# 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:** 273
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5443 "2012-10-11T06:49:37Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > You say it’s a problem but you don’t say whether you’ve done your test or not. He’s emphatically said he hasn’t done it, nor does he need to, to reach his conclusion. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5444 "2012-10-11T11:47:28Z")
> [@NoLittlePlans](#): > > Sounds about right, Bryan, lol… but SA truly deserves recognition for pretty much flying solo in this 100-page uphill battle. He is, and will be for a very long time, known on this board as the “cardboard tube fucker”, or some close variant thereof. His efforts in this thread will not be forgotten anytime soon. > [@](#): > > I think he’s made a bunch of very reasonable points, but I’m not sure the audience has been completely open to reason. Well, I consider myself quite open to reason - what three or four points of his do you think have been the most reasonable? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5445 "2012-10-11T12:14:22Z")
> [@NoLittlePlans](#): > > Sounds about right, Bryan, lol… but SA truly deserves recognition for pretty much flying solo in this 100-page uphill battle. I think he’s made a bunch of very reasonable points, but I’m not sure the audience has been completely open to reason. How reasonable have his points about the supposed physical impossibility of rape in that shower been? ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5446 "2012-10-11T12:23:27Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > What information do you think will be revealed that will prove him right? When the jury comes back and acquits Sandusky of all the charges against him. You just wait… ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5447 "2012-10-11T12:26:08Z")
A jury is just a state-appointed lynch mob. Therefore the verdict was based on irrational emotionality and not cold logic and facts. Except for that one acquittal, in which case they totally vindicated **SA**. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5448 "2012-10-11T12:33:44Z")
It’s obvious the jury watched too much Nancy Grace or they would never have convicted such an upstanding gentleman as Jerry Sandusky. I weep at the injustice. > [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > “Happy Valley” is the name **Starving Artist / NoLittlePlans** uses for the cleft between a boy’s butt cheeks. And that is the hill that SA chose to die on. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5449 "2012-10-11T12:37:30Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > It’s obvious the jury watched too much Nancy Grace or they would never have convicted such an upstanding gentleman as Jerry Sandusky. I weep at the injustice. And by “upstanding” clearly you mean “feet together, knees locked”. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5450 "2012-10-11T12:51:41Z")
Q. What’s Jerry Sandusky’s favorite song? A. “Put Me In Coach” ---
**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 11, 2012, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5451 "2012-10-11T12:57:27Z")
> [@NoLittlePlans](#): > > Sounds about right, Bryan, lol… but SA truly deserves recognition for pretty much flying solo in this 100-page uphill battle. I have seen nothing but recognition for you. Don’t worry SA, we all think you are pretty. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5452 "2012-10-11T13:06:44Z")
> [@NoLittlePlans](#): > > SA truly deserves recognition for pretty much flying solo in this 100-page uphill battle…Unlike you, SA didn’t drum up a new batch of victims in uncontrollable fits of emotional outrage. You are damn right, NLP. But you say SA was flying solo. Don’t sell yourself short-- you were his wingman, the wind beneath his wings 😉 But you did show up late in the game, so I would like to recognize SA for showing me the light. For being the lone voice of reason in an age of hysteria. For having the courage to speak out about the injustice of what this lynch mob has done to such a cromulent man. For standing for truth, justice, and the American way. His picture should be on a stamp. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5453 "2012-10-11T14:57:16Z")
**SA** is truly a man standing in the midst of children. And for that, I take my paper tube off and [del]bow[/del] _stand_ in front of him in [del]awe[/del] _disgust_. At a safe distance. With all the children behind me. And a spiked bat in hand. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5454 "2012-10-11T14:58:28Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > …His picture should be on a stamp. Would a “Wanted” poster do? ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5455 "2012-10-11T16:29:41Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > Just know that we’re here for you if you want to talk. I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t care less about what his camp counselor did to him 50 years ago. _I’m_ only here to point an laugh at him. ---
**Author:** ![NoLittlePlans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8797f3/32.png) [@NoLittlePlans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoLittlePlans)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5456 "2012-10-11T16:55:46Z")
[The Dreyfus Affair Redux | By DrJC](http://bwi.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=36&mid=158673799&sid=890&tid=158673799&style=1) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5457 "2012-10-11T17:01:11Z")
Well, DrJC is entitled to his opinion. Again, can you name three or four of Starving Artist’s points you thought were most reasonable? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5458 "2012-10-11T17:12:51Z")
Jesus, that’s fucking unreadable. And [spam](http://bwi.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=36&tid=158673799&mid=158673799&sid=890&style=2). ---
**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:** [October 11, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5459 "2012-10-11T17:21:27Z")
More whining from the Oh Look What Horrible Thing Happened To Penn State (Kids? What Kids) crew. Fuck them with a Heismann trophy. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5460 "2012-10-11T17:25:43Z")
Random excerpt: > [@DrJC](#): > > But what about the Louis Freeh Report you might ask? Was that not evidence of a genuine cover-up by PSU officials, including Joe? In my opinion, the answer is no. Careful analysis[_by who?_] has revealed that this is a questionable report[_citation needed_], filled with what some[_who_?] [_weasel words_] feel are assumptions, innuendo, and opinions rather than facts. If one takes the time to read the 267 pages (which the vast majority of radio commentators and editorialists have neither the patience nor sense of professional responsibility to do)[_citation needed_], I believe you will be left with many questions and a sense that this report is not the source of fact that it purports to be – not by a long stretch. Skilled analysts[_who_?] have reviewed this report and are rather aghast at the conclusions reached, as many are not well grounded in fact[_citation needed_]. Pseudowikipedian [_editor’s tags_] added by me (which I assume is OK in this case being that “DrJC,” and not **NoLittlePlans** , is the alleged source of the quote). ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5461 "2012-10-11T17:27:44Z")
Never had TL;DR been more appropriate. But skimming it reveals the rationale is: 1. I’m sorry about what’s happened to these poor kids BUT… 2. Wah, wah, wah, we’re getting picked on. 3. Careful examination of the evidence, including the Freeh Report, leads us to conclude it’s bogus, as I can demonstrate with this paper towel…er reasonable thinking and nitpickery. It’s another “woe is me, why can they not see THE TRUTH” whiny post. ---
**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 11, 2012, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/5462 "2012-10-11T17:30:47Z")
I made it all the way to the end of the third paragraph, where I encountered this : "We should not lose sight of the fact that Joe Paterno was not a witness. He was the recipient of what is technically heresay. " I didn’t read anything beyond that false premise. Paterno received a first hand eye witness account from McQueary. This is in no way “heresay [sic]”. If McQ had reported to JoPa “Somebody told me they saw Sandusky committing a sexual act with a child”, that would be hearsay. Somebody who misrepresents facts to this extent doesn’t deserve our consideration. That goes for the original author and for our friend **NLP**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167.md?page=272) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167.md?page=274)