I'm not a fan, per se, of Joe Paterno, but I am HUGE FAN of justice and I detest illogical knee-jerk reactions. The first knee-jerk reaction is going after the PSU football program when the program (certainly the players and staff) were not involved with Sandusky's behavior nor the alleged cover-up by school administration. Here's a hypothetical...let's say someone did something that would cause shame and embarrassment to him family if the events were known to the public. So he decides to cover up his actions. Later, his actions are revealed to the public so the man takes his life instead of dealing with the subsequent punishment and humiliation. That's his choice. However, since the man is not around to atone for his misdeeds---and since we're a brainless mob---let's punish his wife and children! THINK PEOPLE, THINK!
Other than certain administators colluding to keep negative press away from the football program, this matter had almost NOTHING to do with the football program: it did not involve cheating; there were no recruiting violations; nobody fudged acedemic reports; there were no players involved with misconduct; there were no "active" coaches involved with misconduct or criminal activity; there were no material NCAA vioations other than this highly-subjective "loss of institutional control" malarkey. To sancition the football program is foolish, foolhardy and nonsensical. Seriously, it defies logic!
As for knee-jerk reaction #2, the mob (led by University legal advisors, no doubt) decide to remove the statue of a man who, by all accounts, has been the epitomy of kindness, character and class at the University. Yep, he is a legendary coach and, more importantly, he is beloved by millions of students and alumni for his character, humanitarianism, and involvement with the betterment of his community. So let's take a massive dump on the memory of a deceased JoPa (a man millions adored) and flush-away 60-years of stellar-living in favor of a report funded by the Univeristy. We've heard exactly ONE SIDE OF THE STORY, which was PAID for by the UNIVERSITY. Do you think the Univeristy has anything to gain by deflecting blame upon a man who is no longer around to defend himself? Do you think they may have a vested interested to lessening the damages ($$$) of this scandal? OF COURSE THEY DO! (Oh, God...I'm turning into Salsa with all these Caps!)
It's idiocy, lunacy, and a knee-jerk reaction! Joe Paterno has basically gone from sainthood to being vilified by the press of the mindless and unthinking; he is been turned into the Poster Boy of Moral Terpitude and Facilitator General of the North American Man/Boy Love Association based on what?....a one-sided University sponsored report? Unfortunately, smart people who should know better, suprisingly don't. They hear the stories of Sandusky's abuse of children and pick-up a pitchfork and join the mob. Mob Rules! Yep, just like the Tommy they, "Put in your earplugs, Put on your eyeshades, You know where to put the cork!" If Joe Paterno knew the full details of Jolly Jerry's misdeeds and his desire to be a priest in a rectory filled with alter boys...well, then his legacy will be rightfully tarnished, and his statue should be rightfully removed from Beaver Stadium. However, we have NOT heard both sides of the story, these issues have NOT been fully vetter, and what the University is doing right now is ACTING TO PROTECT THEMSELVES and their football program from financial loss...which is exactly what got these yutzes into trouble in the first place.
Anyway, I hope you're never falsely accused of a criminal/ethical violation in your teaching profession and, if you are, I hope your adminstration will support you and not throw you to the wolves like they appear to be doing with Joe Paterno. Again, if Joe Paterno had full knowleged of these events and was an active participant in the cover-up...well, then I will gladly state that he covered up an atrocity. Until then...well, I'll continue to approach this rationally and logically. Other than appeasing the mob, there was nothing to be gained by taking down Joe Paterno's statue at this juncture. There are two sides to every story and we have not heard from Paterno or, in this case, his family. I will reserve judgment until all the facts are revealed.
:That's all I have to say on this matter...
