Saintless

According to ABC 4 News, the LDS Church released the following statement:

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.

Given President Waddoups obvious reluctance at disagreeing with or censuring Buttars, I have to wonder if the LDS Church might have put a bug in Waddoups’ ear that this needed to happen. Not that I know anything about how all that stuff works. Even if that’s not the case, I truly appreciate the LDS Church’s statement, and I gained a bit of respect for them because of it.

This is being reposted with permission from the lovely Dominique Storni:

2-20-2009
10:05am
(feel free to post & repost)

Dominique Storni

I’d like to say a little something about Senator Chris Buttars, the President of the Utah State Senate, Michael Waddoups, and what took place at the Utah State Capitol at this morning’s press conference.

Many are upset with how Senator Waddoups responded; that he was maudlin, didn’t go far enough, or that he was complicit by not censuring Senator Buttars. By the tone of his voice and by the words he spoke, it is apparent that Senator Waddoups agrees with Senator Buttars’ comments and was upset he was forced to do anything at all.

Senator Waddoups was evasive in answering questions, and completely ignored the question from the Gay press. Did we really expect anything different? I didn’t. 

The greatest good that has come from Senator Buttars speaking openly, honestly, and without filter, is that he has been exposed for who he is. Time and time again he proves how he feels about people who are not white and not Mormon. He has proven in words and in deed that he is a bigot. 

That is not an ad hominem attack. It is simple truth. He has stated his disdain for people of color and for gay and transgender people emphatically many times. He has said that gay and transgender people are the greatest threat to America than anything else. He has declared that he will openly block any legislation that will give these minorities any civil rights. 

When someone calls him on his behavior, he once again proves his true colors. In his own words, “I don’t care.”

This has not only created a stir in Salt Lake City. This has not only created a stir in Utah’s Gay community. This has not only created a distraction at the Utah State Capitol. This is now national and international news. Senator Buttars has single handedly brought more attention to backwards beliefs, bigoted thinking, false information, and stereotypical Utah attitudes than any gay or transgender activist could ever hope to bring.

The more he exercises his right to free speech, (which, by the way, I will defend to my death) the more he hurts himself, his constituents, and Utah. With every bigoted statement, he exposes himself. For me, the saddest reality is that Senator Buttars most likely does speak for his constituents. 

By their failure to vote him out, by their silence, by their posts on ksl.com and other blogs, there are few among his supporters who disagree with him or who want him censured. 

Hell’s bells, they re-elected him. They emboldened him. They empowered him to speak for them. And he does.

Two friends of mine stated it poignantly. The first said, “I think Waddops is an idiot – checking his watch every second – and then not addressing the GLBT community at all – grrrr!”. 

The second said, “I think the outrageous part of Waddoups behavior isn’t that he ignored us, it’s that he actually said he and his colleagues agree with most of what Buttars said, but not ALL of it. Are you kidding me with this? Waddoups should be censured.”

I happen to agree with the Senate action. The harsh truth for those of us who are a bit more enlightened and a bit more progressive is that the voters should decide if this man serves or not. I don’t believe that he should be removed by the Senate until he breaks the law or violates the terms of his oath. It is up to the voters of West Jordan to decide if a bigot represents them.

Senator Buttars doesn’t care about anyone who’s not white and not Mormon. Senator Waddoups appears not to care, either. The people of West Jordan don’t appear to care. The people of Utah don’t appear to care. The elected officials on The Hill don’t care because they “agree with most of what Senator Buttars said.”

Some may speak less offensive words. Some may speak words of support. But their actions speak so loudly that I cannot hear what they say. By their deeds, their words are erased.

By their fruits ye shall know them. In my humble opinion, their fruits are rotten. I suggest everyone read chapter 5 of the book of Jacob in The Book of Mormon and meditate on how the vineyard of Utah is represented in the parable of the vineyard.

In my Mormon youth, I was taught, “Where much is given, much is required.” 

There are so many Utahns and so many Mormons who support equal rights for gay and transgender people. Recent polls show that the Utah legislature is out of step with the majority of Utah. 

It is time for them to listen to the silent majority and stop being frightened into submission by the very vocal minority represented by America Forever, The Sutherland Institute, and the Gayle Ruzicka’s Eagle Forum.

When political leaders claim moral superiority due to their religion, or religious leaders claim high moral ground because of their politics, I see a major problem. Indeed, I see the secret combinations of the Gadianton Robbers spoken of by Helaman in the Book of Mormon. 

I expect higher morals and more ethical behavior from my Utah politicians because of their religion.

To them I repeat the words of the Savior, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” 

 

Pres. Waddoups - Sen. Buttars Press Conference

After President Waddoups ended the press conference about Buttars, Troy Williams pressed him to speak to the gay community. My impression was that he was looking for some sort of apology or empathy from Waddoups, and the Republican caucus in general, for the hurtful statements that Senator Buttars has made. Waddoups replied that he didn’t hear a question. Troy then asked if Waddoups thought that gay people have the same rights everyone else does. Waddoups sidestepped the question, answering that the Constitution gave everyone rights.

Troy Williams

Waddoups and the rest of the Republicans there for the press conference left. Senators Pat Jones and Ross Romero then took some questions and made some statements. I wasn’t able to catch them all, because the room was buzzing with noise.

Senator Pat Jones spoke about the fact that they were pushing for something to happen in regards to Buttars, but that it was something that the Republican leadership had to deal with. She was asked if she was satisfied with the censure of Buttars, and she refused to answer.

Senators Ross Romero and Pat Jones

Senator Ross Romero then spoke. He said that he was proposing today on the floor that there be a join rule change for both House and Senate, require cultural sensitivity and diversity training. He said that he fully agreed that free speech was legal and proper, but that there needed to be a balance when representing the people. He said that it would help (people like Buttars) to understand how offensive certain things they say could be. He mentioned that he had considered it last year after Buttars’ “black baby” comment. The purpose of this would not be to limit free speech, but for representatives to better understand the effects their speech has on others.

Romero also said that he thought that there should be an apology issued because of statements such as the one where Buttars said that the LGBT community lacks morals.

Senator Jones stepped back in to say that she felt that if Buttars apologized but was not sincere, it would be disingenuous.

Troy Williams and Gayle Ruzicka

Troy Williams with Gayle Ruzicka trying to leave

Shortly after that, Troy Williams went up to Gayle Ruzicka, President of The Eagle Forum, and spoke with her. The cameras were all over that. Ruzicka was obviously trying to leave the whole time. I didn’t hear the whole conversation, but I did hear Troy suggest that Gayle ask Buttars what “pig sex” was. He also asked her how she could support him when he outright lied, and how was that moral or just. I don’t think she answered, and she did finally get her opportunity to run out of the room. That was quite an interesting exchange, and I was proud of Troy for taking the opportunity.

I’m sitting in a room off of the Utah Senate Chambers, awaiting the press conference regarding Senator Chris Buttars to begin. KSL is broadcasting this live. I recognize many people here – Troy Williams, Glen Warchol, Michael Aaron, as well as tv news personalities.

When I arrived, I was turned away for not having a press pass. I will be changing that soon, but it’s too late today. I started to walk away to figure out who I knew that could get me in, when I was called back and told to go down the hall and have someone ask Ric Cantrell if I could get in.

Ric was very gracious, and said that he wanted to let bloggers that he knew in. I don’t think we’d met before, but he apparently knew my name and/or blog.

There’s lots of speculation as to whether the man of the hour will attend, and if we can ask questions.

My prediction (and as I write this, it’s 6 minutes away) is that Buttars will not resign. Instead, he’ll opt to be stripped of committee assignments. I’m told he’s a year away from the 10 year mark, where he gets free healthcare for life.

I’m thrilled at the possibility that the Utah State Senate might be stepping up to the plate, and not allowing such heinous statements to represent the entire Senate, or the people of Utah. Of course, at this moment, that’s just hope. They could very well end up defending him, using the “free speech” line.

There’s 1 minute left now, the room is getting quiet.

Free speech, but handle fairly for public.

Waddoups: Buttars is stripped from committee leadership. Intent to remove focus from distracting personal issues, so that the bills can be heard for their own merits rather than stir created in public with controversial comments. Second it frees Buttars to feel more at ease saying how he personally feels, without speaking on behalf of the committee or legislature. Allow him to more fully express his freedom of speech rights.

Buttars will continue serving on the Rules Committee.

Troy Williams pushed hard for Waddoups to address the gay community. Waddoups tried to sidestep it, even after asked directly if he believed that gay people have the same rights. Waddoups gave a generic answer, and said that all people were given rights in the constitution.

Ross Romero is still answering questions, the conference is over. I’ll make notes and write them up later.

Reed Cowan is the guy producing the documentary from which we briefly saw video of Senator Chris Buttars accuse gay people of using feces for sexual pleasure. Buttars then posted a blog saying that Reed lied to him:

Sometime in January, I talked with Reed Cowan for over an hour. I felt it was a friendly interview and we covered a lot of ground.

Reed assured me that he would treat both sides of the issue fairly and that I would be treated fairly. He told me the interview would be public in about a year and I would be allowed to see his work and approve my part before he released it.

I took Reed at his word and am disappointed.

I believe traditional marriage is the foundation of our civilization and I’ll continue to support public policy that strengthens traditional marriage. I will also continue to oppose policy that undermines that foundation.

I’ve read every comment on there, and I find it interesting how many anonymous comments there are, especially in support of Buttars. I hope that the comments don’t stop. Please take a moment to respond with your thoughts.

So many of those commenters tried to claim high moral ground, saying things like “I don’t agree that their behavior is acceptable to society and to God. Homosexual behavior IS a detriment to society. The Bible is clear on how the Lord feels about gay/lesbian behavior.”

Now, I wonder how many of those people are going to care that the premise of the blog post from Buttars is an outright lie? Eric Ethington posted some audio of Reed telling Buttars how the whole process works, and even mentioning July as a target date. Eric also posted a copy of the signed release form.

So, how many people are going to still try to claim religious backing of their bigotry, and defend Buttars, while ignoring that Buttars broke that “minor” one that said “Thou shalt not lie”?