Corbett's Half-Staff Flag Order For Paterno Sparks Debate

Some are questioning Gov. Tom Corbett's decision to order state flags flown at half-staff to honor former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno.

Corbett gave the order Monday morning , directing that "all Pennsylvania flags in the Capitol Complex and at commonwealth facilities statewide to fly at half staff through sunset on Thursday."

Paterno, 85, died Sunday morning of lung cancer. He's not charged in the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case that rocked the university last year, but in the aftermath Paterno said he wished he had done more after being told of an incident in the team showers involving his former assistant coach and a teen boy. Prosecutors say Paterno told university officials but did not go to police.

Corbett, of course, was the state's attorney general when the grand jury investigation into Sandusky began.

Here were Corbett's official comments Sunday night on the coach's death: "Susan and I were saddened to learn of Joe Paterno's passing. His legacy as the winningest coach in major college football and his generosity to Penn State as an institution and to his players, stand as monuments to his life. As both man and coach, Joe Paterno confronted adversities, both past and present, with grace and forbearance. His place in our state's history is secure."

Corbett has not been spotted at any of the memorial events over the past three days in Happy Valley.

The Pennsylvania Code lays out when and how the state flag is to be displayed, including specific instructions for when it should be at half-staff – such as Memorial Day, or the death of a current or former government official – and how for long. The last line reads: "Special days designated in accordance with this section for flying the flag at half-staff may be proclaimed by the Governor in a manner that he deems appropriate."

A survey of Corbett's previous half-staff orders include remembrances, such as Patriot Day and Pearl Harbor Day, as well as the death of police officers, service members, and upon the return of found remains from past overseas conflicts.

The half-staff order on the governor's Facebook page had 100 "likes" by Thursday morning. But there were also 77 comments on the order ranging from high praise to denigration, a reaction that illustrates the legacy debate the Sandusky scandal and now Paterno's death continue to illicit.

Some took quick umbrage with the order. One early commenter wrote: "What!?! This guy was just a football coach, right? A disgraced one just fired for his role in a child molestation case? He wasn't a firefighter or cop or medic who died on the job? A soldier that died in combat? A scientist that cured cancer?"

Others said fallen soldiers often don't get such acknowledgement, and some questioned why the governor would do this for a man who, in their words, looked the other way.

More comments appeared on the "CorbettForGov" Facebook page . A man who identified himself as a military veteran and police officer wrote there: "we bury men and women from the military daily, we have police, fire and ems personnel risk life and limb everyday too....please reconsider your actions and the message that it sends throughout this state......As a veteran that has fought in our wars and an officer that serves daily.....our flag means much more than that.....our heroes deserve this honor...not a football coach!"

On the other hand, some praised JoePa and defended Corbett's decision: "I think it's an awesome decision, I still feel like he was shafted. He reported it and the big talking heads getting paid way to much money Screwed up. RIP Joe."

Another said Corbett was in a "damned if you do and damned if you don't situation."