Rarely are obituaries so full of parties, history-changing events and personal contradictions as those of ex-Congressman and rebel-armer Charlie Wilson, who died last night aged 76. War will mix with cocaine. Burqa-clad women will mingle with strippers. “Good Time” Charlie’s life was genuinely remarkable.
Described as “one the most distinctive” congressmen, he spent most of his time partying until he found the cause of a lifetime: ejecting the Soviets from Afghanistan. As detailed in the book and film “Charlie Wilson’s War”, the Texan politician used his contacts and seat on a powerful Congress committee to arm the Afghan rebels.
And he did it in style – all buttoned-down, white-collared shirts, college ties and striped suits that would make Gordon Gekko envious. Tom Hanks is a good actor but he could not quite convey the alpha male power of the Texan.
History is unclear about how important Wilson was in kicking the Red Army out of Kabul, but then Pakistani president Zia ul-Haq was not in doubt.
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