Pat Buchanan On DADT Repeal: Imposing “Values Of Fire Island” Will Be “Hellish”

Video

by Matt Schneider | 2:05 pm, December 20th, 2010

» 28 comments

There is a lot to see in this clip from The McLaughlin Group including a wildly colorful sports jacket worn by host John McLaughlin and an even more colorful commentary by conservative commentator Pat Buchanan as he established the arguments against repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell military policy. With most public figures championing repeal as a positive and historical civil rights moment, it’s at least unique to hear the opposing view argued so passionately by Buchanan.

Buchanan ranted:

You are trying to impose the values of Fire Island on Parris Island. These are 19-year-old Marines, they’re very macho guys. Many of them are Christian traditionalists and you’ve got these secular values and you bring open homosexuals into the barracks with these guys, it’ll be hellish. One Marine commandant said very simply, ‘Would moving homosexuals into the barracks with my Marines enhance the fighting effectiveness, the cohesion and morale of our Marine units? I don’t believe it would.’ Why change something that is working. The Marine Corps is the finest unit in the world, or one of them, and it works. Why impose outside values on them? . . .

The multiculturals in effect won. But there is one culture basically, as I said, to Fire Island, and there is an entirely different culture. You impose one from outside on the other and you’re looking for trouble. Our Marines do very well without this.

Regular panelist and liberal commentator Eleanor Clift immediately disagreed with Buchanan’s assertions and humorously informed him that gay people actually live outside of Fire Island too. Regardless, with such modern changes to traditional principles, Buchanan believed repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is just further evidence that “society is going downhill.”

Worth noting that this was taped on Friday before DADT had been passed on Saturday.

Watch the colorful clip below from The McLaughlin Group:

dadt, Eleanor Clift, gays in the military, John McLaughlin, Pat Buchanan

The Real Royal King

I did love that jacket.

I would say Mr. Buchanan has gone batty, but he’s been that way such a long time.

Still, I actually like him. Seems like a nice guy. Not many rightist commentators who aren’t mean as rattlesnakes that first warm day of the Spring.
redleaf

“You are trying to impose the values of Fire Island on Parris Island.”

I wonder how many hours of writing, vetting and approval went into that brilliant line?
And let’s see how long before it becomes the new “plugging the plug on grandma” talking point phrase.
The Real Royal King

redleaf said:
“You are trying to impose the values of Fire Island on Parris Island.”

I wonder how many hours of writing, vetting and approval went into that brilliant line?
And let’s see how long before it becomes the new “plugging the plug on grandma” talking point phrase.

You know, I think that comes as natural to Pat as Bean Dip does to a fat girl.
writer

The King will join a group from his church in their annual Christmas mocking of ‘fat girls’. Some can’t get enough of the insults, and invite them in for eggnog.
Probably NOT wrong

Pink Fatigues and White Boa’s in the Gay Pride Parades,
but they will probably act a little bit normal while on the base
or aboard ship. Hope so, for everyones sake!!
Harry Flashman

Of course that’s what he would say. It’s Pat Buchanan for pity’s sake. Did anyone expect him to have some sort of epiphany and say, “Hmmm. Yep, those gays are all right to me!”?

Imagine. Pat Buchanan against the repeal of DADT. Whoda thunk it? Way to ferret out the controversy, guys.
notsofast

redleaf said:
“You are trying to impose the values of Fire Island on Parris Island.”

I wonder how many hours of writing, vetting and approval went into that brilliant line?
And let’s see how long before it becomes the new “plugging the plug on grandma” talking point phrase.

Grow a pair and join the Army.
The Real Royal King

Harry Flashman said:
Of course that’s what he would say. It’s Pat Buchanan for pity’s sake. Did anyone expect him to have some sort of epiphany and say, “Hmmm. Yep, those gays are all right to me!”?

Imagine. Pat Buchanan against the repeal of DADT. Whoda thunk it? Way to ferret out the controversy, guys.

It is the rare conservative man at Mediaite who can use “epiphany” correctly in a sentence, or who can use “ferret” as a verb. If I were wearing a hat, I’d tip it to you.
bealzebubba

My favorite argument against the repeal was “it will be a distraction to the troops”.

So, I’m picturing a squad of marines dug in along some mountain pass in Afghanistan, taking fire at all angles and then one devil dog turns to the other and says “dude, did you hear that Mike’s gay”.

He stops firing “Wait, what?”

The battle rages on but these two are just engrossed in this discussion…then a third comes running over and says “did you just say that Mike’s gay?” DD1 says “yeah…I was shocked when i heard it.”

DD3 gets on his radio….”Dy’er Maker, calling God, come in.”

“God, here”

“Mike?”

“Yeah?”

“How come you never told me you were gay. I’m your best friend….I should know stuff like this.”

Disaster.
James Nelson

notsofast said:
Grow a pair and join the Army.

I would say the same thing to you.
cjd ohio 1

a question, why does the military seperate men and women?
James Nelson

cjd ohio 1 said:
a question, why does the military seperate men and women?

I think we all know the answer to that one. But then, the military does not throw a woman out of the military when she openly acknowledges she is a woman.
cjd ohio 1

answer it then
Just4thefax

Fact: http://www.thedailyshow.com/collection/359541/best-don-t-ask-don-t-tell-moments/341214
James Nelson

cjd ohio 1 said:
answer it then

I thought what I said was obvious. You don’t have to be so petulant. I assume women and men are separated because of fears of cohabitation.

Now, why don’t the military services throw out a man or a woman when they acknowledge their sex? Yes, I know the answer is obvious, but I would like your answer….
cjd ohio 1

fears of cohabitation, ok why have those fears …..i only ask because i dont want to put words in peoples mouth, sorry if i offend you
Just4thefax

James Nelson said:
I would say the same thing to you.

Fact: That’s putting the bomb up your ass! Be a little tuff. Got him on the run better lucksy next time Jamesy Nails-son!
cjd ohio 1

men and women dont shower together, bunk together
cjd ohio 1

why?
cjd ohio 1

and i am for the repeal of DADT
SarahP

Just4thefax said:
Fact: That’s putting the bomb up your ass! Be a little tuff. Got him on the run better lucksy next time Jamesy Nails-son!

For once, try not to be a total racist buffoon. You’re stupidity does not help advance your argument.
James Nelson

cjd ohio 1 said:
fears of cohabitation, ok why have those fears …..i only ask because i dont want to put words in peoples mouth, sorry if i offend you

No, you are not offending me. Actually, this is a very interesting argument.

Why have those fears? I guess because it happens.

And yes, there is a fear of cohabitation between men/men and women/women. Not sure what to do, but I do honestly believe (as a straight veteran myself) that all Americans have a right to serve. Hell, it is wonderful that there are so many who want to sacrifice for their country.

As an aside, that has nothing to do with this discussion: what do you think about reinstating the draft?
cjd ohio 1

also a vet 83-93, gay service members should be able to serve, just pointing out that its not as easy as a stroke of a pen, draft…….. not really ,as a 5-6 year old and seeing vietnam on the tv , i was scared as hell, and nice picture of BG jimmy stewart us air force
cjd ohio 1

i a righty on some issues, lefty on others ……so i guess im bi lol, nice pun maybe
James Nelson

cjd ohio 1 said:
also a vet 83-93, gay service members should be able to serve, just pointing out that its not as easy as a stroke of a pen, draft…….. not really ,as a 5-6 year old and seeing vietnam on the tv , i was scared as hell, and nice picture of BG jimmy stewart us air force

Thanks. You are absolutely right, this is not easy. Necessary I believe, but the implementation needs some exploration.

I believe that reinstatement of the draft would be more equitable to all, would make people give back to their country, and would mean that when people advocate war, or some form of it, everyone would have a serious stake in the consequences.

I always liked Jimmy Stewart. A patriot who served his country, and a great actor. A couple of other patriots who sacrificed their careers for their country: Ted Williams and Bob Feller.
HKGuy

Someone should tell this moron that the vast majority of people who have homes and summer on “Fire Island” are heterosexual.

But it fits for someone who said that AIDS was divine punishment on homosexuals. (I guess he figured hemophiliiacs, transplant patients, drug users, sexual partners of same were just caught in the divine crossfire.)
Darklady

As is all too often the case, I am confused.

If there are no homosexuals in the barracks now… why was there ever a need for DADT and why would it need to be repealed.

Got a news flash for you, folks — there have been homosexuals in the barracks since the dawn of time — and that includes American history. Now those homosexuals will be able to live in integrity and not have to lie about whom they love, what the person in the photo means to them, why they’re talking so long on the phone or writing so many letters… Nothing military is likely to change, because they were already doing their jobs; now they just get to do them and not live in fear that their needless secret will ruin their careers.
CAconservative

Pat is adding common sense to this issue. Good for him! Eleanor Clift was at her usual, being an insipid idiot!!