I tried to read the indictment against Jerry Sandusky last night but didn't get far. It wasn't like an episode of Law & Order: SVU where pedophiles and rapists are regularly featured by actors. Sandusky and these boys are real. This wasn't some writer manipulating the details to make them exciting and "TV worthy." This happened.
Numerous words come to mind but the one front and center is sick. This man is sick. However, the sickness doesn't stop there.
In March 2002, graduate assistant Mike McQueary claimed he saw Sandusky raping a 10-year-old boy in the showers. He reported the incident to Penn State's beloved JoePa. JoePa told Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley, who told Gary Schultz, Penn State's senior vice president of finance and business. Curley and Schultz talked to McQueary 10 days later. Two weeks later Curley told McQueary Sandusky's punishment ... his keys to the locker room were taken away. Police and child welfare agencies were not notified and no one attempted to identify the victim.
Say what? That's like taking a stash of meth away from a junkie, waving your finger in their face and saying, "Don't do that again!" Duh. Problem not solved.
Eight victims. Eight lives shattered. Eight families ruined, poisoned. Ever heard of the cycle of violence? Maybe there are more victims out there, who knows? Do you think Sandusky, out of the blue, got the bright idea to begin raping boys in 1994 at the age of 50? Probably not.
In fall 2000, a Penn State janitor reported he saw Sandusky performing oral sex on a young boy. He told other janitors and his supervisor. No official report, nothing was done.
In 1998, an 11-year-old boy told his mother Sandusky showered with him while hugging and washing him. It was reported to the university police and investigated but dropped by the Centre County District Attorney.
Sick.
But that's not enough. After top Penn State officials announced they fired JoePa Wednesday night, students rioted. Rioted! They chanted his name, tore down light poles and overturned a television news van. They threw rocks and fireworks at police and toilet paper in the trees. They blew air horns and a group of girls danced on top of a car. A student blasted a police officer in the face with pepper spray.
A freshman remarked the students were making the point that, "the media is responsible for taking JoePa down" because he'd met his legal and moral responsibilities by reporting the incident.
Another student blamed the riot on the college officials who "tarnished a legend."
How ironic. Great idea ... your school's reputation is in turmoil, as well as your football program, Sandusky, JoePa, and what do you do? You riot and disgrace your school and town even more. Great thinking. Also, did you ever wonder what the victims would feel, watching you parade around your town on national television? Do you care? Actions speak louder than words.
JoePa didn't meet his legal and moral responsibilities. He reported the incident to a superior but did nothing to followup because he either didn't care or was hiding from the truth. He continued to work for an organization harboring a sick man. A man who fondled and raped young, at risk, impressionable boys while showering them with gifts and promises of football greatness at Penn State. Sandusky poisoned their minds, their futures and their families.
For the JoePa apologists. For the Penn State loyalists. Did you ever once think about those young boys whose lives are damn near ruined? Did you ever think the lives of those human beings are more important than your beloved JoePa, your football team and your school? Obviously JoePa didn't ... neither did the others involved. Shame on you and shame on them.
When did people become so desensitized, so jaded and apathetic about something as horrific as what Sandusky did to those boys? When did the home team become more important than a boy who had a man perform oral sex on him 20 times? Sandusky had these boys spend the night at his home and you're telling me no one knew about this? You can't sweep a sick man under the rug!
Shame! College football is not more important than human beings, especially at risk young boys whose lives have been ruined.
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