Quote 1
"He wasn't a bully, but he was looking for trouble. You could sense him hoping someone would start something." (1.2.28)
Although Bulger wasn't a particularly cruel kid, he was certainly known to throw hands from time to time. Of course, as we'll see, adult Bulger seems to get a disturbing amount of joy from inflicting pain on other people.
Quote 2
The fast, bloody "Godfather" takeover [...] would be [...] a formal notice to the underworld that Bulger was soon to manipulate and control. (1.2.39)
Make no mistake—Bulger isn't some sympathetic criminal who only turns to illegal activity to save his dying wife, or [insert sob story here]. He's a criminal because he loves it. He beats people up because it's fun. No wonder he rises to the rank of mob boss in record time.
Quote 3
Forget the "good bad guy" myth. Bulger, said Stearn, was "a serial killer." (e.27)
The revelation of Bulger's crimes causes an explosion the likes of which is rarely seen outside of a Michael Bay movie. And for good reason. Bulger has for too long hid behind his image as an anti-hero. It's time for Southie to see his true colors.