Can't defend this one

[Jeff Lebowski]

Why should Buttars get a slap on the wrists or anything else? If this is his thought process and belief, let the court of public opinion destroy him. His constituents are either comfortable with his positions and he is doing his job by saying crazy shit, or they aren't and he'll lose his job. Any further action is grandstanding by others to get love from their constituents. I think the legislature is made up of expensive prostitutes.

I don't think he should be "forced" to resign. That's not legal anyway. But if the Utah GOP wants to distance themselves from his hateful rhetoric, they should strip him of all leadership positions and publicly rebuke him.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Yet another article this morning.

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11748528

Some of these quotes just blow my mind. Unbelievable.

"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]."

Waddoups speaking about his removal of Buttars from the committee:

"It frees Senator Buttars to feel more at ease in saying how he personally feels without feeling as if he's personally speaking on behalf of his committee and the Legislature," Waddoups said.

Waddoups reaching out and consoling his poor, beleaguered colleague:

Buttars chaired a Judiciary Committee hearing Friday morning and appeared to be in good spirits, smiling and joking. Waddoups said he met with Buttars and inquired about his health and state of mind.

Bastards.

[SeattleUte]

Why should Buttars get a slap on the wrists or anything else? If this is his thought process and belief, let the court of public opinion destroy him. His constituents are either comfortable with his positions and he is doing his job by saying crazy shit, or they aren't and he'll lose his job. Any further action is grandstanding by others to get love from their constituents. I think the legislature is made up of expensive prostitutes.

Amen to all of this. People get the government they deserve. He won his seat fair and square. Legislators say what their people want to hear.

[All-American]

And now everybody's pissed. The senate leadership has managed to appease none and infuriate all.

[TripletDaddy]

Yet another article this morning.

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11748528

Some of these quotes just blow my mind. Unbelievable.

Waddoups speaking about his removal of Buttars from the committee:

Waddoups reaching out and consoling his poor, beleaguered colleague:

Bastards.

Interesting. When Buttars was talking his crazy black baby nonsense last year, did his fellow party members stand behind Buttars' right to speak his mind? Or did they distance themselves?

This political doublespeak seems to be Parr for Waddoups. *small SLC law firm rimshot*

[All-American]

Two interesting press releases re: Buttars

One from the LDS Church:

“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 other from, of all people, the ACLU:

AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF UTAH FOUNDATION, INC
355 NORTH 300 WEST, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84103
(801) 521-9862 PHONE • (801) 532-2850 FAX
ACLU@ACLUUTAH.ORG • WWW.ACLUUTAH.ORG



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Karen McCreary
February 20, 2009 801-521-9862 ext 102

THE ACLU OF UTAH IS COMMITTED TO EQUALITY AND FREE SPEECH FOR ALL

The ACLU of Utah is committed to equal access to civil liberties for all people in all aspects of American life regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The recent comments by Senator Chris Buttars only strengthen our resolve in this respect.

While we disagree vehemently with Senator Buttars’ views, we strongly support the Constitution’s free speech protections. Free speech rights are indivisible. Restricting the speech of one group or individual jeopardizes everyone's rights because the same laws or regulations used to silence unpopular and controversial speech can be used to silence valid discourse. Free speech in America has been, and always will be critical in the protection and expansion of the rights of civil rights workers, anti-war protesters, lesbian and gay activists and others fighting for justice. The ACLU protects freedom of speech, even that with which many of its supporters disagree.

For example, in the 1949 case of Terminiello v. Chicago, the ACLU successfully defended an ex-Catholic priest who had delivered a racist and anti-Semitic speech. The precedent set in that case became the basis for the ACLU's successful defense of civil rights demonstrators in the 1960s and '70s.

Having heard Senator Buttars’ recent comments, the public can decide if these comments are representative of its views and take appropriate action with regards to Senator Buttars’ position as a public, elected official. They also can and should exercise their own Constitutionally-protected freedoms to respond as they deem appropriate.

"Bless their black hearts."

[frank ryan]

One from the LDS Church:



The other from, of all people, the ACLU:



"Bless their black hearts."

the aclu has always protected free speech for bigots. all-american, i have a question was waddoups pissed at buttars? he didnt seem like he was at all

[New Mexican Disaster]

One from the LDS Church:



The other from, of all people, the ACLU:



"Bless their black hearts."

Don't tell Rocky or IPU that the ACLU has stood with Buttars on this. They won't be able to handle it.

[All-American]

the aclu has always protected free speech for bigots. all-american, i have a question was waddoups pissed at buttars? he didnt seem like he was at all

You have to understand that it is a very common thing for a Senator to vehemently disagree with another Senator. Even though many disagree with Senator Buttars, they still maintain a degree of collegiality, if for no other reason than the fact that they will still need to work with each other on myriad other issues. So yes, in public, he and many other Senators are supportive of and standing behind their colleague and coworker, with whom they are going to be working as long as they are working in the Senate. There is also a degree of sympathy for a man for whom life is about to become absolutely miserable.

Privately, though, they are all quite frustrated that he said something so stupid and inflammatory. Not a one of them (except perhaps Senator Buttars himself) doesn't wish he would have kept his mouth shut. It's going to make things hard on everybody over the next few weeks.

[il Padrino Ute]

Don't tell Rocky or IPU that the ACLU has stood with Buttars on this. They won't be able to handle it.

You're an idiot if you think this.

[New Mexican Disaster]

You're an idiot if you think this.

I probably am an idiot but I seem to remember a number of threads where the ACLU was called out as a liberal organization. I know Rocket Sauce was one of the people on this and I thought I remembered you being another, perhaps I am wrong.

[SeattleUte]

So the LDS Church is tied in knots; trapped in a box of its own making. Check mate. It's on the dark side twice fold. LDS Church: gay haters and enemies of free speech. I'm sure they wish they could make Buttars go away. Poof. Or cut his tongue out. Not in this country.

LDS Church: You can't disavow Buttars. He's yours, he's YOU, and you can't muzzle him.

I love free speech; liberty's mistress. God bless the ACLU.

[SeattleUte]

You're an idiot if you think this.

Your head is exploding. Isn't it. LOL.

[Jeff Lebowski]

So the LDS Church is tied in knots; trapped in a box of its own making. Check mate. It's on the dark side twice fold. LDS Church: gay haters and enemies of free speech. I'm sure they wish they could make Buttars go away. Poof. Or cut his tongue out. Not in this country.

LDS Church: You can't disavow Buttars. He's yours, he's YOU, and you can't muzzle him.

I love free speech; liberty's mistress. God bless the ACLU.

Enemies of free speech? For pointing out that Buttars does not speak for them?

Come on. This is embarrassing. Surely you can do better than that.

[SeattleUte]

Enemies of free speech? For pointing out that Buttars does not speak for them?

Come on. This is embarrassing. Surely you can do better than that.

I'm sure the ACLU issued its statement as historic guardian of freedom in Utah against the theocracy.

Why should they be embarrassed? How do their views differ on gays?

Why don't they excommunicate him?

I noticed he's like a grand pooh bear in the Boy Scouts.