She should NOT have been fired!

No, obviuosly verbal communication with the current administration has failed to inform them of our distrust and anger. Therefore, I think it is completely fair to resort to give that gesture. I would have done the same. Thanks.

well more people should be flipping the president off, as he deserves every bit of guff that the people in this country give him.

he was wrong, he is wrong, and will be found out soon

I think this bus driver should be fired for flipping anybody off. I do not want this role modeled for my children. Where does freedom of expression end? Is it then okay to use profanitly or indecent exposure to make a point?

I really do not think that the bus driver should have been fired. After all the president is just another person and you don't go out firing people for flipping off other peopel. Yes the bus driver should have been reprimanded and given a warning but definatly not fired. I think the bus driver should be able to take legal action against the school district. We are a free country and have a right to express ourselves.

In America we all have the right to disagree with the policies of any given administration. But we must respect the office of the Presidency and teach our children to do the same. It's called civics. Instruction starts when the school district recieves our kids...and that starts on the BUS!

Yes, she should not be allowed to work with children.

People who have children in their control are expected to behave in a manner that exhibits self-control.

What's next? Will she leave her bus if a picket line is in her way? Will she refuse to perform responsibly if something does not suit her beliefs?

A bus driver, teacher, principal, or any other school employee MUST remember that they are expected to show that they can be trusted to be responsible for the children in their care.

Since when is it ok for any adult who is paid to supervise our children to flip anyone off let alone the President? Send this ignorant slob back to school but don’t reward her crude actions by reinstating her job.

Of course the bus driver should be fired. In fact, that should be just "part" of the punishment. Whether you "agree" or "disagree" with the decisions of our Nation's President, or whether you personally "like" him or "not like" him, you have not the right to disrespect him, whether in front of children or not! He was waving at the children, not her. What an incredible memory this "could" have been for those children if only her (the bus driver) selfish, imature actions hadn't destroyed it for them! Who does she think she is?

The school bus driver did not get fired for flipping off the president, she got fired for doing it in front of the children. From what I understand, this was not the first time she excercised her right to "free speech" in front of the children on her bus. As an accredited news agency, NWCN knew this.

I think the more appropriate question would be "Why would NWCN feel the need to continue this sort of propaganda?"

no the bus driver should not be fired. they shouldnt be making obscene gestures like in this case however the emotions over bush his war and what the republicans have been doing i can see where someone could get caught up in the moment and do something they normally wouldnt.

someone like bush is unreachable by the general public and the oportunity to directly express ones opinion to someone like this doesnt come along every day. besides what is more obscene, thousands of our young being killed in this war or someones middle finger?

maybe a written warning but dont fire this person over this.

She should not have been fired for "flipping off" the president. She SHOULD have been fired for making an obscene gesture in front of children while she was at work.

A quick non-political answer. YES.

This driver has been given the responsibility of our children. To perform any inappropriate behavior while they are in her care should not be tolerated.

tom

NO,HELL NO,DAVE AND GEORGE NEED TO GO,TO DISCHARGE THIS DRIVER FOR A HAND GESTURE IS
WAY OUT OF LINE.SOUNDS LIKE 1930'S GERMANY,
THIS POLITICAL PARTY SHOULD PRACTICE WHAT
THEY PREACH.WHAT DID THEY SAY ABOUT THE
VICE PRES AND THE F WORD;DARCY HAS MY VOTE

Heck Yes! This isn't free speech. She could have flipped off Saddam for all I care. But the fact remains that this rude act was witnessed by small school children. If I was a parent I'd try to get her fired. This isn't political.

You people with the negative comments about the bus driver are pathetic!

The bus driver should be reinstated and presented with an award for actions above and beyond the call of duty!

maybe if you all stopped babying your kids they would grow up to know the difference between right and wrong. keep raising your children like sheep then they can be easily flocked to where ever people like Bush want them to go .... I.E - IRAQ

There are clearly two separate issues here. "Flipping off" the President is an exercise of a persons freedom of speech (expression). A school bus driver doing it while performing her duties is absolutely unacceptable and she should be disciplined. That discipline should be in accordance with her employers policies and procedures.

Firing her was to harsh in my opinion .. probably some sort of other punishment would be better justified.

She should have been fired. She is teaching disrespect. Parents have the right to expect bus drivers, teachers, clergy etc. to be examples for their children. Rudeness is never acceptable behavior.

boo hoo .. my baby saw a finger .. now they need to be taught why it is ok to have freedom of speech and not to be held down by "the man". Teach your kids better or they will be taken advantage of later.

This Busdriver should have never "flipped-off" the president or anyone else while driving a school bus with children on it.....she shouldn't be driving a bus now at her new job....
She is a adult with responsibilities and includes knowing what's right and wrong as a role model while driving that bus....
She can do whatever she wants in her own car for "freedom of speech", but a school bus...???
I'm surprised her new employer even hired her...
Certain jobs/positions come with high expectations, a school bus driver being one of them, and she has failed the test.
Her school bus drivers union should be ashamed of having to support her....
A single mom with kids should know better do to such a stupid act of frustration.

There are two issues here and neither of them have anything to do with her "freedom of speech".
The first issue is that she was not on her own time but on the job. When you are on the job your conduct represents not just you but your employer also. Her employer has made it clear that her conduct is not acceptable.
The second issue is her being in a position of authority over children and using obscene gestures in front those children. That is CLEARLY not appropriate conduct for a person in her position.
Too many comments here are from people who are letting their hate for the President color their judgement. Adults should know better.

It's ok for American aviation companys to train terorists to fly planes
into our buildings; It's ok for Nazis to parade through our streets and burn American flags; but don't give the president the bird or you'll lose your job? This doesn't have a thing to do with freedom of speech. It's just another Washington politition kissing Bushes ass. We really need to start looking at whats really going on in this country in front of our children instead of something as stupid as this.

Freedom of speech? YES! Appropriate action? NO! Fired by school District? NO! Reprimand to bus driver's file? YES! Apology to students' school, parents? YES. A wake-up call to all of us? YES!

Students see and hear same expressions of opinion in many places. How this total scenario is resolved is an opportunity for them to learn many life lessons to guide their public behavior as well as shape their personal thinking. As for shaping political thinking--was Reichert's action a plum to pull out when needed for election campaign value?

Of course she should have been fired. As a bus driver with a bus load of children, she has a responsibility to be a role model for the children. She is teaching rudeness by example. If we accept this behavior, how can we expect our children to grow up into responsible, caring, thoughtful adults. Teachers would not be allowed such behavior in the classroom. This behavior should not be tolerated from any employee on duty for a school district.

She should not have been fired! What she did was an act of heroism!

Yes, she should have been fired. She is a representative of her school district and this type of behavior is obviously against policy. The news has said the kids were hanging out the windows, waving and talking to the president so her contention that her "gesture" was done in a way that the kids wouldn't see doesn't fly. She thought she could get away with it and I'm glad she didn't. Stop kow-towing to the PC crowd and start acting like adults. You wouldn't want your child's teacher to flip the bird in class, don't let your other representatives get away with it either!

As far as the actual firing, I am on the fence. On one hand, it is highly improper for a bus driver to do any such thing, especially with students on board. On the other hand, one could say a firing was a bit extreme. In most cases, an employer of any kind would reprimand, perhaps even suspend an employee for such an instance, but not fire.

The second part of the issue, is that, it shouldn't even come into consideration who she flipped off. Whether it be the president, or a homeless individual, or just an ordinary stay at home parent, it should be taken the same.

I fear she was fired merely because it was the president she flipped off.

She should've been fired. And the rest of the story-she'd been disciplined before. Freedom of Speech doesn't extend to indecent behavior-especially when on the job and working with kids. Will she fly off the handle when someone cuts her off as she's driving her bus? Obviously, she's an irresponsible driver and should be relieved of her duties.

Fired for "flipping him off"? No! For doing it in front of the kids--YES!!

I don't think she should have been fired; I'm a retired military person and I would have done the same thing; I think three quarters of the country would like the chance to flip him off also, "Go Darcy Go"

She most definitely should be fired. We try to teach our childred what is or isn't acceptable, then they see something like that. I wouldn't want her driving MY children.

I think she should not do that in front of kids. She should act like an adult and she should be punnished for her acts. Maybe she will think before she does something like this again. All i can say is grow up!!!

Of course she should have been fired. It has to do with respect. What kind of person does this with children on the bus?

It was not appropriate for her to flip the "bird," however it is within her right of free speech to do so. I dare say that the parents of the children on that bus (if any) are far more guilty of much worse in front of their own children, on any given day. Vote for change, or your job might be next!!!!

No! This school bus driver was expressing her deserved frustration for our so called president.I,m sure there are not too many kids that have not seen this before,and probably by there own parents.I give her a Atta Girl and I say give her a raise.

This bus driver has a right to her opinion. She just lacks the judgement to express it in the appropriate forum. Yes! She should be fired. Not for expressing her opinion, but for disrespect of a parent's right to expect a civil environment for their children. Even in a public school, a parnet has some rights. The Driver just did not have the awareness of her surroundings or the rights of others in this situation.

This is NOT a case of freedom of speech. This is a case of a school bus driver using an inappropriate finger gesture,while she was on the job. It doesn't matter if action was aimed at the president or anyone else for that matter.
What amazes me is how many people actually think that this is acceptable behavor for a school bus driver.

I think she should be given the congressional medal of honor.

The bus driver was fired for acting inappropriately while on the job. If she had flipped off anyone, she should also been fired. I'm impressed that the Issaquah School District acted the way that they did. People are just using this incident to garner a few extra votes for Darcy Burner. Shame on them!

She was representing the school district and the public when inside the school bus and an example to the school children and should NOT have expressed her opnion, let alone such a vulger one. She does not speak for me or my children with her liberal views. Fire her. Some one who disrespects the sitting president of the United States should be repremended at least. Fire Her. And for all the "do gooders" out there who have no respect for their country please read your history about being occupied by self appointed dictatores. Support your sitting president.
The Wodskow Family

Yes this person should have been fired for her actions!. this person had responsibility of acting like an adult not a child. She should have been fired if even if she flipped off an another person much less the President of The United States. This is unacceptable behavior for some one with the responsibility of our children. She could used Fredom of speech on her own time. This person was being paid for by our taxes.

YES... I don't care so much about peoples opinion of George Bush, but I was taught to respect the office he holds and this certainly does not do that! How can we as Americans have credibility in the eyes of the world if we condone this kind of conduct, especially from someone who is in a position to help mold the minds of our children?

Everyone has the right to express themselves, but freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences.

Losing ones job is an appropriate consequence for using an obscene gesture in front of children, while representing the school district. It doesn't matter who the gesture was aimed at.

It also doesn't matter what type of employee - bus drivers should be held to the same standard of behavior as teachers and all who have a part in our children's education.

Even an obviously and laughably inept, biased news station such as nwcn has to recognize the necessity to get rid of her... Not only was she showing disrespect for the President of the United States, but she did it in the company of children....She and Mary Kay Letorneau were equally guilty of rape... one of the childs body one of the childrens minds.... She has the right to vote.... a venue where she and everyone else is able to express their opinion and get rid of what ever politician they want out of office she has no right to do what she did sitting in a publically owned bus doing a publically paid job where she has a responsibility to protect the children .... The entire nwcn staff would be incensed if a male teacher were to flip off the principal in front of his class you are conveniently failing to recognize what the flip off means it means f*** you is that appropriate for her to do in front of the children???

No, she should not have been fired...the person that should be fired is the President, for his mishandling of the Iraq situation plus all of his other decisions related to our foreign policies.

I believe in "freedom of speech" as our constitution provides, that's why America is so Great! However, you are a representative of your employer while on duty. Your personal opinions, views, etc. should not be expressed while you are 'on duty' for that employer (i.e. school district). I don't think the driver should have been terminated unless it is implied in her job contract that this is unacceptable behavior (I agree (morally) that it is unacceptable in the presence of children). I think that in-service training and/or re-education should be offered by the employer that outlines their boundaries.

The Right to Freedom of Speech allows me to flip off you, my brother, a police officer and the president as well! Making unique exceptions to that right opens it up to corruption, where some can and others cannot.

If you say otherwise, then what other hand gestures, such as Sign Language and Italian hand gestures, will be excluded as well? Many cultures talk with their hands, complimenting their speech.

In conclusion and IMHO, the bus driver should not have been fired, but instead repremanded for his/her action. What you do on your own time is up to you! Just remember, when in the presence of children, you might be setting a presidence for their actions as well.

Although, several people would love to exercise their freedom of speech by "flipping off" President Bush, is does seem inappropriate to do so in front of children. Faced with such a problem an employer must not focus on who received the gesture, but that the gesture was made and then determine the course of action to take, if any, based on the existing employment contract and established code of conduct.

Yes,
I think the Western Washington bus driver should definitely be fired for flipping anyone off with her middle finger - especially the President of the United States, no matter who is in office. It was vulgar and classless; a terrible example for impressionable school children!

Such actions demonstrate her lack of restraint when she should be concentrating on driving children safely. Who else does she flip off?

John Sheridan
Issaquah

If the children lodged a complaint then yes, she should be fired.

However, if the only people who saw the flipoff were President Shrub and Congressman Hairdo, then no. Americans still have rights in this country.

What's saddest to me about this is how Reichert rouses a crowd to celebrate that the bus driver lost their job. President Bush got off scot-free for flipping off the media... And Cheney is allowed to say "F*** yourself" to Senator Patrick Lehey on the floor of the Senate. They don't get fired or even reprimanded for their scorn and dishonor of their offices and the whole country. We seem to be holding the bus driver to a much higher standard than the republican leadership.

She needed to be canned. Even if the school kids did not see it occur, they certainly know it now. Think of the message keeping this person would send. I support the school administration in this decision.

This rises to about the same level of significance as Kerry's flubbed punchline but it does reveal a lot about Dave Rykert's character. He's proud of being a bully tattle tale? Should the driver be scolded? Maybe. But I think our kids have been exposed too much more obscene things on the news: graphic photos of torture, body counts, presidential and vice-presidential smirks and the steady stream of lies and spins. Flipping someone off is less offensive to me than the crap we've been flipped by the Bush administration.

"Freedom" and "Liberty" has certain boundaries. "RESPECT" for those in office or authority should always be the PERSONAL REQUIREMENT of ones-self. Obviously, this employee and "lady" has no respect for herself - much less those children under her care -or the parents of those children, and obviously no respect for her employer or her job - or any other office of authority. If she shared much disrespectful "free speech" to a police officer - she could spend some "time-out" in a jail cell.

Many Americans lost respect for President Clinton - when we learned of his indiscretions while "on duty". We were greatly shamed as respectable Americans. BUT, nonetheless, he was our President at the time, and in my opinion - his office was to continue to be respected. I would only be "lowering my-SELF" should I give in to disrespecting him while in authority of our nation. I prayed for him, and shared my opinions with those close to me - but not in the presence of children or those who NEED to LEARN "respect for authority". I would continue to instill RESPECT in children - while NEVER TRUSTING such an immoral person to be left ALONE with my child or grandchild.

There IS a BALANCE to what we call "free speech". RESPECTING the children we have "under our authority" and the rights of their parents - should cause us to use greater discretion in our actions, reactions, and speech.

YES, this "lady" has the "right" to be fired. She earned it! Shame on her new employer - IF - he/she does not REQUIRE a better standard of her in the future.

Everyone has the right to express themselves within certain guidelines. If the driver had been walking along the road and indicated her preference, she would have been perfectly within her rights. However, because she was driving a vehicle with that was identifiable with a school district and had impressionable children on board, she is not free to express herself in the same manner. All employees of any school district are expected to behave with a certain amount of decorum which is not indicative of her behavior.

I understand she did the gesture out the window so only her and junior were the ones who saw it. (NONE of the kids saw her do it, even though most have seen junior flipping off reporters on tv)

This was the first time a non/screened and GOP approved american citizen had ever been close to junior and it scared him so
he told reichert. Ive heard junior had that same scared/confused look like when he sat for 7/minutes after he was told "AMERICA IS UNDER ATTACK."

Then reichert supposedly told junior that he would "get the whore fired" THE NEXT DAY.

When she was asked about it she did "confess", however if she had not confessed then it would have been her word against juniors, and we all know what a liar junior is, Im sure we can all agree on that!

Anyway, after reichert told junior he would get her fired THE NEXT DAY, reichert supposedly said, "eww, whats that smell?" Apparantly junior had farted because he had a big grin, reichert probably thought junior was smiling because a single mom with 5 kids was going to get fired.

"Certain jobs/positions come with high expectations, a school bus driver being one of them, and she has failed the test."

Hmmmmm... I guess that's why school bus drivers are paid such a high wage. Because society recognizes them as the first moral influence on our children.

I'm so glad such noble and important positions within our community are appreciated appropriately, and rewarded according to our estimation of their worth and impact...

Geeze.

…“those who NEED to LEARN "respect for authority"…

Are you kidding me? Should authority be respected even when it is apparent that that authority has shown contempt toward those it is in charge of?

“Many Americans lost respect for President Clinton - when we learned of his indiscretions while "on duty". We were greatly shamed as respectable Americans.”

Speak for yourself. I wasn’t ashamed of what Clinton did; only that he lied about it when first confronted. Besides, I was traveling overseas during that era and was asked by people of other nations why American’s were so concerned with their leader’s sex life; apparently, they think a leaders actions, policies, and successes or failures count for more than who he or she is fooling around with… Strange concept, I know, to judge a leader for their performance, and not meaningless things in the overall scheme.

“Americans still have rights in this country.”

Do we? I’m not so sure anymore…

Ok. Fred has exercised his right to freedom of speech. It's his opinion even though his comments are NOT supported by any facts. He states that the president and the bus driver were the only ones who saw it, how does he know? was he there? maybe others saw it as well.
Fred goes on to say that the president had a scared and confused look on his face. ( you know this how Fred )? Maybe he was confused about how a school district employee could behave in such an inappropriate manner. THANK YOU MR. REICHERT FOR REPORTING SUCH AN OFFENSE. (I'm also sure that as a former police officer he would have also reported the incident if the bus driver had flipped off a democratic president.)

I also find it hard to believe that Mr. Richert used the word you said he did to discribe the woman, had he said such a thing i'm sure the liberal press would have picked up on it in a second and it would have been all over the televison and newsprint.

Fred you are obviously a liar,and full of what farmers spread on thier crops to promote growth.
ie manure. You should get your fact straight before you pretend you know what your talking about

I don't think the bus driver should have been fired. It was only a finger, however Bush sure screwed this country. Give her job back! Too bad we couldn't fire the President that easily.

I dont think that the bus driver should have gotten fired. Yes, it was in front of the kids, but the kids now a days are being brought up in a sheltered life. Blame the parents. Besides, the president is a liar and a cheat. He is the one who needs to be asassinated. He is a LIBERAL like the rest of the people in this world!!!

Of course she should get fired . It really takes a mental giant to flip any body off in that setting . What she does off duty is a different matter..

Her behavior was in appropiate. Yes she should have gotten fired. This is not a feedom of speach issue. If she had of been on the street or in her own car she could feel free to make the choice.

Shame on you Mr. Reichert! I would have thought someone in your position would have studied the Constitution and, in this case, the First Amendment. As a result, I am giving you something of a gesture too. Only mine is in the form of taking my vote to your opponent. We definitely do need to clear away the bullies in Washington and I believe it's only fitting that, you too, should get fired!

The issue is not just her right to free speech, it is the issue of appropriate behavior in front of children. Had she done so on her own time and been in her own car I would say no to her firing. However, she was on work time, paid for by tax paying citizens and had impressionable children on the bus. If she can't control herself in that situation, she shouldn't have the job.

Bush is Lord.

He must be worshipped.

The Lord hath given us a sign through the burning Bush.

Of course she should have been fired because as a tax paid employee she should not be flipping ANYONE off. DUH!!

Yes. She should've been fired, not only was it NOT appropriate but it could have been seen as an act of road rage- What if the person she flipped off had a weapon? She should not be with small children if she cannot have self control!

I do not believe that the bus driver should have been fired. We are supposed to be protected by the Constitution but as we are seeing more and more everyday, our Rights went away on Sept 11, 2001.

She was on the job, on duty; she isn't being paid to voice her 1st amendment rights. If she felt so strongly a need to express her self, she should have done it on her own time.

Would the liberals say the same if she was mooning out the window if the bus was parked? Probably so, they even justify assasination here. Let the flood waters rise!

NO! This bus driver should not have been fired at all! Shame on Reichert for his "middle school mentality" Of thinking it was funny to get her fired! He won't have my vote. While she probably should not have flipped him off while in her school bus, I would flip him off too if I had the misfortune of seeing him!(Bush). I wish we would fire him.

Yes. It's not a matter of free speech nor freedom to express yourself. The much larger issue is the behavior of an adult while in charge of other's young children, perhaps mine.

Firing her was in order. To me, it simply boils down to what was appropriate relative to the bus drivers job and the children on the bus. The driver exhibited road rage and rude hand gestures, a form of vulgar language as the responsible adult in front of the children. It would have been better if her action has been polically motivated. At least that would have eliminated road rage as a factor, and improved her chances.

Freedom of expression is indeed alive and well in this country. How many of you feel the same as she, and yet haven't had the opportunity to express yourselves? Are you seriously trying to tell anyone that your kids don't already know the meaning of the "finger", and respect you enough not to admit it? I've got an idea, lets all make an appointment with Mr. Bush so we can express ourselves...or better, lets have that congressman removed from his job? The children aren't the issue here, the act is. In her position, I'd have done the same.....Go girl

Posted by: Samantha Davis at November 6, 2006 05:59 PM
What if the person she flipped off had a weapon?

good point samantha! how did she know if cheney wasnt in that limo? BOOM BOOM BOOM!!! that whole bus load could have wound up with freckles.

Bush has caused the deaths of 600,000 innocent human beings. War criminals in the past have swung from the end of a rope. Giving this guy the finger is absolutely nothing. If Bush has never given somebody the bird sometime, he ain't normal. John Shippentower

Yes she should have been fired. The media has made this a "Freedom of Speech" issue and it's not. She was fired for her inappropriate behavior in the presence of the children she was hired to provide care for. Regardless of how "acceptable" it is in our society to give the finger it still remains to be viewed as an obscene and profane gesture - never appropriate in the presence of children. If she had done this in her own car on her own time there would be no issue.

Even though I find what the bus driver did was not appropriate in front of children because she is in a position to be a role model, I don't feel that she should be fired, that is a bit too drastic.

She should be given a warning and we should all move on. This should not even be a public issue.

It always seems that no matter what anyone does in this country lately, someone is always offended in some way, shape or form. Are we as a country too sensitive to everything?

Don't get me wrong, I just feel we have more important issues that we could be focusing on ie. supporting our troops in a foreign land, poverty, yes in the U.S., H.I.V. rates exploding, crime of all types, World peace etc.

By the way, by now Bush is probably so used to peoples erratic gestures that it probably doesn't even phase him, he has more things on his mind than someones middle finger.

She should have been given a medal for supporting our constitutional rights, something that GWB has for years has worked on eroding and revoking from our lives.

Actually, I heard she was a single mom, so I'd like to offer to take her to dinner...and maybe a little more. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge...)

When an overweight lazy bus driver expresses herself like that to anyone she should be fired. Can you imagine the uproar if she did that to a fearless leader like Cantwell? Granted this was just bush, but still come-on. Good god. In today's world you flip another person off in your car you can fully expect to be-
A-Followed home.
B-Forced off the road and beaten.
C-Shot.

Fire her butt- and identify her so the rest of the world can avoid hiring someone as unstable as this jerk.

I think the bus driver should not have been fired big deal it's a finger and if I had seen him I would have gave the finger Imean whats the point of the WAR other than wasting the tax payer's money our money..?

I think the bus driver should not have been fired big deal it's a finger and if I had seen him I would have gave the finger Imean whats the point of the WAR other than wasting the tax payer's money our money..?

An adult should act like an adult and set an example for children...even when faced with a situation they do not agree with. As humans we have the capacity to act with restraint, but what happens when we do not expect more than animal behavior from one another...? And, do we want this example for our children to follow? Not me!

earlier i went to askjeeves and looked up the history of the finger. not only did i find a picture of nelson rockerfeller giving the finger while running for office but there was a video of george dubya bush in front of the camera while he was govonor of texas, he gave the finger to the camera.

he called it a one fingerd salute. he was laffing about it as were others. so how bout practice what you preach.

I think the bus driver should not have been fired big deal it's a finger and if I had seen him I would have gave him the finger also I mean whats the point of the WAR other than wasting the tax payer's money our money..?So anyway she should get her job back..

I think the bus driver should not have been fired big deal it's a finger and if I had seen him I would have gave him the finger also I mean whats the point of the WAR other than wasting the tax payer's money our money..?So anyway she should get her job back..

Fire her. No brainer- conduct like that is not acceptable, even for americans.

Flipping off the President set's a bad example for the Children at their particular age, However, in this rare instance, the Bus Driver had every Right to express herself. We do live in a Democratic Society, right ? Firing her for such a gesture is not only un-Democratic, but unethical. We're slowly giving way to a Totalitarian Government. Such a petty gesture shouldn't be an issue for someone of such magnitude. The Bus driver deserves her job back, with back pay.

If President Bush felt slighted from such a gesture, then this Country is being lead by a man of very weak character.

Edit as you see fit, aslong as the central message is intact.

Thank you,
Sxean

I agree with Kathy- bush should have just done the right thing- flipped her off in response. hell it was just a bus driver- its not like it was someone with a normal job or something.

No matter how we feel about our President he still should be respected. The lady should have been fired, how are our childern going to learn respect if our adults are out of control. Monkie see monkie do.

Last I checked that was a first ammendment right, at worst it could be considered civil disobedience but I do remember a time when employees of public schools couldn't be fired for expressing thier dissatisfaction with the system. Even when jailed and arrested for protesting I have never known any public servant to lose thier job for speaking thier mind. What was done to this bus driver was a grave injustice, maybe she didn't have a picket sign handy, so she flew the only protest in her posession. Should Bush be so insulted that one of the people he serves feels that way? Sure he can feel insulted all he likes, but he is not a king he is not a god its not his place to smite those who disagree with him.

Yes, firing her was the right thing to do and it was shameful for another school district to rehire her.

Whether you agree or disagree with President Bush he is still our President of the United States. Whatever she does on her own time, A school employee on duty, in a school bus, on school grounds, in view of school children needs to set an example of civility and other traits that she clearly lacks.

Yes, I am a Republican and participated in an antiClinton rally, but I would have had more common sense than to have done as she did.

Fire her. I believe she has a right to flip off the president, but not when she is driving a school bus with children in it.

WELL WE DIDNT FIRE THE PRESIDENT WHEN HE CUSSED ON TV! HE'S JUST THE PRESIDENT PEOPLE HE PUTS HIS PANTS ON THE SAME WAY WE DO ONE LEG AT A TIME! AND WHEN HE SCREWS UP HE IS JUST LIKE ANYONE ELSE HE DESERVES THE FINGER; DONT TELL ME ALL OF THE SELF RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE OUT THERE HAVE'NT EXPRESSED A VULGAR TERM IN SOME POINT OF THEIR LIFE. HE'S JUST A SIMPLE GOD MADE MAN. AND FOR THOSE KIDS , PLEASE THEY ARE MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS YOU WOULD BE SUPRISED WHAT THEY KNOW

Yes, she should have been fired. She was on the job and that type of behavior is unacceptable in a workplace environment where children are present. How would you feel if your child after witnessing her gestures and lack of professionalism began to mimic her by flipping others off too? She used extremely poor judgment and should not be allowed to be around children. I hope she does not get her job back.

Seriously, have we really become so into ourselves that we fail to see what really happened? A person made a gesture with a middle finger at our President. Wow, this is BIG NEWS!!! Oh my god she did it in front of a bus full of children, bleh, come on! EVEN BIGGER NEWS!!! Should the person have been fired because of her opinions? Nope not at all. Besides how many people flip our Prez the bird at rallys where children are present? Probably more than most people can count. Besides, who are we to judge how the person feels about the Presidential Administration.

Is this a freedom of speech issue? No not really. This was just another pissed off American who has read through the BS our beloved and highly respected President has been dishing out since the beginning of his second term.

All of this from a Republican who believes in having a free mind and the ability to talk and feel how I so choose.

- Get A Grip -

No one can argue against the fact that the bus driver's action was inappropriate, especially for someone working with children. That having been said, there is another issue few people have considered.

I doubt this woman had any personal interaction with the president prior to this incident. Everything she knows about him is what she's heard from the media, friends, etc. It's amazing how much hate someone can develop for a person he or she doesn't even know. I do not want my children in the care of someone with so little respect and self-control.

If I found out that one of my employees flipped off anyone, not just the president, while driving in a company vehicle, he'd also be fired. As representatives of my company, employees are expected to uphold a high level of courtesy and decorum. People working with children should also uphold such a standard. If they can not, they need to find other jobs where such behavior is tolerated.

There shouldn't even be a question if this bus driver should be fired....the answer is "yes!" First off, and most important, the President of the United States is to be respected and honored, he is our leader (like it or not) and second off, she should be on her "best behavior" when kids are around, she is an example and they look up to her. While at work, her personal matters and thoughts need to kept to herself. I hope the school district sticks to their correct moral choice by blessing someone else with her job who will be honored to have.

I personally think that she has a right to freedom of speech regardless of her job this is no different than many a teacher of mine voicing their opinion of who they like or don't like in an election. My husband of course thinks she should be fired.

remember when kids were taught duck and cover? now they are teaching them what to do if an armed people come into thier class room. look at all the school shootings drugs and gangs these kids have to deal with. then you have teachers and students having sex and sometimes kids.

then look at the wars terrorisim and diseases like AIDS. now look at our president such as he is. other republicans dont want him coming to thier own election rallies because it would be political suicide. today millions of americans will be giving bush and the rest of the republicans the finger at the polls. here is one from me dubya! UP YOURS!

Yes, she should be fired. Why do Americans treat The President of The United States with such disrespect?! Think about the reprecussions in the way we honor or dishonor the highest office in our country. It's a 'trickledown affect'folks!

This bus driver needs to apologize to the children, to sit in school to learn how to behave as well as our young students, and write on the blackboard, 1,000 times, "I will be respectful in word and manner".

I think it was positively appalling that she flipped off the President. We have to respect our government and who is in authority. If we lose that then we lose all hope of retaining a sound government. When Clinton was in office, you didn't see republicians being immature. Democratics are the most immature children I have ever seen.

A school bus driver is in a position to 'teach' and/or influence our children. Showing disrespect to our President should be a criminal offense. I would not only fire her, I would give her 5 years at hard labor.

OK... All of you that believe it is OK to make obscene gestures in public, in front of children, while at work and aimed at the person representing the office of the president of the United States please feel free to keep voting Democrat. I wonder though, in what direction you would take our State and Country!!?!

That bus driver should have been fired. The fact is she did this indiscretion in front of students. What kind of message are the kids getting when they see this kind of thing? If you don't like someone, flip them off? That bus driver did not set a good example for those students. There are other ways to express your dislike for the president; flipping him the bird in front of students (and assassination, as Brittny Forro suggests in her post)IS NOT one of the ways to do so.

Sounds like the district needs to concentrate on lots of more important internal issues. Such as there hiring practices and screening practices of current employees. i.e. Skyline Principal. Also the double standard practices. i.e. No unleashed dogs allowed on district property although employees are allowed to bring their own dogs into the school buildings for their shift. I guess if policies are broken it just depends on who you are. Are thorough background checks being done on all people using the district facilities where contact with children is involved.? Just as we never know when a persons patience will break we never know when a dog will bite when stepped on,,

Even if someone thinks the president is wrong, they don't make anything right by responding in another wrong, especially in front of children. I think those in charge of our children should be held to a higher standard. I also think that if we want to see this country succeed, then we have to stand together and be an encouragement to our leaders. We should be trying to bring solutions to the table and not be one of the problems our self. A house against itself will not stand.

Not only am I glad she was fired, but she should have been publicly flogged. No other country puts up with that crap of disrespecting the leadership.

I feel termination was the right choice. When you work in a public position and are influencing young people's lives, you need to be a good example. NOT teaching our children disrespect and rebellion towards our leadership.

WOW! I can't believe an adult can be that childish and immature, to flip off the President of the United States. We need to give her a one way ticket to Iraq!!! She is a disgrace to the United States of America.

Freedom of speech is one thing, but when you are in a position of authority over children, you should not put your own personal feelings into consideration. These children do not need to see/hear profanities.

The bus driver should not be fired. Bush should be impeached! Bush is a disgrace to what this country used to stand for. However, the bus driver should be reprimanded. Flipping off anyone is not the kind of role model we need for our kids. The bus driver exhibited very poor judgment.

The bus driver should not be fired. Bush should be impeached! Bush is a disgrace to what this country used to stand for. However, the bus driver should be reprimanded. Flipping off anyone is not the kind of role model we need for our kids. The bus driver exhibited very poor judgment.

I was a school bus driver for many years, and you are expected to be a role model for the kids. However, since bush is such a negative part of our countries leaders, it would be hard not to flip him off. I have mixed feelings, but given the fact that she is a role model, she should have been repromanded as a kid would for the act she did, and maybe a time off to think about it, but firing her was too severe. I wouldn't want her to be commended for her actions, but I think alot of people are thinking "YOU GO GIRL !!.

My problem is not who she did it to but that is was in front of young children. She is an adult and needs to be a role model. Yes, I think she should be fired and not be driving young children again.

This channel generally covers the news well but there's been no mention of the widespread voter fraud being perpetrated all over the country including robocalling which is sending people to the wrong polling places, fake ballots and Diebold voting machines historically shown to be fixed. In fact Diebold's CEO promised before the 2000 elections "We will ensure a win for Bush". This is corruption of our American system of representation. The only reason I can think that NWCN doesn't cover these issues is because they are being told they can't. Belo Corporation is a national corporation which owns NWCN so it's not too surprising they don't act with an independent spirit. Sound outrageous? Do some research. I don't care if Democrats or Republicans or Independants win it's about freedom and the American way which is being corrupted here. Be a good American and speak up. There's more to do than flag waving.

Guess the State agency (ESD) isn't bound by the U. S. Constitution in respect to their employees freedom of speech. Apparently a employee can be discharged for what they say or do i.e. "the figner", or mabe that the Education System has a waiver clause in their contracts that prohibits freedom of speech.

I am pretty sure the President had much worse thngs said to or even had things done toward him during his campaign and his presidency.

Do you really think that he even seen the figner in the lemo?

It was an high speech of Seneca (after the manner of the Stoics): That the good things, which belong to prosperity, are to be wished; but the good things, that belong to adversity, are to be admired. Bona rerum secundarum optabilia; adversarum mirabilia. Certainly if miracles be the command over nature, they appear most in adversity. It is yet a higher speech of his, than the other (much too high for a heathen), It is true greatness, to have in one the frailty of a man, and the security of a God. Vere magnum habere fragilitatem hominis, securitatem dei. This would have done better in poesy, where transcendences are more allowed. And the poets indeed have been busy with it; for it is in effect the thing, which figured in that strange fiction of the ancient poets, which seemeth not to be without mystery; nay, and to have some approach to the state of a Christian; that Hercules, when he went to unbind Prometheus (by whom human nature is represented), sailed the length of the great ocean, in an earthen pot or pitcher: lively describing Christian resolution, that saileth in the frail bark of the flesh, through the waves of the world. But to speak in a mean. The virtue of prosperity, is temperance; the virtue of adversity, is fortitude; which in morals is the more heroical virtue. Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament; adversity is the blessing of the New; which carrieth the greater benediction, and the clearer revelation of God's favor. Yet even in the Old Testament, if you listen to David's harp, you shall hear as many hearse-like airs as carols; and the pencil of the Holy Ghost hath labored more in describing the afflictions of Job, than the felicities of Salomon. Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; and adversity is not without comforts and hopes. We see in needle-works and embroideries, it is more pleasing to have a lively work, upon a sad and solemn ground, than to have a dark and melancholy work, upon a lightsome ground: judge therefore of the pleasure of the heart, by the pleasure of the eye. Certainly virtue is like precious odors, most fragrant when they are incensed, or crushed: for prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue.

NO SHE SHOULDNT HAVE BEEN FIRED MY LOVE AND SUPPORT GOES OUT TOO HER AND ALL THAT KNOW HOW COLD HEARTED OUR PRESIDENT IS TOO OUR HUMAN RACE.
I HAVE LOST SEVERAL SOLDIER FRIENDS IN THE WAR IN IRAQ AND I AM PROUD SHE HAD THE COURAGE OR THE NERVE TOO FLIP OUR PRESIDENT OFF.WHY IS IT OKAY TOO SEND OUR INNOCENT SOLDIERS TOO IRAQ TOO BE KILLED OVER IRAQS SITUATION WHEN OUR PRESIDENT IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND NOT THE PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD ANYWAYS WHO GAVE HIM SO MUCH POWER TOO TELL THE WORLD WHAT TOO DO?
ITS SAD SHE WAS FIRED AND I THINK SHE NEEDS HER JOB BACK ASAP AND MAYBE JUST GET A NOTICE TOO KEEP IT A LITTLE MORE DISCREET FOR HOW SHE FEELS.

No, she should NOT have been fired. I've flipped-off Bush countless times. That's the right the First Amendment gives to me, and anyone else who wants to let their opinions be known - including opinions of our so-called "President".