What Has Been Learned?

The Freeh Report was released yesterday. (http://www.TheFreehReportonPSU.com/) Like removing a bandage from a wound which is not healing, now a serious infection has settled in.

The easy thing to do as this report is shared, read, and analyzed is to try and explain the actions or lack there of by those in positions of power and authority. But what is the value in doing this? This report reveals quite clearly that people in positions of power and authority were negligent and flat out culpable in not effectively dealing with the horrific actions of a sexual predator?

What the Freeh Report does in addition to sharing the evidence uncovered is to reveal the underlying condition in so many institutions, the self-imposed power of control and manipulation of those in positions of authority.

Power is a very scary thing. Power is especially scary when used in a way to deny others respect, dignity, safety and protection.

The results of the Freeh Report will be debated for years. How does anyone internalize all that has been shared? The impact of the Freeh Report will paralyze Penn State University and the community for generations.

The actions of Jerry Sandusky are criminal and the court of law has found him guilty. The lack of actions from those who knew of Sandusky’s criminal acts may be declared criminal as well in the court of law.

But the question has to be asked, “What has been learned?” Certainly the lessons learned are as many as there are people following this unforgivable saga.

Whereas there will be many opinions attempting to answer the question, “What has been learned?” it seems the greatest answer is that there is undoubtedly so much which still needs to be learned.

How could anyone with an ounce of common decency allow such horrific actions to go on? How could a man, Jerry Sandusky, entrusted with children, still be allowed to associate with Penn State for so many years after his despicable actions had been discovered? This in itself is deplorable! But then, individuals with power and authority did nothing! And in doing nothing not only were the initial victims not protected, but countless others, innocent children also became victims. I am sorry, for the individuals in positions of power, the “chain of command” as they are being identified; their lack of not “doing the right thing” is equally despicable.

The central figure in the results of the Freeh Report, Joe Paterno is now deceased. I know there are the pundits who will hold on to the company line of, “Sadly, he is not here to defend himself.”  True as this is it does not matter.

First, Joe Paterno’s son is saying enough. He has every right to speak. However, it seems he would serve everyone well, especially the victims by just being quiet.

Second, Joe Paterno, or at least his legacy cannot have it both ways. Paterno wanted and did everything within his power to be the central figure of Penn State. His efforts to solidify a status of grand proportion made Paterno untouchable on this campus and in this community. It is very apparent this position of power, certainly allowed by many who are equally at fault is the foundation for so much negligence in this entire criminal act. Joe Pa wanted this status and did everything to secure it. So now you cannot run and hide, even if it is simply his legacy.

For us on the outside looking in there is much to learn as well. There is the most important lesson that we all have the greatest of obligation and duty to protect children. To see any child in harm’s way and to not step in and intervene, to not alert the proper law authorities is negligent and criminal.

But to take a step back we also need to re-evaluate how we look at perceived icons and people of perceived impeccable character. The glaring message flashing in neon lights has to be “Beware”! Accepting and understanding that we all have made mistakes, it is important to realize and accept that what the individuals in the Freeh Report did was not a mistake, but an apparent act to cover up and protect an image which is now being unveiled as imperfect. Oh the price paid for being made a deity!

It seems anytime a person is elevated to “rock star” status not only by others, but by them self, seemingly to be “above the law”, being treated as though they ”walk on water” should be a glaring warning sign that something is out of order.

There is so much to learn from this terrible event which sadly spans many years. Yet in the end what must be re-learned and re-affirmed with total comprehension is “to do the right thing is always the right thing to do”. Cover-ups of the wrongs done by others simply to protect and image and impression of goodness and righteousness is as unforgivable as the criminal acts being covered up.

I cannot help but notice the parallels between the horrible actions of Sandusky and the cover-up of those at Penn State who were aware of these horrible actions with the priest abuse and cover-ups of the Catholic Church. Maybe it is just a terrible coincidence, but Paterno, by all accounts a staunch Catholic, was acting or not acting in a very similar way as his church has done.

Sadly for both, Paterno and the Catholic Church, their lack of actions is unforgivable. Equally as sad is that neither is a role model.