Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson dead at 76

[blogslut]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6860520.html

Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, a hard-partying Democrat who played a key role in the United States' covert war against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan, has died, according to Lufkin television station KTRE. He was 76.

The station, citing Memorial Health System of East Texas, reported that Wilson died of a heart attack. He had a heart transplant in 2007 in Houston.

Wilson, known as the “Liberal from Lufkin,” represented the 2nd District from 1972 to 1996. He became known as “Goodtime Charlie” because of his lifestyle, but was known locally for helping bring a Veterans Administration clinic to Lufkin and helping establish the Big Thicket National Preserve, KTRE reported...

[gateley]

1. RIP. I just watched Charlie Wilson's War again the other night. He sure walked

his talk. :(

[Libertas1776]

2. What a shame...

Rest in peace Congressman. :patriot:

[pleah]

3. RIP

:(

[livetohike]

4. R.I.P. and thanks for preserving the Big Thicket

Spent many hours canoeing/hiking there.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Ah that's sad

Loved that movie.

[Crabby Appleton]

6. RIP Charlie Wilson

[sonias]

7. Godspeed Congressman Charlie Wilson

May you rest in peace.

My condolences to the Wilson family. He was a great Texan.

Sonia

[DURHAM D]

8. I was just thinking about Charlie yesterday.

If he had not stuck our nose in Afghanistan and used our American taxpayer dollars to train and weaponize the Afghans (the people we are fighting with today) to fight the Soviets - the Russians would still be in that swamp today trying to control the region and we would not be spending our blood and treasure in that area.

Therefore, I don't really think much of what Charlie did - he was an amateur and we should not of gotten our dumb ego in doing battle with the Soviets and left them to their own devices.

[tekisui]

9. Go well Charlie. There's 2 political figures dead this week.

Will there be a third?