Penn State Child Abuse Scandal; and Football Culture.

Trifoilum

Trifoilum

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So...about what had happened in Penn State University.. I'm sure a lot of people have known.

As usual, what do you think about it? From the debate I'd read around, it would seems that there are significant controversy; towards everything BUT the perpetrator. *laughs*

Another thing I'd notice is that some people had mentioned about this being the start of the end of the 'football culture' that's investing across America. What is 'football culture'? Is football (and its associated area; campus football, professional football, etc etc) that...ubiquitous (sic?) in America?
 
I saw a headline on MSN yesterday (day before?) that said "I never should of showered with those kids" Or something close to that. I was like WTF??? I didn't read it though.
 
.........huh? o_O; Sandusky said that?
 
Sports are the national religion, and football at Penn State is a good example. They spent so much money on their stadium. It certainly wont be the end of football culture, and bros will be bros regardless.

They have these videos from every angle, but I like the commentary on this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUodr5Q4SAo
 
I heard that interview with Sandusky. Made my stomach turn.
Whatever would make him think it was ok for a grown man to shower with these young people?
He played it off like it was nothing. (I'm paraphrasing here.) "I was showering with them, horsing around. Snapping towels." With an attitude of "What? was that wrong with that?"

Anyone that can read between the lines of what someone says heard him admit to being a pedophile.
"I didn't go around seeking out every young person for sexual needs that I've helped."
No, just some of them clearly.
 
Dragon said:
Sports are the national religion, and football at Penn State is a good example. They spent so much money on their stadium. It certainly wont be the end of football culture, and bros will be bros regardless.

They have these videos from every angle, but I like the commentary on this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUodr5Q4SAo
Click to expand...

They don't spend their money to build stadiums if they can help it. They get politicians to give them taxpayer money to help fund them. Even though the owners, the NFL, and the major networks that all profit from the games could pay for it themselves.
Don't get me started.
The Vikings are putting the screws to the State of Minnesota to build them a stadium as I type.
They are like spoiled children.
 
MindYourHead said:
They don't spend their money to build stadiums if they can help it. They get politicians to give them taxpayer money to help fund them. Even though the owners, the NFL, and the major networks that all profit from the games could pay for it themselves.
Don't get me started.
The Vikings are putting the screws to the State of Minnesota to build them a stadium as I type.
They are like spoiled children.
Click to expand...
And from what @Dragon said, then it implies something, no?

Why would the football teams even dare to claim that much of money and attention, if there's little people willing to watch?
People are going to be even more daring if they know they are being watched (or appreciated, at least.).

And again,
what defines 'football culture'?
I am purely clueless about this, and I'm curious because these particular people seems to talk about 'football culture' akin to 'social networking culture' or 'Hollywood / Reality TV culture', when extreme exposure to certain type of goods / entertainment affects how people lived, and the future generations. Is it the same?

Maybe I should check google for a while..

[MENTION=1355]MindYourHead[/MENTION] ; OF COURSE he's going to say that. </cynic> At least he didn't go towards victim blaming? (or if he does, oh God/s/esses help him. GOD HELP HIM.)
 
I understand going after the guy who was messing with the kids. I dislike the destruction of the head coaches legacy Paterno? I think that is a waste of time and energy and takes the focus off the Sandusky guy who should be facing MOST of the heat.
 
A moment of googling and I found this;

http://www.npr.org/2011/11/16/142355144/is-football-culture-the-core-of-the-problem

...even more interesting. O_O; because this entails so..many...things. People. Even money.

[MENTION=3096]Sonya[/MENTION] : I agreed, but then I read this;
http://www.christianpost.com/news/d...football-enable-the-penn-state-scandal-61621/
“The Attorney General made a determination that [Paterno] had not at this point in time done anything of a criminal nature, but in my opinion, when you don't follow through, when you don't continue on to make sure that actions are taken, then I lose confidence in your ability to lead. That would be the case here.”
Click to expand...
Makes sense, somewhat. Of course, the assumption that he's becoming the scapegoat and he's taking the attention from Sandusky is still there.. This issue is more complex than this, but this is one base that he's somewhat failed to protect.

I cannot help but sympathize towards every party but Sandusky, though.
 
I don't disagree that Paterno should lose his job over the scandal but I just saw where they are taking his statue down at the campus. I mean, come on.
 
[MENTION=2172]Trifoilum[/MENTION]
I can't explain the football culture to you, since I don't understand the attraction to the game to begin with.
It bores me to tears.
 
*shrugs* Testosterone at it's finest? Sweaty men acting aggressive and hitting each other, forging a deep bond to each other and then celebrating in a locker room???
 
Sonya said:
*shrugs* Testosterone at it's finest? Sweaty men acting aggressive and hitting each other, forging a deep bond to each other and then celebrating in a locker room???
Click to expand...

Don't forget the towel snapping!
 
Sonya said:
*shrugs* Testosterone at it's finest? Sweaty men acting aggressive and hitting each other, forging a deep bond to each other and then celebrating in a locker room???
Click to expand...
I WISH.
And God knows how many American gay fictions and porns and fantasies revolved around this.
*deeeep siiiigh*
But I digress.*runs*
 
I have never thought of football as being a culture in and of itself. I have never been on the inside (or even liked watching the super bowl) , and to me, that has given me a unique perspective on it because I feel that football is main stream enough that everyone is a part of it. Kind of like music, you are either in the In Group or the Out Group. To say there is a football culture at all is like saying there is a technology club culture, shot put culture, etc. I just think it is too small to be an appealing culture study I guess. To define what the culture is, well I just think that I have thick enough skin and am interestign enough that I dont need to talk sports by the water cooler. But then again I am a megalomaniac in that way.

I have heard of this scandal but am uninterested in it mainly because I never heard of Penn State and I am not invested in the people involved. But throw the book at child molesters- I agree with that part.
 
Trifoilum said:
And from what @Dragon said, then it implies something, no?

Why would the football teams even dare to claim that much of money and attention, if there's little people willing to watch?
People are going to be even more daring if they know they are being watched (or appreciated, at least.).

And again,
what defines 'football culture'?
I am purely clueless about this, and I'm curious because these particular people seems to talk about 'football culture' akin to 'social networking culture' or 'Hollywood / Reality TV culture', when extreme exposure to certain type of goods / entertainment affects how people lived, and the future generations. Is it the same?

Maybe I should check google for a while..

@MindYourHead ; OF COURSE he's going to say that. </cynic> At least he didn't go towards victim blaming? (or if he does, oh God/s/esses help him. GOD HELP HIM.)
Click to expand...

There are a massive number of people willing to watch Penn State football games. Their games sell out, and I think they still will be very popular in the future.

As for funding, I know the state was involved in funding it, but I didn't know to what extent.

How do I explain football culture? I am having a hard time because I know there is no set definition for it like there is for some other things, but I could describe what I think if you want.
 
Dragon said:
There are a massive number of people willing to watch Penn State football games. Their games sell out, and I think they still will be very popular in the future.

How do I explain football culture? I am having a hard time because I know there is no set definition for it like there is for some other things, but I could describe what I think if you want.
Click to expand...
Interesting. From what I'd seen Paterno is hailed as an exceptional coach, but I don't know that Penn State by itself is famous (....not American >_>)
Sure, if you may. :D at the very least it can give me an idea of what some people think.
 
Another thing I'd notice is that some people had mentioned about this being the start of the end of the 'football culture' that's investing across America. What is 'football culture'? Is football (and its associated area; campus football, professional football, etc etc) that...ubiquitous (sic?) in America?
Click to expand...

Oh, dear. How to possibly explain this to someone who has not experienced it? People can be more fanatic about football here than they often (usually?) are about religion. Women dress to the nines to attend college football games, men paint themselves up and just act crazy, and there are huge parties and social events surrounding the games, tickets sell for huge wads of cash, and the amount of money the whole thing generates is astonishing. People get in fistfights over their teams and small children cry and have temper tantrums when the Vikings or the Whoevers lose. And so do grown men, for that matter. I have heard that people behave like this over soccer in other places. High school football is hugely popular in some areas, so that the players at age 17-18 are used to being treated like heros. College football is probably more popular than professional football, and generates tons of income for the universities. I just don't understand the sheer amount of energy and emotion some people put into sports in general. But they do. I think they like competition? shrug...

That is why these @%#^&@! coaches were treated like stupid saints. Don't get me started... It's like religion on steriods and with different outfits.

But, yeah... whoever says it is the end of "football culture" is mistaken, I'm afraid.

P.S. Oh, yeah, I forgot to add, they have cheerleaders, who are really beautiful, and music and band events which make the games not just sports, but sex and entertainment as well. So imagine competition, violence, sex, entertainment, raw emotion and near-fanatic religion all rolled up into one. It makes people go all glassy-eyed and drool. Really, it does. It is not a conspiracy, people just effing love it. It's also very noisy and violent.
 
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