How PSU fans can act like they did nothing wrong. This isn't running a stop sign or speeding , this is PEDOPHILES! They attack the victims, the jury, the people who testified , anyone who stands who tries to harm their cult football factory.
How in the hell do people think like they do, or even live with themselves, acting that way. 11 year old kid was raped, and PSU fans ask him, but did you die, kickoff in 6 weeks. Disgusting human beings, and they will pay one day
I've thought about this a good deal. Here what I can come up with:
1. It's not just football, but an institution that they've been told all of their lives is good, wholesome, honorable, and exceptional. The facts are filtered through that world view.
2. They believe that the abuse victims are lying. Maybe they are just out for a payday. Maybe they are manipulated by lawyers. Maybe their memory isn't so good after all of these years. Maybe all of the above.
3. They believe that McQueary, the only one who seems to have a conscience, is a liar willing to sacrifice anyone else to save his own reputation.
4. While some will admit that Sandusky had a problem, they compartmentalize it from Penn State. He wasn't using the reputation, credibility and facilities of the football program to pursue his sick obsession, but did it entirely on his own. Some even deny that Sandusky abused anyone -- he just loved children more deeply than most people can understand.
5. Those inside the institution who fired Paterno, accepted sanctions and paid settlements are spineless at best and possibly even seditious. Penn State was failed by a lack of leadership unwilling to fight for its honor. The internal enemy is a powerful scapegoat.
6. Those outside of Penn State who see things differently are jealous and vindictive, and probably Pitt fans.
7. The media has misrepresented the facts in the interest of promoting scandal and inviting clicks. Media outlets aren't interested in the truth, only the publicity.
8. They are encouraged by those who have stepped forward to rights all wrongs. Lubrano, Ziegler, Franco, and the Paterno family have become the defenders of the faith, and people hang on their words.
9. The success in having NCAA sanctions reversed is seen as proclaiming the innocence of the program rather than a function of Penn State's reforms and, more importantly, the NCAA's lack of enforcement authority.
10. Many have a deep emotional investment in Penn State that is part of their identity.
11. The evidence is not unequivocal. It rarely is, and especially so with events that occurred as much as 35 years ago. There are plenty of opportunities to probe weaknesses.
12. Putting aside all of the above, Penn State does a lot of good educationally and economically, and it's not fair to tar the entire university system with the failings of its football program and senior leadership. This I agree with.
