Damn. Richard Pryor died too.

Too many bummers for one day. I was willing to chalk Eugene McCarthy up to having been a footnote in the history of the '60s. I suppose some will be tempted to characterize Richard Pryor as a footnote, too, but I suspect that's not really valid in either case. They reflected their times. They made us laugh (Richard did it intentionally). Those of us who remember them as vital living beings are, I know, better for it.

They each made us reconsider our positions. They each made us reach beyond ourselves. They each made the world a better, healthier place.

And they each did it in spite of (or perhaps because of) his individual failings and frailities.

God Bless, and Godspeed, to you both.