George Carlin: an appreciation

June 23, 2008 [...] the good news is that Carlin, who was 71, departed very much on his terms. It's difficult to adequately sum up Carlin's massive impact on the nation's entertainment culture and, indeed, on American society itself in a short appreciation. The sheer courage with which Carlin fought -- often alone -- to attack censorship and embrace free speech and expression leaves him in death as the most influential comedian of all time, surpassing even the venerated Lenny Bruce if for no other reason than Carlin stood the test of time in a remarkable 50-year career.

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