Joe Paterno Statue: Leave it up or Take it Down?

Today on FB I said it was time for PSU to take the Joe Paterno statue down. If it was up to you, what would your decision be to do?

Well, from what I've heard, Paterno knew about what was going on, and didn't take action. As BAD as that may be, and as SICK as that may be, I can't think of a way it helped him win football games. His statue is a symbol of how legendary a coach he was, right? I don't know. I normally wouldn't touch a discussion like this with a ten-foot pole, and I have my reasons. I'm not going to poke Paterno with a pitchfork. Why? He's dead. I don't talk about people behind their backs, much less if their in the ground.

All I know of Paterno, is what's been brought up in court, and since he's dead and can't defend himself, i'm not going to say anything about him. That's just how I am. As for Sandusky? It's really hard NOT to hate him, but I don't. In fact, I said a prayer for not only all the people who's lives he's permanently damaged, but him as well. The bible says to hate no one, and all I can do is say a little prayer, and god'll do the rest. Some people are messed up in the head. It's sickening, but those who we're involved, will pay for it.

I guess I just wouldn't know what to do if I we're given the decision. I probably wouldn't make it. If it we're Sandusky's statue, maybe i'd feel differently? Sandusky's had the chance to defend himself. I'm just sort of confuddled about the whole thing. But honestly, i'd probably take the statue down just so it isn't set a flame, or pissed on.

I don't know. I'm just not fit for debates like this, especially when the subject is as touchy as this. For example: My neighbor got drunk last night, stripped down, and passed out on his porch. Whilst my dad was calling him an ignorant drunk, and contemplating calling the cops (which I didn't honestly disagree with) I said a prayer for him. I'm not high and mighty, i'm just not very judgmental, especially when I feel I MAY not know the whole story.

bayz101 wrote:

I don't know. I'm just not fit for debates like this, especially when the subject is as touchy as this. For example: My neighbor got drunk last night, stripped down, and passed out on his porch. Whilst my dad was calling him an ignorant drunk, and contemplating calling the cops (which I didn't honestly disagree with) I said a prayer for him. I'm not high and mighty, i'm just not very judgmental, especially when I feel I MAY not know the whole story.

I'm fit for these debates to a point, but then loose it when it becomes a flame war because thoughts differ. I agree with you on the concept of not hating anyone and saying prayers for everyone.

On this topic, I would take the statue down because at some aspect he was involved in hiding of the injustice. Honestly, I believe that removing the statue takes away the pointing of fingers and blame and allows everyone to begin the healing process. While the statue in and of itself has nothing to with the healing, it has everything with people not allowing anyone, including the victims, to move forward because people in this day in age want to focus on the negative.

bayz101 wrote:

My neighbor got drunk last night, stripped down, and passed out on his porch. Whilst my dad was calling him an ignorant drunk, and contemplating calling the cops (which I didn't honestly disagree with) I said a prayer for him.

I didn't even know you lived next to Wally!

I honestly think they should remove the statue because it will be a constant reminder of the unspeakable things that Paterno enabled through his actions (or inactions) to anyone who sees it. He was a good football coach, but a deplorable human being if he allowed this to be covered up for the sake of his friend and the Penn State mystique. There's no excusing what he allowed in my eyes and he should not be allowed to be held up as a hero for any reason after allowing those kids further harm at the hands of that animal Sandusky. This is coming from a Penn State fan.

i loved jo pa but if he did indeed cover this up.....down with the statue, saddam hussein style

vasteeler wrote:

i loved jo pa but if he did indeed cover this up.....down with the statue, saddam hussein style

I would normally agree with this, but it's easy to put an amount blame on a dead man. He can't defend himself. I think the statue will go down either way. Someone will make sure of it.

bayz101 wrote:

vasteeler wrote:

i loved jo pa but if he did indeed cover this up.....down with the statue, saddam hussein style

I would normally agree with this, but it's easy to put an amount blame on a dead man. He can't defend himself. I think the statue will go down either way. Someone will make sure of it.

Dead or not, if he did it.... I'll dynamite it myself. There was also plenty of blame spread to others higher up in the university than Paterno in the Freeh Report. They aren't scapegoating a dead guy just to push blame away from themselves. The entire program received a black eye when that report dropped. They need to gut it completely and start over from scratch to even have an inkling of hope to restore any semblance of respectability to that institution.

They should turn the statue around so it's looking the other way

I'm not sure. JoePa did a lot of great things for that school, but than again this scandal ruined his reputation and the school's reputation partially. It's hard to say.

Down. Down. Down.

I read an opinion by a female on FB that made me sick (see my post on the other Joe Pa thread)

I actually like Jon's idea of making it face the other way. I loved Joe PA at one time (a few family members are Penn State grads). However, he was AWARE of this situation and basically, did nothing.

We can never, ever, ever put football ahead of the welfare of a child. When we begin to do that, we are as bad as Sandusky himself.

They did leave his name on the library, where you're not allowed to say anything. Coincidence?