Joe Paterno in 1999. (Jonathan Daniel/Allsport/Getty Images)
Reporting Dan Bernstein
By Dan Bernstein-
CBSChicago.com Senior Columnist
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
(CBS) Joe Paterno’s life ended today, but it began to end long ago.
It began to end when he decided to let Penn State football be a vehicle for serial child-molestation at the hands of his trusted assistant. It continued to end in the infinite moments thereafter, every time he failed to speak up, failed to act, failed to protect, and failed to care.
Nothing in his life was more important than his grim, cowardly silence. There is no counterbalancing the moral ledger, or any mitigation by anything related to football. For years, he looked the other way while children were being assaulted, and his program was being used to enable the crimes.
No number of victories stacks up against what these boys and their families lost. Not even 409.
It’s repugnant to believe that this was one small oversight by a kind, old man, blemishing an otherwise honorable legacy. Paterno’s inaction was concurrent with everything else. This was not a singular moment of poor judgment – it was boundless, constant, and ongoing. Any joyous cheers from fans echoed over the grave, dark stillness in Happy Valley.
He may have known when Jerry Sandusky was first hired. Most believe he knew when Sandusky was investigated, confronted and forced to retire in 1998. We know from his own sworn testimony, though, that Paterno knew in 2002.
Read about the victims after that date.
Read the sick details of what these men say Sandusky did to them in those years. Read about the on-campus swimming pool, the hotel sauna, the trips to bowl games, the basement dungeon where they screamed for help while being raped.
The plain reasons given for Paterno’s firing also serve to explain why his death needn’t be mourned.
“Every adult has a responsibility for every other child in our community,” Penn State trustee Kenneth C. Frazier told the New York Times last week. “And that we have a responsibility not to do the minimum, the legal requirement. We have a responsibility for ensuring that we can take every effort that’s within our power not only to prevent further harm to that child, but to every other child.”
Entrusted with that responsibility to a greater extent than others considering his vast, unprecedented power, Paterno turned his back. Rather than protect children, he knowingly endangered them.
And he should rest in no more peace than that of those boys, whose lives were ruined by a monster.
Here’s another quote about doing the right thing in difficult times: “Being the most popular kid won’t mean much if you are in trouble with the law or have flunked out of school. So if your friends are making poor choices, stand up to your friends and stand out from the crowd. Don’t give up your winning future for short-term popularity.”
That’s Joe Paterno, from the back of a 1990 trading card distributed by The Second Mile, Sandusky’s “charity” that he exploited as a victim-cultivation mechanism.
So there will be tears, now. Many will come from under-informed students, willfully-ignorant alums, and Pennsylvania residents raised to worship a fraud. There will be grandiose, sanitized eulogies from every media corner. A Disney Requiem.
I cried last week, when I read the words of Penn State trustee Stephanie Nolan Deviney, who described to the New York Times her thoughts as she left home for the meeting at State College to determine Paterno’s future.
She went to the bedroom of her seven-year old son to kiss him goodbye.
“I thought of all the mothers of all those boys in the presentment,” she said. “And I thought about what they must feel when they kiss their sons good night.”
I cried again when I read that passage on the air. I am crying right now as I type. I am sad, and still indescribably angry over what Penn State football helped happen.
I am crying for the right reasons.
Dan Bernstein joined the station as a reporter/anchor in 1995, and has been the co-host of Boers and Bernstein since 1999. Read more of Bernstein’s columns, or follow him on Twitter: @dan_bernstein.
The Boers and Bernstein Show airs every weekday from 1PM to 6PM on The Score, 670AM (or you can listen online).
Listen to The Boers and Bernstein Show podcasts »
252 Comments
Now who can argue with THAT?
January 22, 2012 at 1:58 pm
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/
January 22, 2012 at 9:48 pm
The legions and uber-legions of Penn State Stepford Wives who fall in lock-step with their blind loyalty of Joe Paterno is what is so sickening.
Dan, I’ve listened to all of your shows since Day One of the disgusting news that poured out of Penn State on a daily basis.
One of the most interesting interviews you played on your show was the assistant coach who said Paterno knew “everything” that went on. The entire town would swoon over Paterno. Paterno would get on the bus and do a little wave like he was the Pope. I hope you play that interview again, I’d like to hear it.
Perhaps Paterno will be given a Kim Jong Il type of funeral, with thousands of Penn State students and alum standing on the side of the road crying uncontrollably.
January 22, 2012 at 10:57 pm
Right on! It disgusts me to see the glorification of a man who allowed children to be raped. Does anyone asslociated with Penn State get it? Thank you Dan Bernstein and Terry Boars for your coverage of this. You may not realize it but you have done alot of good and focused on the true victims of this.
January 27, 2012 at 12:45 pm
With all due respect. we are looking back at this now with 20/20 vision, before this was all hear say. I think you are allowing your emotions to guide your opinions and thoughts. Law 101: Innocent till proven guilty. Please remember…that the grand jury is only one side of the story. The last time I check…anyone could get indited by a Grand Jury…its pretty easy.
If you recall there is NOT a lot of information in the grand jury report regarding the convo between COACH JoePA and McQueary. Why? Question: What was said and what details were presented to COACH JoePA? Those questions and details will come to life in a trial, not during a grand jury session. Lets take one step further….a grand jury report is NOT public…the purpose of the grand jury is to see if the state could bring enough evidence to charge Jerry Sandusky. During this process they found Curley, and Shultz to have committed perjury. JoePA was not convicted of anyting…in fact they said he did what was necessary according to the LAW. Morally….that is a different story which we still need the facts. Lets review what took place:
Joe went to the AD and University POLICE. Should he have followed up?… Could he? Yes. Do we know? No. Why? Because we don’t know the facts. I can see this happening: Joe called (not sending an email, the man does not have a computer or cell phone) to currley or shultz to check how the investigation is going and both of them coming back saying we are “ok…we have this under control….the law is taking shape”. Look in the end there are red flags across the board. Joepa is the scapegoat and the fall person because the media loves to see a hero fall and they have been waiting for 46 years to get any dirt on this college. I find it hard to believe that he would let a piece of $h*t like Jerry take down 46 years of honor, character, and respect within a program. Something is missing….lets look at the facts here:
As to the 1998 case, there were allegations which led to two undercover stings which both ended up negative. Both of these allegations took place outside PSU. PSU has nothing to do with the 1998 case. The Second Mile Foundation was made aware of this and BOTH THEM AND THE POLICE found no evidence to place charges on him. PSU in the clear here…
2002: Here’s were the water gets muddy. McQueary walks in on EX-Football Coach Jerry Sandusky in the PSU team shower. What took place there it horrible in so many ways and my heart goes out to all of the victims. McQueary (28 years old ADULT), did not bring the kid to safety and call the police, he ran home to consult with this father on the best course of action. After they decided that it would be best to bring this information to COACH Paterno. At this point, any information COACH Paterno delivers to the authorities is called hear say since he did not witness this first hand. McQueary is the ONLY person that witnessed this first hand, and the only one with the TRUE power to go to the police right there and then to end this situation. Please remember that COACH Paterno did go to the police, but his information is hear say at this point because he did not witness this act first hand. McQueary is really the key to all of this…Once University POLICE got this information, they went to question McQueary…what was said and done after that is a little shaky. This is where the ball was dropped…Curley and Shultz both covered this up…or didn’t do a good job looking into the situation.
Another thing we are missing here…JoePA did not witness any of these events first hand…so it does not matter what he “knows”…the police can not do anything about it until a person with first hand expierence or their investigation is complete. Joe is NOT THE POLICE.
Dan….I am not dismissing your thoughts…and I do agree with you that there should have been more follow up on all ends. I don’t think we are done yet with the names being dug into this. I think there will be a few BOD’s let go and don’t be surprised if the Gov. of PA and DA back in 2002 knew more but did nothing to help. At this point…WHO KNOWS…But COACH Paterno is a COACH…he is not the police…just like a coach…he put all the information he had in the best person able to bring justice (Police), but they dropped the ball on this, along with other people.
In the end…your words and thoughts are a little out of line. Please direct your anger to the people that failed the children…that was the people that investgated this…not JoaPA. For you to say he should of died….wow…I am not sure you look your self in the mirror.
January 31, 2012 at 1:37 pm
Congratulations out of about 200 articles here this is the first I have agreed with.
These are the same sentiments and thoughts I had when the Daily woman died but the locals in that case inexplicably honored her. Perhaps Chicago is a bit like North Korea in that when monsters die they are fearful not to show the proper amount of grief.
January 22, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Can I even post in here?
January 22, 2012 at 3:41 pm
Educate yourself about politicians, papers, and the police covering for p3doph!les:
(The B@nned Discovery Channel Docmentary)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weSzkIB8184
January 22, 2012 at 3:42 pm
?
Child Scs Ring Impli cating the B us h Whit3 Hous3!
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20Government/boys_town_abuse.htm
January 22, 2012 at 3:45 pm
Educate yourself about politicians, papers, and the police covering for p3doph!les:
(The B@nned Discovery Ch@nnel Docmentary)
January 22, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Spot on, Dan.
January 22, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Your ignorance and stupidity is astounding Dan. I’d like to debate you so I can prove you wrong at every single turn. Your article is an embarrassment.
January 22, 2012 at 2:04 pm
You are an embarrassment David. The man aided and abetted CHILD RAPE. Please exit the planet in an orderly fashion.
January 22, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Paterno aided and abetted child rape? You should immediately take your evidence directly to the police, since you seem to have first-hand knowledge and evidence that the police, district attorney, and grand jury were missing.
Or are you just another armchair litigator who decides the facts that suit him without knowing the evidence?
February 1, 2012 at 7:42 am
big fan of child rape i guess
January 22, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Is this guy serious? Is this Jay Paterno? What is wrong with people. Cry for kids who die of cancer, cry for kids who are raped by dirty old men while their buddies turn their back and allow it to happen. JoePa got better than he deserved with a quick death
January 22, 2012 at 2:12 pm
So… disgust for Paterno -a man who knew for at least 8 years that his former assistant was a pedophile rapist, cultivating his own victim farm of at-risk children under the premise of charity, but did nothing- is now ignorance?
I guess I’m ignorant.
Honestly, I don’t have any feelings about his death- it doesn’t really change anything. To me, his legacy has already been cemented: A man who had the power to stop a monster from raping children that decided not to.
January 22, 2012 at 2:22 pm
What’s stopping you? Start the debate here, you can practice on the rest of us ignorant fools. I believe he’s on the air all week (312) 644-6767. Failing that, find out when and where the next who needs two show will be, you can debate him in person. I double-dare ya.
January 22, 2012 at 2:33 pm
David, you’re going to find that there is ample room for debate on a lot of subjects. But not child rape. PSU was made unsafe by the presence of Jerry Sandusky. Paterno could have put an end to everything Sandusky did, everything he was, and everything he would go on to do. For at the very least ten years, Paterno did not. He is a coward and a monster, and I, for one, only regret that he will never have to answer or look in the eyes the men who were raped as children because of Paterno’s negligence.
January 22, 2012 at 6:52 pm
What are you an idiot? He has a live call in talk show 5 days a week and he loves slapping fools like you around. Please call him, I would love to hear this debate. You can’t even make a point here how are you going to make one on the air? All I hear from the Paterno supporters is that everyone else is a monster, and “shut up”, and “you don’t know what your talking about” but none of you ever use facts. Well I got news for you “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”
And for the record that quote is from an actual great man.
January 22, 2012 at 8:33 pm
But there would be no debate. He loves “slapping fools like you around” A debate would require facts, argument and exchange of ideas. Not the sort of thing that ya’ll would listen too.
Did you even notice that this article is chock full of supposition, baseless accusation and just plain lies. Do you even care that this hate-mongering, insulting ENTERTAINER is simply trying to get more and more attention, so we’ll all stay tuned?
January 24, 2012 at 7:58 pm
How confident you are in your idiotic beliefs is impressive.
January 22, 2012 at 10:03 pm
I’d love to see you debate Bernstein, just to see your guts strewn across the floor after he verbally eviscerates you.
January 22, 2012 at 11:44 pm
The ball is in your court, David. You threw down, so call in! Prove Dan Bernstein wrong at every single turn and tell him how astoundingly ignorant and stupid he is. I’ll bet he will let you do all the talking, too.
You won’t call or you’ll hang up.
January 23, 2012 at 12:10 am
Dan B is a moron, and his little cult-like moron followers are, too. They don’t have any brains!
January 23, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Trust me David, debating with Dan Bernstein is like trying to pet a wolverine that has been cattle prodded at least a dozen times. All he does is yell and scream, he doesn’t use facts to back up his idea and he cuts people off. After talking with a few friends who have been on debate teams, that makes for a poor debate person. If he could just defend his postion in a calm, respectful manner, I’d say go for it. But for right now, you would just be waisting your time.
January 23, 2012 at 4:20 pm
May he rot in hell, soon to be joined by Sandusky and every meatball former player and student who defended serial child rape.
January 22, 2012 at 2:05 pm
oh him and sandusky will have adjoining rooms. Hope he joins him soon
January 22, 2012 at 2:08 pm
And may you, too, witless. Let me guess: right-wing republican?
January 23, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Couldn’t have said it better myself, Dan. I was looking at Twitter this morning and it’s unbelievable how much support Penn St. and Paterno still has…it makes me sick.
Spot-on commentary…but then again, that’s about par for the course with you!
January 22, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Congrats on your death wish coming true you bleepin’ dramatist! Wishing and willing the death of someone, whom you do not know, that has done so much for the community if pretty classy for a jour….no….a hack with a blog. Would love to understand how you are supporting the victims.
CBS must be proud to have you onboard. Class act.
January 22, 2012 at 2:14 pm
How are you continuing to support a someone that condoned and supported child abuse by covering it up. Walk away troll – never to be seen or heard again!
January 22, 2012 at 2:19 pm
He did wonders for the community …….. Child rape for all!!!!! Get a clue you make me sick.
January 22, 2012 at 2:21 pm
No one was wishing he died. If anything it would be best if he remained alive and had to face all of the boys and men that were raped under his watch. To support this man because he was a successful football coach is just bizarre. I honestly don’t understand it, and if you or anyone can explain the support in light of what has come out about him, I am genuinely interested in hearing it.
January 22, 2012 at 2:24 pm
Agreed. I don’t really see his death as mattering in regards to the abused. Death claims us all. Paterno didn’t “get what’s coming to him”, he got what everyone eventually gets. He lived a full life- some would say a dream life. What difference does it make in regards to the children raped by Sandusky after Paterno learned he was a monster. Is it justice? Not really.
January 22, 2012 at 2:37 pm
What do you mean, no one was wishing he died!? The author of this column was wishing it upon him every day he was on air since this started!
January 22, 2012 at 11:12 pm
Be FEARFUL Dan, David really wants to argue with you that 409 win REALLY matter. Keep doing what you’re doing and PLEASE…. NEVER LET THIS SUBJECT DIE. Paterno got off easy with his death by cancer vice death by media! May Satan rest his soul!
January 22, 2012 at 2:15 pm
A very well written article. Thanks for providing one rational voice in a bog of inexplicable idiocy, Dan.
January 22, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Bravo Dan
January 22, 2012 at 2:23 pm
I’m not sure how anyone could take a comment like yours seriously. You don’t have a clue who I am and the causes I support. So before you continue making juvenile comments spewing vitriol and generic blame across an entire community of people I suggest you grow up.
January 22, 2012 at 2:25 pm
It’s very specific blame. People like you who are willing to support someone who was silent in the face of horrific acts enable these things to continue.
January 22, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Please do. Please call in their show and state your case. That would be appointment radio.
January 22, 2012 at 2:33 pm
“The end”: Who cares if someone wished Joe Paterno dead. Did Dan’s evil wishes actually kill him? Also, Joe Paterno did ‘so much’ for the community? You mean, he won football games and fooled dumb people into buying into a sham?
If Joe Paterno was someone worth defending, he would have done more to prevent the rape of boys. I guess that’s too hard to understand.
January 22, 2012 at 2:36 pm
Amazing article, bravo! Why are you wasting your time on sports radio?
January 22, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Because we get 5 hours a day of this, too! Certainly not a waste!
January 23, 2012 at 12:00 am
Bravo Dan!
January 22, 2012 at 2:45 pm
Why do so many in Pennsylvania defend rapists?
January 22, 2012 at 2:50 pm
“I’m crying for the right reasons” what a self-serving and self-righteous shell of a man you are – that statement alone strips you of sincerity and credibility. Your selfishness speaks volumes. Couching your own self-righteousness under the guise of genuine concern for victims. You’re opportunistic, not genuine. But I’m glad you know you are the beacon of morality. Enjoy inheriting the wind Daniel and supporters – although I doubt any of you will understand that reference, true to form.
January 22, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Proverbs 11:29 – Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
You can’t use a biblical passage without proper context. Talk about self-serving and self-righteous.
January 22, 2012 at 4:51 pm
Do us a favor and go play in traffic. Joe Paterno-I cannot and wil not ever use the affectionate term the mouthbreathers in Pennsylvania use-occupies the same moral low ground as those Germans who lived next to the concentration camps in WW2 and said they ‘didn’t know’ what was going on. Paterno knew what was going on, he had a chance to put an end to it and be a better man but he decided that his football program was more important than the lives of young boys and men who were being destroyed by that monster Sandusky. I always want to ask you Paterno defenders one thing:What if one of those victims was your kid? What would feel then, Sparky?
January 22, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Are you intelligence-impaired? Because the only other alternative is that you think one should mourn Paterno’s death because, well, he won a bunch of football games. The most selfish thing someone can do is to protect one who abuses children because it would hurt one’s own standing. Lou, you are now in the camp of defending child rapists and those who protect them.
Ask another question: would you be coming to this stirring a defense if Paterno was the CEO of Walmart or the Chairman of Disney?
January 22, 2012 at 9:59 pm
Awesome article, thanks Dan.
January 22, 2012 at 3:05 pm
Pingback: RIP Joe PA?
Jeff-(To Ken) How in good conscious can you support someone who knew, admitted he knew and chose to do the minimum? Explain that. Explain how you are ok with what Paterno did.
Ken- because I’ve followed the program my whole life
That’s what I thought.
January 22, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Paterno,had the chance to enhance a real legacy. And that was to come to the aid of the boys that Sandusky was raping. The only crying that I am doing is that we won’t be able to see this squirm in front of a jury. Paterno was probably the most powerful man on the Penn St. Campus. Had he come forward from the start he could have stopped a mass rapist. But he chose not to do anything. And for ten more yrs. allowed this monster to rape young boys.Whatever impact this man had on others is now a mute point. Covering up for a rapist will be his everlasting legacy.”I wish I had done more”. Tell that to god now
January 22, 2012 at 3:22 pm
Auto-refresh sucks donkey balls.
January 22, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Thanks Dan … appreciate the great article … brought tears to my eyes.
January 22, 2012 at 3:45 pm
Bernstein is still a jag. But I 100% agree with him about Paterno.
January 22, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Pappy? That you?
January 23, 2012 at 12:01 am
THAT’S EXACTLY RIGHT!
January 27, 2012 at 11:45 am
Everyone seems to be a pretty good expert on this little blog and knows the exact details of what happened. That’s pretty amazing access. And the media didn’t stir the pot whatsoever or turn the story away from Sandusky, the true animal that NO ONE continues to talk about. If it were a psych professor at PSU, rather Joe Paterno would any of you be on here on your pulpits. Nope.
Listen, the accusations that have been presented are sick and indefensible. No one can dispute that. Sandusky needs to absolutely rot in hell for his actions. But the continued knocking of the PSU community, the school, and it’s core ideals are tiring. A large contingent support Joe to the grave, there is no doubt. Many are in disbelief. Many are in denial. But caught somewhere in the middle of what Joe was actually told, the actions taken or not taken and what transpired through the ranks of responsibility is the answer. Having very direct access to Joe for years, it is unfathomable that he would just look away with his core mission in life of helping student athletes be good people. It just doesn’t make sense. To the PSU community, we lost a part of our family in all of this.
So, I know many are casting stones and always will. Contrary to some of the silly posts on this board, the enormous majority of the PSU community are not child rapists nor do we condone it or whatever. It’s ridiculous to even think that. The sad thing is that these monsters are everywhere (i.e. – Syracuse, Wisconsin, The Citadel, etc., etc., etc.) and to be honest you probably know one.
I am angered by the pulpit moments of many in the media these days which is why my disgust was directed at bernstein but let it be known that I do often think of and pray for the victims. I wish them strength in life. Good night.
January 22, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Cry me a darned river. Your “family member” protected a child rapist and allowed said rapist to continue raping children in the facility that HE RAN. You are as bad as those in the Church who defended Cardinal Law after it became clear that he had protected child molesters and provided a sanctuary for them to continue molesting. Congratulations!
January 22, 2012 at 10:01 pm
“it is unfathomable that he would just look away”
…You should start fathomin’, because that’s exactly what happened.
January 23, 2012 at 12:05 am
That is not even close to the truth.
January 24, 2012 at 8:06 pm
“The sad thing is that these monsters are everywhere (i.e. – Syracuse, Wisconsin, The Citadel, etc., etc., etc.) and to be honest you probably know one.”
The End:
I guess the difference between Joe Paterno and me is that if I truly did “know one” (read: actually know that someone was doing it), I would would do ANYTHING humanly possible to stop it. Anything. Not just go to my superiors and report it. I would go to the authorities. Or, if need be, I would physically get involved. Or, god forbid, if it came to it, I would purchase a weapon and stand between any child and this person. That, IMO is what you are not getting in this debate. Most of us would do what I described above if we actually knew a person doing these acts. As far as we know, Joe only did he duty to report it to his bosses. And he verified that in his statements. So, that is why we are not supporting your argument and/or beliefs. I hope that clarifies our outrage for you.
January 25, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Dan,
Could you please answer why you only let tweets go through that support your sick, twisted views? Talk about the ultimate narcisistic, and one-sided approach to what you classify as journalism. You are a disgrace, and obviously a very bitter person. I hope these bitter feelings are not passed on to your children.
God Bless,
…and Happy Easter.
January 22, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Blah, blah, blah. Name calling has no substance. Happy Easter? Ooo, you burned him there since he’s Jewish! Pathetic.
January 22, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Robert, Robert, Robert…
Please do not try to use the same words that I use to describe this terrible excuse for a journalist, when talking about, what is obviously, a very funny and intelligent quip. It shows you have little creativity.
And on what grounds did you even deserve to chime in on this comment of mine? Your reply obviously did not have anything worthwhile to address the issue I brought up. You must like seeing your name on a blog.
Congrats on your accomplishment.
DDS
January 22, 2012 at 10:03 pm
DDS, you really need to stop whining. First of all, this is a message board. Anyone can comment on anything. If you don’t know how they work, don’t use them. Secondly, Bernstein isn’t, strictly speaking, a journalist when he’s writing on here. He’s a columnist. The guidelines for opinion pieces and hard journalism pieces are very, very different. Thirdly, your Happy Easter quip wasn’t very funny or intelligent; frankly, it smacks of something akin to anti-Semitism, and though I won’t say you hate Jews, you’re a liar if you say that wasn’t aimed at the fact that Bernstein’s Jewish.
Lastly, Robert is 100% right that all you did was come here to troll and name-call. If you have something intelligent to say, we’re all ears (eyes). But you don’t. Know how I know? Because you fit the profile of someone who’s going to sit there defending Paterno from someone so mean-spirited as Bernstein is. Please. Stop.
January 22, 2012 at 10:16 pm
Soooooo lame
January 22, 2012 at 5:39 pm
The comment that only “tweets” that agree with Dan go through would be even better if it were true and accurate.
January 22, 2012 at 5:46 pm
This is not a reply to you George, but to the person listed below…
Although, your creative juices must have been flowing when you came up with that 6th grade comeback. Perhaps try “I’m rubber and your glue…” next time. That one always hits a home run.
Larry…
Since there are no options to reply to your comment, I have to do so in this manner. Hopefully you will see it.
I have sent this “journalist” several (more than 1) tweets, opposing the content of each of the individual tweets, and zero (0) were posted, replied to, or even recognized. He is a coward. Bottom line.
January 22, 2012 at 10:09 pm
DDS, my first attempt to post a reply didn’t go through.
Why? Because this fourth version of the Score column feature (last 2 by CBS) is mechanically flawed.
Comments fail to post quite often.
If you think that you are being censored, you are living in the Land of Paranoia.
Dan does not reply to tweets or posts.
If you want his response, call him during his show.
January 23, 2012 at 6:31 am
Thank you! And thank you for proving my point that all you have is name calling, and no actual substance in your argument! You can say whatever you want about me, I don’t care. All it does is prove that your position is based in emotion and not reason.
And, this is a public forum, dude. If you can’t take criticism for a poor post, don’t write anything.
January 22, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Robert,
Your original reply to my first post did not recognize, or respond to any part of my statement/question. I am all for a public discussion, however this entire blog is filled with comments that compare people that are saddened by the death of Joe Paterno, to people that support child rape. This is the most asinine rationalization that I have ever heard. No one person in their right mind supports such a heinous act, myself included.
There are a lot of people on this blog that are speaking from emotion, due to the severity of the situation as a whole. You can’t fault people for being emotional about this, for or against Paterno.
The First Amendment gives us all the right to fee speech. So Dan can say whatever he wants. However, wishing death, or being thankful for death to be near is non-humanlike. This is where my disgust for his column comes from. He wouldn’t be so happy with someone either if the roles were reversed.
The rest of this is open to discussion.
Best,
DDS
January 23, 2012 at 10:08 am
I agree!! Let’s hear the “other side” of the child rape issue! I need more information and perspective on the positives of systematically raping children.
Moreover, Dan’s bitterness towards child rape was really evident in this article. Nice catch, DDS!
January 23, 2012 at 12:11 am
Why does Ken support child rape?
January 22, 2012 at 4:29 pm
1. I hate what happened to those young boys.
2. I think Sandusky should pay dearly for his crimes.
3. I hate how important sports has become to the point that it has overwhelmed educational institutions to the point of lunatic blindness even to the extent in which there might be cover ups for criminal acts.
3. I don’t honestly know how guilty Joe Paterno was in this case. All I know is that he was quoted as saying he wasn’t sure how to handle it and brought it to the attention of people he thought were more able to do so. I’m not saying it’s true, but if that’s true, that could be completely sincere. That wouldn’t be “turning your back.” There may be more to this that would make Paterno guilty, but if this is what he’s guilty of, handing it to someone you think is better able, then we truly are no longer America in which you’re innocent until proven guilty.
4. Native Americans have a belief that it’s impolite to talk about the dead. I’m not saying that we should harbor similar beliefs, but I think giving the man at least a day of respect after his passing might be due.
5. You, Dan Bernstein, are the epitome of arrogance and self-righteousness. It’s people such as yourself who ride a “high horse” that has been known to break its leg just from the weight of your arrogance and self-righteousness. This isn’t necessarily about this case. It’s about you and people like you who revel in situations such as these to prop your “high horse” up for all the world to see. I’ve known many of man of your ilk to eventually fall to pieces in humility.
January 22, 2012 at 4:32 pm
You realize you are being a hypocrite, right?
January 22, 2012 at 7:54 pm
How so Buzz?
January 22, 2012 at 8:43 pm
You had to get on your high horse to write the response to Dan, didn’t you?
January 24, 2012 at 9:49 pm
Your Gay Bern-STEIN! How dare you wish death upon someone!
PSU MEATBALL VOICE – OFF
Wait a second, that was pretty real and rational, one of the better articles you’ve done for awhile.
January 22, 2012 at 4:43 pm
I thought da juice didn’t believe in hell?
January 22, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Sandusky has gotten off easy, considering he ACTUALLY committed child rape while Paterno, who indirectly aided said rape, is made out to be a monster for not doing more to stop it.
I agree that he should have done more, no question. Yes, he should have reported it to the police. But considering he did not see the shower incident described by the student assistant, it would have been a ‘he said, she said’ type report that Sandusky would have likely denied, and without some proof to add to the report, if it had been made at the time, then there’s not much the police could do other than ask Sandusky a few questions at the station.
Just because some people show support for Paterno, it doesn’t automatically mean they also support child rape, despite Bernstein’s beliefs to the contrary
I’m not saying, I’m just saying.
January 22, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Thank you
January 22, 2012 at 5:32 pm
I get what you’re saying, but honestly, I think you’re wrong. Sandusky is a sick, twisted individual who needs to be taken away from society. Joe Paterno, from all appearances, was a man with a good head on his shoulders. He didn’t have a criminally deviant mind; he was in his right mind. And Joe Paterno, in his right mind, with no mental illness whatsoever, allowed Sandusky to continue doing what he was doing for at least ten years (and quite frankly, that’s being charitable to Paterno).
I have said the same thing about the Church’s sex scandals as I do now: the rape is disgusting, despicable, and disheartening; the coverup is, however, the stuff of pure evil. In that regard, I think of Jerry Sandusky as a sick man who should never be allowed near anyone ever again. However, I consider Joe Paterno to be the true evil, since he was of sound mind and still allowed children to be raped. Is he worse than Sandusky? Of course not. But he’s not better than him. Not by a long shot.
January 22, 2012 at 10:09 pm
Cause Joe clearly has the power to kick people out of their University housing…
January 23, 2012 at 12:07 am
Mike, Paterno was clearly the most powerful man not only at Penn State but throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Anything he asked for, he could have gotten. So yes, he had the power to kick people out of the University housing.
January 23, 2012 at 3:46 pm
Great job Dan good work as always
January 22, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Excuse me, Joe Paterno did not rape those kids. The one who is accused of rape faces trial. It is known that Paterno was told about one rape, and Paterno said he reported that to those who could do something about it. One was the head over the Campus Police, who had jurisdiction. Whether Paterno should have done more than that can be debated. Beyond that, everything else is most likely hate-pimping to boost Dan’s gullible audience.
January 22, 2012 at 5:44 pm
I work at a school. I am required at said school to report any cases of child abuse I witness not only to my superior but to the police. Now, I realize that Pennsylvania doesn’t have the same guidelines Illinois does, and that’s fine. But Paterno confirmed that he is a gutless, testicle-less coward by doing the bare minimum. A real man goes to the police, then finds the guy who did the raping and beats the snot out of him. Men who rape children are messed up; men who cover up for men who rape children are pure, unadulterated evil.
January 22, 2012 at 10:20 pm
In Pennsylvania if you dont witness the incidents not only are you told to go to your superior, but you are told not to go to the Police, or you will be sanctioned by the school board. Do some research next time before blindly accusing him
January 23, 2012 at 2:44 pm
Hey Lonnie: I don’t care. I will continue, as you say, “blindly accusing” Paterno all I want. Because he allowed a child rapist to continue using his facilities for ten years. That’s not a blind accusation. That’s the truth. You don’t like it? Fine. You don’t accept it? Fine. But it is the truth. And you are an idiot if you can’t see that.
January 23, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Way to call me an idiot instead of actually looking at facts. Below you say that Paterno was the most powerful man in all of Pennsylvania. Prove it. Show me some facts. Show me someone saying that Governor Corbett and Graham Spanier quivered with fear whenever Paterno was around
January 23, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Lonnie, before this scandal broke, did you know who Graham Spanier was? Did you even know the name of the governor of Pennsylvania? I doubt it (unless you’re a brainwashed Pennsylvanian). But everyone knew Paterno. And yes, he got anything and everything he wanted. You think those booster dollars were going to English and the Arts? No, they were going to football. You think Paterno was going around to high schools countrywide selling prospects on the fine professors of Penn State? No, he was selling HIS program at HIS school.
The maudlin nonsense that occurred today in Happy Valley just proves it: Paterno was St. Joe in that community. He was THE GUY at Penn State. Anything he wanted, he got. It wasn’t until the cowardly Board of Trustees had its hand forced by the leaking of this scandal to news outlets that they actually acted. Get your head out of the sand. At places like Penn State (and the school is by no means alone in this), football coaches rule the roost. But no one — NO ONE — has ever had more consolidated power than your St. Joe.
January 26, 2012 at 11:22 pm
Actually, I did know who both of those men were before the scandal broke. And no, I am not one of those “brainwashed Pennsylvanians” as you say, I live in New York. Yes I do think that a good amount of those booster dollars were going to other departments. In fact, recently Penn state completed it’s new Law school building. Hey what do you know? It isn’t just for pieces of metal loosely thrown together, its actually a 60 million dollar project. Penn State also has a very nice art gallery with pieces recognized around the world. I encourage you to look at Penn State’s campus to see some of the incredible buildings and research done in various departments around the campus.
Heres an article I read a little bit ago about how Penn State is working to cure leukemia. But I guess since Penn State is only a football school I am probably just making this up… I’m glad I do not live in Illinois so my kids will not have to have a teacher like you.
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/12/penn_state_university_research.html
January 27, 2012 at 10:47 am
Thank you so much Char V. Finally, someone gets it. But I must warn you. There will be people who read your opinion will call you a fan of child rape. They will ignore the logic behind your words and the fact that you’re being objectional rather than a biased idiot like Mr. Bernstein. So be careful, his sheep will come for you too.
January 25, 2012 at 4:08 pm
Not only are your comments in your article callous, but your bias is unprofessional at best. A reporter is to report the facts, not to try to sway opinions. Maybe after you become more seasoned and realize this, then maybe you will start to write articles that promote and improve sports and their enjoyment instead of looking for notoriety.
January 22, 2012 at 6:04 pm
He’s not a reporter- he’s writing a column, which is an opion. The point of a column is to try to sway opinions. He’s not an “unbiased” reporter… learn the difference. And Dan- excellent article. Spot on.
January 22, 2012 at 8:48 pm
Oops… opinion, not opion.
January 22, 2012 at 8:49 pm
you are like this big sissy Dan. So stupid too. Why are you looking at Paterno when you should be looking at Sandusky. Paterno was a strong man who was not strong in such a situation. He could have pursued it, he did not. But he was more famous, and men usually prey on the lives of more famous men.
January 22, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Paterno is an evil old man who allowed rape to continue. Sandusky raped children, yes, and he should and (hopefully) will go to jail for it. But the coverup is worse, because it was done by someone without the mental illness that said, “Yeah, having sex with children is okay.”
I hope and pray that the last thing that went through that old man’s mind was a thought of those he allowed to be raped. If he’d been a real man, he could’ve prevented the broken lives of many, many men. Instead, he goes down as an evil man akin to Bernard Law.
January 22, 2012 at 10:12 pm
We could all say bad things about Dan Bernstein and most of them would be irrefutable. But they are irrelevant to his post. All evidence would appear to support Dan’s premise that Paterno loved the idol of himself, or of his greatness, more than he loved truth or justice. He sacrificed an as yet undetermined number of boys to the Moloch of his self-image. As with all devil’s bargains, the devil wins. The boys were sacrificed and the image is shattered. Dante put the frauds in the deepest parts of Hell, and Joe Paterno proved to be a monstrous fraud. While we may all feel fortunate that the ultimate fate of our souls rests not in the hands (or mind) of Dan Bernstein, we may hope that wishing some sort of ultimate justice falls heavily on a man who, hypocrisy aside, could have saved children from an atrocious fate, and chose, for perhaps decades, not to. Dan Bernstein’s premise is correct and his sentiments quite justified.
January 22, 2012 at 6:38 pm
Just posted your column for my FB group, Dan.
So well said.
Proud that you are from and of Chicago.
Stay strong for the inevitible blow-back from the JoePa enablers.
We’ve got your back.
January 22, 2012 at 7:19 pm
Great post Dan. Simply put…JoePa was presented with the opportunity to practice what he preached and he didn’t. He is a hypocrite. While he may have had a positive impact on many with his donations and overall impact, nothing can ever take away from the fact that he had the ability to act and stop a predator and refused to do so for year and years. That is his legacy – a failed leader and a child rapist enabler. Nothing will change that.
January 22, 2012 at 7:23 pm
I just can’t get over how massive Joe Paterno’s man-boobs had gotten by the time he was about to croak… I swear to God, he musta had DD’s…
http://tinyurl.com/7wl4tz5
^
even some 60 years ago, they were HUGE.
January 22, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Did anybody else notice how bad Paterno’s gynecomastia had gotten?
January 22, 2012 at 7:45 pm
Dan, once again you nailed it, showing the proper balance of righteous anger and remorse, directed in the right manner. Pitch perfect.
January 22, 2012 at 7:50 pm
I would really like to read a Paterno supporter who doesn’t need to resort to name calling because they don’t like Bernstein or the column. It is further indictment of that position and those who support it.
January 22, 2012 at 7:57 pm
I have an odd question… If Bernstein is so Anti- everything that sports has become and the machine that feeds it, why is he still a sports reporter? If he really is so self-righteous that it is a demon beast, then quit the industry. Cover real news stories. Cover something that matters.
January 22, 2012 at 8:13 pm
You’re right, JC: it IS an odd question. Because to me, real news stories are about those who rape children and those who allow child rape to perpetuate. There is nothing more important than protecting children.
Oh, and one other thing: BERNSTEIN ISN’T A REPORTER! Dan is a columnist (in this capacity) and a talk-show host. The Score has many, many reporters in its employ, and its hosts interview many, many other reporters. The hosts, however, are emphatically NOT reporters.
January 22, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Um…Meatball, before you make comments like this, you may want to read before you type. I read Dan’s page and he has not only called himself a reporter, but he has also received an award for best reporter. How he won that, I will never know. You are right, he is a columnist as well and an mediocre one at that. However, you don’t need to be a reporter to be onjectional, just be human.
January 25, 2012 at 4:18 pm
Victor, Dan used to be a reporter. He isn’t anymore. He’s won awards as a reporter. He isn’t a reporter anymore and thus doesn’t win awards for reporting. You need to learn the difference between what someone’s career trajectory has been and what they do now. For example, I used to be an editor; I was trained as such. Now I’m a communications director. Therefore, I can say that yes, I have been an editor most of my adult life; but I am not an editor anymore.
January 26, 2012 at 11:26 pm
I agree Dan but I still have no respect for a so called educated adult that giggles every time someone says the word Gay….
January 22, 2012 at 8:25 pm
I agree what Paterno did was inexcusable, but could Bernstein be any more predictable. He is a Jay Mariotti wanna be, sits on his high horse on every subject, kick people when they are down, acts juvenile and too predictable. Maybe he is upset because he is stuck in middle america and his wit is so predictable and already been done a 1000 times that he remains a bitter little man.
January 22, 2012 at 8:36 pm
Way to prove the point of composerchris from above.
January 22, 2012 at 10:25 pm
enjoy hell joe pa..and leave room for sandusky.
January 22, 2012 at 8:59 pm
You people should all join Westboro. You’re all nuts. A bunch of sanctimonious morons tripping over themselves to prove who is on the higher moral ground. I hope someday all of the things you missed in real time are shown in high definition hind sight for all of the world to see. Many, many people missed the signs with more info than Joe had.
January 22, 2012 at 9:42 pm
rrrrrrrright, but those “many, many people” aren’t being glorified and eulogized by sychophantic PSU fanboys. Joe is, so that’s why he’s being skewered nationally for the child rape enabling egomaniac he was.
True or false: fewer children would have been raped if Joe died 15 years earlier.
January 23, 2012 at 10:48 am
I almost threw up in my car when I heard Brent Musberger on ESPN say of Paterno: “little lapse.”
“L-I-T-T-L-E”
January 22, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Dan is just a gutless moron like Boers. Fits right in. Your show & articles are a joke.
January 22, 2012 at 10:21 pm
…And they thank you for listening!
January 23, 2012 at 5:58 pm
just stop talking about david haugh. he’s obviously a nimrod, writing idiotic articles to get the free pub. this one is the worst of all. just stop saying his name.
January 22, 2012 at 10:57 pm
I’m not one to forget anything that’s as reprehensible as turning a blind eye to the pain and suffering of anyone. It’s disgraceful to the human race, and being an act that facilitated such acts, deserves the same repercussions as the person who did the crime themselves.
With that said, it is still sick and as degrading to the human race to willfully, nay, gleefully revel in a man’s death, no matter the crime. Does showing compassion forgive his crimes? No. Does showing compassion degrade the victims? No. If anything, it enlightens those who survived, that they found the strength to not let something horrendous hold them back from a fruitful life. Anyone who would dance on another man’s grave shows they have as little dignity as the perpetrator of the crime. And for that, I say shame.
January 22, 2012 at 11:00 pm
Anyway…where are we stacking our blinders, candles and souvenir Lil’ Nittany Lions?
January 22, 2012 at 11:53 pm
they took down the comments section on Haugh’s Tribune column. what a fence-sitter.
January 23, 2012 at 1:19 am
Bernsy thank you so much now I shall make you an honorary brother :).. In all seriousness thank you so much for you, Boers, Jason, Matt and the rest of your show’s crew work on this subject. Sex abuse against kids is something that we are so scared to talk about while the children that unfortunately are going through it and those that have gone through it suffer immensely. I am so glad that we all are adults and willing to stand up for kids. They need us. They look up to every adult prior to judgement as a figure of respect and admiration in some way and no amount of money can ever be an excuse for why Joepa did not do more. The silence on child sex abuse happens far too often in all communities black, white, hispanic whatever and it needs to be talked about it in a very open and honest discussion. I remember when the movie “Precious” came out and my people acted a damn fool at the graphic scenes detailing her sexual abuse. I would have conversations that would end with me telling those who didn’t like the graphic scenes to “bite me.” I know as he laid there near death the moment of repentance possibly came to Joepa. With that being said the victims have to grow up with those memories and what is sad about all the comments talking about some damn legacy is that the commentators never even mention anything about the victims. Thank you Bernsy real talk.. Westside Cliff!!
January 23, 2012 at 3:44 am
St. Joe Pa,had no peers at Penn St. He was the power broker there. In his last interview last week,St. Joe Pa,said”I don’t know that it would have done any good,because I never heard of rape and a man”. To the question “could you have done more”? And to that one has to think what world have you been living in for the last 20 years.. I have no mixed emotions over this man. This man protected a child rapist.Knowingly,and wantedly. He simply looked the other way,with absolutely no regard for the victims. And that to me is all that counts,all his wins which by the way are also surley tainted. He never coached a lick in the last 5 years. But who besides the Penn St. aplologists even care about that.He allowed a rapist to continue to attack,and for one reason or another ignored that allowed a monster to continue to hunt for his prey. He is too be condemned forever,a lasting tribute,that he has earned
January 23, 2012 at 6:15 am
So many twisted views! Makes me sick to c the disrespect for a person who has passed! Yes feel bad for the RAPE victims…..Yes b angry at the “Dirty old man” who violated these boys and b angry with “Big Wigs” that ignored any 411….that was given to them about the dirty old man and what he was doing(bcuz there were some heads turned “higher up”) BUT DO NOT….DISRESPECT ANY1 WHO HAS PASSED! WE ALLLLLLLLLL WILL HAVE 2 ANSWER for our sins in the end And i have a feeling it won’t b PaPa Joe who is having a rough time getting thru the gates of heaven! I blv HELL…is being trapped here on earth! (Hell wld be….that ur still here at the age of 95…with no hearing….not being able to see…..No family,bcuz they have all gone “Home” ! )
January 23, 2012 at 7:41 am
I really enjoyed both those games yesterday….That’s what i want to talk about.
January 23, 2012 at 7:52 am
Some people (Dan Bernstein) find fault like there is a reward for it.
They also pimp off the victims and the story by endlessly promoting themselves trying to obtain more clicks on the story (Dan Bernstein).
While your perspective and opinion is yours to declare – and it’s the right opinion by the way – the way in which you pimp out the victims’ plight for your own gain and your own promotion is pretty sick. I feel sorry for your kids.
January 23, 2012 at 7:54 am
Uhh..Bernstein is a journalist, fella. He is doing his job. Editorializing a major story (which transcends football) is not “pimping out victims’ plight”. Besides, this is the kind of reasoning that needs to be heard. I don’t know Dan personally or you, but I do know that taking a shot at his kids is pretty low.
January 23, 2012 at 8:24 am
He’s not a journalist, guy. He’s a glorified blogger who is only published because he incites enough reaction to obtain favorable hits and demos on the advertising. Dan has no actual moral compass for this situation. Just tune in and listen. He can say he will be “crying for the right people” out of one side of his mouth but then launch into his own imitiations and chucklery like all is happy and laughy at the expense of the situation.
Anyone who draws attention to their column involving the nature of this sickening situation by pimping it on a website or on social media “i.e. – look at my column and look at my outrage then tune in and listen to me do my voice impressions) is someone who has no real value system worth attentuating to and that is why I feel for his kids – they have a shameless carnival barker who pretends to shroud himself in all sorts of fake moral indignance (to hit his demos, baby) and nothing else to look up to.
January 23, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Bernstein in NOT a journalist. He is an entertainer, he does not report, he opines. No journalist would claim supposition as fact. He is yelling and screaming so someone will notice him. Call it narcissism or just whoring himself for ratings and ad revenue. It makes no difference.
January 24, 2012 at 8:13 pm
I call him a coward, but Paterno is worse than a coward. Paterno did not hide this out of fear, no he hid it out of a desire for gain. He is a man who could have called 911 instead of some functionary in the University. He is a man who could have demanded Sandusky fired, but instead demanded that he was hidden. He is a man who could have went to the media easily when the functionary he told did nothing. He is a man who many have described as the most powerful in Pennsylvania, but instead he put the responsibility for seeing justice through in the hands of minor bureaucrats.
He is a father who chose his legacy and desire for gain over the safety of children. Now, children were abused and his legacy is destroyed. I am an atheist, but Matthew 16:26 is quite relevant here:
“What does it profit a man to gain the world but lose his soul?”
He is dead now and all he has gained is dust and ash.
January 23, 2012 at 8:01 am
Paterno is not guitly for one single bad decision from long ago. He is guilty for a galaxy of subsequent decisions thereafter. I grieve for his family as losing someone you love is hard. That being said, he deserves shame. Take down his statue and move on.
January 23, 2012 at 8:30 am
Wow Dan. What happened to you in the past? There’s no question in my mind that either you were a perpetrator or a victim of something similar in the past. You know what they say about those who dost protest too much.
You got your wish. Joe Paterno died a quick death and now you can dance in your grave. Perhaps in mid discussion you can bring up Cosi and ask for donations while doing your celebration dance. I’m sure the kids wouldn’t mind. Very sad Dan. Either your schtick has taken over the schtick or you are a sad human being. You have no idea what really happened. You can read testimony and hear third party reflections that may or may not reflect the actual truth. But in reality you have no actual evidence to back up your assertions above. But, you have a mic and a forum to make your voice heard. Good for you. Sad for everyone else.
January 23, 2012 at 11:14 am
More name calling, no substance. THAT is sad.
January 23, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Who is name calling?
January 23, 2012 at 12:37 pm
I find it really saddening that the majority of people either can’t or won’t give a human being proper respect. The man has passed on. And instead of paying some form of respect of a fellow human being, the people here choose to berate anyone who does. Who are you to judge anyone, isn’t that God’s work? And since we’re talking about what Joe Paterno did or didn’t do. Let’s be real.
Joepa was a football coach, that’s it. Sure to the populus, that makes him some sort of Demigod, but in the actual scheme of things in a school, doesn’t really mean much. Remember, Sandusky was retired, which means he was no longer under Joepa’s watch. What else saddens me is how much we have absolved Sandusky, the man who ACTUALLY COMMITTED THE CRIME. Curley and Schultz, who LIED UNDER OATH, McQueary, who saw the whole 2002 incident, did nothing to stop it, and talked to daddy before going to JoePa about what happened. All these men got off almost scott free, but Joe Paterno had to be the example. Maybe it was his fame, maybe it was his influence, or maybe it was his close relation to the football team. But when Schultz told Paterno that Sandusky surrendered his keys and was told to no longer be on the school grounds with kids. Is it wrong of him to thing this was settled? And mind you, Joe Paterno DID NOT, I repeat DID NOT see the incident and received choppy information from McQueary, yet he reported it anyway. So the only man, the ONLY man that came forward and at least reported the incident to his superiors, is the MAIN one that aided and protected child rape. Help me, I’m confused.
All that aside, Joe Paterno was still a father to someone, a hunsband to his wife, a grandfather to kids, and a friend to many. And whether you love him or hate him, believed he should’ve and could’ve done more, or believe he did the best he could is now irrelavant. The matter is that a man is dead and I choose to actually pray for him and respect him as a human being So I will say this since very few have the courage to do. Rest in peace Joe Pa and I am NOT a Penn State fan, alum or anything like that. I’m just a man with a bit of dignity.
January 23, 2012 at 11:32 am
What some/most people are missing here is that Dan is keeping the fact that children were violated and forever harmed. We should never forget that children were abused by a monster that took advantage of his status of being a coach. I write this thinking of my 7 year-old son as well and I hope and pray that he or any of his friends are never betrayed by an adult.
Dan never keep reminding us that children are the victims in this sad story.
January 23, 2012 at 12:14 pm
I agree with you, but let’s not forget that it was Sandusky that did this, not Paterno. Let’s shine the light on the right dark figure. I don’t believe anyone wants this to happen to children, it’s sick. But let’s not lose focus on the one that deserves to burn. Again, I’m not protecting or defending Paterno, I just want people to show some respect for the deceased.
January 23, 2012 at 1:14 pm
I agree with this and your previous post Victor. Other people in the PSU athletic dept. could have done more themselves to have stopped all this, but because Paterno was the face of the program, he’s the one who has been demonized far more than Sandusky ever has been. I’m not forgetting what happened to the children, but the blame has been placed more on Paterno than where it should be…on Sandusky. Just because some people want to show some support or respect for Paterno, Bernstein and others want everyone to believe that anyone showing respect for him also supports child rape, and that’s just plain wrong.
On another point, I’d love to see Bernstein produce some proof to support his belief that Sandusky’s charity existed solely to ‘farm’ children to his ‘rape room’. I’ll be waiting for that.
January 23, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Thank you Tony for the kind words and the comment. Unfortunately, this is how mass media works. They come up with a opinion and tell everyone that this is how they should feel. And if you have a different opinion or don’t agree with the opinion that they give you, you must love child rape. It’s gotten ridiculous. As for Dan getting proof to back up his arguments. I find it funny how he implores us as readers to read the Grand Jury Presentment and yet he ignores the same presentment so he can spew his hatred. Bernstein is bad at debating, every caller to the show has proven that.
January 23, 2012 at 2:00 pm
I don’t care how many football games the man won. It simply does not matter. I find it impossible to believe that Joe Paterno didn’t know what was going on with his long time assistant coach and young boys. He did nothing to stop it and in fact, enabled it to go on for many years. This wasn’t just some touchy feely groping, but rape of many innocent children that happened on his watch and not only should he not be lauded, but I’m very sad he won’t be alive to pay the civil and criminal price for his inaction at best and outright obstruction of justice at worst.
I’m the father of teenage son and the thought of a monster such as Jerry Sandusky having university sanctioned access to potential victims for as long as he obviously did sickens me. The fact that the misguided and stupid residents of Pennsylvania and the students of Penn State have already canonized a man who at best was ignorant of the horrendous crimes happening under his nose makes me very sad. The fact that ESPN and other media outlets, including the front page of this morning’s Chicago Tribune have joined in the celebration this creepy old man’s life makes me want to puke. I don’t think there’s any doubt that Joe Paterno knew what was going on and he did everything he could to cover up the truth while maintaining his legacy, and I hope his estate and family, (especially his creepy son) if found guilty of complicity in these heinous crimes are forced to pay civil fines and do hard time, along with Sandusky and his despicable wife and anyone else (and there’s got to be a lot more coconspirators waiting to be unearthed) who abetted them.
January 23, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Bernstein….debate ?……….all he does is insult, degrade and vilify his callers until…he has had his fun….. and then he hangs up on them! ! would like to see him in a real debate[ under rules of same] and against a worthy opponent..He is a legend in his own mind…full of arrogance, conceit and full of himself ! Pride com meth before a fall.
January 23, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Finally!!! Someone in the media has the balls to tell it like it is about JoePa and the Penn State football program!!! Not only did they cover up all the wrongs within the program, they boasted of being a “model” program!!! And, now they are going to have (3) days of memorializing the leader of this sickening mess of a football program???!!! What a freakin joke!!!
January 23, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Suffice it to say Dan Bernstein lives in an overly simplified, black and white world. For an intelligent reflection LZ Granderson.
January 23, 2012 at 1:00 pm
David Haugh’s article in today’s Chicago Tribune works just as well for a balanced, intelligent view.
January 23, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Paterno reported the incident to the AD and the VP and they did nothing, so why does this all fall on Paternp? The incident happened in 2002 3 years after Sandusky retired from his staff and was no longer working for Paterno. I think he should of followed up and found out why the AD and VP did nothing, but to dismiss all the good he did in his life and drop all the blame on him seems incredibly to easy! That place was a sleepy little college until he fund raised millions of dollars for libraries, school buildings and charities.
January 23, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Paterno was the face of PSU, that’s why he was trashed as badly as Sandusky and other people who could have done more to stop this should have been.
January 23, 2012 at 1:49 pm
I cry for the city of Chicago because you have to listen to and read from an idiot like this.
I cry for the people who listen to this guy’s show and read his articles of their own free will. This is where you get your information? Sad.
I cry for the people who will respond to this and say that I support child abuse. That’s classy.
It’s pretty sad that Bernstein feels he has to attract listeners/readers by being so polarizing.
It’s also ironic that you start out the article quoting Dr. Martin Luter King Jr. and then your article is full of hate, judgement and casting of stones; all things Dr. King preached against.
January 23, 2012 at 1:15 pm
Very well said. Great post. I’m sure Dr. King would be very proud knowing his quote is attached to a deplorable article.
January 23, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Pingback: What Should Joe Paterno’s Legacy? ‹ 2BrotherSports
“Nothing in his life was more important than his grim, cowardly silence. There is no counterbalancing the moral ledger, or any mitigation by anything related to football. For years, he looked the other way while children were being assaulted, and his program was being used to enable the crimes.” — PERFECT!
January 23, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Wow, have you even read all of the articles on the subject? You’re a top-notch A**H***, and your picture looks like one, too. (Also, methinks the lady (you) doth protest too much….)
January 23, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Oh the irony! I just heard Bernstein call Paterno a piece of garbage. You gotta try to not do that when I have coffee in my mouth. Hilarity ensued.
January 23, 2012 at 2:22 pm
Hope Mr. Bernstein donated since he is “crying for the right reasons”
http://www.rainn.org/
January 23, 2012 at 2:49 pm
I just realized that Paterno (or at least Bernstein’s spot-on impression of him) sounds EXACTLY like Peter Boyle’s rendition of “Puttin on the Ritz” in the movie Young Frankenstein, which is an audio clip I’m pretty sure they’ve featured before on B & B.
Hopefully, they compare the 2 (or 3, assuming Dan will oblige) some time this week.
January 23, 2012 at 3:21 pm
If you close your eyes, when the monster sings, it sounds like Joe Paterno.
January 23, 2012 at 3:22 pm
Paterno got off easy, all the suffering of those victims come on. Since he was aw state employee, they should take away his pension just like they do in Illinois to politicians convicted of a felony.
I mean geez at the end of the day, you protect kids no matter what the cost!
January 23, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Good idea Joey, take away the pension of someone for committing no crime. Your mistake my friend is comparing someone not charged with a crime to someone convicted by a jury of his peers of a felony. And why? Because you have bought into the hate and believe the lies of Dan Berstein… A guy on AM radio…
January 24, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Wow so many ignorant people on here… Sandusky was RETIRED when all of this came out… Paterno had NO power over him at this time… Paterno reported what was told to him to his superiors, one of whom was HEAD OF UNIVERSITY POLICE! Paterno himself witnessed NOTHING. McQueary said he did not give all of the details to Paterno. Get your facts straight before writing a completely misguided article.
January 23, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Paterno allowed Sandusky to continue using the school’s athletic facilities. Are you telling me Joe Paterno, the most powerful man in Pennsylvania, couldn’t tell a guy to get lost if he wanted to? Please. I think it’s amazing how many people venerate Paterno but refuse to believe in the power he held.
January 26, 2012 at 11:30 pm
Wow, You’re quite a jerk. And so are your moron readers! (Even your picture screams ‘jerk’.)
January 23, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Dan B is a moron and needs a nose job.
January 23, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Dan,
You write garbage like this with baseless assertions and fallacy. I actually feel sorry for the people who take your neanderthal intellect as quality news. Reading your column and the comments it elicited is like watching a group of apes struggle with tools. It’s frustrating to watch, but at the end of the day you realize that they’re just a bunch of idiots. Just like you and your readers.
January 23, 2012 at 6:17 pm
TEARS AND ANGER ARE APPROPRIATE AND SHOULD BE POINTED SQUARELY AT THE ACCUSED. JOE PATERNO WAS WRONG IN A BIG WAY FOR NOT SCREAMING LOUD FROM HAPPY VALLEY AS TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING. UNLIKE YOU, SOME PEOPLE LOOK AT A WHOLE LIFE NOT THE LAST WHISTLE
http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7492873/rick-reilly-paterno-true-legacy
January 23, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Thank you for the great column bernsie!
Just perfect.
He got off easy by dying.
You are one of the few that speak the truth.
January 23, 2012 at 10:11 pm
Our country has a long, sad history of passing judgment without warrant. And we’ve learned nothing. We learned nothing from a tainted history that includes burning women at the stake because we believed they were witches; lynching black men for any crime they were merely accused of; morally convicting the teachers at McMartin Preschool for crimes that were never committed (remember that case?); and more recently publicly humiliating Duke lacrosse athletes for rape and indecent behavior. Shame on Mr. Bernstein and the minions on this message board who have decided they know the whole story, know all the facts, and therefore are in a position, from their cozy living rooms, to know EVERYTHING and pass not only judgment, but a verdict. The facts of the Sandusky case do not support Mr. Bernstein’s version of events. But why should that matter? We live in a time when perception is reality. And that is terrifying. Truly terrifying.
January 23, 2012 at 11:03 pm
Who, more than Dan Bernstein, could know all of the “facts’ in this case? He is making them up as he goes and distorting every thing hes sees in support for his twisted position. He is the expert in his lies.
January 24, 2012 at 8:26 pm
One of the best columns I’ver ever read.
January 23, 2012 at 11:19 pm
Enjoy the blood money you earn from the hits you get off of yet another column in which you use Paterno’s name to make a name for yourself. Kudos. You keep finding new ways to prey on the ignorant to further you own career.
January 23, 2012 at 11:21 pm
He is earning a name for himself. It starts with another word for the adult male of the domestic chicken and end with a lesser used word for lolipop.
January 24, 2012 at 8:28 pm
wow this mouth-breather sure has a lot of mouth-breathing fans.
January 24, 2012 at 1:12 am
Hey Dan, supporting child rape is pretty low, but what about exploiting child rape by writing inflammatory articles in order to get attention and, ultimately, more money? Is that a-ok?
January 24, 2012 at 2:27 am
Another hyper-emotional rant from the haters at CBS.
January 24, 2012 at 7:35 am
Bad day for Bernstine: Joe is dead and he will again have to turn his talents back towards the likes of Tebow and Peavy. Some points are valid concerning Paterno but when the hollering gets too loud it again becomes: Look at me, listen to me, I’m Dan Bernstine.
January 24, 2012 at 8:15 am
Another hyper-emotional rant by the haters at CBS.
January 24, 2012 at 8:53 am
What’s the matter Dan? Afraid of different points of view? Just in case I FINALLY get a post up, I’ll make this brief. Serious question. Do you and your followers REALLY believe a football coach has more legal authority than the former Attorney General and current Governor of the State of Pennsylvania? Do some investigative research on Tom Corbett’s dealings with the Second Mile and Line Mountain High School if you REALLY care about the kids. This infatuation with a football coach borders on laughable.
January 24, 2012 at 10:09 am
Paterno should have died in jail, a complete disgrace, and an anti-hero. Those boys needed a hero to make a follow up cal, and Joe was too worried about his own legacy, and about a football program.
BIH, Joe.
January 24, 2012 at 11:49 am
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/01/22/1057341/-F**k-Joe-Paterno
Victim’s point of view.
January 24, 2012 at 12:30 pm
An abuse victim’s point of view. It is very graphic and she is screaming at the top of her lungs. Good for her to have the courage to climb up on her soap box and make use of this opportunity.
And make sure you check out the link to RAINN. At the bottom of the article and above the comments They do great work and will need help to do more.
January 25, 2012 at 7:01 pm
Here’s a follow-up to the above link. Other victims and survivors responded to Rebecca’s sharing her story and shared their stories, some of them for the first time.
Please take a moment to hear their stories:
No One Stood Up For Us: For the Children who had no voice and for Those Finally Finding Theirs
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/01/26/1058599/-%E2%80%9CNo-One-Spoke-Up-for-Us:-For-The-Children-Who-Had-No-Voice-and-For-those-finally-finding-Theirs
Thanks,
Roxine
February 1, 2012 at 7:35 pm
I’ve been listening to Dan Bernstein since I was a teenager. Thank you, Dan for what you do and having the guts to go against the grain of modern, popular, Booyah!, generic sports thought.
January 24, 2012 at 11:09 pm
Dan Bernstein suffers from Paterno Derangement Syndrome. Leave aside his his inability to show human decency in the face of a man’s death, but he cannot think rationally or tell the truth in this case.
People who have followed the case know that Joe Paterno know the following to be true:
1) Paterno was NEVER told about an alleged rape or assault
2) he did NOT know that Sandusky was investigated in 1998
3) he DID inform two mandated reporters of what he was told, and one of them was the head of the POLICE department.
But don’t take my word for it — read the grand jury presentment and the sworn testimonies offered during the preliminary hearings and captured online in courtroom transcript.
Dan Bernstein graduated from Duke University — the source of the greatest and most notorious rush to judgment in college sports history. The University condemned members of its own lacrosse team for a crime they did not commit. Duke has taught Bernstein well.
January 25, 2012 at 7:15 am
He didn’t follow-up. He knew a child was potentially hurt and he never followed up. And for that, I will never forgive him.
If you want to truly know what child sexual abuse does to victims, I implore you to read survivor’s stories and stories from families of those who didn’t make it to the other side:
No One Stood Up For Us: For The Children Who Had No Voice and For Those Finally Finding Theirs –
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/01/26/1058599/-%E2%80%9CNo-One-Spoke-Up-for-Us:-For-The-Children-Who-Had-No-Voice-and-For-those-finally-finding-Theirs
Thank you,
Roxine
February 2, 2012 at 7:25 am
Write on! Paterno’s legacy is his silence.
January 25, 2012 at 1:42 pm
You’re shortstop is a rapist. do you cheer that pinhead?
January 25, 2012 at 4:01 pm
I just wanted to say excellent work, Dan. Death has a funny way of skewing our perspectives on everything. Athletes who were average at best, suddenly should have been in the hall of fame. Bands that were average are suddenly making top 10 lists. And apparently, people who aided and embedded CHILD RAPE are given a free pass because they won more than 400 football games.
I consider myself a compassionate person. I believe that everybody deserves a fair shake. Where was the compassion for these kids when people in a position of authority (JoePa included) could have put a stop to this, but instead thought only about their legacy? He could have been a life saver and a difference maker. Instead he chose silence. That will always outweigh his football achievements.
January 26, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Dan Bernstein = World’s most awful human being. Pray for this man’s soul.
January 26, 2012 at 4:39 pm
Pingback: “Those to whom much is given, much is expected” | All That I Can't Leave Unsaid
Dan Bernstein has already shown his lack of professionalism as a journalist with “Bernstein Shreds the Penn State Letter.” It included potentially libelous content because the word “alleged” was added to the accusation against Sandusky only after numerous complaints to Bernstein’s supervisor, and the word “abet” in that piece could still be libelous. I am surprised Bernstein’s editors allow this loose cannon to run at large, because he will get them into serious trouble one day.
February 1, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Victims are finding their voice. Please take a moment to hear their stories:
No One Stood Up For Us: For the Children who had no voice and for Those Finally Finding Theirs
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/01/26/1058599/-%E2%80%9CNo-One-Spoke-Up-for-Us:-For-The-Children-Who-Had-No-Voice-and-For-those-finally-finding-Theirs
Thanks,
Roxine
February 3, 2012 at 6:03 pm
Dan purports to be a graduate of Duke, yet the ignorance with which this article is written is an embarrassment to higher education. Actually, it is an embarrassment to high school level prose. I know, writing for shock value is part of the media “game” in today’s society. That’s life. I’m sure it has some entertainment value for some ignorant readers, however, those in the media also have an ethical code to be accurate.
For future attempts at influential rhetoric, try not to make mistakes on such things like, Joe “decided to let Penn State Football be a vehicle for molestation.” It lumps football with a non-football matter, Sandusky was not an employee of the Program. Joe actually tried to prevent molestation by reporting the incident to the Police and to the administration. Your pathetic overstatement sounds like a child who didn’t get his way and in retaliation tries to make himself feel better by characterizing something so extreme as to sound out of touch with reality. Joe “Failed to care.” Wow, how does one fail to care and how was he silent when he reports the issue and then is told that it will be handled? That’s like reaming Maggie Daley because her “after school program” failed to prevent kids from getting harmed on their way home. I’m sure she wishes she could have done more to protect the kids in her program. We all wish we could do more. We assume Maggie cared because she did a lot of good in her life. How could you possibly know how much Joe cared? I hope on your judgment day, Dan, St. Peter see’s even a feather of good that you have done in comparison with mountain of good that Joe brought to this world.
Joe Paterno and Maggie Daley are both RIP because they know that they had so much positive impact to this world. Let us not lose perspective that we should all aspire to bring the kind of good to the world that Joe brought. The world mourns the loss of a person who could bring so much good.
Your writing style loses all credibility when using childish extremism and ignorance to the actual facts here. So much hatred. No place for that.
February 3, 2012 at 6:50 pm
Dan has to feel pretty good about this article, because the only criticism he gets is straw man and “ad hominem” attacks. Like this vapid yet verbose posting from “chitown.”
I am truly disturbed by the number of people who insists on ignoring reality, that Paterno aided and abetted child rape at Penn State University. I truly don’t understand why people are so quick to give every possible benefit of the doubt to Paterno, and ignore the real victims in this tragedy.
Here’s the reality: if Paterno was a decent human being, he would have continued pursuing the matter until he knew for certain that such despicable activity would never again occur at Penn State. He did not. Don’t hate on Bernstein for pointing out Paterno’s failing.
February 3, 2012 at 10:24 pm
January 22, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Why do you like child rape? Your boy is burning in hell today. God PSU and JoePa apologists are the lowest form of life. Do the world a favor and end your own life and join your butt buddy
January 22, 2012 at 2:23 pm
If not being a man that supports and condones child rape, then yes, I, Bernstein and others are less of a man than Paterno. Please go away you troll!
January 22, 2012 at 2:26 pm
He was never told that a child was raped so maybe you should get some real perspective on the story and not just listen to the absolute garbage that Bernstein puts out.
BTW Bernstein Mike Kryzewski who is the basketball coach at Duke the university you graduated from said he cried when he learned when Joe passed. Is he a terrible person and someone who condones child rape? Maybe you should join the Westboro Baptist Church cause you are the only person that I have seen today with a similar opinion on the news of todays passing. Just absolute insanity.
January 22, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Brad I guess just about every coach in college football is a terrible person then along with hundreds of other notable people who have stated their sadness in his passing today.
January 22, 2012 at 2:37 pm
No where in the grand jury testimony does it say he was aware that a child had been raped. The only thing it says is that he notified the man in the charge of university police of his findings once he was told a VERY VAGUE story of what had a happened.
So maybe YOU should read the GJR.
January 22, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Hey Ken. Bernstein isnt a huge fan of Coach K. Might want to know what you are talking about, Just add Coach K (cant wait til the skeletons come out of his closet) to the ignorant talking heads kissing this monsters ass
January 22, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Thank you. The notion that anyone who defends Joe Paterno is a supporter of child rape is so utterly preposterous it doesn’t even deserve a response. You can cry for both Paterno AND for the victims.
January 22, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Read the grand jury testimony you tool. Please exit the planet in an orderly fashion.
January 22, 2012 at 2:37 pm
1) Bernstein doesn’t have much love for Coach K. He might say that K is indeed horrible.
2) Read the grand jury report. You’ll see what Paterno knew.
January 22, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Do you REALLY believe Paterno was “never told that a child was raped”? Honestly? Like when he said he’d never heard of men raping boys….you believe that nonsense as well? Are you that credulous?
Who gives a rip what coach K said or did when he heard? What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?
January 22, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Ken,
Great comment and 100% true. I wonder if Coach K would even recognize this pathetic excuse for a journalist as a Duke grad?
January 22, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Ken, would love to hear you call in though and repeat that to him, the part about Coach K and Bernstein being a Duke alum. Cant wait to hear his response…..
January 22, 2012 at 7:58 pm
you are an absoulte moron. JoePa deserved what he got. He let child rape go on for YEARS. you waste one tear on that hell rotting bum i hope you have the same fate someday
January 22, 2012 at 2:37 pm
But you responded.
January 22, 2012 at 2:38 pm
yeah pretty much. College coaches are the lowest form of life outside residents of Creepy Valley
January 22, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Well, yeah. I’ll even give you an example. I was happy the Bears drafted Gabe Carimi. Today Gabe Carimi tweeted that JoePa RIP. The fact that it made him sad made me sad, because now I see that he lacks perspective, and values football legacies above the safety of children.
January 22, 2012 at 2:58 pm
Yep literally just about every coach in football is going to hell. good call.
January 22, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Thanks CIS.
January 22, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Actually the grand jury report lists what people said, not what Paterno knew. Even the people who said one thing on the report have gone on to say other things since.
January 23, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Nah Ken, just the ones that let their programs run amuk and protect child sex abusers. let me ask you this, how do you tell your kids about this if you are able to pro-create? How in good conscious can you support someone who knew, admitted he knew and chose to do the minimum? Explain that. Explain how you are ok with what Paterno did.
January 22, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Paterno knew something was rotten in his house, and shoved it off his lawn, leaving it after a phone call he couldn’t even be troubled to make that day. He told little Jerry to go rape little boys elsewhere. He did not see to it that the man was stopped.
But yeah, you seem to be an advocate. Did you fly your NAMBLA flag at half-mast today? Did you photoshop a tear onto your pedobear logo with the blue and white scarf?
January 22, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Boy, are we an angry little troll. Kenny boy….
January 22, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Jeff, because I’ve followed the program my whole life, Cause i’ve met the man, cause I know many people who know him as well. I’ve seen the impact that he has had on the lives of hundreds of young men that he has coached. He didn’t just care about winning. He knew that school and family were the most important things in life. And in his program that always came first. He would bench several players every year who were academically eligible, but not up to his standards so he benched them. All time he graduated his players at 91% rate, and at the same time ran a program that was winning a lot on the field. He was always a class act, he was never a highly paid coach, he was always severely underpaid, because he would just give the money back to university in generous donations. Even a few weeks after he was fired, he donated 100K to the university towards academics. And in his last interview despite how poorly he was treated by the university he said he loved PSU and reminded people that he lived a great life and he didn’t want to die bitter.
That’s what I think of when I think of Joe Pa. I also believe despite everything, he should have retired in the late 90′s. Around the same time Sandusky retired. He wasn’t nearly as powerful as he used to be even in 2002 when the incident occurred. He was old and kind of out of it. And when this incident was brought to him and not told in full detail. I believe him 100% when he says he wasn’t sure how to handle it. But I believe he made the right first step in telling the AD and the man in charge of PSU police. That’s really all he could do at the time. Despite popular belief, he couldn’t call police cause he didn’t see it and he was required by law to report it to his superiors.
Should he have done more following up on it? Probably, that’s the only problem I have with the way he handled it. But he was a 75 year old man who had received a very vague report. He trusted certain people to handle it and they didn’t. They are more to blame, but no one talks about them.
January 22, 2012 at 3:08 pm
Ken
You make some good points. But since he is the image of Penn State he automatically is in the middle whether he wanted to be or not. And it was with that amount of influence that he had over teh campus and the program that he could have made an incredible impact.
I am sure he has done incredible things at Penn State and for the community there. But with all of his influence, power and prestige, the one thing he could have done more, he chose simply not to by passing the buck. Should others have done more, certainly. But you have the face that would be on the Mt. Rushmore of college football and with all the power and control he has there he could have really made a dent. THAT’S what people have problems with. The fact that he could have used his power and influence for good to fight a true evil and he did the minimum.
Regardless of his legacy, he will always be known for not having done enough. The image that portrays is that he was more interested with protecting his own image and the image of his friend than he was about the victims.
That simple fact I have no tolerance for. He should have known better – 75 or 105 years old doesnt matter.
January 22, 2012 at 3:16 pm
why do you support child rape?
January 22, 2012 at 4:31 pm
“He trusted certain people to handle it and they didn’t. They are more to blame, but no one talks about them.”
First of all Sandusky, Curley, and Schultz are up on criminal charges. They’ve been arrested. They are being blamed more.
The fact that you “met the man” and followed the program cuts no ice at all. In fact, it undermines your attempt to seem impartial. You are biased in favor of Joe Paterno. That’s your choice. However, don’t think you’re going to jump to his defense in a thread like this and not get any pushback.
The one thing that bothers you in re: to Paterno is how he maybe didn’t follow up as well as he should have, is the one thing that bothers everyone about Paterno’s role in the Sandusky scandal. Others assign more responsibility to Paterno than you do, and that’s their (our) choice. Some (most) accept the fact that Paterno’s lack of follow-up allowed Sandusky to roam the campus for another 10 years, molesting God-knows-how-many more children.
Paterno (and Curley, Schultz, McQueary) could have blown the whistle on Sandusky at least by 2002, but they didn’t.
January 22, 2012 at 7:43 pm
You can’t be a part-time man of principle
January 22, 2012 at 10:35 pm
Ken –
No one talks about McQueary, Schultz, Spanier and Curley because no one is defending them. Why is it Paterno supporters scream “what about McQueary, What about Spanier – It’s Curley’s fault or Schultz’s fault” in their defense of Joe Paterno? How is that relevant? Joe failed. When he was tested, he failed. He simply didn’t do enough and no amount of hand-wringing and protestations about “but he did so much good” will change that.
Martin Luther King, Jr., said it best: “The ultimate measure of a man is NOT where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
Joe Paterno may have been a good man, in many ways. I don’t look at him as an evil person. But he enabled evil, and he failed the most important moral test of his life. That will always be his legacy. I didn’t choose that for him-he did.
February 2, 2012 at 7:33 am
Child Scs Ring Impli cating the B us h Whit3 Hous3!
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20Government/boys_town_abuse.htm
January 22, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Jake, when did you stop beating your wife?
January 22, 2012 at 5:57 pm
You guys are terrible. I am glad that you are so perfect that you can stand to be so sanctimonious. Really, to call Joe Pa a “monster” is a disgraceful hyperbole.
January 22, 2012 at 6:14 pm
Yes, he was the only one responsible….the guy who saw it happen, and the 2 people he told, weren’t allowed to call the cops. The lady who knew Sandusky showered with her son, she wasn’t able to call anyone, either. You guys are nuts. And I doubt you have any of those, either.
January 23, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Yeah, “monster” may be slightly inaccurate. How about,”disgraceful coward”? Obviously nobody here is perfect, but to label “Joe Pa” as merely imperfect is far too kind.
January 22, 2012 at 6:36 pm
The fact that you defend this monstrous coward against people who genuinely believe child rape to be wrong proves your indoctrination to believe that sports are more important than children. Shame on you, Leo, for putting sports ahead of children’s safety.
January 22, 2012 at 6:40 pm
He was a monster.
Monster. Yes.
He knew everything. And did nothing.
He was a monster.
I can’t understand why so many people think raping a child isn’t so bad.
January 22, 2012 at 10:07 pm
The story here is simple. “Joe Pa” admitted he knew of horrific crimes against young children, could have stopped them but didn’t and allowed them to continue. The label put on him can be debated. Maybe it’s monster (which I agree with), depraved indifference, clueless, or naive. But the facts are what they are and this article to me is spot on.
January 22, 2012 at 10:08 pm
Wowww…
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/01/22/share-your-thoughts-on-the-passing-of-joe-paterno/
January 23, 2012 at 12:35 am
He never called him a monster. Reading is a skill, here is the quote. “And he should rest in no more peace than that of those boys, whose lives were ruined by a monster” He was speaking of Sandusky not Paterno. Paterno was a coward not a monster. Thats the problem with people, they hear and read what they want to hear and read disregarding the rest.
January 23, 2012 at 8:56 am
That’s the wittiest retort you could muster? And you think you’re up to the task of debating Bernstein?
January 22, 2012 at 7:07 pm
Who cares what a basketball coach thinks? You worship at the altar of Paterno, and think a journalist would care what a basketball coach thinks of his writing? You must have some daddy issues.
January 22, 2012 at 7:51 pm
It’s really sad to think that you would even spend one second thinking about what Coach K would think! You’re just a waste of life who is so lost without a sports god to look up to that you’re now moving onto another one. Who cares what Coach K would think you tool. while you ponder for your dead monster, I’ll weep for humanity
January 23, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Well play, Schmutzie! Why you are one of the best!
January 22, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Well played, Schmutzie! Why you are one of the best!
Echoing my thoughts exactly.
January 22, 2012 at 8:51 pm
cause it’s not like paterno asked the AD to kick sandusky out or anything, right? that would be preposterous.
January 23, 2012 at 12:15 am
Xavier you have proof of that, of course.
January 23, 2012 at 2:27 pm
No, it’s not preposterous. But it didn’t happen, because Sandusky continued coming to PSU to use its facilities for TEN YEARS.
January 23, 2012 at 3:51 pm
I find it kinda funny and I find it kinda sad that people like you who think anyone who shows the tiniest bit of respect for the dead lacks perspective or is a fan of child rape. It really doesn’t make sense to me at all.
January 23, 2012 at 4:24 pm
Wow, you know a lot about that, Jim. I’ll bet you tried it!
January 23, 2012 at 5:18 pm
I don’t believe that this column solely blamed Paterno for what happened against these children. Reading is a skill, once again. The fact that everyone that you mentioned either aided or was intimidated into doing nothing, or stone-walled into having no actions available is part of the whole problem that this was not brought out into the public eye for almost 10 freaking years is what is disgusting. Somehow football is more important than the safety of children in your eyes. Just because others did not or were not able to do anything about this does not mean that Paterno is absolved of his non-actions. But, because he was THE MOST POWERFUL PERSON ON CAMPUS he should be held to a higher standard. Therefore, he has no real legacy. He was a coward, and I believe you to be as such just for the simple fact that you don’t want to face the fact that (apparently) one of your heroes was not all that that you thought he was. Suck it up. If you think the world of all people, you will be disappointed repeatedly in your life. Learn the lesson now. Also, recognize evil (or the passiveness of those who have the opportunity to stop it) and step up to the plate.
January 23, 2012 at 6:19 pm
But Paterno wasn’t the AD….
January 23, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Help me understand Colorado. Joe Pa is a monster because why? He was the one that came forward when McQueary was too scared to do it. For a man that got choppy information from a coward that saw the incident and did nothing, it seems like he did quite a bit. I’m not saying he couldn’t have done more, but with the fact that he did not see the incident, he did what he thought was best. He didn’t want Sandusky on school grounds, and made the point so. It seems like he did more than just nothing. And how do you know he knew everything? WE DON’T EVEN KNOW EVERYTHING YET! So where’s your proof, or are you just following what Dan Bernstein says?
January 24, 2012 at 9:03 am
That’s because you’re a fan of child rape.
January 24, 2012 at 10:56 am
Ahh yes, that’s your award winning comeback right? Just because I see things differnetly than you and I don’t pretend like I know everything I’m a fan of child rape. I tell you what Meatball, why don’t you come back when you have something of real substance to say instead of one of your witty one-liners. Unlike you, I choose to be respectful and actually debate with others with facts, not insult and make stupid assumptions. But according to you, that’s being a fan of child rape right? I guess I know where your IQ is. It’s sad
January 24, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Victor, there is no defense. At all. Either you stand with the victims, or you stand with child rapists and those who would protect child rapists. Joe Paterno protected a serial child rapist. There is no room for negotiation on that. You are just wrong.
Here’s a better way to look at it: Do you think that Bernard Law is a good man or a bad man? Why do you think that?
January 26, 2012 at 11:08 pm
Okay, I did a bit of reading about Bernard Law, and I truly hope you are not trying to make the comparison here between him and Paterno. You see, unlike Paterno, Law went through channels and avenues that were completely irrelavent to the crime. Paterno went to those that were designated to take care of crisis such as this. Law went to therapists for no other reason than just to say he went to somebody. Paterno went to the men who were superiors to Sandusky. Mind you, Paterno was not Sandusky’s boss, he was retired at the time. So Paterno went to men of power, one of them being THE HEAD OF THE POLICE. So to me it seems like you’re trying to compare apples to oranges.
February 1, 2012 at 1:49 pm