Now, I really wish I weren't so exhausted...because this news story really irritates me more than I have the energy to say today!! I would just like to know when it became derogatory to call someone Ma'am or Sir. I was taught from the time I was able to talk, to respect authority figures by calling them Ma'am or Sir. I really don't care if she apologizes or not, because those forced apologies are never sincere. But Honestly, when we can't even say "yes Ma'am" to someone in this country without being berated for it, something is severely wrong. It's a sign of respect Ms. Boxer!!! Probably something your mother should have taught you!!
Story from Fox News
She may be a lady and a senator, but don't expect an apology from Barbara Boxer for making the distinction to an Army brigadier general this week. Aside from a briefly worded statement about a "friendly" conversation she had with Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh after dressing him down for calling her "ma'am," Boxer remained silent Friday in the face of growing calls for her to apologize.
Walsh, with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, was testifying during a hearing before Boxer's Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works when he summoned the audacity to call the California senator "ma'am."
Boxer immediately interrupted him before he could answer one of her questions.
"You know, do me a favor," a clearly agitated Boxer said. "Could you say 'senator' instead of 'ma'am?"
"Yes, ma'am," Walsh replied.
"It's just a thing, I worked so hard to get that title, so I'd appreciate it, yes, thank you," she said.
"Yes, senator," he answered.
But Walsh was following military protocol, which advises officers to use "sir" or "ma'am" when addressing anyone higher than them on the chain of command.
When asked whether Boxer would offer an apology, her spokesman, Zachary Coile, referred to a statement released Thursday.
"Senator Boxer called Brigadier General Walsh earlier today. They had a friendly conversation, expressed their respect for each other and talked about how they look forward to working together to protect our communities from natural disasters," the statement read.
The Pentagon refused to jump into the fray.
"The matter was between the two and we have nothing to add," Pentagon spokeswoman Eileen Lainez said in a statement to FOXNews.com. The Veterans of Foreign Wars supported both Boxer and Walsh and downplayed the exchange.
"The general is 100 percent correct in responding to members of Congress with "Sir" or "Ma'am. The senator, on the other hand, is also correct, though probably everyone now agrees that this should have been handled differently, if at all," the group said in a statement. "There are far more important issues facing America -- from national security to the proper care and treatment of veterans, military service member and their families -- and this difference of opinion in salutations is not one of them."
But the National Republican Senatorial Committee tried to take political advantage of the incident by collecting signatures on a petition reprimanding Boxer.
"All of our military men and women deserve more dignity than to be on the receiving end of condescension and disrespect, especially at the hands of our elected officials," the organization wrote in an e-mail.
6.9.09
