Hot Off the Guardian - Nassar Sentencing

This could stand alone as a link, as Nassar's sentencing is ultimately justice on it's own.

My commentary is that the first 60 years were a good start. Personally, for what he did to at least 156 girls and young women should cost him the entire potential 175 additional years, however as it is, the minimum addition of 40 years nets him a total of 100 years minimum prison time. The judge's sentencing was beautifully stated:

“It is my honor to sentence you because, sir, you do not deserve to walk outside of a prison ever again,” the judge said. “Anywhere you walk, destruction would occur to those most vulnerable.”

“I just signed your death warrant.”

I have zero respect for Nassar, however to his credit, he did state this about hearing all of the impact statements from the women he abused:

“Your words these past several days have had a significant emotional effect on myself and have shaken me to my core,” he said. “I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days.”

Of course, there are serious doubts as to what the emotional effect is on him, given his earlier shenanigans. The emotional effect may be self centred, or he may actually feel guilt upon finding out what horrors these women have dealt with as a direct result of his bullshit; unfortunately, I feel it is likely the former instead of the latter.

However, his part in this drama is over, and now the world will have to watch the US Gymnastics and Michigan State to see if they work to make significant changes to their programme to undo all the built in protections Nassar had and created, or if they just perform a kabuki theatre to gloss over the problems, leaving the system that enables monsters like Nassar to prey on these young athletes freely.