Free Republic

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Leaders of the Sons of Confederate Veterans backed off plans for a campaign against the state's largest utility Friday, saying they are satisfied for now with the company's rebel flag policies."I am guardedly optimistic about our future relations with big business in South Carolina," said Don Gordon, a local leader of the group, said during a news conference outside the downtown headquarters of Scana Corp.A newspaper report last week said Scana, parent company of South Carolina Electric & Gas, had prohibited employees from parking cars with Confederate emblems on company property. It also reportedly barred them...

SCANA IS A private business, and can do what it wants, within limits. Since it is granted a monopoly in its service region, there are certain areas in which the public has a vital interest in its policies -- rates, bus fares, the Lake Murray dam all come to mind. But when it comes to setting internal policy as to what sort of political expressions are deemed appropriate on company property, that's SCANA's business. The company can discourage Confederate flags in its parking lot or not. That's up to SCANA. Somebody needs to tell Sen. Glenn McConnell that. The Senate...

SCANA officials are clarifying their position on the Confederate flag, even as Maurice Bessinger fires another volley against the company's policies. A press released issued by SCANA Wednesday says the company has never banned the Confederate flag, or issued a ruling telling employees not to eat at certain restaurants. CEO Bill Timmerman says the company's Code of Conduct tries to prevent divisive symbols which may harass other employees. Timmerman says as long as it's meant as heritage it would be okay for an employee to display a Confederate emblem while at work. He also says employees can eat at Maurice...

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A handful of Confederate flag supporters picketed outside South Carolina Electric & Gas headquarters yesterday to protest a flag-ban policy by the utility's parent company."To me, it is a symbol — an international symbol — of resistance to government tyranny," said 64-year-old Frank Abernathy, who stood on the downtown street corner with a large Confederate flag waving over his shoulder.The protest came after The State newspaper reported last week that Scana Corp., the state's largest utility and owner of SCE&G, had warned employees not to bring Confederate flag paraphernalia onto company property. Scana also said employees could...

Who is really trampling on free speech? Is it a private company that tries to limit its association with a particular viewpoint? Or is it a lawmaker who tries to marshal the power of the state to punish the corporation for its policy? SCANA, the parent company of South Carolina Electric and Gas announced a policy last week aimed to ensure that the company is not associated with certain viewpoints. SCANA employees are prohibited from displaying the Confederate flag on their vehicles while on company property. They are also prohibited from parking company vehicles in the parking lots of Maurice...

Sen. Glenn McConnell wants Legislature to punish the company By JOHN MONK Staff Writer SCANA's flag policy draws fire The complete, unedited text of Sen. Glenn McConnell's letter is on Page B2. Angered by SCANA's new policy prohibiting employees from displaying Confederate flag bumper stickers in company parking lots, South Carolina's top state senator said Friday he wants to strip the company of state contracts and allow other utilities to compete with it. Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, the Senate president pro tem, said he would propose legislation to do so - if the company does not reverse course. "People around...

Angered by SCANA's new policy prohibiting employees from displaying Confederate flag bumper stickers in company parking lots, South Carolina's top state senator said Friday he wants to strip the company of state contracts and allow other utilities to compete with it. Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, the Senate president pro tem, said he would propose legislation to do so - if the company does not reverse course. "People around the state are just outraged at the audacity of those people," said McConnell, who is known for his ability to kill or pass laws. If SCANA and its subsidiary S.C. Electric &...

Posted on Thu, Aug. 15, 2002 Scana bans Confederate flag from company property COLUMBIA, S.C. - Scana Corp. employees have been told to keep Confederate flag paraphernalia off company property. South Carolina's largest utility also has ordered employees not to drive company vehicles to Maurice Bessinger's barbecue restaurants, The (Columbia) State reported Thursday. Bessinger has been an outspoken Confederate flag supporter. "Both the flag and Maurice Bessinger are divisive issues," said Scana spokeswoman Cathy Love. "For us to continue to be successful, we must have healthy, collaborative relationships with customers and co-workers. Divisive activities that disrupt harmony in the workplace...