I'd Prefer "Former Senator Boxer"
Barbara Boxer scolds a general for calling her "ma'am." Patricia Murphy posts Boxer's little huffy to the general at Politics Daily:
"Could you say 'senator' instead of 'ma'am?' It's just a thing. I worked so hard to get that title. I'd appreciate it."
Don't you think it's likely the guy would call a male senator "sir"? And how likely do you think he'd be to get scolded for that?
Oh, that's hardly a scolding. She earned the title. She'd like it used, and she asked politely. It's not like she ordered him to get down on his knees and kiss her ring.
MonicaP at June 18, 2009 12:05 PM
Bah, she's just flirting with the General. I bet she has the hots for him.
Personally, I'd be more apt to use their title when talking to a politician than Sir or Ma'am. The latter two denote more respect than their job title.
Sio at June 18, 2009 12:08 PM
She was too apologetic. "It's just a thing"?? No man would say that. he's say "It's Senator___" and move on.
momof4 at June 18, 2009 12:22 PM
I work with a former senator. I call him "Bill."
ahw at June 18, 2009 12:57 PM
She didn't use The Magic Word either: Please.
Prince Matcha Belly at June 18, 2009 1:19 PM
In the military, and person above you in rank is called 'sir' or 'ma'am', the general was attempting to show the woman respect. If he'd said, "Get your ass over here bitch!" or called her by her first name, I could see the justification for speaking up. Not over this.
-Julie
Julie at June 18, 2009 1:39 PM
She didn't need justification. We're all entitled to be called what we want to be called, within reason. I still can't get people to call me Your Majesty of the Most Awesome Cupcakes on the East Coast, but I'm working on it.
MonicaP at June 18, 2009 2:09 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/06/18/id_prefer_forme.html#comment-1654536">comment from MonicaPI'll gladly answer to "Hey, Sugar Tits!" but I'm equally open to "Great Ass!"
Amy Alkon at June 18, 2009 2:11 PM
The surest measure of the respect you have earned is the number of times you have to ask for it.
Radwaste at June 18, 2009 2:24 PM
dunno, it's certainly easier to use "senator" in the pejorative. With her ego, it's likely she doesn't know that...
SwissArmyD at June 18, 2009 4:06 PM
When we had an officer that we did not like, we were apt to use simply his/her title. Sir or Ma'am in the military is used to denote respect.
He probably felt that since she asked for it. She got it.
Unfortunately, no one outside the military realizes that frequent use of titles only is a sign of disrespect.
In other words, he got her and she just doesn't realize it.
Last laugh for the military.
(I spent over 30 years in uniform.)
Mike43 at June 18, 2009 5:57 PM
The job title of an elective office is not a title of nobility (which federal officials are not allowed to accept under the U.S. Constitution even though Ted Kennedy had done so) and one can call an elected official (here in the USA) anything they want to call them. Does the Boxster address her Clerk-Typist III by his/her title, which possibly was earned by hard work instead of being elected by the dopes here in California?
Jay J. Hector at June 18, 2009 5:59 PM
In the military it is respectful to use sir or ma'am when addressing someone or responding. I think that its ridiculous to get hung up on things like that but if anyone has earned respect it would be the General who has sacrificed for this country. She was elected to represent the people but at no cost to herself. Our military deserves our support and respect and she should never forget that.
Kristen at June 18, 2009 7:42 PM
How about Barbie?
hanmeng at June 18, 2009 9:14 PM
Boxer needs to learn that you can not effectively ever demand respect, you command it! You do this be earning it by your character and personal integrity.
She only showed herself to have low self esteem which she tries to cover by her pompous attitude. No class!
I wish the general would have responded that he would prefer she call him by his title, GENERAL!
Brett at June 18, 2009 11:03 PM
I'll gladly answer to "Hey, Sugar Tits!" but I'm equally open to "Great Ass!"
________________
Amy, judging from your photos, I would say that you've "earned" both titles.
Many years ago, I was in the Army and if we addressed an officer, it was sir or ma'am, not their title. the only time a title was used was to announce something like "General Hot Air was in the area, and therefore be sure to wear clean fatigues" or something like that. Boxer is an insecure, pretentious bimbo.
Bill from CA at June 19, 2009 1:36 PM
Reminds me of how a nurse says "F*** you:" "Yes, DOCTOR." You get that, instead of your name, and you've really stepped in it.
As an aside, whatever work Senator Mensa had to do, I'll bet the General worked harder and in more dangerous territory.
orthodoc at June 21, 2009 9:23 AM
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