Joe Paterno passed away this weekend. Good and bad things are being said about him. Most of the bad seems to be coming from a younger generation that reflects a lack of tolerance on their part.
His failings, if any, in the the Penn State scandal were ordinary and minimal. He waited 24 hours to report to higher authority. He failed to notify the police after his Penn State superiors did not do so.
A great man whose life is now besmirched. Shakespeare said it best. Through Marc Antony. Marc Antony’s words in eulogizing Julius Caesar.” The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones…”
A shame.
Enjoyed Meet the Press yesterday. It is a disgrace that Newt Gingrich may very well be the Republican presidential candidate. The Republican Party could have done better. The Nation requires better.
I spent a good portion of the rest of the day sitting on the deck. The weather was fine. The sun shining. A small breeze. I sat under the umbrella and did one of the things I enjoy best. Sunday newspaper reading.
I also wrote my column for this week’s Konk Life. It will be published Thursday.
The subject was Joran van der Sloot. He was the young man who was thought to have murdered Natalee Holloway several years ago in Aruba. He was never held for trial. The police said there was insufficient evidence.
Joran van der Sloot pled guilty this past week to murdering a 21-year-old woman in Peru. He admitted strangling the lady to death in a casino hotel room. He was sentenced to 28 years in jail.
From my perspective, it was a victory for justice. Similar to the O. J. Simpson cases. If society does not get a wrongdoer for one thing, it will ultimately for another. Justice triumphs!
I was at Louie’s Backyard late in the afternoon. I went over to have a couple drinks, watch the setting sun and observe the tourists. By the time I left, the stars were out. I was there that long.
I had no desire to either go out to eat or to eat last night. Having a house guest has certain benefits. Terri enjoys gardening activities. I can always depend on her when she’s here to trim the palm trees, the shrubbery and generally tend to the foliage. Anna cooked for me yesterday.
A Sunday morning traditional dish in many Italo-American homes is fried meatballs. I have not had fried meatballs in years. Anna made them for me yesterday. Beef, egg, mint, bread, milk, salt and pepper. Plus, the oil in the frying pan. Absolutely delicious!.
Sufficiently delicious that I ate too many. I kept munching on them all day until I left for Louie’s Backyard. There was no room left in my stomach after that!
I occasionally quote my Facebook friend Jim Brown who lives in Crete. The man has many profound thoughts! Today’s is an example.” I don’t like Monday, whose idea was it to make the weekend two days only?”
Syracuse basketball again tonight. Cincinnati at Cincinnati. We should win. I hope so. There is a degree of hesitancy after Syracuse’s defeat 48 hours ago at Notre Dame.
As usual, I will be watching the game at the Sports Page Bar. The game starts at seven o’clock.
Enjoy your day!
Long time reader , 1st time commentator …
No disputing JoePa was a great coach but, I think there is much more to the whole Penn State, Sandusky, Paterno story . Like what happened to Ray Gricar ?
BTW the deck at Louie's Backyard is one of my favorite places in Key West …
Have a Great Day in Paradise Key West Lou !
I was a fan of Joe Pa before all of this. BUT, (and there is always a BIG butt), how can you not have outrage at the whole issue? You were very gentle with his legacy. Football is supposed to teach character. Struggle, honor, courage, bravery, all the manly virtues.
A number of people were shown to be cowards. From the quarterback who has to ask his Dad if he should have rescued the child. To the Head Coach who meekly "reported it to his superiors". To the University honchos who buried it.
No, I'm no youngster, but I too look on Penn State askance now. This pervert had to be common knowledge on the campus. Why else didn't this famous well-respected coach not get one job offer after Penn State? This had to be common knowledge around the football community. If it was, still no one took actions. What cowards!
I would have like Joe Pa to stick around to be deposed. To get to the truth. Now that he's dead, everyone's going to make him the fall guy. Maybe he should be. Certainly seems like there is more than enough blame to go around.
Karma is a wicked and twisted thing at times. I have seen through my decades that often the mightiest, most admired, most successful, ultimately fall hard. JoePa is no exception, neither was Tebow and his prayers. It is guaranteed that Newt will be no different or Obama for that matter.
I believe God has two things in common with us, a sense of humor and a sense of justice.
The meatballs sounded fantastic!!
Certainly there will be good and bad things which people keep remember.