Bazz's North Carolina Adventure

Most of us by now have heard about how our own camp adjutant, Bazz Childress, was arrested at the national SCV convention this past July for the heinous crime of displaying a Battle Flag in his motel window just prior to the scheduled Kentucky Soiree’. The motel owner was quite insistent that—despite anything addressing such in the contract - he could dictate such terms as flag removal and insist upon arrest for criminal trespass if his edicts were not obeyed. Bazz, having quite a bit of familiarity with contract law and the legal system in his job as bank asset manager, played along perfectly. He politely (and with the support of dozens of SCV members who gathered quickly on the scene) and repeatedly refused to furl the colors, forcing the issue. He was eventually, politely and briefly arrested by Concord, North Carolina’s finest and a court date set. At that first court date the owner of the motel failed to show, forcing the prosecutor to ask for another date which was set for Tuesday of last week. At that hearing the owner of the motel again failed to appear, forcing the prosecutor to move for dismissal. Southerners have grown used to this type of false intimidation by bullies with little nerve to back up their actions. Their bigoted behavior won’t stop, though, until they are forced to pay a high enough price. One aspect of the law is that if one wants to seek a civil remedy to a situation, any criminal matters arising from it must be decided in one’s favor. A dismissal is certainly getting a decision in one’s favor. The leadership and legal minds of the SCV are looking hard at this case as to what the best options are. The Kentucky division certainly has a history of making legal history in preserving the rights of Southerners. First Castorina, then Duty, maybe soon to add Childress? If that is going to happen, it will take finances (as it did in Castorina and Duty). If you would like to help make it happen, send your financial support to Kentucky Division Adjutant Dr. William Wells, 1443 SR 1124, Mayfield, KY 42066.