Sunday, July 22, 2012

Erasing Joe Paterno - The Statue Comes Down

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Jerry Sandusky was a disgusting human being who, after due process, has been put away for his molestation of little boys. Joe Paterno, one of the great football coaches in history, according to reports, enabled it. In the interest of protecting the football program (though I am not sure how protecting a pedophile shielded the football program) he covered up information, and refused to ensure Sandusky was brought to justice. Before Paterno passed away he indicated that he did in fact send the information regarding Sandusky's activities to his higher-ups, and they were the ones who refused to take action - and he somehow felt at that point he could wash his hands of it.

In the end, we may never know fully exactly what happened, but as far as the legal system is concerned, Paterno allowed the pedophilia by Sandusky to continue, making JoePa complicit in what happened.

As a result, to remove that stain from the university's image, the Penn State University leadership has decided to remove the famed statue of Joe Paterno that resided outside the Penn State football stadium.

Paterno has gone from saint to distant memory, for burying child sex abuse allegations against a retired assistant.

As the statue was being removed a large group of students watched, chanting, "We are Penn State."

The statue was erected in 2001 in honor of Paterno's record-setting 324th Division 1 coaching victory and his "contributions to the university."

Penn State President Rod Erickson said the decision to have the statue removed and put into storage was made because the iconic statue "has become a source of division and an obstacle to healing."

"I believe that, were it to remain, the statue will be a recurring wound to the multitude of individuals across the nation and beyond who have been the victims of child abuse," Erickson said.

Paterno's name will remain on the campus library.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

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