U.S. Army Brigadier General Michael Walsh "learned his lesson the hard way" by crossing a very testy Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) in testimony before a Senate committee yesterday, according to MSNBC's Chris Matthews. [audio available here]
Walsh's grave transgression: calling the senator, "ma'am." For that, the "Hardball" host treated Walsh as part of the day's "political sideshow," literally, in his June 18 program:
Sen. BARBARA BOXER: Do me a favor. Could you say, "Senator," instead of "Ma'am"? It's just a thing. I worked so hard to get that title. So I'd appreciate it. Yes, thank you.
Brig. Gen. WALSH: Yes, Senator.
CHRIS MATTHEWS: She sure did, she's been elected three times, by the way. So I guess the question is this: Had he said "sir" to a male senator, would that senator be correct in correcting the general? There is a history, however, and let us not forget, of male-female condescension in the U.S. Senate. Just recall the Anita Hill testimony of not too long ago.
Story Continues Below Ad ↓MATTHEWS: That just might encourage a woman senator to insist on the title, senator. That being said, an Army spokesman later today says "sir, ma'am, or senator" are all deemed appropriate under the protocol when addressing a U.S. Senator. That's their story.
So let's get this straight, Boxer, thrice elected and who doubtlessly worked hard to get where she is in politics, is more deserving of respect than a U.S. Army officer who was treating Boxer respectfully and has himself doubtlessly worked hard to achieve what he has in the U.S. military?
General Walsh was addressing the senator in a manner prescribed by protocol, as doubtless he'd been previously instructed on the proper protocol for U.S. Senate testimony, yet to Matthews, that's simply the Army's "story", even as Matthews fabricates from whole cloth an excuse for Boxer's boorishness.
It seems like Chris Matthews is the real sideshow here.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters




















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Damage Control
June 18, 2009 - 17:34 ET by TexndocMatthew's is trying (and failing) to white wash this because fool knows when it's a highly decorated member of the military vs. political boob - who's corner the American people are in.
Boxer and Matthews can both
June 18, 2009 - 17:38 ET by bigtimerBoxer and Matthews can both stick it.
Sir and mam are called manners...I was raised that way too...and use those titles.
This was the most despicable display of arrogance and ungratefulness by Boxer I've seen in a long time.... she should be on her knees thanking men like General Walsh, let alone asking for forgiveness.
She is a b!tch...of the utmost....always has been, always will be.
I would give anything just about if somebody would run against this evil, arrogant creature and win...talk about ridding us of one of the biggest enemies in the Senate there are...hope springs eternal...I suppose.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Yea
June 18, 2009 - 17:58 ET by well99What BT said.That hit the nail on the head.
And let's have a look at
June 18, 2009 - 18:34 ET by motherbeltAnd let's have a look at the "respect" that Sen. Boxer shows to a fellow Senator.
Way to go, Babs! But you make sure that you get YOUR proper respect!
This woman...oh, excuse me...this SENATOR! ....makes me sick.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
mb.... Was that to
June 18, 2009 - 18:40 ET by bigtimermb....
Was that to Inhofe?
I remember that if that is what you're referring to, she is so rude to all that oppose her it isn't funny...she's insufferable.
I only ask because I am in between cooking and listening to my husband and can't get to your vid's yet.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
And kiss my ring while you're at it, general
June 18, 2009 - 19:07 ET by Jack ColemanArrogance in the guise of alleged desire for respect. Gen. Walsh was respectful toward Boxer, even though she's worthy of none. The single most odious reptile in the Senate.
Not to mention ignorance.
June 18, 2009 - 21:41 ET by AlanaNot to mention ignorance. Anyone who watches movies knows that "sir" and "ma'am" are the appropriate forms of address.
Compare and contrast
June 18, 2009 - 17:45 ET by RousseContrast this incident with the last election. The national press, in describing Sarah Palin, frequently referenced her as the former mayor of Wasilla, skipping over her office as Governor of the State of Alaska. It killed them to call her Gov. Palin.
Boxer may be a Senator, but she's sorely lacking in social skills.
Anybody who supports Boxer
June 18, 2009 - 17:43 ET by ThisnThatAnybody who supports Boxer in this is simply wrong. Therefore, enter Matthews, who hasn't had a winning show in decades.
Who the hell does Boxer think she is, anyway? The General earned his star -- Boxer was simply elected -- she didn't earn a damn thing, except now my contempt.
Some people will mistakenly think this is all about "sensitivity". That's bull. It's all about a wrongly perceived "right", so typical of women's lib types. Boxer thinks only of herself, no one else. And she has no understanding of military protocol. Just like she has no understanding of the United States Constitution, or US history, or common decency. What she did was wrong, and she owes the General and her constituency an apology. Or, she should simply resign.
Can't Calif voters do any better than this?
___________________________________
Liberals constantly demand that we accept a glaring falsehood as truth; Obama's elimination of the word "terror" will make terrorist acts less terrifying
Accuracy would demand that
June 18, 2009 - 17:43 ET by Chris NormanAccuracy would demand that he address the old witch as "Comrade".
"Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
I have to say...
June 18, 2009 - 17:51 ET by gxa99I retired from the Air Force with 22+ years of service about a year ago. The General was absolutely showing proper respect for a "high ranking" government official. In fact, addressing her as "ma'am" is actually MORE respectful then "Senator". "Madam" Boxer obviously despises the military, lays blame for the Katrina mess on Bush AND the military. She actually said she DESERVES to be called "Senator", becauase she worked SOOOOOOOO hard. This is dripping with elitism and I cannot tell you how pissed off this makes me. Imagine what the General has gone through to become a "Brig Gen". Simply UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
Sir or Ma'am vs Rank or Title
June 18, 2009 - 18:08 ET by Kingfish17In the military, I always thought it was proper, or even required, to refer to your superior officer as Sir or Ma'am. When addressing a subordinate officer, you would refer to them by their proper title or rank. So a Captain would call a Major, Sir, but a Colonel would address a Captain as Captain.
I was never in the military so I really don't know. It would be nice if you could fill me in. Thanks in advance.
Boxers comments probably play well in SF and most other areas of California, though.
"I've sentenced boys younger then you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it, but I felt I owed it to them." Judge Smails
Kingfish-
June 18, 2009 - 18:15 ET by BKeyserYep, you got the protocol correct, although Naval officers frequently refer to junior officers as Mister.
As an enlisted Marine, we jokingly referred to Officers (O-1, 2nd Lieutenant; O-2, 1st Lieutenant; O-3, Captain, etc.) as "zeros", but I digress...
Proper Protocol...
June 18, 2009 - 18:34 ET by gxa99As a "Top Three" member of the enlisted Air Force (E-7-E-9), for all Officers the most "correct" greeting was sir or ma'mam. Of course, junior officers I knew (O-3 on down), I addressed as "LT" (el-tee) or Captain (and in some cases "college boy"). Anything O-4 (Maj) or above was Sir or Ma'am, regardless.
Public officials were ALWAYS referred to as Sir or Ma'am, ALWAYS!!!!!! Boxer is an elitist Bitch!
Kingfish
June 18, 2009 - 20:19 ET by well99That is the way we did it in the Army.You could use their rank but sir or ma'am worked for officers.You didnt apply that to enlisted."Dont call me Sir!I work for a living."
Boxer, Pelosi and Feinstein are criminals
June 18, 2009 - 17:52 ET by david999Boxer, Pelosi and Feinstein are criminals
Call them Ms. felons
Boxer and Matthews are from the same out house
June 18, 2009 - 17:56 ET by Edward CropperCheck my blog and see what she really should have said
Quit flogging your own blog.
June 18, 2009 - 18:04 ET by motherbeltI didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Here's where I heard something like that before ...
June 18, 2009 - 17:57 ET by JeffC...In the first "Austin Powers" movie:
"It's Dr. Evil, I didn't spend six years in Evil Medical School to be called 'mister,' thank you very much."
She's not in his chain of command
June 18, 2009 - 18:00 ET by BKeyserI would've given her a left-handed salute.
Women like that....
June 18, 2009 - 18:01 ET by sharkibark...give the rest of us a bad name.
Her facial expression, her body language, her tone - everything showed her complete lack of respect towards General, while demanding in such a petty way for him to "respect" her with the title of Senator.
I'm curious though - did she at any time refer to the general by rank and name, giving him the "respect" of being called a General?
shark... If she did....it
June 18, 2009 - 18:13 ET by bigtimershark...
If she did....it was not respectful...you can tell when she uses her condensing tones...like she always does....she loves to try to talk down to people while she sits in her high perch.
I'm repeating what I said in OT here, but I watched her get as good as she gave by a miner who owned a mine (mining business) when the Senate put all of them on the hot-set awhile back after that mining accident in Utah I think it was...he took none, and I mean none of her arrogance at all...he told it like it was and is...congress/unions and others implemented a lot of the rules regulations etc she was so outraged about....anyway, it was the best thing I have ever seen from anyone called before congress in all my years or watching hearings...too bad more don't do so...Oil Co. come to mind, the bankers come to mind Auto Industry....on and on it goes...these people should be called before them!
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Just recall the Anita Hill
June 18, 2009 - 18:06 ET by motherbeltJust recall the Anita Hill testimony of not too long ago.
Not too long ago, Chris????
That was in 1991!! That's count 'em......18 years ago!!!
Good Grief!!
BTW, that screen graphic of Boxer that Matthews had up is either 20 years old or has seen the airy touch of a Wagner power sprayer....
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Mother
June 18, 2009 - 18:59 ET by LetFreedomRingPlease post a spew alert next time. That cracked me up about the power sprayer. Thanks for laugh.
So I guess the question is
June 18, 2009 - 18:07 ET by fitzfongSo I guess the question is this: Had he said "sir" to a male senator, would that senator be correct in correcting the general?
Well, seeing as he referred to David Vitter as "sir" throughout the event in question, the answer is "no".
By the way, she did work very hard to get that title. She got elected hanging on to Clinton and Feinstein's coattails in the so-called "Year of the Woman"...and she still needed her campaign to trump up a phony strip club "scandal" about her opponent to get her enough votes to get over the top. Since then, California has become a ridiculously dark blue state, and the Republicans have been putting up neutered candidates to run against her...so she hasn't had to work that hard ever since.
But it's nice to see that Chrissy has saved his skepticism for the military, as usual.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
Well to be contrarian in this...
June 18, 2009 - 18:10 ET by jdripperI despise Barbara Boxer she is a blight on the national landscape. However, I retired from the Army and this is one thing that everyone should know. During WWII there were 12,000,000 mean and women under arms for this country. We had 263 flag officers. Today with less then 2,000,000 men and women under arms we have 20,000 flag ranks. Generals and Admirals are a dime a dozen. So if one these glorified Majors gets slapped down I can only say, "oh well".
Jack
"If at age 20 you are a conservative then you have no heart. If at age 30 you are a liberal then you have no brains." Sir Winston Churchill
So, Boxer gets a pass here?
June 18, 2009 - 18:14 ET by ThisnThatSo, Boxer gets a pass here? She gets a free "slap one General around so I can look good" card? And she gets to select the General -- say, a General who has been ordered to appear before Congress just so Boxer can user her free pass? She gets to do this with absolutely no comments at all, just because we might have too many Generals hanging around? And the selected General gets no say in this at all -- just show up so a bitter, nasty old woman can verbally slap you around, General Sir?
I don't think so.
___________________________________
Liberals constantly demand that we accept a glaring falsehood as truth; Obama's elimination of the word "terror" will make terrorist acts less terrifying
So if one these glorified
June 18, 2009 - 18:19 ET by bigtimerSo if one these glorified Majors gets slapped down I can only say, "oh well".
Are you serious here jdr? I hope not.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
You are entitled to your
June 18, 2009 - 18:24 ET by motherbeltYou are entitled to your opinion and you are probably right about the number of flag officers, and maybe you don't feel bad for this guy.
But this is not about Boxer addressing him correctly...it's about him addressing her.
Which Generals would you be OK with having her chastise? Which Generals should be allowed to call her "Ma'am" and wich should be required to use "Senator."
It's not about the General; it's about SENATOR Boxer's overinflated opinion of herself. It's not about her "slapping" anyone down. It's about insisting that SHE be properly honored.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Seems most of those in
June 18, 2009 - 21:49 ET by AlanaSeems most of those in Congress think they are our betters.
WHETHER THEY WANT TO BELIEVE IT OR NOT
June 19, 2009 - 08:47 ET by spmcintyreCongress still works for the people, therefore, we are their bosses, they need to understand this now.
BTW, if I am not mistaken, military protocol, would allow Senator Boxer to be refered to as Sir, in deference to the title...
there is no spoon...
Just a guess
June 18, 2009 - 18:29 ET by BKeyserbut I'd contribute the numbers to the fact that the draft was iin full force in an effort to fight a world war- and we didn't draft Generals- as opposed to today, which involves an all voluntary force with less turnover and more career officers. But that's just a guess...
I'm not sure where you got
June 18, 2009 - 22:17 ET by PeskyDaneI'm not sure where you got that 20,000 from, but it's simply not correct. As of 2007, there were 1,299 GO and FG officers across the Army, Navy, AF, and Marines. I could did not dig deep enough to come up with CG numbers.
It would also be interesting
June 19, 2009 - 08:33 ET by Tom PaineIt would also be interesting to see the male/female ratio of these officers. I wonder how much of a push there has been in recent years to create "leadership opportunities" for women out of whole cloth in order to meet the social engineering objectives imposed on the military.
Tom: A bit over ten years
June 19, 2009 - 22:04 ET by BDTom:
A bit over ten years ago a story broke in the Army Times regarding a promotion board that had recently met to consider current Lieutenant Colonels for promotion to Colonel. For those who are unfamiliar with this it goes something like this:
The controversial part comes in when this particular board was informed that they had certain targets or goals for promotion of women and minorities that it was desired that they would reach.
The board duly selected the officers it deemed best qualified via vote and the results were presented to the convening authority who promptly THREW A HISSY FIT. Not enough of a certain group were promoted and they demanded that the board return to the start and attempt to reach the goal it had been presented.
After a repeated attempt the promotion list was returned, this time meeting the desired goal. Naturally the convening authority desired that word not reach the army in general of this particular situation. But word leaked and several lawsuits were filed by officers who believed they had been passed over for promotion due to racial or gender set asides.
After a significant period containing many legal sessions the DOD was forced to promote additional officers in excess of requirements.
Who did this whole affair hurt the most? The officers who were supposed to be helped the most from these set asides as their qualification for promotion was put in question. Could you really trust that Colonel So And So was qualified? After all, he could have been one of those selected purely based on preference.
Having retired from a base
June 18, 2009 - 18:25 ET by G. MayHaving retired from a base in her district last year, I can attest to her being not only a pain in the ass, but lording her position of power over the military because the brass would kiss her arse to secure funding (oddly enough) and/or to negotiate land acquisition or the more absurd state hurdles that California placed on bases.
Her attitude may not be welcome or warranted, but it comes as no surprise. I guarantee she has not worked one tenth as hard for her "title", nor does she possess a quarter of the intellect of ANY general grade officer in the U.S. military. Those guys are top notch.
Chris Matthews wishes he was
June 18, 2009 - 18:33 ET by DaBirdChris Matthews wishes he was a sideshow. Have you seen his ratings? Matthews is definately a bottomshow.
Genneral stated "Madam Chair" two times prior to Boxer..
June 18, 2009 - 18:35 ET by Gary HallI might note that U.S. Army Brigadier General Michael Walsh had respectfully addressed Senator Boxer two times as "Madam Chair," prior to the "ma'am's" calling him out. In fact he didn't call her "ma'am," until just after the "ma'am" had addressed Senator David Vitter as just "David." Senator Vitter did not protest.
Good catch Gary. She's as
June 18, 2009 - 18:46 ET by bigtimerGood catch Gary.
She's as phony as they come...her arrogance is on the same level as O's.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Wow
June 18, 2009 - 18:53 ET by LetFreedomRingJust what we need. A holier than now, egotistical, self serving beauracrat that seems to think they are better than the rest of us. Oh, wait, I thought I was commenting on the dear leader. Sorry.
Ollie
June 18, 2009 - 18:53 ET by DingbatWish Babs would call Colonel North to testify on something. She might find out then what her predeccesors learned about being condescending to a professional. Ollie ate thier lunch whilst being most respectful.
Obama missing?
June 18, 2009 - 18:59 ET by BKeyserYeah, I know, leading subject line...
anyway...
Here's an AP post on Yahoo about the latest North Korean threat and "Gates'" response. I thought it interesting that nowhere in the article do you find the words President, or Obama. Apparently when it comes to affairs of the military, Democrats just can't be bothered. Funny how it's filed under the "Featured Topic(s):" Barack Obama.
The most disturbing part of
June 18, 2009 - 19:09 ET by ThisnThatThe most disturbing part of that report is the phrase "ordering more protections for the state of Hawaii". Huh? That's it? How about this instead: "We're letting N Korea know that if a missile is launched towards Hawaii, we'll not only shoot it down -- but we'll take out the missile launcher, the launcher's command & control system, and all supporting sites including launch defense systems, microwave and landbased communications apparatus, and all re-launch capabilities". That would be much more "presidential" and definitive towards a rogue state that seems to think it can get away with anything now that Obama is in office.
Launch towards the U.S.? No way we allow this. No way whatsover.
___________________________________
Liberals constantly demand that we accept a glaring falsehood as truth; Obama's elimination of the word "terror" will make terrorist acts less terrifying
I agree! NK says they're
June 18, 2009 - 19:15 ET by motherbeltI agree!
NK says they're going to launch a missile, and instead of "you'd better not!" The Obama says basically OK, we'll hunker down.....
God help us.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Thankfully, the Generals
June 18, 2009 - 19:21 ET by ThisnThatThankfully, the Generals won't hunker down. But they will have to excuse themselves from the Senate hearings.
"Excuse me, ma'am, but I need to ready my troops for the possible assault on N Korea nuclear support capabilities".
"What do you mean, General! You can't leave this Senate room until you apologize to me and call me Senator. N Korea be damned -- your insolent attitude towards me is what's important, General. I won't tolerate this any more -- sit down General, until I get my apology. WHAT! Don't you look at me that way. You're going to get yours, General --- come back here, now. Don't slam that ...."
___________________________________
Liberals constantly demand that we accept a glaring falsehood as truth; Obama's elimination of the word "terror" will make terrorist acts less terrifying
TnT... ...and I demand
June 18, 2009 - 19:28 ET by bigtimerTnT...
...and I demand you put that middle finger down!
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
All Part of the Plan
June 18, 2009 - 19:47 ET by JustAlGee, I really did have a state certified birth certificate in Hawaii, but that damned Nork Nuke destroyed it. . . Hope! Change!
lol
June 18, 2009 - 19:48 ET by BKeyserlol
BK... Excellent
June 18, 2009 - 19:10 ET by bigtimerBK...
Excellent points....I've noticed on a few segments about this on TV they are doing the same as you are saying here...somehow magically Obama and his administration is being left out of all of this news...and major news in my mind to-boot.
If this was Pres. Bush, and his administration it would have been mentioned plenty of times....everywhere...and fingers pointing, demanding answers along with a solution pronto.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
They're waiting
June 18, 2009 - 19:10 ET by motherbeltWhen things are lousy or "iffy" they will use the generic "the US" or "the administration" or "US Government." Don't want to connect it to Obama if something goes cockeyed here.
When there is credit to be had, you will see "President Obama."
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Ahhh, I Get It Now
June 18, 2009 - 19:05 ET by HoosierEmIn the land of la la liberals, forced respect is better than nothing.
She was given respect by
June 18, 2009 - 19:15 ET by bigtimerShe was given respect by the General....what she did here is lose any she had to begin with in the first place.
Leftists like her are such arrogant fools...and she Tops the Charts.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Why feign respect?
June 18, 2009 - 19:15 ET by metaphorsbwithuAfter hearing these people refer to President Bush as Mister, Dubya, the Scrub, etc., Junior, etc. for all these years, it's refreshing to note how much more class the people who defend these morons' right to be stupid have.
However, using the term ma'am, which is a title of respect, might indeed be inappropriate in this case. I myself prefer we address people like Boxer by their official but generic title and to avoid having to feign respect for the individual altogether.
metaphorsbwithu
meta... I said same
June 18, 2009 - 19:20 ET by bigtimermeta...
I said same sentiments in your last paragraph somewhere else today about this...I could not agree more.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
UGH. Seriously, Boxer, who
June 18, 2009 - 19:18 ET by balboaUGH. Seriously, Boxer, who cares. Like Ma'am is sooo disrespectful.
That's annoying.
Exactly
June 18, 2009 - 23:23 ET by i was just thinkingShe said it herself: "it's just a thing". We try to teach kids to respond to adults with "yes, m'am" or "no, sir", telling them that it is polite and respectful. Here we have a leader in our armed forces saying "yes, m'am" to a leader in our Congress, and he's told that he is being disrespectful.
Such silliness.
iwjt.... Such silliness
June 18, 2009 - 23:42 ET by bigtimeriwjt....
Such silliness indeed...she ended up today making a complete a$$ of herself for all to see nation-wide...thank you Fox and other networks had to report this, but did the spin for her being a dem as best they could...
Gen. Walsh has received his just rewards.
I love it... all in all.
What a fool she is.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Superficial Boxer
June 18, 2009 - 19:42 ET by Six String SpiffIs she competing with Pelosi for most superficial hag? Gimme a freaking break, Barbara! You EARNED nothing. General earned where he is, protecting our nation. Unfortunately, domestic enemies like you can't be dealt with anymore. You can take you condescension and cram it with walnut you sociopath. It's people like Boxer who need to be canned yesterday. That General should have stuck to his guns and reminded her she is not the one who holds rank in that room. You are speaking to a General. Just be happy that you don't have actually look at him for that long because you know you despise our military heroes.
Islamic Religious Services Will Be Held at the Firing Range At 0800 Daily.
Isn't boxer a dog?
June 18, 2009 - 19:49 ET by sevenMy neighbor had a registered boxer.
Hear...Hear! I Second
June 18, 2009 - 19:49 ET by bigtimerHear...Hear!
I Second that.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
I'm Sure the General Doesn't Mind
June 18, 2009 - 19:49 ET by JustAlAfter all, I've read somewhere that the military gets paid to protect Kalifornia. . . the rest of the country they defend for free.
I'm from California and I'm proud to say...
June 18, 2009 - 19:58 ET by jawebster1that I have never voted for the gal. Barbara Boxer is an extreme leftist and as such, she will take every opportunity to upbraid the military, which she loathes, even over a matter so trivial as this. We live in the bluest of blue States so unfortunately, we will be stuck with her for awhile. Jim Webster
Cali? Proud?
June 18, 2009 - 20:08 ET by general companyDamd,, Jim by my count you folks got a lot of work to do. You guy's along with Boxer have Fienstien in our Senate and 35 nut job reps in our House led by Pelosi.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Liberals continually put
June 18, 2009 - 20:01 ET by Ten7sLiberals continually put extremely petty people in leadership positions, resulting in perpetually pathetic behavior similar to that showcased by Chris Matthews.
Ten7... Precisely. Doubl
June 18, 2009 - 20:07 ET by bigtimerTen7...
Precisely.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
(10)7s
June 18, 2009 - 20:14 ET by BKeyserHow about the quip from Gibbs today about Bush's speech?
"We had that debate," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told
reporters in his daily briefing. "We kept score last November. And we
won.”
Politco scrubbed the last line from Gibbs though- he ended that statement with the venerable, "so nanny nanny boo boo!"
Simply looking for any reason to be offended / outraged
June 18, 2009 - 20:10 ET by krendlerThat's how liberals & the chronically aggrieved work. Say anything and if you're on the opposing side, they'll find a way to claim you've insulted or offended them. Yes, and that even includes addressing a woman respectfully as ma'am.
And Matthews ultra-lame-o justification?
Had he said "sir" to a male senator, would that
senator be correct in correcting the general? There is a history,
however, and let us not forget, of male-female condescension in the
U.S. Senate. Just recall the Anita Hill testimony of not too long ago.
Yeah? Go on, Chris. What about the Anita Hill testimony? Was there an issue with ma'am versus some preferred title in that case? No. Then why is it relevant? It's not. Simply something, anything to justify the woman's stupidity.
kren... Heck, msnbc with
June 18, 2009 - 20:20 ET by bigtimerkren...
Heck, msnbc with Matthews at the helm here in this instance, are in constant protection mode of all dems, all the time...O being their head man to defend at all costs.
Actually, the spin is finally becoming comical with these lame attempts at spin by all these characters.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Some one would have to help
June 18, 2009 - 20:15 ET by ConservativeRexSome one would have to help me out here, but, I seem to remember a book or movie where this character had nothing to lose and addressed a senator just the way Boxer should have been addressed.
Just think, calling Boxer or Ed Kennedy out on the carpet when you're in front of their sorry butts! I would pay good money to see that.
Ollie
June 18, 2009 - 20:23 ET by DingbatCol North did quite well.
Does anybody have a
June 18, 2009 - 20:27 ET by bigtimerDoes anybody have a link/video of Ollie doing so?
I'd love to see that....I only saw some of those hearings back then, and missed this.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Chrissy can try all he wants to...
June 18, 2009 - 20:29 ET by PrairieSkygloss over this mess, but the fact remains that this little episode clearly illustrates what an arrogant, elitist b#&*h Boxer is...Since when is it inappropriate to refer to a female senator as "ma'am"? If she had brain one in her obviously empty head, Boxer would know that "ma'am's" and "sir's" are the standard addresses used by those in the military, and the fact that the General referred to her as "ma'am" instead of "senator" was not meant in any way to be disrespectful, or to infer a lack of recognition of the fact that she is a senator. Boxer needs to get over herself...
What a dumb b#&*h!!
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
Howdy Sky.... General
June 18, 2009 - 20:32 ET by bigtimerHowdy Sky....
General Walsh is getting his just rewards with all the attention this is drawing all over the place today...radio to-boot!
Boxer made an arse of herself again, for all to see.
I love it.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Howdy bt! Pardon my..
June 18, 2009 - 20:40 ET by PrairieSkyfrench in my post, but Boxer just drives me nuts...I cannot stand her, almost as much as I can't stand Pelosi. The blatant, elitist arrogance of the way that she spoke to General Walsh, a man who has chosen to spend his life serving and helping to defend the country that she and the rest of her fellow insane liberals goons are in the process of destroying, just sent me over the edge...
Like you said, Walsh is definitely coming out the winner in this episode, and his demeanor stands in stark contrast to her snotty arrogance...(I'm venting here...lol!)
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
Sky... Vent away....I'm
June 18, 2009 - 20:46 ET by bigtimerSky...
Vent away....I'm with you, I've been doing so myself today about this elsewhere too.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
bt...Thanks!
June 18, 2009 - 20:56 ET by PrairieSkyThanks...Glad to know I'm not the only one venting today...Since the election and the tidal wave of lib insanity that has descended upon us all, we seem to be awash in a sea of arrogance, starting at the White House, and extending, obviously, to the senate and the rest of our government. Makes me nuts!
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
Sky... ...and we thought
June 18, 2009 - 21:02 ET by bigtimerSky...
...and we thought nobody or any other administration could top the Clintoons along with the media protection when it comes to arrogance....
Boy...were we ever wrong.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
bt...Boy are you right...
June 18, 2009 - 21:14 ET by PrairieSkyWe couldn't have been more wrong...I thought the media running interference couldn't be more blatant or get worse than it was with Clinton, but I (we) have all been proven wrong, wrong, wrong on that one. Those days pale in comparison to what we're dealing with now...
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
Boxer is such a jerk. As
June 18, 2009 - 20:46 ET by Radical1979Boxer is such a jerk. As pointed out on Fox News this morning using "sir" or "ma'am" is just what the military does out of respect, not that she deserves that respect after that performance. Where do politicians come off thinking they do more than the rest of the country, particularly the military?
My other pet peeve is referring to people no longer in office by their title. It's no longer President Bush, it's former President Bush. I'm not saying he does it, but once they're out of office they no longer hold a title.
Rad... I agree about the
June 18, 2009 - 20:57 ET by bigtimerRad...
I agree about the Former part you are talking about here...but the msm quit doing that long ago...especially when they are talking about a former dem Prez.
I've noticed what you're talking about over the years myself...franly it's been sad, but there is an agenda to it all in their minds.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Rad...I agree to a point...
June 18, 2009 - 21:10 ET by PrairieSkyI agree with your first point, but not so much your second...I think that once a senator or other lesser member of our government leaves office, they should be referred to as "former" whatever...I think that presidents however, should could continue to be referred to as "President" whoever, after they leave office. Former presidents are such a small group of people, and their office is such an incredibly powerful and important one, that they have earned (whether I personally like them all or not) being referred to as "President" for the rest of their lives.
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
Shoot. They didn't even
June 18, 2009 - 22:01 ET by AlanaShoot. They didn't even refer to Bush as President Bush when he was President.
Alana... Bulls-Eye... ..
June 18, 2009 - 22:07 ET by bigtimerAlana...
Bulls-Eye...
...and it was very noticeable.....let alone infuriating with their disrespect...
Yet when they would refer back to Clinton, it was 99% of the time, if not a bit more....President Clinton.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Alana and bt...Yep...Many times...
June 19, 2009 - 01:01 ET by PrairieSkywith President Bush, the MSM would refer to him as "Mr. Bush"...They just couldn't bring themselves to say or write "President Bush". What a bunch of jerks...
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
prairiesky,
June 19, 2009 - 04:34 ET by AgnosticPresident Bush is starting to speak out but he will never be able to get a real opinion through the media spin process. He spoke very bluntly in his recent speeches and yet the Gibbs was easily able to deflect any criticism by a media eager to join in an attack against Bush.
Quotes from Bush's recent Erie speech:
Recovering the economy - "It's going to be the private sector that leads this country out of the current economic times we're in,"
Mortgage Crisis - "We tried to reform (them)", Bush noted, "but we couldn't get it through the vested (Democratic) interests on Capitol Hill."
Health Care - "I worry about encouraging the government to replace the private sector when it comes to providing insurance for health care."
Guantanamo Bay - "(But) I'll just tell you that there are people at Gitmo that will kill American people at the drop of a hat, and I don't believe persuasion is going to work. Therapy isn't going to cause terrorists to change their mind."
http://www.huffingto...
http://www.ibdeditor...
A person may be won over with logic and reason but the masses must be bought with spectacle and platitudes. - 2008 Elections
"Can't Calif voters do any
June 18, 2009 - 21:09 ET by snaggletoothie"Can't Calif voters do any better than this?" We would love to. Of all the emails I have sent her I have only gotten one reply. And that reply pretty much boiled down to, 'FU. We are not interested in input. We know what is best.' I would love to receive from her the amount of respect she demands from others. If Boxer is reelected in 2010 I will be greatly disappointed by my state. The way she has reacted to communications from me leads me to suspect that she is not down with the whole concept of legitamacy bring derived from the consent of the governed concept.
st... One of my late
June 18, 2009 - 21:18 ET by bigtimerst...
One of my late fathers wishes before he passed away was that Boxer be taken down in her upcoming race...unfortunately, it wasn't to be for my home state...or my Dad.
She is a b!tch....there is no other way I can put it....watched her too may years in hearings with her arrogance, let alone her blathering on the Senate floor.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Work your butt off
June 18, 2009 - 21:20 ET by general companySnaggle, the rest of us are counting on you!!
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
snaggle...Right you are...
June 18, 2009 - 21:26 ET by PrairieSky"The way she has reacted to communications from me leads me to suspect that she is not down with the whole concept of legitamacy bring derived from the consent of the governed concept."
What is really sad, is that most, if not all, of the rest of our illustrious elected leaders up there on the Hill, are the same way...They forget very quickly why they are in Washington, what their job is, and who sent them there...
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
Hey Matthews....
June 18, 2009 - 21:23 ET by John WI......"shut up! ya meathead!"......
Yes Chris, you moron, it is standard protocol for those in any type of position, to address men as "sir" and women as "ma'am"!
She is too wrapped up, like every other lib/dem, in the self, instead of the selfless. ..."It's about me"..."look at me"...
He should have responded to her wenching rant......."yes ma'am...sorry ma'am.............the place would have been rolling!!!
JW... I could not agree
June 18, 2009 - 21:30 ET by bigtimerJW...
I could not agree more.
I told my husband about this when he came home, before he saw the video on the various shows and that is what we both said...it would have been so rich...and like you say, there would have been laughter...no doubt about it.
At Her...
...and you talk about one furious woman, and she would have been..it would have been priceless.
If that had taken place, I can hear Boxer saying didn't you hear me ...blah blah blah...all he would have said was yes ma'am...I did, ma'am, but it's just habit ma'am.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Thats what I wrote to her ina an email
June 19, 2009 - 07:05 ET by RayRioDear Ma'am,
Good morning Ma'am. Hope you are doing well Ma'am. Hope your day works out well Ma'am. I'm writing in support of my fellow serviceman Ma'am.
Hope you do not mind if I call you Ma'am. It is a title of respect and what we are taught in military schools across our great nation Ma'am. If you were a gentlemen I would have said Sir, Ma'am. See how that works Ma'am. Not very difficult to grasp Ma'am. But it is so hard very hard Ma'am to teach anything to a liberal Ma'am.
General Guido Bombaci retired USAF
John...It would have been great...
June 18, 2009 - 21:35 ET by PrairieSkyto see and hear, but the General would never have done that, because as much as I'm sure he would have liked to, he has two things that Boxer and her ilk will never have...Class, and a sense of respect for her position as a US senator, if not for her as a person.
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
good for the goose, but not for the gander
June 18, 2009 - 22:50 ET by i was just thinkingThe general was showing respect for her, which is much more than she did for him. Boxhead is simply another liberal who looks down on and loathes the military.
From now own, I don't want my students to say "yes sir" to me. I insist that they call me "Band Director". That's my title, and I've earned it. "Yes, Band Director", "no, Band Director". And I, in return, shall call them "Student".
Such silliness. What passes for intellect in this day and age on Capitol Hill is truly amazing.
Hopefully, Chris Matthews
June 19, 2009 - 00:50 ET by RR GOPHopefully, Chris Matthews has stowed away on a sinking ship and the Captain doesn't have any room for him on the lifeboats.
Perhaps Chrissy thinks his Fuhrer is going to pull it out with some kind of secret weapon?
Stay tuned.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 61% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory (yep...approval for Congress now at 39%...do you believe that!?).
Little known military customs & courtesy.
June 19, 2009 - 01:12 ET by JWFYou publicly reward good behavior so as to encourage it. You privately rebuke bad behavior so as not to humiliate the offender.
You would only publicly rebuke someone for egregious behavior such as finding ricky recruit playing with a grenade like it was a softball.
Calling a public official sir or madam certainly ranks right up there with tossing around a hand grenade, huh?
By the by, you refer to someone by their title the first time you meet them in the day. Good morning Senator. Thereafter, sir and/or madam is perfectly acceptable.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
If I were that General
June 19, 2009 - 06:09 ET by TheConservativeChemistIf I were that General (who, by the way, worked infinitely harder and deserves 1 million times the respect anyone in government does), after she complained about being called "ma'am", I would have said:
"Ok, sorry...BITCH, what I was saying was...."
*THAT* is a title she deserves...
Senator or Ma'am
June 19, 2009 - 06:43 ET by trhugT.R. Huggins
Sounds like Boxer PMS. Otherwise ma'am Boxer is just plain rude.
Sorry, she's past PMS.
June 19, 2009 - 08:04 ET by Radical1979Sorry, she's past PMS. She's just a mean old lady.
Contemptuous bitch. Notice
June 19, 2009 - 07:14 ET by SickofLibsContemptuous bitch.
Notice she did not address him as either Sir OR General in this exchange.
Surprised she didn't say, "Hey you..."
Let's not forget...
June 19, 2009 - 07:33 ET by MePluribusUnumThe bitch works for us, not the other way around...Hubris cometh before the fall. And I am waiting with baited breath.
One thing about Boxer
June 19, 2009 - 07:37 ET by Paul Atreidesthere is one title that Her Majesty has that she didn't have to work hard for.
Just call her the three Bs.
Boxer is the stereotypical
June 19, 2009 - 08:10 ET by Tom PaineBoxer is the stereotypical feminist who spends her entire day searching for an opportunity to be outraged. She also loathes the military and is always on the lookout for an opportunity to put them in their place. So this event gave her a toofer.
Babs “worked hard” to get her title by glad handing supporters and getting one more vote than her opposition while running as a liberal in the bluest of blue states. The General worked hard to get where he is, showed her the proper respect as dictated by military protocol and remained a gentleman even after the childish dressing down she gave him. This just proves my theory that the more you run around loudly demanding that people respect you, the less deserving you are of that respect
When I run across a Marine
June 19, 2009 - 07:54 ET by ricklailWhen I run across a Marine around that calls me sir, I quickly correct them. I tell them I was not an officer but enlisted man jsut like they are. I had to work for a living in the Army! This is just kdding around with them. They have a good laugh and so do I.
I know that they are trained to say to sir or maam. When I was growing up I was too. You have to remember that Boxer has SF values. She was never brought up to open doors for a lady, pull out their chair, or take their coats. She was a feminazis which any different treatment of a woman from a man was wrong unless you are a conservative woman.
I don't know of any soldier, sailor, Marine or airman that hasn't worked harder for that single strip than she did getting elected.
By the way, if I am right Gen. Walsh is a 2-star general. Assuming he went to West Point, he worked harder the first day there than she has her whole like. He didn't earn those stars by just sitting around correcting men and woman.
Semper suprene nitens
as a former navy enlisted person
June 19, 2009 - 08:51 ET by spmcintyreI agree on all accounts here, especially the part about West Point...
also, I think that military protocal would allow for her to be addressed as Sir, as deference to the title....
there is no spoon...
Reminds me of "A Few Good Men"
June 19, 2009 - 11:03 ET by Wonder95This reminds me of the courtroom scene from 'A Few Good Men' where Nicholson complains about Cruise not calling him Sir or Colonel because he's earned it, and then the judge telling Nicholson that he was to be referred to as Judge or Your Honor, because he believed he'd earned it, too. I wish the General would have told Boxer that he'd earned his title, too, and deserved just as much respect. The difference between the two was that the General actually earned his title on his own without riding coattails.
matthews
June 19, 2009 - 12:08 ET by jessieHjessieH Matthews, you are a real piece of work. Do you have any idea how general Walsh got to be where he is? This man has fought for this country. He was not disrespectfull of that sleaseball who calls herself a senator. Her nose is so high, she would drown in the rain. How dare she, or you, for that matter, attack one of our soldiers. Yea, you are a real piece of something.
Her comment show many things...
June 19, 2009 - 12:22 ET by sam12663...; shes's a bitch; she is an elitist, she is clueless, but the most glaring thing it shows is that she cares more about her 'title' than the subject being discussed.
President Obama is nothing more than a lying empty suit; a Hollywood style special effects smoke and mirrors show that has shown itself to be a total fraud.
WAKE UP AMERICA! SAVE OUR CONSTITUTION!