Deseret News | NAACP calls for resignation

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NAACP calls for resignation

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Disgusted | 8:47 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

I am an old, white Mormon man, and I agree completely with Ms. Williams and the NAACP. I am disgusted with Buttars and appalled at anyone who would try to defend him. Of course the Buttars comment is ignorant and racist. Isn't it time for the Village Idiot of West Jordan to just go home and shut up?

Rob | 8:44 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

The NAACP is a worrible organization the brings down the African American community. Equality means treating eachother the same. The man used a color to discribe a situation. Red can mean love, white is clean, (like a clean shirt, dah), blue is the color of the sky and is a happy color. These remarks by this organization is what brings African Americans down, who wants to talk to individuals or associate with them if you constently on pins and needles hoping you do not offend them, get some thicker skin, (Oh is that offensive) I am not white and I do not care what people say, I am confident enough in my race and myself, I could care less what others say. It must be sad to constantly judge others and read into what others say all the time. Thank God the African American friends I have are not so petty.

Anonymous | 8:51 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Ummm...there are more people than the NAACP calling for his resignation. Me for one and I am white. The problem with so many here and elsewhere is that they try to justify disrespect and hurtful and offensive comments to make themselves feel better. His comments weren't offensive?! Give me a break! It's time to stand up for what is right - we are all equal and should never be judged - especially by our government - by skin color or looks. My heart aches for the beautiful baby. It is time we all walked what we talk on Sundays and stand up for what is right. What he said was wrong! I hope Mr. Buttars' heart and mind are enlightened in the future and I hope our government becomes more representative of all of the people in this state and the country around us. ...if it already is, then we have a lot of work to do.

Comments continue below

wow | 8:45 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

As a black man i do find that offensive for him to say " black dark ugly thing". If you do not think that is racist or offensive you have got to be kidding me. There is a difference between racism and just namin a baby black. If he refered to the baby as black no one would have a problem. He referred to the baby as a black dark ugly thing i dont know how that is not racist. I guess people have different views on racism, maybe because they've never experienced it themselves.

Anonymous | 8:45 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Where is the NAACP when Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton make racist remarks. Not once have I ever heard the NAACP say Jessie and Al was wrong. Now who is racist.

Anonymous | 8:47 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Why don't you people read Slick's comment posted at 6:58? All you haters on both sides of this debate should just chill out. You find what you are looking for... period! Welcome to Utah Slick, we're glad you joined us.

re"NAACP = Racisism | 8:48 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Tired, tired argument.

"but just think how the world would react if I created an ALL CAUCASIAN organization and banned membership based on race?"

They did in 1787. It's called the United States of America. That's why we need the 14thAmmendment.

Wake up! -- like many Utahns.

Silver Lining | 8:58 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

I agree with Thurgood (8:02) that this guy is a train wreck. However the silver lining is that now he has been marginalized. The guy has absolutely no credibility now. In the future when he introduces crazy legislation I hope the rest of the senate members will just sit back, sigh, and say "who let crazy uncle Chris out of the basement this time".

Henry Drummond | 9:02 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

I disagree probably as much as any of the posters on this site with Chris. I think his crusade against homosexuals is motivated by religious interest rather than public interest. He gives lip service to separation of powers and then proposes legislation to make Judges have to come before his committee to continue to keep their jobs. He often proposes bills that clearly violate the constitution he professes to support.

I don't believe Chris is mean spirited or bigoted against African-Americans however. He has apologized for his choice of words and I think it is very unfair to insist he meant to make disparaging remarks when anyone who listens to the whole tape can see he was reacting to the choice of words another Senator used.

I suspect that the voters will find a more able spokesperson for Chris's Senate seat this November. I hope that decision will be based on people's view of what public policies are best for the State, not on making Chris into something he is not.

Only a matter of time | 9:06 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Until we hear from Sharpton on this non-issue.

BabyMetaphor | 9:13 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Again, I am not sure why the media is not including the context in which Buttars made his comments. I did hear the entire debate in which comments were made (on property tax equalization for school districts.) Throughout the hour-long debate, senators were invoking the King Solomon story from the Bible, in which he commanded that the ï¿½baby be cut in halfï¿½ as a means of administering justice. So senators were talking about ï¿½the babyï¿½ and ï¿½cutting the baby in half,ï¿½ and ï¿½ugly babyï¿½ prior to Buttarï¿½s comments. While his utterance was strange, at the time, I took it as continuing with the metaphor ï¿½ he was trying to amplify that he saw the bill leading to nothing but a black hole, and a ï¿½train wreckï¿½ as he said. He unfortunately combined in his head his strong feelings that the bill would lead Utah into a dark ï¿½nightmareï¿½ and the baby metaphor numerous Senators prior to him were using. I disagree with just about everything Senator Buttars says and perhaps the guy has some issues, but my impression was the statement in context was not racist.

Understand | 9:17 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

I found no racism at all in this statement. he was not refering to skin color or race. The head of the NAACP should resign after turning something that was not racist at all into somthing that was.

UWMad | 9:17 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

West Jordan owes the whole state an apology? Give me a break! What does that have to do with anything?

Everyone who has posted on this board has at one time, in the company of people, said something that could have been deemed offensive by somebody else. The only difference is that no one was there recording your every word?

In this scenario you just need senate's rules. He apologized, it's done. The NAACP needs to get over themselves! When have they ever called for Rev. Jackson or Sharpton's resignations? They've said some very racist and religiously bigoted things in their history, it's such a double standard, it makes me sick.

You can't hold everyone else to such a high standard when you won't even hold your own leaders to the same standard! Your words stop meaning anything!

Re: Get a Life! | 9:19 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

I really appreciate your information "Get a Life" and it makes a difference. I hadn't realized that and it shows that perspective can change when we have the whole story. I hope this comes out more in the media too. Thanks for your entry.

I'll bet | 9:25 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

That if Chris Buttars were a radio personality, they would have his head on a pike by now. Should we expect less from our political leaders than radio personalities? And this wasn't the only time he mis-spoke. It happened before and the reference was once again in the context of an African-American issue. He seems to make a lot of mistakes when talking about people of color doesn't he?

Without Light | 9:25 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

From a North Carolina advocate for equal rights, not affirminative action (giving someone preferencial treatment based upon nationality).
I feel that Jeanetta Williams NAACP has a big problem with racism herself, just because the word ï¿½blackï¿½ was used in no way refers to Afican Americans. Why havenï¿½t they petitioned to get the term ï¿½black holeï¿½ (scientic termonology) changed. A black hole is a region of space in which the gravitational field is so powerful that nothing can escape after having fallen past the event horizon. The name comes from the fact that even electromagnetic radiation (e.g. light) is unable to escape, rendering the interior invisible. I am pretty sure in todayï¿½s times of over doing politcal correctness that the Senator was using the color terminology as ï¿½without light, full of secrets or downfallsï¿½ he did not say ï¿½black babyï¿½ or in any way refrence that he was talking about a nationality!! Jeanetta Williams owes the Senator an appology for over reacting and taking statements out of context!! NAACPï¿½s membership guidelines would be found illegal if diagnosed under the same scrutiny. Wake-up people and get a life of living instead of trying to find fault with everyone else.

Whoa Nellie | 9:33 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

It is absolutely unbelievable that there are so many people who have Internet access and supposedly can read that are such total idiots. Only a racist would state or believe that Sen. Buttars' comment was improper or racist. How about getting off the Web and get yourselves an education. It's morons like you that give Utah and the human race a bad reputation. His was not a racist comment and only a racist fool would think otherwise. Do everyone a favor and go play on the freeway.

Conrad Heward | 9:34 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

All those who lambaste Utah and Utahns COLLECTIVELY are guilty of what you lambaste us for--STEREOTYPING.

I was born in Provo and have lived in Utah almost all my life. Yes, I am a Mormon.
However, I was card carrying member of the NAACP at the University of Utah branch while I attended school there.

ALL Utahns are NOT racist. And Utah is not a bad place.

I apologize to those who have suffered personally by those who are racist in Utah or California or Georgia or wherever. But, ALL people in those other states aren't racist either nor should they be stereotyped.

Please ABANDON the stereotyping of Utahns.

Double Standards | 9:56 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

When the NAACP calls for the resignation of former Kleagle of the West Virginia KKK Robert Byrd, then perhaps I'll believe they're sincere about Senator Buttars.

But the fact that "sheets" Byrd is still in the US Senate makes me believe the NAACP is just playing politics here.

Democrat racists, good; Republican racists, bad.

Anonymous | 9:56 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

What do you expect from a man having been born and raised in the belly of the beast? Receiving his tutelage under under the old-time perpetrators of Jim Crow racism? A protege of Governor George Wallace and Sheriff Bull Connor. When will we wake up and acknowledge that this predictable behavior and rhetoric, as offensive as it is, demonstrates the nature of his moral character. Apparently, this is the kind of man that the people of Utah want to represent them, while he worms his way through the halls of the capitol, spreading his venom and apologizing for it later. I wonder how many would take offense if it were suggested the "ugly white baby" be chopped up and discarded.

Buttars Constituent | 10:40 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

As one of Senator Chris Buttars constituents, I too call for his resignation. It is long overdue.

YAY | 10:41 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

If Wild Bill Clinton can cheat on his WIFE and just give a half-lie half-apology, and everyone (liberals) loves him still, why can't this guy? No one should have to be accountable for their actions anyway right? Aren't we that enlightened?

racism? | 10:42 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Have we gotten so out of whack in this country that somebody can't use the word "black" without sensitive folks taking it out of context and using it for their own agenda? Amazing that this is even newsworthy. I know there are racist individuals out there, and I am sure the NAACP exists for a very good reason, but crying wolf in this fashion just make reasonable people like myself question their existence.

Anonymous | 10:45 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

I'm white, I'm a Republican, and I think it's time for Mr. Buttars to resign. There is no room for people of his character in public office. And it's not just this comment. He carries an obvious prejudice based on what? On IGNORANCE and HATE. We, as Americans, can no longer allow ignorance and hate to be a part of our decision making, our leadership, or our message. Sweep this under the carpet and you just become part of the problem. I'm sorry, but I have higher standards for the great State of Utah. And Mr. And Buttars does not measure up.

Mike | 10:54 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

I think one look of the picture of Senator Buttars on the front page of the Salt Lake Tribune on Wednesday, February 12, 2007, says a lot about this man. There is a look of disdain, possibly even deep hatred , toward the person he is looking at, a person opposing a bill Senator Buttars has introduced about domestic partnerships.

I do not personally know him but the look on his face in that picture when combined with some of his past statements and the history of bills he has introduced say to me that he is a man with zero tolerance for those who are different from him or who think differently than he thinks. Such a person should not be in any legislative position.

I would think he could only be elected by those who share his zero tolerance for difference. Something should be done to undo this and hopefully have someone replace him who can deal with difference with a degree of respectfulness rather than disdain.

Let There be Darkness | 10:53 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Ou language, literature, culture, and most of the world's religions/pseudo-religions use metaphors that compare darkness, or absense of light, with evil, lack of knowledge, or satanic influences. This is a time-honored metaphore. His use of it was proper. It was, unfortunately, mixed with that other time-honored metaphore of Solomon threatening to divide the baby.

Here is a short list of religions to which I referred:

Mormonism
Christianity
Hinduism
Budaism
Zoroastrianism
Paganism
Ancient PanHellenic mystery religions
Free Masonry
and many others

That metaphore was and is the most universal one on earth.

Just go to | 10:51 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

the ani-illegal blog ..on racism amongst the mormons...I rest my case!

jr | 10:57 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Not all of West Jordan voted for this jerk but we are stuck with him - The Utah Ligislative lot are all white male bigots, lets face it. Utah is very racist even if you are not colored, just have a different accent -

VOR | 10:57 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

This whole "black" vs "white" debate show's a pattern in thought that is troublesome, if you are not "white and delightsome" you have no place in society. I hold little doubt that Mr. Buttars isn't a racist, and I believe it's institutional and engrained in his thinking. I can't help think that those who defend him think the same way he does. I could quote many past local ecclesiastical leaders who have made derogatory statements about those who are not white - countless in fact. People that Mr. Buttars undoubtedly look up to made many of those statements. The past practice of sweeping these unpleasant past public statements under the rug seem to raise their "dark ugly" head every now and then. I don't think Mr. Buttars can hide the fact that he was raised a racist, and more than likely believes that those who are not white, strait, and Christian/Mormon, are not human beings, and therefore deserve no rights. Mr. Buttars has demonstrated this thinking from the moment he was elected. I've argued before, for a party who preaches good government is less, seem to think that doesn't apply to personal freedoms.

RE:Re: Get a Life! | 11:00 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

THE BILL WAS ORIGINALLY CALLED "THE UGLY BABY BILL"???

Our Senate is arguing this bill???

Who elected these Buffoons???

I cannot wait to hear what comes off the hill today?

Anonymous | 11:08 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

If the NAACP is against him then I'm for him. I can't think of a more racist organization than the NAACP.

B. Patton | 11:14 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Senator Buttars is surely a complete and total embarrassment to the state of Utah and the LDS church. Wake up Chris. It is the year 2008. I do not care what you and other bigoted people might have said in the past. Decent, kind, respectable, compasssionate people do not say things like that today. RESIGN, BABY, RESIGN!

NAACP a JOKE | 11:10 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Why are people freaking out about this!!! Too much political correctness!!! Get over it!! I agree with CTR "Just because he referred to something as black, people get all upset". It was a slip of the tongue. Oh let's call for his resignation, blah, blah, blah, let's call for the resignation of most of our senators and legislators, and representatives!!! Let's talk equality, where's the NAACP when a English (white)/Asian/Spanish/Polish/Dutch/Scottish person's demonized! Hypocritical bunch of "JACKALS" Need I say more?????

Salt Lake City or Bust | 11:10 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Anyone notice how Desert News readers are the only ones in the Nation who are defending Buttars remarks?

Sad commentary on who we are.

Walt | 11:12 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

He needs to go on T.V. and say he is sorry to the people of Utah. Then go work for the Obama camp and learn to be color blind.

patagonia | 11:13 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

I have spent almost all of my 41 years life here in Utah. I am a white, lds male. I think, I have pretty similar views to most other people in my culture. However, 7 years ago, my wife and I adopted our first, of 2 black children. Now don't get me wrong, we have not experienced any overt racism. However, I have come to find that MANY of us in this culture, probably due to our lack of socialization with blacks, make many unbelievably stupid, unintentionaly racist comments. Do I think this means that Senator Buttars should resign over this? Probably not. But I do think that he does need to have some pressure placed on him so that he might be humbled enough to do some real honest soul-searching. And, I hope that some of you who read this will take what I am writing to heart and also do some soul searching yourselves. Do you really see all of our Heavenly Father's children the same? Really? So, when my returned missionary son of color starts dating your daughter, are you going to be okay? If you really internalize the question, you might be surpised what you find.

To Slick: | 11:16 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Thank you for your wise comment. I abhor racism. Sometimes a slip of the tongue indicates an underlying racist attitude. I suspect that is what happened here. Still, Buttars apologized and should be forgiven. Those who can't forgive, read the New Testament.

re to:Conrad Heward | 11:19 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Classic Utah Post.

Question?

What does this mean???

"However, I was card carrying member of the NAACP at the University of Utah branch while I attended school there."

Carrying a card make you more of an "Urban Utah County White Guy".

I'll bet one of your friends are "black" too.

Is his name "Carl"?

Recognize | 11:20 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

It's a good thing that Buttars is being called out. Not because he is being called on it, but because it gives more people the opportunity to acknowledge the fact that the NAACP is equivalent to Colored Supremacy; just the same as linking KKK to White Supremacy, both go hand in hand the same as NAACP and Colored Supremacy. African-Americans received equality under under the law, so why is there a need for NAACP? The laws were passed, they have their spokesmen get off the "RACE" car and do something about it beside segregating into "RACE CARS" and victimizing African-Americans and people like Buttars. NAACP thinks that only white people can be racist, due to slavery in America's History, but I wasnt there, neither was anyone who is Alive. It is just time to stop all the "belly-aching". You dont see Chinese people forming organization's even though they were extorted and in-slaved.

Let's see! | 11:23 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

If a black makes a derogatory remark, such as white trash, but if a white uses the term black, the NAACP demands an instant resignation.

If they are for truth, then why don't they start putting pressure on the adulterer Jesse Jackson to step aside. He aplogized for his adultery, but I don't accept that. Then we have Sharpton, who is as racist as they come. Why won't NAACP stand up and denounce him.

Remember NAACP, when you point a finger at someone, you have three pointing back at you.

The answer to the first statment is this according tothe NAACP. Blacks have a right to voice their feelings and vent their feelings, but Whites are by nature racist and therefore do not have the right to voice their opinion.

As to the person who said that the racists elected Buttars, that is a veiled statement that members of the Church are racist, because the majority of his district are LDS. What a gutless comment.

Racism is racism, regardless of color of skin. Until that fact is accepted we will continue to have this problem.

Ignorance must be bliss... | 11:23 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Anyone that would attmept to defend this man needs to think twice about their own beliefs. This senator has a proven track record of being racist and his positions are undefensible.

Ignorance is no excuse - especially when you hold a public office. Unfortunately this is not the first racist comment this man has made. He is an embarrassement to this state.

Also, his appology was hardly sincere "my statement could be taken as racist" - how about your statement was racist.

I truly hope the people of West Jordan press for his resignation - this should not be tolerated.

This is not a partisan issue at all - don't take it there.

Anonymous | 11:23 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

He should resign. His comments and recent supporting of bills that would teach creationism in schools, shows his ignorance and lack of ability to seperate church and state. The fact is this is not the first time he has shown is inability to make wise decisions. Resign so we don't have to hear your uneducated views any more.

Reason | 11:27 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Until the NAACP starts condemning Jesse Jackson for his "Hymietown" remark, Al Sharpton for "cracker" and other racist remarks too numerous to list, and the Rap music and the entertainment industry for using the "N" word, it will have no credibility with the overwhelming majority of Americans and will be seen as hypocritical. I have spent 30 years as a father ensuring the "N" word has no place in my family and then some idiot rapper comes on TV before I can push the off button and uses the word repeatedly so a three year old grandchild repeats it. Do something about that NAACP then maybe you will have influence. Now you are irrelevant.

Sgt. Ron Stallworth, DPS-Ret. | 11:30 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Sen. Buttars DID NOT misspeak. He simply demonstrated--ONCE AGAIN--what everyone in the minority community has long recognized....that he is an avowed RACIST and ELITIST and in no way has any of their interest at heart. For him to, in any context, refer to a "black baby" as being ugly simply reveals HIS true colors. In the past Sen. Buttars has stated that he uses his LDS faith as a gage to stand for or against issues that come before him as a Senator. If this is correct then what does that say about his interpretation of faith in relation to Black people? Are we and our babies "ugly" in their eyes too? Gov. Romney was recently wrongfully maligned over his LDS faith in his quest for the Presidency by the evangelicals in this country. With individuals like Sen. Buttars who have a somewhat high profile of sorts as a member of the church making cheap, derogatory, blatantly racist remarks such as this one has to seriously question whether the evangelicals might not have had a reason to challenge Romney as vigorously as they did. SEN. BUTTARS IS A DISGRACE AND SHOULD RESIGN AT THE WORST OR AT LEAST BE CENSORED.

Rob | 11:34 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Without Light, you have the most intelligent remarks. Seems like a lot of people need to get off thier high horse and stop judging others so quickly. It is unbelieveable there is this many irrational people, maybe they should read a dictionary or learn that the world black has more than one meaning. I guess the word brown means Hispanics or Mexicans. I guess we need to start a whole new language or words for colors, because to many racist people associate words with only one meaning. Seems there are a lot of people who like to cast judgements on a man they probably have no association with, pathetic.

RSB | 11:39 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Just a month ago, I sent an email out to family with a little joke in it. Immediately after I sent it, I thought, oh dang, so and so could be offended by that joke. So, I immediately apologized to the person who I offended.
Yesterday, we just discussed in great detail in a class Plessy v. Ferguson. Clearly an erroneous ruling based on the morals of today. When Sen. Buttars said Brown v. Bd. of Education was decided wrong, who really knows what that really means. It could mean he is racist, or that it should have done more than just desegragate schools. Words are twistable and the only one who really knows what they mean are the utterer and God. Leave it be.
The only reason this is a hot issue is because he is the highest profile member in the senate voicing his opinion against the extension of marital rights to homosexuals. If senator Buttars wasn't there someone else would be, it is in accord with the religious beliefs of the majority of this state, and just so happens to be against the secular minorities desires.

Anonymous | 11:41 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

To: Salt Lake City or Bust -
What do you mean WE?

Funny | 11:44 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

It's the year 2008.

Political correctness runs amuck.

Blacks can form an organization called NAACP
Whites can't form an organization called NAAWP because that would be racist.
Jesse and Al can howl racial epithets at the moon and no one says boo.
But let an unknown white Utah legislator use Black as a color and watch the fan blow all sorts of stuff around.

The only embarassment here it is people apologizing over and over and for what? The only embarassment here is people with nothing better to do.

You people get snowed in last night and the cabin fever is raging? It isn't snowing here, not Utah.

Get real!

S.Polster | 11:50 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

When Sen. Buttars ran for office, he became a "public person" whose every word, deed and act would be monitored by his constituents. He can apologize all he wants for his poor choice of words, but his true bigotry shows that Utah does not need him to embarrass us any further. Stop disgracing us and do the right thing Buttars . . . step down. Then enroll in a tolerance class.

Blake | 11:59 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

As all of you white, majority religion attending people pretend to know what it is like to be a minority, those of us who are stand amazed that this kind of ignorance is defended! If a democrat in the senate had said, "This baby is a MORMON. Easily fooled, small-minded and hell-bound" you would be mortified...as would all of us who have distaste for prejudice words. Put yourself in others shoes before you shrug off what he said.

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