That's how you earn the title as a politician. So she did earn it in a way.

Originally Posted by 03USMC

Here's the deal. The General was using a proper military protocol in addressing Boxer as Ma'am. It was the same as if he had been addressing his superior officer as Sir or ma'am. That's how it's done, believe it or not in the military some officers get testy when addressed as General, Colonel, Major or Captain and especially Lieutenant by persons below their paygrade. The wanna be Sirred and Ma'amed and three bags fulled.

So Boxer was being a bit......, witch and doesn't understand that it wasn't a slight at her ohhhhhhh soooooo lofty position.

Except there is one problem, Boxer isnt in the military, she's a civilian and not only that by a sitting US Senator so the General ought to have remembered that. I dont think he would have liked Sen. Boxer calling him "Mike". Its a common protocol mistake by military people when talking to civilians. It might be normal in military life, Civilians do not like being patronized to, its considered very rude.

I am sure the General meant no disrespect, thats why its not a big issue and Boxer could have used alittle more tact like a "please" instead of getting all witchy. But she is entitled to be called senator, she was fairly elected by the people of California that is her right.

Not that its a big deal, we all have better fish to fry. If I had been in Boxer position I would not have cared at all.

Originally Posted by mmarsh

Except there is one problem, Boxer isnt in the military, she's a civilian and not only that by a sitting US Senator so the General ought to have remembered that. I dont think he would have liked Sen. Boxer calling him "Mike". Its a common protocol mistake by military people when talking to civilians. It might be normal in military life, Civilians do not like being patronized to, its considered very rude.

I am sure the General meant no disrespect, thats why its not a big issue and Boxer could have used alittle more tact like a "please" instead of getting all witchy. But she is entitled to be called senator, she was fairly elected by the people of California that is her right.

Not that its a big deal, we all have better fish to fry. If I had been in Boxer position I would not have cared at all.

It's more of a mistake made by civilians. It is long established (required) military protocol to address a female superior that way. Some civilians don't know how or don't care to understand that. It's not the same as calling the General "Mike", it's the same as calling him "Sir".
Sure there are bigger issues but, point is that the Senator seemed intent on trying to embarrass the General but it seems to have had the opposite effect.

Originally Posted by DTop

It's more of a mistake made by civilians. It is long established (required) military protocol to address a female superior that way. Some civilians don't know how or don't care to understand that. It's not the same as calling the General "Mike", it's the same as calling him "Sir".
Sure there are bigger issues but, point is that the Senator seemed intent on trying to embarrass the General but it seems to have had the opposite effect.

Don't you mean the same as calling him Mr Walsh?
Which by the same token would be perfectly ok as "Mr" is a long established civilian protocol and she is after all an elected civilian official.

In the end this is really little more than a storm in a teacup.

Originally Posted by DTop

It's more of a mistake made by civilians. It is long established (required) military protocol to address a female superior that way. Some civilians don't know how or don't care to understand that. It's not the same as calling the General "Mike", it's the same as calling him "Sir".
Sure there are bigger issues but, point is that the Senator seemed intent on trying to embarrass the General but it seems to have had the opposite effect.

But thats just it, when a soldier talks to a civilian they are not talking to a military person, therefore they should not be using military protocol. Military protocol only applies for people serving people in the military not people who are not. Senator Boxer isn't General Wash's Superior. He doesnt report to her directly, she isn't his commanding officier. He was merely making a report to a senate advisory board, so technically I should have said "Senator Boxer". If she were a superior military officier to then "MA'AM" would be correct.

But as I said, its not a big deal. Boxer could have just please "Please call me Senator Boxer", instead of getting on her podium and grandstanding. But she is a politician and theatrics is part of it I suppose.

Originally Posted by mmarsh

But as I said, its not a big deal. Boxer could have just please "Please call me Senator Boxer", instead of getting on her podium and grandstanding. But she is a politician and theatrics is part of it I suppose.

Yeah she would have said that but it would have ruined her intent.

Originally Posted by mmarsh

But thats just it, when a soldier talks to a civilian they are not talking to a military person, therefore they should not be using military protocol. Military protocol only applies for people serving people in the military not people who are not. Senator Boxer isn't General Wash's Superior. He doesnt report to her directly, she isn't his commanding officier. He was merely making a report to a senate advisory board, so technically I should have said "Senator Boxer". If she were a superior military officier to then "MA'AM" would be correct.

But as I said, its not a big deal. Boxer could have just please "Please call me Senator Boxer", instead of getting on her podium and grandstanding. But she is a politician and theatrics is part of it I suppose.

Maybe the General should have said I'll call you Senator when you call me General, ma'am.
In may seem like a tempest in a teapot to some but I see it as a window into the anti-military, ultra left wing San Francisco attitude that Pelosi and her ilk wear like a misplaced merit badge.

Originally Posted by The Other Guy

She earned the position. The American people voted for her, didn't they? She may not be serving her nation in a combat environment, but she is still serving her nation.

If she wants to be called Senator, by all means I'll do it.

Please ......she won a freakin popularity contenst called an election. She just had a better line of BS than the opposition. No politician earns anything.

Actually I'd say they do earn it by selling off everything that makes them human.

Originally Posted by the_13th_redneck

Actually I'd say they do earn it by selling off everything that makes them human.

Well there is that.