Monday, June 23, 2008

George Carlin

George Carlin is gone now. His heart finally gave out. Considering he survived a number of heart attacks, we’ve been lucky to see him make it to 71 years.

George Carlin was one of America’s greatest voices for freedom. His famous seven words you can’t say on TV illuminated the hypocrisy of the American media’s Puritanism. Violence, blood and gore were ok, but not those naughty words.

George was one to call ‘em as he saw ‘em. He called ‘em when it wasn’t pretty. He faced the ugliness, the madness and dark seediness lurking in our politics and culture. He could get us to laugh at the kind of stories that should make us cry.

His last TV special was one of his best. See “It's Bad for Ya” and you’ll agree he was in top form.

Last October George was a guest on Countdown with Keith Olbermann. Keith was kind enough to re-broadcast that interview on tonight’s show. I’d like to share the post I wrote about that event back then.

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Tuesday, October 30, 2007

What George Carlin REALLY Said

“Nothing you see on the internet is mine unless it came from one of my albums, books, HBO shows, or appeared on my website.” – George Carlin

Most of us have received the e-mail forwards. They usually feature someone ranting about taxes, welfare, social issues, and such. Some of the most popular of these were credited to George Carlin and were titled, “Gas Prices Solution,” “Paradox in our Time in History”, “Bad Republican,” or “Bad American.” It might start out saying, “I like big cars, big cigars…” Then it would usually go on with typical right-wing complaints like, “I don’t celebrate Kwanza, I think I’m better than the homeless, I am not tolerant of others because they are different, I think global warming is junk science,” and something about Ronald Reagan being his hero.

You get the idea. It just feels good for people to have someone famous; someone they want to believe who sees things as they do.

Not all are specifically or politically conservative. There is one that reads like a sentimental little sermon. The one titled “Paradox in our Time” contains bits like, “We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We've learned to rush, but not to wait.” When the piece gets to, “…watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.” Those of us who know Carlin is an atheist get suspicious.

With only a little investigation, we learn that none of these were actually written by Mr. Carlin. I am still a fan of the guy, even though his material seems to be getting a little too morbid and depressing. As such are the times, I must admit.

I was happy to see George featured as a guest on “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” last Tuesday, October 23rd. So, for the curious, here is what George Carlin REALLY had to say.

After his introduction by Olbermann, Carlin noted appreciatively, “This is the best news show ever…unparalleled.”

Referring to George Bush, he said, ”He’s Governor Bush, because that’s the last elected office he held legally in this country.”

Expanding his observations, he commented about the illegal wiretapping by the Bush Administration.” Power does what it wants, and now they’re just more naked about it. Now they just put it right out front and say, ‘This is what we’re doing to you folks’. It’s, you know, this country is finished. It’s been sliding downhill a long time. And everybody’s got a cell phone that makes pancakes, so they don’t want to rock the boat. They don’t want to make any trouble. The people have been bought off by gizmos and toys in this country, and no one questions things anymore.”

He concluded with, “Seriously, that’s what I love about your show. I mean you bring the thing right to them, and that’s the only way to do it.’

There you have it. George Carlin wants us to watch “Countdown with Keith Olbermann.”

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17 comments:

Larry said...

Whether you liked his comedy or not one thing about Carlin was he was a true liberal, and wasn't afraid to show it.

Unknown said...

Carlin was one of a kind. He will be missed by many, myself included.

BTW, Dave, I've got something for you at my site today.:)

Distributorcap said...

he will be sorely missed

Robert Rouse said...

Although he stayed ahead of Pryor on heart attacks, he was never able to catch up to him on catching ones self on fire. He will be sorely missed.

jmsjoin said...

Gee I'm slow but a get it! You were a Carlin fan! Definitely one of a kind! Just stopped by to say Congratulations! you and Betmo, All right! if I still have the sobering article she sent me this morning on China's earthquakes and HAARP I will send it to you. Quite believable!

jmsjoin said...

Dave
I seem to have lost your E! Can you send it to me again so I can send you that? jmsjoin@verizon.net

Anne said...

we think alike where carlin is concerned, among many other things. like keith! he soothes my soul during these dark times.

george carlin taught me to question authority at a young age and i will be grateful to him for that always.

Robert Rouse said...

I've been thinking about it, and even though Carlin had a few liberal ideas, he wasn't a true liberal. I believe a true liberal is someone who always uses the ballot to try to bring about social change. Carlin did admit that the last time he voted, it was for George McGovern. But, I still love the guy.

jmsjoin said...

Hi Dave
Just checking for content but since I'm here Yesterday I heard the chief scum say Obama would endanger all His accomplishments and McCain has to be elected to continue on the right course. Can you friggen imagine.? Yeah, distance yourself! McCain's people were saying yesterday Obama would endanger the economy. What? AAARRRGGGHHH!

Dave Dubya said...

Carlin definitely placed himself left of center politically. In Corporatist/proto Fascist America even a centrist would seem liberal on that scale.

He saw voting as a futile endeavor. Except for the 2000 election I think I agree. There are maybe 5 percent of our politicians that are truly liberal. They cannot get any liberal initiative passed in a corporatist right wing government.

Carlin may be entirely correct saying, "This country is finished. It’s been sliding downhill a long time."

I've said liberalism is extinct in American politics and I see no indication of it reviving. Corporate media will protect the corporatist agenda by giving the public only their own slant on issues.

Compounding the problem, not enough Americans have the time or inclination to examine the politics that affect them.

The key to the continuation of power by the corporate military/media/industrial complex is keeping Americans uninformed.

Their equation is the Orwellian concept "ignorance is strength".

Note the non-issue of FISA and telecom immunity with the media. The corporate media, and much of congress, is embedded into the telecom industry.

The Fourth Amendment is not even a mild concern to them.

Their success will continue because they own the game and make the rules.

Maybe a severe economic crash will motivate some politicians. When big business has no more cash for them, they might listen to the people.

This may happen sooner than later. This was the worst June for the stock market since the Great Depression.

Change will come only with tumultuous conditions in the economy.

We need to hound our senators and congressmen constantly. Rattle their cages and let them know we are paying attention to their assaults on the Constitution. After that, all we can do is conserve our own resources, be prepared and keep alert.

Anonymous said...

o/t
McCain adviser (and former Rudy guy) Martin Eisenstadt talks about bringing former Soviet Union and Thai ‘masseuse’ service to green zone 5 star hotel & casino, also says— “we also had a racial problem between the indians, the caucasians from europe and the blacks from africa but somehow casinos have managed to fix that”. Then he adds: “only 20 years ago indians were drunk and homeless and committing crimes, today they are prosperous and wealthy driving mercedes and their kids have gameboys and play stations”. But only “the indians”, but also “have the black people with the sports have managed to advance themselves”.—( ht2 Raed Jarrar)

Promises ‘trickle down’ economics will help waiters and gardeners. More & youtube clip:-
tenpercent.wordpress.com

Dave Dubya said...

Thanks Rick,

Now we can rest assured that everything will be OK.

Unknown said...

Sorry Dave ignore the clip it has since been found to be illegitimate.

Anonymous said...

I just checked out the clip of the dufus talking about the Casinos in Iraq. Of course it's a satire (I think the shot of Elton John in the background gave it away). But it's fuckin' hilarious.

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Unknown said...

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