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Cindy Williams is anti-military:

The message claims that actress Cindy Williams (Laverne & Shirley) wrote a Nov. 12th  article in the Washington Times denouncing military pay raises.  The message includes a response to her from an airman from Hill AFB.

Unfortunately, this is an inexcusable case of mistaken identity.  The Cindy Williams who wrote the article identified herself directly in the article as a Senior Research Fellow at MIT and a former Assistant Director for National Security in the Congressional Budget Office.  

The article that MIT Cindy Williams wrote was not necessarily anti-military, but was about what she believe to be the gap in the wages of military vs. civilians.  Lest anyone mistake the reason for my writing about this, I fully disagreed with her premises.  Comparing the jobs of people who put their lives on the line for this country with people who work in offices is like comparing apples and artichokes.  They might both be somewhat round in shape, but that's all they have in common.  

The article was published January 12, 2000 (not Nov.) and was in the Washington Post, not the Washington Times.  It seems that the originator of this message couldn't get anything correct here.  It looks very much like the originator of the email piece had never read the Williams article, only the airman's response to it.  The originator to the currently circulating message then made several assumptions and shot this email message off.  Too bad he or she hasn't had the character and integrity to make an apology to Ms. Williams, since the message has hurt her badly, especially after it became quite popular after 9/11.

The airman, Michael Bragg is not the one responsible for this mistaken identity.  Mr. Bragg told me that he directed his letter to Ms. Williams (MIT) alone.  His father sent a copy to a few friends and it somehow ended up in the hands of someone who created the upsetting situation.  Mr. Bragg says that the form of the letter we now see has been changed as well.  One line that was changed made it seem like he was currently serving in a place of conflict.  Alluding to the next line ("I will defend to the death your right to say it), Mr. Bragg said, "to borrow from Voltaire."  The line was changed to "tomorrow in [Kabul/Sarajevo/Combat Zone]" - depending on which version you got.  This had to be a deliberate change.  He says this is not the only change to his letter.  Mr. Bragg also told me is trying to find contact information for Cindy Williams (the actress) in order to convey his apologies to her for what has ended up happening. 

As to Williams the actress, according to Snopes, Williams has said, "I've done everything to try to squelch it, but nothing seems to work," says Miss Williams of "Laverne and Shirley" fame. "I have people writing and calling me, even my friends, asking: 'Are you against a pay raise for the military?' And I reply, 'You know me, I'd fight [in the military] if I could, because I am such a patriot.'"

Worse, Williams has received much hate mail from people in the military, not because of the actual article the MIT Williams wrote, but because of this email message.  

Still think there's no harm in forwarding this stuff?  Two people have been harmed here: Williams and Bragg. Bearing false witness, slander and defamation of character are no laughing matter.

Read the Snopes article with the actress Willliam's quotes here.

Read the Truth or Fiction article here.

Message as it is currently circulating:

Applaud     On 12 Nov, Ms Cindy Williams (from Laverne and Shirley TV show) wrote a piece for the Washington Times, denouncing the pay raise (s) coming service members' way this year-citing that the stated 13% wage was more than they deserve.  A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article below.  He ought to get a bonus for this!
 
"Ms Williams:

I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GIs earn enough" and I am a bit confused.  Frankly, I'm wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and my bank account.

Checking my latest leave and earnings statement (LES), I see that I make $1,117.80 before taxes.  After taxes, I take home $874.20. When I run that through Windows' Calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and $10,490.40 after.

I work in the Air Force Network Control Center (AFNCC), where I am part of the team responsible for the administration of a 5,000-host computer network.  I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment.  A quick check under jobs for Network Technicians in the Washington, D.C.  area reveals a position in my career field, requiring three years experience with my job.  Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year, nor does it pay less than this.  No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per annum.  I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.

Also, you tout increases to Basic Allowance for Housing and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (housing and food allowances, respectively) as being a further boon to an already overcompensated force. Again, I'm curious as to where this money has gone, as BAH and BAS were both slashed 15% in the Hill AFB area effective in January 00.

Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you have NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in her armed forces.  Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD leadership for attempting to get the families in the military's lowest pay brackets off AFDC, WIC, and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN, I leave the choice of service branch up to you.  Whatever choice you make, though, opt for the SIX month rotation: it will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience."

As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye to their loved ones.  Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends meet while the primary breadwinner is gone-obviously they've been squandering the vast piles of cash the DOD has been giving them.
Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial favorites. And when you're actually over there, sitting in a DFP (Defensive Fire Position, the modern-day foxhole), shivering against the cold desert night; and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this: trade whatever MRE (meal-ready-to-eat) you manage to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor.
 
Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't nearly be long enough or often enough, but take what you can get and be thankful for it.  You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you present in your op-ed piece. But, tomorrow from KABUL, I will defend to the death your right to say it.

You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment rights and every other right you cherish.  On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your collective nose at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under conditions that would make most people cringe.
 
We hemorrhage our best and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay of civilian companies.  And you, Ms Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve?

Rubbish!

A1C Michael Bragg, Hill AFB AFNCC"

IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE AND SHOW OUR SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN.  THANK YOU.
 
THIS LETTER SHOULD BE APPLAUDED BY ANYONE WHO'S EVER SERVED OR HAD A FAMILY MEMBER SERVE IN THE ARMED FORCES!  THIS YOUNG MAN DESERVES A MEDAL

All articles are by Cathy Holden (except where quotes are noted) and require permission for reprint.   Use contact form for permission.  Website © 2004 Truth Miners Ministries, Inc.