SEATTLE - A school bus driver fired after she reportedly made an obscene gesture at President Bush has filed a union grievance in an attempt to get her job back.
The 43-year-old driver, whose name was not released, was driving middle school children back to school after a zoo visit on June 16 when the president and Republican Rep. Dave Reichert drove slowly by in a motorcade
That’s when the driver gave the president the finger, according to Reichert and Issaquah superintendent Janet Barry.
“The congressman hadn’t seen it, but the president turned to him and said, ‘That one’s not a fan,”’ said Reichert spokeswoman Kimberly Cadena.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15532553
Would suspension have been enough?
Are people so mad at Bush that they can't control themselves in front of kids?
2006-11-02 16:24:17 · 28 answers · asked by Reba K 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If she got fired for that, I'd say Cheney should get fired for telling Leahy to "go f*** yourself" on the floor of the Senate.
2006-11-02 16:45:32 · answer #1 · answered by imnogeniusbutt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think she has a legitimate claim under wrongful termination. What she did should have fallen under "free speech/expression". Even if she did it while kids were on the bus, she's in the driver's seat so how can the kids see her flip off Bush? She's all the way out front, and all the kiddies are in back of her. Her gesture was directed towards the intended party...there was no inappropriate action committed on her part. Bush is just feeling embarrassed and petty so he cried to the school. Why does he care, she's obviously a Democrat who is a working class person. She won't be making large contributions to his cause so why not give her grief and get her canned. What a crybaby, that president of ours.
2006-11-03 14:33:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Flipping the bird is a violent gesture of disrespect. Regardless of who it is directed at, if there is a rule against it, as there should be on a school bus, then there is a rule against it. Often it can get you thrown in jail for Disorderly Conduct because it can invite a violent reaction.
All of you who are spouting about 1st admendment stuff are incorrect. She was ON THE JOB. She can voice her opinion of the government on her own time.
The 1st Admendment does not guarantee you the right to voice or portray your opinion anytime, anywhere, or any way that you want. Certainly not in front of a captive audience of young children. It's intent is prevent the government from throwing you in jail if you have a dissenting opinion - 300 years ago, that is what the King did to his dissenters.
You can't encite to riot, you can't yell fire in a crowded movie house when there is no fire, you can't tell a Judge that he is full of crap while you are in court. All of these will get you tossed in jail, mostly because it was the wrong place at the wrong time - wait till you get out of the court room and then tell who ever will listen that the Judge was full of crap - that's IS protected - the 1st incident interupted the court procedings you got comtempt of court. Make sure there IS a fire before you start yelling. HMMM sorry - there just isn't any justification for Inciting to Riot.
I can't come into your house or any place of business and start spouting off anything I want - I can do that in MY house.
2006-11-03 02:08:38 · answer #3 · answered by APRock 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's funny. The worst part about it is I bet more than half of those kids swear like truck drivers and occasionally use the middle finger themselves. I don't think the driver should be fired by reprimanded it's just not professional behavior while on the job.
2006-11-03 00:37:04 · answer #4 · answered by Y 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
She should certainly have been disciplined, although maybe not fired. She was on the job, and her behavior was unprofessional. Personally, I agree with her opinion of Bush, but unfortunately, I disagree with her timing in expressing it. If she had been off duty, no problem.
Freedom of speech doesn't apply on the job. If I'm a cashier and tell a customer to go fock himself, I'M FIRED!
2006-11-03 00:37:27 · answer #5 · answered by valmay 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. A school bus driver is a figure of authority over students. What a terrible example to our youth and a total lack of self control.. Not a very good lesson for the day. I think this will speak volumes to the students about when "freedom of speech" is appropriate and when it is not.
peace
2006-11-03 00:28:35 · answer #6 · answered by easinclair 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes. If she'd done it on her own time, then no. But she did it on the job in front of schoolkids.
As for her freedom of expression, there's also this thing called professionalism. If you go to work in your boxers and call everyone a d***head, don't expect to be around long.
2006-11-03 00:40:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think she should have been fired. Do you want your children's school bus driver flipping off anyone, regardless if it is Bush or not? I wonder what kind of person she is. This is despicable.
2006-11-03 01:44:45 · answer #8 · answered by rosey 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She was in violation with the his job regulation. Yes, she was a very bad example for the children and showed disrespect. She can't control her emotions and could be an endangerment for the kids on the bus.
2006-11-03 00:28:45 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
HELL NO SHE SHOULDN'T BE FIRED. That's' why they call it freedom of speech. It doesn't just mean verbally speaking. Freedom of speech also applies to actions as well. So long as they're not threatening physical harm in any way. It's every ones right to express themselves how ever the deem necessary.
2006-11-03 00:35:53 · answer #10 · answered by kennseth_racefan 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋