<p>And anyone who thinks the atmosphere is any different than it is at UMichigan, Alabama, Ohio State or any other big state school with a nationally ranked football team is kidding themselves. The students had nothing to do with this. They thought they were part of a tradition that emphasized doing the right thing and still winning. And many good things happened that were evidence of that. When you find out something this horrifying, you don’t adjust or fully accept overnight. And that’s human. It’s not an endorsement of child abuse.</p>
<p>I didn’t read the entire thread and I am NOT a sports fan. However, I don’t believe that the DP is appropriate because all it would do is punish innocent young men who just want to play football. What I think should happen is that Penn State should have to forfeit all of the money it earns for a period of time to organizations that assist victims of sexual abuse. Taking the money away would be a worthwhile and appropriate punishment. Plus, Sandusky and the men who allowed him to continue his molestations should be placed in general population…</p>
<p><<however, i="" don’t="" believe="" that="" the="" dp="" is="" appropriate="" because="" all="" it="" would="" do="" punish="" innocent="" young="" men="" who="" just="" want="" to="" play="" football.="">></however,></p>
<p>Evidently, according to many on this forum - that just doesn’t matter. And the cheerleaders, students, band members, and local shopkeepers don’t matter either.</p>
<p>What I have “learned” from the enlightened people on this forum is that when bad things happen, there is collateral damage and innocent people are impacted. Period. And when that happens, tough toenails. No sympathy, no compassion, no extenuating circumstances. Those innocent people just need to suck it up, move on, and deal with it.</p>
<p>Welcome to the Wonderful World of CC!</p>
<p>POST #56 - Well said!! I agree with you 100%!</p>
<p>While the rabidity around Penn State football isn’t actually a cult, it has a LOT of the characteristics of one:</p>
<p>Definition of Cult:</p>
<p>“Groups that have been characterized as cults are at high risk of becoming abusive to members. This is in part due to members’ adulation of charismatic leaders contributing to the leaders becoming corrupted by power.”</p>
<p>"an ideological organization held together by charismatic relationships and the demand of total commitment.</p>
<p>The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as law.</p>
<p> Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.</p>
<p>The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members’ participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group."</p>
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<p>That last on is a real kicker.
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<p>Bridget, none of the students participated in anything unethical. And the atmosphere at PSU is no different than at dozens of other colleges with big-time sports teams.</p>
<p>If PSU goes out this fall and plays football, and the PSU students and PSU Nation are partying and tailgaiting like nothing happened, and the money keeps flowing into PSU, while more and more bad news and law suits are coming out it will be a PR nightmare for PSU. The media will play this up like crazy, nothing has changed at PSU while the victims suffer. No, PSU can’t and will not let this happen if they are smart.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Checking the profile, Bridget seems to be a 15 year old, so there’s that to take into consideration</p></li>
<li><p>There is a nice long thread over on the Parents Forum that continually discusses every minute angle of the catastrophe at Penn State. Please take your conversation there, rather than beginning an additional place to rant, here.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>While some of the posters on this thread are parents, others are current or prospective students … seems like the Penn State board (rather than the Parent Cafe) is probably the most appropriate place for people with an interest in the university to discuss the controversy and voice opinions.</p>
<p>I would comment on Bridget, that another characteristic of cults is they attempt to limit communication to that by the leader. This is very disconcerting. Every day, I hope to see statements by the faculty senate or even by the new AD/Football coach, as to how they hope to move forward. I can understand why there may be legal issues re past behaivor, but I see no reason why no one other than the President can talk about what they want to happen. I think the most damaging thing to me at this point (i.e., activity after the Freeh report)is that it appears the Faculty Senate has been muzzeled.</p>
<p>Haha I wish I was 15! </p>
<p>No, I am a 47 year old parent. I have two children, ages 17 and 15. My oldest is going off the college this fall. I don’t know why my profile shows my birthdate as that. I was born in 1965. </p>
<p>My daughter was accepted to Penn State/University Park. She chose a while back to attend another school, and I am thankful every day for that. I think there will be a lot of acrimony, uncertainty, and still more upheaval to come before this is all over.</p>
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<p>@greenbutton - I think you should take yourself to another forum as your the one acting like a 15 year old!</p>
<p>Quote: My daughter was accepted to Penn State/University Park. She chose a while back to attend another school, and I am thankful every day for that.</p>
<p>Do you seriously think that this scandal would have affected your daughter’s academics or job offerings?</p>
<p>Haha…sorry Bridget! Don’t we all wish we were 15? No, wait, I wouldn’t want to do that again :)</p>
<p>My son was also accepted several places, and chose PSU. My only concern is that intolerant people may make him the object of their scorn, but he’s a strong independant person and will get an excellent education. Uncertainty and acrimony seem to be part of the American landscape. </p>
<p>And LakeCloud, all I mean to say is that there is a well-developed thread worrying about the details of punishment, NCAA fines, and the like. Over here, we’re trying to focus on our children, their education, and whether we need to buy carpets, how to reach the financial aid office, etc… Not to say the issues aren’t valid, just saying there’s already a place to talk about them.</p>
<p>If any football program deserves the death penalty, it is Penn State. Exactly what would a college have to do to deserve the death penalty, if a death penalty is not imposed on Penn State?</p>
<p>When I was a kid, SMU, which had a great football program, basically got the death penalty, for far less.</p>
<p>It sounds like your really thankful, Bridget. Where is your daughter going?</p>
<p>Just some support, Greenbutton: Do not be concerned for your son. People who blanket an entire student body and community as knowingly supporting or perpetuating a culture that permits pedophilia really arent worth your sons time. In other words, they’re not in his game and he controls his self-worth. It is encouraging that he is independent, and he will get a great education.I have no doubt that Penn States journey from the pinnacle to the valley will illustrate the importance of checks and balances a valuable life lesson. He will also experience a changed Penn State and that will be good thing.</p>
<p>Ultimately, Penn State’s worth is not measured by football.</p>
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<p>@greenbutton - Fair point.</p>
<p>I think the lack of PSU leadership on this issue is whipping up a frenzy of negative feelings towards PSU that’s spilling over into the PSU forum.</p>
<p>Columbia09:</p>
<p>No, I think her academics and job offers would have been fine. But she can get those academics and job offers from another university, all while not being in the middle of this scandal. </p>
<p>I do believe that Penn State CAN be more than just football, but I think that right now football is still in the forefront of just about everything that happens at Penn State, only now for a negative reason.</p>
<p>And before everyone jumps in yelling about THON and the students who don’t play football and all other other activities that happen on campus … I GET THAT. The fact remains that even with all that, even with the millions that get raised from THON, or the other D1 sports at the school, or the amazing academics, Penn State is still know first and foremost for it’s football. It built all those other amazing things around and over and under and BECAUSE OF football. And because the football program, and Joe Paterno, and everything involved with it seemed so perfect, everyone was fine with that. </p>
<p>IT WAS A PERFECT, SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP. BUT WHEN YOU TAKE AWAY ONE PART OF A INTERDEPENDENT RELATIONSHIP, IT IS VERY HARD TO KEEP THE OTHER PART THRIVING.</p>
<p>That is the part people may not be getting. The academics are still excellent. THON is still an amazing thing. The campus is still beautiful. The other activities offer a wide variety of experiences. But now they all have to live without that one, huge, very influential and school defining thing – the pride of the football program. And they have never done that before. </p>
<p>Now Penn has the painful job of extracting and maintaning all those positives from what is a huge, ugly negative. How they handle it will dictate the future of Penn State. </p>
<p>I just am glad that she will not be on the Penn State campus while all this is happening. </p>
<p>Quote: Exactly what would a college have to do to deserve the death penalty, if a death penalty is not imposed on Penn State?</p>
<p>This is my feeling exactly.</p>
<p>By the way, Bridget, where again is your daughter going to? If it’s so superior, please let us know so that we can be enlightened. </p>
<p>“I GET THAT” No, you really don’t get that, Bridget. But that’s okay – haters are going to hate. </p>
<p>I’m sorry. But I just think it’s really odd that you feel the desire to come here to denigrate a University that neither you nor your daughter will be associated with. This is my feeling exactly. Really. Just saying. But, hey, feel free.</p>
<p>@pilot2012 - You just joined CC 2 days ago with the sole purpose of insulting people who are speaking honestly about PSU. I think you should crawl back into whatever hole you came out of.</p>