It’s ‘Senator’ to you – not ma’am
June 19th, 2009
Be sure not to call Senator Barbara Boxer 'ma'am'.
In one of the absolutely most comical and asinine displays ever seen in the halls of the Senate, California Senator Barbara Boxer directed an Army brigadier general to call her ‘Senator’ – not ma’am. Brig. Gen Michael Wash of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers was testifying about the restoration of the Louisiana coast and was quickly remanded for daring to show respect to the senator. Watch video of the exchange below.
As the general was responding to a question for Boxer she interrupted.
“You know, do me a favor,” an irritated Boxer said. “Could say ‘senator’ instead of ‘ma’am?’”
“Yes, ma’am,” Walsh interjected.
“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 responded.
Military custom of course requires that ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’ be used when addressing someone higher in the chain of command or any civilian for that matter. Whether addressing a senator, representative or even the President of the United States, it is wholly and completely appropriate.
This was a completely inappropriate and egotistical showing by the liberal senator and given her track record, I suppose it isn’t surprising. However, I tend to think that the general should indeed call her senator as using sir or ma’am shows much more respect – and Boxer is not one that is worthy of it.
When I was in the service, I made it a specific point to address only the officers I respected as sir or ma’am. Those that I did not, I always called by their title – i.e. “Yes, Lieutenant Martin” or “No, Commander Gillis.” Even in passing I used their titles and names and it drove them nuts. 
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I’m by no means defending her but it’s proper to refer to general officers and admirals as admiral Smith or General jones. So if a private would address BGen Wash as “yes general”.
Senators are elected government officials that are sucking the life out of this country with increased taxes and spending. They follow special interests and not the will of the people who elected them.
A Ma’am is a respectful name that a female is called.
Barbara Boxer, you are correct, you have earned the title, “SENATOR”!
Just my .02.
Chris
PS. Tony, I love your two examples. I was talking to the guys at work the other day about Lt. Fluff Martin!
Like I said to Fluff at the Decommissioning Ceremony.
“Hello Lt. Martin, there are two types of officers that enlisted men remember; the very good ones and the very bad ones, and I remember YOU!”
Absolutely comical. Yet another Democrat that has no clue about the military – let alone common courtesy. Boxer is obviously entirely too hung up on the title she ‘worked so hard for’ and has forgotten the people she represents. Would she correct a constituent that dared to call her ma’am?
Yes ma’am. I mean sir, uh I mean senator, ma’am. Gimme a freaking break. Who in the heck does she think she is!? I don’t care how hard she thinks she’s work for whatever title, she needs to come back down to earth and recognize respect when she see sees it. I still would’ve called her ma’am after that remark. To hell with these elitist!
I can’t believe that she scolded the general officer of the U.S. military in front of the national TV!!! It’s outrageous! It’s apparent that she doesn’t know anything about the U.S. military at all. It’s a customary way to address higher ranking officers, Sir or Ma’am. She owes an appology to the general and the military.
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