When this all started breaking, I gave up on schadenfreude. I didn't want to relish the turmoil of Hawkeye fans, because this is serious stuff we're talking about. And for the most part, I still feel that way.
But then there's a guy like TheBear. And he reminded me why that schadenfreude existed in the first place. He has allowed me to compartmentalize things. I'm able to have serious, compassionate thoughts and discussions about the horrible state of things in the Iowa football program.
And at the same time, I'm able to take great joy in watching him thrash and gnash and bash, as he flails for a way out of the muck that the program is in. I'm able to laugh as he sits there gobbling down spoonful after spoonful of what he insists is "chocolate pudding."
Thank you, The Bear. You gave me my smile back.