what we talkin’ bout?
I’m sickened.
This is one of the most surreal episodes I’ve seen in news history, not just sports history.
What’s the worst part about it?
The kids who were victimized in this episode are the least of people’s worries.
To see thousands of Penn State students rioting in defense of Joe Paterno is nothing short of appalling. I understand that Paterno is considered a God in his community, which encompasses the state of Pennsylvania, but have these students really grasped what happened under his watch?
They couldn’t have.
I mean, what are the worst crimes known to society?
Murder and…this.
A few others make the short list, but molesting children? There are no words to describe the extent of that act.
And it happened under Joe Paterno’s watch. Under his regime. He hired the perpetrator. He knew about it. He didn’t do anything about it.
Joe had to go.
One young girl, during last night’s riot, was quoting as saying, “Joe Paterno is Penn State football.”
Guess what else he is?
An accomplice to sexual child abuse.
I’m aware that Paterno touched the lives of thousands and thousands of students and players. I’m aware that Penn State football isn’t what it is today without him.
But I’m more aware that the lives of those molested children aren’t what they are today if Paterno successfully accomplishes his moral obligations, aside from football.
Football?
That’s not even an afterthought.
Here people are saying that Paterno should be able to finish the season or coach one last game.
Are people forgetting that Jim Tressel was fired because he knew that Terrelle Pryor was selling jerseys and accepting free tattoos and Tressel didn’t say anything about it?
That’s what Tressel was fired for.
Paterno was privy to child molestation!
Coaches are fired for losing football games.
Paterno was aware that children were being assaulted!
This is an open and shut case that should have never been opened.
He should be able to coach one last game? There shouldn’t even be a game. In fact, the NCAA should consider imposing a death penalty on Penn State football.
That’s how abhorrent this episode is.
Yet, what are we talking about?
Was Paterno given his proper due? Should they have given him the respect of firing him in person, not over the phone? What about all the things he’s done for the university?
Were those kids treated with respect? Did Paterno perform his due diligence in controlling his regime? What about what he didn’t do for the children and the university?
Penn State students, this isn’t a Stephen King novel. You’re not living in a dome that shuts you off from reality.
Think outside of yourself and the university you’ve come to love. The same university where kids were being molested in showers.
The season should be canceled, at the least. In my opinion, if USC is on probation for players accepting money, Penn State should receive 100 times the penalty for committing an actual crime, the most heinous of crimes.
This wasn’t an NCAA violation, this is a violation of human life.
This is essentially taking someone’s life without killing them.
But all people are concerned about is if Paterno was treated fairly.
Above all else, this is a terrible reflection on society. To refer to Paterno’s inexplicable behavior as a “mistake” is a slap in the face to the over 15 kids who didn’t make a mistake, yet paid the price.
Save the riots for when they hike your student fees or when you get spanked by Ohio State.
Don’t disrespect the livelihood of those who will feel the effects of this scandal for the rest of their lives simply because you want to say you were part of a “cause.”
This isn’t a cause. This is a travesty, and anyone supporting Paterno could be called the same.
