Charlie Wilson

[sipowicz]

Didn't know much about him except from that movie with Tom Hanks...I'm sure some of you Texans can chime in on his legacy....nice picture of him....

CBC News - World - Famed congressman Charlie Wilson dies

 

[Dennis The B]

If anyone could have laid claim for the eventual destruction of the Soviet Union, it would have been Charlie Wilson. His single-mindedness of purpose helped the Mujahadeen to run out of Afghanistan, a vastly superior army.

The Russian loss, which was far more damaging than U.S. experience in Viet Nam, showed that then-representative Wilson, and an unknown CIA analyst had the knowledge and cajones to do something about Communism.

Many historians have given just credit to President Ronald Reagan for running the USSR into the ground. That is true. It's also that Charlie Wilson bled the Russian army nearly to death, and he deserves just as much credit.

If anyone deserves the title "patriot", it certainly was Charlie Wilson.

Rest in peace and God bless, Charlie, you did your duty.

 

[woodsltc]

R.I.P. Charlie !!!!!!!!

Don

 

[gaucho1]

One of a kind.

Simple and smart,with a real taste for fine females.

RIP

 

[tekoken]

I agree he was a great American. It's unfortunate he helped the Mujahadeen because they're a real pain in the a#@ now.

 

[george minze]

In retrospect I guess it wasn't such a good idea. they are the same people including Bin Lauden that we are trying to kill. Sadly we don't seem to be having any more luck than the Soviets. however at that time the soviets were our enemies. Charlie was quite a guy, and of course he couldn't have predicted what would happen years later. RIP Charlie Wilson

 

[srgvaz]

A true Texan... R.I.P. "Charlie"

 

[TNDixieGirl]

Is his movie worth seeing? Back when it first came out, I told my husband that it looked like one I wanted to see, but we never did.

RIP

 

[kenpofan]

R.I.P. Rep. Charlie Wilson.

I'd love to have more like him in office toady.

Patrick

 

[Hofstet]

Interesting site regarding the Mujahideen and the Taliban:

The Taliban — Infoplease.com

 

[J. Galt]

Is his movie worth seeing?

Definitely, and the book is even better.

R.I.P. Charlie

 

[Bat Guano]

Haven't read the book (but will get to it asap). The movie is great, and everything in there is true; and if it's not, it SHOULD be. Reminiscent of the movie "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" in that when the legend becomes bigger than the facts, print the legend. Both the Wash. Post and the NYT pretty well did exactly that, and it's probably the finest obit I've ever seen. Not many guys get a photo in those papers showing them holding an SMLE...

Also a great object lesson in showing how things REALLY get done--"Nothing is ever accomplished by a 'reasonable' man."

RIP, Charlie.