"We're all fucked. It helps to remember that."

The world lost an icon Sunday when comedian George Carlin died in a Santa Monica, Calif., hospital, apparently of a heart attack. He was 71.

A high-school dropout, Carlin began his stand-up comedy career in 1960. In 1973, he helped make history -- and launched himself into the firmament as a bonafide legend -- when his notorious "Filthy Words" monologue was broadcast on the Pacifica radio network. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission labeled the broadcast obscene and sanctioned the network. A resulting U.S. Supreme Court decision (Federal Communications Commission v. Pacifica Foundation, 438 U.S. 726, 98 S.Ct. 3026 [1978]) established boundaries for language usage during prime-time listening and viewing hours.

The routine became a classic often referred to as "The Seven Dirty Words You Can Never Say on Television," and in the 35 years since it aired on Pacifica, Carlin and his fans compiled a much longer list of "offensive" words that appears on his website.

Like many comedy greats, Carlin was a maverick and a sharp observer of human nature, politics and religion. Much of his irreverent wit sprang from his experiences growing up in a devoutly Catholic family.

Although Carlin frequently used his humor to poke holes in conventional wisdom about drug use, American culture, war, interpersonal relationships and conventional wisdom, he may be remembered best for his wry attacks on language and the way it ironically can be used both to imprison and liberate communication.

Despite his increasing irrascibility as he aged -- or perhaps because of it -- Carlin was one of my heroes. I'll miss him.

Rest in peace, George, and please keep up the assault on the thought police, wherever you find them.