I haven’t been blogging faithfully, strictly because of the busy life I have been dealing with as of late. BUT, this week I am so MAD that what has come to light this week makes me voice my opinion on the matter that is coming to light at State Park, Pennsylvania. I do not even know where to begin voicing my frustrations, disgust, sadness, and disappointment in the situation that is playing out before our eyes. I have seen grown men cry and become angry about what is going on, and students riot and act irrationally. I myself have been so maddened by what has happened I found myself clinching my fist while reading the indictment in its entirety. This goes beyond anything I would have even imagined. What has happened is inexcusable and unforgivable. Amongst all the controversy and mudded details there is one simple truth to all of this. What happened was wrong, at every level. We can all agree that Jerry Sandusky is a demented and sick person. A predator to the most disgusting level it is sad what he has done to the victims. But this isn’t about him. He is no longer the controversy here. People such as Joe Paterno (head coach at Penn State University), Tim Curley (Athletic Director of Penn State University), Gary Schultz (Vice President of Penn State University), Graham Spanier (President of Penn State University), Mike McQueary (Graduate Assistant and Assistant Coach at Penn State University) amongst many others are now the controversy. The men who I have mentioned are all public figures and leaders at Penn State University. Another thing that connects these men is their lack of responsibility and poor judgment used in the Jerry Sandusky case. Every one of these men knew of the actions, or at least knew something of the actions, and carried out only their legal requirements in addressing the situation. Mike McQueary is the first person I’d like to single out here. This man, he was 28 years old at the time, saw a man raping a boy in the locker room showers. He said he even knew that both the child, about 10 years of age at the time, and Jerry Sandusky both saw him. Instead of confronting the situation he simply went to his office and called his father. He then left the building all together and did nothing else to stop what was going on. He instead passed the information on to Joe Paterno and expected him to take care of the matter. My question is Why didn’t he do something right then and there? How could he see what was happening to a 10 year old boy, a child who needs the protection of an adult, an completely let that kid down by doing nothing to stop it. How can you make eye contact with someone who is being abused and violated, see that pain in his eyes, make eye contact with a man who is performing such inexcusable acts and see the pure evil in that man, and do absolutely nothing about it? HOW? He should have stopped what was happening at the moment by whatever means necessary. Instead he didn’t. Then he told his superior. His superior passed it up the chain of command. And it continued that way. Those people, not including Mike McQueary, did the right thing in that instance, but their follow up actions are where they went wrong. Nothing happened and these men allowed it to be covered up and acted like it didn’t happen. In this situation they should have gone to a measure of calling the police. If that didn’t work they should have gone to the media. If a story is brought to light in the media, people are forced to take action. A simple phone call to ESPN would have ended the tragedy then and there. All of these men are supposed to upstanding citizens, role models, and good people. They all failed miserably in this case. Leaders of an institution should have the moral fiber to act against such an atrocity. But they didn’t. They chose to go on with life and act like nothing happened. They allowed the predator to continue with his life the same as it was. They chose the public view of the University and their jobs over doing what was right. This is why every last one of them should be without their jobs. Anyone who had a whisper or what was going on should have to suffer the consequences. There is no question that these men’s lives are forever changed by this. But more importantly are the victims who will be forever affected by what happened, and what happened to the victims is incomparably worse than losing a job.
Well put, Mr. Bourner. I think this incident points to a much bigger issue at the forefront of American life today. Power is centralized, people are suffering, and nobody seems to notice or care. I'll spare you the details surrounding what is happening on Wall Street and withing the Federal Government, but we have all stood by and allowed a world to be created where all the power is in the hands of a few. The Penn State issue is disgusting, infuriating and saddening. But the number of lives affected in that incident doesn't hold a candle to the number of people suffering throughout this country and around the world. The people at the top (the Athletic Directors and University Presidents or the Wall Street Executives/Government Officials depending on which issue is being discussed) want to stay at the top, so they do everything they can to cover their mistakes and stay in power. We need a more transparent world - one where everyone has a voice and people are held accountable for their actions. I apologize if I've taken this out of context, but I don't think I have. I think Penn State's failures are very telling about fundamental failures in this country. It's time for a god damn change.
ReplyDeleteMitchell, I am so proud that you have become the kind of man who would not allow such an atrocity to continue if you had knowledge. You are correct on every level. Stopping a crime is a fundamental human responsibility unless it places the witness in physical danger. The lack of moral turpitude exhibited by those involved at Penn State is appalling.
ReplyDeletePerry, you are also correct with you analogy. Moral character seems to be in short supply here in the United States. I have hope for your generation that you will recognize and correct such abhorrent behavior.
ReplyDeleteThis kind of thing makes me wonder if being high up in a professional career would be worth it. So many times you hear of these "leaders" and "officials" acting in this type of manner and they push aside what is right in order to keep their jobs. Good people who do things, or in some cases don't do things, in order to maintain their social and professional status. This happens at all levels, but these are supposed to be the people others look up to and rely on. I'm really bothered by the failure of society as a whole. I am not saying we have all failed to live moral and just lives, but things such as this are a constant reminder that there is true evil out there. We as a society must be able to take a stand against it, for the benefit of all, especially those who cannot defend themselves.
ReplyDeleteMitchell I share your thoughts and feelings on this situation. Anyone who could conceive an idea that involves 10-year-old kids is just sick and the same goes for those who knew and did nothing. However, lets not overlook the brainless events that took place after the firing of Joe Paterno. Protesting for what some call “the best thing to ever happen to Penn State.” Is that what greatness is today? We measure someone’s worth by the wins/losses next to their name and if they have enough of them we throw all to the wind and overlook what is really important, moral character and value. More of this story will be unveiled and I have a terrible feeling it is only going to get worse.
ReplyDeleteIn a different light I am thankful to have friends who I know if they saw something like that would beat the living shit out of the guy and give him some real justice instead of this jail bullshit where we pay for them and they eat better than we do. I think instead of jail we cut his penis off that would be more appropriate.
Finally, Mitch.. loved the post about baseball. Made me open up a beer and sit on the balcony and reflect on the memories I will never forget. Love you bro
Good for you Mitch. Some things are just inexcusable, and a person who would allow something like this to happpen and continue should not be a leader and role model for his students/team.
ReplyDeleteHey Mitch, new information that suggests maybe Coach Pat is taking the fall for the University and the Cops. Talk to Marcus and Mollie. Only two degrees of seperation between Buhl and Penn State. Doesn't change a thing for the victims, though. Sandusky still needs to be hung from the goal posts by his balls. IMO of course.
ReplyDelete