Un Happy Valley

Like many others, I have been shocked and appalled by the revelations coming out of the Penn. State Football program. Whether you follow college sports or not, Joe Paterno has been an icon of power, integrity and largess nearly without equal. Or so we all thought. I know that in the court of public opinion it is easy to dismiss innocence or guilt with a rationalization or two so I have tried to be objective in analyzing this story as it continues to unfold. It is clear to me that whatever has been done in the last two days is not nearly enough. The pattern of deception used by those in the know only served to accentuate an already disgusting case of sickness beyond description. I hold those who stood by, perhaps following the appropriate legal steps but doing little else, in the lowest regard. Anyone with any knowledge regarding Sandusky's alleged but witnessed acts of complete and utter depravity ought to be held accountable for their direct or indirect culpability. This certainly and emphatically includes Joe Paterno. If this wipes out his reputation based on stellar performance as a football coach, then so be it. He certainly doesn't appear to have reacted as a stellar human being. Those students on campus who still hold him in the highest regard and who rioted upon hearing of his dismissal ought to look in the mirror and see if they can realize the difference between football and humanity. I am sure Joe Paterno did not do bad things to little boys, but by doing so little to bring these crimes to the forefront, he did bad things to young men and the college he so dearly claims to have loved. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?