Pretty freakin awesome Wikileaks montage

Danny Ledone over at Digital Culture & Political Pornography posted an awesome Wikileaks montage.

Even if you despise Julian Assange, you gotta give Ledone props for his video.

Go Bernie Go!

Bernie Sanders is filibustering the fucked up tax-cuts-for-billionaires bill. Thank you, Mr. Sanders, for being the only remaining member of the Senate who gives a shit about us. (Live here on Cspan)

Leave Miley Alone

So Miley Cyrus got caught smoking out of a bong. BFD. She’s 18. That is what 18 year olds do.

Cyrus claims that the bong was loaded with salvia, not marijuana. The video, available on TMZ (if you give a shit about watching it) shows behavior consistent with that claim. Cyrus says that she’s having a “bit of a bad trip,” which is inconsistent with marijuana use. She also seems incoherent for 90 seconds — again, more consistent with salvia than marijuana.

“Life Saver” means something else…

Without discussing the merits or demerits of the death penalty, can we all agree that “life saver” is not the term you use to describe someone who supplies you with sodium thiopental? (Sodium thiopental is the drug you administer in a lethal injection execution). (source)

Best. Christmas. Song. Ever.

Holy shit, my awesomeness meter just broke.

H/T: Wyatt W.

First Amendment Badass: Hossein Derakhshan

By J. DeVoy

You may have never heard of Hossein Derakhshan or his more popular moniker, Hoder.  More than a name, Hoder.com – now a parked GoDaddy page – was one man’s outlet for free speech in Iran, a country not given to free expression and individual liberty.

Yesterday, Derakhshan was released on furlough from a 19.5-year sentence on an unprecedented $1,500,000 bail.  While normally a sentence associated with rape, murder or America’s asinine drug laws, a trial court gave Derakhshan the sentence based on the following charges:

cooperation with hostile states, propagating against the regime, propagation in favor of anti-revolutionary groups, insulting sanctities, and implementation and management of obscene websites (source.)

As a dual citizen of Iran and Canada, Derakhshan pioneered Iranian blogging.  Based in Toronto, he led the way in Persian-language blogging in terms of technology, content and building a critical mass of user interest, even writing a guide to blogging in Persian.

Derakhshan didn’t take shit from anybody.  When his views on Iran changed around 2006, and he began expressing support for Iran’s nuclear ambitions – both technologically and militaristically – he was vocal and unapologetic in his views.  When others disagreed with him, he personally attacked them.  In 2007, an Iranian who Derakhshan smeared even sued him for libel.

When Derakhshan returned to Iran in 2008, it took nearly inhumane conditions for the Iranian government to silence him.  He was beaten until he confessed working with the CIA and Canadian intelligence authorities.  Additionally, Derakhshan was all but denied access to his family during his incarceration, seeing them only twice during his prison term.  His family was banned from his court proceedings as well.

While Hoder.com expired on November 25, 2010, its cultural and social significance kept it from dying sooner.  In 2009, GoDaddy extended the domain’s registration for one year – free of charge! – once confronted by internet users about its importance.  Its content remains preserved through 2008 at the Internet Archive.

Few are willing to risk personal liberty for free speech, or can grasp that it cuts both ways (cue the Tea Party’s collective gasp over Ron Paul’s predictable but accurate defense of Julian Assange).  Yet Derakhshan has done that, at the cost of $1.5 million in bail and a potential full sentence of almost two decades.  As the culmination of nearly a decade of activism, his actions are more than stubbornness or recklessness; they require an ideological commitment that most self-proclaimed activists lack.

When Derakhshan walks, I would not be surprised to hear a loud pinging accompanying his footsteps.  Based on his year in prison and prospective risks, the reasons why are obvious.

Yale Law Journal Logo

By J. DeVoy

Let’s see, a crocodile (or alligator) and what appear to be croquet wickets.  Are we sure it’s not just a glorified Lacoste ad?

Update: Wikileaks, Lieberman, the New York Times, and the First Amendment

Update – I was interviewed on WTOP in Washington, DC, on this subject. (source)

Wikileaks, The NYT, and the First Amendment

I was interviewed by Slate yesterday, for an article discussing why Joe Lieberman’s saber rattling about prosecuting the New York Times is an empty threat. The Brian Palmer article that came from that interview is here. My conclusion was that since the New York Times lawfully obtained the Wikileaks information, and it had no part in their procurement, there is no liability.

Of course, that begs the question of whether Wikileaks / Assange would be able to find shelter under the First Amendment as well. No sense in me re-writing the analysis, since Nick Bravin (also at Slate) wrote a pretty damn good analysis of the law here.

“The Cup Size Choir”

By Tatiana von Tauber

Sexy.  Fun.  Brilliant.

(Daily Mail article here.)

To serve, protect, and to ass rape little boys in drag. Thank you Uncle Sam!

And we mean EVERY mission. Especially double-secret boy buttsex missions!

The United States Government hired DynCorp, a private “security contractor” to train the Afghan Police. That training requires DynCorp to show these local Afghan cops how to shoot guns, investigate crime, and how to fuck little boys up the ass.

Wha??????

One of the cables released by Wikileaks reveals that the U.S. Ambassador met with the Afghan Interior Minister to discuss a “boy party” thrown by DynCorp for Afghan recruits. (source) (source)

Bacha boys are eight- to 15-years-old. They put on make-up, tie bells to their feet and slip into scanty women’s clothing, and then, to the whine of a harmonium and wailing vocals, they dance seductively to smoky roomfuls of leering older men.

After the show is over, their services are auctioned off to the highest bidder, who will sometimes purchase a boy outright. And by services, we mean anal sex: The State Department has called bacha bazi a “widespread, culturally accepted form of male rape.” (source)

Frontline has a full expose on the “bacha bazi” thing here.

Now remember, when you hear Mike Huckabee and Joe Lieberman call for Julian Assange’s death or the imprisonment of the editors of the New York Times, this is the kind of “national security secret” that Mr. Assange released. As the cable excerpt shows, below, the concern here was not that Afghanistan is rife with filthy old men who like to ass-bang little boys, but that word about it might get out.

Our taxpayer dollars supply 90% of DynCorp’s revenue. DynCorp put together the “boy party” to try and recruit cops. Then, our tax dollars paid for our Ambassador to work on the cover-up.

Atmar said he insisted the journalist be told that publication would endanger lives. His request was that the U.S. quash the article and release of the video. Amb Mussomeli responded that going to the journalist would give her the sense that there is a more terrible story to report. Atmar then disclosed the arrest of two Afghan National Police (ANP) and nine other Afghans (including RTC language assistants) as part of an MoI investigation into Afghan “facilitators” of the event. The crime he was pursuing was “purchasing a service from a child,” which in Afghanistan is illegal under both Sharia law and the civil code, and against the ANP Code of Conduct for police officers who might be involved. He said he would use the civil code and that, in this case, the institution of the ANP will be protected, but he worried about the image of foreign mentors. Atmar said that President Karzai had told him that his (Atmar’s) “prestige” was in play in management of the Kunduz DynCorp matter and another recent event in which Blackwater contractors mistakenly killed several Afghan citizens. The President had asked him “Where is the justice?” (source)

I wonder if this is what Rev. Wright was thinking about when he yelled “God Damn America.” I guess if that was the case, he’d have said “God DAAAYUM America!”

Google to Internet Users: “All Your Angry Comments Are Belong to Us”

by Jason Fischer

Google, allegedly in an effort to improve the civility of user comments, has determined that the “caps lock” key should not be a part of laptops that will be made to support its forthcoming operating system.  (source)

Christians should be slaves. Textbook fails to support that view. Panties are wadded.

When I hear American Christians speak, this is the magic space zombie jew that I see in my head.

by Randazza

Dennis and Aimee Taylor got their panties all in a wad because their son had to read the book “Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America,” in his personal finance class at Bedford High School.” (New Hampshire)

In the book, the author (Barbara Ehrenreich) recounts experiences she had while trying to make a living at minimum wage jobs all across America. She criticizes the current conditions in America, arguing that our economic system is unfair toward the poor.

So who is that most likely to piss off? You guessed it… “christians”.

Aimee Taylor is quoted as saying, “The author is a known social Marxist, hates everything American, everything that America stands for or was built on. I mean when you read the book you see that strongly in this woman’s agenda. It’s horrible.” (source).

The irony is pretty thick here — since Ms. Taylor and her husband are calling for mass firings in the Bedford school district – because they don’t like the book that the district assigned to her son. You know, its Un-American to write a book saying that maybe even the down-trodden proles who share citizenship with us should, oh I dunno, live a decent life?

Of course, no whining christian hissy fit is complete without taking a quote about their imaginary friend out of context:

The Taylors also took issue with the book’s portrayal of Christians. In one scene, Ehrenreich attends a tent revival meeting, and is troubled by its emphasis on Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, rather than his social teachings.
“Jesus makes his appearance here only as a corpse; the living man, the wine-guzzling vagrant and precocious socialist, is never once mentioned, nor anything he ever had to say,” Ehrenreich writes.(source)

I haven’t read the book, but this blogger has. Here’s how he explains the “wine-guzzling vagrant” passage.

The “wine-guzzling vagrant and precocious socialist” line appears on page 68 as part of the author’s account of attending a tent revival near a residential elderly care facility at which she worked, and laments the fact the speakers dwell on the hellfire-and-brimstone, doom-and-gloom elements on the Bible and Christ’s crucifixion rather than his more positive messages. Her reference, while perhaps overly flippant, is not intended as a hateful denigration of Jesus. But I digress.) (source)

Fortunately, the school district had a measured response to these cult-members.

In response to the Taylors’ complaint, school district officials convened a materials review committee of teachers, administrators and community members to assess the book. Upon review, the committee ruled that the book’s educational merit outweighed its shortcomings.
“We found the book provided valuable insight into the circumstances of the working poor and an opportunity for students to demonstrate mastery of the ‘Financial Impact’ competency,” the committee reported.

Assistant Superintendent Chip McGee said the committee looked at the value of the book as a whole, rather than judging it on its objectionable passages.
“We need to balance the instructional value of the book against its shortcomings, rather than looking at any isolated passage, and rather than looking at the belief system of the author,” McGee said.(source)

Of course, Dennis and Aimee Taylor sure showed that there school district – they took their son out of school and decided to home school him. I’m sure that his future will be bright, as two fucking morons who believe in fairy tales will now be teaching him chemistry.

To put a cap on his stupidity, Dennis Taylor leaves us with this quote:

“Nobody gets out of the hole in this book,” Taylor said. “Really, is that the message we want to teach children in Bedford, who of all Americans ought to be capitalists, and produce the wealth that other people enjoy?”`(source)

And that, dear readers, is exactly what modern American christianity is all about — that those who live their lives following this false fairy tale should do so to ease the pain of their slavery. Being a “capitalist” means “producing the wealth that other people enjoy.”

Fortunately for Dennis Taylor, his son will very likely fulfill that role — as he dons his smock for a day greeting the People of Wal-Mart. He can produce the wealth that other people enjoy.

Jesus. Drunk again.

Image provided by Graphic Poetry.

Barbara Ehrenrich’s blog is here.

Joy to the world, and naked women

By Tatiana von Tauber

"Size Zero" is a downer.

As a boudoir photographer I see lots of women naked. Most clients fall into two groups: Those who look so hotter than they ever thought they could, or those who use boudoir photography to confirm they are as fat, cellulite-ish or unsexy as they feared (I’m an artist, not a Photoshop God). Too often I deal with clients’ self-body hatred and it’s come to a bothersome point — having befriended women whose bodies are scarred not for beauty but for self-preservation and basic survival.

While producing The Art Cure project, a breast cancer awareness art show and charity event this October, I met a group of wonderful women who have battled breast cancer and won. The leader of a Savannah breast cancer awareness affiliate is a proud survivor; however, just days ago she was re-diagnosed with a malignant spot in her breast and will undergo surgery Thursday. Chemo may be necessary as well.

Another friend, a 34 y/o mother of 4 is a BRCA 1 gene carrier meaning she’s 90% more likely to develop breast cancer in her lifetime than a non-carrier. Her mother is a survivor and most likely, at least one of her 4 children will have the gene too. Having options, my friend chose preventive surgery and had a double mastectomy less than a year ago and Thursday she’s having a hysterectomy to avoid her increased risk of ovarian cancer because of the gene. In fact, with unexpected complications with reconstructive surgery to her breasts she’s undergone over 10 surgeries this year alone. Of course, just this morning we heard Elizabeth Edwards’ cancer fight has come to a matter of time before she dies. Doctors can do no more and that further slumped my morning bliss.

I’m slightly paralyzed mentally as I battle the reality of having friends who seem to be having what I’d call “real” problems yet dealing with women on various levels who create their problems.

I have friends dying of cancer, replacing their breasts with scars to save their lives and find myself stuck in a very judgmental state of mind: fuck the silicone to add an extra cup to your lacking boobie confidence. Who cares about the extra flab on your thigh when your 45 year old ass looks so much sexier than your own mom’s ass at that age? That a 45 year old woman can pass as a MILF these days, now that’s something to applause because in my childhood women at 45 were old and quickly turning into fat grandmas while discarded into the kitchen or bingo games. I’m sure your grandmother looked more like Mrs. Doubtfire than anything Hollywood produces as mainstream mid-life bombshell turned rather hot “for your age” grandma. Don’t boo-hoo to me that you don’t like your own aging body and have me Photoshop you into a blur so you don’t have to face your own reality. At least you have a healthy body I want to say. I mean all this respectfully, of course, but sometimes being nice about it just doesn’t sink in.

Helping women realize their beauty is wonderful and rewarding. It’s the part of my job I get high on. Convincing women their imperfections are not ugly is another matter. It’s like being a lawyer and facing a deadlocked jury. The frustration of all that work to end up at a dead-end is baffling, annoying and draining. The biggest harm women do to themselves is to believe men actually give a damn about their cellulite or other female obsessed imperfections.

In the grouping of those I consider good friends and women I care about, one announced her malignant bump yesterday; another undergoes removing the last bit of biological femininity she was born with two days from now; another recently wrote about personal struggles from Borderline Personality Disorder wherein the meds are killing the once active sex drive (which really has a snowball effect) and another who deals daily with the struggle of the death of her child from a disease. I top this off with the fact that I live my life with a man I dearly love and who struggles daily with wounds from war, VA bureaucracy and PTSD as a result of serving in the United States Army for “freedom”.

I feel a more pressing need for higher meaning in my life this season than the usual.   The American Humanist Association suggests we celebrate “Reason” this season rather than “myth” of God.  I suggest we celebrate our lives, our bodies and our families.  Period.

I’m having one of those days where a good walk, a breath of fresh air and deep gratitude for my status quo is in order. I am healthy and surrounded by love. Most importantly, I know my worth and understand my value. Too many women are blind to theirs. In fact, on different levels the same applies to men.

Perhaps a good walk in the cool air is a good idea for you too. Ponder love and then see where your mind travels.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to you all.

Tatiana von Tauber

“Feminism” In Iceland: Saving Women From Their Own Adulthood

By Dr. Marty Klein

Iceland, the world’s oldest democracy, is now heading in exactly the opposite direction. And they’re doing it in a familiar way—by eliminating choices regarding sex.

Iceland has now criminalized all strip clubs. And forget even something as quaint as a topless bar; the repression of the 1950s is looking positively progressive, as the law even makes it illegal for a business to profit from the nudity of employees.

What makes this law particularly repulsive is the crowing of self-proclaimed “feminists” and “women’s advocates,” who seem unable to grasp the simple idea of adult choice. Member of Parliament Kolbrún Halldórsdóttir says, “It is not acceptable that women or people in general are a product to be sold.”

By that, I assume she also plans to shut down all theaters and soccer matches too, well-known sites where “women or people” are a product to be sold. You say that that’s where the public purchases performances by women and men? Explain that to the strippers who are now out of jobs because Parliament disapproves of their performances.

The legislation, of course, comes bundled with claims about forced prostitution, rape, and trafficking, legitimate issues that are trotted out on cue whenever someone wants to justify restrictions on any consensual sexual expression. They are the sexual equivalent of flag-waving and mom-&-apple-pie.

Iceland’s prime minister Johanna Sigurdardottirs is not only a woman, but an open lesbian. As Americans already know, female politicians are no more willing to guarantee sexual rights to women than the most misogynist male. Apparently, lesbian politicians are just as willing to curtail others’ rights as straight politicians. No surprise there, either—as we’ve been saying for decades, gay people are just people who happen to be gay. Some of them are against sexual expression and sexual rights.

Plenty of dictatorships and women-hating countries in our world officially ban stripping—either for “moral” or “religious” reasons. Iceland has the distinction of being the first country in the world to ban stripping and lap-dancing for allegedly feminist reasons. They think this is a good thing. To an adult woman prevented from doing what she wants by a government who doesn’t trust her to make her own decisions, it’s a pathetic distinction.

Guðrún Jónsdóttir of Stígamót, an Icelandic organization fighting sexual violence, supports the ban because sex “is not a commodity.” That’s the same sophomoric nonsense that Pope Benedict XVI uses to deprive women of their right to contraception and abortion. Is he a closet feminist, too?

This piece originally appeared on Marty Klein’s Sexual Intelligence Blog, here. (reprinted with permission)