This page was last updated on February 6, 2012.
Knight comments unwelcome; Paul T. Underiner; Beaver County Times; February 2, 2012.
The only previous letter from Mr. Underiner I critiqued was “Specter is a poster child for term limits.” A letter from Mr. Underiner I didn’t critique was “Health care bills do not address issues” (12/6/09).
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“Columnists John Mehno and Mark Madden hit the nail squarely on the head when they took Nike CEO Phil Knight to task for his classless remarks at the memorial service held for coach Joe Paterno.
“Not only were his comments inappropriate for a service such as this, I would think any comments anywhere alluding to child abuse by Mr. Knight would be inappropriate, given Nike’s record of employing children, at pitiful wages, to make his $100 plus footwear.
“The memorial service was a beautiful tribute to a man, the likes of which may never again grace the campus of Penn State or any other university. It was unfortunate that Phil Knight was asked to be a part of it.”
[RWC] Mr. Underiner failed to note at least 12,000 people don’t share his opinion. I watched the service live at home and Mr. Knight’s comments resulted in an extended standing ovation from the attendees, including the Paterno family. Mr. Knight said what other speakers likely wanted to say but could not because of their position. Remember what happened to Franco Harris when he dared say the PSU Board of Trustees treated Joe shabbily? Whether it speaks good or ill of me, I too gave Mr. Knight a standing ovation.
© 2004-2012 Robert W. Cox, all rights reserved.