Sandusky was a loyal talented coach an accepted the so called  "punishments" metered down by the university. When the pressure came he lowered his profile. Paterno like Tressel had enough of an ego to lash out at the media and do whatever he could to dismisss and prolong HC tenure. Covering and glossing over the programs dirt. They both put on a big image with the tie and sweatervests like noble football professors. When those sweatervests come off you see who them as the scumbags they are. Paterno was so power hungry he would rather sit out on the sidelines and coach from a wheelchair if he could. Like Tressel there is nothing about Paterno to be respected.

I think you're reaching here a little. Again, with respect to how completely different the situations are... Tressel brought baggage with him and an entire state didn't care. (They still don't - he's completely idolized here still). I think Penn STate's problems got worse as Paterno got older and had less real control over the program. I don't think he was much more than the face of the program in recent years, just a figurehead, and to a degree,  sheltered a bit from how the sausage was really made.

I respect the opinion of the Penn State Board of Trustees. They know Joe Paterno personally and the nature of his relationship with Jerry Sandusky. Sandusky has always been Paterno's boy. We haven't seen any sense of remorse from Paterno when for all these years he enabled Sandusky's wonderland. The right thing to do for Joe Paterno would have been to hold a press conference in 2002 addressing the situation and resign immediately applogizing for handing over the keys of the football facilities to Jerry. He could have said we weren't sure if the allegations had any grounds back in 1999 and we asked Jerry to step aside and extremely poor judgement to have agreed to letting him have the keys. "I feel deeply sorry for what has occurred by here and its best that I resign now to let the university move forward. I just can't continue on at Penn State with what has happened." Paterno should have been stepping away not on Tuesday or Monday of this week but all the way back in 2002. He is directly responsible for making Jerry Sandusky an institution at Penn State. JoePa this is on you.

The problem with this line of thinking is this incident happened in 2002. Joe Pa already made a decision to dismiss Jerry from the staff back in 1998 for the investigation going on all the way back then. When the grad student came forward that should have been absolutely the last straw for Paterno and staff.

Sure we have.  Joe Paterno:  "This is a tragedy.  It is one of the great sorrows of my life.  WIth the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more."

I will restate that no employer will tell an employee to directly call the police when told about any sort of criminal activity after the fact.  That employee will be told (back then, now, and in the future) to go tell the bosses.  The bosses, the employer's legal team, and its security (or police if they have it) will handle it from there.  That is standard operating procedure.  And, no employer or lawyer will tell an employee to try to contact a victim directly.  No chance.  And, later on, when the employee asks questions, he/she will likely be told that no information can be shared due to an ongoing investigation.  And, if its resolved, the employee will just be told the matter is closed.

I'm not saying this is good.  I'm just saying that's how it is in todays litigious society.

So, I can imagine a scenario where Paterno did exactly the above. 

That doesn't excuse him at all.  He should have been way more agressive in getting Sandusky the hell away from Penn State and children.

But....lets say Paterno followed standard operating procedure.  Why would he think he's an evil villian, as he is being portrayed by ESPN and others? 

Anyway, what a disgrace.

That's two opportunities for Paterno to use his emmense power to keep Sandusky away from Penn State and children.  Inexplicable.

Unless, he was told by those bosses who were fired this week that they were handling things.  Or a by a D.A. that nothing can be substantiated.  Etc.  I could see Paterno thinking he's done what he can do.

Again, even in those scenarious I would hope he acts to keep Sandusky the hell away from Penn State and kids.

(By the way, another prosecutor was found dead in/near a small river in Central Pennsylvania around the same time:  2004-05.  He was Federal I think.  Kind of a creepy coincidence.  No?)

I don't think his research area has anything to do with his moral code. He was a Sociologist.

Just to be clear. I think his actions were reprehensible in not pursuing criminal punishment for Sandusky. I just don't think his area of research has anything to do with it.

The only question left to answer is will Joe Paterno himself end up charged criminally. Is this going to be like the OJ murder trial and drag on for a year under the spotlight?

The DA may have not prosecuted because of intimidation. Intimidation which could have led to his mysterious death in 2005. There is so much to this story yet unclear.

I thought he was still missing when did he turn up dead?  How come no one is calling for mcCleary to be fired he was witness and did same thing JOPA did ? If JOPA should have done more than tell his boos a witness damn sure needed to do more.

OCF-don't we both wonder?  I see there are rumors of the pervert being a pimp for big money guys with the Foundation providing kids.  Media investigation ongoing but I am afraid this is gonna be real ugly when the whole story is known.  There just MAY be a whole lotta other people with lots to hide!

UGH.

As of last night, Paterno has hired a criminal defense attorney.  Smart move by Joe.  Wonder if the PSU Board is footing the bill?