Reader comments
Buttars apologizes for potentially racist comment

Truth Revealed | 9:06 p.m. Feb. 12, 2008

It would be interesting to listen to this man behind closed doors. When people are in stressful situations the truth is often revealed...

How come this is BURIED?? | 9:06 p.m. Feb. 12, 2008

This is MAJOR Utah news, folks -- why is it buried at the bottom of the list.

AND....he did NOT offer a proper apology. 'He offered an apology to "anyone who took offense" '

No, he should apologize to EVERYONE, to his God, to his family, to his constituents and express shame for his wrong-headed remarks.

People have been fired for less; but the gullibles down in West Jordan will continue to re-elect this buffoon. After all, he matches their hearts.

get a life | 10:41 p.m. Feb. 12, 2008

Get a life both of you. This is so far from racist I am surprised it ever made teh news, let alone the bottom of the news. You have got to be kidding. I am sure "white board" is racist also? Is "black board"? Get a life.

Comments continue below

True Colors Shining Through | 11:45 p.m. Feb. 12, 2008

Thank you Sen Valentine for bringing the matter to the attention of Rep Buttars.

As for Rep. Buttars - it appears your true colors have shown. We can all be assured that none of the upcoming illegal immigration legislation is racist, because, by golly - our legislators would never hold such disdain for persons of color.

"This baby is black, I'll tell you. This is a dark, ugly thing," Buttars said.

Rep. Buttars associated ugliness with a black baby. Why not just an ugly baby. Surely not an ugly white baby. The truth is blackness, since at least the time of slavery, has been associated with dark, evil, bad things by racist persons.

Buttars makes me feel sick for all persons of color with his perpetuation of racist ideology.

Not Surprised | 11:43 p.m. Feb. 12, 2008

Honestly, so Buttars is a racist homophobe. Seriously, the people of West Jordan need to wake up and realize that every time you re-elect this guy you make yourselves look very ignorant.

Skeptic | 11:52 p.m. Feb. 12, 2008

Far from racist? It is completely racist and the fact that you don't think it is tells me you think it is okay to slur a race. People don't accidentally say things in public that they don't say in private. He probably didn't have any idea it was wrong to say such things and then had to have it explained to him so he could save some dignity by apologizing. Didn't work.

Not Racist | 11:46 p.m. Feb. 12, 2008

I am black, and let me tell you, this comment made by Senator Butters was NOT racist, and in no way am I offended. If you want to hear real racism from politicians look at some of the comments Senator Byrd from West Virginia has made over the years.

Joke | 10:59 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Again Utah will make national headlines and become the laughing stock of late night TV because of his remarks. Wake up West Jordan and get a leader!

Buttars!! | 2:28 p.m. Feb. 13, 2008

This guy seems to hate everybody who is not exactly like him. If you're not white, straight, and LDS, he's going to disparage you, try to pass bills that hassle you and/or limit your rights. Did you see the hatred on his face in the photo in the Trib on Tuesday as he looked at the woman speaking for gay rights? Are these really Christian values? Come on, vote this guy out. Even if you're a Republican, there have got to be Republicans that are better people than this guy that can oust Buttars at a party convention or a primary.

Waste of Time | 3:29 p.m. Feb. 13, 2008

I agree with "Get a Life". It is a waste of time to even dicuss this issue. Political Correctness has gone way off the deep end. If you don't want this guy in office, move to West Jordan and vote him out yourself. "He who is free from sin, let them cast the first stone".

ANDY | 2:04 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

Having watched Butters several times previously, I do believe the comment was from his heart - and racist; but I'd like to make a point I haven't seen raised:

We often refer to objects and topics as "baby" to mean a close adoptive feeling, and other times just to describe something as "bouncing and new"; but not to compare it as an actual "baby".

He may have ment it that way -- but I highly doubt it.

colin | 1:39 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008

Buttars is a racist bigot and this is far from the first time he has made disgusting comments. Anyone who says otherwise should just google his name and read the past news stories. This has been going on and on for a long time. He needs to resign or better yet be lynched so he could better understand the horrible nature of his comments.

Kari L. | 4:46 p.m. Feb. 18, 2008

Can we honestly say that Senator Butters is a racist? A racist is someone who gives preferential treatment or status to a group of people based on a physical or cultural difference.

If one looks at Senator Buttersï¿½ voting record, one will see that he consistently rejects racist agenda.

Senator Romero is a racist. He read into an innocent adjectival enhancement something that was simply not meant or inferred in the context of Senator Buttersï¿½ statement. And please donï¿½t leap to the logical fallacy, argumentum ad numerum: because seemingly many people have taken Senator Buttersï¿½ statement as racist, does not mean it is racist. I stand by the good Senatorï¿½s intent, not Romeroï¿½s warped perception.

Bill | 1:40 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

Please let the people of West Jordan deal with their own. If they're happy with their elected officials then so be it. Calling the citizens of West Jordan ignorant if they DON'T take action will just get their ire up and not solve anything. Honestly, if this is the worst offensive news item you can find in the paper we really do live a charmed life here in Utah.

Rick | 8:36 a.m. Feb. 21, 2008

I can't wait until I see the video on youtube! It'd be interesting to see what the rest of the US thinks his comments represent. I'd bet money that more people see it as racist.

T.H. | 12:47 p.m. Feb. 21, 2008

This is one West Jordan resident who is deeply disturbed that this man is still in office. This comment was OFFENNSIVE to myself and many others. I believe that our elected officials have a responsability to be CONSCIOUS about their words as well as their actions. They are put in office to represent the people and I am embarresed to think that this man would represent me in any way. I'd like to know if there is a petition to remove senator Buttars from office. As a communtiy we need to stand together and let our government know that we are no longer willing to tolerate any form of racism or bigotry from the people whose paychecks our taxdollers fund.

Racist? | 3:00 p.m. Feb. 21, 2008

I am also "black" and I agree with the comments before me ("Not Racist" and "Andy"). I think people are getting a bit carried away with the whole "Racist" accuasations. remember: the media likes to play up the "bad" things. If life were all sunshine and daisies...it wouldn't make the news. He was obviously very emotional about the issue and misspoke.

He was obviously taking a page from the book Senator Stephenson had already opened: ï¿½I raise to stand in support of what I call the ugly baby billï¿½ï¿½ Stephensonï¿½s name for SB 48s2 (Equalization of school Capital Outlay Funding.)

Buttars obviously got emotional and was against the bill. I think he then took Stephensonï¿½s use of the word ï¿½Babyï¿½:

He was referring to SB 48s2 as the ï¿½babyï¿½ and used ï¿½blackï¿½, ï¿½darkï¿½ and ï¿½uglyï¿½ to (unfortunately very negatively) describe how negative the bill is.

Do I believe he is a racist? Iï¿½m not sureï¿½Iï¿½ve never met the guy. But I donï¿½t believe it was his intent to make a racist slur.

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