Paterno was also guilty of doing nothing. He knew and he did nothing. He knew the police weren't toldm he knew the guy was still taking kids to the showers and he still did nothing. I'm sorry, but I teach my kids that if they know something bad is going on and they do nothing, they are just as bad as the person doing it.

Both Dr. Phil and Franco Harris sitting here defending a man (or one of the men I should say) that knew what was happening and did nothing was just sick. It's impossible that Joe Paterno went up the chain of command and did what he was supposed to do. He was part of the chain of command and he knew what was going on and did nothing just like the assistant that saw a child getting raped by Sandusky (Common sense would have said call the cops and skip the college at that time). The only person I agreed with on the show was Heath Evans, who by the way was only on for about two minutes if that. They spent more time allowing Franco Harris to defend a man who knew what was going on and did not do all he could. That's why he said "I should have done more," because he should have. And then the student body president was obviously sent by someone at Penn State to preserve its sorry image and make up for the fact that they sided with Sandusky first before helping the victims. Heath Evans was right on and he should have gotten more time to talk. He was the only one with any sense. Dr. Phil, normally I agree with you, but this...was all wrong.

 Joe Paterno actually says he regrets his actions--THIS IS A GOOD THING, FRANCO! It means Joe Pa realizes his wrongdoing. Why does Franco feel the need to come in and 'save the day' for a contrite Joe Pa?? What's the deal, Franco?? Is it wrong for a person to be held accountable for not protecting children?? I'm not saying Joe Pa is evil and cannot be forgiven. He's human and he's man enough to admit he made a mistake---now Franco has to rush in and basically spit in the face of the victims by trying to defend his idol. Joe Pa is not God, and he doesn't need your blind defense of him. If you want to rescue someone, go to your local SPCA or city adoption shelters or adopt a child.

How does being a good coach excuse a man from looking the other way when he knows children are being abused?  How does that man look at himself in the mirror every day knowing that his inactions allowed other children to be hurt?  Forget about what the bare minimum legal obligations were.  What were the moral obligations that were owed by McQueary and Paterno to the children?  So many people failed these kids.  It just makes me sick that people are still making excuses for ALL of those involved at Penn State in the cover up.

brownie4life is upset that Paterno is getting blasted for not stepping up to the plate and doing everything in his power to stop a child predator from destroying untold lives....  First: no man is above the law (moral or legal) simply because he was a great coach and inspiration to others.  Do not place any mortal man on a pedestal because no mortal man is perfect and he will eventually fall off that pedestal... as we are now seeing at Penn State.

If Paterno is an untouchable "saint/coach/god" -- then why didn't he use his "saint/coach/god" influence and power with the University and complain to the powers that be that Sandusky is a child predator and needs to be removed from society, not just the University?  Why didn't he simply "do the right thing" and report ALL THE INCIDENCES OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE to the police instead of remaining silent after it was clear NOBODY WAS GOING TO TURN IN SANDUSKY????  Surely this "hero" this "titan" of college football could have acted like a genuine hero and taken the matter into his own hands to stop the rampant abuse occuring in his own gym!  He could have said to his superiors:  "Not in my gym...!!!"  He could have had the courage to go over the powers that be and said "Not while I'm still breathing on this field will I have an adult that rapes children on my watch!"  Coulda, shoulda, woulda -- a thousand regrets later... and untold lives destroyed...

Isn't football a game of strength, courage and power?  Obviously, those who did nothing and buried their heads in the sand or looked the other way had no strength, courage or power, except in their childish and selfish desire "to win."  Whether that be financially, to keep their own jobs, keep the status quo or just to keep "winning."  Now everyone loses. 

We all need to remember that when we are confronted with tough choices, we must think only one thought and CHOOSE WHAT IS IN THE HIGHEST GOOD FOR ALL...  Nobody did that and now everyone must suffer.  What you give out in this world, you get back tenfold...  We are truly seeing this at Penn State.

Dr. Phil:
     I just wanted to take the time to thank you for discussing the disturbing allegations surrounding Jerry Sandusky.  I will tell you that I am a very proud Penn State alumni, and that will never change.  I am, also, a HUGE fan of Joe Paterno and the Penn State football team, but I can assure you that I am disgusted at the sexual abuse that is alleged to have been perpetrated by Mr. Sandusky!!!!  I cannot even fathom the fact that this was allowed to go on for so long!!!  I am saddened to learn that it was more important for grown men to protect the reputation of an institution over the welfare of innocent children!!!  I feel for the parents who trusted their children to be in the presence of an alleged rapist, but I feel most strongly for the innocent victims!!!  I can assure you that they were terrified, not only by what was happening to them at the hands of a trusted member of society, but they most assuredly were scared to death at the prospect of going head -to- head with a man who had seemingly done so much for troubled youth.  It, honestly, breaks my heart!!!
    Although I know that the whole thing was handled dispicably, if it can be considered handled at all, but I just want to ask that the focus goes back to nailing Sandusky to the wall and putting him away for life!!!  I cannot believe how the focus is now centering around Joe Pa and what should happen to the rest of the football season and McQueary, etc.  For me this is doing a disservice to the victims because this monster is still out walking amongst the masses.  I could NOT believe that his bail was lowered from $500,000 to $100,000 by a judge who has connections with the Second Mile charity that Scumdusky started.  These victims are getting one more slap in the face with the fact that he was allowed out on reduced bail.
     I can assure you that I agree with the fact that Joe Pa should have done more than he allegedly did, but I, also, feel that it is a fact that, in his day, sexual abuse was not talked about.  This, in no way, excuses the fact that more was not done at the time because I would hope that, faced with a similar situation, Mr. Sandusky would NOT have left that shower a whole man if I had witnessed this act, but Paterno's good and moral life cannot be erased because of one horrible lack of action.  I know that this will not be a popular opinion, but it is my opinion nonetheless. 
    Thank you, again, Dr. Phil, for bringing the focus back to the monster who took advantage of parents and children who trusted him!!!  Shame on you, Sandusky!!!!!!

As a Penn State grad and employee, I think Dr. Phil did a great job of finally bringing the focus of this issue back onto the victims. I'm disgusted by how many people are completely blinded by their loyalty to Paterno and see him as infallible. The man made a mistake, and although I think he is unfairly being focused on too much and receiving too much of the blame for what happened, he should have done more to provide a voice for the children who had no one to speak out for them.

I am more than proud of my University and what it stands for, and could not have more wonderful things to say about it. The disgusting actions and negligence of a select group of people should not blacken the reputation of a world class university like Penn State. Kudos to Dr. Phil for reminding people of that.

We should all stop feeling sorry for a man who failed to act, however great his accomplishments and contributions to Penn State up to this point have been, and start feeling sorry for the eight (and potentially dozens more) children who were victimized. Please people, let's get our priorities straight.

Its amazing how it took kids being sexually raped by a high profile coach at a high profile college to get this kind of action!! That shows how many millions of people sweep this under the rug every single day!!! Out of sight out of mind??!! It seems like the threat of a black cloud over a big named school is what it took to get this kind of action, this kind of outrage, this kind of response. Just because their facilities were tainted by child rape.. As long as it doesnt happen in our school we just keep living our lives. 

These kids have to live with these assaults every day!! Everywhere!! Not just at Penn State!! Imagine if it is happening in such a massive public place under everyones noses how many places it happens out of sight!! Sure glad its getting the attention of so many now!! But I bet as soon as Penn States name is clear and the media attention lowers.. it will be back to under the rug as usual for most!! 

As a victim I can assure you.. no one wants to know!! no one wants to believe!! and until they are put under the spot light of looking like an animal for ignoring these poor kids it will stay business as usual!!! Why do you think victims dont say anything?? Because first the chance of not being belived is huge!! The chance of anyone doing anything about it is slim.. And then you have to go the rest of your life being doubted and feeling like you dont matter! So why bring it up at all..  

very sad..

the show about the Penn State sex abuse, I am so glad your talking about the problem. I was sexually abused as a child, by a family member. My earliest memory was when i was four, I had  no idea what was happening it lasted until fifteen, when I finally got the courage to stand up and stop it, I have never had any therapy, but sure could have used it. I was scared of my abuser he was a father figure in my twisted life.
my Mother passed away when I was 18 months old and I was passed around from place to place until I   was 3 then an uncle and aunt took me for thier slave. My aunt was not sexually abusing me but turned her head to what was happening so she is guilty also , my uncle was. If I wanted a roof over my head then i had to do what he wanted.

I made up my mind that I just as well be dead rather than put up with what I was going thur and refused to do it anymore.
 I met my husband when I was 16, and he has been wonderful to me.I have tried to put this all behind me, the guilt and shame. God had to truly been  with me during that time that I never got pregnant, he used no any protection anytime.I have been truly blessed, we have been married for 50 years, and have a wonderful family.

Keep up the good work informing people to watch for abuse in thier families and getting the abusers where they belong away from anyone they can abuse.  I can not believe they are ill that is the devils excuse my abuser was a shane as anyone.  

hallyhaweg expressed frustration with the system and the way reporting gets handled by authorities. There is no perfect fix to our American culture of commodifying sexuality. Girls get the message that they should take sexual harrasment as a compliment, before you know it you're getting raped. Men exhibit themselves wearing female attire, they act complimented and cavalier about catcalls from the crowd..all in good fun huh.  Of course men can be better women too!... disgusts me. How did we as a culture get so confused about human sexual preparedness. Children sould not be errotisized in a society steeped in denial.