In light of all that’s happened, including continued UVA stonewalling, I say that he is the Jerry Sandusky of science.
[Update Saturday morning]
For those wondering, here are the parallels, that John O’Sullivan pointed out in November after the Sandusky case came to light:
Mann was never exonerated because the charges against him were never investigated. In both the Mann and Sandusky controversies the following points about Spanier’s stewardship are equally valid:
1. Both the Sandusky and Mann cover-ups involved a poorly executed investigation.
2. Both investigations saw the president making untrue statements.
3. Both involve an ethos that successful men can do no wrong; and the more famous and powerful they are, the more immune they are from scrutiny.
4. Both demonstrate a strong inclination to circle the wagons and seemingly show no interest in truth or justice.
5. Both involve extensive evidence going back years from a number of different sources and involving a variety of issues which should have raised red flags.
6. Spanier’s ‘investigations’ never interviewed witnesses against Mann or Sandusky.
But other than that, there is absolutely nothing in common.
[Bumped]