Former Penn State Coach Arrested

[agzg]

Originally Posted by als463

Yes, I know that. I was making the point that he founded it for those types of children (ones who were at-risk and possibly from broken-homes). That is why I made that statement.

Right. My point, I guess I was trying to put it delicately, was that perhaps he founded it for those type of children because that was the type of child he thought he could get away with victimizing, and a charity is a real nice cover for that kind of contact.

[als463]

Originally Posted by agzg

Right. My point, I guess I was trying to put it delicately, was that perhaps he founded it for those type of children because that was the type of child he thought he could get away with victimizing, and a charity is a real nice cover for that kind of contact.

Oh, I get what you are saying now. Yeah, I wouldn't disagree with that statement. It makes me sick! He deserves a slow painful death. For both his safety and McQueary's safety, after seeing the riots the other night--they would both be wise to stay off campus (or anywhere near it).

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I can't help but be slightly amused by people feeling sorry for Penn State students and alum. They should not be demonized (why would they be?) but feeling sorry for them is the other extreme. I feel apathetic towards them...and slight amusement when I read people expressing sympathy towards them.

I feel sorry for them as it isn't cheap (it's not Ivy prices, but it isn't cheap for many of its students) to go there and the value of their diploma probably has dipped a tad-bit. At least for a while.

[als463]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Yes, disadvantaged and at-risk children are at a greater risk of victimization.
******
I can't help but be slightly amused by people feeling sorry for Penn State students and alum. They should not be demonized (why would they be?) but feeling sorry for them is the other extreme. I feel apathetic towards them...and slight amusement when I read people expressing sympathy towards them.

No one expects you to feel sorry for students or alumni but, have some empathy-have some heart for the people who just found out that horrible stuff was going on at their alma mater. There are some of us who are completely disgusted by what was done that we are trying to turn this into something where we can help victims by raising money for RAINN through donation and buying shirts with all proceeds going towards Prevent Child Abuse. Have some empathy that everything we have ever stood for (thanks to the university that has helped shape us) now stands for corruption and cover-up. Just think about that before you laugh at those of us who are grieving.

[ASTalumna06]

Now THIS bothers me..

If Penn State wants to fire Paterno and Spanier, ok.. If they want to clean house ASAP, fine.. But it looks like McCreary will actually be coaching this Saturday's game.

http://www.sportsgrid.com/ncaa-footb...ry-will-coach/

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I can't help but be slightly amused by people feeling sorry for Penn State students and alum. They should not be demonized (why would they be?) but feeling sorry for them is the other extreme. I feel apathetic towards them...and slight amusement when I read people expressing sympathy towards them.

I'm having trouble understanding why Penn State students and alumni are personalizing this situation. They're not at fault. I can understand being disgusted at what happened, but to feel personally connected to the case is difficult for me to grasp.

It's nice to feel a connection to one's alma mater...I know I do...but to be as affected as the people whose posts are showing up in my FB news feed is taking things to an extreme.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

I'm having trouble understanding why Penn State students and alumni are personalizing this situation. They're not at fault. I can understand being disgusted at what happened, but to feel personally connected to the case is difficult for me to grasp.

It's nice to feel a connection to one's alma mater...I know I do...but to be as affected as the people whose posts are showing up in my FB news feed is taking things to an extreme.

I can only speak for myself, but the reason we're personalizing it is because other people (non-Penn Staters) are making it personal. I looked at one of my sorority sister's Facebook walls yesterday, and one of her "friends" posted, "If you're an old woman who's attracted to little boys, you're a cougar. If you're an old man who's attracted to little boys, you're a Nittany Lion."

People are ignorant. And that ignorance is offensive, and it's insulting something that we love so dearly. Today, my heart breaks.. And not for Paterno, and not for Spanier, but for the students and alumni who have to deal with the fact that their alma mater will forever be looked at as "the school where that coach raped young boys.". People are already referring to the school as Pedophile State University. It hurts. Plain and simple.

I think SWTXBelle summed it up best. I want to believe that these things couldn't happen; not neccesarily to a person I adore, but at a place I love.

[*winter*]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I can only speak for myself, but the reason we're personalizing it is because other people (non-Penn Staters) are making it personal. I looked at one of my sorority sister's Facebook walls yesterday, and one of her "friends" posted, "If you're an old woman who's attracted to little boys, you're a cougar. If you're an old man who's attracted to little boys, you're a Nittany Lion."

People are ignorant. And that ignorance is offensive, and it's insulting something that we love so dearly. Today, my heart breaks.. And not for Paterno, and not for Spanier, but for the students and alumni who have to deal with the fact that their alma mater will forever be looked at as "the school where that coach raped young boys.". People are already referring to the school as Pedophile State University. It hurts. Plain and simple.

I think SWTXBelle summed it up best. I want to believe that these things couldn't happen; not neccesarily to a person I adore, but at a place I love.

I work with like 50% PSU grads so of course it was allllllll anyone could talk about at work today. I can understand feeling affected by it. Something they cared about, believed in, thought was such a positive place is now...tainted. Really harmful things happened at a place they love and have a strong alliance to...it's conflicting. It's just a process of absorbing that THIS happened at a place that you are associated with, a place filled with positive memories and experiences. It is going to take a while to digest it all and process it, for those connected to Penn State.

Penn State is such an institution. It's SO big here. It's seen as this mighty place where everything is so perfect and pristine, it's just unbelievable that something like this could have happened there (or, hell, anywhere, considering some of the atrocities in the indictment!) I guess it comes back to the old tenant, "you always think it will happen to someone else." Only in this case, "you always think it will happen somewhere else."

I guess I could compare it to being a Catholic and then discovering that horrible things were happening to kids in Catholic facilities by Catholic priests. It's confusing, because here's this hugely influential, positive thing in your life, but at the same time, it's a vehicle for abuses that can only be described as torturous. It formed so many of my beliefs and created a sense of pride as a part of my identity...but people who are nothing short of evil have been affiliated with it, even using its rites and facilities for unspeakable acts. It's astounding.

Correct me if I'm wrong, PSU grads, but this is the impression I've gotten to those I've spoken to...

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by *winter*

I work with like 50% PSU grads so of course it was allllllll anyone could talk about at work today. I can understand feeling affected by it. Something they cared about, believed in, thought was such a positive place is now...tainted. Really harmful things happened at a place they love and have a strong alliance to...it's conflicting. It's just a process of absorbing that THIS happened at a place that you are associated with, a place filled with positive memories and experiences. It is going to take a while to digest it all and process it, for those connected to Penn State.

Penn State is such an institution. It's SO big here. It's seen as this mighty place where everything is so perfect and pristine, it's just unbelievable that something like this could have happened there (or, hell, anywhere, considering some of the atrocities in the indictment!) I guess it comes back to the old tenant, "you always think it will happen to someone else." Only in this case, "you always think it will happen somewhere else."

I guess I could compare it to being a Catholic and then discovering that horrible things were happening to kids in Catholic facilities by Catholic priests. It's confusing, because here's this hugely influential, positive thing in your life, but at the same time, it's a vehicle for abuses that can only be described as torturous. It formed so many of my beliefs and created a sense of pride as a part of my identity...but people who are nothing short of evil have been affiliated with it, even using its rites and facilities for unspeakable acts. It's astounding.

Correct me if I'm wrong, PSU grads, but this is the impression I've gotten to those I've spoken to...

This actually sums it up perfectly.

[als463]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I can only speak for myself, but the reason we're personalizing it is because other people (non-Penn Staters) are making it personal. I looked at one of my sorority sister's Facebook walls yesterday, and one of her "friends" posted, "If you're an old woman who's attracted to little boys, you're a cougar. If you're an old man who's attracted to little boys, you're a Nittany Lion."

People are ignorant. And that ignorance is offensive, and it's insulting something that we love so dearly. Today, my heart breaks.. And not for Paterno, and not for Spanier, but for the students and alumni who have to deal with the fact that their alma mater will forever be looked at as "the school where that coach raped young boys.". People are already referring to the school as Pedophile State University. It hurts. Plain and simple.

I think SWTXBelle summed it up best. I want to believe that these things couldn't happen; not neccesarily to a person I adore, but at a place I love.

Unfortunately, someone sent me that text the other night too. I deleted it and deleted the friend. It's not funny for Penn State and it ESPECIALLY isn't funny to make jokes about child abuse! I de-friended and blocked a cousin and told him to never talk to me after he felt the need to post a picture on my wall making fun of the events at PSU. You are right! People are making it personal. Some of my sisters have been accosted on the street, some have been given dirty looks to, some have had inappropriate things said to them by strangers in the store, others have had to endure being ridiculed at work--people are really taking this to a whole new level. It's really disheartening!

Not sure if you heard this yet but, apparently some of our big donors are looking at no longer donating to THON. Yep, people are even pulling donations that 100% of the proceeds go to children with Cancer at Hershey Medical Center. I've even heard about people losing their internships over this. Really? This is getting ridiculous so, I want you (and all the other Penn Staters) to know that I stand with you. Don't let the poor decisions of a few individuals tarnish your belief in your alma mater. The Penn State I know helped shape me into the woman I am today.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by als463

I've even heard about people losing their internships over this.

This rumor sounds too ridiculous to be possible. If it's true, my faith in American businesses will lose a few points. I saw that Ben Jones had tweeted this rumor a few hours ago, but it's not clear if the loss of internships is the result of the rioting or the scandal in and of itself.

[*winter*]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11314...medium=twitter

McQueary might be next!

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I can only speak for myself, but the reason we're personalizing it is because other people (non-Penn Staters) are making it personal. I looked at one of my sorority sister's Facebook walls yesterday, and one of her "friends" posted, "If you're an old woman who's attracted to little boys, you're a cougar. If you're an old man who's attracted to little boys, you're a Nittany Lion."

People are ignorant. And that ignorance is offensive, and it's insulting something that we love so dearly. Today, my heart breaks.. And not for Paterno, and not for Spanier, but for the students and alumni who have to deal with the fact that their alma mater will forever be looked at as "the school where that coach raped young boys.". People are already referring to the school as Pedophile State University. It hurts. Plain and simple.

I think SWTXBelle summed it up best. I want to believe that these things couldn't happen; not neccesarily to a person I adore, but at a place I love.

When I was a teenager, one of my former teachers was convicted for having a sexual relationship with a fourteen year old student. This woman was a Bible teacher at a Christian school and she had won awards for her teaching successes.

The students LOVED her and she was well respected, so we were particularly devastated when the news came out. Looking back, this incident shattered the sense of trust and community on the campus and it was embarrassing for all of us.

On the other hand, coming through this experience changed me forever...for the better in my opinion. Since then, I have stopped idolizing people and I now maintain a level of skepticism in my interactions with people.

If that's the result of this incident for the Penn State community, it will mean that the next time something awful happens, people will be more willing to take action.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

When I was a teenager, one of my former teachers was convicted for having a sexual relationship with a fourteen year old student. This woman was a Bible teacher at a Christian school and she had won awards for her teaching successes.

The students LOVED her and she was well respected, so we were particularly devastated when the news came out. Looking back, this incident shattered the sense of trust and community on the campus and it was embarrassing for all of us.

And I think that's exactly why many Penn Staters are taking this the way they are. Their sense of trust in the institution and in people at that institution has been violated, and they now find themselves losing something that forms part of their identity (and Penn State is hardly unique among schools in that kind of loyal identification with the school). There is a reason we call our colleges Alma Mater -- "Nourishing" or "Nurturing Mother."

What you say about what can come of this eventually is spot on, I think. But right now, many people for whom Penn State is Alma Mater are still trying to absorb the news and come to terms with it. It's a very fresh wound. Those people need to grieve for the trust that has been lost, so I would expect to see people working through the stages of grief.