Guy Tom Hanks Once Portrayed Dies
Ever see Charlie Wilson's War? It's half the reason this story is bigger than just another former congressman passing away: Charlie Wilson, a Democrat who served Texas from 1972 to 1996, died at age 76 of cardiac arrest.
You gotta love the descriptions from the Houston Chronicle ("He became known as 'Goodtime Charlie' because of his lifestyle,") and CNN's Political Ticker ("known for his high-living escapades"). At least KTRE had the guts to say it: "In 1980, Wilson was accused of snorting cocaine, but the investigation, was dropped due to lack of evidence." Well, hell, I think everyone knows what happened to the evidence.
But it's not just about a congressman enjoying his time with strippers and coke. His actual proper legacy was spearheading Operation Cyclone, which supplied the Afghans with weapons to fight the Russians back in the '80s.
Time's Swampland recalls the late Molly Ivins admitting her fondness of the male sexist pig: "Congressman Wilson is the Hunter Thompson of the House of Representatives; a gonzo politician. He's a sexist and has made war a spectator sport. By way of redeeming social value, he's funny, a good congressman for his district, and hasn't an ounce of hypocrisy."
Hey, why find quotes about a man after he dies? The ones that predate the Internet are just as effective.
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