# It's time to officially Pit Joe Paterno and the Penn State football program. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 7, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167 "2011-11-07T14:23:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 207
**Author:** ![HansGrosse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@HansGrosse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HansGrosse)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4123 "2012-07-27T18:05:42Z")
[http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2012/07/the-case-against-joe-paterno-weak-to-non-existent-on-the-current-record.php](http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2012/07/the-case-against-joe-paterno-weak-to-non-existent-on-the-current-record.php) Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4124 "2012-07-27T18:07:09Z")
> [@HansGrosse](#): > > [http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2012/07/the-case-against-joe-paterno-weak-to-non-existent-on-the-current-record.php](http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2012/07/the-case-against-joe-paterno-weak-to-non-existent-on-the-current-record.php) > > Thoughts? Jesus-Kiddy-Raping-Christ. Put some fucking effort in will ya? At least some description, or maybe a relevant quote? ---
**Author:** ![HansGrosse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@HansGrosse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HansGrosse)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4125 "2012-07-27T18:09:19Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Jesus-Kiddy-Raping-Christ. > > Put some fucking effort in will ya? At least some description, or maybe a relevant quote? Basically it’s an article that tries to defend Paterno by claiming the evidence is weak or nonexistent. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4126 "2012-07-27T18:31:40Z")
And the first sentence of the article is: > [@](#): > > I haven’t followed the Penn State child molestation scandal closely. I’ll see if it gets better from there. Ok, I read some more of the article. Basically, he’s right that there isn’t a lot of hard evidence against Paterno. That is, he didn’t send any emails or anything. He is heavily implicated and there is plenty of circumstantial evidence for us to draw our own conclusions about Paterno’s shortcomings in the whole episode. It sounds like this article is coming from a “court of law” viewpoint where it would be hard to pin things down on Paterno. Luckily, the statue removal and NCAA sanctions did not require the kind of evidence that a court of law would. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4127 "2012-07-27T19:39:11Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > You are wrong. See [here](http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/07/23/report-no-out-in-obriens-penn-state-contract/) for details. > > _If O’ Brien were to resign, his contract calls for the coach to repay the university his annual base salary for every year remaining on the deal. As his base salary is $950,000, he would owe the university $4.75 million._ **PTI** reports that not only is there no ‘out clause’, the contract foresaw sanctions and _included a one year extension for every year of sanction._ (coaches option) So the contract is now a 9 year contract. And, at least according to **PTI** , Penn State may be the party that will be unhappy with it. > [@](#): > > The agreement, signed by O’Brien and interim athletics director David Joyner, reads: “Any sanction by the NCAA of a) loss of scholarships or b) bowl eligibility due to the actions of the previous staff or lack of institutional control prior to 2012 will immediately result in an automatic extension of coach’s contract at 2016 total compensation and bonus package in years equal to the number of years of the sanctions.” ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4128 "2012-07-27T20:55:15Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I once saw a clip on YouTube or some similar site, of a herd of Cape Buffalo attacking a lion. According to the narrator (I think it was NG), even after the lion was clearly dead, the buffalo continued kicking and stomping on it. So I guess there are similarly some people who go for that as well. Look, **Retarded Artist** made ridiculous claims and deserves mocking for eternity. > [@](#): > > In addition to the fact that a victim of abuse can sue even if there was no rape, had you paid attention to your own cite, you would have noticed the following: You think I’m not perfectly aware that just because a person is suing that it doesn’t prove their claim? The issue that you are missing is that **Retarded Artist** claimed to have **proved** something that is simply impossible to prove based on the current evidence. It was a ridiculous position, thus my well deserved mocking post. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4129 "2012-07-27T20:59:43Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > You think I’m not perfectly aware that just because a person is suing that it doesn’t prove their claim? That doesn’t relate to my point. > [@](#): > > The issue that you are missing is that **Retarded Artist** claimed to have **proved** something that is simply impossible to prove based on the current evidence. I agree about that, but you claimed to have proved that he was wrong by this lawsuit, which has no relevance (based on what is known at this time). ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4130 "2012-07-27T21:26:53Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I agree about that, but you claimed to have proved that he was wrong by this lawsuit, which has no relevance (based on what is known at this time). Did I claim “to have proved that he was wrong by this lawsuit”? Really? Let’s review: > [@RaftPeople](#): > > How is it possible for the “victim” to sue PSU when Starving Artist proved that the attack was impossible? Hmmm…to me that looks like a question…I don’t see anywhere in that question where I claimed any kind of statement of fact or claimed to have proved anything. Pretty sloppy **F-P** ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4131 "2012-07-27T22:08:51Z")
**Fotheringay-Phipps** does not have a sense of humor that he is aware of. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4132 "2012-07-27T22:29:01Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > **Fotheringay-Phipps** does not have a sense of humor that he is aware of. Never has there been a statement containing more verity than this. ---
**Author:** ![GollaGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecccb3/32.png) [@GollaGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GollaGee)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2012, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4133 "2012-07-28T23:37:24Z")
> [@Bri2k](#): > > Say it isn’t so, Joe! > > This pitting is spot-on. Ol’ JoePa should be fired, post-haste and appropriate charges filed against him by the DA. > > It’s a very sad day indeed for Happy Valley. > > Bri2k :rolleyes: How does a dead person get fired? Or even defend himself? ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2012, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4134 "2012-07-28T23:50:10Z")
> [@GollaGee](#): > > :rolleyes: How does a dead person get fired? Or even defend himself? You might want to check the date of that post. It was made before Paterno died. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4135 "2012-07-29T00:10:13Z")
> [@GollaGee](#): > > :rolleyes: How does a dead person get fired? Are you kidding? A dead football coach is not going to win many games. Maybe they limp through the first season on hope, but by that second season the alumni would be calling for a change and at that point it’s going to be pretty tough to keep your job if you are in the grave. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4136 "2012-07-29T03:11:46Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > I’m really confused about this development: [shower-victim](http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8202237/penn-state-nittany-lions-lawyers-say-shower-abuse-victim-sue) > > How is it possible for the “victim” to sue PSU when **Starving Artist** proved that the attack was impossible? Heh. Seriously though, while I do believe McQueary’s testimony and all, I’m skeptical that this is the actual victim. The timing just seems awfully convenient. ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4137 "2012-07-29T09:18:23Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I once saw a clip on YouTube or some similar site, of a herd of Cape Buffalo attacking a lion. Oh, Starving Artist was no more than a paper tiger. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4138 "2012-07-29T14:19:40Z")
The “We’re Number One!” raised finger on the Paterno statue would be an ideal paper towel holder, wouldn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4139 "2012-07-29T18:06:54Z")
I don’t know about anyone else here, but I can hardly wait for the televised civil trial, beamed live around the globe, and the world holds its breath as a defense barrister thunders: “But wait!” And as all eyes turn toward him, he lifts above his head a paper towel tube… ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4140 "2012-07-30T12:43:10Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > Did I claim “to have proved that he was wrong by this lawsuit”? > > Really? Let’s review: > > Hmmm…to me that looks like a question…I don’t see anywhere in that question where I claimed any kind of statement of fact or claimed to have proved anything. It was a rhetorical question. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4141 "2012-07-30T15:11:21Z")
Yeah. So was this: > [@RaftPeople](#): > > How is it possible for the “victim” to sue PSU when **Starving Artist** proved that the attack was impossible? Glad to see you’re catching up. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4142 "2012-07-30T15:54:31Z")
> [@gamerunknown](#): > > Oh, Starving Artist was no more than a paper tiger. Who now slouches splay-legged on the tile floor of his shower, holding a bent, wet paper towel tube in one hand and a deflated football in the other. Mascara streaming down his cheeks, and a low moaning _howwwwwwww_ barely audible from his throat. Or so I prefer to imagine. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167.md?page=206) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167.md?page=208)