In 2005 he told me: "I'm concerned about gay clubs. In my mind, if you are in the chess club, what do you talk about? Chess. If you are in the dance club, what do you talk about? Dance. If you are in a gay club, what do you talk about? I just don't believe members of sexual orientation clubs should be sanctioned by the public schools — what they are talking about — even a part of the public schools. They should not be allowed to have that on school property at all. It's just wrong."

Years ago, Sen. Warren Pugh, R-Holladay, decided to retire sooner than many thought he would. When I asked him why, Pugh, in his 70s then but still a recognized lion of the Legislature, said: "I want to go before I embarrass myself or my constituents" because of poor health and age.

In my view, Buttars should not resign his seat now, as the NAACP calls for.

His District 10 constituents deserve representation throughout the rest of the general session, which ends at midnight March 5.

Buttars, 65, has had some poor health recently, missing a week of a recent session. Who knows if this latest horrible choice of words has anything to do with age and illness.

But Buttars should think long and hard before he files for re-election in March.

In fighting for what he believes is right, there is little doubt that Buttars has also hurt any number of Utahns with his words.

Language can be a weapon that can harm the soul and heart — whether it is meant to or not.

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Deseret Morning News political editor Bob Bernick Jr. may be reached by e-mail at bbjr@desnews.com