The University of Oregon has reportedly ordered an employee to remove a “Support Our Troops” magnet from his maintenance vehicle because it’s a “political statement” in violation of school policy. KEZI News reports:

“I don’t know how they think these are political. I think they’re patriotic,” said Pete Baker, U of O delivery driver. Pete Baker has had the stickers on his work truck for months. Friday, a university employee complained. Now the stickers are gone. “I’m not Democratic or Republican and I was really surprised the university deemed them to be political,” said Baker.

Hat tip: Kevin McCullough.

So much for “diversity,” says Jordan Golson.

Seems elitists on the Left have a big problem with the magnets. Mudville Gazette took the whiners down here. And Cdr. Salamander rips them here.

He posts a photo of the kind of “Support Our Troops” statements the Left prefers:

How patriotic.

Update: Reader Tammy Clifton writes in from southern California…

Recently, a similar incident happened to me while I
was pet-sitting for a friend in West Hollywood.

As I approached my car one morning, I notice that my
magnetic yellow “Freedom: Thank A Soldier” ribbon was
missing.

Upon further inspection however, I noticed the ribbon
had only been moved…

…onto my gas tank.

Hardy Har Har. Yes folks, it’s indeed all about the
oil.

I thought to myself “Well, wasn’t that a lovely
gesture of support”. Especially when you consider
that, in addition to the ribbon, I also have a “U.S.
Navy Veteran” sticker on my back window.

I personally find the left’s recent attempts at
disguising their well-known history of absolute
contempt for our military, pathetic and laughable. As
a former liberal, I can speak from experience about
the “Hate America First” mindset. More close to
brainwashing if you ask me. But I digress.

Like many Americans, 9/11 was my wake-up call.

And reader James Saker does some investigating of the University of Oregon’s endorsements and subisides of anti-war efforts…

I thought I’d pass this along. The Univ. of Oregon’s position on the “Support the Troops” sticker is one of presumed neutrality on political issues.
However, they appear to have no difficulty providing university resources for
anti-war efforts.

For instance, this UO server is used to not only express student opinions
against the war, but also as an organizing anti-war activities:

The root page of the server indicates it is a University resource. (Note the film night event, held “every Thursday” on the UO campus).

Another example is an anti-war choral work composed by UO School of Music’s
Robert Kyr, explained (and presumably composed and reviewed) on “>this UO resource.

Even the UO faculty have apparently used their own governance body, the
Faculty Senate, to express their opinion against the Iraq war:

Faculty senates use salaried faculty member time, university facilities and
other university properties in their operation. According to the UO faculty
member cited in the article, such expression at academic institutions must be
permitted: as “a proud research institution must defend its right to free
inquiry.”

Apparently this rule only applies when one’s opinion is against the Bush administration’s policy.

Excellent sleuthing, James, and right on target.

Update II: The university is in full CYA mode and has responded to several bloggers’ complaints. John Bambenek posts the e-mails he received here (and scroll down), which cites state regulations forbidding any personal stickers on government vehicles. The problem with the administration’s explanation, of course, is that it doesn’t address why the employee who had been driving around with the sticker for months was only ordered last week to remove it after another employee complained. Not political? Hmmm.