The Penn State football team has been eviscerated with a $60 million fine, removal of scholarships, canceling of victories from previous years and other penalties.
There is no argument that Penn State's top management deserved punishment. But in all of this there is little or no mention of Jerry Sandusky, the assistant coach who is charged with abusing young boys in his care. Yes, the late Joe Paterno did not do enough after hearing about Sandusky's behavior. Penn State administrators wanted to protect the university's reputation and football program more than the boys who were molested. But the students weren't responsible. Why should they receive a multi-year penalty?
In our "tolerate-anything" culture, we are surprised when the intolerable occurs. Why? When boundaries are removed, people do outrageous things. In our politically correct culture, we only condemn the outrageous after the fact, lest some group be offended. And so we get more outrageous behavior.
I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.
Publication date: July 24, 2012
