Distance Learning (Penn State)

The most exposed subject in the world of sport over the last few weeks has been the uncovered, despicable events that happened over a long period of time at Penn State. While I feel it is necessary and important that these events be brought to public knowledge, and exposed widely, I feel the first order of business, before placing blame, or even before preventative measures, must be to provide help for the victims of this predator. These are people whose lives were completely smashed by what can only be described as an entity of evil.

Once help is on its way, and the victims are taken care of, the next measure taken must be learning how to prevent it. This, in my opinion, should include reminding all new staff for athletics (or any career) that morality must proceed self-sustain. In otherwords, the right thing always comes first before the easy thing. While some people may understand the "logic" behind Mike McQuery's decision not to do anything except tell Joe Paterno about what he saw Sandusky doing to that poor child, I for one consider McQuery to be just as disgusting (if not more so) than Sandusky himself. I am a believer that the only thing worse than evil men, is the indifference of good men. McQuery, a 6"5, over 200 lb full-grown man, DID NOTHING TO PHYSICALLY INTERVENE OR SAVE THAT CHILD! And that labels him, in the eyes of all morality, as a lowly scumbag.

That being said, it was unfortunate that fate placed McQuery in that position. However, one must always do the right thing in making a difficult decision, in front of one's own interests. As adults, we are expected to know right from wrong, and to put that morality into practice. This is where Joe Paterno's sin comes to fruition. I could not begin to understand how it feels to devote yourself to a program for more than half a century. Nor do I know how gut-wrenching it would be to expose something that would harm that which I have loved for so long. When Joe Pa was fired, at first, I was sad, disappointed, and even a bit angry. After sleeping on it, and getting over my initial emotional reaction, I understood the gravity of the fact that the wrong decision was made, and it was at someone else's expense.

Penn State is hurting, it will hurt for a long time. One does not simply overlook the accomplishments of one of the greatest coaches of (and for) all time. Just as one does not idly overlook the immoral decisions that rob what was once good and pure of all its goodness and all its purity.

Matt Kamlet

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