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[ivysaur12]

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/A_scandals_long_shadow.html

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Elizabeth Morgan wasn't looking forward to the task in front of her.

The veterinarian with close-cropped reddish-brown hair had always been more comfortable playing with the animals on her central Pennsylvania farm.

But there she stood one day last month, before a couple of hundred people, cameras and a microphone in her face, determined to tell Pennsylvania State University's trustees exactly what she thought of them and their handling of the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal.

Morgan knocked the trustees for accepting the NCAA-imposed sanctions, for swallowing the report by former FBI Director Louis Freeh that blamed Penn State leaders for a cover-up, for paying out nearly $60 million to Sandusky victims, yet sparing the charity where he groomed his targets.

Then for the wind-up.

"Three years ago, you fired an employee of 61 years of service for a failure of leadership," she said of coach Joe Paterno. "I suggest that most of you should have been fired long ago."

The audience erupted in applause.

Even after more than three years, thousands of alumni and supporters like Morgan are unwilling to accept the Sandusky narrative that casts their school - and its once-beloved coach - in a pejorative light. She belongs to Penn Staters for Responsible Stewardship, a grassroots organization that grew out of the scandal and that has mounted a noisy, all-out effort to exonerate Penn State and Paterno.

During a Thursday stroll down College Avenue, Ralphine Gentzler had popped into the store. She leaned close to the Number 4, looking for her name. Then she found it. "Love ya, Joe!" she had scrawled.

Since the numerals - "4-0-9" - appeared in October in the Student Book Store as part of a promotion for a movie in support of Paterno, more than 12,000 others had added their names and messages.

The number represents the number of football victories Paterno would have if the NCAA hadn't vacated 111 of his wins dating to 1998, when the alleged cover-up of Sandusky abuse started. Since the sanctions, "409" has become shorthand for the injustice some say Paterno and Penn State have endured - a sentiment that resonates along College Avenue.

In what has shaped up as a battle for the soul of the university, they are pitted against a majority of trustees who staunchly defend their decision to have the university accept responsibility for allowing a predator to roam its campus for so long and institute reforms so that can never happen again.

As critics, including the state treasurer and Senate majority leader, continue their courtroom attacks against the Freeh report and the NCAA - hearings are scheduled for early 2015 - Penn State president Eric Barron last month did the once-unthinkable: He agreed to review the Freeh report, cracking the door for those who have been pushing for the board to repudiate the findings, including that Paterno, former president Graham B. Spanier, and two former administrators conspired to cover up the sex abuse by the assistant football coach.

"The tide has turned," said Ted Brown, one of nine alumni-elected trustees on the 32-member board.

Just about every trustees' meeting is now filled with critics who verbally pummel the board at every chance. Student government leaders have even become targets, heckled at board meetings by critics and sent nasty e-mails for supporting the board leadership's positions.

Not all are members of the Penn Staters' group, though it is perhaps the best-organized and farthest-reaching. Its members include Christian Marrone, chief of staff to the U.S. secretary of Homeland Security and a 1997 alumnus who played football; Spencer Niles, dean of education at the College of William and Mary; Ryan Bagwell, a 2002 alum and former journalist who has fought for access to public records around the scandal, raising more than $51,000 for the fight; Ray Blehar, a federal government analyst who parses scandal developments; and former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris, who has been touring the state, holding panels titled "Upon Further Review," criticizing the board, the NCAA, and Freeh.

Much more at the link. Per usual, I'd encourage you to read the entire article before posting.

Something that's struck me about this entire situation, and it's sort of touched upon in this article (but not directly) is viewed as a cultural attack against an icon, instead justice being served. The facts cannot be true because that does not line up with the admiration that's been given to JoePa by (some) PSU fans. I really just don't have many words, the entire thing is so terrible.

 

[timetokill]

And the NCAA actually reduced the punishment, thus feeding into the persecution complex of this insane cult.

 

[tcrunch]

I like how these organizations always name themselves the opposite of what they stand for.

 

[Yaboosh]

Joe Paterno did a whole hell of a lot of good for State college, probably more than any other individual in that town's history.

He did a horrifically bad thing when it came to Sandusky.

Sucks for them, but Paterno fucked up so bad that it ruined his legacy for everyone who isn't a homer.

 

[Arrowgigantic]

Oblivious jackasses abound.

 

[Draxal]

And the NCAA actually reduced the punishment, thus feeding into the persecution complex of this insane cult.

Technically, it was out of scope for the NCAA, and the only reason it was enforced in the first place was because Penn State had to do something to themselves to protect that institution.

But yeah, it's called Pennsyltucky for a reason.

 

[newjeruse]

To hell with Penn State.

 

[Wickerbasket]

It's hard to believe there are people who will defend a child sex abuser because of a game of football.

 

[Derwind]

Since the sanctions, "409" has become shorthand for the injustice some say Paterno and Penn State have endured - a sentiment that resonates along College Avenue.

All it was really was a little rampant sexual abuse cover up, why are people so upset? Poor Paterno.

...

Seriously though, we've reached a new milestone for stupidity here.

 

[Gentleman Jack]

They're a religious cult and their behavior will match that pattern.

 

[Sho_Nuff82]

Like I said at the time, the sanctions were too mild, because they didn't learn anything. It's like your kid wrecking your car and you take away his phone privileges for a week.

 

[Tallshortman]

Program should have been ended for 2-4 years, make them rebuild completely and show them what real punishment is. What they got was a slap on the wrist, the NCAA's handling of this has been a joke.

 

[entremet]

Hero worship is some scary shit.

It's like some sort of cult.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

Like I said at the time, the sanctions were too mild, because they didn't learn anything. It's like your kid wrecking your car and you take away his phone privileges for a week.

Yup. Should have been SMU'd.

 

[Mr. Tone]

And supporters like the Wilsons, alumni who split their time between homes in State College and Hudson, Ohio, and drive a minivan with the license plate SuePSU1, are helping raise money for a new bronze statue - this one with Paterno sitting on a bench clutching a book. Already the effort has garnered $100,000 - a third of the projected cost.

"We want our kids to be able to sit down and talk to Joe," said Susan Beck Wilson, 64, a retired education director for a national craft retailer.

.

 

[metalslimer]

I hope their football program is banned forever if they dare put another statue up

 

[Mac the KNife]

Since the sanctions, "409" has become shorthand for the injustice some say Paterno and Penn State have endured - a sentiment that resonates along College Avenue.

The cult thinks it's the victim. Nothing was learned.

 

[Wickerbasket]

The cult thinks it's the victim. Nothing was learned.

How the hell do they rationalise it though?

Like, why do they think they're being punished?

Do they not believe child abuse is wrong? Or do they not believe it happened? It's crazy.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

Hopefully the federal investigations lead to actual consequences, but I doubt they do anything useful.

 

[mre]

She belongs to Penn Staters for Responsible Stewardship, a grassroots organization that grew out of the scandal and that has mounted a noisy, all-out effort to exonerate Penn State and Paterno.

I'm glad there are people like this who will never, ever let us forget what Penn State allowed Sandusky to do.

 

[Sanjuro]

How the hell do they rationalise it though?

Like, why do they think they're being punished?

Do they not believe child abuse is wrong? Or do they not believe it happened? It's crazy.

They basically want all of the blame and the responsibility to be shouldered on Sandusky.

Don't punish the team or the legendary coach.

 

[Yaboosh]

How the hell do they rationalise it though?

Like, why do they think they're being punished?

Do they not believe child abuse is wrong? Or do they not believe it happened? It's crazy.

Probably that he didn't know.

 

[Gentleman Jack]

If nothing else, Penn State is Exhibit A on how runaway sports culture is ruinous to the reputation of an institution of higher education.

 

[ElRenoRaven]

And that is a prime example of why they should have killed the program forever.

 

[Fotheringay]

How the hell do they rationalise it though?

Like, why do they think they're being punished?

Do they not believe child abuse is wrong? Or do they not believe it happened? It's crazy.

They believe that Paterno was railroaded by an overzealous mob demanding blood for the crimes of only one individual. Overlooking the fact that Sandusky was allowed to get away with it because Paterno and others didn't want to rock the boat, and confront the fact that someone so close to them (and with such deep ties to the football program) was a horrible monster.

 

[mre]

I mean, Paterno would probably still be alive if he was coaching. So, when you think about it, the NCAA and the Penn State BoT really murdered Paterno by forcing him to step down and retire. Since murder is generally viewed as a "worse" crime than rape, then it's pretty obvious that Paterno is, in fact, the real victim in all of this.

 

[inm8num2]

On a similar note, IIRC Jay Paterno (JoePa's son) is still trying to sue the university for $1 million in damages...ridiculous.

 

[Eighty Deuce]

Fuck paterno, fuck penn state for enabling a monster.

 

[Derwind]

How the hell do they rationalise it though?

Like, why do they think they're being punished?

Do they not believe child abuse is wrong? Or do they not believe it happened? It's crazy.

They probably believe that since he didn't fuck any children, he and the university should not take the heat.

Basically they bought the gun, guided/aimed the barrel, cocked the gun and helped Sandusky steady his hand and place his finger on the trigger.... but they didn't fire the shot.

They basically want all of the blame and the responsibility to be shouldered on Sandusky.

Don't punish the team or the legendary coach.

Or this.

 

[Mac the KNife]

How the hell do they rationalise it though?

Like, why do they think they're being punished?

Do they not believe child abuse is wrong? Or do they not believe it happened? It's crazy.

These are the type of people who would turn a blind eye or actively cover up Sandusky's crimes to save their beloved coach. They believe, despite all evidence to the contrary, that the leader of their football program had no idea what Sandusky was up to.

I actually felt a little bad for Penn State students and athletes when the sanctions hit, but this shit makes me sick. They should've given Penn State the death penalty, the culture's too toxic.

 

[VeryGooster]

wrong thread.......

 

[Kusagari]

The football program is basically a religion and Paterno is the deity.

I was actually scared this would happen. I knew the relatively light penalties would only further the belief Joe Paterno was wronged. The program needed to end for a period of time.

 

[Delta Assault]

This is the sort of Paternalism that I just don't understand.

 

[Beelzebufo]

It's a cult. I removed a few Facebook friends the other day because they wished him a happy birthday. What a bunch of loons. For anyone who didn't know, the tourist-trap ice cream place on campus still has a flavor called "Peachy Paterno" that all of the student guides recommend to potential students.

I mean, Paterno would probably still be alive if he was coaching. So, when you think about it, the NCAA and the Penn State BoT really murdered Paterno by forcing him to step down and retire. Since murder is generally viewed as a "worse" crime than rape, then it's pretty obvious that Paterno is, in fact, the real victim in all of this.

Haha exactly, I've actually heard people seriously say stuff like that before. It's terrible and a little sad that some people are so blinded by football. And I like football!

 

[xbhaskarx]

If nothing else, Penn State is Exhibit A on how runaway sports culture is ruinous to the reputation of an institution of higher education.

Exactly, that's all Penn State is, one example out of many. Look at UNC with their fake classes, Notre Dame and Florida State with rapists on the football team (University of Washington years ago), etc. etc.
The problem isn't Penn State specifically, yet some people keep trying to make it about them as if they're different from 100 other colleges with big football or basketball programs.

Supporting some other college team doesn't make you much better than these Penn State idiots.

 

[HK-47]

*vomits*

Disgusting response

 

[Gallbaro]

Just like NYPD.

 

[Cyan]

They can rest assured that it's mutual. Or, well. I guess my feeling towards these people is less a seething anger and more a deep disgust.

 

[HK-47]

I mean, Paterno would probably still be alive if he was coaching. So, when you think about it, the NCAA and the Penn State BoT really murdered Paterno by forcing him to step down and retire. Since murder is generally viewed as a "worse" crime than rape, then it's pretty obvious that Paterno is, in fact, the real victim in all of this.

Thats the type of thinking we need at a fine institution like Penn State. You thought about applying, son?

 

[NYCmetsfan]

I mean, Paterno would probably still be alive if he was coaching. So, when you think about it, the NCAA and the Penn State BoT really murdered Paterno by forcing him to step down and retire. Since murder is generally viewed as a "worse" crime than rape, then it's pretty obvious that Paterno is, in fact, the real victim in all of this.

Poe's law almost got me

 

[rbenchley]

Fuck Paterno and fuck Penn State. Disband the team and salt the earth at the stadium.

 

[slabrock]

penn state can go fuck off

 

[mernst23]

A couple more years of their sports programs being insignificant will lead to a decade or two long drought of talent considering them, good, fuck them.

 

[nateeasy]

JOEPA

 

[Cyan]

How the hell do they rationalise it though?

Like, why do they think they're being punished?

Do they not believe child abuse is wrong? Or do they not believe it happened? It's crazy.

-Sandusky is the real villain here.
-JoePa didn't know. Or if he did know, he did everything he was supposed to do by reporting it to the campus police.
-An angry mob of jealous non-Penn Staters saw what Sandusky had done and demanded blood over it, even though JoePa did everything right and/or didn't know.
-When the namby-pamby trustees gave in to the mob and fired JoePa, they basically murdered him.
-I dunno, I think that's about it?
-Oh yeah, also the NCAA gave in to the angry mob as well by sanctioning Penn State.
-But luckily they came to their senses and implicitly agreed that JoePa did nothing wrong, by removing the sanctions and letting Penn State justly play in a bowl game or whatever.

 

[geomon]

One day I'll give a shit what Penn Staters think....really.

 

[The Llama]

As a Penn State alum, I really just wish these people would shut up. Hell, most of us wish they would. It's mostly just a bunch of old people who don't have anything better to do with their time.

 

[Beelzebufo]

As a Penn State alum, I really just wish these people would shut up. Hell, most of us wish they would. It's mostly just a bunch of old people who don't have anything better to do with their time.

It's all the students that were there too when it all went down. I remember someone from my highschool broke into tears on the Daily Show because he was so upset, and a decent amount of the people from that class and the next few classes still love JoePa.

 

[smokeandmirrors]

definitely not a cult

 

[Branduil]

They really needed to give that program the death penalty for at least 10 years.