Air Force Employees Under Fire for Duck Dynasty Bumper Sticker?

A union representing federal employees at Eglin Air Force base in Florida is demanding two senior civilian management officials be fired because of, “I support Phil,” decals on their personal trucks supporting Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson.

According to Fox News, Alan Cooper, the executive vice president of the local American Federation of Government Employees chapter said, “Phil Robertson has made disparaging remarks against a vast array of people, which created a firestorm in the media in the recent past. The [employee] was clearly offended and disgusted that a senior management official would display the decal on their [base]. These two particular individuals have a great amount of influence over individuals who may be gay, who may be African-American – and we have a concern they should not be in a position to exert that influence when it comes to promotions.”

Copper was referring to comments Robertson made in GQ magazine last year about homosexuality and his experiences in the South pre-Civil Rights. Cooper told Fox News “I don’t know how long these individuals harbored these views – could they have impacted employment opportunities for folks that have been disparaged by the likes of a Phil Robertson.”

Fox News spoke with one of the individuals being targeted by the government union. “My intent was not to offend anybody,” said the individual who wanted to remain anonymous. “My intent was to support the show and to show support for his Christian values. I see the email that went out accusing me and my boss of being racist. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. I’m pro-family. I’m pro-life. I don’t have a problem with anybody who doesn’t agree with me.”

He went on to say he has absolutely no plans to remove the decal from his truck. “I’m not taking it off. If they want to make me retire early that’s what I’ll do. But I’m not backing down.” He said it’s a First Amendment issue and there are plenty of vehicles on the base plastered with all sorts of stickers. “I disagree with 90 percent of what our Commander in Chief believes in, but I’m not asking anyone to take (an Obama decal) off their vehicle.”

Andy Bourland, director of public affairs at the military base, said, “Brigadier General Dave Harris is not taking any action against the individual as the display of such a bumper sticker is considered legally protected speech under the First Amendment.” The Air Force investigated the claims made by the union and determined that the two civilian workers were well within their rights to support Duck Dynasty.

Fortunately, this ended well, but this is a warning shot to people of faith. If you dare to express your Christian faith and values the Left will try to shut you down. Thank God these two men stood up for their rights. Will you?