One definition for fascism that I heard long ago and always found useful is that it's a cult of strength. Fascism says: strength is virtue, and it's the weak who are -- who have always been -- holding back the strong. (It's always, obviously, the strong who fall for this line.)

In this context, these two documents -- the self-published e-book discussed, and Michael Anton's discussion of it -- are clarifying. If you were confused or unclear, here you go! This is fascism.

The fact that there are two layers feels important to me. First, there's the e-book and its gleeful, pitiless, ahistorical visions of cruelty. Second, and just as important, there's Michael Anton's sly willingness to entertain it.

This is bad shit, really bad -- reheated evil from the back of the fridge -- and look how it claws its way out of the darkness. An eager recitation; a tepid rejection; that familiar stance: Well, no, of course I don't agree with this -- but it's interesting to think about!