Thursday, February 19, 2009

Utah Senator Buttars calls gay rights the greatest threat to America

Excerpts from Buttars: Gays 'greatest threat to America' by Rosemary Winters of The Salt Lake Tribune

He called the gay-rights movement "probably the greatest threat to America," likened gay activists to Muslim radicals and dubbed same-sex relationships "abominations."

Last year, the NAACP called for Buttars to resign after comments he made on the Senate floor about a complex school-funding bill, saying, "This baby is black . . . It's a dark, ugly thing."

Buttars' latest remarks come from an interview with documentary filmmaker Reed Cowan that aired on ABC 4 this week. Buttars told Cowan the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community doesn't want "equality, they want superiority."

"It's the beginning of the end," the West Jordan Republican said. "Oh, it's worse than that. Sure. Sodom and Gomorrah was localized. This is worldwide."

On Wednesday, gay-rights activist Jacob Whipple, founder of the All For One Initiative, called for Buttars' resignation from the Senate, urging supporters of the LGBT community to e-mail Buttars and Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville.

"He basically labeled my community as virtually the devil incarnate," Whipple said. "I don't think that he represents Utah any more. … Saying something so hurtful has no place on the Hill."

But Waddoups defended Buttars, saying the anti-gay comments did not violate any Senate rules. He suggested that Cowan, a former ABC 4 reporter, has a "vendetta" 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 said.

Cowan, who is openly gay, countered Waddoups' accusation.

"That is a cowardly attempt to direct attention away from what was actually said," the filmmaker and Miami TV anchor said. "I believe the world that is now hearing the words of Senator Buttars will judge it the way they will."

For his part, Buttars used a Senate blog to post his response to the latest outcry, reiterating his belief that "traditional marriage is the foundation of our civilization." He also said he was "disappointed" in the manner Cowan released the interview.

Cowan conducted his interview with Buttars on Jan. 30, days after Buttars helped defeat the initial bill in the Common Ground Initiative, a legislative effort that would have expanded legal protections for gay and transgender Utahns. The Legislature has stopped the initiative for 2009, with a House committee voting down the final bill Wednesday.

Of that first bill, Buttars boasted to Cowan, "It lost 4-2, and I killed it. I've killed every one they've brought for eight years."

Cowan says he sought out Buttars for the Jan. 30 interview in his Senate office since the Utah senator has long been "the wall" between gay people and legal rights as well as a former LDS bishop who played a role in excommunicating gay Mormons.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

I rather believe that gay rights is more of a threat to Mormons than to America as a whole. Anyone who's studied LDS history should know that. See my take on this crucial issue: http://mormonprophecy.blogspot.com/2008/12/warning-from-our-past.html

devin7 said...

What Senator Butters said, though "hurtful", was TRUE.

The truth hurts, so get over it.

Homosexual life styles are an "abomination", that is the truth. Why should I or anyone else be ashamed to say that? I'm glad that Senator Butters was not.

Chino Blanco said...

For such a strident supporter of Senator Buttars, shouldn't you be just a little bit ashamed that you can't even manage to spell his name correctly?

Chino Blanco said...

By the way, here's the link to the press conference:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu0bziU8axA

Not exactly riveting stuff. Looked like amateur hour.

Anyway, I found this statement from the LDS church much more convincing:

“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.”

coman sence said...

Thanks to Senator Butters at least we have one person in utah state gov. that has some brains.

devin7 said...

Hey Chino, I support what he said. Did I not spell "abomination" right? If I spelled his name wrong, who cares. Before today I had never heard of the man. It's what he said that's important. It's what he said that I support. Don't try to cloud what I said with petty and spiteful ridicule.

devin7 said...

...and no, Chino, I am not the least bit ashamed.

Derek said...

Ironically, once again we have blatant bigotry and frankly uneducated positions masking as religious dogma. Chris Buttars will continue to give voice to his conscious and unconscious bigotry through the continual denial of civil rights to a segment of our population.

I'm ashamed of his behavior and its impact on Utah and how much damage he continues to do in the name of religious belief. For the record, his belief isn't "true" as claimed by Devin... the truth of his words are found in the way he stereotypes a class of people with broadly negative stripes.

Certainly, he isn't the first nor will he be the last to lead the charge using negative stereotypes to broadly cover a whole group of people.

Devin, would you mind exposing your beliefs by explaining how Buttar's comments are "TRUE" as you claim.

Clair Barrus said...

RadioWest on KUER 90.1
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009
Evaluating Sen. Chris Buttars

Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, set off a fire storm last week with his
anti-gay comments comparing homosexuals to radical Muslims. Buttars has found
support among conservatives, but others believe he's become the most homophobic
politician in the country. On Tuesday, Doug explores what Buttars' words and
actions mean for Utah.

********

Join us for RadioWest weekdays at 11 a.m. Mountain on KUER 90.1 and on XM
Public Radio Channel 133. You can also catch a rebroadcast of the program at 7
p.m. on KUER.

Chino Blanco said...

Party at the Capitol for truth and justice - Music * Dancing * Street Artists * Food * Fun - Featuring a special "tribute" to everyone's favorite Senator

Date: Saturday, February 28, 2009
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: Utah Capitol - South Lawn, 350 N. State St., Salt Lake City, UT

Buttars-Palooza!

Event details and RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=51890903546

Sounds like fun.

Anonymous said...

i thank that senator butters should not be able to be in any form of government. he was voted in to work for the people of utah that means everyone not just certain ones. i am one of those people he talks about i have been with my other half for all most 22 years. we pay taxes and i am a vetran.i belieave that all people have the rihgts to freedoms of faith or all rights that every one else has.one day maybe the usa.will except everyone as equel people. most gay people dont have kids but we pay for them to go to school in taxes. most kids killed are by not gay people.about the school routes and not having 12 grade if he is aloud to do this what next. thank you rwk.

Anonymous said...

Assassination is highest form of public service!