# So what's up with these 'Proud Boys', anyway? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 30, 2020, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896 "2020-09-30T15:58:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/121 "2020-10-05T09:07:03Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > But has anyone been paying attention to their [twitter](https://twitter.com/hashtag/proudboys) lately? It’s been taken over by some real proud boys and I’m laughing so hard I’m crying. OMG that is wonderful. That’s the way to do it. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/122 "2020-10-05T13:01:31Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > OMG that is wonderful. That’s the way to do it. Now there’s something to be proud of for real. ---
**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:** [October 5, 2020, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/123 "2020-10-05T21:10:37Z")
It’s an upside down ok sign that I’ve seen. > **[Imgflip](https://imgflip.com/i/4hfxeb)** This guy is about 10-20 lbs lighter than the usual proud boy. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2020, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/124 "2020-10-09T02:17:23Z")
I think of it as the “wanker” sign. Because they are wankers or worse. ---
**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:** [October 9, 2020, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/125 "2020-10-09T08:11:02Z")
On the masturbation thing, I don’t think it’s so complex. The concept of “nofap” got shared a lot, as sage wisdom, right about the time this group apparently started. The idea is that: 1. Instant gratification makes you less able to set and achieve higher and more meaningful goals. 2. “Nofap” gives you greater impetus to go and flirt with girls in the real world vs watching porn. Let me be clear: I think you can refute the above points pretty easily. But they superficially make sense to a lot of guys, especially coupled with the shame / embarrassment many of us still feel to a degree about this activity, even if we know everyone does it. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/126 "2020-11-15T13:40:45Z")
This is an initiation ritual. > I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/127 "2020-11-15T13:49:54Z")
See, that’s where not fapping leads ya. (The people in the video, that is…) ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/128 "2020-11-15T14:02:10Z")
Why am I so hungry for fruit loops? ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/129 "2020-11-15T14:11:25Z")
That is like a gang initiation for four year olds. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/130 "2020-11-15T14:53:55Z")
“Fiber One!” 🤨 “Hey, sump’n ain’t right here…” ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/131 "2020-11-15T15:52:33Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Don’t fear those assholes. Never fear those spineless bastards. The tepid turnout yesterday is proof that it is all pure trollery for the entire GOP. If they REALLY thought that the election had been stolen, there would indeed have been 3 million of them there, likely burning the entire town down. “Hello, I am from XYZ Polling, and wish to ask you a few questions…” “OK!” “Do you think that the Democrats stole the election?” [Heh heh huh huh chance to own the libs!] “Umm yeah sure! Dirty corrupt Dems!” ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/132 "2020-11-15T17:40:42Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > The tepid turnout yesterday is proof that it is all pure trollery for the entire GOP. If they REALLY thought that the election had been stolen, there would indeed have been 3 million of them there, likely burning the entire town down. That’s a good point. Suppose that come the electoral vote count, Trump and his minions came up with some machination to win the election - I dunno, let’s suppose suddenly the vote comes out 300-238 Trump and it’s obvious they either bribed of blackmailed some electors. Some of their families were kidnapped, whatever, but that’s what the count is and it’s clear the election really was stolen. What do you think would happen in January 6? My guess would be that five to ten million people would descend upon Washington. There would be demonstrations in every major city unlike anything witnessed before. There would be civil unrest that would make the unrest of this past summer look like a frat party. Shot would be fired. The army would have to pick sides. The reason that didn’t happen this weekend is that no one REALLY believes the election was stolen. They’re engaging in doublethink. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/133 "2020-11-15T17:46:07Z")
I’ve gotta push back on that a little. We had a recent thread here where people were asked what they would do if Trump stole the election. The answer, by and large, was “nothing.” I wouldn’t be surprised if Republicans, for all their bluster, were just as prone to inaction. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/134 "2020-11-15T17:46:07Z")
What is the current status of the **Q Cucks Klan**? Are they currently standing back or standing by, or perhaps just standing around? ---
**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:** [November 15, 2020, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/135 "2020-11-15T18:36:07Z")
It’s not like people are going to admit to planning a violent overthrow of the government on here. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/136 "2020-11-15T21:42:12Z")
Wasn’t JFK Jr supposed to have risen from the dead or something by now? You’d think that might make them question things. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/137 "2020-11-15T22:57:06Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The reason that didn’t happen this weekend is that no one REALLY believes the election was stolen. They’re engaging in doublethink. I disagree. I believe Donald Trump really believes the election _is being stolen_. I believe Rudy Guiliani really believes the election _is being stolen_(because he’s literally insane) I believe a non-zero amount of Trump supporters really believe the election _is being stolen_. The reason they haven’t exploded is that they still think they are going to win. _ **I believe that they really believe Trump won fair and square, and that Trump will make it right** _. Now, most of the Republican leadership doesn’t believe this. Probably most of the people that voted for Trump don’t believe this. Probably most of his inner circle doesn’t believe this. But Trump does. He’s a superlative conman because he believes his own hype. His superpower is constructing alternate realities in his head and making them real with the power of his delusions. I believe the people that thought they saw him working towards acceptance have misread the situation. Trump was seeing glimpses of reality through the gaps remaining in the alternate reality wall he was rapidly constructing, but those gaps will disappear soon. We all know he’s not going to concede. Everyone seems to be expecting that non-concession, though …they are waiting for Trump to head down to continue his fight from the Winter White House and to maybe have a rally on the day Joe Biden is inaugurated. That would certainly be the easiest thing for everyone, Democrats and Republicans alike. But when has Trump ever taken that small step back to make things easier for anyone else? Nah…I think he’s going to keep slinking deeper into the crazy. At some point next week, they will announce Ukraine and/or George Soros is somehow involved. I know this simply because the lawyers he is using blame Ukraine and George Soros for everything. I think the crazy is just getting started. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/138 "2020-11-15T23:10:02Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > I believe Donald Trump really believes the election _is being stolen_ . I for one disagree with this. I think Trump is aware and devious enough to pretend this, because he knows his marks will believe it if he says it. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/139 "2020-11-15T23:29:55Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > The name “Proud Boys” sounds weirdly un-American. Like it should be spoken with an Afrikaans accent. And weirdly gay. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896/140 "2020-11-15T23:33:28Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > > [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > > > I believe Donald Trump really believes the election _is being stolen_ . > > I for one disagree with this. I think Trump is aware and devious enough to pretend this, because he knows his marks will believe it if he says it I don’t believe he really believes it, either. He knows. He’s just a complete liar who doesn’t care if it’s true or not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-these-proud-boys-anyway/921896.md?page=8)