Monday, June 23, 2008

Baruch Dayan Ha-Emet - George Carlin

We lost one of the greats in American comedy yesterday when George Carlin died at age 71. He called things as he saw them--and his view was pointed, true, and very funny. He saw the absurdity in many of our so-called realities, and was able to continually reach people of all ages through all the stages of his life.

I own a copy of "Class Clown" -- George Carlin's third comedy album recorded in 1972. It has the infamous "seven words you can't say on television" routine. But there are many other outstandingly funny bits on it. I encourage you to find the recordings of it floating around the web world. Although parts of it are specific to its time--the Vietnam war, Mohammed Ali--the jabs at our society still ring true today.

But the bit I will share is a later one--a comparison of baseball and football through the language of each sport.

Zichronah l'vracha, George Carlin, you will remain in our psyche for many years to come....challenging us to always question societal norms around us

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