George Carlin 1937 -2008

S**t. P**s. F**k. C**t. M*********r. C********r. T**s.

That pretty much sums up my feelings (such as the Globe will allow me to, ironically) on the matter of the great Carlin's passing. The stand-up comedian who made good on Lenny Bruce's promise -- you can make people question everything if you can swear creatively enough -- managed to make the transition from squeaky-clean 60s one-liners (see below) to brilliant hippie arias of scatalogical filth in the 1970s (see above) to an unexpected late-inning career as our generation's Wise Old Crank (follow this YouTube link, please).

Because I was 15 when his seminal album "AM/FM" came out and scorched the ears off my adolescent head, I have entire Carlin monologues encoded in my DNA. Better, I and millions of others have that nasal, singing voice forever sowing doubt about the dominant culture and its all-encompassing blandness. At his worst, Carlin promoted cynicism, but at his best he made you truly, thoughtfully angry, and between his razor-sharp wit and his genuine love of language, he always made you laugh.

Oh, and points for taking on the Supreme Court and, in the long run, winning.