I can't get the Penn State sex abuse scandal off of my heart and mind. When I think it can't get any worse, it does. Lots of people are talking about it. Lots of people are making their own judgments, myself included.
Some questions/debate points I've come across:
Why have the victims waited so long to come forward? Why do people say Joe Paterno and his people are Godlike? Why isn't Sandusky under house arrest or wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet? What did or didn't Penn State know about the allegations? What did or didn't the police know about the allegations?
My take on these issues...
I think the victims are completely justified in not coming forward. (Who knows, maybe they did come forward earlier and were 'hushed.') There are many fears in coming forward, including: shame, embarrassment, self doubt and blame, fear and being afraid you won't be believed. Is what happened my fault? Did I lead (my alleged attacker) on or send him/her mixed signals? Did I over react? There must be something wrong with me for this to have happened. I deserved what happened. No one will believe me. It's my word against theirs. I'm this little nobody and they are an important, well respected person.
[Some] people think Joe Paterno is God like, it's true. In my experience, Penn State sports (football, especially) are taken extremely seriously. Penn State is located in State College, PA which is pretty much the dead center of PA. In terms of NFL teams, you have the Eagles in Philly which is the extreme eastern part of the state and you have the Steelers in Pittsburgh which is the extreme western part of the state. PA is a large state and that leaves the central portion with no one to truly root for, so they go for Penn State. Penn State is a great institution- many great academic programs, a strong athletic program (I could blog about that for a long time about my negative thoughts on that!) and fabulous culture. I went to college a bit south of State College and we would drive up to do 'stuff' because our town (Huntingdon) had nothing. Not even a Walmart when I was there. But, I digress. You have this HUGE Division I powerhouse. Their coach (Paterno) had been their coach forever. Kids grow up wanting to go to this fabled institution. I did not participate in sports (shocking, I know!) but my brother did. He's an odd bird, but even he looked up to coaches. Coached are leaders who mold and guide you. How can such a leader do wrong in someone's eye?
This is just my opinion, but Sandusky isn't wearing an electronic monitoring device because of who he knew/who knew him. From what I know, the judge presiding over the hearing was/is a donor to his foundation. This is, quite simply, a hot mess. I don't know where this trial(s) will be held without people having opinions. Out of Penn State's division? On the other side of the country? No, that won't work. One part of the country wants to skin him/them alive and the other part supports him/her.
I'm really troubled by what Penn State and the police did and didn't know about the allegations prior to everything hitting the media. My gut tells me that some people at the university knew and covered it up. For the sake of their athletic program. I'm not saying this happened for certain, but let's throw some fear and maybe even money at these people making these accusations. That'll shut them up and save the face of our program. Or, who is going to listen to these people? We're Goliath's here who have the support of millions of alumni and supporters. The police..oh, the police. I have mixed feelings on the police but I truly hope they didn't know anything. Their duty is to 'protect and serve' not to 'hide and cover up.' I fully support the Department of Education and the NCAA investigating EVERYTHING. I don't know if we'll ever know exactly what happened, but hopefully we can come close. These monsters need to be put away.
I feel for the students, athletes, alumni and fans who are hurt and effected by this. I feel for the seniors on the football team who lost out on the splendor and magic of their final season. I hope they find the answers and comfort they need.
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