# Public Speaking (controversial) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 16, 2013, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616 "2013-07-16T00:20:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![rEVOLutionary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revolutionary/32/7311_2.png) [@rEVOLutionary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rEVOLutionary)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/61 "2013-07-16T15:11:09Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Not just referring to him, but quoting approvingly a long chunk of one of Hitler’s speeches. He’s obviously been studying Hitler a lot to have that at his fingertips. Yes, I have studied Hitler’s speeches extensively. What’s your point? I never once cast him in a positive light or tried to make excuses for the horrible things he did. As I said previously, my views are the antithesis of what his were. I don’t believe in nationalism, I am against socialism, I am pro-capitalism, and, depending on if I want to be realistic or idealistic, an anarchist. I also study great speakers like MLK, Churchill, Socrates and associates (Plato, Aristotle, Alexander the Great, etc.), Ron Paul, Reagan, T. Roosevelt, and many others. I just believe that Hitler was the best of the ones I’ve studied, so I could learnt he most from him. What’s wrong with that? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/62 "2013-07-16T15:12:44Z")
> [@rEVOLutionary](#): > > They do? What exactly is their idea of an improv speech? I’ve heard of Toastmasters, and I’ve wanted to join, but I have to save money for a bit. But, once I acquire what I’m saving for, I WILL have the extra money. ACTUAL improv speeches would be GREAT. I checked the Toastmasters website. The fee is $36 every six months. So six bucks a month. That doesn’t seem like much. And as I said, see if your college will sponsor (and perhaps subsidize) a local chapter. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/63 "2013-07-16T15:33:57Z")
> [@rEVOLutionary](#): > > I just believe that Hitler was the best of the ones I’ve studied, so I could learnt he most from him. What’s wrong with that? Nothing. Not a damn thing. ---
**Author:** ![rEVOLutionary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revolutionary/32/7311_2.png) [@rEVOLutionary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rEVOLutionary)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/64 "2013-07-16T15:35:01Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I checked the Toastmasters website. The fee is $36 every six months. So six bucks a month. That doesn’t seem like much. And as I said, see if your college will sponsor (and perhaps subsidize) a local chapter. I know it’s not a lot by itself, but, between my tuition, my bills, gas (I live an hour away from my college), food, my supplements, and the fact that I have to save every dollar I can to acquire what I’m saving for, $36 is enough to delay my acquisition (I don’t make a lot [my hours are low because a lot of my time is dedicated to football]). ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/65 "2013-07-16T15:48:22Z")
The fact that you think Ron Paul and Ronald Reagan are(were) great speakers speaks volumes. \ I learned a lot from Hitler.\ No, nothing wrong there. What next, you try to convince us to give up the Sudetenland? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/66 "2013-07-16T15:59:17Z")
> [@rEVOLutionary](#): > > I never once cast him in a positive light or tried to make excuses for the horrible things he did. You actually did make some excuses for him, but I don’t think you’ll pay attention to that either. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/67 "2013-07-16T16:02:15Z")
> [@rEVOLutionary](#): > > I know it’s not a lot by itself, but, between my tuition, my bills, gas (I live an hour away from my college), food, my supplements, and the fact that I have to save every dollar I can to acquire what I’m saving for, $36 is enough to delay my acquisition (I don’t make a lot [my hours are low because a lot of my time is dedicated to football]). No further questions. ---
**Author:** ![rEVOLutionary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revolutionary/32/7311_2.png) [@rEVOLutionary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rEVOLutionary)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/68 "2013-07-16T16:10:26Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > The fact that you think Ron Paul and Ronald Reagan are(were) great speakers speaks volumes. > > \ I learned a lot from Hitler.\ > > No, nothing wrong there. > > What next, you try to convince us to give up the Sudetenland? Why is it wrong to believe Paul and Reagan were great speakers? And your paraphrased sentence is extremely misleading and you know that. I said I learned a lot about speaking from watching his speeches. > [@Marley23](#): > > You actually did make some excuses for him, but I don’t think you’ll pay attention to that either. Where? Please show me. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/69 "2013-07-16T16:10:51Z")
> [@rEVOLutionary](#): > > I have to save every dollar I can to acquire what I’m saving for WW II military memorabilia _is_ awful damn pricey. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/70 "2013-07-16T16:16:41Z")
> [@rEVOLutionary](#): > > Why is it wrong to believe Paul and Reagan were great speakers? Because they aren’t. They’re just saying what you want to hear. ---
**Author:** ![rEVOLutionary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revolutionary/32/7311_2.png) [@rEVOLutionary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rEVOLutionary)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/71 "2013-07-16T16:17:50Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > WW II military memorabilia _is_ awful damn pricey. How…witty? Show me a single post where I ever said anything positive about Hitler’s political beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![rEVOLutionary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revolutionary/32/7311_2.png) [@rEVOLutionary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rEVOLutionary)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/72 "2013-07-16T16:20:00Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Because they aren’t. They’re just saying what you want to hear. That’s your opinion, and it’s inaccurate. I believe they were/are great speakers because they were able to persuade, their delivery was/is on point, and they display(ed) great conviction. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/73 "2013-07-16T16:22:28Z")
Believe any crazy idea you want (and you believe some doozies!) It won’t change the fact that you are wrong. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/74 "2013-07-16T16:25:09Z")
> [@rEVOLutionary](#): > > Some things aren’t realistically possible, but, KNOWING that there is or isn’t a god or deity is COMPLETELY impossible. I know God doesn’t exist the same way I know that the sun rose this morning: That’s the hypothesis that provides the best fit for the evidence at hand. That’s what knowing is – having a well-supported hypothesis. ---
**Author:** ![rEVOLutionary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revolutionary/32/7311_2.png) [@rEVOLutionary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rEVOLutionary)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/75 "2013-07-16T16:27:55Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Believe any crazy idea you want (and you believe some doozies!) It won’t change the fact that you are wrong. You can’t be wrong about something that is completely subjective. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/76 "2013-07-16T16:34:53Z")
> [@rEVOLutionary](#): > > You can’t be wrong about something that is completely subjective. Yet you still manage to do it. Amazing. ---
**Author:** ![rEVOLutionary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revolutionary/32/7311_2.png) [@rEVOLutionary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rEVOLutionary)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/77 "2013-07-16T16:42:44Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Yet you still manage to do it. > Amazing. Is that the best you can do? “Is everyone doesn’t have the exact same subjective opinions as me, they’re wrong.” I’m paraphrasing, of course, but that’s what you’re implying. You sound more like Hitler than anybody… ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/78 "2013-07-16T16:43:17Z")
> [@rEVOLutionary](#): > > Where? Please show me. This jumped out to me: > [@rEVOLutionary](#): > > I mean, his speeches are actually pretty inspirational. Before he went bat-shit crazy and started committing genocide, his speeches actually had positive messages behind them. I think he was driven more by love of his people rather than contempt for the Zionists, contrary to popular belief. But that’s really irrelevant, since he killed innocent people. And yes, that’s not an excuse for the mass murder. But it’s an excuse for him as a person, and those things tend to go hand in hand. You’ll want to not do that. Or even think it. Or be so focused on him in general, really, because it rightly creeps people out- people who talk about Hitler admiringly do tend to admire more than just his speechmaking, and usually they start by downplaying it and then saying more and more positive things about him. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/79 "2013-07-16T16:46:41Z")
> [@rEVOLutionary](#): > > You sound more like Hitler than anybody… [ol] [li]Do you have a pet?[/li][li]If so, is his name Adolph?[/li][/ol] ---
**Author:** ![rEVOLutionary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revolutionary/32/7311_2.png) [@rEVOLutionary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rEVOLutionary)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616/80 "2013-07-16T16:46:53Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > But it’s an excuse for him as a person Really? Did you even read the last sentence? “But that’s really irrelevant, since he killed innocent people.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-speaking-controversial/663616.md?page=5)