A reader sent me a link to this fascinatingly feverish piece by Barbara Ehrenreich which “reports” that Hillary Clinton is a member of the most ominous cell at the “sinister heart of the international Right.” The reader sent it to me because Ehrenreich uses the word “fascist” at the end of her paranoid dispatch. But that’s really just an add-on to the thoroughly other-worldly speculation of Hillary’s participation in a vast right wing conspiracy. I’ll be interested to read the actual book this is all based on, but it strikes me as a classic example of the paranoid style in leftwing politics. I liked this bit in particular:

Sean Hannity has called Obama’s church a “cult,” but that term applies far more aptly to Clinton’s “Family,” which is organized into “cells”–their term–and operates sex-segregated group homes for young people in northern Virginia. In 2002, Sharlet joined The Family’s home for young men, forswearing sex, drugs and alcohol, and participating in endless discussions of Jesus and power. He wasn’t undercover; he used his own name and admitted to being a writer. But he wasn’t completely out of danger either. When he went outdoors one night to make a cell phone call, he was followed. He still gets calls from Family associates asking him to meet them in diners–alone.

He was followed outside! Danger! Danger Will Robinson! Anyway read the whole thing, it’s amazing stuff.

But yes, my book goes too far in using the word fascist.