This is an open thread. Feel free to stop in and share the news of your day.
I have spent the day indoors, avoiding the snow and ice that was outdoors. Dinner is done here--chicken stew. I took a chicken, spiced it up this morning, threw it in the crockpot with veggies, and let it cook all day. It was a satisfying meal for a cold day.
I also spent the day online looking at available scholarships for my son to apply for, as he is looking to go to college in the fall.
Now, I am watching college basketball and watching the bottom line on ESPN saying that Joe Paterno is seriously ill. Friends and family have gathered in the hospital with him for a final farewell.
Also, watching the line from South Carolina--watching Newtman make his comeback.
I bleed Blue and White. I am a Penn Stater, through and through. And I am saddened by the news of JoePa. He decided what he would do--coach until the end of this season, and I knew that he had effectively signed his warrant to be fired when he made his proclamation. The university had already shown itself in disarray, and it could not let the outside world see behind the curtain. We knew the truth, anyway. Joe Paterno was the one that made the decisions, not the President. So, they-quite rightly-fired him. I don't believe they really fired him because of the victims. They fired him, because they wanted to show they were "in charge". So he was rightly fired, but not necessarily for the right reason.
He should have done more. He should have known how serious and awful it was for those boys to have been victimized. He should have let go of his pride and turned in his assistant coach. He did what the law told him to do, so he was legal; but he should have done more than the bare minimum.
All that said, Joe Paterno was a man who helped a tremendous amount of people. He helped people through sports and academics. It is sad to see him leave this world in the way he is leaving. I know there are those who will disagree with me.
My son is planning on going to Penn State in the fall to major in journalism. When I asked about what he thought about all that had happened, he told me that he hoped the boys would get justice. So do I.
Pride, I believe, was what ultimately brought Joe Paterno down. Pride is what is running through Newt Gingrich's veins. He is a very prideful man who feels he can get by with leaving wives and ripping off the American public. I am seriously wondering what is going through the minds of those who have voted for him. People who claim they want law and order, people who claim marriage is sacred--these people are voting for someone who could care less about them.
The next basketball game is Louisville-Pitt. I am also a Pitt Panther. My Master's Degree was earned at Pitt. So far we've had 2 upsets today: Florida State beat Duke and Notre Dame beat Syracuse. Maybe Pitt will find its lost skills and will comeback to beat the Cardinals.
For now, I will think on all these things. I am making hot chocolate and putting some Irish cream in it. I will sip and relax in front of the fire. It is the first fire for our 2 kitties. They have enjoyed laying in front of the fire and feeling the comfort of the heat, as have I. Come on over, have a cup, and enjoy the comfort.