Here are some leadership vignettes from the police blotter:
- Lawrence Small, the Smithsonian's top official and former Citibank and Fannie Mae executive, resigned over the weekend - and for very good reason. He took a page out of former American University President Benjamin Ladner's playbook, having chosen to lead the good life at the expense of the institution he led. Small charged the Smithsonian for pool heaters and chandelier cleaning at his home and, generally, for all manner of chauffeurs, private jets, five-star hotels and catered meals. Of greater importance, The New York Times echoing others has branded Small's tenure as "ineffective." (Editorial, March 28)
- Ladner, an ethics professor, was caught charging American University $5,000 for one garden-club luncheon for his wife, $22,000 for a first-class flight to Nigeria, $44,000 for alcohol and $100,000 for a social secretary. Yes, leaders are expected to host events at their homes and undertake considerable travel, which they should be allowed to do with an emphasis on quality and comfort. But what has happened to wisdom? This sense of entitlement just boggles the mind.
- Then there's Golden State Fence Company President Melvin Kay. Golden State built many of the fences "protecting" the U.S. border from illegal Mexican immigrants. Of course, it turns out that Kay had been hiring many illegal Mexican immigrants to build the fences designed to keep them out, despite repeated warnings that his company cease and desist.
I find myself getting caught up here in the dark side of leadership. So, enough already! Let's celebrate instead the decision yesterday by Republican Senators Chuck Hagel and Gordon Smith - both up for re-election - to cross what should otherwise be meaningless partisan lines, putting the needs of their nation first by voting for the bill funding the Iraq war with timelines for withdrawal. Hagel and Smith soar like eagles by rejecting the mindless gaggle of lemmings. With Hagel, too, one conjures the battle-hardened Hector in Troilus and Cressida who could see right through the reprehensible foolishness of unjust war.
- Lawrence Small, the Smithsonian's top official and former Citibank and Fannie Mae executive, resigned over the weekend - and for very good reason. He took a page out of former American University President Benjamin Ladner's playbook, having chosen to lead the good life at the expense of the institution he led. Small charged the Smithsonian for pool heaters and chandelier cleaning at his home and, generally, for all manner of chauffeurs, private jets, five-star hotels and catered meals. Of greater importance, The New York Times echoing others has branded Small's tenure as "ineffective." (Editorial, March 28)
- Ladner, an ethics professor, was caught charging American University $5,000 for one garden-club luncheon for his wife, $22,000 for a first-class flight to Nigeria, $44,000 for alcohol and $100,000 for a social secretary. Yes, leaders are expected to host events at their homes and undertake considerable travel, which they should be allowed to do with an emphasis on quality and comfort. But what has happened to wisdom? This sense of entitlement just boggles the mind.
- Then there's Golden State Fence Company President Melvin Kay. Golden State built many of the fences "protecting" the U.S. border from illegal Mexican immigrants. Of course, it turns out that Kay had been hiring many illegal Mexican immigrants to build the fences designed to keep them out, despite repeated warnings that his company cease and desist.
I find myself getting caught up here in the dark side of leadership. So, enough already! Let's celebrate instead the decision yesterday by Republican Senators Chuck Hagel and Gordon Smith - both up for re-election - to cross what should otherwise be meaningless partisan lines, putting the needs of their nation first by voting for the bill funding the Iraq war with timelines for withdrawal. Hagel and Smith soar like eagles by rejecting the mindless gaggle of lemmings. With Hagel, too, one conjures the battle-hardened Hector in Troilus and Cressida who could see right through the reprehensible foolishness of unjust war.