Arrogance

The February 4 Maryland General Assembly hearings conducted by the Ways and Means Committee were an incredible performance of utter rudeness and arrogance. Although not surprised, at least 20 of us, both veterans of such hearings and unacquainted rookies, were unanimously dumbfounded by it. Needless to say, Chairwoman Sheila Hixson's leadership was embarrassingly lacking. We went to listen, learn and/or testify on House bills 92 and 204, a job creation and tax credit bill and a bill to create a propertyt ax assessment and appeals task force.

Happy Father's Day … In over two decades in politics, my least favorite political type was the unabashed "hot dog," that media-seeking missile who would happily sell his grandmother for a 30-second hit on the evening news. The most dangerous place in the world is between such an animal and a television camera. This personality type is plentiful on Capitol Hill, where the most outrageous statements of the day are sure to lead that evening's headlines. After all, 5,000 Capitol Hill reporters have to report something of interest every day. All this is by way of background as the enormity of the IRS scandal continues to hit home with the American public.

I am furious beyond words at the arrogance and corruption demonstrated by the leadership of the Maryland General Assembly in failing to pass a tax bill to implement the budget for next year, all for the benefit of the gambling industry for crying out loud! ("After breakdown, what?" April 11.)The one constitutional obligation imposed on the legislature is to pass an annual budget. The leadership, particularly Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, chose to hold implementing that budget hostage in order to expand gambling in Maryland, even before the original slots parlors are fully operational.

Greater than the risk of being accused of criminality in the three scandals now gripping the Obama administration is the peril that the president's substantive agenda is being hopelessly knocked off track. The liberal Illinois senator who entered the White House four years ago determined to change Washington's ways of doing business still finds himself striving to overcome barriers constructed by the opposition party in Congress. In his first term, congressional Republicans embraced partisanship straightaway, particularly in the House after they gained a majority there, openly declaring their intent to block his every initiative.

Baltimore County school board president Lawrence Schmidt's assertion that "the board makes no apology for the selection or the process utilized" to name S. Dallas Dance as our new superintendent ("Selection of Dance involved extensive public input," April 21) is just one more in the lengthening list of displays of arrogance by the leaders of our school system. True, the search agency provided a link to a survey on the school system's website. However, the primary input citizens were invited to give was to consider the agency's laundry list of descriptors and then select, from that list, a limited number of what we felt were the most important qualities the next superintendent should possess.

Webster's defines arrogance as the "offensive exhibition of assumed or real superiority," an "overbearing pride," an "imperious" nature. One only has to look to our government to find the embodiment of arrogance - in our elected officials, our Congress and our president. Arrogance is not exclusive to liberals, moderates or conservatives. Arrogance is usually accompanied by one form of superiority or another. The arrogance of the ignorant "nobody" is as dangerous as that of the intellectual "somebody.

I smiled when I read Maureen Harper's letter to the editor ("Arrogance in Annapolis," Readers respond, Feb. 16) in which she wrote about appearing before the Maryland General Assembly's Ways and Means Committee. Ms. Harper reports that the members of the committee were rude and arrogant when she and fellow citizens testified on bills related to jobs, tax credits and property tax assessments. She said the committee was inattentive and rushed their testimony. My group, Property Taxpayers United, experienced the same treatment more than 10 years ago when we appeared before the Ways and Means Committee.

The Sun's July 29 article on the Charles North area revealed great middle-class arrogance. "Between islands of calm derelict blocks await development," indeed! What an offensive presumption! The only people quoted in this article, middle-class residents, politicians and business representatives, were concerned about their needs, their safety. What about the perfectly decent and struggling people who live in the areas between those islands? Don't their voices matter, or their needs? I like calm, I'm all for it and am lucky enough to live in an area where I have it. But as long as this city acts as if its purpose is only to create calm for those with money, it will breed angry and violent young people in the many communities without money, or stability, or adequate services.

While the scandal with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) targeting conservative and tea party groups continues in the news, it should be pointed out what kind of disgrace it is to target conservatives like this just for their beliefs ("Senate widens probe into IRS," May 21). With each developing scandal, the picture of an arrogant administration abusing its power grows clearer. The IRS is feared, loathed and resented. Thus, the IRS tends to attract all too many workers who are insensitive to the needs and problems of others, and some even enjoy being bullies.

America is a little like my eldest son. In ninth grade, at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds., Brendan was big man on campus, physically dominating senior ballplayers. Due to his savvy, size and confidence, he was given charge of older restaurant employees where he worked. "I'm kind of a big deal," he used to say. Unfortunately, at 16, Brendan's brashness and sense of invulnerability led to several serious auto accidents. Thankfully, Brendan escaped major injuries. However, his insurance premiums skyrocketed, while our trust in his forays outside home turf plummeted.

While the scandal with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) targeting conservative and tea party groups continues in the news, it should be pointed out what kind of disgrace it is to target conservatives like this just for their beliefs ("Senate widens probe into IRS," May 21). With each developing scandal, the picture of an arrogant administration abusing its power grows clearer. The IRS is feared, loathed and resented. Thus, the IRS tends to attract all too many workers who are insensitive to the needs and problems of others, and some even enjoy being bullies.

It's been a long wait for Terrell Suggs to exact his revenge on the New England Patriots, and when the Ravens' 28-13 win was complete Sunday, he let loose. "Tell them to have fun at the Pro Bowl," Suggs said after the game to Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports! about the Patriots. "Shut them out in the second half. Arrogant [expletive]. These are the most arrogant [expletive] in the world starting with [coach Bill] Belichick on down. " The Patriots beat the Ravens last year in the AFC championship game, 23-20, but lost the Super Bowl to the New York Giants.

Webster's defines arrogance as the "offensive exhibition of assumed or real superiority," an "overbearing pride," an "imperious" nature. One only has to look to our government to find the embodiment of arrogance - in our elected officials, our Congress and our president. Arrogance is not exclusive to liberals, moderates or conservatives. Arrogance is usually accompanied by one form of superiority or another. The arrogance of the ignorant "nobody" is as dangerous as that of the intellectual "somebody.

Your failure in your October 13 editorial on the Biden-Ryan debate ("Biden connects") to even mention (much less criticize) the rude, uncivil and unseemly behavior of Vice President Joe Biden during the debate when he rudely interrupted Rep. Paul Ryan, rolled his eyes and laughed derisively with contempt and condescension when Mr. Ryan was speaking clearly demonstrates how your pro Obama-Biden bias effectively prevents you from objectively commenting on...

Baltimore County school board president Lawrence Schmidt's assertion that "the board makes no apology for the selection or the process utilized" to name S. Dallas Dance as our new superintendent ("Selection of Dance involved extensive public input," April 21) is just one more in the lengthening list of displays of arrogance by the leaders of our school system. True, the search agency provided a link to a survey on the school system's website. However, the primary input citizens were invited to give was to consider the agency's laundry list of descriptors and then select, from that list, a limited number of what we felt were the most important qualities the next superintendent should possess.

This year, the most curious moment of the legislative session was not the budgetary train wreck on its fractious final day but at a most unusual rally a week before. A crowd of wind energy activists converged on the State House. Surreal chants of "All we are saying is give wind a chance" permeated the air. Gov.Martin O'Malleywas there to greet them, like a minister addressing the faithful. Of course, reasonable people can disagree over the wisdom of the governor's unsuccessful wind energy proposal.

WASHINGTON -- During his campaign for president, George W. Bush claimed that America needed to demonstrate more humility in foreign affairs. In his inaugural address in January, he vowed that the United States would "show purpose without arrogance" around the globe. In its first 100 days, the Bush team has designed a policy driven by exactly the opposite: arrogance without purpose. From his trashing of the Kyoto environmental treaty and stiffing of South Korean President Kim Dae Jung's historic efforts to negotiate peace with North Korea, to his disengagement from the Middle East peace process and clear eagerness to start throwing out arms control treaties, President Bush has left many wondering if he is simply driving without a map. The problem is that, internationally, Mr. Bush has chosen to define himself by what he is not -- Bill Clinton.

Arrogance makes the world go round -- the world of innovation at any rate. Examine the birth, life and death of an idea. Arrogance determines each stage.You get an idea from a customer, from a novel, while dousing yourself in the shower. Usually nothing comes of it. (After all, research shows that we have about 90 thoughts per minute.) But now and again, one clicks. You begin to study it, chat up a few friends, do a touch of library research. It usually dies at this juncture; but once in a while one slips through the gate; your interest is piqued.

I am furious beyond words at the arrogance and corruption demonstrated by the leadership of the Maryland General Assembly in failing to pass a tax bill to implement the budget for next year, all for the benefit of the gambling industry for crying out loud! ("After breakdown, what?" April 11.)The one constitutional obligation imposed on the legislature is to pass an annual budget. The leadership, particularly Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, chose to hold implementing that budget hostage in order to expand gambling in Maryland, even before the original slots parlors are fully operational.

From the Baltimore Sun's Jill Rosen: Ethan Phillip Weibman who plead guilty last fall to animal abuse in the death of one cat and the beating of another was sentenced Wednesday to 90 days in prison. After District Judge Charles A. Chiapparelli's ruling, officers immediately took the 20-year-old, a short-time Baltimore resident originally from a wealthy hamlet in Westchester County, N.Y., into custody, as his mother shrieked in protest. “It's not just a crime, it's a person I'm sentencing,” Chiapparelli said.