Every so often, like Hollywood has sleeper movies, we get sleeper stories. They may pop up to little fanfare or promotion on the Web site, but something about them appeals to readers who seek them out and nurture them along, gaining other fans along the way.

This was the case with a story that was published Dec. 23 about a Somers teen who was ticketed for giving a state trooper the finger after the trooper pulled the young man over on Route 202. According to reporter Terry Corcoran’s story, the trooper wrote 2 tickets, one for a seatbelt violation and another because the driver didn’t have his license with him. As the teen was driving away, he gave the trooper the finger, at which point the trooper wrote him another ticket for disorderly conduct.

This touched off a lively debate among readers about the actions of the teen and the police officer, whether the disorderly conduct ticket was valid and will stand up in court, and the overall decline in civility and respect that some readers saw as the true problem with the teen’s actions. The discussion has racked up more than 125 comments so far, and posters are still at it. The debate will likely pick back up again after the teen’s appearance in Somers Town Court Jan. 5. Stay tuned for a follow-up. In the meantime, here are some of the comments from readers.

What a punk! It serves him right. You don’t have to like the rules but you must obey them!

I think there’s a little thing called freedom of speech that will come into play here. … It’s not right giving (the cop) the finger, but it’s still too bad for the cop.

I am astonished at some of the comments I read here. … What is wrong with you people? It is considered an offensive gesture because of what it stands for. … We teach our children to respect their elders. … Would you find it acceptable if your children flipped off their teacher? Would you think it’s ok to flip off your boss? Maybe those of you who are managers at work wouldn’t care at all if your employee flipped you off in front of the whole office? You think it would be ok to go to court and flip off the judge or jury because you’re just not in the mood? Maybe your kids could flip you off when they don’t feel like going to bed, that would be OK? … The problem here is that this kid is a punk. He wanted to act like a tough guy and that’s what you get. … The people of this world have lost any sense of decency and respect for one another. When I was a kid if you flipped off a cop you’d be more worried about what your parents would do to you than what the cop would do.

Personally speaking, it’s just plain dumb to challenge a cop. Law or no law. There is no law that says you can’t poke a sleeping bear with a broom stick. But would you? Having said that, some parents do deserve the finger, as well as some teachers, politicians, CEOs and, yes, cops. But kids, if you are listening out there, don’t give a cop the finger. Nothing good will come of it.