Spanier and Paterno are Out at Penn State

MoonHowler

The only person who had a worse day than Rick Perry was Joe Paterno.

I am married to a guy from UMD and Penn State.  UMD folks hate Penn State because they generally beat them.  However, I have never talked to anyone who didn’t have great respect for Joe Paterno, who has been head coach for the Nittany Lions for the past 46 years.

As of earlier today Paterno announced that he was retiring at the end of the season.  Paterno is 85, born Dec.21, 1926.  He is the winningest coach in football history.  Tonight, he was out on his ear.  His wishes to retire at the end of the season denied him by the board of trustees of Penn State.  President Graham Spanier was also fired.  He has a long distinguished record of improving the academic standing of Penn State over the decades.

At issue is the handling of gross sexual misconduct by assistant linebackers coach Jerry Sandusky.  Paterno is not the subject of an investigation.  Who is Jerry Sandusky?  Click here.  At least 8 men have come forward and claimed that they were sexually abused by Sandusky. The abuse had gone on over the past 15 years.  The kids were part of Sandusky’s camp for youth.   He has been retired for 10 years.  It is the campus access he had during the past ten years that has toppled careers. 

According to CBS News:

After hearing news of the firing, Paterno released a statement, saying: “I am disappointed with the Board of Trustees’ decision, but I have to accept it. A tragedy occurred, and we all have to have patience to let the legal process proceed. I appreciate the outpouring of support but want to emphasize that everyone should remain calm and please respect the university, its property and all that we value.”

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The Wednesday night Republican Debate–who goes who stays

MoonHowler

I only watched part of it.  Wednesday night is taxing for my DVR.  Who won that one?  I saw poor Rick Perry.  I just feel sorry as hell for that guy.  He is really out of his league and he needs to go home.  Watching him was painful.  It made me want to take back all the snickering I had done about some of his stunts.

 

Has Huntsman come up in the eyes of the party faithful?

Did Herman Cain redeem himself after a grueling week of sex harassment accussations?

Is Michele Bachmann still able to hang in there?  That woman is tenacious.  I will hand her that. 

Rick?  Ron Paul?

Open Thread……………………………………………………..Wednesday, November 9

MoonHowler

Election fever is over. The mail carrier’s load will lighten and the phone will hopefully stop ringing. 

It looks like the Republicans gained the Virginia Senate through tie.  The  Republican Lt. Governor is the tie breaker.  Many of us expect them to over-reach. 

Gov. McDonnell is on Morning Joe to crow.  Let’s see how his leadership pans out. He can cocntinue to reach across the aisle or he can rule with an iron fist.  His choice.

Ohio Voters Reject Controversial Anti-Union Law

MoonHowler

From Huffingtonpost.com:

WASHINGTON — Ohioans overturned a divisive anti-union law on Tuesday, delivering a significant defeat to Republican Gov. John Kasich and a victory to labor unions.

Ohio voters rejected Issue 2, a ballot referendum on Senate Bill 5, a measure that restricts collective bargaining rights for more than 360,000 public employees, among other provisions. Opposition to the legislation inspired large protests from residents around the state this year.

Ohio governor John Kasich had to following to say:

“The people have spoken clearly. You don’t ignore the public. Look, I also have an obligation to lead. I’ve been leading since the day I took this office, and I’ll continue to do that. But part of leading is listening and hearing what people have to say to you.”

Apparently the average Ohio voter didn’t like the idea of dissolving labor unions.  What started off as an attempt to balance responsibility for benefits a little better ended up being an attempt by Kasich and his political cronies to union bust.  The good people of Ohio were having none of that yesterday.

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