'That's A False Binary': Anti-DEI Witness Clashes With Dan Goldman At Hearing On The Military

At a House Oversight Committee hearing last week, Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) spoke about Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion in the military.
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[@tammymorgan9870]

When you advance in the military it should be solely based on merit. This is our defense.

[@JeffCaplan313]

That's the way it *should* be. If only we could dictate the way the world should be...then the world would have more merit than it currently does...

[@user-yu6mu6hw1s]

Yeah, but that's true for every field. Advancing as a doctor, teacher, police officer, etc... should be based on merit.

[@JeffCaplan313]

@user-yu6mu6hw1s The criteria for advancing as an officer is, "Can you do as I say?" And in that case, who's to judge how well you've done, but me [the boss]? Thus you end up with a very silo'd environment of narcissists. Et voila.

[@simmonsgalloway8466]

Oddly enough, during the Vietnam War, Black men who were once deemed inferior to serve suddenly became fit for service.

[@deependz3231]

If the presidency was based on merit, criminal Trump would never have been president.

[@josephtalmadge3108]

Goldman is a disgrace

[@ericanderson652]

Are you surprised? Look at his last name…I bet he supports Hamas.

[@shoeshoe5253]

He is so odd.

[@deependz3231]

If the presidency was based on merit, criminal Trump would never have been president.

[@donnabussell9331]

If Goldman believes what he is saying, shouldn't he give up his seat for a person of color the chance they deserve?

[@truthwarrior2727]

Great idea

[@simmonsgalloway8466]

That's an excellent idea, and each time, a politician refuses to even acknowledge that equality is necessary they should automatically be removed from office ,and a person of color should be given their seat .You just may be onto something. Keep up the good work.🙄

[@shoeshoe5253]

Good point, Dan should give up his seat.

[@deependz3231]

If the presidency was based on merit, criminal Trump would never have been president.

[@glen7228]

@donnabussell93331- Is that honestly what you understood him to be saying? Is that the true level of your comprehension abilities? Please, please put a time stamp at the point in the video where he suggested someone of color should replace anyone, of any color. Actually I invite any of you who gave this comment a thumbs up to do so.

[@andrewross4685]

Imagine Dan Goldman, a man who has never served a day in the military, telling you, a career military officer, that YOU are wrong about the military. He provides no evidence to support his claims.

[@garycolotti8798]

His belief in his own ignorance is dangerous.

[@Kehvan]

Dan Goldman is duplicitous.

[@JudgeDillon]

A duplicitous person named "GOLDMAN"??? NO WAY

[@Kehvan]

@@JudgeDillon Not all Goldmans, just Dan Goldman.

[@JudgeDillon]

@@Kehvan Right....... Let me know when you start noticing the pattern of people with a certain background undermining our countries unity and sovereignty from within while vehemently defending their own unity and sovereignty.

[@jimmymckay73]

Duplicitous , what a perfect word to describe Goldman .

[@deependz3231]

If the presidency was based on merit, criminal Trump would never have been president. Duplicitous would be a nice way of referring to Trump every time he opened his lying mouth.

[@ultramagahoosierhermit2767]

Goldman is quite possibly the dumbest person ever in Congress or the most dishonest

[@sabaha4637]

Broke-Back-Bad Duh- Gold😂😂

[@thecenturion8417]

I thought I was the only one thinking same.

[@garycolotti8798]

He's also a danger to our military

[@bigbubba4314]

Oh not even close. But he sure doesn’t appear very bright.

[@rickrobbins1037]

He's not dumb. He's just a liar.

[@whitehaze259]

A white guy telling us all about it.

[@Psy0psAgent]

You noticed. One in a million skill.

[@27JASKO]

Goldman would find this comment offensive

[@hcraretep]

Goldmans greatest hits. Co starring Adam Schiff .

[@shoeshoe5253]

Yes😂

[@markcooley599]

They have both been to the "island!" 😂

[@rogermoses4212]

Yep!!!

[@joeysdream7166]

Whatever state Dan represents, you gotta vote out the heir of Levi's. His seat was bought and paid for.

[@JudgeDillon]

Judaism

[@tanabhensley]

New York

[@arlenetrainor8913]

Why? He is well educated and has a right to serve in Congress.

[@joeysdream7166]

@@arlenetrainor8913 Don't kid yourself, he's not representing New Yorkers. He's representing the Democrat party and only the Democrat party. They're doing everything they can to save themselves. Why? The people are waking up and that's the last thing that they wanted. Very few of them (both sides) in Washington are there to represent any of us. Time for you to wake up.

[@jmags2573]

​@joeysdream7166 I live in NY on long Island which is now safely in conservative hands. This clown doesn't represent any of us here on LI

[@icebalm]

Goldman is wrong. You don't fix discrimination with more discrimination, and even if you tried when would it stop? At what point do you get to a place where you say "ok, we've corrected for all the historical discrimination, now we don't need it"? Never, right? It's foolish. Regardless, lowing your hiring standards and not hiring the best person for the job makes the organization weaker, which is something nobody wants from their military.

[@monotech20.14]

ITs not discrimination to consider someone's race and or background. Sorry you didn't understand Goldman's point.

[@icebalm]

@@monotech20.14 It is actually. That is precisely the definition of discrimination. If you are basing decisions based on someones race then that is, by definition, discrimination on the basis of race.

[@monotech20.14]

@@icebalm Wrong. So you think an A student from the richest part of the country someone who didn't have to deal w/ racism or a terrible environment is better than a B student in the poorest part of the nation, lived in a dangerous environment and had to face racism?

[@icebalm]

@@monotech20.14 I understand what you're trying to get at, but you're framing the question in a dishonest way, you're looking at the situation from a poor point of view, and you've made the absolute worst determination about what to do about the situation that can be made. Better at what precisely? Better at taking tests? Better at achieving grades? Better at performing a job? There's not enough information to answer this because you don't specify. If your question is if they're a better person or not well again there's not enough information to answer that. I don't consider GPA the metric by which I judge people. It's a dishonest question. It depends on what you're selecting people for. Regardless, your answer to the fact that the world isn't fair and that people have different backgrounds is to do what exactly? Introduce more unfairness in the name of being fair? That A student had no choice in the matter of to which family they were born or to which area on earth they grew up. They did have a choice in the matter of how hard they worked to get their grades though. However your solution would discount their achievements if you were selecting for a position and the other option was the B student from the poorest part of the nation? How do you know the reason why the B student got Bs was because of their environment? Maybe they didn't try as hard. Maybe they had the opportunity to study more but chose not to. You have no way of determining how much of their having lower grades was due to their environment and how much was just due to their ability, but you would pick them anyway? Is that fair to the A student? Do you see the problem? By trying to make the selection process "more fair" by correcting for unintentional unfairness due to environmental factors outside of both candidates control you are intentionally introducing unfairness into the system. And where does it stop? If you try to control for these perceived reasons for unfairness that are outside the candidates control such as where they were born or what the color of their skin is, do we also control for disabilities? Do we lower our standard for firefighters for someone who was born without a left arm? Do we say "well, he doesn't have to lift as much to become a firefighter because he only has one arm"? Do we lower our standards for doctors so that people with learning disabilities can more easily become surgeons? Or do we accept the fact that life isn't fair, try to give everyone the same opportunities, but realize not everyone can be all things, and select the best people for the position without bias?

[@monotech20.14]

Yes life isn't fair. Almost like the person who had to work far harder to achieve their grade might be a better soldier or leader than the person who had every advantage in the world. Which should be taken into account. @@icebalm

[@StormyT59]

East coast version of Adam Schiff! Putz!

[@eaglerider1826]

Adam Shiff actually lives in Maryland . Strange how someone can represent California and not live there .

[@vishnuprasad9924]

He spoke such truth.. I think he should also leave his position to some one of colour. He should also act the part

[@waldoinaz]

Every time Goldman speaks, his family sits home and cringes…considering new last names and places where they can relocate to avoid EVER being associated with such a weaselly little man. He’s shameless.

[@xExasperate]

and then they look at all the money he stole and smile and don't give a fuck

[@CJS309]

It’s sooooooo easy for someone with a personal fortune of $253 million to speak so loftily about equal opportunity. Dan Goldman was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and was given every advantage without really working for it.

[@JudgeDillon]

Notice he doesn't talk about jewish overachievement

[@sunshinesun101]

Imagine applying the concepts and IDEOLOGY of Goldman to any U.S. Sports Basketball Team, Football Team, or Track and Field....

[@thevalleycartel]

Dan Goldman is the snake of snakes.

[@JudgeDillon]

A snake named "Goldman"??? No way

[@johanda2000]

Goldman knows exactly how to destroy the effectiveness of the US Military...........DEI is perfect for this purpose.

[@JudgeDillon]

Judaism

[@deependz3231]

If that's destroying the effectiveness, it must be a weak US Military?

[@nofaves]

This guy is the embodiment of privilege. He is where he is today because of his advantage of coming from a rich and politically-connected family (mom studied at Wellesley and Brandeis, father is the heir to the Levi Strauss fortune). Because of this, he was able to attend and receive degrees from Yale and Stanford, equipping him ably for a career in government. And the best thing about his career is that he and his colleagues are immune from DEI quotas/percentages.

[@jordykwas2567]

This argument makes no sense... " YOU KEEP SAYING IT IS MERIT BASED, BUT DONT YOU THINK PEOPLE NEED TO BE TRAINED TO KNOW IF THEY ARE RACIST BECAUSE?"

[@kerpal321]

goldman is slime

[@billb6047]

Goldman word salad Sally....If they can do the job effectively, regardless of color, or labels, then they will be put into the position by their merits. Pilot, firefighter, doctor, CEO, sports, teacher, engineer, musician, military officer, President etc.

[@raybates3119]

Such knowledge from a man born with a silver spoon in his mouth, who inherited the Levi Strauss fortune, and has never done an honest day's work in his life. Yes, he above all others knows what the military needs!

[@j.t.8685]

He said he wasn't talking about discrimination and then proceeded to talk about just that. It's not a tragedy or even a problem that there are more white people in positions of authority than black people. It actually doesn't matter.

[@shoeshoe5253]

Dan wants everyone to talk like him after their special training 😂

[@saintbees2088]

5 min and 49 seconds of goldman talking is like 1 hour of nails on a chalkboard

[@silk.1467]

If you give a race an elevated image without building it themselves, the future generations will become dependent on assistance. We need to have all believe through hard work and integrity they can personally elevate their position in life.

[@darrencook731]

I believe that due to democrat/libbie policies perpetuated over the last 30 years or so, we have already reached that point for large swaths of the population.

[@jonolavoipierre3653]

Lloyd Austin should tell you all you need to know about DEI... Hows Afghanistan?

[@mzungumzungu336]

Goldman is like a used car salesman knowingly trying to sell you a lemon.

[@jamesvillano5202]

Never having served Goldman hasn't a clue. If, in a firefight, the person next to you can't do their job you both are in danger. Frankly, I don't think Rep. Goldman could toss a grenade beyond the radius of lethality.

[@hawkeyeted]

Dan, promoting based on race, color, or sex is also discrimination.

[@craigstevens6772]

Apparently, it was a figment of our imagination that Colin Powel was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

[@robertpowell4845]

Dan Goldman demostrating how a person who has never lived in the real world thinks and acts. Good job showing yourself Dan.

[@paulfaber849]

Diversity is great as long as they are also qualified and able. Lowering standards is the real danger.

[@robertcristando8007]

Danny Goldman is Martin Short’s Nathan Thurm character from SNL….hysterical 😂

[@eshelly4205]

As a Marine Veteran this is a poison that will cost lives. A young grunt will always look at black leaders and wonder if they were the best available or if they were promoted just because they checked the correct boxes. Sounds harsh but it’s reality

[@laztavus]

anytime you hear Goldman talk, you know he’s lying

[@beckyfrogers]

Ask Mr. Raskin or Goldberg a simple question. When it comes to choosing a Doctor, do they select the best or the one who checks the boxes?

[@isrbillmeyer]

What you are seeing is a tiny tiny bit of what is called BBBEE in South Africa. Heck they even wrote legislation to regulate access to water for farms based on skin colour of the owner.

[@gabrieldegloria9606]

Levis Straus beneficiary rich Goldman manchild is theeeee most annoying voice in the house..

[@gabrieldegloria9606]

Or was it Wranglers

[@twinkyunouwantmycreamfilli8297]

You were right the first time. Its Levi.

[@davidjooste5788]

So whats the benefit of hiring someone who hasn't had advantages? There is a huge benefit in hiring those who have overcome disadvantages.

[@rideawhiteswantrex]

Goldman is such a massive TNUC

[@jpinargotte]

This guy runs in circle and his logic is completed clouded by going back and forth between reason and equity

[@grnhrntskato]

A merit based system without DEI filters is the only way to ensure that supervisors do not use race etc. as a point of discrimination. The senator's assumption seems to be that white males are the only ones who can or are discriminating. I have been in discussions with a senior female NCO who wanted to put a specific female officer in a unit that required a black belt or equivilent in the martial arts as the STARTING point for qualification. The proposed candidate did not any previous martial arts training or related defensive tactics techniques. Not only would she be starting as a negative value asset, it would take a couple of years for the senior staff to get her to the point where she would be able to lead the training sessions without direct supervision. There is also the risk that such a candidate, never experiencing the rigors of dynamic empty hand combat, would not be physically or mentally capable of making it through the full instructor training process. It's a poor way to do business and sets people up for failure since DEI is not an indicator of competence.

[@ReuvenF957]

Who says there's no such thing as "Pure Merit"? What we want, or should want, is the best military, period.

[@kenfroeschner7171]

"Give them the opportunity" then if they fail based on merit, then ANY attempt to remove them is called "discriminatory" thus utter failures-based on performance-cannot be removed which damages the military, OR even air traffic, business, and, MOST observably, in the political class in Washington DC.

[@bb5979]

Goldman is disgusting.

[@bonnieivy530]

What about professional sports players. Seems if your dad or mom played professionally your chance of getting on a pro team is higher than someone whose parent didn’t play.

[@Rachel-en5nt]

So we're scare-quoting merit now?

[@katesmith5042]

This is what’s wrong with the world today all those participation trophies passed out to mediocre kids who now feel entitled to the awards they did not earn.

[@susanestes222]

What are the demographics in our military branches? Merit applies to all, regardless of race, religion, political beliefs and to keep pushing that DEI is required to be implemented demeans those that are working hard for merit promotions whomever they are.

[@huverdoose]

As a mathematician, I will say that the witness is logically correct. If you search for the most capable mathematicians without bias, you wind up with a diverse group. Diversity is a consequence of looking for the strongest and not, by itself, the source of the strength found. I found this to also be true with my time in the military, where people were (mostly) free to succeed or fail on their own merit, and earned real, actual respect when they did succeed. I had commanding officers of several races and both genders. That was some time ago.

[@ddjay1363]

"Fairness means you get an opportunity. Fairness doesn't mean you get an outcome" - Kevin Samuels

[@marilyncole6638]

So, make everyone a general? Or, make the hard work required to improve ones position unnecessary by just giving everyone the same job?

[@shawnsb7583]

Jay Z’s kids and Brad Pitts’ kids have a much better chance of becoming musicians and actors. But my kid? No way in hell!!!!!!!! So where’s DEI in these industries???

[@amanda72ist]

A question for Goldman: do we select people to go to the Olympics based on quotas? they represent America shouldn't there be more diversity in the swimming team? what about the NBA?

[@CJS309]

Strange seeing Goldman comment on the military when he never served.

[@rod7139]

Discrimination is not legislated it is personalised now to the point if anyone does not like how they are addressed they can lay claim to be discriminated against.

[@tarn1135]

Merit is all that matters. End of story. It doesn’t matter what if white, black, purple, red, yellow, green, a man or a woman.

[@user-gh9mh6tz5o]

I cannot fathom how all these committees waste so much time on absolutely nothing. Politically motivated hunting for discrimination that absolutely no one is complaining about, except politicians.

[@terrygaskey17]

Goldman has a point. He should immediately step down and appoint Retired Judge Joe Brown to replace him.

[@bradotley8203]

Wow, look up Goldman's background while he's talking.

[@DEVILDOG1964]

GOLDMAN A JUDAS!!

[@brucelundin9994]

Goldman resign now and give your job to a minority....or zip it

[@jamescarrick9752]

So, what about the 'victim' Plea of some within the military. It's there, not a lot that I saw in 10 years, but I did see it. 'I can't get promoted because I'm ______' No, you aren't being promoted is because you complain without merit, you haven't achieved .......... As a Company Clerk, I saw this, I tried to explain this to those who were not getting promoted.

[@DoctorD250]

Diversity should have no impact whatsoever on our military. There, I said it.

[@toddrinchko7816]

Merit= good or worthy

[@Mountebanksrus]

Somebody should ask: so if you and your family are going to be flown out of a war zone and you can choose between two planes. One pilot was top 5% in his class and therefore has a lot of flights under his belt. The other plane is flown by a pilot who barely passed but they have native American heritage so (diversity) we need to give them a little slack and understanding. Which plane are you going to choose?

[@delldaniel3136]

My son graduated from AF Academy, became an F16 pilot ,went to Weapon School, became an instructor in that school , his thesis is being used to teach all military services till now . Btw, he's a minority !!!

[@piggywarswamp2310]

Everything has to be merit base not skin colour.

[@justincampbell2168]

Service is a privilege not a right. Giving opportunity is not the same as filling a quota.

[@mpbassman5339]

Dan Goldman is little more than a grifter.

[@baazinga13]

When I was active duty on a ship the amount of sexism was unbelievable!! Everytime I was promoted or given an opportunity to qualify for an assignment i was accused of sleeping around with my superior!! I had several men go to that same superior behind my back to try and sabotage that opportunity! It was so hostile and disgusting!!! I loved being on sea duty and in 1998 there weren't many opportunities for women on ships and it just makes me so sad to hear them keep saying "merit based" because many of the woman were trying to be recognized for those merits but couldn't get past that so many thought the only way they get those opportunities was to be sleep around!!!!

[@truthwarrior2727]

Unconstitutional period

[@gumbytsxiii5753]

This is the most asinine argument

[@kenfroeschner7171]

Did Goldman ever serve? Has he ever served anyone other than himself, or his fascist party?

[@ddjay1363]

So, the answer to discrimination ... is more discrimination? Yeh, make that make sense.

[@johnwahl636]

Is he talking about Hunters military career

[@jabasabon]

If I'm a passenger on a plane, I don't care what the race, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation of the pilot is. I care whether or not that pilot is the most qualified person possible to be flying that plane. It may be the case that the most qualified person possible to be flying that plane had some type of advantage when they were growing up that afforded them more opportunity to learn how to fly planes. Nevertheless, if they are still the best pilot today, they still win the merit competition, and that's still who I want flying that plane. And that's the way it should be at all levels of society. We have a responsibility to end discrimination, so that over time, the historical advantages that some groups may have over others, gradually becomes less and less important. We've largely done that already. But just ending discrimination is not the end of the story. Historically oppressed groups also need to put in the time and effort to excel at whatever craft it is that they are pursuing, if they want to achieve better outcomes. It can't always and only ever be about discrimination.

[@phillipt1697]

This conversation is absolutely ridiculous. He's equating someone having a General as a father vs race. It's a false equivalency because 1 has to do with knowledge and the other is skin color...he's just spewing nonsense and talking points.

[@jeremys943]

Says the rich white guy in a power position. Liberals make me laugh

[@markbreaux2370]

This guy could smoke a cigarette in the rain

[@msteingart]

So…the child of a General has an easier path in the military? Ok… Does the child of a congressman have an easier path to a political career? Just asking.

[@columbiaforte876]

Goldman is the very definition of post nasal drip..🐒

[@beverlyreiner-baillargeon6205]

Goldman must like to hear himself talk. Blah, blah, blah!! We must have a military based on merit or we will lose!!

[@warlord8954]

Goldman makes a broad, sweeping, generalized statement without any substantive research, data, analysis, or proof to back up his claim. In other words, he makes an assertion not based on fact, but solely on opinion.

[@rcg7262]

Theis congressman is straight up ideologue - what a weirdo

[@rolandcyr7863]

This congressman is a scoundrel, but as this gives scoundrels a bad name I won't make this point

[@quant_solutions]

The military’s objective is to defend the sovereignty and citizens of this country. Lowering standards to fill quotas should never be an option.

[@sharonsmith6247]

Goldman sounds Ridiculous

[@fatumataholloway4897]

The post-war era marked a period of unprecedented energy against the second class citizenship accorded to African Americans in many parts of the nation. Resistance to racial segregation and discrimination with strategies such as civil disobedience, nonviolent resistance, marches, protests, boycotts, “freedom rides,” and rallies received national attention as newspaper, radio, and television reporters and cameramen documented the struggle to end racial inequality. There were also continuing efforts to legally challenge segregation through the courts. Success crowned these efforts: the Brown decision in 1954, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Voting Rights Act in 1965 helped bring about the demise of the entangling web of legislation that bound blacks to second class citizenship. One hundred years after the Civil War, blacks and their white allies still pursued the battle for equal rights in every area of American life. While there is more to achieve in ending discrimination, major milestones in civil rights laws are on the books for the purpose of regulating equal access to public accommodations, equal justice before the law, and equal employment, education, and housing opportunities. African Americans have had unprecedented openings in many fields of learning and in the arts. The black struggle for civil rights also inspired other liberation and rights movements, including those of Native Americans, Latinos, and women, and African Americans have lent their support to liberation struggles in Africa. Few other institutions can present the African American mosaic of life and culture as completely as the Library of Congress. The Library's photographs, film footage, newspapers, magazines, manuscripts, and music holdings chronicle this period better than any other collection in existence. In addition to the NAACP and NUL papers, the Library also holds papers of civil rights activists such as Thurgood Marshall, Roy Wilkins, Patricia Roberts Harris, A. Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin, Mary Church Terrell, Robert Terrell, Nannie Helen Burroughs, and others. Although the quest may not be fully realized, the Library's collections document the relentless and significant process of pursuing full equality

[@ulknatmelknatu]

"I support LBGHIV+." - joe biden

[@nfr333]

of course he does, the HIV+ covers the smartest person he knows.

[@markdavidhizar2655]

I dont know how this guy is in office or how he looks himself in a mirror

[@bobdenver7126]

it doens't matter where u start it matters about getting best people for the job

[@Dundertaker1]

Discrimination is not a negative until you make it about skin color. Discerning who is the best candidate is discrimination by definition. Promotions and by passing people based on race is discrimination. They're not the same thing....and saying "that person is more qualified" isn't discrimination...but saying "they're only qualified because they have privilege...." is an even WORSE and more CAPRECIOUS standard that is so easy to manipulate and mold into what we are seeing now....DEI used to exclude. You don't end racism with the racism you prefer.

[@rbrown5518]

Ignoring Equity Diversity and inclusion simply says your goal is the status quo. EDI was created because of our history and gave meaning to CRT, which is the systemic CONstruct!

[@bobdenver7126]

historical wrongs can't be made better by repeating them

[@briansharman3813]

From the mouth of someone whom has never been to bootcamp

[@muddyhotdog4103]

4:48 Goldman makes no sense whatsoever and just aimlessly goes around in circles with talking points. So people in charge of elevating people's rank shouldn't be doing so based on their merit and good work, instead making ones skin color/gender the deciding factor to "right past wrongs"..? By doing that you would right a past wrong by turning around and disenfranchising others lol.. And does he not get that white people literally are the majority of the USA? Or that people of all races/genders etc are leaving/falling short of recruiting? How does he think there's no such thing as merit lol?

[@petergibbs1683]

I would ask Dan why are you in your position. You are white & your party is majority white. I think its because of racism in your party & you need to address that before you address the armed forces. Dan will tell you he is there because of his merrit. Not because of his colour, so tell him as he is saying merrit is not enough.