School bus driver fired after obscene gesture at President Bush

[Saddle Bronc 124]

But c'mon, it's not like it's his boss who he sees every day that he flicked off or something. I mean, he really only had one chance to flick off the president. It's not like he could drop off the kids, come back, and shoot him the bird.

Once in a lifetime chance. I'd say it's worth losing your job over, although he should have just been reprimanded unless he had a horrible previous record.

But I have oft fantasized about what horrible thing I would say/offensive gesture I'd make to the president if I met him.

Did you read Dean's starting post, Alex? The driver is female.

[Alex+R 0]

Did you read Dean's starting post, Alex? The driver is female.

Yes, I read the post, a long time ago, and forgot. Change the "hes" to "shes" and I don't see how it makes a difference.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Yes, I read the post, a long time ago, and forgot. Change the "hes" to "shes" and I don't see how it makes a difference.

Very little--IMO, due to society as-is, they didn't even have a leg to stand on for reprimand let alone firing.

[hockeygal 0]

Niegowski said the driver, who had been reprimanded before,

I don't agree with firing the driver over this, but it does appear she already had a previous reprimand on file.

[garya505 2]

We have 3 separate issues here so they should not be confused:

1. Is it appropriate behavior for a school bus driver to make an obscene gesture with students present?

2. Should a school bus driver be fired for making an obscene gesture with students present?

3. Is making an obscene gesture towards the President protected as free speech?

I would say:

1 - No

2 - Maybe - it depends on the driver's previous record. I would suggest a reprimand if this is the first instance of employee misbehavior.

3 - Yes

I'll amend it to:

1. No
   
2. No (as that would indicate an assumption that the students haven't seen it before--which is, sadly, unlikely)
   
3. yes
   

Whether the students have seen it before doesn't determine it's appropriateness, so doesn't determine if it's an offense that justifies termination either.

[Nizzy 1]

Oh man if I was her I would so totally think it was worth it.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

My first inclination was to say I'd have done the same thing but after thinking about it for about 3 seconds, I wouldn't have. Mainly because they crack down on kids in the schools nowdays (sometimes WAYYYYYYYYY too much and sometimes very rightly so, depending on the offence...) and why should very likely the only adult on the bus, who is supposed to be setting an example for the children, be allowed to do something they couldn't do...and in front of them even? It wasn't right, and I agree...she should have been let go, IMO. (whewwwwww very long, grammatically incorrect run-on sentence!!)

edited to add: even though I think it was really inappropriate, still TOO FUNNY!

Edited November 3, 2006 by MichelleandCraig

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Considering that those kids will swear and use those gestures later in life (and probably already do), I wonder what the big issue is

[MichelleandCraig 1]

You're right of course, Erekose....most if not all of them will at some point, whether they're 'rebelling' or have just seen that kind of thing all their lives....but my take on it is, we as adults should be the ones giving them the right examples, not encouraging it..ya know? M.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You're right of course, Erekose....most if not all of them will at some point, whether they're 'rebelling' or have just seen that kind of thing all their lives....but my take on it is, we as adults should be the ones giving them the right examples, not encouraging it..ya know? M.

Well I was sort of joking there.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Sorry I missed that.... M.

3 1/2 hrs sleep, gone almost 10 hrs to school today and a late supper in the oven now...I'm a bit 'fried' today...

Edited November 3, 2006 by MichelleandCraig

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Considering that those kids will swear and use those gestures later in life (and probably already do), I wonder what the big issue is

Though you meant it in sarky way, you still made my point.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

ah HA!

Craig is downloading on his laptop right now, so my computer is running slow...when I came back to this thread I see the at the end...that hadn't come up when I read it before. Not that I needed to say all that, just bored! Anyway..off for supper and relaxation..have a good night all! M.

[Marc and Olga 0]

First, why would the bus driver be the only adult? Should there not be an instructor that planned the field trip to the zoo?

I'm not justifying either termination nor the actual jesture...though I'd probably do it too, in the same situation! That's priceless!

Another thing, this about the contents of the article....

I'm sorry but I would not consider a school bus driver a role model. Musician...yes, sports figure...yes teacher...possibly, bus driver ... no.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Considering that those kids will swear and use those gestures later in life (and probably already do), I wonder what the big issue is

Though you meant it in sarky way, you still made my point.

Since the kids will someday be performing oral sex. Why not now?