(Danville, California)
Weeks after it happened, many people with whom I speak are still abuzz over this videotaped exchange between Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and a U.S. General. Today there was a "Letter to the Editor" in the "Contra Costa Times" which I have published below.
Tell me what you think? Was Senator Boxer out of line and should she apologize? Was the General disrespectful? Post your comments on my blog! Here is the letter to the newspaper:
"Valley Times June 30 Letters from our readers
Posted: 06/30/2009 12:01:00 AM PDT
"In a classic display of smarmy one-upmanship and outright rudeness, California Sen. Barbara Boxer, the chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, interrupted Army Corps of Engineers division leader Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh's testimony before the committee on June 16 by tersely urging him to refer to her as "senator," not "ma'am." She then went on to say that, 'It's just a thing. I worked so hard to get that title.'
"Really? Something tells me it wasn't a cakewalk for Walsh to achieve the rank of brigadier general either. And, his reference to Sen. Boxer as "ma'am" is consistent with Army protocol to use the term "sir" or "ma'am" when addressing someone of higher rank.
Gen. Walsh didn't do anything wrong. There was nothing disrespectful in his tone of speech. He was simply following appropriate Army protocol by referring to someone higher up on the chain of command as "sir" or "ma'am."
But the arrogant senator from California just couldn't let it pass. She had to remind Gen. Walsh, and everyone attending the hearing, she's the one in charge. She's the boss and she makes the rules. Too bad, though, for she only succeeded in reminding us what a small, spiteful, insecure, power-mad politician she really is.
Craig Peterson
San Ramon"
Again, please post your comments! Thanks! (Letter reprinted courtesy, "The Contra Costa Times."
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When I was an active duty Lieutenant Colonel, I would be called sir by subordinates and Colonel by superiors. Sir ranks higher in terms of subserviance then a title, which everyone can call you, once earned. Can I then conclude, based on the senator's actions, that "ma'am" is of a lessor address than "sir"? Therein lies the problem for the female senator. President Obama calling me sir doesn't fit, but calling a woman ma'am does fit since it is the gentlemanly thing to do. Maybe we need a new term for showing subservience to women, my wife suggests "mother superior"...I simply suggest "your holier-than-thou-edness."
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Comrade.
Yes, Barbara Boxer was out of line, and petty, in demanding that the General call her "Senator", rather than "ma'am". As usual, Boxer was making a power play, and trying to make the focus of the General's testimony about her, rather than the important issues relating to the Public Works Committee. Boxer is part of the liberal, political correct crusade in Washington, D.C., that is more concerned with meaningless labels and titles, than doing substantive work that our country so desperately needs. It is time for Boxer to put our country first, over her own, selfish, ego agenda.
LET’S MARCH TO THE CAPITOL TO THE SENATE FLOOR AND TO THE STREETS!
Calling ALL Americans! Phone calls are NOT going to DO IT! We need to march to the Capitol and be there when these bills come up on the floor.
We cannot let Cap & Trade PASS! We must be there and let them know NO TO CAP & TRADE!
People EVERYWHERE in America—grab your signs and go out on the streets everywhere EVERYDAY!! Let’s make some NOISE. PEACEFUL CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE!!!
It’s going to have to be us Hillary supporters to stop Obama and Congress because conservatives/republicans are too lazy.
I'm not a Hillary supporter, but agree with Jennifer that we MUST stop Waxman-Markey. This is an INSANE piece of legislation. It will cost this country in every way: Jobs, rising energy costs, higher taxes,the demise of small businesses, etc. Even the housing market, already on the ropes, will be finished off. The law requires that any home be inspected by "environmental experts" for leaky windows, outdated wiring, etc., etc., and that these things must be remedied before the house can be put on the market or before it can be sold. Is anyone listening?!? This "cap and trade" thing has to be squashed.
Boxer was rude and displayed a very petty attitude. The General was quite respectful to her in his address--more respectful than she probably deserved. I hope California wakes up and unseats SENATOR Boxer, although she will be entitled to use the title for the rest of her petty little life. She almost certainly will demand the title long after her "service" in the Senate. Her behavior reminds me of the tastelessness of those with advanced academic degrees who insist on using them in social--and not just professional--settings. Oh well! Given the behavior of some in Congress these days, many of its former members may choose not to remind people that they were once part of that "august" body.
Sen. Boxer was within her rights to ask the General to change how he referred to her. How else is he to know what she preferred to be called?
Just because he's a general doesn't mean he should be allowed to set the ground rules. Being in the military isn't like being from a different tribe. He knows -- or should know, since he's attained high rank -- the correct protocol when addressing politicians.
Military officers have been known to bully politicians; Boxer was asserting that she was not in the military and not to be bullied by rank.
The General was appearing in his role as a member of the military. He was in uniform. Protocol and common courtesy were both well served when he addressed the harridan Boxer as "Ma'am."
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