Distance Learning- What have we become??

First of all, when I refer to "we" in this post I include myself. At the initial outburst of this scandal nearly two weeks ago I was in shock and awe over the allegations that were being thrown at coach Jerry Sandusky and Penn State University. I have long been a fan of college football and, although I root for no specific team, I have always known of the intense heritage and tradition that the football team and Joe Paterno embody at Penn State. Although I have no firsthand knowledge of what a game is like in person or what the atmosphere of the town is, I knew that any attempts at pointing the finger at all of this being Paterno's fault would bring outrage among most of Pennsylvania. At the onset I even believed that it was better for Paterno to finish out the season and retire. I believed that he had done all that he could have when his graduate assistant reported the incident to him. He went to his superiors. That's what you're supposed to do right? WRONG! Not when you're Joe Paterno. Not when you're a living legend. Not when you have a shrine of yourself on the campus that lives and breathes everything that you as a person represent. When your superiors are men that you have coached, you should feel even safer about notifying the police before them. Whatever the case somewhere before, after, in between, or all 3, you go to the police! You shouldn't even really need to go to your superiors. Damnit Joe you have grandchildren and children of your own!

So as I sat on my couch on a Wednesday night and watched as mobs of Paterno loving college students stormed the campus, turned over media trucks and held candle light vigils in honor of Joe Paterno I began to think of the victims that were watching this. Who knows where they were at that moment but without a doubt they knew of the rioting in Penn State. The amount of undeserved fear, blame and shame that must have been put on these victims shoulders at that moment is immense. So for that moment I was as embarrassed as I've been in quite a long time. These were college students acting in barbaric ways. I am a college student. I even felt that Paterno should have been given certitude to finish out the season. Am I like these barbarians?! One thing is for sure, we all were to quick to think about Football and tradition, rather than the thought of the victims. For me, it took a couple of days to realize the gravity of this situation, others it was right away and some of the students at Penn State it could have been when they woke up hungover and ashamed in their dorms that following Thursday morning. The bottom line is this, in this instance traditional values and sports have taken precedence over the lives of human beings. This, to me, no matter how much you love Saturday football and ESPN is absolute bullshit. The ultimate irony for me came when I saw highlights of the Nebraska/ Penn State football game that took place last Saturday. At the beginning of the game there were prayers for the victims and a moment of silence. Even in the moment of silence, dedicated to the victims, you can hear idiotic fans yelling "we love you Joe Pa!". Penn State lost the game to Nebraska that day and maybe it was fitting, because in my eyes many of the fans just didn't deserve to win.

Spencer Pirdy KIN 332I

Distance Learning- Penn State Scandal

Last night I saw on the news they were comparing Jerry Sandusky interview to Michael Jackson previous interview when he was charge for sexually harassing young boys. Both of these interviews were relatively the same. They both stated that they wouldn’t do anything without any sexual content but they both admit that they have touch little boys before. After reading an article on the scandal, its very shameful that no one who witness and knew about Sandusky acts didn’t report to the authorities. It could have stop and prevented the other victims from getting hurt. It sucks to know that this has been going on for a few years and it is till now that the issue is being confronted to everyone. The social media is now wanting every information they can possible find from Sandusky, the victims, from the football players and Penn State athletic program. Everyone who took part of this scandal, besides the victims, are being charge for not reporting the incident. Therefore, they allowed him to continue his action and destroy other young boys’ life. There’s issue that I’m recognize that Sandusky has power that he has gain for being a football coach and the students at Penn State still wanting him to coach after the media is exposing his faults across the country. This crime should have been brought up years again but they waited and many young boys face a difficult life and other who witness could re-image the incident. I’m shock that this was not mention before and now there’s 8 victims would have to seek a psychologist. The athletic program should have fired Sandusky right when this scandal began publicizing in the media. The students shouldn’t support Sandusky even if he is a football coach for their school.

Michelle Gamboa Kin332I

Distance Learning

The social media has shaped the PSU scandal in so many ways. With so many different types of media outlets such as internet,newspaper,magazines and television the scandal is being broadcasted on every single level and from many different viewpoints. Depending on the media source the scandal has been shaped many different ways. Each source has the capability of putting their own spin or opinion on the story. Which in turn directly affects the society's reactions to the scandal and how they proceed on dealing with it. The students of PSU had their own separate reaction, they were extremely upset at the loss of their beloved coach, going so far as to push over a media truck. What may have caused them to react this cruelly, the answer must have been some sort of media where they were obtaining their information from. They obviously were not thinking of the abused children in this case, but rather focusing on something else. With power, media and deviance intersecting it very interesting how Paterno and the school as a whole is dealing with the scandal. PSU as well as Paterno are so convinced that they have so much power over this community that they do not seem to be addressing the scandal appropriately. Because PSU and Paterno are nationally well known it seems that the crime is being scanned over lightly. The media has put so much more attention onto the future of their football team. When news of the scandal first broke out it was all over media especially ESPN, you could not watch this channel for more then 10 minutes without hearing something about the scandal. But this was in regards to the football team, not the abused children. There was absolutely no emphasis on the children's psychological or physical health. It seems the only reason that PSU and Paterno were ensuing a cover up was simply to keep a good reputation for the school. They were so focused on the image of their athletic program and academics that it was worth keeping such a disturbing scandal a secret for so long. Personally, I find that the scandal is draining and revolting. So much time is being placed on what the outcome of the sports team and the coaching staff will be. Nonstop media has the complete wrong point of view in my opinion. I have not heard of anything that is being done to help the victims. These children need to be focused on so much more then PSU's programs. Media has definitely shown where it's priorities are and will always be, and that is with those who financially more superior. But what about the kids?

Distance Learning Assignment: Penn State Scandal

The social media has shaped the Penn State scandal into something a lot more controversial and disturbing. Jerry Sandusky and other Penn State faculty members are being ripped apart by the media by letting everyone across the country and world know about what actually happend over the past years. The social media has shaped the situtation by getting all of the details pertaining to the scandal. This would include; who was involved, how many years was this going on for, and why this was never solved earlier. The media is the primary source for the rest of the country because they get to cover all sides of the stories. I feel that in every incident that occurs, someone is always going to change their story or flat out lie to the media about what happend. Issues of power, media, and deviance intersect in this scandal because of our socities values. Penn State was and is still is an excellent university for academics and sports. Many people that don't even follow sports too often probably have still heard of Penn State football. Since their program is so large and well-known, a lot of power is going to be given to the coaches, players, etc. Specifically Joe Paterno was treated by the players, students, and staff as their own "God." Our society values sports and sports figures so much it's kind of scary in a way. This created an enormous problem since the scandal broke the news because all that power Joe Paterno, the team, and school has had just flew out the window. You would think that somebody with so much power and influence on millions of people nation wide would have the respect and moral values to stop this scandal. I feel that the media can either lift individuals to the top and into the spotlight in a positive way and also tear them apart. That's exactly what happend after news broke out. Joe Paterno's "legacy" is now ruined forever. Deviance plays a huge part of this because they acted like nothing was going on and everything was fine. These coaches and staff members and whoever else knew about what was going act like they're above the law or something and don't have to abide by the same rules as "regular" citizens do. Our society has put so much love and passion into these "icons" or role models, that they think they're unstoppable. Using an interactionist theory, I feel that he has morally and publicly embarrassed himself. To understand an individual and to see how they react within society was just torturing these kids. After they've experienced these situations, they probably won't be the same for the rest of their lives. Everyone has different attitudes, beliefs, and values, but I feel Jerry Sandusky lost his soul and dignity over a spand of time. My personal reactions to the scandal were frankly shocked and amazed. I was shocked because no one would expect of all people, Joe Paterno to be involved in such a horrific incident. No matter how much society values you, you can always fall to the lowest point by making bad decisions throughout your lifetime. I was amazed when I first heard the story because I sometimes forget how easy these things can occur in schools. I think a lot of parent's believe that when their child goes of to school that they are sending them to a secure and safe environment. I know people that go to school just to get away from dangers that surround them in their lives out of school. School should be a place students want to go not to avoid. I feel that unfortunately after this event, parent's are going to think more about their child's safety, even at their local school.

Sean H. Whitesitt
KIN 332I
009636326

Distance Learning Assignment: PSU Scandal

The media is helping many of the smaller details surface in the PENN State case. One huge concern amongst the media is the safety of children in this society. The media is showing how absurd it is that this incident took place and went unsaid for as long as it did. Although it has been stated that one of the boys parents did tell someone of higher authority that just goes to show how much the people in power failed. This doesn't set a very good example for others in positions of high power. Sometimes people are given too much power and use it to their advantage. I feel like this is what happened in this situation. Instead of dealing with this issue years ago, the people in power continued to kick it under the carpet in hope of nobody finding out. As an interactionist, I see this situation as a problem amongst Sandusky and the people in which he interacted. Especially the school president who was told years ago about the situation. These people are morally wrong and deserve the punishments they got. No innocent and defenseless child deserves to be treated like this. When I saw the tweet about Sandusky saying that he showered with the boys because he was an athlete and that's what athletes do I was shocked. First, no 45 year old man belongs in the shower with a 10 year old boy no matter what the situation is. This is no excuse for the wrong that Sandusky has taken part in.

Kristin Taylor 007293453

Distance Learning Assignment (PSU SCANDAL)

The social media has taken the PSU scandal and has directed its attention on how morally wrong the situation is. From what I have been reading and watching it is evident that the media is interpreting the issue of child abuse as a major concern that needs to be addressed. I am relieved that they are not taking the sides of Jerry Sandusky and Joe Paterno by trying to defend their actions or lack thereof. I believe the media wants to provide the complete story of the situation so that the spectators and audience will be better informed about this terrible incident. The issues of power, media, and deviance intersect throughout this situation. PSU’s position of power has shown unashamedly that their concern with football is more important than the safety of our children. Paterno knew of the terrible things Sandusky was doing but decided not to take action because it would have jeopardized the reputation of the football program. The media is trying to expose the people in position of power because they want to show that as a society we need to figure out the issues that are more important. PSU and those that knew about the children being abused portray deviance in this dilemma. If they weren’t linked to a well-known football University then they probably would have spoken out about the issue. The matter of doing what is right and wrong plays a big role in explaining deviance in sport. What we consider acceptable and not acceptable in our society should be the same in sport but those involved in the scandal do not seem to think that abusing children is wrong. I believe that the framework that can best explain this situation would be the critical theory. The issue of child abuse is a prime example of identifying problems, injustices, and exploitation in sports so that we can prevent them from occurring in the future. The issue with Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky, and all that were involved gives us new knowledge and has engaged many people in debate about the social issues in sport. This entire situation can be explained through the critical approach because it allows us to understand and address issues in sport and develop way to eliminate them. My personal reaction to the scandal is that I am disgusted with our society. To think that a University and sport is more important than human beings is very wrong. It makes me wonder how much emphasis and importance we put into sports and how it can blind our society to the more important issues. What does it say about our society and culture? Where we put the needs of a football program and University in front of the needs and safety of several abused children. I personally think that it is embarrassing and shameful for those associated with this way of thinking.

Ray Camba
KIN 332I Sec 03 (10767)

TRX

The TRX is a suspension trainer. It consists of two adjustable straps that are used in your workout in the place of weights. It can be used practically anywhere. I recently got certified and bought one of my own. So far I have used it in the house and outside on the garage with the TRX door hanger. It can also be hung from trees, poles, balconies or anything above 6 feet. It is awesome for all ages and fitness levels. You can choose how difficult you want the workout to be by how far you stand away from the hanging point. Or by which vector you choose to create. The TRX is also very popular in the military because it can be an intense workout that can be used anywhere. This suspension trainer focuses on functional training that is done in all planes of motion. The TRX is also shown used by professional surfer Bethany Hamilton, the shark attack survivor, in the movie Soul Surfer.

Brittany Hayden

KIN 332I Sec 03 10767