I am a Penn State alumnus. I graduated in ‘09. Some people have been asking me for my thoughts. I don’t know why — maybe it’s because I am a loud-mouthed asshole. But here are my thoughts, should they interest you. (Expanded from a bunch of shit I put on Twitter.)

1) We don’t know exactly what level of detail Joe Paterno received about the 2002 incident, and it may not have been enough for him, in his judgment, to bring it to the police. And, he DID tell his superior, as well as the Vice President in charge of the University police force, essentially complying with the legal minimum. That said…

2) He did, as far as we know, have at least a vague inclination that Sandusky was doing inappropriate things, as far back as ‘98. That alone should have been enough to contact police, especially once realizing that Sandusky was not being brought to justice. For that, Joe Paterno should have stepped down under his own terms, which he was prepared to do, at the end of the season. I personally feel he deserved at least that, after everything else he has given to the University. Others think this one transgression should cost him that. Also a fair point, but I disagree, and am digressing anyway.

3) It is really disturbing that Penn State is allowing (at least for the moment) Curley to keep his job through leave of absence, but fire Paterno. That’s not fair. Also, while we’re being fair about firing people, McQueary should go. He had a fucking eye-witness account. He should have stopped the rape right then and there in the shower, and failing that, gone immediately to the police.

Lastly, and most importantly, none of this political bullshit matters. People should not be crying for Joe Paterno. He should have retired a decade ago, when he actually had control of his football program.

Please remember, as many have struggled to do (myself included), that there are kids involved in this, some of whom are grown men now, hurting.

DON’T protest. DON’T riot. The nation is watching you. Please just silently internalize all of this, and let it make you a better person — one who knows the importance of doing the right thing, immediately, even if it means putting a friend or colleague in jail.

However, don’t let this tarnish your Penn State pride. These 6 idiots (Sandusky, McQueary, Paterno, Curley, Schultz, Spanier…), they do not define your Penn State experience.

Anybody that projects this onto their own Penn State experience, or that of anyone else, is a fucking asshole and should be ignored immediately.

That’s all. Penn State forever.