No Way To Hail The Chief?

School Bus Driver Fired After Allegedly Aiming Obscene Gesture At Bush

(AP)  A school bus driver fired after she allegedly 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.

From the bus, the children waved; with the windows down in their car, Bush and Reichert waved back.

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.

Reichert later called Barry to tell her about the incident, but the bus driver had already been fired. District officials learned about the incident after the driver boasted to colleagues about it, Cadena said.

District spokeswoman Sara Niegowski said the driver has filed a wrongful termination grievance through the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The union did not return calls seeking comment.

Niegowski said the firing was not politically motivated.

"The bus driver was not terminated for making an obscene gesture at the president. The bus driver was terminated for making an obscene gesture in view of the students," Niegowski said. "That's not the role modeling we need for our students."

[diverinnl]

Amen to the school district on this one. Dislike the President all you want, no problem but if you make obscene gestures in front of students while on the clock, you deserve to be fired.

[litespeed7-2009]

really diverinni? fired? Assuming there is nothing else in her file, I think a reprimand is more on the order for the "offense". Otherwise, this firing was probably political.

[phijef]

Couldn't the action have been involuntary? It would be for me!

[jlcohen--2008]

If all those kids were staring out the window and waving at Bush, then they sure weren't looking at the bus driver. And not one of them complained. So who saw it? Bush. Obviously politics from people who would make dissent illegal if they could.

[litespeed7-2009]

I agree that our society has become more vulgar, but you are talking about taking away someone's livelihood for a moment's indiscretion. A high price to pay I think.

[duffyn]

Maybe she does deserve to get fired. But from what I hear about school kids these days the flipping off probably isn't a big deal to them, but still, reprimand I think would be better. Now, let's get on to the subject of bush who did bs to get us into an illegal pre-emptive war. Creating the biggest mess in a country we have ever seen. Talk about obscene gestures. Running up a huge national debt so he can give tax breaks to the rich. Gee, now him, oh yeah, he should most definitely be fired. I can't wait.

[jn122736]

I'd like more facts. The driver, probably sitting in the front of the bus away from the students, could have made the gesture with her hand out of view of any student, or she could have had her arm way outside the window in full view , who knows. in the first instance the firing would be strictly political. In the second instance the firing could be considered justified although I agree with other posters here reprimand would be more just.

[toddmcmechen]

Seems kind of harsh to me.

The spokeperson says that the firing was not "politically motivated"? Yeah right!

10-1 her boss was a foaming at the mouth ditto-head.

[uslabor]

Our society has become rude and crude, it's true. We have rudely and crudely killed tens of thousands of Iraqis and three thousand of our own. Fifteen thousand or so of ours wounded. I'd flip off the President in front of the Savior himself if I had the chance.

[duffyshort]

We can all remember the Bush finger that his people taped before a then Governors speech. And I remember one of the Drunken Daughters, the fat one I think, flipping off a photographer fro a limo. But the best of the Bunch was Darth Cheney telling a Senator to F*ck Off on the Senate Floor. I guess what's good for the goose is not good for the gander.....RR

[marcelde]

"But the best of the Bunch was Darth Cheney telling a Senator to F*ck Off on the Senate Floor. I guess what's good for the goose is not good for the gander.....RR
Posted by DuffyShort at 06:21 PM : Nov 02, 2006"

===========================================

DO NOT PROP A GANDER. BUSH MUST GIVE US PROPER CANDOR
==============================================
B USH AND R USH BOTH LOVE TO G USH

THEIR NAMES THE SAME
WE SPELL IT %u201CLAME%u201D

THEY PREACH AND SCOLD
THEIR LIES ARE OLD
WE DON%u2019T BELIEVE
ONE THING THEY%u2019VE TOLD

ITS UP TO USH
TO MAKE THEM SHUSH

CAUSE WHAT THEY GUSH
SHOULD MAKE THEM BLUSH

BUT LET%u2019S NOT HUSH
THAT ONE%u2019S A LUSH

THEY%u2019LL MAKE A FUSH
AND TALK PURE MUSH

SO KISH MY TUSH,
PILL POPPIN RUSH!

[agnim]

She has to be fired.
She should also be made to pay for her undignified behavior around the children!

We can't have such poor examples around children we are responsible to help educate.

Go give bush the finger on her time if she likes, but not while driving young students.

[laurasmith3]

Anyone who can so stupid as to do something like this and then brag about it to her fellow workers, deserves to lose their job. She's not smart enough to work. I wouldn't want her driving my kids around on a school bus. Maybe someone can get her a job driving prisoners around to and from their court appearances.

That bus driver should not be fired. Our society overexaggerates swear words and obsene gestures. The bus driver has a right to free speech, and it is not a big deal if the children saw it. After all, it's just a particular combination of fingers on a human hand. Think about it that way. It truly is nothing more.

[marcelde]

.__
____ ___ ________ _____ ______ | | ____
_/ __ \ / /__ / \____ | | _/ __
___/ / __ | Y Y |_ |_ ___/
___ __/_ (____ /__|_| / __/|____/___
/ / / /|__| /

[marcelde]

The bus driver was not terminated for making an obscene gesture at the president. The bus driver was terminated for failing to "stay the curse"

STAY THE CURSE!

[cincigal74]

I would be willing to bet that 98% of the people in the whole wide world would do the same given the oppourtunity.Rock on lady bus driver!

[exisled69]

This is in line with recent behavior -- the man in Colorado, walking with his 7 year old son, who coming across *** Cheney & Co. exiting a mall said "Mr. Vice President, I think your policies in Iraq are reprehensible."

Half an hour later, the Secret Service caught up with him and arrested him for assault. (He's suing).

The day before yesterday, a student lawyer, and ex-marine, asked George Allen in Virgina why did he spit on his first wife? Allen's thugs man-handled him, forcing him to the ground.

*** isn't exactly the most elegant way of exercising one's first amendment rights, but isn't expressing one's opinion protected in this country?

[ssider]

Regrettably I must not support the driver's decision to gesture inappropriately at the motorcade. I understand her opinion of this administration, and I share it, but I hope that I would never express it in that manner while driving children to and from school.

The question becomes whether or not the actions of her employer were consistent and fair. If this were not the President would she be fired, or just admonished, or somewhere in between? If she can prove that the form of discipline she received (termination) is out of line with company practice in similar instances then she has a great case for keeping her job. However, I would not want my kids to think that the way to express political views (or any views for that matter) is through vulgar gestures.

[gochnyurslf]

Give that woman a medal of freedom. If Bush or one of his cronies ever comes to my town I'm teaching my kids how to give him the one finger salute.

[gochnyurslf]

Give that woman a medal of freedom. If Bush or one of his cronies ever comes to my town I'm teaching my kids how to give him the one finger salute.

[johnworthw]

I don't think she should be fired. After all, we have pictures of Bush giving people the finger in front of people. He was being a bad role model for kids and didn't get fired, why should the bus driver? Personally I'm heartened that there are people out there that will tell truth to power. Given the limitations of communications between moving vehicles, I think the gesture was efficient and on point.

[diogeron]

Does she have a defense fund to which I can contribute? The president lies about a decorated war veteran saying that he "insulted the troops" when any moron (or even an "Oxy-moron" like Rush Limbaugh) knows that Kerry was talking about BUSH getting us "stuck in Iraq" and not the troops. So, who deserves to be fired? The recipient of the "bird" who lies about things that have cost lives or a woman trying to earn a buck?

[xyzspecial]

Is the bus driver's action more or less deserving of being fired that *** Cheney telling a US Senator to go f*** himself?

[mh4cbs1]

Can Bush get fired for lying us into a horrific, needlesss War of choice? Cost $300 Billion, hundreds of thousands of Iraqi lives, 2,800 killed US troops, tens of thousands maimed for life?

Bush belongs in JAIL, yet he is still in office. When will this DISASTER end?????

[ihave4rugratshelp]

Since it was a bus full of middle school kids and they are in D.C. remember, I'm suprised half of the kids on the bus didn't fly Bush the bird. But wouldn't you just love to see the Secret Service handle that one?

[gochnyurslf]

I commed this woman for exercising her patriotic and constitutional duty for doing to Bush the same thing he's been doing to us for the past 6 years. Give that woman a metal of freedom and a parade. We need more citizens like her.

[gochnyurslf]

Hopefully, we're seeing the beginnings of a new national pastime of flipping off members of the Bush Administration. Let's all do it en masse every time one of those reprehensible liars appears in public.

[nobozoshere]

Janem4....
The picture of Bush *** is well known, well documented and undoctored. I'm surprised you're not aware of it. It's apparent the "old school decorum" you're so proud of doesn't preclude the insulting of a man you know nothing about, or calling ALL Democrats "rude and crude".
The "old school" didn't do a very good job of teaching you spelling and grammar either, for that matter.

[nobozoshere]

Janem4....
The picture of Bush *** is well known, well documented and undoctored. I'm surprised you're not aware of it. It's apparent the "old school decorum" you're so proud of doesn't preclude the insulting of a man you know nothing about, or calling ALL Democrats "rude and crude".
The "old school" didn't do a very good job of teaching you spelling and grammar either, for that matter.

[moonfire1-2009]

She should not have been fired. Whether one agrees that it was right or wrong is besides the point. I doubt very much any of the kids where looking at her. It is politically motivated. Only some one blind, stupid or both would say other wise.

Now should she have been reprimanded? Yes. It was bad judgement on her part. I mean flipping Bush off with one finger when you have two hands and two fingers?

But to be fired over something so petty. That is beyond sad but it does show what we have become as a country.

[friendlyg]

she should not have been fired?

for giving the finger out the window of her schoolbus in front of all those kids?

what the heck is wrong with you people, this is entirely inappropriate, and as a parent, I am glad this person will have to find another way to make a living.

political agendas have nothing to do with this, it is totally inappropriate to make obscene gestures in front of other people's children when you are employed to safely haul them around...

[friendlyg]

"""Can Bush get fired for lying us into a horrific, needlesss War of choice? Cost $300 Billion, hundreds of thousands of Iraqi lives, 2,800 killed US troops, tens of thousands maimed for life?

Bush belongs in JAIL, yet he is still in office. When will this DISASTER end?????"""

the less than 1% of the iraqi population and the extremist muslims who have come to iraq to perpetrate the mass murdering of iraqis thank you for your support.

seriously, your rhetoric and silly statements are greatly appreciated by those who are causing the misery and death...

think about it.

[friendlyg]

""Hopefully, we're seeing the beginnings of a new national pastime of flipping off members of the Bush Administration. Let's all do it en masse every time one of those reprehensible liars appears in public. ""

prove one lie.

it is amazing how so many people in this day and age cannot distinguish the difference between opinion and fact.

come on, prove a lie.

[stevyz1]

one lie? i can prove about 30 just off the top of my head THE LIES SPEWED ARE NEARLY DAILY !!
THE BIGGEST ONE IS WMD .
TODAYS LIE...RUMSFELD IS DOING A "FANTASTIC JOB"
THAT IS A LIE FOR SURE ..EVEN THE GOP KNOWS THAT

[marcpcbs]

In this country we all have the right to our opinions, but, we should be mature about what we do while we are at work, or in the presence of kids or towards the president of the country. I did not vote for Bush but I believe the office of the presidency and the man that fills it deserve our respect. I think she should remain, FIRED.

[moonfire1-2009]

I am sitting here laughing right now. This is just funny. I give my opinion, my thoughts on this and I am calle childish???

Ahem...... Did you actually read what you wrote?

""Do you live in the ghetto or trailer parks? Were you brought up as pure scum? Grow up and start acting like an adult with some morals.""

Maybe you are right. Many adults DO act like children. Name calling and persoanl attacks use to be a favorite past time when I was in kindergarten.

I stand by my OPINIONS (this is still America people.) She should NOT have been fired. THat is an extreme solution to a small problem.

[denny1700]

Amen to DIVERINNI on this one. Dislike the President all you want, no problem but if you make obscene gestures in front of a camera for the whole nation to see while on the clock, you, President Bush, deserve to be fired.

[denny1700]

Amen to DIVERINNI on this one. Dislike the President all you want, no problem but if you make obscene gestures in front of a camera for the whole nation to see while on the clock, you, President Bush, deserve to be fired.

[whirled_peas]

Come on, folks. I'm farily blue (left of center but not rabid). I'd flip of Dubya given the chance, but in front of kids? Let's allow this thing to play out. Maybe the bus driver gave our Criminal-in-Chief the bird, maybe not (sounds, though, as if she did). But if she let fly in front of the kids, I'd support her dismissal. Being a progressive Democrat emphatically does not mean we have license to lose civility in inappropriate situations. At a political rally? Hell yes, let's let lose with our most disdainful opprobrium. On a bus full of our future? Emphatically no. Is it so difficult for us to try to further the innocence of our children that we find it impossible to contain our urges? This doesn't sound like the type of person I want shuttling our kids hither and yon. Does she also shout "*** You!" to every horn blarer? Appropriate civility, my dear fellow Dems, will garner us much more respect than mindless advocacy of bad behavior.

[drsweener]

Well, I'm a very blue dem, and I think she should be fired. Not in front of the kids, and not to the President. I doubt the driver can disapprove of Bush's policies more than me, but his position still deserves respect.

[drsweener]

Well, I'm a very blue dem, and I think she should be fired. Not in front of the kids, and not to the President. I doubt the driver can disapprove of Bush's policies more than me, but his position still deserves respect.

[stevyz1]

bus driver should have been suspended without pay for a week. maybe .repremanded and allowed to keep her job
i agree this was wrong to do in front of kids(im sure they have all seen this gesture before
its also sends the wrong message to students firing the bus driver..that free speech isint allowed in the us anymore..speak your mind and you will lose your means to eat..
remember the constitution? whats happening to the america they told us about in school?..the free america that allows all opinions ...our country thanks to the neo cons has become a joke...sad REALLY...BUT THERE IS HOPE
good news!!!! is this election will show the distain for the way things are going..VOTE DEMACRAT ACROSS THE BOARD!!

[stevyz1]

bus driver should have been suspended without pay for a week. maybe .repremanded and allowed to keep her job
i agree this was wrong to do in front of kids(im sure they have all seen this gesture before
its also sends the wrong message to students firing the bus driver..that free speech isint allowed in the us anymore..speak your mind and you will lose your means to eat..
remember the constitution? whats happening to the america they told us about in school?..the free america that allows all opinions ...our country thanks to the neo cons has become a joke...sad REALLY...BUT THERE IS HOPE
good news!!!! is this election will show the distain for the way things are going..VOTE DEMACRAT ACROSS THE BOARD!!

[stevyz1]

bus driver should have been suspended without pay for a week. maybe .repremanded and allowed to keep her job
i agree this was wrong to do in front of kids(im sure they have all seen this gesture before
its also sends the wrong message to students firing the bus driver..that free speech isint allowed in the us anymore..speak your mind and you will lose your means to eat..
remember the constitution? whats happening to the america they told us about in school?..the free america that allows all opinions ...our country thanks to the neo cons has become a joke...sad REALLY...BUT THERE IS HOPE
good news!!!! is this election will show the distain for the way things are going..VOTE DEMACRAT ACROSS THE BOARD!!

[stevyz1]

bus driver should have been suspended without pay for a week. maybe .repremanded and allowed to keep her job
i agree this was wrong to do in front of kids(im sure they have all seen this gesture before
its also sends the wrong message to students firing the bus driver..that free speech isint allowed in the us anymore..speak your mind and you will lose your means to eat..
remember the constitution? whats happening to the america they told us about in school?..the free america that allows all opinions ...our country thanks to the neo cons has become a joke...sad REALLY...BUT THERE IS HOPE
good news!!!! is this election will show the distain for the way things are going..VOTE DEMACRAT ACROSS THE BOARD!!

[stevyz1]

bus driver should have been suspended without pay for a week. maybe .repremanded and allowed to keep her job
i agree this was wrong to do in front of kids(im sure they have all seen this gesture before
its also sends the wrong message to students firing the bus driver..that free speech isint allowed in the us anymore..speak your mind and you will lose your means to eat..
remember the constitution? whats happening to the america they told us about in school?..the free america that allows all opinions ...our country thanks to the neo cons has become a joke...sad REALLY...BUT THERE IS HOPE
good news!!!! is this election will show the distain for the way things are going..VOTE DEMOCRAT ACROSS THE BOARD!!

[stevyz1]

bus driver should have been suspended without pay for a week. maybe .repremanded and allowed to keep her job
i agree this was wrong to do in front of kids(im sure they have all seen this gesture before
its also sends the wrong message to students firing the bus driver..that free speech isint allowed in the us anymore..speak your mind and you will lose your means to eat..
remember the constitution? whats happening to the america they told us about in school?..the free america that allows all opinions ...our country thanks to the neo cons has become a joke...sad REALLY...BUT THERE IS HOPE
good news!!!! is this election will show the distain for the way things are going..VOTE DEMOCRAT ACROSS THE BOARD!!

[gramto7]

The lady driving the bus probably should have made Duhbya aware of her feelings a little less brazenly, but firing is way too extreme for this. Reprimand is far closer to the appropriate action needed to rectify this situation.
My personal take on this is that the lady has to be about half crazy to drive a school bus. I say this jokingly as my best friend of all time drives a school bus and that is what I tell her.

[gramto7]

PS I also believe this firing WAS politically motivated.