Part One: Ruminations on Money & Morality

I have been working very hard to avoid the topic of Jerry Sandusky in my posts.  I have done so partially because of the mad coverage by the media otherwise but also because it is one of the few world events that has left me without words.  In addition to the unthinkable actions on his part, I've become more and more tormented by the lack of moral infrastructure present in what seems an infinite number of other adults. 

I think about the situation, and I see the lure of money--lots of money--being a primary concern throughout.  And I wonder when it is that the human mind abandons the role of protection and migrates to the role of greediness.  When was it that Joe Paterno or the university's president or others began to abandon the well-being of children in the interest of money?  Moreover, when did they convince themselves that this disgusting situation would forever stay under wraps, and their actions (in favor of money rather than morality) were the best route?  For me, the tragedy in this situation is self-evident.  What is most puzzling is how an adult mind fails so completely.  The failure, in my opinion, is the complete abandonment of concern for humanity.  This failure is further complicated by a shortsightedness.  By choosing to avoid bad press (ironic at this point) and, in some cases, the path most financially fruitful, these individuals have forgotten about the wide expanse of the net that they cast.  What is one of the most common reports you hear about child sexual abuse?  It is that the abuser has been violated, him or herself, as a child.  So, in effect, all of these adults actively chose to allow this widening pall on humanity.  Right now, we are learning the details of the central scandal, eventually, we will probably hear more about the ripple effects.  

Morals, it seems, are generally forgotten in the face of money.  There are far fewer stories about the good that folks do with their excess than there are the disappointing stories about their ultimate demise because of their excess.  Out of this mess at Penn State, my hope is that others will learn and do things a little differently.  It's unlikely that this is the first or only instance of such failure.  Where money reigns, conditions appear ideal for such failure and shortsightedness.