HEROES-Lenny Bruce

Lenny Bruce upset the world. All he had were words and a microphone. Yet, he was deemed "obscene." But he spoke the truth. He said things that needed to be said. He was a great comedian.

His act seems tame compared to comedians today. But at the time, he was a revolutionary. Granted, Lenny had a drug problem which killed him at age 40. He obviously began to crack under the strain of his legal troubles. But the comedians of today would be nowhere without Lenny. He paved the way.

We need guys like Lenny Bruce. Can anyone cause the same uproar today? It is doubtful. Comedians are edgy, but none really cause the same cultural trauma that Lenny Bruce managed to inflict. Lenny Bruce was truly heroic because he was going to pay for opening his mouth. Now, comedians are paid to open their mouths. It is a different world.

Lenny Bruce was an individualist and a rebel, and he shook up the world. He died too soon. The world and freedom are a better place because of him.

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