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Why is it a problem to address a Senator as a senator?
Jeff Wrangler:
--- Quote from: delalluvia on December 15, 2009, 11:12:19 am ---WASHINGTON – The widely played video clip of U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer reprimanding a general for calling her "ma'am" is the gift that keeps on giving for the two Republicans hoping to challenge her next year.
--- End quote ---
So I guess this is implying that Boxer has done herself more harm than good by making an issue over this?
IIRC, it was one morning last week that I heard Matt Lauer address a cabinet member as "Madam Secretary"; I wonder whether that's all over Youtube, too?
Brown Eyes:
Wait... maybe I'm getting my etiquette mixed up... but isn't "Madam Secretary" the correct form of address for a Secretary?
mariez:
--- Quote from: delalluvia on December 16, 2009, 03:48:59 pm ---Sorry, my mistake. My question was more centered around why she is getting criticism at all.
--- End quote ---
No problem. Political opponents will take any opportunity to criticize, I guess. I agree that the General didn't appear to be offended by her request.
Jeff Wrangler:
--- Quote from: atz75 on December 16, 2009, 04:06:53 pm ---Wait... maybe I'm getting my etiquette mixed up... but isn't "Madam Secretary" the correct form of address for a Secretary?
--- End quote ---
As far as I know, it still is correct. I meant to wonder whether anyone who takes offense at a general addressing a female senator as "ma'am" was also going to take offense at a female cabinet member being addressed as "madam."
Edited to add:
Actually, is it really possible to separate the fact that Senator Boxer is being criticized for asking the general not to address her as "ma'am" from the fact that she is a woman?
I'm afraid she may well have given a "gift that keeps on giving" to her opponents for her Senate seat. She created an issue where there was none, that somehow the general was disrespecting her by calling her "ma'am," and that was just stupid, on her part. If the general had been calling her "honey," or "sweetie," or "little lady," or something really condescending like that, then he would for sure have been disrespecting her. But I'm pretty sure the general is "of an age" that when he was coming up through the ranks and being educated as an officer, that was how officers were taught to address women, as "ma'am," as a sign of respect.
You can argue that it's time for the military to change it's thinking on this matter, and on how it educates its officers, and I wouldn't disagree with that, but for the present IMO Senator Boxer has done herself a disservice by creating this issue where there was none.
mariez:
--- Quote from: Jeff Wrangler on December 16, 2009, 04:26:00 pm --- But I'm pretty sure the general is "of an age" that when he was coming up through the ranks and being educated as an officer, that was how officers were taught to address women, as "ma'am," as a sign of respect.
--- End quote ---
I don't think the General was intending to be disrespectful at all; in fact, quite the opposite. And I, personally, would not have been offended or bothered if he had called me ma'am. But if Senator Boxer wants to be addressed as "Senator," that's her prerogative, I suppose.
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