WATCH: The 12 Days of WikiLeaks (Cartoon)

On the first day of Christmas, WikiLeaks gave to me…

Illustrations: Zina Saunders

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Mother Jones illustrator Zina Saunders creates editorial animations riffing on the political news and current events of the week. In this week’s animation, she illustrates 12 of WikiLeaks’ most extravagant gifts to reporters, from Julian Assange rap videos to documents about Iranian ninja assassins. (See below for lyrics linked to WikiLeaks-related stories.) And since you ask: Yes, that is Saunders singing.—The Editors

On the first day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
A [redacted] in a [redacted] tree.

On the second day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Two maids a-suing
and
A [redacted] in a [redacted] tree.

On the third day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Three Gitmo manuals
Two maids a-suing
and a [redacted] in a [redacted] tree.

On the fourth day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Four “secret” cables
Three Gitmo manuals
Two maids a-suing
and a [redacted] in a [redacted] tree.

On the fifth day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
FIVE PALIN EMAILS

On the sixth day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Six sheikhs a-fuming

On the seventh day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Seven spooks a-sighing

On the eighth day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Eight Iranian ninjas

On the ninth day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Nine drunken Kazakhs

On the tenth day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Ten climate changers

On the eleventh day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Eleven Assanges rapping

(and the finale)

On the twelfth day of Xmas, WikiLeaks gave to me:
Twelve treason charges
Eleven Assanges rapping
Ten climate changers
Nine drunken Kazakhs
Eight Iranian ninjas
Seven spooks a-sighing
Six sheikhs a-fuming
FIVE PALIN EMAILSSS
Four “secret” cables
Three Gitmo manuals
Two maids a-suing
and
A [redacted] in a [redacted] tree.

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Our news will always be free to read, watch, and listen to online. But what is its value?

Unbiased reporting on the issues that billionaire-owned newsrooms won’t touch. Fearless research into the dark corners of government and corporations. Ferociously fact-checked news that focuses on the facts, and the facts alone.

It IS free for you and every reader, viewer, and listener to utilize. But it’s not free for our team to make. So, what’s it worth to you? Let us know by making a donation: Make a one-time donation today to support this work. Or make a monthly sustaining donation to help us plan for the future.

Whatever you choose, know that you’re supporting more independent, investigative journalism in a time when we need it most.

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