Former Penn State Football Coach Joe Paterno Dies at Age 85 … Rest in Peace

Joe Paterno has died at the age of 85 …

We knew last night when it was reported that he was in grave condition, near death and had asked for friends, family and loved ones to come to the hospital to say his final goodbyes, that it was only a matter of time. Sadly, JOE PA has passed away at the age of 85 from complications of lung cancer.The winingest coach in Division I college football,  capturing 409 victories and two national championships at Penn State, has died.

Joe Paterno:  December 21, 1926 – January 22, 2012, Rest in Peace

His family released a statement Sunday morning to announce his death: “His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled.”

“He died as he lived,” the statement said. “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.”

It is obvious that Joe Paterno lost the will to live following the Penn State/Sandusky sex scandal. Joe Paterno loved two things, his family and Penn State. Sadly, many will only see the sex scandal that occurred as Paterno’s legacy; however, nothing could be farther from the truth. In the end Joe Paterno did not die of cancer, he died of a broken heart. He admitted he could have and should have done more when it came to the sex scandal that cost him his job and tainted his legacy. Paterno admitted, “I didn’t know exactly how to handle it and I was afraid to do something that might jeopardize what the university procedure was.” However, it would be short sighted and ignorant not to see the good that Joe Pa did for Penn State University and the many individuals whose lives he touched.

No matter what the PSU trustees try to do, Joe Paterno was and forever will be the face of Penn State. His contributions to the University were tremendous. How many sports coaches does any one know who give back to their colleges, rather than just use them as a stepping stone for their careers? The millions he gave back to PSU to make academics at Penn State a better place needs to be remembered.  Joe Pa made an incredible impact on the lives of so many; however, like all of us, Joe was human and not without flaws. He left the game the winningest coaches ever, he leaves us as a flawed man who tried to do his best. Let us remember him for the good he has done and forgive his trespasses.

Paterno became the winningest head coach in Division I football history on Oct. 29, when the Nittany Lions defeated Illinois for his 409th victory. It would be the last of the 548 games he served as Penn State’s head coach, covering almost 46 full seasons.

Statement from Penn State  Trustees and President Erickson on passing of Paterno:

We grieve for the loss of Joe Paterno, a great man who made us a greater university. His dedication to ensuring his players were successful both on the field and in life is legendary and his commitment to education is unmatched in college football. His life, work and generosity will be remembered always.

The University plans to honor him for his many contributions and to remember his remarkable life and legacy. We are all deeply saddened.

We will never again see a coach like Joe Paterno in college football. That is a shame. How many people actually stay in one place and forgo offers from other institutions or the NFL? Seriously, Joe Paterno was an institution. For many of us that grew up in the Northeast and had friends and family in Pennsylvania, Penn State football was our regional team. So many lives this man touched, yet it is the scandal that he is presently remembered for. Sadly, the sex scandal has tainted his reputation, but that is not all that JoePa was. We are all not without sin and I hope the individuals who were sexually abused at the hands of Jerry Sandusky get justice. More now than ever. What Sandusky did was pure evil and his actions continue to cause consequences.  Let us remember the many good things that Joe Paterno did and the many he helped, influenced and lives he impacted. As for his sins, all I can say is the following:

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,

The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

Newt Gingrich Falls for the Race Bait … Gingrich Confronted on Race Agrees to Meet with Al Sharpton

Good grief, Newt Gingrich has taken the “race bait” hook, line and sinker. So is this the brilliance that Gingrich will show as President if nominated by the GOP and wins in 2012? Why on earth would anyone give Al Sharpton the credibility when he is one of the biggest race baiters going? As reported at The Hill, Newt takes the bait and agrees to meet with Al Sharpton.

The man said what Gingrich was asking for amounted to a “new form of slavery” and would force young African Americans to drop out of school.

Gingrich engaged the man, speaking levelly and holding eye contact with him. He said that he suggested the jobs so that “They can get paid — they’d go to school, stay in school instead of dropping out.”

“What I’ve said is I’d like every young American of every ethnic background to have a job,” Gingrich responded. “How does that ratchet it up?”

The man then said he’d spoken with Rev. Al Sharpton and asked Gingrich to meet with him, Roland Martin of CNN, Ben Jealous of the NAACP and Juan Williams.

“Sure — glad to do it,” Gingrich said. “I’d be willing to do it. I know Al.”

Hey Newt, I could care less about an ex-wife’s accusations of your wanting an open marriage, but I do care about your judgement in meeting with a race baiter like Al Sharpton and you providing him credibility. Some one cries racism and you jump. Way to go Newt, that is exactly the reaction they wanted.

We have already seen Newt’s poor judgement in doing global warming ads with Nancy Pelosi, what’s next … a PSA with Al Sharpton on racism? Because as stated at Michelle Malkin.com, we all know the way to calm the waters of racism is to get Sharpton involved. Get a clue Newt.

Former Penn State Nittany Lion Football Coach Joe Paterno Reportedly in Serious Condition Near Death

According to CBS News, former Penn St. football coach Joe Paterno is in serious condition and near death.  The 85 year old Paterno has been battling lung cancer, that was initially diagnosed as treatable, since he was fired by Penn State following the Sandusky/PSU sex scandal.  Paterno has been in the hospital since January 13, 2012 for observation  for minor complications from cancer treatments. Sadly, it is only a matter of time that this NCAA college football coaching icon passes. One has to wonder how much of his spirit to thrive has been ripped from him following the Penn St. sex scandal.

Former Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno, who is battling lung cancer, is near death, The Citizens’ Voice reports.

The paper reports that Paterno’s wife, Sue, asked family and friends to come to the hospital because the former coach wanted to say his final goodbyes.

Paterno family’s spokesman Dan McGinn released a statement saying:

“Over the last few days Joe Paterno has experienced further health complications. His doctors have now characterized his status as serious.  His family will have no comment on the situation and asks that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.”

More from ESPN (VIDEO).

Sadly, the winiest coach in college Division I history and a man who has done many good things for Penn St. and too numerous individuals us about to leave us. The PSU sex scandal will obviously leave a black mark on his legacy; however, do not ever forget the good that Joe Pa has done.

UPDATE I: Some media outlets are reporting that JOE PA has died; however, the Paterno family spokesman says the former Penn State football coach has not passed away. Hey folks, have a heart and get a clue. It is obvious that Joe Paterno does not have much time left, stop throwing dirt on the guys grave before he has actually passed. have some form of class.

FOX News Calls South Carolina Primary for Newt Gingrich

The polls have closed in South Carolina and Fox News has called the primary for Newt Gingrich. The late Newt Gingrich surge takes the Palmetto state of South Carolina. So now each candidate has won one primary/caucus. Onward to Florida.

The South Carolina by county vote can be seen here.

ABC News also calling it for Gingrich as well. CBS counting the votes.

Newt Gingrich will defeat Mitt Romney to win today’s South Carolina primary, according to ABC News projections based on exit poll data.

Ron Paul and Rick Santorum were battling for third place.

According to exit polls, two-thirds of South Carolinian’s said that the debates matter and that the Newt affair or “open marriage” accusation from Gingrich’s ex-wife did not.  However, what should matter to GOP primary voters is why Newt Gingrich left office amid his ethics scandal. Mark my words, this will come out in the general election if Newt wins the GOP nomination and we best know up front why he left rather than face an October surprise.

Fox News calling Santorum will be third and Ron Paul a distant fourth.

As the GOP candidates head into Florida the RCP average polls are as follows: Romney 40.5%, Gingrich 22.0%, Santorum 15.0& and Paul 9.0%.

UPDATE I: Final South Carolina primary results:

Gingrich: 40.4% 243,153
Romney: 27.8% 167,279
Santorum: 17.0% 102,055
Paul: 13.0% 77,993
Cain: 1.1% 6,324
Perry: 0.4% 2,494
Huntsman: 0.2% 1,161
Bachmann: 0.1% 494

Barack Obama Job Approval Poll Averages 44% in 3rd Year of Presidency … Only Jimmy Carter Was Worse

It would appear that Barack Obama was not the one that we had been waiting for, not by a long shot.

He’s going down, down, down, down … Barack Obama. The One is was at 69% approval on Inauguration Day, 57% in his first year, 47% in his second year and now … 44%.

According to Gallup, Obama’s job approval average for his third year in office was just 44%, second worst in history. Guess who was the worst, hold it, hold it … Jimmy Carter. That is correct, three years into his presidency and “The One” ha never been lower as Obama’s 44.4% polling average only tops Carter’s 37.4%. As we have said for quite some time, Obama’s presidency has been Carter’s second term.

President Barack Obama averaged 44% job approval for his third full year in office, which ended Jan. 19. His third-year average is down slightly from his second-year average of 47% and much lower than his first-year average of 57%.

Obama’s third-year average is based on approximately 175,000 interviews with U.S. adults conducted between Jan. 20, 2011 — the second anniversary of his inauguration — and Jan. 19, 2012.

Obama’s job approval rating during his third year in office had its ups and downs, peaking at 53% in May and falling as low as 38% in August and October.

As the Lonely Conservative says regarding Obama’s continuous low polling, they must all be racists. However, when a President promises hope & change and only provided no jobs, Obamacare, out of control spending, federal debt as far as the eye can see, what else would one suspect? That does not even include the partisan party politics Obama played by nixing the Keystone XL Pipeline that would have created the tens of thousands of US jobs and the expected high gas prices we will see in 2012.