No Way To Hail The Chief?

(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."

[driver_2-2009]

Good job to GETREAL AND FRIENDLYG, they hit the nail right on the head...I couldn't have said it better myself..we need to add some values to the morals these days.. and to those of you that think it's OK..well it sure shows what you wern't taught when you were younger..it's sad

[driver_2-2009]

Good job to GETREAL AND FRIENDLYG I couldn't have said it better myself.. let's get some values along with the morals back in this country. You folks that think it is ok to show disrespect surly wern't taught anything when you were younger...it shows.

[johnworthw]

I'd also like to point out that the bus driver's gesture is exactly the kind of speech the Founding Father's had in mind when they drafted the First Amendment. While it is crude, it is also purely political, and I think that form of speech deserves as much or more protection than anything else.

For anyone out there that doubts Democrats are patriotic Americans, I want you to know that all of the Democrats I know are far more patriotic than the loud mouthed neo-Cons that are dividing the nation into blue states and red states with their "if you're not with us you're against us" approach to dealing with differing opinions. The neo-Cons are well on their way to destroying a strong nation from within, with or without the help of any terrorist. I think the 9/11 bombers did more than kill 3,000 Americans and topple a few buildings--I think they started a decay in our society by setting scared fools to work trying to erridicate terrorism. Give me a good-old fashioned Republican anyday, the guys sporting the name today are scary.

[johnworthw]

In reply to janem4, if I had an opportunity to sit down with the President, and share my mind with him in a kind, respectful, and courteous manner, I would do so, as I would do so for any other human being. However, I doubt I'll even have that chance. Given an opportunity to express my general opinion of him, even if it is limited to a crude gesture, I'd opt to let him know there's at least one every day normal American that think's he's fouled up beyond forgiveness, understanding, or tolerance instead of blithely sitting by and doing nothing.

In my humble opinion, Mr. Bush's tenure has seen corruption the likes of which we've never seen in this country before, starting with his 'election' to that office. Given the disgrace he's brought to the office through his actions, I'll extend his office no extra courtesy while he's in it.

[doodlebug35]

Give that woman back her Job. It's her right to do, are say what she want's! That what happen's when you show dissent to the Political creep's!let's make a change people!!!!!!!

Free Speech? Obscene gestures as speech is the one of the most idiotic defenses possible. That is one of the things terribly wrong with this country. First, if my child were anywhere around an employee of a school system who displayed this behavior I would expect and demand at least severe discipline, regardless of the excuse. Termination may be a bit severe, but attitude, as most of us who actually work for a living know, can do a lot for you or against you. So who knows, maybe the driver expressed the same attitude toward management.
It also seems amazing to me that there are so many folks cursing and ranting about the war, but conveniently don't blame their favorite Democratic politicians for anything they've done to advocate for it, fund it, etc. It's the Evil Satan Bush, he duped them all, right?
Domestic and war crimes? Get real. The left's favorite occupation is to blame Bush with everything possible from the beginning of time. It gets really old. It would help your credibility a lot if you just made a good argument instead of spouting emotional nonsensical loads of bull. I know it's possible, I've even heard a couple of liberal nut jobs on Air America actually make good valid points that should be answered for.

[sumus-2009]

Sorry about the repeat. It did not appear that my comment went out the first time. Not sure how to delete the extra.

[sumus-2009]

Children know that adults disagree. Why pretend that they do not?

Public disagreement - especially at election time, can be very patriotic; thus our freedom of speech is and should be at its full-throated loudest. Very free speech - even the occasional extreme gesture - can thus be forgiven.

The President did not visit Seattle area because of his great love for us. Nor was he here in an official capacity. GWB was here using our tax dollars to stump for a candidate who will support him and his government. Opposing GWB in this capacity could well be the business of any concerned citizen, and taking away that person%u2019s job as punishment for a reckless gesture sends a chilling message that is meant to scare us all.

There are serious constitutional questions involved in this incident, and I certainly hope that the school district has the good sense to re-visit its over-reaction. If it wants to ask the bus driver to use a thumb down instead of a finger up in future expressions, that is their call, but anything more is out of line.

I am thankful that I grew up knowing my country and the adults around me were flawed, We must not deprive any child of that experience. Remember, in North Korea they punish gestures before they even happen.

Furthermore, if we are to survive on into the future, we need to come to terms with our own shortcomings.

[sumus-2009]

Children know that adults disagree. Why pretend that they do not?

Public disagreement - especially at election time, can be very patriotic; thus our freedom of speech is and should be at its full-throated loudest. Very free speech - even the occasional extreme gesture - can thus be forgiven.

The President did not visit Seattle area because of his great love for us. Nor was he here in an official capacity. GWB was here using our tax dollars to stump for a candidate who will support him and his government. Opposing GWB in this capacity could well be the business of any concerned citizen, and taking away that person%u2019s job as punishment for a reckless gesture sends a chilling message that is meant to scare us all.

There are serious constitutional questions involved in this incident, and I certainly hope that the school district has the good sense to re-visit its over-reaction. If it wants to ask the bus driver to use a thumb down instead of a finger up in future expressions, that is their call, but anything more is out of line.

I am thankful that I grew up knowing my country and the adults around me were flawed, We must not deprive any child of that experience. Remember, in North Korea they punish gestures before they even happen.

Furthermore, if we are to survive on into the future, we need to come to terms with our own shortcomings.

[nancie5-2009]

Three cheers for the bus driver! The Issaquah school district is standing on the ground of improper role modeling. How can exercising our right to freedom of expression which is clearly stated in The Constitution of the United States Of America be bad role modeling? I am confused. Has there been an amendment added to our Constitution stating that The Constitution will not supersede the %u201Cpolicies%u201D of institutions and business?

I sent an email to the Secretary to the Transportation Department Director of the Issaquah School District to ask them to reconsider their decision. I was notified that my letter had been forwarded to the Transportation Director along with a Thank You. You can find Nancy%u2019s email link at:

http://www.issaquah.wednet.edu/district/Departments/transportation.asp

When small actions suddenly become important, the outcome is huge. Do we give up our freedoms, or defend them?