Chris Buttars Continues To Be Himself
I’m sure you’ve all heard about Utah State Senator Chris Buttars’s interview for an upcoming Prop 8 documentary, in which he said all sorts of kind things about The Gays:
They’re mean. They want to talk about being nice. They’re the meanest buggers I have ever seen.
What is the morals of a gay person? You can’t answer that because anything goes.
And this gem, about the gay movement:
It’s just like the Muslims. Muslims are good people and their religion is anti-war. But it’s been taken over by the radical side… They’re probably the greatest threat to America going down I know of.
The best part is that he made these statements to documentarist/anchor Reed Cowan—AN OPENLY GAY MAN. Real smooth, Buttars. Real smooth.
Of course, Utah Senate President Michael Waddoups is defending Buttars and trying to portray this as a “vendetta” Cowan is waging against Buttars. “It’s just unfortunate in my mind that someone wants to continue to [hurt] someone by virtue of a person’s position on the issues,” Waddoups is quoted as saying in this Salt Lake Tribune article.
Yeah, right, Waddoups. Sure, we all hate Buttars, but he’s the one who continually makes himself look like a ridiculous bigot, not us. I can’t believe this man was RE-ELECTED after last year’s debacle, and after the continuing spectacle he’s made of himself his entire time in office. Utah—and especially Utah Senate District 10—ought to be ashamed and embarrassed.
UPDATE (2-19-09, 11:36 pm)
The Utah Senate will be holding a press conference tomorrow (Friday) morning, and there are strong indications that he will at least be stripped of his committee chair–potentially leaving the way open for a slightly more gay-friendly face in the Utah Senate Judiciary Committee. Will update again after the press conference!
UPDATE (2-20-09, 10:34 am)
Well, Buttars has not resigned, but he has lost his place on the Judiciary and Judicial Confirmation Committees. More info at the Deseret News site and the Salt Lake Tribune site. Read both articles—each brings up points the other does not.
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February 19th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
My favourite part of this whole thing is when Reed Cowan calls Buttars on his whole, “I was promised I wouldn’t look bad” ridiculousness. Buttars lied to the media (and probably himself), and immediately got called on it.
Awesome.
Craig’s last blog post… how far is too far?
February 19th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
so…when you first tweeted this, I thought you were making fun of some Senator by calling him “Butters,” as on South Park, but intarwebs misspelling it. I think the real reasons underlying his comments needs to be acknowledged: he was mercilessly teased as a child…
I have no feelings for him one way or the other and, since I don’t live in Utah, haven’t heard of him until now, but it is clear to me he is (a) a bigot and (b) a bad grammarian.
I suppose we should all be grateful that he thinks “gay” is a religion—maybe that will force him to acknowledge at least some protections under the law.
xJane’s last blog post… Video: Osaka Bang!
February 19th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Stupid son-of-a-bitch. What else can be said?
(Buttars, not Sean)
Derek’s last blog post… The Utah Legislature Goes Bowl Bustin’
February 19th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
We’ll see what the Utah Senate Republicans have to say tomorrow morning. I expect he’ll at least be stripped of his chair on the Judiciary Committee, but I hope hope hope he’ll just resign from the Senate altogether. That would be awesome.
February 20th, 2009 at 4:57 am
I’m confused. Wouldn’t someone’s position on the issues be exactly what someone should attack? I say be ready to defend it, or don’t say it.
chosha’s last blog post… musings
February 20th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Chris should resign.
Once the whole enchilada becomes available for public consumption, the country is gonna be sickened by his camera drunk performance.
The documentary is coming out in July.
It’s one thing if Chris were to appear in that film in the role of a *former* Utah senator.
It’s another thing entirely if the audience were to be treated to the spectacle of a sitting state senator spewing this bile.
The choice of reactions is up to the Utah legislature.
July’s audience will either think “good for Utah for cutting this crank loose” or they’ll think “only in Utah can a jerk like this keep his job.”
It’s one or the other.
And if it’s the latter, it’s not like Chris is going to keep his job after July anyway.
Show a little humility and bow out now, or suffer utter humiliation later.
It’s up to you, Chris.
February 20th, 2009 at 10:41 am
chosha: Exactly! If you’re going to make broad, offensive generalizations about an entire group of people, expect to have your opinions questioned… or don’t make those attacks!
Chino: Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Buttars is going to resign, and (per the Deseret News) he’s not going to even apologize. And Whaddoups made a point of supporting him and his opinions during the press conference! I don’t think the Utah Legislature is afraid of anti-gay consequences, an attitude that I predict will be shown to be short-sighted, and hopefully in the short term.