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Should Joe Paterno stay or go?

Should Joe Paterno stay or go?

  • He should stay, he wasn't involved.

    Votes: 3 5.8%
  • He should stay, he did what his part by reporting it to somebody.

    Votes: 8 15.4%
  • He should go, he didn't do enough.

    Votes: 36 69.2%
  • He should go, he's ultimately responsible no matter what.

    Votes: 4 7.7%
  • I have no clue. Fill me in.

    Votes: 1 1.9%

  • Total voters
    52
JoePa was on his last leg as a coach anyway.

the dude is like 112 years old. he should've retired decades ago. Reminds me of the last 5-10 years that Bear Bryant was the coach at Alabama. all he did was sit up in his lookout box while the assistants did all the coaching. he was "coach" in name only. and he was a surly old codger at that.
 
On November 7, Pennsylvania state police Commissioner Frank Noonan said that Paterno fulfilled his legal obligation to report suspected abuse, although "somebody has to question about what I would consider the moral requirements for a human being that knows of sexual things that are taking place with a child," and that, "I think you have the moral responsibility, anyone. Not whether you're a football coach or a university president or the guy sweeping the building or the guy who actually witnessed the abuse. I think you have a moral responsibility to call us."


agreed .
 
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ask the guy who saw him being assaulted and did nothing
I don't believe that I have given him a pass either. But what you're saying is because that guy didn't do anything than what Joe did was just fine. If that makes sense to you then so be it. Neither one did the right thing. Do you in 40 states the law states Joe would already be in serious trouble for not phoning the police as would the other guy. Hmmmm seems strange. Now the state is looking into it's very inefficient child abuse laws and they will be changed. Nothing like closing the barn door after the horse has left.
 
I don't believe that I have given him a pass either. But what you're saying is because that guy didn't do anything than what Joe did was just fine. If that makes sense to you then so be it. Neither one did the right thing. Do you in 40 states the law states Joe would already be in serious trouble for not phoning the police as would the other guy. Hmmmm seems strange. Now the state is looking into it's very inefficient child abuse laws and they will be changed. Nothing like closing the barn door after the horse has left.

But Joe doesn't live in any of those 40 states, does he? What he did was entirely legal in the state in which he lived at the time that he did it. If the laws change, they don't become retroactive. You may not like that he didn't do more, but he did what he had to do and anyone criticizing him is just being emotional.
 
But what you're saying is because that guy didn't do anything than what Joe did was just fine. .

that's not what I am saying at all. you are letting your emotions cloud your judgement
 
Paterno did not call the police to investigate! Shame on him ...Paterno only requested the asst not bring minors to the football complex.

That wasn't Paterno, that was the AD and VP. Paterno "only" reported it to the AD.

Anyone that knew of these shameful crimes and did not report is complicit.

He did report. He didn't report to cops, which I think is wrong, but its a misrepresentation to say he didn't report.

to do the only right and moral action and chose to cover it up and turn his head

There's no evidence at all that Paterno was attempting to "cover it up". At worst, there's evidence that Paterno did not take the necessary interest to continue to check if actions were taken.
 
I think he did the bare minimum of what he was obligated to do, but I don't think he should get fired over it. I don't think he was obligated to call the police, he was not a witness. Reporting to his superior is all he was obligated to do.

Sure, if he was going to be a better person he should report it to the police...

Also, the psychology of the situation is a little unfair. Sure in hindsight all of us would think the right thing to do is call the police, but when dealing with stuff like this people in general just try to assume the best of the situation and keep it on the down-low... especially if you don't expect it to come from someone you know; so he reported to his superior to investigate it more.
 
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I think he did the bare minimum of what he was obligated to do, but I don't think he should get fired over it. I don't think he was obligated to call the police, he was not a witness. Reporting to his superior is all he was obligated to do.

Sure, if he was going to be a better person he should report it to the police...

Also, the psychology of the situation is a little unfair. Sure in hindsight all of us would think the right thing to do is call the police, but when dealing with stuff like this people in general just try to assume the best of the situation and keep it on the down-low... especially if you don't expect it to come from someone you know; so he reported to his superior to investigate it more.

Legally? No. Morally? That's a whole 'nother story.

And I'm not trying to make fun of you CW, but it's a bit funny to me that so many people are referring to the Athletic Director as Joe Paterno's boss. Nominally? sure. In reality? JoePa is the most powerful man on that campus.
 
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Paterno is 85 freakin years old. he has been nothing more than a figurehead at Penn State for at least a decade. This incident happened in '02 when Paterno was 76. McQueary probably had to wake him up from his mornng nap to tell him about the incident. Paterno's partially senile brain leapt into action and did the one thing he could think of, he went and told his boss. He probably then went back to his office and fell back asleep and when someone woke him up at quitting time, he'd probably completely forgotten the whole thing.
 
Paterno is 85 freakin years old. he has been nothing more than a figurehead at Penn State for at least a decade. This incident happened in '02 when Paterno was 76. McQueary probably had to wake him up from his mornng nap to tell him about the incident. Paterno's partially senile brain leapt into action and did the one thing he could think of, he went and told his boss. He probably then went back to his office and fell back asleep and when someone woke him up at quitting time, he'd probably completely forgotten the whole thing.

You're so age-ist! *shakes fist*
 
You're so age-ist! *shakes fist*

I remember when I was a grad student. One of the chem professors was so senile (result of years of exposure to mercury vapors) that the board would not allow him to teach classes any more, but they didn't want to risk a lawsuit by firing him. Therefore he was relegated to teaching the freshman chem labs along side us grad student TAs. One semester I taught the same schedule he did. 2-4 lab M-W-F and 6-10 lab T-T. I would have to go to his office and wake him up, lead him down to the lab and get him seated. When his last student finished they would turn off the light and close the door. When I finished, I would go turn on the light and yell at him from across the room (he tended to awaken rather violently and would flail about). once he was awake I would take him down to his office and then call his wife and tell her it was time for him to go home and she would come and pick him up.
 
I remember when I was a grad student. One of the chem professors was so senile (result of years of exposure to mercury vapors) that the board would not allow him to teach classes any more, but they didn't want to risk a lawsuit by firing him. Therefore he was relegated to teaching the freshman chem labs along side us grad student TAs. One semester I taught the same schedule he did. 2-4 lab M-W-F and 6-10 lab T-T. I would have to go to his office and wake him up, lead him down to the lab and get him seated. When his last student finished they would turn off the light and close the door. When I finished, I would go turn on the light and yell at him from across the room (he tended to awaken rather violently and would flail about). once he was awake I would take him down to his office and then call his wife and tell her it was time for him to go home and she would come and pick him up.

That story strikes me as very funny and would make a great scene in a film.
 
I realize that it is the American way to make "Papa Joe" the scapegoat.
When things are finally done right, the ones who should be fired are the "authorities" that Paterno reports to.
 
especially the grad student who actually witnessed the rape and did absolutely NOTHING to stop it. amazes me that so many people are OUTRAGED and want to crucify Paterno for "not doing enough" and yet those same people never even mention McQueary. I guess he isn't famous enough to warrant hatred. :shrug:

Good point! who the hell would not run in the shower and intervene and call police immediately!

That just goes to show how the 'football is life" mindset overtakes some people. That said ... the grad student did go home to his father and report to his authorities immediately.

Again, wth people ... this is a no brainer!

I am an NP and if any person at the facility came to me and told me another professional who was above, below or along side me in the hierarchy was observed sodomizing a boy in the shower. There is no circumstance i would not report it to my superiors, the police and follow up on the violent rape of a child. Everyone knew Sandusky had a role "volunteering" to help youth and spent a great deal of time with boys. they just wanted it out of their complex. Sandusky has been free to have contact with minors, access tot eh complex and got away with violent child rape and they all knew It.

This is not Monday morning quarterback ... this is a no brainer.
 
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Good point! who the hell would not run in the shower and intervene and call police immediately!

That just goes to show how the 'football is life" mindset overtakes some people. That said ... the grad student did go home to his father and alert his Paterno and others immediately.

McQueary was 28 at the time. Sandusky was 58. surely McQueary could have stopped him from butt raping this young boy. but instead he just watched and then went home and told his daddy and then the next day told Paterno.

another thing no one is mentioning. why the hell isn't anyone screaming for McQueary's father's blood? he knew about it before Paterno and he didn't call the cops either. but i guess he gets a pass because he isn't famous
 
Paterno is 85 freakin years old. he has been nothing more than a figurehead at Penn State for at least a decade. This incident happened in '02 when Paterno was 76. McQueary probably had to wake him up from his mornng nap to tell him about the incident. Paterno's partially senile brain leapt into action and did the one thing he could think of, he went and told his boss. He probably then went back to his office and fell back asleep and when someone woke him up at quitting time, he'd probably completely forgotten the whole thing.
Interesting assessment....
much like Ronald Reagan, the conservatives favorite..
The college is displaying its "class" by firing Paterno and letting the "authorities" go scott free...
 
If Paterno had a moral obligation to report the incident to the cops, why didn't McQueary's father (who knew about it 10-12 hours before Paterno) have the same obligation?
 
McQueary was 28 at the time. Sandusky was 58. surely McQueary could have stopped him from butt raping this young boy. but instead he just watched and then went home and told his daddy and then the next day told Paterno.

another thing no one is mentioning. why the hell isn't anyone screaming for McQueary's father's blood? he knew about it before Paterno and he didn't call the cops either. but i guess he gets a pass because he isn't famous

True ... why the hell was he not man enough to run in the shower and stop the violent rape of a child and call the police to the crime scene. I agree with you ... who the hell could not stop this?

I am a slender female and I would call the police and jump that demon who was raping that child. That is not Monday morning quarterback bs ... I have no doubt what my actions would be in that case!

However ... that wimp went to his "daddy" and once it was in the hands of Paterno and others ... they just like the grad student ... just did bare minimum and went about their life knowing Sandusky had access to more boys and to their beloved luxury football complex.

They should all be so ashamed. Not one of them should get a pass ...
 
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Interesting assessment....
much like Ronald Reagan, the conservatives favorite..
The college is displaying its "class" by firing Paterno and letting the "authorities" go scott free...

I would suspect that the college has probably been wanting to get rid of Paterno for quite some time but it is hard to fire a legend (much with Bear Bryant at Alabama). This gave them a reason to do so
 
True ... why the hell was he not man enough to run in the shower and stop the violent rape of a child, call the police to the crime scene. I agree with you ... who the hell could not stop this?

I am a slender female and I would call the police and jump that demon who was raping that child.

However ... that wimp went to his "daddy" and once it was in the hands of Paterno and others ... they just like the grad student ... just did bare minimum and went about their life.

They should all be so ashamed.

one thing that popped into my diseased brain was "I wonder how long McQueary stood there and watched before he ran home to tell daddy?"
 
I remember when I was a grad student. One of the chem professors was so senile (result of years of exposure to mercury vapors) that the board would not allow him to teach classes any more, but they didn't want to risk a lawsuit by firing him. Therefore he was relegated to teaching the freshman chem labs along side us grad student TAs. One semester I taught the same schedule he did. 2-4 lab M-W-F and 6-10 lab T-T. I would have to go to his office and wake him up, lead him down to the lab and get him seated. When his last student finished they would turn off the light and close the door. When I finished, I would go turn on the light and yell at him from across the room (he tended to awaken rather violently and would flail about). once he was awake I would take him down to his office and then call his wife and tell her it was time for him to go home and she would come and pick him up.
We do not seem to have ther quality of people to be able to kindly tell someone that its time to retire.....And, believe me, this is no easy task...
But, I must say, if a man is that far "gone", why should any man fear a lawsuit ?????
Somewhere, we need better people...
Yelling at some old man is neither kind nor respectful !
 
Yelling at some old man is neither kind nor respectful !

would it have been kinder or more respectful to have left him sitting in the dark? I tried gently waking him up...once...he woke up startled and started flailing about and hit me in the sack. sorry, but once was enough.
 
I just have to respond to a lot of the self-righteousness going on here. None of you have any idea what you would have done had you been in McCreary's shoes. We are looking at this with hindsight and detachment. We don't have any relationship to the people, we weren't there in the moment, we didn't experience the shock of what McCreary saw, we have none of the emotions, conflicts and panic that he experienced. If McCreary would not have been the one involved and was looking at this like you and me I would be willing to bet he would say something like "I would have drug him off the kid and kicked his ass". He wasn't brave and decisive and and acted like we wish he would have done. I am disappointed in McCreary and Paterno and a lot of people in this mess. But I believe most of them they are good, honest people. Don't treat with anywhere near the level of hatred and revulsion that we need to reserve for Sandusky.
 
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he should stay. he went to his boss who went to the authorities who did nothing. If anyone should go or be fired, it is the prosecutor who failed to bring charges. What was Joe supposed to do? take the guy out back and shoot him once the authorities failed to prosecute?
What would you do if you found out about someone you work with who was raping children?
 
We don't have any relationship to the people, we weren't there in the moment, we didn't experience the shock of what McCreary saw, we have none of the emotions, conflicts and panic that he experienced.

sounds like a copout for McQueary to me. At the very least, no matter how shocked he was, he could have at least yelled "What the hell do you think you're doing?" It's not like he was some naive little teenager. McQueary was a grown ass man (28) and he acted like a little bitch.
 
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