Disclaimer: I Hate WikiLeaks

Just because I'm posting on the Panama Papers leak, which is a WikiLeaks-style operation being promoted by WikiLeaks and the far-left Guardian newspaper, doesn't mean that I've caved to depraved leftist Anonymous-style hysteria and propaganda.

I hate WikiLeaks. I hate what they stand for. But every now and then these ghouls highlight an issue that deserves attention nevertheless; and greater governmental transparency doesn't necessarily have to be a leftist issue, particularly when the left's fundamental problematique isn't actually transparency but anarchist revolutionary politics. Frankly, WikiLeaks is a criminal enterprise and always has been.

I wrote a lot on the group, and its leader Julian Assange, back in 2010. Here's a refresher, "Exposing the WikiLeaks/Communist/Media Alliance."

Also, flashback, to My Pet Jawa, "59 Seconds of Crucial Reuters 'Murder' Video."



So, yeah. I freakin' hate these people.

Even a broken clock's right twice a day, so now and then I'll give CWCID.

Massive Worldwide Fallout Over the #PanamaPapers

More on the offshore tax haven revelations, at USA Today, "Worldwide fallout continues over Panama Papers":

The massive, anonymous leak Sunday of more than 11 million documents belonging to a law firm in Panama — Mossack Fonseca — that detail how powerful people hid their wealth reveals suspected cases of money laundering, sanctions evasion and tax avoidance.

Here's what you need to know:

Denials from world leaders are rolling out.

Iceland's prime minister, Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, faces a no-confidence vote later Monday for allegations in the documents that he deliberately hid holdings in Icelandic banks. Gunnlaugsson denies any wrongdoing and said on Icelandic television he would not resign.

News reports allege that Gunnlaughsson and his wife established a company in the British Virgin Islands with the help of Mossack Fonseca.

In Russia, the government said President Vladimir Putin has not committed a crime.

While Putin's name does not appear on any of the records published, the paper trail does show that many of his associates and close friends — including musician Sergei Roldugin, godfather to his daughter Maria and the man who introduced him to his wife, Lyudmilla — made millions from deals that would have been hard to make without Putin's knowledge.

Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, told Russian news agency Interfax that it was "obvious" the aim of the release of the documents was to undermine the president ahead of parliamentary elections expected in September...

More.

And on Twitter:

The Panama Papers: world reacts to huge offshore tax files leak - live https://t.co/it4rZOdIiG

— The Guardian (@guardian) April 4, 2016

Here are the famous politicians in ‘the Wikileaks of the mega-rich’ #PanamaPapers https://t.co/Ll2wyPj9KC pic.twitter.com/ksNfrzYfrU

— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) April 4, 2016

"Marxism is not merely wrong, it is wicked. Historians estimate that as many as 100 million people were killed under Marxist-Leninist regimes in the 20th century, and yet this deadly lie — deceptively masquerading in costumes of social justice — has become the intellectual basis of 21st-century 'progressive' politics..."

I'm sold!

I'd rather attend the University of Alabama School of Law, heh.

See R.S. McCain, "Harvard Law Is Decadent and Depraved."

"Only a fool would go to Harvard, when he could go to Tuscaloosa instead." https://t.co/YyECsVvd2f #RollTide https://t.co/5TVEJad7XG

— FreeStacy (@Not_RSMcCain) April 4, 2016

Anti-Trump Protesters Stomp on the American Flag (VIDEO)

From Fox News 6 Milwaukee, via Memeorandum, "“Makes me sick:” Protester seen stomping on American flag outside Trump town hall at UWM."

And at Fox News Insider, "WATCH: Anti-Trump Protesters Stomp on the American Flag."

Jaws Drop to 'Panama Papers' Leak

Following-up from earlier, "Iceland Prime Minister Sigmundur Davi Gunnlaugsson Pressured to Resign in #PanamaPapers Scandal (VIDEO)."

At USA Today, "Worldwide, jaws drop to 'Panama Papers' leak":

Sunday’s jaw-dropping “Panama Papers” leak, which shows a global network of offshore companies helping the wealthy hide their assets, is already being called “the Wikileaks of the mega-rich."

The hashtag #panamapapers topped Twitter on Sunday afternoon. Among those reacting through tweets: Edward Snowden, the 2013 CIA leaker, who said the “Biggest leak in the history of data journalism just went live, and it's about corruption.”

In Russia, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters that the Kremlin had already received “a series of questions in a rude manner” from an organization that he said was trying to smear Putin.

“Journalists and members of other organizations have been actively trying to discredit Putin and this country’s leadership,” Peskov said.

The Washington, D.C.-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalism (ICIJ) said the trove of 11.5 million records details the offshore holdings of a dozen current and former world leaders, as well as businessmen, criminals, celebrities and sports stars. The data span nearly 40 years, from 1977 through the end of 2015, ICIJ said, allowing “a never-before-seen view inside the offshore world — providing a day-to-day, decade-by-decade look at how dark money flows through the global financial system, breeding crime and stripping national treasuries of tax revenues.”

Jim Clarken, the CEO of Oxfam Ireland, tweeted: "As long as tax dodging continues to drain government coffers, there is a human cost."

In Australia, the country's tax office said it was investigating more than 800 wealthy clients of the Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca for possible tax evasion, Reuters reported.

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) said it had linked more than 120 of the clients "to an associate offshore service provider located in Hong Kong."  ATO Deputy Commissioner Michael Cranston said his office was working with the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Crime Commission and anti-money laundering regulator AUSTRAC.

Iceland’s prime minister, one of several major politicians with alleged links to secret “shell” companies, was expected to face calls for a snap election, Britain’s Guardian reported...

More.

A Literary Guide to Our Orwellian Nightmare

From Marc Fitch, at the Federalist, "We live in an age where the individual has to combat mass society and groupthink, and the individual is losing. Here's a brief overview of writers whose insights can help you fight back."

Iceland Prime Minister Sigmundur Davi Gunnlaugsson Pressured to Resign in #PanamaPapers Scandal (VIDEO)

Amazing revelations coming out, and I don't even like WikiLeaks and their ilk, like Edward Snowden. But when folks nail corruption, and corrupt cronies, you gotta give it up for 'em.

At the Guardian UK, "Iceland’s PM faces calls for snap election after offshore revelations":

"Oops" #PanamaPapers pic.twitter.com/ISwm6II4Hc

— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) April 3, 2016

Iceland’s prime minister is this week expected to face calls in parliament for a snap election after the Panama Papers revealed he is among several leading politicians around the world with links to secretive companies in offshore tax havens.

The financial affairs of Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson and his wife have come under scrutiny because of details revealed in documents from a Panamanian law firm that helps clients protect their wealth in secretive offshore tax regimes. The files from Mossack Fonseca form the biggest ever data leak to journalists.

Opposition leaders have this weekend been discussing a motion calling for a general election – in effect a confidence vote in the prime minister.

On Monday, Gunnlaugsson is expected to face allegations from opponents that he has hidden a major financial conflict of interest from voters ever since he was elected an MP seven years ago.

The former prime minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir said Gunnlaugsson would have to resign if he could not regain public trust quickly, calling on him to “give a straightforward account of all the facts of the matter”...

Keep reading (video at the link).

Educational Divide in GOP White House Race; What's Behind It

At ABC News (via Memeorandum).

BONUS: A great piece from Chris Cillizza, at WaPo, "An argument against the ‘magical realism’ of the #neverTrump crowd" (at Memeorandum).

Kendra Wilkinson in Low-Cut White Jumpsuit at Her Reality Show Premiere in West Hollywood

At Egotastic!, "Kendra Wilkinson Big Bosom Display for Reality TV Premiere."

And London's Daily Mail, "She's a Baskett case! Kendra Wilkinson showcases eye-popping cleavage as she packs on the PDA with husband Hank at event celebrating her reality show."

Irina Shayk Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Sport Illustrated Swimsuit Video 2016

She's badass, heh.

Twists and Turns in California's 2016 Primary

The once-Golden State's going to have a very consequential primary, which is quite a surprise to most observers.

At LAT, "Donald Trump is about to blow up the California primary. Here's how":

The California electorate in the November general election will be far different than the makeup of voters who cast ballots in June. Obama won in 2012 with 59.3% of the vote.

If Trump becomes the Republican presidential nominee, political analysts expect a substantial anti-Trump movement in California during the general election, the first opportunity for non-Republicans to vote against him. Voter turnout among Latinos also would rise substantially, Madrid predicted.

“California has huge Spanish-language media markets … so you’re going to have much more reaction from the community,” Madrid said...

A great piece. Very informative.

RTWT.

William F. Buckley, Jr., God and Man at Yale

Started reading this last night. I wasn't going to, but I got sucked in somehow, lol.

From William F. Buckley, God and Man at Yale: The Superstitions of 'Academic Freedom'.

It's highly recommended by Robert Stacy McCain.

Deal of the Day: Samsung 55-inch Ultra HD Smart LED TV

At Amazon, Samsung UN55JU6500 55-inch 4K Ultra HD smart LED TV.

More, Up to 55% Off Little Giant Alta One Ladders.

Also, Hitachi RB24EAP 23.9cc 2-Cycle Gas Powered 170 MPH Handheld Leaf Blower (CARB Compliant).

Plus, from Perry Anderson, Passages From Antiquity to Feudalism, and Lineages of the Absolutist State.

BONUS: From Alain Badiou, Being and Event.

Identitarianism

This is a great piece, from Jamie Kirchick, at National Review, "Why White-Nationalist Thugs Thrill to Trump":

"Identitarianism” is a newfangled euphemism for white supremacy. Coined around the start of the 21st century by the intellectual wing — such as it is — of the French far right, it has since been adopted by white nationalists the world over. Last October, I attended a conference in Washington convened by the identitarian movement’s American division, the National Policy Institute (NPI). It was fitting that the gathering would occur on Halloween, as about 150 ghouls filled the ballroom of the National Press Club. The crowd was almost entirely male, many of them (apparently taking advantage of the under-30 registration discount) young. A conspicuous number sported the Hitler Youth–inspired hairdo known as an “undercut,” short on the sides with a long part on top. In between encomia to the recently deceased anti-Semitic newspaper publisher Willis Carto and a recitation of pagan reveries by a white-separatist folk musician, attendees perused bookstalls featuring the conspiracy-mongering American Free Press newspaper and the Holocaust-denying Barnes Review...

I obviously don't care for genuine hardcore white nationalists, as they're usually completely open about their racist positions. But I think it's a mistake to blow off the larger ideological framework developing on these issues, because lots of regular folks are going to identify with identitarianism and be completely free of the slightest bit of genuine white supremacist racist inclinations. Indeed, the sad part is that leftists will continue to attack regular folks worried about the Muslim invasion as racist "Islamophobes" when they're nothing of the sort. Notice all the articles in Europe about "far-right" protests and you get the picture (see USA Today, for example, "Clashes feared at banned anti-Islamist rally in Brussels").

More.

Amber Lee's Beautiful Sunday Forecast

More gorgeous weather.

Via CBS News 2 Los Angeles:

Pyros the Bear

It's not often a Wall Street Journal A-hed makes Memeorandum, but this is pretty good, heh.

See, "Pyros the Bear, Brought to Replenish the Pyrenees’ Ursine Population, May Have Been Too Successful."

Ashley Graham Controversy Over the April Cover of Maxim (VIDEO)

They say it was Photoshopped.

See, USA Today, "Ashley Graham covers 'Maxim,' everyone has thoughts."

And London's Daily Mail, "'They captured my true form': Curvy Ashley Graham fiercely denies claims she was 'slimmed down' on her sexy Maxim cover."

Plus, video at E!, "Ashley Graham Is Nearly Naked on 'Maxim' Cover."

Currently Reading: Nicholas Stargardt, The German War

I'm finally into Stargardt's tome, The German War: A Nation Under Arms, 1939–1945.

And best of all, I'm on spring break --- and I'll have time to read, heh.

Baseball's opening day's on Monday, so that's pretty excellent too, lol.

Deal of the Day: Save $30 on the Fire HD 6

It's a deal at $69.99.

At Amazon, Fire HD 6, 6" HD Display, Wi-Fi, 8 GB - Includes Special Offers, Black.

Also, Save on Select Barska Safes & Optics.

More, Save on J.K. Rowling Thrillers.

See also, M. Stanton Evans, Blacklisted by History: The Untold Story of Senator Joe McCarthy and His Fight Against America's Enemies.

And, from Whittaker Chambers, Witness.

BONUS: Diana West, American Betrayal: The Secret Assault on Our Nation's Character, and The Rebuttal: Defending 'American Betrayal' from the Book-Burners.

Europe's Muslims Hate the West

From Leon de Winter, at Politico (via Robert Spencer).

Read it all at the link; it's good.