It should be a law in ALL states that adults report suspected child abuse.

Balance the budget morons...This is obviously a local law enforcement case.

Make it mandatory to report suspected child abuse, elder abuse, animal abuse...c'mon, that's a no-brainer and I'll bet most people didn't realize it.

FirLdy

The reporting laws vary from state to state. Are children more important in some states than in others? Your statement infers that you think that the current laws are sufficient, but since they differ from state does that not mean that some of the laws are right and some are not?

Mr. Rogers

Can you quit thinking about your wallet for a few minutes and think about preventing child abuse ...... or is your bank account all that is important? I'm guessing you do not vote progressive.

How about pass the jobs bill and let the law handle this bastard. We don't need a bunch of congressional buffoons playing in Sh*t like it is finger paint!

GA Girl

You don't get it either, do you? This is about taking necessary steps to PREVENT FURTHER AND FUTURE CHILD ABUSE. The whole purpose of the discussion is assessing current law to determine whether it is sufficient to PROTECT CHILDREN.

I don't normally use a lot of caps in comments, but maybe it will help you understand.

don - If the laws are not sufficient to protect the children then that is Pennsylvania's problem NOT Washington's.

The last thing we need is a bunch of shower inspectors from Washington.

Penn State needs to lose its football program for at least a year.

Joyce

What a childish statement. No one is suggesting "shower inspectors" and your language suggests that you consider this a minor issue. This is about adults being required to report child abuse when they witness it. Do you really have a problem with that?

I'm sorry you don't care enough that children are abused to support or even think seriously about the issue. I don't have much respect for that point of view.

In the 18 states that have this law, if you don't report it you can face criminal charges.

People prefer to step aside and not get involved...they definitely don't want to go to jail because they chose to look the other way.

If an adult doesn't want to be "involved" by reporting the rape of a child that person is not much of an adult ..... or even much of a human being. It's a shame that the threat of the law must be used to encourage people to report even extreme forms of abuse, but I certainly believe that it is unfortunately necessary.

The problem is there is not law for them to enforce. This 28 year old man saw a 10 year old boy being raped and did not go the police. The people he did tell just made the rule that he couldn't rape boys on campus anymoer and this 28 year old man found that acceptable and moved on and up in the organization. There shouldn't have to be a law that if you see an adult raping a child you have to go to the police, you should know that. Sadly what this case proves is that such a law is needed. Because without negaitive consiquences this man did not do the right thing on his own. Perhaps if he could have faced jail time for his silence then he would have.

I totally agree don! I'm just trying to rationalize why anyone would be against making sure this law is in effect in ALL states.

don I do NOT consider it a minor issue but I do NOT want more laws coming down from Washington. Why can't the states solve their own problems? If the people in Pennsylvania don't find their laws adequate then it is up to them to change them - NOT Washington.

It amazes me that intelligent people think that all solutions come from Washington. And yes I am very serious about shower inspectors enforcing any laws that Washington dreams up. Federal law is enforced by Washington and the Federal Courts. State law is enforced by the state courts. There is a huge difference. OK maybe it will be enforced by OSHA or the EPA but either way Washington needs to focus on the issues outlined in our Constitution.

There are laws in PA to take care of this type of situation. Laws can never be enough, if they aren't enforced. Don's is just like all progressive, any time a law is broken, call a senator and get new federal laws that will not be enforced.

Don 9752 let cup your face for minute. Any laws that need to be changed in Pennsylvania the damn folks in that state can make it happen a whole hell of a lot faster the those intransigent, incompetent ass wipes in congress! If they could get anything done or effect real change there asses would be passing the JOBS Bill rather then renaming post offices. So don't tell be what their asses can do I have seen their work ethic and as far as I am concerned we will get more of the same with this serious issue and frankly the victims deserve better than a f*cking side show! GET IT OR DO YOU NEED A TRANSLATOR! Don't give that crap about them doing something for the children, you can't mandate ethic and morality all you can do is hold a person criminally liable if they do not have either but that sure as hell doesn't stop the abuser for raping children. Pennsylvania can affect this modification to their existing laws without including the impotent loons in congress.

The Laws we have now just need to be enforced. You can make 50 thousand new laws if no one adheres to them what difference does it make..none!

Why does Common sense need a stricter law? You see an adult doing inappropriate things with kids you call the police.

When do a coaches showered with their Adult or Children's team players?...

When do parents shower with their children 10 years and older or younger?

GA Goul

Why don't you take your anti-federal government hate somewhere else. Reasonable people are discussing an important issue. You obviously believe that the federal government is always bad and states always do a better job, but the fact that only 18 of the 50 states have mandatory reporting requirements is an example where you are wrong.

Pass more gun laws and surely there will be no more guns. Don, what you are advocating is really total Federal control of all of us, so don't we just eliminate state laws/lines, and turn it all over to Congress and Obama to work their magic?

Joyce, dasvet and GA Girl are all legal experts who believe the current laws are sufficient. However, the adult who saw the crime is not under arrest. Not reporting is a crime in some states, but not others. Obviously, our Newsvine "legal experts" believe that we have no problem, or that the problem is merely a Keystone State issue and the rest of us should not care unless we live in Pennsylvania unless we want to risk being called liberals, progressives or bleeding hearts by the heartless legal experts in our midst. After all, we should all be so opposed to Washington that we are willing to let children be raped just so we can all stand by our phony baloney anti-Washington principles.

I have no idea if I'm in one of the 18 states or not. But common sense would tell me to report it, just like I would do if I saw a shooting. Even with a reporting law we don't know if the grad asst would have reported it to the police. In the same situation, I probably would have gone to an authority figure I trusted.

This really is a state issue and current state laws should be enforced.

Johnny

The assistant followed Penn State University policy. If there were a reporting requirement the Penn State policy would be changed to require a report directly to the police instead of to "his superior." See how neat it all works?

Current state laws are different. Which ones do you think are right? If you think that they are all right even though they are different, you have a very different way of thinking.

Congress wants to spend 2 or 3 million dollars on hearings on this? lol

GOOD GOD! ... they can't even keep their own affairs straight ... (no pun intended) ..... all they see is a public relations opportunity!

CONGRESS ~~ STAY THE HELL OUT OF STATE AND LOCAL ISSUES!

This is not a "state or local" issue as much as it is a child issue, moonbeam. You folks who want everything to be a state issue follow the same rationale as those who allowed slavery and Jim Crowe laws for many more years than they should have. States rights are often wrong.

I whole heartedly agree with many on the website about Casey wanting Congress to intervene. MSNBC is so busy trying to cover EVERYTHING, they've not updated their NYC story or comments section to accomodate readers!

I apologize for being 'off topic' but Casey may want to look into the NYC police who took of 5,000 books from demonstrators today; and the fact that they detained accredited journalists and then arrested them.

If Americans lack a moral compass to report crimes against defenseless children, how would Congress repair that? What a senseless proposal and an even more senseless direction for this country!

Again, my apologies!

This issue kinda makes me throw out my usual "states rights" politics . Our children Must be protected from dirt-bags who would abuse them, period!! Mandantory, no-release, prison terms Must be implemented country wide. Of course congressmen are going to use this Penn State issue to showboat, but unlike the steroid goofiness, this issue is a constitutional protection issue. If states won't protect their most vulnerable, the feds Must do it.

I must say; I have never been more embarrassed of my fellow Americans than when I watched Penn State students riot over the firing of Paterno. They should have been the ones calling for his and everyone involved's head.

I weep for our morally bankrupt future generation.

These MORONS can't even fix the economy and they want to address something else get to work instead of pussy footing around, DO your damn jobs .....

Rick

The fact is that they WON'T fix the economy. Republicans are lock-step blocking jobs legislation so as to prevent President Obama from being elected. Anyone who falls for this Republican strategy is being duped.

Yeah just let each and every state decide! You mean like now? Guess what happens? the pedophiles gravitate to those states with weak laws, like PA. There should be a universal law covering all states so pervs and pedos can't easily hide anymore. Protect the victims and prevent further tragedys. Passing said laws or at least mandating in some way should be a Federal priority. But then, trying to get this to happen may take 4,5,6 years? There won't be any congressional leaders making any money off it though so it may be a tough sell. The morons in D.C. will ruin any good intentions for sure.

I believe McQueary when he says he went to the authorities in 2002...why else would the DA disappear without a trace in 2005?? Duh...

According to McQueary he reported this to the police. So, maybe you need to look into why the police didn't do a damn thing instead of pushing more BS from Washington that Washington has no business being involved in. Like the previous poster said, balance the budget!

Ok. Prefacing with this: It looks bad on this guy based on what i've read i'll agree with that.. but who knows if we have the entire story. I'll reserve judgement for later after all the facts are separated from the spin.

To play devil's advocate (which you all should try some time before posting):

Naked does not equal sex. Genetic anomalies aside, there are two sexes: Men, and women. We've pretty much all seen both of them naked at some point. We came into this world naked. There is nothing WRONG with nakedness. There's nothing really wrong with a shared shower either. There's places in the world not quite as high strung as the US where it's quite common place, for example, to visit a sauna as a family.. naked in the sauna or shower. I bet many of the do-gooders would jump immediately to lets call the police and have these people registered as sex offenders yadda yadda yadda.

And about crimes for 'witnessing' things... what about someone with memory issues? what about someone who's drunk and doesn't remember seeing something the next day. While I agree you certainly should report things you see that are questionable, it's asinine to make seeing something and doing nothing about it illegal. it's an unfortunate side effect of a free society: some people might not always take the best course of action.

Basic HUMANITY requires that we ALL protect those that cannot protect themselves. Whether they are children, elderly etc. All this talk about making reporting legally madatory is just obscene.

I'm too lazy to reread the article. But I got out of it on first read is that McCreary stopped the rape in progress and immediately reported it to police. He is either lying, if not then, it is the judicial process which is screwed up and dropped da ball. One or the other. Of course dead men prosecute no crimes.

If an adult doesn't want to be "involved" by reporting the rape of a child that person is not much of an adult ..... or even much of a human being

That may be true but if you're going to make "scumbag" a criminal offense where do you draw the line?

Aside from that there is the matter of the Constitution. The FEDERAL government should not be involved in this in any way. If you want tougher laws they can, and should, be enacted at the state level. It's not a matter of whether or not to protect children, it's a matter of whose job it is to do so.

"GA Goul

Why don't you take your anti-federal government hate somewhere else. Reasonable people are discussing an important issue. You obviously believe that the federal government is always bad and states always do a better job, but the fact that only 18 of the 50 states have mandatory reporting requirements is an example where you are wrong."

Really, is that the best you can do? Now tell us who helped you with that one HMMM? I believe in a functioning federal government not a non functioning one that is looking for any damn reason to pontificate and blow hot air! If you actually knew anything about Congressional hearing you would know that even when you have "Real"congressmen instead of these do nothing/know nothing Baggers/Repubs the hearing sare mainly a platform for over active windbags to suck and blow hot air! Well, thanks this particular congress does not have enough collective intelligence to toast bread.....LIGHTLY! So as far I am concerned they can step away from the microphone.

@ Stacy-467070: I was suprised to read in the article that McQuery maintains (1) he ensured the "activity" stopped - not physically, but made sure it was stopped [begs the question: How, if not physically?? Did he just say, "Hey you two, stop that!" - ?]; and (2) he DID go to the police, although the GJ Presentment states no police report was filed [begs the further question: When, if not immediately - and why is there no record of it?].

Here's my problem with his inaction: If McQuery did not physically intervene, and immediately call attention to this "incident" (read: dial "911" or the PA equivalent), then Sandusky's lawyer is going to have a field day with him on the stand. What 28 year old man DOES that when he sees a child being raped??? With no corroborating evidence (such as the 2002 victim's testimony - although even if he does come forward now, Sandusky's lawyer will argue he is financially motivated), Sandusky will simply say - as he is now saying - McQuery mistook what he saw; they were just "horsing around." And - the lawyer will argue - if a child rape actually was taking place and McQuery did nothing to physically stop it, he's a coward who has no shred of moral conscience whatsoever. Or - the other possibility - A RAPE DID NOT HAPPEN. Then he will point to what PATERNO says McQuery told him (and now Paterno, needing to save face, will stand by his guns on this), which is that what he saw taking place was something "inappropriate" and "of a sexual nature" without a specific description. Again, the lawyer will argue, McQuery simply mistook what he saw and is now blowing it out of proportion after all these years. Who is to say? How can the DA prove otherwise?? Remember, in a criminal case, the prosecution has the "burden of proof" (presumed innocent until proven guilty) so it is the PROSECUTER who is on trial, not the defendant.

So, in my view, McQuery really blew it by not acting to PHYSICALLY stop what was going on, and by not going immediately to the police or Child Welfare and reporting it for what it was, and instead taking it to "Joe-Pa" trusting that el patron will "do the right thing." All he did was ensure that there could be a "reasonable doubt" as to what took place in that shower....

There are 2 courts involved - The court of public opinion, and the court of law.

It sounds like Sandusky is trying to influence the court of public opinion, which could in turn affect the court of law.

From my perspective his failing miserably if that is his aim. If I have have ever seen a guilty pervert he fits the bill.

1984 has come and gone. The "Big Brother" era of it being a crime for not reporting on your neighbor has not yet come into place.

Should certain people report, yes, those whose jobs put them in a position where children are dependent on them.

Should EVERYONE have to report suspected child abuse or they go to jail, no. Being suspected of a crime against children can destroy your life, whether or not you are ever found out to be guilty. McQuery supposedly did everything right and still his career is probably over, simply because he reported.

George Orwell's thought police are not present yet either.

@don97524:

It is obvious to the rest of us that you are a morally superior being with an advanced sense of right and wrong. So let me ask you a question or two. Only 18 of the 50 states make it mandatory to report this crime. According to your statement in an earlier rebuttal you accused another respondent of being wrong about the need for new laws. Based on the 32 to 18 decision not to make this illegal it sounds more like you are wrong.

If you are driving or walking down the road and see a drunk driver, but you do not report this, and he/she later kills somebody, should you be arrested? Why not? If you see a crime of any sort being committed but do not report to the police, should you be arrested? Why not? Who are you to determine what should or should not be the line of demarcation for what needs to be reported? There are certain powers designated to the federal government and others are left for the states. We do not need any further federal intervention into what should be states rights. Besides, what makes you think the individuals making up the federal laws are any more moral, or law abiding than those making state law?

Penn State is THE PREMIERE UNIVERSITY in the state....the Attorney General of the state at the time this happened knew what was going on. This is all a big cover up!

Who was the Pennsylvania Attorney General at the time of this cover up? He was the now is TOM CORBETT the Governor. Tom Corbett has been on all the Sunday shows half answering questions and looking so tough, He was basically covering his A**......he is a coward along with the rest of them. The questions remains, Where and what did you know about this cover up Gov. Corbett?

Xman

This is an issue concerning the safety of children. You change it to a drunk driver issue and they criticize it as if the two were the same. It is a dumb way to argue, and you have taken a ridiculous stand on a very important issue. Clearly, people who observed the actions of Jerry Sandusky made the wrong decision about what to do with their knowledge of child abuse. Mandatory reporting laws should make their decision a little easier, don't you think?

If you think that I am "morally superior" because I believe adults should have a legal requirement to report child rate and you do not, then I agree. I definitely have the "morally superior" position in that argument.

And if a witness does not come forward how do you propose to prosecute said witness? Why do you limit the requirement to children? Are other human beings less deserving of protection? Is a person killed or injured by a drunk driver less deserving of protection? What about the children of that victim? How about handicapped individuals? Disabled people? Are all of these others less deserving of protection in your world? You say I have taken a ridiculous stand on this subject. Yet you have decided nothing else deserves the attention you want given to this crime. Why should I or anybody else take what you have to say as credible? What makes you think you have the moral high ground? Because it is about children?

We should report all parents of occupy wall street protesters as at least being former child abusers.

I personally would report it, but I don't want to be required to report it. I thought I had the freedom to do what I wanted? Get your laws and requirements out of my face.

@don97524:

I'm waiting.... You call somebody stupid and ridiculous and then run and hide when presented with legitimate points of view. Wow, I'm impressed..

David

Do you have anything rational to say or is it your plan just to create diversion with a stupid comment?

X

I believe children, who need the protection of adults, are deserving of laws that require adults to report child rape. You disagree. If the handicapped individuals you use as examples do not have the ability to speak for themselves, we should also have laws to protect them.

rj

Whether or not to report should not be a choice. I'm not impressed with you childish notion that you don't want the government to tell you what you have to do.

It won't matter. All of you have never been near one of these. Let me describe for you an incident 2 years ago.

A mom I know called me. Her husband had moved out. All three boys had moved into her room some years before and refused to sleep anywhere but there with her door locked. Now it was 4 months later and a divorce was in process.

Her 7 year old told her that his dad had taken him down into the basement and locked the door, then laid on top of him, full-length and he thought he was going to die. The kid said he couldn't breathe, dad squeezed his head - hard. The kid said dad did a funny motion with his hips and got very stiff. The boy's brothers by that point had found the locked door and were banging on it. Dad let the kid up, was very solicitious extra nice when they came out of the basement room.

Mom asked me what to do. She was scared to death of reporting it. I told her do so. I told her it was unlikely anything would happen, but that if she didn't later in life, she wouldn't be able to look herself in the mirror and her son would not trust her. So she did.

She was assigned a detective, Samantha Speelman, Badge number 79, Berkeley, California police department. This woman ran the interview at an agency called Calico, telling the staffer who was with the kid what questions she could ask. Then the detective contacted the father. In court a month later, she testified - as an expert witness - for the father.There was no argument about what happened. She testified that this behavior was normal. She did this even though it had come out that the father, a practicing attorney, had been arrested and served a plea bargain for attacking a woman in broad daylight on the street in his last year of law school. Etc. The judge ruled there was not grounds for a restraining order. The judge ignored the expert witness psychologists who all were gravely concerned. The judge then sealed those inconvenient reports from the psychologists.

That is what really happens people. Bluntly, I believe that certain cops make use of their positions to collect payments to protect abusers. In a case like this where it isn't completely black and white, not a perfect slam dunk, a cop stands to make a killing when dealing with a well-heeled perp. And I think some of them do.

Did Samantha Speelman take payment from the father? I don't know. But I do know for certain that she told lies on the stand. Oh, yes she did. I know that for a fact. I won't say what it is, because someday I may be able to spring it on her and take her down.

And no, internal affairs in the Berkeley police department is not interested. In fact, they justified this "poor man's right to privacy" about his "mistake" in law school.

Folks, that's the real world. You all watch Law and Order SVU and you think that has something to do with reality. Well, that's a TV show designed to make you feel good. The real world is just awful.

The real world leaves a mom who reports something like that paranoid and terrified. That's the real world. And cops who lie on the stand keep their job. That's how reporting child abuse goes. That's the reality.

But - that kid trusts his mom now. That kid knows that there are adults in his life who did everything they could within the law. He has problems. He's very smart, but has trouble concentrating, which is not uncommon. The brothers are united in their disgust for their father and stick together.

The brothers don't trust the police though. Not much they don't. They have since learned that most cops are not out to do something bad to them. But they are very guarded, very cautious.

There's a special place in hell for adults who abuse children..

Words are inadequate to describe how sickening and vile the conduct of Sandusky was (and continues to be) toward these vulnerable youth. . . and the many other ways in which individuals and institutions failed these kids.

Yet, we have Legislators calling for additional laws expanding mandated reporting and felony criminal sanctions. . . the same legislators that just delayed the hiring of the next class of State Police recruits, and cut millions of dollars from the PA Children, Youth and Families budget - the agency that would be responsible for answering those ChildLine calls; routing them to the counties to conduct the investigations; and collaborating with County District Attorneys and Police to prosecute these cases. Who will provide the desparately needed counseling services for these victims? Ask the next level of questions around this and make sure the legislation also includes resources for police, courts and child service system to carry this out. Otherwise, this will become political theatre that adds one more layer of exploitation to these victims and countless others.

Penn State University is "the premiere [sic] university in the state" ? ppppffph, PSU is grand and all, but I think you need to check out University of Pennsylvania -- there's your state's premier university.

Sandusky's lawyer, Joe Amendola, impregnated his teenage client in 1996 and she gave birth before the age of 18. He was 49 years old.

Joe feels safe with Jerry Sandusky around his kids.

WTF?

For anyone who thinks this is a local issue think again, and do a search in your area. Most states have a sheriff's department sexual offender register. In the state of IN. all adults are mandatory reporters. It doesn't mean s**t since even some of the sexual predators were released the same day as sentencing! Within one mile of where I live there are over 90 sex offenders! And I live within a few miles of Notre Dame.

That recording has to go through a stress test. There are machines and experts that can measure stress in the speech of people and I am sure that interviewed has been copied and by now has been passed into the hands of experts who will have given it the test. I will not be surprised to see the results of that test talked about or written about in the near future. Sandusky's lawyer just hung his client.

First rule after you are charged in a crimes is "SHUT UP!" This is going to grow unfathomably!

It is more believable that McQueary did verbally stop what was happening.

It is believable that he did report what he saw to the campus police.

Look how all these folks are circling the wagon and either protecting themselves or still shielding or slanting their role to shield the university, the program/charity and thus Sandusky.

Look how they are blaming the messenger i.e. McQueary.... no wonder he phoned his father and told him about it and then both went to Paterno to report what was observed.

Folks seem to forget that Sandusky was a powerful man in his own right as he was the heir apparent/right hand etc of Paterno.

It is not the first time where a report is made to the powers that be including the police about a powerful person and it ..... takes wings and fly away.

McQueary protected himself by having a witness to the reporting to Paterno.. It is unfortunate that he did not take a witness with him when he was reporting it to the police imo.

Look at what has happened regarding the meltdown of our economy yet to date nothing has been seriously investigated or reported on by the powers that be.... it is the usual thing when there are powerful folks are involved and a heck of a lot of money besides.... then the cover up and spin begins. LOL

Perhaps the only reason why Madoff is in jail is because of who he fleeced, he ponzied rich people and some quite powerful too. LOL If Madoff had fleeced poor or middle class folks he would be enjoying the comfort of his previous life now, while the poor and middle class folks would be blamed for their own loss.... LOL

Think one little powerless graduate student reporting what he witnessed was going to bring change to a place where the culture seems to be to cover up the sins of the sinners from the campus locker rooms to the courts?

In other States Sandusky would have been spending his time in jail awaiting trial rather than being out on unsecured bail and with no gps monitoring.

If the man is a pedophile then he was doing what he was doing long before he was caught and confessed in the 1990s, as especially he was/is living so near to a school.

Perhaps the threats that McQueary is getting is for talking... for telling what he saw, not because he supposedly did not physically stop the rape.

Frankly it was just as well he did not physically stopped Sandusky, because no doubt Sandusky could have spun it to state it was McQueary doing the rape and him trying to stop McQueary... who do you think would have been believed first Sandusky or McQueary?

Well seeing as how there are folks who are already trying to beat up on McQueary, blaming him for what occurred even although he stopped it, and not wanting to believe what he states he did regarding reporting the incident...is telling. They would sooner believe Paterno and Sandusky and the police etc. So what is new? Rather only serves to prove the point that there was indeed a coverup.

Wonder what happened to the prosecutor that dissappeared leaving a car in a pond and a computer without is hard-drive? Why take the hard-drive and not the whole computer? Was that to send a message? Curiouser and curiouser....

By the way only about 18 States seem to have serious laws requiring abuse or suspected abuse of a child to be reported by the person in the in the know including doctors, nurses, teachers, police officers and others who work with or care for children etc.

It time that this matter is addressed at the federal level where there is one uniform law that alll States must follow. If this were so Sandusky would be in a jail cell a long time ago or awaiting trial instead of being free to roam. There should also be protection for the person reporting the abuse, which no doubt would make more folks come forward.

Look how whistle blowers in all areas are being treated in our country these days.... they are treated more like criminals and having their lives distroyed just for trying to do the right thing.

Signed.... "Nuff Said....

I can't believe people are actually arguing about whether this is a state problem or a federal problem and meanwhile kids continue to be abused! Who cares? Just protect the kids for heaven's sake! I was personally involved with a case in the nineties that was reported to DCF, an obvious authority, and you would think something would be done, right? Well, nothing was done. No one even spoke to the abused child or her family. There was absolutely zero follow-up as far as they were concerned. After that the family did not pursue it further with the authorities-they just protected the child themselves-because the child had begged that nothing further be done, and the family wished to spare the child any further trauma. The person accused was not a prominent citizen or someone the authorities would want to protect, either. I'm thinking that it must generally take a lot to get anything done-likely due to the caseloads of the people involved.

Sometimes the poor child just can't handle going through all that it takes when the authorities are brought in. Sometimes even when they do manage to tell their stories in front of their leering perpetrators in a courtroom they are not believed and the perpetrator gets off scott free to continue to abuse other kids. Or the cops are accused of using leading techniques when questioning them despite other evidence of abuse being available. It can be really difficult on both sides, especially long after the abuse occurred.

We just have to await more evidence, I think. If McQueary truly went to the police there should be a police report. It's odd that that would not have been mentioned to the Grand Jury. Also we will have to see if the abuse truly stopped after McQueary said he reported the abuse and made sure that it stopped. We can only hope that it did. Finally, re Sandusky, surely any grown man would know better than to ever be naked in the shower with a minor child, "horsing around" or not. I would never willingly be in any situation where I was naked with a minor. (Except once or twice with my own same sex child when they were very young and couldn't be left alone and under special circumstances-like after just returning from the beach covered with sand. Even then I may have kept my swimsuit on.) It is true that different families have different tolerances to nudity, but a situation like that would normally be highly inappropriate for the vast majority of people, I would think. Sometimes people who were abused or who had all their boundaries violated don't understand sexual boundaries at all with others, however-not that it's excusable or not abusive, just that it's so. I was abused, and my family does not understand boundaries of any kind-emotional or otherwise. And no, I did NOT abuse my child. The cycle ended with my generation.

Mc Queary is a liar,he never went to the police,where is that police report ?????

Harry do you really think it is the first time that evidence disappears much less a report.... LOL

In the Sandusky interview he states that Paterno did not talk to him about the incident.... yet didn't Paterno state that he told the athletic director etc....

How are you so sure McQueary is lying? Spill... spill the beans bro....

Congress wants to spend 2 or 3 million dollars on hearings on this?

Sure they do. It makes for a nice distraction from the fact that they're basically useless parasites eating up taxpayers' dollars while doing nothing of any real import.

To those who think adults shouldn't be required to report abuse - just one more example of how ideologues let ideology trump EVERYTHING - probably the same mental/mortal defectives who shouted "Let them Die" at the Republican debates." Time to run off to your Michelle Bachmann support groups.

MICHELLE BACHMANN will stop this at the top. Google CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE. This goes on and has for a long time at the top. Google Lawrance E. King Washington. He provided boys from Boys Town and then blackmailed the top officials at the White House. Then stole $40 million fron the credit union. Served 15 years in prison, i believe.Don't believe it? Google it. I found it thru another comment here that said to check it out. He was right.

Typical. The whistle blower gets in trouble. FYI The DA on the case disappeared in 2005. Hmmmm.

"I did stop it, not physically, but made sure it was stopped when I left that locker room,"

Gee, that's swell that McQueary let Sandusky finish up on the boy while he called Daddy and PLANNED how he was going to make it stop going forward. So what if the child had to endure further trauma that evening? What's a few more minutes of getting raped to a child, right?

What is with Sandusky and McQueary's excuses? "I showered with the boys, but I didn't rape them".... "I didn't physically stop the violent sexual attack in the moment, but I made sure to sound the alarm the next day". What a couple of JOKES!!!

BTW - In case anyone is interested, below is the official PA code in regards to reporting child abuse. It seems that the media doesn't have it 100% correct, unless the argument can be made that McQueary or JoePa didn't hold jobs that put them in contact with children. However, since Second Mile was often hosted within the PENN State facilities, that would mean they ALL came in contact with children and should be held to this Law:

§ 16.102. Suspected child abuse—mandated reporting requirements.

(a) General rule. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6311 (relating to persons required to report suspected child abuse), Board regulated practitioners who, in the course of their employment, occupation or practice of their profession, come into contact with children shall report or cause a report to be made to the Department of Public Welfare when the Board regulated practitioners have reasonable cause to suspect on the basis of their professional or other training or experience, that a child coming before them in their professional or official capacity is a victim of child abuse.

(b) Staff members of public or private agencies, institutions and facilities. Board regulated practitioners who are staff members of a medical or other public or private institution, school, facility or agency, and who, in the course of their employment, occupation or practice of their profession, come into contact with children shall immediately notify the person in charge of the institution, school, facility or agency or the designated agent of the person in charge when they have reasonable cause to suspect on the basis of their professional or other training or experience, that a child coming before them in their professional or official capacity is a victim of child abuse. Upon notification by the Board regulated practitioner, the person in charge or the designated agent shall assume the responsibility and have the legal obligation to report or cause a report to be made in accordance with subsections (a), (c) and (d).

(c) Reporting procedure. Reports of suspected child abuse shall be made by telephone and by written report.

(1) Oral reports. Oral reports of suspected child abuse shall be made immediately by telephone to ChildLine (800) 932-0313.

(2) Written reports. Written reports shall be made within 48 hours after the oral report is made by telephone. Written reports shall be made on forms available from a county children and youth social service agency.

(d) Written reports. Written reports shall be made in the manner and on forms prescribed by the Department of Public Welfare. The following information shall be included in the written reports, if available:

(1) The names and addresses of the child and the parents or other person responsible for the care of the child, if known.

(2) Where the suspected abuse occurred.

(3) The age and sex of the subjects of the report.

(4) The nature and extent of the suspected child abuse including any evidence of prior abuse to the child or siblings of the child.

(5) The name and relationship of the persons responsible for causing the suspected abuse, if known, and any evidence of prior abuse by those persons.

(6) Family composition.

(7) The source of the report.

(8) The person making the report and where that person can be reached.

(9) The actions taken by the reporting source, including the taking of photographs and X-rays, removal or keeping of the child or notifying the medical examiner or coroner.

(10) Other information which the Department of Public Welfare may require by regulation.

How is he exploiting these specific individuals? He does not need the kids to write and pass the law. He is trying to protect the children by compelling those without common sense to do their part. Not a bad thing.

bencas - Washington does NOT need to stick their nose in the showers of any university in Pennsylvania. This is a state matter and this Senator simply wants the publicity that Washington is good for us. Let Pennsylvania handle their own perverts.

How many more rapes could have been prevented if this had been reported to the police the first time someone suspected something? How many children had this man raped since 1998 when someone saw it and did nothing? You should not have to make common sense law, but this case shows that apparently you need to for some people or for a large oranization to act.

Stacy, it is not a FEDERAL problem, it is a state problem.

Just like discrimination in the sixties, it becomes a federal issue if the states do not have laws that protect citizens. It is a vital interest to all Americans that our children, our future, are adequately protected in all states.

Exactly! Some things must be standard in all 50 states.

This issue kinda makes me throw out my usual "states rights" politics . Our children Must be protected from dirt-bags who would abuse them, period!! Mandantory, no-release, prison terms Must be implemented country wide. Of course congressmen are going to use this Penn State issue to showboat, but unlike the steroid goofiness, this issue is a constitutional protection issue. If states won't protect their most vulnerable, the feds Must do it.

I must say; I have never been more embarrassed of my fellow Americans than when I watched Penn State students riot over the firing of Paterno. They should have been the ones calling for his and everyone involved's head.

I weep for our morally bankrupt future generation

It's up to the states to make them standard! The Feds are IGNORING border laws. The Feds are IGNORING gun laws by supplying gun cartels. The Obama Admin does things CONTRARY to law. The Federal Govt needs to KEEP OUT of states businesses!!

REALLY?! That's who you're mad at in all of this? I'm guessing it's because Casey's a democrat. You need to get your priorities straight.

U Emily hit the nail on the head.. so for those of you who think this should go away because it's JO PA.. perhaps if it were ur child u might think differently

an embarassed grad from psu!!!!!!!!

Lowlife parasitic politicians and the ignorant public supporting them know no bounds.

The one who's "exploiting" these children again is Sandusky's attorney. Calling their claims "fabricated" and saying they are out for "financial gain." Give me a break.

@Stacy-467070

How many children had this man raped since 1998 when someone saw it and did nothing?

Did nothing? For Christ's sake, don't let any facts get in the way of a good rant. The 1998 incident was investigated by both campus and local police-

"A lengthy police report was generated, state prosecutors said. The boy was interviewed. A second potential victim was identified. Child welfare authorities were brought in. Sandusky confessed to showering with one or both of the children. The local district attorney was given material to consider prosecution. In the end, no prosecution was undertaken. The child welfare agency did not take action."-http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/10/sports/ncaafootball/aftermath-of-1998-sandusky-investigation-raises-additional-questions.html

If you're going to appoint yourself judge, jury and executioner at least spend 15 or 20 seconds getting the the story correct.

Stacy, the quote you provided proves the opposite of your position. The campus police investigated, referred over to the DA who decided not to prosecute, probably because he didn't have enough evidence to convict. Penn State (Paterno?) told Sandusky not to bring kids to campus anymore, and then didn't even try to enforce that, effectively DOING NOTHING to protect the kids they knew about as well as future victums.

@Proudamericanveteran- enlighten us as to what makes Casey sleazy and if being a Senator is so easy, why aren't you one? Is it possible for one split second that maybe he is honestly concerned?

@Joyce- it's funny how people like you always seem to know what others want. I assume you read minds, in addition to being a conservative. Obviously the, "state" can't handle it's perverts as it is not one of the 32 states that have such laws on it's books.

@Dasvet- again I point to the above. I haven't head anything about any PA state legislators looking to sponsor any new laws.

@RDG6- BUSH 2012!

@The Devil 1138528- are you refering to the judge who let Sandusky out on 100k non-secured bail?

It's interesting how the original DA has been missing since 2005.

What loophole? Is it your claim that Pennsylvania does not have laws against sexual abuse and exploitation of minors. California has laws and Michael Jackson still walked. That is not a loophole Ray, that is an injustice.

Where was the Senator's concern before national headlines?

California has laws and Michael Jackson still walked. That is not a loophole Ray, that is an injustice.

Michael Jackson walked because he was 1%. The same with OJ Simpson. The only reason OJ didn't walk again was because the civil suit made him no longer 1%. After that he was just a black man.

@StevieGee

Michael Jackson was a black man too...well, kinda...

So called proudamericanveteran.....in case you missed the story.....yes there are laws against this type of abuse. However, there are not laws to compel people to report the crime beyond what McQueary did to Paterno. That is a problem.

Yes, the police did not do their part. But do you really think that what happened at the University was not a problem and the fact that they were within the law was not a problem? Really?

Ray - Read your Constitution. Everything does not emanate in Washington. This is a state matter and Florida and Pennsylvania need to handle their own scumbags.

If I had any trust in congress that this was a honest attempt to correct flaws in the system, I'd be the first one to say please investigate. But I feel the only reason congress wants to get involved is for the cameras.

Bob Casey is a jerk. He merely wants to grandstand in front of the home crowd to look like he's doing something. His dog and pony show will not in any way improve matters. PA has a law. The law has teeth, which I suspect the folks at PSU will learn. Unfortunately you cannot legislate compliance.

would u let me know what the law is please.. no law is what is allowing JO PA to get away scott free

The Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law, enacted in 1975.

Google it.

Respectfully, What A MORONIC Statement ....

" ......... there are not laws to compel people to report the crime"

There is no way to compel a person to report any crime! People report crimes for all kind of reasons .... all they have to say is "I saw nothing!" and thats it! What can a blind man see?

This whole affair has turned into a "Witch Hunt" with decent people that thought they took responsible action being pillared by the press & the public !

Is the whole affair disgusting! ... Of course ... but to continuously vilify persons whose perspective at the time, was 1/10000 of what has been put before you is more putrid then the act itself!

A District Attorney (now dead ) decided their was not enough evidence to prosecute, the state dropped the ball, not Joe Paterno, the janitor, or McQueary ... Hindsight and criticism is always easy ..

This is why we have courts and juries ....

AMEN..if SOME people actually had the opportunity to tell their side of their side of the story...

I wonder...How many on the Board of Trustees had some knowledge of all of this prior to recent events?

I agree with another post..the PA governor and his history are questionable. Let's check into it glorious MEDIA!

This situation is sick and the REAL problem has been placed behind a million and one opinions and an attempt to stop the bleeding. Let's stop pointing fingers and get down to business..start this trial!

WE ARE...PENN STATE!

Well, if Pennsylvania has laws on the books to handle this they obvious don't work. Penn St. appears to be such a tight knit group that protects its own....Just like the Catholic Church and their priests. It needs to be addressed outside the current jurisdiction.

I believe you are right. It seems all involved were more worried about the reputation of Penn State. If this guy walks , there should be an investigate by someone other than those who will forget the young boys and protect this guy. After reading all this I am calling one of My State Rep.
to see if we have a law in effect. If not there will be if she can get it passed. And I don't think there will be much of a problem there. She is vey well respected by all who know her, in both parties.
I wasn't going to read this, because I get so mad, and usually end up sick. But now I am glad I did. For one reason, I have never wondered about reporting those behaviour. I just assumed that
all states had a rigid law in effect. Thanks to all who care for the children being protected,

18 states require any citizen to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Those states are Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.

Thanks cms, I am writing my legislators in NY state now!

PM, you are right , it is a STATE problem. Casey should be attending affairs that are under his realm.

You're right Dasvet. This isn't a Federal matter. The US Constitution does not give Congress the powers to investigate this. It's the States' problem.

It does mandate that educational (school) administrators report the information to Child Protective Services... I think that's what's stated in the Penn State Consolidated Statutes Title 23 § 6311 (b), with the reporting procedure under Title 23 § 6313.

Graduate Assistants are employed by the University, so therefore they could be considered school administrators too.

Because the cops and the courts don't want to waste time following up on false charges as so many sexual abuse cases turn out to be.

Peoples act surpise but in all reality its been going on from day one, please take a minute to read how it happens even inside the white house, so distrubing.

The Washington Child Sex Ring Coverup

That has nothing to do with the topic. This is not taking time away from your agenda.

bencas, it appears something is taking their time away from Congress's time. They sure aren't getting much done.

As a nation, our children should be protected.

The Govt is not here to give you job ,are you a commie. The Govt is supposed to get out of your way so you can create your own job so quit bitchin and get working

It should be a law in ALL states that adults report suspected child abuse.

The Senator is a democrat pal... try reading.

dem or republican, Casey should attend to Congress's job duties.

That shouldn't even be mandatory, it should be common sense.

McQueary said he did stop the act first. All the first reports said he did nothing but tell Paterno. If it can be proven that he stopped the act at the time, I could cut him a little slack.....but not too much slack.

I really believe McQuery was bothered by what he witnessed, but was MORE bothered by possibly messing up his career. So, he called daddy for advise and daddy advised him to pass the buck to Paterno. I think they're all guilty of not doing what is morally "the right thing."

If the residents of PA can't do what's morally right, perhaps they need to make it a law requiring people to report to police when they see a CHILD being raped!

This saying should be etched in concrete and put in the center of every town:

"All that is necessary for 'evil' to flourish is for good men to do nothing."

Child abuse is a very vague term. Some people consider feeding your child baby formula, junk food, or allowing them to watch the television as child abuse. But I think like lourdes said...it's just common sense. If you witness a violent crime you should report it to police...period.

Amen Junemoon. That is so true..... Dasvet, I don't care if he went to police. He did not stop what was going on in the shower & he could have. His career was more important to him than that little boy being abused. I won't cut him or anyone for that matter any kind of slack no matter what. It was totally, totally wrong on all of their parts. They all need to be tarred & feathered. Lourdesmanos, evidently more people than not don't have any common sense today it seems. That's why it needs to be mandatory or you go to jail. That's how I feel about it.

fer7905 u are absolutly right!

That's opening a can of worms. Your idea of child abuse may be different from others. You say time out. I say spank (not beat) an unruly child. There are gray areas. My dad whipped me with a belt when I deserved it, but always talked to me first to show me my error, and I never wanted to commit that offence again. To this day he is the best person I ever knew. Blatantly evident abuse should be reported and punished.

Ah, another PSU-related Sir Edmund Burke quote. It's quite the trendy, lately.

I guess that's friendlier than town cornerstones etching in: "If you see a child or woman getting raped, we made this public cornerstone to remind you to act in bravery just in case you're a coward at heart."

It should also be mandatory that anything a person sees, which may or may not be what Kat-2437874 finds abhorrent, should be reported to the police. If not, the offending witness(es) should be arrested, drawn, and quartered. But, if the witness(es) does/do not come forward, how will you prosecute him/her, them? Dang, another good law wasted!!

Can't be a law for all 50 states (federal), since the Republicans want all laws to be at the state level, so some states can encourage pedophilia or racial discrimination, not teaching science or saluting the confederate flag. It is OK to lecture other countries about laws and rights, but we can't tell our states anything.

I can't believe what I'm hearing. All these posts slamming McCreary when the blame should be on the perpetrator and the superiors that were notified! It seems those that did the crimes are portrayed as the victims in this story! Everyone wants to prosecute McCreary, who reported the crime as he should, instead of the pedophile!!!!

You know, when millions of people read posts that seem to put more blame on the witnesses than the criminal himself, it might make others in the future just shut their mouths in order to keep from being blamed or prosectued themselves!!!!!!!!!

Sorry I am confused.

Why are 'Kat' and others automatically assuming he did not intervene and stop the assault in question?

Aren't you basing this off early media report from reading the grand jury documents? McQueary claims otherwise.

Maybe he didn't intervene in the physical manner of attacking Sandusky (which admittedly is what I would have probably done) but maybe McQueary yelled and got Sandusky to stop and the kid got out of there.

The point is at this juncture none of us know. You are basing things in hypothetical that may or may not have occurred.

Why don't we wait till there is more evidence before condemning McQueary? Are you saying the only acceptable solution is he extract blood from Sandusky?

What if he interrupted, yelled at Sandusky, and the kid ran off. McQueary goes to Paterno and the cops and ... nothing happens.

I will admit if he had any balls he would have gone to the press when he saw nothing happen but for all of you who are condemning the guy, what exactly is the only acceptable solution for you? Are you satisfied with nothing other than something from a Hollywood script?

I also don't know why McQueary himself is such a lightning rod for some many of you. Why don't people talk more about the cover up or the victims? Don't make someone a scapegoat until you know what really happened.

I'm a retired KY teacher and I know that as an educator, I was totally responsible for telling someone in authority if I witnessed or even heard about sexual abuse of achild. How can an entire state not have such a law? Is Pennsylvania that "backward"?

Sorry I am confused.

It doesn't get any simplier:

The graduate assistant left immediately, distraught.
The graduate assistant went to his office and called his father, reporting to him what he
had seen. His father told the graduate assistant to leave the building and come to his home.

Your Hollywood script has a re-write? Share it. I hope it fills in the nine years of McQueary's silence. That might make for a good movie later on.

What if I witness an abortion? Should I be required to report that to police? Or do we not need to protect children that young?

David K-2731038

Why don't people talk more about the cover up or the victims? Don't make someone a scapegoat until you

Exactly! Why is it when someone commits a crime, certain segments of the public says its not the criminals fault, it is someone or something else. They are making Sandusky the victim here!!!

Grand jury presentment said police never questioned McQueary.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/11/06/sports/ncaafootball/20111106-pennstate-document.html

The graduate assistant was never questioned by University Police and no other entity conducted an investigation until he testified in Grand Jury in December, 2010. The Grand
Jury finds the graduate assistant's testimony to be extremely credible.

McQueary now saying he did discuss matters with University Police.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7239609/penn-state-nittany-lions-scandal-text-mike-mcqueary-email

The following is an email from Penn State wide receivers coach Mike McQueary. It was made available by a friend, who did not want to be identified.

... you are the first person I have told this ... and I don't know you extremely well ... and I have been told bye officials to not say anything ...

I did stop it, not physically ... but made sure it was stopped when I left that locker room ... I did have discussions with police and with the official at the university in charge of police .... no one can imagine my thoughts or wants to be in my shoes for those 30-45 seconds ... trust me.

Do with this what you want ... but I am getting hammered for handling this the right way ... or what I thought at the time was right ... I had to make tough impacting quick decisions.

This is off record ... again ... I have not and will not say anything to anyone else.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

Your coward is peddling with a broken chain and coasting back down the hill fast.

Go catch your coward.

So are we going to just vilify this guy and forget that he actually made enough school officials privy to this incident to at least imply that they are really the ones who covered this up?It is unfortunate to say but it seems that many of the adults in this scandal put their own reputation and that of the institution ahead of what was morally and ethically the right thing to do which was to protect the children no matter the cost. Had they done so I think both reputations would have been spared the indelible stain this scandal will leave upon them all. The very thing they valued above all else.......they have lost and well they should. Money corrupts absolutely and this case demonstrates that there is nothing sacred enough to prevent it's insidious erosion of ethics and morality.

Some of you posters clearly haven't read the article and the actual account of what McQuery himself just stated. McQuery did NOT physically stop the pedophjilic rape at the time...but as he put it "I made sure it no longer happened." (meaning, he went away, talked to some people and THAT led to Sandusky being sanctioned).

As someone else pointed out, this all smells about preserving one's own career FIRST before attempting to stomp into the shower and yell "what the **** is going on?" and then taking control to get the child out of the vulnerable and alone situation.

Money corrupts absolutely.

GA Girl,

I think 28 years old is considered a grown man. I think he was old enough to know how to dial 911. I think he was big enough to have kicked the crap out of the old man. He is a villain in this story because of his inaction. If it were a fire instead of a pedophile that was threatening the child's life would you still think calling dad instead of the Fire Department would be unjustly vilifying? Notifying all of the school administrators doesn't bring any actual firefighters if nobody is willing to call them.

McQueary is old enough to share the blame.

Who the hell said McQueary is blameless in this mess? ALL the adults who had knowledge that a pedophile was in their circle and was continuing to rape and abuse children all bear just as much blame and McQueary as far as I am concerned. Only looking at and vilifying Mike seem to puts a nice tidy little "feel morally superior" bow on a scandal that goes much farther then we are currently privy too. So hate McQueary all you please but save some of that for the rest of the adults who knew this monster was walking among them because trust me when the real truth comes out there will be more then McQueary in front of the firing squad of public opinion. Have you stopped and wondered why Paterno has lawyered up and put his house in his wife's name alone? Stay tuned when when who knew and when really come to the light.

I think most people have plenty of blame and anger for everyone involved, so I agree that McQueary isn't the only villain. But I do think he's the worst, because he was there and saw it, and still chose to do nothing. I wouldn't be surprised if Paterno at least had an idea about Sandusky's extracurriculars, but there's no proof.

According to the grand jury indictment Paterno was told by McQueary so there is no way he escapes blame here. I am not sure who is the worst yet because I don't know how far this cover up goes but from all indicators the worst is yet to come so I choose not to hold Mike us as the lone evil villein in this saga.

I agree. As a man, and a father (who is no where near McQueary's size and strength) I still cannot imagine running away instead of trying to get that little boy away from his abuser. It's really sad to think that there are people who would not help my son if they saw him in danger.

What is even sadder is that whole host of adults including Mike failed to stop a known pedophile from continuing to abuse children in their community and others in order to protect their own reputations and that of an institution.

That is not the issue. The issue is that fact that a 28 year old man saw a child being raped, did not report is to the police, and really has no consequences for his inaction. How many more children were raped because this "man" did nothing? Shouldn't there be legal consequences for someone who stands by and does nothing and doesn't report the rape of a child. I realize we shouldn't need a law for someone to do the right thing. This case tells me that unfortunatly we do.

He reported the incident. Well, I guess everyone is putting more blame on McCreary than Sandusky, the pedophile. When people read this type of thinking, they probably will just keep their mouths shut rather than report it, as they will be blamed anyway.

Anyone who witnesses a child being raped and does nothing to physically stop the perpetrator IMMEDIATELY shares in the guilt of a despicably violent act. McCreary could have been hero for a child. Apparently, he took the easy way out. I have no sympathy for him whatsoever. Penn State needs to clean house and fire the entire coaching staff if anyone had knowledge of this and by their silence let the coverup stand.

He DID report the crime!

Why are so many here deflecting the blame from Sandusky and Paterno to McCreary? Sandusky raped, and Paterno covered it up. I don't hear any ranting about those two!

In many ways, McCreary is equally if not more guilty than Paterno. After all, McCreary actually witnessed the attack on the child. Who stands by and watches a child being abused? No one is looking for a scapegoat, just culpability. Everyone involved is waiting for absolution that will never come.

The only reason McCreary hasn't been dismissed is due to federal laws regarding whistle-blowers. Even if he is allowed to remain at Penn, he's done.

From day one of the reporting of this last week: it is really easy to ask, "how does a 28-year-old man NOT act in some manner when witnessing pedophilia at his workplace?"

Hmmm. Call daddy. Have daddy advise me to then tell omnipotent Paterno the next day.

I believe the man was 19, not 28, at the time.

Wavesofgrain - he was 28.

Dean - SanDiego - I have been wondering the same thing. How is Paterno more culpable than the assistant coach? Both reported the assault, and it went to the VP in charge of campus police. Yet Paterno was only reporting what he was told, not what he saw. Shouldn't the person who saw the incident be held even MORE accountable? Very confusing to me how all of these decisions can be made so quickly about something that happened so long ago. I get that there may be some major coverup here, but an investigation of that before making all these rash firing decisions wouldn't have placed more children at risk IF there is indeed any truth to the suspicion of a coverup.

As for the whole "forced reporting" discussion. Let's be clear about the difference between requiring all adults to report suspected child abuse (which PA does not - only 18 states do) and requiring MANY adults such as teachers, medical professionals, etc. to report suspected child abuse (PA DOES have this law and I suspect most if not all of the 32 states who don't require all adults to report have a similar "mandatory reporter" law).

No one called the police. A 28 year old man saw a child being raped and did not report it to the police. No we shouldn't need it to be a law but apparently we do.

If individual states won't protect children the federal government should step in and they should wherever injustice is prevalent. But we are also talking about the power and influence of Penn State, its coaches and football program. Why didn't MQueary immediately intervene when he saw a man showering with a boy? What was his first concern? Certainly not the welfare of the child. He walked away. Having a law doesn't make people do the right thing even when children are involved. What about the janitor? Why didn't he stop what was happening? What was his reason for not stopping the abuse of a child? There doesn't have to be a law for adults to protect children.

This is PRECISELY why we need the law!

e.r.white - Then let the residents of Pennsylvania handle it. We don't need more laws coming down from Washington.

Next thing you know anytime you take a shower at a public facility you will have to have a representative from the Federal Government observing what is taking place. Is that what you really want?

There are various laws which prohibit an adult from having sex with children. I'm certain there are those types of law in Pennsylvania.

Sandusky (presumed innocent, but if the allegations pan out), didn't care. Nor does any other sexual pervert.

Let Pennsylvania sort it out. They arrested him for possible of violation of some law.

So you are certain there are those types of laws in Pennsylvania but you don't know do you! . The problem is they do not have a law that makes it mandatory to report the crime .Having a law does not mean it will not be broken it just means it gives the authorities a law to prosecute somebody under

Pennsylvania has no such law!!! I just don't understand this. How can any state not have a law that PROTECTS children from sexual predators?

Get informed, people. Pennsylvania DOES have a law for the mandatory reporting of sexual abuse/pedophilia, but there are numerous loopholes in it.

In the case at Penn State (a tertiary institution), the law requires the non-teachers in the organization only to report it to their supervisor/administrator. If this occurred at a primary or secondary school, a teacher-witness would (by law) be required to contact police.

Yes, what about the DA from 6 yrs ago?

totally agree with you - definitely a moral obligation for someone witnessing such a horrible thing to (a) stop the sicko and (b) immediately go to the police, it's crazy to think we need laws in place to get people to do the right thing!

Grow up!

mike 22084 - What, and become a "big overgrown kid"?

no no no ...please bring him and casey anthony to me for 1 hour in a locked room !! it will be worst than the lion !

So unemployment ,people losing their homes and the economy dont make headlines where you live ,where is that can I ask .Do you live in Canada

"(Casey) should worry about national problems like unemployment, the budget, families losing their homes and people going hungry."

I don't agree with your reasoning. The federal government has plenty of time to worry about these problems- they're just not agreeing or doing anything. My state is trying to resolve these exact same issues. So I guess you're saying my state government should worry about those issues before making any more laws concerning children being raped too.