I have spent the past four days in Fort Collins, CO.  Though I was not completely shielded from the headlines of the week, I took some time to take in the splendor of the mountains.  Following my impromptu spiritual renewal, I now feel it imperative to address the most recent events surrounding the allegations of sexual misconduct at Pennsylvania State University.

I am appalled and disheartened by the actions, and inactions, of the coaching staff, administration, and students of Penn State.  The events surrounding the recent allegations of sexual misconduct by a former assistant football coach, Jerry Sandusky, have illuminated how misguided our priorities are.  As I watched footage from the rioting that ensued following the notification of the firing of Joe Paterno as the head football coach, my visceral reaction was anger at the level of support for a person who chose to ignore his obligation to humanity to stop these heinous acts and protect these children from an obvious predator.  But my anger then smoldered into pity for the misplaced loyalty of the students (and maybe faculty members) who stood together--at least 2,000 strong--in support of a mystic sports figure whose legacy I hope will always be marred by his crime of omission.  I wished this latest 'occupy Penn State' event would be in protest of joblessness and crushing indebtedness among new college graduates.  I wished these students would gather in protest of an institution that prioritized revenue generation and the mystique of an aging football coach over the physical and emotional health and safety of these children.  These protests are eerily reminiscent of the outpouring of love and support that O.J. Simpson, R. Kelly, Bishop Eddie Long, Roman Polansky, and other prominent athletes and entertainers have received even in the face of obvious wrongdoing.  

The central themes of this story are simultaneously awful and profound.  Have Americans completely de-valued each other's health and well-being in favor of elevating flawed men and women above the basic needs of everyday people?  The verisimilitude of an 'apology' from the former Coach Paterno lamenting the complete abdication of his responsibility to protect these children would be comical if it wasn't so tragic. Then, with equal temerity, the platitudinous nonsense of former players, coaches, etc. talking about the great Paterno legacy, with the indelible emotional trauma suffered by the victims as a footnote.  And though he is the most obvious target for swift retribution, the rest of the coaching staff, the administration, and the board of trustees are just as culpable as Sandusky.  Hell, they may as well as have been in the shower!  I hope the narrative will shift to the egregrious violation of the law and public trust being the subject and not the predicate.  And I sincerely hope our society will choose its heroes more carefully.