Andrew links to an article tracking National Review’s longstanding sympathy for fascism. It’s a lively and eye-opening read, made all the funnier given that one of NR’s current editors has just published a book titled Liberal Fascism.

It reminds me of a clip of Gore Vidal debating William F. Buckley Jr. in 1968.

Vidal calls Buckley a crypto-Nazi, and Buckley in return threatens to punch Vidal’s lights out. When I saw this clip a year or so ago, I thought Vidal was just being nasty. Given the above-linked article, perhaps his gybe wasn’t completely unfounded.

Towards the end, the article excerpts a section out of NR editor Jeffrey Hart’s 1987 book, From This Moment On, which includes the following fascinating snippet:

Mussolini liked to interrupt his working day several times with sexual intercourse, often standing up and in his uniform, a very rapid performance.

I’d need to see it in context in the book to make out if Mr. Hart really is lionizing Mussolini here. But if he is, I’m puzzled. Fine, the man was horny, had to have it several times a day, so busy he did it standing up and clothed. Got it. But is quick ejaculation a sign of virility? I suppose one could say that it signals utmost disdain for those on the receiving end of his effluence, which could be an admirable trait for thug-worshippers. But apart from that, I’m at a loss.