Reader comments
Inaction in Buttars flap reflects poorly on Utah

Maybe florez should more commited to writing about the truth rather than castigating a man who did not say any thing racial nor intended too.

Occam razor says All other things being equal, the simplest theory is the best.

So I ask what is more likely: buttars stumbled over words talking about a bill OR he intended to make a racist statement?

It's funny, the things florez talks about bad men doing are the exact things he is doing to buttars.

IN that light there was no reason for anyone to take action, there was no wrong thing done. Hypersensitivity is not eqiual to moral right.

If a white empolyee at a car company call another persons car design a black bay, an ugly baby do you think that person should be fired?

Isn't judgemental and presumptious to decide what that person meant by baby?

This is exactly what you are doing to him, coming down in some kind of self-righteous judgment because you believe you know his heart and intentions. Twisting his words to fit your world view.

Is this "1984" where we control everyone's words and eproscribe what word are even allowed.

Is this what people died for?

Florez aren't passing moral judgments on buttars because of the color of his skin?

If he was black or even hispanic, and he utter those words about a bill, would we be having this discussion?

And why do you believe you are in a position to pass moral judgement on others?

It's a good thing we have florez to watch for our morals or us whiteys would just make a mess of things.

If buttars was black or hispanic and he said what he said, would we even be having this discussion.

NO? so then aren't you judging him by his skin color and not his character?

How dare you twist his words and intentions and condemn and innocent man just for political expediency.

Now you are suggesting the everyone who runs for office must pass a civil moral value litmus test.

This whole article reeks of self-righeousness.

John Florez in now going sit in moral judgement of all legislatures, he aloae can see to others hearts and know their intentions and decide who morally fit. And there by, decide who is morally fit for office and who isn't.

And not only will he judge you but he will judge your whole district.

I would rather have open dialog and open discourse rather silencing voices because florez believes they are not civilly and morally deserving to be heard.

Where will it end? Pretty will it be aby white person can't serve because they can't possible understand the needs be sensitive enough of the monority? OR NO mormons because they not sensitive enough to non mormons. Where will it go? Where will it end?

To make these moral judgements about a person that John Florez calls for, one need to be to see another persons heart and know their intentions.

Who is going to do this? John Florez? The naacp?
Who going to prtect and defend those who are NOT in the minority?

Will people be allowed to attack the majoriy ie White and Mormans ad naseum. And question them at will, while giving a free pass to all minorities and any thing they say?

IN your brave new world world who is going to decide who is not worthy, and what and who is morally acceptable?

John Florez aren't you advocating the state deciding whose voice can be heard and whose voice can't?

Sounds very scary!

Very Anti american.
Very anti constition.
Very anti free speech.

This is government by the people and for the people.
A people who will always be imperfect and thus have imperfect leaders.

This is not government by only those who are Polically correct who only say and do what is state approved.

If you once belong to the kkk can you hold office?
If belonged to the black panthers can you hold office?
If you belong to laraza ( i hope i spelled that right) can you hold office?

Can who has ever uttered a racial criticism be allowed in office at all?

Can someone against illegal immigration be allowed in office?

Whose moral judgement will used as criteria?

How much word twisting and intent twisting will be allowed get someone out of office that you disagree with?

If you only want certain voices and no true diversity then maybe you should move to cuba or china or iran. Where everyone must think alike.
Where one must have the certified morals or they can't hold office.

If all who have been accused of racism must be silent then I accuse you Mr. Florez of racism and demand that the Morning News stop publishing articles by him immediately!
Is this that you are trying to achieve Mr. Florez? Every one who has ever attended a La Rasa meeting must also be silenced. Where will it end, can only white people be racists? Isn�t that thought racist and hateful in and of itself?
I may think that you are a racist but please talk al you want, you make my point with every hateful racist word you speak.

"Economic forcast darkens" reads a headline in the News today... maybe the entire media is racist!

Thank you, John, for shining the light, not just on Sen. Buttars remarks, but on the lack of recognition from his cronies that what he said could be hurtful. As one who has often sat in on committee meetings and even testified before our legislators, I am always amazed at the lack of civility they show to those speaking on behalf of the public. Speakers are cut short, berated, verbally attacked, humiliated, and even more often -ignored. If anyone thinks Buttars comments show disrespect for black Utahns, they should hear how he attacks gays, Democrats, the poor, and unions. He doesn't much like anyone other than himself. I can understand such words coming from this man, but not the fact that the others didn't see the problem. It's time for a change on Capitol Hill.

Wow, the comments here certainly reflect the values and morals of Deseret News readers. Very sad. Very sad, indeed.

John Florez says, �Isn�t civil rights a moral value?� Sorry, John, this has nothing to do with civil rights. Instead, it has to do with our modern society�s insane reaction to any words that have the appearance of being racial (unless they are uttered by a liberal). Buttars� comments were clumsy and poorly worded, but not racist. He has openly apologized, and that should be all that is necessary. Perhaps Florez is upset because Buttars hasn�t followed the prescribed penance pattern of repeatedly groveling at the feet of the NAACP. I have often had respect for John Florez�s views, but this column is beneath him.

I cannot even begin to understand why people are so willing to give a pass for Sen. Buttars. The comment was made without hesitency or a stumbling tounge, I have no doubt he did not intend to sound racist but this slip of the tounge may have revealed who he actually is.

Even before this latest ham-handed comment, Sen. Buttars came across as an ingorant hayseed. It embarrases me that such a buffoon gets air time and I can only hope that any kind of national exposure is almost non-existant.

I agree entirely with you Reason. There is no civil right to never be offended.

I have no attachment or admiration for Sen. Buttars but the whole flap is an attempt to make political hay out of nothing.

It appears that the only ones who cannot say anything, without being labeled racists are those that are white...
With Florez, and other activists, such as the NAACP, white people cannot say anything without being labeled racists...
Why, oh why, do activists have to fuel the fire? Don't look for fault in everything that occurs...it just ends up labeling YOU!!!

using the word "black" does not always refer to African Americans. Just because the masses are ignorant that the term once refered to a still-born doesn't make Mr. Buttars a racist, it just shows ignorance on the part of the masses. It's too bad that Mr. Buttars seems to have lost some of his effectiveness as a result of the ignorance of the masses; especially those who carry huge chips on their shoulders.

Florez is absolutely right. Buttars is a babbler, and an offensive one, but the real culprits here are the senate leaders who say "there's nothing we can do about it." Well, there is something they can do ... they can stand up on the floor of the Senate and call for Buttars' resignation, and they would do it if they either (1) had any guts or (2) didn't secretly agree with him.

You are absolutely right. Buttars comments are offensive and hurtful. There are many people who visit and follow what happens at the Legislature. Some of these are Elementary, High School and College students who do so as assignments. What would have happened if a group of 5th graders had been present when Buttars made his comments? What would have happened if among those 5th graders were so African American, Mexican, Asian, etc? What would have gone through their developing minds? It is these kinds of comments by elected officials who are acting in their official capacity that shouldn't be tolerated and should be censured even if he apologizes.

If the parents of a black child had been in the Gallery with their child when Buttars made his comments they would have been forced to say nothing or face going to jail if they made a disturbance in the Gallery and the same could be said of other Senators who are faced with saying nothing or being censured and if the parent or Senator who objected apologized it wouldn't be enough yet for many Buttars apologizing is enough! This double standard shows their hypocrisy.

Substitue the statement 'dark, ugly baby' for 'Mormon, ugly baby' and maybe those that were not offended will understand. All the anti Mormon commemnts made by people around the country during the Romney campain certainly, and rightfully so, were offended. How can this comment by a legislator, someone held to a to a higher standard, go unpunished? And how can the citizens of Utah condone this behavior???

There is a callousness in this culture that is evident almost everywhere you turn.
The fact that it's only been 30 years since the LDS people would allow blacks into the priesthood should give you a clue as to where their collective heads are.