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Frank Blake just blew it.

Before we focus on the management screw-up at The Home Depot, which some may perceive as a premeditated mortal sin, some background.

Blake, CEO of the Atlanta based corporate giant, has worked hard to keep the world's largest home improvement retailer going in what has been a difficult economy. Dramatically affected by the housing market downturn, The Home Depot business scorecard reflects Blake's struggle.

Here's Home Depot's second-quarter numbers:

Reported revenue at $19.1 Billion was down 9.1 percent. Net earnings reported as $756 Million was down almost one-third year to year. In the all important retail business measure of same-store sales, Home Depot operating performance was down 6.9 percent. Given the economic environment, the numbers could be worse -- much worse.

Blake's statements about business results seem reasonable and reflect the market reality since his ascension, in January 2007, to the duel posts as Home Depot Chairman and CEO. His comments include: "Concerns about the housing market, rising unemployment and softness in the overall economy continue to pressure consumers. Our business performed well in a down market, we captured market share and drove operating productivity."

Blake has been smart to also cite Home Depot employee efforts. "I want to thank our associates for their hard work in an incredibly tough environment. Their passion and focus on customer service are our strongest competitive advantage."

That's true, as anyone who has been frequent Home Depot customer knows.

So, if Blake meant what he has said, how did Frank Blake blow it?

Let's frame the situation for you.

Home Depot is headquartered in Atlanta. The site of the management screw-up is store #6878 located 535 miles south in Okeechobee, FL. For corporate apologists and those prone to rationalize, we understand: out of state -- out of sight -- out of mind.

Still, there are no acceptable excuses for this Home Depot policy and Blake's permitted management practices.

In a nutshell, here's what unfolded:

Trevor Keezer started working at Home Depot to "earn money for college". His goal: "go to school to become a nurse." Keezer says "for 19 months ever since he started working as a cashier he's worn a button with an American flag on it that reads: "One nation under God, indivisible."

Readers will recognize the quotation from our country's Pledge of Allegiance.

Keezer sees it as "his way of supporting American troops" -- his older brother Steven soon deploys to Iraq for a second tour of duty -- "and expressing his Christian faith".

Keezer says "none of his managers mentioned the button on his Home Depot apron, except one supervisor who commented she liked it."

But, then, last month, when he started bringing his Bible to work (to read during his break periods) his manager confronted him - about the button. "That's when I was told it had to come off, or I would be sent home."

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