School bus driver files lawsuit over Redneck flag

[peejay 327]

School bus driver files lawsuit over Redneck flag

2011 The Associated Press

March 16, 2011, 7:22PM

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — An Oregon school bus driver fired after he refused to remove a Confederate battle flag from his pickup truck has filed a federal lawsuit to get his job back.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Medford on Wednesday against First Student Inc., the school bus contractor that fired Ken Webber earlier this month.

The lawsuit claims Webber's First Amendment rights to free speech were violated, and demands he be reinstated with back pay.

Webber has said that the flag — emblazoned with the word "Redneck" — is an expression of his cultural identity, and in no way a statement of racism or political beliefs.

The superintendent of the Phoenix-Talent School District had demanded the flag be removed from the bus yard, which is on school property, because it violated a policy about displaying symbols that could be offensive to minorities.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/7475359.html

[_Simpson_ 250]

If they have something in there policy about offending minorities then the superintendent had every right to do this, I believe a lot blacks find the confederate flag offensive.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

'minorities' need to get the stick out of their ####### if they find it offensive this day and age. Seriously.

Young bloods don't know jack about that flag. Only what a bunch of racist old men have told them or have been spoon fed by left-wing radicals.

Being the truck is like a man's house, he could quite possibly win on this.

[Peikko 1,575]

'minorities' need to get the stick out of their ####### if they find it offensive this day and age. Seriously.

Young bloods don't know jack about that flag. Only what a bunch of racist old men have told them or have been spoon fed by left-wing radicals.

Being the truck is like a man's house, he could quite possibly win on this.

Indeed, how dare people in this day and age be offended by symbolism? The jews should quit getting pissed off when Nazi symbolism is displayed and that should be allowed on government property as well. Stupid gits for getting all miffed because their little sensibilities are challenged. Nothing has any symbolic meaning beyond whatever the individual reads into it, right?

[Zero Sum 305]

If they have something in there policy about offending minorities then the superintendent had every right to do this, I believe a lot blacks find the confederate flag offensive.

Well stated.

[peejay 327]

Being the truck is like a man's house, he could quite possibly win on this.

The only problem with that is the fact that he doesn't live in the Phoenix-Talent School District bus yard parking lot. He works there. And...he could fly his wonderful flag anywhere else but there while he was at work. But he chose to be a smart azz and refused to get with the program. So they sh*t canned his stupid azz.

Freedom of speech? Do you think a supermarket cashier has the right to tattoo the words "** YOU" on their forehead and still keep their job? Freedom of speech does not mean that everyone can say and do anything everywhere.

[SMR 368]

School bus driver files lawsuit over Redneck flag

2011 The Associated Press

March 16, 2011, 7:22PM

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — An Oregon school bus driver fired after he refused to remove a Confederate battle flag from his pickup truck has filed a federal lawsuit to get his job back.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Medford on Wednesday against First Student Inc., the school bus contractor that fired Ken Webber earlier this month.

The lawsuit claims Webber's First Amendment rights to free speech were violated, and demands he be reinstated with back pay.

Webber has said that the flag — emblazoned with the word "Redneck" — is an expression of his cultural identity, and in no way a statement of racism or political beliefs.

The superintendent of the Phoenix-Talent School District had demanded the flag be removed from the bus yard, which is on school property, because it violated a policy about displaying symbols that could be offensive to minorities.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/7475359.html

Aren't people that find the display of the confederate flag a good and normal thing a minority? Thus, isn't the bus driver himself protected?

The Civil War wasn't just about slavery and the confederate flag is not just about racism. It's the man's truck and probably very few people will see it while it's at the bus yard. People just need to get a thicker skin.

[sandinista! 1,816]

he may have a case--nieto v. flatau

repugnant as his flag may be, he should still be able to fly it, even on government school district property. though words fail me in trying to express how thrilled i am that this is in oregon.

Edited March 17, 2011 by sandinista!

[^_^ 5,021]

Young bloods don't know jack about that flag. Only what a bunch of racist old men have told them or have been spoon fed by left-wing radicals.

One need only look at the Constitution of the Confederacy to see what that flag really means. Not what contemporary RWNs would have us believe it means.

Being the truck is like a man's house, he could quite possibly win on this.

A truck is like a man's house?

[sandinista! 1,816]

One need only look at the Constitution of the Confederacy to see what that flag really means. Not what contemporary RWNs would have us believe it means.

A truck is like a man's house?

do NOT question the sanctity of a pickup truck in certain areas.

[Fandango 1,440]

The only problem with that is the fact that he doesn't live in the Phoenix-Talent School District bus yard parking lot. He works there. And...he could fly his wonderful flag anywhere else but there while he was at work. But he chose to be a smart azz and refused to get with the program. So they sh*t canned his stupid azz.

Freedom of speech? Do you think a supermarket cashier has the right to tattoo the words "** YOU" on their forehead and still keep their job? Freedom of speech does not mean that everyone can say and do anything everywhere.

Exactly. If he wanted to be a dumbazz anywhere but work, that's fine. But rules are rules.

[^_^ 5,021]

do NOT question the sanctity of a pickup truck in certain areas.

Why, the driver might refuse to properly landscape next time?

[Fandango 1,440]

One need only look at the Constitution of the Confederacy to see what that flag really means. Not what contemporary RWNs would have us believe it means.

Not fair. I guess some could consider me a RWN and while I understand rednecks possibly can relate to the flag in other than racial terms, I wouldn't even try to pretend it doesn't have a racist history, or is a racist symbol to minorities.

[^_^ 5,021]

Not fair. I guess some could consider me a RWN and while I understand rednecks possibly can relate to the flag in other than racial terms, I wouldn't even try to pretend it doesn't have a racist history, or is a racist symbol to minorities.

You're pro gay rights which makes you RW but without the N.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

The only problem with that is the fact that he doesn't live in the Phoenix-Talent School District bus yard parking lot. He works there. And...he could fly his wonderful flag anywhere else but there while he was at work. But he chose to be a smart azz and refused to get with the program. So they sh*t canned his stupid azz.

Freedom of speech? Do you think a supermarket cashier has the right to tattoo the words "** YOU" on their forehead and still keep their job? Freedom of speech does not mean that everyone can say and do anything everywhere.

Actually courts have ruled that a car is the same as your home and is private property. They ruled this particularly on the idea that an employer couldn't touch/search your car for any reason. The ruling was to do with employers who wanted to ban their employees from having handguns in their cars.

A truck is like a man's house?

see above.