Former Penn State Coach Arrested

[DrPhil]

The man who is heading up this investigation will be on The Early Show this morning.

Another news source was discussing criminal and civil suits. Not only will individuals affiliated with Penn State be possibly held liable but also, possibly, Penn State itself. The comparison was made with Watergate in terms of "what did you know and when did you know it."

I will update my post when I see the interview and get more info.

I can't tell Penn State alums how to feel. I will just say that I don't think about the VTech shooting when I think about and see VTech. Of course, those who were on VTech's campus that day or whose family member was victimized are more likely to think about that shooting everytime they see or hear VTech.

VTech =/= that shooter
VTech > that shooter

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I can't tell Penn State alums how to feel. I will just say that I don't think about the VTech shooting when I think about and see VTech. Of course, those who were on VTech's campus that day or whose family member was victimized are more likely to think about that shooting everytime they see or hear VTech.

VTech =/= that shooter
VTech > that shooter

Agreed. I'd add to that that with VA Tech, both alumni and the rest of us have the perspective of 4+ years. The situation at Penn State is fresh and raw and in the front of everyone's minds -- I would think it would be very hard to have any real perspective at this point.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

The man who is heading up this investigation will be on The Early Show this morning.

Another news source was discussing criminal and civil suits. Not only will individuals affiliated with Penn State be possibly held liable but also, possibly, Penn State itself. The comparison was made with Watergate in terms of "what did you know and when did you know it."

I will update my post when I see the interview and get more info.

I can't tell Penn State alums how to feel. I will just say that I don't think about the VTech shooting when I think about and see VTech. Of course, those who were on VTech's campus that day or whose family member was victimized are more likely to think about that shooting everytime they see or hear VTech.

VTech =/= that shooter
VTech > that shooter

Where has anyone told anyone how to feel? The whole situation is tragic, and in a perfect world, it never would have happened. However, Penn State will go on.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by amIblue?

Where has anyone told anyone how to feel?

No one in this thread has, I don't think. But als463 reported that others had done that to her; this is the reference point:

Originally Posted by als463

I can't thank you enough for posting this. Honestly, this is what I have been trying to explain to people about the situation. This situation has truly shown me who my real friends and "sisters" (from other schools) are. Just like I would never tell the Alums of Virginia Tech how to feel about what happened at their university, I would appreciate it if people who have no connection to PSU would stop telling me how I should feel. In general-don't tell people how they should feel about anything.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

No one in this thread has, I don't think. But als463 reported that others had done that to her; this is the reference point:

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

.

ETA: Damn MysticCat and his fast fingers

I did not read als463's post. I simply stated that I can't tell Penn State alum how to feel because I can't. Simple and plain.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I did not read als463's post. I simply stated that I can't tell Penn State alum how to feel because I can't. Simple and plain.

I can't either. It sucks.

Thanks, Mystic Cat for pointing out the reference. I somehow missed it, and it seemed that the thread was going off on this tangent about how people were telling Penn Staters how to feel, which is just ridiculous. I will read better next time.

[Mevara]

Matt Millen, Penn State great, gets emotional over Sandusky scandal

[Mevara]

Possible 9th victim contacts cops in Sandusky case

Mothers Of Alleged Sandusky Victims Speak Out

[Mevara]

The thing that shocks me most is some of these cases were reported to the authorities back in 1998!! How is it only now 13 years later he is finally being charged?!

[kddani]

Originally Posted by Mevara

The thing that shocks me most is some of these cases were reported to the authorities back in 1998!! How is it only now 13 years later he is finally being charged?!

The district attorney of that county disappeared in April 2005 and was just recently declared dead (never found a body). There are all kinds of conspiracy theories on that one. He investigated the '98 incident.

Just a little while ago, ESPN showed Penn State students rallying outside of JoePa's house. No, not telling him to resign. Begging him to stay. Disgusting.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by kddani

Just a little while ago, ESPN showed Penn State students rallying outside of JoePa's house. No, not telling him to resign. Begging him to stay. Disgusting.

Saw this on Sportcenter. Disgusting.

His lack of action here makes him just as guilty in my eyes.

No, I don't care that (as some say) "hey may not have gotten the full story from the people who told him, so maybe he mistakenly didn't think it was that big of a deal."

When you hear about something like that going on, I feel like it doesn't matter how much you were/were not told. You should take it upon yourself to see what's going on. Especially since this is your program.

[psusue]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I don't think Paterno's imminent resignation is sad at all. I think the ongoing rape of children, with Paterno among others looking the other way, is sad as hell.

While I understand that you mean that JoePa's resignation is not as sad as what happened to these children, it is still sad. And I think that it is also unwarranted; JoePa is not to blame here. Sandusky, Curley, and and Schultz are. McQueery and JoePa did what they were supposed to do-- which is to follow the chain of command.

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I

I don't know what Paterno really knew, nor will I ever (most likely). And if this is how his time at Penn State has to end, so be it. But it doesn't make it any less heart-breaking.

Thank you. Every conversation I've overheard today is about this topic. I've talked about it in most classes. This school's heart is breaking for the families of this tragedy and how our administration is making a mess of it. PSU is more than a university-- it's a family. When something like this happens to one of us, it happens to all of us. But I cannot let the actions of a disgusting few affect my view of this university that has done so much for me.

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Agreed. It's incredible that someone like Paterno let this go so far.

Let's not kid ourselves: Paterno has more power than anyone at that school, including the administration. If he went to the administration and wanted this information taken to the authorities, they would have done it.

JoePa is only a man. I think we all forget this when we wear our rose colored glasses and drink the Kool-Aid, but he is. He did what he was supposed to do. He followed up with the case after reporting it, but child abuse cases take awhile to move, legendary head football coach or not. His superiors said they were taking care of it and he believed them. I can't say I would have done differently.

Originally Posted by kddani

The district attorney of that county disappeared in April 2005 and was just recently declared dead (never found a body). There are all kinds of conspiracy theories on that one. He investigated the '98 incident.

Just a little while ago, ESPN showed Penn State students rallying outside of JoePa's house. No, not telling him to resign. Begging him to stay. Disgusting.

Let me repeat-- JoePa is being made a scapegoat by the media because he is the most famous person involved. Period. He has not been charged with anything and I don't think that they have the grounds to try. I stand behind this man until he is charged and convicted of a crime. Otherwise he has my support. He and McQueery did as they should have and trusted the wrong people. It is the other three that should burn for this, not them.

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Saw this on Sportcenter. Disgusting.

His lack of action here makes him just as guilty in my eyes.

No, I don't care that (as some say) "hey may not have gotten the full story from the people who told him, so maybe he mistakenly didn't think it was that big of a deal."

When you hear about something like that going on, I feel like it doesn't matter how much you were/were not told. You should take it upon yourself to see what's going on. Especially since this is your program.

He did act. That is what I'm getting at here. Maybe it seems odd to you that I feel the need to vindicate him on this but believe me I cannot rest until I try. This man is more than a football coach to us-- he's like the grandfather of the university. Several members of my family have met him, people I've known have been friends with him, he represents all that Penn State is to us-- pride, loyalty, honor, and tradition. Do I believe that he did all that he could have done in this situation? Perhaps not everything, and this will haunt him for the rest of his life if it's true. But he did do something. He reported what was told to him. He checked in on the situation. He did what he was supposed to do.

This is a horrible situation to be sure and I pray for every child and family involved. But let us not get into a pitchfork frenzy and forget the facts. The facts are that neither JoePa nor McQueery were charged with anything. As such they cannot be convicted and remain innocent in my eyes. Graham Spanier is being investigated, as are the other three. If they are found to be guilty, I will wash my hands of them. But not of Joe and McQueery. Honestly I think they are being scapegoated and while he may be made to resign, it will not be a reflection on him or his life's work but an administration that protected an unworthy and hugely effed up a lot of lives.

[kddani]

Originally Posted by psusue

While I understand that you mean that JoePa's resignation is not as sad as what happened to these children, it is still sad. And I think that it is also unwarranted; JoePa is not to blame here. Sandusky, Curley, and and Schultz are. McQueery and JoePa did what they were supposed to do-- which is to follow the chain of command.



Thank you. Every conversation I've overheard today is about this topic. I've talked about it in most classes. This school's heart is breaking for the families of this tragedy and how our administration is making a mess of it. PSU is more than a university-- it's a family. When something like this happens to one of us, it happens to all of us. But I cannot let the actions of a disgusting few affect my view of this university that has done so much for me.



JoePa is only a man. I think we all forget this when we wear our rose colored glasses and drink the Kool-Aid, but he is. He did what he was supposed to do. He followed up with the case after reporting it, but child abuse cases take awhile to move, legendary head football coach or not. His superiors said they were taking care of it and he believed them. I can't say I would have done differently.



Let me repeat-- JoePa is being made a scapegoat by the media because he is the most famous person involved. Period. He has not been charged with anything and I don't think that they have the grounds to try. I stand behind this man until he is charged and convicted of a crime. Otherwise he has my support. He and McQueery did as they should have and trusted the wrong people. It is the other three that should burn for this, not them.




He did act. That is what I'm getting at here. Maybe it seems odd to you that I feel the need to vindicate him on this but believe me I cannot rest until I try. This man is more than a football coach to us-- he's like the grandfather of the university. Several members of my family have met him, people I've known have been friends with him, he represents all that Penn State is to us-- pride, loyalty, honor, and tradition. Do I believe that he did all that he could have done in this situation? Perhaps not everything, and this will haunt him for the rest of his life if it's true. But he did do something. He reported what was told to him. He checked in on the situation. He did what he was supposed to do.

This is a horrible situation to be sure and I pray for every child and family involved. But let us not get into a pitchfork frenzy and forget the facts. The facts are that neither JoePa nor McQueery were charged with anything. As such they cannot be convicted and remain innocent in my eyes. Graham Spanier is being investigated, as are the other three. If they are found to be guilty, I will wash my hands of them. But not of Joe and McQueery. Honestly I think they are being scapegoated and while he may be made to resign, it will not be a reflection on him or his life's work but an administration that protected an unworthy and hugely effed up a lot of lives.

You're as bad as those idiotic students rallying outside of his house. Regardless of legal obligation, it's a moral obligation. He knew something was going on, and continued to allow it to go on. The few people out there that are sharing your mindset disgust me.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by psusue

While I understand that you mean that JoePa's resignation is not as sad as what happened to these children, it is still sad. And I think that it is also unwarranted; JoePa is not to blame here. Sandusky, Curley, and and Schultz are. McQueery and JoePa did what they were supposed to do-- which is to follow the chain of command.



Thank you. Every conversation I've overheard today is about this topic. I've talked about it in most classes. This school's heart is breaking for the families of this tragedy and how our administration is making a mess of it. PSU is more than a university-- it's a family. When something like this happens to one of us, it happens to all of us. But I cannot let the actions of a disgusting few affect my view of this university that has done so much for me.



JoePa is only a man. I think we all forget this when we wear our rose colored glasses and drink the Kool-Aid, but he is. He did what he was supposed to do. He followed up with the case after reporting it, but child abuse cases take awhile to move, legendary head football coach or not. His superiors said they were taking care of it and he believed them. I can't say I would have done differently.



Let me repeat-- JoePa is being made a scapegoat by the media because he is the most famous person involved. Period. He has not been charged with anything and I don't think that they have the grounds to try. I stand behind this man until he is charged and convicted of a crime. Otherwise he has my support. He and McQueery did as they should have and trusted the wrong people. It is the other three that should burn for this, not them.




He did act. That is what I'm getting at here. Maybe it seems odd to you that I feel the need to vindicate him on this but believe me I cannot rest until I try. This man is more than a football coach to us-- he's like the grandfather of the university. Several members of my family have met him, people I've known have been friends with him, he represents all that Penn State is to us-- pride, loyalty, honor, and tradition. Do I believe that he did all that he could have done in this situation? Perhaps not everything, and this will haunt him for the rest of his life if it's true. But he did do something. He reported what was told to him. He checked in on the situation. He did what he was supposed to do.

This is a horrible situation to be sure and I pray for every child and family involved. But let us not get into a pitchfork frenzy and forget the facts. The facts are that neither JoePa nor McQueery were charged with anything. As such they cannot be convicted and remain innocent in my eyes. Graham Spanier is being investigated, as are the other three. If they are found to be guilty, I will wash my hands of them. But not of Joe and McQueery. Honestly I think they are being scapegoated and while he may be made to resign, it will not be a reflection on him or his life's work but an administration that protected an unworthy and hugely effed up a lot of lives.

I think this is where you and I are going to have to disagree.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by psusue

JoePa is only a man. I think we all forget this when we wear our rose colored glasses and drink the Kool-Aid, but he is.

PennState is not my college team of choice so I neither follow nor care about PennState and JoePa.

I say this because people are making this about the awesome sauce of PennState and JoePa when this is really about institutional power. PennState and JoePa are just the latest illustrations of this and the children are the victims.