Thursday, November 10, 2011

Where I tell people who are defending Joe Paterno that they're wrong...

To those of you who find Paterno’s firing unjust, let me ask you a hypothetical question:

If it was YOUR child that was being abused by an employee of a University, and you found out after the fact that the abuse had been reported to a member of the University staff, but the police were never called… how would you feel then? Would you feel that the University had failed to protect your child? Would you feel that the informed party should face consequences for their negligence? Would you be screaming for blood?

Think about it.

As human beings, we have a responsibility to protect innocent children, regardless of whether or not they’re our own. Why? Because they can’t protect themselves.

Paterno may have gone to the president of the University, who then did nothing. But Paterno still had a responsibility to report the heinous act to the police. Paterno knew that the claim wasn’t being followed up on, so he should gone to the police himself. But he didn’t. Why? The only conclusion is that he (and the president of the University) were more concerned with protecting the University’s reputation and football program, rather than protecting the child’s welfare. I think that’s sick and shows clear moral bankruptcy. If you don’t agree with me, then think about it as I posited it above. What if it was your kid?

I’m going to reiterate my opinion here – as a human race we have a responsibility to protect our children (regardless  of whose kids they are) from abuse, neglect, and harm. Choosing to not report any abuse, neglect, or harm to the appropriate authorities (the police, for example) is criminal and should be punished.

3 comments:

  1. I'm going to post more information:

    This article very clearly states the legality of what went wrong at Penn State, and how Joe Paterno can still be held liable in a civil court, if not in a criminal court.

    Don't feel sorry for Paterno. Feel sorry for his victims, and the victims that could have been avoided if Paterno had done more than what MIGHT be considered the bare minimum (at best) or far too little (at worst). Before you express your blind support for the "legend," READ THIS ARTICLE.

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/11/09/joe.paterno/?xid=cnnbin

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am suspicious of the timing of these charges. Less than two weeks ago, Paterno set the record for victories. Did the pieces of the puzzle only fall into place now? Or did they wait for Paterno to set the record before indicting the coach and officials?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I hadn't known that, but now that I do, I agree. It's suspicious.

    ReplyDelete