OT- RIP Joe Paterno

YankeeCollector · #1 01-22-2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny Cole

I'm not a Penn State alum, don't root for them in football or any other sport, and am appalled at the whole Sandusky situation and how it was handled. That being said to focus solely on that and ignore everything good that Paterno did in his life, particularly at this moment, shows a complete lack of class IMO.

If it were recruiting violations and selling jerseys and memorabilia, you are right! But, Im sorry when it comes to 10 yr old children being sodomized on campus and especially in the locker rooms, I dont care if hes the Pope!!!!I dont care what he did for 60+ years! He had a chance to protect innocent children and he failed!

howard38 · #2 01-23-2012, 12:00 AM

/

drc · #3 01-23-2012, 12:52 AM

Football is a kid's game and how it can exert so much influence and power at what is supposed to a be an institution of higher learning is ridiculous. That applies to beyond Penn State of course. And, for the record, I went to a Big Ten school and do root for their football team when they play-- so I'm not beyond enjoying a good Division I football game.

BleedinBlue · #4 01-23-2012, 12:54 AM

Integrity is often defined as doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching. In the case if Joe Paterno we are left to question his integrity. This is very unfortunate because in life he touched a great many people and is a legend to hundreds of his players. But, when he had the choice to truly make a difference in this life he chose the easier path. I admire the coach but lost respect for the man. RIP JoePa. I'm sure the last two months hastened the end and am disappointed you had a hand in letting it end this way. Your pain is over. For others it will never end.

Wite3 · #5 01-23-2012, 08:37 AM

John et. al.

Being a teacher and working with children for the last 25 years, I was appalled at what went on with Sandusky and Paterno until one of my good friends asked me how I would have handled the situation.

I have made that call a few times in my career and each time it was on suspicion of abuse, not proof. And each time it was VERY difficult. I know teachers and staff that were unable to make the call even to possibly save a child. It is a difficult thing to confront. I am not excusing Paterno's actions at all and he had a responsibility to go further and he failed. But how many of you might have made the same calls in his situation. It is not an easy thing to believe, confront, and then take action against.

Before people roast Paterno, take a second and ask yourself how you would have handled it if a close friend/co-worker was possibly caught hurting a child and how would you handle all the implications to follow.

Joshua

powderfinger · #6 01-23-2012, 09:14 AM

I too am a school teacher. Until very recently, teachers were told not to confront parents, fellow faculty members, etc., they suspected of abuse or neglect. Protocol dictated that if you suspected someone of these transgressions, they should be reported to your supervisor (principle, dean, etc.). That person was to act on that information by taking it to people who make decisions about hiring and firing and who have access to the legal machinery of the institution. This policy was instituted to protect teachers and others from legal action resulting from what might turn out to be false accusations. This is exactly what Paterno did.

Where he failed was in not questioning why Sandusky was still on the sideline with him after he had reported what he knew to his superiors. It's very hard to believe that his actions in what would become a national scandal ended there. Was there no follow up? Didn't anybody get back to him to let him know what any type of investigation determined? Was there even an investigation? Regardless of what his superiors did or didn't do, Paterno had the ultimate responsibility for his program and his staff, and even if Paterno thought a hint of what Sandusky was accused of might be true, Sandusky should have been fired. That was Paterno's failing and his downfall.

Shakespeare, speaking through Mark Anthony in "Julius Caesar" wrote: "The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones."

Unfortunately, he could have been writing about Joe Paterno.

novakjr · #7 01-23-2012, 09:28 AM

Ray, at that point, Sandusky was not a part of the program. He'd been retired for 3 or 4 years, but was allowed access to all school facilities and given an office as part of his retirement.. Basically, Paterno had no control over the guy. But yes, I understand your sentiment about protocol.

ethicsprof · #8 01-23-2012, 10:37 AM

rest in peace, Joe Paterno.
my sympathy to family and friends.

barry

uyu906 · #9 01-23-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novakjr

Ray, at that point, Sandusky was not a part of the program. He'd been retired for 3 or 4 years, but was allowed access to all school facilities and given an office as part of his retirement.. Basically, Paterno had no control over the guy. But yes, I understand your sentiment about protocol.

I really think this fact has been intentionally overlooked by many, and accidentally overlooked by some. Sandusky had been retired for 3 years when the 2002 stuff took place and when Joe found out about it. Pretty hard to fire someone, or otherwise discipline them, when they no longer work for you. Sandusky deserves every bad thing that can happen to him legally, but the way the media made out that this whole thing was Joe Paterno's fault and tainted his legacy has seemed very unfair to me. And firing a guy over the phone, after 60 some years of working for the same employer, would be a low class move whether we are talking about college football or a steel mill.

Runscott · #10 01-23-2012, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wite3

John et. al.

Being a teacher and working with children for the last 25 years, I was appalled at what went on with Sandusky and Paterno until one of my good friends asked me how I would have handled the situation.

I have made that call a few times in my career and each time it was on suspicion of abuse, not proof. And each time it was VERY difficult. I know teachers and staff that were unable to make the call even to possibly save a child. It is a difficult thing to confront. I am not excusing Paterno's actions at all and he had a responsibility to go further and he failed. But how many of you might have made the same calls in his situation. It is not an easy thing to believe, confront, and then take action against.

Before people roast Paterno, take a second and ask yourself how you would have handled it if a close friend/co-worker was possibly caught hurting a child and how would you handle all the implications to follow.

Joshua

Well-said, Joshua. One of the down sides to the internet is all the discussion forum preachers. I don't think any more or less of Paterno because of their speeches. The self-righteous pulpit is what Facebook's for.

YankeeCollector · #11 01-23-2012, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wite3

John et. al.

Being a teacher and working with children for the last 25 years, I was appalled at what went on with Sandusky and Paterno until one of my good friends asked me how I would have handled the situation.

I have made that call a few times in my career and each time it was on suspicion of abuse, not proof. And each time it was VERY difficult. I know teachers and staff that were unable to make the call even to possibly save a child. It is a difficult thing to confront. I am not excusing Paterno's actions at all and he had a responsibility to go further and he failed. But how many of you might have made the same calls in his situation. It is not an easy thing to believe, confront, and then take action against.

Before people roast Paterno, take a second and ask yourself how you would have handled it if a close friend/co-worker was possibly caught hurting a child and how would you handle all the implications to follow.

Joshua

Is this a joke? I wouldnt want my kids anywhere near you!

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