More reflections from Penn State

The more this story develops the more I'm appalled. In a CNN article chronicling the recent campus events the writer says "in some ways the campus is divided. Some still mourn the loss of the almost godlike coach they have grown to love. Others are struggling with the heinous allegations." That one line sums up what's wrong with this situation. I understand loyalty and love and supoort. Those qualities and characteristics are admirable. But what the legions of fans fail to understand is that this is so much bigger than a career, a program or a legacy. Children were abused on your campus people! They were abused by a man who for decades was entrusred to shape and mold the lives of young men. As soon as it came to light, everyone who knew about it should have risked everything to stop it and prevent it from happening again. Those children needed an advocate, they needed protection and they got neither.

Conversation has now shifted to the game this weekend and where Penn State goes from here. Players have said they're going to play for Coach Paterno on Saturday.Students act like they don't know what to do. Here's an idea. You want to know where to go from here? Go to class. Get the education you went to Penn State to receive and pray for the victims of the abuse and their families. I understand the players playing for their ousted coach. It's understandable given the relationship they have with him but who's playing for the victims? Who are their advocates in this? All I've heard today is talk of what's best for Penn State and it's representatives. What about what's best for the victims? Who's looking out for them and busting their humps to make sure their best interests are served? On Saturday afternoon there will probably be a football game in College Station and some people will see that game as some sort of rallying, unifying event for the Penn State University and community. I don't really care if they play the game or not but I hope that at some point in the very near future, somebody will ask the victims what they want; that somebody will even ask the question of what's best for them.