Earlier this year I wrote about “political punks” – those who buck the cultural left and the political right. Among them were Greg Gutfeld, Ann Coulter, Clint Eastwood, and today’s interviewee, Gavin McInnes.
I first started following McInnes after his appearances as guest and host on “Red Eye.” When everyone seemed to be wearing suits, he wore a t-shirt. When everyone was dressed casual, he was in a dapper vest or suit.
He cofounded Vice in 1994 and then StreetCarnage.com in 2013. He is also a contributor at Taki's Magazine. He’s also the author of several books, including The Death of Cool: From Teenage Rebellion to the Hangover of Adulthood. He has another book on the way that’s sure to provoke all the right people (more on that below). His new podcast “Free Speech” is available on iTunes. Videos of each show are available through Daily Motion.
Like Andrew Breitbart and many of the right’s best allies, McInnes’ beliefs have evolved over the years and he’s not afraid to admit it. In an interview with The Daily Caller, he talks about the birth of his children and how it affected him. He said, “It made me religious. I was an atheist most of my life and now I am a God-fearing Catholic, because of the miracle of life. And I’m pro-life.”
As a former atheist who became a Christian three years ago, it’s gratifying for me to see people like McInnes embrace their religious beliefs and articulate what freedom truly means.
In today’s atmosphere of political conformity, McInnes is totally punk.
The De Pasquale's Dozen asks political figures and free market-minded writers and entertainers to take a break from politics and talk about their pop culture obsessions.
1. What's your favorite movie line and who would you like to say it to?
“Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?” from Animal House. I’d like to scream it at everyone who kowtows to the Thought Police.
2. Tell me about your favorite teacher and how he or she influenced your life.
In college, I was obsessed with my philosophy professor Marvin Glass. He was the head of the Canadian communist party and told us insane stuff like it’s okay to have an abortion up until a year after the baby is born. My admiration quickly turned to disgust and commies still make me barf.
3. If you could be paid to do anything besides your current job, what would it be?
My own sketch comedy show or a late-night talk show on Fox News.
4. Tell me about the first rock concert you ever attended.
The first two were Duran Duran and then Huey Lewis but the one that had the biggest impact was SNFU at One Step Beyond in Ottawa. We had never seen a mosh pit before and I remember my friend Paul Totti coming out with his nose all bloody and going, “This is awesome!” Our adolescence began that night.
5. What's your current “guilty pleasure” television show?
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I started watching it because the best way for married guys to get laid is to feign interest in their wife’s show but then I got Stockholm syndrome and now I’m hooked. Every time I see Kim’s face I can’t not yell, “Your dog hospitalized Kyle’s daughter!” at the TV.
6. What’s the best present you ever received as a child?
My parents are cheap Scottish immigrants so presents were few and far between. I asked for the Six Million Dollar man for Christmas one year and they gave me his boss because it was on sale.
7. What’s the best present you ever gave?
I once met my wife at the airport wearing nothing but a fur coat and some cowboy boots. I let her see my penis.
8. What advice do you remember your mother or father giving you? Did you take it?
Again, with the immigrant mentality. All their advice was about squeezing by. My dad told me to become a computer programmer because it’s really hard to get fired and my mom told me to get into construction because the unions are good to you when you do get fired. I ignored them both and bought my dad a Jaguar.
9. Who would be on the perfect "Red Eye" panel?
Tom Shillue hosting, me as his permanent sidekick and then Anthony Cumia, Jono, Katherine Timpf, and Andy.10. What books are on your reading list?
I’m writing a book on free speech so it’s: Greg Lukianoff’s Freedom From Speech, Nat Hentoff’s Free Speech for Me but not For Thee, and I just slogged through Anthony Lewis’ Freedom for the Thought That we Hate. I also loved Jason Riley’s Please Stop Helping Us: How Liberals Make it Harder for Blacks to Succeed and anything Ann Coulter writes.
11. What would you like tomorrow's headline to say?
“Eich reinstated as CEO of Mozilla.” I dream of the day PC dies and we all go back to normal. The fact that they are promoting pedophilia and the infanticide I learned about in college must mean the whole thing is coming to a close.
12. Tell me about the moment you decided to become more vocal about your political beliefs.
The most expensive book I ever read was Pat Buchanan’s The Death of the West in 2001. It’s cost me millions in lost jobs and opportunities because I keep screaming, “Who’s with me? Let’s go!” and then charging out of the room like Bluto.
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