Pardon cleans up Lenny Bruce's act

[Renew Deal]

ALBANY - Lenny Bruce, whose foulmouthed standup routines shocked the comedy world half a century ago, was posthumously pardoned yesterday for his 1964 obscenity conviction.
Gov. Pataki issued the first posthumous pardon in state history in response to a campaign by Bruce's ex-wife and daughter, a group of free-speech advocates and entertainers including Robin Williams, the Smothers Brothers and Phyllis Diller.

"Right now he is smiling from comic heaven," said Bruce's daughter, Kitty Bruce, 48. "He just wanted to do his act and be left alone. This case drained away whatever life he had. That's why he fought this. I know he'd be thrilled today."

The pioneer comedian, who coined the term "T&A," was busted in March 1964 on a charge of "giving an obscene performance" at Cafe Au Go Go in Greenwich Village. The profane routine was recorded by vice cops.

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http://nydailynews.com/front/story/148909p-131320c.html

[RoeBear]

1. If that took more than...

...five minutes of Patacki's time then it was a waste of time. He certainly must have more important things to worry about than pardoning a dead man.

[Paladin]

2. Thanks For That Nice Bit Of Holiday Sentiment, Roe

Really heartwarming.....

[RoeBear]

4. Now I've gone and offended the Lenny Bruce fans here

Reportedly, the governor issued the first posthumous pardon in the state's history as "a declaration of New York's commitment to upholding the First Amendment."

Yeah

[Paladin]

6. You Don't Have To Be A Lenny Bruce Fan.......

...to be gratified on those rare occasions when government does the right thing---like acknowledging and expressing long overdue regret for the unconscionable persecution of a citizen expressing his viewpoints. It's the kind of thing Democrats are supposed to appreciate......

[Wickerman]

3. Good for Pataki! eom

[RoeBear]

5. Reminds me of a local case...

http://www.mich.com/~anglers/rw31/rw31h.htm

"A 24-year-old downstate resident has found himself in hot water due to his antics during an August 1998 canoe trip on the Rifle River. Timothy Boomer of Roseville fell out of a canoe, and began yelling obscenities in the direction of his friends -- just as a married couple and their two children paddled by."

Big difference; people paid to see Bruce and knew what to expect. This Boomer guy was cursing out in public where people had a reasonable expectation of peace and quiet.