#229: Injustice Amidst Injustice

---SSL Broadcast #67---


As you can imagine, the focus of today's broadcast was regarding the sex-abuse scandal at Penn State University, which is now entering its second week (or 14th year, depending on your point of view).

For those of you living in a cave, here's the "Reader's Digest" version. A Pennsylvania Grand Jury indicted former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky on counts relating to the alleged sexual abuse of eight young boys starting in 1998 and continuing after his retirement. The fallout has led to the firing of Penn State's president, athletic director, another administrator, and even legendary football coach Joe Paterno.

I have never been a fan of Penn State's program, which is kind of an irony, given that I like athletes to be smart, and "JoePa" was always regarded as a coach who made sure his players did well academically. Despite my irrational dislike of the the program (likely due to my backing of Pitt), I do not agree with Paterno's firing by the university's Board of Trustees, and I am firmly in the minority.

Upon reading the 23-page indictment, I am bound to support that Paterno did what he should have done.

From Page 12 of the aforementioned (and linked) Grand Jury Report:

"Pennsylvania's mandatory reporting statue for suspected shicle abuse...provides that when a staff member reports abuse, pursuant to statute, the person in charge of the school or institution has the responsibility and legal obligation to report or cause such a report to be made by telephone and in writing within 48 hours to the Department of Public Welfare of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."

Yes, in hindsight, Paterno says he wishes he would have done more. There are many who believe that Paterno would have been able to do anything he wanted, beaurocracy be damned. Maybe that's true, but that he purposefully turned a blind eye to this situation, if it's all true, would still need to be demonstrated to me before I change my stance.


On today's show:

- Steelers make a few too many mistakes in loss to Ravens.

- Penguins get little in return for trading promising young player.

- Pirates sign yet another aging veteran on the (relative) cheap.

-Pitt is done.

- Mike goes 2-0 in his NFL picks last week (8-10 overall).






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