RE “...So the author is saying the only way to preserve conservatism is to abandon it ...”
No, not my take away from it anyway: I read it as “Ok, so if THIS is the way you Leftards want to play, we can do it too... and you won’t be too happy about it when it’s turned on you.”
I believe he was simly pointing out that abuse is abuse, no matter WHO is doing it, not actually advocating.
Like the old saying - left boot or right boot, they both look the same when they’re stomping on your face.
That was my take as I posted before reading yours.