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Doug Robinson: Public outrage by rote
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Utah is the issue | 4:31 a.m. Feb. 19, 2008
The reason we are upset at Buttars is that he represents Utah to the outside
world. This State takes a beating on a regular basis, so we expect our
politicians to take that into account. This is not Buttars only gaff. With him
it is continual and bigoted. If I lived in Chicago, I might say the same thing
about Jesse Jackson. Your analogy to Imus is meaningless; he is a radio
personality, not a man with a vote in a State legislature. However, I live in
Utah and I have every right to be embarrassed by a man who represents me in the
way he does.
Thank You | 6:48 a.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Thanks for the column. I've been watching the reaction and think that it
is rediculous. It was not a smart thing to say, but it was in no way to be
malicious. It was an accident. He apologized--let's all get over it.
Wrong, wrong, Wronginson | 8:06 a.m. Feb. 19, 2008
"Does anyone think that a veteran politician like Buttars was thinking of
an African-American baby when he said that?"
YES, WE DO!
He's denigrated everyone else who doesn't toe the BUTTARS-RUZIKA belief system.
The only surprise here, is that people finally rose up.
Mr Robinson, YOUR response is by rote! "Oh, my. They're hurting Mr Buttars. He's such a good man, he'd never think anything ugly of anyone. We can't let this good politician resign, because he represents what WE REALLY BELIEVE!"
YES, WE DO!
He's denigrated everyone else who doesn't toe the BUTTARS-RUZIKA belief system.
The only surprise here, is that people finally rose up.
Mr Robinson, YOUR response is by rote! "Oh, my. They're hurting Mr Buttars. He's such a good man, he'd never think anything ugly of anyone. We can't let this good politician resign, because he represents what WE REALLY BELIEVE!"
Comments continue below
Mayhem Mike | 8:47 a.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Hey, Doug, you can take great comfort in knowing that the same people who
can't discriminate between a truly racist comment and a slip of the tongue
are the same ones voting for the next President of the United States. If the
Buttars incident causes their small-minded brains to twitter, imagine how
perplexed they'll be trying to follow the Presidential debates!
Robert | 8:57 a.m. Feb. 19, 2008
I think the thoughts expressed here in Mr. Robinson's column are correct.
However, he did not mention that most of the people he uses as examples to
illustrate his point were, like Senator Buttars, also very controversial long
before they made the comments that damaged their careers. The impetus behind the
controversy was usually something besides the last comment that got them into
trouble. In Senator Buttars' case, the force behind the current flap is his
history of promoting man/woman marriage and opposing the efforts of those who
want to change it by making it something else. He is a good target because he
has strong views on subjects that are currently controversial, he expresses them
emotionally, doesn't always think twice before speaking, and is successful
in getting his views into the statute books. That doesn't make him a racist
or a bigot, but in today's political climate it makes him a bull's eye
for those who are on the losing side and can't quite verbalize a legitimate
argument for their own views without resorting to calling those who oppose them
racists or a bigots.
bryan | 8:57 a.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Buttars has be an elected official since 1979 when he served on the city council
of West Jordan City. He should have the public speaking thing down by now, 19
years later, but yet he continues his legacy of racist/homophobic remarks. The
guy didn't make a verbal gaff, he's a freaking homophobic racist. To
refer to a collegue as "the gay". Seriously? Even those who do not
agree with McCoy's lifestyle even have to admit that was cold and
unbecoming of an elected official. Let him run for re-election and see that his
constituents are done with him.
just-commenting | 10:48 a.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Mr. Robinson's comments and description of the hazards are correct in a
general and generic sense. However, in his speaking against incorrect political
correctness, he has picked the wrong example. Buttars is not Howard Cosell,
Buttars is Don Imus. This was not an innocent slip of the tongue by a good
person, but was a instance of unthinkingly letting slip his bigoted hate of
anyone of a different color or persuasion than his. This was not out of
character for him, but a slip that once more revealed his (lack of) character.
He and Ruzicka, along with many others in the buffoon gallery of the legislature
and an incompetent president, within the past few years have turned this
life-long (65 years) conservative Republican into an independent who is now
working actively in support of Democratic candidates at all levels of
government. Now he cries foul at being labeled in unfavorable terms, the very
act upon which he has built his political career, and tactics that he uses to
mobilize the worst of our socitey to follow him. He is reaping what he has sewn.
He is not the right person to hold up as an example of PC run amok.
Beavis and ?? | 11:22 a.m. Feb. 19, 2008
You and he may blame the NAACP for Buttars problems, but he brought it on
himself. Voters in Utah are getting tired of the untouchable power exuded by our
legislators: dipping into their campaign funds for halloween candy, using
taxpayer's funds for soccer stadiums, vouchers. Buttars is a symbol of
legislative arrogance and foolishness.
If we want to pick on him. so be it. And now he announces he is running again. He deserves every bit of negative attention he is getting. I think he enjoys it.
If we want to pick on him. so be it. And now he announces he is running again. He deserves every bit of negative attention he is getting. I think he enjoys it.
No more Robinson articles | 1:04 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Robinson is every bit the elitist and bigot and racist and sexist and homophobe
that Buttars is. Both of them should be forced out of their cushion jobs.
Buttars is racist | 1:15 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
If Buttars had made the comment independent of past behaviors of narrow minded
thinking...then I would believe he made a mistake. But when put in context of
how he's behaved in the past I believe his mistake was letting his tongue
slip on how he thinks about minorities.
Good people in Utah find it hard to believe that someone in this day and age could be racist so we continually give them the benefit of the doubt. But the reality is that racism is still alive and well in Utah.
I'm floored watching people's reactions as the LDS church leadership is coming out and imploring people to be compassionate towards immigrants (illegal or otherwise) and the racism in people will not allow them to accept what church leadership is saying.
No one thinks of themselves as racist, but if you see skin color or any ethnic characteristic and assume anything about that individual because of those characteristics - you are the problem.
Good people in Utah find it hard to believe that someone in this day and age could be racist so we continually give them the benefit of the doubt. But the reality is that racism is still alive and well in Utah.
I'm floored watching people's reactions as the LDS church leadership is coming out and imploring people to be compassionate towards immigrants (illegal or otherwise) and the racism in people will not allow them to accept what church leadership is saying.
No one thinks of themselves as racist, but if you see skin color or any ethnic characteristic and assume anything about that individual because of those characteristics - you are the problem.
Utahn with a brain | 2:08 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Great article Doug!! I'm tired of the PC fascist who look for problems
where none exist.
Anonymous | 4:40 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Man! the liberal facist come in droves when they smell blood.
Sorry gays not everyone supports your agenda or lifestyle.
Sorry blacks not everyone cares about you either.
But people have the freedom of speech to say so and not lose thier job whether you like it or not.
There in no constituional not to be offended.
Buttars does NOT represent utah to outside of utah, he only represents his constituents to utah.
the liberal facist agenda is to take every opportunity shut down a conservative voice.
The liberal facists in these all these forums about buttars is nothing bu hate speech.
While the consertives have been notheing but willing to give buttars the benefit of the doubt.
Clearly, to liberal facists, diversity means having voices that only agree with them.
Sorry gays not everyone supports your agenda or lifestyle.
Sorry blacks not everyone cares about you either.
But people have the freedom of speech to say so and not lose thier job whether you like it or not.
There in no constituional not to be offended.
Buttars does NOT represent utah to outside of utah, he only represents his constituents to utah.
the liberal facist agenda is to take every opportunity shut down a conservative voice.
The liberal facists in these all these forums about buttars is nothing bu hate speech.
While the consertives have been notheing but willing to give buttars the benefit of the doubt.
Clearly, to liberal facists, diversity means having voices that only agree with them.
Dr. Alan Blain Cunningham | 4:54 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
There's nothing rote about trying to remove the hateful and bigoted tandem
team of Chris Buttars and Gayle Ruzicka from political office. Good-minded,
intelligent people have been attempting it for years.
However, in a backwoods Mormon ultraconservative state like Utah that won't happen very readily because there are too many do-good hypocrites like Doug Robinson to keep them in power. And even if they do go there are others to take their place.
Hopefully people like Buttars and his supporters can feel justified when they look at the number of sexually transmissable infections on the increase in Utah because of planned parenthood offices not receiving state monies and legislature promoting abstinence over education. And maybe they can glorify in the number of youth suicides because of the absence of youth support groups at high school campuses.
Robinson, you and Buttars can pat yourselves on the back for those questionable and bigoted achievements. Both of you should be removed from you cushioned positions of promoting poison. The world, at least Utah, would be a much better place without people like you.
However, in a backwoods Mormon ultraconservative state like Utah that won't happen very readily because there are too many do-good hypocrites like Doug Robinson to keep them in power. And even if they do go there are others to take their place.
Hopefully people like Buttars and his supporters can feel justified when they look at the number of sexually transmissable infections on the increase in Utah because of planned parenthood offices not receiving state monies and legislature promoting abstinence over education. And maybe they can glorify in the number of youth suicides because of the absence of youth support groups at high school campuses.
Robinson, you and Buttars can pat yourselves on the back for those questionable and bigoted achievements. Both of you should be removed from you cushioned positions of promoting poison. The world, at least Utah, would be a much better place without people like you.
Anonymous | 5:22 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Maybe diseases are spread because people are living moral and upright lives.
And nobody said living right would not be hard, especially with quacks constantly attacking them.
Imagine a people being called backwoods. A people who put preium on education than any other.
It's all about a liberal facist agenda who want to shove there values down the throat of every else. NO matter how destructive to society it is. They even want to into grade schools and destroy children with liberal facist ideas.
And nobody said living right would not be hard, especially with quacks constantly attacking them.
Imagine a people being called backwoods. A people who put preium on education than any other.
It's all about a liberal facist agenda who want to shove there values down the throat of every else. NO matter how destructive to society it is. They even want to into grade schools and destroy children with liberal facist ideas.
Robert | 7:55 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Doug,
I know Mr. Buttars apologized, but I'm left wondering "what did he mean?" Did he really mean to say it was a loathsome bill? Then why use the word black? I'm about as white as it gets, but I can see why people of color would be offended by people who imply that "black means bad, white means good."
I await his explanation about what he really meant.
I know Mr. Buttars apologized, but I'm left wondering "what did he mean?" Did he really mean to say it was a loathsome bill? Then why use the word black? I'm about as white as it gets, but I can see why people of color would be offended by people who imply that "black means bad, white means good."
I await his explanation about what he really meant.
Dump Robinson and Butters | 10:37 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
I can't believe Doug Robinson's lame defense of Chris Butters. Shame
on you, Mr. Robinson for your weak excuses for the kind of behavior that
we've become accustomed to by Butters. This man has a long track record of
bigoted and hateful behavior. This is not an isolated racist comment from a
spiteful old man who still believes this is the 1950s.. He's regularly
attacked just abut every group that doesn't conform to his ideal world.
How sad that a public offical can say something like this and remain in office. Even sadder, is a columnist from a publication owned by the LDS Church defending this kind of behavior. You've lost my respect, Mr. Robinson, and the respect of many readers who subscribe to the DMN. How sad.......
How sad that a public offical can say something like this and remain in office. Even sadder, is a columnist from a publication owned by the LDS Church defending this kind of behavior. You've lost my respect, Mr. Robinson, and the respect of many readers who subscribe to the DMN. How sad.......
WJ Voter - Butters Should Resign | 10:42 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
We the people of Utah are tired of these legislators who are elected by the
people but once in office believe they can say or do anything without being
accountable to the public.
Need some examples? Public funding for Real Salt Lake? Vouchers? Ethics Reform and more campaign disclosures? And now dropping racist comments on the floor of the State Senate?
Guess what fellas, the winds are changing....enjoy your time in power. It may not last as long as think it will. Even when you get a shameful excuse written by a hack columnist who fails to offer one solid bit of reasoning in his poor attempt to make excuses for one of the most hateful individuals the state has ever seen. Come to think of it, Mr. Robinson, you should resign, as well.
Need some examples? Public funding for Real Salt Lake? Vouchers? Ethics Reform and more campaign disclosures? And now dropping racist comments on the floor of the State Senate?
Guess what fellas, the winds are changing....enjoy your time in power. It may not last as long as think it will. Even when you get a shameful excuse written by a hack columnist who fails to offer one solid bit of reasoning in his poor attempt to make excuses for one of the most hateful individuals the state has ever seen. Come to think of it, Mr. Robinson, you should resign, as well.
Stupid = Robinson's Defense | 10:46 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
I thought Chris Butters was stupid. But after reading Doug Robinson's
feeble attempt to excuse these terrible comments, I think we've found
someone equally stupid!!
Robinson - Use Your Brain! | 7:29 a.m. Feb. 20, 2008
I agree.....what was Doug Robinson thinking? Chris Buttars is certainly not
someone you want to hold up an example of PC run amok. Come on Robinson, next
time use your brain and some common sense when you choose to defend a racist and
homophobe who is nothing more than a puppet for the Eagle Forum and their ilk.
yuck!!!!!!
Anonymous | 5:00 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008
Robinson fits right in with the Utah status quo.
Send Robinson Back to Sports | 9:38 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008
Robinson needs to be sent back to the sports desk where he doesn't have to
think rationally about important social issues. Stick to the round, bouncy ball,
Doug, and quit trying to explain why a state legislator who seems bent on
offending everyone in the state who is not white, Mormon and ultra-conservative.
You may want to re-think who you choose to defend, Doug.
Anonymous | 10:15 a.m. Feb. 21, 2008
Right on send Robinson back to sports. But I think sports is too controversial
for Robinson as well.
David Ozenne | 12:45 p.m. Feb. 21, 2008
Robinson misses the point entirely.
When I first heard the comment, I was willing to cut him some slack, because it seemed possible that he was using "baby" the same way I might say about my car, "This baby is fast."
But then we found out that Stephenson was already calling it the "ugly baby bill". Contrary to Robinson's take, this doesn't somehow excuse Buttars's comment. It indicts it. Once somebody has called it the "ugly baby bill" then the bill is a metaphorical baby. Then when Buttars reaches for something bad to say about the metaphorical baby, he comes up with "black." That is disgusting.
When I first heard the comment, I was willing to cut him some slack, because it seemed possible that he was using "baby" the same way I might say about my car, "This baby is fast."
But then we found out that Stephenson was already calling it the "ugly baby bill". Contrary to Robinson's take, this doesn't somehow excuse Buttars's comment. It indicts it. Once somebody has called it the "ugly baby bill" then the bill is a metaphorical baby. Then when Buttars reaches for something bad to say about the metaphorical baby, he comes up with "black." That is disgusting.
Michael G | 1:22 p.m. Feb. 21, 2008
I've been increasingly appalled at how every time I hear this story on the
radio or on TV the reporters invariably quote Buttars as saying "this is a
black baby - a dark, ugly thing." HE DIDN'T SAY THAT!! It is
incredibly obvious to anyone with a working cerebellum that he was not using the
term "black" in reference to the skin color of the bill, or even in
analogizing the bill to a race or people - anymore than he was using the term
baby referring to an infant. As Mr. Robinson points out, he used the term
"baby" as Senator Stephenson had, as a definitive object - like you
might use the term to refer to your car or a snowstorm or a project at work.
Similarly, to use the term "black" to symbolize something bad or
negative or unwanted or even evil does not construe racism. As a society, we
willingly accept terms like "Black Tuesday" or "black
market." -- continued --
Michael G | 1:23 p.m. Feb. 21, 2008
To associate the term or even the color with negative concepts is not
inappropriate or offensive - that's why the concept of an absolute lack of
racism is often referred to as "color-blindness." The idea is that we
don't notice or consider the color of a person's skin - not that the
color itself goes away. If I think of "black" as "dark and
ugly" but don't think of an African-American as "black" then
there's no problem. We need to stop being so hyper-sensitive as a society.
Not everything a person says is intended to offend you. In fact, I think it was
Brigham Young who suggested that he who takes offense where none was intended is
a fool, whereas he who takes offense where offense WAS intended is . . . a fool!
Alan Cunningham MD, PhD | 5:04 p.m. Feb. 21, 2008
Come on Michael G, get your head out of the sand. Chris Buttars is a racist and
bigot, Any person with a cerebrum (not cerebellum which is the brain's
coordination center) can realize that. Try talking in person with Chris Buttars
about something that he disagrees with and you will soon discover how hateful
and bitter he really is.
Anonymous | 2:54 p.m. Feb. 23, 2008
Dr. Alan you ca not come on this and make absurb claims about some one with out
giving proof.
As a doctor and an educated person you should know better and more should be expected from you.
You are the one who come here and called someone names and made claims about him without evidence.
I would say that last line you gave applies more you than to buttars.
As a doctor and an educated person you should know better and more should be expected from you.
You are the one who come here and called someone names and made claims about him without evidence.
I would say that last line you gave applies more you than to buttars.
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