I believe the videos demonstrate my initial point. Carlin was a genius that, to paraphrase himself, thought shit up all week long regarding ideals/policies/whatever and then told us about it on the weekend. Maher researched (researches) specific instances of same and reports it 5 days a week during his TV season and during his rigorous stand-up comedy touring and documentary seasons.

As for any pissing contest between who was/is more a genius, my take is that they both are to be heeded. Carlin (and others of his 'trade') influenced me greatly. Maher does as well but in a different manner and with far more specificity regarding current events. As for writers? Fine with me if Maher uses his hard earned dollars to procreate and disseminate his calls to action. I applaud it. To detract from his far more detailed works because of such, which, said again, cannot be quantified, is simply a moot argument.

(Yeah, I always reserve the right to come back to comment when the dirt and dust settles. Sue me.)