A day off
As the Senate gathered for business today, and television cameras staked out the Senate chambers, one notable member had an excused absence: Sen. Chris Buttars.
Buttars, he of yesterday afternoons ugly black baby flap, was said to still be shaken by yesterday's events and left the Capitol early this morning with the blessing of Senate President John Valentine.
Before he left, he issued this statement, posted on the Senate majority's Web site, elaborating on the apology he made on the Senate floor yesterday:
"This is the statement no elected official wants to make, but I made a mistake and owe the Senate and the people of Utah an apology. Yesterday in discussion on the Equalization Bill, I made a comment which could reasonably be understood as offensive. It was a dreadful choice of words and I recognize that my words were damaging. I want to thank Senator Romero for speaking out immediately and President Valentine for allowing me to address this matter. Again, I apologize to anyone that may be hurt by my remarks. I did not mean to be degrading in any way to anyone, and I am truly sorry."
-- Robert Gehrke
Buttars, he of yesterday afternoons ugly black baby flap, was said to still be shaken by yesterday's events and left the Capitol early this morning with the blessing of Senate President John Valentine.
Before he left, he issued this statement, posted on the Senate majority's Web site, elaborating on the apology he made on the Senate floor yesterday:
"This is the statement no elected official wants to make, but I made a mistake and owe the Senate and the people of Utah an apology. Yesterday in discussion on the Equalization Bill, I made a comment which could reasonably be understood as offensive. It was a dreadful choice of words and I recognize that my words were damaging. I want to thank Senator Romero for speaking out immediately and President Valentine for allowing me to address this matter. Again, I apologize to anyone that may be hurt by my remarks. I did not mean to be degrading in any way to anyone, and I am truly sorry."
-- Robert Gehrke
7:20 PM
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5 Comments:
I have known Chris Buttars for over 25 years and lived in the same neighborhood. I believe him to be a homophobic bigot. He will do anything to hurt anyone that doesn't believe the same way he does. He told my children years back that I wouldn't be in the afterlife them because I was not active in the church. What kind of person says things like that to children? It is because of people like him that I no longer consider myself a member of the LDS church. Someone the other day asked, "What kind of idiot voted for this guy in the first place?" Well I can tell you that there are a lot of the same kind of people in this neighborhood and around West Jordan, idiots just like himself. He is a small man that is obsessed with power.
Interesting. President Valentine's "blessing" must have come after he declared that there were "no excused absences" today.
Bob is correct. Buttars' absence was not announced as excused. My bad. It did have President Valentine's blessing.
Mr. Buttars' comments were not a mere poor choice of words on his part, he is clearly intolerant...if not racist. His mouth was not ahead of his brain. These words, spoken in this manner, demonstrate his deep rooted bigotry. One could use more appropriate adjective such as bad, poor, or ill-conceived, etc. to describe a bill that one was not happy with. From what I can tell, Mr. Buttars was speaking frankly. This usually allows one to communicate their true or honest feelings. Using additional adjectives such as "a dark, ugly thing" further demonstrate his bigoted or ignorant intent. Mr. Buttars and his ingrained intolerance should NOT be allowed to represent the public for the state which I live in. One cannot apologize for their bigotry, and a bigot should not be allowed to maintain a public office. By this, I mean that I will not be satisfied without his resignation. Sincerely, Christian Krahenbuhl
Thank you to Senator Romero for calling Buttars out on his unacceptable behavior. Utah is fortunate to have a few decent and honorable statesmen like Sen. Romero to offset the damage done by the many legislators who do not fit that description.
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