<p>How do you feel about razing the display, but putting the statue in the sports museum (which is under Beaver Stadium, sorta)? That’s an idea being kicked around…</p>
<p>Earlier in the thread I said- “I agree that it should be taken down, or moved somewhere to perhaps serve as a cautionary tale and reminder to those who might feel college athletics should be anything more than a small piece of higher education’s mission.” I started to reiterate, but I’m about done with all of this.</p>
<p>Unfortunately that statue now symbolizes the arrogance and criminality of the Penn state administrators who knowingly covered up the actuions of a child molester for more than a decade. Think about the ugliest, most evil, inhumane people in history who knowingly brought misery and suffering on other innocent people- or at least knew of it, and didn’t act. Unfortunately, the last century’s history includes a number of people like that…would you want your child going to school with a statue of that person erected on their property? The Paterno statue has taken on symbolism to society at large, and every day it remains is one more day it that Penn State is conveying to Sandusky’s vcstims -and to society- that they just don’t care.</p>
<p>Personally, I want the statue to remain … for now. This whole affair has been marked by too much haste, and I am not convinced that the whole story is out yet. The Freeh report condemns Paterno based on a couple of vague, second-hand emails and a whole lot of assumptions - it might be right, Paterno might be everything Freeh says and more, but I do not trust the rigor in the report. Curley and Schultz are going to trial - we will get a lot more information then.</p>
<p>The one absolute exception for me would be if the victims actually staked out a position asking for the statue to be removed. In that eventuality, I would say to do it immediately. But otherwise I am waiting for more data. I am tired of half-assed decisions made to appease the media or public who have no connection to this issue.</p>
<p>There likely will be ongoing lawsuits as a result of the abuse and coverup. In addition, every football commentator will repeatedly bring up the situation whenever PSU football is mentioned. No team is going to want to play them. Can you imagine a Penn State football team taking to the field under these circumstances?</p>
<p>After the statue is taken down, PSU should voluntarily get out of football for about 5 years. In that time, it should get its house in order, especially focused on putting the football program in its proper place in the university. Maybe, it will redeem itself in part if it leads the way in this. Maybe PSU can show its face on the football field once again.</p>
<p>Instead of taking the statue down they could just turn it around and have it looking the other way.</p>
<p>I mean, plenty of people think that that was okay for him to do, right?</p>
<p>interesting news story- people trying to send a message to Penn State to take the statue down</p>
<p>[Sign</a> over State College: ‘Take the statue down …’](<a href=“Sign over State College: ‘Take the statue down ...’”>Sign over State College: ‘Take the statue down ...’)</p>
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… but only willing to send said message anonymously and as a threat. Nice.</p>
<p>The longer the statue remains, the more public opinion will turn against Penn State. I would expect there will be further public protests like the banner that flew over Happy Valley. The level of arrogance at Penn State inspires anger and outrage.</p>
<p>[Penn</a> State Football: Why There Should Be No Debate over Joe Paterno Statue | Bleacher Report](<a href=“Penn State Football: Why There Should Be No Debate over Joe Paterno Statue | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors | Bleacher Report”>Penn State Football: Why There Should Be No Debate over Joe Paterno Statue | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors | Bleacher Report)</p>
<p>It was reported today on MSNBC that Penn State’s Board of Trustees will make a decision about the statue in 7-10 days. We shall see.</p>
<p>Lenny - though you are entitled to your opinion, that’s pretty short-sighted & unfortunate… not to allow your child to even consider Penn State? So here’s my opinion - the actions of four people do not, and will not, define the university. It’s a tragedy, and it should never have happened at all, but despite that you will never change all of the good that student body and alumni accomplish, nor the superior academics and research opportunities. My child is a current freshman and I will say that we are & continue to be supportive of her decision. She is going to have countless opportunities she would not have had at some of the other schools at which she was accepted. And btw - admissions were up last year despite the scandal. I think you need to educate yourself on just what Penn State truly has to offer.
ZAP-- so what you’re saying is if we punish the CURRENT football program for five (really???) years, that will make it so much better some how? How does the so-called dealth penalty fit into this - Does the death penalty punish the wrongdoers? One is convicted, two are awaiting trial, and one is dead. How does it possibly help the victims heal? Does it ease their pain? Why punish an entire group who had NOTHING to do with the scandal and are just as appalled by what took place - that’s just trying to right a wrong with yet another wrong…</p>
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<p>@PUPSMOM - You’re missing the whole point. It was not four people that did this but the PSU culture that allowed it and turned a blind-eye to it because the people involved were winning football games. The PSU culture needs to be reformed root and branch. To me it’s shocking that students and others don’t riot and tear down the statue as was done with Sadam Husseins. The fact that this hasn’t happen speaks volumes about the PSU culture.</p>
<p>Agreed. This is why Penn State needs a serious outside intervention. There’s a badly broken institution that needs to be rebuilt, and it won’t happen without outside sunshine, and fresh people who are able to recognize the full scope of the problem.</p>
<p>To some alums the statue represents the football legacy, whereas to others it represents all that is bad about failure to report child abuse. I agree that for now it should be moved, perhaps to storage somewhere. A final decision as to what/where to put is can be decided later.</p>
<p>LakeClouds “To me it’s shocking that students and others don’t riot and tear down the statue as was done with Sadam Husseins.”</p>
<p>What a disturbing and shockingly irresponsible statement to make, LakeClouds.</p>
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<p>If Penn State didn’t have security and a few students protecting that statue 24x7, someone would have already roped it down and carted it off. Eventually it’s going to happen - just as soon as someone thinks they can get away with it. The administration should remove it now, even if they don’t have a plan for its ultimate disposition, as jym said.</p>
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<p>In this case, good olde TJ said it all!</p>
<p>I agree with Lake Clouds that it is shocking that more alumni and students aren’t in favor of removing the statue. The resignation of Steve Garban from the Board of Trustees is a positive development. As stated by Mister K ,Penn State needs some outside people, let the sunshine in.</p>
<p>No, LizzyB2013. When you agree with LakeCloud you are advocating student riots and destruction of property. Don’t sugarcoat it.</p>
<p>In light of the tragedies that have been experienced on college campuses and in public schools, I find those suggestions to be derelict.</p>