Penn State's Scarlett Ribbon

One of the many things I struggle with: being told I HAVE to do something. The urge to rebel rises like a sleeping giant. I know, it's a childish thing.

I'm much older now, so I wait a bit to see if I'm just having a knee-jerk reaction that goes to my Irish heritage. This one won't go away...so it must have some merit.

I'm speaking about the Scarlett Letter...um, Ribbons.

Now, is it just me, or is this just one more way to perpetuate an aura of guilt and doing penance?..as opposed to showing support for a cause? It's probably just me. I don't wear armbands to prove I mourn or wristbands to prove I care, or white t-shirts to be one of many. I bristle at the notion that anyone who wears something is MORE in tune than I am. I'm not a group-think guy, but I'm in the business of knowing how to manipulate people who are. I do have a list of people who SHOULD wear ribbons.

I can hardly wait until the TV cameras zoom in on our players.

In my view, Penn State is in this frenetic counter-spin mode that constantly reminds people of something "we" didn't do, making up for sins "we" have not commited. A never-ending mindset of the #psubot and current administration. So, I object on that premise alone.

Culture this

The culture of Penn State/Happy Valley was and is one of academic excellence and a friendly and safe environment to raise a family. Our tradition, history of success with honor and generations of alums is statistically a fact...as true today as in previous decades. The very culture that has made us strong, made us vulnerable to a predator in our midst. That's not a stretch...it just doesn't have the "wow" factor the media craves. We are close-knit. We do give the benefit of a doubt. We do believe in due process. And it has cost us. Our own BOT turned on it's own, and hung them with terms and expressions like "humane,""unconditional support," and "I wish I had done more." Spoken like the barbarians that they are...men who have dedicated their lives to their professions...and a considerable part to Penn State and the community.

Glass house, my ass.
Unlike our detractors, it's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

Loose Ends - Sandusky

While we wait for a conclusion to the Curley/Schultz public flogging, PSU's accreditation situation, the Clery Act results and Erickson's confession to the Lindbergh kidnapping, I would remind people that there are some other loose ends. For instance:

1. There are at least 3 people still walking free who have actually admitted to crimes:
---Tom Corbett (influence peddling).
---Mark Schwarz, ESPN (withholding evidence in Fine case).
---Matt Sandusky (perjury). 

Speaking of Matt Sandusky, I once asked if everyone knew who these people are:
Debra Long. Ron Heichel. Matt Sandusky.
I read some interviews that may lead you to think they are the Waltons. They are not.
According to reports, what we have here is an unfit parent, a cold-blooded killer...and an arsonist. Throw in an abusive father and grandfather, and this is the gene pool prosecutors have aligned with. The prevailing theory about Matt Sandusky's turnabout at age 33 - he was given an option: either testify against Jerry, or have a cell next to him. Matt was put at the scene by victim(s), and that would make him complicit, if he's not a victim himself. No matter what, no word on the perjury charges.

2. People seem to have forgotten about Mark Sherburne. I wonder why?
3. I can't emphasize enough how big Cynthia Baldwin's role is in all of this.
4. CWS, DPS and 2nd Mile will have their day with the feds.
5. People are discovering, finally, that the #psubot is incapable/unwilling to defend it's own and the institution and the #ncaa does not accept due process and criteria to enact punishment(s).
6. For some reason, I seem to be the only person outraged by Don Hahn's remarks at a public State College Boro Council meeting where he alluded to how much pain Joe Paterno caused and likened him to General Lee. Isn't he an attorney? Paterno's guilt is implied, no matter what Hahn's point was.

The list goes on, but frankly, my index fingers are tired.

Sandusky (08-13-12)

As someone with more than just a passing interest in this story, I will just ease onto the playing field with some general observations:

ESPN takes the lead in what will become an epic barrage of false accusations, reckless conclusions and unsubstantiated reports with lack of evidence advanced as factual...that break every known ethics protocol in the history of journalism. And then, of course, we had our leaks.

1. The big story has obviously never been about Sandusky. He could have been a well-known figure in any walk of life in the country. Prosecutors had multiple victims and their testimony. You arrest the guy, charge him, have a trial, convict him and send him off to prison where he belongs.

2. This is all about the perjury charges and all that they imply (re: Paterno, Spanier, Curley Schultz).

3. Nobody looks innocent during a perp walk. The AG dog and pony show for the press, complete with blown-up mugshots of Curley and Schultz, on an off weekend at PSU...was, grudgingly, a master stroke.

4. The PSUBOT was influenced/coerced/threatened by Governor Corbett, which resulted in the following:
Joe Paterno was dismissed, Graham Spanier resigned, Curley took administrative leave and Schultz retired. Subsequently, Erickson was appointed president and Joyner became interim AD.

5. Curley and Schultz still face charges and are moving for dismissal. As I understand it, the perjury charges were based on "McQueary's testimony was more believable than theirs." Then McQueary's testimony changed, then Paterno died, then the date changed, then his father couldn't even remember testifying, there was no victim to testify and finally, a jury didn't convict, based on McQueary's testimony. If I understand the Cynthia Baldwin/PSU legal scenario correctly. Curley and Schultz were not represented by counsel during their GJ testimony, even though they thought they were. Baldwin should not have been present at all. And all of this forms a big circle around the Clery Act.

Now, everyone must wait for the outcome of the perjury charges. The AG cannot afford to lose at this stage. Prosecutors hate to lose, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a dismissal of charges. After all, that leaves a cloud of suspicion and the anti-PSU crowd will spin the "They Got Off " portion of their agenda. All the damage has been done and cannot be undone.

6. The #freehopinion. I was going to say "you can't make this sh*t up," but, apparently, you can.

7. #erickson #emmert #ncaa #psubot $60million+ without evidence. I don't need to provide 200-300 pages to make my point.

Rules of Engagement

1. My blog, my rules.
2. I don't mind a heated debate...I'm Irish. However, I have zero tolerance for personal attacks...on anyone...or random outbursts under the guise of passion for a cause.
3. I actually don't mind if someone proves me wrong. The operative word being "proves." I would rather not travel down the wrong path for any great length of time.
4. I aways try to be clear on issues of fact vs. opinion.
5. I ask a lot of questions that people don't seem to be willing or able to answer.
6. I am an advocate of due process and free speech.
7. I'm not fond of anonymity in an open exchange of points...but, I get it.

Obviously, this is intended for posts that are directed towards controversial issues.
- I can always wax on philosophically about almost anything.
- I may submit the occasional cartoon or photo for your amusement.

My Credentials

Disclaimer per Twitter, my opinion(s) are my own and do not reflect those of my employer, my family, friends or dinner guests.

It's all about me:
- I smoke and swear a lot. Those are my endearing qualities.
- I am a graduate of both State College High School (Little Lions) and Penn State (Nittany Lions). I know the history and culture of Happy Valley better than most.
- It only took me 40 years to get my bachelor's degree in Journalism. You may conclude, correctly, that I am not a scholar. But I do know the media.
- I bleed Blue and White.
- I have a fantastic wife, a bunch of kids, grandkids and one great grandson. You may conclude, correctly, that I am a family man...and I'm not a teenager.
- I have the good fortune of knowing many great athletes, coaches and administrators at Penn State.
- I've lettered in wrestling, football and tennis and competed in wrestling, tennis and rugby at Penn State. I have logged many years competing on baseball fields, softball fields, volleyball courts and racquetball courts and continue to do so. I do not have a mantle dripping with medals and "outstanding" anything to brag about. However, I know a little bit about sports culture.
- I know many of the people currently embroiled in controversy at PSU. I think it's fair to say I have some biases, but that doesn't mean I'm wrong...just better informed.

Now, I know this pales in comparison to having a byline in the mainstream media. I don't even have a cool blazer and microphone over at ESPN, CNN, etc. I don't have any friends named Piers. I don't have a law degree.

But here's what I do have - an eerie track record of being right about a lot of things.