Barbara Boxer orders general to call her "senator"

Well, at least these congressional hearings focus only on the major issues facing the troubled country.

California's Barbara Boxer was chairing a hearing of her Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works, examining what in blazes is taking the Army Corps of Engineers so long to properly protect a Louisiana city that sits below sea level from the sea. Good luck with that still. Again.

Boxer was getting a little exasperated, head dramatically on hand and all. As the proper sign of military respect for a female, Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh was answering "Yes, ma'am" and "No, ma'am."

And finally, the ma'am had had enough. "Could you say 'senator' instead of 'ma'am'? It's just a thing. I worked so hard to get that title." No, really. Watch for yourself. She actually said that. A different attitude than on Memorial Day.

Truth be told, even on Capitol Hill, Walsh has taken a few years of service to his country to earn those general stars too. But Boxer did not deign to call him general. Nor did she bother with a please. Of course, the general complied with the Democrat's wishes immediately without complaint.

(UPDATE: 5:28 p.m. A Boxer aide sends word that she did refer to Walsh as general several times during the hearing, though not on this particular clip. The aide also said Boxer telephoned the general earlier today, "expressed their respect for each other" and look forward to working together in the future.)

Next year, Boxer is up for reelection back home. We'll see if Babs gets to keep that title.

  -- Andrew Malcolm

Look, this is an order. Just click here for Twitter alerts on each new Ticket item. Or follow us    @latimestot

Hat Tip to Jimmy Orr, who has his incisive "South Park" take over here.

Comments

[Shame on you, Ma'am]

Boxer's embarrassing behavior demonstrates the power on which many of our politicians appear to be drunk.

The General also deserves courtesy. No way did he mean any disrespect to Boxer. On the contrary, he showed her the utmost regard. The words "Ma'am" and "Sir" are not insolent; Boxer's tone, however, was. The United States of America does not have nobility or titled aristocracy; yet some of our politicians seem to have a misguided sense of self-worth with regard to their elected positions. Her response is indicative of the attitude held by many of our elected official.: They no longer view themselves as servants of the people; rather, they have convinced themselves they reign and rule over Americans.

Boxer lowered herself by interrupting the General in mid-sentence, lecturing him on the fact that she "worked really hard to get that title." She can describe her public service however she deems fit; but the General has dedicated his professional life to protecting our citizenry.

[Boxer Goners]

This was the ultimate show of lack of tact. If this 'Senator' had an ounce of it, she would know that. Oh, but did she call him 'Brigadier General' when talking to him? Check the video. HE has certainly 'earned it' as well.

Boxer... this shoddy piece of political legacy-software needs to be removed from California government. She's a virus to our operating system. Sheehan, where are you?

[Disgusted Democrat]

No wonder our state is in a mess. This is the kind of stupidity we have in our government representing our California citizens.

Maybe Senator Boxer thinks she is hot sh*t on a silver platter, but she shows herself to be cold cr*p on a paper plate.

[Peter]

Personally, I don't think the "Senator" has done anything noteworthy to earn her title - just another Nastycrat. She should have been been toast after the House banking scandal many years ago. It'll be a great day when Californians vote her out of office.

[Patriot Son]

Ms Boxer is out of place to insist that she not be called Ma'am. She may have earned her Senator title but so did the General in gaining his stars.

For your information, in the military, all military personnel are taught that to respond to a woman, on is to address the person as ma'am.

Boxer needs to get a life and have her present title removed to the unemployed file.

[Joe]

Amazing degree of arrogance on her part.

For the record, I was curious to see if the General treated her Highness differently and more deferentially than the other senators. I randomly started at about 46.00 of the hearing and went to 1.09.00. In that time period Gen. Walsh addressed Sen. Vitter as "sir" 14 times and as "Senator" twice; he addressed Sen. Landrieu as "ma'am" 6 times and as "Senator" twice (and once as "sir" which he quickly corrected to "ma'am"). Neither Sens. Vitter nor Landrieu apparently had a problem with the polite and respectful way they were addressed -- even though they presumably worked just as hard to earn the same title as her Senatorness.

The only thing Madam Boxer has earned in my book is my contempt.

[hawaii]

To BARBARA BOXER HOW DARE YOU TALK TO A BRIG GEN LIKE A 10 YR OLD. YOU NEED TO START DOING A BETTER JOB & NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT TITLE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAS WORKED HARDER THEN YOU TO EARN THE TITEL BRIG GEN, GET OVER YOURSELF, & WHO CAES ABOUT YOUR EGO EXCEPT FOR YOU, GIVE US ALL A BREAK & JUST GO AWAY!!

GOOD JOB SEN MCCAIN ON YOUR COMMENT ON THIS, I FOUND IT AMUSING. & DOWN RIGHT FUNNY.

[Richard, Dubuque]

This girl has some real issues concerning how she views her own competence. Demanding that one be addressed by a formal title in no wise demonstrates an expertise. This "correction" would have been appropriate had the General been rude, or otherwise off the mark in his comments to her. But, he was not. Says to me that she is not all that confident in her ability to function as a Senator.

[MichaelRyerson]

My guess, Mal, is she wins handily. 'Babs', as you so tactlessly put it, currently enjoys a greater advantage in the latest Field Poll over her named (Gov.Schwartzenegger and Carly Fiorina) and generic opponents, than the same poll showed at this point in either of her first two election cycles. I was initially taken aback by the snark in your piece but then I read your bio and found Laura Bush lurking and it all made sense. Senator Boxer is a strong personality and not for all tastes but the Republican Party is presently in the desert and it appears it may be a long sojourn.

[daveinboca]

Boxer didn't want to be called "ma'am" as the gender of this specimen of deranged political insanity is hard to discern. Who in their right mind nowadays would be PROUD to be called a "Senator" with the likes of Franken, Boxer, & other examples of lunatic egomania roaming the aisles? Byrd is sharper than Boxer & he was born before the Civil War!!

[Thom Dimitriou]

I sent this via the 'contact us' page on the Senator's website - http://boxer.senate.gov/

Senator Boxer,

M'aam, I just want to say how shocked and saddened I am after I saw your egocentric and terse comment to Brigadier General Michael Walsh, regarding how he addressed you. Obviously you don't understand that this is standard protocol in the military, to address as 'sir' and 'm'aam'. Are you that out of touch with our young men and women who serve daily, to ensure that you had the chance to "work hard for your title"?!?

Your arrogance and lack of priorities is disturbing. I'm glad I don't live in California.

[BruceAlmighty]

Makes you proud to be a Californian doesn't it? What a stupid blowhard.

[Melvin]

Jeesh, lady! Get a grip and get over yourself! Your self importance is unfortunately mostly in your own mind.

[MissButterfly]

My, my, how grandiose you are, SENATOR Boxer!
What an airhead!

[Kris]

She lost my vote for dogcatcher let alone Senator. There was no disrespect shown, she needs to get over herself.

[Celia]

Barbara should listen to herself before she opens her big mouth. I think the General works hard to be a General in the Mlitary. She needs to respect these men because without the Military that risks theirs lives she would be speaking Japanese or German.
I wonder if she would be able to sleep peacefully without the men and women in the Military. I tfeel that Military deserves more respect than her highness; all she does is embarrass herself when she opens her mouth.

[carl]

The current Congress and Senate has destroyed our nation every last one of them needs to be tossed out on their keester, and that BS pension package needs to revoked. After that the Justice Dept needs to take a hard look at their finances. They've played us all for suckers and if you fall for the Dems VS Repugs games they play you desreve to eat the potatoes three times a week they'll have us living off.

[Rick]

I've voted numerous times for Sen. Boxer, and I agree with the "Man-Bunny Matrix"; it wasn't fair, it wasn't nice, and I would add it wasn't necessary. Unnecessary.

[Eddie]

Seems like the title was what she worked for instead of public service.

[Hank]

Both of our Senators are a impediment to the welfare both CA and the US. They are a walking advertisement of the need for public financing of elections and term limits.

Fellow Californians, we need fresh air untainted by the legacy and hubris of our two current "Madams".

[JD]

What a piece of work she is! Grandma always said you can't buy class. Boxer proves it! Apparently, she was never taught manners either.

[Vectrexer]

Just goes to show how little the Senator knows about the military. Of course she professes to know just as little about other government branch operations and protocols. Especially when something goes wrong.

His address was appropriate. Her request, through appropriate, shows just how petty S. Boxer is. Just like many other Kali politicians she concentrates on the small stuff at the expense of the big stuff. She should just get stuffed.

[jim smithe]

she is a goverment employee. she owes the american public more respect than her snob attitude. i wish the general would have said " sure thing barbie"

[Robert]

Boxer, ma'am your very existence as a Senator is demeaning to the title and office. How dare you talk down to a person who serves his country will you sit there stealing and raping it.

[Californian voter]

Boxer embarrassed me as a Californian. What an insecured woman! Why is the title so important to her ? The General deserves a lot of respect and her just contempt. She definitely won't get my vote.