Unofficial Voice of the Utah Senate Majority
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Wednesday, February 13, 2008Statement from Senator Chris Buttars
This is the statement no elected official wants to make, but I made a mistake and owe the Senate and the people of Utah an apology. Yesterday in discussion on the Equalization Bill, I made a comment which could reasonably be understood as offensive. It was a dreadful choice of words and I recognize that my words were damaging. I want to thank Senator Romero for speaking out immediately and President Valentine for allowing me to address this matter. Again, I apologize to anyone that may be hurt by my remarks. I did not mean to be degrading in any way to anyone, and I am truly sorry.
posted by The Senate Site at 7:52 AM | Link
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59 Comments:
I think most people will take Sen. Buttars at his word on this apology. What we really need is an apology for SB260.
The idea that police misconduct should be kept confidential is far more offensive than any slip of the tongue yesterday.
Mr. Buttars apology is in no way enough. How about an apology for calling the domestic partner registry repugnant. This racist bigot needs to be stopped. He is an embarrassment to the Senate and to the State of Utah. This story will go national. A resignation is the only acceptable outcome to this situation.
Colin
A public "slip of the tongue" like this does make you wonder what Sen. Buttars has to say about a lot of things in private. And, SB260 is not the only legislation I'd like to see him apologize for.
Buttars and Stephenson should resign, Buttars for offending African-Americans and Stephenson for offending Uglo-Americans
Mr. Buttars' apology is completely unwarranted, and this whole episode is absolutely absurd. Mr Romero should be ashamed of himself. It is nothing more than a disgusting example of today's disease of political correctness. Anyone who took his statement in context understands the point he was making. Anyone who is hyper-sensitive and looking for racist connotations will see what they want to see.
I cannot accept this apology. We need to address racism in Utah and America. To do this, Utah now needs to appropriate $50 million per year to fund diversity programs.
These are my terms. They are not negotiable.
You tell 'em, Al!
I cannot get the file to load. What application do we need to run it?
If the file won't load, you need to delete some of the porn on your hard drive.
Thanks for the tip on deleting the porn from my hard drive. I've been meaning to do that any way. I can load the file now.
A sad representation of Utah. Mr. Buttars do us South Jordan residents a favor and reign or don't run again because of your ideology we are switching parties and hope you go back to the hole you came from.
Senator Buttars did not need to apologize. There was nothing racial in his remark, since it was within the same context as Howard Stephenson's preceding remark. But I see the brainwashed lynch mobs are already forming to witch-hunt Chris Buttars out of office. Guess what? You won't have the blogosphere all to yourself. I posted my own response HERE.
And as for you, South Jordan Resident. Who are you to even talk about diversity? South Jordan is over 90% white. You got rich and bought your way out of diversity just like the rest of the rich snobs in Riverton, Herriman, Bluffdale, and Draper. Move to Rose Park, Glendale, or WVC and then tell us how much you like diversity. LOL.
Mr. Butters you are a disgrace to Utah and the position of power you hold. You are in no way the role model you should be to the young voters of Utah.
Bodie said...
Mr. Butters, giving an apology is only the beginning of dealing with the diversity/race issues in Utah. You can't only use new policies and social actions, we need an educational movement for change in the many hearts of people.
Buttars uses adjectives like "black" and "dark, ugly" as pejoratives. That fact speaks for itself. Even he admitted his words were damaging. He has demonstrated lack of tolerance time and time again. It's time for Utahns to demand his resignation.
Mr. Buttars, while I do believe you regret making your remarks, you must face consequences for this remark. To tolerate racism sends the wrong message. And these remarks are racist. It is time for the Senate to censure you sir.
Senator Buttars should resign and take with him Senator Christensen and his appalling SB117. Both are embarassments to the state of Utah and will vote against important issues out of spite.
This is your choice for an elected official? Welcome to reaping the rewards for looking at the ballot blindfolded, everyone. If you truly feel this is the way and view of the Utah populace... Please, Please remain silent. Interesting that a 'SENATOR' can survive after such comments, while a newscaster or the such tends to get a bit more of a response. Which one do we put more trust into? One who states the news.. or makes the news? Though it may have been but one word, it seems to signify the entire conceptualization in which this Senator revolves around, in action, deed, and thought. Do we truly need this in our leadership? Shall we just stand by and allow yet another derogatory viewpoint exist, while sculpting our laws and regulations?...
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Chris Buttars is a disgrace and embarrassment to West Jordan and Utah. I live in West Jordan and in no uncertain terms does he represent me. Go back into your bigoted hole with the Eagle Forum, you are a disgrace!
Sen. Buttars is clearly racist. The only acceptable solution is for his immediate resignation. Nobody in Utah wants this racist joker on the hill.
Sorry Anon. 4:20. Please keep it classy. Thoughtful discussion is welcome on the Senate Site but those kind of attacks are not.
Buttars says that he will wants to go on an LDS mission. It will speak volumes if the LDS church allows a known bigot to represent them.
I have known Chris Buttars for 25 years. Most of the individuals, if not all, who post here do not know the man or his character but seem to jump immediately to judge him without giving him the benefit of the doubt. Of course, most have read the paper and therefore they accept the representations made by the press.
Senator Buttars' made a terrible selection of words in his comments to the bill. But those of us who know him, even though we may disagreement with his positions on many issues from time to time, know that he is in NO way a racist. Chris Buttars, as the Executive Director of the Utah Boys Ranch, worked with hundred of troubled children, some of whom were African American. I watched as he worked with these children and turned their lives around. Not one time, I repeat, not one time did he even demean, belittle, or show racism in his attitude or demeanor towards these children. I will turn to my life time of experience with the man rather than judge him based on one unfortunate choice of words.
I was raised in Rose Park, white, graduated West High early 60's. Currently a West Jordan resident. I am appalled by the comment made by Mr. Butters. It only makes me wonder what else he may be thinking and not verbalizing. It was racist, discriminating and an insult to the intelligence of the people he represents. I would not be sorry if he resigned.
If this was the first time Mr. Butters made such remarks we may be able to over looks these comments, "Congressman" but its not. We the people do not know the man more then what he chooses to say therefore he is a racist bigot in the eyes of the people and needs to be removed from office. Also it concerns me even more that a man making such comments is influencing the troubled children of Utah, I would think Mr. Butters needs some mentoring at the Troubled Politician Ranch.
Also "Congressman" @ 11:46 - You are will to stand up and defend Mr. Butters however you do not wish to post your name, why? You don't want to go down with the sinking ship? Some friend you are.
I've never cared for a lot of the things Sen. Buttars says, I've always believed that he is only capable of viewing one side of any issue and that his side is always, in his mind, the right one.
Setting that aside I don't think this needed to go any further than an apology. Every living soul says things they later regret, and the thing is you can't change the past. He apologized and I believe that should be enough.
Congresmen: I have a good friend who ended up in Buttars' home for wayward teens. He is gay and was bullied incessantly. He complained all the way up the chain to Buttars himself, but was told to "grow a thicker skin." His time at "The Ranch" was traumatic to say the least and Buttars stood by. I'm guessing he sat at home with a smirk on his face that one of the "fag kids" was being verbally and physically tortured.
With his comments, previous and current, I'm guessing the "dark ugly" kids had the same problems.
Buttars is a "white ugly thing" who needs to be removed from office in any way possible.
I hope his constituents are watching.
I love to be censored. I makes me so glad that free speech is no longer available in Utah.....Perhaps Sen.Buttars could sponsor a bill.....
I am so ashamed to be a republican in the state of utah right now. I resign......
One of the things that concerns me greatly is the fact that it took ANOTHER racist comment from this racist bigot to get people angry. This guy continually bashes homo-sexuals and fights any law that might give same sex couples even a little dignity. I am married and have four kids and don't see how a same sex couples relationship effects my relationship with my wife. How long until this guy gets arrested in a mens room in Minesota?
Colin
Senator Chris Buttars’ recent “Black Babies” comment is unacceptable. If this was an isolated incident I would chalk it up as a slip of the tongue and let it go. This is not, however, an isolated incident.
Chris Buttars has demonstrated a clear pattern of long term unacceptable behavior. He appears to be a racist, bigot who legislates based on his own agenda of personal bias.
I am outraged by Mr. Buttar’s clear pattern of prejudice and believe it is my civic duty to demand he be held accountable.
To Mr. Valentine
I am writing to express my outrage.
Chris Buttars has clearly demonstrated a long term pattern of bigotry and racism, but that is not the subject of this correspondence.
I am writing this letter to express my outrage with you. Your dismissive, weak, response to this latest incident combines with a long term passive acceptance of this type behavior to project an image of cronyism, bias, and bigotry that runs much deeper than just the racial sentiments of Chris Buttars.
This incident, and your refusal to forcefully deal with it, are an embarrassment to our state and to the Republican Party. Ignoring this will only make things worse. People are outraged, and will not let this stand. It is well past time for you, the other leadership in the senate, and all our elected officials to act forcefully and publicly to insure it becomes crystal clear to everyone, that our state will not be governed by bigots.
I have known Chris Buttars for 25 years. Most of the individuals, if not all, who post here do not know the man or his character but seem to jump immediately to judge him without giving him the benefit of the doubt. -- Congresman
Congresman, I believe all people have a great capacity to do good in the world. Mr. Buttars may well be an amazing person who impacts his famliy, friends and neighbors in posive ways none of us will know.
For 99 percent of Utahns, however, the Buttars we will always remember is the one associated with anger, hate, self-interest and negativity. He's the one we see in the media and in the outrageous articles and interviews on the radio.
The well-known phrase "by your fruits shall ye know them" comes to mind. It would be difficult for anyone to deny that the fruits of the many seeds Sen. Buttars has planted in his role in the Utah Legislature have been anything but largely negative and wasteful.
My belief is that Sen. Buttars has squandered his time and focused his legislative career on controversial nonissues that only serve to divide Utah and serve no one in a positive way. Why not work toward making things better instead engendering and spreading hatred and muddying Utah's otherwise positive culture?
Utahns have hundreds of unaddressed issues that our legislators need to attend to by creating legal clarity and oversight. Buttars seems only to address issues that create negative headlines.
His legacy and memory will always be associated with hatred, anger and bitterness if he's allowed to continue acting as the person he now presents himself to be. However, I think it's never too late to love, work for positive changes and make a difference. I'm interested to see if Mr. Buttars is willing to try.
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Anon 4:20:
This is America; you can say what you want. That doesn't mean I'm obligated to host it. Maybe you're new to the Senate Site. We're pretty tolerant of thoughtful disagreement here. But not personal attack.
I'd love to have your thoughts, but you'll have to rework them minus the personal venom.
"Entropy" @ 5:05 p.m.:
Wow. You're obviously bright, but c'mon. Kids read this site. Please re-post a little less graphic and w/o reference to body parts.
Everyone:
This issue can bring out the worst in people. Thoughtful dialog is always welcome and helpful. Senator Buttars is a good man who - like every single one of us - can make serious mistakes. Please keep it constructive.
It's a disgrace that SB260 has even been suggested. This would give police the opportunities to cover up their actions, right or wrong. Doesn't Senator Buttars work for the people? I say have the people fire him! It's time to let these "politicians" know that their crooked actions are up and we the people are not going to take it anymore. No more fear, NO more hate, No more anger. I give it all to the hands of love
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This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Dear Mr. Buttars;
It is my opinion that your oppology was more than enough compensation for your remark. The call for your resignation is not because you made a "racist remark", but to silence you on all issues. And for that reason I pray that you will not bow to the cowards who are besmirching you and demanding your resignation.
For racist, bigoted organizations such as the NAACP to get involved in this only goes to show that a double standard is accepted and encouraged on issues such as this one. The NAACP could easily be called the modern day version of the KKK for blacks. It is always looking for a White person to lynch for some social injustice.
In closing, Mr. Buttars, I would like you to know that the majority of White America supports your right to speak your conscience. We also support your right to apologize for making a statement you may now not feel comfortable with. Either way, White America needs it's leaders in politics even more than do the minorities need theirs in todays politically correct/pandering society. Should you become tired of trying to please everyone, please consider trying to please only those who are like you and support only the issues you support - White Americans.
Respectfully Yours,
Whip101
Buttars is said to be "distraught." Who of the "distraught" among us is worthy of our sympathy, our empathy, our support, our best efforts, our kindness and consideration, our justice and fairness, our advocacy?
The distraught gay couple who cannot adopt, or legally commit and bind their mutual love, responsibility and rights? Those distraught people who must live under the self-righteous ignorance which concludes that homosexuality is about nothing but genitals? Or that only a married man and woman are able to love, nurture and raise loving, empathic healthy children into similar responsible adulthood and citizenship?
The distraught gays, youth and adult, who live under condemnation from church and state as evil, perverted, beneath contempt? Who live under the hateful intolerance epitomized by the photo of Buttars on the front page of the SLTribune (Feb 12, 2008)?
More people should reasonably be distraught, not only that West Jordan elected Buttars, but that it went ahead and re-elected him.
I feel very badly that Buttars feels distraught. But he's at the end of a very very long list. Including my gay friends, both living and dead of suicide.
Whip 101:
I appreciated your first paragraph. Your second paragraph was on the edge but your third paragraph really caused me some heartburn. We're one America. Skin tone shouldn't be any more significant than hair or eye color, or the color of your car. Please reconsider your way of thinking.
Shelama 2:55 & 3:00,
You are obviously very bright, and your comments would have been welcome here except for the personal attack and the paragraph about sex. Want to repost?
Emotions are high on all sides - and rightfully so - but let's keep it solution-oriented and respectful.
Justsomedad, 2:12 p.m.:
I appreciate your concern but have a different perspective. One of our senators made an offensive comment in the heat of a debate. Within minutes, the Senate President addressed the issue, in public, on the Senate floor. The senator was given an opportunity to speak to the body. He was not resistant at all; in fact, he was humbled, full of remorse and eager for the opportunity to apologize to his colleagues and the people of the State of Utah.
Maybe you're new to the senate. In context, the response was neither weak nor dismissive. It was classy but decisive – and left no room for doubt that this kind of speech has no place here. No one, including Senator Buttars, finds this kind of speech acceptable.
I believe impartial observers will conclude the senate response was appropriate to the offense. Chris Buttars is a good man who – like every single one of us – can make serious mistakes.
Repost
It was the honorable Buttars himself, in chambers, who legitimized in and for open and public discussion regarding this august body and its members, and the body politic, the topic of the thought of what and whose sex makes another person sick.
Why was he not censored by his colleagues for that if such a similarly truthful expression here by me is considered an "unacceptable personal attack"??? Buttars attacked in a totally equivalent fashion a whole group of individuals personally with his personal opinion about sex, as if it was relevant to public policy, acting officially in public office in public space.
Grow up and be honest about who is really attacking whom offensively.
The respectable solution is for Buttars to resign, be recalled by West Jordan, or certainly not re-elected. And not only for the grotesquely mindless, stupid and totally revealing "black baby" comment. Be honest.
It also involves being honest about who and what Buttars is, and what he himself says about other peoples sexual choices. It involves this forum not giving Buttars any privileged immunity from dealing equivalently with his person and conduct regarding topics that he himself brings into play. Are you denying that he has done such? Are you denying that you agree totally with what he said? Are you denying that is the reason you are protecting Buttars from such "attack" if such discussion of his chosen issue really does consititute attack?
Regarding legal recognition and protexction of same sex marriages/unions (which they certainly will be eventually), Buttars REAL issue is that if/when they are, traditional heterosexual marriages will then constitute "only" 95-97% of marriages, assuming all gays marry. And that will make it difficult for Buttars to teach his children, his grandchildren and neighbours to be as hatefully intolerant as he is when they see that gay families raise children to be empathetic moral productive citizens no better or worse than he. He will not, in that milieu, be able to train them hate so easily and to smile for the camera and communicate his heart and mind the way he did for the Tribune on 2/12/08.
The Senate Site said:...
"...Skin tone shouldn't be any more significant than hair or eye color, or the color of your car. Please reconsider your way of thinking...."
Neither should sexual or gender orientation. Please reconsider your way of thinking.
And please, since Buttars himself legitimized the topic as appropriate for this blog and for the Senate, please admonish Buttars against personally attacking those persons whose sexual expressions of affection, love, unity and committment he finds offensive and sickening. Which, we must both agree, the honorable Buttars has indeed explicitly done.
Why and how does the Senate, and The Senate Site, find Buttars' comments about "black baby" offensive, and take appropriate action, but is silently and totally (silence gives consent) consenting of his hateful attack on the persons of people who express sexual love, affection, commitment and unity differently than he does? If you believe this is an unfair characterization, I refer you again to Section A, Page 1 of the Salt Lake Tribune, Feb 12, 2008. Which of the two people in that photo would you want as a parent teaching your children?
Perhaps this is but an example of how we as a people mature faster regarding matters racial, albeit too slowly, than we do matters sexual and genital and moral? At least for those like Buttars (and apparently the Utah Senate and this Senate Site, who equate, makes an identity of, morals and genitals?
Senate Site:
I understand how you might feel that the response to Mr. Buttars latest outrage was acceptable and appropriate.
I can assure you, however, that a large segment of the general public disagrees. President Valentine's dismissive response to every inquiry so far, if he bothers to respond at all, has been the same, "the issue is over"
Senate leadership's failure to make a clear, forceful, public statement regarding this issue is interpreted by many, myself included, as passive acceptance of institutionalized bias and bigotry.
This site is a joke and so is our state government.
Why is everyone calling it the "black baby" comment. He didn't say anything about a black baby. He used slang to describe what he thought of the bill they were debating. I don't see what all the fuss is about. If he had said, "This baby is ugly" instead, would everyone be defending all the ugly people? (And before all you quick-to-attackers out there in the blogosphere start giving me a hard time remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder)Let's not make this into more than it is.
he WAS talking about a black baby. Try reading any article on it or watch the video you idiot.
Buttars has far too long of a history for being openly prejudice against others to beleive he's not in this case.
The fact is that he has shown time and time again that he is a "closet" racist. He will make comments like the "dark ugly baby" and not really apologize for anything. He just said sorry that you took it the wrong way not sorry he said it. And then reffering to the NAACP as "those people" was bad as well. He should be punished for these things, not just because their racist but because he is one of the faces of utah. Do we really want the nation to think of our great Utah as close minded and racist? I personaly dont.
I am currently ashamed to be a resident of West Jordan City. This man has not once, not twice, but numerous times "accidentally" shown his various prejudices against people he considers being very different from himself. Buttars has done this not only through his initial comments but also through his sad sorry excuses of apologies. I hope that the other residents of our state, as well as the rest of the nation as a whole, do not in any way believe Buttars to be a legitimate representative of the people of the city I reside in.
It did not surprise me that buttars would make a racist remark..
Because he has in the past made MANY sexist and homophobic remarks.
It's sad how it took so long for everyone else to see him for who he is.
Bigot.
Buttars' loss of Chairmanship is, finally, a step in the right direction. But given what the Senate leadership knew, and when it knew it, it is not unreasonable to guess the character and motives of a leadership that decided to act only when Buttars' asinine letter became public.
What changed, really, to warrant now rather than then his dismissal?
Sen. Butters is despicable and should resign. Is he really as dumb as he wants the voters to believe? Butters is racist and he knows it. This man has no character and really feels that he is all-powerful.
The delegates of Senate District 10 almost sent him packing at the Salt Lake County Republican Party convention. Ozwald Balfour should have known better when he helped Butters to win by one vote to avoid a primary. Butters would have suffered the same faith as Mark Walker. He would have been beaten soundly in the primary.
He may be able to win his seat in November but his legacy will remain his racist Black Baby comment along with all the others he is likely to make over the next four years.
I am tired of living in a society where citizens constantly bash politicians for every tit and tat. It takes a special kind of person to even have the gumption and will to run for office, and quite frankly I think too many Americans are too lazy or scared to run for office. They don't want to deal with responsibility, or they don't want their numerous mistakes in public spotlight.
While Chris Buttars is not perfect, he is apolgetic and trying. No human being is perfect. We all make mistakes, say something that is interpretted wrong, or act in a way that we may regret. Humans do not make just one mistake, they make numerous mistakes. Yet we each are learning, and trying to be better. We apologize and go on, trying not to repeat our mistakes.
I truly believe Buttars is repentant, and he put his foot in his mouth, something I along with millions of human beings do frequently. Instead of attacking people for apologies, lets make the world a better place and accept apologies. Just remember the Golden Rule. I think if we all lived by it more, our society would be a happier, more productive place.
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