Push Buttars out the door
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The aftermath of Sen. Chris Buttars' obviously racist comment on the floor of the Utah Senate has given us hope. People are still upset and calling for his resignation -- it's the kind of reaction we hoped for, but frankly didn't expect.
Now legislative chieftains need to step up, display courageous leadership and call for Buttars' resignation.
Almost two weeks ago, members of the Senate were debating a bill that one lawmaker described as an ugly baby. When it was Buttars' turn to speak, he said, "This baby is black, I'll tell you. This is a dark, ugly thing."
At least one lawmaker immediately recognized the comment for what it was: a racial slur. He approached Senate President John Valentine, who after a brief recess called all senators back onto the floor. Valentine noted that there had been a "breach of decorum," and said Buttars wanted to apologize. Buttars did, sort of, saying the remark wasn't intended to be racist: "... I got a little carried away and I made a comment that I think a lot of people could take as racist. I certainly did not mean that in any way, but it was wrong and could easily be taken as just that way. I apologize to the quorum. I apologize to anyone who took offense. That in no way, in no way did I mean that to be degrading in any way. I just got my mouth a little bit ahead of my brain here as far as trying to express my, the way I felt. I ask for your forgiveness."
Buttars is no stranger to racially loaded comments. He had to apologize in 2006, too: During a radio interview, he asked for an example of a minority being protected by the courts from oppressive legislation. The interviewer offered the example of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education, which ended racial segregation of the nation's schools.
"Well," Buttars responded, "I think Brown v. Board of Education was wrong to begin with." He later said his comments were misunderstood.
Buttars is a far-right-fringer who's intolerant across the board. This year, he's attempting to block gays from enjoying the benefits of Salt Lake City's domestic partner registry -- which employers can use to decide whether to grant insurance benefits. It is estimated that the registry would be used more by heterosexuals than homosexuals -- in particular, family members such as a parent who lives in the home with an unmarried child. Buttars has called the registry "repugnant."
Buttars has also attempted to have so-called "divine design" taught as an alternative to the theory of evolution in the public schools, and is currently running a bill to keep from public view information about police officers who have been accused of misbehavior and disciplined by their departments. In other words, if you are arrested, that information is out there for everyone to see. But if Buttars has his way, a misbehaving police officer would be able to keep his or her misdeeds a private matter.
Buttars is digging in his heels: He says he'll run for re-election this year.
We're buoyed that people are still hounding him to resign. The NAACP has called for his resignation. His fellow lawmakers are clearly distressed about his continued presence in their midst. Valentine and Senate Majority Leader Curtis Bramble have expressed concern, yet both said it's Buttars' decision to make. They stopped short of making a recommendation.
But the time for being polite has passed. The leaders have an opportunity and a responsibility to display actual leadership -- to send the message that such obviously racist comments will not be tolerated anywhere in Utah government. Buttars may be their friend, but he's a canker on the legislative body. In this case, their colleague deserves nothing but the old heave-ho.
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DO NOT LET THIS DROP
It is not enough to simply express your opinion here.
Every outraged citizen in this state MUST make their voices heard. Contact your Senator, the President of the Senate, and the Governors office.
Your elected leaders believe that if they ignore you long enough this issue will go away. Prove to them wrong.