Two of the recent new additions to Penn State were interviewed after the formal announcement of the results. Anthony Lubrano and Ryan McCombie "will now be at the tip of the spear in helping the administration move past the Jerry Sandusky scandal."
The alumni, in their supportive comments on Penn Live, are in full support of this new regime change, continuing their diatribe of "poor Joe" and how poorly the Paterno family was treated. Still, it appears, failing to understand the full gravity of the situation.
And their new "representatives"?
McCombie (emphasis mine):
"I don't think we can get the alumni behind any of the other issues until we get the Paterno issue resolved," he said after today's meeting. "That's really the elephant in the room."
Lubrano (emphasis mine):
"Let's just admit that we made a mistake, apologize, and then we can move on," Lubrano said. "Because if the alumni are happy they're going to give...
Paterno and Money - the memes don't seem to change for these guys.
Link to Story
My response (left in the comments section) follows the jump:
McCombie:" ... the Paterno issue... That's really the elephant in the room."
Uh, no, the only elephant in the room is the fact that 18+ (and counting) CHILDREN were sexually abused
"Let's just admit that we made a mistake, apologize, and then we can move on," Lubrano said. "Because if the alumni are happy they're going to give" -
is this REALLY what Penn State alumni want as their new representation? It's all about the money?
Moving on is about getting alumni to open up their wallets again?
As an outsider, looking in, (and, in the interest of full disclosure, a survivor of child sexual abuse where people looked the other way) I would think moving on would be about understanding the culture that allowed a pedophile to exist in a premiere institution when there were multiple opportunities to stop him.
I would think moving on would be about raising public awareness of child sexual abuse and supporting the victims (remember them? they were 10, 11, 12, 13 year old boys who idolized Penn State, idolized the football program, and were betrayed by a man in a position of power in the locker rooms of your institution?) - but this is all about Joe Paterno and how he was treated?
I honestly think Penn State should take a step back and see how we - the REST of the world - is looking at this. This isn't about Penn State or Joe Paterno - it is about a culture that allowed child sexual abuse to be covered up. And that culture exists around the world!
But right now, the brightest light is shining on your institution. This is a time to really show the merits of Penn State - stop whining about a football coach's "poor treatment" and utilize your skills for good - become THE premiere institution on the prevention, detection and prosecution of child sexual abuse. If you want to raise money - raise money to support THAT cause - prevent future 10, 11, 12, 13 year old little boys and girls from being sexually abused.
Curtail the percentages of 1:4 girls and 1:6 boys being sexually abused before the age of 18, 90% by someone they know and trust, 68% by family members.
Help change the laws about reporting suspected child sexual abuse - EVERYONE should be a mandatory reporter. These are children - who have no defenses - we must protect them.
I stand with the victims - and I will stand with them throughout this trial and the rest of their lives - as well as all victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.
Roxine
President Tree-Climbers.org