Fire the Board of Trustees! The scandal at Penn State University is another example of those in charge failing to protect the least among us. When we become more concerned with protecting one man's legacy or the football program's legacy and we forget our responsibilities to ensure the proper, legal and moral conduct of those in our employ, we have failed in our responsibilities.
It is sad that Joe Paterno will finish a distinguished coaching career on such a disgraceful note. However, I believe strongly that Coach Paterno, in his affection and friendship for Assistant Coach Sandusky forgot his responsibility to represent his employer and his conscience.
Eventually, we may learn how many children were abused by this Assistant Coach. We will never know how severely they were traumatized and how badly their lives were'are affected by the crime and more importantly here by the cover-up.
Fire the Board of Trustees! If the University has insufficient guidelines in place for handling these types of events, The Board of Trustees should be held accountable. If the University does have guidelines in place, but the oversight is weak, again the Board of Trustees should be held accountable.
There will be an exhaustive investigation, to be sure. Every employee who had even the slightest knowledge of this criminal behavior should be held accountable - in whatever means is necessary. Losing jobs, losing pensions, possible criminal charges should all be on the table.
We need to get past the days of looking the other way. The Catholic Church and other large institutions have been vilified (deservedly so) for turning a blind eye, allowing countless children to be hurt.
I believe the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania should call for the resignations of the Board of Trustees at Penn State immediately. Further, the Governor should appoint an interim Board and demand that they cooperate fully with the investigation and implement new policies and safeguards to prevent this gross neglect in the future.
Coaches, educators, clergy, et al enjoy a sacred trust - one that we as a society cannot allow to be broken. We must hold all adults who work with, care for children to the highest of standards.
Fire the Board of Trustees!
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