ReutersEarlier this evening, former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky was found guilty on 45 counts related to child-sex abuse. Here are some reactions following the decision:
Penn State University:
Today Penn State learned that a verdict was reached in the case of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Gerald Sandusky. Mr. Sandusky was found guilty of 45 of the 48 charges filed against him.
The legal process has spoken and we have tremendous respect for the men who came forward to tell their stories publicly. No verdict can undo the pain and suffering caused by Mr. Sandusky, but we do hope this judgment helps the victims and their families along their path to healing.
The Board of Trustees and current administration maintain a steadfast commitment to pursuing the truth regarding Mr. Sandusky’s actions. While we cannot change what happened, we can and do accept the responsibility to take action on the societal issue of child sexual abuse—both in our community and beyond. The University is committed to ensuring that our campuses are safe for children and to being a constructive participant in building greater awareness of child sexual abuse and the practical steps that can be undertaken to prevent, report and respond to such abuse.
The University has already established a confidential counseling process for victims of Mr. Sandusky’s conduct, and that process remains open. (For further information, please visithttp://live.psu.edu/story/58590.) While counseling is critical, some victims have sought and continue to seek a direct dialogue with the University to discuss the University’s responsibility for Mr. Sandusky’s actions
Now that the jury has spoken, the University wants to continue that dialogue and do its part to help victims continue their path forward. To that end, the University plans to invite victims of Mr. Sandusky’s abuse to participate in a program to facilitate the resolution of claims against the University arising out of Mr. Sandusky’s conduct. The purpose of the program is simple – the University wants to provide a forum where the University can privately, expeditiously and fairly address the victims’ concerns and compensate them for claims relating to the University. Counsel to the University plan to reach out to counsel to the victims of Mr. Sandusky’s abuse in the near future with additional details.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett:
“First, I want to thank the jury for their willingness to serve on such a difficult case.
“I also want to commend the multiple victims in this case who had the courage to come forward and testify in court, confronting Sandusky, and proving beyond a reasonable doubt that he is guilty of these reprehensible crimes.”
“The agents and prosecutors of the Attorney General’s Office, as well as the Pennsylvania State Police, also deserve a great deal of credit for today’s verdict. They pursued every lead, gathering evidence from multiple victims, in order to bring this man to justice.”
The Paterno family:
“Although we understand the task of healing is just beginning, today’s verdict is an important milestone. The community owes a measure of gratitude to the jurors for their diligent service. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims and their families.”
Actually, you left out this tidbit from the Paterno statement.
“Although we understand the task of healing is just beginning, today’s verdict is an important milestone. Just not as important as Joe claiming the most victories in College Football. Joe had his priorities just like Jerry had his.
The community owes a measure of gratitude to the jurors for their diligent service. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims and their families. Much like Dan Gilbert guaranting a championship before LeBron James…our bad.
Now leave us alone and let us enjoy Joe’s settlement money.”
I was going to comment….but you (the first comment) said it all.
Randy Marsh(of South Park fame) weighed in on twitter as well:
@RMarsh
What did Jerry do? Showering is illegal? Sorry…I thought this was America
Glad the South Park guy finds child sexual abuse so amusing. Is that what passes for cool-kid humor?
I’m not done yet! Joe kept Coach Sandusky around for 30 years. You know why? Because he loved him and believed in his values. Jerry (even though a sick fu$k) is a coach. Joe was a record seeking mongrel looking out for no one but himself. Shame on you Joe! You are no coach! You are one step lower than that golden voice bum singing for crack! Signing off for a second time.,,promise. I think. Roll Tide! Harvey Updyke in 2012!
Speaking of amusing, I’m surprised the students of Penn State haven’t started to riot yet.
Pretty pathetic how even in death, Paterno is allowed to skate free
The Penn State statement might seem a little more genuine if it didn’t include an attempt to get victims to settle their financial claims out of court in exchange for counseling through the university. Too bad PSU wasn’t as interested in their welfare when it really counted. I hope the victims have the same quality of counsel that was available to the young men who brought claims against the Catholic Church.
Too many higher-ups at Penn State worked too hard to keep Sandusky’s secret and allow him to continue to have access to a ready supply of victims through Second Mile. I don’t believe Penn State is any worse than any other school. Unfortunately, I think this kind of institutional coverup could happen anywhere. That’s why Penn State’s execs need to pay a heavy price for what happened here. So far, they haven’t come close to tipping those scales. Sandusky isn’t the only one who belongs in jail. And I hope the school has very deep pockets. This thing isn’t over by a long shot.
@rickrock6661982 …
That depends on your belief system. According to my belief system, Paterno isn’t skating on anything. He’s facing the one judge who knows exactly what role he played and what remorse he feels.
My thoughts are with the vicitms and their families, who at least get some satisfaction from the verdict.
The price he pays will not equal the pain he caused in so many lives.
He is a domestic terrorist of the worst kind – he terrorized helpless kids by strapping emotional timebombs to their hearts and minds.
Will his wife ever come clean about her knowledge? How can you not know or suspect? I don’t see it. Probably a deathbed confession.
My guess is that Sandusky’s wife is in complete and utter denial.
Much like those who believe Paterno did all he could.
@ Deb – exactly and well said.
“We are Penn State!” very inaccurate. “Sandusky IS Penn State!” … More accurate. He was allowed to troll PSU! And the so called “Great Wall” I’m fucked
I’ve already stated my reaction to the verdict – justice served & happy to see that sickening smile wiped from that pedophile’s mouth. PSA
But, I must respond to Deb and some others who have suggested that this cover-up “could have happened anywhere.” If you are talking about technical recruiting violations, or maybe even booster benefits, then I guess I’d agree that it could. But, we are talking about the rape and molestation of children, aren’t we? Are you for real? I believe, and sure hope, that this particular sort of cover-up is unique to this myopic, “our identity and existence is reliant on our football program” university.
In short, PSU IS worse than “any other school,” and I submit those who state otherwise are either simply pandering to the guilty or are warped beyond salvation.
Today isn’t about Paterno’s involvement/ineptitude or about friggin LeBron James and Dan Gilbert. The victims of this sh_t finally have some justice. I hate, HATE all the grandstanding and pandering and all the other crap we had to listen to through all this from people with something to gain. The bottom line is the victims actually got a chance to slay their dragon. Thank god the justice system worked this time, because God knows it doesn’t always. Right now is a time to step back, shut the f–k up, and allow the people that actually had something invested here to begin the process of healing, if that’s at all possible. An animal is off to Judgement Day, which I assume everyone here is happy about. So let’s just call it a day and shut up. No smart ass humor or South Park references are going to come off as cute or appropriate. We finally get to put an end to this despicable story. Let’s shut up an let our ‘observations’ or jokes just stay off record for once. This is not the night.
Sandusky will be isolated from the main population in prison. He will be protected from being a victim by a population that would seek to rape and abuse him. He receives food and support and protection from the taxpayers of Pennsylvania for the rest of his life. His many victims were not protected, did not receive support, and continue to be abused and manipulated by some who want to excuse their own participation/coverup in this horror.
I know several CFT posters who have provided therapy for some Sandusky victims. At that point, no therapy or counsel was being provided by the state of PA or Penn State sources. Most of the victims do not want anything to do with Penn State or state of Pennsylvania therapy or counsel. Most of these young men opt for private therapy from those with no connection with the university or state of PA. Private licensed therapists and doctors are providing the major of all counsel and therapy for the victims of Sandusky.
I am glad that Sandusky’s adopted son did not need to testify and nor did so many other victims. I am so glad that these jurors reached what I believe to be a just decision. I thank them for taking their vows seriously and carefully deliberating and coming forth with a just decision.
@blastfurnaceknows …
Yes, this could have happened anywhere. Corrupt, amoral people can be found anywhere. People who put their football teams and their power and their universities above the welfare of innocent children can be found anywhere. Do you think evil is unique to one place? Do you think the seeds of selfishness and greed can grow only in Pennsylvania? How naive!
Sorry to go all Biblical here, but all have sinned. Evil is everywhere. You don’t fight it by pretending, “Oh, it can’t happen to us.” Pride goes before a fall. That’s why I’m saying they need to make a BIG example of Penn State to show that institutions who cover up their dirt will pay a HEAVY price.
Congratulations Jerry, not only are you a convicted serial child molester, you are now THE poster boy for your crime. You are now to child molestation what Al Capone was to gangsters, what John Dillinger was to bank robbers, and what Osama bin Laden was to terrorists.
@blastfurnaceknows …
BTW, I’m not a Penn State fan and not giving them a pass. I’m a realist. Only a fool thinks all the bad folks are “over there” but we’re just white as snow. You, sir, are a fool if you think something like this couldn’t just as easily happen to the Baptists as the Catholics and to another school as Penn State.
Deb, you are flat wrong (and those who know of your posts will know it is certainly not the first time). There are cover-ups and then there are COVER-UPS. I’d like to think that when it is clear that an active pedophile is roaming their premises (with children in tow, no less), any other school would intervene and report the matter to state law enforcement, no matter how “inhumane” it may be deemed to be, to prevent future child victimiization.
I am not naive. You are being far too diplomatic about the COVER-UP at issue. Here’s a challenge – name one other division I football program whose school has harbored a pedophile like PSU harbored, excused and minimized Sandusky’s crimes. I will take your inability to name one that has done as PSU has done as a “Biblical” admission that you simply do not know what you are talking about.
P.S. All sins are NOT equivalent in this context, in case you remain too naive to get the point!
What are the odds that any of the rats that stood by and did nothing will get what they deserve? Sandusky was the tip of the iceberg.
I had always admired PSU football and Joe Paterno. No more. It is time that PSU football program be given the death penalty and Joe Paterno barred from ever being inducted into the College football Hall or fame or any of his records formally recognized.
This is to all the people who say or insinuate (spelling ?) that Sandusky will be on easy street in prison, free meals, protected from other inmates, etc have no idea what they are talking about. I’ve been to jail and there ain’t nothing nice, easy, or fun about it. I can safely say that the ” rape-0″ will not be pampered or given preferential treatment, the guards give less than a shit about inmates and won’t go out of their way to help them out regardless of who they are. The other inmates will get at him PC’d or not. As far him being a burden to tax payers, this is the type of crime that the prison system should be used for, not low level drug crimes.
@ lilb360
LOL You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. So you’ve been to jail huh? Thats hilarious. No, Sandusky wont be pampered, but the state doesn’t want any more news coming out of this case and after he’s put away that will be the last you’ll hear about him until he croaks, either of natural or unnatural causes, but either way there wont be any sensational headlines.
Now its time to go after the cover up people, they all need to be exposed for knowing what they did and for not reporting it. And after they fire almost the entire front office they need to either drop the football program completely or close this pathetic excuse for a school asap
Deb sez: “Glad the South Park guy finds child sexual abuse so amusing. Is that what passes for cool-kid humor?”
Someone should yank that stick out of your ass and beat you with it. Just because you’re old, out of touch, and unable to appreciate the fact that some people use humor as a method of coping with and getting over horrible occurrences doesn’t mean you can sit atop your high horse and cast aspersions at those who do.
You’re one of those crotchety old bitches that gets asspained to the nth degree any time someone makes an off-color comment or joke, even if you’re not even remotely connected to the subject matter, aren’t you? While you waste away in your humorless little corner of the world, I’m gonna go make fun of 9/11. Suck it.
Oh, and Randy Marsh is a character on the show, not a real person, so if you were planning to craft a strongly worded letter, just don’t.
#blastfurnace, I respectfully disagree with one point you made, if I read it right. Biblically speaking, there is no difference regarding severity of “sins”. ALL sin is treated equally in the eyes of God. It all falls short of His glory, and “the wages of sin is death”. Only by Jesus dying on a cross for ALL our sins, are we given (by faith, not works) the chance to spend eternity in heaven. Enough preaching.
Personally, I give a lot of credit to the jurors for their integrity. It would have been easy for them, maybe not “easy”, but certainly within their realm, to let their loyalty to PSU and the State College, PA community, get in the way of their decision-making… but they didn’t.
Unfortunately, as a society, and especially as sports fans, we think in terms of “winning” and “losing”. There are no winners and losers in this scenario. The verdict may have helped in the healing process for the victims, but this isn’t something any one of them will ever overcome. That’s the tragedy.
Deb, thanks for posting.
You put it better than I do.
Until they publicly admit that Jerry Sandusky was free to committ countless numbers of these heinous acts because Joe Paterno turned a blind eye to what he clearly knew Sandusky was doing, and that Paterno watched as these innocent kids were placed in the care of this monster, I don’t give one single rat’s a$$ WHAT the Paterno family has to say.
Joe Paterno – I will never use that cute little “Joepa” nickname again – controlled what that school and its officials did,halting every single investigation and and clearly covering up every single attempt to stop this despicable person.
Too many kids were allowed to fall prey to Jerry Sandusky because it got in the way of Joe Paterno’s personal interests.
If Jerry Sandusky was Frankenstein the Monster, Joe Paterno was his creator and facilitator.
I want to see a statement from the Paterno family acknowledging and apologizing for THAT.
Deb is right. To God sins are not the good, the bad, and the ugly. They are all the same. He knows all. Knew it would happen before it did. Not shocked by Sandusky.
The wages of sin is death. People will pay for their sins here or after death.
The good news is God sent Jesus. Jesus loves YOU. Now go ahead and love Him back. Read Romans chapter 10. Thank God everything goes back to Grace, not works. No one is good enough.
@inconsonance – has nothing to do with age.
Most of us just don’t even remotely find that funny in this situation.
Poking fun or in any way making light of kids being sexually abused isn’t ‘off color’, it’s sad.
Same with ‘making fun’ of 9/11.
Saddest part is that 5 people actually agreed w you, unless you logged on through different systems to give it ‘thumbs up’
South Park is satire people. It is an effective tool to reclaim something from the evil and/or powerful. Nothing the Nazis did was funny or amusing, but things like Hogan’s Heroes or The Producers, serve to marginalize the villians who can take so much from us.
So the guy who referenced Randy Marsh was just mocking Sandusky. Not minimizing the pain of any victims. The most effective way to “poke the bear” is to mock. When you become a punchline, you have lost much of your power. Now remove the previously mentioned sticks from your collective arses.
Just so I am clear, you anonymous preachers in the wilderness are saying that the rape of a child is equivalent to any other “sin” (e.g., lying to your girlfriend about that terrible romcom movie she had to watch or stealing a loaf of bread to feed your child). OK, thanks for that worthless bit of “insight.”
This is not a religous debate any way. It is a moral one and PSU stands at the bottom of the moral heap that is our collegiate educational system, considering what it allowed to occur for YEARS without intervention. For that it has to pay a unique penalty.
Take Paterno statue down, melt it, and sell the raw metal, give the money to the victims…
The less we hear from the Paternos, the better. It was that culture there (which was responsible for so much positive) that enabled Sandusky. Hopefully, the school and Billy O’Brien can find a way to keep the good and still the change the culture a bit there.
#blastfurnace, regarding your 9:36a post, thank you. You’re 100% accurate in what you say in your second paragraph. PSU does stand at the bottom of the moral heap, and there can be no justification for them standing idly by while one of their own continually committed these acts that’ll forever scar the victims.
Regarding your first paragraph though, sorry, but you clearly don’t understand the Bible and what it teaches. Here’s the Reader’s Digest version: God is perfect. ANY sin is an affront to Him, and the penalty for ANY sin is “death” (separation from Him eternally, in other words, going to hell). ALL human beings are sinners. We’ve all lied. We’ve all taken something that doesn’t belong to us (read: stealing). The only way we avoid the penalty of death for sinning is, by faith, accept the reality that God’s own Son, Jesus Christ, died on a cross to pay the penalty for us. That’s salvation. We can’t “earn” it through works. We can only have it by faithfully accepting this free gift from God.
Bottom line: since ANY sin separates us from God, yes, ANY sin has equal weight in God’s eyes. It’s HUMANS that rank order sin… not God. (Again, ALL sin translates to separation from Him.) Do I believe what Sandusky did is “worse” than lying to your girlfriend? Of course I do. But to God, it’s still a sin… something God could never do.
Please accept this in the spirit it’s intended. I’m not trying to “talk down” to you or anyone else. I’d hate for my sins to play out on a public stage like Sandusky’s have, even if they aren’t “as bad” as his. I’m still a sinner. But I will spend eternity in heaven. I sincerely hope this helps you, and maybe someone else. God bless.
lilb360- Great story bro! Tell me more about the pretend jail you were in! Turd. And to everybody explaining what South Park is I’m pretty sure most people know. Just some find it in appropriate. Get over it.
I posted this on another thread here, but I think it’s also appropriate to this thread:
Justice for the victims? Maybe a small portion with the Sandusky verdict, but I doubt it helps much. Sandusky preyed on dozens of youngsters who couldn’t defend themselves, nor did anyone else, including Joe Paterno, step up to protect them. This was, for all intents and purposes, serial institutionalized rape of children, and the way I see it, the Sandusky verdict needs to be only the start of justice for the victims.
It’s too late to pursue legal action against Joe Paterno, but at minimum, Penn State needs to remove any trace of recognition of Paterno’s time there. He may have done all the good things he is recognized for, but they don’t hold up in the face of his failure to do anything to stop Sandusky from preying on little boys.
Everyone else in Penn State’s chain of command, starting with the President during the time Sandusky was stalking his victims, needs to be thoroughly investigated, and where criminal charges are called for, they need to be tried. Being guilty of doing nothing is still being guilty…and they need to be brought to justice just as much as Sandusky did. All of them who sat on their hands and hid the facts are complicit in Sandusky’s crimes.
A part of me wonders how many victims there needs to be before the ultimate penalty, death, becomes appropriate for a pedophile. I’ll admit that, to me, Sandusky spending what’s left of his life in prison does NOT seem like nearly enough of a price to pay for what he did to so many young victims.
The real shame of it all is this…whatever is done in court to Sandusky, and any others tried in connection with these crimes, is all the justice the victims will get. It’s not nearly enough, considering what Sandusky took from them, what Sandusky was ALLOWED to take from them. Maybe the verdict helps them a little bit, and if so, that’s a very good thing. However, nothing can repair the damage that was done to them by someone that they initially trusted. That’s the biggest crime of all.
Deb says:Jun 22, 2012 11:59 PM
@rickrock6661982 …
That depends on your belief system. According to my belief system, Paterno isn’t skating on anything. He’s facing the one judge who knows exactly what role he played and what remorse he feels.
—————————-
According to that belief system, all Paterno – and Sandusky for that matter – need to do is repent and accept your judge as their savior and all will be forgiven. They’ll both spend eternity in paradise. If any of their victims don’t make that choice, they’ll suffer eternal torment.
@blastfurnace …
My comment was not intended to suggest that all sins are created equal or anything of that nature. My argument is that sin–or in this case, evil child molesters and cowards who will cover up for them to protect their own interests–can be found in every nook and cranny of the world.
You want to argue this perfect storm of events could only happen at Penn State because only at Penn State do they put the reputation of their football program and their school above doing the right thing. Uh-huh. I suppose you also believe there’s something unique in the genetic makeup of Germans that compelled them to follow Hitler and no other citizens in the world would follow a lunatic to destruction.
Everyone is capable of evil, blastfurnace. No, I’m not the one who’s naive.
@worldwidebleater …
I know South Park’s schtick and I’m an admirer of good satire. That tweet wasn’t good satire. If they want to put it out there, they know it will be critiqued. This one was a fail.
@polegojim …
Doubt I’m as old or out of touch in reality as I am in Inconsonance’s head. Disagreed with him once long, long ago–can’t recall the particulars. Now he lurks around waiting for an opportunity to come on every few months and post a rambling rant at me. Just indulge him. He’s a little grouchy because he hasn’t had a night out since The Hangover II premier.
@mountaineer50415 and florida727 …
Yes, thank you.
@yamule …
It’s more complex than that … which is why I said God will know exactly how much remorse is in his heart.
@cometkazie …
Thanks, as always. You can see my fan club appreciates your sentiments, too
According to many humans here: Sandusky raped many children, Paterno covered it up along with others from Penn St. No matter what they did in the past that was good, they should both rot in hell.
Tell me again how that is different from what the scriptures say. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God”.
If you can not tell me the answer to the above question, let me help you. God made a way and the humans here did not.
“The wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Maybe one of you, who now throw stones can tell the rest of us how you are so much better that you need not the Saving Grace of God. Better yet, tell it to Jesus.
3times4is12 says: Jun 23, 2012 12:39 AM
Congratulations Jerry, not only are you a convicted serial child molester, you are now THE poster boy for your crime. You are now to child molestation what Al Capone was to gangsters, what John Dillinger was to bank robbers, and what Osama bin Laden was to terrorists.
______
You forgot a couple:
“what Obama is to socialism and election fraud”
@blastfurnaceknows:
Here’s a challenge – name one other division I football program whose school has harbored a pedophile like PSU harbored, excused and minimized Sandusky’s crimes. I will take your inability to name one that has done as PSU has done as a “Biblical” admission that you simply do not know what you are talking about.
____
the very nature of your premise above is flawed.
While peoiple “knew” or at least had some knowledge of these criems at PSU, it tooks 15 + yearsa for it tom come out.
It’s an awfully big country out there, and who knows what other “Sandusky’s” are out there right now at this very moment preying on young vulnerable boys inside the infrastructure of a College or University. Be it within an athletic program or any other segment of upper academia.
“Higher” education is a spawning ground for liberals to pollute young minds, until those same young adults grow up and have to get a job and pay their own taxes on their own income.
The very reaction of the University President about it not being “humane” to turn this monster in is as clear a indicator as possible to the disease of liberalism, when take to those extremes…
You all can stop arguing. There is no God. If there is then he is no God of mine if he can allow this type of thing to happen.
Reference the comments concerning the Almighty…it’s true that one day, at his passing, Sandusky will have to go before the Almighty and face his ultimate judgment. That’s a matter for the future.
Sandusky is still alive, and has been found guilty of 45 incidents of child sexual abuse by a Pennsylvania jury. It’s NOT passing judgment to say he is a convicted serial child rapist. It’s not passing judgment to say his crimes, and the scope of them, are horrendous. It’s not passing judgment to say that any others who are complicit in Sandusky’s crimes by failing to take action to stop them should face trials as well.
I haven’t seen anybody here taking the role of passing final judgment on Sandusky, and I don’t think anybody here is wrong for being appalled at what Sandusky was found to be guilty of this week. I’d worry about anybody who wasn’t appalled.
to cuckflemson: I am sure God is shocked by your disbelief. He also allowed you to be born, knowing you would think you did it all by yourself. If you believe there is no God, how can he be to blame?
Infectorman, you are one stupid sonofabitch.
@yahmule:
straight from the liberal playbook;
can’t argue on merits so devolve to name calling..
Typical Liberal….
Just maybe, instead of blaming God for these Satanic activities, maybe we should thank Him for the many good things coming from this horror story.
(1) Thank God, we are not all like Sandusky.
(2) Be thankful that many children possibly have learned a great deal from this. Sandusky told his victums that they would not be believed. This has surely told our youngsters differently.
(3) Maybe, just maybe, no one else will be able to get away with these horrendous crimes for so long.
(4) If nothing else comes from this at least, please tell your kids, you will listen. And please report child abuse.
I hate it that Sandusky is so old. I wish he could live long enough to spend at least one year for each count behind bars. I do doubt that he will live for 45 more years, but I can hope.
Please do not let him kill himself. Even though he will be in a lot worse shape after death, I hope he lives a long long time. I hope he gets to the point where he knows and is sickened by his horrible actions. I really want to see that sick smile go away.