Arrogance versus Confidence

Barbara Boxer is the junior Senator from California. Senator Boxer joined the U.S. Senate in 1992. However, her impressive political career began long before that. Like any other politician she has gained many supporters and opponents alike. However, on June 18, 2009, the junior Senator from California has brought criticism even I must agree with.

There were many articles describing a verbal exchange between Senator Boxer and Brigadier General Michael Walsh during the Senates Environment and Public Works Committee meeting. I chose the following article by Rob Hotakainen because it summarizes the issue and fallout rather effectively; http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1108835.html
Critics pounce as Sen. Boxer says no to `ma'am'
By ROB HOTAKAINEN
McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON -- There's a burning question in California's 2010 Senate race: Is it OK for a military general to call a senator "ma'am"?

It didn't take long for the state's junior senator, Democrat Barbara Boxer, to object when Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh followed proper military protocol last week by calling her "ma'am" at a hearing of the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee, which Boxer heads.
"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," Boxer said.

Chuck DeVore, a Republican who's trying to deny Boxer a fourth term, said it was remarkable that Boxer "dressed down" a general, calling it "the latest liberal-military confrontation." He said it wasn't Boxer's first confrontation with the military, noting that she had cut her political teeth during protests of the Vietnam War in the San Francisco Bay area.
"Why do some liberals apparently despise our military?" DeVore asks in a statement on his campaign's Web site. He says the use of "ma'am" is "a perfectly acceptable sign of military respect to both a U.S. senator or a senior female officer."

Republican critics in the blogosphere and elsewhere are excoriating Boxer. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., called Boxer "a loose cannon" and an embarrassment to her party.
"I just can't put up with that kind of thing when people think too much of themselves, and we see a lot of that in Washington," DeMint told Fox News Channel.

During a line of questioning on protecting and restoring the Louisiana coast, Walsh repeatedly referred to Boxer as "ma'am" until she cut him off with her request to be called "senator."
"Yes, senator," replied Walsh, who's with the Army Corps of Engineers.
Zachary Coile, Boxer's communications director, said Monday that the senator had spoken with Walsh after the hearing and that the general wasn't offended by Boxer's request.
"They had a very friendly conversation," Coile said. "They reiterated their respect for each other and how much they look forward to working together in the future. Sen. Boxer has tremendous respect for our men and women who serve in the military, including Gen. Walsh."

Pundits and the national media have been having a field day over the dustup.
National Public Radio ended a segment by playing a sound bite of Aretha Franklin's "Respect" ("All I'm asking for is a little respect"), while The Washington Times ran a story headlined "No 'ma'am' for Boxer."

The following article is a short Biography of Brigadier General Michael Walsh;
http://chl.erdc.usace.army.mil/chl.aspx?p=s&a=ARTICLES!539
Colonel Michael J. WalshBG Walsh assumed command of the South Atlantic Division (SAD) on 24 June 2004. His previous assignment was Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
As SAD Commander, BG Walsh oversees engineering, construction, and real estate activities for the Army and Air Force in the Southeastern United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. He is also responsible for water resources development activities, which include management of major harbors, federal navigable waterways, and multiple-purpose reservoirs.
As USACE Chief of Staff from May 2003 to June 2004, he was responsible for directing, coordinating, supervising, integrating, and training more than 900 personnel to provide responsive engineering support to the Army and Nation at home and abroad. He worked closely with Army, other MACOMs, Department of Defense staff, and members of Congress to ensure USACE provided exceptional support to the Army and Nation in peace and war.
BG Walsh served as USACE Executive Director of Civil Works from August 2001 to May 2003. He provided executive direction and oversight to 200 personnel in the DC headquarters and to 25,000 Corps employees who execute the daily civil works mission throughout the United States. BG Walsh's career includes two USACE district commands: Sacramento District from 1998 to 2001 and San Francisco District from 1994 to 1996.
BG Walsh has held a wide variety of Army command and staff assignments. They include project management officer for Engineer Branch, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers, Europe (SHAPE); Environmental Task Force Leader, Fort Stewart, GA; Executive Officer, 92nd Engineer Battalion, Fort Stewart, GA, and Saudi Arabia; Project Engineer and Assistant Area Engineer, Baltimore District; Construction Officer, 18th Engineer Brigade, Darmstadt, Germany; and Commander, Company B, 94th Engineer Battalion, Darmstadt, Germany.
BG Walsh graduated from Polytechnic Institute of New York in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. He also earned a master's degree in construction management from the University of Florida. His military education includes the Engineer Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.

I have no doubt, with the Senator’s Communications Officer, that after the hearing the Senator and General spoke and he stated he was not offended by what was said. That is because he was being courteous and respectful. Just like he was when he referred to Senator Boxer as ma’am. I believe the General was as professional as his training dictates and that Senator Boxer is arrogant and quite frankly an insecure female who needs to be reassured through words that she is respected. Shame on you Senator Boxer for insulting a man who, not only paid you due respect but, is a member of a military that has historically preserved the right that you abused on this day. You have fought for the average American and served your country well in the political arena. Feeling that, I am surprised at your arrogance and insecurity for needing a verbal reinforcement of your title, at the expense of a respected Confident Military Man, on the national stage.

Hopefully, Senator Boxer has learned her lesson and understands that, if you want the respect, try offering the same. It is the least she can do for a person in her position.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
http://chl.erdc.usace.army.mil/chl.aspx?p=s&a=ARTICLES!539
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Boxer
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1108835.html