Koran burner Derek Fenton booted from his job at NJ Transit

[Danno 1,228]

Can someone who has worked in these Civil service positions and knows what the rules are address this.

I wish the guy had not burned pages from the Koran but I don't see how his employment should be effected by it.... but it's possible someone could change my mind.

Koran burner Derek Fenton booted from his job at NJ Transit

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/09/14/2010-09-14_koran_burner_derek_fenton_fired_from_his_job_at_nj_transit.html#ixzz0zZ446dmp

The protestor who burned pages from the Koran outside a planned mosque near Ground Zero was fired from NJ Transit over the controversial act, sources and authorities said yesterday.

Derek Fenton's 11-year career at the agency came to an abrupt halt Monday after photographs of him ripping pages from the Muslim holy book and setting them ablaze appeared in newspapers.

Fenton was ushered from the protests by police and questioned, but he was released without charges.

"He said this is America, and he wanted to stand up for it, in a Tea Party kind of way," a police source said.

Another police source said Fenton described himself as a "loyal American" exercising his "right to protest."

Still, that source said Fenton looked like he was having second thoughts as he was released.

"He looked nervous, like he was starting to think it wasn't such a good idea," the police source said.

Fenton burned the book during a protest on the ninth anniversary of Sept. 11 outside of Park51, the controversial mosque slated to be built near Ground Zero. He was apparently inspired by Pastor Terry Jones, the Florida clergyman who threatened to burn the books that day but later changed his mind.

Described by neighbors as a likable family guy with two children, Fenton was an assistant train consist coordinator, a job that entails ensuring there are enough train cars positioned to be put into service, sources said. He previously worked as a NJ Transit conductor.

NJ Transit confirmed Fenton was fired but wouldn't elaborate.

"Mr. Fenton's public actions violated New Jersey Transit's code of ethics," an agency statement said. "NJ TRANSIT concluded that Mr. Fenton violated his trust as a state employee and therefore was dismissed."

Several neighbors in Fenton's Bloomingdale neighborhood stood up for his right to express himself with flames.

"Good for him for burning the Koran," neighbor Jacqui Marquez, 40, said. "Everybody's entitled to their opinion ... by firing him, they're sending a message that there's no freedom of speech. They're completely wrong for doing this."

"He's a family man," neighbor Randy McConnell, 43, said. "He loves his kids and he loves trains. I don't agree with what he did, but he shouldn't lose his job over it. That's his right."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/09/14/2010-09-14_koran_burner_derek_fenton_fired_from_his_job_at_nj_transit.html#ixzz0zZ4MguZc

[Ban Hammer 13,469]

if he was not in uniform, not on the clock, and was not banned from participation in protests, why was he booted?

[Atencio 43]

I work for Los Angeles County and I can be fired for doing anything that might put the County in a "bad light". It doesn't matter if I am on the clock or not.

[Danno 1,228]

I work for Los Angeles County and I can be fired for doing anything that might put the County in a "bad light". It doesn't matter if I am on the clock or not.

Who decides if something is a "bad light"?

[Atencio 43]

Who decides if something is a "bad light"?

County Board of Supervisors

[Sofiyya 1,687]

God don't like ugly

[The_Dude 1,142]

I'm in the same boat. However, the rationale is a bit different. I am subject to being called to testify and as such, am subject to a higher level of scrutiny.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

The ACLU should be all over this. Unless they are afraid of ticking off Islamic terrorists.

(this was at the bottom of the story)

If Fenton was fired for burning the Koran while off-duty, his First Amendment rights probably were violated, Chris Dunn of the New York Civil Liberties Union said.

"The Supreme Court has recognized a constitutional right to burn the flag. As reprehensible as it may be, burning the Koran would be protected as well."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/09/14/2010-09-14_koran_burner_derek_fenton_fired_from_his_job_at_nj_transit.html#ixzz0zcabvhki

[Danno 1,228]

The ACLU should be all over this. Unless they are afraid of ticking off Islamic terrorists.

(this was at the bottom of the story)

If Fenton was fired for burning the Koran while off-duty, his First Amendment rights probably were violated, Chris Dunn of the New York Civil Liberties Union said.

"The Supreme Court has recognized a constitutional right to burn the flag. As reprehensible as it may be, burning the Koran would be protected as well."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/09/14/2010-09-14_koran_burner_derek_fenton_fired_from_his_job_at_nj_transit.html#ixzz0zcabvhki

Then there was the recent guy who had that website about infiltrating the T-Party, he was a teacher and he got fired.... though I think in his case he was doing some of his "dastardly" work on business hours or using their supplies.