Re: Penn State's bowl eligibility has been restored
So if someone is actually harmed, then it makes sense to punish the innocent. OK...
You still haven't explained why the solution to slam players who were themselves kids when it happened. In fact, it makes it even more idiotic to rely on the same tired and failed punishment when the harm is so much worse...
I really don't see why this all has to be explained, but I will indulge you. When an organization of any sort commits harmful acts, you punish the organization. For instance, BP has been fined billions of dollars for their role in oil spill. This impacted shareholders, it impacted employees (they have nearly 100,000) the vast majority of which had nothing whatsoever to do with the oil spill. You still have to hold entities responsible for their acts though, because that is the only way to A: compensate for damages and B: discourage them from doing it again. Your line of thought would be for BP to fire a couple of people, and say ok, we're done. That's not how responsibility works though, if a company puts you in a position of authority, and your action brings great harm, the entire company (including the "innocent") will pay for your actions.
Now, I do believe there's some room to say ok, this was one rogue individual, acting without knowledge or any involvement of anyone else, but that was not the case with Penn State.
This became an issue the instant Penn State acted in the interest of the football program instead of the interest of the children!
Who was harmed by the Penn State punishment? The players? The players all were allowed to transfer. Who else? The same people in power that tried to protect the football program? Was their interest harmed? Good. The fans? Oh, sorry, they lost some entertainment value. I really feel bad about that, because we learned from Michael Jackson, good entertainment is way more important than concern for the welfare of children.
Sandusky is in jail. Paterno's wins have been erased. His statue has been torn down. Penn St paid an $80 million fine. Three high ranking Penn St. officials are currently indicted. And you think the amount of justice meted out depends on whether it's a two year or four year bowl ban?
Oh, Paterno lost his wins. Wow, that really makes up for the whole raping children thing he allowed to continue. That's another one of those, not sure what you're thinking comparisons. Lost a statue to, yeah that compensates for the harm he allowed to continue as well. I mean it's a statue! That's got to be worth 2 or 3 rapes right there.
As far as the amount of justice, what I know is that nothing within the means of the NCAA could equal an appropriate amount of punishment. When rape was allowed to continue, on behalf of a football program, there's really no fate too terrible for said football program. It will always stink of that despicable act. Even the death penalty, if not permanent was not enough. What I'm upset about, is the fact that even the inadequate NCAA punishment was lessened. Clearly they didn't do anything to appropriately punish Penn State for what Penn State did. Did Penn State even learn their lesson? Did it set a good enough example for programs like Florida State? I have my doubts they even accomplished that.
