So Much To Cover

Some days, writing this column, it seems like there isn’t much to write about. This is not one of those days so let’s get right to it.

Students to March for Prevention

Next Wednesday September 25th Penn State students will march to prevent child sexual abuse. They are partnering with Darkness to Light to raise funds and awareness. One of the group’s goals is to provide training so we as a society recognize the signs of abuse.

What has become clear is this; abuse is present in every community in our country and goes largely unrecognized. It is a topic that makes many uncomfortable. But that lack of communication and education allows it to persist in towns and cities in every state across America.

In the aftermath of 9/11 the people of New York heard over and over again “If you see something, say something”. That message resonated with a Times Square vendor who noticed an SUV idling with no driver in sight. He spoke up and prevented a bombing.

The red flags of terrorist attacks are often recognizable because we’ve learned them. The indicators of abuse are much less obvious. If people don’t know what to look for, how can they recognize the signs?

These Penn State students have taken charge to organize this march and are worthy of our support. Penn State is unique in that our students respond to challenges by leading the way to make things better.

The march begins Wednesday at 6 p.m. from Thomas Building on campus and covers just over a mile. I will be there with the students and I look forward to helping them display the best of this great University.

Another Mass Shooting

Monday we found ourselves again staring at another mass shooting in this country. This is the 20th mass shooting in the country since January of 2009 — a period of 56 months. It means we suffer one of these tragedies about once every 2.8 months.

For our great nation these mass tragedies have become far too common; we’re almost immune to them. But even beyond the mass shootings, there is daily gun violence in some of our cities at rates that should shock us. But they don’t.

With the current environment in Congress, it is difficult to believe that any meaningful discussion can occur. I’m not talking about laws being passed or bills being introduced; just meaningful discussion.

In a hyperactive media/social media environment, can our nation’s leaders even freely discuss new ideas without the special interests on either side over-reacting to any suggestion they may not like?

It is a sad sign of our times that heightened media attention stifles honest debate. Certainly it has made elected officials cautious about proposing new ideas to gauge their value, and any interest that other leaders may have.

The root causes of violence, the issues on the table put gun safety into play, and there’s also a renewed focus on our mental health programs and a range of other issues. How can we identify the people that present the greatest danger? How do we improve economic conditions, policing and society to drive down the causes of violence?

Many of the solutions may be accomplished without new laws, but we won’t know if officials fear a media storm for suggesting ideas that may be new or outside conventional thought.

But the greatest question of all involves the resolve of elected officials to engage in a debate about public safety. It is not easy given the emotions on all sides of the issues. But ultimately in a great country the emotions must give way to cooperation and results. If not, given our average the past five years, we risk seeing this all over again sometime before Christmas.

A Word On Jeff Byers

I want to share a few words about a colleague here at StateCollege.com. Jeff Byers has been the long time voice of Penn State wrestling broadcasts. He has a passion and knowledge of the sport that is unsurpassed.

No one has been more supportive of the program over the years as Jeff has been and no one brings more to the table covering the sport than Jeff. I know that I am not alone in my high opinion of his work; nor am I alone in hoping that when I turn on the radio this winter I will hear his voice detailing all the PSU wrestling action.

Wrapping Up

As I said at the start, there’s a lot going on here in Happy Valley and around our country. I didn’t even get to talk about all the great apples, tomatoes, and peppers coming in. If there is ever a time to go vegetarian in Happy Valley the end of August through October may be the time to do it.

Enjoy these late summer and early fall days for tomorrow is promised to no one.