The above video is from a congressional hearing in the Committee on Environment and Public Works, of which Barbara Boxer... excuse me... SENATOR Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) is the Chairman... excuse me... Chairwoman... excuse me.. ChairSENATOR.  While addressing madam Chairwoman, Brigadier General (merely one star) Michael Walsh had the audacity to call her "ma'am".  To which her majesty interrupted rather abruptly and condescendingly, "...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."

I work with a lot of people who are former military, and according to them in military protocol it is perfectly acceptable to address a female superior as ma'am.  It is probably something he has been saying for decades in complete respect and deference to his superiors.  So I'm certain he didn't intend any disrespect or gender bias when he said "ma'am".  But like a true politician, it seems Ms. Boxer had to read too much into things and put the General in his place.

What bothers me is that she is a public servant, appointed by the electorate to SERVE the American people.  It is a privilege and responsibility bestowed upon her by us.  Her "hard work" is nothing without the public trust.  I'm certain she worked hard to get where she is, but I'm equally certain that the General worked very hard to get where he is as well.  Heck, he has an engineering degree and a masters... with that alone, he gets my respect.  I can't believe she could look at him in his uniform laden with all those medals and have the nerve to value her "hard work" more than his.

Reading his resume you don't get a sense that he has had all that glamorous of a career, but I think that's what makes his position all the more noble... certainly not deserving of the public berating he got from the "honorable" Senator.

I mean, has "ma'am" really become a dirty word?  Is it that something that was a sign of respect is now a sexist shackle designed to keep women in "their place"?

What this really points to is one truth that is demonstrated over and over again these days... that posturing and titles and high ideals have more perceived value than things with true substance.  People would rather have the veneer of political correctness and meaningless slogans than something that is hard... and dirty... and real.

Ms. Boxer, if you want my respect, pay some to others who deserve it too... remember, those who gave you that title can very easily remove it from you.