Matthew Arnold Stern » Public Speaking

Toastmasters, What The Hell?

Matthew Arnold Stern — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 02:11:46 +0000

I visited the Toastmasters International Web site the other day, and I found this: Apparently, the powers that be in Rancho Santa Margarita decided to rebrand themselves. But what was the problem with the old logo? Maybe it’s not the coolest logo around. Maybe it doesn’t use the latest fonts. It’s certainly not the most …

The King’s Speech and Finding Your Voice

Matthew Arnold Stern — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 05:46:36 +0000

There are a couple of things I got out of watching The King’s Speech. The first is how ridiculous the MPAA can be. Did this movie really deserve an R rating because it exceeded its quota of f-words? The second, and most important thing, is the importance of finding your own voice. This movie, like Helen Mirren’s …

Town Hall Disruptions — Just Stop!

Matthew Arnold Stern — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 07:13:31 +0000

One of the things that makes democracy possible is the free and respectful exchange of ideas. This is why I’m appalled by disruptions of town hall meetings. My disgust has nothing to do with my opinion about health care reform, although I don’t see why having a public option for health insurance is “tyranny.” Tyranny …

Religion and politics

Matthew Arnold Stern — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:42:17 +0000

I recently surprised people in my Toastmasters club, as well as myself, by giving a table topic speech about Easter. One of my fellow club members was impressed. He said, “I think it’s great that as a Jewish person, you can give such a positive speech about Easter.” Still, I found it a difficult speech …