Comments about ‘Church kind to Buttars, Senate much less so’

First of all, good for Sen. Buttars for making this apology. It takes courage to admit your wrongs, even if it comes late. However, the man really doesn't understand that race is a sensitive issue. "They're a wonderful people." Ok, that's nice of him to say, but he's still speaking as if African-Americans are not the same as any other people. Additionally, why did it take all these wonderful acts of forgiveness to make the Senator realize that "they're a wonderful people?" I hope its done, again, props for finally apologizing. However, based on the letter he wrote to the 4th District Judge (curious as to why this paper didn't report on that - see Trib for questions), I doubt Senator Buttars' troubles are behind him.

Buttars is just the tip of the iceberg for the parade of inept politicians we got at the state capitol. Incredible that Al-Sharpton ignorantly says something about our religion, and we jump into incinerating him. Yet this guy was so despicable about race that make's Imus's comments seem like Christmas cards.

After reading this, "Also Monday, Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, took the unusual action mid-session of removing Buttars as chairman of the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee and replacing him with Bell" my faith in the leadership of the state Senate has increased a little.

It would have been better had Buttars been censured by the Senate for his comments but I'm glad that the Senate Republican leadership has taken the unusual step to deal with a rogue member of their caucus. I'm very concerned to learn about Buttars ex parte letter to a sitting Judge. Such blatant disregard for the rule of law is shocking yet the more I learn about Senator Buttars the more shocked I am that he has been allowed to continue in his office.

First, we learn that he makes comments that are racist and then apologizes as if that will make his comments disappear. Second, we learn that he tells members of a Senate Committee that they shouldn't vote for a bill he's sponsoring because he didn't know what it did and now we find out that he sends ex parte letters to Judges. It's time that this guy is forced out of office.

This man represents modern bigotry at its best. Very much old-time racist in his heart, struggling, not quite successfully, with the way words come out of his mouth. He can't help himself.

FORGIVE, FORGET!!!!!

"They're a wonderful people". The statement objectifies "them" people just like he would talk about gays or other groups he is bigoted against.

It was a nice gesture for him to visit, for the first time, with those people though.

I think that, given this short, candid, glimpse into Sen. Buttars way of looking at these people we just have to conclude that Sen. Buttars is ignorant, not malicious. He just needs more experience being with non-white, non-LDS people.

To mildly state that "he was criticized for contacting a judge" is such a massive understatement. Dnews, are you intentionally hiding this information? Buttars' comments to 4th District Judge Derek Pullan were "beyond the pale" as characterized by retired University of Utah law professor John Flynn. Buttars is out of control.

Try to catch up to the 21st century!

Politics...jealousy...pandering....
Sen. Butters is a good man, trying to do his job with more sincerity than most politicians dare to do.
He may make a little mistake in language occassionaly, but his heart is in the right place, and at LEAST he does take a stand, which is more than most mealy mouthed politicians will do.

All these people who take OFFENSE at the slightest word are the ones to be censured, and also the politicians who jump on it because they are jealous of the attention givin a collegue.

I'm not proud to think this way, but I hope buttars is offered many more unkindnesses in the near future.

What a bunch of junk ... it is much to do about nothing..!!

His initial statement its self wasn't racial & now you want to take offense to him saying "they're a wonderful people" give me [and Buttars] a break.

He was referring to the people at the church - not to the color of their skin.

Hang in there Chris - hold all their feet to the fire especially the judges.

If (as he said) it was not a racial slur then why did he apologize?
You can't have it both ways. It was either a blatant racial slur for which he should offer an apology (and consider resigning), or it was a poor choice of words not racially motivated for which he should offer no apology.

Seems our leaders lack core principles.

I am grateful that Attorney General Mark Shurtleff brought the Church and Sen. Buttars together. It was a very positive move that promotes healing. What a shame we don't have a governor who shows the same kind of leadership.

What the Rev. Davis and his congregation did was right and rational, and I applaud them for their great example. The NAACP and the rest of the community should do the same. Its much easier for us to be a strong, united community if we refuse to take offense where none was intended (and even sometimes when it is). A gesture of good will goes a long way. Way to go, folks!

It is so sad that Buttars is being crucified over this. Anyone who can read intelligently knows that his statement was racist at all. The "baby" could have been your car. If your car was black and your "baby... it is your "black baby". He didn't mean it to be about people. He was making a statement about someones bill. Meaning that it was black - like dark or bad. Doesn't anyone get that? People need to get over this.

Since Negro was replaced by the word black in our society, I have steadfastly refused to follow along. I guess that makes me racist or bigoted, or something. So be it.

Until I get to see a white college, or White Entertainment Awards on TV, or a white NAACP, I guess I will remain racist and bigoted - or someone will!

I submit that it is not me that is racist, it is those that continue to want to treat others as different. I am unwilling to do so! If Jessie chooses to whine about that, it is not my problem, it is his.

IF we are ever to end racism in this country, we have to start by letting bygones be bygones, and start respecting one another as equals. This crap will go on until BOTH sides decide to end this nonsense. Whining about the idea that granddaddy was treated unfairly is not the way. I know that. They know that. So be it.

Now, can we move past the history, and just treat one another as equals - or are we going to continue to wear our feelings on our sleeves?

You know, we all make mistakes. Much of the frustrations that many felt was that the Senator, and many posters on these boards tried to argue that the use of the term "WAS APPROPRIATE", but hopefully we understand that it was not.

When in reality it was "a real mistake and I apologize for it and I'd like to see if you could forgive me."

I hope that we can see it as a growing experience and a way for the Utah culture to grow to be more tolerant of those of US that have differences.

The NAACP has a right to their own agenda, but I hope they can see a sincere apology, if that's what it was, and let this man move on with his life, rather than keeping this wound festering. He made a mistake by ducking out on the meeting with them, and should demand a meeting now. He has learned that when someone is offended, usually the person(s) wronged are just looking for an acknowledgement and apology.

Call me dumb, but I don't see how his remark was meant as a racial slur ......

Buttars may be a nice man, or he could be a hateful bigot, as I don't know him it is hard to say. What one can gauge from his public comments is that he is ignorant of people different than himself and naive about life in the larger world. This is why experience in life is important in politics. If all you know comes from things you have learned in your neighborhood, ward, county or congregation you will lack the empathy and understanding it takes to represent people who may be different than you. Buttars needs to remember he represents everyone from his district, not just those who voted for him, and to some degree he represents every citizen of this state, not just those in his district.

This is the tip of an iceberg, called politically correct. You can say anything as long as someone doesn't take offense but you can't take offense at someone saying something offensive to you.

Welcome to the "angry voters" payback.

The man is a gentleman who intelligent people don't attack, only bigots go on the attack.

Forget, forget, forget.

Utah Senate shows poor taste when it caves in to bigots.