Penn State Update

GoldenPenguin

Joe Pa announced he's retiring at the end of the season.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/09/report-joe-paterno-to-retire-at-seasons-end/?hpt=hp_c1

On ESPN Radio, Colin Cowherd is calling for him to not be allowed to coach again. Ever. This is going to get really messy - even messier than it already is.

Swazzle

You know, I have a ton of people on my Twitter feed right now saying "he's just a scapegoat" and "he's such a great guy" and "it's unfair what they're doing to him".  But if he knew ANYTHING about this situation at all, which it appears he did, then he is partially at fault regardless of how great a guy he is. Period.  

There's also people blaming the victims, saying why did they wait too long to come forward. Unless you are in that situation, you have NO idea how you will react. 

LilMama827

Joe followed the organization policies.. he followed a chain of command... yes he shoulda checked up on it but honestly who wants to believe their former asst coach would do such a thing ? i'm just glad we got the end of the season yet...

CCO2012

I agree with rdr... I don't give a rats a$$ who you are or how great you've been, if you haven't come forward with information like that, you are at fault. Molestation of a child is horrible!!! It is something they'll deal with forever, it never ever goes away. If you know something, screw the chain of command, protect that child!

lennonkdc

I think we're in a really sad place as a nation if we're willing to give a man a pass for failing to go above and beyond 'what was required' when he knew CHILDREN WERE BEING RAPED, just because he's won a bunch of football games. If you know a CHILD IS BEING RAPED then you follow up on it until the person RAPING THE CHILDREN is no longer breathing free air. Period. End of story.

peekaboo2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_penn-state-update?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:7084d568-d364-45d6-a4ad-c43458fc7d59Post:5e534aba-560d-428f-a08c-c5f5afe62248">Re: Penn State Update</a>:
[QUOTE]I think we're in a really sad place as a nation if we're willing to give a man a pass for failing to go above and beyond 'what was required' when he knew CHILDREN WERE BEING RAPED, just because he's won a bunch of football games. If you know a CHILD IS BEING RAPED then you follow up on it until the person RAPING THE CHILDREN is no longer breathing free air. Period. End of story.
Posted by lennonkdc[/QUOTE]

Or even breathing air.  If Joe Pa knew, he's just as guilty.  That's all I have to contribute.

GoldenPenguin

Joe Paterno is a legend, that can't be denied. However, he knew what was going on. Yes, he followed the chain of command and told who he was "supposed" to tell. But when it's an allegation as serious as this - there was child molestation going on IN HIS LOCKER ROOM - he is "supposed" do make sure it is taken care of by police & other authorities, whether you want to believe it or not.

If he knew about an NCAA violation committed by an assistant coach, do you think he'd be held accountable? If he knew one of his players was committing academic fraud through the team's acadmic advisor, do you think he'd be held accountable? If he knew one of his players had committed sexual assualt and he didn't report it, do you think he'd be held accountable? The answer to all of these questions is yes, undoubtably. So, yes, he should be held accountable for the fact that HE KNEW that child molestation was taking place, and he didn't do anything above and beyond to make sure it was taken care of.

Penn State fans are never going to want to believe that Paterno should hold any blame. The sad part is that a lot of these same people who feel so bad for him now have been calling for his head - either to be fired or for him to retire - for YEARS. Now, he's poor, old JoePa, who can't be blamed.

Swazzle

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_penn-state-update?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:7084d568-d364-45d6-a4ad-c43458fc7d59Post:5e534aba-560d-428f-a08c-c5f5afe62248">Re: Penn State Update</a>:
[QUOTE]I think we're in a really sad place as a nation if we're willing to give a man a pass for failing to go above and beyond 'what was required' when he knew CHILDREN WERE BEING RAPED, just because he's won a bunch of football games. If you know a CHILD IS BEING RAPED then you follow up on it until the person RAPING THE CHILDREN is no longer breathing free air. Period. End of story.
Posted by lennonkdc[/QUOTE]

I couldn't agree more with everything you wrote Lennon. 

AnneR15

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_penn-state-update?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:7084d568-d364-45d6-a4ad-c43458fc7d59Post:0ec4bd75-c63e-4822-b0a7-5cd558f1c02b">Re: Penn State Update</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Penn State Update : I couldn't agree more with everything you wrote Lennon. 
Posted by rdr716[/QUOTE]

<div>Ditto for me.</div>

dwest2201

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_penn-state-update?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:7084d568-d364-45d6-a4ad-c43458fc7d59Post:71deae45-9805-4e59-92b0-b65effdb8582">Re: Penn State Update</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Penn State Update : Ditto for me.
Posted by AnneR15[/QUOTE]

Me three.

I do not think that this is something that any "great" or even good person could sleep well at ngiht knowing that they knew of it and didn't tae the proper actions to ensure that it was stopped.  Disgusting.

Swazzle

Just read that the president of Penn State, Graham Spanier, will either resign or be fired by the end of the day. 

ravenray

Leomon you are my hero.  I agree with you 100%!  I honestly think anyone who knew and did nothing should be fired/step down.

Peaseblossom55

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_penn-state-update?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:7084d568-d364-45d6-a4ad-c43458fc7d59Post:5e534aba-560d-428f-a08c-c5f5afe62248">Re: Penn State Update</a>:
[QUOTE]I think we're in a really sad place as a nation if we're willing to give a man a pass for failing to go above and beyond 'what was required' when he knew CHILDREN WERE BEING RAPED, just because he's won a bunch of football games. If you know a CHILD IS BEING RAPED then you follow up on it until the person RAPING THE CHILDREN is no longer breathing free air. Period. End of story.
Posted by lennonkdc[/QUOTE]
This I was talking about it with my brother and dad last night at dinner..

jorja86

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_penn-state-update?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:7084d568-d364-45d6-a4ad-c43458fc7d59Post:3c780fb5-0dc1-4098-877a-91603e6aa3de">Re: Penn State Update</a>:
[QUOTE]Joe followed the organization policies.. he followed a chain of command... yes he shoulda checked up on it but honestly who wants to believe their former asst coach would do such a thing ? i'm just glad we got the end of the season yet...
Posted by LilMama827[/QUOTE]

Yes, thank God there's still the end of the football season yet ::eye roll::

So, if one of these boys was your son or brother, you'd be satisfied with what "following the chain of command" accomplished? Every single person who was aware of this going on and didn't make damn sure that man didn't have access to more victims deserves every bit, if not more, of the fall-out from covering it up.

Lennon, you hit the nail on the head. I was listening to something recently (can't remember where) that mentioned how the word "molestation" has become a euphemism for what is often really rape. I think in this case, as many others, it's important to acknowledge what these victims were actually put through.

jaycee7389

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_penn-state-update?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:7084d568-d364-45d6-a4ad-c43458fc7d59Post:3c780fb5-0dc1-4098-877a-91603e6aa3de">Re: Penn State Update</a>:
[QUOTE]Joe followed the organization policies.. he followed a chain of command... yes he shoulda checked up on it but honestly who wants to believe their former asst coach would do such a thing ? i'm just glad we got the end of the season yet...
Posted by LilMama827[/QUOTE]

UGH, another comment that pisses me off about this entire thing. Let me guess, you went to PSU or grew up a PSU fan?

My entire facebook feed is filled with comments about JoePa, and sadly some are like the above.

Penn State students are arguing that their degrees are losing value because of Sandusky..I say it is because of all of the dumba$$ students who are rioting in JoePa's defense.