From zero to hero

Charlton Heston. You might remember him as the leader of the NRA as it turned crazy, epitomized by his quote "I'll give you my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands".

A hero to the wingnuts, of course. America, personified. Get your damn hands off me, you dirty ape! But wipe away the fog of Wingnut mythology and remember the "Charlton" of yore.

Charlton marching on DC for Civil Rights.

Charlton protesting in OK for Civil Rights.

Charlton picketing for Worker's Rights.

What happened, Charlton?
What happened, America? Why did you go mad, infecting so many people with madness?

And what kind of name is Charlton? Sounds like prep school. Not rugged American gun owner.