Maurice Bessinger has proudly flown the Confederate Battle Flag over his famous chain of BBQ restaurants for nearly a decade but now he says the poor economy is forcing him to remove the flags due to the rising cost of Dry cleaning! 

   The Confederate Battle Flag will be coming down at his Columbia, SC locations but will remain flying at other restaurants. The South Carolina state flag will remain flying above his Columbia restaurants.  He did indicate that if the economy picks up the flags will return. Mr. Bessinger apparently stated that his decision was in no way an attempt to drum up additional business from those that opposed his Southern patriotism.

Read the article at Slashfood

________________________________________________________________

     Webmaster comment –

     I am fully aware of the many sacrifices that Mr. Bessinger has gone through because of his show of Southern patriotism at his restaurants.  I’m sure these sacrifices have taken a profound financial toll but to take the flag down and blame it on “Dry cleaning” costs is just embarrassing. 

     If it was about dry cleaning costs wouldn’t it make sense to remove ALL of the flags and not just the so-called “politically incorrect” one?  I’ve always admired Maurice’s stand on this matter and am sorely disappointed on his decision to remove the flag.  I hate to admit it but I suspect that Mr. Bessinger’s decision is based more on getting his products back onto the shelves of big box retail stores than his “dry cleaning” bills.

     I humbly ask my readers to let Mr. Bessinger know that we are not happy with his decision to remove the Confederate Battle Flag from his restaurants and would like him to reverse his decision.  You can email Maurice’s BBQ at mail@mauricesbbq.com.

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

For Further Information contact:
Attorney Fred O’Neal
(407) 719-6796

Sons Of Confederate Veterans
Heritage Plate Chairman John Adams
(407) 302-1297

United States District Judge John Antoon II has issued an order that will clear the way for the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) to obtain a specialty license plate from the State of Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
The order, just released by the Federal Middle District Judge, upholds the First Amendment right to have the plate issued by DMV, regardless of the inaction of the Florida Legislature in failing to consider or approve the plate and rules
against DMV’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

The case (Case No. 6:09-cv-134-Orl-28KRS) SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS, FLORIDA DIVISION, INC. JOHN W. ADAMS -vs- JEFFREY H. ATWATER, LARRY CRETUL, ANDY GARDINER, RICHARD GLORIOSO,and ELECTRA THEODORIDES-BUSTLE was filed nearly a year ago following two (2) years of legislative inaction to approve the plate.

"We followed all the procedures, paid the fees required by the state, and did absolutely everything that was required by law and the politicians in the Florida Legislature failed to follow their own statutes. Now it looks like parts or all of those statutes may be stricken by the Federal Court as an unconstitutional infringement of First Amendment rights," stated John Adams, Chairman of the Confederate Heritage Plate Committee of the SCV."

"All Floridians who support the heritage involved with this plate could soon have an opportunity to put this plate on their cars and show the pride they have as Floridians who support our state’s history and heritage," stated Douglas Dawson, SCV Florida Commander.

"Judge Antoon’s order is a huge step forward for our case and the ruling will pave the way for the Confederate Heritage plate to become a reality," stated Attorney Fred O’Neal. "In response to the State’s motion to dismiss, we had to lay all of our cards on the table and present our evidence, which was compelling. The State did the same and the Judge ruled for the Constitution and the Bill of Rights… we’re very pleased with Judge Antoon’s ruling," O’Neal concluded.

Florida’s specialty plate program consists of a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit Florida based organization providing a $60,000 license fee; conducting a survey that requires 30,000 or more Floridians that will purchase the plate (SCV actually
obtained over 45,000); a short-term and long term marketing plan; a financial plan for plate proceeds distribution and an audit of the survey by the Auditor General’s office.

Orlando-based Advantage Consultants was retained to produce all
the components for the proposed plate. Advantage Consultants has produced twenty-five specialty plate’s and maintains a 100% acceptance rate by the DMV and the Auditor-General. Advantage also produced the Martin Luther King "I Have A Dream" plate.

Below is the text of an email sent by Mr. Dewey Barber, founder of Dixie Outfitters, asking for our help in this matter.  Lets all do out part and call or write the folks at the bottom of this email and let them know that we don’t appreciate this decision and want it reversed.

This email has been posted here with permission from Mr. Barber.

Dear Southern Compatriots,

I received the email below from concerned parents. Dixie Outfitters has sent emails to the parties involved, sent free protest bumper stickers to these concerned parents and supplied contact information of support organizations. Please help us stop this discrimination against our children and our heritage by writing, calling or emailing Principal Veita Jackson Carter and Superintendent Dr. W. Daniel Boyd Jr. at the addresses below.

If your emails, letters and calls do not change the minds of the school administrators we are prepared to support marches, protests/rallies and engage the media to end this blatant discrimination against our Southern children.

Dear Mr. Dewey Barber,

My name is Terri Sneed and I am writing this letter in regards to a meeting that JoAnne Justice and myself held on 8/28/09 at Hawthorne Jr./Sr. High School in Hawthorne Florida.

The morning of 8/28/09 I received a phone call from Hawthorne Jr./Sr. High School. They called to inform me that my children needed to be picked up or that I was to bring a change of clothes to them so they could continue their day at school. Due to the fact that my children have nothing that is not permitted in our dress code, I immediately asked what they wore to school that was not appropriate for our schools attire. Libby Hartwell (V.P.) informed me that the shirts my son has been wearing for 6 years was not appropriate attire and the same for my daughter that has been wearing hers just as long. That same morning I find out that JoAnne Justice has also been called to pick up her child that has also been wearing the same shirts for many years. Much to our surprise we find out that many other children have been forced to remove their shirts, to turn them inside out or to be sent home if they had these shirts on.  We are totally appalled at what is taking place. Can they take from us our heritage?

This is who we are!!!! The Confederate flag has been in our home-town and our school for as many years as I can remember.

When we meet with the Principal Veita Jackson Carter, M.E.D- P, Vice
Principal Libby Hartwell and the Dean Laura Green I specifically asked them all if there has ever been an issue, fight or controversy over these shirts being worn. The answer was NO.

We live in a small town where these children black and white have grown up together from Pre-K to 12th grade. Everyone knows everyone and NEVER has there been an issue with the Confederate flag. When I asked WHY these children could no longer wear their shirts their only response was that it offended them. Not that it offended the children but it offended them.

Politely they were handed the information that you made available to us. We figured that since they were new to our school that maybe they were ignorant to what the Confederate flag stands for. So I asked that the information be read aloud so everyone could get a "Short History Lesson". They informed us after reading the article that their minds were made up and that they rule the school. Last to my knowledge we pay their salary and the History books can not be changed.

Personally, I think it is a true sign of ignorance as to what the Confederate flag stands for. It truly disturbs me to think that there is one person that can change the lifestyle of many. Taking from our children who they are and what they stand for. Proud to live in the South, black and white. In our town it has never been a racial thing and my question is why make it one now?

I hope that there is something that maybe you can do to stand behind us as parents that mean no harm to anyone but wanting to stand up for the rights of our children and what they believe in. Thank you for your time and hope to hear from you soon.

Truly yours

Terri Sneed

Here is some of the information that we have found for the school and school board:

Superintendent:

Dr. W. Daniel Boyd Jr.
supt@gm.sbac.edu
352-955-7880

Deputy Superintendent:

Sandy Hollinger
hollinsh@gm.sbac.edu
352-955-7880

Principal:

Veita Jackson Carter, M.E.D-P
jacksovl@gm.sbac.edu
352-481-1900
FAX 352-481-4859

Vice Principal:

Libby Hartwell
hartwelles@gm.sbac.edu
352-481-1900

High School Dean:

Laura Green
352-481-1900

School Board of Alachua County
Kirby Smith Administrative Center
620 East University Avenue
Gainesville, Florida 3601-5498

Hawthorne Jr./Sr. High School
P.O.Box 40
Hawthorne, Florida 32640

The email below was written by Mr. Bill Hinson and distributed via email.  I just wanted to make sure my readers were aware of Mr. Rucker’s feelings regarding the Confederate Flag.  This “country music artist” is very popular with the Nashville crowd right now but I know he won’t be getting a cent of my money and I hope my readers will feel the same way!

How soon we forget!

Hootie and the Blowfish (Darius Rucker)

In the article below you will read about Hootie and the Blowfish protesting the Confederate flag in SC.

Remember and never forget that Hootie and the Blowfish’s lead singer at that time was none other than Darius Rucker who now is a recording artist in country music.   Rucker has had three number one hits this past year (2009).  The songs are:  "Don’t think I don’t think about it," "It want be like this for long," and "Alright."

Please pass this information on and on we must spread the word and remind people that Rucker is against your heritage!

If you are your children or grandchildren buy his music, you and them are helping make this guy rich!  Again please spread the word about Rucker.

He is trying to sneak in under the radar!  It won’t work, not on my radar gun; I am one who never forgets!!!

Pass it on!!!

Bill Hinson

Below is the article and the lyrics to Rucker’s hate song

Here is the link to the story involving Mr. Rucker participating in a march against the Confederate Flag in South Carolina.

Darius Rucker marches to protest the Confederate Flag

Darius Rucker as Hootie of Hootie and the Blowfish in the 1998 album Cracked Rear View lamenting the South Carolina Flag.

Drowning lyrics

Trouble with the world is we’re too busy to think about it, all right
Why is there a rebel flag hanging from the state house walls?
Tired of hearin’ this shit about heritage not hate
Time to make the world a better place

Why must we hate one another?
Well no matter what we gotta live together
Just that you don’t look like me, tell me what do you see
When we pass on the street what do you wanna see

P.E.’s coming is all I gotta say
Wanna turn and run away
They’re just telling you how they see it
Right or wrong they don’t care, you wish that they would quit

[chorus:]

Drowning in a sea of tears
Hatred trying to hide your fears
Living only for yourself
Hating everybody else
Cause they don’t look like you
Nanci singing it’s a hard life wherever you go
About some fat racist living in Chicago
Trying to teach his kids to hate everyone
Well tell me why is that something you wanna teach your son?
Why must we hate one another?
When the people in the church, they tell me you’re my brother
You don’t walk like me; you don’t talk like me, saying
Go back to Africa, I just don’t understand

[chorus]

I’m trying to be someone that he could look up to, but
When I walk down the street, tell me what do you see
I’m a man, I’m a man, I’m a man
No I’m not like you
Why do you hate me so
I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know
Hating everybody else cause they don’t look like you.

Lyrics Submitted by:  Compatriot Greg Stewart

It seems that a gentleman living in has Brooklyn decided to hang a novelty Confederate flag from the balcony of his 16^th floor apartment. The man who would only give the name of “Mike” has done this because he says he opposes “Political Correctness”. Mike was quoted as saying, “People who are politically correct don’t agree with that flag – It’s my one-man protest. The left likes to say they celebrate diversity, I guess that’s what I’m doing.”

“Mike insists that when he hung the Confederate flag more than a year ago, he wasn’t trying to promote racist views, but merely to show support for Southern heritage and values in a hotbed of Yankee liberalism”

According to the original article, his Yankee neighbors are none too pleased with his actions. One resident of his apartment building had the following to say.

“I want to stay far away from those people [who have Confederate flags],” said one resident of the Towers who requested anonymity. “We’re free to fly any flag we want, but I’m not crazy about it. We won the war. You should fly the American flag. It makes me feel angry and extremely uncomfortable,”

Isn’t that just like a Yankee to tell a Southerner or someone who loves the Confederate Flag what to think and do? I guess 148 years hasn’t changed their demeanor much.

Mike countered that sentiment by saying “I see other flags flying, so if they fly their flags, I’m going to fly my flag,”

It is unfortunate that Mike chose a novelty flag to display from his apartment building instead of the real Battle Flag. I am sure we could find him a proper Confederate flag to fly from his apartment building instead of some cheap nylon thing with a football mascot on it but unfortunately he didn’t give his last name or Contact info but I’m sure glad he’s making his statement! Kudos Mike, keep that flag flying and Deo Vindice!

Webmaster – GoodOldRebel.com

     The organization had previously been granted approval by the county’s superintendant of schools to distribute the literature and had paid for its publication out of their own funds.  The Superintendant then reneged on his approval and refused to allow the distribution of the educational brochure after they had already been delivered to the schools.  His reason for not allowing their dispersal was they were “Covered in religious symbols”.  The Board of Education also has refused to refund the organization the money it has spent to have the brochures printed.

     I can only guess that by the Superintendant’s statement that the brochure was “Covered in religious symbols” that he must have meant the pictures of the flags themselves.  Most Confederate flags contain Christian imagery! Examples of this are the famous Saint Andrew’s Cross of the Battle flag of Northern Virginia and the Roman Crosses of the Missouri Battle Flag and the flag of the 3rd Kentucky Mounted Infantry. These flags contain Christian Imagery because they are indeed Christian Flags and were carried by the armies of a nation that had declared itself to be a “Christian Nation”! The symbols were placed upon its flags to emphasize that they were fighting against what they saw as the invasion of a Godless and heathenistic Federal army that sought to impose its will upon the South.  You might have noticed by the distinct lack of God in our schools today that they unfortunately were not successful.

                                            Missouri Battle Flag

3rd Kentucky Mounted Infantry

     It is absolutely ludicrous that the Superintendant of Schools would deny the education of the counties children on this basis.  It is no different from him refusing to educate children about art history because some of the paintings contain religious imagery.  This whole thing smacks of someone looking for any conceivable excuse to back out of something they had already agreed to do.

I implore you to contact the School Board of Allegany County Maryland to let them know your opinion on this travesty of justice. 

Contact Information

Superintendant David A. Cox can be reached at 301-759-2000 or by emailing him at ”david.cox@acps.k12.md.us”.

by Kristin Harty
Cumberland Times-News

Click here for original article

CUMBERLAND — A brochure explaining the history of the Confederate flag never made it into the hands of Allegany County students last spring, but racial tension wasn’t the overtly stated reason.

The glossy brochure, produced by Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization, includes a rendering of the Christian cross and a depiction of St. Andrew, who, the brochure says, “was crucified by the Romans on an ‘X’ shaped cross for being Christian. The St. Andrews Cross is in the pattern for many Confederate flags.”

Ed Taylor, president of the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization, said he received the go-ahead last March from school officials to distribute the brochure, which includes color renderings of four versions of the flag, including the most widely recognized “Confederate Battle Flag.”

But in April, after 1,800 brochures had been printed and delivered to two middle schools, Superintendent Bill AuMiller changed his mind.

Allegany County schools made national headlines in 2008 after a number of racial incidents led Fort Hill High School’s principal to ban wearing or displaying the Confederate flag on school property. Groups of concerned citizens formed on both sides of the issue.

“I was told they were just putting out factual information about the war,” AuMiller said Tuesday night, just hours after a closed Board of Education hearing when Taylor appealed the decision. A board policy stipulates that the superintendent has the authority to review all printed materials distributed for free at schools.

‘When it came out, there were some misrepresentations — some political messages and religious symbols,” said AuMiller, who gave preliminary approval for Taylor’s project before the brochures were printed. “That’s where I had a problem with it.”

The board didn’t rule on the matter Tuesday, but will likely make a decision in the coming weeks, said Karen Treber, vice president. AuMiller, who retires at the end of this month, will be replaced July 1 by David Cox.

Regardless of who’s in charge, Taylor doesn’t plan to let the matter rest. During Tuesday’s hearing, he asked the board to allow him to distribute fliers for the next five years on behalf of the cemetery organization, which has built hundreds of monuments for Confederate soldiers who had no grave stones.

“I’m tired of hearing that these soldiers fought for slavery,” said Taylor, who said he spent about $420 of his own money to print the brochures, He wants his money back.

“We’re considering appealing it to the state board of education,” he said.
During the closed hearing, from which the public and press were barred, concerns about racial tensions weren’t explicitly stated, Taylor said.

But later, during the public comment period of the board’s regular meeting, one citizen spoke his mind.

“I thought we had put this matter to rest. Obviously, we haven’t,” said Robin Wood, who was among concerned citizens who responded in 2008 after Confederate flags were used for racial intimidation at Fort Hill High School. His group asked the board to ban the wearing or displaying of the Confederate flag across the school system, but that request was denied.

On the back of Taylor’s flier is a disclaimer: “The Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization condemns any individual or organization that uses these historic American flags to intimidate or participate in racially discriminatory practices.”

Inside, a portion reads: “During the first half of the 20th Century the Confederate Flag enjoyed renewed popularity.”

“This is misleading,” Wood said. “That flag was used for the intimidation of African Americans who were out there trying to enjoy their constitutional rights. … I don’t think at this particular time, with the problems we have in our community, that we need to have a public issue right now with the Confederate flag.”

Webmaster Comment –

Please write or call the new Superintendant of Schools for Allegany County Mr. David Cox in support of allowing this brochure to be distributed.  The children of today must be educated on the true meaning of the Confederate flag if we are ever to make any progress in restoring it’s image.  Superintendant Cox can be reached at 301-759-2000 or by emailing him at ”david.cox@acps.k12.md.us”.

Confederate Memorial in Arlington Cemetery

By Marjorie Korn

The Dallas Morning News

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will send a wreath to the Confederate Memorial at Arlington Cemetery on Memorial Day, rebuffing a petition from academics urging him to cease the decades-old tradition.

The petition, organized by Dallas-based historian Edward Sebesta, says signers want to end the glorification of the Civil War and recognize the Confederacy’s links to slavery.

"(The tradition) legitimizes the Confederacy, so the loss of this wreath would convert this monument into a relic," Sebesta said.

Arlington National Cemetery confirmed Saturday that the Obama administration will send a wreath to the Confederate Memorial, among other monuments at the national burial ground, a tradition set by President Woodrow Wilson and continued by presidents since.

Sebesta, an editor of the book "Neo-Confederacy: A Critical Introduction," said the petition had 66 signatures when he sent it to the White House on Friday. The White House did not confirm that it was aware of the petition.

Sebesta said that news of Obama’s decision is "very disappointing" but that the president still had time to reconsider. Should Obama send a wreath this year, Sebesta said, he will resubmit the petition next year, and he hopes to garner 500 signatures by then.

Among the signers are James McPherson, a prominent Civil War historian at Princeton University, and Bill Ayers, an education professor at the University of Illinois made famous by his involvement with the radical group the Weathermen in the 1960s.

Jane Durden, president general of the United Daughters of the Confederacy — the group that erected and maintains the monument — said the controversy over the wreath reflects a misunderstanding that the Civil War was a defense of slavery rather than a patriotic call to arms.

"I am not totally shocked, and it’s not just with Obama, but with a lot of the American public," Durden said. "This is a very controversial subject — we realize that. But all we ask is: I respect your views on things and I expect the same in return."

The potential symbolism of the nation’s first black president withholding the wreath was not lost on the participating academics. Conversely, some, like Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights advocacy group, believe neo-Confederates will be invigorated if Obama doesn’t break with history.

"Should Obama send the wreath, it very likely would give a kind of shot in the arm to the neo-Confederate movements," Potok said.

Kirk Savage, an art history professor at the University of Pittsburgh who wrote a column in The Washington Post on the issue, said he never expected Obama to buck the trend.

"It would be a really big statement not to," Savage said. "It’s one thing to start a tradition, and it’s another thing to stop it."

Webmaster’s Comment: 

 I’m glad Obama had the courage to do what is right in this case.  I don’t see how anyone could think that continuing to honor brave Confederate Soldiers who steadfastly served their cause could give “Neo-Confederates” a shot in the arm.  Some things go beyond politics and honoring dead patriots who served honorably is one of them. 

Webmaster – GoodOldRebel.com

    Arthur Dowdell, the Auburn, Alabama city councilman who desecrated the graves of Confederate veterans has made an apology regarding his actions to the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.  While this does nothing at all to excuse his actions and is probably disingenuous at best, it does represent a small victory for the defense of Southern Heritage. The following letter was placed on the SCV’s blog.  The original post can be found by clicking here.

Compatriots,

     I am sure that by now you have all heard of the Heritage Violation that happened on the 23rd of April at Pine Hill Cemetery located in Auburn, Alabama. On this day, Auburn City Councilman Arthur Dowdell entered the cemetery and stole four Confederate “Memorial” flags(reportedly) from the graves of Confederate Veterans. These flags had been placed by the Semmes Chapter of the UDC in Auburn in preparation for their upcoming Memorial service the following Sunday. This act of lawlessness was witnessed by a local historian and UDC member Mrs.. Mary Norman. There were many reports of this incident in the local news and across the AP.

     The City Council in Auburn held their regular meeting on Tuesday the5th of May at 7pm. The Army of Tennessee and Alabama Division were very well represented at this council meeting. Present were myself, AoT Commander Kelly Barrow, AoT Councilman and Division 1st Lt.Commander Tom Strain, SEC Brigade Commander Larry Warren, SWC Brigade Commander Joe Clark, NWC Brigade Commander Allan Koester, Past Division Commanders Wilson and Simmons, Tallassee Camp Commander Randall Hughey, Auburn Camp Commander Jerry Purcel, Florida Division 1st Lt Commander Bob Hurst and forty plus fellow SCV members.

     The evening began with the opening of the meeting room, where we occupied the front row and most of the center section of the seating. The Mayor then made a statement. In it he said: “Let me be clear, the issue here is not about race, the symbolism of the flag, or the City’s cemetery policies; it is about the removal of private property from a private grave.” He further stated “I want to assure the Daughter’s that I will not support any Council action limiting anyone’s right to honor their loved ones by placing flags on a grave.” They then altered the agenda to allow them to bring forward a resolution concerning Dowdell’s actions.

Councilman Bob Norman issued the following statement and resolution:

“Statement: By his own admission, Councilman Arthur Dowdell entered Pine Hill Cemetery on April 23rd and removed confederate flags from private burial plots. He was quoted as saying “This will never happen again as long as I’m on the city council.” This is a passionate issue. There is no doubt that Mr. Dowdell is offended by the battle flag of the confederacy, and the appropriateness of its use is open to debate. The way councilman Dowdell chose to enter the debate is inappropriate and beneath the office of city councilman. His actions were inexcusable and have done nothing to help people on either side of this issue find common ground. They have stirred up old hatreds and created embarrassment and and controversy for the city he represents. The bottom line is that those graves are private property, the placing of flags as memorials are expressions of free speech and Mr.Dowdell had no right to remove them.

The fact that Mr. Dowdell invoked his position as a city councilman demands that the city council speak to the issue. Therefore the following is offered as a resolution by the Auburn city council:

Whereas, by his own admission, Councilman Arthur Dowdell entered Pine Hill Cemetery on April 23rd and removed confederate flags from private burial plots; and

Whereas, Councilman Dowdell invoked his position as a city councilman by saying “This will never happen again as long as I’m on the city council;” and
Whereas, the foregoing action was inappropriate and beneath the office of a city councilman;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Auburn City Council condemns the actions taken by the Councilman Dowdell, and urges him to make a public apology to the citizens of Auburn, and to pledge that thenceforth he will respect the private property and free speech rights of all citizens.”

     This Resolution passed with one vote against by Dowdell. The Council then opened the floor for comment from Auburn citizens. A slight majority of these were those brought in by Dowdell, and they were in favor of him. There were also a number of citizens who took strong exception to his actions. The floor was then opened to speakers from outside Auburn. Randall Hughey was the first on our desired lineup, and he did an excellent job. Auburn Camp Commander Jerry Purcel (who lives outside the city limits) was next and did a fine job as well. The selection was not by sign up, but by recognition from the Mayor. Good points were made by a number of speakers and those opposed to Dowdell were the vast majority of those given.

     When it became evident that almost everyone present would be coming up to the microphone, it was decided that the public comments would be saved until the end of the meeting. The regular business of the Council was covered in a very few minutes and we returned to public comment. Just over half of the comments were given in this second session. To the council’s credit they patiently listened to the comments being made and gave everyone a chance to speak. After the public comments session, Dowdell gave his statement in which he publicly apologized to the UDC and the SCV. He excused his actions due to “ignorancy” on his part, and noted that he contacted the City Manager and Mayor about the flags and that they did not know anything about them. He said the Mayor did know there was a program planned for Sunday.

     Dowdell’s claims of ignorance appeared to be very well founded, though I will certainly not attest to his sense of honesty. The issue here though is that ignorance of the law is not an excuse for lawless behavior. As a closing comment, Councilman Robin Kelley was visibly shaken when he stated that

     Dowdell “Broke the law, and desecrated graves, end of discussion” in the removal of the flags. He further chastised Dowdell for not calling him, since it was in his ward. He explained that he lived near the cemetery and knew exactly what the flags were for. Kelley stated that Dowdell would be highly unappreciative of his taking action in Dowdell’s ward without first informing Dowdell.

Kelley then called for the meeting to adjourn.

In the end what was achieved:

1. A statement by the Mayor that Dowdell removed private property from private grave plots.

2. A statement by the Mayor that he “will not support any Council action limiting anyone’s right to honor their loved ones by placing flags on a grave.”

3. A statement by Councilman Bob Norman and the city council that Dowdell removed (stole) private property and did so as a city councilman.

4. A Resolution that the City Council condemned the actions taken by Dowdell and urged him to make an apology.

5. An apology from Dowdell to the UDC and the SCV.

6. A statement from Councilman Kelly that Dowdell “Broke the law, and desecrated graves, end of discussion”.

     At this point Dowdell appears as he is, an ignorant self righteous and self serving thug who took the law into his own hands, and has been thoroughly chastised by us and the City Council.

     Compatriots, there is no way for the Alabama Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans to pursue a criminal suit against Councilman Dowdell because we do not have a witness willing to step forward to sign the arrest warrant and that no one has produced a list of the graves that were vandalized. We are unable to proceed any further in this case.

I     t is also very clear that if we push this issue, we will possibly turn Councilman Dowdell into a martyr, and gentlemen this is exactly what he wants and needs at this point. In closing, this is clearly a victory for the Army of Tennessee and Alabama Division. We went to Auburn, showed up in numbers, represented the Division and SCV in a very honorable fashion, and left knowing that the City Council and Mayor’s office are clearly upset with Councilman Dowdell’s actions.

     I would like to personally thank all of those involved who assisted the Alabama Division by following the Charge as set forth by General S.D. Lee to the Sons of Confederate Veterans in 1906.

Deo Vindice,

Robert C. Reames
Alabama Division Commander
Sons of Confederate Veterans