Re: Sandusky/Penn State scandal
Quite apart from Howard Baker's famous question: "what did he know and when did he know it." I am struck by the fact that some of these alleged incidents occurred on campus, in football facilities. Was Sandusky that confident he wouldn't been seen? And, if so, reported? Or was he desperate and being "controlled" by his little head? And even if he had some level of confidence that all those folks involved in PSU football would cover for him, isn't the first (or possibly second) instinct of a sexual abuser to avoid being seen? This just strikes me as so reckless.
While I believe various people have jumped to unwarranted conclusions about Paterno's culpability here (it's amazing how many of our posters are implying such complete knowledge of PA law on the subject. I didn't know we had so many lawyers licensed to practice in the Keystone state posting here) one wonders how nobody, including Paterno, knew, or suspected or heard. . .something. Especially given how apparantly brazen Sandusky was. It's not just a matter of being seen diddling a kid in the shower. It's a matter of bringing his new "favorite" around. Repeatedly.
As to Paterno, what we know now is that as soon as he learned that a former coach (and presumably friend) was accused, he turned him in to the two administrators. He evidently didn't call Sandusky to give him a heads up. And we're told that was the end of Joe's involvement, he didn't "follow up." And that, some folks suggest, is a "violation of the law" requiring child abuse to be reported. Well, maybe it is, and maybe it isn't. Evidently Paterno had no direct knowledge of the events: didn't witness them, and had no contact with the victim. It isn't like he was a school teacher who ignored a kid with bruises in his class. Try to put yourself in his shoes. Here's a guy he worked with closely for over 30 years who may have engaged in disgusting behavior with children. And Paterno's first instinct is to report it. At first blush, that doesn't strike me as somebody trying to cover up.
Pardon me for being so windy, again, but as I said yesterday I think Paterno has earned the benefit of the doubt here. 46 years as head coach, unprecedented success on the field and not a hint of any scandal during that time. PSU is one of only 4 D-1 football programs never to have been found in violation of NC$$ rules. In the fullness of time we'll find out what, if any, involvement Joe had. And what, if anything, he could or should have done about it. Until we learn more, is it too unreasonable to ask that we not plunge headlong into character assassination?
