Friday, September 03, 2010
Stop digging
Sometimes, a politician can't seem to recognize when it is better to apologize for a remark, and simply stop digging a deeper hole.
See, for example, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) during a debate earlier this week:
Two words work here, Senator -- "my bad."
She may not have realized it at the time, but General Walsh was probably being more respectful to her by using "Ma'am," and not "Senator." Senator Boxer could have used that quip (or another humorous prepared line) during the debate to diffuse a question she knew would be asked. That she tries to D-up and spin her comment must make even her supporters cringe.
CWCID: Hot Air
4 Comments:
By 
, at
Fri Sep 03, 03:33:00 PM:
I came across this on a military etiquette website:
"Military salutes are exchanged at both the beginning and end of interactions between junior and senior service members. Junior servicemen must always salute first, with the senior officer returning the salute. The junior serviceman must also address the senior officer as either "sir" or "ma'am" or by their rank."
If that is true, General Walsh was acknowledging Senator Boxer as his superior, and following military etiquette to the letter, although he apparently had the option of addressing her as "senator." There is no question that she owes General Walsh an apology.
By 
Dawnfire82, at
Fri Sep 03, 03:54:00 PM:
Officers are addressed as sir and ma'am by all enlisted personnel and lower ranked officers. Civilians receive similar treatment.
By , at
Fri Sep 03, 04:01:00 PM:
It appears that her lack of apology will lose her some votes. I therefore support her not apologizing.
By agmartin, at
Sat Sep 04, 03:46:00 PM:
Related bit of trivia:
One of the networks aired A Few Good Men, which included a similar quote, the weekend before the general's testimony.
