~Respectfully snipped~
Hi Kinalyn - Welcome to WS. We appreciate your local insight here. I snipped your post because I want to respond to your first paragraph here, because I wanted the 'white out' message repeated (so I'm going to bold that) and to agree with you about the media.
I respectfully disagree that it was ONE man that has had such a devastating impact on PSU. I argue that it was one man, aided and abetted by what is beginning to look like the whole Football program administration - or at least the coaching staff. Sandusky committed serious crimes (and that he is out on bail makes me furious) against children - he is the one man. BUT others knew to the point of an eyewitness account, told to JS' boss, Paterno. At that point, Paterno had knowledge that this was NOT the first time that JS faced allegations and Paterno should have followed up. AND all those around Paterno should have followed up! A coach does not get investigated for child abuse in a vacuum. In 1998-99 the entire upper echelon at PSU had to have known that one of the coaches was being investigated for child abuse.
When similar charges were brought forth in 2002, by an eyewitness that gave a graphic description of what he saw - the Administration had a DUTY and a RESPONSIBILITY to act. Those who failed to act carry a greater responsibility for the impact this has had on PSU, in my opinion. They had the POWER and the knowledge to stop this horrible-ness. They chose to ignore their responsibillity and their moral obligations so that the 'game could go on.' In my mind, that makes them even more culpable for the harm these children came to. My very long winded point - is that JS was not an island. He had help keeping his secret and he had, at a minimum, silent permission to continue with his activities.
On another note, I appreciate so much your informing us about the 'white out.' I am glad to hear it really is a blue out in support of abolishing child abuse.
I wish you luck in your charity events this weekend. I hope it is a good game. I don't believe the students should be punished for the bad behavior of their coaches.
And yes, the media needs to remember this is NOT about football - this is about the ability of those in power to mis-use that power to serve their own selfish needs and ideas at the expense of innocent victims.
Salem
