Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
He was told about a rape including the identity of the rapist. That is a violent crime and transcends an employer chain of command. If he had been told that Sandusky was giving money to recruits, then his actions would have been appropriate. It wold have been fine to tell the people he told as long as he told the police as well. The assistant should have done the same.
Have you ever played the telephone game as a child? There is a reason why hearsay is nonadmissable in a court of law. Personally what I would do is agree to accompany the individual who told me this to the authorities.
Now I see what you're saying about following up and that's an aspect of this case I have an issue with as well. I guess in Paterno's defense in this regard he might have assumed since nothing happened to Sandusky that the charges were investigated and were without merit.
There have been cases of false child abuse reports that ended up ruining the lives of many people.
Yes, and that brings up another aspect. Why then, did Paterno not make sure that these allegations were not falsely defaming and ruining the life and/or reputation of his colleague and the program to which they had both dedicated themselves?
Would it not be prudent to make sure that this supposed 'hearsay' was put in it's place, if it was indeed inaccurate?
If somebody was saying that about somebody that you entrusted your STUDENTS to, would you not want to exonerate them for the sake of your charges, and for the sake of the institution that you coach for?
He was told about a rape including the identity of the rapist. That is a violent crime and transcends an employer chain of command. If he had been told that Sandusky was giving money to recruits, then his actions would have been appropriate. It wold have been fine to tell the people he told as long as he told the police as well. The assistant should have done the same.
This^
And the fact is that (as stated in the GJ report) Paterno committed a crime when he was made aware of the "allegation" and failed to report it to the authorities. Another disgusting example that shows that the importance of "the program" trumps all.
Joe's response: "Pray a LITTLE for the victim". Really? And people are defending him? REALLY?
Frankly, out of everyone involved not named Sandusky, I don't see how this guy can look at himself in the mirror. If he was my position coach, I'm not even sure I could play for him. Ugh.
Last edited by carolinacool; 11-10-2011 at 09:50 AM..
Sometimes, the crime of omission (as in Joe Paterno not calling the police when the graduate assistant told him what he saw, but simply calling the athletic director and saying 'take care of this') can be as bad as the crime of commission.
The fact of the matter is Joe Paterno was a recipient of heresay. His testimony would not even be allowed in a court of law. Potentially destroying someone's life over heresay is a big deal. He did not witness the event and moved the allegations up the chain of command.
Frankly if a young man came to me and said he witnessed another man raping a child my first question to him would be why didn't you intervene?
It seems unfathomable that a man can witness such an act and not be immediately revolted into action. I would conclude that he is either lying or not telling the truth and would put the onus back on him to report it to the police since he witnessed it.
I believe this as well, my question is why is he still working and JoePa gets fired? I still do not understand why the person who seen it and reported it but did nothing is still there meanwhile Paterno did exactly what Mcqueary did and just reported it further up the chain and is fired?
Sometimes, the crime of omission (as in Joe Paterno not calling the police when the graduate assistant told him what he saw, but simply calling the athletic director and saying 'take care of this') can be as bad as the crime of commission.
Did you read the report?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
