# Go to Hell Larry Nassar, Michigan State University and the US Olympic Gymnastics Program. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 23, 2018, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266 "2018-01-23T02:05:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/41 "2018-01-24T21:14:03Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I still vote for putting the victim statements he couldn’t stand on continuous loop in his cell, then trying to ensure he has a long, long life. I don’t want to see him check out too early and thereby evade punishment. I’d be happy to put those letters to music( a type he hates) I’ll record it and everything so it can be played at high volume. ( Like the heavy metal we blasted Marcos with) I’d be willing to do much worse to him, but decorum and legalities win the day. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/43 "2018-01-24T21:24:46Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > Lastly, I’m a bit disappointed in those around McKayla Maroney who advised her to accept a settlement that prevented her from going public about Nassar. Didn’t this happen a few times with Weinstein as well? How many future assaults would be prevented if we stopped accepting sealed settlements? I’m not. Because, unfortunately, that is sometimes the only justice you can get. When people have been trying for years to get rid of someone and it fails, it makes sense to assume nothing will happen and that you should just get what you can to try and make life better. It’s why I hold no ill will for anyone who accepted settlements from Cosby or Weinstein, either. That said, from what I’ve read, I suspect these NDAs aren’t actually binding for reporting illegal activity, and I would really like to see a damning legal precedent confirming this. Sure, fewer settlements would be tried, but maybe we’d get more justice. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/44 "2018-01-24T21:43:16Z")
MSU needs the Penn State treatment. Anybody who knew about it, or should have, has to go. Yes, it’s that simple. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/45 "2018-01-24T21:53:50Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I still vote for putting the victim statements he couldn’t stand on continuous loop in his cell, then trying to ensure he has a long, long life. I don’t want to see him check out too early and thereby evade punishment. Nah, they shouldn’t play back the victim impact statements in his cell _all_ the time. They should occasionally interrupt those in order to play back his letter complaining about the victim impact statements and the audience laughter. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/46 "2018-01-24T22:05:21Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > MSU needs the Penn State treatment. Anybody who knew about it, or should have, has to go. Yes, it’s that simple. I agree; one of the most horrifying aspects of this nasty mess is the number of victims (or ‘survivors,’ as they prefer) who DID come forward and tell someone about the abuse–with no results whatsoever. Nassar just kept on abusing. “Culture of abuse” sounds about right for that entire system. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/47 "2018-01-24T23:56:48Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > **Yes, it’s time.** Isn’t it a crime to knowingly cover up a felony? How about knowing and not reporting? I feel like this question calls for an attempt at a factual answer. Please understand that I don’t mean to in any way to detract from the extremely justified outpouring of rage against Nassar and anyone who enabled him. I’m not a lawyer, but, so far as I know: In the United States it is not, in general, against the law to fail to report a crime. People in _certain_ professions are “mandated reporters” when it comes to _certain_ crimes – e.g., a social worker, pediatrician, or school teacher may have a legal duty to report suspected child abuse. [That might apply in the Nassar case, given the nature of the crimes and the ages of the victims, but I think it would depend on who it was who had reason to suspect what was happening.] But where that sort of requirement doesn’t apply, I don’t believe you can be prosecuted for failure to report a crime. On the other hand if you help a suspect escape, or hide evidence, or lie to the police, you might be charged as an accessory to the crime that was committed (“accessory after the fact”), or with obstruction of justice. If you lie in court, you could be charged with perjury. If you refuse to answer questions when ordered to do so by a judge, you could be found in contempt of court (assuming you yourself are not on-trial, and that you aren’t someone like a spouse, lawyer, or clergy for the accused, to whom “privilege” may apply). When questioned by the police, you have a right to remain silent if you’re detained or arrested (with a few exceptions – for instance, some jurisdictions require you to give your name and address if asked), and if not detained you can simply leave. Again, I’m not a lawyer, so take this with a large grain of salt. I should emphasize that whether or not you have a _legal_ obligation to report a crime is a different question from whether you have a _moral_ obligation. I would never blame the _victims_ of sexual abuse for being afraid to report it, but for everyone else, the phrase “there’s a special place in hell” comes to mind. Moreover, even when no crime was committed, other consequences may be appropriate, such as termination of employment and the opprobrium of the public. Also, what the law _is_ isn’t always the same as what it _should_ be. I’m somewhat inclined to think that for certain crimes – especially acts of violence committed against minors – that _everyone_ ought to be treated as a mandated reporter. (I say “somewhat inclined” because I hadn’t really considered the question until now, maybe I’ll start a GD thread on it.) ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/48 "2018-01-25T00:10:37Z")
> [@tim314](#): > > I’m somewhat inclined to think that for certain crimes – especially acts of violence committed against minors – that _everyone_ ought to be treated as a mandated reporter. Actually, I looked into it a bit more, and it turns out that contrary to what I posted above, this is already the law in a number of states. From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: > [@](#): > > In approximately 18 States and Puerto Rico, any person who suspects child abuse or neglect is required to report. Of these 18 States, 16 States and Puerto Rico specify certain professionals who must report, but also require all persons to report suspected abuse or neglect, regardless of profession.[sup]9[/sup] > > [sup]9[/sup]Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. Source: [https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/manda.pdf](https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/manda.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/49 "2018-01-25T03:25:48Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Was just sentenced to 40-175 years. I don’t think he’ll make it two before a gruesome bear attack. Sucks to be him. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/50 "2018-01-25T03:31:52Z")
> [@Crimsen](#): > > The judge was extremely unprofessional attention whore and a grandstanding dick to boot ( “It is my privilege…” :rolleyes: ). > She was playing to the press the whole time she was saying she won’t play to the press, while having terrible make up job (what the fuck was up with those eyebrows). > Sentence the guy and shut the fuck up. Wow. I know it’s customary to say more about someone’s remarks, but I’m speechless. “Wow’s” all I got. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/51 "2018-01-25T03:35:04Z")
Baby trolls are so cute and obvious, aren’t they? It’s adorable. Maybe if we give it long enough it will grow up to become an actual competent troll who goes after real challenges! ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/52 "2018-01-25T03:37:10Z")
> [@somepumpkin](#): > > Wow. > > I know it’s customary to say more about someone’s remarks, but I’m speechless. “Wow’s” all I got. I’m fine with everything that judge said. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/53 "2018-01-25T03:39:00Z")
> [@Crimsen](#): > > The judge was extremely unprofessional attention whore and a grandstanding dick to boot ( “It is my privilege…” :rolleyes: ). > She was playing to the press the whole time she was saying she won’t play to the press, while having terrible make up job (what the fuck was up with those eyebrows). > Sentence the guy and shut the fuck up. Wow. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/54 "2018-01-25T04:09:47Z")
> [@somepumpkin](#): > > Wow. > > I know it’s customary to say more about someone’s remarks, but I’m speechless. “Wow’s” all I got. I was hoping for “She’d be a lot prettier if she smiled.” Total troll fail. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/55 "2018-01-25T04:11:20Z")
Right. Because female judges should be judged on their eyebrow grooming, amiright? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/56 "2018-01-25T04:30:14Z")
Now you’ve done it. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/57 "2018-01-25T11:50:37Z")
To nobody’s surprise, President Simon resigned last night. I don’t know what she knew or when she knew it, but the system that was supposed to protect these women failed them and she was at the top of that system. I was a little disappointed in Judge Aquilina’s behavior. I think the statement “I have just signed your death warrant” was over the top. Besides the fact the Michigan does not have the death penalty, it seemed to be celebratory in tone and I think judges should be sober and dispassionate when handing down sentences. By all means, let the investigations dig deep and get to the bottom of everything. Everyone who knew and didn’t take action should be investigated and if need be, fired and/or prosecuted. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/58 "2018-01-25T11:55:40Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > That just proves you can be technically good at medicine while also being a loathsome human being. Didn’t the example of Ben Carson demonstrate that clearly enough? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/59 "2018-01-25T13:28:35Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I was a little disappointed in Judge Aquilina’s behavior. I think the statement “I have just signed your death warrant” was over the top. Besides the fact the Michigan does not have the death penalty, it seemed to be celebratory in tone and I think judges should be sober and dispassionate when handing down sentences. > > By all means, let the investigations dig deep and get to the bottom of everything. Everyone who knew and didn’t take action should be investigated and if need be, fired and/or prosecuted. Well said. For over the top, it’s hard to beat [this](https://www.si.com/olympics/2018/01/24/larry-nassar-sentencing-usa-gymnastics-abuse-victims-michigan-state). _“…a rogue’s gallery of coaches and bureaucrats, all of whom should be driven from polite society by howling mobs. Burn it all down. That is the calm and reasoned conclusion to which I have come as one horror story after another unspooled in the courtroom. Nobody employed in the upper echelons at USA Gymnastics, or at the United States Olympic Committee, or at Michigan State University should still have a job…Those people should come out of civil courts wearing barrels. Their descendants should be answering motions in the 22nd Century. In fact, I can argue convincingly that none of those three institutions should continue to exist in its current form.”_ “Howling mobs”? Harass their descendants? Fire and/or prosecute those guilty of coverup, yes. And NCAA sanctions of some kind might be in order. Sadly, [there’s historical precedent](https://www.amazon.com/Doc-Rape-Lovell-Jack-Olsen/dp/1508628602) for a “good” doctor getting away with stuff like this for way too long. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/60 "2018-01-25T14:37:05Z")
Appropriate punishment. Inappropriate remarks. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266/61 "2018-01-25T14:47:51Z")
If anyone at the top had a modicum of sense or decency, they would 1. Fire every single person in the USOC and USAG who at any point knew about this and failed in any way to do anything, 2. Ban all those people from involvement, participation, or even attendance in recognized amateur sports for life, with no chance of appeal, 3. Spend as much money as could be spent, and dedicate every possible resource, to finding evidence and providing it to the police so more people could be charged and sent to prison. Obviously, the University of Michigan should be chopping off a lot of heads, too. “Burn it all down” is correct. ALL should be fired. Not a single person should remain. If that means some people who were not consciously complicit, but were just dopes, lose their jobs, then you know what? That’s just too fucking bad. You lose your job 'cause you’re a dope. Get out. Frankly, anyone who’d want to be associated with that organization now would make me very suspicious. Quite honestly I don’t find the SI column over the top at all. It’s perfectly reasonable and there’s little, if any, hyperbole in it. The extent of the evil is difficult to overstate. Michigan’s gymnastics coach made girls sign a card of support for Nassar when the charges started? Jesus Christ. The USOC sent no one to the trial? Didn’t even want an investigation? Cowardly scum, all of them. The #metoo movement hasn’t gone nearly far enough. There are way more Larry Nassars and they must all be destroyed, in public whenever possible, and their enablers must also be destroyed. But they won’t do the right thing, and the stink of this horror will hang over them forever, instead of getting a clean start by doing the right thing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-hell-larry-nassar-michigan-state-university-and-the-us-olympic-gymnastics-program/807266.md?page=4)