Pushing Buttons
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A former cashier for The Home Depot who has been wearing a "One nation under God" button on his work apron for more than a year has been fired, he says because of the religious reference. The company claims that expressing such personal beliefs is simply not allowed.
"I've worn it for well over a year and I support my country and God," Trevor Keezor said Tuesday. "I was just doing what I think every American should do, just love my country."
The American flag button Keezer wore in the Florida store since March 2008 says "One nation under God, indivisible."
Earlier this month, he began bringing a Bible to read during his lunch break at the store in the rural town of Okeechobee, about 140 miles north of Miami. That's when he says The Home Depot management told him he would have to remove the button.
Keezer refused, and he was fired on Oct. 23, he said.
I would guess that the company's objection stemmed from Keezer bringing a Bible to work ("This associate chose to wear a button that expressed his religious beliefs. The issue is not whether or not we agree with the message on the button," [Home Depot spokesman] Craig Fishel said). He could have pinned a dollar bill on his chest with no problem (God's on our money, ya know). He could have worn a flag pin. But bringing the he Bible was a signal that Keezer's button was more about religion than politics (the "Under God" phrase was added to the Pledge of Allegiance under Eisenhower, so it does have political roots).
I guess he could always work at Chick-fil-A.
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