OK, so a busload of elementary-aged children approached MrsMayor completely out of the blue and said, "Hey, MrsMayor, please tell us all about what Mel Gibson thinks about stem cell research! We've been waiting all week to ask you about it, because if there's one person in the world who can set us straight about Mel and stem-cell research, it's the substitute bus driver!"
Is that really what happened?
That would be expressing an opinion. For instance had the bus driver been telling the kids they would burn in hell if they had an abortion, that would be a problem to. But if the bus driver was asked about how safe abortions were, and the bus driver came back with a reasonable fact based answer then what's the beef?
A responsible bus driver would say that abortion was something the child should discuss with her family, and go back to driving the bus.
"I realize that not being an evangelical (or any other type of) Christian, I am very much in the minority here" What's the point in saying this? Do you think those of us who are evalgelical christians are not capable of seeing things objectivly, so you need to set yourself apart as being more reliable?
Not necessarily more reliable, but my perspective is certainly different than that of an evangelical, and yes, I think it's a valid point.
"That's what bus drivers are paid to do, no more and no less." Do you always do the absolute minimum of what your job title requires? Do you really think people are nothing more then their job title?
I do my job to the very limit of my abilities and I certainly go the extra mile or ten to satisfy my clients, but no, I don't waste time on things that have absolutely nothing to do with my job description, and might even jeopardize my job.
As a parent I would prefer a bus driver who took an real interest in the children, and if they had factual, educational answers which they discussed with children in a reasonable manner, I would be delighted.
See, our perspectives are definitely different here. I want a bus driver who is focused on driving the bus.
What a radical opinion you have!
Let me see if I follow the implied logic. MrsMayor was either being preachy, or the only possible alternative is ridiculous, mocking, and highly detailed scenario you suggest.
May I humbly suggest there may be other possibilities. For instance perhaps she is friendly and sometimes talks to some of the kids, and once in a while a subject like this comes up.
A responsible bus driver would say that abortion was something the child should discuss with her family, and go back to driving the bus.
This response sounds fairly reasonable, although there may be some in Planned Parenthood who would disagree, so perhaps we will reach the point where the responsible bus driver would say such things must only be discussed with the government sanctioned sex education counselor.
I don't waste time on things that have absolutely nothing to do with my job description
My own job description says nothing about calling 911 if somebody at my work is having a heart attack. So now I know I should just let them die, thank you for the broad moral clarification. Such would be very welcome in a faceless dehumanized sterile bureaucracy.