Reader comments
Buttars deserves forgiveness

I've heard him make a couple of lip-service "apologies" but have yet to see him meet with the NAACP or any other large group targeted by his bigotry (in several categories). I have yet to see him try to atone by reversing his policies and working for the benefit of the several categories of people he has offended over the years. Actions speak louder than words, and his actions show that he has not had the reversal that truly demonstrates repentance. While we should be of bigger character than he, and give him our forgiveness, we should make sure that he never again has a chance to do the injury he has caused in the past. People of West Jordan -- are you really listening to this guy? If you are, please vote him the heck out of office.

Sorry, I disagree.

Mr. Buttars long history of hateful remarks, willful ignorance and bullying behavior towards those who dare disagree with him makes him, to my mind, totally unfit to represent me as a legislator.

He is an embarrassment to the Republican party and for the good of the party, he should resign. Otherwise, he'll become an albatross around the neck of the party this November.

Hopefully Buttars will use all this as an opportunity for reflection and personal growth. Better late than never.

how much compassion should this monster be shown, he uses his position to threaten people, not just racial slurs, his latest antic threatening a judge. This is not his first offense and won't be his last but I sure won't be voting for him. He has little respect for other human beings of any kind. He is the typical Utah politician though so I guess we can't expect better.

Yes, I agree, we should forgive Mr. Buttars. But actions have consequences and his overt bigotry has forced me to conclude that he has to go. The people of Utah deserve better.

Nope, no forgiveness. Much as I enjoy seeing another goiter on the republican party, this hoob has to go.

He needs to be replaced no matter how you feel about his remarks there are a lot more things that he is doing wrong his bills to help his buddy Gibby are not appropriate I wish I had someone that would introduce at least 4 bills that would make it easer for me to do what I wanted

Mr. Booth: Great letter. I fully agree. Our modern society is hypersensitive to words that appear racial. Buttars has apologized for his foolishly-worded-but-not-racist remarks. He has no obligation to grovel at the feet of the self-appointed race confessional of the NAACP. Buttars should run for re-election, and people should stop making a man �an offender for a word.� True racism is wrong. This wasn�t it.

One thing that the civil rights movement,affirmative action, and any religion you care to mention, not to mention abortion and any other devisive issue has taught us is that there IS NO forgiveness for any kind of disagreement with our own opinions. That would require us to admit that people make honest mistakes and may actually be able to change their minds. It may also require that we rethink our own positions and actually make a conscious decision to change our own opinions. That is just plain unthinkable in today's america. We must never be allowed to have compassion or think something positive of someone who has offended us. It is the american way to forever vilify people who disagree with us, and whenever we can institutionalize that disagreement to make sure we are "right" we can never let that go.

Remember, if you truly do think about something and change your position, you are not enlightened, you are a "flip-flopper". Obviously all intelligent individuals must formulate a hard and fast opinion early and then cling to it as to life itself, ad infinitum, regardless of any new evidence or epiphany you may encounter.

Sad but true.

Ben: It's because this was just the tip of the iceberg. He's had a history of making obsurd comments and true ignorance of science as well as basic human rights.

The first rule of being in a hole is "stop digging." Buttars's rule is "call for more shovels."

Mr. Booth where can I sign up for the Eagle Forumn? I would love to be part of a mixed up group who doen't have a clue about the real world and makes it OK to do stupid and say stupid things

NO

Reason,

I assume you are not black, not gay, and not the judge in the Gibby case, because if you were, you would probably not be chiding people about being "hypersensitive". Some people really ARE offended by this guy. Those of us who are actually impacted by Buttar's hateful and bigoted agenda are not about to cut him any slack. As a public official, he is accountable for his words and deeds.

Nobody is "rushing" to judgment...if anything, we're way behind in terms of giving Sen. Buttars the benefit of the doubt. His racial slurs are but a small part of a big picture of repressing helpless minorities, intimidating the judiciary,cozying up to big donors and doing them special favors (e.g. Gibby). I'm sorry for Sen. Buttars, particularly in his ability to see for himself what he has become, but he needs to go. Now.

Man, people in Utah are so uptight (actually, in Amercia in general). A wise man who lived 2000 years ago once said "let him who is without sin cast the first stone." I'm sure some people had said things that, even though they may have had good intentions, did in fact offend others. Another wise man in our day said that "we choose to be offended" and that no one can make us feel bad unless we choose to feel so. Another famous turtle once said, "forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for a late pizza!" Take it easy! Mahalo nui loa.

Extend compassion: Forgive the person, and hold the elected official accountable. You can do both things at the same time for any individual.

Compassion is desirable, but especially difficult when the receipient refuses to be compassionate towards others.

Senator Buttars is a prime example of why ignorance and hatred should not be combined with power and influence.

Darin M: If you are offended and upset at Sen. Buttars because his political views differ with yours and your life choices, then you may have a legitimate disagreement. But I�m not referring to that. I�m referring only to his poorly worded comments on the Senate floor two weeks ago. If you are trumping up those words with a cry of �racism,� in a convenient attempt to get rid of a politician that you disagree with, then you are being dishonest about your motives. And if you truly feel that his comments were racist, then, yes, you are being hypersensitive.

Hey relax do not forgot what the wise person 2000 tears ago told the sinner "go and do it no more" Mr Buttars needs to learn that lesson also unfortunately there is a lot more then this one comment.

My coworker (a fairly strong, big sort of guy) has adopted 2 cute little African-American children. I would like you to tell him to his face that he is being "hypersensitive" about Buttars's remark. It would be entertaining to watch the results.