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Shut It Down Now Penn State

Posted By: Randy GageNovember 11, 2011

Okay we don’t talk sports or even news much in this space.  We’re usually looking at principles of success and prosperity.  But this Penn State scandal is so teeming with lack consciousness, I feel compelled to say something about it.

True prosperity is always a value-for-value proposition.  And what that comes down to is doing the right thing. 

And for Penn State to blithely go about playing their big football game against Nebraska this weekend is so far beyond adding insult to injury it’s a travesty.

Let’s look at the facts from the grand jury we know so far…

In March of 2002, assistant coach Mike McQueary then 28, entered the locker room to pick up some recruiting tapes.  He heard “rhythmic, slapping sounds.”  He went to the shower and saw a naked 10-year-old boy, “With his hands up against the wall, being subjected to anal intercourse by a naked Sandusky.”

He doesn’t intervene.  Doesn’t call police.  He’s so shocked and confused, he simply leaves.  He went home and called his father.  The next day he tells coach Joe Paterno.  Coach Paterno waits a day, and then tells the Athletic Director.

What happens next?

The witnessed rape of a defenseless boy recruited from a program for disadvantaged youth somehow gets classified as “horseplay.”  The university tells Sandusky not to bring boys on campus.  No one attempts to find or treat the boy.  That’s it!

We now learn that there was another incident with Sandusky in 1998.  A campus detective was ordered to close the case by his boss.  Then in 2000, a janitor witnessed Sandusky performing oral sex on a boy in the shower.  It wasn’t reported…

Penn State University has exhibited the most grievous, flagrant and criminal behavior of a university in modern history.  They let (at least) eight boys continue to be subjected to predatory abuse from a pedophile for 15 years.

And Sandusky is behind bars now, not because of any help from Penn State.  It was a wrestling coach and assistant principal at a High School who finally caught Sandusky with a boy in the weight room and immediately called police.

And it could be getting much, much worse…

Zac Wassink, who’s a Penn State alum I believe, is reporting on his Yahoo blog that Pittsburgh radio host Mark Madden dropped an ever bigger bombshell on a program today…

Madden said that two columnists are investigating a rumor that Sandusky's Foundation was "pimping out young boys to rich (Penn State) donors."  He also said Sandusky was told by Penn State he had to retire after allegations made in 1998 that he was guilty of "improper conduct with an underage male."  It's important to note that these are rumors at this point.   But Madden has been correct with other information on this scandal up to now.  And it just shows how much smoke there was before this fire, that Penn State completely ignored.

Now the facts get out, beloved “Coach JoPa” is fired and Penn State students start a riot in protest.  Are these kids the most naïve, clueless, and ignorant students in the world?  This is the higher education Penn State is supplying them?

Now those same kids are fired up and want revenge by crushing Nebraska in their big rivalry football game this weekend…

Think of the worst sports scandal you can ever think of:  Recruiting bribery, fixed football matches, crooked jai alai players, the Chicago “Black Sox.”  They wouldn’t even rate a footnote on this.

What we are seeing unveiled here is the worst sports scandal in history.  Because we’re not talking about throwing games, making bets, or enriching bank accounts.  We’re talking about evil, horrific abuse of defenseless children.  And one of the most powerful institutions of higher learning in the land, turning a blind eye to their anguished cries for help – so as not to risk their cash-generating, powerhouse football program, with lucrative television rights deals.  It is absolutely sickening, the disgusting demonstration of lack-centered, anti-humanity and thus anti-prosperity consciousness I can conceive of.

Except this…

Now the student body wants to rush into the stadium this weekend, trot out the mascot, scream with the cheerleaders, and sing the fight song with the marching band, as the coaches scheme the passing routes to try and beat Nebraska.

Do the right thing Penn State:  Forfeit the game. 

Cancel the rest of the season perhaps.  Help locate those kids and get them some help.  Raise awareness for the issues of sexual predators.  Maybe schedule some extra classes and start teaching your students about principles like doing the right thing, and looking out for those that can’t take care of themselves, instead rioting to protest your coach losing his contract.

A scoutmaster once molested me when I was young.  And I have to tell you that the man who was my unofficial step-father at the time, kind of brushed it off.  I didn't go on any more camping trips and was never left alone with him, and quit soon after.

In this case it was a sick man fondling a prepubescent boy one time.  I moved on, and it didn’t scar me for life.  But that man should have been stopped and I shudder to think how many other boys he continued to prey on.

I come from a pretty simple family and we didn't know how to deal with issues like that, just as it’s likely the families of these eight boys didn’t know how to deal with this.

But we need to hold Penn State to a high standard here.  This was wanton, systemic neglect of kids from an institution charged with safeguarding them.  Those kids were sacrificed on the altar of multi-million-dollar television contracts.

Pomp and circumstance, cheerleaders and marching bands – a football game this weekend?  Is that the message you really want to send?  The kids - all of them - deserve better.

Do the right thing Penn Sate.  Shut it down.  Now.

-RG

 

170 comments on “Shut It Down Now Penn State”

    1. Thanks, you saw the first post as we were proofing and corrected that. Never heard that expression before, great way to remember.

      -RG

    2. I agree Randy on both accounts. Your article is outstanding and perceptive. As for the Principal thing, Dan, I agree.. Often times, we write so much, I get my spelling mixed up and jumble the meanings.

      Actually, at first, I missed your point Dan. I thought you were saying that the principal at Penn St. was a pal of Randy's! hahaha

      Ooopss! my bad!

  1. Shut it down and punish the football players, students, fans, alumni & local businesses that love & benefit from the game and had nothing to do with the scandal? That is simply extending the pain. The right thing to do is play the game - play the rest of the season, and have the University pay every penny of football revenue to a charity protecting/treating abused children. THAT is a worthwhile solution.

    1. Dear Anonymous, to do that would be telling the world what happened can be bought with hush money. As for those who depend on the school, community and all, fear of loss is no defense.
      On a personal note, if my kid was subjected to anything like this the school would no longer be there.

        1. "if my kid was subjected to anything like this, the school would not longer be there..." I feel the same way. I have worked with molested children as a child advocate. What's more, I have rescued animals that were abused. I stopped traffic when a man threw defenseless kittens tied in a bag on the highway. I was able to rescue one with the help of many people, once they realized what I was trying to do. I forgot about the cruelty of one while working with the kindness of others. I cannot begin to understand why people cover up cruelty for gain. "You can judge a man's character by what he does for those who can do nothing for him." I believe to show honor, HONOR to those who have suffered, one day of a knee down could send a message that no other team has ever sent. What about it? Are they courageous enough to send that message? What about both teams, taking a knee, sending the message of "Don't let this happen again."?

        1. I should of thought MORE of innocent lives...Of course, I wouldn't take out the entire school. It's not in my nature, but I certainly understand someone thinking about their child and thinking what they would do. That was just...the heat of the moment, the hopeless, helpless feeling I had... of THINKING (for a second) of MY innocent child and the unwarranted shame that he would feel at the hands of cruelty...And no one honoring his life.

    2. I agree that the fotball players and the student body should not be collateral damage. It is not their fault that a grad student was so stupid as to not call '911' when he saw an assault. It is a shame that those would found out what he witnessed, could not believe or accept his report and simply reported it up the chain of command.

    1. Just read the full story on some news site - this is sick. And that it could be allowed to go on so long with so many eye witnesses is beyond comprehension. There is something very disconnected with the people there in Penn State. 🙁

  2. I agree with your anger and outrage but I am not sure how I feel about punishing the kids that are currently there that had absolutely nothing to do with this. But I do agree that this is the biggest evil that I can think of to ever hit a sports organization. I just don't understand how someone could actually see that and not do something about it. It makes no sense to me whatsoever.

    It will be very interesting to see how it is handled.

    1. Educational institutions at any level are supposed to be a "safe" haven for students. This subject, clearly demonstrates the apparent standard of character lack tolerated by the institution when it appears to serve their own agenda. Is there not also some responsiblity here from the governing body over the institution as well? Is it not time for governance to step in?

      Another message to consider is the one being sent to the kids (as Wes says) who arn't involved. This is a question of Trust in the system they are taught to respect.

      Wow, it is really a minefield when you look deeper into it. Counselling needed all round I think.

      1. It is very tough and ultimately nothing should ever come before children's safety I totally agree. But I don't think mis-guided anger should punish those who truly did nothing wrong which is my only stance here that might be different than the anger felt over such an awful thing.

  3. Ahh, I was agreeing with the post until I saw the comment above.

    Penn State officials CERTAINLY need to be held accountable, however, the kids on the field who have lived their lives for college football shouldn't be penalized.

    To take it a step further, if any one of those players were ever raped or molested, they would, in essence, be affected again by the same disgusting crime.

    I agree the fans and alumni who devoted a time in their lives to a school where they had no idea what was going on, should not be punished.

    It's a tragic, horrific story.

    There are no winners in this mess, but I don't want to see anymore victims in any way...and yes, I believe the rioting students need a whack upside the head for denying the truth. I hope their parents will help them understand the true tragedy in all this!

    I am sending love to the kids who's lives were forever changed by Sandusky's disgusting hands. May they no longer be victims and find a blessing in all this so they can move foreward to help others from their experiences.

  4. If it wasn't true, this would be an unbelieveable story. Thank God my daughter chose another college to go to very close to PSU...she was accepted to PSU SMEAL College of Business. I would have pulled her out of there had she been attending.

  5. Randy:

    I agree with you 100%. To continue on as if what happened to these kids was nothing is absolutely ludicrous. It's belittling and demeaning to the way they were treated by wanting to go ahead and have the game as if nothing happened.

    Football is put on a HIGH pedestal and it's time it got knocked over, cleaned and polished. I am sure other kids have had similar situations as other institutions. I truly wouldn't be surprised. It amazes me what we, in this society, will tolerate nowadays.

    Anyhow, I agree with you, Randy! 🙂

    Joanna

  6. Great points Randy and I agree 100% and would add Penn State shutting down the football program until it is fully investigated. There are way to many people at Penn State who did the wrong thing for way to long. Firing 2 or 3 people is just a start.

    I would like to see NCAA impose stiff and costly sanctions against Penn State. You know they would if a booster was caught giving a car to one of the players. They need to send a message that covering up crimes especially those against children to protect your big TV contracts is not going to be tolerated.

  7. I 100% agree with all your comments Randy.. just wondering what you think of that cesspool Miami University.. just a few weeks ago a sportswriter wrote they should shut down that program for all their blatant violations.. escorts. bribes, etc.. makes you sick when you think what college sports has become...

    1. Glad you brought that up. Because if Penn State doesn't do the right thing here, I hope the NCAA does. They are fining, suspending people and conducting year long investigations because kids took free dinners, trips to a strip club or traded jerseys for tattoos. Yet in the most horrific scandal in sports history, they are remarkably quiet right now.

      -RG

      1. I agree, why are they so quiet about this situation but fining kids for taking free dinners, strip clubs and tattoos.
        The entire situation is sickening. Anyone that was aware of it or saw it happening is responsible. No if's and's or but's about it.
        As far as the game being played, I agree, it is a disgusting act of "we don't care about was happened to these kids"

  8. Man, this has sent shivers up my spine reading first thing in the morning. I have a huge issue with people that indulge with child abuse of any sort and this has just made me beyond angry!
    What disgusts me most is that the general attitude seems to be 'it wasn't such a big deal, let's just put it behind us and move forward.' Yeah right, quit the season Penn State...there are much more important things you guys need to sort out fast!

  9. I agree with not playing this week's game. The University ought to be holding its' head in shame and denying even the "innocent" of one game might wake these kids up to the seriousness of this kind of behavior. It is NEVER EVER EVER OK to witness or be made aware of this horrific behavior and do nothing. It is NEVER someone elese's job. I truly don't know how Joe Paterno, or any of the others involved can rationalize their behavior.

  10. As a young boy, my brother and I and 2 other kids were subject to a sex predator at our church a youth pastor. My heart goes out to these boys and I think you have some great points in this blog.

  11. I completely understand the hate and anger that is present over this situation. However, living in State College, canceling the game affects more than the college. Football weekends sustain this small town throughout the year.

    As a previous responder posted, do you punish the players who have worked so hard to get where they are? It is senior weekend, do you punish those seniors? Do you punish a community that knew nothing and had nothing to do with the situation?

    Canceling the game and the rest of the season would devastate a community that I love and raise my family in. For those that don't live here, they see only the monster that created such destruction and a university that shoved it under the rug.

    For those that live here, the emotional devastation is far reaching and a roller coaster beyond belief!

    If you want a local's perspective here is mine: http://news.yahoo.com/jerry-sandusky-child-abuse-case-tearing-apart-loving-231700466.html

    1. Gretchen, as I posted in my reply to Anonymous earlier.... Fear of loss is no defense. In fact it's just as disgusting an attitude as the coverup.

      1. I'm sorry you feel that way, Tony, but these are my friends and family in my community that are hurting. People that have had nothing to do with the situation. Kids who are crying for fear of what is going to happen to their parents careers. I will defend my community and the feelings we are feeling. I don't defend what has happened to the victims, but as a community we are in no way to blame! I do take offense to your comment - we have nothing to do with this!

        Unless you live here you have no right to judge what this community is feeling - and I'm not talking about the university, I'm talking about a town that has been blind sided. All I ask is for people to respect us as a community! We are not monsters!

        1. what about the children who have been crying for years because they don't understand what happened to them or why no one cares? Who defends them? I've been that child. I don't hate the community that abandoned me - but I do wonder if they ever realized what they left me to. I think they justified it much the way you do. It's easy to do. But easy isn't always right.

          1. I feel like I owe you a response, but I have no idea what to say. There is nothing I can say that can make anyone feel better. I hear you and your story and I am sorry. I consider myself compassionate and I do believe that I am able to see many sides of a story. Don't for one minute think that I have not shed tears for these children or any other child that I know who has suffered abuse.

            What has happened here happens all around the world everyday. I hope that with the attention, people begin to talk about child abuse. Maybe the next time someone, anywhere, is witness of something that isn't right, they will think of this situation and do something about it. I hope and pray that I would!

            That being said, I still believe I have a right to have compassion for the people who are sad and confused that I love. I think that we are trying - trying to do what we think is right, maybe a candle light vigil or raising money doesn't mean anything to the children or to you, but it is what we can do right now. We can't go back in time, but we can learn a lesson and carry that lesson forward.

    2. Gretchen,

      It is a shame that some community members will suffer, despite not being involved directly in the various crimes here.

      I also accept that you may be trying to do something to help the victims.

      But a university community is a special place. In such a community, secrets do not survive long. You may not have known anything about these crimes until they were made public, but you can be sure that many in your community did know the secrets and actively chose to do nothing.

      ...and their reason -

      For the sake of the community...

      just the same justification you are using.

      You want the game and life to go on as usual - as if nothing had happened - for the sake of the community.

      This justification is not good enough.

      The community supports and protects the university. The university has supported and protected the criminals.

      Are you personally responsible for the crimes - no
      Is the community at least partly responsible for supporting the criminals - absolutely.

      If the community is as good and innocent as you would like to believe, then the community AS A WHOLE will stand up to be counted as opposing the actions of their football coaches and many others at your university.

      The community AS A WHOLE can stand up this weekend and say "the lives of these innocent kids are more important than any football game or any amount of funding"

      The community AS A WHOLE could easily block the gates of the field to show their solidarity in support of the innocent kids

      OR the community as a whole can go to watch the game and cheer as their heroes crush Nebraska in revenge - I am not sure what for - and eat their hotdogs and burgers and fries, and cheer on the cheerleaders and the bands, and drink their beer, and go home to celebrate with their Seniors Weekend parties.

      The actions of your community AS A WHOLE this weekend will show the world much more about the community's moral finer than your blog entry.

      This weekend, your community AS A WHOLE has a wonderful opportunity that is rarely afforded to any community...

      Your community can show the world that they stand up on the side of what is right...
      or your community can show that money is more important to them than the safety of innocent children...

      let's see what your community decides to do...

  12. Unfortunately, football brings in money and at most schools is the only money making sport. That is why they swept away the Sandusky scandal under the rug, hoping it would never rear its head. And that is why they will playing this weekend. The NCAA needs to give the program the death penalty. What happened on that campus is more heinous than anything SMU did way back when.

    1. Ed- see my post below. This is not a "football program" incident. How could there be any sanctions from the NCAA? What athletic-related rules were broken? This happened outside of the football program-There will be no sanctions from the NCAA. That said, it's all disgusting and Penn State as an institution and their failure all around will result in major law suits.

      1. There are mandated reporter laws in the state that hold a person legally responsible for not contacting legal authorities. The employees of the university have/had a legal responsibility to report to child services or police. Period. The problem is the 72 million dollars per year the football program creates. If the program is stopped maybe people would feel the severity of this horrendous event. Yes, when your team or the higher ups affect the lives of the young boys who were abused..... Yes people everywhere should feel the pain in order to create a more conscience world. This event is happening all over the world and those who are being abused right now see that no one cares and that the game will go on regardless..... Sad.

    2. Ed, Accountability goes further up the ladder than Penn State. Given the governance of educational institutions, that body could also be held accountable. As an employer is accountable for its employees, so is the educational system. Let the governing body contribute financially till they audit the standards.

      I also feel, a history of incidents such as these, do have a way of spreading through the grapevine, so the "blind eyes" is potentially more extensive. Stopping the game would send a message to those as well.

  13. Randy-

    What has reportedly taken place at Penn State is disgusting. That being said, it is not a "football program" incident, it's a Penn State instiution incident. If the incident was witnessed by a professor and reported throught his/her boss, would you be calling for the school to be shut down? All of this is bad enough for the players. Penalizing these innocent players further by canceling the game is not called for.

  14. You're absolutely right! This is preposterous and people have got to be outraged about this as you are otherwise these things will continue to happen.

  15. I think this should be up to the players and the captain or leader(s) on that team should step up and say "This is not who we are, this is not what our school is about. We're playing to keep attention on this, we're collecting money during the game to fund counselling for underage sex crime victims."

    If they can't do that, they shouldn't be playing, in my opinion and any economic argument that is even attempted can be stuffed.

      1. Actually that would raise the profile and call for the community to call for action. Definately an interesting point of view Dave!

      2. We are doing that! There is money being raised and candle light vigils for the victims. That is not being reported! Why? Because that doesn't sell. Be careful of judging an entire community on what you are reading and seeing!

        1. Great call Dave....and Gretchen...it is unfortunate that that does not sell but ultimately most here have to know that you guys should not be punished for something you have not done...And the vigils will start showing....it will. People are angry and are mis-guiding their anger right now so try not to take it too personal. I truly believe it is just mis-guided anger.

  16. Amazing how many people think that showing support for victims is "punishment" or focus on how how it will hurt business.

    A despicable act was allowed to happen on that campus. People were hurt, horribly. To offer an strong voice of support would offer some great healing, much better than a "yeah, that sucks, but GO TEAM! would.

    Great post.

  17. I wrote this late last night via FB when I felt utterly compelled to voice my opinion. I agree completely with your article. To play a game, now? I think the PLAYERS would boycott this game out of respect for the victims. These were CHILDREN. Innocent children who were further victimized by silence, ignorance and acceptance.

    A game?! Give me a break.....!!!

    The sheer audacity of Penn State students (5,000), rioting over the firing of Joe Paterno makes my skin crawl. Where is the riot for the victims? The precious 10 year old boy? Who is rioting for him? Who?!

    Personally, I feel that Penn State should refund the "loot" from ticket sales, forfeit their Saturday game, observe some silence and say a thousand prayers. The thought of business (and I do mean "business") as usual is ludicrous, disgusting and immoral. While everyone is busy lawyering up, how about stop the insanity and remember the victims?

  18. I responded to this when you posted it, apparently my phone has lost it somewhere in the ether...

    I read the 25 page grand jury report too. I had to vomit when I was done. The University as a whole, and through a few individuals have made grievous errors. There are victims we know of, and probably more we don't. This sick man was not stopped, and he was allowed to continue his reign of terror on these children. There is no excuse under the sun for his behavior or the lack of concern it was swept under the rug with.

    That being said, I do not feel the football team, the band, the cheerleaders, etc. should be penalized for the actions, appalling as they are, of those few. They have worked hard to be in a position to be a part of those organizations. They should not have their value diminished in the shadow of the school. I am in no way suggesting these participants should be filled with school spirit about it... but to say they should forfeit the game is punishing those who did not commit the crime.

  19. I'd prefer the game be moved somehow as an away game due to the riot threats. Also I'd prefer that JoePa be placed instead upon suspension under investigation. The current information looks as though he reported what he needed to and left it at that.

    JoePa didn't indicate discussing the retirement declaration with the board, the board didn't review the firing with victims. Victims don't want to be associated with forcing JoePa's firing but do want justice done. Student protests are already an issue. I hope nothing happens at the game tomorrow. Traffic around the state is already building as people make their way to the game.

    In all of this - why was Sandusky groomed to replace JoePa, then took no time to retire, was never hired to coach anywhere else? Did other universities blacklist him as well?

    I am not a diehard PSU fan, I'm not a big sports fan in general. I live in the middle of it all. I do not want tomorrow to go on as if JoePa's just out sick or something. I do want thorough investigation of the entire reporting process. I don't believe firing JoePa was appropriate until investigation has been conducted.

    As for Sandusky, I want him to get the full punishment now and eternally for what he has done.

  20. RG-
    Excellent article. This event breaks my heart & I agree with your thoughts. As a mom of a son & a "Nena" to a grandson, I can't imagine anyone seeing this happen to them & walking away. I have worked since the early '90s with underprivileged kids & protected them at all costs.

    The government is also looking at forcing Penn State to repay fed funds/grants as this is a violation to their agreements.

    It will only get bigger from here,but one of my fav scriptures says: "2 Everything that is secret will be brought out into the open. Everything that is hidden will be uncovered. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight. What you have whispered to someone behind closed doors will be shouted from the rooftops."-Luke 12:2. Jesus was sincere when He said....what you've done to the least of these, you've done to me. He will not be mocked!

    Thanks & I appreciate your stand.
    g

  21. I am appalled at the egregious behavior demonstrated here, first by the individual who did not stop the rape when viewing it with his own eyes, to the Trustees not immediately firing all involved when this came out, to the student rioters holding up a man who allowed child rape to happen for years as a hero.

    This is a disgrace to our entire country. Money, loss of job, and fear of reprisal is not worth the sacrifice of a single child. If we do not support our kids and keep them safe from predators, then we are lost. I am at a loss to explain how anyone under any circumstances could support what happened here, and what was allowed to happen for years to many more children who were already at risk.

    Having everything stop for a short time to show that this behavior will not be accepted is a minor loss or inconvenience to a few. Continuing on as if it is just fine will have repercussions on our humanity.

  22. No question about it my dear Randy! Right on the money, as usual....the big problem is that in the USA as soon as something wrong goes wrong, the PR side of it comes to life and looks to balance the fact with the public perception and fucks it all up! I truly agree with you, but so many other events similar or worse than this one have taken place and the show has continued! Sadly so!

  23. Tying this horrific act to prosperity consciousness vs. lack consciousness is a stretch but I get your point. This another evil act by the good ole boy system.

    1. Daryl, I can see the connection clearly...

      Only someone with a lack consciousness could possibly feel that they need to prey on innocent children in order to feel powerful in themselves.

      Only someone with a lack consciousness could feel that they need to cover up such a crime in order to keep their job.

      Only someone with a lack consciousness could feel happy about going onto the football field and pretend that nothing had happened because they think they need the exposure to go ahead in life.

      However -
      Someone with a prosperity consciousness will do whatever they can to protect innocents who are not able to protect themselves

      Someone with a prosperity consciousness would be willing to risk their job to report a crime that they witnessed and protect a child (and many more children to follow)

      A footballer, cheerleader or bandsman with a prosperity consciousness would make a stand and refuse to carry on as normal this weekend

      An institution with a prosperity consciousness would teach and uphold all of these principles (Yes Dan - that is the right spelling).

      An institution which has allowed this behaviour to continue since at least 1998 is incapable of teaching principles of truth, justice, honour and integrity. They have no idea of true morality and ethics, and should not be allowed to continue - but they will...

      This is not about the good ole boy system - it is about prosperity and lack.

      It is about the principles of morality and ethics.

      it is the perfect discussion for Randy's Prosperity forum.

      At least - that's my opinion...

  24. Wow. I really didn't know the details of this scandal as I really don't pay attention to the news. It is sickening. Thank you Randy for bringing it to my attention.

    As for the game, I can understand what people are saying on both sides of the argument, but I think at the very least the game should be postponed. There shouldn't be any public celebration involving Penn State this weekend.

  25. Great thoughts Randy. My question is what kind of ethical standards do the students have (who are all free thinking "adults") for still wanting to play their game when such horrific harm has been bestowed on innocent children? Whose to say it couldn't have been them that was raped?!!!! Why didn't anybody put there foot down and revolt????

  26. I find some of these responses totally incorrect. You get on the woman who says it would effect our community economically pretty easily because of course it will not affect your well being. Very simple to say well we would not want it because of the truly atrocious actions that happened when indeed money will not be taken out of your pockets that feed your family.

    Pretty high and mighty of all of you who are not going to be affected. This lady did nothing wrong and neither did that town...and neither did any of those kids out there playing and trying to earn a future perhaps through football or cheerleading etc.etc.. No they should not be punished for something they did not do or had absolutely nothing to do with. The people responsible should be severely punished in my mind and at the end of the year if indeed it is actually something the NCAA can do anything about since it probably is not an actual sports violation than they can punish the program. That way the kids who again had nothing to do with this in any way have a chance to transfer and move on with their lives.

    I am as enraged by the actions as much as anyone else. I don't have kids but if/when I do I would imagine having the ability to kill someone if they indeed did something of this magnitude did happen. I think Joepa is a disgrace...I think any of those who knew of such will get theirs...and I actually believe they should for letting something like this happen. But these kids who did nothing wrong...and this town that did nothing wrong should not be made to suffer in my mind.

    I do like what the gentleman above said and I would hope the players and the captains do do something to show respect to those kids who were violated. It would be the right thing to do to show them some kind of respect indeed.

    And btw: The rioting thing is the media blown out of proportion. People will see that as this unfolds. I just pray that we don't lose focus on Sandusky being the evil in this case and those that actually had a part in it.

  27. This whole request for support brings me back to Mother Theresa, when asked, would you support a war rally. She said, no, but if you have a peace rally, I will be there. What she knew, that I think needs to be revisited, is that, what you focus on and bring attention to grows. I'm so surprised Randy is giving energy and focus to this horrific act. Giving attention to it will only make it grow. I'll do the opposite and pray for peace. It's the only way to counteract the evil. Isn't that what you teach Randy? Why are you redirecting your energy on evil instead of good? Please don't give attention to this. It will only grow and I assure you, God will be the final judge of this evil behavior, not us.

  28. Great article Randy. I totally agree with what you said. When I read that grand jury report I was sickened as to why McQueary didn't physically rescue the boy, or called the police.

  29. So, let me get this straight... parents, nor the mayor or police have done anything about all of this. Oh, my, this is just not right! This is clearly what I call greed and "Blood Money."

  30. Great job Randy! I agree with you 100%. They should cut Sandusky's balls off as well as anyone else that was involved. Wait till the boys in the slammer get a hold of Sandusky. He will finally learn what anal sex is all about!!!!

  31. This is not, to me, about football or abuse.

    It isn't about one program or one person's offenses. It isn't about one case or one college. This is about culture and values. And every single person who has given their energy (time, money, enthusiasm, etc...) to a sport, celebrity, institution or entertainment then given NO energy to stand up and say "that is NOT to be condoned" when they see a violation of "right" has helped to lay the foundation for a culture where this can happen.

    Not a culture where this can happen on a college campus, or as part of a football program. Not a culture where this can happen and the "game goes on."

    But a culture where this can happen - again and again.

    It can happen because the violator is powerful, or talented, or wealthy, or connected - they do what they do and the CULTURE elects to pretend they didn't notice. Because the message is already there in the culture that "it happens, but the game must go on."

    When I was in High School, the best English teacher I ever had was fired because she refused to pass a student who was failing her class. That student was a star player on the football team - if he failed her class he would not be able to play.

    How does that relate? Because it sends a message that the CULTURE places a higher value on winning football games than an education, than honesty, than doing what is right. That message about what is valued in the culture is the same that Penn State is sending now. They are saying to the world "We value our football tradition, we value a win over NE, we value our coach, we value our pride... FAR more than we value the health, the wellbeing, the FATE of a few little boys we will never have to meet.

    I am not a big believer in the effectiveness of punishments. So I won't get into what a fair penalty would be.

    I am a big believer in understanding WHY people harm other people and in remembering that when we overlook behavior that was born in pain and fear we extend the suffering of the violator as well as the victim. It did not serve anyone for the violations to be overlooked.

    But we are ALL paying the penalty if we allow this CULTURE to permeate our lives. Next time you're caught up in a sport, or a TV show, or a movie, or anything else that involves people with "clout" - think about that.

      1. Randy - I've spent a good deal of my life looking for some of those insights. Those here who turn to more hate and name calling are helping build that culture as surely as those who look the other way. We do not live in prosperity when we live with hate.

    1. Thank you Dixie

      You have raised some wonderful points here. I agree that we allow such cultures to grow, which is why we need to speak out when we see injustice.

      I do believe that in such a public case as this, punishment is appropriate to teach a lesson - not only to the perpetrators, but also to all of those who see that "crime doesn't pay".

      The quote from "Luke" above points to Jesus' understanding of Karma. ...and I do believe that sometimes Karma needs help and publicity. (see my comments below.

      Thanks again for your beautiful insights.
      Trevor

      1. Trevor - thanks for your response and your well-thought-out comment below. I didn't say punishment isn't appropriate - I just don't see that it is effective. Especially in the face of a cultural bias toward viewing "right" as a continuum based on what we WANT to believe. "Right" doesn't function by degrees.

  32. There are two people who did the right, human thing-the assistant principal and the wrestling coach you mention. What are their names?
    This is a prosperity blog-we need good people evidence, so when children say why can't a grown up do something, we can say they did.

  33. Randy,

    This news has not really hit Australia yet. But even though I am not a great sports fan, and have nothing to do with the US College football program, the name "JoPa' is very familiar to me.

    He is an internationally famous football coach. And in his official capacity, he helped to cover up a vicious crime which happened in his own workplace. It is perfectly appropriate for him to lose his job, and to lose his career as a coach permanently.

    His actions, in not going directly to legal authorities, are reprehensible, and likely to have resulted in the continued rape of other innocent boys for another nine years (since 2002).

    By the way - lets call a spade a spade. You and many of your readers are referring to abuse or "horrific abuse". But this is anal penetration. This is not abuse, it is RAPE.

    Even if the ten-year-old boy was consenting, US law calls it "statutory rape". But is a ten-year-old boy capable of truly giving consent for such an act? Particularly an underprivileged kid who has been brought to the university (I use that term loosely) for a special program, at the hands of an influential adult man.

    Please call it what it is - RAPE

    Now, the students are rioting in defence of a man who, by his failure to act appropriately, has allowed probably many more victims to be raped in similar manner, and has allowed a rapist to go unpunished for fully nine years. ...and would have allowed it to continue forever, if it were not for some real men with the balls to do the right thing.

    One of your readers was being too kind when she said they needed a slap up the head. A kick in the backside with a pointy toed shoe might give them a clue – or are they truly just clueless… They need some real education about the real crime here, and the MANY people who contributed to the crime by their inaction...

    The contributors include the coaches, the witnesses, the athletic director, the campus detective and his boss, and every other person that they ever mentioned it to, including their wives, girlfriends, husbands, boyfriends, drinking buddies, professors, chancellors and deans, etc...

    The “university” has actively covered up crimes. They have protected a rapist. They have protected witnesses who should have reported the crime. They have protected others who should have reported the crimes.

    They have failed in their moral duty of care, by not protecting the innocent young victims.

    They have failed in their legal duty by failing to report a vicious crime.

    There has been an institutional cover-up here, and it is appropriate that the institution be harshly punished. By all means, hit them where it hurts – take back all government grants since the first known cover-up of 1998. Then fine them heavily. If this sends the institution bankrupt, then so be it.

    If I had a child there, I would be pulling them out immediately.

    If I had a son playing football there, I would be calling press conferences to make it know why I was pulling him out and offering his services to other colleges who might be interested and were prepared to include morals clauses (relating to college staff as well as my son) in their contracts.

    As for the game…

    If they play, they are simply saying “we don’t give a shit about the victims of the crimes perpetrated by out football coaches, assistant coaches and other football staff – getting your money is much more important to us”.

    There are those who say that stopping or forfeiting the game (and the rest of the season) is only punishing the innocent students. But how innocent are those who riot in favour of an accomplice to such violent crimes. If they wish to be seen as innocent, they should be doing everything possible to distance themselves from PSU football…

    They can show themselves to be innocent by making a stand for the victims, not by seeking revenge against a team that has nothing to do with the crimes under investigation.

    I would like to think that if I were a PSU footballer, I would walk onto the field and sit down for the entire game in the middle of the field in quiet protest. I have personally made similar statements in the past and I am sure I will again.

    Randy – I totally agree with your sentiments in this, I am also seething…

    I also agree with your suggested immediate action of forfeiting the game (better still, forfeiting the season), but I would like to see it taken much further.

    As for the innocent footballers, cheerleaders and bandspeople, if they are truly worthy, they will have no trouble finding their place at other institutions – and I would encourage them to do so. I would also encourage them to stand up and be counted among the “moral minority”, and speak out against such heinous crimes.

    Thank you for the opportunity to include “Trevor’s Rant” within your own.

    Trevor

  34. "Let’s look at the facts from the grand jury we know so far…"

    If you had any idea of what you don't know, you'd literally be over the commode getting sick.

    Joe Pa has hired a criminal attorney.

    And, that kid who would be in danger if he appeared on the field tomorrow, has been placed on permanent administrative leave.

    Stay tuned. Many are going to prison.

    1. I think it is a shame that you and others choose to remain anonymous.

      Of course it is your right to do so.

      ..and I stand firmly beside you (whoever you are) defending your rights.

      I just think that if you want to stand up for anything, then you should do so openly.

      ...but that's just my opinion...

  35. I will stop after this because people may begin to think I am not angry or in favor of punishing the crap out of those who were involved. But there was not any rioting. That was the media and you will see that as more of it unfolds. There were some silly college kids on national tv drinking and being stupid like most silly college kids do. I am done before I get booed off stage.

  36. No football game, University, or Coach is bigger than this atrocity. The whole situation disgusts me. Sandusky is a monster and the people that kept their mouths shut are as guilty as he is.

    By the way, how was this sick %$&# allowed anywhere NEAR the team or the campus after 1998???

    Paterno has never been anything more than a mortal man, and if the PSU faithful could pull themselves from the JoPa Alter and take a look at what has unraveled, they would be as ashamed as the rest of us.

    There are points on both sides, as it relates to canceling the game, but the most compelling points for playing the game are all about money.
    Canceling the game is not going to put State College out of business, and sometimes in life, that's just the price you have to pay.

    Think of the victims: the children, and how their lives have been altered forever by this beast masquerading as a football coach, then tell me with a clear conscience that the game and the football season should go on, business as usual. I don't think so.

    I agree with your perspective and your take on the situation, Randy. It all comes down to doing the RIGHT THING.

  37. They caught the predator(Sandusky) then turned right around & RUINED A COLLEDGE FOOTBALL ICON(who,by the way, did the right thing and report the incedent), & NOW talking about going after the Program. WHERE DOES IT END? HOW DO WE JUSTIFY PUNISHING AN ENTIRE UNIVERSITY OVER THE ACTIONS OF ONE?

    1. How can you possibly say that JoePa "did the right thing"

      For nine years he has stood by and worked with a predator who he knew was guilty of RAPE, and said NOTHING to anyone who could or would treat the matter appropriately.

      The ONLY right thing for him to do was to take the matter and the witness to the police, or the state attorney's office.

      Instead, he knew the university politics well enough to actively help in the cover-up by reporting it only to the Athletics Administrator - and he waited a day to do that!

      Where does it end? - probably way short of the mark

      Where SHOULD it end? - Only when ALL people involved - that is anyone who knew anything about absolutely any of the incidents of RAPE - is properly dealt with by the law.

      ...and that includes the entire institution which actively covered up these numerous crimes.

      Can you really believe that Sandusky is the only guilty party here?

      The evidence already presented (and much more will follow) clearly shows that many were involved in one way or another, including the university itself.

      1. Trevor -- I think this guy is just a turkey trying to stir the pot. Anyone in their right mind knows Joepa did not do the right thing and even if he made a poor choice which we all do...he had 9 years to at least try to correct it. Joepa was dead wrong.

        1. Wesley,

          I look at the grammar ,spelling, punctuation and ALL OF THE SHOUTING in that post, and figure that the writer didn't get to go to a college of the calibre of Penn State...

          They probably just don't understand...

          Trevor

    2. If Joe had done the right thing as you say, why is he hiring a defense attorney, instead of filing a wrongful termination suit? Don't be so quick to defend Joe or Penn state. We have only begun to see the tip of this horrific iceberg. Remember Penn state defenders, the Tulane basketball case, the first week was nothing in comparison to what was learned a month down the road. If Joe knew in his heart he did the right thing, he would be fighting his termination and protecting his reputation. Don't be so damn silly.

  38. Great article Randy! What is happening to our generation, the judiciary system etc. I can understand your anger.....

  39. I am so glad you posted this Randy. It is horrific. I was stunned to learn that so so many boys are molested when they are little. Having a daughter I just never thought much about it. I just made sure I protected her.
    I think that every person that was aware of the molestation should be punished. Not just fired but punished for not reporting it. It's just awful. I agree they should forfeit the game. They need to get this mess cleaned up.

  40. Thanks Randy for your rant. I appreicate being able to read the comments regarding the sexual abuse carried out on innocent and defenceless boys. No one, boy or girl, woman or man should have to experience any kind of abuse. Penn State leadership and governance appears to be lacking and its silence says volumnes about the institution and what it stands for. The issue here is that innocent children were used and abused. Just how big is this mess. I am always fascinated how 'we' humans divert from the real issue at hand. Playing the football game sends the message that it's okay to do what Sandusky did. Riots because a head coach got fired for not dealing with the issue says lots about where societal values sit.

  41. This is one of the most brushed under the table crimes that I have ever seen because its so close to home. Uncles and fathers, so many are guilty. It is time to bring it to the forefront If the game is played or some very special announcements are not made before the game tomorrow and $ donated than we as a society are really in trouble! We must not put up with this.

  42. That sounds so much like The Vatican and the Catholic Church in Ireland the last couple of years. So many children affected and neglected afterwards, or made to feel guilty for it happening to them in the first place.

  43. Hi Randy, this made me sick, and I can not believe this could go on for so long. I agree with you there should not be another football game played this year.... SAD soooo SAD

  44. Randy,
    Let us all ask an unemotional critical thinking question: Why would you want to forgo games and maybe get banned by the NCAA for bowl games etc.? The true purpose of any good criminal law is the prevention of these crimes. But this only works, when offenders get the maximum penalty. There cannot be any excuses, like you hear them too often in todays "justice" system. This scandal has gone on too long without being stopped, too many people knew about it and decided to look the other way or heard rumors and did not follow up etc. You cannot mitigate the punishment, because some others may be negatively affected. You must set an example, so a similar situation does not happen again. And all of Penn State, current and former students, faculty and alumni must take FULL responsibility for the crimes and the cover up. Too bad some feelings get hurt. Life is not fair, but the sooner you learn to take responsibility for everything that happens around you, the sooner you learn the true happiness from overcoming obstacles, even if they were not of your own doing. Making things right for somebody who got insured, even if inconvenient for you, shows true world-class behavior and that's miising too often in our current society.

  45. Forfeiting this game affects more than just Penn State. Punishing all the people that work at the game as well as Nebraska and their commitment to the game doesn't make sense. None of these people had anything to do with the horrific events that cause Paterno's dismissal. Face it, the world will not stop because of this, but people will pay as we've seen happening in the last few days.

    1. OK...

      This time I will be blunt.

      Dear "whoever the hell you might be"...

      If you feel strongly enough about this subject to write a comment, why don't you have the balls to let us know who you are, instead of hiding behind anonymity.

      All of those involved in the cover-up at PSU are also hiding behind anonymity for as long as they can.

      The world will not stop - as you say - but this makes the world a much worse place. And if the game goes on and everything is just as it always was, then the world will go further down hill (and eventually stop) just for the sake of money.

      Don't get me wrong - I think money is great. but I don't worship it, and I don't put it ahead of the safety of our kids...

  46. Speaking from experience, the graphic/horrific memories never go away. Never. Penn State is covering just enough to get out of the spotlight. I agree, shut down the game! This is nuclear grade sicko.

  47. In listening to Fox news this morning, I overheard a comment that really tells the tale for me...

    The statement went like this: The Coach gets how many Millions to run the sports program at Penn State? And the head of the Physics Department gets paid maybe $125K per year? Such disparity! No wonder our nations science programs are so far behind the rest of the world... Sports are fine to build character and fitness but for sports to be "the institution..." that's WAY "Over the Top, for me."

  48. Because this sick man was not stopped, whatever the courts decide is okay with me. (Of course, a death sentence for Sandusky would be my preference.)

  49. Randy, it was hard to read your post without shedding a few tears. To be honest, I had not heard about all these awful issues with Sandusky and my heart felt increasing heaviness as you spoke of the victims, the witnesses and the cover-uppers. These types of experiences are toxic for everyone involved. It is so imperative to do/say something when we see this going on-Right Away!
    I'm so sorry to hear about your own experience, and honour you for sharing. Talking about sexual abuse isn't always easy because, sometimes, as has been the case for me, there can still be threads of shame around it, which is a strange thing because you’d think the shame belongs to the perpetrator. Such is the nature of this crime. I, too, was molested when I was a child (by a stranger). I was watching my brother play floor hockey at a local community center. There was only myself and this older guy watching the game. When it was happening, I had a terrible vision of what would happen to me but there was a distraction and I ran away - I was lucky. Nothing was done about it and he was never caught. I’ve also wondered how many other kids he did that to. But, there is something magical about sharing; it helps those who’ve experienced it, let go. I'm glad that you were able to work through what happened.
    These football kids? Even one incident can cause problems, and the more times sexual abuse happens, the worse it is because people have to create a defence when something hideous is happening so they can survive it... Sometimes, that defence stays into adulthood and takes a while to dismantle- but great healing can be done with lots of Love, understanding, and support. These kids certainly do need to be helped NOW and I whole-heartedly agree with your assertion that Penn State should focus on the welfare of the boys first and ditch the games. I have a male relative who was raped by a neighbour several times, as a pre-teen. He is now in his mid 50's, living in his truck, and trying to survive. That is hard on my heart. Nothing can convince me that repeated acts of sexual abuse do not do deep damage to a person. If these boys are not found, and helped, they are at high risk for suicide, addictions, depression, or, if they manage to skip that stuff, a squelched life. I hope, in my heart of hearts, that they have disclosed the abuse and are Loved, supported, and helped through the trauma. Thank you for digressing from your normal blogging route to stop to raise awareness, share your own experience, and speak up for these kids. Bless your heart!

    1. Dear "whoever-the-hell-you-are",

      If not shut down the parishes, at least remove ALL people involved and who knew about the crimes - all the way to the Pope if this be the case...

      ... and, it goes without saying, report all incidents to the police...

  50. I tend to agree Randy. Shutting down the program would send a message to the student body and a the boosters that the institution should be shamed out loud.
    As for punishing the non offenders by doing so, that is an interesting interpretation. I get it. And their hurt feelings are collateral damage. Sending the message is far more important a teaching moment than their feelings.
    And these are all just opinions. What matters is what the powers to be think and do about this Unfortunately their role model is the Catholic church an institution about which we could "rant" on for years.
    Kudos Sir Gage. I stand with you

  51. Hi Randy,

    I don't think shutting it down is the answer. Why punish everyone for a few people's errors?

    If a Catholic Priest gets caught molesting an altar boy, do we close the Catholic church down?

    If someone molests a young boy in a park, do we close that suburb down? Or close humanity down?

    No, hunt down the perpetrators like in any crime and bring them to justice. It's why there is a judicial system.

    There's lots of people that have been training hard all week (and year/s) that are looking forward to doing what they love.

    Imagine if they closed down network marketing because one guy molested a child?

    1. Greg,

      the problem with your argument is that this is not the same as a single priest molesting an alter boy, or a person assaulting a kid in the park.

      In this case, there has been an institution-wide cover-up for at least thirteen years (since 1998).

      Whether the institution is the PSU football fraternity, or the university itself is still to be fully revealed - and let's hope it is revealed rather than covered up again.

      Whichever the case may be, the institution responsible needs to be institutionally penalised.

      This goes way beyond an individual act - it is numerous acts involving numerous people in powerful positions - some regarded as heroes...

      Of course, some of the church cases are similar, and they are also swept under the carpet because it is a church - SO WHAT!!!

      If the representatives of an institution commit a heinous crime, and other representatives of the institution are involved in an institutional cover-up, then the institution should be held responsible, not just the original perpetrator - all who are involved or who have knowledge and fail to take appropriate action are responsible.

  52. Thank you for writing this, Randy. It needed to be said.

    As for penalizing the students and devastating the community; no one ever said that doing the right thing is always painless. But the right thing is always the right thing.

    If Penn State will not do the right thing, we the people, can. We all have the ability to choose not to watch or attend their games.

  53. I'm not sure why I feel the need to defend our community, maybe because there is so much hate being thrown at us. We had our vigil tonight for abuse victims.10,000 students and community members were present. You can watch it here: http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DOL8YjOUq6Oo%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&feature=youtu.be&v=OL8YjOUq6Oo&gl=US
    Amazing how 5 times the amount of people were here, and no one seems to know. I'll say it again, we are not monsters. We are a community that is torn apart. We have a right to be angry and sad. You can judge from afar, but if it were happening to your friends and family I guarantee you would feel different.

    1. I doubt many people really see your community as monsters. I certainly don't, and it's obvious that most people there are as horrified with these revelations as the rest of us.

      But the evidence is beginning the suggest a systemic cover-up by Penn State as an institution on many levels. And as a prosperity guy, I hate all the easy "rich-bashing" that seems so easy to do. But in this case, I think these kids' lives were sacrificed on the alter of the $72 millions a year that football program brings into the PSU budget. And to reward the university with football as usual is unconscionable to me. -RG

      1. I understand that, Randy - really I do. But what about the hundreds of people that are employed by the university on game day that need that income? What about the thousands of people who are employed by the university and their families? Is it giving money back to the institution that covered up these horrible crimes - yes, but PSU is the number one employer in this community - if I'm not mistaken, in the state!

        It is far reaching and all that I'm asking is for people to look beyond the hate and look at what you are asking and the impacts it would have. Yes a statement it would be, but the impact would be hitting people who had nothing to do with it!

        1. I hear you. But on principles, I stand on principle. And those choices are no often easy. I can't sanction making them on economic impact. That's what created this disgusting situation to begin with. No one wanted to jeopardize the $72 million juggernaut with big boosters, sky boxes and future endowments. No one thought about the defenseless kids.

          -RG

        2. In the grand scheme, shutting it down for one Saturday is getting off light, in my opinion.

          Compared to what the victims will deal with for the rest of their lives...the financial hit that everybody takes this weekend is miniscule.

          None of the intelligent and reasonable people in this discussion doubt for one second the sincerity and dedication of the vast majority of the individuals in the community, and no one is directing retribution at the innocent.

          Truthfully, there's nothing that Penn State can do or not do in three hours that will begin to make up for the atrocities that have played out...however, in my opinion, it would be a much stronger statement to sacrifice the cash on one Saturday in November, than to simply let the juggernaut move ahead, business as usual. It would at least say to the rest of the country, "we are now aware...and we care".

  54. They said on the radio that the Great Coach and his cronies are responsible for RAISING 70 MILLION a year for the program. Once again, Money does buy a lot of things, including SILENCE!

  55. I subscribe to a bunch of news blogs. salon slate huffintgon post... and a link to washington post had sportswriter sally jenkins saying be nice if predators came wearing horns, etc.. so Paterno not to blame.. but another columnist said bs.. all he had to do was dial three numbers 911.. exactly.. end of story..

  56. Randy, I think it is fantastic that you are doing your best to get the facts on the table. When people know the facts they generally make great choices that are appropriate. Some facts not mentioned. Penn State has turned out many more people that live up to the standards you talk about in your post than those that don't. I would be willing to bet that most Penn State grads and students, knowing the facts have already made the choice you outline. I have faith in the youth of America, and yes that includes those from Penn State. We need people to make good choices and that begins by treating them as if they have the right to make good choices. Instead of someone shutting down the big game, worried about losing the ad revenues, frustration for the senior football players, let's worry about allowing the people involved in Penn State, students, and teachers, administrators, coaches, etc. to make that choice on their own and boycott the game. The mother that would take her daughter out of Penn State if she went there is saying "let's punish every person at Penn State" that built great young minds that have turned out to be leaders and the many more that will do the same. I have faith in the people connected with Penn State that armed with the facts they will make the proper choices instead of the Penn State machine and news pundits dictating what will be done or how people should act. This horrific display of poor choices can be used to build a group of people all over the world that make the right choices without being dictated to.

    I have no idea about your personal experience you outline in your post, and how it was ever dealt with. Based on your recipe of justice above, if you never did anything about it and added to others being treated like you, your blog should now be suspended and shut down.

    I agree with everything you say should be done this weekend and going forward. I want the people that are at Penn State to do what is right because they know how to do the right thing. I have total confidence in the young people in this world. They are our future leaders and will benefit by being given the facts and making good choices. I have no affiliation what so ever with Penn State. I do have immense anger for a world that is told what to do by the big machine when we would all be much better off by being taught to speak out and make a difference when we know something is wrong and needs to be changed. We are all just as guilty we allow the politicians to run the USA and we do nothing to take charge of our fate. America is molested every day. Using the situation at Penn State now is a great launch pad to start a new movement of people doing the right thing because it shows leadership and respect. Give people the facts and teach them to be leaders with that information and the Penn State situation will become one of the greatest events ever at changing the way the world does business. I think everyone reading this would agree we need some of that medicine!

  57. Sorry, didn't read the bit about not putting website url in there.

    I don't think innocent people should be punished for the actions of a few bad apples.

    Having said that, God more than once punished Israel as a nation for the actions of an unGodly Israelite king, didn't he.

    While I understand the opposite opinion to mine, there are the players who have trained hard all week and may just be on the wrong team, that's all.

    Let the legal system deliver it's verdict and remember, judge not lest ye be judged.

    We live in a fallen world, these things happen. At least the kids weren't murdered, eyes burnt out with hot irons, etc.

    It's not good for them, but it could have been worse. Thank God it wasn't Charles Manson they were at the hands of.

  58. This is a henious ,despicable incomprehensable violation of a human right . Rape is not and will never be accepted in this world FULL STOP . It has been brought to light thank God finally . but unfortunately this lack of consciousness is in every community, hiding in the corners of society .Institutions all over the world have been guilty of a so called fraternity silence . Abuse of power needs to be addressed , taking responsibility needs to be addressed the well being of every human being should be paramount . It is time to stand up and be counted no matter who you are , if we all join forces as a human race we can achieve a better world . We have allowed things to be brushed under the carpet and the Catholic church was a global brush off and nobody has been made accountable for their actions , over the years it has not only been priests that have raped and abused children so called nuns have been guilty of abuse exerting their will on to those in their care. Come on the wellbeing of our children is priceless and no amount of money can buy a balanced mind body and spirit. We have to nurture their talents and gifts in a safe environment were they can grow to be prosperous creative confident adults who in turn are the custodians of the next generation . We have to teach by example the people guilty of these crimes including those who turned their backs should accept responsibility and justice should prevail. on a more positve note now its foundations have been shook the people who have worked hard can rebuild the old institution into a new dynamic prosperous community , the lessons are there to be learned , It has been brought into the light and the many children who have slipped the net maybe caught and given the help that is so rightly deserved . The community should stand strong and show the rest of society it is not acceptable behaviour and gain strenghth on the positive talents and gifts they have to offer . God bless you all and I hope that the children who have gone astray will come forward so they can receive the support they need and remember out of chaos a new way of being can be transformed into something great filled with love , integrity that benefits all Mx

  59. I always hated football or games where children from the start are injured. A rough and tumble sport for all the adults? I did not encourage my children to be rough and uncaring. Doesn't it all begin with the game and what is important in life? Doesn't it all start in the home? Yup! Any caring adult would never harm another human being. Child or adult! Men or women! Do you think this college is the only place this is happening? Teach love and compassion, and let the rest go to the dogs. I am angry, yes!!!

  60. I will add one more comment and then I am done. Today's game will have a stadium filled with students and alumni in blue shirts - a "blue out" as opposed to the usual white out. This statement is to show their support for the victims and for child abuse awareness.

    Tshirts are being sold all across town and the money is being donated to child abuse awareness. $200,000 has already been raised, and game day is just beginning. Students are having bake sales to raise money - these are good people!

    Yes these events are horrible, but we are doing the right thing in this community. If anything good is coming out of a bad situation, it is the worldly attention to the awareness of child abuse. Sitting in our homes and canceling a football game may send a statement, but raising money and painting a stadium blue with over 100,000 people will show we care!

  61. Obviously we cannot depend on the Penn State community to do the right thing here. Is it too much to ask that the rest of us boycott watching this game and make our thoughts known to the network and sponsors who haven't pulled out by now? I have been asking where the NCAA is since this story broke. It is unacceptable if they let this program go on to post season bowl games. I am a big ten alumni and intend to let the conference know that sanctions against this program are expected if they want to salvage the reputation of the rest of the schools they represent. I actually feel sorry for the Cornhuskers going into such a slimy situation today.

  62. The students that are rioting at Penn in favor of Joe have been desensitized by the media that screams that homosexual behavior is healthy and fornication and every type of sexual deviatation is appropriate. When a male forces sex on a male, he is a homosexual/predator. If a female forces sex on a female, she is a lesbian/predator. If a male or female forces sex on males and females, he/she is a bisexual predator. Sandusky has probably raped all of his 8 adopted children. His wife knew it in her head but her heart would not believe it. The wife was probably frightened and controlled by Sandusky. Sandusky will get away with this because no one cares about the children and all they care about is the football games must go on. The students do not consider the rape of children an issue because they have bought the lie which is "sports is more important than food, children, family, etc." Sports in America is GOD. It is an idol. If Penn State and most of America did not worship football, they would stop the madness today and fall on their faces in repentance and cancel the games and stop providing public showers which attract sexual predators. Showers can be taken in the privacy of a home, did any one ever think of that? I did not allow my son to become part of sports growing up in the 80's and 90's because I knew that public showers attract child abusers who are coaches. I never allowed him to do sports because of coaches in the shed waiting to hurt boys. I never allowed him to becomea boy scout. Male abusers and male teen abusers are a dime a dozen. They are everywhere waiting to get your boy. Your boy won't tell due to shame and being told he will be killed or his family hurt. Predators know exactly how to manipulate and terrify a child or teen boy. Most boys will never tell. When he gets older he will be emotionally unstable and is a suicide risk and will probably turn to valium, or pain narcotics. He is also destroyed physically. His body has a memory. He has phantom pain. It goes on and on. There is a reservation in hell for all rapists and abusers. God's Word says if you hurt one of His little ones, it would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were cast into the depths of the sea. Hell's gates are open, waiting for every predator and they will never escape the torment. Thank you for listening.

  63. Randy, stop watching the TV~!

    There is no such thing as a victim.

    No one that I have read in this blog is looking at the spiritual answer.

    There is always a bigger picture.

    Victim consciousness will not lead you to prosperity.

    "Fix" yourself and leave the rest to Spirit.

    1. Really, JimPa, this is how you'd handle it?

      Seems like burying heads in the sand is what caused this situation to grow into what is has become. Shame on you for suggesting that blind-eye trend continue.

      These are children being raped by their mentor. They are very much victims, and I will stand up and scream and shout and get enraged to defend them. I'm gonna MAKE the world a better place...not just think about it.

      Ignoring this horror would be the worst injustice to my prosperity. JimPa, you do what you want with your prosperity.

  64. Completely agree, Randy, that Penn State should forfeit this game. What people fail to realize is that Penn State is not going through with this game as a sign of solidarity, a sign of respect to the community that depends on the game, or as a sign of respect to the student players. I'm convinced they are playing it because the university doesn't want to endure the economic pain of cancelling it. Which is the exact reason they brushed these incidents under the rug in the first place. Because of the dollars it would cost them by allowing them to come to light.

    An aside on this, it is troubling to hear all over the media and public that "money" corrupted this institution and caused all this. Not true. Thirst for POWER corrupted this institution and money was merely a vehicle to attain it. It's important to make the distinction.

  65. Thanks Randy for posting this. You know, having been at the effect of involuntary sexual conduct as a child, I just can't get why grown ups who know or witness or learn of such activity don't ACT immediately. The years of therapy, self doubt and anguish it I went through -- my prayers and love to those young boys who are truly dealing with something in secret, darkness and probably shut down. May their life now start healing.

    I don't much jump to the drama band wagon. But this is not a wagon, it is a freak'n freight train. Child trafficing for sex is frighttenly very active in the US.

  66. Good article, except this scumbag Sandusky is NOT behind bars.

    He was released on only $100,000 bail, which the judge rationalized because "he is not considered a flight risk."

    And he stipulated that "defendent is ordered not to associate with boys under the age of 18." So, 19, 20, year olds, etc. are perfectly OK with this judge???

    I guess he forgot to tell the pervert to stay away from Victims 1-7 seeing how they are all over the age of 18 now.

    I guess what this idiot judge is saying is that Sandusky can go ahead and have his will with ANY of the seven victims because they are no longer under that age. Or, just about any of the other "buddies" this guy had using his "charitable foundation."

    The fact this guys is NOT behind bars tells me all I need to know about the system of justice in State College PA.

    The fact that the detective who investigated Sandusky in 1998 was murdered in 2005 by an (as yet) unknown person is, of course, completely irrelevant to this "judge."

  67. I agree totally! They should revoke the school's charter for permitting this rape of kids to go on. It's one of the most despicable stories I've ever heard. I thought it was sick when fans supported michael vick for torturing animals but this blows it away. This country's obsession with sports is grotesque.

  68. Randy, I was mad about the blatant disrespect and lack of concern by the all of the concerned at Penn of the violated victims before seeing your response.

    It gives me a sick gut feeling to know how low people will go to satisfy their own twisted desires and how low others will stoop to ignore it.

    As far as some posters not wanting to punish the "kids"...how about the 'kids that were abused???? The irresponsible kids that are protesting by destroying others property and physically and verbally assualting police officers and civilians need to be punished...swiftly!!

    As far as the football program is concerned perhaps some of the institutions of higher learning need to return to their primary purpose. Turning out educated, responsible young adults that can contribute value to mother earth and humanity.

    We need mentors and teachers of moral values in our universities, not pedophiles. The over used cliche of "if it feels good do it" needs to be restated in moral terms.

    Thanks for your thoughts Randy..right on!
    David

  69. Hey Randy

    I agree. Nobody intervened or does anything when he saw or was a witness to the abusing sexually those poor children by
    Mike McQueary .So these incidens happend with Sandusky in 1998, again in 2000, and will happen again in the future, unless, if someone will do the right thing for to stop and get him to be judged and be punished him,as he deserves it

  70. Ok, I said I was done, but one more thing... There was just announced a bomb threat at Beaver Stadium. Is this what your hatred to our community condones??

    Please let's all stop with the hate and pull together as a group of human beings to do what is right and protect innocent children. Your hatred toward PSU is fueling rage into the entire world!

    Let's be humans and show compassion instead of hatred - and turn a horrible situation into something we as human beings can stand for and agree upon - love and humanity!

    1. Gretchen,

      Please don't think that we hat your community.

      What we despise is what the university has allowed to continue since 1998. The university knew about it and actively hid it. That is despicable - there is no justification or condoning that behaviour.

      Sadly, there will be many in your community who were aware of what had been going on, and also stayed silent. I, for one, truly hope that every one of those people is found and finds true justice - not just a simple fine or probation as is most likely (in the best case scenario.

      You argue that punishing the university would punish the entire community, and you might be right.

      So, using your argument, If a man is found guilty of raping little children, we should not punish that man, because it would also punish his innocent family, and the company he works for, and the football team he coaches.

      The effect of punishing that one man would be quite wide reaching, so let's just let him go???

      Sorry, Gretchen, but that is EXACTLY the same argument you are presenting, to ask that the university no be punished.

      We don't hat you, or your community as a whole. We despise the evil actions of the perpetrators, the witnesses, those who were informed through official channels, those who were told unofficially, the institution which covered this up (for the sake of power and millions of dollars per year) and every single person who knew about these crimes and actively chose to do nothing...

      You seem to be a reasonable and very caring person. Sadly, (alluding to the example I gave above) your community is married to the rapist and the institution that covered it up.

      As the family of the institution, you will be hurt (as collateral damage) if the institution is truly dealt with appropriately, just like the families of those poor boys are hurt by the actions of, not only the rapist, but also the lack of action of the so-called hero - JoePa - and the rest of the institution.

      I wish you and the innocent by-standers in your community the very best, but the institution you are married to needs to be very thoroughly cleaned out.

      Trevor

      1. Trevor,
        I thank you for your words. I feel the hate, but I no longer feel the need to defend my community.

        I'm sure the majority of you did not watch the game today, and if I didn't live here I probably wouldn't have either. However, surprisingly, those young men on that football team showed me what was important.

        As they walked out onto the field arm in arm, showing each other support and the world unity, I understood where I needed to stand. As they met Nebraska on the field and the two team joined together as one to have a few minutes of prayer - I realized what was missing.

        We are all so caught up with our own emotions and hatred, so divided. If we put all our energy into something more productive than hate, and join together I can't imagine the good that could come from a very very bad situation.

        Just one more clarification, I was not a PSU fan until today and the fan I am now is for the young men who showed me what is important.

        1. Gretchen,

          I live in Australia, so naturally, US college football is not a high priority in our news - it is not shown at all, not even in such a drama-filled situation.

          Lets face it - it is just a football game.

          You have no idea how pleased I am to hear your description of what happened at the game - I said before "let's see" how your community responds...

          It sounds like you truly can be proud of your community.

          Let's now hope that your community stays united in the effort to seek out EVERY single person or institution involved in the crimes, and EVERY single person or institution who knew about the crimes and chose to do and say nothing...

          Let's hope that your community stays united in their effort to then ensure that ALL of those people face true justice (as opposed to just the justice system), regardless of the fall-out.

          They are all guilty of harming and allowing further harm to many young boys, and must accept the consequences of their actions, regardless of the fall-out.

          If your community is truly as good as it is beginning to seem, then your community will accept the fallout, however great, from what the university you support has allowed.

          I wish you and your community the very best in this difficult situation.

          Trevor

          1. Thank you Trevor! I hope so too.

            And I think it goes farther than my community. The unity I see is the unity across the world. If we all are as good as we say we are, let's all do the right thing, even when nobody is looking.

  71. Randy, I agree. I've taught at some major universities. There is a culture in academia, especially administration, that sports should reign supreme. ...and usually to the detriment of the academics.

    This reminds me of a certain president who had sex with an intern. He should have been shut down as well. But what did we as a country do? We reelected him. The students at Penn State would keep Paterno and would probably vote for Bill Clinton again.

    1. Hilarious that Clinton gets pulled into this. And actually he didn't get re-elected as the affair between two consenting adults was in his 2nd term. Now we do have a former president that lied and broke international laws and was re-elected. If Clinton could have run for a 3rd term, maybe thousands of young men and women would still be alive.

  72. This is a really disturbing post Randy. I heard about it in the news, but not with all the details. Oh so awful. I don't know much about college football or how it works or how much money is made. Now I have some insight. I agree with you Randy. And I am sorry about what happened to you too.

    I really hate this post too, I know it's true, but it is just so horrible.

    I think the potential for evil is present anytime human beings form an organization. Why? Because we are human, and humans are consistantly evil. All of us. So the bright side, is we can choose not to be. And it is not always easy.

    Unfortunately, I was not surprised by the behavior of the people involved. I know from my own experience, and history that ego and false idoltry leads us to evil.

    As humans we need to work on ego integrity and higher morality that stems not from institutions or relying on a higher authority. We must gain the knoweledge that we can trust ourselves. Trusting ourselves comes from ego integrity.

    The most evil things I have ever done is when I have rationalized my corrupt behavior to myself, or when I have followed someone else's lead without trusting my own sense of right and wrong.

    Think of the rationalizations one must have to believe that not doing anything was the right thing. But just don't be so sure you wouldn't have done the same... Not saying anyone here would have done that, but the only way to protect against evil is to be honest with ourselves. In what situatons in our own environments have we turned away from the truth to protect our egos or someone else's who we feel has more power or authority than we.

    I know I have been amoral. It is not always easy to do the right thing and be honest. Truth can seem like a scary bastard, but it is also our salvation.

    Children are our responsibility. Adults, and yes 28 is old enough to be an adult, have to protect and advocate for children. Really no one else will.

  73. Randy - we spoke briefly about this last Jan. It seems that you have opened a forum where it makes sense to speak. What Richard Bach calls PoC? (Principle of Coincidence) Or just the universe having a giggle?

    I was physically and sexually abused from the time I was 6. At 14 I went to a multi-school competition, two faith-based gatherings, and high school classes with one eye swollen completely shut, both eyes blacked and what I later learned was a broken nasal bone. No one could even look me in the eye.

    I have had 34 years to reflect, to rant and rail, to forgive and finally to heal.

    I was angry at my siblings, both adults before I was two, because they were grown-ups and didn't even notice.

    I was angry with my gym teachers - who let me not suit up for gym when my legs showed bruises and even broken skin - but never acknowledged WHY they told me to put my street clothes back on.

    I was angry with my mother - who watched while my head was pounded against a plaster wall - who cried and did nothing.

    I was angry with myself - mostly.

    I say this so you can imagine a little of where those boys have been.

    I've had people tell me what they think justice would have been. I've even agreed - with my HEAD. But in my heart I knew I wasn't seeing straight. My sense of "highest right" knew that if I bought into that "eye for an eye" justice I was being a pawn. So I stopped telling my story and for most of my adult life no one would have guessed I had ever been abused.

    That doesn't mean the pain and self loathing stopped. It means I learned to manifest only the parts of me that the public could handle.

    The oldest of the boys that Sandusky abused (I say abused rather than RAPED because, in my experience anyway, the rape is only a small part of the abuse. The feeling of helplessness, of wondering what horrible person you are to deserve such treatment and you MUST deserve it or someone would STOP it, of fear of the next time or reprisal for telling the truth - THAT is the larger violation of self) is now 27 years old. He's had about 15 years to live with the aftermath. Has anyone asked THIS young man what would ease his pain?

    I won't detail here the roller coaster ride of peace and condemnation, self sabotage and self actualization, I have followed. But feel called to share three insights.

    First - I was abused, I was not victimized. But if I had listened to the "press" I would have identified as a victim because that's what people who have had my life experiences get labeled. Please do not label these boys and men as victims - help them choose to live free of that stigma.

    Second - People are not monsters. Monsters live under beds and in storybooks. But people self-identify as monsters and then they behave like them. And as long as we protect them and look the other way in order not to have to acknowledge their behavior their self identity will not change and neither will their behavior.

    WE create the monster when we condone the behavior and anything short of STOPPING the behavior is condoning it.

    Every single person who knew or suspected that abuse was taking place and did not raise their voice in protest and their hand in defense of those children helped to create the monster you name Sandusky. Every person HE faced who knew, and he knew they knew, who went on associating with him, pretending their knowledge changed nothing, helped to keep him on a path of abuse.

    I don't know the root of his patterns, and I'm no psychologist to diagnose it, but pain begins in pain. That seed produces true and, unless it is grafted to something sweeter like love and truth, it will only produce more pain. The people who "protected" him kept him from being forced to examine his pain. They "protected" him from being forced to stay on this path (and accept the consequences) or choose another path. So long as he was "protected" and even respected, he had no incentive to seek out help. Does that make him right - not even close. But it means he was as much a "victim" of the system that protected him as his so-called "victims" were. The system is SUPPOSED to stop this behavior for EVERYONE'S good.

    Please, don't wait until the "monster" has been identified then cry for justice. Lift your voice and your hand to protect those being abused and to push the abuser to get help in making other choices or accept the consequences of their behavior.

    Third - We will never stop abuse by playing a "blame game." Trying to parse out who knew, how much they knew, what they should have done about what they knew... that is a job for the legal system and it needs to be done. But it won't PREVENT abuse. STOPPING the abuse cycle is either accomplished by one very strong person who says "I will NOT visit my pain on another individual" or it is accomplished by an entire community saying "I WILL lift my voice and my hand to protect and defend - not my innocence or the status quo - but the good in every person I meet."

    And protecting and defending the "good in every person" - that extends to the abused and the abusers and to every person in their community or the global community.

    We each have power - which means we have responsibility. When we say "I didn't have anything to do with it, and there is nothing I can do about it now" we're abdicating power.

    Communities have collected power - which means they have greater responsibility. Not to punish - but to protect, defend, and ultimately to heal.

    When I was a child I believed adults were all-powerful. I believed that the only reasons that they wouldn't help me was either because they didn't care about me, or because they thought I deserved it.

    Now I know what it is to be a grownup and still feel helpless to right what I believe to be wrong. I have had that "I have no choice" conversation with myself and I have not always made the choice that lets me sleep at night. I have had to admit that "I have no choice" is simply a way of saying "I can't imagine a choice that I LIKE." Sometimes we have to choose the hard path - as Frank Herbert said in Dune, "the course of least resistance always leads downhill." Doing the right thing can tax our strength.

    I feel for those adults who knew or suspected what was happening to me. They also knew what the repercussions would be of intervening - what if they were wrong? What if they were right? Either way, it was going to get mighty unpleasant. They have had 34 years to think about it too - I wonder what they think.

    So maybe firing was the worst that will happen to those who knew but didn't take definitive action. (And getting him to promise "not to take showers with the boys" is NOT definitive action - it didn't help HIM or the boys, it only allayed the guilt they would have felt if they had done nothing at all.)

    But maybe living with the knowledge that they have contributed to the pain and bewilderment of so many children. Having to work with the man they protected and try NOT to think of the faceless children they failed to defend. Maybe that has been worse than the public exposure and loss of their positions. We don't know.

    Please, as a community that is hurting and confused - Know that there were many in your community who knew or suspected. After all, this has been a "known problem" among some of the University staff since 1998. Although the case was never made public, the police were involved so it wasn't a complete secret. According to the CNN report, he was even recorded by the police as saying "I understand. I was wrong, I wish I could get forgiveness. I know I won't get it from you. I wish I were dead."

    Accept that YOU are hurting, the children (many now adults) are hurting, the people who knew and did nothing are hurting and Sandusky is hurting. NONE of this pain is right or necessary. It won't be healed by blame or punishment (although punishment has its place and I am not opposed to it - just aware that punishment alone is NEVER a solution.)

    It also won't be healed by vigils and public displays and contributions to charities for children you will never have to meet.

    That is a salve that helps you sleep - it won't heal the wound.

    Healing requires human interaction. It requires honesty with ourselves and each other. It requires something much deeper than retribution or forgiveness - it requires compassion. Can you find your way to that?

    Inside each of those young men a child still lives. Do you think they care about your vigils and your contributions? Your public displays or "blued out" stadiums? Do they care about your outcries here or elsewhere? I don't know - but I doubt it. The child still needs someone to look them in the eye and say "you did not deserve that - it was not about you, ever." They need much more than that - but the personal acknowledgment is critical.

    Those children need someone to help THEM break the cycle. A graft of love and truth that will help them bear fruit that is not only pain. Can you do that?

    Please - stop asking what should be done AGAINST and ask what can be done FOR. What can be done for those children, what can be done for the school, what can be done for the community and yes, what can be done for Sandusky who has performed horrific acts but must still have some good in him worth defending.

    Randy, I've thought a lot on this although it has been only a short time since you brought it to my attention. If the program was a building - and a blight was uncovered...

    Would you tear it down? A big, beautiful building that has housed much good? Or would you first investigate, examine the extent of the damage, estimate the cost of restoration, weigh the pros and cons of preservation - then make a decision based on your findings?

    I think I will send my energy to hope for a full investigation of the program, the college, the legal counsel (who had a clear conflict of interest if I read the CNN report correctly,) the child welfare department, etc... I will hope that the community takes their power and responsibility seriously to uncover the blight and all the places that it touched and to restore it to what it could be.

    But I will also send my energy to believing that each of those young men will discover what I discovered. That we each choose our own way to come into power and pain and fire is one path. It isn't a path I recommend, but if it is part of our experience then we can turn it into a path of personal power and light. And that our healing becomes a blessing for everyone we touch, and everyone who touches us. I will believe that they will discover the depth of connectiveness when we allow others to be a part of our healing and we become a part of theirs.

    Because what is pain if not an opportunity for healing?

    That, I think, will be far more meaningful than protest, vigils, public displays of support or contributions to charities.

    We shall see.

    1. hi dixie thankyou for sharing your soul with us , you are truly an inspiration and an ambassador of light . I hope and pray that the persons abused find the power of spirit within themselves to overcome their blight and are surrounded by fun loving , compassionate people like yourself so they can be healed fully mind body and spirit and are able to live their lives free from victimhood . Its been an honour thank you Mx

        1. I do thank you Dixie for sharing your story with courage. It is people like you that will give strength to the suffering that is happening.

          1. Thank you Gretchen - I know this situation is painful for all of your community. I appreciate your being open to my view and what I have learned from my experience. I hope the young men also find the gifts within this ugly wrapping.

    2. Wow. Dixie, that gave me goosebumps AND a lot to think about. Thank you for sharing your history and your insight. I second what Maria said. Incredible.

    3. Dixie,

      Thank you for opening up as you have here. You have demonstrated courage and a true sense of healing.

      I asked that the rape of these boys be referred to as rape. I am well aware that the physical act is actually only a minor part of the overall abuse, but the general population never considers the full ramifications of the word "abuse".

      Also, abuse is such a vague term. It is used to describe sexual abuse, physical abuse and emotional abuse and all three.

      I have heard women say that they have been sexually abuses, simply because some hormonally driven teenage boy had the audacity to look at their breasts which were out on show in their very low cut blouse. This is, of course, is nonsense, yet the same term is used for someone who is repeatedly raped, emotionally abused, beaten and threatened with death and the death of their family members...

      For these reasons, I don't think the word "abuse" is really good enough, or clearly defined enough.

      The word Rape, however, is clearly understood. It does carry with it the understanding of the associated emotional and physical abuse. This is why I believe that we should call a rape "rape". It is a word which hits home emotionally, whereas, the word "abuse" has itself been abused and thus lost its power.

      I am not aware of a word in our language which is strong enough and all encompassing enough to truly describe the horrors of such a situation. But since there was, in these cases, a physical rape, I believe that to be the most effective word to use.

      This is not to lessen the physical and emotional abuse that you and many others have suffered. You suffered (and have healed from) a different type of "rape" or abuse - I wish there were an appropriate term.

      However, I also wish that there were no need for an appropriate term...

      Trevor

  74. Randy, you are right on point! It is tragic that in this sports obsessed country all they care about is the team and school reputation. Sports are far more important then humanity in this country. That is why teachers, social workers and anything to do with helping and developing children are underpaid and overloaded while sport jocks are treated like gods and paid millions (btw, they are paid in college but indirectly).

  75. Lots of interesting conversation here. Some thoughts:

    Anger never has been and never will be associated with prosperity.

    For all of us saying, "This is what I would have done," we need to reflect more on it. Do we really know? Military and law enforecement train for years to have the ability to respond under these type of circumstances and they still make mistakes. Keep in mind that the witness held the perpetrator in high regard and in high trust. I am a high-brown belt (next is black) in Tae Kwon Do and I like to think how I would have handled it but the truth is, I don't really know and neither does anyone else.

    Next, all the facts aren't in- let's stop all the judgement.

    The scene this morning before the game was touching: unity and prayer for all.

    Lastly, in the words of the master teacher, "Forgive them Father they know not what they do." Love and forgiveness is the answer (along with legal remedies), not judgement and anger.

  76. Randy,
    I agree with you 1000% (not a typo.) It is heartbreaking and mind numbing what has been allowed to happen, even condoned.

    I also agree that the current student body, parents, faculty and more need to WAKE UP and STEP UP in a unified action that would make the right and true statement to the victims not just of Sandusky but globally of such horrendous abuse.

    Football is game. I know it is viewed by many as big business and I don't dispute the ridiculous (in my opinion) sums of money and hordes of energy and time expended on it by player and spectator alike. But in the end, . . .it is just a game.

    The victims will carry the scars of this for the rest of their lives, the least the university can do is to cancel this game AND the rest of season as a tiny act of contrition and apology. And to show some semblance of awareness.

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I found it interesting that at least one dissenter was anonymous (I didn't read all comments.)

    Warmly,
    Melissa

  77. I hate to say it, but I've never been one to watch football or baseball, so I really had no idea what the Penn State thing was all about. I've heard talk of this on the radio of late, but Wow this really pushes the limits for Sick Stuff. Just shows how people will let their greed blind them from what really must be done. Let's all use this as a example of why we need to circulate (TRUE) Love and Prosperity out in the world.

  78. I think every college administrator that had anything to do with this should be tried and convicted of the felonies they committed whether directly or as accomplices. Second, those poor victims should be entitled to every bit of care, therapy, education, and careers that Penn State's sports funding can buy.
    Third, play the games. Those students that have not been anywhere near this deserve a wholesome college experience from an otherwise good school. The chips will fall on this one. Lower student apps, less interest in their sports programs, lower ad monies will be the price this school pays for its insensitivity and greed. Perhaps reducing the school to a humble new beginning is what will happen. Couldn't happen to a better school.

  79. I want to know what interim coach Tom Bradley knows? He was part of the "inner circle" of coaches and there during the entire mess. He HAD to have known what was going on with Sandusky, even if it was second hand. Penn State should fire everyone from the Sandusky era -- and if that means shutting down the team, and season -- SO BE IT!!!

  80. It's amazing the wide and varied responses to your article, Randy.

    I am the kind of person who would gladly be a "tattletale" if somebody is doing something wrong.

    I don't take things like this lightly and would have glad shouted it from the rooftops regardless of who was involved.

    Children HAVE to be protected NO MATTER WHAT! We as adults have a responsibility to the children.

    Protect the children PERIOD!!!

  81. Randy,

    As a father of 3 boys, this is something no father ever wants to hear. I pray for the victims - young, innocent boys whose lives will never be the same. The act is so evil that I have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. You blog was eloquent and right on target. Alas, Penn State played today and in the process dishonored all that is right and just. How anyone can turn a blind eye to the events that were witnessed is simply beyond my comprehension. In the end it comes down to the dirty M word winning over the H word. Money trumped Honor in this case and it teaches our world the wrong message. I could go on forever about this subject, but we have become an unaccountable society. Change is needed and perhaps in the coming weeks Penn State will recognize their obligation to right this wrong. Redemption cannot be bought, nor can it be earned. Penn State is now wearing the Scarlet Letter. I pray for all the victims.

  82. Written by someone who is not from State College, not part of the Penn State community and so has no idea how badly that community is wounded by this. And how that community will benefit from the game being played so it can begin to heal.

  83. The University responded to the horrific actions of specific individuals by firing those responsible and complicit for those actions. Forfeiting the game would have one NOTHING to benefit the victims of these terrible crimes. The football game in question has nothing to do with the crimes that were committed and the recompense the University owes the victims. Punish the many - the players, the fans, the vendors, etc. - for the sins of the few? That's what you consider a good idea? Penn State University has a continued responsibility to its students and alumni to rehabilitate the name and brand of the school following this scandal, and it does so by working to return to normalcy. Your sentiment is well placed but your logic is flawed.

  84. Let me say this-Somebody told me that Joe Paterno did in fact follow a protocol in this case, and reported the incident to the school administration. And I am told that he officially testified regarding this issue. Having said that, I don't know the whole story, nor do I feel motivated to spend a bunch of time "researching" this issue.

    But here is my question: Was it not the job of the school trustees to take action here, if in fact Paterno reported the abuse? It seems to me that Paterno is being hung out to dry, because of the fact that the school administrators didn't/haven't taken full responsibility for the situation. It seems as though they are firing HIm in order to try and save their own collective asses. And, t seems that the people who need to be "hung out to twist in the wind" are the administrators who conspired in this coverup.

  85. There is something else that I want to talk about-That in football, and I presume in all of sports, to various degrees, there is quite a bit of what I, personally, would call abuse. As many probably know, it is only the "tip of the iceberg" that has been revealed in recent years regarding abuse in organized sports. Things like date-rape, physical abuse, mental abuse, abuse of school rules and protocol, these things (I firmly believe) are very common in the sports world.

    Sports and sport figures and coaches have been made into demigods by the media. And, as for example in the case of Michael Vick, Marshawn Lynch, etc..,many of these guys are simply glorified thugs, who also happen to be good at playing a game.

  86. Coming from the UK this news never came over the water. If it did then I certainly missed it. Makes you think of what might be going on over here and how our football governing body would have re-acted. Evil will always be in this world it just has to be crushed each time and exposed as soon as it is found. In my opinion the death penalty for this sort of evil should be enforced. But then even that is probably to easy an escape for these evil men and women.

  87. Here is my concern. If you continue to allow those who do the wrong, leave the fear and blame for all of the rest of us then they really win. I totally agree that all those who did or knew should be punished. As a teacher and a coach in California you don't have a choice...either report it or be ready to be punished for not telling. I think this is only right. On the other hand, it is not fair to punish an entire program that had nothing to do with it and drag those innocents down as well. Punish hard those that did and knew...leave the innocent alone and don't allow fear to run our lives.

    1. ((Copied text)) "I think this should be up to the players and the captain or leader(s) on that team should step up and say “This is not who we are, this is not what our school is about. We’re playing to keep attention on this, we’re collecting money during the game to fund counselling for underage sex crime victims.”

      If they can’t do that, they shouldn’t be playing, in my opinion and any economic argument that is even attempted can be stuffed.

      But I offer that, apparently and obviously, this IS what Penn State is about. They ALLOW this injustice on their campus every day.

      As bad as that is, I need to talk about the rioting students. To the contributor above who mentioned suggested that these were just drunk kids acting out? Look at the footage again; it's a riot. Let's call rape rape, and rioting rioting.

      These kids were faced with a choice: they could support JoPa or they could support rape victims. This is the choice they made? On national television, and on World Wide Web? This is the best you've got? Really?

      To those kids who rioted on behalf of JoPa: When you get out of college and need a job...do not apply to my company. Shame on you all.

      One might debate my use of "kid", but I chose that word carefully. Whether or not one is a kid has nothing to do with chronology. They may be young adults, but they are some' father's daughters, and some mother's sons. But they are of the age where their words and actions have public responsibility, and wider consequence. Time will come when they'll wish they have put a little more thought into this particular choice.

  88. I talked about this topic with many people. Not only Penn State - it could be the Church over here in Europe where some holy fathers did the same for years and many more abuse-issues we get to count in our lives. Men say, if they get to "see" it they better turn away to avoid personal damage. Everyone in this moment takes more care of himself than taking care of the helpless boy-victim (or girls) to not reach too deep down into a pricking bush of 100,000 needles. None knows who´s involved and I know best myself what it means to speak up, all by yourself against a person which becomes easily a group, sometimes larger than you can imagine. I luckily wasn´t abused but was lucky to get away from being raped as an 18y. old twen. Being alone is being defensless. Glad some get caught. But many run away from getting involved. A reason might be: our Germany law system is different and over here, if you sue, you have to meet face to face to say "it is him!" And that´s pretty dangerous...

    thanks for posting this topic -

  89. What happened to the basic principals of human decency? A strong, healthy, 28 y.o. footballer walks in on a kid who is being molested gets “shocked and confused’ and leaves??? A coach waits a day, weighting out the options how to handle the situation??? Any normal person would have instinctively bit the sh** out of the rapist right there on the spot and then called the police! Anyone who knew and did nothing should be charged, especially the beloved coach, when you are in that position the demand to do the right thing is much higher. Disgusting…
    And the college kids rioting…no comments

  90. Couldnt agree more Randy. And forfeiting the game isn't "punishing the innocent"; it's demonstrating solidarity with and support for the victims, letting them know that we empathise with them and we care about them; that what is important is the health and welfare of the community and the citizens, much more important than a game of football. I'm sure if that were to happen the plaudits would flow from everywhere. Every American around the world will hear about it, will sit up and take note and remember that day and remember the victims.
    Otherwise, it's just another game of football.

  91. Well done.
    We need to change the course of morality in this country. Shutting down Penn State will put us on the right track.

    Keep writing

  92. I believe, Randy, that shutting down the program is a non-starter. Penn State is an institution - a horrifically depraved one in their sports "business", yes - but life must go on.

    Their intercollegiate sports programs should be banned for this century and maybe the next. All personnel who were part of the football program should be either dismissed (if likely culpable) or reassigned to classroom teaching posts or even clerical duties.

    The students should have no game to rally around this weekend. The Board of Directors should all be dismissed for even considering a game anytime in the near to middle future.

    This is an immense scandal because it was found. But these pedophilia incidents and crimes happen everyday and everywhere across this planet. Many adults, if honest, can site at least a few incidents like these alleged ones sometime in their childhood.

    Yes, these children - not all so - who have allegedly or definitely been abused by Sandusky should be identified, questioned, and used to convict a felon.

    The trouble is that so many adults and their silent enablers who know the truth will continue to get away with such perversions unless we speak about these problems in schools directly and teach children how to get assistance without shame or fear of retribution.

    This is no simple task.

  93. At first, I believed we should have seen a suspension of any and all of the administration involved with the Penn State incident but not punish the students. However, with the riot of 5000 students over the firing of Joe, the students have spoken. If there was a counter protest by the football players or other students, that would be one thing, but the student body has said either through the riot or through inaction, "It is OK for boys to be molested as long as we have a good football program."

    Because of this, I believe the employees of the Penn State athletic department should be fired. Those involved should be blacklisted from joining other programs. Any administration overseeing the athletic department should be fired. The ENTIRE athletic department should be suspended indefinitely. Finally, Penn State should be booted from the Big Ten. (All of this on top of criminal charges and litigation against any and all DIRECTLY involved in the scandal.)

    Want to talk about not fair? It's not fair that so many boys had their innocence & trust stolen from them in such a horrible way. Will the town take a financial hit? Yep. They deserve it for not making a powerful statement condemning these actions. The incidents happened in 98 & are just now being handled 13 years later. I believe a 13 year suspension of all athletic programs is not out of line. Plenty of time to rid the university of the scum and be able to start with a clean slate when they finally get their program back. Also, it would send a POWERFUL message to any and all other schools.

    I will tell you that most organizations would be completely bankrupted and dismantled if facing similar accusations. Yeah, all things being "fair," Penn State would no longer even be a university...so don't talk about "fair" to me.

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  • 170 comments on “Shut It Down Now Penn State”

      1. Thanks, you saw the first post as we were proofing and corrected that. Never heard that expression before, great way to remember.

        -RG

      2. I agree Randy on both accounts. Your article is outstanding and perceptive. As for the Principal thing, Dan, I agree.. Often times, we write so much, I get my spelling mixed up and jumble the meanings.

        Actually, at first, I missed your point Dan. I thought you were saying that the principal at Penn St. was a pal of Randy's! hahaha

        Ooopss! my bad!

    1. Shut it down and punish the football players, students, fans, alumni & local businesses that love & benefit from the game and had nothing to do with the scandal? That is simply extending the pain. The right thing to do is play the game - play the rest of the season, and have the University pay every penny of football revenue to a charity protecting/treating abused children. THAT is a worthwhile solution.

      1. Dear Anonymous, to do that would be telling the world what happened can be bought with hush money. As for those who depend on the school, community and all, fear of loss is no defense.
        On a personal note, if my kid was subjected to anything like this the school would no longer be there.

          1. "if my kid was subjected to anything like this, the school would not longer be there..." I feel the same way. I have worked with molested children as a child advocate. What's more, I have rescued animals that were abused. I stopped traffic when a man threw defenseless kittens tied in a bag on the highway. I was able to rescue one with the help of many people, once they realized what I was trying to do. I forgot about the cruelty of one while working with the kindness of others. I cannot begin to understand why people cover up cruelty for gain. "You can judge a man's character by what he does for those who can do nothing for him." I believe to show honor, HONOR to those who have suffered, one day of a knee down could send a message that no other team has ever sent. What about it? Are they courageous enough to send that message? What about both teams, taking a knee, sending the message of "Don't let this happen again."?

          1. I should of thought MORE of innocent lives...Of course, I wouldn't take out the entire school. It's not in my nature, but I certainly understand someone thinking about their child and thinking what they would do. That was just...the heat of the moment, the hopeless, helpless feeling I had... of THINKING (for a second) of MY innocent child and the unwarranted shame that he would feel at the hands of cruelty...And no one honoring his life.

      2. I agree that the fotball players and the student body should not be collateral damage. It is not their fault that a grad student was so stupid as to not call '911' when he saw an assault. It is a shame that those would found out what he witnessed, could not believe or accept his report and simply reported it up the chain of command.

      1. Just read the full story on some news site - this is sick. And that it could be allowed to go on so long with so many eye witnesses is beyond comprehension. There is something very disconnected with the people there in Penn State. 🙁

    2. I agree with your anger and outrage but I am not sure how I feel about punishing the kids that are currently there that had absolutely nothing to do with this. But I do agree that this is the biggest evil that I can think of to ever hit a sports organization. I just don't understand how someone could actually see that and not do something about it. It makes no sense to me whatsoever.

      It will be very interesting to see how it is handled.

      1. Educational institutions at any level are supposed to be a "safe" haven for students. This subject, clearly demonstrates the apparent standard of character lack tolerated by the institution when it appears to serve their own agenda. Is there not also some responsiblity here from the governing body over the institution as well? Is it not time for governance to step in?

        Another message to consider is the one being sent to the kids (as Wes says) who arn't involved. This is a question of Trust in the system they are taught to respect.

        Wow, it is really a minefield when you look deeper into it. Counselling needed all round I think.

        1. It is very tough and ultimately nothing should ever come before children's safety I totally agree. But I don't think mis-guided anger should punish those who truly did nothing wrong which is my only stance here that might be different than the anger felt over such an awful thing.

    3. Ahh, I was agreeing with the post until I saw the comment above.

      Penn State officials CERTAINLY need to be held accountable, however, the kids on the field who have lived their lives for college football shouldn't be penalized.

      To take it a step further, if any one of those players were ever raped or molested, they would, in essence, be affected again by the same disgusting crime.

      I agree the fans and alumni who devoted a time in their lives to a school where they had no idea what was going on, should not be punished.

      It's a tragic, horrific story.

      There are no winners in this mess, but I don't want to see anymore victims in any way...and yes, I believe the rioting students need a whack upside the head for denying the truth. I hope their parents will help them understand the true tragedy in all this!

      I am sending love to the kids who's lives were forever changed by Sandusky's disgusting hands. May they no longer be victims and find a blessing in all this so they can move foreward to help others from their experiences.

    4. If it wasn't true, this would be an unbelieveable story. Thank God my daughter chose another college to go to very close to PSU...she was accepted to PSU SMEAL College of Business. I would have pulled her out of there had she been attending.

    5. Randy:

      I agree with you 100%. To continue on as if what happened to these kids was nothing is absolutely ludicrous. It's belittling and demeaning to the way they were treated by wanting to go ahead and have the game as if nothing happened.

      Football is put on a HIGH pedestal and it's time it got knocked over, cleaned and polished. I am sure other kids have had similar situations as other institutions. I truly wouldn't be surprised. It amazes me what we, in this society, will tolerate nowadays.

      Anyhow, I agree with you, Randy! 🙂

      Joanna

    6. Great points Randy and I agree 100% and would add Penn State shutting down the football program until it is fully investigated. There are way to many people at Penn State who did the wrong thing for way to long. Firing 2 or 3 people is just a start.

      I would like to see NCAA impose stiff and costly sanctions against Penn State. You know they would if a booster was caught giving a car to one of the players. They need to send a message that covering up crimes especially those against children to protect your big TV contracts is not going to be tolerated.

    7. I 100% agree with all your comments Randy.. just wondering what you think of that cesspool Miami University.. just a few weeks ago a sportswriter wrote they should shut down that program for all their blatant violations.. escorts. bribes, etc.. makes you sick when you think what college sports has become...

      1. Glad you brought that up. Because if Penn State doesn't do the right thing here, I hope the NCAA does. They are fining, suspending people and conducting year long investigations because kids took free dinners, trips to a strip club or traded jerseys for tattoos. Yet in the most horrific scandal in sports history, they are remarkably quiet right now.

        -RG

        1. I agree, why are they so quiet about this situation but fining kids for taking free dinners, strip clubs and tattoos.
          The entire situation is sickening. Anyone that was aware of it or saw it happening is responsible. No if's and's or but's about it.
          As far as the game being played, I agree, it is a disgusting act of "we don't care about was happened to these kids"

    8. Man, this has sent shivers up my spine reading first thing in the morning. I have a huge issue with people that indulge with child abuse of any sort and this has just made me beyond angry!
      What disgusts me most is that the general attitude seems to be 'it wasn't such a big deal, let's just put it behind us and move forward.' Yeah right, quit the season Penn State...there are much more important things you guys need to sort out fast!

    9. I agree with not playing this week's game. The University ought to be holding its' head in shame and denying even the "innocent" of one game might wake these kids up to the seriousness of this kind of behavior. It is NEVER EVER EVER OK to witness or be made aware of this horrific behavior and do nothing. It is NEVER someone elese's job. I truly don't know how Joe Paterno, or any of the others involved can rationalize their behavior.

    10. As a young boy, my brother and I and 2 other kids were subject to a sex predator at our church a youth pastor. My heart goes out to these boys and I think you have some great points in this blog.

    11. I completely understand the hate and anger that is present over this situation. However, living in State College, canceling the game affects more than the college. Football weekends sustain this small town throughout the year.

      As a previous responder posted, do you punish the players who have worked so hard to get where they are? It is senior weekend, do you punish those seniors? Do you punish a community that knew nothing and had nothing to do with the situation?

      Canceling the game and the rest of the season would devastate a community that I love and raise my family in. For those that don't live here, they see only the monster that created such destruction and a university that shoved it under the rug.

      For those that live here, the emotional devastation is far reaching and a roller coaster beyond belief!

      If you want a local's perspective here is mine: http://news.yahoo.com/jerry-sandusky-child-abuse-case-tearing-apart-loving-231700466.html

      1. Gretchen, as I posted in my reply to Anonymous earlier.... Fear of loss is no defense. In fact it's just as disgusting an attitude as the coverup.

        1. I'm sorry you feel that way, Tony, but these are my friends and family in my community that are hurting. People that have had nothing to do with the situation. Kids who are crying for fear of what is going to happen to their parents careers. I will defend my community and the feelings we are feeling. I don't defend what has happened to the victims, but as a community we are in no way to blame! I do take offense to your comment - we have nothing to do with this!

          Unless you live here you have no right to judge what this community is feeling - and I'm not talking about the university, I'm talking about a town that has been blind sided. All I ask is for people to respect us as a community! We are not monsters!

          1. what about the children who have been crying for years because they don't understand what happened to them or why no one cares? Who defends them? I've been that child. I don't hate the community that abandoned me - but I do wonder if they ever realized what they left me to. I think they justified it much the way you do. It's easy to do. But easy isn't always right.

            1. I feel like I owe you a response, but I have no idea what to say. There is nothing I can say that can make anyone feel better. I hear you and your story and I am sorry. I consider myself compassionate and I do believe that I am able to see many sides of a story. Don't for one minute think that I have not shed tears for these children or any other child that I know who has suffered abuse.

              What has happened here happens all around the world everyday. I hope that with the attention, people begin to talk about child abuse. Maybe the next time someone, anywhere, is witness of something that isn't right, they will think of this situation and do something about it. I hope and pray that I would!

              That being said, I still believe I have a right to have compassion for the people who are sad and confused that I love. I think that we are trying - trying to do what we think is right, maybe a candle light vigil or raising money doesn't mean anything to the children or to you, but it is what we can do right now. We can't go back in time, but we can learn a lesson and carry that lesson forward.

      2. Gretchen,

        It is a shame that some community members will suffer, despite not being involved directly in the various crimes here.

        I also accept that you may be trying to do something to help the victims.

        But a university community is a special place. In such a community, secrets do not survive long. You may not have known anything about these crimes until they were made public, but you can be sure that many in your community did know the secrets and actively chose to do nothing.

        ...and their reason -

        For the sake of the community...

        just the same justification you are using.

        You want the game and life to go on as usual - as if nothing had happened - for the sake of the community.

        This justification is not good enough.

        The community supports and protects the university. The university has supported and protected the criminals.

        Are you personally responsible for the crimes - no
        Is the community at least partly responsible for supporting the criminals - absolutely.

        If the community is as good and innocent as you would like to believe, then the community AS A WHOLE will stand up to be counted as opposing the actions of their football coaches and many others at your university.

        The community AS A WHOLE can stand up this weekend and say "the lives of these innocent kids are more important than any football game or any amount of funding"

        The community AS A WHOLE could easily block the gates of the field to show their solidarity in support of the innocent kids

        OR the community as a whole can go to watch the game and cheer as their heroes crush Nebraska in revenge - I am not sure what for - and eat their hotdogs and burgers and fries, and cheer on the cheerleaders and the bands, and drink their beer, and go home to celebrate with their Seniors Weekend parties.

        The actions of your community AS A WHOLE this weekend will show the world much more about the community's moral finer than your blog entry.

        This weekend, your community AS A WHOLE has a wonderful opportunity that is rarely afforded to any community...

        Your community can show the world that they stand up on the side of what is right...
        or your community can show that money is more important to them than the safety of innocent children...

        let's see what your community decides to do...

    12. Unfortunately, football brings in money and at most schools is the only money making sport. That is why they swept away the Sandusky scandal under the rug, hoping it would never rear its head. And that is why they will playing this weekend. The NCAA needs to give the program the death penalty. What happened on that campus is more heinous than anything SMU did way back when.

      1. Ed- see my post below. This is not a "football program" incident. How could there be any sanctions from the NCAA? What athletic-related rules were broken? This happened outside of the football program-There will be no sanctions from the NCAA. That said, it's all disgusting and Penn State as an institution and their failure all around will result in major law suits.

        1. There are mandated reporter laws in the state that hold a person legally responsible for not contacting legal authorities. The employees of the university have/had a legal responsibility to report to child services or police. Period. The problem is the 72 million dollars per year the football program creates. If the program is stopped maybe people would feel the severity of this horrendous event. Yes, when your team or the higher ups affect the lives of the young boys who were abused..... Yes people everywhere should feel the pain in order to create a more conscience world. This event is happening all over the world and those who are being abused right now see that no one cares and that the game will go on regardless..... Sad.

      2. Ed, Accountability goes further up the ladder than Penn State. Given the governance of educational institutions, that body could also be held accountable. As an employer is accountable for its employees, so is the educational system. Let the governing body contribute financially till they audit the standards.

        I also feel, a history of incidents such as these, do have a way of spreading through the grapevine, so the "blind eyes" is potentially more extensive. Stopping the game would send a message to those as well.

    13. Randy-

      What has reportedly taken place at Penn State is disgusting. That being said, it is not a "football program" incident, it's a Penn State instiution incident. If the incident was witnessed by a professor and reported throught his/her boss, would you be calling for the school to be shut down? All of this is bad enough for the players. Penalizing these innocent players further by canceling the game is not called for.

    14. You're absolutely right! This is preposterous and people have got to be outraged about this as you are otherwise these things will continue to happen.

    15. I think this should be up to the players and the captain or leader(s) on that team should step up and say "This is not who we are, this is not what our school is about. We're playing to keep attention on this, we're collecting money during the game to fund counselling for underage sex crime victims."

      If they can't do that, they shouldn't be playing, in my opinion and any economic argument that is even attempted can be stuffed.

        1. Actually that would raise the profile and call for the community to call for action. Definately an interesting point of view Dave!

        2. We are doing that! There is money being raised and candle light vigils for the victims. That is not being reported! Why? Because that doesn't sell. Be careful of judging an entire community on what you are reading and seeing!

          1. Great call Dave....and Gretchen...it is unfortunate that that does not sell but ultimately most here have to know that you guys should not be punished for something you have not done...And the vigils will start showing....it will. People are angry and are mis-guiding their anger right now so try not to take it too personal. I truly believe it is just mis-guided anger.

    16. Amazing how many people think that showing support for victims is "punishment" or focus on how how it will hurt business.

      A despicable act was allowed to happen on that campus. People were hurt, horribly. To offer an strong voice of support would offer some great healing, much better than a "yeah, that sucks, but GO TEAM! would.

      Great post.

    17. I wrote this late last night via FB when I felt utterly compelled to voice my opinion. I agree completely with your article. To play a game, now? I think the PLAYERS would boycott this game out of respect for the victims. These were CHILDREN. Innocent children who were further victimized by silence, ignorance and acceptance.

      A game?! Give me a break.....!!!

      The sheer audacity of Penn State students (5,000), rioting over the firing of Joe Paterno makes my skin crawl. Where is the riot for the victims? The precious 10 year old boy? Who is rioting for him? Who?!

      Personally, I feel that Penn State should refund the "loot" from ticket sales, forfeit their Saturday game, observe some silence and say a thousand prayers. The thought of business (and I do mean "business") as usual is ludicrous, disgusting and immoral. While everyone is busy lawyering up, how about stop the insanity and remember the victims?

    18. I responded to this when you posted it, apparently my phone has lost it somewhere in the ether...

      I read the 25 page grand jury report too. I had to vomit when I was done. The University as a whole, and through a few individuals have made grievous errors. There are victims we know of, and probably more we don't. This sick man was not stopped, and he was allowed to continue his reign of terror on these children. There is no excuse under the sun for his behavior or the lack of concern it was swept under the rug with.

      That being said, I do not feel the football team, the band, the cheerleaders, etc. should be penalized for the actions, appalling as they are, of those few. They have worked hard to be in a position to be a part of those organizations. They should not have their value diminished in the shadow of the school. I am in no way suggesting these participants should be filled with school spirit about it... but to say they should forfeit the game is punishing those who did not commit the crime.

    19. I'd prefer the game be moved somehow as an away game due to the riot threats. Also I'd prefer that JoePa be placed instead upon suspension under investigation. The current information looks as though he reported what he needed to and left it at that.

      JoePa didn't indicate discussing the retirement declaration with the board, the board didn't review the firing with victims. Victims don't want to be associated with forcing JoePa's firing but do want justice done. Student protests are already an issue. I hope nothing happens at the game tomorrow. Traffic around the state is already building as people make their way to the game.

      In all of this - why was Sandusky groomed to replace JoePa, then took no time to retire, was never hired to coach anywhere else? Did other universities blacklist him as well?

      I am not a diehard PSU fan, I'm not a big sports fan in general. I live in the middle of it all. I do not want tomorrow to go on as if JoePa's just out sick or something. I do want thorough investigation of the entire reporting process. I don't believe firing JoePa was appropriate until investigation has been conducted.

      As for Sandusky, I want him to get the full punishment now and eternally for what he has done.

    20. RG-
      Excellent article. This event breaks my heart & I agree with your thoughts. As a mom of a son & a "Nena" to a grandson, I can't imagine anyone seeing this happen to them & walking away. I have worked since the early '90s with underprivileged kids & protected them at all costs.

      The government is also looking at forcing Penn State to repay fed funds/grants as this is a violation to their agreements.

      It will only get bigger from here,but one of my fav scriptures says: "2 Everything that is secret will be brought out into the open. Everything that is hidden will be uncovered. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight. What you have whispered to someone behind closed doors will be shouted from the rooftops."-Luke 12:2. Jesus was sincere when He said....what you've done to the least of these, you've done to me. He will not be mocked!

      Thanks & I appreciate your stand.
      g

    21. I am appalled at the egregious behavior demonstrated here, first by the individual who did not stop the rape when viewing it with his own eyes, to the Trustees not immediately firing all involved when this came out, to the student rioters holding up a man who allowed child rape to happen for years as a hero.

      This is a disgrace to our entire country. Money, loss of job, and fear of reprisal is not worth the sacrifice of a single child. If we do not support our kids and keep them safe from predators, then we are lost. I am at a loss to explain how anyone under any circumstances could support what happened here, and what was allowed to happen for years to many more children who were already at risk.

      Having everything stop for a short time to show that this behavior will not be accepted is a minor loss or inconvenience to a few. Continuing on as if it is just fine will have repercussions on our humanity.

    22. No question about it my dear Randy! Right on the money, as usual....the big problem is that in the USA as soon as something wrong goes wrong, the PR side of it comes to life and looks to balance the fact with the public perception and fucks it all up! I truly agree with you, but so many other events similar or worse than this one have taken place and the show has continued! Sadly so!

    23. Tying this horrific act to prosperity consciousness vs. lack consciousness is a stretch but I get your point. This another evil act by the good ole boy system.

      1. Daryl, I can see the connection clearly...

        Only someone with a lack consciousness could possibly feel that they need to prey on innocent children in order to feel powerful in themselves.

        Only someone with a lack consciousness could feel that they need to cover up such a crime in order to keep their job.

        Only someone with a lack consciousness could feel happy about going onto the football field and pretend that nothing had happened because they think they need the exposure to go ahead in life.

        However -
        Someone with a prosperity consciousness will do whatever they can to protect innocents who are not able to protect themselves

        Someone with a prosperity consciousness would be willing to risk their job to report a crime that they witnessed and protect a child (and many more children to follow)

        A footballer, cheerleader or bandsman with a prosperity consciousness would make a stand and refuse to carry on as normal this weekend

        An institution with a prosperity consciousness would teach and uphold all of these principles (Yes Dan - that is the right spelling).

        An institution which has allowed this behaviour to continue since at least 1998 is incapable of teaching principles of truth, justice, honour and integrity. They have no idea of true morality and ethics, and should not be allowed to continue - but they will...

        This is not about the good ole boy system - it is about prosperity and lack.

        It is about the principles of morality and ethics.

        it is the perfect discussion for Randy's Prosperity forum.

        At least - that's my opinion...

    24. Wow. I really didn't know the details of this scandal as I really don't pay attention to the news. It is sickening. Thank you Randy for bringing it to my attention.

      As for the game, I can understand what people are saying on both sides of the argument, but I think at the very least the game should be postponed. There shouldn't be any public celebration involving Penn State this weekend.

    25. Great thoughts Randy. My question is what kind of ethical standards do the students have (who are all free thinking "adults") for still wanting to play their game when such horrific harm has been bestowed on innocent children? Whose to say it couldn't have been them that was raped?!!!! Why didn't anybody put there foot down and revolt????

    26. I find some of these responses totally incorrect. You get on the woman who says it would effect our community economically pretty easily because of course it will not affect your well being. Very simple to say well we would not want it because of the truly atrocious actions that happened when indeed money will not be taken out of your pockets that feed your family.

      Pretty high and mighty of all of you who are not going to be affected. This lady did nothing wrong and neither did that town...and neither did any of those kids out there playing and trying to earn a future perhaps through football or cheerleading etc.etc.. No they should not be punished for something they did not do or had absolutely nothing to do with. The people responsible should be severely punished in my mind and at the end of the year if indeed it is actually something the NCAA can do anything about since it probably is not an actual sports violation than they can punish the program. That way the kids who again had nothing to do with this in any way have a chance to transfer and move on with their lives.

      I am as enraged by the actions as much as anyone else. I don't have kids but if/when I do I would imagine having the ability to kill someone if they indeed did something of this magnitude did happen. I think Joepa is a disgrace...I think any of those who knew of such will get theirs...and I actually believe they should for letting something like this happen. But these kids who did nothing wrong...and this town that did nothing wrong should not be made to suffer in my mind.

      I do like what the gentleman above said and I would hope the players and the captains do do something to show respect to those kids who were violated. It would be the right thing to do to show them some kind of respect indeed.

      And btw: The rioting thing is the media blown out of proportion. People will see that as this unfolds. I just pray that we don't lose focus on Sandusky being the evil in this case and those that actually had a part in it.

    27. This whole request for support brings me back to Mother Theresa, when asked, would you support a war rally. She said, no, but if you have a peace rally, I will be there. What she knew, that I think needs to be revisited, is that, what you focus on and bring attention to grows. I'm so surprised Randy is giving energy and focus to this horrific act. Giving attention to it will only make it grow. I'll do the opposite and pray for peace. It's the only way to counteract the evil. Isn't that what you teach Randy? Why are you redirecting your energy on evil instead of good? Please don't give attention to this. It will only grow and I assure you, God will be the final judge of this evil behavior, not us.

    28. Great article Randy. I totally agree with what you said. When I read that grand jury report I was sickened as to why McQueary didn't physically rescue the boy, or called the police.

    29. So, let me get this straight... parents, nor the mayor or police have done anything about all of this. Oh, my, this is just not right! This is clearly what I call greed and "Blood Money."

    30. Great job Randy! I agree with you 100%. They should cut Sandusky's balls off as well as anyone else that was involved. Wait till the boys in the slammer get a hold of Sandusky. He will finally learn what anal sex is all about!!!!

    31. This is not, to me, about football or abuse.

      It isn't about one program or one person's offenses. It isn't about one case or one college. This is about culture and values. And every single person who has given their energy (time, money, enthusiasm, etc...) to a sport, celebrity, institution or entertainment then given NO energy to stand up and say "that is NOT to be condoned" when they see a violation of "right" has helped to lay the foundation for a culture where this can happen.

      Not a culture where this can happen on a college campus, or as part of a football program. Not a culture where this can happen and the "game goes on."

      But a culture where this can happen - again and again.

      It can happen because the violator is powerful, or talented, or wealthy, or connected - they do what they do and the CULTURE elects to pretend they didn't notice. Because the message is already there in the culture that "it happens, but the game must go on."

      When I was in High School, the best English teacher I ever had was fired because she refused to pass a student who was failing her class. That student was a star player on the football team - if he failed her class he would not be able to play.

      How does that relate? Because it sends a message that the CULTURE places a higher value on winning football games than an education, than honesty, than doing what is right. That message about what is valued in the culture is the same that Penn State is sending now. They are saying to the world "We value our football tradition, we value a win over NE, we value our coach, we value our pride... FAR more than we value the health, the wellbeing, the FATE of a few little boys we will never have to meet.

      I am not a big believer in the effectiveness of punishments. So I won't get into what a fair penalty would be.

      I am a big believer in understanding WHY people harm other people and in remembering that when we overlook behavior that was born in pain and fear we extend the suffering of the violator as well as the victim. It did not serve anyone for the violations to be overlooked.

      But we are ALL paying the penalty if we allow this CULTURE to permeate our lives. Next time you're caught up in a sport, or a TV show, or a movie, or anything else that involves people with "clout" - think about that.

        1. Randy - I've spent a good deal of my life looking for some of those insights. Those here who turn to more hate and name calling are helping build that culture as surely as those who look the other way. We do not live in prosperity when we live with hate.

      1. Thank you Dixie

        You have raised some wonderful points here. I agree that we allow such cultures to grow, which is why we need to speak out when we see injustice.

        I do believe that in such a public case as this, punishment is appropriate to teach a lesson - not only to the perpetrators, but also to all of those who see that "crime doesn't pay".

        The quote from "Luke" above points to Jesus' understanding of Karma. ...and I do believe that sometimes Karma needs help and publicity. (see my comments below.

        Thanks again for your beautiful insights.
        Trevor

        1. Trevor - thanks for your response and your well-thought-out comment below. I didn't say punishment isn't appropriate - I just don't see that it is effective. Especially in the face of a cultural bias toward viewing "right" as a continuum based on what we WANT to believe. "Right" doesn't function by degrees.

    32. There are two people who did the right, human thing-the assistant principal and the wrestling coach you mention. What are their names?
      This is a prosperity blog-we need good people evidence, so when children say why can't a grown up do something, we can say they did.

    33. Randy,

      This news has not really hit Australia yet. But even though I am not a great sports fan, and have nothing to do with the US College football program, the name "JoPa' is very familiar to me.

      He is an internationally famous football coach. And in his official capacity, he helped to cover up a vicious crime which happened in his own workplace. It is perfectly appropriate for him to lose his job, and to lose his career as a coach permanently.

      His actions, in not going directly to legal authorities, are reprehensible, and likely to have resulted in the continued rape of other innocent boys for another nine years (since 2002).

      By the way - lets call a spade a spade. You and many of your readers are referring to abuse or "horrific abuse". But this is anal penetration. This is not abuse, it is RAPE.

      Even if the ten-year-old boy was consenting, US law calls it "statutory rape". But is a ten-year-old boy capable of truly giving consent for such an act? Particularly an underprivileged kid who has been brought to the university (I use that term loosely) for a special program, at the hands of an influential adult man.

      Please call it what it is - RAPE

      Now, the students are rioting in defence of a man who, by his failure to act appropriately, has allowed probably many more victims to be raped in similar manner, and has allowed a rapist to go unpunished for fully nine years. ...and would have allowed it to continue forever, if it were not for some real men with the balls to do the right thing.

      One of your readers was being too kind when she said they needed a slap up the head. A kick in the backside with a pointy toed shoe might give them a clue – or are they truly just clueless… They need some real education about the real crime here, and the MANY people who contributed to the crime by their inaction...

      The contributors include the coaches, the witnesses, the athletic director, the campus detective and his boss, and every other person that they ever mentioned it to, including their wives, girlfriends, husbands, boyfriends, drinking buddies, professors, chancellors and deans, etc...

      The “university” has actively covered up crimes. They have protected a rapist. They have protected witnesses who should have reported the crime. They have protected others who should have reported the crimes.

      They have failed in their moral duty of care, by not protecting the innocent young victims.

      They have failed in their legal duty by failing to report a vicious crime.

      There has been an institutional cover-up here, and it is appropriate that the institution be harshly punished. By all means, hit them where it hurts – take back all government grants since the first known cover-up of 1998. Then fine them heavily. If this sends the institution bankrupt, then so be it.

      If I had a child there, I would be pulling them out immediately.

      If I had a son playing football there, I would be calling press conferences to make it know why I was pulling him out and offering his services to other colleges who might be interested and were prepared to include morals clauses (relating to college staff as well as my son) in their contracts.

      As for the game…

      If they play, they are simply saying “we don’t give a shit about the victims of the crimes perpetrated by out football coaches, assistant coaches and other football staff – getting your money is much more important to us”.

      There are those who say that stopping or forfeiting the game (and the rest of the season) is only punishing the innocent students. But how innocent are those who riot in favour of an accomplice to such violent crimes. If they wish to be seen as innocent, they should be doing everything possible to distance themselves from PSU football…

      They can show themselves to be innocent by making a stand for the victims, not by seeking revenge against a team that has nothing to do with the crimes under investigation.

      I would like to think that if I were a PSU footballer, I would walk onto the field and sit down for the entire game in the middle of the field in quiet protest. I have personally made similar statements in the past and I am sure I will again.

      Randy – I totally agree with your sentiments in this, I am also seething…

      I also agree with your suggested immediate action of forfeiting the game (better still, forfeiting the season), but I would like to see it taken much further.

      As for the innocent footballers, cheerleaders and bandspeople, if they are truly worthy, they will have no trouble finding their place at other institutions – and I would encourage them to do so. I would also encourage them to stand up and be counted among the “moral minority”, and speak out against such heinous crimes.

      Thank you for the opportunity to include “Trevor’s Rant” within your own.

      Trevor

    34. "Let’s look at the facts from the grand jury we know so far…"

      If you had any idea of what you don't know, you'd literally be over the commode getting sick.

      Joe Pa has hired a criminal attorney.

      And, that kid who would be in danger if he appeared on the field tomorrow, has been placed on permanent administrative leave.

      Stay tuned. Many are going to prison.

      1. I think it is a shame that you and others choose to remain anonymous.

        Of course it is your right to do so.

        ..and I stand firmly beside you (whoever you are) defending your rights.

        I just think that if you want to stand up for anything, then you should do so openly.

        ...but that's just my opinion...

    35. I will stop after this because people may begin to think I am not angry or in favor of punishing the crap out of those who were involved. But there was not any rioting. That was the media and you will see that as more of it unfolds. There were some silly college kids on national tv drinking and being stupid like most silly college kids do. I am done before I get booed off stage.

    36. No football game, University, or Coach is bigger than this atrocity. The whole situation disgusts me. Sandusky is a monster and the people that kept their mouths shut are as guilty as he is.

      By the way, how was this sick %$&# allowed anywhere NEAR the team or the campus after 1998???

      Paterno has never been anything more than a mortal man, and if the PSU faithful could pull themselves from the JoPa Alter and take a look at what has unraveled, they would be as ashamed as the rest of us.

      There are points on both sides, as it relates to canceling the game, but the most compelling points for playing the game are all about money.
      Canceling the game is not going to put State College out of business, and sometimes in life, that's just the price you have to pay.

      Think of the victims: the children, and how their lives have been altered forever by this beast masquerading as a football coach, then tell me with a clear conscience that the game and the football season should go on, business as usual. I don't think so.

      I agree with your perspective and your take on the situation, Randy. It all comes down to doing the RIGHT THING.

    37. They caught the predator(Sandusky) then turned right around & RUINED A COLLEDGE FOOTBALL ICON(who,by the way, did the right thing and report the incedent), & NOW talking about going after the Program. WHERE DOES IT END? HOW DO WE JUSTIFY PUNISHING AN ENTIRE UNIVERSITY OVER THE ACTIONS OF ONE?

      1. How can you possibly say that JoePa "did the right thing"

        For nine years he has stood by and worked with a predator who he knew was guilty of RAPE, and said NOTHING to anyone who could or would treat the matter appropriately.

        The ONLY right thing for him to do was to take the matter and the witness to the police, or the state attorney's office.

        Instead, he knew the university politics well enough to actively help in the cover-up by reporting it only to the Athletics Administrator - and he waited a day to do that!

        Where does it end? - probably way short of the mark

        Where SHOULD it end? - Only when ALL people involved - that is anyone who knew anything about absolutely any of the incidents of RAPE - is properly dealt with by the law.

        ...and that includes the entire institution which actively covered up these numerous crimes.

        Can you really believe that Sandusky is the only guilty party here?

        The evidence already presented (and much more will follow) clearly shows that many were involved in one way or another, including the university itself.

        1. Trevor -- I think this guy is just a turkey trying to stir the pot. Anyone in their right mind knows Joepa did not do the right thing and even if he made a poor choice which we all do...he had 9 years to at least try to correct it. Joepa was dead wrong.

          1. Wesley,

            I look at the grammar ,spelling, punctuation and ALL OF THE SHOUTING in that post, and figure that the writer didn't get to go to a college of the calibre of Penn State...

            They probably just don't understand...

            Trevor

      2. If Joe had done the right thing as you say, why is he hiring a defense attorney, instead of filing a wrongful termination suit? Don't be so quick to defend Joe or Penn state. We have only begun to see the tip of this horrific iceberg. Remember Penn state defenders, the Tulane basketball case, the first week was nothing in comparison to what was learned a month down the road. If Joe knew in his heart he did the right thing, he would be fighting his termination and protecting his reputation. Don't be so damn silly.

    38. Great article Randy! What is happening to our generation, the judiciary system etc. I can understand your anger.....

    39. I am so glad you posted this Randy. It is horrific. I was stunned to learn that so so many boys are molested when they are little. Having a daughter I just never thought much about it. I just made sure I protected her.
      I think that every person that was aware of the molestation should be punished. Not just fired but punished for not reporting it. It's just awful. I agree they should forfeit the game. They need to get this mess cleaned up.

    40. Thanks Randy for your rant. I appreicate being able to read the comments regarding the sexual abuse carried out on innocent and defenceless boys. No one, boy or girl, woman or man should have to experience any kind of abuse. Penn State leadership and governance appears to be lacking and its silence says volumnes about the institution and what it stands for. The issue here is that innocent children were used and abused. Just how big is this mess. I am always fascinated how 'we' humans divert from the real issue at hand. Playing the football game sends the message that it's okay to do what Sandusky did. Riots because a head coach got fired for not dealing with the issue says lots about where societal values sit.

    41. This is one of the most brushed under the table crimes that I have ever seen because its so close to home. Uncles and fathers, so many are guilty. It is time to bring it to the forefront If the game is played or some very special announcements are not made before the game tomorrow and $ donated than we as a society are really in trouble! We must not put up with this.

    42. That sounds so much like The Vatican and the Catholic Church in Ireland the last couple of years. So many children affected and neglected afterwards, or made to feel guilty for it happening to them in the first place.

    43. Hi Randy, this made me sick, and I can not believe this could go on for so long. I agree with you there should not be another football game played this year.... SAD soooo SAD

    44. Randy,
      Let us all ask an unemotional critical thinking question: Why would you want to forgo games and maybe get banned by the NCAA for bowl games etc.? The true purpose of any good criminal law is the prevention of these crimes. But this only works, when offenders get the maximum penalty. There cannot be any excuses, like you hear them too often in todays "justice" system. This scandal has gone on too long without being stopped, too many people knew about it and decided to look the other way or heard rumors and did not follow up etc. You cannot mitigate the punishment, because some others may be negatively affected. You must set an example, so a similar situation does not happen again. And all of Penn State, current and former students, faculty and alumni must take FULL responsibility for the crimes and the cover up. Too bad some feelings get hurt. Life is not fair, but the sooner you learn to take responsibility for everything that happens around you, the sooner you learn the true happiness from overcoming obstacles, even if they were not of your own doing. Making things right for somebody who got insured, even if inconvenient for you, shows true world-class behavior and that's miising too often in our current society.

    45. Forfeiting this game affects more than just Penn State. Punishing all the people that work at the game as well as Nebraska and their commitment to the game doesn't make sense. None of these people had anything to do with the horrific events that cause Paterno's dismissal. Face it, the world will not stop because of this, but people will pay as we've seen happening in the last few days.

      1. OK...

        This time I will be blunt.

        Dear "whoever the hell you might be"...

        If you feel strongly enough about this subject to write a comment, why don't you have the balls to let us know who you are, instead of hiding behind anonymity.

        All of those involved in the cover-up at PSU are also hiding behind anonymity for as long as they can.

        The world will not stop - as you say - but this makes the world a much worse place. And if the game goes on and everything is just as it always was, then the world will go further down hill (and eventually stop) just for the sake of money.

        Don't get me wrong - I think money is great. but I don't worship it, and I don't put it ahead of the safety of our kids...

    46. Speaking from experience, the graphic/horrific memories never go away. Never. Penn State is covering just enough to get out of the spotlight. I agree, shut down the game! This is nuclear grade sicko.

    47. In listening to Fox news this morning, I overheard a comment that really tells the tale for me...

      The statement went like this: The Coach gets how many Millions to run the sports program at Penn State? And the head of the Physics Department gets paid maybe $125K per year? Such disparity! No wonder our nations science programs are so far behind the rest of the world... Sports are fine to build character and fitness but for sports to be "the institution..." that's WAY "Over the Top, for me."

    48. Because this sick man was not stopped, whatever the courts decide is okay with me. (Of course, a death sentence for Sandusky would be my preference.)

    49. Randy, it was hard to read your post without shedding a few tears. To be honest, I had not heard about all these awful issues with Sandusky and my heart felt increasing heaviness as you spoke of the victims, the witnesses and the cover-uppers. These types of experiences are toxic for everyone involved. It is so imperative to do/say something when we see this going on-Right Away!
      I'm so sorry to hear about your own experience, and honour you for sharing. Talking about sexual abuse isn't always easy because, sometimes, as has been the case for me, there can still be threads of shame around it, which is a strange thing because you’d think the shame belongs to the perpetrator. Such is the nature of this crime. I, too, was molested when I was a child (by a stranger). I was watching my brother play floor hockey at a local community center. There was only myself and this older guy watching the game. When it was happening, I had a terrible vision of what would happen to me but there was a distraction and I ran away - I was lucky. Nothing was done about it and he was never caught. I’ve also wondered how many other kids he did that to. But, there is something magical about sharing; it helps those who’ve experienced it, let go. I'm glad that you were able to work through what happened.
      These football kids? Even one incident can cause problems, and the more times sexual abuse happens, the worse it is because people have to create a defence when something hideous is happening so they can survive it... Sometimes, that defence stays into adulthood and takes a while to dismantle- but great healing can be done with lots of Love, understanding, and support. These kids certainly do need to be helped NOW and I whole-heartedly agree with your assertion that Penn State should focus on the welfare of the boys first and ditch the games. I have a male relative who was raped by a neighbour several times, as a pre-teen. He is now in his mid 50's, living in his truck, and trying to survive. That is hard on my heart. Nothing can convince me that repeated acts of sexual abuse do not do deep damage to a person. If these boys are not found, and helped, they are at high risk for suicide, addictions, depression, or, if they manage to skip that stuff, a squelched life. I hope, in my heart of hearts, that they have disclosed the abuse and are Loved, supported, and helped through the trauma. Thank you for digressing from your normal blogging route to stop to raise awareness, share your own experience, and speak up for these kids. Bless your heart!

      1. Dear "whoever-the-hell-you-are",

        If not shut down the parishes, at least remove ALL people involved and who knew about the crimes - all the way to the Pope if this be the case...

        ... and, it goes without saying, report all incidents to the police...

    50. I tend to agree Randy. Shutting down the program would send a message to the student body and a the boosters that the institution should be shamed out loud.
      As for punishing the non offenders by doing so, that is an interesting interpretation. I get it. And their hurt feelings are collateral damage. Sending the message is far more important a teaching moment than their feelings.
      And these are all just opinions. What matters is what the powers to be think and do about this Unfortunately their role model is the Catholic church an institution about which we could "rant" on for years.
      Kudos Sir Gage. I stand with you

    51. Hi Randy,

      I don't think shutting it down is the answer. Why punish everyone for a few people's errors?

      If a Catholic Priest gets caught molesting an altar boy, do we close the Catholic church down?

      If someone molests a young boy in a park, do we close that suburb down? Or close humanity down?

      No, hunt down the perpetrators like in any crime and bring them to justice. It's why there is a judicial system.

      There's lots of people that have been training hard all week (and year/s) that are looking forward to doing what they love.

      Imagine if they closed down network marketing because one guy molested a child?

      1. Greg,

        the problem with your argument is that this is not the same as a single priest molesting an alter boy, or a person assaulting a kid in the park.

        In this case, there has been an institution-wide cover-up for at least thirteen years (since 1998).

        Whether the institution is the PSU football fraternity, or the university itself is still to be fully revealed - and let's hope it is revealed rather than covered up again.

        Whichever the case may be, the institution responsible needs to be institutionally penalised.

        This goes way beyond an individual act - it is numerous acts involving numerous people in powerful positions - some regarded as heroes...

        Of course, some of the church cases are similar, and they are also swept under the carpet because it is a church - SO WHAT!!!

        If the representatives of an institution commit a heinous crime, and other representatives of the institution are involved in an institutional cover-up, then the institution should be held responsible, not just the original perpetrator - all who are involved or who have knowledge and fail to take appropriate action are responsible.

    52. Thank you for writing this, Randy. It needed to be said.

      As for penalizing the students and devastating the community; no one ever said that doing the right thing is always painless. But the right thing is always the right thing.

      If Penn State will not do the right thing, we the people, can. We all have the ability to choose not to watch or attend their games.

    53. I'm not sure why I feel the need to defend our community, maybe because there is so much hate being thrown at us. We had our vigil tonight for abuse victims.10,000 students and community members were present. You can watch it here: http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DOL8YjOUq6Oo%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&feature=youtu.be&v=OL8YjOUq6Oo&gl=US
      Amazing how 5 times the amount of people were here, and no one seems to know. I'll say it again, we are not monsters. We are a community that is torn apart. We have a right to be angry and sad. You can judge from afar, but if it were happening to your friends and family I guarantee you would feel different.

      1. I doubt many people really see your community as monsters. I certainly don't, and it's obvious that most people there are as horrified with these revelations as the rest of us.

        But the evidence is beginning the suggest a systemic cover-up by Penn State as an institution on many levels. And as a prosperity guy, I hate all the easy "rich-bashing" that seems so easy to do. But in this case, I think these kids' lives were sacrificed on the alter of the $72 millions a year that football program brings into the PSU budget. And to reward the university with football as usual is unconscionable to me. -RG

        1. I understand that, Randy - really I do. But what about the hundreds of people that are employed by the university on game day that need that income? What about the thousands of people who are employed by the university and their families? Is it giving money back to the institution that covered up these horrible crimes - yes, but PSU is the number one employer in this community - if I'm not mistaken, in the state!

          It is far reaching and all that I'm asking is for people to look beyond the hate and look at what you are asking and the impacts it would have. Yes a statement it would be, but the impact would be hitting people who had nothing to do with it!

          1. I hear you. But on principles, I stand on principle. And those choices are no often easy. I can't sanction making them on economic impact. That's what created this disgusting situation to begin with. No one wanted to jeopardize the $72 million juggernaut with big boosters, sky boxes and future endowments. No one thought about the defenseless kids.

            -RG

          2. In the grand scheme, shutting it down for one Saturday is getting off light, in my opinion.

            Compared to what the victims will deal with for the rest of their lives...the financial hit that everybody takes this weekend is miniscule.

            None of the intelligent and reasonable people in this discussion doubt for one second the sincerity and dedication of the vast majority of the individuals in the community, and no one is directing retribution at the innocent.

            Truthfully, there's nothing that Penn State can do or not do in three hours that will begin to make up for the atrocities that have played out...however, in my opinion, it would be a much stronger statement to sacrifice the cash on one Saturday in November, than to simply let the juggernaut move ahead, business as usual. It would at least say to the rest of the country, "we are now aware...and we care".

    54. They said on the radio that the Great Coach and his cronies are responsible for RAISING 70 MILLION a year for the program. Once again, Money does buy a lot of things, including SILENCE!

    55. I subscribe to a bunch of news blogs. salon slate huffintgon post... and a link to washington post had sportswriter sally jenkins saying be nice if predators came wearing horns, etc.. so Paterno not to blame.. but another columnist said bs.. all he had to do was dial three numbers 911.. exactly.. end of story..

    56. Randy, I think it is fantastic that you are doing your best to get the facts on the table. When people know the facts they generally make great choices that are appropriate. Some facts not mentioned. Penn State has turned out many more people that live up to the standards you talk about in your post than those that don't. I would be willing to bet that most Penn State grads and students, knowing the facts have already made the choice you outline. I have faith in the youth of America, and yes that includes those from Penn State. We need people to make good choices and that begins by treating them as if they have the right to make good choices. Instead of someone shutting down the big game, worried about losing the ad revenues, frustration for the senior football players, let's worry about allowing the people involved in Penn State, students, and teachers, administrators, coaches, etc. to make that choice on their own and boycott the game. The mother that would take her daughter out of Penn State if she went there is saying "let's punish every person at Penn State" that built great young minds that have turned out to be leaders and the many more that will do the same. I have faith in the people connected with Penn State that armed with the facts they will make the proper choices instead of the Penn State machine and news pundits dictating what will be done or how people should act. This horrific display of poor choices can be used to build a group of people all over the world that make the right choices without being dictated to.

      I have no idea about your personal experience you outline in your post, and how it was ever dealt with. Based on your recipe of justice above, if you never did anything about it and added to others being treated like you, your blog should now be suspended and shut down.

      I agree with everything you say should be done this weekend and going forward. I want the people that are at Penn State to do what is right because they know how to do the right thing. I have total confidence in the young people in this world. They are our future leaders and will benefit by being given the facts and making good choices. I have no affiliation what so ever with Penn State. I do have immense anger for a world that is told what to do by the big machine when we would all be much better off by being taught to speak out and make a difference when we know something is wrong and needs to be changed. We are all just as guilty we allow the politicians to run the USA and we do nothing to take charge of our fate. America is molested every day. Using the situation at Penn State now is a great launch pad to start a new movement of people doing the right thing because it shows leadership and respect. Give people the facts and teach them to be leaders with that information and the Penn State situation will become one of the greatest events ever at changing the way the world does business. I think everyone reading this would agree we need some of that medicine!

    57. Sorry, didn't read the bit about not putting website url in there.

      I don't think innocent people should be punished for the actions of a few bad apples.

      Having said that, God more than once punished Israel as a nation for the actions of an unGodly Israelite king, didn't he.

      While I understand the opposite opinion to mine, there are the players who have trained hard all week and may just be on the wrong team, that's all.

      Let the legal system deliver it's verdict and remember, judge not lest ye be judged.

      We live in a fallen world, these things happen. At least the kids weren't murdered, eyes burnt out with hot irons, etc.

      It's not good for them, but it could have been worse. Thank God it wasn't Charles Manson they were at the hands of.

    58. This is a henious ,despicable incomprehensable violation of a human right . Rape is not and will never be accepted in this world FULL STOP . It has been brought to light thank God finally . but unfortunately this lack of consciousness is in every community, hiding in the corners of society .Institutions all over the world have been guilty of a so called fraternity silence . Abuse of power needs to be addressed , taking responsibility needs to be addressed the well being of every human being should be paramount . It is time to stand up and be counted no matter who you are , if we all join forces as a human race we can achieve a better world . We have allowed things to be brushed under the carpet and the Catholic church was a global brush off and nobody has been made accountable for their actions , over the years it has not only been priests that have raped and abused children so called nuns have been guilty of abuse exerting their will on to those in their care. Come on the wellbeing of our children is priceless and no amount of money can buy a balanced mind body and spirit. We have to nurture their talents and gifts in a safe environment were they can grow to be prosperous creative confident adults who in turn are the custodians of the next generation . We have to teach by example the people guilty of these crimes including those who turned their backs should accept responsibility and justice should prevail. on a more positve note now its foundations have been shook the people who have worked hard can rebuild the old institution into a new dynamic prosperous community , the lessons are there to be learned , It has been brought into the light and the many children who have slipped the net maybe caught and given the help that is so rightly deserved . The community should stand strong and show the rest of society it is not acceptable behaviour and gain strenghth on the positive talents and gifts they have to offer . God bless you all and I hope that the children who have gone astray will come forward so they can receive the support they need and remember out of chaos a new way of being can be transformed into something great filled with love , integrity that benefits all Mx

    59. I always hated football or games where children from the start are injured. A rough and tumble sport for all the adults? I did not encourage my children to be rough and uncaring. Doesn't it all begin with the game and what is important in life? Doesn't it all start in the home? Yup! Any caring adult would never harm another human being. Child or adult! Men or women! Do you think this college is the only place this is happening? Teach love and compassion, and let the rest go to the dogs. I am angry, yes!!!

    60. I will add one more comment and then I am done. Today's game will have a stadium filled with students and alumni in blue shirts - a "blue out" as opposed to the usual white out. This statement is to show their support for the victims and for child abuse awareness.

      Tshirts are being sold all across town and the money is being donated to child abuse awareness. $200,000 has already been raised, and game day is just beginning. Students are having bake sales to raise money - these are good people!

      Yes these events are horrible, but we are doing the right thing in this community. If anything good is coming out of a bad situation, it is the worldly attention to the awareness of child abuse. Sitting in our homes and canceling a football game may send a statement, but raising money and painting a stadium blue with over 100,000 people will show we care!

    61. Obviously we cannot depend on the Penn State community to do the right thing here. Is it too much to ask that the rest of us boycott watching this game and make our thoughts known to the network and sponsors who haven't pulled out by now? I have been asking where the NCAA is since this story broke. It is unacceptable if they let this program go on to post season bowl games. I am a big ten alumni and intend to let the conference know that sanctions against this program are expected if they want to salvage the reputation of the rest of the schools they represent. I actually feel sorry for the Cornhuskers going into such a slimy situation today.

    62. The students that are rioting at Penn in favor of Joe have been desensitized by the media that screams that homosexual behavior is healthy and fornication and every type of sexual deviatation is appropriate. When a male forces sex on a male, he is a homosexual/predator. If a female forces sex on a female, she is a lesbian/predator. If a male or female forces sex on males and females, he/she is a bisexual predator. Sandusky has probably raped all of his 8 adopted children. His wife knew it in her head but her heart would not believe it. The wife was probably frightened and controlled by Sandusky. Sandusky will get away with this because no one cares about the children and all they care about is the football games must go on. The students do not consider the rape of children an issue because they have bought the lie which is "sports is more important than food, children, family, etc." Sports in America is GOD. It is an idol. If Penn State and most of America did not worship football, they would stop the madness today and fall on their faces in repentance and cancel the games and stop providing public showers which attract sexual predators. Showers can be taken in the privacy of a home, did any one ever think of that? I did not allow my son to become part of sports growing up in the 80's and 90's because I knew that public showers attract child abusers who are coaches. I never allowed him to do sports because of coaches in the shed waiting to hurt boys. I never allowed him to becomea boy scout. Male abusers and male teen abusers are a dime a dozen. They are everywhere waiting to get your boy. Your boy won't tell due to shame and being told he will be killed or his family hurt. Predators know exactly how to manipulate and terrify a child or teen boy. Most boys will never tell. When he gets older he will be emotionally unstable and is a suicide risk and will probably turn to valium, or pain narcotics. He is also destroyed physically. His body has a memory. He has phantom pain. It goes on and on. There is a reservation in hell for all rapists and abusers. God's Word says if you hurt one of His little ones, it would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were cast into the depths of the sea. Hell's gates are open, waiting for every predator and they will never escape the torment. Thank you for listening.

    63. Randy, stop watching the TV~!

      There is no such thing as a victim.

      No one that I have read in this blog is looking at the spiritual answer.

      There is always a bigger picture.

      Victim consciousness will not lead you to prosperity.

      "Fix" yourself and leave the rest to Spirit.

      1. Really, JimPa, this is how you'd handle it?

        Seems like burying heads in the sand is what caused this situation to grow into what is has become. Shame on you for suggesting that blind-eye trend continue.

        These are children being raped by their mentor. They are very much victims, and I will stand up and scream and shout and get enraged to defend them. I'm gonna MAKE the world a better place...not just think about it.

        Ignoring this horror would be the worst injustice to my prosperity. JimPa, you do what you want with your prosperity.

    64. Completely agree, Randy, that Penn State should forfeit this game. What people fail to realize is that Penn State is not going through with this game as a sign of solidarity, a sign of respect to the community that depends on the game, or as a sign of respect to the student players. I'm convinced they are playing it because the university doesn't want to endure the economic pain of cancelling it. Which is the exact reason they brushed these incidents under the rug in the first place. Because of the dollars it would cost them by allowing them to come to light.

      An aside on this, it is troubling to hear all over the media and public that "money" corrupted this institution and caused all this. Not true. Thirst for POWER corrupted this institution and money was merely a vehicle to attain it. It's important to make the distinction.

    65. Thanks Randy for posting this. You know, having been at the effect of involuntary sexual conduct as a child, I just can't get why grown ups who know or witness or learn of such activity don't ACT immediately. The years of therapy, self doubt and anguish it I went through -- my prayers and love to those young boys who are truly dealing with something in secret, darkness and probably shut down. May their life now start healing.

      I don't much jump to the drama band wagon. But this is not a wagon, it is a freak'n freight train. Child trafficing for sex is frighttenly very active in the US.

    66. Good article, except this scumbag Sandusky is NOT behind bars.

      He was released on only $100,000 bail, which the judge rationalized because "he is not considered a flight risk."

      And he stipulated that "defendent is ordered not to associate with boys under the age of 18." So, 19, 20, year olds, etc. are perfectly OK with this judge???

      I guess he forgot to tell the pervert to stay away from Victims 1-7 seeing how they are all over the age of 18 now.

      I guess what this idiot judge is saying is that Sandusky can go ahead and have his will with ANY of the seven victims because they are no longer under that age. Or, just about any of the other "buddies" this guy had using his "charitable foundation."

      The fact this guys is NOT behind bars tells me all I need to know about the system of justice in State College PA.

      The fact that the detective who investigated Sandusky in 1998 was murdered in 2005 by an (as yet) unknown person is, of course, completely irrelevant to this "judge."

    67. I agree totally! They should revoke the school's charter for permitting this rape of kids to go on. It's one of the most despicable stories I've ever heard. I thought it was sick when fans supported michael vick for torturing animals but this blows it away. This country's obsession with sports is grotesque.

    68. Randy, I was mad about the blatant disrespect and lack of concern by the all of the concerned at Penn of the violated victims before seeing your response.

      It gives me a sick gut feeling to know how low people will go to satisfy their own twisted desires and how low others will stoop to ignore it.

      As far as some posters not wanting to punish the "kids"...how about the 'kids that were abused???? The irresponsible kids that are protesting by destroying others property and physically and verbally assualting police officers and civilians need to be punished...swiftly!!

      As far as the football program is concerned perhaps some of the institutions of higher learning need to return to their primary purpose. Turning out educated, responsible young adults that can contribute value to mother earth and humanity.

      We need mentors and teachers of moral values in our universities, not pedophiles. The over used cliche of "if it feels good do it" needs to be restated in moral terms.

      Thanks for your thoughts Randy..right on!
      David

    69. Hey Randy

      I agree. Nobody intervened or does anything when he saw or was a witness to the abusing sexually those poor children by
      Mike McQueary .So these incidens happend with Sandusky in 1998, again in 2000, and will happen again in the future, unless, if someone will do the right thing for to stop and get him to be judged and be punished him,as he deserves it

    70. Ok, I said I was done, but one more thing... There was just announced a bomb threat at Beaver Stadium. Is this what your hatred to our community condones??

      Please let's all stop with the hate and pull together as a group of human beings to do what is right and protect innocent children. Your hatred toward PSU is fueling rage into the entire world!

      Let's be humans and show compassion instead of hatred - and turn a horrible situation into something we as human beings can stand for and agree upon - love and humanity!

      1. Gretchen,

        Please don't think that we hat your community.

        What we despise is what the university has allowed to continue since 1998. The university knew about it and actively hid it. That is despicable - there is no justification or condoning that behaviour.

        Sadly, there will be many in your community who were aware of what had been going on, and also stayed silent. I, for one, truly hope that every one of those people is found and finds true justice - not just a simple fine or probation as is most likely (in the best case scenario.

        You argue that punishing the university would punish the entire community, and you might be right.

        So, using your argument, If a man is found guilty of raping little children, we should not punish that man, because it would also punish his innocent family, and the company he works for, and the football team he coaches.

        The effect of punishing that one man would be quite wide reaching, so let's just let him go???

        Sorry, Gretchen, but that is EXACTLY the same argument you are presenting, to ask that the university no be punished.

        We don't hat you, or your community as a whole. We despise the evil actions of the perpetrators, the witnesses, those who were informed through official channels, those who were told unofficially, the institution which covered this up (for the sake of power and millions of dollars per year) and every single person who knew about these crimes and actively chose to do nothing...

        You seem to be a reasonable and very caring person. Sadly, (alluding to the example I gave above) your community is married to the rapist and the institution that covered it up.

        As the family of the institution, you will be hurt (as collateral damage) if the institution is truly dealt with appropriately, just like the families of those poor boys are hurt by the actions of, not only the rapist, but also the lack of action of the so-called hero - JoePa - and the rest of the institution.

        I wish you and the innocent by-standers in your community the very best, but the institution you are married to needs to be very thoroughly cleaned out.

        Trevor

        1. Trevor,
          I thank you for your words. I feel the hate, but I no longer feel the need to defend my community.

          I'm sure the majority of you did not watch the game today, and if I didn't live here I probably wouldn't have either. However, surprisingly, those young men on that football team showed me what was important.

          As they walked out onto the field arm in arm, showing each other support and the world unity, I understood where I needed to stand. As they met Nebraska on the field and the two team joined together as one to have a few minutes of prayer - I realized what was missing.

          We are all so caught up with our own emotions and hatred, so divided. If we put all our energy into something more productive than hate, and join together I can't imagine the good that could come from a very very bad situation.

          Just one more clarification, I was not a PSU fan until today and the fan I am now is for the young men who showed me what is important.

          1. Gretchen,

            I live in Australia, so naturally, US college football is not a high priority in our news - it is not shown at all, not even in such a drama-filled situation.

            Lets face it - it is just a football game.

            You have no idea how pleased I am to hear your description of what happened at the game - I said before "let's see" how your community responds...

            It sounds like you truly can be proud of your community.

            Let's now hope that your community stays united in the effort to seek out EVERY single person or institution involved in the crimes, and EVERY single person or institution who knew about the crimes and chose to do and say nothing...

            Let's hope that your community stays united in their effort to then ensure that ALL of those people face true justice (as opposed to just the justice system), regardless of the fall-out.

            They are all guilty of harming and allowing further harm to many young boys, and must accept the consequences of their actions, regardless of the fall-out.

            If your community is truly as good as it is beginning to seem, then your community will accept the fallout, however great, from what the university you support has allowed.

            I wish you and your community the very best in this difficult situation.

            Trevor

            1. Thank you Trevor! I hope so too.

              And I think it goes farther than my community. The unity I see is the unity across the world. If we all are as good as we say we are, let's all do the right thing, even when nobody is looking.

    71. Randy, I agree. I've taught at some major universities. There is a culture in academia, especially administration, that sports should reign supreme. ...and usually to the detriment of the academics.

      This reminds me of a certain president who had sex with an intern. He should have been shut down as well. But what did we as a country do? We reelected him. The students at Penn State would keep Paterno and would probably vote for Bill Clinton again.

      1. Hilarious that Clinton gets pulled into this. And actually he didn't get re-elected as the affair between two consenting adults was in his 2nd term. Now we do have a former president that lied and broke international laws and was re-elected. If Clinton could have run for a 3rd term, maybe thousands of young men and women would still be alive.

    72. This is a really disturbing post Randy. I heard about it in the news, but not with all the details. Oh so awful. I don't know much about college football or how it works or how much money is made. Now I have some insight. I agree with you Randy. And I am sorry about what happened to you too.

      I really hate this post too, I know it's true, but it is just so horrible.

      I think the potential for evil is present anytime human beings form an organization. Why? Because we are human, and humans are consistantly evil. All of us. So the bright side, is we can choose not to be. And it is not always easy.

      Unfortunately, I was not surprised by the behavior of the people involved. I know from my own experience, and history that ego and false idoltry leads us to evil.

      As humans we need to work on ego integrity and higher morality that stems not from institutions or relying on a higher authority. We must gain the knoweledge that we can trust ourselves. Trusting ourselves comes from ego integrity.

      The most evil things I have ever done is when I have rationalized my corrupt behavior to myself, or when I have followed someone else's lead without trusting my own sense of right and wrong.

      Think of the rationalizations one must have to believe that not doing anything was the right thing. But just don't be so sure you wouldn't have done the same... Not saying anyone here would have done that, but the only way to protect against evil is to be honest with ourselves. In what situatons in our own environments have we turned away from the truth to protect our egos or someone else's who we feel has more power or authority than we.

      I know I have been amoral. It is not always easy to do the right thing and be honest. Truth can seem like a scary bastard, but it is also our salvation.

      Children are our responsibility. Adults, and yes 28 is old enough to be an adult, have to protect and advocate for children. Really no one else will.

    73. Randy - we spoke briefly about this last Jan. It seems that you have opened a forum where it makes sense to speak. What Richard Bach calls PoC? (Principle of Coincidence) Or just the universe having a giggle?

      I was physically and sexually abused from the time I was 6. At 14 I went to a multi-school competition, two faith-based gatherings, and high school classes with one eye swollen completely shut, both eyes blacked and what I later learned was a broken nasal bone. No one could even look me in the eye.

      I have had 34 years to reflect, to rant and rail, to forgive and finally to heal.

      I was angry at my siblings, both adults before I was two, because they were grown-ups and didn't even notice.

      I was angry with my gym teachers - who let me not suit up for gym when my legs showed bruises and even broken skin - but never acknowledged WHY they told me to put my street clothes back on.

      I was angry with my mother - who watched while my head was pounded against a plaster wall - who cried and did nothing.

      I was angry with myself - mostly.

      I say this so you can imagine a little of where those boys have been.

      I've had people tell me what they think justice would have been. I've even agreed - with my HEAD. But in my heart I knew I wasn't seeing straight. My sense of "highest right" knew that if I bought into that "eye for an eye" justice I was being a pawn. So I stopped telling my story and for most of my adult life no one would have guessed I had ever been abused.

      That doesn't mean the pain and self loathing stopped. It means I learned to manifest only the parts of me that the public could handle.

      The oldest of the boys that Sandusky abused (I say abused rather than RAPED because, in my experience anyway, the rape is only a small part of the abuse. The feeling of helplessness, of wondering what horrible person you are to deserve such treatment and you MUST deserve it or someone would STOP it, of fear of the next time or reprisal for telling the truth - THAT is the larger violation of self) is now 27 years old. He's had about 15 years to live with the aftermath. Has anyone asked THIS young man what would ease his pain?

      I won't detail here the roller coaster ride of peace and condemnation, self sabotage and self actualization, I have followed. But feel called to share three insights.

      First - I was abused, I was not victimized. But if I had listened to the "press" I would have identified as a victim because that's what people who have had my life experiences get labeled. Please do not label these boys and men as victims - help them choose to live free of that stigma.

      Second - People are not monsters. Monsters live under beds and in storybooks. But people self-identify as monsters and then they behave like them. And as long as we protect them and look the other way in order not to have to acknowledge their behavior their self identity will not change and neither will their behavior.

      WE create the monster when we condone the behavior and anything short of STOPPING the behavior is condoning it.

      Every single person who knew or suspected that abuse was taking place and did not raise their voice in protest and their hand in defense of those children helped to create the monster you name Sandusky. Every person HE faced who knew, and he knew they knew, who went on associating with him, pretending their knowledge changed nothing, helped to keep him on a path of abuse.

      I don't know the root of his patterns, and I'm no psychologist to diagnose it, but pain begins in pain. That seed produces true and, unless it is grafted to something sweeter like love and truth, it will only produce more pain. The people who "protected" him kept him from being forced to examine his pain. They "protected" him from being forced to stay on this path (and accept the consequences) or choose another path. So long as he was "protected" and even respected, he had no incentive to seek out help. Does that make him right - not even close. But it means he was as much a "victim" of the system that protected him as his so-called "victims" were. The system is SUPPOSED to stop this behavior for EVERYONE'S good.

      Please, don't wait until the "monster" has been identified then cry for justice. Lift your voice and your hand to protect those being abused and to push the abuser to get help in making other choices or accept the consequences of their behavior.

      Third - We will never stop abuse by playing a "blame game." Trying to parse out who knew, how much they knew, what they should have done about what they knew... that is a job for the legal system and it needs to be done. But it won't PREVENT abuse. STOPPING the abuse cycle is either accomplished by one very strong person who says "I will NOT visit my pain on another individual" or it is accomplished by an entire community saying "I WILL lift my voice and my hand to protect and defend - not my innocence or the status quo - but the good in every person I meet."

      And protecting and defending the "good in every person" - that extends to the abused and the abusers and to every person in their community or the global community.

      We each have power - which means we have responsibility. When we say "I didn't have anything to do with it, and there is nothing I can do about it now" we're abdicating power.

      Communities have collected power - which means they have greater responsibility. Not to punish - but to protect, defend, and ultimately to heal.

      When I was a child I believed adults were all-powerful. I believed that the only reasons that they wouldn't help me was either because they didn't care about me, or because they thought I deserved it.

      Now I know what it is to be a grownup and still feel helpless to right what I believe to be wrong. I have had that "I have no choice" conversation with myself and I have not always made the choice that lets me sleep at night. I have had to admit that "I have no choice" is simply a way of saying "I can't imagine a choice that I LIKE." Sometimes we have to choose the hard path - as Frank Herbert said in Dune, "the course of least resistance always leads downhill." Doing the right thing can tax our strength.

      I feel for those adults who knew or suspected what was happening to me. They also knew what the repercussions would be of intervening - what if they were wrong? What if they were right? Either way, it was going to get mighty unpleasant. They have had 34 years to think about it too - I wonder what they think.

      So maybe firing was the worst that will happen to those who knew but didn't take definitive action. (And getting him to promise "not to take showers with the boys" is NOT definitive action - it didn't help HIM or the boys, it only allayed the guilt they would have felt if they had done nothing at all.)

      But maybe living with the knowledge that they have contributed to the pain and bewilderment of so many children. Having to work with the man they protected and try NOT to think of the faceless children they failed to defend. Maybe that has been worse than the public exposure and loss of their positions. We don't know.

      Please, as a community that is hurting and confused - Know that there were many in your community who knew or suspected. After all, this has been a "known problem" among some of the University staff since 1998. Although the case was never made public, the police were involved so it wasn't a complete secret. According to the CNN report, he was even recorded by the police as saying "I understand. I was wrong, I wish I could get forgiveness. I know I won't get it from you. I wish I were dead."

      Accept that YOU are hurting, the children (many now adults) are hurting, the people who knew and did nothing are hurting and Sandusky is hurting. NONE of this pain is right or necessary. It won't be healed by blame or punishment (although punishment has its place and I am not opposed to it - just aware that punishment alone is NEVER a solution.)

      It also won't be healed by vigils and public displays and contributions to charities for children you will never have to meet.

      That is a salve that helps you sleep - it won't heal the wound.

      Healing requires human interaction. It requires honesty with ourselves and each other. It requires something much deeper than retribution or forgiveness - it requires compassion. Can you find your way to that?

      Inside each of those young men a child still lives. Do you think they care about your vigils and your contributions? Your public displays or "blued out" stadiums? Do they care about your outcries here or elsewhere? I don't know - but I doubt it. The child still needs someone to look them in the eye and say "you did not deserve that - it was not about you, ever." They need much more than that - but the personal acknowledgment is critical.

      Those children need someone to help THEM break the cycle. A graft of love and truth that will help them bear fruit that is not only pain. Can you do that?

      Please - stop asking what should be done AGAINST and ask what can be done FOR. What can be done for those children, what can be done for the school, what can be done for the community and yes, what can be done for Sandusky who has performed horrific acts but must still have some good in him worth defending.

      Randy, I've thought a lot on this although it has been only a short time since you brought it to my attention. If the program was a building - and a blight was uncovered...

      Would you tear it down? A big, beautiful building that has housed much good? Or would you first investigate, examine the extent of the damage, estimate the cost of restoration, weigh the pros and cons of preservation - then make a decision based on your findings?

      I think I will send my energy to hope for a full investigation of the program, the college, the legal counsel (who had a clear conflict of interest if I read the CNN report correctly,) the child welfare department, etc... I will hope that the community takes their power and responsibility seriously to uncover the blight and all the places that it touched and to restore it to what it could be.

      But I will also send my energy to believing that each of those young men will discover what I discovered. That we each choose our own way to come into power and pain and fire is one path. It isn't a path I recommend, but if it is part of our experience then we can turn it into a path of personal power and light. And that our healing becomes a blessing for everyone we touch, and everyone who touches us. I will believe that they will discover the depth of connectiveness when we allow others to be a part of our healing and we become a part of theirs.

      Because what is pain if not an opportunity for healing?

      That, I think, will be far more meaningful than protest, vigils, public displays of support or contributions to charities.

      We shall see.

      1. hi dixie thankyou for sharing your soul with us , you are truly an inspiration and an ambassador of light . I hope and pray that the persons abused find the power of spirit within themselves to overcome their blight and are surrounded by fun loving , compassionate people like yourself so they can be healed fully mind body and spirit and are able to live their lives free from victimhood . Its been an honour thank you Mx

          1. I do thank you Dixie for sharing your story with courage. It is people like you that will give strength to the suffering that is happening.

            1. Thank you Gretchen - I know this situation is painful for all of your community. I appreciate your being open to my view and what I have learned from my experience. I hope the young men also find the gifts within this ugly wrapping.

      2. Wow. Dixie, that gave me goosebumps AND a lot to think about. Thank you for sharing your history and your insight. I second what Maria said. Incredible.

      3. Dixie,

        Thank you for opening up as you have here. You have demonstrated courage and a true sense of healing.

        I asked that the rape of these boys be referred to as rape. I am well aware that the physical act is actually only a minor part of the overall abuse, but the general population never considers the full ramifications of the word "abuse".

        Also, abuse is such a vague term. It is used to describe sexual abuse, physical abuse and emotional abuse and all three.

        I have heard women say that they have been sexually abuses, simply because some hormonally driven teenage boy had the audacity to look at their breasts which were out on show in their very low cut blouse. This is, of course, is nonsense, yet the same term is used for someone who is repeatedly raped, emotionally abused, beaten and threatened with death and the death of their family members...

        For these reasons, I don't think the word "abuse" is really good enough, or clearly defined enough.

        The word Rape, however, is clearly understood. It does carry with it the understanding of the associated emotional and physical abuse. This is why I believe that we should call a rape "rape". It is a word which hits home emotionally, whereas, the word "abuse" has itself been abused and thus lost its power.

        I am not aware of a word in our language which is strong enough and all encompassing enough to truly describe the horrors of such a situation. But since there was, in these cases, a physical rape, I believe that to be the most effective word to use.

        This is not to lessen the physical and emotional abuse that you and many others have suffered. You suffered (and have healed from) a different type of "rape" or abuse - I wish there were an appropriate term.

        However, I also wish that there were no need for an appropriate term...

        Trevor

    74. Randy, you are right on point! It is tragic that in this sports obsessed country all they care about is the team and school reputation. Sports are far more important then humanity in this country. That is why teachers, social workers and anything to do with helping and developing children are underpaid and overloaded while sport jocks are treated like gods and paid millions (btw, they are paid in college but indirectly).

    75. Lots of interesting conversation here. Some thoughts:

      Anger never has been and never will be associated with prosperity.

      For all of us saying, "This is what I would have done," we need to reflect more on it. Do we really know? Military and law enforecement train for years to have the ability to respond under these type of circumstances and they still make mistakes. Keep in mind that the witness held the perpetrator in high regard and in high trust. I am a high-brown belt (next is black) in Tae Kwon Do and I like to think how I would have handled it but the truth is, I don't really know and neither does anyone else.

      Next, all the facts aren't in- let's stop all the judgement.

      The scene this morning before the game was touching: unity and prayer for all.

      Lastly, in the words of the master teacher, "Forgive them Father they know not what they do." Love and forgiveness is the answer (along with legal remedies), not judgement and anger.

    76. Randy,
      I agree with you 1000% (not a typo.) It is heartbreaking and mind numbing what has been allowed to happen, even condoned.

      I also agree that the current student body, parents, faculty and more need to WAKE UP and STEP UP in a unified action that would make the right and true statement to the victims not just of Sandusky but globally of such horrendous abuse.

      Football is game. I know it is viewed by many as big business and I don't dispute the ridiculous (in my opinion) sums of money and hordes of energy and time expended on it by player and spectator alike. But in the end, . . .it is just a game.

      The victims will carry the scars of this for the rest of their lives, the least the university can do is to cancel this game AND the rest of season as a tiny act of contrition and apology. And to show some semblance of awareness.

      Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I found it interesting that at least one dissenter was anonymous (I didn't read all comments.)

      Warmly,
      Melissa

    77. I hate to say it, but I've never been one to watch football or baseball, so I really had no idea what the Penn State thing was all about. I've heard talk of this on the radio of late, but Wow this really pushes the limits for Sick Stuff. Just shows how people will let their greed blind them from what really must be done. Let's all use this as a example of why we need to circulate (TRUE) Love and Prosperity out in the world.

    78. I think every college administrator that had anything to do with this should be tried and convicted of the felonies they committed whether directly or as accomplices. Second, those poor victims should be entitled to every bit of care, therapy, education, and careers that Penn State's sports funding can buy.
      Third, play the games. Those students that have not been anywhere near this deserve a wholesome college experience from an otherwise good school. The chips will fall on this one. Lower student apps, less interest in their sports programs, lower ad monies will be the price this school pays for its insensitivity and greed. Perhaps reducing the school to a humble new beginning is what will happen. Couldn't happen to a better school.

    79. I want to know what interim coach Tom Bradley knows? He was part of the "inner circle" of coaches and there during the entire mess. He HAD to have known what was going on with Sandusky, even if it was second hand. Penn State should fire everyone from the Sandusky era -- and if that means shutting down the team, and season -- SO BE IT!!!

    80. It's amazing the wide and varied responses to your article, Randy.

      I am the kind of person who would gladly be a "tattletale" if somebody is doing something wrong.

      I don't take things like this lightly and would have glad shouted it from the rooftops regardless of who was involved.

      Children HAVE to be protected NO MATTER WHAT! We as adults have a responsibility to the children.

      Protect the children PERIOD!!!

    81. Randy,

      As a father of 3 boys, this is something no father ever wants to hear. I pray for the victims - young, innocent boys whose lives will never be the same. The act is so evil that I have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. You blog was eloquent and right on target. Alas, Penn State played today and in the process dishonored all that is right and just. How anyone can turn a blind eye to the events that were witnessed is simply beyond my comprehension. In the end it comes down to the dirty M word winning over the H word. Money trumped Honor in this case and it teaches our world the wrong message. I could go on forever about this subject, but we have become an unaccountable society. Change is needed and perhaps in the coming weeks Penn State will recognize their obligation to right this wrong. Redemption cannot be bought, nor can it be earned. Penn State is now wearing the Scarlet Letter. I pray for all the victims.

    82. Written by someone who is not from State College, not part of the Penn State community and so has no idea how badly that community is wounded by this. And how that community will benefit from the game being played so it can begin to heal.

    83. The University responded to the horrific actions of specific individuals by firing those responsible and complicit for those actions. Forfeiting the game would have one NOTHING to benefit the victims of these terrible crimes. The football game in question has nothing to do with the crimes that were committed and the recompense the University owes the victims. Punish the many - the players, the fans, the vendors, etc. - for the sins of the few? That's what you consider a good idea? Penn State University has a continued responsibility to its students and alumni to rehabilitate the name and brand of the school following this scandal, and it does so by working to return to normalcy. Your sentiment is well placed but your logic is flawed.

    84. Let me say this-Somebody told me that Joe Paterno did in fact follow a protocol in this case, and reported the incident to the school administration. And I am told that he officially testified regarding this issue. Having said that, I don't know the whole story, nor do I feel motivated to spend a bunch of time "researching" this issue.

      But here is my question: Was it not the job of the school trustees to take action here, if in fact Paterno reported the abuse? It seems to me that Paterno is being hung out to dry, because of the fact that the school administrators didn't/haven't taken full responsibility for the situation. It seems as though they are firing HIm in order to try and save their own collective asses. And, t seems that the people who need to be "hung out to twist in the wind" are the administrators who conspired in this coverup.

    85. There is something else that I want to talk about-That in football, and I presume in all of sports, to various degrees, there is quite a bit of what I, personally, would call abuse. As many probably know, it is only the "tip of the iceberg" that has been revealed in recent years regarding abuse in organized sports. Things like date-rape, physical abuse, mental abuse, abuse of school rules and protocol, these things (I firmly believe) are very common in the sports world.

      Sports and sport figures and coaches have been made into demigods by the media. And, as for example in the case of Michael Vick, Marshawn Lynch, etc..,many of these guys are simply glorified thugs, who also happen to be good at playing a game.

    86. Coming from the UK this news never came over the water. If it did then I certainly missed it. Makes you think of what might be going on over here and how our football governing body would have re-acted. Evil will always be in this world it just has to be crushed each time and exposed as soon as it is found. In my opinion the death penalty for this sort of evil should be enforced. But then even that is probably to easy an escape for these evil men and women.

    87. Here is my concern. If you continue to allow those who do the wrong, leave the fear and blame for all of the rest of us then they really win. I totally agree that all those who did or knew should be punished. As a teacher and a coach in California you don't have a choice...either report it or be ready to be punished for not telling. I think this is only right. On the other hand, it is not fair to punish an entire program that had nothing to do with it and drag those innocents down as well. Punish hard those that did and knew...leave the innocent alone and don't allow fear to run our lives.

      1. ((Copied text)) "I think this should be up to the players and the captain or leader(s) on that team should step up and say “This is not who we are, this is not what our school is about. We’re playing to keep attention on this, we’re collecting money during the game to fund counselling for underage sex crime victims.”

        If they can’t do that, they shouldn’t be playing, in my opinion and any economic argument that is even attempted can be stuffed.

        But I offer that, apparently and obviously, this IS what Penn State is about. They ALLOW this injustice on their campus every day.

        As bad as that is, I need to talk about the rioting students. To the contributor above who mentioned suggested that these were just drunk kids acting out? Look at the footage again; it's a riot. Let's call rape rape, and rioting rioting.

        These kids were faced with a choice: they could support JoPa or they could support rape victims. This is the choice they made? On national television, and on World Wide Web? This is the best you've got? Really?

        To those kids who rioted on behalf of JoPa: When you get out of college and need a job...do not apply to my company. Shame on you all.

        One might debate my use of "kid", but I chose that word carefully. Whether or not one is a kid has nothing to do with chronology. They may be young adults, but they are some' father's daughters, and some mother's sons. But they are of the age where their words and actions have public responsibility, and wider consequence. Time will come when they'll wish they have put a little more thought into this particular choice.

    88. I talked about this topic with many people. Not only Penn State - it could be the Church over here in Europe where some holy fathers did the same for years and many more abuse-issues we get to count in our lives. Men say, if they get to "see" it they better turn away to avoid personal damage. Everyone in this moment takes more care of himself than taking care of the helpless boy-victim (or girls) to not reach too deep down into a pricking bush of 100,000 needles. None knows who´s involved and I know best myself what it means to speak up, all by yourself against a person which becomes easily a group, sometimes larger than you can imagine. I luckily wasn´t abused but was lucky to get away from being raped as an 18y. old twen. Being alone is being defensless. Glad some get caught. But many run away from getting involved. A reason might be: our Germany law system is different and over here, if you sue, you have to meet face to face to say "it is him!" And that´s pretty dangerous...

      thanks for posting this topic -

    89. What happened to the basic principals of human decency? A strong, healthy, 28 y.o. footballer walks in on a kid who is being molested gets “shocked and confused’ and leaves??? A coach waits a day, weighting out the options how to handle the situation??? Any normal person would have instinctively bit the sh** out of the rapist right there on the spot and then called the police! Anyone who knew and did nothing should be charged, especially the beloved coach, when you are in that position the demand to do the right thing is much higher. Disgusting…
      And the college kids rioting…no comments

    90. Couldnt agree more Randy. And forfeiting the game isn't "punishing the innocent"; it's demonstrating solidarity with and support for the victims, letting them know that we empathise with them and we care about them; that what is important is the health and welfare of the community and the citizens, much more important than a game of football. I'm sure if that were to happen the plaudits would flow from everywhere. Every American around the world will hear about it, will sit up and take note and remember that day and remember the victims.
      Otherwise, it's just another game of football.

    91. Well done.
      We need to change the course of morality in this country. Shutting down Penn State will put us on the right track.

      Keep writing

    92. I believe, Randy, that shutting down the program is a non-starter. Penn State is an institution - a horrifically depraved one in their sports "business", yes - but life must go on.

      Their intercollegiate sports programs should be banned for this century and maybe the next. All personnel who were part of the football program should be either dismissed (if likely culpable) or reassigned to classroom teaching posts or even clerical duties.

      The students should have no game to rally around this weekend. The Board of Directors should all be dismissed for even considering a game anytime in the near to middle future.

      This is an immense scandal because it was found. But these pedophilia incidents and crimes happen everyday and everywhere across this planet. Many adults, if honest, can site at least a few incidents like these alleged ones sometime in their childhood.

      Yes, these children - not all so - who have allegedly or definitely been abused by Sandusky should be identified, questioned, and used to convict a felon.

      The trouble is that so many adults and their silent enablers who know the truth will continue to get away with such perversions unless we speak about these problems in schools directly and teach children how to get assistance without shame or fear of retribution.

      This is no simple task.

    93. At first, I believed we should have seen a suspension of any and all of the administration involved with the Penn State incident but not punish the students. However, with the riot of 5000 students over the firing of Joe, the students have spoken. If there was a counter protest by the football players or other students, that would be one thing, but the student body has said either through the riot or through inaction, "It is OK for boys to be molested as long as we have a good football program."

      Because of this, I believe the employees of the Penn State athletic department should be fired. Those involved should be blacklisted from joining other programs. Any administration overseeing the athletic department should be fired. The ENTIRE athletic department should be suspended indefinitely. Finally, Penn State should be booted from the Big Ten. (All of this on top of criminal charges and litigation against any and all DIRECTLY involved in the scandal.)

      Want to talk about not fair? It's not fair that so many boys had their innocence & trust stolen from them in such a horrible way. Will the town take a financial hit? Yep. They deserve it for not making a powerful statement condemning these actions. The incidents happened in 98 & are just now being handled 13 years later. I believe a 13 year suspension of all athletic programs is not out of line. Plenty of time to rid the university of the scum and be able to start with a clean slate when they finally get their program back. Also, it would send a POWERFUL message to any and all other schools.

      I will tell you that most organizations would be completely bankrupted and dismantled if facing similar accusations. Yeah, all things being "fair," Penn State would no longer even be a university...so don't talk about "fair" to me.

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