July 3, 2012
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we are…
Rant alert.
I did my undergrad at Penn State. I live here. I’m doing a grad at Penn State. And to a point I was Penn State Proud. I think I went to exactly one Penn State game. (football, I mean. That goes without saying really because what is Penn State except for football? ha) When people say “We are…”, I might say “Penn State”, but it’s not a guarantee. But I can assure you I have a different answer right now.
Because I spent 1 1/2 hours of my life this afternoon listening to a presentation about mandatory child abuse reporting (as part of my grad school deal this summer). One and half hours of my life that I can’t get back. Yes, it was important info. But it was unpleasant. I’ve been a mandatory reporter for many, many years because of jobs and volunteer work. I never had to sit through a presentation like that. And I dislike the title “mandatory” anyhow. Call me naive, and it’s probably true, but I’d like to think that people in education would want to do what’s best for children without it being “mandatory.” But anyhow the point is that I had to listen, watch, participate, endure an unpleasant conversation (on stuff I know but don’t want to think about much) so that I could get a badge that I have to wear to work with kids for the next 4 weeks.
This badge:
I absolutely agree with protecting children. I agree with trainings that help us protect children. But that badge needs to say, “We are…” “galled” to be Penn State. Where the (insert appropriate yet inappropriate word) was this badge and training when that (insert another appropriate yet inappropriate word) was coaching football.
It’s like my shadow is saying “ok” there. It’s not, boys and girls.
On the other hand, my happy hibiscus is happy.
And I like to see the symbolism there of the happy children who are protected now. The buds of the future children who are protected. I don’t like to see the sad, wilted blooms of the children who were failed.
End of rant.
Comments (31)
learning that crap is horrid, but necessary. I can totally get this rant.
@Kris0logy - just to add to the ugly, the age of consent for sex in pa is 13. what the freak? it’s only illegal for a 13 year old to have sex with someone 17 and over. (not that i think legality is the only factor, i do not. and i don’t agree with legislating a lot of things in general principal but that fact there makes my skin crawl.)
OM…some call the South backwards but at least in some ways we have kept common sense, even if it was lead by the blue hair brigade.
@Kris0logy - gotta think that piece of legislature is from some hillbilly days. i don’t know why that upsets me so much. ain’t no freaking way my girls are going there at 13. (guarantee on the one- as she’s already 15. and too damn young.)
Mine are 19, 16 & 16 & we have had a lot of graphic soul baring talks( I had a rough youth), they all are waiting & that is their own decision & I am proud of it.
@Kris0logy - that’s a relief. i’m glad about that. and you are ok now, seems like. which is good too.
@ordinarybutloud - i accept that. if i wasn’t so damn pissed about it, i wouldn’t talk about it either.
@ordinarybutloud - i need another rum and coke.
@promisesunshine - I think I need a drink too.
@ordinarybutloud - i asked spouseman to find recipe and ingredients for mojito. but i believe he has failed me. which is fine. i’ll get my cabin boy to do it.
In all the things that have happened to me, I allowed them to be used for good. But yeah I’m ALL good…
@Kris0logy - that’s the important part of living. turn even the bad stuff into good.
@promisesunshine - it’s a sad day when I can’t think of anything I feel like drinking.
@ordinarybutloud - maybe that’s a good thing. in fact probably is. definitely is. i should have that problem.
It’s a shame when we fail kids. And do they really think wearing a badge is any guarantee it won’t happen again?
Your hibiscus is lovely. Have a drink for me, I’m still at work. Did I tell you I thought my employee quit yesterday? I walked in and her desk was totally cleared off, all personal pics and items gone, no work related itmes there, staff mailbox empty, personal drawer empty, a note attached to a cart of books telling me what she had done in regards to her assignment. But she showed up. I am wondering if she wil be giving notice when the boss gets back from vacation.
@ordinarybutloud - A sad day indeed. (Just my opinion).
karma, baby. it’s what we’ve got to believe we have for those (insert that word) people who i want to believe just aren’t *thinking* when they hurt children. revenge is nice to think about, but it only serves to get those who seek it headed right back toward them. so be proud of your accomplishments at penn state, wear your badge proudly, because you care. that (insert word) doesn’t exist anymore. nah, i don’t like the word “mandatory” attached to anything.
Penn State.. Hmmmm. I’m sure you’ll do well. YOU, I have Faith in! I saw an extrememly bright pink one. Almost bought it, but I didn’t know where to plant it.
Yes, reporting it certainly seems like the obvious, automatic reaction. And that’s all I’m going to say b/c it’s hard to have that stuff in your head.
Well, naturally nobody will ever go against mandatory training. Ever. And people always absorb what they learn in those seminars also. /sarcasm.
Pretty flower. I haven’t followed the Penn State thing as much as you might expect. Or maybe exactly as much as you might expect, considering that I don’t ordinarily pay attention to football at all. I did read an excellent Newsweek article a few weeks ago (which I think was old when I read it, I was in a waiting room) which talked about the way the college and the small town around it has dealt with these things. This was before the verdict. It was interesting.
@Bricker59 - no, I think it’s objectively sad. I’m sure it will pass, though.
@leaflesstree - i have not read this article of which you speak. i’ve managed not to read most of it. because it makes me so angry.
@lanney - yes
@armnatmom - i want another. i might need a 12 step program for hibiscus.
@be_the_rain - who think it’s ok for whatever reason. i have the look on his face burned in my eyes. the one he wore before the trial that seemed to say that he honestly didn’t believe he’d done anything wrong.
@Bricker59 - beer or whiskey.
@songoftheheart - that’s part of what is so galling. that piece of plastic means NOTHING.
interesting tidbit on your employee.
I get the feeling I missed something important about Penn State. It’s just a name of school to me… but I don’t watch mainstream news so… yeah… Cheesy badge anyway
@oceanstarr - big pile of ugly with a bad man. badge is a slap in the face.
What do you not like about the badge sunshine? Okay, I am just trying to pull your leg. I can totally see why you would rant about it. I would too.
@ZSA_MD - and why did they have to pick yellow? ruined my color too.
I used to live in Bellefonte as a child, loved area. Anyway, kinda understand what you are saying and agree. I too found out age of consent in PA when a few yrs back I found out one of the many instructors of my daughters marching band was texting and calling her all hours of day/ night. That she got into his car and they “hung out”. When I noticed all the communication which the school states no one in authoritive teaching role should have no contact at all with students outside of school I went to complain. Big investigation which I was told nothing really could be done. She was 14/15 he was 19. The school did dismiss him and later found out a yr later he was charged with some crimes and served jail time at 2 or 3 institutions. So, I guess what I’m saying is its awful the loopholes laws have, and that it makes it harder for anyone especially kids to come forward. I can’t believe some of the stuff ppl go through to have their attacker sometimes get a slap on wrist or continue to get some type of normalcy while they serve time if they ever do serve.
@FrAzZMatTAZ - inappropriate. we protect the WRONG people.
Child abuse is often so hidden and it is difficult to see. Hopefully, your 1.5 hr seminar helped!
child abuse is horriable.