GOP State Senator Compares Bill He Opposes to Black Baby, Calling It a "Dark, Ugly Thing"

Posted by Pam Spaulding, Pam's House Blend at 6:07 AM on February 14, 2008.

Yep, racism is dead. I love how for some public officials, it's as if the Id takes over or the censor in their brains that determines what is or isn't asshattery just completely malfunctions. In what recesses of his depraved mind did Utah Republican (surprise!) State Sen. Chris Buttars pull this winner:

Republican Sen. Chris Buttars' comment came during a debate on SB48, aimed at equalizing school construction funds. Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, called it "the ugly baby bill," but, as Buttars stood to vote, went further. "This baby is black. It's a dark, ugly thing," he said.

Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, said he perceived the statement as offensive and took the issue to Senate leaders. "I felt it needed to be addressed and needed to be addressed promptly," he said.

Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, said he was surprised by the comment.

"I didn't see it coming," he said. "I didn't take it as a racist remark, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought it was inappropriate and a breach of decorum."

Buttars agreed and felt bad about it and asked for a chance to apologize, Valentine said. After senators returned from a 10-minute break, Valentine noted the "breach in decorum," and gave Buttars the floor.

"I made a comment that I think a lot of people could take racist. I certainly did not mean that in any way but it was wrong and certainly could easily have been taken that way," Buttars said. "I apologize to anyone who took offense. . . . I ask for your forgiveness."

Tagged as: racism, utah, buttars

Pam Spaulding blogs at Pam's House Blend.