Reports are saying Paterno to step down.

[witness23]

These are early reports, but Paterno's weekly press conference was cancelled and there are mumblings that he will step down within weeks. Contrary to what some have said here in the soapbox, I am not looking for a pound of flesh, I am simply looking for everyone that knew about this incident be accountable for their actions. Or in this case, their non-actions. Anyway, this is truly a sad day for Penn State. Here's the story.

link: Report: Paterno to leave PSU in wake of scandal - CBS News

 

[Tennesseahawk]

If this was Joe Paterno the janitor, we wouldn't even be talking. So making this a morality thing based on EVERYONE who knew is utter BS. The shock and awe only apply if said culprit is supposedly bigger than life. Then, the grasping at straws becomes more fun.

Try not to get any tar and feathers in your popcorn.

 

[layoutshooter]

It amazes me how few people seem to NOT understand that, for now, these are ALLEGATIONS ONLY. No one can say that ANYONE messed up until it is PROVEN in a court of law.

 

[cheri1122]

It amazes me how few people seem to NOT understand that, for now, these are ALLEGATIONS ONLY. No one can say that ANYONE messed up until it is PROVEN in a court of law.

It amazes me how few people seem to NOT understand that these are OPINIONS only, based upon facts and reports known right now. Anyone can say ANYONE messed up, whether it's been proven in a court of law or not.
Anyone can even call the POTUS all kinds of names here, and claim to know what he thinks, and why people are to blame for their financial problems, and what they SHOULD do about it - anyone can say whatever they feel like saying here.
That's why it's called the Soapbox, not the jury box.

 

[layoutshooter]

That WAS my opinion. Nothing more. I AM right though!

 

[cheri1122]

If this was Joe Paterno the janitor, we wouldn't even be talking. So making this a morality thing based on EVERYONE who knew is utter BS. The shock and awe only apply if said culprit is supposedly bigger than life. Then, the grasping at straws becomes more fun.

Try not to get any tar and feathers in your popcorn.

Disagree. It wouldn't be all over the news if it were Joe the janitor, true, but the shock and revulsion would be exactly the same if the perpetrator were a local small town coach, or anyone in a position of trust over young people.
You have a son - what if you found he'd been raped by a coach, many years ago - wouldn't you want to know who knew [at the time] and ignored it?
I would - I'd hold every one of them responsible for not only my child, but all those who were victimized later by the same pedophile, because they could have prevented it, but chose to ignore it to protect the coach, the university, and the dam football program instead.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

You're right, Cheri. I'd want every hoohah at PSU to swing from the gallows, if it were my son. But it's not my son, so I can look at this with objectivity, and not overwhelming emotion. People see or hear that a boy was raped in the shower, and they are immediately calling for heads. This is the irrational, STUPID society that we allow to rush to judgement. Careers have been crucified on a count of people not knowing all the facts. Dammed the aftermath. We want BLOOD!

Screw this society. I have no faith left in it; and I haven't for some time.

 

[witness23]

If this was Joe Paterno the janitor, we wouldn't even be talking.

Joe Paterno isn't the janitor, he IS Penn State. The janitor doesn't come into your living room and talk to you and your parents recruiting you. The janitor isn't responsible for a top notch athletic department, the janitor hasn't claimed in public that he has dedicated his life to these kids, the janitor isn't the most powerful man on campus, the janitor wasn't told of the rape of a 10 year old boy in the shower, the janitor does not hold a leadership role for the student body, faculty and alumnists. In fact, I would bet the janitor would've broke up the rape of a 10 year old boy if he witnessed it. If a person that the janitor trusted came to him about a rape of a 10 year old boy, he would've done more than just go to his supervisor. The janitor, would've gotten the police involved!

So making this a morality thing based on EVERYONE who knew is utter BS.

Making it a morality issue? It is a morality issue. Everyone that knew about this rape of a 10 year old boy should be fired by the University.

The shock and awe only apply if said culprit is supposedly bigger than life.

Shock and awe? You make this sound like its manufactured. A ten year old boy was raped and everyone that knew about it turned their collective backs to this victim and who know's how many other victims, including the culprit that is bigger than life.

Then, the grasping at straws becomes more fun.

You think those that are angry about this are grasping at straws? There is no grasping of straws, the facts are the facts. Anyone that knew about this rape of a 10 year old boy is guilty of sweeping this under the rug.

Try not to get any tar and feathers in your popcorn.

Tar and feather's won't be necessary if those that were involved in this cover up do the right thing and leave the University.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Joe Paterno isn't the janitor, he IS Penn State. The janitor doesn't come into your living room and talk to you and your parents recruiting you. The janitor isn't responsible for a top notch athletic department, the janitor hasn't claimed in public that he has dedicated his life to these kids, the janitor isn't the most powerful man on campus, the janitor wasn't told of the rape of a 10 year old boy in the shower, the janitor does not hold a leadership role for the student body, faculty and alumnists. In fact, I would bet the janitor would've broke up the rape of a 10 year old boy if he witnessed it. If a person that the janitor trusted came to him about a rape of a 10 year old boy, he would've done more than just go to his supervisor. The janitor, would've gotten the police involved!

You put rape in bold. You must be very passionate about this. Maybe so passionate that you're not thinking straight; and letting your emotions control what you type... a lot of rhetoric and assumptions.


Making it a morality issue? It is a morality issue. Everyone that knew about this rape of a 10 year old boy should be fired by the University.

Just the facts, man.

Shock and awe? You make this sound like its manufactured. A ten year old boy was raped and everyone that knew about it turned their collective backs to this victim and who know's how many other victims, including the culprit that is bigger than life.

Again, no one has been tried yet. Let's at least wait til things are clearer before we tie the nooses to the branch.

You think those that are angry about this are grasping at straws? There is no grasping of straws, the facts are the facts. Anyone that knew about this rape of a 10 year old boy is guilty of sweeping this under the rug.

If you don't know the facts, yet are convinced someone should be fired, if it's not grasping at straws, what is it?

Tar and feather's won't be necessary if those that were involved in this cover up do the right thing and leave the University.

If everyone who did a "moral illegality" would resign, we'd have no government. Chill. You sound as if Joe did the deed himself. Oh wait... he had second degree knowledge... hang him high!

 

[jaminjim]

Hawk, I'm not saying that Paterno broke the law, I'm saying that he failed as a man (human). A man would not just report it to his boss, and call it a day. This was not a case of shoplifting, this is a case of sodomizing a ten year old boy by a adult male. People are in fact mad because old Joe put his fricken legend above the safety of a defensless child.

Paterno is quoted as saying today that, "This is a tragedy," Paterno said in a statement. "It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more."

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Hawk, I'm not saying that Paterno broke the law, I'm saying that he failed as a man (human). A man would not just report it to his boss, and call it a day. This was not a case of shoplifting, this is a case of sodomizing a ten year old boy by a adult male. People are in fact mad because old Joe put his fricken legend above the safety of a defensless child.

Paterno is quoted as saying today that, "This is a tragedy," Paterno said in a statement. "It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more."

And how do you know that's what he was thinking when he didn't call the police? That he was worried about his status? You know positively that other thoughts, feelings, scenarios weren't going thru his head? You know it's all black and white that right and wrong should've been dominating his brain during that time, and not emotions like disbelief, grief, dismay, and whatever else someone might feel when he's been betrayed by his good friend.

You know one scintilla of this story. Yes, with the benefit of hindsite, I wish I'd have done several things different. But I'm going to take a stab at the guessing game for know-it-alls, like the lot of you. I think Joe was shocked and sick to his stomach to hear about this. I think Joe felt a great deal of relief to turn this into his superiors, so they could do what he didn't have the heart to do. After finding out his superiors didn't do anything about it, he struggled daily to find the strength to tell the authorities, yet was paralyzed by fear of the unknown that would happen... hoping it would just go away. Ultimately, he would let the thought slip into the recesses of his mind, where they would torment him less and less over time. Then, after this came out, he wishes he would have had the benefit of hindsite, so he would've forgone his momentary fear for the damming torment he's experienced over the last 9 years.

He's a coach. He's human. I'm sure he's tortured himself about it.

And what of the student who found them in the bathroom? He did the same thing as Joe... passed it on to the next LOGICAL level, and hoped it would get taken care of.

I'm not saying it's right. But it is what it is... human nature. Like I said... Joe is a COACH. He figures out football strategies, and gives moral-boosting speeches. He, unlike what most people seem to think, is not Superman!

 

[cheri1122]

I agree that it's sad, and sickening - so many lives & reputations ruined over one wrong choice made long ago.
Joe Pa is a hometown hero [my niece lives in State College, and adores him], but the fact remains: he's the COACH : the guy in charge of setting the example of how moral and honorable man act, and he failed to live up to his own teaching.
And I also agree that few could claim otherwise [in our own behavior], but few of us have the responsibility of a coach, and our personal failures don't endanger the children we are supposed to protect.
This is a lesson for all those who forget that some things are more important than the university and it's athletic programs.
A sad lesson, but one that's clearly needed.