The Dictator observations thread.

[Inder]

Along similar lines, the O'Dwyer case also infuriating.

[Flex]

I don't think Assange should get a free pass, but it's obvious that the accusations of sexual assault are being used to further the US/West's political agenda against WikiLeaks. I think anyone who actually gives a shit about treating sexual assault seriously should be pretty disgusted by that.

Also, I'm pretty sure the talk of a raid has to do with a combination of three things: 1) the police surrounding the embassy, 2) the police that entered the embassy building (although my understanding was it was done in an area not considered sovreign), 3) a letter sent by the UK to Ecuador detailing a right they had to strip the embassy of its status, thus allowing a raid to take place.

I haven't heard anything about the accusations of a raid coming from the UK's claim that they could seize Assange once he leaves the Embassy.

Addendum: More on the "raid" talk: http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenbe ... is-coming/

[Flex]

More, re: Assange. Originally had this as another Addendum to my above post, but figured it was worth its own submission:

To be clear, because it's worth getting right, I want to see Assange tried for the rapes he's accused of and punished if found guilty (my sense is that he is guilty). I just want it to be done in a way where he's actually taken in for those crimes and I want all reasonable measures taken to preclude the possibility that he'll be rendered to the United States. Given Sweden's intransigence in either/both guaranteeing that they won't turn him over to U.S. authorities or in conducting their interviews they want with Assange at the embassy (something Ecuador has invited them to do), I'm skeptical Sweden is pursuing Assange in an honest effort to bring him to justice for rape. And I'm certain that's not the UK's interest. Would love to be wrong about any of that. If I were the victims, I would be livid that Sweden, the UK, and the US seem more interested in engaging in political gamesmanship with perceived enemies of the state than in trying to honestly and vigorously seek justice for them.

Also, the rape apologism coming from a far too large swath of the Assange defenders is almost too disgusting for words.

[Inder]

I had a long reply typed up, but I'll leave it at this: my problem with the conversation — something I should've made clear in my initial post — lies in people's (the Internet's) apparent lack of perspective and critical thought when it comes to these particular charges of alleged rape.

[Dr. Medulla]

Just goes to show that absolutely no part of the political spectrum—extreme left or right, close to the centre—is immune to jettisoning principle when a political gain is in sight. Notwithstanding always applies when it's your guy.

[Inder]

Screen shot 2012-09-12 at 10.48.47 PM.png (42.84 KiB) Viewed 2855 times

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[Dr. Medulla]

Screen shot 2012-09-12 at 10.48.47 PM.png

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That's … creative.

[Rat Patrol]

http://www.openmediaboston.org/node/2396

The "Boston Hummus Campaign" has a real problem with Cambridge's most militant-lesbian co-op market lifting its ban on Israeli hummus.




Worst...SuperPAC...ever.

[Silent Majority]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic ... STONE.html

Where Obamacare is headed.

[Rat Patrol]

Separated at birth:

[JennyB]

Separated at birth:

I wish they would get that fucker out of office. What really sucks is that when I was there for the year, Rabin was in office and everything seemed really hopeful. It all went downhill after his assassination when for some reason, they decided to elect this asshole for the first time. That and the ultra-orthodox parties' hold on coalitions.

[Rat Patrol]

http://www.theonion.com/articles/the-on ... ent,29989/

[Dr. Medulla]

http://www.theonion.com/articles/the-on ... ent,29989/

I gotta say, The Onion has been the best source for 2012 election comedy, far outpacing TDS, Colbert, or even (sorry, Wolt) Leno.

[Rat Patrol]

http://www.theonion.com/articles/the-on ... ent,29989/

I gotta say, The Onion has been the best source for 2012 election comedy, far outpacing TDS, Colbert, or even (sorry, Wolt) Leno.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/both-c ... for,30050/

[CorwoodRep]

http://www.theonion.com/articles/the-on ... ent,29989/

I gotta say, The Onion has been the best source for 2012 election comedy, far outpacing TDS, Colbert, or even (sorry, Wolt) Leno.

They've been going really weird and fantastical with some of their pieces, and that's cool. It's a nice change of pace from "LOOK AT THIS RICH WHITE GUY WITH HIS ROBOT KIDS LOL" or whatever the normative "political humor" trend of the year is. Mitt Romney having a punk rock persona and Joe Biden wistfully recalling his sexual conquests is political humor that doesn't feel obligated to make a point, which I really like.