Charlie Sheen is the New Charlie Manson

I know, it's mean. Maybe it's not completely true yet (after all, we've yet to see any gruesome and sudden deaths take place - oh wait, I forgot, he did single-handedly kill the most successful sitcom of the decade...). But I'm telling you, the statement that is my title is damn near prophetic. And because I cannot resist talking about the absolute trainwreck that is Charlie Sheen (can anyone?), I'm offering up some comparisons between the Charlies. Just some food for thought; it really is interesting to think about.

- First, we have the obvious similarity: both of them go by the name Charlie.

- Both guys were/are extremely interested in showbiz. Obviously, Charlie Sheen has had more success in this area than Charlie Manson. But Manson gave it his best - before he formed the Manson Family, he tried to pursue a career in music. After the Manson Family murders, several recordings of his music - many performed by the Family members themselves - were released on multiple albums.

- Both men have unconventional and notable families. Manson, of course, formed his infamous Family of young runaways and wayward hippies, and proceeded to brainwash them into killing as many as 30 people. Sheen's family is slightly more respectable. He is the son of awesome actor Martin Sheen, star of "The West Wing," the most Emmy-decorated drama in history. He is also the brother of Emilio Estevez, former esteemed member of John Hughes's Brat Pack and superb indie director.

- Speaking of families, both men were/are famous for currying favor from impressionable, attractive young women. Manson managed to string along several young women, notably his swastika-tattooed darlings, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten. Sheen's women are (as far as we know) far less dangerous, but the situation is still pretty sketchy. His "goddesses," Natalie Kenly and Bree Olsen (both young and pretty), live with him in his home. On a recent 20/20 special, one of them professed to follow and support Sheen in whatever he does. Let's hope that doesn't include murdering a famous pregnant actress and her friends.

- The Charlies have both had quite a history with hard drugs. Sheen's longtime cocaine addiction has become evident in everything that comes out of his mouth. ("I am on a drug - it's called Charlie Sheen! It's not available because if you took it, your face would melt off and children would weep over your exploded body.") And Manson... well... Manson's shenanigans took place in the '60s. I don't think anyone got out of the '60s alive without partaking in at least one type of hard drug. Manson spent the '60s persuading college kids to paint blood on walls - are you telling me drugs weren't involved?

- Neither of them ever shuts up. Ever.

- They both achieved mega-superstardom after revealing to the world they were crazy. Their insanity has put them both in the limelight, and they love every minute of it. Charlie Manson will still talk to anyone who will listen (my high school sociology teacher once tried to call him), and still thinks that he is the end-all be-all of human existance. Charlie Sheen? Pretty much the same.

By no means do I wish Charlie Manson's fate on Charlie Sheen. I'd love for him to snap out of it, to rally big time and apologize publicly to all the people he's hurt. But only time will tell, right? What do you guys think?

[All my information comes from Wikipedia.org and its sources.]