Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Penn State: Unsolved mystery involving missing DA who investigated Sandusky case

TY to over ---930,000 readers--- of my Yahoo Sports, Interview and News articles since 2/1/11. http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/977720/sean_obrien.html


***This is being re-posted because of the high volume of interest that the information I wrote about continues to generate. The original version was first posted on 11/14/11.

Penn State: 


Center County District Attorney Ray Gricar has been missing since 2005.

Anytime a DA is missing, a list of many 'enemies' could be considered as potential suspects in what could be a crime.

In this instance - Gricar was the DA who, in 1998, investigated the matters involving Jerry Sandusky that have now become infamous.

Missing hard drive


Gricar disappeared in 2005. His body has never been found since, but his car was found in a parking lot and his laptop computer was found in the Susquehanna river. That laptop was missing its hard drive.

Would someone only keep sensitive information on a hard drive, or would they also back it up?

This speculation doesn't prove, or even implies, that it was connected to the current matter. Right?

Logic

Gricar chose not to prosecute in the late 1990s because he must have believed that he didn't have enough conclusive evidence to do so.

There is no evidence that suggests he was a friend of Sandusky, or was somehow persuaded to overlook the matter.

What is the likelihood that a DA who investigated a case of this nature chose to never follow up after the late 1990s?

What information about that case, or any other case, was he in possession at the time of his disappearance?

Gricar is either somehow still alive somewhere, committed suicide, was abducted and then murdered randomly by strangers, or was abducted and then murdered intentionally by people with clear intent.

It seems highly unlikely that he is still alive.

Suicide? No information about personal problems, mental issues, or blackmail exists.

No, there is no evidence that any of that related to the Penn State situation.

But, the entire argument about why this entire matter has remained a secret for so long seems to be missing some logical pieces.

We may never know what actually happened to Gricar.

But, whatever happened to him and his life deserves justice. And so do his family, friends and colleagues.
(The exact same thoughts are currently being offered for the children who were victims in this scandal as well.)

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It shattered the window!

The best car that I ever owned

 



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Covering a Flyers Game Live (Inside Access) Part 5

TY to over ---920,000 readers--- of my Yahoo Sports, Interview and News articles since 2/1/11. http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/977720/sean_obrien.html


Flyers - (Inside access)


Continuing with my notes about what it's like to cover a Flyers game from the press level:

When the third period buzzer sounds all members of the press head to the Flyers locker room level. From there the "main stars of the game" are brought in to be questioned by the media. An excellent team PR staff coordinates all of this activity in a manner that is indicative of respect and recognition of the importance the resulting publicity means for their business.

While there are a lot of bodies in the room, it is an organized affair. Each player is asked a number of questions as the next man up comes into the room. The remainder of the team is not in the room at that time.

What can't be seen in the camera's eye is the sheer volume of media. It's interesting to see just how successful the risk Ed Snider's took has been. Had his idea flopped, the Spectrum would have never been a stepping stone to the building of the Wells Fargo Center.

Hockey players are a generally courteous bunch. In many cases, this is indicative of their Canadian and Eastern European roots. In effect, these workers are using their specialized skills in the United States to the benefit of tens of millions of people and for themselves.

All of the historical photos on the walls of the locker room are reminiscent of the old Spectrum days. This sense of history certainly is felt by the players who see them every day.

After our time with the players had finished we then went to a separate press room, where coach Laviolette came to have his post-game press conference.

That is where we will pick up next time.

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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Covering a Flyers game live (Inside Access) Part 4

TY to over ---910,000 readers--- of my Yahoo Sports, Interview and News articles since 2/1/11. http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/977720/sean_obrien.html


Flyers - (Inside access)


Continuing with my notes about what it's like to cover a Flyers game from the press level:

The difference between watching the game from the stands and in the press box is simple: as a fan, you watch the games without working.

Now, don't get me wrong, watching the game from the press box while taking computerized notes, is hardly hard labor. But, there are a few things that you need to do that are fundamentally different than being a fan.

Your job is to record information that will be presented to readers during and then in long-form, shortly after the game. You also are working with other individuals, who are in-effect co-workers. So, some of the normal work environment rules and atmosphere does exist.

The main thing is to record important game detail and build the framework of your story while you are also paying attention to a movement in progress. While the Flyers superb staff provides you with plenty of game notes before, during and after the contest, you also need to make your particular piece(s) unique and relevant. No one can help you in that aspect.

In between periods, like anyone, you can take a breather, eat bit, or do whatever you like. You can also prepare stories like this one: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ycn-10523595 which was my game summary.

I also prepared this one: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ycn-10523657 which was not planned prior to the game. I developed this second article during the game because of the manner in which Claude Giroux played.

Working on two, or sometimes three articles, requires multitasking and some restraint so they all don't blend together.

By the time the third period was over, we were ready to head down to the locker room and to head coach Peter Laviolette's press conference.
Next time 'Inside Access' will take you through the postgame activities.
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Monday, November 28, 2011

Eagles notes + Flyers (Inside Access) Part 3

TY to over ---910,000 readers--- of my Yahoo Sports, Interview and News articles since 2/1/11. http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/977720/sean_obrien.html


Eagles - 


A tough loss to the New England Patriots means the Eagles have to win out to possibly make the playoffs. 


It's never over...but...well. 


Flyers - (Inside access)


Continuing with my notes about what it's like to cover a Flyers game from the press level:

In the hours leading up to the game at the stadium we basically prepare as anyone does for their job. We set up our computers, look through the stats that are provided to us, review relevant online information and begin to build the framework of our stories.

Eating before the game is an enjoyable experience as you are surrounded by the members of the media that are seen during the game and in the bylines later.

It reminds me of my time with the Red Barons in Scranton back in the 1990s. At that time, in my position as one of the team's PR people we would facilitate the media's role in helping to promote our product, which was baseball.

I've found that the hockey world is very similar. While the game is a different one, the overall atmosphere is the same: a large event is about to unfold and we are a part of it.

Next time inside access will take you through the game, as it happened.

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Penn State: Unsolved mystery involving missing DA who investigated Sandusky case

TY to over ---910,000 readers--- of my Yahoo Sports, Interview and News articles since 2/1/11. http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/977720/sean_obrien.html


***This is being re-posted because of the high volume of interest that the information I wrote about continues to generate. The original version was first posted on 11/14/11.

Penn State: 


Center County District Attorney Ray Gricar has been missing since 2005.

Anytime a DA is missing, a list of many 'enemies' could be considered as potential suspects in what could be a crime.

In this instance - Gricar was the DA who, in 1998, investigated the matters involving Jerry Sandusky that have now become infamous.

Missing hard drive


Gricar disappeared in 2005. His body has never been found since, but his car was found in a parking lot and his laptop computer was found in the Susquehanna river. That laptop was missing its hard drive.

Would someone only keep sensitive information on a hard drive, or would they also back it up?

This speculation doesn't prove, or even implies, that it was connected to the current matter. Right?

Logic

Gricar chose not to prosecute in the late 1990s because he must have believed that he didn't have enough conclusive evidence to do so.

There is no evidence that suggests he was a friend of Sandusky, or was somehow persuaded to overlook the matter.

What is the likelihood that a DA who investigated a case of this nature chose to never follow up after the late 1990s?

What information about that case, or any other case, was he in possession at the time of his disappearance?

Gricar is either somehow still alive somewhere, committed suicide, was abducted and then murdered randomly by strangers, or was abducted and then murdered intentionally by people with clear intent.

It seems highly unlikely that he is still alive.

Suicide? No information about personal problems, mental issues, or blackmail exists.

No, there is no evidence that any of that related to the Penn State situation.

But, the entire argument about why this entire matter has remained a secret for so long seems to be missing some logical pieces.

We may never know what actually happened to Gricar.

But, whatever happened to him and his life deserves justice. And so do his family, friends and colleagues.
(The exact same thoughts are currently being offered for the children who were victims in this scandal as well.)

Follow me on Twitter @SeanyOB

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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Eagles game and Flyers--Inside Access Part 2

TY to over ---910,000 readers--- of my Yahoo Sports, Interview and News articles since 2/1/11. http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/977720/sean_obrien.html


Eagles - 


It comes down to this - win today against the Patriots and build hope that the playoffs are still, somehow, a possibility. Lose and then honestly prepare for next season. 


Despite what has been said and written about Andy Reid and his coaching staff, some years you just can't make it. Thinking too intensely about these matters warps reality. 


Flyers - (Inside access)


Continuing with my notes about what it's like to cover a Flyers game from the press level:

The staff couldn't be more professional and welcoming as you enter the building.
Upon going to the press level, which is the top level of the facility, you are greeted by a number of wonderful pictures of the late, great, Gene Hart. The press box was renamed in his honor after his passing.

He taught the game to the fans of Philadelphia. His students have grown up, had children and grandchildren. The work that he did has spread over 4 decades now and blossomed because of his sincerity, honesty and love for the game.

Next post: how we prepare in the hours leading up to the game.

-----The Flyers are off until next Friday. Hopefully, some injured players can return by then.

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Saturday, November 26, 2011

Penn State: Unsolved mystery involving missing DA who investigated Sandusky case

TY to over ---910,000 readers--- of my Yahoo Sports, Interview and News articles since 2/1/11. http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/977720/sean_obrien.html


***This is being re-posted because of the high volume of interest that the information I wrote about continues to generate. The original version was first posted on 11/14/11.

Penn State: 


Center County District Attorney Ray Gricar has been missing since 2005.

Anytime a DA is missing, a list of many 'enemies' could be considered as potential suspects in what could be a crime.

In this instance - Gricar was the DA who, in 1998, investigated the matters involving Jerry Sandusky that have now become infamous.

Missing hard drive

Gricar disappeared in 2005. His body has never been found since, but his car was found in a parking lot and his laptop computer was found in the Susquehanna river. That laptop was missing its hard drive.

Would someone only keep sensitive information on a hard drive, or would they also back it up?

This speculation doesn't prove, or even implies, that it was connected to the current matter. Right?

Logic

Gricar chose not to prosecute in the late 1990s because he must have believed that he didn't have enough conclusive evidence to do so.

There is no evidence that suggests he was a friend of Sandusky, or was somehow persuaded to overlook the matter.

What is the likelihood that a DA who investigated a case of this nature chose to never follow up after the late 1990s?

What information about that case, or any other case, was he in possession at the time of his disappearance?

Gricar is either somehow still alive somewhere, committed suicide, was abducted and then murdered randomly by strangers, or was abducted and then murdered intentionally by people with clear intent.

It seems highly unlikely that he is still alive.

Suicide? No information about personal problems, mental issues, or blackmail exists.

No, there is no evidence that any of that related to the Penn State situation.

But, the entire argument about why this entire matter has remained a secret for so long seems to be missing some logical pieces.

We may never know what actually happened to Gricar.

But whatever happened to him and his life deserves justice. And so do his family, friends and colleagues.

(The exact same thoughts are currently being offered for the children who were victims in this scandal as well.)

Follow me on Twitter @SeanyOB

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Inside access with the Flyers

TY to over ---910,000 readers--- of my Yahoo Sports, Interview and News articles since 2/1/11. http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/977720/sean_obrien.html


Flyers - 

Thank you - 


I will be detailing many of the behind the scenes activities of Flyers games as time moves forward in order to give you inside access to the team.

Let me preview that by saying that the Philadelphia Flyers organization is perfectly gracious and welcoming to those of us who are media members. A good business is built and maintained by quality individuals who create a team, both on the ice and off it.


A special thank you also goes to all of my writer friends as yesterday's game. A good group of people who have passion for the game and exhibit strong talent in the work they create about it.

As far as the game went...


Sharp holiday contest against the Canadiens in Philadelphia.

Giroux continues to "spread his wings" as head coach Peter Laviolette said of his young star.

Bobrovsky continues to impress into his second year.

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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Behind the scenes access + Flyers notes

TY to over ---910,000 readers--- of my Yahoo Sports, Interview and News articles since 2/1/11. http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/977720/sean_obrien.html
Behind the scenes access -

Today will be a special day for all followers of this blog, on Facebook, Twitter and my Yahoo Sports features.

'Stay tuned' tomorrow afternoon and into the night for exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the Flyers-Canadiens 'Black Friday' matchup.

Flyers - 

Any game against the Montreal Canadiens evokes memories of season's past.

They could be as far back at the 1970s battles, won in the later part of that decade by the Habs...

or of the 1980s back-and-forth barbs that involved Mike Keenan's great groups...

or of the 1990s trades that involved Recchi being dealt for Desjardins and LeClair in 1995 and then returning in 1999 for Zubrus.

There have been some interesting 2000s era playoff battles, including the defeat of Montreal after that historic comeback against the Bruins in 2010. (To have not beaten a beatable Blackhawks squad in the Final will hurt until the third Cup is won.)

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