My Thoughts!

Not sure if anyone out there cares about what I think but I am gonna tell you anyway!  I have some very strong feelings on this Penn St debacle.  A little history...I was abused when I was a baby and toddler.  I have no tolerance for those who seek to harm those who are defenseless.  I, also, have no patience for those who allow the abuse to continue to save their own skins or reputations.  The damage done to the victims is not the type that ever goes away.  These things stick with you forever.    I am a living testimony to that.  Check this site for more info on abuse and its lasting effects.  Some of the listed effects are anxiety(check), fear(check), shame(check), feelings of inadequacy(yep), need to control(sure 'nough), think of yourself as victim(uh-huh), and identification with the aggressor(nope).
I live with these images and more!  They shape who you are and can define who you become. 

This situation with PSU, Paterno, and Sandusky is beyond horrible!  So many victims harmed by this serial rapist/abuser will live with this until the day they die!  And so many people covered up the abuse to protect the school and their own skins.  What to do?  Sandusky has been convicted.  Paterno has died(BTW, I think this killed him or at least expedited his death).  The university has been sanctioned by the NCAA.  Is all of this enough?  Is it too much?  I have heard arguments to both.  Some say that this is not harsh enough.  Some say that this will punish the current players who had nothing to do with the crimes.

What do I say?  I say punish the school until the football program cannot survive!  If Penn State had stood up for those who tried to stand up for themselves instead of sweeping it under the rug for the almighty $$$$ that football brings into that school, then they would have looked like heroes.  If there are players currently on scholarship, bend the rules so that they can transfer to another school with no playing/scholarship penalties.  That will solve the problem!  If there are students who are studying there but don't want a degree from the college, let another school come along and take them in!  If the solution were up to me, these punishments would have been much more severe than they are!  I would have shut the program down until further notice!  Lives were ruined...totally destroyed!!!!!  Never to be the same again!  I say the school should feel that same pain!  I am not talking personal judgement of the individuals.  They must answer to God for what they did to the least of these.  I would rather not stand in their shoes in front of the God who loves children and wants them protected.  He forgives, if asked, but there are consequences to our actions.  Sandusky is feeling his.  Paterno may be feeling his.   I am talking about corporate punishment!  The actions of a group of people or non-action in this case should have dire consequences.  For example, if a group of people tried to overthrow the govt and failed, they would be severely punished for their collective action.  Is this really any different?  Not in my humble opinion!

As for me and my my situation, God rescued me and saved me!  He allowed me through His grace to forgive my abuser and the people who wouldn't believe me.  My abuser has never admitted to his crimes and by the time I let the suppressed memories come out, there was a statute of limitations expiration.  That is not the case today, thank the good Lord!  God has restored that part of me that was stolen and has repaired my feelings towards father figures.  He has made me strong through my weakness.  My prayer for these victims, is that they come to know the only One who can heal them.  He wants to wrap you in His arms and comfort you!  He was there when it was happening to you and He is there now!  He may erase the memories or not.  He may have a purpose for those memories.    Read Isaiah 61  but I am quoting some of the verses that speak to me!

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
³     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor. 

They will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
    that have been devastated for generations.
Instead of your shame
    you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
    you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
    and everlasting joy will be yours.
 

Consequences

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.  Sir Isaac Newton coined that phrase centuries ago when describing the Laws of Motion.  I will amend that and say for every action there is a consequence.  It can be a good consequence or a bad one.  But, something always happen when we act.  I touch a hot burner, I get burned.  It hurts and I learn quickly not to touch it again.  Both bad and good consequences come from it. 
Why then do people think that there should be no consequences for Penn St and everyone involved right down to the last, littlest person?  When someone(allegedly) harms a child in the way Sandusky did, there should be a severe consequence to him.  He should get burned and learn to never touch another child in that way again!  I can promise that those boys are feeling the consequences and that they will the rest of their lives.  As a victim of molestation and abuse myself, it is something that never goes away.  But, Sandusky was the worst sort of predator.  He actually(allegedly) set up a foundation where he "helped" young boys.  He most likely was pimping them out to big donors.  This absolutely disgusts me!  How much money did Penn St and the athletic department take from these donors and Sandusky himself?  Everyone should be cleaned out from the President down to the towel boy.  Every trainer, every scout, EVERYONE!  If Penn St wants to keep their reputation, they need to do what is right for the boys.  The cover up of the crime from all parties is beyond belief.
Then we have the students who rioted over the dismissal of Joe Paterno.  He should be gone and he should've been gone before he broke the record for most wins by a NCAA coach.  He knew and never turned it in to the police.  Sure, he told his boss but that is not enough.  Sometimes, you have to stick your neck out for the "least of these" and risk getting it chopped off to do what it right and just!  His reputation, had he done that, would be intact now.  But now it is tarnished and this will forever hang over his head and the university's.  People need to understand that there are consequences for their actions.  Sandusky will go to prison and so will others.  Penn St will lose money and football recruits.  But, is it enough?  What did these dozens of boys suffer?  Lifelong damage that is almost irreparable.  I have healed but I still have the memories.  They never go away.  They make me guarded in every aspect of my life.  If my child were a student at PSU, I would pull them out and demand a refund.  They would not get 1 more red cent from me.  This went all the way from top to bottom and no one ever thought of the welfare of the children.
I am disgusted!  This has disturbed me all week.  I pray desperately for the boys involved because if there are 8 of them that are pressing charges, then there are dozens more who are too ashamed to accuse him.  I pray for those involved in the crime's cover up.  I pray that they will seek forgiveness and make restitution for their doing nothing.  Lastly, I pray for Sandusky.  I pray that the Lord would convict him of his sin and turn him from his wicked ways.  I pray that he lives with the memory of what he's done and like touching a burner won't do it again.  I pray that justice is swift and severe.  I can assure you that God is not happy with what he has done and justice will be served by Him.