Posnanski and the Paterno book

Perhaps, then, the Supreme Court analogy is the most apt.

And you're right. If someone is determining whether or not he succeeded at this point, then that's premature. However, I think there is a distinction between doing that and discussing the likelihood that he succeeded, which it seems nobody should have a problem with. Again, there is so much to go on. And just judging from the posts on this thread, both sides seem to be able to use the same evidence to build their own case. This book, unread to now, is a Roarschach test evaluating people's thoughts about Posnanski as a journalist.

 

Hell, it could still work as a book. In between the chapters or various anecdotes - include in italics what we didn't see during the Paterno reign.

Fresh off the win at Wisconsin, Paterno spoke to the local Kiwanis Club about honor.
Later that day he would meet with Curley and Schultz and advise against pursuing the Sandusky "matter."

 

I have no idea what the plans are for this book, and I don't want to guess.

As my clients know (and are no doubt sick of hearing), I'm not a huge fan of book signings. Unless the author is a bona fide celebrity (ie, the kind you would stop in the street and ask for an autograph), the turnout can be embarrassing, and ultimately these appearances serve only one significant purpose: advertising. You don't do them for the book sales, which are relatively insignificant. You do them because there's going to be a big sign in the window, and local publicity, and your mom can come take pictures.

To me, an author's time is better spent doing the media circuit, and I have no doubt Joe will be in the highest demand when the book hits the shelves. If this was my author, I'd agree to the minimum number of signings (one for each major vendor, if necessary) and focus the rest of the time on major media.

 

Considering how pissed off people were at Pearlman for his Walter Payton book, I can't imagine how the PSU faithful will receive this book if it's critical towards old JoePa.

It probably wouldn't be safe for him to do book signings in Central PA.

 

The statue has to come down.

Right? What's the alternative, 24/7 security forever?

Even a moat wouldn't protect it from paint balls or shotguns.

 

The Posnanski statute?

Where is it at? Kauffman Stadium?

 

I can see what As The Crow Flies is saying. People are usually more complex and nuanced than most others may know.

That's why and how convicted murderers are, somehow, suddenly seen as good and just people when they take liberties with child killers and molesters in prisons (what kind of garbage is that?). It's exactly why and how someone can do all the good that Paterno did, and still be involved in something so wrong.

When people are in extreme situations, there is, frankly, no way to know for certain how they will respond -- until it happens. If we're selfish enough, not quite smart enough, afraid enough, embarrassed enough, unthinking enough, or whatever else enough, in just the right mix, we might do exactly what Paterno did.

That is, he and we might hope it "goes away," the same "reasoning" that people often use when they don't go to the doctor when they're afraid something might truly be wrong, and just as people do all the time when they see someone getting hurt, robbed, mistreated or ignored on the street every day, and do nothing about it, except maybe to look the other way or to just keep on going rather than get involved.

Not to defend Paterno, but the coach himself didn't aid in the commission of child molestations. His was a sin of omission more than commission. He ignored a crime; he did not commit it.

I'm with As The Crow Flies in that I hope Posnanski, from his position as close to Paterno as any of us probably ever were, might be able to offer up some perspective on the question of "How, really, could this have happened, given the people/university involved?"...and that goes for whatever the answers may entail.

Frankly, I can't imagine a more convoluted, no-win situation, not only for Posnanski, but especially, for Penn State.

What does the university do about all the Paterno references and landmarks?

I, for one, am glad I'm not Posnanski, or anyone at Penn State.

 

The only comparable writer's predicament I can think of is if a writer started on Herbert Hoover's biography in 1929.

 

Yes, Will Irwin was his name:

http://archive.org/stream/herberthooverare007945mbp#page/n7/mode/2up

I quote the beginning of Chapter 2 from "Herbert Hoover: A Reminiscent Biography", published 1928:

You can imagine where it goes from there. (No, Herbert Hoover did not invent cable.)

 

I just read Mr. Lugs the last two posts (Mr. Lugs loves history), and he says, "buckweaver go to the head of the class. Great research!".

Anyway, folks, please Google Rene Portland Joe Paterno scandal.

There was a pattern of deception here.

If you'll excuse my French... Shakespearean hero my ass!

 

You are awesome.