NJ Transit Fires Koran Burner

The man who ripped out pages of the Koran and burned them during the 9/11 protest at Ground Zero has been fired by his employer, NJ Transit. The incident was posted on YouTube and aired on television around the world.

NJ Transit said that Derek Fenton's "public actions" violated its code of ethics and that he “violated his trust as a state employee.” It was not clear that Fenton was terminated because of his actions on Saturday. The NJ Transit statement indicated that he was fired on Monday.In response to questions from NewsCore Tuesday, NJ Transit released a statement saying: “Derek Fenton was terminated on September 13, 2010 from his employment at NJ TRANSIT. An at-will employee, Mr. Fenton’s public actions violated New Jersey Transit’s code of ethics." It continued: "NJ TRANSIT concluded that Mr. Fenton violated his trust as a state employee and therefore was dismissed.”

Here's the clip.

Penn Station Shut Down

If you're traveling via Amtrak today, be advised that Amtrak and NJ Transit have temporarily suspended service to Penn Station due to an electrical problem. Check Twitter for updates. At the moment it looks like some trains are returning to New Jersey because they can't enter Penn. What a mess. Expect delays to ripple up and down the east coast all day.

UPDATE: The AP has issued a bulletin:

Amtrak power problems have halted trains and stranded commuters in and out of New York City. NJ Transit spokesman Dan Stessel said the low-voltage problem halted Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line and Midtown Direct trains into and out of New York's Penn Station. Some trains are stranded just outside Penn Station and others are stuck between Newark and New York City. Stessel said there is enough electricity to power the lights and heat on the trains, but not the engines. PATH trains and Port Authority buses are honoring NJ Transit rail passes.