As the Jerry Sandusky trial moves into closing arguments today, we've learned that a lot of the evidence is circumstantial. There is no known physical evidence of abuse, no photographs, no fingerprints that can conclusively point to Sandusky abusing these young men.
I have believed from the beginning of the trial that Sandusky is guilty. I don't personally know anyone who thinks he is innocent. But for anyone doubting whether the victms are telling the truth, there is one detail that stands out that should change their minds--the stomach blowing.
Several of the victims testified that early on in Sandusky's grooming process, he blew on their stomachs during rough housing. This is important testimony for three reasons:
1. It's bizarre. The defense has hinted throughout the trial that all of the allegations against Sandusky are fabricated. If that were true, most of the testimony would be stereotypical parroting of what we'd expect to hear from someone making up an abuse story. But the stomach blowing is so odd and consistent in several of the victim's accounts, it has to be true.
2. It's boundary testing. Like television teenage boys who, at least on television, pretend to stretch their arms so they can put one around their date, the stomach blowing is an attempt for Sandusky to see how far he can go. Once establishing that he can get away with blowing on a boy's stomach, he can try going lower the next time. It's part of a carefully planned method that is probably the result of year's of trial and error.
3. There's no reason for it. Aside from blowing on a baby's stomach to make them laugh, I've never known anyone to have a reason to blow on another person's stomach. What's the point in doing so within the context of a normal, playful adult-child relationship?
Aside from Sandusky's character witnesses, I don't know how anyone can believe that he is not guilty. But, if nothing else changes your mind, the stomach blowing is the one detail that speaks volumes about his actions.
Showing posts with label State College. Show all posts
Showing posts with label State College. Show all posts
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Friday, December 30, 2011
Post-scandal photo tour of State College
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
National media guide for the Sandusky Trial
Updated June 11
With all the sudden media attention on the Centre region, I thought it would be appropriate to create a User's Guide (or cheat sheet) for the national media to help clarify a few things.
Geography
The town is State College.
The campus of Penn State is University Park.
College Park, on the other hand, is where the University of Maryland is located.
University City is in Philadelphia.
The courthouse is in Bellefonte, pronounced “bell font.” The “e” in the middle and end is silent.
We are located in Centre County. I don't know why it's spelled like that, it just is.
Although you’ll see it on t-shirts and bumper stickers, no one here calls it Happy Valley. It’s like calling New York “The Big Apple.”
Population
Like most towns, a few people have most of the money while the rest of us are middle class to upper middle class. For that reason, you'll see many of the same names on the benefactor lists of local charities. This does not mean that a relationship or conspiracy exists if Mr. Q gave money to both the Second Mile and American Red Cross. The same goes with volunteers. Many of the same people who volunteer their time at one organization do so at others.
The Second Mile was/is a legitimate organization dedicated to improving the welfare of children. It was run by good and decent people. It is sad that the good will of so many people has now been tarnished and that the children who need the programs of the Second Mile will no longer receive it.
People
Jerry Sandusky is (allegedly) an evil man. His name, however, is not Jeff (I'm talking to you, Reuters).
Joe Paterno was the head football coach at Penn State. He was not, however, the moral barometer for our town. Nobody walks around with “what would Joe do?” bracelets. He is just one man.
Final Note
This is a sex abuse scandal, not a sex scandal. Sex scandals happen between adults. Sex abuse, especially rape, is entirely different.
NBC news van spotted Tuesday, November 29, outside the Hampton Inn.
With all the sudden media attention on the Centre region, I thought it would be appropriate to create a User's Guide (or cheat sheet) for the national media to help clarify a few things.
Geography
The town is State College.
The campus of Penn State is University Park.
College Park, on the other hand, is where the University of Maryland is located.
University City is in Philadelphia.
The courthouse is in Bellefonte, pronounced “bell font.” The “e” in the middle and end is silent.
We are located in Centre County. I don't know why it's spelled like that, it just is.
Although you’ll see it on t-shirts and bumper stickers, no one here calls it Happy Valley. It’s like calling New York “The Big Apple.”
Population
Like most towns, a few people have most of the money while the rest of us are middle class to upper middle class. For that reason, you'll see many of the same names on the benefactor lists of local charities. This does not mean that a relationship or conspiracy exists if Mr. Q gave money to both the Second Mile and American Red Cross. The same goes with volunteers. Many of the same people who volunteer their time at one organization do so at others.
The Second Mile was/is a legitimate organization dedicated to improving the welfare of children. It was run by good and decent people. It is sad that the good will of so many people has now been tarnished and that the children who need the programs of the Second Mile will no longer receive it.
People
Jerry Sandusky is (allegedly) an evil man. His name, however, is not Jeff (I'm talking to you, Reuters).
Joe Paterno was the head football coach at Penn State. He was not, however, the moral barometer for our town. Nobody walks around with “what would Joe do?” bracelets. He is just one man.
Final Note
This is a sex abuse scandal, not a sex scandal. Sex scandals happen between adults. Sex abuse, especially rape, is entirely different.
NBC news van spotted Tuesday, November 29, outside the Hampton Inn.
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