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NAACP calls for resignation

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Stenar | 12:12 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
If only he would resign. That'd be a great thing for Utah.
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Let's Hope | 12:17 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
Let's hope his decision to leave the Capitol is permanent. He believes black babies are dark and ugly, he's a segregationist who thinks Brown v. Board of Education was wrong to begin with, he drafts anti-gay legislation, and supports anti-immigrant legislation. The only think dark and ugly is Mr. Buttars' heart.
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I don't accept the apology | 1:00 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
I'm not shocked that Chris Buttars would say such a thing since it's obvious that he's a racist but what can you expect from a legislator who was only elected as a result of the votes of racists and bigots.

I won't say any more on this subject as I'm sure many others will not because it's fruitless to do so. He will not resign and the racists who voted for him will probably re-elect him but I don't accept his fake apology or the apology of those who voted for him. Their actions both as voters and as a legislator are reprehensible.
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CTR | 1:15 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
This is so dumb that people are freaking out about this. Just because he referred to something as black, people get all upset. Black is a common color that people use to illustrate bad. It does not mean that he was talking about black people. And have you not ever heard someone calling their car a baby? Common people...relax
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Oh please | 1:43 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
Buttars made an unfortunate comment and apologized as soon as procedure allowed him to do so. Big deal.

Now, one of the nation's most racist organizations, the NAACP, is calling on him to resign.

Shame on the NAACP for doing what it does best - blowing an issue out of proportion in order go grandstand - and shame on the Deseret News for carrying water for such a morally bankrupt organization.
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mamapapaluv | 1:54 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
Only in Utah. An apology and that's it? Buttars blasphemed an entire race of people. And, it wasn't the first time. An awful disgrace. It calls for immediate resignation or expulsion from the legislature. That won't happen, of course, because, as I said, this is Utah.

Now I can't wait for the Deseret News editorial telling us that Buttars' apology was commendable and showed great courage.
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vern | 4:25 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
If a sincere apology isn't acceptable then someone else it appears,is prejudiced.
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Anonymous | 5:07 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
NAACP, get over yourselves. Jeeze!
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Time To Go! | 5:16 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
Passion is what makes Senator Buttars and good man. However in his position where he takes very hard topics and approaches very sensitive issues, if he uses such degrading statements without the realization of the harm it brings to others, then he should NOT be in a leadership or any political position. No one should. It shows exactly the core of who he is, a bitter, prejudiced, and bigoted man who's only concern is to force a community to live they way he would have them live. This is the very same plan Satan presented to God in the pre-existance. To force the Children of God to live according to God's plan instead of allowing them to choose for themselves. Senator Buttars is a disgrace to this community.
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Jim F | 5:31 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
I agree that Mr. Buttars words show that he probably still harbors a lot of racism and should not be in the legislature. His stand on many issues would seem to bear that out. However, it seems that the NAACP is the group that came out a few years ago and said that racial abuse is impossible if the person being abused is white.
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Tom Lindsay | 5:36 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
The NAACP does not have the authority to trump the good senator's constituency. That they think they can "call for his resignation" and anyone will care what they want, is a sign of dimentia and a grotesque sense of self-worth. We don't care what you want!
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Carl | 5:47 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
Buttars is a bigot and has NO place in politics. He should resign immediately.
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Anonymous | 6:05 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
African Americans need to get off the "race" horse. Blacks do not own the word "black", it is used in many contexts and for many purposes. If every other group got apoplexy over supposed offensive words, the world would never get anything done, we'd all be so bound up we couldn't even speak.
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Buttars felt bad? | 6:13 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
good. he should.
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offended again | 6:09 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Come on. Using "black" as a negative, as opposed to white is anm analogy that was its root in the bible back to the time of man. surely the NCAAP dosn't think the bible should be retired too.
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Anonymous | 6:38 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
I don't think Buttars should resign mid session despite his vile words the other day. I would prefer that happens at the end of the session so WJ can have representation.

If he doesn't resign, we should vote him out, and the rest of the bad Republican flunkies (and the Democrat ones that are as well) and for once look into who we are having represent us.
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Opportunity for Growth | 6:40 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
If Senator Butters would use this as an opportunity for reflection it this whole incident may be a positive. He could reflect on the fact that God didn't make all people like him, neither in race or other categories. He could reflect that perhaps he needs to be more accomidating and respectful of people that are different than him
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russ | 6:48 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
Well, and you wonder why black Americans did not vote for Romney? True, I have heard worse language used toward minorities, but that was while growing up in the warm and lovely environment of Utah.

The humor in this is the NAACP.
The NAACP is caught shouting: "What there is gambling here in Las Vegas?" Just say, "Utah is bigoted" and move on. Nothing new at this crime scene folks, move along.
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Dave | 6:53 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
I Have lived in Utah for fifty years. It seems as though many how to speak or understand Utahn. I understood EXACTLY what he said. The word �baby� means �thing� in e Utahn. An example is �this baby sure can go� means �this car sure can go�.
Buttars said "This baby is black, I'll tell you. This is a dark, ugly thing," Which means: �This bill is a sinful, dark, reprehensible, sinister and ugly thing�. Absolutely no offense or reference to another race was intended. His apology should have been, "I am sorry I slipped into speaking Utahn and I can understand how you may have misinterpreted my speech." That is it.
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Slick | 6:58 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008
I am African-American and my wife is Hispanic. We moved to Utah last year and have yet to experience racism in this state. Being from the South, I have seen prejudice first-hand, and Utahns are far from ever reaching that level.

With that said, reading Sen. Buttars comments made me gasp, but listening to the context of the words...I felt he was not attempting to offend the black race. Had he said, "Black babies are dark, ugly things," then there'd be a problem. He immediately apologized.

NAACP always wants to get people fired for slips of the tongue, but how many of their reps have made blatantly offensive statements?

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No. Utah sees a major earthquake every 350 years. Last one? 350 years ago.