Penn State

[SueDonJ]

I read the 23 page document and I was repulsed. Sandusky by his own admission has some serious issues.

There is nothing in the 23 pages that indicates that Paterno knew and did nothing. A trial may prove that to be the case, but Paterno won't get that opportunity. The court of public has done him in.

The charges are so serious that unpaid leave may have been appropriate for Paterno, but to fire him is obviously overkill and matter of feeding the mob.

The report clearly states on p. 7 that the graduate assistant, after having witnessed Sandusky raping a young boy in the Penn State showers, went and told Paterno the next day. The report further states that Paterno testified to essentially the same facts, saying the graduate assistant told him Sandusky was doing "something of a sexual nature to a young boy."

So, yes, there is clearly something in the 23 pages that indicates Paterno knew - his own testimony.

At that point, Paterno had a moral obligation to go to the police. So did the graduate assistant.

Paterno was properly fired for failing to do this. The graduate assistant's career is essentially over as well.

It's a shame they both didn't do the right thing, and that they've lost their careers over it, but it's also a reminder that power and personal motives can warp all of our perspectives if we're not careful.

Good lord. If Paterno knew nothing then I'll print out every post in this thread and eat the papers.

It's one thing to understand why any of the people involved in this took the actions they did; it's another to try to use those excuses to exonerate certain of them. I can see why people who love Paterno want to find an excuse for him but there simply isn't one. He admitted that he knew something! Every single person who knew something and did nothing should lose his/her job - it's that simple for me. The lawyers have months, years!, ahead of them to try to prove their cases and send folks to jail, but the university needs to act more swiftly and decisively to clean up that program. A light dusting means nothing - they need to scrub it with bleach.

As horrifying as Sandusky's actions are, the story here is the cover-up. Most folks are aware that pedophiles exist - even if you live your whole life without ever coming into contact with one you can't deny that they are out there. But what makes this so much more horrifying is that apparently many powerful people knew that this particular pedophile was actively abusing boys among them, yet they still sacrificed victims for the money generated by their football program. Their collective greed enabled the monster. That's despicable, and that's why folks with no connection to the community ("the mob," I'd guess) are so invested in the story.

 

[Passepartout]

Like peeling an onion....

It seems like every day we learn more about what we want to know less about. It's like peeling the layers off an onion. And the tears flow.....

Imo, Paterno's action of transferring his house and assets to his wife's name is not the action of a blameless person.

Jim

 

[vacationhopeful]

....Imo, Paterno's action of transferring his house and assets to his wife's name is not the action of a blameless person.

Jim

Agreed. And the news reports say this was done in JULY!

 

[Elan]

Imo, Paterno's action of transferring his house and assets to his wife's name is not the action of a blameless person.

Jim

Doesn't everyone start their estate planning at age 84?

 

[Timeshare Von]

Hasn't this thread reached "controversial social issue" status yet?

 

[pjrose]

Hasn't this thread reached "controversial social issue" status yet?

I don't think so - I think most people are pretty much on the same track, and people are being very polite It's getting repetitive....but that's not against TUG rules.

Besides, I think it should stay open for when new info is released.

 

[ciscogizmo1]

I agree... I've been following along silently and basically I'm in shock. But I think with people discussing it, it helps others understand the severity of the problem and maybe some people may come forward in their own lives with things they see. While I think my generation is more likely to report something there is still that abuse of power that scares people and some times people just don't report things. It has definitely opened my eyes. I had no idea.

 

[SueDonJ]

Hasn't this thread reached "controversial social issue" status yet?

I don't think so. When I think of "controversial social issues" I think of things like abortion or assisted suicide or something like those things which, when discussed, result in people polarizing into pro- and con- camps. And generally, which result in the participants resorting to blanket insults against anyone who's seen to be in "the other camp." (Truly, I hope simply mentioning the topics to illustrate the point doesn't result in a mod shipping me to Neverland. I honestly didn't know how to make the point without the words.)

This particular topic isn't polarizing at all - we all agree that pedophilia is an abomination which shouldn't be tolerated. Though we might have minor disagreements about the fall-out, nobody has been disrespectful in the way that's usually seen with polarizing subjects. IMO.

 

[SueDonJ]

Agreed. And the news reports say this was done in JULY!

Does this coincide with when he testified to the Grand Jury? If he consulted an attorney when he was summoned (which any reasonable person would,) was he then advised to protect his assets? It's possible. As much as I believe he was more responsible for the cover-up than anyone, because of the power he held which could have prevented the cover-up before it began, I don't think I have a problem with him protecting his assets on his attorney's advice.

 

[ace2000]

I'm starting to get a good idea on how the lynch mobs worked in the old days. Just because someone hears something from someone else... rumor, fact, or otherwise does not constitute KNOWING. This goes for Paterno and any of the others that didn't witness a crime.

Yes, Paterno made a serious judgement error. But, the man has suffered enough in my opinion. Don't worry... he'll pay a heavy price. The football team will pay a heavy price. And Penn State will pay a heavy price.

.

 

[am1]

I'm starting to get a good idea on how the lynch mobs worked in the old days. Just because someone hears something from someone else... rumor, fact, or otherwise does not constitute KNOWING. This goes for Paterno and any of the others that didn't witness a crime.

Yes, Paterno made a serious judgement error. But, the man has suffered enough in my opinion. Don't worry... he'll pay a heavy price. The football team will pay a heavy price. And Penn State will pay a heavy price.

.

Civil suits are still to come. You are right he has paid a heavy price already but he should do all he can do to help his legacy. Doing things like transferring your assets is not going to help that. Regardless of the reason.

Looks like another situation is starting at Syracuse.

 

[pjrose]

Article about Victim Four - abuse went far beyond the shower.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/11/jerry_sanduskys_victim_four_te.html

 

[SueDonJ]

I'm starting to get a good idea on how the lynch mobs worked in the old days. Just because someone hears something from someone else... rumor, fact, or otherwise does not constitute KNOWING. This goes for Paterno and any of the others that didn't witness a crime.

Yes, Paterno made a serious judgement error. But, the man has suffered enough in my opinion. Don't worry... he'll pay a heavy price. The football team will pay a heavy price. And Penn State will pay a heavy price.

.

Ironic, isn't it? If all the folks who knew Sandusky's "secret" had formed a mob long before now, there'd be no need for the mob forming now.

 

[Tia]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...-allegations/2011/11/18/gIQA05w1XN_story.html

Seems this story has given some other victims courage to tell now too....

 

[geekette]

Ironic, isn't it? If all the folks who knew Sandusky's "secret" had formed a mob long before now, there'd be no need for the mob forming now.

Yep. Very true.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Charity Founded By Sandusky Makes Plans To Fold

CHARITY FOUNDED BY SANDUSKY MAKES PLANS TO FOLD- by Mark Viera, Jo Becker & Pete Thamel/ College Football/New York Times


Richard

 

[MULTIZ321]

Expert Questions Makeup of Penn St. Case Charity

Expert Questions Makeup of Penn St. Case Charity - by GENARO C. ARMAS, Associated Press / Yahoo!Sports/Rivals.com


Richard

 

[Talent312]

I would be in favor of TUG forming its own posse to called out whenever the concensus was that someone needed to be:
-- tarred+feathered;
-- run out of town on a rail; or
-- thrown to the sarlacc to be digested for a thousand years (Star Wars).

 

[bobpark56]

I would be in favor of TUG forming its own posse to called out whenever the concensus was that someone needed to be:
-- tarred+feathered;
-- run out of town on a rail; or
-- thrown to the sarlacc to be digested for a thousand years (Star Wars).

Of course...and these folks would not be required to have facts either. Simple opinion will do!

 

[Tia]

Dateline has a segment on tomorrow Dec 16 about the missing DA, Ray Gricar.

http://insidedateline.msnbc.msn.com/