Randy Butler, Libertarian candidate for sheriff of Denton County
On Friday, Tracy Murphree, Republican candidate for sheriff of Denton County, put a post on his Facebook page threatening to beat any trans woman who happened to try to go pee in a restroom where Murphree’s daughter was also peeing. Dallas Observer broke the story (and I blogged about their report here), and noted that Murphree is expected to win the race for sheriff in the November elections.
No Democrat is running in the race, but Murphree is opposed by a Libertarian candidate, Randy Butler. I am gonna suggest that any registered voter in Denton County who supports equality and individual freedom take a good long look at the two candidates and keep in mind Murphree’s hateful comments and Butler’s intelligent, measured response to Murphree’s “toxic spill” post.
“Creating new victims isn’t the answer,” Butler says, noting that the vast majority of children are not molested or harmed by strangers but by family members, family friends and, yes, clergy members. He goes on to say, “This issue isn’t about protecting the children though. It’s about the same problem us humans have always struggled with — bigotry and hatred towards those we don’t understand. … We are ultimately responsible for the safety and well-being of our children, but we are also responsible for the well-being and safety of our fellow humans.”
If you ask me, Randy Butler gets it, while Tracy Murphree misses the mark.
Here’s the full text of what Butler posted on his Facebook campaign page:
“Being a Libertarian, I could care less what gender you are genetically or otherwise. I also don’t care what takes place in your bedroom or life in general. I especially don’t think it’s the government’s business to even ponder on those issues.
“I have 2 grown daughters and 5 of my 6 grandkids are girls. Yes, people can be victims and yes many of those victims are kids and happen to be female. However, it’s not the transgendered that molest these kids and cause them harm. It’s family friends, relatives and even leaders of the church.
“Creating more victims isn’t the answer to this issue. The only issue we should address, is if anyone harms, molests, inappropriately touches or films a child or any other victim, they should be dealt with and dealt with severely.
“Creating a feeding frenzy of fear and hatred to a group of people who already deal with more hate and evil towards them on a daily basis, isn’t the answer.
“I have a step daughter that is a molestation surviver by the hands of her biological father. She doesn’t fear transgender, gay, lesbian or any other label when it comes to her kids. If anyone wishes to do harm towards her children, they will pay the price as they should.
“This issue isn’t about protecting the children though. It’s about the same problem us humans have always struggled with, bigotry and hate towards those we don’t understand.
“I’m not here to pander to any of your emotions or biases.
“I’m here saying, we do not harm but we don’t take crap either.
“We are ultimately responsible for the safety and well being of our children, but we are also responsible for the well being and safety of our fellow humans.”
