Standing before the podium with his reading glasses perched on his nose in a Really Serious Position, former FBI Director Louis Freeh read the summary of his damning report on what happened at Penn State University. The university, he intoned, was directly responsible for permitting Jerry Sandusky, the former football team defensive coordinator and now a convicted child molester, for preying on young "troubled" boys.
So far, the media response has been lockstep not only in its condemnation for Penn State and the late Joe Paterno, the legendary coach who won more games than any other NCAA Division I football coach in history, but also in its praise for Freeh. (I include links from the New York Times, ESPN, and CBS Sports.)
Not being familiar with the details of the report or the Sandusky case and the role of Penn State officials in trying to hide what they feared was happening, I will ask readers to judge the accuracy and tone of Freeh’s report and make their own assessments. However, before the media and legal world goes on to paint Louis Freeh in the most heroic terms, I would remind readers that probably any one of us could have written that report and made the same damning comments made by Freeh and his underlings. It hardly is heroic to come upon a situation after the fact and to write those things which apparently were obvious in hindsight.
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If there was never another football game played it would make no difference in the world. It is shameful how we put these games on such a pedestal and give them "hero" status.
ReplyDeleteIt is just mindless entertainment for the masses like the colosseum before.
I am a PSU alum and during my time there I didn't miss one home game. I was and still am an ardent supporter of my university's athletic programs. I was absolutely sick by the things that Jerry Sandusky has been convicted of and even more disgusted by the PSU administrators Shultz and Curly, Joe Paterno, and even local police and prosecutors letting this go on without digging deeper and asking more questions. JoePa's family keeps saying "he didn't know." He didn't know because he didn't want to know. That being said, I don't think that it was football that created this situation. It was money and power associated with football and it's important to understand the distinction. I don't know if PSU should be allowed to continue to field a football team. I do know that it will be a long time before I can speak proudly of my incredible university because of these 5 power-hungry, greedy, morally decayed individuals.
ReplyDeleteI think it's funny how Louis Freeh's character is being questioned by the blogosphere. Must be some powerful PS alums out there!
ReplyDeleteIf Freeh is so honorable, why didn't his report mention the current governor's connection and follow the campaign money trail? Just another report bought and paid for from behind the scenes to place the blame on someone who cannot possibly defend himself from the grave.
ReplyDeleteAnd just for the record, 2:41 is neither a PSU alum or even a fan of football at ANY level.
ReplyDelete241-JoePa couldn't defend what he allowed to happen for, at the very least, a decade plus. With accusers now from the 70s and 80s, you should be glad that he's dead.
ReplyDeleteThe perversion is huge and involves pimping out young boys to the rich alumni who sought something in return for their charity to the school. It is sick and much more massive than will ever be told publicly.
ReplyDeleteThere is no proof JoePa knew anything that he didn't report. It's all supposition. Would never stand up in a court of law.
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