Penn State refuses to "offend alumni & students who adore Paterno" by removing his statue

[Amerigo Vespucci]

The embattled members of Penn State's Board of Trustees quietly have decided to leave Joe Paterno's statue standing -- at least for now and, some hope, forever, according to sources with firsthand knowledge of the trustees' private discussions this week.

The trustees' reluctance to remove the statue is motivated, in part, by a desire not to offend alumni and students who adore the late coach despite the damning findings of his role in the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse cover-up detailed in the Freeh report, the sources said. Some trustees also said in interviews they want to resist being pressured by the media into a sudden decision about such an emotionally charged issue.

"You can't let people stampede you into making a rash decision," a trustee said. "The statue represents the good that Joe did. It doesn't represent the bad that he did."

"It has to stay up," said another trustee. "We have to let a number of months pass, and we'll address it again. But there is no way, no way. It's just not coming down."

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8166643/joe-paterno-statue-remain-penn-state-sources-say#716sf

[seabeyond]

1. enablers. they are doing the same that paterno did. enablers. offend? they should be offended

that paterno kept mouth shut and allowed sandusky to hurt kids.

[AnnaLee]

5. I agree.

I guess we can tell which moral values prevail. This nation is in deep doo-doo.

[sarisataka]

3. I can't disagree with the idea to wait and see what all comes out of investigations

but the statue could be removed until that decision has been made.

It does look like they have already made their final decision and show where the BoT stands

But there is no way, no way. It's just not coming down.

[Avalux]

4. This alum is offended they won't remove it....

I (and others) think it's time to replace the PSU Board of Trustees.

That statue will ALWAYS be a reminder of the bad that Joe did. I don't want my school to live under that shadow....take it away and everything else on campus with his name attached.

It's time to heal and start over.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

10. It makes me think of the Ed Gein story from the 1950s...

...the real-life serial killer who inspired "Psycho," "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Silence of the Lambs," and other films.

Almost immediately after Gein was taken to jail, the farm was "mysteriously burned to the ground." The residents of Plainfield WI didn't want their town to become a lurid tourist attraction.

Penn State won't remove the statue because they don't want to "offend" those who "love" their tin god, "JoPa." They're not giving a thought to those who are "offended" by Paterno enabling years of Sandusky's vile behavior.

I guess the word from Penn State is "Football RULES, dude." God Bless America.

[Avalux]

13. For now.

You can be sure there are plenty of alumni like me out there, who have made their opinion known. There have calls to replace the Board of Trustees which may happen.

If we have our way, that statue will go.

[hedgehog]

6. Just stop guarding and maintaining the statue.

Let a thousand cans of spray paint bloom!

[KamaAina]

15. Or a few ropes

[KansDem]

7. Are they going to put a 'round the clock security camera on it...

...to make sure it isn't vandalized?

Like Missouri did with its Rush Limbaugh bust?

Missouri House spends $1,100 on camera to watch over Limbaugh bust
The Associated Press

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/24/3625930/missouri-house-spends-1100-on.html#storylink=cpy

JEFFERSON CITY | The Missouri House has spent more than $1,100 on a security camera to keep watch over a new bronze bust of conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh.

House Clerk Adam Crumbliss said Thursday that he authorized the camera because of concerns that the Limbaugh bust might be vandalized.

Limbaugh was inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians last week during a closed-door ceremony intended to keep away protesters. His bust went on public display at the state Capitol after lawmakers ended their annual session last Friday.

The Hall of Famous Missourians features dozens of busts of people such as President Harry Truman, Walt Disney and former Cardinals baseball star Stan Musial. But Limbaugh's bust is the only one with a camera specifically pointed at it.

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/24/3625930/missouri-house-spends-1100-on.html

[arely staircase]

8. anyone who adores paterno needs professional help

or they need to be investigated.

[DCKit]

9. Then I guess it stands as a symbol for ALL of THEM as well.

You wanna play hardball? See how much you like your school without a football program.

[WI_DEM]

11. I remember when all of this came to light all those students rallying to Paterno's side

to hell with a bunch of kids who were molested while Paterno turned a blind eye or covered up--it's much more important that he won a bunch of football games!

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

12. Those poor, fragile alumni & students

Don't want to hurt their widdle feewings, right?

[Initech]

14. May it forever stand as a reminder of how horrific Jerry Sandusky's crimes really were.

[tanyev]

16. Pigeons. Bird seed.

That's all I'm sayin'.

[Taverner]

17. If I were nearby, and a little younger I'd...

Take a blowtorch to that statue in the middle of the night