He e-mails:
I’ve been trying to stop this
ludicrous e-mail Internet message that you’ve quoted here:
The only thing in that entire message I said (or at least came close to
saying) was about the ticker tape parade for the crew of the missile
cruiser.
However, most readers don’t notice the offsets and assume I said the
“Hilly and Obama” quote which I decidedly did not. Other versions of
this hoax have included some really nasty comments I am purported to
have said about Senators Clinton and Obama. At least, you have
published the least offensive (but still offensive) version. Please
remove it immediately.
I thought the important thing was the missile story; I’m happy to have corrected (least offensive version of) the distortion of Mr. Hickam’s political non-statements. I hope he is too; he deserves a more honest treatment than he’s received, so that we can focus on the heroes of the missile cruiser.