# I blew up a Toastmasters group last night **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 21, 2020, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672 "2020-08-21T14:38:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/121 "2021-08-27T02:11:22Z")
He should be asked back. It’s good to have your viewpoints challenged. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/122 "2021-08-27T02:53:58Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > OP, you have my respect. I don’t mean just for speaking your mind, but also for being pretty damn eloquent. Thanks. As noted above, I do edit out my uh’s and you know’s & etc. But weird thing is, when I talk like this, all I do is bring something I wrote about to mind and go off that. For example, when I made the Wendy’s argument, I had this post (and similar) in mind: > [@Things that could be more acceptable to the other side if "sold" differently](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-could-be-more-acceptable-to-the-other-side-if-sold-differently/922727/33): > > The Election ‘This is a job review, not wish fullfillment like 2016. And with 200,000 dead and 20,000,000 unemployed, President Trump has shown himself incapable of doing the two things we expect even of our caretaker Presidents: Keeping Americans safe and keeping America prosperous.’ The Election ‘If I hired this incompetent goombah to manage my Wendy’s, right now he’s looking at a 3% drop in customers, a 12% drop in revenue, his incompetent staff all yelling at each other, all while purposely… … and just recited what I was seeing. If that makes any sense. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/123 "2021-08-27T03:08:25Z")
People are entitled to a viewpoint. They are not entitled to make shit up and blather non-factual garbage and not be challenged. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/124 "2021-08-27T03:10:58Z")
I may be mistaken, but I believe octopus was saying that I should be allowed back to talk to them. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/125 "2021-08-27T03:42:02Z")
And, if not, that Calamari is ‘good eating’. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/126 "2021-08-27T03:49:57Z")
I don’t think you’re mistaken, that’s exactly what octopus was saying. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/127 "2021-08-27T06:59:57Z")
Yea. I think it’s good to have robust debate. If folks want to offer their opinion they should give the courtesy of hearing others. It’s dangerous for society to continue on this ideological siloization and it’s the primary reason why I critique spaces I frequent for becoming such. The way you described the events seems like the perfect way to handle a political discussion. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/128 "2021-08-27T10:48:45Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I imagine with this phrase they just stared at you the way a cocker spaniel stares at a quadratic equation. I just read it to Luna, who was lying on the couch. She rolled on her side, exposed her stomach, and started wagging her tail in expectations of (given) belly scratches. So her response was more eloquent than theirs, that’s for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/129 "2021-08-27T10:59:24Z")
I’ve done toastmasters in a few countries and in all cases there was an explicit rule prohibiting political speech. My Google fu is lacking right now, but it’s probably the case in the US too. I.e. you can’t call a meeting “toastmasters”, charge for it and get support of toastmasters org, and include political speeches. (Which for me is actually a shame, as I still freeze up sometimes in table topics, whereas I’m very unlikely to freeze if we’re talking politics) ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/130 "2021-08-27T11:18:58Z")
Who are you and when did you replace octopus? ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/131 "2021-08-27T13:39:45Z")
With the caveat, of course, that abuse (and trolling/sealioning/etc) are not “siloization” or a challenge of one’s viewpoints. I get the feeling that distinction makes no difference in our 8-legged associate’s mind. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/132 "2021-08-27T13:50:52Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > You hire someone to manage your Wendy’s. By the time his annual review came up, he killed some customers via an easily-prevented food poisoning, a quarter of the staff are no longer working there because of the economic impact of these deaths, and the man is reviled by 60% of the customer base. Would you allow this man to keep his job? No, that’s much more of an Arby’s type of skillset. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/133 "2021-08-27T15:08:49Z")
It’s arms. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/134 "2021-08-27T15:09:05Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Who are you and when did you replace octopus? Don’t worry he’s still over here. > [@I Pit damuriajashi and DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-damuriajashi-and-demontree/928300/798): > > Aren’t you the doof who equates group competence and intellect with disposable income? That’s not really the idea that someone with more than a 2 digit IQ would and more importantly should advocate. To accommodate your different ableness I typed this extra slow. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/135 "2021-08-27T15:10:53Z")
See, the hive still acts as if the hive doesn’t understand cause and effect. Responding to a nut in the pit is vastly different than being the provocative nut. But you all know that. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/136 "2021-08-27T15:15:16Z")
Sometimes you sound like the Borg. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/137 "2021-08-27T17:20:28Z")
More like a magic 8-ball. random SDMB poster: “What’s wrong with our military?” Magic Octoball: “Signs point to pronouns.” ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/138 "2021-08-27T18:39:28Z")
That’s right! ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/139 "2021-08-27T22:11:56Z")
> [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](#): > > We have a new stove … and it’s cooktop is 100% induction. God I Hate using it May I ask why? Our stove is gonna eventually die, and I’ve been thinking about induction burners. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672/140 "2021-08-27T22:30:52Z")
Toss out all your old pots/pans. Everything has to be magnetic. The stove top may no longer be cleaned by anything but expensive chemicals on a paper towel. Oh, by the way… that new stovetop is some kind of black glass and nothing may be placed on it… ever… that isn’t being cooked. For me that means 16 square feet less of counter space for cooking utensils and second course items, etc. In our kitchen, that’s a Lot. So, when I’m not trying to balance spatulas on top of the coffee maker, I now consider our kitchen “tight”. When the timer goes off, the stove plays songs. No, nothing you would like. Oh, as an aside… there is a little orange light on the side that you really should play close attention to. You see, when you had gas, you turned the burner off and you didn’t stick your hand in the flame. When you had electric, you knew to never touch the red spiral cooking coil. But with induction, all you see is black glass… and if you put your hand down on hot black glass, it’ll cook it through to the bone in about three seconds. The orange light means that some part of the stove ( gotta guess where ) is still hot enough to sear flesh. Oh, yeah… I Love it… /s [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-blew-up-a-toastmasters-group-last-night/918672.md?page=8)