Just so we are all on the same page, California lawmaker Barbara Boxer is a senator, okay? Well, this seems rather trivial to me, but she obviously holds her title with such esteem that she wants the whole world to remember that. She reminded Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who was testifying at a hearing before her Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, of her position. She rather rudely interrupted his response to a question, with apparent gall, when he referred to her as "ma'am." I am guessing right off the bat that the general was only being polite and respectful. Ma'am carries more deference than the word senator, especially in these tough economic times.
Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh was testifying on the Louisiana coastal restoration process in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Here's the exchange. Try not to laugh. "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.
Isn't it military protocol that officers may use "sir" or "ma'am" when addressing anybody higher than them on the chain of command? Well, Ms. Boxer certainly has an ox to grind being called that. This seems petty and childish, to say the least. It is absolutely amazing that we are once again seeing the nitpicking of our elected officials, who have much more pressing matters on their plate than to be tangled up is such mess.
Click here to watch the Boxer-Walsh exchange.
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