Sunday, June 22, 2008

George Carlin passes away



One of America's funniest and most relevant of comedians passed away on Sunday.

George Carlin died of heart failure in Los Angeles on Sunday at the age of 71, bringing to an end his remarkable reign as one of America's most dangerous minds, one who not only said how he saw things evolving in America, but capable of making you think all while delivering his withering criticisms with a rapier wit.

He became best known for his Seven words that you can't say on Television, which earned him many a reprimand through the seventies. But it's been his thoughts on religion, politics and society that made him the observer of our times.

He was a counter culture hero from the sixties who never became co-opted by the establishment, indeed was blacklisted and prosecuted at times and perhaps provided them with their greatest fears, a nation of well informed citizens ready to ask questions.

Still relevant past the turn of this century, he was the conscience of the nation for a span of the generations, his message still as important today as it was in his formative years five decades ago.

A search of the You Tube portal will provide you with any number of his numerous routines over the years, many profane but relevant to trying times, many of them classics of their era.

Newsweek-- Comedian George Carlin dies at age 71
Washington Post-- Comedian George Carlin Dies in Los Angeles at 71
International Herald Tribune-- George Carlin, irreverent comedian, dies at 71
The Associated Press-- Comedian George Carlin dead at age 71
MSNBC-- Comedian George Carlin dies at 71

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