"Don't Call Me "Ma'am"

On June 17, Senator Barbara Boxer presumed to take to task Gen. Michael Walsh, a general officer of the US Army, during an Environmental and Public Works Committee hearing on Capital Hill.Boxer, who is running for re-election in 2010, haughtily chided Gen. Walsh for referring to her as "ma'am" instead of "senator" and the whole embarrassing incident was shown on C-Span.We now have the inside scoop on exactly what the General was thinking while he politely sat through Boxer's little rant:"Senator Boxer, as a long-time member of the US Military whose only objective in life has been to protect and defend the United States, I take exception to you and your immature and uninformed reaction to the title, "Ma'am." As anyone who has served in the military knows, the title, "Ma'am" along with the title, "Sir" are used to address ladies and gentlemen and are a sign of respect and honor. In fact, it may be said that Sir and Ma'am are more respectful than the title "senator" as not all senators are deserving of respect and honor.You say you worked hard for your title but, really, how hard is it for a wealthy liberal to be elected to the US Senate from the State of California? If you were a conservative of little wealth, then that would be a far more significant achievement.Your pomposity and arrogance are not worthy of further comment except to say thatI will be happy to address you as Senator from now on as Ma'am truly does seem inappropriate in your case. I look forward to the day when I can call you "Former Senator Boxer."