I quote the Nittany Lion lion, Joe Paterno, in Impromptus today. I like his language — old-fashioned, comforting. He said of his team, “We got licked.” A reader writes to tell me that Paterno was interviewed for a pre-game show and asked if he ever Twittered. (Bear in mind that Joe must have heard this with a small “t.”) He said he had, but that was a long time ago, when he was in high school and looking at pretty girls.

P.S. Remember when he led the Pennsylvania delegation, at the ’88 Republican convention? I don’t know whether “led” is the right word, but he’s the one who spoke for the state, during the roll call.