There are few people of my parents' generation who I can honestly say that have profoundly shaped who I am, been a genuine hero to me, and left an indelible mark on my psyche.

One of them is my dad.  The other - who would be equally appalled at my use of the word 'hero' and at the ribbons of saintly oratory being thrown his way by the mass media today - is George Carlin.

I'm not gonna go off on some maudlin, empty-headed tribute riff.  That wasn't Carlin's style at all, and based on what he's said publicly at least, to do so would be an insult to the man.

I just want to say a couple of things real quick.

First:  Anyone who fails to recognize the sheer genius of this dude is a blithering idiot.

Second:  Thanks, George.  I never could have gotten Jesus to write the introduction to my Chicken Soup book if it wasn't for you.  Here's hoping wherever you are, it includes an eternity filled with sex-minus-whistling-nosehairs and the chance to sit back and watch as the whole thing unravels.

RIP, brother.