Leadership

If you're a big fan, you already knew what was coming in the season finale. But it didn't make it any easier -- or less heartbreaking -- to watch. The majority of the Season 3 "Downton" finale, or the "Christmas special" as its called in the U.K., took place in Scotland, where the whole family (minus Branson) visits the Highlands home of the Dowager's niece, Susan, and her husband, Shrimpy. Most of the trip included bagpipes, hunting, more bagpipes and Scottish reel dancing. But more on that later (and more on O'Brien meeting her Scottish lady's maid doppelganger)

Terrorism, whether practiced in the U.S. or overseas, can be defined as a deliberate act of violence to instill fear in a target audience. We fight terrorism when we stay calm but resolute; we abet terrorists when our response is to panic or try to foment panic in others. This past weekend, the CEO of the National Rifle Association stood up on a stage in Houston and chose to follow the latter route, linking the recent bombings in Boston with gun ownership - or a lack thereof. "How many Bostonians," the NRA's Wayne LaPierre asked, "wish they had a gun two weeks ago?"

Where is the financial leadership to that people want from this legislature? Raising fees as well as taxes on alcohol will certainly be job killers in this state. People will struggle more than ever, especially those in lower-class brackets who may never recover from the damage the "Great Recession. " The state is simply getting too greedy for it own good. Instead of thinking of compassion, creating jobs, and financial responsibility, the Democratic legislature continues to move forward with reckless abandon with nothing but dollar signs in their eyes while at the same time not really caring for small business and the struggling citizens who live here.

I couldn't help but notice a trend with Baltimore's 2013 draft class, especially because Ravens officials made a point to mention to reporters that both of their second-day picks were “red-star” players on their draft board. The Ravens, as much as ever, seemed to put a premium on character when deciding whom to pick this year. “The biggest thing is we have a great understanding of the type of football players that [coach John Harbaugh] wants in his locker room, that he and his coaching staff want to work with,” general manager Ozzie Newsome said Saturday.

Now that the tax catastrophe is over, many photos will be snapped of Gov.Martin O'Malley, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House SpeakerMichael E. Buschgloating over their "accomplishments. " Frankly. I don't know how these three can sleep at night. F. Cordell, Lutherville

If MayorStephanie Rawlings-Blakeexpects to increase the city's population by 10,000 in the coming years, she better hope she finds someone of the same caliber as Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld ("Bealefeld to step down," May 4). With defense attorneys and community activists bemoaning his zero tolerance policy, he held his ground. This city is infested with crime other than murder. Residents don't flee to the suburbs because the city is no longer enjoyable, they leave because of crime and high taxes.

Instead of asking for a higher bottle tax to pay for school repairs, maybe Baltimore MayorStephanie Rawlings-Blakeshould first ask Gov.Martin O'Malleywhat happened to the millions of dollars he couldn't account for when he was mayor. If she wants to sell the city's historic properties to help fund the budget, she should be asking the governor why he didn't make needed repairs while mayor. She might ask for state aid but since the General Assembly recently passed a "doomsday budget," there probably isn't any money.

Over and over again, we see that elections are ultimately not really about the issues or leadership qualities. They're about money. Whoever has the most money bribes, er, wins over the voters ("Ehrlich leads in donors; O'Malley leads in cash" and "Bernstein outpaces Jessamy in funds," Aug. 19). I suspect our nation's Founding Fathers are spinning in their graves. Mary Shaw, Philadelphia, PA

Where is our leadership, any leadership? With the recent BGE PeakRewards program debacle of not preparing or managing an event that was forecast several weeks in advance, how can the utility ever survive a true emergency? It won't and we won't with this current management set! Meanwhile, Baltimore is cutting down 136 mature trees for a weekend event. Where is Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake? City residents should be crying because the current administration does not care. Somewhere, William Donald Schaefer must be crying also.

Andre Lake has been appointed to the student leadership organization of cadre within the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at Randolph-Macon Academy, in Front Royal, Va. A senior, Lake received the rank of first lieutenant and performs duties assigned to the Echo Flight commanding officer. He is the son of Linda Howe-Lake, of Laurel.

Anne Arundel County's proposed stormwater fee provided newly appointed County Executive Laura Neuman with her first leadership test, and she failed. Her veto puts the county at risk of sanctions if it does not enact a fee structure by July 1, yet she appears to have no plan for complying with state and federal requirements for reducing the polluted stormwater that is washing into the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The County Council should override her reckless decision without delay.

The recent article about U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski's campaign fundraising ("Mikulski campaign funds hit bonanza," April 22) by John Fritze is disturbing to say the least because it seems to convey the following concepts. First, the more money a politician raises the more respect he or she should be given by the media and by his or her constituents, and second, the more seniority a politician accumulates, the more respect he or she should be given by the media and by his or her constituents.

In a recent editorial ("Franchot goes too far," April 20), The Sun stated that Towson University President Maravene Loeschke's "primary responsibility is to foster the state's goal of increasing the educational attainment of its residents. " It further assailed Comptroller Peter Franchot for calling for President Loeschke's resignation unless he has some evidence that she is failing that mission. The point you are missing is that Ms. Loeschke has steadfastly refused to allow any examination of athletic expenditures in a public forum of any kind, despite repeated requests.

In my 42 years of teaching in the music department at Towson University, I have had the opportunity observe President Maravene Loeschke's leadership from the time she became chairwoman of the theater department many years ago. During those years, I have worked with many administrators at Towson and elsewhere. Having observed the leadership styles and accomplishments of five presidents and at least two acting presidents, I can say that without question Ms. Loeschke is the best administrator, the best leader I have ever seen.

A plague of locusts swept through Egypt a few weeks ago, an estimated 30 million of the critters. Egyptian officials tried to downplay the phenomenon, hoping to quash any biblical analogies. They noted that locust swarms show up in the spring every now and then. But more earthly indicators suggest that the blighted Egyptian government is in such deep political and economic trouble that perhaps the analogy is apt. Experts and senior government officials worldwide are warning that Egypt's economy is hurtling toward collapse.

It appears that federal, state and local governments have forgotten that the only reason we have government is to protect the population ("In Boston, sifting through fragments for bomb clues," April 17). Once again, our elected and appointed officials have shown that they can not provide our basic needs and are unqualified to protect America - although they spend our tax dollars on things that they think are important. It has been seven months since we lost four Americans in Benghazi, and it has been several years since Fast and Furious, and no one has been held accountable in either case.

I'm at that stage in my life where I really don't care about stuff like leadership, productivity and adding value. Sure, 10 years ago, I read "Getting to Yes," "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" and "In Search of Excellence." I even skimmed "The One-Minute Manager" because that seemed apt. But now I don't aspire to build consensus, be efficient and achieve unparalleled success in the process. I just want to do the right thing. And I don't care if you follow me or not. I guess what I'm saying is: Go ahead and move my cheese all you want -- as long as you don't eat it, because I love cheese, particularly Havarti and Gorgonzola.

It's not enough to give Stefon Diggs more touches this season. Maryland coaches also want to give him more of a leadership role. Coach Randy Edsall said after Friday night's spring game that the team has named the receiver-returner as one of 10 members of its leadership council. The team won't use permanent captains in the fall. Rather, it will name captains game by game. It sounds like Maryland really wants Diggs invested in the team. Not that he wasn't last season. But it's difficult for freshmen - still transitioning to college life - to play leadership roles.

Two regional police departments are accepting applications for youth summer programs that will demonstrate the skills and training involved in becoming a police officer. The Howard County Department of Police and the Baltimore County Police Department are looking for students interested in exploring career opportunities and leadership training through short-term programs under their guidance. The HCDP is considering youths between the ages of 15 and 18 for its Youth Police Academy, to be held between July 7 and July 12 in Marriottsville.