Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author questions the logic behind the term 'freedom fighters' compared to other types of fighters.
In plain terms
He asks what freedom fighters fight since fire and crime fighters fight specific things.
What can you take from it?
Language can be used to obscure the true nature of conflict or opposition.

Where it applies

  • Political debate
  • Linguistic analysis
  • Media critique

Putting it to work

  • Analyzing rhetoric
  • Questioning terminology

Questions to consider

  • How does language shape our view of war?
  • Who gets to be called a freedom fighter?

Another view

The question simplifies complex geopolitical definitions of conflict.

More from George Carlin

  1. Have you ever wondered why Republicans are so interested in encouraging people to volunteer in their communities? It's because volunteers work for no pay. Repu…

    Permalink to quote #81
  2. You can't fight City Hall, but you can goddamn sure blow it up.

    Permalink to quote #83
  3. Deep Throat: think about it. There is actually a semi-important figure in American history who is named for a blow-job movie. How do school teachers handle thi…

    Permalink to quote #80

Related quotes

  1. 'We are at a juncture today that really is more of a threshold, even more of a watershed, than the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was in 1941. We are currentl…

    John LehmanJohn Lehman quote #1
  2. 'Mit Verlaub Herr Prasident, Sie sind ein Arschloch.' ('With respect, Mr President, you are an asshole') - interjection, dedicated to German Bundestag vice pre…

    Joschka FischerJoschka Fischer quote #2
  3. Why don't you go and take some more drugs, you druggie?

    George GallowayGeorge Galloway quote #5