There is no saving...
Hello readers and followers. I am sitting here in the early afternoon of my Pennsylvania, USA Sunday pondering many things. This past week has been one of sadness and anger for me. Those of you that regularly read the rambling thoughts I put here know that I have long railed against the less-than-governing body known as USA Gymnastics (USAG) for it's multi-level inability to protect the very athletes it specifically is assembled to lead, train and protect.
USAG created the toxic atmosphere that allowed criminals to be revered and made victims out of its athletes. Things were so bad that over 150 young women were allowed to be sexually assaulted by the chosen physician Larry Nassar, someone that I truly hope dies in prison soon- but only after he himself become the assault victim. I am all about an eye for an eye sentence. Nassar was also the lead physician at Michigan State University (MSU) athletic program. Nassar's mentor there, Bill Stampel was also a predator. Peas in a pod. No one listened to the victims. No one took the complaints filed seriously. The result was several more women were allowed to be "treated" by Nassar and assaulted.
Thank you to Rachael Denhollander, an army of victims were able to finally end the horrific reign of assault by Nassar. The women were able to expose MSU's unprofessional handling of the complaints and force USAG to admit that it basically provided no guidance nor protection of it's charges. The President of the university was forced out, the board members shuffled. However, just this week MSU's interim president and resident idiot made the following statement with reference to the victims that have not been as vocal once MSU was forced to pay out millions and change leadership; "In some ways they have been able to deal with this better than the ones who've been in the spotlight who are still enjoying the moment at times, you know, the awards and recognition."
Denhollander has seized the moment and been very vocal and provided a voice to an issue that needs to continue to be addressed. I've said it before, Rachael Denhollander should be the new leader of USAG. Molestation covered up by powerful people is disgusting and disturbing. Excuse me, "Enjoying the moment." Look jackass- these are victims of molestation and assault that was covered up by at least two different organization in the USAG and MSU. One of which you were supposed to be leading! I would say that none of the women would choose what happened to them for a financial settlement or notoriety if the clock could be turned back and it was actually a choice. There is no saving some people from themselves. Yes, I am angry.
Now it has been a week that has since I wrote about the ongoing trial in the death of Jenna Burleigh. Jenna was a student at my alma mater, Temple University. Horrifying details of the last hours of her life and her murder were laid out before a jury in Philadelphia, PA. The lying sack of flesh named Josh Hupperterz was convicted. The defense put forth an argument that may have caused some doubt if all of the physical evidence and DNA prove that no one else could possibly have killed Jenna. Now he will spend the rest of his life in prison- a waste of my tax money. The sentence won't bring Jenna back. Unlike the victims of Larry Nassar she can never try to overcome what happened and try to enjoy life because hers was taken. I am deeply saddened.
I have two daughters, one granddaughter. I am very protective. Among my closest friends are a small group of women. I am very protective of them too. They are the sisters that I never had. Yeah I know I just ended a sentence with a preposition, F' it. Now I did twice. Anyway, all of them know that I am imminently available to them for any reason. One of the sad facts of the last hours of Jenna's life was that she was out with some friends, including a male friend who's house she was supposed to be staying at that night since she was a commuter student. Jenna chose to stay out longer than her friends and she reached out via text saying "Help me," "I need help" and just plain "help." This was before she left the local bar with Josh Hupperterz.
Unfortunately her friends had already fallen asleep. When I first wrote about this case in December of 2017 I stated that "I can only imagine the emotional draft they must be feeling." I have felt badly when I haven't been available to help my female friends. Thankfully none were ever in a dangerous situation when they needed my help. I have helped my daughters in crisis at all hours- it's what a father is supposed to do. However, I would need years of psychiatric therapy if any of them were ever murdered after they had reached out for help and I didn't get the message. I feel badly for her friends.
As we move forward in 2019, tomorrow is the holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A champion of peace who himself was murdered. I am hoping that the coming week brings greater peace to everyone. Less anger, less sadness, more peace. The Answerman says "Look out for those closest to you, do small things to make the world a better place for everyone."
USAG created the toxic atmosphere that allowed criminals to be revered and made victims out of its athletes. Things were so bad that over 150 young women were allowed to be sexually assaulted by the chosen physician Larry Nassar, someone that I truly hope dies in prison soon- but only after he himself become the assault victim. I am all about an eye for an eye sentence. Nassar was also the lead physician at Michigan State University (MSU) athletic program. Nassar's mentor there, Bill Stampel was also a predator. Peas in a pod. No one listened to the victims. No one took the complaints filed seriously. The result was several more women were allowed to be "treated" by Nassar and assaulted.
Thank you to Rachael Denhollander, an army of victims were able to finally end the horrific reign of assault by Nassar. The women were able to expose MSU's unprofessional handling of the complaints and force USAG to admit that it basically provided no guidance nor protection of it's charges. The President of the university was forced out, the board members shuffled. However, just this week MSU's interim president and resident idiot made the following statement with reference to the victims that have not been as vocal once MSU was forced to pay out millions and change leadership; "In some ways they have been able to deal with this better than the ones who've been in the spotlight who are still enjoying the moment at times, you know, the awards and recognition."
Denhollander has seized the moment and been very vocal and provided a voice to an issue that needs to continue to be addressed. I've said it before, Rachael Denhollander should be the new leader of USAG. Molestation covered up by powerful people is disgusting and disturbing. Excuse me, "Enjoying the moment." Look jackass- these are victims of molestation and assault that was covered up by at least two different organization in the USAG and MSU. One of which you were supposed to be leading! I would say that none of the women would choose what happened to them for a financial settlement or notoriety if the clock could be turned back and it was actually a choice. There is no saving some people from themselves. Yes, I am angry.
Now it has been a week that has since I wrote about the ongoing trial in the death of Jenna Burleigh. Jenna was a student at my alma mater, Temple University. Horrifying details of the last hours of her life and her murder were laid out before a jury in Philadelphia, PA. The lying sack of flesh named Josh Hupperterz was convicted. The defense put forth an argument that may have caused some doubt if all of the physical evidence and DNA prove that no one else could possibly have killed Jenna. Now he will spend the rest of his life in prison- a waste of my tax money. The sentence won't bring Jenna back. Unlike the victims of Larry Nassar she can never try to overcome what happened and try to enjoy life because hers was taken. I am deeply saddened.
I have two daughters, one granddaughter. I am very protective. Among my closest friends are a small group of women. I am very protective of them too. They are the sisters that I never had. Yeah I know I just ended a sentence with a preposition, F' it. Now I did twice. Anyway, all of them know that I am imminently available to them for any reason. One of the sad facts of the last hours of Jenna's life was that she was out with some friends, including a male friend who's house she was supposed to be staying at that night since she was a commuter student. Jenna chose to stay out longer than her friends and she reached out via text saying "Help me," "I need help" and just plain "help." This was before she left the local bar with Josh Hupperterz.
Unfortunately her friends had already fallen asleep. When I first wrote about this case in December of 2017 I stated that "I can only imagine the emotional draft they must be feeling." I have felt badly when I haven't been available to help my female friends. Thankfully none were ever in a dangerous situation when they needed my help. I have helped my daughters in crisis at all hours- it's what a father is supposed to do. However, I would need years of psychiatric therapy if any of them were ever murdered after they had reached out for help and I didn't get the message. I feel badly for her friends.
As we move forward in 2019, tomorrow is the holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A champion of peace who himself was murdered. I am hoping that the coming week brings greater peace to everyone. Less anger, less sadness, more peace. The Answerman says "Look out for those closest to you, do small things to make the world a better place for everyone."
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