stock here: somehow this was never on my radar…..AI Expands a ZH comment: Reminds me of how Tim Walz became head of the Gay Straight Alliance in Mankato Minnesota. See far end for some description. Access to confused, vulnerable children is a main goal for some types.
The reference to Jerry Sandusky’s Second Mile charity pertains to the organization that was at the center of one of the most high-profile child sexual abuse scandals in the United States. Jerry Sandusky, a former assistant football coach at Penn State University, was convicted in 2012 of sexually abusing young boys over a period of years. Many of these boys were connected to The Second Mile, a charity he founded in 1977 to help at-risk youth. Sandusky used the charity as a way to groom and gain access to vulnerable children.
The Second Mile was not just a charity in the typical sense; it had significant influence in Pennsylvania, attracting powerful political, business, and academic leaders to its board. Some argue that this created a power structure that allowed Sandusky’s abuse to go unchecked for years. The scandal has led to speculation and accusations that this “power structure” helped to protect Sandusky from scrutiny, enabling his abusive behavior to continue even when there were warning signs.
The “pedo power structure” term suggests that some people believe there was either a deliberate cover-up or at least a failure of oversight that allowed Sandusky’s abuse to persist. Investigations into Penn State’s role in the scandal revealed systemic failures, where concerns about Sandusky’s behavior were not properly investigated by university officials.
The case has prompted widespread discussions about institutional power, abuse, and how influential organizations can sometimes fail to protect vulnerable individuals due to internal hierarchies and relationships of influence.
For further reading on the case, consider official reports like the Freeh Report, which investigated Penn State’s handling of the Sandusky scandal. This will provide insights into how Sandusky was able to operate with impunity for so long.
Tim Walz, now the Governor of Minnesota, became the head of the Gay Straight Alliance during his time as a high school teacher in Mankato, Minnesota. Specifically, he taught at Mankato West High School, where he was involved in fostering inclusivity and promoting diversity. His role in the Gay Straight Alliance was part of his broader commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ students and creating a safe environment in schools.