School Bus Driver Fired for Stem Cell Talk

Associated Press ^ | 12/2/04

[reportgirl73]

GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (AP) - An elementary school bus driver was fired after sharing a statistic she had read about embryonic stem cell research with students, then encouraging them to tell their parents about it.

[DollyCali]

hi Jul..just noticed you were posting.. hang tight gal. What a ridiculous situation for you. hugs. dolly howard

PS.. I recall when we chatted in Buffalo, you mentioned you just lurked in Rus' account. Think it is time for YOU to get your own screenname/identity.

[pete anderson]

And a mother that has a child with MD or Diabetes would yank an anti-stem cell research preaching bus driver off the bus and kick the crap out of them.

What a world we would then have.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

Your theoretical mother is welcome to try.

[pete anderson]

And what would you do with that theoretical mother?

[DollyCali]

Jul.. disregard ALL the trolls posing as FReepers. They are disgusting & are wasting our oxygen.

Rus, your sweetie needs a very nice massage tonight

[jude24]

I'm really sorry to hear about this.

Was this in response to questions brought up by the kids? What sort of context was the discussion?

[Dianna]

As I said to the GITD, it's a social, moral and cultural issue.

You went out of your way to discuss an divisive subject with small children without the consent of their parents. You were wrong, no matter what side you support.

But that's not really important, is it? Ooohh, you might be interviewed on the NEWS! You might get some attention for yourself!

Yup...educating children. Sure, you were.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

You may not believe me, but it's not a question of which one of us is right. I can be wrong about many things, but not when it comes to the truth as set forth by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He defines the truth and provides no wiggle room. What freedom there is in that knowledge!

Thankfully, there are absolutes in the universe. Physical, moral and spiritual. Jesus Christ of Nazareth outlined many of these absolutes in His Word. Further details on all three categories have been promised to His faithful ones in the life to come.

[Dianna]

As long as the information being given to the children is God's truth, then what's the harm?

Oh, Johnny! Did you know that there is no Santa Claus? Well, gee did you know your mom is sleeping with her best friend's husband? Guess what Johnny! You're adopted!

Yeah, truth is harmless.

[jude24]

You shut the hell up.

I know this woman. She certianly did not do this for the media. She feels strongly about right-to-life issues.

Unless you know her, do NOT ascribe motives to her.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

Santa Claus. Adultery. Adoption.

You used a lot of material there. Unfortunately it has nothing to do with the conversation at hand. Toss the Cliff Notes, do some reading and check back in again later. I hate to do it, but your initial submission warrants an F.

Make your revisions and ping me when you're ready.

[BlessedBeGod]

A district official said he couldn't comment on Thompson's employment history with the district but said district policy doesn't allow discussion of political issues with students while employees are on duty.

Ummmmmm, isn't this topic really scientific/medical, not political?

[pete anderson]

You shut the hell up.

Seems like a person with your educational background would have a just a little more tolerance for people with different opinions.

However, if you insist you can post a dissertation on what opinions you would permit other people to have.

Or you can just regress to age five and tell people to 'shut up.'

[jude24]

I've got no problem with divergence of opinion. Intelligent, well-meaning people disagree about stem cell research. And I'm not at all sure that an elementary school bus is the appropriate forum to discuss that issue. All that are legitimate topics for discussion.

But I will not sit by and watch some random person on the internet impugn the integrity of someone I know. She said, "But that's not really important, is it? Ooohh, you might be interviewed on the NEWS! You might get some attention for yourself!" That crossed the line from legitimate dissent into a personal attack. I will not stand by and let that go by unchallenged.

And "shut the hell up" is about all that that comment deserved.

[Dianna]

You shut the hell up.

They posted the story on a discussion board. Mature adults can handle the heat.

She KNEW it was an issue that many parents would disagree with. She HAD to know that. And she did it anyway.

[Dianna]

You used a lot of material there. Unfortunately it has nothing to do with the conversation at hand.

Nonsense. ALL are facts (or could be) that parents may not wish their children to know about. The bus driver KNOWS without a doubt that this subject is hotly debated. She KNEW that some parents would probably not agree with her. I'm sure she also knew that some parents wouldn't appreciate her discussing it with their kids. She did it anyway.

[Dianna]

But I will not sit by and watch some random person on the internet impugn the integrity of someone I know. She said, "But that's not really important, is it? Ooohh, you might be interviewed on the NEWS! You might get some attention for yourself!" That crossed the line from legitimate dissent into a personal attack. I will not stand by and let that go by unchallenged.

But she only wanted to educate children! How many children watch the Today Show?

[pete anderson]

The last person to tell me so shut up was my five year old when I told her to to pick up her toys.

She was sent to her room, but after ten minutes she understood that it was very bad manners to tell someone to shut up and apologized.

Unfortunately, some people to not catch on so quick.

[TChris]

*Applause* Excellent response. I hope your attorneys are equally determined to see the right outcome!