The raping our children's futures is no joke

To the Editor:

I would like to personally take the time to first thank everyone who is deeply concerned about my life's choices and decisions, your concern is appreciated and I am sure it is sincere.

My children and family are all doing fine…honor roll, high honor roll, sports, extra-curricular activities, clubs, etc. They really are the most wonderful children and family anyone could hope for. You may stop by to see them anytime you please if your concern is still lingering, perhaps one look at their infectious smile will show you how loved and happy they are to be Schickrams…but again, thanks for the concern.

For those of you who agreed or disagreed with my presentation of facts several weeks ago and were educated enough to provoke some wonderful discussions and arguments, thank you so much. I enjoyed both sides right to peacefully present an argument and defend them both. After all, isn't that the best part about being a true American?

I mean, gosh, some of those discussions were truly exhilarating and they reminded me what a good education can do for any individual, rich or poor. We all know it takes much more of a man or woman to be able to argue points and counterpoints without making horrible accusations or threats towards the other party involved…or even worse, make these horrible threats and accusations and forget to sign your name to them.

It truly is a shame that someone would take the time to write or type an email or letter and yet not feel strongly enough about it to take credit for it by placing their name on their thoughts and beliefs. Perhaps it is their parents and upbringing that should be the focus…shame on them for raising cowards who lack the self-esteem and self-confidence to express their views freely as our ancestors had hoped and fought for.

For those of you who had me mistaken with Jesus, or an angel, I would like to take a quick second here to thank you for thinking so highly of me to think I have never done anything wrong or made any mistakes in my life, but I regret to inform you that, yes, I have made many mistakes.

You can probably count on me making several thousand more before it's all said and done, and you can feel free to focus on the mistakes, I will focus on my 4 masterpieces, Zowie, Lucas, Josie and Ace, and their well-being.

It is for them that I have expressed my concern for such a well-loved and widely known public figure not pursuing a sexual predator to the fullest extent that is humanly possible. This is the part that sickens me to the fullest degree, and to take the side of a law that obviously is in dire need of alterations and argue that 'he did what he had to do to fulfill the law requirements' is morally worse than anything one could ever accuse me of.

Yes, there are so many people involved in this debacle that blaming one person or even 10 people would be unjust. The simple fact of the matter is that the repulsion began with one deviant sexual predator who will never face the true justice that he deserves on this earth, and then it multiplied exponentially as it climbed up the ladder…or should I say 'as it rolled downhill?'

Our elected officials and our officials appointed by our elected politicians all fumbled on this one perhaps because they didn't have the self-confidence or self-esteem to bring a true criminal to justice and pin their name on the outcome.

Put me in the shower with that animal or in the office in the big chair hearing about it…or better yet in the Governor's mansion getting a phone call about it and I can swear to you that the outcome would be much much different. In fact, if I was in the showers it never would've made it to the coach's desk, and if I was in the coach's chair it never would've made it to the campus police, and so on and so forth, I'm sure you get the picture…it would've ended in my hands literally and/or figuratively.

I certainly would not have let it end in the hands of a Judge who donated money to the second-mile funds for god only knows what kickbacks and/or 12 people who defend a football coach more than they defend an 8-year-old helpless child.

So, Paul Martin, though I commend you for signing your letter, I condemn you for accusing me of walking away from a woman being raped and I also think it is a disgusting thing to think up in your mind. I happened to have had a dear friend of mine who was involved in a rape and it is no joking matter or no matter that should be brought up in passing.

I don't think there is anyone out there who truly knows me that would think I walked away from that predicament, and there is one male individual who knows for a fact what happens when you cross someone I love and respect when it comes to rape and molestation.

I'm sure at some point in his life his father or mother or a mentor or possibly even a coach of his defended a sexual predator and thus he felt it was okay to become one, but he quickly learned differently when he finally came across a man who was raised to do the right thing no matter what the consequences were. It's a shame Jerry never came in contact with such a man.

My shoulders are pretty broad, Paul, so I will certainly carry the weight of your words with no issue and I will let it slide that your accusation bordered on Libel…besides, I hear some people in their 80's are exempt from ridicule and blame in this state, especially if they donate some money.

Rocco, again, thanks for signing your letter as well, and just to let you know I did play college football at THE UNIVERSITY of PENNSYLVANIA, the Ivy League school here in Pennsylvania. I had a wonderful man of a football coach who has helped shape and mold me as a man after I left the good care of my parents and who is still in contact with me regularly through letters of recommendation and also looking for my opinion on local talented young men who have the grades and resume' to play for such a prestigious school.

There happens to be a local young man down at PENN now playing for the same coach and doing very well, so thanks for your wish of me playing for Joe, but I am very satisfied with the Alma Mater I chose. I am also very aware of the corruption you described and I am also very concerned with the fact that you didn't comprehend the letter I wrote correctly…, or did you just miss when I touched upon my feelings of our elected governor who turned his back on the students of Penn State?

Now Gov. Corbett has cut educational spending for the second year in a row and yet he is allowing the tax free drilling to take place with over 3300 violations in place…he seems pretty good at letting VIOLATORS PROCEED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN doesn't he?

It's no wonder the reading comprehension and writing skills of Pennsylvania's citizens continues to decline by your and Paul's proof. Oh, I almost forgot, Corbett is also attacking Unions and their workers in order to break them, no union is exempt either, from bricklayer's to teacher's.

This is his attempt to stupefy the entire population of Pennsylvania so we can no longer express our educated views and concerns. He cuts the education, he cuts the education of the work force, then he cuts the unions of the work force until ultimately the citizens are forced to turn to crime to survive…which just so happens to be where he is spending the money he cut from education…in the jails…and donations to the Second Mile.

If you don't believe me look it up and read it for yourself. You can also ask several of our local politicians, including Jerry Knowles who has supported Gov. Corbett's plan. Our children and our children's futures are being Raped right in front of our own eyes. Only the true heroes are trying to do something about it before it's too late.

Rape is no Joke!

My name is Steve Schickram, and I am trying to do something about it.

I am trying to do the right thing for the kids, like my parents, mentors, teachers and coaches taught me to do.

Thank You,

Steve Schickram

Tamaqua