It is not a legal issue that has Paterno in trouble; it is a moral one. For better or worse, he set himself up as a moral, ethical light. For worse, he didn't act that way when the stakes were the lives of young children. He made the judgment to pass the buck to and then tolerate the solution crafted by his nominal superiors. It is this judgment that stands condemned.
It is his actions, not those of the Penn State Board of Trustees, that have trashed his legacy.
Richard C. Sheerr,
Levittown
Penn State trustees
were cowardly
The students rioting and causing destruction was very wrong. They should have had a peaceful demonstration.
In the case of Joe Paterno, the board of trustees were cowards. The man devoted his life to the college. To fire him by phone was a terrible injustice.
I am not judging him, but the board did. Did they question him? Or just throw him under the bus to save face?
Josephine Zirille
Philadelphia
No justice
for abuse victims
Justice deserved was justice denied in the Penn State scandal. It is obvious that those officials who were informed of Jerry Sandusky's immoral behavior gave little thought to the victims and directed their entire attention to protecting the sacred, enormous cash cow known as Penn State football. One wonders when morality will once again be the first choice of public officials.
Ephraim Levin
Philadelphia
JoePa didn't
act like a hero
To the students of Penn State who have taken to the street to protest the firing of their beloved football coach, Joe Paterno:
"Hero" is defined by Encarta World English Dictionary as follows:
"Remarkably brave person; somebody who commits an act of remarkable bravery or who has shown an admirable quality such as great strength of character."
Your beloved football coach has been defined as "hero" over the course of many, many years. He formed many lives and inspired others to achieve their goals in life.
You must however, never forget that your hero, when presented with the opportunity to be a super "hero," failed to adhere to those ideals.
I challenge you to imagine yourselves as the young child whose life has been permanently altered by these men who are larger than life, and to remember that these children now have the protection of the eyes of a nation!
Jean K. Kubitschek
Family Court counselor
Stillwater, MN
Emotion might help
the Eagles to win
Re: "High & Inside," (Nov. 15):
The article criticizes both coaches for the use of profanities after the game. Both coaches were in emotional states.
Isn't that what you want from your head coach, a little emotion? Couldn't we use a little of that around here? Football is an emotional sport. Sometimes it gives you the edge over your opponent. Maybe if this team had a little fire and emotion, we wouldn't have to listen to the "Groundhog Day" press conferences from the coach and the team wouldn't be sitting at 3-6!
Anthony Zajko
Glenolden
Defense used
bad Fumo metaphor
Re: "Judge Resentences Fumo to 6 More Months, Plus Restitution & Fine" (Nov. 11):
To Vince Fumo's defense attorney Dennis Cogan: It's been reported by Michael Hinkelman that you used an interesting metaphor (quote by Hinkelman) when describing the emails sent from federal prison by convicted Democratic state Sen. Fumo. You stated that "he's like a drunken Irishman on St. Patty's day flexing his beer muscles."
Counselor, for somebody in your line of work, an attorney, whose tools of the trade are words, your "interesting metaphor" is beyond an injudicious choice of words.
I and many other proud Irishman and ladies take exception to your "metaphor" and are highly insulted by your comment.
I'm reasonably certain you could have framed an "interesting metaphor" about your client. You saw fit to take the easy way out and craft a metaphor insulting to the Irish.
Would you have another "interesting metaphor" to share with us regarding the comments Fumo made regarding Daily News columnist Ronnie Polaneczky, a female.
Mr. Hinkelman, I certainly hope that if Cogan cares to share this with us, you find it equally as interesting as his ethnic insult to the Irish. As a proud Irishman and degreed member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) Division 61, we look forward to your response.
Marc C. Crawford
Philadelphia
