Army general denied promotion due to "Sweetheart" comment

[Hawkmoon]

http://www.krdo.com/news/former-fort-carson-commanding-general-punished-for-calling-staffer-sweetheart/683140051

I wasn't there, so I can't comment.

But ... I thought the 4th Infantry Division was headquartered in Texas. Fort Bliss, or Fort Sam Houston?

[dogmush]

But ... I thought the 4th Infantry Division was headquartered in Texas. Fort Bliss, or Fort Sam Houston?

4ID used to be out of Ft. Hood, but they moved [back] to Ft. Carson in 2009.

[Ned Hamford]

"Gonsalves also told the staffer to take notes "since she was a Democrat and did not believe in funding the military," according to a report from the Army Inspector General."

Sounds like an attempted lighthearted jovial exchange backfired for having a hostile audience that didn't appreciate the honesty. 

Nice to know after all the rape scandals and whatnot the pendulum has swung so far as to halt a career for common and casual superlative.    Heck, I get called sweetheart by some folks who just use it to the same catch all degree as others use bro or my friend. 

[Scout26]

Given how many Army installations are in the South, being called "sweetheart" is as common as breathing...

[Pb]

"I absolutely think it was the right move by the military. They should be leading the fight against sexism," said Katie Howe.

No, they should lead the fight against our enemies.  That has nothing to do with sexism... except, sometimes sexist men are really good at doing killing bad guys.  $%^ political correctness.

[BobR]

A complaint wasn't immediately filed about the exchange. However, Stars and Stripes reports that an anonymous complaint to the Army IG was made after reports surfaced that Gonsalves was up for a promotion to three-star general.

This is what irritates me, it wasn't bad until they decided to promote him??? Sounds like some sweetheart got their panties in a bunch and is now getting their revenge, as in "I'll show him".

I wouldn't last 2 seconds in today's military.

bob

[Scout26]

This is what irritates me, it wasn't bad until they decided to promote him??? Sounds like some sweetheart got their panties in a bunch and is now getting their revenge, as in "I'll show him".

I wouldn't last 2 seconds in today's military.

bob

This is like swatting or a revenge/regret rape charge....

[230RN]

This is like swatting or a revenge/regret rape charge....

You got that right.

And "Honey" can be used between men in parts of the South, notably Missouri, I think.

There's a male character on "King of the Hill" at the propane company who calls everyone honey, just as an example of that regionalism.

I've said it before.  This PC BS is ruining this country.

Terry

Edited to add "male."

[Scout26]

You got that right.

And "Honey" can be used between men in parts of the South, notably Missouri, I think.

There's a character on "King of the Hill" at the propane company who calls everyone honey, just as an example of that regionalism.

I've said it before.  This PC BS is ruining this country.

Terry

Fistful ever calls me "Honey", I'll plug him...

[BlueStarLizzard]

Well, based on the other comment about her being a Democrat, "sweetheart" wasn't necessarily complimentary, although, with it's other usage, it's also not sexist.

[zxcvbob]

You got that right.

And "Honey" can be used between men in parts of the South, notably Missouri, I think.

There's a character on "King of the Hill" at the propane company who calls everyone honey, just as an example of that regionalism.

I've said it before.  This PC BS is ruining this country.

Terry

IIRC, she calls everybody "Sug" (as in "sugar")  :)

ETA:  http://kingofthehill.wikia.com/wiki/Nancy_Gribble

[Marnoot]

Nancy does call everyone Sug, but he was referring to Joe Jack (http://kingofthehill.wikia.com/wiki/Joe_Jack) who calls everyone "honey".

[zxcvbob]

Nancy does call everyone Sug, but he was referring to Joe Jack (http://kingofthehill.wikia.com/wiki/Joe_Jack) who calls everyone "honey".

I'm not familiar with Joe Jack.  I better start watching KOTH reruns to brush up :)

[230RN]

IIRC, she calls everybody "Sug" (as in "sugar")  :)

ETA:  http://kingofthehill.wikia.com/wiki/Nancy_Gribble

Oh, I should have said "male character."  He's one of the guys on the sales floor, I think.  I forgot about "Sug" from Nancy.  Been a while since that show's been on.

Terry

[230RN]

Nancy does call everyone Sug, but he was referring to Joe Jack (http://kingofthehill.wikia.com/wiki/Joe_Jack) who calls everyone "honey".

Yes.  Thanks for pulling my fat out of the fire again, Marnoot. :-)

Terry

[Hawkmoon]

Last week at the supermarket I asked the young woman stocking the health care shelves where to find Chapsticks. Should I be offended that she addressed me as "Hon"?

TWICE!

[zxcvbob]

Last week at the supermarket I asked the young woman stocking the health care shelves where to find Chapsticks. Should I be offended that she addressed me as "Hon"?

TWICE!

Was it "Hon", or "Hun"?

[230RN]

Last week at the supermarket I asked the young woman stocking the health care shelves where to find Chapsticks. Should I be offended that she addressed me as "Hon"?

TWICE!

That's interesting, because I've noticed (at 79 yo) a lot of female service personnel are calling me "hon," "honey," or "sweetie."  Not the guys, though.  Should I be offended?

Is that sexist?  Is that geriatricist?  Is that store-electric-carticist?

Come to think of it with my long-term memory, I believe one even called me "darlin'" once.

Terry, , 230RN

[dogmush]

Regardless of whether he meant it as sexist or not, it was unprofessional, and pretty dumb.

From the quote, he clearly thought the legislator and their staffers were hostile to the military, and giving them free ammo to cause a fuss down the line was not a great move.  In this case it was career limiting.

He should have followed SECDEF's advice:  "Be polite, Be professional, But have a plan to kill everybody you meet."  The Gen failed on points one and two.

[Kingcreek]

"General, Sir, the enemy is approaching!"
"Prepare to... hurt their feelings. Offend them!."

[Scout26]

Was it "Hon", or "Hun"?

Depends on whether or not he was in Feldgrau and wearing a Picklehaube...

[Hawkmoon]

He should have followed SECDEF's advice:  "Be polite, Be professional, But have a plan to kill everybody you meet."  The Gen failed on points one and two.

Probably failed on number three, as well.

[Ned Hamford]

Probably failed on number three, as well.

Sounds like he may be the very model of a modern major general then.   

https://youtu.be/R1dy44jV8EM?t=1m4s

[T.O.M.]

Regardless of whether he meant it as sexist or not, it was unprofessional, and pretty dumb.

From the quote, he clearly thought the legislator and their staffers were hostile to the military, and giving them free ammo to cause a fuss down the line was not a great move.  In this case it was career limiting.

He should have followed SECDEF's advice:  "Be polite, Be professional, But have a plan to kill everybody you meet."  The Gen failed on points one and two.

I agree.  If he knows he's walking into a meeting with people who may be hostile towards him and his profession, then it was pretty dumb to make such remarks, knowing that they may be used against him.

Though, it is sad that the term "sweetheart", if used sincerely, is now offensive.  Terms like that remind me of my grandmother, who used terms like "sweetheart," "dear", and such, and I remember feeling good when she would say them to me.

[Hawkmoon]

Though, it is sad that the term "sweetheart", if used sincerely, is now offensive.  Terms like that remind me of my grandmother, who used terms like "sweetheart," "dear", and such, and I remember feeling good when she would say them to me.

Yes, but now we know she was just grooming you. You've probably repressed the memories -- you obviously need professional "help."