Posted on 06/23/2009 5:22:04 AM PDT by Kaslin
Last week a U.S. Senator treated the world to a shocking display of rudeness toward a member of our armed services.
As Brigadier Gen. Michael Walsh testified before the Environment and Public Works Committee, Chairwoman Sen. Barbara Boxer arrogantly and ignorantly reprimanded an officer and a gentleman who has risked his life many times over for her "right" to become a U.S. senator in the first place.
When he respectfully began a statement with "ma'am," she abruptly interrupted and gave the smarmy directive, "You know, do me a favor. Can you say 'senator' instead of 'ma'am'? It's just a thing. I worked so hard to get that title, so I'd appreciate it. Yes. Thank you."
More than any other group, America's military insist that their members show respect for authority. When addressing a male superior, they say "sir." When addressing female superiors, they say "ma'am." And out of simple politeness and common courtesy toward others, they are also taught to say "sir" and "ma'am" even when addressing civilians. As the wife of a retired naval officer, I have always been so thankful to be in the company of those who serve our nation with such dignity and respect.
Many moms and dads are trying to teach their kids to be polite and respectful by using the time-honored titles of "sir" and "ma'am" too. Most women appreciate when someone takes the time to show such honor. We recognize kindness and chivalry when we see it, and we're not so insecure in our gender identity that we lose our dignity by complaining.
I guess Sen. Boxer forgot how important it is to be a role model of civility when you are a public figure. As the most powerful person in the room that day, she should have been gracious and kind. She really should have thanked Gen. Walsh for his years of service to our country. She should have expressed praise for all military personnel who are making it possible for other women around the world to enjoy the same privilege that Sen. Boxer has of holding public office or even voting. And she should be aware that most women appreciate the respect afforded by the term "ma'am," regardless of any other gender-neutral titles we may have earned. Instead, she set a poor example, insulted every military officer in the land, and left many males wondering (once again) about how to be respectful to females without inflaming some feminist psychosis.
A very likely ripple effect from Sen. Boxer's petty complaint is that many may become afraid to practice simple courtesies, especially toward women. We can't allow our family members to be bullied into choosing the "safe" route and thus abandon acts of common decency. It's sort of like the quandary a male faces in wondering whether or not to open the door for a female, or if he should offer his seat on the subway or help a woman place a heavy bag in the airplane's overhead compartment. The shrill complaints of a few angry feminists have caused many to avoid eye contact and instead, to just look out for themselves.
We must teach our sons to value the concepts of respect and kindness enough to always be gentlemen, even if that means making themselves vulnerable to attack. And our young women need to be taught to accept the thoughtful gestures for what they are -- thoughtful gestures.
Showing and accepting kindness for and from others is the definition of civility, and our nation needs more of it. So, in the wake of this much-discussed rudeness by a prominent public official, let's make it an opportunity to remind our kids to always err on the side of respect.
bttt
Babs, like the rest of the demoCRAPs is feeling her oats because of the majority Spector gave them. California is too laid back to realize the havoc they are creating for this nation reelecting her ilk.
Senator has become a foul and filthy term. Very appropriate for the likes of boxer.
Can I address you as ‘Senator’ and not ‘ma’am’? No, I can’t. The Constitution explicitly forbids titles of nobility. And if you continue in this vein, I may refrain from addressing you as ‘ma’am’ and adopt a designation more suited to your personality.
You supercilious b_tch.
I’m just going to call everybody “Senator” to be on the safe side...sort of like “comrade”. Barb has the title entitlement I guess.
English. of course. That’s why we say “sir” and ma’am” here, we know how to respect. Servants indeed.
S.B. Boxer. Yes!!!
It wasn’t a real senator who anyone pays attentuion to. It was Barbara Boxer. Cal: we sent Maxine Waters to the house and just to provide equal representation, we sent Boxer to the senate.
A rude, self-important hack like Boxer was not the most powerful person in the room that day. It was Brigadier General Walsh, an officer and a gentleman.
I am shocked, shocked, a Senator could be this narcissistic, she must have heard “madam” and thought this soldier was asking her for a whore. As a practitioner of that profession, it was easy for her to have made the mistake.
It was stupid, petty, ignorant and elitist, but I dont see it as “shocking” or “rude”. Can we stop hyping things out of proportion like the RATS do? It just makes our side look idiotic.
Who knew, who knew?
exactly.
I would've replied with a simple "Yes, ma'am." But this general had more restraint that I would have had.
I can think of a whole slew of “titles” to give this organism (for lack of a better term). I’ll settle for snot because, as a nurse, I can handle just about everything but snot. It’s the one thing I loathe the most and so I will settle for it. I won’t even preface it with Senator.
Typical nurse..!
As "we" say....."Mucus is our bread and butter"
LOL!!
My thought when I saw her disdain for the military manifest in that little temper tantrum was the fact that she is a skank. And not only a skank but she long ago turned into an OLD skank. She's not the party favor of the '40's she used to be.
That said she probably is of the opinion that you call her mother "ma'am" and not some hot (in her blinded eyes) young thing like her (mirror, mirror, on the....) "ma'am."
I'm just considering the source.
Just because a couple of million liberal flies in California voted for her doesn't mean that turd is a "Senator" worthy of respect.
Again... This is just my opinion. Carry on.
Ooooh, that would have been the perfect reply to “call me Senator.” “Perhaps ‘Comrade’ would be more to your liking?”
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