Junio 25, 2008

RIP George

I wasn't going to say anything about George Carlin shuffling off this mortal coil, but when I saw some very topical for our times quotes of his I just had to re-cite them. This is from a bit he was doing in the late 90s:

As far as I’m concerned, all of this airport security – the cameras, the questions, the screening, the searches, is just one more way of reducing your liberty and reminding you they can fuck with you anytime they want, as long as you’re willing to put up with it. Which means, of course, anytime they want. Because that’s the way Americans are now. They’re always willing to trade away a little of their freedom for the feeling – the illusion – of security.

You have got to be realistic about terrorism. Ya gotta be a realist: Certain groups of people – Muslim fundamentalists, Christian fundamentalists, Jewish fundamentalists, and just plain guys from Montana – are going to continue to make life in this country very interesting for a long, long time. That’s the reality. Angry men in combat fatigues talking to god on a two-way radio and muttering incoherent slogans about freedom are eventually going to provide us with a great deal of entertainment.

Especially after your stupid fuckin’ economy collapses all around you, and the terrorists come out of the woodwork. And you’ll have anthrax in the water supply and sarin gas in the air conditioners; There’ll be chemical and biological suitcase bombs in every city, and I say, “Relax, enjoy it! Enjoy the show! Take a fuckin’ chance. Put a little fun in your life.”

Happy trails, Mr. Carlin. ( Via North Texas Indymedia)

Posted by steev at Junio 25, 2008 07:10 PM
Comments
I happened upon your blog, Steev, and love it. We represent very different demographics--you and I--but we have some similar passions. I appreciate your talent and am becoming a big fan of yours. I intend to visit your blog often and wonder if commenting is encouraged. For instance, I've seen several blog posts on Carlin this week, but yours surpasses them all because you go beyond the "seven words you never can say" to highlight this message from the 90's that is perhaps more relevant today than it was when it was first uttered. You've demonstrated him to be a prophet--the one who speaks the truth, and in so doing, traces for us a trajectory that reveals the future. Posted by: Border Explorer at Junio 26, 2008 09:17 AM
It wasn't my idea, i was just copying from a post on North Texas Indymedia. But thanx for the kind words. Posted by: steev at Junio 26, 2008 09:43 AM