Tommy Schutt and Armani Reeves come on down!!!
It is being reported that Sandusky was working out in the PSU weight room as recently as last week. PSU players are calling a squad only meeting today. Joe Pa should be done.
Some of you guys are out for blood, and rightly so! I think you need to temper your criticism of Paterno. He's past it and should have retired, I'll agree with that. He's been a great example for the last half-century and legally he did his part by reporting it to someone above him at the university. Remember, Sandusky wasn't on his staff at the time of the incident. JoePa knew him for thirty plus years, so I'm sure there was denial when he initially heard the claim; no one would want to believe that about someone they'd shared such a close relationship with for so long. JoePa reported it up the chain anyway, and he never followed up on it. He possibly assumed it was rubbish and nothing came of an investigation since he didn't hear about it, but I refuse to believe he somehow aided Sandusky in his crimes, even through ignorance. Sure he's lax for not following up on it, but I don't think he should be shelled as he is all over the interwebz for this. It seems more like an error in judgement for not following up on it, but at the end of the day, he reported it and everyone should be fuming at the people above Paterno who deliberately hid the facts. If facts change and Paterno was involved in some negative way, then I'll recant all of this, but I've lived in PA my whole life, and while most ND fans from PA hate JoePA, but I'm not one of them. I think everyone needs to settle down a bit before assigning blame for some heinous crimes that at least three people should be thrown in jail for.
Some of you guys are out for blood, and rightly so! I think you need to temper your criticism of Paterno. He's past it and should have retired, I'll agree with that. He's been a great example for the last half-century and legally he did his part by reporting it to someone above him at the university. Remember, Sandusky wasn't on his staff at the time of the incident. JoePa knew him for thirty plus years, so I'm sure there was denial when he initially heard the claim; no one would want to believe that about someone they'd shared such a close relationship with for so long. JoePa reported it up the chain anyway, and he never followed up on it. He possibly assumed it was rubbish and nothing came of an investigation since he didn't hear about it, but I refuse to believe he somehow aided Sandusky in his crimes, even through ignorance. Sure he's lax for not following up on it, but I don't think he should be shelled as he is all over the interwebz for this. It seems more like an error in judgement for not following up on it, but at the end of the day, he reported it and everyone should be fuming at the people above Paterno who deliberately hid the facts. If facts change and Paterno was involved in some negative way, then I'll recant all of this, but I've lived in PA my whole life, and while most ND fans from PA hate JoePA, but I'm not one of them. I think everyone needs to settle down a bit before assigning blame for some heinous crimes that at least three people should be thrown in jail for.
I personally believe that both Mike McQueary and Joe Paterno should be criminally prosecuted. Think about the following chronology and the inescable conclusions that must be drawn:
1. In 1998, allegations of sexual misconduct with young boys are made against Jerry Sandusky and investigated at Penn State. It is impossible to believe that Joe Paterno, a legend at the university, was not at a minimum notified of those allegations and the investigation against his then DC.
2. In 1999, Jerry Sandusky retires and establishes a "charity" that will give him continued access to young boys (the likely real motivation for the organization). Despite the known allegations, Penn State and Paterno do nothing, and in fact they allow sandusky to use the university and the football program to further that "charity".
3. In 2002, a former Penn State QB and current graduate assistant, Mike McQueary, is an eye witness to a naked Jerry Sandusky performing oral sex in the shower on what appears to be a 10 year old boy. Not only does he do nothing to protect the child, he flees the scene and makes no report to anyone that day. It is not until the next day that McQueary reports what he saw to Paterno, who relays the allegations to the AD. As we now know, Penn State did absolutely nothing about this report other than ban Sandusky from bringing children onto campus. (Apparently Penn State was fine with Sandusky molesting young boys off campus.)
4. To me the next event is huge in significance: McQueary is retained in the Penn State football program in an administrative role and then eventually as an assistant coach, to his current position as WR coach and recruiting coordinator. Here is my question: Does anyone believe that McQueary could ever be retained and advanced as a coach at Penn State if the incredibly serious allegations he made against a Penn State legend (Sandusky) were not accepted as accurate? If Paterno and the Penn State AD had determined that the shocking and criminal allegations made by McQueary were false, in what universe would he be continued to be employed at Penn State after his term as GA ended? The reasonable inference is that he was retained so that he would keep quiet. Even if that were not true, the fact that he was retained at all tells us unequivocally that Paterno and Penn State accepted his allegations as accurate. There is no other explanation for how he continued to be a university/football program employee.
Joe Paterno is an absolute sham of a man and he deserves to be criminally prosecuted. He put his relationship of 30+ years with Jerry Sandusky above the safety of young boys. He allowed someone he knew to be a child molester and predator to go free, knowing full well the nature of such individuals was to continue to abuse other children.
If Joe Paterno is allowed to "retire" from Penn State, it is an outrage. Penn State is a university, not a football program with a university attached to it. The conduct of Joe Paterno, Mike McQueary (in the months and years after it was apparent Penn State and Paterno would do nothing about his report) and all others associated with this scandal must be denounced by the university in the strongest possible terms.
Some of you guys are out for blood, and rightly so! I think you need to temper your criticism of Paterno. He's past it and should have retired, I'll agree with that. He's been a great example for the last half-century and legally he did his part by reporting it to someone above him at the university. Remember, Sandusky wasn't on his staff at the time of the incident. JoePa knew him for thirty plus years, so I'm sure there was denial when he initially heard the claim; no one would want to believe that about someone they'd shared such a close relationship with for so long. JoePa reported it up the chain anyway, and he never followed up on it. He possibly assumed it was rubbish and nothing came of an investigation since he didn't hear about it, but I refuse to believe he somehow aided Sandusky in his crimes, even through ignorance. Sure he's lax for not following up on it, but I don't think he should be shelled as he is all over the interwebz for this. It seems more like an error in judgement for not following up on it, but at the end of the day, he reported it and everyone should be fuming at the people above Paterno who deliberately hid the facts. If facts change and Paterno was involved in some negative way, then I'll recant all of this, but I've lived in PA my whole life, and while most ND fans from PA hate JoePA, but I'm not one of them. I think everyone needs to settle down a bit before assigning blame for some heinous crimes that at least three people should be thrown in jail for.
I understand the sentiment here...but I keep coming back to this...what if your kid got raped in 2005, and you found out it never had to happen?
I still believe Joe owed it to the kid, his players, his own legacy to dog this...In my mind he did the minimum cya...personally, I expect more.
Some of you guys are out for blood, and rightly so! I think you need to temper your criticism of Paterno. He's past it and should have retired, I'll agree with that. He's been a great example for the last half-century and legally he did his part by reporting it to someone above him at the university. Remember, Sandusky wasn't on his staff at the time of the incident. JoePa knew him for thirty plus years, so I'm sure there was denial when he initially heard the claim; no one would want to believe that about someone they'd shared such a close relationship with for so long. JoePa reported it up the chain anyway, and he never followed up on it. He possibly assumed it was rubbish and nothing came of an investigation since he didn't hear about it, but I refuse to believe he somehow aided Sandusky in his crimes, even through ignorance. Sure he's lax for not following up on it, but I don't think he should be shelled as he is all over the interwebz for this. It seems more like an error in judgement for not following up on it, but at the end of the day, he reported it and everyone should be fuming at the people above Paterno who deliberately hid the facts. If facts change and Paterno was involved in some negative way, then I'll recant all of this, but I've lived in PA my whole life, and while most ND fans from PA hate JoePA, but I'm not one of them. I think everyone needs to settle down a bit before assigning blame for some heinous crimes that at least three people should be thrown in jail for.
Under Pennsylvania law, what is the obligation of a person who has knowledge of an adult committing a felonious sexual assault upon a child?
Tell your boss and then forget about it, especially since you have knowledge that the perpetrator is a repeat offender? What is your moral obligation?
Some of you guys are out for blood, and rightly so! I think you need to temper your criticism of Paterno. He's past it and should have retired, I'll agree with that. He's been a great example for the last half-century and legally he did his part by reporting it to someone above him at the university. Remember, Sandusky wasn't on his staff at the time of the incident. JoePa knew him for thirty plus years, so I'm sure there was denial when he initially heard the claim; no one would want to believe that about someone they'd shared such a close relationship with for so long. JoePa reported it up the chain anyway, and he never followed up on it. He possibly assumed it was rubbish and nothing came of an investigation since he didn't hear about it, but I refuse to believe he somehow aided Sandusky in his crimes, even through ignorance. Sure he's lax for not following up on it, but I don't think he should be shelled as he is all over the interwebz for this. It seems more like an error in judgement for not following up on it, but at the end of the day, he reported it and everyone should be fuming at the people above Paterno who deliberately hid the facts. If facts change and Paterno was involved in some negative way, then I'll recant all of this, but I've lived in PA my whole life, and while most ND fans from PA hate JoePA, but I'm not one of them. I think everyone needs to settle down a bit before assigning blame for some heinous crimes that at least three people should be thrown in jail for.
Tommy Schutt and Armani Reeves come on down!!!
Thatd be nice!
My hope is that you reread your statement, think about the children that suffered because of Joes inaction, think about what you just attempted to defend, and why, then delete your post.
What actions? JoePa heard something and reported it. Seems to me that he did more than anyone in the situation. Like i said previous, I doubt he was involved, or watching, or encouraging anything like this. He is not being charged or investigated at all. I find it very easy to believe that this kind of stuff went on without his knowledge. Also it is easy to live in denial when your friend is the one who committed the crime. I really do not see JoePa at fault.
Legally, I would imagine he has no obligation. He didn't witness anything. His involvement was passing on an allegation. I find it hard to believe that he broke any law in his response. Morality is another discussion, altogether, and one of opinion.
I assume he is a mandated reporter being that he is a coach? Most school personal are, but I don't know how that works for college staff. This seems to indicate he is required to report to his superior and then is no longer responsible (particularly section b):
http://http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter16/subchapGtoc.html
Section b pertains to people who come into contact with children that they suspect are being abused. I know that, morally, it might be practically the same as JoePa's involvement. But JoePa never came into contact with the kid, that I read? His only involvement was passing along the "testimony" of an alleged eyewitness.
So the people defending Paterno are basically saying that he did not need to go to authorities despite other future children being harmed. That is ludacris.
Morally wrong is still wrong in my book even if it is not breaking any laws. It is not against the law to lie to someone but you sure as hell can get fired from it. Same would apply here where he is morally wrong. He should be fired.
Some of you guys are out for blood, and rightly so! I think you need to temper your criticism of Paterno. He's past it and should have retired, I'll agree with that. He's been a great example for the last half-century and legally he did his part by reporting it to someone above him at the university. Remember, Sandusky wasn't on his staff at the time of the incident. JoePa knew him for thirty plus years, so I'm sure there was denial when he initially heard the claim; no one would want to believe that about someone they'd shared such a close relationship with for so long. JoePa reported it up the chain anyway, and he never followed up on it. He possibly assumed it was rubbish and nothing came of an investigation since he didn't hear about it, but I refuse to believe he somehow aided Sandusky in his crimes, even through ignorance. Sure he's lax for not following up on it, but I don't think he should be shelled as he is all over the interwebz for this. It seems more like an error in judgement for not following up on it, but at the end of the day, he reported it and everyone should be fuming at the people above Paterno who deliberately hid the facts. If facts change and Paterno was involved in some negative way, then I'll recant all of this, but I've lived in PA my whole life, and while most ND fans from PA hate JoePA, but I'm not one of them. I think everyone needs to settle down a bit before assigning blame for some heinous crimes that at least three people should be thrown in jail for.
My hope is that you reread your statement, think about the children that suffered because of Joes inaction, think about what you just attempted to defend, and why, then delete your post.
Originally Posted by mgriff
mgriff has nothing to delete. He hit the salient points you brush aside in your Oxbowesque rush to judgement. Paterno didn't observe a crime. A 28 year old adult, Mike McQueary, is supposed to be the eye WITNESS. He was the one to Interfere, Stop the interaction, scream, pull a fire alarm,and call the police. Instead McQueary called his father and the NEXT day they spoke with Paterno. From the hearsay, Paterno contacted his superiors who supposedly conducted a university investigation and wrote a report.
I understand there was another incident WITNESSED by a janitor. Did he call the police?
A mother of an alledged victim made some complaint to the child's school and as a result the Board of Education banned Sandusky from the school grounds. Did that teacher or counselor the mother spoke with contact the police? Did the Board of Education? Did the mother?
Did the Board of Education contact the Second Mile Foundation? Did anyone? How culpable is the Second Mile Foundation?
There were people on this board and elsewhere that hung the Duke Lacrosse players out to dry based on media reports. The President of that school cancelled the season. Turns out the woman lied and the prosecuter was trying to win an election.
Does Elizabeth Seeburg, Declan Sullivan and media rush to judgements sound familiar? I recall sportswriter's calling for Kelly's head before any investigation was done. And people on this board vigorously defending him. Kelly was accused in both situations of to use your work "in action". Had Kelly suspended the football player involved would Seeburg still be alive? Kelly, the UND Administation, and the UND police were accused of covering up a rape. But it turned out it wasn't a rape, was it? There were local jurisdiction investigations in both tragedies and the Feds reviewed the procedures followed in both tragedies. I'm not discounting the nature of the PSU scandal. Just noting similar situations close to home where somebody did take action but other thought the action should have been different. Two died there.
A PA Grand Jury elected to INDICT 3 people. More could be charged down the road but right now it's 3, and the Grand Jury didn't indict Paterno.
You want to blame Paterno for any subsequent victims but curiously 9 years later the authorities don't know the identify of the child in the McQueary incident. Had McQueary used his cell phone, an office phone, even OR or set off the fire alarm this entire situation would have been stopped 9 years ago. And let's be candid, McQueary wasn't a skinny 18 year old freshman. He played football for PSU, he was a good sized 28 year old man in better shape than the 59 year old retired assistant coach in the shower. He could have and should have intervened but he didn't.
mgriff clearly stated in his opinion at LEAST 3 people should be thrown in jail. He also noted that if an investigation shows more were involved in coverup (such as the President, Paterno, a detective or an assistant D.A who might have buried a report) charge 'em, indict 'em, convict 'em, and lock'em all up. But's let's prove it in a courtroom!
mgriff didn't let anyone off the hook.
Your post is the one that should be deleted.
I stand behind every comment I've made here. Even if Sandusky isn't convicted, there are many people at Penn St., who should have done a lot more. It's not about a school, a football program, an iconic coach or the written law. It's about morality, the protection of children and doing the right thing. I've made it clear where I stand, I also respect (and I've defended) the rights of others to voice their opinion.