No one can stomach the idea of a minor being abused. For everyone, the idea of an innocent life shattered by abuse is beyond upsetting and creates feelings of anger and revenge. Questions like "Why wasn't more done?" and "How could people stand by and let this happen?" arise. Comments like "I would have done more!" start surfacing and before you know it, someone has to pay for this crime. Many times, the person who actually committed the crime pays, but sometimes others get caught in the web of scandal. This is the case with Penn State. Jerry Sandusky has been accused of sexually abusing young boys and will eventually be tried in court, but others who knew of the acts and covered it up are also being punished. Of course, the biggest name here is Joe Paterno, the winningest coach in all of college football. He was apprised of an act in the locker room in 2002, told his superiors, who said that they were aware of the situation and were handling it. Joe did nothing else apparently and has lost his job for it. The officials are on leave. Could Joe have done more? Even he says, in hindsight, he should have done more and I don't think anyone would disagree.
In the other story, Herman Cain has been accused of inappropriately touching women. Five have come forward. Two had made settlements and vowed to never speak of it. Three did not file complaints. One has described her encounter in detail, knowing that she was putting herself in a position to be talked about because of it. She described a meeting with her, her boyfriend and Mr. Cain, then going out to dinner with just Mr. Cain. She was seeking his help in getting a job. On the way back to her hotel, Mr. Cain put his hand up her skirt and pulled her head towards his lap. He was married at the time, and his wife is shocked, apparently, that anyone would accuse her husband of wrongdoing. In the time since Herman Cain has been accused of inappropriate actions with women, his campaign is receiving record amounts of money. He continually denies any allegations, yet will not take a lie detector test because he doesn't see what he has done wrong.
If we are going to judge Joe Paterno at the altar of what is morally right, we need to judge Herman Cain at the same altar. I do not deny that Americans are looking for leadership, as Mr. Cain says, but he needs to admit that we are also looking for people we can trust. What he allegedly has done is morally wrong and continuing to lie about it is just making the the wrong more wrong. If he has done nothing, he should stand before his accusers and let the truth come out. If Joe Paterno, in fulfilling a legal obligation, did not do enough, is Mr. Cain even fulfilling a legal obligation by not disclosing what really occurred or by continually attempting to downplay the situation? If Joe Paterno can get fired for legally fulfilling a obligation to report the abuse but fired because he did not fulfill his moral obligation, shouldn't Mr. Cain step down because he has fulfilled neither?
The differences here are striking. Mr. Paterno is a famous person and we expect more from them. We refuse to believe that they could be merely human with human failings. Once they have made a mistake, we can not just forgive them but we have to tear them off the pedestal that they did not ask to be placed on. Mr. Cain is not so famous and we expect much less from those who want to lead our country. Second, there is a difference between abuse of children and abuse of women. Everyone gets upset at children getting abused. The person who does such a thing should be tracked down and treated just as harshly. Those who cover it up are just as guilty. But a woman getting abused probably asked for it. She didn't say no or at least not forcefully enough. She shouldn't have worn that skirt or smiled so sweetly. In fact, unless the abuse is a heinous rape or overly physical, many men who take advantage of a woman are at the very least excused from their behavior and, at the most, made out to be more manly. Finally, the biggest difference I see is that Mr. Paterno is acting with grace and dignity. In all of his public statements, he has asked for prayers for the victims, he has thanked his supporters and he has shown support for those who have maligned him. Mr. Cain is blustery, with mixed statements and shows no remorse that anyone could even make such allegations. At the altar of what is morally right, Mr. Paterno is the leader he has always shown himself to be, although humbled and penitent, and Mr. Cain is proving he isn't a leader or someone we could trust.
