Former Penn State Coach Arrested

[SWTXBelle]

I have sympathy for those associated at Penn State who had nothing to do with the crimes for the same reason I have sympathy for the chapter members of a chapter which loses its charter because of the actions of a few - for the family of violent criminals who had no idea what their family member was doing - for anyone who discovers that someone whom they loved did something unthinkable. The shock, disappointment and sorrow can't help but elicit my empathy for their pain.

[als463]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I have sympathy for those associated at Penn State who had nothing to do with the crimes for the same reason I have sympathy for the chapter members of a chapter which loses its charter because of the actions of a few - for the family of violent criminals who had no idea what their family member was doing - for anyone who discovers that someone whom they loved did something unthinkable. The shock, disappointment and sorrow can't help but elicit my empathy for their pain.

Thank you for that, SWTXBelle.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I have sympathy for those associated at Penn State who had nothing to do with the crimes for the same reason I have sympathy for the chapter members of a chapter which loses its charter because of the actions of a few - for the family of violent criminals who had no idea what their family member was doing - for anyone who discovers that someone whom they loved did something unthinkable. The shock, disappointment and sorrow can't help but elicit my empathy for their pain.

I agree.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by SOM

Interesting look at the riots at Penn State:
Why Penn State Students Rioted--They Deify Joe Paterno

The psychology of group membership helps explain why Penn State students cant stop loving a man who ignored a child molestation scandal
http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...id=SA_facebook

This is a little ridiculously pat. And for the record...it's spelled JoePa. His first name isn't Josephine.

As ASTalumna06 said...some people are being REALLY ignorant. It's like they're almost happy this happened so they have a valid reason to rag on Penn State. Yes it is an almost overwhelming presence in PA sometimes, but holy shit, get over it and deal. I don't know how anyone who has a friend or family member who went to Penn State - which in PA, is EVERYONE - can find it the least bit acceptable to make jokes about it.

[groovypq]

Someone awhile back speculated about how this could go much deeper i.e. some sort of pedophilia ring. Interestingly enough, a friend of mine is a retired state trooper. He was part of the investigation when Gricar disappeared in Lewisburg in 2005. He brings up the interesting side note that around that same time, a professor at Bucknell was arrested for child molestation. My friend said this prof had been suspected of it for a long time but they hadn't been able to make anything stick. Maybe a tenuous line to draw, but he does find the timing on that and Gricar's disappearance rather interesting....

[als463]

Originally Posted by groovypq

Someone awhile back speculated about how this could go much deeper i.e. some sort of pedophilia ring. Interestingly enough, a friend of mine is a retired state trooper. He was part of the investigation when Gricar disappeared in Lewisburg in 2005. He brings up the interesting side note that around that same time, a professor at Bucknell was arrested for child molestation. My friend said this prof had been suspected of it for a long time but they hadn't been able to make anything stick. Maybe a tenuous line to draw, but he does find the timing on that and Gricar's disappearance rather interesting....

You know, that wouldn't shock me. A few years back, I think (maybe around 2005), I'm pretty sure there was a Penn State Professor who was charged with child molestation and he had child porn on his laptop or whatever. I know there was a professor from Seton Hall involved with that. I will try to find the articles. This could go much deeper. They could have been people who were donating to Sandusky if he was in fact pimping the young boys out. I pray to God that this really was not happening.

[DaffyKD]

PSU will come through this. I went to SDSU. The uproar regarding the drug ring run by several fraternities hurt our reputation, upset the alumni (both greeks and non-greeks), and was fodder for the internet for a few months. The wound is raw right now. As long as the media makes it the top news story, the wound keeps opening. There are questions, there will be questions, there are questions that will never be answered and questions that will be answered as time goes on. As soon as another story makes the headlines above the fold, the students, faculty and alumni at PSU will begin to heal.

DaffyKD

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DaffyKD

PSU will come through this. I went to SDSU. The uproar regarding the drug ring run by several fraternities hurt our reputation, upset the alumni (both greeks and non-greeks), and was fodder for the internet for a few months. The wound is raw right now. As long as the media makes it the top news story, the wound keeps opening. There are questions, there will be questions, there are questions that will never be answered and questions that will be answered as time goes on. As soon as another story makes the headlines above the fold, the students, faculty and alumni at PSU will begin to heal.

DaffyKD

This was about the nicest thing I have read in response to this whole situation. Thank you.

als463 - the people who might lose internships - where are they at? In or outside of State College? As I said, the town has been sucking the school's teat and closing eyes for a long time.

[amIblue?]

Paterno has contacted a criminal defense attorney

http://openchannel.msnbc.msn.com/_ne...tells-nbc-news

[agzg]

Originally Posted by amIblue?

Paterno has contacted a criminal defense attorney

http://openchannel.msnbc.msn.com/_ne...tells-nbc-news

I'm not surprised at that given the context. I mean, I'm not sure if he actually has anything to worry about but it's good to have legal counsel in times like this.

[SWTXBelle]

There is an unpleasant scent of schadenfreude in some of the piling on I see happening. I'm reminded of Greeks who gleefully rejoice in the risk management problems of other GLOs, not realizing that there but for the grace of God go they. This is not merely a Penn State problem - this is a wake-up call for everyone.

Anyone who thinks that this type of child abuse is not possible in their school, their church, their neighborhood is simply wrong. The good to come from this will be if parents, teachers, coaches and everyone involved in education and youth programs is more aware of the need for constant vigilance, talking to our children and building a culture that doesn't hesitate to act and protect our children. I know that here in Texas if I as a teacher fail to report suspected child abuse I can be held criminally liable. Morally I would hope that ANYONE who was in a position to report abuse would do so.

[psusue]

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."

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

This sums it up quite well, thank you winter. None of us know how to feel. Thank you for explaining this.

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Has this been posted?

http://www.facebook.com/notes/beth-p...50439777735860

It hasn't been posted but it is a good representation of a lot of people's feelings. A lot of my friends have reposted it or linked to it.

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Why is this even a question? Shouldn't they be cutting ties with everyone who had any knowledge of the crime, but didn't go far enough to stop it? If they don't, it seems like it would be a PR disaster.

I think so, now that they fired Joe I hope they go ahead and clean house. Start again with no one that was employed when Sandusky was. Honestly they took away the only person we cared about saving, at this point I just want my school's dignity back and I don't want this to ever happen again.

Originally Posted by MysticCat

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.

Exactly. I was in shock in denial at first, and the riot was definitely the anger coming out. Especially because most people saw it on facebook or t.witter and just stormed out of their rooms, not really thinking. I realized how it would likely look to national media, but at the same time, I couldn't believe they really did fire him. I don't condone the acts of violence, they were childish and unwarranted, but I understand where it came from, though it was misguided.

Also, I can hear helicopters outside my window. I'm thinking they're on riot patrol again, though the mood here is now calm. I doubt anything will happen tonight. The worst is over.

[SWTXBelle]

Not victims - simply people who are sad, disappointed, angry and hurting.

[psusue]

Seriously? Apparently there are cops everywhere and helicopters. No offense guys but you missed the boat. I think the anger is over now.

Also newest report saying McQueary will not be coach Saturday due to multiple threats. I was just talking to my mom today and we both said if he showed up that we wouldn't be surprised if an attempt was made on his life. People may be mad at Joe, but almost every parent that's heard about this is furious at McQueary, not to mention the parents of the victims. Link is here.

[HQWest]

I don't have any affiliation to either school - but I saw this and thought it insightful.

http://theschoolphilly.com/2011/11/0...nn-state-fans/