Oh of course it's all hearsay, it's about as convincing as I have an uncle at Nintendo when discussing it on the internet. My point though is I'm more inclined to believe this guy because I've heard the same thing from people I trust for years. I personally don't dislike Ian for his (alleged) politics though that doesn't help.
I don't have any reason to believe Ian is a liberal, just as I don't have any reason to disbelieve it. What matters to me is what he does. If he
is a card-carrying commie, he's done pretty well swallowing back whatever ideology he may hold in his heart of hearts so he could talk to old gun designers in South Africa (big no-no for progressives) about Rhodesian guns, or to very old,
very conservative dudes (the kinds who still say "Jap" unironically) about their experiences. His few public views on guns seem to be very positive for the community: being big on safety and training, and not liking the NFA.
Whether or not he's a liberal (and I say that as a pretty liberal guy), despite any foibles, quirks, personality traits or sins he might bear
as a person, he's the kind of guy I'm happy to see as a public figure for the hobby. He looks reasonable, he doesn't rant, he provides good historical content, and his videos aren't wall-to-wall ages-18-to-35 fratboy sophomoric bullshit. At least for now, I give him respect. If he swerves into insanity I'll be the first to call him out. As it is it's just dumb to try to lump him with a bona-fide lolcow like Karl "Kommie" Kasarda.
I dislike him because something about his general personality and face that makes me want to beat him to a pulp. It's like when you see/meet someone and you just inexplicably instantly dislike them for no rhyme or reason.
I get you. I have the same issue with DemolitionRanch. Even the guy's VetRanch videos make me want to reach through the screen and punch him mid-intro, and he's helping goddamn puppies on those.