No Name-Calling (Dem Secretary Goes Haywire)

Politico ^ | 6/17/2009 | Politico

[Dallas59]

If you want to score a meeting with Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), know this: His scheduler/office manager, Elizabeth Becton, is to be addressed by her full name — not Liz or any other variant.

An executive assistant at McBee Strategic recently learned this the hard way. A few weeks ago, the assistant e-mailed Becton seeking a meeting with McDermott and a client, JPMorgan Chase. Days later, the assistant checked back in and unfortunately began the e-mail with “Hi Liz.”

Becton curtly replied, “Who is Liz?”

When the assistant wrote back with an apology, Becton turned up the heat. “I do not go by Liz. Where did you get your information?” she asked.

The back-and-forth went on for 19 e-mails, with the assistant apologizing six times if she had “offended” Becton, while Becton lectured about name-calling.

Becton told the assistant that if someone said using “Liz” was acceptable, then “they are not your friend”, and “If I wanted you to call me by any other name, I would have offered that to you.” Plus, it’s “rude when people don’t even ask permission and take all sorts of liberties with your name,” she said, adding: “Please do not ever call me by a nickname again.”

But the tirade didn’t end there. Becton continued her riff — responding that the assistant “got played” by someone who was trying to “tick” Becton off. Becton’s final, searing missive stated: “In the future, you should be VERY careful about such things. People like to brag about their connections in D.C. It’s a pastime for some. It’s also dangerous to eavesdrop, as you have just found out. Quit apologizing and never call me anything but Elizabeth again. Also, make sure you correct anyone who attempts to call me by any other name but Elizabeth. Are we clear on this? Like I said, it’s a hot button for me. And please don’t call the office and not leave a message. My colleague told me you called while I was away. ... I do sometimes leave my desk.”

McDermott spokesman Mike DeCesare told us Tuesday, “An apology is being issued as we speak,” adding, “This isn’t reflective of the way we do business in this office.”

[silverleaf]

Ugly Betty!

[Slings and Arrows]

---

[kalee]

Same here.

[khnyny]

Ok, ok, I get it sweetie! Lol.

[TigersEye]

Betsie Wetsie would work for Liz.

[silverleaf]

I think she made herself a target for ridicule when she sent 19 emails after the incident AND ignored 6 apologies by the poor casual straphanger who tried to engage her

There has never been an American generation that did not enjoy poking irreverent humor at pompous asses.

[glock rocks]

Liz? ...how bout

Hi Asshat.

Remember me?

[Conspiracy Guy]

Beyotch is a good name for her.

[tubebender]

Remember me?

Why Yes, Yes I do...

[DJ MacWoW]

I disagree. She has every right to ask to be treated respectfully by someone that she doesn’t know. I am also very irritated by someone presuming intimacy when I have just met them.

You have no idea if the person presuming was the first that day or the tenth. It may well be that someone told her to do it. Maybe Becton was having a bad day and went overboard but I’ve been pushed there by pushy people too.

[visualops]

And I can’t help but notice that your name isn’t properly capitalized in your e-mail address. Does that not enrage you?

ROFL!

[Freedom2specul8]

You spell checker you! LoL

[texas booster]

I saw that she started out as a Republican Congressional staffer for the 8 years of the Bush admin, then switched over to a Dem Liz McDermott.

Could she have been a mole for the Dark Dem side and then moved over to the Dems?

[VicVega]

Betsie Wetsie

LOL, that would burn her cat hairs.

[Jean S]

If they persist, and even after gentle admonition sometimes they still do, I take my business elsewhere.

She is a government employee, we pay her salary! I hope she takes her business elsewhere, we don't need thin skinned government employees like her.

[khnyny]

There's a fine line between “thin skinned” and “anal obsessive nut-case”. Let's put it this way - I doubt, very seriously, if young Liz actually has a sense of humour or is any way able to laugh at herself.

I've also often thought that people's ability to "get the joke" is in direct correlation to their IQ./soapbox off.

[ApplegateRanch]

Hey, Lizzie!

Here's a brand new hatchet!

Hang in there, Miss BordonBectmon

[antceecee]

; ~ )

[glock rocks]

LOL, better

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]