Gambino would not have approved. Sammy disapproved but bent for his master like a good boy. I bet Sammy would have taken those years if he didn;t feel like his friend turned on him and fed hi to the dogs..
That's when sammy's criminal POS mind took over and flipped... If the tables were turned, one thing I know is John would never have ratted. In a way John was too much of a gangster to do so. Sammy seemed to have more insight and more of an appreciation for Cosa nostra and F-ed him before he got f-ed.
JOhn couldn;t help but be John, which broke the rules of omerta... But Sammy flipping as a conscious decision was worse, ut because he felt betrayed. Like the old saying, there is no honor amongst criminals.
PS:i'm going by sammys side... which is weird to defend him but I'm sure if that's what he truly believes then I can see his side of it.
I honestly think as smart as Sammy can be, he is too stupid to be a coward...like you said, he went right back out, probably knowing if he got caught he'd get the book thrown at him. Like an act of courage out of stupidity and not bravery. When you think you have nothing to lose, you say F-it... He knew he coulda been killed while flipping. so he wasn't brave but wasn't cowardly either.
As much as Sammy may have been a selfish prick, Johns huge ego was to blame as well... It was a witches brew of these issues that caused the downfall... John may have been a better guy, but as boss, he was no Gambino r even Vinnie the chin.... And I put Gravano on the same self serving savage scale as a Scarfo or Casso... The whole thing was doomed