“And probably not one of them was even remotely involved.”
Yes, that’s the problem I’m having with this.
...if I had a nickel for every post on FR moaning about the players not being involved in the scandal, well, I wouldn’t be rich, but I’d be close...one more time...sanctions always, always, impact many who were not involved in the actions which precipitated said sanctions...how much more clear could that be? Were the Enron employees or the Madoff investors all scam artists? How about the USC players who sat out the last two postseasons because Reggie Bush’s stepfather was wrangling booster monies while those same players were still in high school? In 1987 and 1988, the vast majority of those banned from playing at SMU, and all the players in the next several years had not received one dime of slush monies, but they labored under the conditions imposed by sanction...is the picture getting clearer for you?
...come up with a method by which sanctions are imposed retroactively on only those who are guilty, and then let the NCAA know about it...PSU is no different than anybody else in this regard....
“.is the picture getting clearer for you?”
There’s no need to speak down to me.
I realize my view is contrarian, but I’m having a serious problem with the entire Penn State situation. Almost since the story broke it has seemed that Paterno was the major villain and I just think that is stupid. I assume that is because Paterno is the most famous person involved.
Of course his inaction is indefensible, but it is nevertheless true that for many decades, centuries even, the unfortunate reaction to crimes such as child molestation WAS to turn a blind eye.
Sandusky can never be sufficiently punished, therefore Joe Paterno must be crucified in death.
I’m sorry, I don’t see that as being fair.
And what about the people at the University who really were responsible for not pursuing the situation, were they fired? Are they going to jail? Will they lose their pensions?
I don’t think the Enron/Madoff situations are really comparable, so let’s leave them to the side.
I think the NCAA is dreadful outfit, obsessed with political correctness and drunk with their own power. Typical academic types.
And yes, I DO think it is wrong to punish the innocent for the sins of others. Just like when Jimmy Carter kept the US out of the Olympics to “punish” the Russians. Did the Russians suffer? No, I’m sure they won more medals than they would have otherwise. OUR athletes suffered and of course, it did nothing for the Afghans.
If they didn’t like what Reggie Bush or his stepfather did, take action against them. Sue them, take away Bush’s medals, victories, records, etc.
Or maybe, let’s just get rid of the NCAA. I’ll bet they are pretty much an overpaid, self-satisfied bunch of tin-pot martinets. Really, the worst sort of persons.