Justice Finally Comes for Lenny Bruce
During a semi-intelligent rant concerning the FCC’s new fining policy on Howard Stern’s radio show the other morning, it was mentioned that Lenny Bruce was given a posthumous pardon. NYC Governer George Pataki vindicated the comic for what was known at the time as "word crimes." Too young to remember this bleak point in the American justice system? During the 60′s, the irreverent, often socially-minded commentator was considered so obscene that he actually got thrown in jail. That’s right, he did time for speaking his mind and telling dirty jokes.
Richard Kuh, a man who’s apparently so lame he forgot to add another syllable to his last name and who also prosecuted Bruce in court (effectively ruining him), doesn’t want to make any statements concerning the pardon. However, Ronald Collins, author of the book The Trials of Lenny Bruce and a co-sponsor of the petition had this to say.
It wasn’t that Lenny Bruce was colorful, it wasn’t that Lenny Bruce was using four-letter words, it was that Lenny Bruce was [angering] people in power. He was saying things about race, about religion, about politicians that offended people. It is precisely that which the First Amendment is designed to protect.
