Dateline Dayton — Until now, I have not shared my thoughts on the Penn State- Joe Paterno situation.

First, even if Jerry Sandusky were to be found not guilty in a court of law, what he has admitted to doing is wrong. A man does not shower with younger boy, and especially if he’s not your son. You don’t touch anyone, except to give a hug — with their clothes on. What was this man thinking? How could anything good come from putting yourself in a setting of this nature?

I am glad I don’t sit on the board of Mr. Sandusky’s charity. The group has all the appearances of being an organization to supply him with boys to molest.

Who and how many on the board knew of his reputation?

Why didn’t someone question his activities? It looks as though they may have hidden his activities, as Penn State did.

Often these days you hear so much about the evils in sport programs. I must admit, I am not a big sports fan..

Let’s turn to Joe. Should he have done more? Yes! But then many others should have done a lot more. Why didn’t assistant coach Mike McQueary, who witnessed the shower incident and reported it to the coach, not follow through and see that the police were notified? Why didn’t Joe’s superiors follow up? Was all this oversight done to protect Penn State’s almighty football program? Probably.

This is definitely not the way to inspire leaders, or is that even part of a sports program today. Today it appears it’s winning at any cost, even to the extent of allowing a child to be harmed, possibly for life.

I do feel sorry for Joe Paterno. I believe the action taken was a little harsh. I know many might not agree. But he should have been allowed to finish the year.

Tell Me the Number Again

Staying with football but changing the subject, Ohio State has just hired a new coach for a package reported to worth $40 million over six years. In my humble opinion, that’s exorbitant. Guess who’s paying?

Sunday, on a popular television show lasting 60 minutes, there was a story about homeless children in Florida. They and their family were living in cars and trucks, with no safe place to park them for the night.

Just think of what that kind of money could do to help alleviate the problem.

And here we are spending it on a football coach for six years. Where are our priorities?

I realize money alone will not solve the homeless problem.

But 40 million could provide for a safe place to park a vehicle and provide them with facilities. Think about this the next time you’re watching a football game in the comfort of your home.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net