Did General Show Disrespect by not Calling Boxer 'Senator'?
Submitted by DeepDiveAdmin on Jun 21, 2009
Senator Barbara Boxer has been called a lot of things, but don't call her 'ma'am.' This lesson was learned by Brigadier
General Michael Walsh on Friday, when he testified during a hearing before Boxer's Senate Committee on
Environment and Public Works. Walsh repeatedly referred to Boxer as 'ma'am,' to which she finally responded, "You know, do me a favor. Could you say 'senator' instead of 'ma'am?" Military protocol advises officers to use 'sir' or 'ma'am' when addressing anyone higher than them
on the chain of command, but was General Walsh being disrespectful?
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If he called the men Senators "Senator" and Senator Boxer "Maam" then he was showing disrespect. I've watched a lot of Senate hearings and it seems to me that a Senator is usually called Senator.
Ma'am is not necessarily a sign of respect. It least he didn't call her "Dear", or "Babe".
The fact that Republicans are taking this simple request to be called Senator as a big deal tells me that they don't think women should be treated equally to men.
In the south, being called "ma'm" is the highest level of respect. When women move in from the north they are, at first, offended with the term because they don't understand the context. They feel that they are being belittled or treated as an old woman. However this disappears when it becomes obvious that the term is used with respect and proper manners.
In this video, the General is using the term out of respect. You can tell that it comes real natural for him. He also graciously says, "Yes, Senator."
The example of really poor manners is when she interrupts him. If she had an issue, then she should have made her request between questions, not in the middle of his response.
That happens a lot in life. Somebody is attempting to treat another with respect, but this is misinterpreted by the other person. The terms "madam" and "senator" convey respect, but perhaps for Senator Boxer, the first term is not showing enough respect for her.
You know, I've about had it with Boxer Bashing. This Senator has worked hard to protect the interests of the weakest among us. Unfortunately, most of those who jump on the bashing bandwagon are just those who need this protection the most, but they are too -- dare I say it -- stupid to realize it. They (and you know who you are) have bought into the Republican propaganda machine that pretends to value small government but instead spends foolish amounts on unnecessary warfare including the pretend War on Drugs waged simply to bring more money to private prisons . Good grief! Couldn't we be discussing the fact that large corporations control our government? In other words: a REAL ISSUE!!!
Well Brinna your request
"Couldn't we be discussing the fact that large corporations control our government? In other words: a REAL ISSUE!!!"
Is probably covered in a nother opposing view forum, the topic here is Boxer's arrogant condescending treatment of a man who has dedicated his life to service and the protection of us all.
Is there some reason you cannot keep to the topic here or go elsewhere and discuss the one you prefer?
I am from Kentucky we hold on to grudges til the die of old age, then have them stuff and mounted
boxer bashing
need help/protection the most
republican propoganda
value small government
unnecessary warfare
pretend war on drugs
more money private prisons
large corporations control gvmt
I am a Democrat, and I find your multi-layered response to this post's question:
"Did General Show Disrespect by not Calling Boxer", baffling, I guess I am one of the weakest and most in need of YOUR protection.
WOW !!!!!
From what I've seen in the posts above most of the judgements have been formed from the behavior she exhibited in the video. Patently disrespectul and very few of sound mind would disagree with that assessment. I think its fair to expose her record - which is filled with and Ultra Partisan past. Not confirming Condeleeza Rice, that is just plain partisan. Boxer deserves every criticism she gets and I think its unfair for you to think that others that post are automatically ideological and side with the Republicans - the assessments were for the most part made on this action alone. But there's plenty of room to attack her record as well.
Boxer thinks she is special just because she is a US Senator.
comment on this because it underlies most of my thinkings towards elections . This might take me a bit to get conveyed, so as always, I ask for your patience.
My primary thought of the candidate is that they are very full of ego. I don't necessarily mean this negatively. Certainly, for one to be great generally requires ego. If you don't believe you can make a difference, you won't try. To believe you can make a difference means you believe in your abilities, hence some ego. Not a bad thing.
This all takes a horrible turn when nurtured in a corrupt environment . You all know the adage "power corrupts....". So, when an ego is nursed along by others who's main objective is to climb in the sights of the nursee, then the ego becomes spoiled quite quickly. Surround yourself with "yes men" and the ego is always answered with "yes".
To get to your point "thinks she is special just because she is a US Senator". You are indeed correct. Sadly, it is quite our fault that she feels that way. Our politicians are celebrated over long periods of time, ego's nursed along for decades. We parade them, fly them around, grovel for their time. Our system in itself has faltered.
Jefferson once spoke of completely re-inventing gov't every 19 years. He very well understood the humility of man, and man's ablitity become far less than humble. If bright eyed and bushy tailed Senators were never allowed to mature in these roles, and only left to their original intentions of aiding humanity government would be quite the different place. Term limits would be my offering to this solution.
You are poobably correct.
Barbara Boxer has never put her life on the line for this country. The General has!
She should have shown him the respect and kept her mouth shut!