Is he though? Or is comedy just a vehicle to express socially unpalatable views? I think the alt right generally has taken up irony and comedy so strongly as a tactic to allow them to say things they couldn't otherwise get away with. Anyone objects, they invoke the plausible deniability that the other person doesn't "get the joke" or "have a sense of humour". Except it's not a joke to all the people who think the same things.
I think it's entirely possible McInnes is just someone for whom the only serious thing is provoking people: it is all a joke, a performance. Ironically the Proud Boys might actually be the biggest fools of the jest: how much stupid shit might they do at the urging of someone who doesn't really believe in any of it? I can see why some people might really amuse themselves that way.
I don't know. I saw him jesting about the creation of the Proud Boys, openly stating it was a joke and his shock that so many took it seriously. It seemed comic to me.
But the "joke" obviously sprang from some real world views of his. Outrage and disgust with political correctness, that Westerners are sensing that people want us shamed for being Westerners and that we should not be so shamed.
And I've seen a wild range of people blending stand up with political world view. Sometimes, it really is funny. But can you write you don't know what George Carlin's politics where listening to his stand up? OTOH, I saw a Feminist, doing a stand up the consisted of her recounting her rage at having been raped. The style was stand up. Yet, at no time did she say anything even mildly amusing. Not a little bit. And everything in between.
You're not being sarcastic. You're being sensible.
Agreed. I guess the equivalent of eye rolling is an argument now.
Though, does this guy want to splinter away from that group, or take it over?