Above the post update:

Officials say the claims are unfounded.

Damn.

Great job by the Swedes here. By going public with what turns out to be a BS claim, they make Assange look like the victim of a witch hunt and give him a chance to play the martyr. Well done.

Thanks to Gabe for the heads up

Original Post:

No word yet on if the alleged victims were women, men, children or farm animals. My money is on some combination of them but one that definitely includes the animals.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was accused of rape and molestation in a Swedish arrest warrant Saturday that turned the spotlight onto the nomadic former hacker who's infuriated governments worldwide with his self-proclaimed mission to put secrets into the public eye.

The accusation was labeled a dirty trick by the 39-year-old Australian and his group, who are preparing to release the next batch of classified documents from the Afghan war.

...Investigators want him in custody because they believe there is a risk he will obstruct the probe by destroying evidence, said Karin Rosander, a spokeswoman for the Swedish Prosecution Authority.

"The next step is that we interrogate him," she said. "Then we'll see what happens."

Destroy evidence? But I thought this Hero of the Left was all about freedom of information. Shouldn't Assange be posting everything he has online that the cops are asking for all of us to make up our own minds about the case?

It's almost as if his 'information wants to be free' shtick is just a cover for his pro terrorist sympathies or something. And the left of course, eats it up.

I doubt if he is eventually charged and even convicted his left wing supporters here and around the world will change their opinion of this guy. I mean Roman Polanski gets a pass on raping a child and he only won an Oscar. Imagine the get out of jail free card you get for sticking it to America and those bastards in Afghanistan who don't want to live under the Taliban.

Update [ace]: The charge was that he had assaulted a woman.

He had an unshakable alibi.

Checking out Hot Air, I see that one charge remains...? The molestation charge is apparently still on the books.

Posted by: DrewM at 07:11 AM | Comments (109)
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NSFW, language, but that's not the problem.

It's the music- is this a remake of some older tune? It's so retro it feels like a familiar song I should already know. Please let me know if this is sampled.

Love the singer's voice. Tune is ass-shakingly catchy too.
Man, please don't let me get caught singing this aloud somewhere.

Thanks to scott.

Posted by: LauraW at 06:32 AM | Comments (115)
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No, really a gender-brain test, to see how you stack up.

I did the first test, the one with the angled lines. It informed me that I was so completely manly I could probably have sex with like 25 guys and still be straight as an arrow.

So, you know. Weekend's really filling up now. Will be back late Sunday/early Thursday.

Thanks to PetiteDov.

Posted by: Ace at 03:48 AM | Comments (140)
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Chapter XXXXXXXXXVIIIVIIIXXVIVIXXX: “A New Despair: Return of the Prodigal genghis.”

Geez, can’t a person take off a year from this abomination of a nightly thread without you people peeing all over the carpet and driving Maet somewhat insane? I suppose not…that would be too much to ask of you. So, as Ace mentioned the other day, I’ll be pitching in on those nights when Maet’s meds have him otherwise…”occupied.” What did you people do to him anyway? I’m told that he spends a large part of his time these days curled up in a fetal position, rocking back and forth, muttering “the ONT…the ONT.”

(But seriously, MaetÂ’s done a kick-ass job with this mess of a nightly thread and I very much appreciate Ace letting me slither my way back on to the blog. IÂ’m quite certain heÂ’ll regret that decision, as will you)

First, a word from Cyrus in order to fulfill Ace’s longstanding mandate that all posts should contain at minimum 15% ”The Warriors” content:

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Let the lameness begin::
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Posted by: Genghis at 06:00 PM | Comments (729)
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Amazing video of former president George W. Bush and Laura Bush welcoming home troops at DFW Airport last week. The look of mutual admiration is obvious in the eyes of both President Bush and the returning troops. Can you imagine this same scene involving the current president? Neither can I... more...

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:16 PM | Comments (150)
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Oh my.

The first KING 5 Senate poll for the 2010 general election shows Republican Dino Rossi is actually ahead of Democratic incumbent Patty Murray, 52% to 45%.

In most polls leading up to this weekÂ’s primary election and on primary night, Murray was in the lead. Primary election results placed Murray 13 points ahead of Rossi, but Rossi splitting the Republican vote with Clint Didier who got 12%, and Paul Akers, with 3%.

The new K5 poll of 618 likely voters, conducted by SurveyUSA, is the first look at a Murray-Rossi matchup in November. It suggests that even without an official endorsement from Didier, many of DidierÂ’s supporters would choose Rossi over Murray. Akers has endorsed Rossi, but Didier is withholding his endorsement at this time.

I saw some Washington readers discussing this, this Didier guy -- what's he up to? What is his beef?

Ah, okay, I found out myself.

Basically he came in a distant third in a combined primary (i.e., Rossi and Murray won it, so they go on to the general) and he's saying he can't support Rossi without promises to block all further federal spending and taxes and introduce a "Sanctity of Life Act."

That last thing would presume to outlaw abortion in the whole country from the federal level down to the states. It's quite obviously unconstitutional according to the present court, and further, is anti-federalist, though I do note that many conservatives only embrace federalism in an unprincipled "it depends on whose ox is getting gored" basis and so I doubt that is any sort of genuine impediment to it.

Here's that Bill... Looking up the text (or summary) of the bill, it actually does suggest that life begins at conception, and that the unborn are "persons" for all relevant state law (including the law of murder, then).

For a second I thought I had it wrong, but I don't; I had it right. It does seem to federalize abortion policy, though I suppose it would be hard for the federal government to force states to prosecute for abortion. Hard, I guess, but not impossible.

Sanctity of Life Act of 2009 - Deems human life to exist from conception, without regard to race, sex, age, health, defect, or condition of dependency and requires that the term "person" include all such human life. Recognizes that each state has authority to protect the lives of unborn children residing in the jurisdiction of that state . Amends the federal judicial code to remove Supreme Court and district court jurisdiction to review cases arising out of any statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, or practice, or any act interpreting such a measure, on the grounds that such measure: (1) protects the rights of human persons between conception and birth; or (2) prohibits, limits, or regulates the performance of abortions or the provision of public funds, facilities, personnel, or other assistance for abortions. Makes this Act and the amendments made by this Act applicable to any case pending on, or commenced on or after, the date of enactment.

Via Nansen Malin (what? What kind of name is that?), via Tammy Bruce. more...

Posted by: Ace at 05:11 PM | Comments (212)
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Well done, boys!

(I put "combat" in quotes not because these guys aren't combat but because I'm less than convinced those left behind are not. I do not think the 50,000 troops left behind are purely non-combat, even subtracting the Special Forces operators.

But this is the main force of our combat troops, I suppose.

Politics aside: I am glad they're coming home.

I saw in another article a guy said he wasn't doing this for a victory parade, and I believe him; but I hope he'll understand that maybe a victory parade is necessary for the civilians, then, just to give us a chance to say thanks.

And Obama had better get on a victory parade.)

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Posted by: Ace at 02:41 PM | Comments (108)
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I saw this coming. Damn, I wish I put it into pixels. You'll just have to take my word for it.

Because it was foreseeable. Having taken a position so completely on the side of this supposed moderate, Obama and the MFM could only pray that there weren't any tapes in Rauf's background to show the world how truly corrupt -- and deliberately stupid -- they were.

Did they even think that far ahead? Or did they just assume that because the right held suspicions about him, he must be pure as the virgin snow?

Well... Steve Emerson says "bad assumption, fellas."

And now it's going to cost you.

Remember: You -- Obama and the MFM -- went out a limb to vouch for this guy, putting the whole of your credibility and judgment behind the proposition that he is a well-meaning, peaceful moderate and you'd have to be crazy to think otherwise.

Well. Well. Let's check the tapes.

Steve Emerson has unearthed 13 hours of audio tape of Imam Rauf. Emerson and his team of investigators has spent the past four weeks going through the newly found material. Rauf is a “radical extremist cleric who cloaks himself in sheep’s clothing.”

Among the shocking revelations Emerson’s team will reveal next week — they found Rauf:

Defending wahhabism – a puritanical version of Islam that governs Saudi Arabia

Calling for the elimination of Israel by claiming a one-nation state, meaning no more Jewish State.

Defending Bin LadenÂ’s violence

We know the first, second, and last defense that will be screamed by the left: B-b-but Bush said he was moderate....!

Yeah? And? Bush didn't stake his political future on the man's purported "moderation," either.

Thanks to LauraW., who was out looking for actual news while I was jagging off in the comments.

Let Me Repeat: Obama and the MFM staked the entirety of their credibility and judgment on the assertion that this was a moderate man interested only in peace, and of course in no way a supporter of terrorism, and anyone who suspected otherwise was an ignorant bigot with a heart full of hatred.

So let's see. Let's see.

Let's see whose judgment was sound and whose judgment was really full of ignorance and hatred -- hatred for the concerns of their fellow Americans.

Headline Credit: Dr. Varno proposed "Unmosqued" and I agree.

Hey Yeah...

That's the work of cartoonist Steve Kelley, making a sound connection that never occurred to me. Via Elana13.

Johnny Rotten, Neocon? Well, that's stretching it, I think, and he's John Lydon now, of course.

Well, enough preamble: He's looking to shock the world again.

I really resent the presumption that I'm going there to play to right-wing Nazi jews [sic]. If Elvis-f-ing-Costello wants to pull out of a gig in Israel because he's suddenly got this compassion for Palestinians, then good on him. But I have absolutely one rule, right? Until I see an Arab country, a Muslim country, with a democracy, I won't understand how anyone can have a problem with how they're treated.

It's worth noting the obvious, that the Sex Pistols' "Bodies" is a pretty darn edgy anti-abortion screed. That always seemed, though, to be more out of Lydon's class warfare instincts (i.e., I figured he figured the British ruling class was encouraging the lower classes to have abortions and hence self-extinguish).

Who knows. Guy's always pissed off about something. He should have a blog.

Thanks to Moron In Training for the Lydon tip.

Escape Hatch? Any politician reversing himself needs an excuse as to why. (See Bush the Elder, he became pro-life after caring for "the little brown ones," etc.)

If these tapes pan out -- and I have to think Obama himself is hoping they do -- it gives him an escape hatch, an excuse for his pivot. "Well, there were facts that hadn't surfaced yet when I spoke at that iftar..." Etc.

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Posted by: Ace at 01:29 PM | Comments (436)
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The other day I questioned whoever was tweeting for Sarah Palin about her comments on her Dr. Laura controversy. It struck me that it probably wasn't Palin, but an employee popping off.

It wasn't that I disagreed with her conclusion -- it was just that it was naked conclusion without predicates that built to that conclusion, and I thought that was pretty impolitic on a controversial issue. I was going to suggest -- this is really something better for FaceBook where you can develop your argument.

Well, she did that.

oes anyone seriously believe that Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a racist? Anyone, I mean, who isnÂ’t already accusing all conservatives, Republicans, Tea Party Americans, etc., etc., etc. of being racists?

Adversaries who have been trying to silence Dr. Laura for years seized on her recent use of the n-word on her show as she subsequently suggested that rap “artists” and other creative types like those producing HBO shows who regularly use the n-word could be questioned for doing so. Her intention in discussing the issue with a caller seeking advice was not to be hateful or bigoted. Though she did not mean to insult the caller, she did, and she apologized for it. Still, those who oppose her seized upon her mistake in using the word (though she didn’t call anyone the derogatory term) to paint her as something that she’s not. I can understand how she could feel “shackled” by those who would parse a single word out of decades of on-air commentary. I understand what she meant when she declared that she was “taking back my First Amendment rights” by turning to a new venue that will not allow others the ability to silence her by going after her stations, sponsors, and supporters.

I, and obviously many others, have been “shackled” too by people who play games with false accusations, threats, frivolous lawsuits, misreporting, etc., in an effort to silence those with whom they disagree. That’s why I tend to defend people who call it like they see it while others stop at nothing to shut them up.

That's pretty much right. Was this a firing offense? Oh please. She didn't use the n-word in anger; she was illustrating its ubiquity among black comics and rappers.

To the extent it was "wrong" to do that -- well, she apologized. What more do you want? Oh right -- you want her job. Because that's always what this was about. It was never about principle or sensitivity; it was about cashiering someone you didn't like.

In the Coulter and Farah dust-up, here's the email Farah wrote to Coulter:

Until now, I have asked you a couple of pointed questions about your participation in the Homocon event.

Now, in the Christian spirit of Matthew 18, I want to tell you what I think in very clear terms. We don't really know each other well. But I still consider you a friend and a fellow freedom fighter.

Homosexuality is a sin, according to the Bible. God calls it an abomination. Paul (Romans 1:18-32) calls it a judgment on societies that turn away from God. I'm sure it has not escaped your attention that America is now one of those societies. Meanwhile, we have people – homosexual and heterosexual – who take pleasure in the increase of this abomination and its acceptance, just as Paul said.

This is how homosexuality literally destroys societies.

I know you don't want to see America destroyed. I've read all your books, and I'm a fan of your columns. I know you want what's best for our country – and I believe you're a sincere Christian.

Whether you believe it or not, or whether or not it is your intent, your acceptance of this speaking engagement is affirming GOProud, which is, I'm sure you've noticed, winning the hearts and minds in the conservative movement – with CPAC, Grover Norquist and others who don't necessarily bring a Judeo-Christian worldview to the party. GOProud is having a field day marketing you and legitimizing itself further in the conservative movement through its association with you.

It's a very big deal, Ann, and it's bigger than you. Glenn Beck threw in the towel last week on same-sex marriage, saying since it doesn't affect him, it doesn't matter. Materialistic utilitarianism – much of the conservative movement is moving in that direction.

I believe this is a time when God is calling his people to stand up for what's right. I'm afraid you're really blurring the lines for many of your fans.

Speaking to this group is not the same as speaking to a group of college students anywhere. Presumably, you speak to them not just for money, but to change their minds. The only way you might change some minds and hearts at Homocon is to confront them with their sin. I don't get the impression that is what you are being paid to do. These are folks who are being sheltered from the consequences of their sin. By giving a standard conservative rah-rah speech to them, you are embracing them as part of the conservative movement.

GOProud truly represents a blight on the conservative movement. The more the movement embraces them and accepts them, the more it will render the conservative movement useless and irrelevant.

He also quoted from Ann Coulter's emails, which I can't find.

Here's what I think of Farah's position: It's poison. It's not merely political poison, it is moral poison.
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Posted by: Ace at 10:43 AM | Comments (786)
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The AoSHQ team, and Ace in particular, have been hitting on all cylinders lately. But a few posts among the Morono-neighbors repulsedstruck me as being particularly reprehensibleintriguing today, so I thought I'd give them a mention.

Car-in finds fault in the rationale for those outrageously expensive and annoying ARRA signs. Why so racist, Car-in?

Eddiebear only knows one curse word, but he knows it really, really well. And when he's worried about his daughter's future in a land despoiled by failed liberal policies, he gets quite expressive. (Not particularly SFW.)

NiceDeb is one of the blogs supporting the "10-Buck Friday" fund-raising campaign again, where every week reader are encouraged to donate $10 to a conservative candidate. This week it's Delia Lopez (OR-3).

And of course it's BBF at The Hostages (where the first "B" = "Big" and the "F" = "Friday." [For those with other interests: they also host Humpy Hunk Day or Hunky Hump Day or some such thing on Wednesdays.]

Posted by: Geoff at 10:26 AM | Comments (33)
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