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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Um. You just did.
shick on June 18, 2009 at 10:35 AM
I’ve got a title for her. Scrunt.
Coronagold on June 18, 2009 at 10:40 AM
I think she is more of a English Bull Dog than a Boxer. Regardless, either way she is still a female dog and you know what they are called.
bluegrass on June 18, 2009 at 10:40 AM
That’s Senator Asshat to you!
gwelf on June 18, 2009 at 10:42 AM
She is an evil, nasty old bat. Putting that aside, what is it with our Congress where so very many of these folk believe they are both more important and ‘special’ than the folk who made the mistake of sending them there. Here we have a General, someone really accomplished, and some silly old senator whose ego is vastly beyond what it merits. In a just society most of our Congress would be selling used cars under close supervision.
JIMV on June 18, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Well maybe after she is up for re election she will be EX Senator Boxer.
Dr Evil on June 18, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Our great American Armed Forces protect us with their very lives. The General did not deserve that pitiful display of ego by that useless politician.
kingsjester on June 18, 2009 at 10:43 AM
I’ve about had it with these people. I work three blocks from the White House and I feel like I need to take a shower every night when I get home just to wash the stench off. Sickening, really. People are getting fed up, count me among them.
MarkABinVA on June 18, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Sen. B*tch needs to be added to the unemployment line.
la.rt.wngr on June 18, 2009 at 10:52 AM
In the words of Jed from Night At The Museum:
‘That’s a big no can do, Cracker Jack…’
GoodSamaritan on June 18, 2009 at 11:02 AM
But who would buy from them?
scalleywag on June 18, 2009 at 11:05 AM
WTF? Are you ALL insane there?
DarkCurrent on June 18, 2009 at 11:05 AM
What an obnoxious c**t.
RWLA on June 18, 2009 at 11:10 AM
The Republican who runs against her will be polite and respectful and will lose by a ton. 95% of the party has been neutered and the 5% with any courage is demonized (see: Palin, Sarah). Without some show of guts and integrity by the GOP, I’m done with them. I would rather align with nothing than with a pack of toothless weasels.
SKYFOX on June 18, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Ha!
Apologetic California on June 18, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Boxer & her Ilk hate and disrespect Our Military,Obamie included-Why is anyone surprised at what this elitist did to the General?
Roadking85 on June 18, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Boxer keeps getting panties
boxersin a bunchseven on June 18, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Can he call her “Senator Asshat”? I am.
ihasurnominashun on June 18, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Actually, “maam” is more respectful than “senator”.
faraway on June 18, 2009 at 11:33 AM
I had the displeasure of meeting her once. Total b*tch, and dumb as a post.
SD on June 18, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Libtards have already become insane with power and its only been 3 years.
Speedwagon82 on June 18, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Unless this piece of crap really believes that any publicity is good, she has to know by now Senator Fools acting out can go viral in about 3 nanoseconds.
Congratulations Senator, now you’re really out there. Enjoy.
ontherocks on June 18, 2009 at 11:35 AM
End women’s suffrage now!
Akzed on June 18, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Bwahahahahaha! Except – no one is fantasizing about her – you know – that way. What a piece of work this nut case is.
FerfeLaBat on June 18, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Many in the military view the term sir/maam as MORE respectful than using a title.
Using a title doesn’t imply superior rank. In other words, if I think I’m on equal or greater footing to a senator (which a Brigadier General might) then I wouldn’t use the term maam. However, if I use the term maam, then it can’t be misunderstood that I’m elevating the senator above me.
Think about it this way, a general might address a captain as “Captain” but would never address him as “Sir.”
blink on June 18, 2009 at 11:38 AM
For what little it is worth I just called SENATOR Boxer’s office in DC to let her staff know how embarrassing and disrespectful her remark was. I also voiced my concern that my opinion, like my opinion on so many other topics before this, would be disregarded and not relayed to the SENATOR. Not surprisingly the SENATOR’s staff member hung up on me in mid-sentence.
What a disgrace our two senators are to the good people of California.
Tom_OC on June 18, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Foxnews.com has this splashed on the home page, Drudge has it linked, and I’m hoping to see the SENATOR ridiculed on TV later tonight.
That’s a beautiful thing.
CarolynM on June 18, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Oh jeez, a title is not necessarily the proper form of address. “Sir” and “ma’am” are appropriate, although we all know people who feel a need to be addressed solely by their title (think “Reverend”, as in Reverend Wright/Sharpton.)
dgstock1947 on June 18, 2009 at 12:01 PM
…whatever it takes to completely denigrate a respectable military man.
ErinF on June 18, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Ah, but she didn’t you see. She’s the one who looks like an a$$.
Oink on June 18, 2009 at 12:05 PM
“Senator” in this case is code for “frigid, imperious harpy.”
ZK on June 18, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Sounds like Ma’am Boxer has been spending a little too much time with Liz from Rep. McDermitt’s office…
http://www.politico.com/blogs/anneschroeder/0609/No_namecalling.html?showall
t.ferg on June 18, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Lib-dike chicks are damn ugly! From the inside out!
Boxer, Garofalo, Clinton, Pelosi, Sebelius, Albright, Helen Thomas, Napolitano…
I guess ugliness is an unavoidable side effect when hate courses through your veins 24/7.
ErinF on June 18, 2009 at 12:13 PM
It strikes me that people who must DEMAND the artifice of respect, don’t deserve it.
As a Californian who has voted against Boxer in every election, I despise her and her arrogance and off the chart liberalism.
in_awe on June 18, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Let’s give Boxer a call and tell her what we think.
Washington, D.C.
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3553
(202) 224-0454 fax
Other numbers… here
SouthernGent on June 18, 2009 at 12:37 PM
I’ve never understood what some people have against being addressed as “ma’am” and “sir”. The way I was raised it was supposed to denote respect for someone who was older/had more experience than you/could give you a whippin’. Senior enlisted in the military don’t like it because “they work for a living”, which I sort of understand where they are coming from on that. I’m not sure why Sen. Boxer had such a fit over it. I mean the General was addressing her as he would a superior, what’s the big deal?
Rightwingguy on June 18, 2009 at 12:55 PM
I just emailed Boxer using zip 90012 as suggested. I also included Brig. Gen Walsh’s resume.
http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/mrc/about/bio.php?b=1
Which includes service in Iraq.
Wileygrl3 on June 18, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Is asshat interchangeable with clownass?
If not, I think it would be appropriate to make an exception for her.
This little episode is everything that’s wrong with Washington in a nutshell.
PoodleSkirt on June 18, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Ironically, in light of your homonym failure, you are right. We have a “board elitist” in the White House now (serving on boards was the bulk of his experience) and we know how that’s turning out.
PoodleSkirt on June 18, 2009 at 1:18 PM
I don’t know if asshat would work too well.
Imagine Senate roll call votes…
“Senator Asshat from California votes in the affirmative.”
“Wait, which Senator Asshat from California!?!”
“I dunno, but guarenteed they’re both voting the same, so does it matter?”
“Guess not.”
“Now, where were we…ah, yes, Senator Asshat from Massachusettes-”
“Hold up! WHICH Senator Asshat from Massachusettes? And didn’t he vote already!?!”
“Hmmm…you’re right. Vice President Asshat, has which Senator Asshat from Massachusettes has- wait a second, you don’t work here anymore!”
“Obama told me this was where the Trix Rabbit hid my Lucky Charms!”
“Somebody shoot me…”
SuperCool on June 18, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Note to the General:
Don’t address her at all. This is a social tactic I use during “unpleasant” interactions with folks I couldn’t give a damn about.
Never personalize the conversation. Use 1 word answers, like “yes” or “no”. When giving a detailed or non-monosyllabic answer, just start talking without addressing the person to whom you are speaking.
Examples:
BOXER: “General, do you think I’m a complete ignoramus?”
GENERAL: “Yes”.
BOXER: “Can you elaborate as to how you came to that conclusion?”
GENERAL: “Whenever your mouth is open and sound is coming out, most people in a deep coma can easily determine your level of ignorance”.
See how that works? Never make it personal. Just answer the question.
BobMbx on June 18, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Not sure if this was brought up (didn’t read through all 7 pages of comments), but as a former Marine I can tell you that you always referred to a female officer as “Ma’am” and not “Sir.” Of course you could use the rank to address him or her, but it is quite common when simply acknowledging a statement or command to say “Yes Sir” or “Yes Ma’am.”
The irony with this is that Boxer, a fanatical feminist, is insulted by being referred to in her proper gender form. I thought the whole point of feminism was to properly acknowledge females as equals of men and not as just men in female clothes?
LeperKhan on June 18, 2009 at 1:32 PM
It’s just a thing, I worked so hard to get that title
LIES
apollyonbob
Yes Kitting checks is soooooooooooooo hard!
Laundering campaign cash, buy $10K worth of stamps from the P.O, on Tuesday with campaign cash and return $9.99K worth of stamps for a CASH REFUND!
Anyone who has worked as hard as she has deserves to be called
Inmate #1008743229
DSchoen on June 18, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Wouldn’t “asshat” make Senate roll call votes a bit confusing?
“The Asshat from California votes in the affirmative.”
“Wait, the senior Asshat from California or the junior Asshat from California?”
“Does it matter? Those two Asshats always vote the same anyway.”
“Good point, moving along…”
“The Asshat from Massachusettes votes in the affirmative.”
“Senior Asshat or junior?”
“Actually, the Asshat from Massachusettes would like to retract that vote and and cast a vote against.”
“Ahh, junior Asshat from Massachusettes it is.”
“Will somebody PLEASE tell the senior Asshat from West Virginia to wake up!?!”
“Aaaaahm agin’ et!”
“You already voted, Asshat!”
“Watch yore tongue there, boy!”
“Vice President Asshat, you don’t work here anymore!”
“President Asshat told me this was the place the Trix Rabbit hid my Lucky Charms!”
“Vice President Asshat, just go away…”
“I’m a genius y’know!”
“Sure you are, Asshat, sure you are…”
“The Senior Asshat from New York would like five minutes to grandstand, if I may?”
See what I mean?
SuperCool on June 18, 2009 at 1:41 PM
If this Boxer lady, who acts so high-and-mighty, scolding one of our military Generals, were to go to Iran, just like Madame Bela Pelosi did, she would gladly strap a hood over her own head in some twisted pretzel logic of “respect”.
Pathetic.
Parley on June 18, 2009 at 2:08 PM
That woman doesn’t deserve to even breathe the same air that that General breathes.
Sounds like she suffers from an overinflated ego. Or maybe a cranio-rectal inversion.
gunghohm1 on June 18, 2009 at 2:18 PM
She is not worthy to shine his boots, period.
TheSitRep on June 18, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Great point.
CarolynM on June 18, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Thanks, CarolynM
I would even add that she would probably bow to an Iranian or Saudi Arabian man in a high position.
And I don’t mean bow as in “bow wow”, which is common in the boxer breed.
Parley on June 18, 2009 at 2:45 PM
She earned the title? By being elected? Mrs. Boxer reminds me of a PhD I know. Insists on being addressed as “Doctor”, but can’t seem to thread all his beltloops.
ROCnPhilly on June 18, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Wow…what a nasty, arrogant old dried up hag she is. Shes just on a power trip…typical man hating liberal b*tch…typical far leftest skankbag. She just wanted to disrespect the military is all…because like a good little goose stepping liberal she loaths the military.
I have a title or her…how about Senator Scrunt
Jackson1227 on June 18, 2009 at 3:48 PM
I was an Air Force officer 69-73, and remember being addressed as “ma’am” by anyone I outranked. It is a term of respect. I also remember the dreaded “Congressional Inquiry” because these people are, with few exceptions, major (no rank intended) asshats/clownasses/pompous, clueless, stupid jerks. With delusions of adequacy.
coppertop on June 18, 2009 at 4:05 PM
“I certainly will, ma’am, if you’ll call me ‘General’.”
RedNewEnglander on June 18, 2009 at 4:15 PM
I would have said ma’am,see you next Tuesday.
McBride on June 18, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Ms Boxer is up for reelection in 2010. You all might consider sending a few dollars to her opponent, Chuck DeVore, a military vet. Here is the link:
http://www.chuckdevore.com/index.asp
kalebral on June 18, 2009 at 5:22 PM
He should have responded “No, its ok.”
conservador on June 18, 2009 at 5:28 PM
First off, let’s start with UCMJ Article 88 – Contempt towards officials. It states:
“Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”
The maximum punishment for this Article is “Dismissal, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 1 year.”
We show proper respect to all those entitled to it by virtue of their position. All the better if we can also respect them personally, which is rarely the case with civilian leadership. Still, we accord them the proper respect our duty requires, no mater how much we may loath and despise a particular government official. We do this because of our overriding duty to this country, the Constitution, and the people we serve to protect.
Sea Dragon
Still serving after all these years…
Sea Dragon on June 18, 2009 at 5:38 PM
I Served for 36 years and I’m well aware of the Code, but I’m not sure what point your attempting to make here.
rplat on June 18, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Really, in spite of DeMint’s half-hearted condemnation, it’s time we get some plain-speaking, straight-talking politicians in office, and speak in terms that are clear, and easily understood. Someone needed to tell her in the same forum that, no, she didn’t work hard to get where she is, today. She got there on the backs of her voters that she’s made promise-after-promise to, and by kissing babies and telling lies. The Brigadier General, on the other hand, got to where he is by years-upon-years of potentially hazardous service to his nation. More time in service, I’d wager, than Boxer has in her cushy little office. Maybe if she’d wanted to be taken seriously, and wanted to work toward having a little respect, she should’ve joined the Army. Now, it’s too late. She is nothing more than another disrespectful, polarizing, partisan hack of a politican.
Virus-X on June 18, 2009 at 5:52 PM
She certainly is 100% correct.
She should be addressed as Senator Boxer the Bitch.
Gulf Coast on June 18, 2009 at 6:05 PM
rplat,
A lot of commenters seem to be concentrating on the fact that the senator is not in our chain-of-command, and wondered why he showed the respect he did. While she is not in the chain-of-command, the UCMJ does does require that we not show contempt for Congress. When I first went through training in 1974, they instilled in us the reflex to address all civilian officials with respect, and to avoid anything that could be interpreted as “contempt.” I call it professionalism.
Sea Dragon on June 18, 2009 at 6:38 PM
OK, thanks . . . for the officer giving testimony that’s good advice.
rplat on June 18, 2009 at 7:27 PM
Thanks to Senators like her, ‘Senator’ confers less respect every day.
AnotherDave on June 18, 2009 at 8:13 PM
“FU, Senator B**ch”. Who the he*l do you think you are, something special? You’re nothing but a corrupt to the core snake oil saleswomen.
Again, “FU, Senator B**ch”.
Cleveland Steamer on June 18, 2009 at 8:18 PM
Let’s stick a global warming windmill up her a*s and let the santa anna winds take her for a ride. I would sign up to watch that.
Cleveland Steamer on June 18, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Well since she worked so hard to get that title, we should work equally as hard to remove it from her. what a twunt.
rogue780 on June 18, 2009 at 8:29 PM
What are you doing to stop it? Anything?? Bueller, Bueller, Bueller….
I have no time for sissy la-la’s that talk smack but do nothing.
doriangrey on June 18, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Believe it or not, a great comment at Huff Po re: what the General should have said in response to Senator Boxer
General: I apologize Senator. Now get me a cup of coffee would ya honey?
DrW on June 18, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Not reading this entire thread to see if this has been asked, but isn’t it a common protocol for military to refer to civilians as “sir” and “ma’am”?
foucaultsvac on June 18, 2009 at 9:00 PM
Do what I did – get out of Stinktown, DC!
I moved to Texas and I’ve never been happier.
DC is full of traffic, irritating, stupid, unfriendly liberals and shoebox “homes” that cost $500K and up.
In Texas, no traffic, few liberals (and they know how to keep their stupid traps shut down there) and you can buy a nice house on a big patch of land for under $200K.
I’ve been up here in Silver Spring for the last two weeks and it takes me 15 minutes to drive 2 miles – get out while you still can.
NoDonkey on June 18, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Didn’t have to go far to get a good chuckle.
tbear44 on June 18, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Barbara Beeeatch Boxer
tbear44 on June 18, 2009 at 9:25 PM
I’m ashamed to live in this state that elected TWO clueless bimbo b!tch “senators” — and the worst speaker of the house in the history of this Nation. :o\
infidel4life on June 18, 2009 at 9:29 PM
That’s Senator Asshat, to you sir.
We must learn our place.
NoDonkey on June 18, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Boxer should be ashamed of herself!
. . . I mean more ashamed than she already is.
dullhammer on June 18, 2009 at 9:38 PM
That’s gotta be tough to live with.
During the past 15 years, my Congressmen were Dick Gebhardt and then Jim Moran.
Two guy who weren’t worth the urine it would take to douse them, if they were both in flames.
NoDonkey on June 18, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Then vote for someone else in 2010… I have heard that someone right here at HotAir is running for Boxers seat… Wonder who it might be…
doriangrey on June 18, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Egotistical prima donna. It’s just a dominance game, like primitive primates and certain unevolved humans engage in.
NNtrancer on June 18, 2009 at 9:51 PM
I always vote for someone else. At least my Congressman isn’t a complete loon.
infidel4life on June 18, 2009 at 9:55 PM
To borrow a phrase from a “Little” Jimmy Dickens Song: “May the bird of paradise fly up her nose” all the way to her brain. Uh Oh my bad she doesn’t have a brain. She also has rectal-cranial inversion disease.
hamradio on June 18, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Without a doubt I would have given this woman MORE respect than she deserved. I would have turned around, bent over and said KISS THIS SENATOR.
proudteadrinker on June 18, 2009 at 10:27 PM
The General worked his entire life, serving his country in the US Military, working his way up the ranks…Im sure he served in war, thus sacrificing his life for this country and this skanky liberal b*tch. I think perhaps he actually EARNED his title… All Boxer did was get elected by a pack of far leftist morons in Californication…oh yes, thats hard work indeed…spending a few hours promising far leftist hollywood freaks, militant gays, deadbeat welfare trash and illegal Mexicans that she would give them all as much free sh*t as she could get as US Senator…wow, that was a true feat. How the heck did a far leftist, loon, American-hating, sellout wh*re like her ever get elected with that constituency? What an accomplishment!
Shes a complete idiotstick. My dogs dumps are more important than her.
Jackson1227 on June 18, 2009 at 11:06 PM
{{{hawkdriver}}}
baldilocks on June 18, 2009 at 11:28 PM
Why does Hot air keep little greenfootball’s Under War on terror On there web sight?? Has any body read that blog lately?
beachkatie on June 18, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Well, Senator, over the course of millenia, horses have been addressed as Senator, so I suppose asses can be, too.
Dowager Duchess on June 19, 2009 at 12:03 AM
You think it’s easy spending trillions of other people’s money? These massive spending bills way tons, and no, I didn’t actually read them, but they do take up a lot of space on my desk.
My state (CA) is bankrupt, but bygod, we will focus on the things that really matters: You addressing me as senator!
TN Mom on June 19, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Pride comes before a fall. And i feel a fall coming on
pastorrick on June 19, 2009 at 1:20 AM
Well done, and spot on. You’ve got more obloquy for this piece of excrement and her constituents in your post than even I managed.
I know it sounds impossible, but one who is even lower than this vile woman will soon be joining that august body. I can’t wait to hear what you have to say about him. Al “Minnesota Nice!” Franken.
chris999 on June 19, 2009 at 1:24 AM
Do I see a RANGER tab on the General’s shoulder?? Enough said.
Claimsratt on June 19, 2009 at 3:05 AM
How stupid are you…look at her links.
This is several times you have posted this nonsense…it is getting tiresome.
If you have a personal problem with her, state it, don’t hide behind some obscure statement.
Man up and challenge her directly…otherwise, sit down in the corner and shut up, read and learn.
right2bright on June 19, 2009 at 6:49 AM
The argument of a coward.
You make reckless claims, smear people names, and when they lash back, defend, and attack, you run to mommy whining “Oh wait, that’s baldilocks”.
You are a foolish little man…living in a foolish little world you have created.
right2bright on June 19, 2009 at 6:55 AM
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