Actually Senator, Ma’am Is Fine
Jun 18, 2009 Political
Senator Boxer was questioning a General today and he kept answering her by using the word ma’am just liked he answered the males sir. Boxer did not like that and asked the General to call her Senator because she worked hard to get that title. Talk about petty little things and power complexes. The General was displaying courtesy and he was not inappropriate. Reminds me of COL Jessup in A Few Good Men. Address me as Colonel or Sir, I think I earned that.
“Could you say ‘senator’ instead of ‘ma’am? It’s just a thing. I worked so hard to get that title. I’d appreciate it.”
The general’s response? “Yes, Senator.” Politics Daily
She might prefer to be called Senator but the General did nothing wrong. The Army Training and Doctrine Command states that Sir or Ma’am is an appropriate form of address for a Senator:
How do I verbally address a Senator or Congressman or a Congressional staff member?
“Sir” or “Ma’am” works for most everyone, but more specifically —
House: Congressman or Congresswoman; Representative; Mr. or Ms., Sir or Ma’am
Senate: Senator, Sir, or Ma’am…
So it must have been an ego thing where Boxer had to let the General know who was in charge. Inside I know he had to be laughing at what must have appeared as a bloviating fool.
Someone commented that they should take that soundbite and use it in the commercial for whomever runs against her. They can ask questions and each time have her saying ‘call me Senator, I earned it.’
This was a prime display of an elitist mentality. It was also a display by a person who needs to be replaced.
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Tags: ego, ma'am, senator boxer