Excuse Me, Ma'am
Culture 2:33 AM
by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics.
On Real Clear Politics, Author Dennis Prager rips Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California for her rude treatment of Brigadier General Michael Walsh while under testimony with regard to wetland reconstruction in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. At first, her outburst may seem benign enough. But after reading the story and watching some opinion, this writer is convinced otherwise.
Prager writes:
Another interesting take from a citizen:
Now, if you think it's not ok to stray from Roberts Rules, that's one thing. Fine. But if that's your opinion, and it's never ok to refer to a senator by any title other than senator (or doctors by "doctor", etc) then how is it possibly ok to talk over people, steal their time, and berate them publicly?! When will respect have to be given to be received? At what point is fair fair?
If you have yourself convinced that this is either a non-story or a rare outburst from the right good gentleman from California, then please feel free to endulge yourself in these examples of other rude and obnoxious behavior from Senator Boxer:
On Real Clear Politics, Author Dennis Prager rips Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California for her rude treatment of Brigadier General Michael Walsh while under testimony with regard to wetland reconstruction in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. At first, her outburst may seem benign enough. But after reading the story and watching some opinion, this writer is convinced otherwise.
Prager writes:
First, people in the military are taught to call their superiors "ma'am" and "sir." Thus, for example, a sergeant responding to a general will say, "Yes, sir," to a male general and, "Yes, ma'am," to a female general. Though not in the military, I always feel honored when a caller to my radio show says calls me sir. And I always have renewed respect for the military for inculcating that respectful form of address into its members.
To object to being called sir or ma'am by anyone, especially a member of the military and especially a high ranking member of the military is to betray an ignorance of the military and a tone deafness to civility that is appalling in anyone, especially a member of the United States Senate .
Second, and both more revealing and more instructive, is to understand how inconceivable it would be for a male senator to make such comments. Neither a Democrat nor Republican could imagine a male senator interrupting the testimony of a brigadier general to admonish him publicly, "You know, do me a favor. Could you say 'senator' instead of 'sir?' It's just a thing. I worked so hard to get that title, so I'd appreciate it."
Another interesting take from a citizen:
Now, if you think it's not ok to stray from Roberts Rules, that's one thing. Fine. But if that's your opinion, and it's never ok to refer to a senator by any title other than senator (or doctors by "doctor", etc) then how is it possibly ok to talk over people, steal their time, and berate them publicly?! When will respect have to be given to be received? At what point is fair fair?
If you have yourself convinced that this is either a non-story or a rare outburst from the right good gentleman from California, then please feel free to endulge yourself in these examples of other rude and obnoxious behavior from Senator Boxer:
Posted by Nick Stone
on 2:33 AM.
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