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Buttars skips NAACP meeting

WHO in the world is advising this imbecil? My advice Mr. Buttar's is to fire his PR staff and then fire himself.

He is such an embarrassment to the Republican Party, the State Senate and the State of Utah that things thing is well beyond just apologizing to the NAACP.

You owe all of us an apology for the shame you have brought us.

Buttars isn't listening to anyone, so this thing needs to be taken to the Senate President. That bone head needs to take some responsiblity for this problem, or it will become his problem.

"The meeting's intent was to discuss Williams' call for Buttars resignation."

No, the meeting's intent was to continue this spectacle in as public a way as is possible.

The NAACP does not represent the people of Utah. If it wants him out of office, then it should campaign against him in the next election. Until then, step back and let Utahans be the judge of who is and who is not capable of participating in state government. Let the voters - not a self-righteous, racist organization like the NAACP, whose only purpose is to thrive off of nonsense such as this - be the decision makers.

Once again, shame on the Deseret News for perpetuating this nonsense. I guess it's a slow news season, and Utah papers desperately need a scandal - even if they have to practically invent it.

So are you telling me You represent the people of Utah? A bit presumptuous wouldn't you say?
Personally I think it is worth every bit of coverage it receives. Buttars is an embarrassment and the more people know about it the better.

By the way, calling the NAACP racist is something racist people do.

how is the NAACP racist? if the AG is a member i think they'll accept you no matter what. unless your name is butters

Dear "Oh Please," are you saying that Janetta Williams does not have the right to make a strong statement re Buttar's callous and stupid remark? She is head honcho for NAACP and you want her to sit in the back of the bus and shut up? This is a fine, decent, educated and dedicated woman. Ms. Williams is right to see the lynch remark Mr, Bigotbuttar made as offensive. So, "Oh Please," did you study American history in school? I did and it was appalling some things that happened. Buttars says he doesn't know what to say to "those" people. Why is it so hard to go to the meeting, sit among them and show them what a nice guy he is...oh, that's right, he is not a nice guy. Here's a good campaign theme: "I can believe it's not Buttars."

Unfortunately anon, Oh Please does represent a number of people in this state.
Then there are the rest of us who are tired of baby Buttars' annual mean-spirited, hate-filled agenda & legislation targeting anyone not up to his narrow- minded view of 'traditional moral values'.
His words have finally incensed enough of us to keep his dark ugly soul in the limelight until it fades from public life altogether.
As bad as his remarks are, they pale in comparison to his monstrous actions.

"By the way, calling the NAACP racist is something racist people do"

The standard response from the left wing any time one of their grievance mongering groups (NAACP, ACLU) is actually challenged, instead of the public just rolling over like they are expected to do.

His original comment was shocking. He apologized. Charging that it is insulting to use the word "lynch mob" is plain ridiculous. How sensitive is the NAACP going to be? Sen. Buttars is right...they didn't accept his first apology, they won't accept anything else. And the first apology was offered "in public", it is in the record. That being said, I wouldn't be running for re-election if I were in his shoes. I don't think he's making it easier for the people of the State to come to agreement. One controvesy after another leaves a leader less effective.

Holy cow has this issue spiraled out of control!

And the calling of racist back and forth is likely the biggest culprit. I think Mark Shurtleff is right on the money in that what Sen Buttars said was not meant to be racist, but it offended part of the American family. Buttars does need to be, not a great Senator, but a man and apologize publicly to this group.

And while the NAACP does not represent the entire Utah population, and for that matter, not even the entire African-American population, they are a force Sen Buttars needs to work with.

As for the NAACP being racist, they have an agenda though this does not make them racist. The fact that their agenda includes race related issues will always put people on edge. Clearly double standards abound in America.

Growing up I used the N word only a few times. Yet all of the guys I played football and basketball with used it in about every other sentence. They of course were Aftican-American and that is just how it is. My use was really my personal discovery that it was not OK for a white boy to use that word.

Keep talking, Buttars. The more you do, the more you clearly show the public what many of us have known for years.

So the elected leader whimped out, eh? Oh Utah...can't the guy even walk into a lighted room?
He is such an embarassment.

PS -- calling the NAACP racist is beyond my understanding of the world. Outside of Utah the NAACP is considered to be a very moderate organization, still striving to make sure America does not go back on its word toward equality and freedom for all. Many white Americans belong to it. Many brown Americans belong to it. Good grief.

Bonehead of the year, again.

I agree 100% of the comment of Oh Please. This person hit it right on the mark.

Mr. Buttars... you need some basic education. Your use of the racially tinged term "lynch mob" and your derogeratory use of the word "black baby" show your own serious ignorance. I suggest that you resign NOW. Let the republicans appoint an educated, thoughtful representative. Even your explanation is oozing with ignorance... I apologize to people who took offense? give me a break... you apologized for nothing. It wasn't those of us who took offense that are the problem. It is you and your small-minded, hateful, racist words and actions. Do the right thing and step aside and get a basic college education (apparently outside of Utah).

Lynching is and has always been a racially charged hate crime where a black man (or woman) was brutally murdered or beaten. Some were dragged to death. Others were burned. Many were hung. These were killed having been accused of something, or just in the way of those who had been accused.

If you want something truly ugly, one only needs to look in the Utah history books to see the prevalence of the KKK in Utah. My friend growing up in WJ was constantly harassed and received death threats because they were the closest non-whites to the KKK stronghold in Riverton.

While I viewed Buttars 'black' reference a poor choice of adjectives (based on calling the kettle black), he is showing himself to be of even poorer quality speaking without thought while being scrutinized further. It would be best if he retires without seeking re-election. The bloodbath from the Voucher mess is already poised to reshape Utah politics and his bold declaration that he seeks to be re-elected only ensures one less Republican will be in the legislature next year.

resign....

Mark Shurtleff doesn't think what Buttars said was racist? What? What does he think it is?

Buttars you didn't just offend the African-American community... you offended me.... a white, priviledged male who takes offense when ignorant white males play victim to their own lack of awareness.

resign

He should atone in public. He should make deep and profound apology, in public, directly to the people he offended (not just the curosry "oops" he uttered on the floor of the Senate). He should make deep and profund acknowledcgement of how, and just how badly, he screwed up. He should then seal his atonement by immediately resiging from the Senate and never again seeking public office. He should also make it plan and clear to his church authorities that he does not have the sensitivity necessary to serve as a missionary anywhere.

This guy has some big problems, and he really needs to get a clue. He's an embarrassment, both to Utahns and to all Latter-day Saints. He REALLY needs to get a clue.

The 'black baby' comment was DEFINITELY racist. To say that using the words 'lynch mob' is racist is beyond ridiculous. The word 'lynch' mean "to put to death (as by hanging) by mob action without legal sanction". It's not a term or an action specific to any one race. That aside, Buttars is a mean-spirited, bigoted, narrow-minded embarrassment that should have been forcded to step down years ago. Maybe this latest debacle will open enough eyes that we'll finally be rid of him and his scary agenda.

I honestly don't think that Mr. Buttars is a racist. Like a lot of conservatives, he lives in a sheltered world of church, yes men, and KSL talk radio. The more he talks, the more it is clear that he is so emeshed in this right wing, alternate, universe that he doesn't have a clue about the lives of those outside his little world.