There’s not much I can add to the tragedy at Penn State that hasn’t, or won’t be dissected by people who are a lot smarter then me. Nevertheless, after reading over the 20+-page grand jury report (you can down it on the link below-note this is not for the faint of heart) it’s clear that Joe Paterno may not have been the one who pulled the gun during the bank heist, but he was driving the getaway car.
Like the Catholic Church scandal, the first instinct at Penn State, was to protect it’s own, regardless of victim(s). See, that’s how the good old boys club works. Power, money, and indulgences of arrogance come first. It’s how the Mob works-don’t rat out the next guy, and like priesthood and coaches at Penn State, you become a “made-man”. Some financial institutions aren’t far beyond. As long as Madoff was making wall-street money, everyone looked the other way.
Does it surprise me that students at Penn State and followers of the Catholic Church came to the defend of it’s respective institution? Not really. What does the fish know about the water it swims in. John Gotti was a God in Ozone Park Queens until the day he passed. Why not? He gave the people fireworks every year for the 4th of July and “helped” the poor. The riot at Penn State over Paterno’s firing is the result of the inmates running the asylum, (albeit temporarily)—in other words, they are protesting to keep there 4th of July fireworks. Other factors are at play here but way beyond the scope of this blog. The focus here is men improving their lives and how it impacts “getting the girl” and “keeping the girl”. So let’s bring this all together.
So what the one thing that is missing in all of these tragic stories?
WOMEN.
Wrap your head around that one.
What would be the impact if these institutions (Football, The Catholic church, Financial Institution) incorporated more women? What would be the likelihood of preventing or minimizing these tragedies?
The house of cards came tumbling down for Madoff, and Paterno but not for the Catholic Church—but why? Simple. The Catholic Church conducted it’s own investigation. What did they discover? It was societies fault. O, and most of the victims where over 14 years of age so it really not as bad as reported (please click link below to learn more). Again, arrogance, power and money come first. The lesson here is that we cannot let Penn State conduct an internal investigation and take it as face value. Government must step in.
Since 9/11, we’ve asked our citizens that if they “see something, say something”. If Penn State has taught us one thing, moving forward, let’s remember that terrorist don’t always wear head Igaal or Kaftan robs (traditional Arab clothing), something they wear Khaki pants, oversized 70’s eye glasses with college paraphernalia and stand on football side lines.
Share The Water…
Steve Amarante
Sources:
Result of Catholic Church Sex abuse report. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/19/us-catholic-church-sexual-abuse-report
Penn State Grand Jury Report
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/feature?section=news&id=8421115
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