2012 Finally!

The Daily Soundtrack exhales today. Finally! The Penn State Football program is no longer in charge of Penn State University. The students there will learn a hard and truthful lesson about abuse of power, bad actions and cover ups. If we’re lucky, other universities will come to an understanding that football is a sport and although it is a big money maker people (and children) still matter more. The NCAA deserves our praise (today).

Sad Statue – System of A Down
To the students who, with teary eyes, surrounded the Joe Paterno statue on Saturday and sang kumbaya kind of songs… you all looked too young for me to be too angry with you. Most of you probably haven’t given a moment’s real thought to what Jerry Sandusky was doing. You just see JOEPA as a mythical figure who gently guided Penn State Football, and its players, to glory. If you’re lucky, when you’ve completed your studies you’ll have developed the ability to think… right now you’re immature, self-absorbed and ill informed.

I Stand Strong – Burning Spear
To the person who stood alone, across the street from the teary eyed students and shouted back at their nonsense. Good for you sir, your strength of will and spirit is evident. Hopefully someday the 20 year old who shouted “Paterno reported it to his superiors, get the facts” at you will gain enough life experience to recognize what a fool he was. I apologize for him in advance of his growing up… he was a fool.

Thanks – The James Gang
To Desmond Howard, Heisman Trophy winner and sports analyst… You are a true gentleman and if, someday, you’re in the LA area I’d like to buy you a drink, or an iced tea or dinner or whatever I can afford. Your comments about this horror were absolutely correct and when (in regard to the penalties) you said, “it’s not enough to remember the victims, you have to truly think about them and what they’ve gone through and what this has done to their lives” you were speaking for any and everyone who believe all the football programs and money in the world doesn’t fix what has happened to these kids. You only get life… and that life is so easily damaged.

Balance – Joshua Redman
To the NCAA… hopefully ALL of the other schools under your umbrella will gain clarity on what they are doing. Sadly, I believe that what occurred at Penn State could have happened at many other schools… those schools where sports (and they money they bring in) have wrested control from the institution itself. I still believe your focus is limited and askew… you try to keep the players untainted by dollars while allowing the universities to run wild for them. The Penn State debacle comes down to a lot of money and an old man holding on to his legacy. That legacy is gone now along with all of his victories since 1998. Maybe this is the first step towards balance.

No One Cares – Frank Sinatra
To the Paterno family… don’t waste your money. The only people who will read YOUR investigation and report into ‘what happened’ will be the kumbaya singers mentioned above, journalists and insomniacs. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. In regard to Mr Paterno’s passing I’m sorry for your loss. I hope you’ll also consider the victims of Sandusky must live with the loss of their innocence, childhood and, possibly, their futures. And I believe your “he did what he was supposed to” defense of Mr Paterno’s non-actions is disgusting.

So those are our final comments on Penn State. Now on to lighter faire like the end of humanity due to global climate change.