Ken Buck Opposes DADT Repeal: Military Should Be 'As Homogeneous As Possible' (VIDEO)

During a debate on Friday, Colorado GOP Senate nominee Ken Buck made some of his most direct comments to date opposing the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, saying that the military should be "as homogeneous as possible" and the country should not get distracted in talking about "lifestyle choices."

Buck and his opponent, Democrat Michael Bennet, engaged in a "lively" debate on Friday, hosted by Colorado Springs affiliate KOAA and the Colorado Springs Gazette. Although the primary focus of the debate was economic issues -- with Bennet saying he supports "extending the middle class tax cuts" and Buck stating that extending the Bush tax cuts would "pay down the deficit" -- the two men also touched on social policies.

In the past, Buck has said that he supports keeping the military's ban on gay men and women serving openly in the military, reportedly telling the Colorado College Republicans, "Right now, the policy works. I'm not saying it will never be changed. It probably will be changed. But I'm not sure if we're ready today." In Friday's debate, Buck gave a longer answer, saying that "lifestyle choices" should not be part of the discussion:

BUCK: I do not support the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I think it is a policy that makes a lot of sense. It's not whether an individual is gay can serve in the military, the question is whether that individual can be openly gay in the military. It's one thing to deny someone access to the military and to a career in the military, it's another thing to -- for morale purposes and other purposes -- make sure that we are as homogeneous as possible in the military in moving towards the common goal of the security and the military action, as opposed to the distractions that are caused by allowing lifestyle choices to become part of the discussion.

WATCH:

The Huffington Post contacted the Buck campaign for clarification on his positions, but we did not receive a response.

Being gay is not a "lifestyle choice," according to all major mainstream medical and mental health organizations. The American Psychological Association states, "[M]ost people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation."

"It flies in the face of our military, in terms of they were able to successfully integrate when we desegregated the armed forces," said Trevor Thomas, communications director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Fund, which supports repealing DADT. "They were able to successfully integrate women in the academies, when that was moved forward, and then they were able to now -- happening right now -- successfully integrate women officers on submarines, serving side by side men. So Mr. Buck remains out of touch, and he should talk to some military."

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Comments

[Justdontgetit]

10:15 AM on 09/22/2010

Bullshite Boots Buck needs to take his "less guvernment, but control women's body" mantra and crawl back into his cave.

[lambdin1]

09:27 AM on 09/22/2010

Old men with old very outdated and mythical ideas do not need to be seen or heard. Let alone run for an office. Even dog catcher!

[bobojack1]

01:15 AM on 09/22/2010

He is the male Sharron Angle. What a joke, this guy is pathetic.

[cozzete]

11:53 PM on 09/21/2010

During world war Il there was an incident where a wac was identified as a lesbian and the chief wac had to bring this to the attention of general eisenhower. Eisenhower said something like, "well, I suppose we should discharge her", to which the chief wac at the time said something like this, "well, I'm afraid, General Eisenhower, that if we let her go based on the fact that she is a lesbian, then we are going to have to let all the wacs go." To which General Eisenhower said something like this, "well, we'll just forget all about this incident, then."

I saw this on a pbs special about 25 years ago.

[anitaj]

03:13 PM on 09/21/2010

The country should not get distracted in talking about "lifestyle choices."

Damn right! The government has no business dictating how people lead their private lives.

[Nelle]

03:06 PM on 09/21/2010

Ignore Ken Buck, he's an old guy. The younger generation is smarter and more tolerant.

[raifferb]

09:26 AM on 09/21/2010

I rather like Buck's comment! According to the dictionary, homogenous means to so mix the parts as to make them indistinguisable in the new product. In other words, mixing everyone, according to Buck, into the military makes for a good mix. He probably meant homogeneous, but who would fault Mr. Buck from making a mistake in wording. He seems so intent on making certain that his words are accurate and that they convey the correct meaning. Just ask him about abortion, for example. So, I'll take Mr. Buck at his word. I'm all for an homogenous military, too, Mr. Buck.

[Powerangutan]

03:08 PM on 09/21/2010

I think he would have used the word "Pasteurized" then. I think he meant people of the same mindset and focus. His word choice is poor, and his statement is bad judgment. Not only do we need people of differing mindsets, we need people of differing backgrounds, focuses, and expertise. The makeup of our military personnel should reflect the multilateral and complex security issues we face. It should also reflect the highest aspirations of our forefathers' ideals, that all men are created equal and have the equal right to serve and defend their home.

[TechYes]

09:04 AM on 09/21/2010

I'm gob-smacked. One of the least evolved members of the neanderthal wing of the republican party is against repealing DADT. Didn't see that coming (*snark*).

[babyboomerorig]

08:20 AM on 09/21/2010

Buck looks very arrogant and sanctimonious. Just at first glance, he's someone I'd stay away from.

[1differentdrummer]

06:09 AM on 09/22/2010

And he never served a day in the military, so what does he know?

[Richardini]

08:09 AM on 10/18/2010

It has always been interesting to me how people who have never walked a mile in anyone's shoes but their own high priced ones comment on situations with which they have never had any experience. I am sure that if he had a gay son or daughter who has had to face the slings and arrows of outrageous straights for their whole lives, he would be a bit more tolerant. Being gay is just different from being straight. That's all. It does not mean that a gay person does not feel the same things as straights regarding everything but sexual attraction. I think someone like Buck is afraid of gays whereas I doubt that most military men are. Gays are already there and I don't hear constantly gays attacking their fellow men in arms. As far as attacks go, all I hear is about straights attacking gays because of the constant inculcation of hatred from generation to generation in our homophobic country. If all the other allied countries allow gays to be open, why can't we?

[MadamRoma]

07:47 AM on 09/21/2010

Through the years my family and I have spent a lot of money on winter vacations in Colorado, and the Northwest. But no more, until Colorado can elect people without prejudices toward others, they will get nothing from me but grief, and this goes for the rest of the country. Democrats get mad, Democrats get busy, Democrats, let's once and for all, lets put a stop to the vermin that wanders the halls of Congress and makes human targets out of good Americans. If you know anyone that has plans to stay at home election day, drag them to the polls if you have to. This is not just another mid-term election, this is our lives, our future is at stake.

[SaddieMcCall]

07:09 AM on 09/21/2010

If you want a homogeneous military - then why not require heterosexuals to not discuss their wives and children? How about if every service man/woman is simply looked as "one" with no life other than to serve the military? Then everyone can be equal. There should be no consideration for spouses or offspring of the military member.

Why would we want to burden the unmarried, unattached service members to know about their colleagues' families? Why should there be reminders of loved ones, such as letters, photos, care packages being around to add to the burden of the single service members?

If the military believes that it is helpful to a servicemember to receive emotional support from their loved ones - then why not be open to all members having the same support permitted?

[anitaj]

03:10 PM on 09/21/2010

Well said. Fanned & faved.

[Jericho the Red]

07:56 PM on 09/22/2010

ditto

[hype9857]

05:26 AM on 09/21/2010

My response to his assertion regarding LGBT people's "lifestyle choice" is far too explicit for me to type.

But his delusion is even more obvious after now hearing him standing by positions George W. himself is not shameless enough to admit. IE the tax-cuts-for-the-rich-will-pay-for-themselves theory. Wake up Colorado.

[aenemated]

05:08 AM on 09/21/2010

anyone who believes that being homosexual is a CHOICE ... is just entirely too stupid to exist.

[mirabay]

01:56 AM on 09/21/2010

Lots of homophoebic's chiming in on this one, watch out boys you may be gay..........

[TechYes]

09:05 AM on 09/21/2010

Methinks they dost protest......and all that.

[cornelison]

01:34 AM on 09/21/2010

The new John McCain opposes the repeal. McCain has gone from a "war hero" to that of a coward. What a sad way to end a career.

[charles116]

01:36 AM on 09/21/2010

His expiration date was 10 years ago.

[gransview]

08:54 AM on 09/21/2010

very sad