State Representative Rick Geist to face primary challenge

Breaking News: John McGinnis host of WRTA's "Open Mic" is set to challenge longtime State Representative Rick Geist for the republican nomination this Spring here in the 79th legislative district. Doug Herendeen the host of WRTA's "The 11th Hour" has confirmed that Mr. McGinnis has resigned as host of "Open Mic" to focus on challenging Geist.

Geist is one of Harrisburg's "most senior" and powerful lawmakers and he is currently serving out his 17th consecutive two-year term in the state legislature. Geist serves as the Chairman of the the State House Transportation Committee. In his bio on his legislative website, Geist highlights that he is currently at "top of the seniority list in the House Republican Caucus."In addition to his Chairmanship, he serves as Majority Chairman of the Committee on Committees and is a member of the Commerce and Rules committees. Although powerful indeed, Geist hasn't faced a serious primary challenger in ages.

Geist's challenger, John McGinnis, is also an Associate Professor of Finance at Penn State Altoona. He has hosted "Open Mic" for almost five years now. John is heavily involved in the Blair County Tea Party and serves as Vice-President on the group's Board of Directors. The group often viewed by the GOP establishment here in Blair County as political outsiders, has helped John build some political momentum for a serious run against Geist who is now the local party's political patriarch since the defeat of Senate Pro Temp, Bob Jubelirer.

This race will be an interesting to follow since this is Geist's first primary challenger since he voted for the July 7, 2005 pay raise and took the "unvouchered expenses" provision at the time. Because of the voter outrage and backlash the law was repealed, but it is hard to predict whether or not voters in the 79th district still feel the urge to hold him accountable like they did Jubelirer.

WRTA: Finance Professor, Former WRTA Host to Challenge Representative Rick Geist

Members of the Penn State Board of Trustees must be held accountable for their actions

After watching the memorial service yesterday that celebrated Joe Paterno's life, I ask how can anyone with any common sense at all think that Joe Paterno could have known exactly what Mike McQueary allegedly thought he may have seen and not have done something more about it? Joe Paterno made Penn State University what it is today. He was much more than a Football Coach. Without Joe they would not have the prestigious board to sit on. Joe Paterno, as a single individual, did more for Penn State than the Board of Trustees collectively.

The people who spoke yesterday at his memorial knew Joe. The real Joe, and that Joe never would have let anything happen to any child. Allegations are not findings of fact, they remain only accusations until an impartial hearing of the facts in a court of law results in, or fails to demonstrate, a finding of guilt.

It is essential to note several things that are facts: 1. Joe Paterno did not harm a child (and, in fact, he has contributed to many young men becoming responsible adults and fathers). 2. Joe Paterno did what is required in the State of Pennsylvania when an educator has a reasonable belief that a child has been abused or neglected 3. A football coach is not a mandated reporter in the State of Pennsylvania. 4. Despite doing what an educator is required to do when suspected abuse is identified, he wished he had done more. This admission does not imply guilt, it conveys his wish that he could have done more to protect children.

What harm would have been done to Penn State if the Board of Trustees had permitted a finding of the facts to occur before deciding whether it was appropriate to take action against Joe Paterno? Is it possible that the Trustees felt personally challenged by Joe Paterno's statement that he would retire at the end of the year and that they shouldn't waste a minute of their time debating what should happen to him? Is it possible that the Trustees were more concerned about demonstrating their control than about making a calm, deliberate, rational decision? Is it possible that, had they allowed the emotion of the moment to pass, that the Trustees might have made a wise decision rather than a fast decision? Clearly, the Trustees are now in a position of attempting to justify the "wisdom" of their action.

We cannot expect that they, as a group, will acknowledge any wrongdoing and, in that, they share the same response to alleged wrongdoing as Jerry Sandusky. By the way, are we really to expect that the only way you could safely inform Joe Paterno that he had been fired is by sending a note to his home, via a messenger, asking him to call you?

An old saying is that "Fools rush in where angels dare to tread." In my opinion. the Board of Trustees rushed in to make a quick decision in response to a highly emotion situation and in response to their perception that a football coach was challenging their authority. You, Trustees, are supposed to be leaders. You failed. You failed your university. You failed your public. And, unlike the person you fired, your failure will be your legacy.

There is no doubt that the Penn State Board of Trustees wrongfully dismissed Joe without due process, and should be ashamed of themselves. Members of the board should admit that they acted in haste and swallow their pride. Let the world know that they are Penn State Proud.

NIKE CEO Phil Knight defends Joe Paterno at today's memorial service

Leave it to Nike CEO, Phil Knight to say what most of us are feeling out here in the bloggersphere regarding the Jerry Sandusky scandal. I couldn't have said it better myself. Knight set the right tone here during Joe Paterno's memorial. This was a failure of an institution to act not a failure of Joe Paterno.

All the media who rushed to judgement and members of the Penn State Board of Trustees should be a shamed of themselves for how they treated Joe Paterno during this very difficult time. Paterno's legacy will live on in history, but the shame of what the media and the Penn State leadership did to Joe during the last three months will haunt them the rest of their lives.

Not good when the NIKE CEO calls out your Board of Trustees.


Also: Knight Rips Trustees At Paterno Memorial(MyFox Philly)

Saying Goodbye to JoePA

Joe Paterno's Funeral Procession
1-25-2012
Rest in Peace Joe!

Today I said goodbye to coach Joe Paterno the greatest football coach in college football history. It is difficult to describe all the feelings and emotion as I watched the funeral procession go by. It was all a surreal moment for me. Everyone along the street pretty much remained quiet as Joe passed. We honored the man that did so many things, helped so many people, and made us all proud to say "We Are Penn State". Although that is what all of us were shouting from our hearts.

At that moment a part my childhood just flashed before my eyes. The first football game I ever watched was Penn State vs Miami in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl. From that moment all I wanted to do was play football for coach Paterno. I can't believe it was so long ago now.

I was only 10 years old at the time. I watched the game with my grandfather in his living room on his old floor model, black and white TV. My grandfather passed away a couple of years ago and now Joe Paterno is gone. It is truly an end of an era in my life and here in Central Pennsylvania.

JoePA made us so proud of our university and our team. He made us proud to be from Central Pennsylvania because he probably loved this place more than we did. He made us all believers! My thoughts and prayers are with the Paterno family tonight. Life with out Joe is something we all will have to face together.

I Will Never Stop Believing In You Joe!

One More White Out For JoePA!

BEAVER STADIUM 1-22-2012
One Last White Out For Our Beloved Coach

Time to declare a nationwide White Out.!
Tomorrow wear white or a white Penn State shirt to work or school to honor Joe Paterno.
Pleas share with your friends.

WE LOVE YOU
JoePa!

Governor Tom Corbett on the death of Joe Paterno

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett is expressing his condolences on the death of longtime Penn State coach Joe Paterno. Corbett says he and his wife were saddened to learn of Paterno's death Sunday.

“Susan and I were saddened to learn of Joe Paterno’s passing. His legacy as the winningest coach in major college football and his generosity to Penn State as an institution and to his players, stand as monuments to his life. As both man and coach, Joe Paterno confronted adversities, both past and present, with grace and forbearance."

Corbett also said that, "His place in our state's history is secure".

Really Corbett! Where were you when the national media and cracked out journalist devoured Paterno like wolves. I didn't see you standing there defending Paterno. Did you even defend the man during the Penn State Board of Trustees meeting that sealed Paterno's fate?

So many questions Corbett? But yet we seem to have no answers to them. You were the Attorney General during the time of the Jerry Sandusky investigation.

Why did you hold the indictment?

You instead decided to focus all of you energy and resources on prosecuting state lawmakers not to mention your campaign for Governor.

What a joke this Governor is.

Are you kidding me! Sandusky issues statement on Joe Paterno's death

Wow! This guy has some balls. For what it is worth here is Jerry Sandusky's statement on Joe Paterno's death.

"This is a sad day! Our family, Dottie and I would like to convey our deepest sympathy to Sue and her family.

"Nobody did more for the academic reputation of Penn State than Joe Paterno. He maintained a high standard in a very difficult profession. Joe preached toughness, hard work and clean competition. Most importantly, he had the courage to practice what he preached. Nobody will be able to take away the memories we all shared of a great man, his family, and all the wonderful people who were a part of his life.

And furthermore, nobody has done more to ruin a man, his legacy, and an institution than this sick _uck! Sandusky you are the scum of mankind. Please shut the hell up and go to jail already. Geesh!

Penn State coach Bill O'Brien issues statement on the death of Joe Paterno

Penn State's current football coach, Bill O'Brien, says following Joe Paterno is an honor in a statement issued Sunday after Paterno's death. Bill O'Brien emphasized that the school and college football has suffered a great loss today.

"It is with great sadness that I am compelled to deliver this message of condolence and tribute to a great man, husband, father and someone who is more than just a coach, Joe Paterno.

First, on behalf of Penn State Football, we offer our sincerest condolences to the Paterno family for their loss. We also offer our condolences to the Penn State community and, in particular, to those who wore the Penn State colors, our Nittany Lion football players and alumni.

Today they lost a great man, coach, mentor and, in many cases, a father figure, and we extend our deepest sympathies. The Penn State Football program is one of college football's iconic programs because it was led by an icon in the coaching profession in Joe Paterno. There are no words to express my respect for him as a man and as a coach. To be following in his footsteps at Penn State is an honor.

Our families, our football program, our university and all of college football have suffered a great loss, and we will be eternally grateful for Coach Paterno's immeasurable contributions."

Bill O'Brien is nothing but a class act. Penn State is lucky they have hired a guy that has the ability to embrace Paterno's legacy at Penn State. I am saddened by the loss of our beloved coach but am excited by what Penn State can accomplish in the future.

Joe Paterno's Family Issues Statement

The Associated Press is stating that the Paterno family has released the following statement regarding legendary Penn State football coach, Joe Paterno:

It is with great sadness that we announce that Joe Paterno passed away earlier today. His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled.

He died as he lived. He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community.

He has been many things in his life — a soldier, scholar, mentor, coach, friend and father. To my mother he was and is her soul mate, and the last several weeks have shown the strength of their love. To his children and grandchildren he is a shining example of how to live a good, decent and honest life, a standard to which we aspire.

When he decided to forego a career in law and make coaching his vocation, his father Angelo had but one command: Make an impact.

As the last 61 years have shown, Joe made an incredible impact. That impact has been felt and appreciated by our family in the form of thousands of letters and well wishes along with countless acts of kindness from people whose lives he touched. It is evident also in the thousands of successful student athletes who have gone on to multiply that impact as they spread out across the country.

And so he leaves us with a peaceful mind, comforted by his "living legacy" of five kids, 17 grandchildren, and hundreds of young men whose lives he changed in more ways than can begin to be counted.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that donations be made to the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania or the Penn State-THON, The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

My heart goes out to Sue Paterno who has not just lost a husband, but her life partner. They have been together through it all. Now she must feel that half of her has been ripped away. Pray for Sue everyone.

Joe Paterno Dead at 85

Former Penn State football Coach Paterno has passed away this morning at the age of 85 losing a battle with lung cancer. Paterno was diagnosed shortly after Penn State’s Board of Trustees ousted him Nov. 9 in the aftermath of the child sex abuse charges against former assistant Jerry Sandusky. Paterno had been in the hospital since Jan. 13 for observation but then took a turn for the worse in recent days as the family was called in to be by his side.

I'm sure all the news outlets today will mention Joe Paterno's invovlement in some "alleged" cover up at Penn State, but please do not listen to those reports. The scandal had nothing to do with Penn State Football nor Coach Joe Paterno. And don't believe the storyline that the media is trying desperately to hold onto. I have read the Pennsylvania Attorney General's report. Paterno did what any of us was expected to do. He reported information he resceived from a graduate assistant to those who had the authority on campus to do something about the allegations of abuse. It was not Joe's fault if those individuals failed to do something about it.

There is no doubt in my mind that Paterno will be seen as the greatest college football coach of all time. He did it his way and that was the Penn State way. He ran the cleanest college football program. He molded boys into men. He helped them understand that if they worked hard enough and believed in themselves they could accomplish anything or defeat anybody.

His moto was "Success With Honor". Which is not just a Penn State nor is it a Joe Paterno thing. It's roots are in our Western PA culture. It comes from the simple work ethic of the coal miners, the steel workers, and so on. The simple poetry of simplicity. A hard days work gets the job done. A hard days work can move mountaints. Joe Pa understood this culture and tapped into it. The simple uniforms. The black shoes. Heck all the players needed was a lunch bucket. But in the end this ideal is ours and the dreams of ancestors that came before us. This tragedy cannot take it away from us.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Joe Paterno's family. I just can't imagine what their past couple of months have been like. To see a man who has done so much for Penn State and impacted so many lives get treated that way he did by National media pundits, journalists, and the Penn State Board of Trustees is just tragic. Now Joe Paterno had died without honor and in a perpetual state of disgrace. All should be ashamed of themselves.

I grew up always wanting to be a linebacker and play for Coach Paterno. Even though I only met Joe Paterno once and I never got a shot, he still impacted my life a great deal. Joe Paterno your spirit will always live on in the hearts of Penn State fans. It is a sad day in the Penn State family as we mourn the loss of great person, leader, father, grandfather, husband, legend, mentor, humanitarian and coach. You will never be forgotten. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the Paterno family and friends. Gone but not forgotten. God Bless you Joe. We will miss you!

Onward State Managing Editor Resigns Following False Report

Devon Edwards, managing editor of Penn State student blog Onward State, has released the following statement on their Facebook page following the false report that former Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno had died Saturday night. CBSSports.com attributed their original story to this website.

Earlier this evening, Onward State reported that Joe Paterno had passed away. However, the mountain of evidence stacked opposite that report is too much to ignore. At this time, I would like to issue a retraction of our earlier tweets ...

There are no excuses for what we did. We all make mistakes, but it’s impossible to brush off one of this magnitude. Right now, we deserve all of the criticism headed our way ...

I will be stepping down from my post as Managing Editor, effective immediately. I take full responsibility for the events that transpired tonight, and for the black mark upon the organization that I have caused.

I ask not for your forgiveness, but for your understanding. I am so very, very, sorry, and we at Onward State continue to pray for Coach Paterno.

Sincerely,

Devon Edwards

Geesh talk about giving everyone a heart attack. What the hell are these guys trying to accomplish? What a mess and I don't think I will be placing OnwardState.Com on my favorites links list anytime soon!

Joe Paterno Lives!

Penn State Students pray for Joe Paterno as he remains in serious condition

JoePa Lives! JoePa Lives! Apparently Joe Paterno has not died and remains in serious condition as he continues to battle lung cancer. Both Scott and Jay Paterno tweeted that Joe is still fighting and thanked everyone for their support and prayers. Both are refuting reports that Paterno has died -- but they also say his condition has become "serious" after he experienced complications recently.

Many online news sites and media outlets including the Huffington Post reported earlier tonight that Joe Paterno passed away at the age of 85. Family spokesman, Dan McGinn tweeted at 8:57 p.m. tonight that reports about Joe Paterno's death are "Absolutely not true." According to the Patriot News, sources close to the Paterno family say they are tremendously upset with the erroneous reports of Joe's passing.

Apparently some idiots at Onwardstate.com ran with reports that several Penn State players received an email that Joe Paterno passed away. CBS Sports ran with the story. The media botched the Jerry Sandusky scandal and now has even botched Joe Paterno's death. Priceless! The irony in all of this for those of us who support Joe Paterno and believe he is a man of great honor, ideals and integrity is quite humorous.

But supporters of JoePA better get ready. Of the four articles that I read reporting Joe Paterno's death, including the one published on the Huffington Post, all of them focused on Paterno's firing, highlighted the Jerry Sandusky investigation and emphasized Paterno's so called role in some alleged cover up. Just unbelievable!

The shameful state of the media is at a crisis level in this country right now. Scary!