I had told someone on here that I wouldn't post in these threads anymore for reasons that are unimportant to the board. However I am compelled to make this post.....
I defended Joe in the thing since the beginning saying that We don't know what joe knew and what he was responsible for. I also said that until I knew more or I had some proof that Joe was complicit in either a cover up or he decided to simply not act based on him having more information, I would continue to support him. I believe that every person has a right to be defended and should not be tried for heinous acts in the court of public opinion until those facts are know. I still believe that.
With that being said, those of you who have read my posts know that I had a relationship with paterno that went beyond a few casual conversations. My relationship goes back to 1980 when I was still in high School. It continued until 2004. I will not discuss the nature of the relationship other than to say he was a supporter of several 501 (c)3's that I chaired or was president of.
Also, some of you whom I have talked to via pm know that I have a close friend who is in the media in PA and who has very close ties to Penn State. He has also been working on some stories surrounding this tragedy.
I expected to hear more from him yesterday but he didn't call. Well, he called today. Without going into detail because I was asked not to, There are some indication that while Joe did NOT know what the specific actions were with the 2002 incident, he did know there was something very wrong. The superiors did in fact tell Joe that they investigated and there was nothing to it. Now, there is more to the story, but I cannot be more specific.
However, with that said and knowing the information I know now, I no longer support Joe Paterno.
I have said all along that all I wanted was some proof and not a lot of speculation. Which is all that was presented on this forum and in the national media. Well, now I have it.
I am not embarrassed for defending the joe paterno I know. I would do that for anyone I know to be a good person. As American's we at least deserve that and should expect that of each other.
I know further that Paterno was put in a no win situation as well by the superiors but that doesn't excuse the in actions and what I have come to know.
My source is someone who is very close to me, whom I consider closer than a brother. I trust what he has said implicitly.
I wish and was hoping for different information. Sadly, it is not there. At least at this point. And I doubt there will be information to sway me back.
To those who I argued with, I don't apologize, I just ask you to understand why I defended him, sans proof.
This will be my final post on this subject.
