[BigApple3AM]

I think you're confusing leadership with personal responsibility. An example would be Raphael storming out really frustrated. Sure Mikey and Donny SHOULD do something, but they don't. They eat porkrinds. Leo has the responisbility of the group, you have to remember these guys are young. They're all going to look out for each other, but they're not perfect, and that's why you have to have the most responsible in charge and they will follow if they believe that he truly does know what's best for the group.

You're trying to suggest they're all leaders, they're not. They're definitely all individuals, and often times another brother will stick their hide out and do something incredible and beneficial for the group, but when thinks get rough and they're getting lost they have to look to the most mature to take care of things. Besides, not everyone wants to be a leader, I'm definitely sure Mikey and Don would rather do the things they like rather than focus all their time and energy on the family.

Or at least, that's my opinion on the matter.


Oh and regarding Splinter, well the turtles would be directionless without him. Yeah in the early mirage books he mostly wants vengence and it's sort of odd. But in different mediums like the latest movie Splinter's motives aren't really entirely clear, but I think most of all he wants his family to become stronger. Raphael is the one risking his life, Splinter never asked him to do that. He literally rescued the turtles from either becoming a science project at some government research lab or becoming sewer slime or something. He trains them as he was trained in a way, it's all he knows. It makes them strong, and realistically if you're a mutated freak you have to be strong emotionally and physically.