The George Carlin Clip Every American Needs To See

[Playinghardball]

The words of the late, great George Carlin still reverberate through this country.

Warning: strong language in this video may not be suitable for some viewers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=acLW1vFO-2Q

[liberal N proud]

1. He knew what he was talking about

[bigmonkey]

2. You guys are like a cult.

Is there a schedule for posting this same clip? How many times has this been posted on DU?

[me b zola]

3. Its a powerful clip that needs to be viewed by everybody

Can't quite figure out your objection to it :shrug: You don't have to watch if you've already seen it. Then again, I suspect that maybe you do.

[bigmonkey]

5. My objection is the tone.

Not the analysis. Carlin, a wealthy man, was able to sit back and evaluate the U.S. from the safety of his home. His tone is hopeless, giving up the possibility that anything can be done about it. That works for him, because he has that safe retreat of his wealth. Does the idea that the whole situation is hopeless really help motivate someone with limited resources, like most of us here? Or does it amount to discouragement? There's only a small percentage of people, in my opinion, who respond to a forceful, dark story that all is lost with redoubled efforts. You may be in that group, but what makes you sure this is a help to others?

[me b zola]

6. I think the reality scares you

And this really is where we are at now. For many people, this is why they snipe at OWS. Acknowledging that our government has been completely corrupted by super-wealthy/powerful interests means that the systems and checks that we used to look to no longer are functional, that change cannot occur using them. So then what? Scary, huh?

I'll leave a light on for you.

[WildNovember]

9. No, I think the poster's point was that Carlin says "Everything is fucked and you're powerless."

That the message, while appearing to be subversive to the PTB, is ultimately supportive to them. Impotent cynicism is supportive of the status quo.

[bigmonkey]

10. Yup, you got it.

Very succinct. Actively supportive, when combined with "evangelism". There are, however, people who react to hearing Carlin's message by digging in to fight, I'll accept that, but I really don't think a majority do.

[me b zola]

21. Carlin was flipping on the light exposing where we are

It wasn't his job to tell you how to go about fixing it, he just let us know it was broken. What you do with that is up to you.

[Capitalocracy]

7. A frank assessment of the situation is a good first step.

But you're right, people need to understand that they can change things.

[bigmonkey]

12. Agree wholeheartedly.

A frank assessment is where you start.

[sendero]

8. Hmmm..

... we elect "hope and change" and we get EXACTLY more of the same. It IS hopeless, until the country hits rock bottom and there is (literally) blood (not just peasant blood) in the streets.

But hey, be hopeful - this scenario is less than a decade away!

[bigmonkey]

11. Can you give examples of your theory?

This theory that if only things get bad enough, everything will turn out well? When has this ever happened? Isn't it just magical thinking?

[sendero]

19. Yes.

... Egypt, Libya, soon Syria, Tunisia, France, really countless others. A huge majority cannot be ripped off by a tiny minority forever, eventually they get sick of it.

[truebrit71]

13. Amen to that...Obama was supposed to be precisely the change we had hoped for...

...and he failed spectacularly...so what do you suggest we do now...look for a candidate whose motto is "Hope and Change - This time I really mean it?"....

George Carlin was spot on...We're fucked...all we can argue about is whether we get kissed first...

[bigmonkey]

14. Your bold, progressive message is "Give up, all is lost?"

You think this is progressive?

[truebrit71]

15. No less progressive than "I was just kidding about that whole 'hope and change' thing"..

..me? I choose to fight back by sending money to progressive candidates and progressive causes...actions speak louder than words..

[bigmonkey]

16. "Actions speak louder than words"

You might be wasting your money if you contribute to progressive causes and simultaneously, with your words, undermine people's conviction that change is possible.

[truebrit71]

17. ...hence the "Actions" part being more important than the "words" part...

...

[bigmonkey]

18. You're deliberately weakening your effectiveness, then?

Why is that?

[sendero]

20. I suggest.

... that you prepare for what is inevitable, and stop thinking any politician in this country is going to do anything other than carry out the wishes of big business.

[Uncle Joe]

4. This should be shown on a regular basis, the propaganda for which

Carlin was ranting about is shown 24/7 to tens and hundreds of millions of people.

This is just a small drop of opposition against that decades old ocean of brainwashing.

Today with the Occupy Movement protest along with the political misuse of power in shutting them down and resultant police brutality, Carlin's message is more appropriate, relative and needed than ever.

[No Elephants]

22. All different kinds of cultish posts on DU.