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Sen. Buttars' mea culpa
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Buttard | 12:45 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Typical milque toast D News editorial. Don't take a stand, just yap on
with your mildly concerned attitude.
mamapapaluv | 1:57 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Not enough, Deseret News. You should demand his resignation from the legislature
or an official censure. I predicted your patty-cake admonishment. He is a
despicable person who has lost his right to legislate to the rest of us. He
needs to be booted.
Ethan | 2:11 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
So he said something that could be construed as racist, and afterwards
apologized for it. What's the big deal? The only people who are offended
are those who want to be and those who have an ax to grind.
Comments continue below
BBKing | 5:44 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
I get tired of a lazy staff at the Dnews rehearsing the same inaccuracies from
the two conventions in question.
While it is true Leavitt and Hatch's nominator were jeered (Hatch was not jeered) the Dnews does not bother to explain what really happened.
The quickest is with Hatch. The convention was held at the E-center, with large digital clocks that everyone can see. Rules stated that the moment someone spoke on the microphone the clock began ticking. Everyone received 5 minutes. Congressman Hansen, Governor Leavitt,...everyone received 5 minutes.
With Hatch, he got close to 6.5 minutes. His nominator began to speak but unlike anyone else, the clock did not start. All 5,000 of us watched this double standard. After about 30 seconds of 'free time' a person yelled "start the clock!" After another 15 seconds a bunch more began yelling this. After a minute or so many, many people began yelling "start the clock." Some just began to boo.
Hatch was on the stand but a lady was at the microphone. Hatch was not booed. The fact that the GOP rigged it for him was. All animals are created equal, some are more equal.
Get it straight Dnews!
While it is true Leavitt and Hatch's nominator were jeered (Hatch was not jeered) the Dnews does not bother to explain what really happened.
The quickest is with Hatch. The convention was held at the E-center, with large digital clocks that everyone can see. Rules stated that the moment someone spoke on the microphone the clock began ticking. Everyone received 5 minutes. Congressman Hansen, Governor Leavitt,...everyone received 5 minutes.
With Hatch, he got close to 6.5 minutes. His nominator began to speak but unlike anyone else, the clock did not start. All 5,000 of us watched this double standard. After about 30 seconds of 'free time' a person yelled "start the clock!" After another 15 seconds a bunch more began yelling this. After a minute or so many, many people began yelling "start the clock." Some just began to boo.
Hatch was on the stand but a lady was at the microphone. Hatch was not booed. The fact that the GOP rigged it for him was. All animals are created equal, some are more equal.
Get it straight Dnews!
Buster | 6:17 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Many (but clearly not all) Utah Republicans have given this bozo a pass whenever
he says something stupid. That appears to be just about every time he opens his
mouth. It's time to hang him out to dry.
Why wait? | 8:01 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
I disagree with the D-News' implication that nothing can be done until the
convention. People should be contacting Senator Buttars NOW and inviting him to
resign. His contact information is at the state legislature's website and
his phone number is 801-561-0535
Anonymous | 8:32 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Just put an -R by your name and you too can get elected and say whatever you
want!
Utah Resident | 8:38 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Thank you, Deseret News, for at least acknowledging how bad this man is for our
state. This story has made US news, and along with that very telling photo of
him, he has turned into a national joke.
Cherilyn Eagar | 8:44 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
I worked with Senator Buttars on the gay straight alliance issue as well as the
marriage issue, Amendment 3. He is not a "bozo," a racist or
homophobe. Those attacks are no better than the language he used to describe
how he felt about the socialist legislation he opposes.
I do not condone his words. His background reminds me of the students I met at BYU years ago who had grown up in the farming communities of Utah and Idaho. As a city girl from Hollywood, California, I found them to be less sophisticated and refined, less able to express themselves with decorum and diplomacy.
This is now a political ploy to remove a solid conservative vote from the Senate. If Senator Buttars is forced to resign, I hope his successor will be as reliable as he has been to vote for moral laws that promote less government and individual liberty.
I do not condone his words. His background reminds me of the students I met at BYU years ago who had grown up in the farming communities of Utah and Idaho. As a city girl from Hollywood, California, I found them to be less sophisticated and refined, less able to express themselves with decorum and diplomacy.
This is now a political ploy to remove a solid conservative vote from the Senate. If Senator Buttars is forced to resign, I hope his successor will be as reliable as he has been to vote for moral laws that promote less government and individual liberty.
Jud | 9:34 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Deseret News falls short on this one. Buttars has been "expressing
himself" too long. Given his record of oppressing people he doesn't
like, he simply can't be trusted to be a lawmaker in a civilized society.
Blacks, gays, scientists, schoolteachers--how much persecution can he dish out
from his Capitol office before the DNews does the right thing and calls for his
resignation?
Gayle Ruzicka | 9:49 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Senator Buttars is a wonderful man who wants the United States and the State of
Utah to return to the basic principles of our inspired founding fathers. He
supports fundamentalist religious beliefs that are in line with basic old
testament doctrines. There is nothing wrong with this man. Give him some
forgiveness and let us move forward together to make Utah a state where old
fashioned family values reign supreme.
Anonymous | 10:03 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Racism is not part of My family values, Gayle.
But it is most definitely a part of this culture's. Its' what doomed Mitt Romney.
But it is most definitely a part of this culture's. Its' what doomed Mitt Romney.
JJ | 10:03 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Not sure if "Gayle Ruzicka" (1st comment) is really THE Gayle Ruzicka
or an imposter. If it's an imposter, my hat's off for writing a
realistic Gayle Ruzicka impersonation.
If it really IS Gayle Ruzicka, then get your own house in order (you know exactly what I mean...) before lecturing others or trying to stick your nose into what should be the private business of others. You are neither elected to any public office, nor authorized to speak on behalf of your church. Utah would be better off if you minded your own business instead of trying to force your values (using the term loosely) on every resident of the state.
If it really IS Gayle Ruzicka, then get your own house in order (you know exactly what I mean...) before lecturing others or trying to stick your nose into what should be the private business of others. You are neither elected to any public office, nor authorized to speak on behalf of your church. Utah would be better off if you minded your own business instead of trying to force your values (using the term loosely) on every resident of the state.
Hatuletoh | 10:22 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
I wish to express my sincere admiration for Cherilyn Eagar @ 8:44. I'd
been waiting to hear from an actual supporter of Mr. Buttars since this story
broke, but had yet to find anyone willing to own up to such an opinion. The
most I'd heard was attacks againsts the NAACP for inflating this issue. I
thank Ms. Eagar for the courage to stand up for someone in whom she believes,
especially as that person is now 'persona non grata'.
With that being said, I simply do not understand why you people are so nervous about gay issues. There are so many real problems in the world that desperately need the attention of dedicated individuals--why waste time worrying about who loves whom? If you're not a homosexual adolescent in need of emotional support, then don't join a homosexual adolescent support club. But why expend so much energy telling others what they cannot do? Go volunteer at a homeless shelter, or pick up trash in wilderness areas, or SOMETHING positive. But don't decry "socialist legislation" while simultaneously supporting morality laws that attempt to dictate how people live their lives.
With that being said, I simply do not understand why you people are so nervous about gay issues. There are so many real problems in the world that desperately need the attention of dedicated individuals--why waste time worrying about who loves whom? If you're not a homosexual adolescent in need of emotional support, then don't join a homosexual adolescent support club. But why expend so much energy telling others what they cannot do? Go volunteer at a homeless shelter, or pick up trash in wilderness areas, or SOMETHING positive. But don't decry "socialist legislation" while simultaneously supporting morality laws that attempt to dictate how people live their lives.
Gayle Ruzicka & Buttars | 10:23 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
How is it that you can presume to know what our founding fathers would want for
our country in this modern age? Shouldn't we expect more from our leaders
and representatives than mere presumptions? Surely, our founding fathers were
men of faith, but by no means infallible. Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and
others would be the first to admit that. Unfortunately, their wisdom is used by
people like Ruzicka & Buttars as rhetoric - not to inspire a better future,
but to alienate people who don't prescribe to their
"fundamentalist" values. Well, here's a presumption of my own,
Gayle: The founding fathers would be disgraced if they knew their proud
legacies are being hijacked by rabid idealogues such as yourself, all for the
sake of a narrow, short-sighted agenda.
RangerGordon | 10:24 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Buttars is an embarrassment. People look at Buttars and think he's the face
of Utah.
Unfortunately, they may be right, judging by the number of people on this forum willing to defend Buttars' blatantly racist views.
Unfortunately, they may be right, judging by the number of people on this forum willing to defend Buttars' blatantly racist views.
Gus Talwynd | 11:44 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Even the kids off the farm and from the small towns learn to be tolerant in a
diverse society. Also, supporting "fundamentalist religious beliefs in
line with basic old testament doctrines" is certainly questionable (both
then and today) as appropriate in a society as diverse as the United States.
Those nostalgic days when Utah was so homogeneous in in its culture and religion that being an "outsider" was to be a "non-person" in the community has been slowly eroding since the first pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. To request a "Old Testament World" is basically to want Sharia Law to be intituted throughout the land.
Senator Buttars is much like his mentor, "B-1" Bob Dornan (former U.S. Congressman from Orange County, California) with his lack of the proper filtering mechanism for his utterances in public. Having a mouth that spews racist and hateful speech and then attempting to cover himself with a "heartfelt and sincere" apology is his greatest adversary. Hopefully, the voting public will understand that it is not well-served by such a partisan hack.
Those nostalgic days when Utah was so homogeneous in in its culture and religion that being an "outsider" was to be a "non-person" in the community has been slowly eroding since the first pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. To request a "Old Testament World" is basically to want Sharia Law to be intituted throughout the land.
Senator Buttars is much like his mentor, "B-1" Bob Dornan (former U.S. Congressman from Orange County, California) with his lack of the proper filtering mechanism for his utterances in public. Having a mouth that spews racist and hateful speech and then attempting to cover himself with a "heartfelt and sincere" apology is his greatest adversary. Hopefully, the voting public will understand that it is not well-served by such a partisan hack.
Anonymous | 11:58 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Unfortunately, Racism is way deep in this culture's past. And there really
is nothing anyone can do about it. It's even in their scriptures.
Not Sorry Enough | 12:05 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008
I believe that Senator Buttars comments are inappropriate and offensive. Ms.
Williams concerns would be much more valid if I had ever heard her demand that
Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson resign and disappear from the public stage. So
that is a wash. As far as Ms. Ruzicka is concerned, if it is in reality her.
Your views are no more the views of the "church" or the "founding
fathers." You, and apparently, Senator Buttars are hateful and intolerant,
much more closely associated with a Pharasee than a disciple. Please take your
self-righteous attitudes and ride off into the sunset. My children and family
will be much better off without your constant meddling. Goodbye and good
riddance.
Bert | 12:10 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008
DesNews: �Surely we deserve better.�
Wow! I�m pleasantly surprised hearing that from your editorial board. Unfortunately, that�s not enough. The press is one of the checks and balances we have on our political process.
We need investigation. Interview colleagues and his opponents; look at patterns with all representatives and with other supporting legislatures past language. Is this systemic within our system or is this an isolated case? Do your job!
Who knows, there may be a Pulitzer in it for someone.
Wow! I�m pleasantly surprised hearing that from your editorial board. Unfortunately, that�s not enough. The press is one of the checks and balances we have on our political process.
We need investigation. Interview colleagues and his opponents; look at patterns with all representatives and with other supporting legislatures past language. Is this systemic within our system or is this an isolated case? Do your job!
Who knows, there may be a Pulitzer in it for someone.
Erika | 12:15 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Ethan's comments are accurate but misguided. People speaking out do have
"an ax to grind" against Sen. Buttars -- because we've been
subjected to his bigotry for years. It's a well-justified "ax"
we're grinding. This man represents Utah to the world -- it's no
wonder so many Americans were apprehensive about Romney's candidacy; they
distrust Mormons because jerks like Buttars give Utah a bad name. He certainly
doesn't represent me or my views. Ethan, are you saying he represents you?
Anonymous | 12:52 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008
This is the sort of thing that outsiders (especially politians) will grab ahold
of and say:
"Mitt Romney? He's a Mormon!" Want to see what those Mormons do and say? Here - look at what this guy Buttars just said. And ya know what? The other Mormons support this sort of racism!"
"Mitt Romney? He's a Mormon!" Want to see what those Mormons do and say? Here - look at what this guy Buttars just said. And ya know what? The other Mormons support this sort of racism!"
Jen | 12:53 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Gayle (whether the post was from you or not)
Neither the Old Testament nor the founding fathers felt that you deserve an opinion or a vote. Why don�t you play by those rules and let the rest of us evolve.
Neither the Old Testament nor the founding fathers felt that you deserve an opinion or a vote. Why don�t you play by those rules and let the rest of us evolve.
Maynard Krebs | 1:15 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008
I'm just wondering: If Mr. Buttars had referred to a cowardly position as
"yellow," would he be in the same trouble?
Anonymous | 1:28 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Don't be absurd Maynard.
You know what this is about and it most certainly is something you can sweep under the carpet.
You know what this is about and it most certainly is something you can sweep under the carpet.
Dean | 1:34 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Well, just like the Jordan District split was decided by just the east side,
this matter will be decided by just Senate District 10. The rest of you can
whine all you want. I don't necessarily like some of your picks either.
Grapevine | 1:40 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Nice try Maynard - you know very well the real problem with Senator
Buttars' comments. It is the fact that he has demonstrated a consistent
pattern of racist comments over the past eight years. Even those of us who live
in Idaho can recognize blatant bigotry.
barry | 1:51 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008
What a bunch of thin skinned cry babies. Have any of you heard any of the
Southern Baptist being asked to resign because they hate Mormons? Oh... If it
is against Mormons you are not a Bigot...I forgot
Anonymous | 2:24 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008
The I can hate you because they hate me argument is definitely well reasoned.
Anonymous | 3:12 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008
The only place racists are warmly accepted in our society is in the KKK or
Skinhead circles.
Anonymous | 5:10 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008
My father grew up poor in Salt Lake in the 1940s and 1950s. The
"homogenous" society that many want to return to, never existed.
Anonymous | 5:44 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008
I think I'll go out and rent my favorite film -
"Pleasantville."
It always reminds me of how black-and-white this community is.
"Pleasantville."
It always reminds me of how black-and-white this community is.
turn your clocks back | 5:55 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008
Mr. Buttars (he doesnt deserve to be called senator) helps keep the perception
that Utah hasn't entered the 21st century. The old saying when I came here
still applies - Welcome to Utah, turn your minds, calendars, clocks back 200
years.
Sad | 6:27 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008
I don't what makes me more sad, the Senator's comments or the fact
that there are still those out there who defend him. At best he is a relic of
older times when this type of behavior was not considered racist. And accepting
his 'apology'? If it really was not what he intended to say and we
are misinterpreting a slip-of-the-lips, then I wouldn't need an apology.
The fact is, he was trying to find an analogy which is more negative than
Stephenson's "Ugly Baby"... For Senator Buttars, that is a baby
that is black. Apology or not, there is a deep seated racism in the Senator who
believes that entire race of people can be used to express his negative view on
a bill.
Will | 12:34 a.m. Feb. 16, 2008
Senator Buttars, as a Mormon, and as a human being, I respectfully ask you to
resign from your position. Stop attacking gay people. Stop your ridiculous
comments on evolution. Stop spreading hate. And please, stop doing the bidding
of Gayle Ruzika and Levar Christiansen. Step down, Step down, Step down! You
are an embarrassment to the LDS Church and to the state of Utah.
Gayle's star is sinking rapidly | 7:16 p.m. Feb. 16, 2008
Gayle Ruzicka may still be dictator-in-charge at Utah Eagle Forum, but her
influence wanes as normal Utahns (i.e., those who don't belong to Eagle
Forum...) see her both for what she really is, and for her values (or lack
thereof). Her narrow-minded, bigoted opinions become more irrelevant with each
passing day.
Enabling drug abuse among one's children is NOT a "traditional value" by the standards of most Utah families, nor is it acceptable elsewhere in the United States. Nor would it have been acceptable to the Founding Fathers.
We will live to see the day when Gayle's opinion will have no influence on the Legislature. Gov Huntsman already appears to have tuned her out, and it's high time for Utah citizens to urge their legislators to "just say no" to Gayle.
Enabling drug abuse among one's children is NOT a "traditional value" by the standards of most Utah families, nor is it acceptable elsewhere in the United States. Nor would it have been acceptable to the Founding Fathers.
We will live to see the day when Gayle's opinion will have no influence on the Legislature. Gov Huntsman already appears to have tuned her out, and it's high time for Utah citizens to urge their legislators to "just say no" to Gayle.
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