The right to free speach

[nw_hunter]

How long before our rights of free speech are completely gone?



GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon school bus driver fired after he refused to remove a Confederate battle flag flying from his pickup truck has enlisted the help of a conservative civil liberties group in hopes of getting his job back.

The Rutherford Institute of Charlottesville, Va., sent a letter Wednesday to First Student Bus Transportation Services demanding that Ken Webber of Medford be reinstated. The institute said flying the flag on the pickup truck while it was parked at the bus yard was protected by Webber's First Amendment right to free speech.

"These are important free speech issues," institute President John Whitehead said from Virginia. "We are facing a crisis in this country of political correctness."

First Student spokeswoman Bonnie Bastian did not immediately respond to a telephone call and e-mail for comment.

Webber said he was fired Tuesday for gross insubordination after refusing for the second time to take the flag off his CB antenna while parked in the bus yard in Talent, which is owned by the Phoenix-Talent School District.

"The flag's flying," he said from Medford.

[SHOOTALL]

Hope he wins and rec. damages to boot !

[Mohawk]

Too much time on their hands................  

[Pat/Rick]

Being pro rights can lead to a quandry at times. personal rights vs property owners rights. If the district has no regulations, laws, or  rules, against the flag presentation,political statements, etc, I don't see how they can defend themselves. Sounds like a personal thing so far. Gonna have to wait for more info I guess. The whole "offending thing" has gone a bit too far IMO though, and is often used to promote an agenda. Hopefully the guy will get his job back. I have worked places that would limit certain bumper stickers, and the truck "balls" that guys were putting under the bumpers for awhile ( I thought they were dumb, but....). I know that the Seattle fire dept had a no political statements rule. Don't know if they still do. (This guy or that guy for pres etc).

Mohawk, could very well be.

[DakotaElkSlayer]

Being pro rights can lead to a quandry at times. personal rights vs property owners rights. If the district has no regulations, laws, or  rules, against the flag presentation,political statements, etc,

If they are receiving government funds, would such a regulation even be Constitutional?

Jim

[williamlayton]

I second--too much time on their hands.
+ sounds as if someone is trying to use their right of free speech to control another.

This right of free speech is often misunderstood. Free speech is just that--free speech. Just like opinions--everyone has them. I wonder why folks have so much energy to waste on others who don't agree with them.
This "control issue" is getting out of hand.
Blessings

[Old Fart]

The only question I have is the "First Student Bus Transportation Services" school owned or a contractor?

[magooch]

It looks to me like the flag guy didn't think much of the job, or he wouldn't have challenged the school districts rules, or lack of rules.  I think he should be allowed to fly his flag anywhere he wants, but the flag issue is a bit misplaced when it comes to holding a job.  There are limits to everything--including "free speech."

[Brett]

There is a lot of gray area when it comes to the issue of free speech.   For instance you have the constitutional right to badmouth the company you work for, your job, and your boss.   However, it's not a wise idea to do so and your boss/company should be able to terminate you if your "free speech" effects the moral of the other workers or the bottom line of the company. 

Guess what I'm getting at is free speech needs to be tempered with common sence. 

[Shu]

Guys personal vehicle not the company he works for. He can fly whatever flag he wants. The company he works for can fire him for whatever reason he wants.

I have a guy that works for me with a confederate flag in his back window of his truck. It's his truck not mine. I have nothing to say about it.

[Slowhanddd]

Hell if the Supreme Court can give the right to protest a funeral he should be able to offend them with his flag.Just saying.

[srussell]

free speech is free as long as your willing to pay for it

[Brett]

Guys personal vehicle not the company he works for. He can fly whatever flag he wants. The company he works for can fire him for whatever reason he wants.

I have a guy that works for me with a confederate flag in his back window of his truck. It's his truck not mine. I have nothing to say about it.

Well,, another way to look at it is...  Yes it is his vehicle but he is parking it on your lot.  What image does that flag project to your customers?   If your clientele is primarily southern red neck bikers you may not care.   See what I mean about gray areas. 

[Pat/Rick]

So is a private contractor renting/leasing the parking area from the school district? If so the school district shouldn't have any say IMO. The co. can set its own rules.

[williamlayton]

Within limits P/R.
Blessings

[Shu]

There are lots of gray areas with free speach. There is also alot of non gray areas. I think common sense should prevail. As in if your dumb enough to holler racial slurs on a street corner in Watts, the police will never get there in time to protect your rights.

The guy in my work parking lot is a good worker doesn't cause trouble and hasn't driven away any business. He is originally from Arizona and everyone calls him Cooter. He will go fishing at the drop of hat. He really don't care who goes fishing with him, if there is room in his truck and boat he extends invites, he posts a notice on the bulletin board often. This summer it's gonna be hard to keep him at work but it's his vacation time.