Buttars Loses Committee Appointments – But For the Wrong Reasons

Timothy Kincaid

February 20th, 2009

Blatant displays of hatred are often met with swift denunciation. Those who do hold animus against the target are disgusted by attitudes, and those who share the dislike are embarrassed by the exposure of the ugly attitudes underlying their behavior.

This was on display in Utah today where Sen. Chris Buttars was punished for the homophobic rants that the media has been exposing over the past few days. (SL Trib)

..the decision was made to remove Buttars from the Senate Judiciary Committee, which he now chairs. By virtue of his position on that panel, Buttars also served on and led the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee, and will lose his spot on that panel as well.

Waddoups said the Judiciary Committee is the panel that has typically heard bills relating to gay and lesbian issues, and, by taking him off the position, he hopes to remove some of the personalities from the debate.

However, the Mormon Republican leadership wanted to be clear that while they were embarrassed by Buttars’ word selection, they don’t disagree with his anti-gay positions.

“I want the citizens of Utah to know that the Utah Senate stands behind Senator Buttars right to speak, we stand behind him as one of our colleagues and his right to serve this state,” said Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville. “He is a senator who represents the point of view of many of his constituents and many of ours. We agree with many of the things he said. . . . We stand four square behind his right [to say what he wants].”

And the Mormon Church also objected to the language but not the homophobia:

“From the outset, the Church’s position has always been to engage in civil and respectful dialogue on this issue. Senator Buttars does not speak for the Church.”

The Mormons and the Republicans were sure upset that the tape of Buttars was released. But it wasn’t because they find the attitude behind his anti-gay rants to be offensive. They just didn’t like how Buttars’ raw hatred reflected on them.

There was no indication that the leadership of the Mormon Church or the Republican delegation have anything but complete agreement that gays are mean buggers, without morals, looking for superiority, similar to Islamic terrorists, and the greatest threat to America. Which makes me wonder, just what could Buttars have possibly said in his most irrational and ranting moment that would have caused them to say, “I disagree”?

There is no question that though Sen. Chris Buttars doesn’t know me, he hates me. Today Senate President Michael Waddoups let me know that he does as well.

Emily K

February 20th, 2009

He would have had to say something about Jews (a hot button issue for Christian Churches since out of their zeal to convert us they constantly look for ways to voice “support” for us) or Blacks (a hot button issue for the LDS church in particular since they used to believe they were cursed or related to Satan or something).

Benjamin

February 20th, 2009

Chris Buttars is the face of the anti-gay hate and bigotry that is found in Utah. The sin that he committed in their eyes was to be clear and outspoken about that bigotry and hate. That didn’t help the PR and went too far to expose the reality behind their bigotry. Chris Buttars wasn’t passive/aggressive enough for them. In other words appear to be sweet and kind toward gay people and appear to be “gay friendly” while not deviating from your core anti-gay principles. Chris just spoke out about what the other [Ed: slur in violation of comments policy] already believe. They just didn’t like being exposed.

Passive-aggressive behavior is very common in Utah. In their politics, in many of the people’s behavior. It is interwoven into the fabric of that society. It’s an incredibly dysfunctional kind of behavior and it stems from their cultural view of not questioning authority and when they have problems to just stuff their feelings and put on a happy face.

Jim Burroway

February 20th, 2009

Timothy, when I finally saw the reports from the news conference, I thought exactly as you did.

You really nailed it. They’re not embarrassed over what he said. They’re embarrassed over how he said it and the outcry it generated. They’re not embarrassed for being bigots; they’re embarrassed because they were exposed as bigots.

Richard Rush

February 20th, 2009

Some people just never learned one the basics of being civil: Before you stab someone, lay a tarp down so you don’t create a mess that some people might find offensive.

Eddie89

February 20th, 2009

So, I guess this also means that the Mormon church is not offended by Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church. They agree completely with his anti-gay views.

They just wish he didn’t use such mean words.

And they have the gall to call themselves “Christians”?

I think if Jesus was walking around, he would walk into their holy temple and start knocking over some chairs and tables!

David C.

February 20th, 2009

Indeed, this is political damage control at the expense of one politician. Nevertheless, Mr. Buttars and his brand of hatred took a hit today. Let’s just hope that more of those who share his views self-destruct just as visibly.

There are plenty of people in this country that are starting to notice what the anti-gay machine has been all about from the beginning, and the hatred that drives its gears can’t hide behind a pleasant smile and feigned tolerance to deceive those that are fair minded forever.

The Mormon leadership has yet again shown its support for the continued repression of gay people, and all the platitudes offered after the passage of Prop 8 in California are exposed for what they are: a facade.

Benjamin

February 20th, 2009

I use the name “Rethuglican” the same way in which Ariana Huffington or Keith Olberman would use it. The GOP often acts like thugs in their treatment of LGBT people. Utah is about the reddest of the red states and the bigotry and “thug” like behavior tends to befit the GOP there.

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