My Thoughts On Joe Paterno

Let me start out by writing that in no way, shape, or form do I or will I ever condone sexual or hurtful actions toward a child.  People who commit such hanus crimes deserve to tied up and beaten by the family's of the children.  That's just my opinion.  Now, on to the good stuff...

I may be one of the few and far in between people but I have sympathy for Joe Paterno, often known as Joe Pa.  He did not molest the children, nor did he have definitive proof that his longtime assistant coach Jerry Sandusky did either.  According to Bill Plashke (2011) from the Los Angeles Times, as the stunned sports world knows by now, Paterno simply relayed the information to his "official" supervisor, Athletic Director Tim Curley, and then let the matter drop. That was nine years ago. The retired Sandusky kept his athletic department office and has been charged with molesting boys for seven more years.  Bill Plashke appears to be saying that Joe Pa had a moral obligation to continue the investigation into these allegations by himself.  I disagree and I only disagree because this happened at a place of business.  We would all like to believe that we would do what is morally right all the time but when you mix in celebrity status, major educational institution, people's careers, and work related rules sometimes being moral just cannot be. 

What did we all expect Joe Pa to do?  Was he to accuse Jerry Sandusky based on allegations alone?  No, because Joe Pa could jeopardize his career by making false allegations.  Instead he did what he was obligated to do and that was pass it up to his superior, Athletic Director Tim Curley.  These allegations now become Tim Curley's problem and it is up to him to decide what to do next.  Did Tim Curley handle the problem the way he should have?  No.  Anytime allegations like the ones made against Jerry Sandusky are made, the organization should use whatever means it has to launch a full investigation. 

Bottom line, I do not agree with the firing of Joe Pa, especially after he just announced his retirement after this season.  I believe Joe Pa did what he

was obligated to do and I still believe he's a decent person.

Photos: Riot at Penn State 


What else is there to say but goodnight and goodnight to you Mrs. Amore, wherever you may be.