I have 7 Words for George Carlin who Died at 71
You will be missed, Rest in Peace.
Some of my readers may be surprised to learn that I was a fan of George Carlin. I never missed his show when he came to Atlantic City and I caught him a few times in Vegas. I disagreed with his politics and many of his opinions about this country, but the role of the comedian is not to say things that will please the audience. Indeed, kings in the Middle Ages employed court jesters to speak on issues in a way that would be insulting if spoken not in jest; for after all, the jester is merely a fool and no one should take him seriously. But he was a vehicle to get the message out.
George Carlin was outrageous, blasphemous, cynical, irreverent, hilarious and funny. He said the things that had to be said, even if they offended. George Carlin believed in very, very few things, but did believe that Freedom of Speech means nothing without the Freedom to Insult.
I am an Atheist but I'm sure that when Carlin arrived in Heaven today the first thing that Saint Peter said was, "Aw Sh*t! What c*cks*ck sent this motherf*cker up here?" Which I am sure must have brought a smile to the old F*ck.
Related:
- Carlin's 1972 Arrest Report
- The Seven Words You Can Never Say On TV: Transcription, mp3
- The 1978 case, Federal Communications Commission vs. Pacifica Foundation
- More details about his life from NewsDaily Edgy comic George Carlin dies at 71
- Wiki Article
- Time Magazine: How George Carlin Changed Comedy
If the youtube video below doesn't show up, click this link.
Other bloggers saying a few words about George:
Traces of a Stream, George Carlin
He said things that I wish I had thought of or been brave enough to say. He not only made us laugh, he made us think.
Psychology Today Blog, George Carlin's Last Interview
Ten days ago, on a rainy Friday evening, I had the privilege of talking to George Carlin. As far as I know it was the last in-depth interview he gave before he passed away yesterday at age 71. Originally it was slated to run as a 350-word Q&A on the back page of Psychology Today. But I was so excited to talk to him—and he was so generous with his time—that I just kept on going. For question after question he indulged me, speaking thoughtfully about his childhood, his theories about humor, and his creative process.
Pop Culture Dish, Presented by Malcolm , Comic George Carlin Dead At the Age of 71
As I got ready for work this morning, I was thinking of George's approach to comedy and it reminded me of one of my favorite movie lines. In the 1960 courtroom drama Inherit the Wind, reporter E.K. Hornbeck (played by Gene Kelly) said that a newspaper's job is to "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable" and that's what George did for last 40 years. Whether he was ranting about government waste, the hypocrisy of religion or the decline of common sense among the human race, George had the ability to not only make you laugh, but think as well.
Internetmonk, A Christian Says Thank You George Carlin
What strikes me as continually ironic is that Carlin and other comedians have become the truth-tellers of our time, while Christians, especially in their official capacities as preachers, etc., have become the embodiment of truth avoidance and truth obscuration. Or, if you’d like to get on the more cynical bus with me and the Ecclesiastes Band, we’re more known for being liars about the human journey than we are for telling the truth. In that sense, I can say a hardy Thank God for George Carlin, who wasn’t afraid to tell it like it was, even if it totally overturned the tables so nicely arranged by the orderers of society and the custodian of decent thought.
Trackposted to Mac's Opinion, Perri Nelson's Website, third world county, and DragonLady's World, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
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