Posted on 06/19/2009 8:23:48 AM PDT by SkyPilot
Washington, D.C., political insiders were treated Wednesday morning to an unforgettable exchange of 19 e-mails. The players: an aide at McBee Strategic, a major lobbying firm, and one Elizabeth Becton, scheduling secretary to Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash.
The aide's sin: He sent an e-mail addressed to Becton as "Liz."
The episode is not without precedent. Ex-Sen. Elizabeth Dole is renowned for turning icy when anybody uses the nickname "Liddy." Elizabeth Taylor once erupted when fifth husband Sen. John Warner began an admonition with the words "Now Liz . . ."
"Don't you Liz me," Taylor shot back, sticking a finger in the senatorial chest.
Becton is of a similar frame of mind, and without humor, according to a piece in the on-line publication Politico.
The episode began when the McBee aide, addressing Becton by her full name, tried to set up a meeting between McDermott and visiting brass from JPMorgan Chase, new owners of Washington Mutual.
He checked back some days later, and committed the unpardonable offense of beginning the e-mail with the words "Hi Liz."
"Who is Liz?" Becton replied.
The assistant apologized for the first time. But Becton shot back, "Where did you get your information?"
The electronic conversation continued. The McBee aide ended up issuing six apologies, to no avail. Becton continued to lecture him about name-calling in tones reminiscent of the high-profile Liddy and Liz.
"If I wanted you to call me by any other name, I would have offered that to you," Becton wrote. "Please do not call me by a nickname again."
"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 somethings leave my desk."
So there!
Under a longtime, since-departed administrative assistant, McDermott's congressional office earned a reputation as prickly, unresponsive and very difficult to work with.
Like the Chicago City Council, McD's office wasn't ready for reform, at least for many years.
The situation has brightened in recent years, under top aides Jan Shinpoch and now Mike DeCesare.
But the Becton exchange is an unwelcome reminder of (fairly recent) bad old days.
As to Becton, a famous Washington, D.C. social encounter might serve as guidance in a mutual turning of the other cheek.
A well-lubricated John Riggins, then star running back with the Washington Redskins, was seated at a dinner with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and her husband John.
Riggins tried loudly to strike up a conversation. The justice stayed cool.
Inpatient, Riggins declared in a loud voice, "Loosen up Sandy, you're too uptight." The O'Connors soon departed. Riggins was photographed leaving the dinner, propped up by friends.
How did each react?
"I was a bad boy," an apologetic Riggins said a couple days later.
In the meantime, the women's aerobics class at the U.S. Supreme Court came up with a scheme to raise a few dollars. They printed up T-shirts with a message: "Get loose with the Supremes."
An amused O'Connor showed up for a workout.
Elizabeth Becton: "It's all about ME! ME! ME!"
*barf*
I sure Bagdad Jim keeps Liz on because she is good at eavedropping on calls.
and to think she is paid with our money.
I’m just itching to call his office and leave a message for LIZ! LOL
Anybody know how to get her email address? I could start my day for the next month sending “Liz”, Lizzie... a good morning email. Oh that would be rich.
Imagine thousands of bureaucrats like Liz in positions of "authority" at the US National Healthcare Service once we're all forced into ObamaCare... {{shudder}}
See #24 for Lizzie’s e-mail address.
If we could only get her email address I’d sure start my day with sending her an email addressed to LIZ, or Lizzie, or Beth or Eliza ...
McBee Aide: OK! Clatto Verata Elizabeth.
Elizabeth Becton, Scheduling Secretary: Well, repeat them.
McBee Aide: Clatto Verata Elizabeth!
Elizabeth Becton, Scheduling Secretary: Again!
McBee Aide: I got it, I got it! I know your damn words, alright?
Now, gimme some sugar, come to the king, baby.
If we could only get her email address I’d sure start my day with sending her an email addressed to LIZ, or Lizzie, or Beth or Eliza ...
man...some women just get drunk on any authority
Sounds like another liberal mental case with delusions of grandeur.
Whatta bitchhh!
wow...she probably has the ages old problem that results in bitchy women
maybe she could give Morgan Freeman a buzz
People like to brag about their connections in DC. It’s a past time passtime for some. It’s also dangerous to eaves drop eavesdrop, as you have just found out.
Awesome!!! Let me begin my day late today to bid o’l Liz a good day.
Its like a scene out of a Montey Python episode
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