lifeaintpretty Marriage and Motherhood – what the books won't tell you

The Penn State scandal.  Unbelievable.

Eight young boys (probably more), ages 7-11, sexually abused by Jerry Sandusky over a period of 7 years (probably more) thanks to a charity guise called “Second Mile”.  Started by none other.  Unbelievable.

I’m reading along like the rest of you.  Watching the news, clicking on the internet articles.  Shaking my head in disgust.  Surely everyone must be as irate as I am.

Then I go on Facebook and I start reading status updates like “Just remember that Joe Paterno was a great coach, the winningest coach” and “I hope people don’t forget that Joe Paterno made football history.”  Are you f#cking kidding me?

I don’t want to hear it.

Joe Paterno, members of his football staff, members of the University (including janitors for Christ’s sake) and the campus police cared more about the reputation and protection of their program rather than the protection and safety of these children.   In my book, you lose the right to be praised for your leadership skills on the field when they are tainted with such extreme lack of morals.  You have the most wins in college history?  Good for you.  At what expense?

God forbid Joe Paterno call the police.  God forbid the staff that was not only aware but witnessed the abuse call the police.  It might have ruined a shot at the National Championship.  It might have affected recruiting.  It might have shed a negative light on the University.  Well….good thing that didn’t happen.

Now students are rioting in the street in protest to Joe’s firing.

I don’t want to hear it.

I’m sorry.  Do you feel Joe’s been treated unjustly?  Do you feel like he’s getting the raw end of the deal?  Do you feel like he’s been punished for someone else’s actions?  I’ll tell you what.  Go walk up to one of the eight victims in this case or their parents and say that.  So while you’re ranting and marching along the campus streets of Happy Valley, shouting in misplaced anger, just remember that your actions are a metaphoric slap in the face to every sexually abused child who ever hid their secret for fear of backlash.

I feel sorry for Penn State University.  I assume most of the students on campus are probably as appalled as I am.  I assume the faculty is embarrassed for their school.  I’m assuming the alumni are cringing in their seats.  I have to because to think any other way is unimaginable.  It’s going to be a rough road for that college thanks to this scandal.  Their reputation is tarnished.  I know I wouldn’t send my kids to a college where key faculty members decide it’s somehow justifiable to cover up such heinous crimes.  How could I ever trust their safety?

I hope that before people decide to comment on Joe Paterno and the Penn State football program, they keep in mind how they would feel if it were their child who was pressed against a wall and anally raped in the locker room shower, how they would feel if it were their eight year old son receiving fellatio from a man old enough to be his grandfather.   Would you still be praising Joe then? Would you still want me to remember how he’s the most winningest coach in history or would you want me to remember that if he had been a real man, a real leader, he would have called the police and prevented another child from becoming a victim?

Am I making you uncomfortable?

Good.

Before you say this story isn’t about football, it’s about one man doing horrible things – you are wrong.  It is about both.  Joe Paterno and the others involved CHOSE to keep this quiet, CHOSE not to go to the police.  Why?  To save their program.  To avoid a scandal.  To protect their staff.

Football was more important than these children.

I don’t even know what’s worse.  The abuser who is obviously mentally ill (because no sane person does those things to children) or the “stable” people who knew about it and said nothing?  You tell me.

I’d like to mix up a cocktail of jail time for all of them.  It would be well deserved.

Sorry this scandal is your swan song, Joe Pa.  You have nobody to blame but yourself for that one.

Pray for these kids.  They’re going to need it.

*** If you agree with this post, please share it with others.  Either via email or Facebook.  It’s important to speak out for these kids.