Morning Newsdome: House and Senate suddenly productive December 16 2010

>> An Obama administration review released today said that troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan starting next July now that the U.S. has stopped the momentum of the Taliban. Meanwhile, insurgents captured in Iraq claim al Qaeda is planning suicide attacks in the U.S. and Europe during the holiday season. They say the same vague threats every year—it’s a Christmas tradition! (the Guardian, CNN)

>> The judge denied an appeal this morning by Swedish prosecutors to keep WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in prison while the U.K. decides if they will extradite him on sex-crime charges. The judge did ban twitter from the courtroom though—a true crime against humanity. (the Guardian)

>> The Justice Department is investigating whether Private Bradley Manning was helped by Assange in disseminating classified documents, in which case the U.S. can charge Assange as a conspirator. Ex-hacker Adrian Lamo turned Manning in, who has been in solitary confinement in a U.S. Marine brig for five months. Lamo, what a lame-o. (the New York Times)

>> The House of Representatives passed the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal in a 250-175 vote yesterday. The real challenge will come in the Senate, if it’s even brought to the floor. You don’t have to be straight to shoot straight. (MSNBC)

>> And finally: The Senate passed the tax compromise yesterday which will extend the Bush tax cuts for two more years, extend unemployment benefits and provide a one-year payroll tax holiday. Though Democrats have been against it, only 13 Dems held their ground. The $850 billion bill will be added to the federal deficit, so it’s the kind of compromise where nobody wins. (the New York Times)