Why were two managers at Florida’s Elgin Air Force base criticized for having Duck Dynasty decals on their vehicles? Photo F-35 arriving at Fort Elgin: Wikipedia/US Air Force
Two senior managers (both civilians) at the Elgin Air Force Base in Florida are in trouble with a local government union because of decals on their personal vehicles that read: Ducky Dynasty: I Support Phil.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) which represents some government workers at the base wants the two senior managers fired or at the very least demoted because of their support for Phil.
Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson is a strong Christian and has come under repeated attacks because he does not endorse homosexuality due to his Biblical beliefs. Duck Dynasty is A&E’s popular reality show that follows the Robertson family who own Duck Commander, a duck call manufacturer. Others similarly tried unsuccessfully to have Phil fired from the show because of his views.
Alan Cooper, a VP with the local chapter of AFGE, sent an e-mail to union members stating:
“The BUE (bargaining union employee) was clearly offended and disgusted that a senior management official would display the decal on their pod.”
In an interview with Foxnews, Cooper wondered if the work opportunities of employees under the two managers have been negatively affected due to the views of these two men. There is no evidence to suggest anything like this has happened.
Cooper said in the interview:
“It’s definitely 100 percent inappropriate for an organization that espouses a zero tolerance policy” to condone such activity.
If it’s zero tolerance, it’s zero tolerance for everybody.”
He made that comment in reference to the base’s policy on discrimination.
In an email to Todd Starnes of Foxnews, one of the managers named by the union said:
“I’m pro-family, I’m pro-life. I don’t have a problem with anybody who doesn’t agree with me.”
After the union’s complaint, the base investigated the allegations and decided there was no basis to the complaint and in a statement said it considered the decals as “legally protected speech under the First Amendment.”
It is yet another contradictory effort to shout down differing opinions in the name of “tolerance.”
In the name of tolerance?
Here is Google’s definition of tolerance:
tol·er·ance
/täl(ə)rəns/
noun
1. the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.
By this definition and its actions, the union was anything but “tolerant” about the “differing” opinions of the two managers.
This is the tricky part about judging someone. Jesus said those who are quick to judge are often guilty of exactly the same thing.
The issue is the attitude of superiority that can easily tag along with judging. It is this attitude that blinds us to our own failings and weaknesses and can turn an honest admonishment into judging.
Jesus said:
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? (Matthew 7:1-4 NASV)
Read more:
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