I don't need a chemical analysis when I smell S*hit and I've got brown sludge on the bottom of my shoe, to know that I've stepped in S*hit.
Most of the national outrage is associated with his role as an enabler. The motivation for not speaking up has always been unclear. Short of Sandusky being exonerated of all charges, these actions, or lack thereof, will follow coach Paterno's reputation and the university around forever. It is now just as much a part of his legacy as his all time win total.
I kind of believe most of this viewpoint but the severity of the situation also makes me understand those that want to crucify all that were involved. Although I have no knowledge of other events, it also makes me wonder if the reason we never heard of other transgressions involving Penn St football players were simply because of keeping everything "in house".
Sorry but if I hear this information, I'm going to the police. I would think that a 70 year old man would do the same thing. It's not like we are talking about stealing textbooks, this is a horrendous crime, perpetrated by someone in the athletic department, and Joe Paterno took it to administration instead of where he should have taken it, The Police. There is nothing that can come out regarding sandusky and paterno's relationship, I don't give a damn if he didn't even know the guy. The allegations happened on his watch, using his facilities, and he dropped the ball, and now kids lives are ruined, and it could have been avoided.
When the media attention was so intense and the ramifications at their fullest extent, they were forced too. Even in those late stages, Joe Paterno still had the unmitigated gall to think he was STILL beyond reproach and untouchable when he declared he would step down at the end of the season. If that doesn't tell you how much power he knew he still had (ultimately he didn't), then I don't know what will. Sandusky had his den of torture just across the street from the athletic complex. You think he was never in contact with Sandusky from 2002 on? Sandusky was told "whatever you're doing, just don't do it on this campus". Yikes. That's a crazy resolution to the issue by the Penn State administration led by Joe Paterno (not the AD, not the President). Paterno felt compelled to save the face of the University over the health and well being of innocent kids. That's unforgivable.
I think you are WRONG. Much of the national outrage was based on the mis-information that Sandusky was still a coach and an employee of Joe's. He was not. Some of you guys seem to have a "hard on" for both Joe and Penn State. Joe was not at the height of power, he was a 70+ year old guy. He reported the act, as he was, told, with only generalities to his chain of command. You guys with 70+ year old dads, try discussing "boo-fooing" with them. See how that goes. My dad would have freaked out. Some of you guys need to read the Washington Post interview of last week or so. As to Joe could have done more, Ask Tiger Woods about his 65, six under birdie round, he will tell you, "He could have done better." Saying he is so guilty for saying he could have done more is infantile logic. I am not even a PSU fan, just chagrinned by the actions of so many, without a clue. Never forget, 1/2 the people have less than average intelligence.
People aren't so much concerned with the intellect on this one. They find these ACTIONS morally reprehensible.
No, he did better, he contacted his chain of command. Maybe Joe's critics have never worked in an organization bigger than a 7-11. Once you go up the chain, you don't go outside the chain. It is how larger organizations work. I can assure you, in the Fortune 100 company I worked in, or for that matter the navy, if I had gone direct to police and not gone up the chain of command, I would have been crucified. Organizations have people that deal with those outside the org. It is how business work, 101.
