Jerry Sandusky's Pension

Jerry Sandusky is generally a pathetic waste of time for me to devote brain space and writing space: he's going to stay in prison for the rest of his life, and will waste taxpayer's money for endless appeals until he is forced to stop. I was disgusted that the man is getting a pension, and a huge back payment, but hopefully at least the ruling will enable his victims to sue for compensation and get every dime. There's not much old Jerry can buy with it anyways: maybe Top Ramen and toothpaste from the commissary. He lives in restricted housing (a form of solitary confinement) and gets to sit there for the rest of his life.

At any rate, I think it is still important to post about predators who live among us.  Everyone who reads this post has had an encounter with at least one in their lifetimes. I think it's fair to say that the ones who really think they do no wrong are like a cobra coiled up on the porch.  Unsuspecting people metaphorically feed the cobra a bowl of milk and coo over it, because they seem to think it's a kitten. Predators know and exploit this.  The sadness, humiliation, and embarrassment leave lifelong scars on friends and family when that happens and the deception is revealed, in addition to all the scars inflicted on the victims.

I'm not saying there are people out there who realize they have a legitimate problem and spend much time and effort working on it, getting professional help, and making a real commitment to change. There are even people I know who have changed their lives (not necessarily people with predatory behavior, but certainly with a variety of struggles) in very admirable and honorable ways, and hurt neither other people or society at large, contributing positive and good things only.. However, it is a sad fact that many will never change. If Sandusky is ever released on appeal (completely unlikely, but there is always a slim chance), he will go back to his old ways in short order.

For now, let's hope his victims and family reap the benefit of his pension and back payments.  It is small compensation for lives permanently and tragically altered.