Penn State Conundrum

Lost in all the hub-bub over whether Joe Paterno or McCreary should have done more to report the Sandusky allegations is that Sandusky is the real alleged villian. For every story I saw on Sandusky I think I saw a 100 stories on Joe-Pa or McCreary – almost like they are the villians even though they reported what they knew to their bosses at Penn State. My initial action is that anyone would do everything in their power, including reporting crimes like these to the police or anyone who would listen, rather than just reporting to their boss.  But then the reality of the modern world sets in. I’ve talked to a number of people who say they would have gotten in trouble with their employer if they didn’t report it through the chain of command and let their superiors determine the best course of action. And what if you can’t prove the allegations? Have you set yourself up for a slander suit? Set your employer up? What if the victim doesn’t want the matter publicized? Who’s call is it? 500 years ago I think a torch and pitchfork laden mob would have resolved the situation promptly. Today, we are more enlightened in our thinking and, ironically, more burdened. We don’t know all the facts yet but I’ll guess that Sandusky is the villian and that Joe-Pa and McCreary probably wanted to do more but did what they were told to do after they reported the alleged incidents. Perhaps that makes Penn State another villian but I don’t know. I’m willing to give Joe-Pa and McCreary the benefit of the doubt for now.