# 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:** 245
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4883 "2012-10-03T22:01:05Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > Thank you. > > And sorry, **XT** – you are right, should have warned about the likely need of using brain-bleach after opening this thread. By the way victim #2 has since come forward after the trial with the intent to sue. He is the one that released the phone messages with Sandusky professing his love. So its possible that the exact details might come out. But I doubt it. I’m sure there will be an out of court settlement. I won’t even talk about how it is supposedly ok for a 60 something year old man to shower with little boys and even have naked shower hugs with them. Have fun reading the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4884 "2012-10-03T22:03:19Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Well, Red, now I need some brain bleach…thanks so much. Note that McQueary’s testimony was that Sandusky (6’3") was standing (not squatting, crouching, legs not bent, etc.) behind a boy of 10-12 years of age (approx. 4’ - 5’4" in height) who was bent at the waist with his hands on the wall. Is there really any question that the pubic area of a 6’3" man and the anus of a 4’ to 5’4" boy are on, as I put it in the other thread _“significantly different horizontal planes than might find themselves in congruence from merely standing one in front of the other?”_ It simply is not possible for a man of Jerry Sandusky’s height to simply stand behind a boy a foot or more shorter than he is and commit such an offense. It defies all logic. Now, the reason for the paper towel tube experiment (which I didn’t really expect anyone to attempt to perform…for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that paper towel tubes are sharp at the corners and not really all that wide) was to try to get the people in that thread to think critically about what McQueary said he saw. Prior to that time any mere hint that people needed to look more closely at what he was saying and compare it with what an objective examination would reveal was met with squicked out revulsion and an accusation that only a pervert would even try to think of whether the mechanics added up or not (in other words, they were determined to believe the worst, right or wrong, and any effort to figure out which was a sure sign of pedophilic perversion. It was a page right of the “toss the witch in the pond and if she floats the devil’s holding her up” playbook. So the paper towel tube was a last resort intended to get people to look at things they were refusing to look at up to that time, with the objective being to show that McQueary’s testimony fell short of being a realistic depiction of what a person could logically conclude was rape. The jury needless to say, agreed, as they acquitted Jerry Sandusky of rape in the incident McQueary saw, although they did find him guilty of other sexual offenses in regard to that same incident. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4885 "2012-10-03T22:04:32Z")
> [@Zuzu\_s\_Petals](#): > > D. I’ve lurked in the thread from the start (pity me) and find **SA** ’s ‘arguments’ laughable and **SA** himself loathsome. I wouldn’t have thought it possible to feel any more repelled by him, but his recent ‘winning!’ schtick is doing the trick nicely. Oh I agree. I think he started from a semi-reasonable skeptical position when the information was not yet complete and dug his heels in. Somehow it became so important to him to be right he was incapable to see reality. I still didn’t have much thought about it. I don’t think I even responded (but I might have it was a long time ago now). But the fact that he is gloating and thinks he or anyone won anything is very disturbing. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4886 "2012-10-03T22:06:32Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > B. That thread has left me with a feeling of rising nausea every time I even see SA’s username pop up anywhere on the boards. There’s a cream for that you know. It comes in a tube. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4887 "2012-10-03T22:10:36Z")
I think SA comes across as so batshit crazy that engaging him in debate diminishes all the participants, but I also hope that Paterno thread goes on forever. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4888 "2012-10-03T22:12:13Z")
What’s that smell? ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4889 "2012-10-03T22:13:11Z")
B And I think SA’s preoccupation with the matter is disturbing. I cannot think of a single topic that would have me so obsessed that I’d spend countless hours away from my “real life” trying to convince the same group of non-believers to see it my way. At worst, I’d think that they were all idiots and throw up my hands in disgust. At best, I’d wonder why the entire world seems to be in agreement and counter to my own judgment. Irregardless, there’s no way that I’d voluntarily commit my valuable time to defend a stranger, let alone a hero as dubious as Joe Paterno. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4890 "2012-10-03T22:14:39Z")
B. I repeat, B. Just to maybe head off some goalpost-moving by **S A** , my understanding is that the purpose of this thread is mainly to confirm or (or not) whether his assertion that he has support on the board for the legiimacy of the paper towel tube thing is legit. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4891 "2012-10-03T22:14:43Z")
I don’t remember if I participated (but I sure remember the assertions from a certain resident of Bizarro World) so just to be safe I’ll say **B**. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4892 "2012-10-03T22:18:11Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I think SA comes across as so batshit crazy that engaging him in debate diminishes all the participants, but I also hope that Paterno thread goes on forever. My thoughts exactly. Put me down for a B. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4893 "2012-10-03T22:23:24Z")
Vote for D ---
**Author:** ![Docta\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Docta\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Docta_G)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4894 "2012-10-03T22:24:30Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > _“and not only did they find the threads they created unwelcome by the mods…”_ > > AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! > > And so we mark another one down in the “ **Starving Artist was right!** ” column! > > Hoo, hoo, boy…the hits, they just keep on coming! > > I’m out of here, bozos! 😃 You’re a fucking moron. I’ve noticed that. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4895 "2012-10-03T22:26:36Z")
D. This isn’t a public poll is it? ---
**Author:** ![neofishboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/neofishboy/32/444_2.png) [@neofishboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neofishboy)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4896 "2012-10-03T22:33:00Z")
**D** anny **D** eliriously **D** iddled **D** inosaurs **D** aily. And just for gigs and shittles … Google returns 30,800 hits for the exact phrase “stand with knees bent” and 127,000 for “stand with feet apart”. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4897 "2012-10-03T22:35:57Z")
B/D. I had stopped participating by the time we got to _Starving’s Frst Law of Buttsex Dynamics_. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4898 "2012-10-03T22:38:23Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Just to maybe head off some goalpost-moving by **S A** , my understanding is that the purpose of this thread is mainly to confirm or (or not) whether his assertion that he has support on the board for the legiimacy of the paper towel tube thing is legit. Exactly right. I’d like to clear at least that _one_ delusion on **SA’s** part: “The invisible throng of supporters via private messages.” I find it insulting to the rest of the board considering the implication of said ‘support.’ > [@TriPolar](#): > > D. This isn’t a public poll is it? It is what it is – no polling option in the Pit, thus it’s both a more than well-earned pitting & a poll. And yes, public as can be. ---
**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:** [October 3, 2012, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4899 "2012-10-03T22:40:44Z")
I’ve never been happier to make the “B Team”: B ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4900 "2012-10-03T22:43:13Z")
B. And he’s not merely wrong, either. If only that were all. Considering all the time he’s spent pondering how to buttfuck little boys, he’s a dangerous pervert too. ---
**Author:** ![CannyDan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cannydan/32/548_2.png) [@CannyDan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CannyDan)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4901 "2012-10-03T22:44:41Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Note that McQueary’s testimony was that Sandusky (6’3") was standing (not squatting, crouching, legs not bent, etc.) behind a boy of 10-12 years of age (approx. 4’ - 5’4" in height) who was bent at the waist with his hands on the wall. > > Is there really any question that the pubic area of a 6’3" man and the anus of a 4’ to 5’4" boy are on, as I put it in the other thread _“significantly different horizontal planes than might find themselves in congruence from merely standing one in front of the other?”_ > > It simply is not possible for a man of Jerry Sandusky’s height to simply stand behind a boy a foot or more shorter than he is and commit such an offense. It defies all logic. > > Now, the reason for the paper towel tube experiment (which I didn’t really expect anyone to attempt to perform…for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that paper towel tubes are sharp at the corners and not really all that wide) was to try to get the people in that thread to think critically about what McQueary said he saw. > > Prior to that time any mere hint that people needed to look more closely at what he was saying and compare it with what an objective examination would reveal was met with squicked out revulsion and an accusation that only a pervert would even try to think of whether the mechanics added up or not (in other words, they were determined to believe the worst, right or wrong, and any effort to figure out which was a sure sign of pedophilic perversion. It was a page right of the “toss the witch in the pond and if she floats the devil’s holding her up” playbook. > > So the paper towel tube was a last resort intended to get people to look at things they were refusing to look at up to that time, with the objective being to show that McQueary’s testimony fell short of being a realistic depiction of what a person could logically conclude was rape. The jury needless to say, agreed, as they acquitted Jerry Sandusky of rape in the incident McQueary saw, although they did find him guilty of other sexual offenses in regard to that same incident. So that’s a “B” from you too, ehh? ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/4902 "2012-10-03T23:01:50Z")
D. Read some of it, back when it was young, didn’t see the point in participating. If no one else could make **SA** see sense, how would I be able to? Vote totals as of this post: A - 1 (though **Starving Artist** didn’t explicitly vote.) B - 20 C - 0 D - 8 Notes: I considered **Simple Linctus** to be voting D, and **Really Not All That Bright** to be voting B. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167.md?page=244) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167.md?page=246)