As Twitchy reported last month, emails between Penn State administrators regarding the convicted child rapist Jerry Sandusky showed a cover-up, with coach Joe Paterno at the revolting helm.
Today, Penn State finally removed their statue of coach Joe Paterno. Twitter users offered on-the-scene reports and photos.
You can hear the jackhammers.. RT @PaulPabst: Joe Paterno statue removal video: http://t.co/hZ1UQbq3
— Kevin Negandhi (@KNegandhiESPN) July 22, 2012
Statement by Penn State President Rodney Erickson regarding the Joe Paterno statue> http://t.co/HMAQstvK
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) July 22, 2012
From the statement:
I now believe that, contrary to its original intention, Coach Paterno’s statue has become a source of division and an obstacle to healing in our University and beyond. For that reason, I have decided that it is in the best interest of our university and public safety to remove the statue and store it in a secure location. I believe that, were it to remain, the statue will be a recurring wound to the multitude of individuals across the nation and beyond who have been the victims of child abuse.
On the other hand, the Paterno Library symbolizes the substantial and lasting contributions to the academic life and educational excellence that the Paterno family has made to Penn State University. The library remains a tribute to Joe and Sue Paterno’s commitment to Penn State’s student body and academic success, and it highlights the positive impacts Coach Paterno had on the University. Thus I feel strongly that the library’s name should remain unchanged.
Unbelievable. While removing the statue is the right course of action, the reasoning is sickening as is the continued reverence aimed at the late Joe Paterno. Commitment to the student body, huh? But no commitment to protecting children from rape.
Even on-duty police officers are stopping by for quick pictures at the #Paterno Statue. pic.twitter.com/q9hNn4cW
— Dan (@djvecellio) July 22, 2012
Paterno statue will be hard to see during removal. http://t.co/Sz8QmZwq
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) July 22, 2012
Jackhammers have started. Statue being held up by a forklift.
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) July 22, 2012
The statue is no more. http://t.co/tgTll1WW
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) July 22, 2012
The Joe Paterno statue is gone, taken inside stadium. Photo from @centredailycom: pic.twitter.com/B9mHNrnT #sandusky #pennstate
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) July 22, 2012
It’s about time, and these Twitter users, including The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza, agree.
Good. RT @BreakingNews: "Penn State says the statue of famed coach Joe Paterno is coming down from outside stadium – @AP"
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) July 22, 2012
About time they took down Paterno's statue. What a sick dude…and a terrible person. #norespect
— Heath Riley (@hvriley) July 22, 2012
MT "@BrianGriffiths: Now that the Paterno statue is down 1. Melt it for scrap,2. sell the scrap,3 donate the proceeds to anti-abuse charity"
— Jake Shade (@realjakeshade) July 22, 2012
Taking Paterno statue out with a towel over his face. Fitting way to go considering that's what he did for the last 15 years about abuse.
— Fairon Allen (@narif) July 22, 2012
Amen.
Those without a moral compass to guide them, however, contemptibly take up for the coach who allowed child abuse to continue under his watch for more than a decade.
The removal of Joe Paterno's statue is the most pathetic thing Penn State has ever done. Regardless of what happened he's still a legend.
— Dayton Pfenning (@DaytonOfficial) July 22, 2012
A legend. Who covered up child sexual abuse, allowing it to continue.
Penn State did not molest kids, Jerry Sandusky did! Lets start investigating the trustees and leave Joe Paterno alone!
— DEMO (@LIBERALINPA) July 22, 2012
As much blame as Paterno should take. All this publicity makes it seem as if he molested those kids.
— MrJeffDess (@mrjeffdess) July 22, 2012
He was complicit in allowing it to continue!
They soiled the legacy of joe paterno now.
— It Ain't Ralph tho (@Ralphmcgalph) July 22, 2012
No. He “soiled” it himself by being complicit in the sexual abuse of children. The moral bankruptcy is staggering.
Joe Paterno statue shouldn't have been taken down. He didn't personally see anything and if he was wrong he would have been hated for rumors
— Jordan (@J_Levy) July 22, 2012
https://twitter.com/blevdawgg/status/227034327622492161
Dude fuck Penn State for taking down Joe Paterno's statue.. Thats bull shit.
— TJ Thotweiler (@jk_ItsTori) July 22, 2012
Disgusting.
Thankfully, the NCAA apparently will not condone the sexual abuse of children nor the reprehensible covering up of the same. They are due to issue “unprecedented” penalties.
Via Drudge, CBS has the report:
(CBS News) CBS News has learned that the NCAA will announce what a high-ranking association source called “unprecedented” penalties against both the Penn State University football team and the school.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” the source told correspondent Armen Keteyian.
They are set to make the announcement at 9 a.m. EDT on Monday morning. Twitchy will, of course, monitor the news and bring you all the latest developments.
Update:
https://twitter.com/jstrevino/status/227072708440104960
https://twitter.com/jstrevino/status/227073153652908032
https://twitter.com/jstrevino/status/227074416503312384
https://twitter.com/jstrevino/status/227075913202941952
