he Penn State scandal is the talking point of media everywhere, and the general consensus is the condemnation of everyone involved.
But I would like to offer another way of analyzing the situation.
Clearly, the alleged actions of Jerry Sandusky are despicable to say the least. Although he has yet to be convicted in a criminal court – where the mountain of evidence appears to leave little doubt of his guilt – Sandusky has been convicted publicly and by the media. As he should be.
I’d like to make it clear that I have read the entire Grand Jury Presentment, and it is 23 pages of foul, disgusting, and heart-breaking descriptions of the accounts of four victims that is sure to make your stomach turn, blood boil, and fist clench. I mean really this is some really perverse stuff, and from the little I know about child molesters, all the details say Sandusky showed the classic signs of a sexual predator – slowly increasing his sexual touching, incorporating sexual acts as part of regular activities, making the victims feel bad if they deny or shy away from his advances, just to name a few.
However, the horrendous actions of Sandusky are not what I’d like to address. Penn State Head Coach Joe Paterno has been dragged through the mud, practically crucified for the lack of action he took to ensure Sandusky’s actions were made known to all the correct authorities. Some people’s reactions appear to condemn Paterno so much that you would think he was a participant in the molestation of these children. I heard a comment on the local radio station from a call-in person that claimed Paterno was “100 percent guilty” for the events that took place. I’m paraphrasing here, but Mike Golic from ESPN’s Mike and Mike morning show said if he saw or heard of these acts taking place that there was no telling what he would have done – I can only assume he meant beating the tar out of Sandusky.
The voice of the nation is clear: more should have been done. And I agree. But I think we are taking it too far when we act like we know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, what we would have done in that exact same situation. Of course we know what we would like to do, but that is not always what takes place. Here is a recent example of people ignoring their moral obligations, and simply doing nothing.
My point is not to say that these people should not have helped the child because undoubtedly they should have, but to show that people don’t always handle situations with the same level-headed and clear-minded approach we, after-the-fact onlookers, would. Please understand this example is not the only incident of this type of thing happening; there are countless examples, in the U.S., of people being shot and witnesses ignoring the wounded person. It is so easy for us to say we would be the hero in the situation, but unfortunately that is not always the case.
Back to the Penn State scandal, information is still rolling in on who exactly knew what. According to the former graduate assistant and current receivers coach Mike McQueary, he claims he saw what looked like anal intercourse – horrible! It is not clear what McQueary said and conveyed to Paterno. McQueary claims he told Paterno that Sandusky was “fondling or doing something of a sexual nature to a young boy.” Paterno is claiming he knew even less.
Most people’s response is that any of those are red flags, and Paterno should have not only told the athletic director, but make sure that Sandusky is being held responsible.
Truly, what I am about to say is not meant as an excuse for Paterno to do as little as he did. Instead, I am attempting to look at this situation from a different perspective than I am being fed by the media and most people I hear and talk to. You know, putting myself in Paterno’s shoes.
Ask yourself what could make Paterno do as little as he did – any reason whatsoever. Here is what I came up with (keep in mind these are far from facts, and I’m just brainstorming):
- He didn’t want to bring shame to his school – understandable but a terrible reason. - He was ill-prepared, ill-informed, and ill-educated on how to handle the situation – the most plausible and probable reason, despite all the people that think handling a situation like this is easy and common-sense. - He thought he did exactly what he needed to do by telling his superior, and after that it wasn’t his problem unless he heard about it again – this also seems pretty plausible. - He didn’t know what the true details of what was happening – also very possible.
There are plenty more, but I came up with those in just a few minutes. Despite the public’s lambasting of Paterno, I find it hard to believe that everyone would know precisely what to do in a similar situation.
My defense of Paterno as a person does not continue on the field. It was probably the right move to fire him, along with most of the people involved, because Division 1 football is run like a business, especially at a program like Penn State. Obviously it serves Penn State best to remove all involved parties, and attempt to distance yourself from the situation as much as possible.
Paterno addressed the crowd on Wednesday night that was marching the streets near his house:
when a serious crime, a felony with victims, is committed, one calls the police, not the 'boss'.
gee oh look, a dead body, do i call the police or just phone it in to admin?
er...yeah.
“Like it or not, everything is changing. The result will be the most wonderful experience in the history of man or the most horrible enslavement that you can imagine. Be active or abdicate. The future is in your hands.” 53; Milton William Cooper,
under the law, they are all guilty of failing to report the crime.
“Like it or not, everything is changing. The result will be the most wonderful experience in the history of man or the most horrible enslavement that you can imagine. Be active or abdicate. The future is in your hands.” 53; Milton William Cooper,
He was ill-prepared, ill-informed, and ill-educated on how to handle the situation – the most plausible and probable reason, despite all the people that think handling a situation like this is easy and common-sense. - He thought he did exactly what he needed to do by telling his superior, and after that it wasn’t his problem unless he heard about it again – this also seems pretty plausible.
now if I was a radio host, and someone told me that, my response would be so vulgar that you'd swear I was talking in morse code.
So, using that bit of "reasoning", if I saw a murder at work, I'd just tell my boss and let him handle it. That's why they get paid the big bucks, right?
Even this writer is calling paterno a monster, even as he is trying to defend him. Ironic, huh?
There are plenty more, but I came up with those in just a few minutes. Despite the public’s lambasting of Paterno, I find it hard to believe that everyone would know precisely what to do in a similar situation.
Jumpin jesus fuc...
-------------------------------------------------------- Somebody ought to tell the truth about the Bible. The preachers dare not, because they would be driven from their pulpits. Professors in colleges dare not, because they would lose their salaries. Politicians dare not. They would be defeated. Editors dare not. They would lose subscribers. Merchants dare not, because they might lose customers. Men of fashion dare not, fearing that they would lose caste. Even clerks dare not, because they might be discharged. And so I thought I would do it myself...Robert Ingersoll
#7. To: gengis gandhi, Lod, christine, Jethro Tull, Eric Stratton, all (#3)
when a serious crime, a felony with victims, is committed, one calls the police, not the 'boss'.
gee oh look, a dead body, do i call the police or just phone it in to admin?
er...yeah.
Not an exact simile though. Not that I'm defending what occurred as I most definitely am not. I think Paterno's initial action is probably the one that would have been taken by most coaches. Where Paterno failed morally was in not demanding that something be done beyond sweeping it under the carpet, and failing that calling a Press Conference and laying it all out.
The problem here is that if it is true that Sandusky was using these boys as "Rent-a-boys" to high level power brokers then it becomes the kind of situation where "talkative" witnesses wind up in the local landfill. So, the forces at play here are not trivial if there are big money, big power, pedos in the background of the story. The reality is that we live in a very sick and corrupt society where people do have "accidents" when they become "inconvenient". So, the superficial reaction to what at first appears a clear cut situation becomes murky in terms of the forces at play.
"“Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings - that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide.” ~ Gautama Siddhartha — The Buddha
Where Paterno failed morally was in not demanding that something be done beyond sweeping it under the carpet, and failing that calling a Press Conference and laying it all out.
Yes. He should have asked the GA some direct questions, and then taken him along to the athletic director to retell the incident as he recalled it. This would have eliminated any miscommunication and all but ensured an immediate police investigation.
"“Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings - that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide.” ~ Gautama Siddhartha — The Buddha