Yes, Richard, I recognized immediately the deep irony of his self-depricating remark.  Aimed at himself, it was neither a hateful or targeted comment. 
 Irony is a powerful tool in any humorist's belt.  It can make us squirm, and Maher did just that.  It sent liberals into fits of introspection and the right-wing into spinning mode, justifying their own "attitudes".

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