I seem to have done a poor job explaining this. I am not saying the Sandusky story is any more wrong, tragic or devastating than 9/11, Japanese tsunami, etc and if that is how it came off I apologize. What I am saying is what makes the story so enthralling (in a bad way), gut-wrenching and explosive is a combination of unspeakable actions by rational human beings and lack of action by others who had multiple opportunities to stop them. To me, this is what makes the Sandusky story similar to other large-scale, tragic events. It forces one take a hard, uncomfortable look at their own humanity and that of others. The Tsunami was awful, but was completely out of human control. This does not make it any a less significant news story, but it does not necessarily require the same tough questions be asked.
I specifically used 9/11 as an example, and now regret it somewhat due to the intense emotions it carries, because it was something that kept me glued to my television for hours in disbelief wondering "What the fuck is going on? How the hell did this happen? What could possibly be next?" I find myself doing the same thing with this story, oscillating between rage, disbelief and sadness.
Please be assured I did not mean to start a pissing contest as to "what's the worse tragedy."