Boxer gets snotty with general: Address me as “senator,” not “ma’am”
posted at 7:21 pm on June 17, 2009 by Allahpundit
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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.
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Good point Bubba, as a matter of fact, She SENATOR Boxer should address ALL Californians 18 years and older as “SIR” or “Ma’am”, anything less is an insult to her bosses.
I think that’s one of those rules, demand they play by there own rules do not let up and ridicule em if they don’t.
If she does call them “SIR” or “Ma’am”, get indignant and tell em loudly “don’t call me “SIR” or “Ma’am”, I work for a living”.
Her head will explode in less than 5 min.
DSchoen on June 18, 2009 at 1:17 AM
Two words keep popping to my mind lately:
Psychiatric workups.
Sigmund on June 18, 2009 at 1:23 AM
I would address Boxer as Barbara, after all, she IS my employee and works for ME.
nelsonknows on June 18, 2009 at 1:30 AM
“Yes, ma’am”
Schadenfreude on June 18, 2009 at 1:36 AM
Yes, perhaps this latest Babs episode is indicative of her anal retentiveness, eh Dr. Freud?
EarthToZoey on June 18, 2009 at 2:02 AM
And you can call me General!…Ma’ma
BigMike252 on June 18, 2009 at 2:11 AM
May a housefly land on her snotty nose.
Texyank on June 18, 2009 at 2:12 AM
LIES
apollyonbob on June 18, 2009 at 2:19 AM
How shocked would these people be if you treated them with that attitude? You KNOW the vast majority of them think their smarter than the hoi polloi and ought to be in charge of ‘em.
Imagine Babs getting snooty with you and you saying, “Uhm, Barbara, you work for me. Please be a bit more polite. Thank you.”
Her head would explode.
She probably wouldn’t do it to a voter, but that was just some subhuman serviceman.
‘Scuse me while I puke.
misterpeasea on June 18, 2009 at 2:47 AM
“asshat”..good. “Slutty flight attendant”..good. But I like former Senator best.
Too bad there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell that her ilk in California will vote her out. Don’t forget, coming from the left coast, it could get worse.
They all need to go, and George Soros and company with them.
eaglesdontflock on June 18, 2009 at 3:12 AM
Too bad someone didn’t just give it to you. Maybe you would be less of a c**t about it.
JohnGalt23 on June 18, 2009 at 3:13 AM
As a former military officer, it is proper to call your superiors sir or ma’am. Now a days, Senator doesn’t garner the respect for a sir or a ma’am being that they are less than superior….
jnrz on June 18, 2009 at 4:25 AM
This actually infuriates me more than anything I’ve seen in the last couple of weeks. Does that make me odd?
Saying “sir” or “ma’am” IS respectful. Blow it out your a**, Babs. Perhaps he should have just called you b***h?
Red Cloud on June 18, 2009 at 4:33 AM
Not odd. What Boxer is doing here is unAmerican. That right I said it. She needs a reminder that we are not sheep and we are not looking up to Senators.
el gordo on June 18, 2009 at 5:38 AM
Note that she fails to address the good General with any title at all… “you” is as close as she gets.
We have to stop electing these rich, arrogant, elitist scoundrels and find a few good patriots.
T J Green on June 18, 2009 at 5:41 AM
The way I learned it is that when you are talking to a superior officer, a Senator, the President of the United States, the Queen of England or God Almighty, the first time you address them by their proper rank or title, and subsequently as “Sir” or “Ma’am”.
In fact, in military circles, constantly referring to someone by their rank is seen as a mark of great disrespect.
Which, of course, means I would “Senator” Ms. Boxer all day long…
gridlock2 on June 18, 2009 at 5:52 AM
This “woman” has made me sick for as long as she’s been a senator. I’m assuming she wants to be addressed as “Senator” rather than “Ma’am” as it’s a woman’s equality thing. To me, that’s half of America’s problems today. Some(most?)women don’t want to be women, but rather want to be men without the three piece set. Example #1 would be how actresses want to be called “actors”. They have no problem with winning an Oscar in the “Best Actress” category though,do they? Maybe that’s why liberals hate God so much. He created us to be different and God therefore doesn’t fit a liberal agenda…
In any case Boxer is an anti-American POS……
adamsmith on June 18, 2009 at 6:22 AM
That gave me my first laugh of the morning.
CarolynM on June 18, 2009 at 6:23 AM
I was thinking the same thing myself…
BadBrad on June 18, 2009 at 7:13 AM
Is she a liberal? Do birds fly?
Grafted on June 18, 2009 at 7:19 AM
I recommend the good General henceforth respectfully address Boxer the Bleach-blonde Blockhead thus:
“Got that, numb-nut?”
viking01 on June 18, 2009 at 7:23 AM
During the Bush years, the Leftist media had a fetish about the importance of a leader’s humility.
Remember how they would wring their hands, as if dealing with a retarded child, at how President Bush couldn’t admit he was just a man, that he was fallible? The implication being that President Bush was not quite human because he lacked humility.
The State-run media sure dropped that pretension.
These bastards are so set up for a big fall.
jeff_from_mpls on June 18, 2009 at 7:36 AM
I’m a yank and wasn’t exposed to this until later in life. Then I joined the service and the habbit of speaking to someone with respect has never left me.
Then I got a job making pizzas. Everything was normal until one day when a new employee responded to my addressing him “sir”.
He said, “You know, when people call me sir, I want to punch them in the face.”
Very puzzled I asked why.
He responded, “Cause you assume that I’m not going to be offended by that. What if I’m offended by that?”
Unsure I could say anything that would be coherrent to this hyper-relativist fool, I made my attempt.
“Dude, your getting mad at someone who’s intent isn’t to offend but to give you respect? I think your just grasping at ANY reason, including the lamest reason, to be offended. That’s just dumb.”
shick on June 18, 2009 at 7:37 AM
Hey, I’ve got a name for her… it’s no where near as respectful as “ma’am”.
Something to be said for the trash that repeatedly vote for this trash. She needs to be taken down a few thousand notches.
ErinF on June 18, 2009 at 7:39 AM
Well said!
The only thing on Boxer’s mind was how important she perceived others thought she was. With all her disrespect of our U.S. military, she should count her blessings that this General remained decent in her midst and referred to her (in military propriety terms) as “Ma’am.”
Readjusting the address to her as “Senator” only served, in that context, to reduce her stature. Boxer’s too much an egomaniac and dunce to even notice.
Lourdes on June 18, 2009 at 7:40 AM
This may be a stupid question, but… since when is the word “ma’am” un-PC?
Why do people get so friggin’ offended these days by such non-issues?
ErinF on June 18, 2009 at 7:41 AM
Feminazis give the rest of us normal women a bad name.
ErinF on June 18, 2009 at 7:42 AM
If someone is running against her next election.They should run this over and over in a ad and say at the end how about former Senator.
thmcbb on June 18, 2009 at 7:42 AM
I noticed that David Vitter didn’t mind being called ‘Sir’. I wonder what the hookers call him?
simplesimon on June 18, 2009 at 7:43 AM
The thin-skinned Political Correctness types often equate ma’am with madam which those virtually accomplishment-free of Boxer’s ilk will claim makes them feel old rather than, shall we say, seasoned.
Boxer is, well, old rather than seasoned and her inflated ego / vanity (shared with Pelosi) causes her to resent anything which reminds her of that fact.
viking01 on June 18, 2009 at 7:54 AM
As I’m sure plenty of other military folks have already noted: depending on branch of service, its actually considered disrespectful to repeatedly use title rather than “sir” or “ma’am.” In fact, its a common trick for those wanting to be passive-aggressively disrespectful to repeat “LT Jones” this and “LT” that … rather than call their officer “sir.”
The Navy does it differently – or did 20 years ago. They frequently referred to officers by rank. I can remember sitting in a classroom at DLI with every branch represented, and the sailors kept responding to an Army CPT by calling him Captain … not “sir.” Finally, he mentioned it – and told them to call him sir.
The point is that the General was being respectful by offering her the honorific reserved for his superiors.
The other point is that she is a dumbass. I mean Senator dumbass. Yes, ma’am.
Professor Blather on June 18, 2009 at 7:58 AM
Well, at least he answered correctly. When she said to call her Senator instead of Ma’am, because she had worked so hard to get that title, he simply said “yes Ma’am”.
What a b*tch
MikeA on June 18, 2009 at 7:58 AM
The General was following US Military customs and courtesies as they are by addressing the Senator as Ma’am. He was following the rules. Rules ultimately approved by the congress of the United States. The Senator, by arbitrarily “correcting” this General publicly, was not following any rules,, she was acting as a tyrant!
In other words,, as Democrats do,, she demanded “Rule of man” over “rule of law!” She told this General,, “I do not want you to follow the policy, custom and tradition of the military WITH ME,, I am above that,,, “YOU WILL ADDRESS ME AS SENATOR. THE CUSTOMS THAT THIS CONGRESS HAS APPROVED IN THE PAST WILL NOT BE APPLIED TO ME!” The General should have/could have been within his rights to inquire as to the US Military Customs and Courtesies and if the Senator was suggesting they be changed! These politicians are truly acting like they are above it all,, they are acting like they are kings and queens,, above our laws, above our rules,, so much more important than any of the rest of us,,, while the truth is they are the ones who are destroying this nation! Barbara Boxer is not worthy to be in the same room as this General,,, the average NCO has worked harder to defend freedom and liberty than this politician!!!
JellyToast on June 18, 2009 at 7:59 AM
I’m sure this has been noted many times, many ways… but I was watching Jeff Sessions yesterday and his name plate read “Mr. Sessions.” That is, not “Sen. Sessions.”
And getting elected is hard work in some sense… but not in the “accomplishing something” sense. It means you “worked hard” greasing the right palms and kissing the right…
mankai on June 18, 2009 at 8:00 AM
Can you, in any way shape or form, see Palin doing this?
Rod on June 18, 2009 at 8:04 AM
Yes, it is. But beyond the point is that nothing in the exchange reflected poorly on the General. IT did reflect poorly on Boxer. She, like som many true liberals, hates the military and that hate comes throuh in this exchange.
MikeA on June 18, 2009 at 8:06 AM
Boxer may think she’s “worked hard” to become a Senator, but few to none in California would dare say she’s working hard AS a Senator (well, maybe she can count on a few hundred statewide).
She was receiving a respectful address from the General. She snitted she wanted to be disrespected, then took the public’s time to promote herself with that “worked hard” bit.
Egomaniacal Foolish Leftwinger. That’s the best I can say about her.
Lourdes on June 18, 2009 at 8:07 AM
I’d never, never, never condone violence against a woman. But in her case, I’d have to side with the wife beater. Shut that B up!
Jeff from WI on June 18, 2009 at 8:07 AM
Another comment on this. I think Obama may have finally made one right decision, even if for the wrong reasons. Not bailing out California is a good thing. The people there are responsible for sending Boxer to Washington, over and over. I hope they choke.
MikeA on June 18, 2009 at 8:10 AM
Yes, she’s a military-hater, no doubt about that. Pitiful is that she is so uninformed about protocol and about the parallel manners from (mostly) the South, where the same protocol used in the military is generally quite intensely dissipated throughout society there. It’s entirely MORE proper and respectful to address other adults as “sir” and “Ma’am” just as it is in the military when referring to / speaking to superior officers. Boxer’s an utter cad.
Lourdes on June 18, 2009 at 8:10 AM
you are dumber than a bag of hammers Senator!
sabbott on June 18, 2009 at 8:12 AM
the average NCO has worked harder to defend freedom and liberty than this politician!!!
JellyToast on June 18, 2009
I might include the average PV2 fresh out of basic but your point is well stated. “Sir” and “ma’am” are respectful terms to all but craven idiots and imperious, self-important apes.
SKYFOX on June 18, 2009 at 8:12 AM
I agree with everyone here that think Boxer demonstrates liberal contempt for
the military.
She’s obviously living in a parallel universe that still hold senators in high regard. That someone so out of touch could be holding hearings on any issue is a sobering
reminder of where we all find ourselves today.
The hard work that she claims to have done is a pathetic joke on us.
A job as a trash can liner would be an upgrade for this self important turd.
ontherocks on June 18, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Should have really pissed her off and called her Senatorette
Question. What could she have done if he kept on calling her ma’am?
oldernwiser on June 18, 2009 at 8:18 AM
He should have said to her “I can call you Betty; Betty when you call me you can call me Al.”
radjah shelduck on June 18, 2009 at 8:21 AM
They SHOULD be addressing her by her inmate number. Arrogant crook.
marklmail on June 18, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Hey Barbie, not only will I not call you Senator, I’ll tell you to @#$% off.
Mr. Grump on June 18, 2009 at 8:24 AM
It is useless to waste time and comment on this piece of sh*t. As long as the illegals keep re-electing her and the freak from San Fran you can expect nothing will change. Change and hope you wish you could believe in. NO YOU CAN’T
bluegrass on June 18, 2009 at 8:25 AM
I understand that Larry Elder is possibly going to challenge Boxer in 2010. That should make a very good race.
jbh45 on June 18, 2009 at 8:25 AM
Sorry I called you ma’am…. wench!
viking01 on June 18, 2009 at 8:26 AM
It has nothing to do with PC and 100% to do with her ego.
ladyingray on June 18, 2009 at 8:29 AM
Palin is a normal happy woman. Most conservative women are. Democratic, lefty, liberal feminazis are an angry, bitter species and act accordingly.
CarolynM on June 18, 2009 at 8:29 AM
Oh My God, this woman is an absolute complete jerk! If I were that General, I would have chewed her worthless ass out right there on the spot and then demanded she apologize right there for her crass comment!
Barbara Boxer is a complete disgrace as a Senator and she has now done the ultimate act of insulting a General, thus showing complete disrespect for our troops!
Will someone in the Senate have the guts to call this woman what she truly is and maybe do something like censure her or something!
I am now sick of this vile woman!!!!
pilamaye on June 18, 2009 at 8:29 AM
And I agree with you. How marvelous it would have been for this General to immediately resign in front of these pigs and then proceed to address her as a civilian. That would have been expecting a lot,,, but it would have been glorious!
JellyToast on June 18, 2009 at 8:31 AM
Boxer is a joke.
camtheman7 on June 18, 2009 at 8:42 AM
Barbara Boxer is a complete joke.
camtheman7 on June 18, 2009 at 8:43 AM
Expect nothing less from the party of pronoids.
gbear on June 18, 2009 at 8:48 AM
True. Absolutly true. But she is still a United States Senator from California, and thus a representation of the thinking and thought processes of the people of that state. To the degree that she is an ass clown, so are they by their decisions to allow her to represent them. And so too is the Democrat party in the Senate for allowing her to have a seat where she was addressing this honorable soldier.
MikeA on June 18, 2009 at 8:52 AM
Who cares? No really, who cares? Are you one of her constitutes? Can you vote for her replacement? Is there one single thing you would be willing to do to defeat her re-election? Step up to the plate and do something other then whine on the internet or sit down and shut up.
doriangrey on June 18, 2009 at 8:53 AM
She shows little respect for the men and women who REALLY SERVE this county.Give her a rifle and send her pimp a-s to IRAN.
easyone on June 18, 2009 at 8:56 AM
Shut up? Really? Is that something you are willing to back up in some way? The single worst mistake people could make as the left shoves communism down our throats is to shut up.
MikeA on June 18, 2009 at 8:57 AM
That he respectfully complied speaks of a discipline and professionalism. That she requested speaks volumes of her.
This display is the epitome of what is wrong with our federal government.
King of the Britons on June 18, 2009 at 8:58 AM
Boxer’s rude insistence that the general use her title reveals some pretty deep insecurities. She’s obviously intimidated by this accomplished man and is abusing her position in order to neutralize him.
People who really deserve their positions don’t need constant affirmation from others. See: Barack Obama
RadClown on June 18, 2009 at 8:59 AM
I have voted for her opponents forever. Yes she is my senator, I am a Californian. If you are a Californian and dont like Barbra Boxer, then either do something about it, or shut up. I offer myself as a candidate to replace her. To everyone out there bitching and moaning about Boxer I say… It’s put up or shut up time…
doriangrey on June 18, 2009 at 8:59 AM
The proper term for a superior female officer in the military is MA’AM.
dumbass boxer the female dog was just being an idiot again.
sonofdy on June 18, 2009 at 9:05 AM
I appreciate your position as a citizen of California who does not agree with Boxer and her comrades. I am not from there, and can’t vote there; but I can make as much noise as I can to try to influense as many people as I can to make those who do vote there see how really damaging to their interests she is. Likewise, California voters who are sick of being branded as the land of fruits and nuts need to find it in themselves to change their state’s culture to one more fitting. But screaming for them to shut up is not going to help. Getting them to talk is the first step in getting them to change.
MikeA on June 18, 2009 at 9:08 AM
Really? humm, when you move I recommend Utah. Lower cost of housing and a good unemployment rate.
sonofdy on June 18, 2009 at 9:08 AM
I have 24 years active military service, I cannot begin to tell you how angry it makes me to hear her try to subjugate and otherwise humiliate the General. She’s pretty tough in that setting, lets put her on the battlefield with 60 pounds of equipment on her back and lets see how tough she is.
mindhacker on June 18, 2009 at 9:11 AM
Ma’am, the General was being respectful to you. He worked a lot harder to EARN the title “General” than you did to schmooze the title “Senator”.
ice princess on June 18, 2009 at 9:15 AM
Thank you for your service. I’m sure you realize it, but what she displayis is not “tough”. It is a form of political bullying and nothing more. If the General had responded by asking her to explain what she meant by asking him to breach protocol, she would have exploded and made even more of an ass of herself. To his credit he did not force America to watch that on TV.
Let’s all be thankful that slobs like her never really get on a battle field with our future in their ability to really be tough.
MikeA on June 18, 2009 at 9:18 AM
California has some lovely women representing them.
golfballs03 on June 18, 2009 at 9:19 AM
Yes, it does, but it also has some morons.
MikeA on June 18, 2009 at 9:21 AM
If she doesn’t like ma’am, how does she like Bimbo. What a joke – she worked hard to get the title (or she worked hard for the money). She never worked hard a day in her life. Typical San Francisco dolt. Is there anyone from California that isn’t a loon – Waxman, Pelosi, Boxer, Feinstien, (even the governator) the whole group should fall into the sea.
georgeofthedesert on June 18, 2009 at 9:24 AM
She worked so hard to get the title “Senator”, to get elected to public office? As if she earned something? Try making it to the flag officer ranks, lady.
Granted, generals/admirals get treated like dogs by the Senate, but it’d be nice, just one time, if a general had the balls to say, “yes, ma’am. And if you could, please address me as ‘general’. I’ve worked my entire career to earn this rank. Thank you.”
Send_Me on June 18, 2009 at 9:26 AM
I really wish he responded by saying, “Yes ma’am”
Zetterson on June 18, 2009 at 9:28 AM
Believe me, she wouldn’t like the way I would “address” her…
Fuzzlenutter on June 18, 2009 at 9:30 AM
Traditionally, military men are supposed to address civilians as ma’am or sir. It doesn’t matter who you are.
scrubbiedude on June 18, 2009 at 9:32 AM
Seem to be picking up on some negative vibes for Boxer in this thread.
whitetop on June 18, 2009 at 9:32 AM
I just revisited the tape.
Boxershorts doesn’t bother to address the General at all in this,just interupts him with her petty b/s. If she had a shred of common decency she would have waited until he was done answering her question .
If this sounds like nit picking for the sake of piling on,it is. She deserves it
oldernwiser on June 18, 2009 at 9:33 AM
I didn’t realize the good Professor was among the alumni of DLI. :)
Anna on June 18, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Yes, Senator C**t, I will address you as you deserve.
Sorry to those women out there that don’t like that term. That video makes my blood boil.
Torch on June 18, 2009 at 9:35 AM
What a witch, please down your cyanide pill now ma’am.
feedercattle on June 18, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Term Boxer out. Vote for Chuck!
Send Ma’am Boxer a message here: http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/email/policy.cfm
Links to Chuck DeVore here: http://www.facebook.com/DeVoreForCalifornia
NavyWife on June 18, 2009 at 9:54 AM
that settles it, she prefers panties over boxers and they’re all in a bunch
gatorboy on June 18, 2009 at 9:55 AM
LOL
inviolet on June 18, 2009 at 9:56 AM
Exactly! Thus the need for a bounty ,otherwise why waste time and energy on the classless, clueless, pandering, bloodsucking vermin.
dhunter on June 18, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Sooo, the crooked destructive failure calls out the heroic accomplished man of honor? In the age of Obama/Libs it doesn’t surprise me.
marklmail on June 18, 2009 at 10:06 AM
I am a California native who has voted against Boxer every time she has been on the ballot. IVO the number of registered Democrats in the “Golden State”, she’s in the Senate for life unless SHE decides she soesn’t want the job anymore… Unfortunately, that is just the political landscape out there… BTW, calling her “Senator” refers only to her job description; calling her “ma’am” implies respect… Don’t expect the “ma’am” from the military members EVER AGAIN… Unless she apologizes… Doubtful…
Khun Joe on June 18, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Methinks she would prefer “Her Royal Highness!”
ronsfi on June 18, 2009 at 1:10 AM
On track, Let’s address Ms. Boxer “Her Royal Hiney”
MSGTAS on June 18, 2009 at 10:17 AM
I would have said, “As you wish, Senator Buttercup.”
Crusty on June 18, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Wake up California. This display of arrogance comes from our elected officials daily. Let’s knock her off her pedestal where she can’t “poop” on us again.
Rustic on June 18, 2009 at 10:22 AM
How about obnoxious pig instead of senator? The general has more integrity than all of the DipOCraps combined, especially the apologist-in-chief in the White House. Boxer, you and the entire Democratic Party are a disgrace to the nation. Hey – does this constitute hate speech in the world of liberal loons!?!? I sure hope so!
conan547 on June 18, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Wasting time to complain here. Go to her website at Senate.gov and write her. It will probably reject if you are not a constituent so all you have to do is enter your real address and the zip code of her state office which is 90012.
Dingbat63 on June 18, 2009 at 10:22 AM
This should be a campaign ad in 2010. Show the state of CA’s colossal failures, their begging for federal bailouts, and every time you hit a humdinger, run this clip of her talking down to this general who has bravely served our country and was being perfectly respectful. “I worked too hard for this title. Call me Senator.” List the perks of her job she enjoys at the taxpayers’ expense. Does she do her job so well that she doesn’t have to worry about reelection? Remind Boxer of that “work” part at the polls.
alliebobbitt on June 18, 2009 at 10:27 AM
“work hard” + politician = oxymoron.
scalleywag on June 18, 2009 at 10:30 AM
I’ve nothing to say that’s nice about Boxer, so I won’t say anything at all.
GarandFan on June 18, 2009 at 10:31 AM
protocol and respect aside…..
he should have answered, when you act like a senator, I’ll call you senator.
ladyhawke53 on June 18, 2009 at 10:34 AM
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