Reader comments
Bob Bernick Jr.: Buttars should think hard about political future

Steve | 12:24 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

I have to disagree with Mr. Bernick. Senator Buttars is a disgrace. The disturbing part of his comment is that he really doesn't understand how offensive it was. This is not an issue of misunderstanding or mistake. It is an indicator of true feelings. Senator Buttars might have been able to continue 30 or 40 years ago. But, in 2007, he needs to go for the good of his state, party and those he represents. It is time to end this. Now. Right now.

Doggie | 1:06 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

Such coarse and offensive language from a repeat offender its simply too much. It's time for Buttars to retire. Leave the Senate. Don't drag your colleagues down the way Larry Craig had. Just leave.

WP | 6:35 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

Butters hurts all Utahans, everywhere. I happen to live in a foreign country right now and Butters has made me ashamed to be from a state where such comments do not immediately cause an unequivocal and rapid removal from his position.

He is not a good man. I can smell his hatred from here. Is this the kind of man we want representing our state? I disagree. He should go now.

Comments continue below

M.M. | 6:39 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

Oh My, Such tender feelings in this society anymore. Where will it all end?
Perhaps with no one saying anything about anything.

DeLaval Milker | 7:06 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

It's not really that hard to write at all.
Hey, Buttars, time's up. Your attitude is rotten and the rest of you is starting to decompose a bit too.
Don't go away mad, just go away. Ok, mad if you want. Watch the door, it'll hit your can on the way out. When you get to the museum of antiquated thinking, say hi to strom thurmond.
Now, go.
Too ambiguous?

Use this experience to Grow | 7:13 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

I do not focus on his resigning. My real hope is that he will take this episode and use it as a learning experience. I hope he will take the time to reflect, and come to the conclusion that it is God that made us all different. He no doubt did this for a reason. The Koran says," we make you different that you may come to know one another". No doubt this and so that we could learn to love that which is different than is is part if the reason God made us all different.

Mr Butters, please use this as a growing experience for yourself. If you do, this will be a benefit to all of us.

Mike | 7:32 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

So let's let the voters in his district make that decision shall we? The professional offense takers like the NAACP can always find something else to whine about!

Utah Resident | 8:41 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

Why is this hard to write? The proof is there for all to see--this man is bad medicine--for West Jordan--and Utah.

Jud | 9:25 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

My close friend has adopted a beautiful little girl of African-American parentage. You should have seen the look on my friend's face when he heard Buttars' comment. It's hard to describe. Chris Buttars is a hurtful, mean-spirited individual and does not belong in the legislature. Sen. Buttars, please resign. Now.

Reason | 11:14 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

Come on, folks, letï¿½s get over the hypersensitivity. Buttars should stay in the Senate, regardless of the fact that some of you (including Bob Bernick) disagree with his political views. Bernickï¿½s hit piece implies that Buttarsï¿½ involvement in ï¿½controversialï¿½ bills is a bad thing, and is further evidence that he should go. Huh? His supposed verbal ï¿½sinï¿½ this week is simply a convenient weapon for some of you to trump up in the hopes that you can get rid of a good legislator.

Proud Utahn | 11:26 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

Buttars badly mixed metaphors. That is all.

The metaphor about black and ugly and dark and erroroneous, as opposed to light and truth, is ,perhaps, the most universal metaphor used by humanity. It is found in all religions, cultures, and at all times in the past.

The next time Senate President Valentine grades our senators on grammar, Buttars deserves a c-. Oh, and beheading, to appease the mob.

He is not guilty of a crime against humanity, as many of you seem to insinuate.

Regarding Brown Vs. Board of Ed.: Just because the Supreme Court rules on something, that does not make it a law of nature. Even with a 9-0 vote,there are often problems with the way decisions are carried out. Often there are more court cases to fine tune the points of law.

Many people have disagreed with the way busing was done. Many have agreed with it in toto. Picking which is a true racist may not be so easy.

Democracy in America is dead if the silly sentiments voiced for this and other articles on this story become the norm for what our representatives can say, or how they say it, as they represent us.

Reason | 11:47 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

(try again) Come on, folks, letï¿½s get over the hypersensitivity. Buttars should stay in the Senate, regardless of the fact that some of you (including Bob Bernick) disagree with his political views. Bernickï¿½s piece implies that Buttarsï¿½ involvement in ï¿½controversialï¿½ bills is a bad thing, and is further evidence that he should go. Huh? His supposed verbal ï¿½sinï¿½ this week is simply a convenient weapon for some of you to trump up in the hopes that you can get rid of a good legislator.

Anonymous | 11:58 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

A racist ideology supported by scripture is never a good thing.

Spencer Bingham | 11:54 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

The Prophet Brigham Young repeatedly stated that the integration of the races is an abomination. This is policy and Senator Buttars abides by those divine dictates. I fail to see what he has done wrong.

Reason | 12:27 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008

(Third time in 80 minutes: Please post this ï¿½ it meets all of your guidelines.) Come on, folks, letï¿½s get over the hypersensitivity. Buttars should stay in the Senate, regardless of the fact that some of you (including Bob Bernick) disagree with his political views. Bernickï¿½s piece implies that Buttarsï¿½ involvement in ï¿½controversialï¿½ bills is a bad thing, and is further evidence that he should go. Huh? His supposed verbal ï¿½sinï¿½ this week is simply a convenient weapon for some of you to trump up in the hopes that you can get rid of a good legislator.

mmm | 5:53 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008

Spencer Bingham,
Perhaps you should call for the excommunication of Thurl Bailey, My sister and many other members who are interracially married. What a digusting bigot!!!

Anne | 5:55 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008

Your recent column does a good job of supporting the need for Senator Buttars to resign now, not later and not wait until the end of his term this year. I do not agree with you or Governor Hunstman that his fate should be left to his constituents. His mean-spirited, hateful positions on issues impact all citizens of the State of Utah, not just the voters in his district. He clearly does not see the wrong in what he says or does and he has lost the privilege to serve in the legislature. He needs to go quickly before he further embarrasses himself (if that is possible) and the citizens of the state.

John | 8:55 p.m. Feb. 16, 2008

I think you've missed the boat in thinking for a minute that the racist bigoted attitudes Mr. Buttars puts forth daily are in any way representative of the citizens of Senate District 10. I think Mr. Buttars has been pursuing his own agenda (bashing gays) and acting all the champion of virtue for years. I don't believe for a minute that his district is made up of a majority of racist homophobes.

Chris it's time to step up and do the right thing, tender your resignation effective immediately.

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