by Dan Hensley

Created on: July 09, 2008

George Carlin knew how to communicate. He knew the power of words, and how to touch nerves in every individual and every social group. For the record, Carlin's brand of humor was not safe for the family nor was it safe for the workplace. Carlin aimed to be offensive and shocking, but he also had a message to get out to the world. George knew that the shock element of foul language and pointed jokes would always get everyone's attention.

Within Carlin's skits were elements of truth. The views expressed in this article are not those of the author or any other person, just simple observations. Now that the political correctness is out of the way, I will not get into those places I agree with Carlin, nor will I say where I disagree. This article is not about my opinion. Foul language, pointed conversation, inappropriate expression, the whole territory it comes with is always a wide land of diverse opportunity for humor's sake.

Those in the adult humor industry rely on opportunity, skill, and just a bit of forethought maliciously intended because it's about opportunity. Striking nerves to get a reaction for a few bucks has always been popular, but George Carlin was an entertainer first and foremost, an artist of the written and spoken word. Timing and effect are everything in Carlin's art. I've watched every second of George Carlin's material for the purposes of doing this article. He always created a masterpiece sure to gain some amount of notoriety guaranteed to shell shock his audience back into reality.

In comparison to Howard Stern, Carlin was tied with Howie for his level of putridness that drew you in while it also repelled you. Even when you knew Carlin was plain wrong for something, instead of turning him off, you stayed because he was so unpredictable that it kept you on the edge of your seat in anticipation of his next antic. George could go from being disgusting to being right on target like a roller coaster that couldn't decide on it's direction or velocity of travel.

Equal opportunity was George Carlin's motto. That policy always spelled trouble for his next target of rough humor. He was out to get everyone. Nothing was sacred to Carlin. He could anger you, bring you to tears, or make you laugh so hard that you needed oxygen. It didn't matter if you were in the audience or at home watching; the experience was unique. Politicians were always getting it from whatever angle he came from, he despised them.

George Carlin's "Seven Dirty Words" gave him life long fame for being the absolute most important pioneer for the First Amendment as it brought him to jail, through the court system and to the faces of the United States Supreme Court Justices. Carlin was successful in his case.

Where ever George is in his afterlife, you can bet he's too bad for hell, and heaven surely didn't want him, so somewhere between places he's having his laugh because he had us all along. Rest in peace George. Thanks for the great times.

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