I think by now that anyone not a habitual apologist for racism and bigotry will admit that the reason Chris Buttars was removed from his committee assignments was because he broke his word (basically he lied) with GOP leadership to keep his yap shut on gay issues. He didn’t, he exposed the true colors of the Republicans in the Utah Senate, and they got pissy about it.

That makes Senator, former Senate president, Valentine’s little “Playground Rules” resolution so much toilet paper.

Here’s what it says:

WHEREAS, it is vital that the importance of rights and the dignity of each individual be remembered;
WHEREAS, our society is founded upon the proposition that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and that freedom of conscience and expression is at the foundation of our rights;
WHEREAS, each of us should be responsible both in the exercise of our rights and in protecting the rights of others; . . .
WHEREAS, on divisive issues, areas of common ground* should first be explored, and effort should be given to build broad-based agreement, giving due regard to the concerns of minority points of view:
WHEREAS, intimidation, ridicule, personal attacks, mean spiritedness, reprisals against those who disagree, and other disrespectful or unethical behaviors destroy the fabric of society and should not be tolerated;
WHEREAS, those who engage in this behavior should be brought to light, held accountable, and should no longer enjoy the public’s trust;

As you can see, he left some important language out …

WHEREAS, it is vital that the importance of rights and the dignity of each individual be remembered; – “Except the gays”
WHEREAS, our society is founded upon the proposition that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and that freedom of conscience and expression is at the foundation of our rights;  “Except the gays”**
WHEREAS, each of us should be responsible both in the exercise of our rights and in protecting the rights of others; “Except the gays”
WHEREAS, on divisive issues, areas of common ground* should first be explored, and effort should be given to build broad-based agreement, giving due regard to the concerns of minority points of view:  “Except the gays”
WHEREAS, intimidation, ridicule, personal attacks, mean spiritedness, reprisals against those who disagree, and other disrespectful or unethical behaviors destroy the fabric of society and should not be tolerated; “Except about the gays”
WHEREAS, those who engage in this behavior should be brought to light, held accountable, and should no longer enjoy the public’s trust; “Except about the the gays”

There … now it reads like a Republican wrote it. Do you think Valentine noticed that the legislature lawyers changed his language? Maybe it’s not too late for him to get it back up to all it’s Utah Republican glory.