Finally saw Scorcese’s movie, Gangs of New York. I saw the television version, and even that was quite brutal. I was fascinated with how barbaric we were as a nation. Reminded me of what some of what we see now going on in the Middle East. Even the fight for the rights of immigrants rang very true to today (see previous post). The absolute best quote came from Leonardo Di Caprio’s character when was discussing the power of a movement (in this case the rise of the Irish immigrants fighting for their rights to be seen as equals):
“The earth turns, but we don’t feel it move. Then one night you look up, one spark, and the sky is on fire.
The past is the torch that lights our way. Where our fathers have shone us the path. We shall follow. Our faith is the weapon most feared by our enemies, for thereby shall we lift our people up against those who would destroy us.
Our name is called the dead rabbits to remind all of our suffering and is a call to those who suffer still to join our ranks however so far they may have strayed from our common home across the sea. For with great numbers must come great strength and the salvation of our people.”
Another great quote: “Fortune favors the bold.”