Boxer gets snotty with general: Address me as “senator,” not “ma’am”
posted at 7:21 pm on June 17, 2009 by Allahpundit
I don’t know how else to read this except as a gratuitous slur that he’s refusing to acknowledge her title because she’s a woman, as though he’s Col. Jessep in “A Few Good Men” or something. What are the odds that a guy who’s spent decades addressing his superiors as “sir” would address a woman senator as “ma’am”? I actually went back and skipped around in the video of the rest of the hearing to see how he interacted with male senators and caught him answering Vitter’s questions with “yes, sir” a number of times. Is Boxer’s ego so fragile and her method so imperious that she’d publicly humiliate a guy whom she has no reason to believe is being anything less than respectful?
Answer: Given the power trip she once pulled on Inhofe at a hearing with Al Gore, yeah. She’s that imperious. Click the image to watch.
Blowback
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And don’t call me Shirley.
redwhiteblue on June 17, 2009 at 10:43 PM
doriangrey on June 17, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Sir, please do not mistake my namesake for Duncan Hunter, although I do like the man as politicians go.
I am not any manner of bloodsucking leech of a politician. My names stands for Deer Hunter, a passtime I dearly love, though I do not decimate the population by more than one per year.
Now if we could only get a bounty on them damn politicians I would give up deer hunting and improve my harvest numbers immensely!
dhunter on June 17, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Her REAL title is
SenatorThe Wicked Witch of the West:Barbara Boxer.Hopefully, CA voters in 2010 will throw some water on her so she can melt away.
RedRobin145 on June 17, 2009 at 10:45 PM
It’s the new edgier Ed!
Al in St. Lou on June 17, 2009 at 10:46 PM
How would she have seen it if he called her ‘Mrs. Boxer?’
Or, if he’d addressed males as ‘Sir,’ am\nd her as ‘senator’ from the beginning? I’jj lay three to one she was just looking to pick.
TinMan13 on June 17, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Wow. Unwritten rule of Hot Air: Never pick on baldilocks.
I don’t know what’s wrong with TTheoLogan. I don’t think he’s a troll, generally speaking. But he sure was acting like one on this thread. And I’m not inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt any more.
ThereGoesTheNeighborhood on June 17, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Aww, she worked so hard…well isn’t it all about you, Senator Boxer?
CarolynM on June 17, 2009 at 10:47 PM
I assumed that you were not my congressman, I just really liked the way that you expressed your feeling regarding my senator. ;)
doriangrey on June 17, 2009 at 10:47 PM
If she wants to be a tight butt maybe she should study a bit about it first. Though Mrs. Manners is not a know all be all she is a good reference on such things most times.
From the Washington Post:
“the direct address should be simply Mr. or Ms. with the surname.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/06/AR2006060601276.html
whig33 on June 17, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Being a woman I hate being called ma’am because it makes me feel old. I know many women like that.
That being said most people that say it to me mean it respectfully so I got over it.
Unfortunately most in Washington on a power trip thinking they are better than everyone else. I believe it is time for term limits.
Gracelynn on June 17, 2009 at 10:54 PM
I truly was joking. You jumped on someone b/c they pointed out your elementary spelling mistake (of which none of us is exempt) by using a play on word of “how to win friends and influence people” after you were trying to get people to support you for senate. Apparently you believe being rude to people is a winning strategy? I was really just making a silly out of it, and that was it.
The chip on the shoulder and the nasty attitude should do wonders for your campaign. Oh so much different than Babs. WTF??
Branch Rickey on June 17, 2009 at 10:54 PM
finally…some truth…
Now go away son…
jerrytbg on June 17, 2009 at 10:56 PM
There is nothing “Superior” about Boxer.
Johan Klaus on June 17, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Pettiness or Stupidity?
In the military Superiors are addresses as “Sir” or “Ma’am”. Equals and subordinates are address by tile and name.
By demanding the General to address her as “Senator” she placed her self on equal level as the General.
It is actually disrespectful for a member of the military to address her as “Senator”.
In effect she just told the General to call her an idiot.
DSchoen on June 17, 2009 at 10:59 PM
doriangrey on June 17, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Thankyou Sir!
I took the opportunity of your post to point out I am not Duncan as there was a new registration period recently and I have been mistaken for the congressman in the past.
I’m kind of taking to your posts also, now if we could just get some of those supposed public servants who have become scumbag rulers and professional panderers to read some of these things maybe they would show some humility and do the jobs they were elected to do rather than primp and preen for the cameras then do us like a hooker behind our backs.
dhunter on June 17, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Perhaps a review of Boxer’s record is called for.
.
So ma’am, have ever been aligned or a member of the Solialist Party. May we have a list of your campaign contributer names. What bills have you sponsered or co-sponsered? No ma’am, I respect your hard work. We just want to know what hard work means to you as you so define it. Now, so ma’am shall we continue…..earmarks, pork expendatures….oh yes, we’ll get back to that repect thing in a moment…….anyway is this the first time in long time…….
Americannodash on June 17, 2009 at 11:02 PM
socialist not solialist
Americannodash on June 17, 2009 at 11:03 PM
As i raise a Dewer’s and water and toast…
jerrytbg on June 17, 2009 at 11:03 PM
I guess Madam Boxer didn’t read the inauguration day memo from oprah and hollywood that we’re all united & lovey-dovey, now that barack is in the wh.
I really don’t blame Boxer for being so cranky: Poor thing is probably worried sick that Team Obama fired the Inspector General without just cause and without notifying congress. That, and she never knows what Biden will say.
TN Mom on June 17, 2009 at 11:03 PM
I would refuse to address any being that devoid of intelligence with any title.
daesleeper on June 17, 2009 at 11:04 PM
There is no chip on my shoulder and funny…. I still don’t believe you. I haven’t been nasty to anyone nor acted even remotely superior. The fact that you keep trying to portray my obviously self deprecating humor and snarky responses as nasty or superior just illuminates the degree of disingenuous in your posts.
doriangrey on June 17, 2009 at 11:08 PM
DSchoen on June 17, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Your correct. My son just joined the AFROTC and they are to address their superiors as Sir or Ma’am. It is a sign of respect.
Boxer is simply too damn stupid and enamered of herself to understand. Besides that I’d bet she is a military loathing politician.
dhunter on June 17, 2009 at 11:08 PM
It’s actually TOE the line. And yes you are acting like a troll.
csdeven on June 17, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Ummm, the only thing that is going to induce any humility into our self appointed political aristocracy is unemployment and criminal charges.
doriangrey on June 17, 2009 at 11:11 PM
With all respect SENATOR Boxer, shove it!
Those men don’t owe you ANYTHING!
You, on the other hand, owe them EVERYTHING!
Now mind your roll and shut your hole, ya pretentious piece of trash!
SuperCool on June 17, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Now now, dont be shy, tell me how you really feel… ;)
doriangrey on June 17, 2009 at 11:15 PM
dhunter on June 17, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Works for me.
doriangrey on June 17, 2009 at 11:18 PM
You seem to be lying as evidenced by post below from earlier tonight.
____________________________
I was trying to make a silly B/C of your attitude in the quote at the top of this post FOR YOU BEING RUDE FOR YOUR OWN SPELLING MISTAKE & then you wanting to gin up support on hotair for a senate run.
Branch Rickey on June 17, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Such hot red meat from a cold hearted Senator who obviously forgot what forum she was in, and in what century.
The campaign ad simply writes itself for her opposition.
itzWicks on June 17, 2009 at 11:26 PM
That would be San Fran Nan. Babs is just one of her flying monkeys.
Laura in Maryland on June 17, 2009 at 11:26 PM
Where are the Muslims when you need them?
mr1216 on June 17, 2009 at 11:27 PM
No, you weren’t and it shows in your comments. Go back and re-read the comment you are talking about, you are profoundly mistaken regarding it’s nature. But you already know that.
doriangrey on June 17, 2009 at 11:27 PM
I’m so proud to be a Californian…
*weeps profusely*
rahjr2k on June 17, 2009 at 11:27 PM
And nobody has even reminded you of Pelosi or Feinburg either… ;p
doriangrey on June 17, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Touch my stuff..I’ll kill you.
Tough me…and I’ll kill you.
Call me Ma’am and I’ll kill you.
Lighten up Babs.
DrW on June 17, 2009 at 11:31 PM
How ’bout Lord God King Bufu. OMG!
After all, the @^#& is from California.
Laura in Maryland on June 17, 2009 at 11:33 PM
with the exception of sergeants, people who are annoyed by someone addressing them with a term of respect, delivered in a respectful manner, are not worth a bucket of spit.
darktood on June 17, 2009 at 11:33 PM
Memo to “Senator” Boxer:
Grow up, Ma’am.
/s/
Rusty Bill, former TSgt, USAF
Rusty Bill on June 17, 2009 at 11:34 PM
“How to Win Friends and Influence People” is a book title. And you jumped on the guy who pointed out your board/bored and wanting to be a senator. I made a silly joke out of all of it with “How to Win Supporters and Influence Voters” because who posting hasn’t put the wrong word out there or made a spelling mistake?
You then put out what your views are and I asked why you are jumping on someone on your side b/c your positions and my positions are pretty close.
[btw, Mr. Government Motors Vette Man; I go between a Jag and an Explorer - who the eff cares?]
Now you continue to LIE : “you are profoundly mistaken regarding it’s nature. But you already know that.”
So, good luck with that senate run.
Branch Rickey on June 17, 2009 at 11:35 PM
Wow, 5 pages of comments already. Betterr put on the hip waders.
Del Dolemonte on June 17, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Has anyone else ever heard of Senator Feinburg? From what state does that senator hail? Anyone?
Branch Rickey on June 17, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Normal women consider being called ma’am or miss a sign of respect. But Democratic women aren’t normal women. They abort their babies for their careers and then make a career out of trying to have a child when they hit 40. They have lots of meaningless sex and call that empowerment. They are angry and bitter and quite frankly, once they hit menopause, absolutely insufferable.
CarolynM on June 17, 2009 at 11:40 PM
And as most proficient deer hunters understand, there is no nutritional value in a politician, hence they would be classified as a varment and therefore not worth the price of a shell.
Rovin on June 17, 2009 at 11:44 PM
I made a statement of indisputable truth, one that Dale Carnegie would have instantly recognized.
No, you attempted to mock and ridicule me because you recognized the true nature of what my statement was about. No me running for senate, but me saying if you do not do something about the politician you object to then you dont have any right to be offended by anything those politicians do.
No, what I pointed out was that a common average redneck like I am isnt going to get elected in California, and I pointed out exactly why. It’s called self deprecating humor, perhaps you ought to look the term up.
If someone here is lying, it aint me.
Ya, right… What ever Senator Boxer…
doriangrey on June 17, 2009 at 11:50 PM
If you don’t understand the dichotomy of the military, protocol, language, thing,
(A Fireman in the Navy, Does not put out fires, okay),
her “demanding” that she be address as “Senator” is the equivalent of a African American man demanding you address him as “Boy”
So if you see some 24 million Americans smile and chuckle at SENATOR Boxer you now know why.
DSchoen on June 17, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Sorry my bad… Dianne Feinstein…. Another of California’s slimiest political aristocratic crooks.
doriangrey on June 17, 2009 at 11:53 PM
I hope I could be forgiven for concluding that Senators, of either party, are by definition somewhat of a pain in the ass.
But those Senators that gratuitously crap on those who defend us, are perhaps even worse… they are simply asses.
Hey wait, isn’t the Democrat Party symbol an…
drunyan8315 on June 17, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Wow, a real senniter. She is really sumpin. Meanwhile, this General, who’s spent his whole keeping us safe, has to kiss this princess’ keister.
i’m going over to Ace where I need to vent
have a nice day
billypaintbrush on June 17, 2009 at 11:53 PM
A great many women fail to recognize “maam” as term of respect just as “sir” is. It’s military courtesy! The terms are used when addressing or responding to officers, male and female. That’s it! That’s all! Get over it, Ms Boxer! Or is that Boston Bull?
LarryG on June 17, 2009 at 11:53 PM
CarolynM
You totally owned in that post
blatantblue on June 17, 2009 at 11:54 PM
That’s about right in her case, considering the fact that the sun rises in the east over the Atlantic on our planet.
Actually, I do remember seeing the sun rise in the west over the Pacific Ocean once-it was in a Dr. Atomic comic book.
Del Dolemonte on June 17, 2009 at 11:54 PM
If I was addressing her based on alphabetical preference, I’d start with something after a and before c. m is before s too.
gatorboy on June 17, 2009 at 11:55 PM
I’d love to see a side by side of this army general’s service record vs. barbara boxer’s. At that point we can start the discussion about who worked so hard for their title.
Without seeing it, I can tell you that it isn’t even close.
gatorboy on June 17, 2009 at 11:57 PM
FU Senator!
RobCon on June 17, 2009 at 11:58 PM
People who insist on their titles are invariably pompous asses. Boxer gives pompous asses a bad name.
morganfrost on June 17, 2009 at 11:59 PM
She is short. She can’t help it.
RobCon on June 18, 2009 at 12:00 AM
What an A$$-Whole.
RobCon on June 18, 2009 at 12:02 AM
You are all a bunch of meanies! I am a Senator! My name is Senator Boxer! I legally changed my first name to Senator! You must address me as Senator! When my husband makes sweet, sweet love to me, at the moment of climax he shouts “Oh Senator!” I AM A SENATOR! EVERYONE CALLS ME SENATOR! YOU MUST RESPECT MY AUTHORITY!
-Senator Boxer
chemjeff on June 18, 2009 at 12:02 AM
To you Californian voters:
As Boxer represents you, and hence works for you – she is a public servant after all, I strongly urge you to remind her in no uncertain terms to address all of you as “Boss”. Ditto for your other elected officials.
To all American voters: Do the above with your representatives and senators.
One way to take this country back is to make sure a politician never forgets whom he or she works for.
To all you nonvoters: Stick your thumbs back in your mouths, Oprah ain’t on yet morons.
Bubba Redneck on June 18, 2009 at 12:02 AM
If I was addressing her based on alphabetical preference, I’d start with something after a and before c. m is before s too.
gatorboy on June 17, 2009 at 11:55 PM
I’d have kept going until I hit “C”.
Laura in Maryland on June 18, 2009 at 12:05 AM
I could not agree more. Is it any wonder that college professors are, by and large, pompous liberals who insist on being called by their titles.
chemjeff on June 18, 2009 at 12:05 AM
Let me get this straight. You can call a Gov. slutty but you better not call her Ma’am.
How about former Senator.
RobCon on June 18, 2009 at 12:06 AM
You know, Queen Elizabeth II only requires that she be addressed “ma’am” – an example of her classiness and understatement.
Boxer has none.
atheling on June 18, 2009 at 12:08 AM
How about we all e-mail Boxer and call her ma’am since she ANSWERS TO US!
RobCon on June 18, 2009 at 12:08 AM
Dude, I was joking / making a silly / snarking / making a light hearted remark of irony – I took it as you being rude for no reason to a guy, who pointed out your elementary spelling mistake and wanting support for senator in a joking way, and agreed with what you were saying and you jumped on me.
I truly was joking around. I would love for a conservative to defeat Boxer but not one with a chip on his shoulder.
Branch Rickey on June 18, 2009 at 12:09 AM
I like that! Let’s do it!
atheling on June 18, 2009 at 12:09 AM
What a silly hag. Calling someone “senator” is a lot more pejorative than “ma’am.”
Feedie on June 18, 2009 at 12:10 AM
Well by your definition if you don’t run; STFU. Which might actually be good advice for some other commenters :) Other than that, leave me the eff alone a$$hole.
Branch Rickey on June 18, 2009 at 12:13 AM
Military personnel always refer to their superiors with respect.
Even if he had started his dialog with her, calling her Senator or Madam Senator, that starts sounding like boot-licking after a while. One would revert to using Sir or Ma’am into a conversation.
For example…
“Good morning Colonel Smith”.
“Good morning Captain Jones, Did you finish your investigation?”
“Yes Ma’am, I did”.
What Senator Boxer did was once again prove to me that we in the military are just pawns to the liberals who hate us and what we stand for. Her comments are not only ridiculous in her logic, they were deeply disrespectful to a career soldier. She owes the entire military an apology for her arrogance.
hawkdriver on June 18, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Good to see you Sir! :)
Branch Rickey on June 18, 2009 at 12:16 AM
Has the MSM reported this on any of the news outlets? They probably won’t because anything that makes a leftist bad they will omit or cover up. I don’t understand how a state can elect Finstein, Boxer and Nancy and none of them care anything except themselves and nothing for the nation.
garydt on June 18, 2009 at 12:21 AM
How long until it is found that she was address as Ma’am before and DIDN’T object. Or the possibility that she called another fellow senator Ma’am or Madam.
closetgop on June 18, 2009 at 12:24 AM
It is not titles that honor men or women, but men or women that honor titles, or don’t.
- Niccolo Machiavelli
MB4 on June 18, 2009 at 12:25 AM
One can command respect through one’s presence/character/behaviour, but one can never, successfully, demand respect.
OldEnglish on June 18, 2009 at 12:26 AM
I hear what you’re saying here, but after reading AP’s initial analysis I’m going to stick with my response. Here is AP’s quote again:
Again, by calling Boxer “Ma’am,” the General is deferring to her as his superior. There is no misogynist slight or disrespect implied or intended by using this title.
Hawkdriver gives a good example:
For those without military experience, whether active duty, reservist, or family members, Boxer’s response to the General reveals her own petty insecurity issues and lack of understanding with the military.
conservative pilgrim on June 18, 2009 at 12:26 AM
Ok, you said it better.
OldEnglish on June 18, 2009 at 12:26 AM
I just wanted you to have a sense of acknowledgment.
Loxodonta on June 18, 2009 at 12:29 AM
You’re a b*tch, Senator.
….Feel better?
(Sorry if this is a double post. Uncensored isn’t showing up.)
Hawkins1701 on June 18, 2009 at 12:30 AM
You assumption is that he ever had it.
coyoterex on June 18, 2009 at 12:30 AM
Well it could have been worse. She could have said ” I’m not a ‘ma’am’, I work for a living”. Actually that would have been really funny. I mean a senator claiming that they actually work?
Rightwingguy on June 18, 2009 at 12:31 AM
Boxer probably figured that if The One could deep bow down to a misogynistic Saudi King the least that General could do was refer to her as, Your Royal Highness.
MB4 on June 18, 2009 at 12:35 AM
How about a Whole A$$ >
hamradio on June 18, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Thanks for the confirmation. I was done with my service in 1990 (so been a while) and I could not remember ever being required to salute any elected officials, outside of the commander in chief.
coyoterex on June 18, 2009 at 12:36 AM
What drives a person into politics to begin with? Almost all, to be sure, have mediocre intelligence. Yet, we all seem to play along with them; that they’re actually out there for our best interests. Get way too big-headed in no
time (see president), indeed become arrogant (see president), demanding (see president), etc.
Term limits: All senators and reps. should have just two
terms, maximum. (Enough of these honorary life-time memberships. That’s crazy). Supreme court, five years.
Current president: 1/48 of current term.
betsyz on June 18, 2009 at 12:36 AM
That’s right, and TTheo is an idiot.
TTheoLogan on June 17, 2009 at 8:43 PM
I’ve read your posts. You really don’t sound like you know much about the military. (There is no US service I know of that as a practice calls their Senior NCOs as Sir) If you really served, it must have been for a very short time. Baldi is a 21 year vet, massive advocate for those on active duty and quite an intelligent lady. You on the other hand weren’t even smart enough to click her link and see that she was a woman. Then you ignored that fact and went off on another tangent after people pointed that out to you. She’s proved her creds time and time again. How about you take your mask off?
If Hot Air had an “Ignore Commenter” feature, I’m afraid you in at the top of the list with all the other trolls.
Baldi is probably one of the most respected people on this site. If you had any class, this would be the part where you said you were sorry to her.
hawkdriver on June 18, 2009 at 12:38 AM
Boxer and the rest of the DUMACRATS have a god complex. They got it from Osama Obama Bin Laden.
hamradio on June 18, 2009 at 12:38 AM
Being psychotic 24 hours-a-day is hard work. Doing it for the camera taxes the mighty.
Feedie on June 18, 2009 at 12:41 AM
Lighten up. This country’s not going to take itself down the crapper;)
Laura in Maryland on June 18, 2009 at 12:46 AM
Someone please smack her upside the head. Thank you.
WisCon on June 18, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Good to see you Hawk.
Fallen Sparrow on June 18, 2009 at 12:54 AM
Chuck Devore 2010!
monotonousboy on June 18, 2009 at 12:57 AM
What else would you expect from this trash?
brennan251 on June 18, 2009 at 12:57 AM
Fragile and imperious, maybe, dumber than a box of matches, for sure.
Schadenfreude on June 18, 2009 at 12:59 AM
I’m a native Californian. Family has been here since the end of the 1890s.
That’s our girl!
juanito on June 18, 2009 at 1:03 AM
Johan Klaus on June 18, 2009 at 1:08 AM
Methinks she would prefer “Her Royal Highness!”
ronsfi on June 18, 2009 at 1:10 AM
Oh, get over it, Babs!
I’m sure this has already been said, but those of us who grew up in the South or were brought up in or around the military are accustomed to calling and being called ‘sir‘ or ‘ma’am‘. It is generally ingrained in us from birth that it’s the respectful way of addressing someone with whom you aren’t familiar.
Even if using the title ‘Senator’ is the parlance of the Senate, outside the establishment, ‘ma’am’ or ‘sir’ is intended to be polite and a person so concerned with manners should acknowledge it as such. That the senator was nettled by the general and even went so far as to correct him demonstrates *her* lack of tact, not his.
EarthToZoey on June 18, 2009 at 1:11 AM
Oh, and two words keep popping to my mind lately: Term Limits.
EarthToZoey on June 18, 2009 at 1:15 AM
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