Sad? Joe Paterno's firing? Nope.

There has been plenty to be sad about this year. Like the death and destruction caused by the tsunami in Japan. The many tornadoes that ravaged Alabama, Missouri, and other states. Continued starvation in too many parts of the world. Continued poverty in too many parts of our nation and others. You could name so many examples if you wanted.

Too many people have lost jobs who didn't do anything to prompt getting fired. Just this week, a good friend and longtime co-worker was laid off at the place where I work. Cutbacks. She is a good person who worked hard. She'll be an asset to her next employer.

Joe Paterno? I'm not sad about him losing his job. "With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more," he said. He's not the only one who wishes that.

If Paterno didn't grasp the dire consequences of not doing more than simply reporting the rape of a child by his former defensive coordinator, he does now. We know who to feel sad for when it comes to the Penn State/Jerry Sandusky story. We don't know their names or faces, but they live among us. In every state, perhaps every county.

And what they have endured at the hands of sick, vile adults goes way beyond sad.

Penn State will be fine. It will continue to be an excellent university, just with a different president. Someday, the school will have a head football coach of renown and Nittany Lions football will be a national power in the sport. Crowds of 107,000 will fill Beaver Stadium. Maybe the school will put up a statue for that coach one day, too.

Hopefully, he'll be worthy of it.