There may never be another comedian who can break things down so eloquently and make sense out of this complicated mess we call “the world." The late great, George Carlin, knew how to push the envelope, and hardly cared about treading on thin ice. If anything, Carlin wouldn’t ever tread on thin ice, he would watch the fool ahead of him fall through first and then yell at him, “I told you so.”
Sometimes I wonder what Carlin would think of today’s social-political climate.
What would he have to say about Trump becoming president, and the Democrats suddenly caring about “foreign outside interference” during elections? What would he make of the awful Charlottesville tragedy? What would he have to say about Usher’s “herpes” scandal?
As Carlin is no longer with us, I thought, heck, why not dig up some old quotes and see if they apply today? And they did - it is amazing the type of foresight Carlin possessed during his time here, and some of his predictions have become prophecy as you will soon find out.
'That’s why they call it the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it'
A rather moot and negative connotation of the “American Dream,” Carlin was definitely onto something here. Every election cycle, whoever is running, they will get up on stage and tell us a touching, sweetheart, and romantic story on how the American Dream is alive and well. But do you believe it?
George Carlin didn’t, and according to a 2014 American Values Survey published by the Public Religion Research Institute, 48 percent of Americans aren’t buying it either. These office-seekers need to stop selling such illusions to us as if we are some emotional buyers interested in selling real estate. Oh, wait!
So is it propaganda?
You know, that may be a stretch, but I do believe there is some truth to it. You will always have that one story that’ll make everyone feel peachy inside, but for most Americans who don’t have the business savant to stand in front of five business moguls on "Shark Tank" - get used to barely living within your means. Maybe that’s what makes the American Dream so dreamy?
'The media are almost literally exploding with bullsh*t'
In 2016, the term “fake news” exploded and became a weapon for politicians and members of the media to use against one another’s dissenting views. Fake news this, and fake news that, it’s only fake if your agenda and platform don't agree with it. President Trump has used this term quite frequently, and for good reason.
Networks like CNN, FOX, and MSNBC, have behaved like they're starring in a reality show about "gangster housewives.”
There is a little hope though, Americans have caught on, and according to a Harvard-Harris Poll, 65 percent of those polled believe the “mainstream” news is full of you-know-what. Fake news has now become a platform for most politicians to accuse a network of faulty reporting. At times, it may be warranted. At other times, it’s an excuse.
'All the media and the politicians talk about, is things that separate us and things that make us different from one another'
Carlin was right about that, and a prime example was the horror-show this past weekend in Charlottesville. After a man plowed down and killed a woman and injured 30 others with his car.
the hateful and violent nature gave networks like MSNBC and CNN a prime opportunity to feast upon their political foes. Primarily, President Trump.
Instead of reporting the facts, and talking about the real issue at hand, the media knee-jerked itself into high gear and centered their attention on whether or not Donald Trump showed enough “specificity” in his condemnations of the event.
You can now see why 65 percent of Americans don’t trust the corporate brand of news anymore. Don’t worry though, Trump was well defended by his allies at Fox News. Seriously people, if you can’t find a good reality TV show, Fox, CNN, and MSNBC will do.
'Political correctness is America’s newest form of intolerance'
"It is especially pernicious because it comes disguised as tolerance. It presents itself as fairness, yet attempts to restrict and control people’s language with strict codes and rules. I’m not sure that’s the way to fight discrimination.”
Neither am I. In case you’ve been hiding under a rock (not a bad place to start), PC culture has fully landed here in the United States like a flashback from "War Of The World." Prime example, Charlottesville. While I disagree with the idea of hate due to someone’s race, my right to infringe upon their ignorance shouldn’t be allowed. This should get me a jail sentence according to the Constitution.
I believe Carlin was exact when he uttered these words. How do you fight the intolerant bunch with intolerable policies? How do you say to one group of people, your heritage and race is revolting, and you must denounce it all at once?
Like terrorism, we have seen a blowback from groups feeding on resentful youth to carry their hate swords for them into the future. This is what the Neo-Nazi’s feed on, and when liberals or Democrats restrict certain speech and expression, it is more likely to breed a domino effect.
If you want other countries to embrace and love the United States, does it make sense to drone strike them into their graves? Hardly, and those who survive are likely to carry a weight of resentment on their shoulders and seek revenge.
When you restrict you invite discrimination naturally by the act alone. The media needs to condemn all hate, and stop giving groups like ANTIFA a halfway pass.
'In America, anyone can become president, that is the problem'
Need I say more? Probably not, but I will. Last years admission price was too much for me. Like Carlin, I choose not to vote, while people flooded venue after venue insulting and beating each other up over a presidential contender’s ideals. I sat back with popcorn in my lap laughing it up. Trump’s rallies turned violent, and what should have been a civil display for one of our most cherished rights - looked more like the main card at WrestleMania. ANTIFA vs Pro Trump (WrestleMania 34).
In summary, Is the United States on the cusp of a civil war leering at the eyes of doom? It certainly feels that way, doesn't it? The way this country has behaved itself just this year alone should give any sane person real pause about a bright future for our children.
For me, I guess I’ll keep trucking, soaking up the headlines from scandal after scandal, while all walks of lives take to the streets and abuse one another viciously. Can something be done? Hopefully.I’ll take a seat over here, and like George Carlin once said, “when you’re born you get a ticket to the freak show. When you’re born in America, you get a front row seat.”