Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

No name-calling
Politico ^ | 6-17-09

Posted on 06/18/2009 9:56:27 AM PDT by Snickering Hound

If you want to score a meeting with Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), know this: His scheduler/office manager, Elizabeth Becton, is to be addressed by her full name — not Liz or any other variant.

An executive assistant at McBee Strategic recently learned this the hard way. A few weeks ago, the assistant e-mailed Becton seeking a meeting with McDermott and a client, JPMorgan Chase. Days later, the assistant checked back in and unfortunately began the e-mail with “Hi Liz.”

Becton curtly replied, “Who is Liz?”

When the assistant wrote back with an apology, Becton turned up the heat. “I do not go by Liz. Where did you get your information?” she asked.

The back-and-forth went on for 19 e-mails, with the assistant apologizing six times if she had “offended” Becton, while Becton lectured about name-calling.

Becton told the assistant that if someone said using “Liz” was acceptable, then “they are not your friend”, and “If I wanted you to call me by any other name, I would have offered that to you.” Plus, it’s “rude when people don’t even ask permission and take all sorts of liberties with your name,” she said, adding: “Please do not ever call me by a nickname again.”

But the tirade didn’t end there. Becton continued her riff — responding that the assistant “got played” by someone who was trying to “tick” Becton off. Becton’s final, searing missive stated: “In the future, you should be VERY careful about such things. People like to brag about their connections in D.C. It’s a pastime for some. It’s also dangerous to eavesdrop, as you have just found out. Quit apologizing and never call me anything but Elizabeth again. Also, make sure you correct anyone who attempts to call me by any other name but Elizabeth. Are we clear on this? Like I said, it’s a hot button for me. And please don’t call the office and not leave a message. My colleague told me you called while I was away. ... I do sometimes leave my desk.”

McDermott spokesman Mike DeCesare told us Tuesday, “An apology is being issued as we speak,” adding, “This isn’t reflective of the way we do business in this office.”


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; US: District of Columbia; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: 111th; baghdadjim; elizabethbecton; lightenupliz; liz; mcdermott
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-59 last
To: Mr. Mojo
$27,000 a year, and such an attitude.

Was it wrong of me to suggest an alternate name on her legistorm page?
http://www.legistorm.com/person/Elizabeth_J_Becton/31855.html

Well, time to e mail liz and ask her for a signed photo of Baghdad Jim.

41 posted on 06/18/2009 10:34:59 AM PDT by End Times Sentinel (In Memory of my Dear Friend Henry Lee II)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: Snickering Hound
AufgeblasenBlutegelBourgeoisieBurokratenWiebchen
42 posted on 06/18/2009 10:38:43 AM PDT by shibumi (" ..... then we will fight in the shade.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Snickering Hound

Jim McDermott is off the reservation!


43 posted on 06/18/2009 10:45:46 AM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Snickering Hound

“I’m going to drink my poor old foolish self to death,
And it’s all because of a girl named Elizabeth”

“Elizabeth” by the Thrillers, Herald Records, 1954


44 posted on 06/18/2009 10:47:00 AM PDT by Fiji Hill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: thefactor

“hmmmm, i am going to venture a guess and say that lizzie is single.”.....

And I’m going to venture Lizzie may be a Lezzie....


45 posted on 06/18/2009 10:47:54 AM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Snickering Hound

In a professional environment, it’s best to address people by their full name, unless there is a close relationship.

That being said, the true professional doesn’t make a big deal out of it. They might ask that you use their full name in a nice way. I think that’s reasoned.

What you don’t do, is treat the offender rudely.

It is appropriate for you to take into consideration the boorish behavior of someone who addresses you inappropriately. About all that should cost them, is your realization that they are not as polished as they would hope to be.


46 posted on 06/18/2009 10:48:06 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (Obama post 09/11. The U.S. is sorry, we are a Muslim nation, and we surrender.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Snickering Hound

I suppose “Lizzy” will not be acceptable and “Cow Head” is out. Thats right out.


47 posted on 06/18/2009 10:50:44 AM PDT by One_American
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Snickering Hound

Okay, LIz. See you next Tuesday!


48 posted on 06/18/2009 10:55:25 AM PDT by Two Kids' Dad (((( ))))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Owl_Eagle

The below is from the website; crazy lady probably makes a whole lot more then $27k annually.

FY 2009 subtotal: $27,366.66

Congressional staff salaries shown are the amount paid in the period shown. They are not annual salaries. Because bonuses may be included here and other payments may not be (most notably with aides working for multiple offices or for a political campaign committee), please use caution in extrapolating annual salaries from the figures shown here.


49 posted on 06/18/2009 11:26:58 AM PDT by mom4melody
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Snickering Hound

The woman does have a problem but this is exactly why I would always initiate an e-mail exchange with “Hello, Ms. Becton” or something like that. If they respond and end their e-mail with “Liz”, then it’s ok to address them that way the next time. Saves a lot of potential hassle and almost guarantees that you are off on the right foot from the get go—especially if you want something from them. It’s not that difficult.


50 posted on 06/18/2009 11:30:05 AM PDT by mikey_hates_everything
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Snickering Hound
I believe Governmental Evaluation #13 is appropriate here; "She does not have ulcers but she is a carrier".
#7 also may be applied; "This young lady has delusions of adequacy."
51 posted on 06/18/2009 11:30:26 AM PDT by SES1066 (Cycling to conserve, Conservative to save, Saving to Retire, will Retire to Cycle.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: thefactor
Bette Midler To Shelley Long,from "Outrageous fortune":
"Ya know what I bet? I bet you ain't been laid in about a year!" LOLOL
That's it... Lizzie just needs one good zesty session to clean out the cobwebs,and she'll be meek as a lamb! :P
52 posted on 06/18/2009 11:33:54 AM PDT by gimme1ibertee (For the sake of our Republic....RAISE HOLY HELL!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Owl_Eagle

Thanks for the link.

I’m now laughing so hard I’m crying. :)


53 posted on 06/18/2009 11:42:06 AM PDT by Politicalmom ("Energy prices will necessarily skyrocket"-Zero)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: new cruelty

That is what I wanted to know. Someone have her ph# and/or e-mail?


54 posted on 06/18/2009 12:59:16 PM PDT by rawhide
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Owl_Eagle

Looks like our gal Liz worked for a number of republican congressmen before going to work for a democrat last year, looking at your link? Hmmm, I wonder what the change?


55 posted on 06/18/2009 1:03:56 PM PDT by rawhide
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Snickering Hound
Why would I want to "score" a meeting with that commie.

Man, liberals are so friggin' UPTIGHT. Here is my response to all the crybabies:


56 posted on 06/18/2009 1:08:58 PM PDT by Recovering_Democrat (I'm SO glad I no longer belong to the party of Dependence on Government!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Snickering Hound
McDermott's D.C. Office:

1035 Longworth House Office Building,
District of Columbia 20515-4707
Phone: (202) 225-3106

I would just bet there is an employee directory, and we could buzz Liz during her off hours and leave some messages for her, encouraging her to stand her ground against the people who would DARE to call her by a shortened nickname.

57 posted on 06/18/2009 3:18:07 PM PDT by Recovering_Democrat (I'm SO glad I no longer belong to the party of Dependence on Government!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mom4melody

Looked to me like that figure was for two months... Oct to Dec


58 posted on 06/19/2009 4:05:00 PM PDT by rightinalabama
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Snickering Hound
Spare me.

She could have written back to say she preferred being called Elizabeth, and didn't go by Liz, just to let him know. That would have been the end of it.

But, Noooooooooooooo, these lib broads with the big chip on their shoulder have to feed their egos. They need to make sure everyone knows ‘just’ how powerful they are.

I hate women like this.
They give the rest of us a bad reputation. :-(

59 posted on 06/19/2009 4:26:43 PM PDT by fanfan (Why did they bury Barry's past?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-59 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson