Dustin Chinn
Like many other American heroes, George Carlin had the
distinction of piquing the attention of the FBI. However, his transgression
wasn't the famed "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television
Monologue," but for cracking wise on bureau chief J. Edgar Hoover. Carlin managed to
get his hands on documents under the Freedom of Information act, including this
gem:
[A memo] dated Feb. 12, 1969, refers to Carlin as an 'alleged comedian'
after he made fun of the bureau during an appearance on 'The Jackie Gleason
Show.'
'His treatment was in very poor taste and it was obvious that he was using
the prestige of the bureau and Mr. Hoover to enhance his performance,' the memo
says.
Besides the Jackie Gleason material? Nothing. Not a peep about the routine
that brought forth the ire of the FCC, culminating in a Supreme Court case.
Let's get our priorities straight, here. Cussing on air is not a matter of
national security. Make fun of a cross-dressing spy director? You're going in
the box.
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I will miss Mr. Carlin. His stand-up was not only funny, but bitterly honest. He was never afraid to speak his mind, and if this is the only thing the FBI had on him, then that just goes to show they never pay attention to anything that matters.