# articles

title: Florida schools will not teach entire Shakespeare plays
uri: Florida-schools-will-not-teach-entire-Shakespeare-plays
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#11_August_2023_(Florida_schools_will_not_teach_entire_Shakespeare_plays)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#11_August_2023_(Florida_schools_will_not_teach_entire_Shakespeare_plays)

content:
 
<p>

  Some Florida schools <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/08/florida-schools-shakespeare-sexual-material">will not dare teach entire Shakespeare plays</a>
because of <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#dementis">DeMentis's</a> censorship law.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#11_August_2023_(Brokering_peace_in_Ukraine)
title: Brokering peace in Ukraine
uri: Brokering-peace-in-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#11_August_2023_(Brokering_peace_in_Ukraine)
content:
 
<p>

  Why the idea of brokering peace in Ukraine <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/08/its-almost-18-months-since-russia-invaded-ukraine-and-peace-seems-no-closer">makes no sense at present</a>.
<p>
  I've stated the <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2022-jan-apr.html#28_March_2022_(Peace_needs_to_weaken_Putin_but_not_ruin_him)">same conclusion</a> all along.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#11_August_2023_(Leisure_time_for_poor_people)
title: Leisure time for poor people
uri: Leisure-time-for-poor-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#11_August_2023_(Leisure_time_for_poor_people)
content:
 
<p>

*Britons have become so mean that many of us think <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/08/britain-poor-people-leisure-victorian-workhouse">poor people don’t deserve
    leisure time</a>.*
<p>
The same is true for many in the US.

 


title: Idaho Republicans asking for abortion records
uri: Idaho-Republicans-asking-for-abortion-records
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#11_August_2023_(Idaho_Republicans_asking_for_abortion_records)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#11_August_2023_(Idaho_Republicans_asking_for_abortion_records)

content:
 
<p>

  *Idaho Republicans Are <a href="https://jezebel.com/idaho-republicans-are-directly-asking-hospitals-for-the-1850707627">Directly Asking Hospitals for Abortion Records</a>.*
<p>
This is for the sake of making persecution impossible to avoid.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#11_August_2023_(Rates_of_crime_in_Indonesia)
title: Rates of crime in Indonesia
uri: Rates-of-crime-in-Indonesia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#11_August_2023_(Rates_of_crime_in_Indonesia)
content:
 
<p>

A study comparing the provinces of Indonesia found that level of
poverty and level of inequality are <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230610102716if_/https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7099/11/2/62">separately correlated with higher
    rates of crime</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Urgent:_Protect_Chaco_Canyon)
title: Urgent: Protect Chaco Canyon
uri: Urgent-Protect-Chaco-Canyon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Urgent:_Protect_Chaco_Canyon)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://environmental-action.webaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=55426&supporter_KEY=229474">call on Congress</a>
to protect Chaco Canyon by rejecting HR 4374.
<p>
To sign without running nonfree
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">JavaScript code</a>
from the web site,
use <a href="/salsalabs-method.html">the Salsalabs workaround</a>.
<p>
If you have disabled the page's JavaScript, you may get a blank
response after signing.  That does not mean anything is wrong; your
signature has probably been sent in properly.  The blank screen has
text that is rendered invisible by CSS; if your browser gives you a
way to disable the CSS in the page (as Icecat does), that should make
the text appear.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

<p>
 


title: Infamous malevolence of US in Chile
uri: Infamous-malevolence-of-US-in-Chile
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Infamous_malevolence_of_US_in_Chile)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Infamous_malevolence_of_US_in_Chile)

content:
 
<p>
Nixon supported a plan for a military coup in Chile in 1970
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/08/richard-nixon-plot-allende-chile-presidency">to prevent Allende from becoming president</a>.
<p>
The coup attempt failed, but killed the head of Chile's armed forces,
General Schneider, who would have opposed any coup.  This probably
paved the way for Pinochet's coup in 1973, which <a href="/archives/2012-jul-oct.html#11_September_2012_(Today_we_commemorate_the_September_11_attacks)">also had US support</a>.

<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200725033015/https://www.cia.gov/library/reports/general-reports-1/chile/">For more information.</a>

 


title: Urgent: End reliance on fossil fuels
uri: Urgent-End-reliance-on-fossil-fuels
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Urgent_End_reliance_on_fossil_fuels)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Urgent_End_reliance_on_fossil_fuels)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.350.org/signup/aug-23-em-us-end-fossil-fuels-petition/?source=em20230808-1-30-subs-us&akid=273444%2E1151744%2EOBbrSm">call on President Biden</a>
to end the reliance on fossil
fuels.
<p>
The White House comments lines are 
<a href="tel:+12024561111">+1-202-456-1111</a>
and (TTY/TDD) +1-202-456-6213.</p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Urgent:_Freedom_to_Vote_Act)
title: Urgent: Freedom to Vote Act
uri: 2023-08-14-Urgent-Freedom-to-Vote-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Urgent:_Freedom_to_Vote_Act)
content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-to-congress-pass-the-freedom-to-vote-act-2">pass the Freedom to Vote Act</a>.

  The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_((satire)_Time_wasted_with_friends)
title: (satire) Time wasted with friends
uri: (satire)-Time-wasted-with-friends
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_((satire)_Time_wasted_with_friends)
content:
 
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/study-finds-u-s-employees-waste-2-million-hours-annual-1850708700">Study Finds U.S. Employees Waste 2 Million Hours Annually
    Spending Time With Friends, Family.</a>*

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Parental_approval_for_Nicknames)
title: Parental approval for Nicknames
uri: Parental-approval-for-Nicknames
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Parental_approval_for_Nicknames)
content:
 
<p>

  *Targeting Trans Kids, Florida School Board <a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/08/09/florida-school-board-anti-trans-policy/">Requires Parental Approval</a>
for [any students to use] Nicknames.*

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Fort_McMurray,_Alberta)
title: Fort McMurray, Alberta
uri: Fort-McMurray-Alberta
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Fort_McMurray,_Alberta)
content:
 
<p>

Fort McMurray, Alberta, was built to extract oil from tar sands.
In 2018 it was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/aug/06/fire-weather-a-true-story-from-a-hotter-world-by-john-vaillant-review-apocalypse-in-alberta">engulfed by a wildfire</a> caused by the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>
it had helped to cause.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Biden's_climate_emergency_powers)
title: Biden's climate emergency powers
uri: Biden-s-climate-emergency-powers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Biden's_climate_emergency_powers)
content:
 
<p>

  *Sunrise Outlines <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/sunrise-outlines-president-biden-s-climate-emergency-powers">President Biden's Climate Emergency Powers</a>.*
  Now if he would only use them.

 


title: Can countries co-operatively protect the Arctic ocean?
uri: Can-countries-co-operatively-protect-the-Arctic-ocean
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Can_countries_co-operatively_protect_the_Arctic_ocean_)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Can_countries_co-operatively_protect_the_Arctic_ocean_)

content:
 
<p>

*Polar challenge: as the sea ice melts, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/11/polar-challenge-as-the-sea-ice-melts-can-countries-come-together-to-protect-the-arctic-ocean">can countries come together to protect
    the Arctic Ocean?</a>*

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(AI_guides_planes_without_contrails)
title: AI guides planes without contrails
uri: AI-guides-planes-without-contrails
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(AI_guides_planes_without_contrails)
content:
 
<p>

An AI system has proved capable of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/09/ai-helps-airline-pilots-avoid-areas-that-create-polluting-contrails">guiding airplans to avoid making
    contrails</a>.

  This is a good thing to do because contrails add to <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>.
<p>
I categorize this system as artificial intelligence because it
understands a limited field in a way that has been validated.  It
understands how to avoid making contrails.

 


title: If Tories can't send boat people to Rwanda
uri: If-Tories-can-t-send-boat-people-to-Rwanda
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(If_Tories_can't_send_boat_people_to_Rwanda)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(If_Tories_can't_send_boat_people_to_Rwanda)

content:
 
<p>

If the Tories can't send boat people to Rwanda, they want to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/07/uk-may-try-to-send-small-boat-arrivals-to-ascension-island-minister-confirms">send them
    to Ascension Island</a> in the South Atlatic: over a 1000 miles from
Africa or South America.
<p>
In addition, they plan to adopt the cruelty of Australia's
right-wing government, which <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-mar-jun.html#31_May_2023_(Imprisonment_of_boat_people_in_Nauru)">sent people to the exile island of Nauru</a>
and would never let them go to Australia.
  (I think most of them have been given asylum in other countries.)
<p>
The Tories plan to do likewise, so that the people sent to Ascension
Island would never get a hearing for asylum in Britain.
<p>
The US has adopted a similar system of sending asylum seekers to
Mexico unless they could afford to use one of the limited authorized
ways for a refugee to enter the US &mdash; which are difficult for people
from poor countries to use.
<p>
Thus we see the principle that people who are denied human rights in
their own countries should be able to get asylum in other countries
being chipped away almost to nothing.

 


title: Insurrectionists fit elements of fascism
uri: Insurrectionists-fit-elements-of-fascism
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Insurrectionists_fit_elements_of_fascism)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Insurrectionists_fit_elements_of_fascism)

content:
 
<p>

Robert Reich explains the elements of fascism and demonstrates that
the <a href="https://invidio.us/9XTJNy_OrjE">insurrectionist fits all of them</a>.

 


title: AI generated a recipe for chlorine gas
uri: AI-generated-a-recipe-for-chlorine-gas
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(AI_generated_a_recipe_for_chlorine_gas)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(AI_generated_a_recipe_for_chlorine_gas)

content:
 
<p>

  Supposed "AI" that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/10/pak-n-save-savey-meal-bot-ai-app-malfunction-recipes">generates recipes generated one which made chlorine gas</a>.
<p>
I can't tell for certain, but this looks like yet another bullshit
generator that can come up with things that look smooth but doesn't
really know or understand its subject.

 


title: Health problems caused by global heating
uri: Health-problems-caused-by-global-heating
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Health_problems_caused_by_global_heating)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Health_problems_caused_by_global_heating)

content:
 
<p>

*   From the strain extreme heat puts on your heart to the damage it may do
   to your mental health, not to mention the increased air pollution, the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/aug/11/were-in-serious-trouble-why-a-hotter-world-will-be-bad-for-our-health">forecast [from global heating] isn't good</a>.*

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Biden's_climate_bill)
title: Biden's climate bill
uri: Biden-s-climate-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Biden's_climate_bill)
content:
 
<p>

  *Six ways Biden's historic climate bill has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/11/biden-climate-bill-inflation-reduction-act">succeeded &mdash; and fallen short</a>.*
<p>
The shortcomings are not Biden's fault.  He had to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-may-aug.html#15_August_2022_(The_House_passed_the_climate%2Ftax%2Fdrug_price_bill)">negotiate a
    compromise</a> with senators working for plutocrats,
including <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a>, and
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-may-aug.html#15_August_2022_(The_House_passed_the_climate%2Ftax%2Fdrug_price_bill)">Senator Manchin</a>
was not the only one.
<p>
I criticize Biden for weakness on other decisions, including some that
are climate-related, and he is certainly no Bernie Sanders, but not
for this compromise.  I don't see a basis to conclude that anyone else
could have done better on this.

 


title: (satire) USA Women's World Cup Team intervenes in Japan-Sweden match
uri: (satire)-USA-Women-s-World-Cup-Team-intervenes-in-Japan-Sweden-match
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_((satire)_USA_Women's_World_Cup_Team_intervenes_in_Japan-Sweden_match)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_((satire)_USA_Women's_World_Cup_Team_intervenes_in_Japan-Sweden_match)

content:
 
<p>

(satire) *<a href="http://debian.osuosl.org/debian/">America's Foreign Policy Forces USA Women's World Cup Team
    To Intervene In Japan-Sweden Match.</a>*
<p>
I'd say the satire was buried just a little too deep.  It took me a
few lines to see it &mdash; but when I did see it, I laughed.

 


title: (satire) Amazon camera tells users what to do
uri: (satire)-Amazon-camera-tells-users-what-to-do
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_((satire)_Amazon_camera_tells_users_what_to_do)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_((satire)_Amazon_camera_tells_users_what_to_do)

content:
 
<p>

  (satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/amazon-unveils-giant-camera-that-tells-users-what-to-do-1850708691">Amazon Unveils Giant Camera That Tells Users What To Do.</a>*
<p>
Subsequently Amazon announced it was moving production to China,
anticipating a demand for hundreds of millions of units from the
Chinese Communist Part.  ;-{.

 


title: Survey of students on freedom of speech
uri: Survey-of-students-on-freedom-of-speech
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Survey_of_students_on_freedom_of_speech)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(Survey_of_students_on_freedom_of_speech)

content:
 
<p>

A survey of students of perceptions of their freedom of speech
found that the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/aug/10/almost-nine-in-10-students-in-england-feel-free-to-express-their-views-survey">vast majority feel free to express their opinions</a>.
<p>
The survey is useful but it could have been worded more carefully.
The question asked whether students felt free to express the opinions
they happen to hold.  For the students who answered yes,
it could be that they feel no pressure about what opinions they express.
<p>
But it could be that they feel free to express their actual opinions
because they agree with the majority.
<p>
We would get a clearer and more reliable picture of students'
percieved range of freedom to express opinions by asking them, "Would
you feel free to express opinion A, supposing you held that opinion?
What about opinion B?  Opinion C?  Opinion D? &hellip; Opinion M?"  It
would state a list of various opinions that students might conceivably
hold, and find out which ones are safe to express in their milieu.

 


title: NYPD union leader gets prison for theft scheme
uri: NYPD-union-leader-gets-prison-for-theft-scheme
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(NYPD_union_leader_gets_prison_for_theft_scheme)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#13_August_2023_(NYPD_union_leader_gets_prison_for_theft_scheme)

content:
 
<p>

  *Former NYPD union leader gets <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/05/us/former-nypd-sergeants-union-president-sentenced/index.html">2 years in prison for theft scheme</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Product_placement_in_films_up)
title: Product placement in films up
uri: Product-placement-in-films-up
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Product_placement_in_films_up)
content:
 
<p>
The movie
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/10/barbie-shameless-product-placement-film-adverts-global-cinema">Barbie is end-to-end advertisement</a>,
via product placement.
<p>
Product placement has corrupted movies for decades.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(World's_most_brutal_system,_AFG)
title: World's most brutal system, AFG
uri: World-s-most-brutal-system-AFG
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(World's_most_brutal_system,_AFG)
content:
 
<p>
*Gordon Brown [ex-PM of UK] calls for Taliban to face crimes against
humanity charges; urges UK and allies
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/10/gordon-brown-taliban-crimes-against-humanity-charges-women-girls-afghanistan">to impose sanctions</a>
on Afghan
regime over its "brutalisation" of women and girls.*
<p>
That policy is a massive denial of human rights.  But those responses
are less effective than one might hope for &mdash; especially on
Afghanistan.  It is not clear to me that they would do any good.

<p>
 


title: Euthanastic manslaughter legal drama, Cypress
uri: Euthanastic-manslaughter-legal-drama-Cypress
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Euthanastic_manslaughter_legal_drama,_Cypress)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Euthanastic_manslaughter_legal_drama,_Cypress)

content:
 
<p>
The government of Cyprus has taken
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/10/cyprus-authorities-appeal-decision-that-allowed-david-hunter-to-walk-free">another try at condemning David Hunter</a>
to life imprisonment.

<p>
 


title: Deleting journalistic works en mass
uri: Deleting-journalistic-works-en-mass
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Deleting_journalistic_works_en_mass)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Deleting_journalistic_works_en_mass)

content:
 
<p>
*CNET Deletes Thousands of Old Articles
<a href="https://gizmodo.com/cnet-deletes-thousands-old-articles-google-search-seo-1850721475">to Game Google Search</a>.*
<p>
This is an atrocity to records of the past.  It is bad for secondary reasons
too, as the article says, but the harm to society is the principal issue.
I hope these pages are all saved in archive.org.
<p>
Google ought to provide instructions for new sites about how how they
can obtain, in some other way that deletes nothing, whatever SEO
benefit (albeit small) they might have obtained by deleting anything.

<p>
 


title: Every UK voter's name and address stolen
uri: Every-UK-voter-s-name-and-address-stolen
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Every_UK_voter's_name_and_address_stolen)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Every_UK_voter's_name_and_address_stolen)

content:
 
<p>
*Cracked UK voter data could be used
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/aug/09/hacked-uk-electoral-commission-data-target-voter-disinformation-warn-expert">to target disinformation</a>,
warn experts.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Financing_combatting_deforestation)
title: Financing combating deforestation
uri: 2023-08-14-Financing-combating-deforestation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Financing_combatting_deforestation)
content:
 
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/09/lula-brazil-amazon-rainforests-money">"Nature needs money": Lula tells rich countries</a>
to pay up and protect world’s rainforests.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Policing_with_psychology)
title: Policing with psychology
uri: Policing-with-psychology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Policing_with_psychology)
content:
 
<p>
*Police in
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/07/police-in-england-and-wales-will-pilot-project-to-shift-sexism-and-misogyny">England and Wales will pilot project</a>
to [reduce] sexism and misogyny.*
<p>
The plan is to use psychological knowledge about what is effective.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Supreme_court_ethics,_US)
title: Supreme court ethics, US
uri: Supreme-court-ethics-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Supreme_court_ethics,_US)
content:
 
<p>
*When Alito and most of his colleagues were trying to secure their
 confirmations to the high court,
<a href="https://www.levernews.com/r/8f0e8a5c?m=a1296444-4385-46f7-b56f-c5acabd34844">they promised the Senate Judiciary
 Committee</a>
they would adhere to ethics laws from Congress that regulate justices’
acceptance and disclosure of gifts, limit their outside employment
income, and mandate recusal in some circumstances.*
<p>
Now Alito claims the Senate has no right to set ethics requirements for the Supreme Court.

 


title: Concealed gun licenses and homicides
uri: Concealed-gun-licenses-and-homicides
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Concealed_gun_licenses_and_homicides)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Concealed_gun_licenses_and_homicides)

content:
 
<p>

  *Concealed gun licenses and homicides <a href="https://www.futurity.org/concealed-gun-licenses-homicides-public-safety-2957722/">rise in tandem</a>.*
<p>
In other words, the evidence says that more people with concealed guns
does not prevent or discourage killings with guns.

 


title: Prison barge in Portland must be emptied
uri: Prison-barge-in-Portland-must-be-emptied
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Prison_barge_in_Portland_must_be_emptied)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Prison_barge_in_Portland_must_be_emptied)

content:
 
<p>

The British refugee prison barge in isolated Portland <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/aug/11/what-is-legionella-bacteria-and-what-damage-can-it-cause-bibby-stockholm-barge">must be emptied
    due to the discovery of deadly legionella bacteria</a>.

 


title: Global heating makes Hawaii fires more dangerous
uri: Global-heating-makes-Hawaii-fires-more-dangerous
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Global_heating_makes_Hawaii_fires_more_dangerous)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Global_heating_makes_Hawaii_fires_more_dangerous)

content:
 
<p>

  *Devastating Hawaii fires <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/11/hawaii-fires-made-more-dangerous-by-climate-crisis">made "much more dangerous" by [global heating]</a>.*

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Marine_heat_wave_spreading)
title: Marine heat wave spreading
uri: Marine-heat-wave-spreading
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Marine_heat_wave_spreading)
content:
 
<p>

  The marine heat wave in Florida has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/11/coral-bleaching-central-america">spread around the Caribbean</a>, and
so has massive coral bleaching.  Some of the corals are dying
immediately.
<p>
With 1/4 of marine species depending on coral, we are seeing a mass
extinction actually happen.  This heat wave is not killing all the
world's coral, but there are surely species of animals, dependent on
coral and endemic to the Caribbean, that are becoming extinct now.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Businesses_choosing_health_care)
title: Businesses choosing health care
uri: Businesses-choosing-health-care
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Businesses_choosing_health_care)
content:
 
<p>

Most US doctors are now employees of businesses, in many cases
very large private-equity exploitationist businesses.  And these
businesses <a href="https://prospect.org/health/2023-08-04-when-mds-go-union/">decide whether a patient gets to see a doctor at all</a>.
<p>
The article's main topic is that some of the MD employees are
responding to this by unionizing.  I applaud that &mdash; but that won't
necessarily help the patients.
<p>
It may not help the doctors at the deep level, because
the corporate power that stops doctors form treating patients
properly is <a href="https://prospect.org/health/2023-08-02-qa-corporate-medicine-destroys-doctors/">unbearable to many of them</a>.
They quit, or they become mentally ill, and some commit suicide.
<p>
We need to restore management by people committed to medicine rather
than profit, and likewise break up the large chains.  But how?
<p>
  One way is to establish a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#12_July_2012_(Urgent:_Support_medicare_for_all">national medical system</a> that will cut the
profit out and thus provide medical treatment to everyone.

 


title: HCA hospitals pushing patients to hospice
uri: HCA-hospitals-pushing-patients-to-hospice
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(HCA_hospitals_pushing_patients_to_hospice)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(HCA_hospitals_pushing_patients_to_hospice)

content:
 
<p>

*Doctors and patient families say <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care/doctors-say-hca-hospitals-push-patients-hospice-care-rcna81599">HCA hospitals push [patients into
    hospice]</a>.*
<p>
Staff are sent to convince patients, and those making choices for
patients, that treatment is futile and they should give up on aiming
for survival.

 


title: San Francisco approved driverless taxis
uri: San-Francisco-approved-driverless-taxis
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(San_Francisco_approved_driverless_taxis)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(San_Francisco_approved_driverless_taxis)

content:
 
<p>

San Francisco approved driverless taxis for commercial service,
<a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/08/10/1193272085/san-francisco-has-lots-of-self-driving-cars-theyre-driving-first-responders-nuts">ignoring objections</a> that they drive over fire hoses and cut crime scene
lines,
  and also delay various sorts of emergency vehicles.
<p>
They also do lots of surveillance.  And since you can't hail one
on the street, or get it with an ordinary phone call, they
surely imitate <a href="/uber.html">Guber's injustice</a>
  by identifying the customer and making per run nonfree software.

 


title: FBI probe of Racial Justice Activists
uri: FBI-probe-of-Racial-Justice-Activists
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(FBI_probe_of_Racial_Justice_Activists)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(FBI_probe_of_Racial_Justice_Activists)

content:
 
<p>

  *Lawsuit <a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/08/01/fbi-infiltrate-activists-first-amendment/">Targets FBI Probe of Racial Justice Activists</a>.*

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Watchdog_for_Ukraine_Aid_blocked)
title: Watchdog for Ukraine Aid blocked
uri: Watchdog-for-Ukraine-Aid-blocked
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Watchdog_for_Ukraine_Aid_blocked)
content:
 
<p>

  *Senate Democrats <a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/08/02/ukraine-aid-special-inspector-afghanistan/">Blocked Watchdog for Ukraine Aid</a> &mdash; Ignoring Lessons
 From Afghanistan.*

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Tintin_series_of_graphic_novels)
title: Tintin series of graphic novels
uri: Tintin-series-of-graphic-novels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Tintin_series_of_graphic_novels)
content:
 
<p>

The famous Tintin series of graphic novels from Belgium included
adventures in the Belgian Congo, and they depicted realities of
colonization.  There have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/aug/12/blistering-barnacles-tintin-mystery-in-brussels-after-bust-of-herge-vanishes">demands to censor the books over that</a>.
<p>
When it comes to judging Belgian colonialism, we need not bother
thinking of Tintin.  The realities of the Congo were oppression from
beginning to end.  Initially, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_Congo">Congo</a> was King Leopold's personal
possession, and he treated the inhabitants so cruelly that even the
main European colonial powers (exploiters themselves) were ashamed of
it.  That took some doing.
<p>
We can't change the past, but that part of the past calls for vigorous
condemnation.
<p>
The question here, though, is whether to attack the fictional Tintin
books today as a stand-in for the real exploitation of real people in
the past.
<p>
The passages criticized in the article clearly depict aspects of the
colonial system.  Whether they were specifically vicious, or merely
illustrated aspects of a system which was vicious overall, depends on
the specific context, which the article does not go into.
<p>
Be that as it may, to try to "sanitize" Tintin by falsifying the parts
that refer in passing to the colonial system would be pointless
damage, that would not do any good against present and future
injustice, let alone past injustice.
<p>
What could do good is to add an appendix to point out the glimpses of
the colonial system in the story, and give the start of an overall
picture of the oppression that those glimpses showed parts of.  Today's
readers could learn something important from that.

 


title: Food supply likely to be hit before 1.5C
uri: Food-supply-likely-to-be-hit-before-1-5C
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Food_supply_likely_to_be_hit_before_1.5C)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#14_August_2023_(Food_supply_likely_to_be_hit_before_1.5C)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">Global heating</a> likely to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/12/global-heating-likely-to-hit-world-food-supply-faster-than-expected-says-united-nations-desertification-expert">hit world food supply before 1.5C</a>, says UN
 expert.*
<!-- Does this fit?
<p>
This would be on top of the lasting damage done by Putin's destruction
of Ukraine's Kakhovka dam.  After the war ends, which will take years,
it will take years more to rebuild the dam.
</p>
-->

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Trump_indicted:_racketeering_in_GA)
title: Trump indicted: racketeering in GA
uri: Trump-indicted-racketeering-in-GA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Trump_indicted:_racketeering_in_GA)
content:
 
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">The insurrectionist</a> now faces charges in Georgia of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/14/georgia-trump-2020-fulton-county-case-explained">trying
to steal the election</a>
there.
<p>
People have posted references to the complete text of the indictment
at a page on documentcloud, a site that doesn't work without
JavaScript.  For moral reasons I can't refer people there.  Can
someone please send me a URL where the text is accessible from the Free World?

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Montana_youths_win_climate_lawsuit)
title: Montana youths win climate lawsuit
uri: Montana-youths-win-climate-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Montana_youths_win_climate_lawsuit)
content:
 
<p>
Young plaintiffs in Montana won their climate lawsuit, as the judge ruled
that Montana's prohibition on considering likely future climate damage
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/youths-win-historic-montana-climate-lawsuit-mepa-limitations-declared-unconstitutional">when evaluating development projects</a>
violates their constitutional rights.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Wanton_worker_exploitation)
title: Wanton worker exploitation
uri: Wanton-worker-exploitation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Wanton_worker_exploitation)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://theconversation.com/a-shadow-economy-of-firms-like-hand-car-washes-and-nail-salons-is-exploiting-workers-and-regulations-are-making-things-worse-208476">9% of employees in Britain</a>
are denied their workers' rights because the state
does nothing to punish their employers for doing that.
<p>
Similar problems happen in the US, including <a href="/archives/2023-mar-jun.html#19_June_2023_(Employers_profitting_by_wage_theft)">theft of wages</a>,
<a href="/archives/2022-nov-feb.html#3_December_2022_(Manchin,_filibuster_on_RR)">denial of sick leave</a>,
and exploitation in the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-nov-feb.html#28_January_2023_(Fast_food_wages)">gig economy</a>.
<p>
The traditional reason has been that elected politicians
listen to what the employers want.  However, the California referendum
shows that big tech companies have the power to mobilize voters
to vote to exploit these workers so that they can enjoy somewhat lower
prices as customers for gig platforms.
<p>
Since some of the benefit of paying the low wages is kept by the
gig platforms, the net benefit goes to the wealthy, and the people
overall would be <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-nov-feb.html#21_February_2014_(Minimum_wage_needs_to_be_combined_with_a_welfare_system)">wise to support the higher wages</a>.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: The FATCAT Act to tax private jet travel
uri: Urgent-The-FATCAT-Act-to-tax-private-jet-travel
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Urgent:_The_FATCAT_Act_to_tax_private_jet_travel)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Urgent:_The_FATCAT_Act_to_tax_private_jet_travel)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tax-private-jets-fatcat/?t=1001&akid=31051%2E96703%2EHeyEuA">call on Congress</a>
to pass the FATCAT Act to tax private jet travel.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Investigate the gifts Clarence Thomas has accepted
uri: Urgent-Investigate-the-gifts-Clarence-Thomas-has-accepted
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Urgent:_Investigate_the_gifts_Clarence_Thomas_has_accepted)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Urgent:_Investigate_the_gifts_Clarence_Thomas_has_accepted)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/call-on-the-us-senate-and-department-of-justice-to-initiate-a-formal-investigation-of-supreme-court-associate-justice-clarence-thomas-now?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-patriotic-millionaires&source=group-patriotic-millionaires">call on the Senate and the Department of Justice</a>
to investigate the gifts Clarence Thomas has accepted.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act
uri: 2023-08-16-Urgent-Supreme-Court-Ethics-Recusal-and-Transparency-Act
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Urgent:_Supreme_Court_Ethics,_Recusal,_and_Transparency_Act)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Urgent:_Supreme_Court_Ethics,_Recusal,_and_Transparency_Act)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/clarence-thomas-RV/?t=1002&akid=31060%2E96703%2E0F195f">call on Congress</a>
to pass the Supreme Court Ethics,
Recusal, and Transparency Act.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: An exception for federal court trials on TV &mdash; USA V. Trump
uri: Urgent-An-exception-for-federal-court-trials-on-TV-USA-V-Trump
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Urgent:_An_exception_for_federal_court_trials_on_TV_%26mdash;_USA_V._Trump)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Urgent:_An_exception_for_federal_court_trials_on_TV_%26mdash;_USA_V._Trump)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-televise-the-trump-trial?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-inequality-media-civic-action&source=group-inequality-media-civic-action">call on Congress</a>
to permit televising the trial of the
insurrectionist for trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Predatory financial tech products
uri: Urgent-Predatory-financial-tech-products
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Urgent:_Predatory_financial_tech_products)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Urgent:_Predatory_financial_tech_products)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-protect-consumers-regulate-digital-payday-lenders-2?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-afr-advocacy-fund-c4&source=group-afr-advocacy-fund-c4">call on the US government</a>
to protect Americans squeezed by poverty by regulating digital payday lenders.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Add critical context to the Enola Gay museum display
uri: Urgent-Add-critical-context-to-the-Enola-Gay-museum-display
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Urgent:_Add_critical_context_to_the_Enola_Gay_museum_display)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_August_2023_(Urgent:_Add_critical_context_to_the_Enola_Gay_museum_display)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/smithsonian-enolagay?akid=9157.223515.Q4ZD1g&c0=smithsonian-enolagay.KfAtAi&rd=1&source=em20230806_1&t=1006">call on the Smithsonian</a>
to add coverage of the effects of the nuclear weapon used on Hiroshima
to its exhibit about the airplane that dropped it.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Urgent:_Judicial_nominations)
title: Urgent: Judicial nominations
uri: 2023-08-19-Urgent-Judicial-nominations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Urgent:_Judicial_nominations)
content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on the Senate to <a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/confirm-more-judicial-nominees-118/">move quickly on judicial
    nominations</a>.

The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

 


title: Urgent: Call on Clarence Thomas to recuse himself
uri: 2023-08-19-Urgent-Call-on-Clarence-Thomas-to-recuse-himself
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Urgent:_Call_on_Clarence_Thomas_to_recuse_himself)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Urgent:_Call_on_Clarence_Thomas_to_recuse_himself)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/demand-clarence-thomas-recuse-himself-from-moore-v-us">call on Clarence Thomas to recuse himself</a> from the case
Moore vs US about whether a wealth tax is constitutional.

 


title: Urgent: Call on DOJ to sue the fossil fuel companies
uri: Urgent-Call-on-DOJ-to-sue-the-fossil-fuel-companies
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Urgent:_Call_on_DOJ_to_sue_the_fossil_fuel_companies)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Urgent:_Call_on_DOJ_to_sue_the_fossil_fuel_companies)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-the-fossil-fuel-industry-broke-the-law-with-their-lies-hold-them-accountable">call on the DOJ to sue the fossil fuel companies</a> for lying
to the public about the danger of climate disaster.

 


title: The challenge of preventing deaths from heat
uri: The-challenge-of-preventing-deaths-from-heat
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(The_challenge_of_preventing_deaths_from_heat)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(The_challenge_of_preventing_deaths_from_heat)

content:
 
<p>

  On the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/13/phoenix-heat-tsar-cooling-shelters-heatwaves">challenge of systematically preventing deaths</a> from heat in Phoenix
as <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> steadily turns up the world's thermostat.

 


title: Funds used for carbon sequestration
uri: Funds-used-for-carbon-sequestration
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Funds_used_for_carbon_sequestration)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Funds_used_for_carbon_sequestration)

content:
 
<p>

US funds that could reduce use of fossil fuels are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/13/louisiana-carbon-capture-emissions">being directed
    towards projects for carbon sequestration</a>, which is unlikely to do any good.

 


title: Bank of England blames pay for inflation
uri: Bank-of-England-blames-pay-for-inflation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Bank_of_England_blames_pay_for_inflation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Bank_of_England_blames_pay_for_inflation)

content:
 
<p>

  *Biased Bank of England <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/aug/12/biased-bank-of-england-blames-pay-for-inflation-never-profit">blames pay for inflation</a>, never profit.*
<p>
*Data suggests prices are rising even though production costs are flat.
   Yet wages remain policymakers’ chief concern.*
<p>
  This makes evident the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives//2021-sep-dec.html#17_December_2021_(Mainstream_bias)">bias that Robert Reich pointed out</a> for the US a
year ago.
           I must conclude that central banks have an ulterior motive:
to knock workers down.

 


title: Freedom of speech and words used to carry out crime
uri: Freedom-of-speech-and-words-used-to-carry-out-crime
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Freedom_of_speech_and_words_used_to_carry_out_crime)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Freedom_of_speech_and_words_used_to_carry_out_crime)

content:
 
<p>

Freedom of speech, under the US First Amendment, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/14/trump-has-no-serious-first-amendment-defense-in-a-court-of-law-heres-why">does not cover
    the words used to carry out a crime</a>.
  It does not cover setting up criminal conspiracies, perjury, fraud,
or intimidation of witnesses.
<p>
Therefore, freedom of speech is not a defense for the crimes that the
corrupter/insurrectionist is charged with, or the ones he might commit
now.

 


title: Eating meat and cattle associated with masculinity
uri: Eating-meat-and-cattle-associated-with-masculinity
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Eating_meat_and_cattle_associated_with_masculinity)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Eating_meat_and_cattle_associated_with_masculinity)

content:
 
<p>

Eating meat, and raising cattle, are associated in the US with masculinity.
Big Food <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/aug/14/beef-american-masculinity-beef-cowboys">takes thorough advantage of this</a>.
<p>
The article linked to just above displays symbolic bigotry by
capitalizing "indigenous" but not "white".  (To avoid endorsing
bigotry, capitalize both words or neither one.)  I denounce bigotry,
and normally I will not link to articles that promote it.  But I make
exceptions for some articles that I consider particularly important.
That article is one of the exceptions.

 


title: Effort to avoid confronting planet roasters
uri: Effort-to-avoid-confronting-planet-roasters
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Effort_to_avoid_confronting_planet_roasters)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Effort_to_avoid_confronting_planet_roasters)

content:
 
<p>

In a Greek town that was devastated by a wildfire in 2018, Christy
Lefteri found that people sought small and proximal causes or enemies
to blame for it, in a desperate effort to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/14/greece-wildfires-climate-crisis-future">avoid confronting the great
    enemy: the planet roasters</a>.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(People_of_former_Afghan_army)
title: People of former Afghan army
uri: People-of-former-Afghan-army
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(People_of_former_Afghan_army)
content:
 
<p>

  The men and women of the former Afghan army <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/aug/14/hungry-hunted-terrified-unending-plight-of-the-afghan-women-who-served-in-military-and-police">must hide from the Taliban</a>
and may be reduced to begging for food.
<p>
*Thousands of Afghan judges and legal staff remain <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/aug/14/thousands-of-afghan-judges-and-legal-staff-remain-at-risk-post-taliban-takeover">at risk post-Taliban
    takeover</a>.*

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Driverless_taxis_stopped_traffic)
title: Driverless taxis stopped traffic
uri: Driverless-taxis-stopped-traffic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Driverless_taxis_stopped_traffic)
content:
 
<p>

10 or more driverless taxis on Vallejo Street in San Francisco <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-08-12/cruise-robotaxis-come-to-a-standstill">blocked
    traffic on that street for 15 minutes</a>, simply by stopping in the
street.  All the human drivers in cars on that street were stuck.
<p>
The company's explanation makes it clear that these cars are not
"autonomous" &mdash; they depend on receiving orders via cellular data
networks.
<p>
The possibility of stopping traffic is, of course, a pain in the neck,
and people are right to point out it could be dangerous if an
emergency occurs.  But I see that as the secondary danger, because
improvements in technology will tend to correct it over time.
<p>
The biggest danger of automated taxis is that of massive surveillance:
tracking the passengers because they must identify themselves to pay,
and recognizing people on the street using facial recognition.
Improved technology will tend to make these dangers worse.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Sri_Lanka's_malnourished_children)
title: Sri Lanka's malnourished children
uri: Sri-Lanka-s-malnourished-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Sri_Lanka's_malnourished_children)
content:
 
<p>

*No milk, no eggs, small hope: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/aug/15/no-milk-no-eggs-small-hope-fears-rise-for-sri-lankas-malnourished-children">fears rise for Sri Lanka’s malnourished
    children</a>.*
<p>
I've been told that Sri Lanka's economic collapse was due to a
government policy that made farming uneconomical, but I can only
consider that a rumor.  Can anyone show me reliable information?

 


title: Girl, 13, raped and denied abortion
uri: Girl-13-raped-and-denied-abortion
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Girl,_13,_raped_and_denied_abortion)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Girl,_13,_raped_and_denied_abortion)

content:
 
<p>

  *Girl, 13, gives birth after she was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/14/mississippi-abortion-ban-girl-raped-gives-birth">raped and denied abortion</a> in
Mississippi.*

 


title: Vice Media censoring for ruler of Salafi Arabia
uri: Vice-Media-censoring-for-ruler-of-Salafi-Arabia
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Vice_Media_censoring_for_ruler_of_Salafi_Arabia)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Vice_Media_censoring_for_ruler_of_Salafi_Arabia)

content:
 
<p>

Vice Media made a deal for funds from <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> and began
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/aug/15/vice-blocked-news-stories-that-could-offend-saudi-arabia-insiders-say">censoring stories</a> that its ruler might dislike.

 


title: Drought limits ships passing Panama Canal
uri: Drought-limits-ships-passing-Panama-Canal
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Drought_limits_ships_passing_Panama_Canal)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Drought_limits_ships_passing_Panama_Canal)

content:
 
<p>

A drought has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/aug/14/drought-causes-queues-and-delays-for-ships-passing-through-panama-canal">limited the number of ships passing through the Panama
    Canal's locks</a> each day to 32
   instead of the expected 36.  A backlog of ships is building up.
<p>
This problem is probably related to <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>, which means it will
get worse over the years, like so many others.

 


title: (satire) School curriculum to keep eyes shut
uri: (satire)-School-curriculum-to-keep-eyes-shut
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_((satire)_School_curriculum_to_keep_eyes_shut)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_((satire)_School_curriculum_to_keep_eyes_shut)

content:
 
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-florida-school-curriculum-requires-students-to-keep-1850735540">New Florida School Curriculum Requires Students To Keep Eyes
    Shut Tight All Day Until Safe At Home.</a>*

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Writing_patterns_detected_by_AI)
title: Writing patterns detected by "AI"
uri: Writing-patterns-detected-by-AI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Writing_patterns_detected_by_AI)
content:
 
<p>

*[purported] AI detectors tend to be programmed to flag writing as
   [LLM-generated" when the word choice is predictable and the sentences
   are more simple. As it turns out, writing by non-native English
speakers often <a href="https://themarkup.org/machine-learning/2023/08/14/ai-detection-tools-falsely-accuse-international-students-of-cheating">fits this pattern</a>.*
  So their work tends to be falsely flagged.
<p>
The article describes the systems these students are accused of using as "AI",
but <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html item on Artificial Intelligence.">that is a confusion</a>.

 


title: Removal of "In God We Trust" from license plate
uri: Removal-of-In-God-We-Trust-from-license-plate
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Removal_of_In_God_We_Trust_from_license_plate)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Removal_of_In_God_We_Trust_from_license_plate)

content:
 
<p>

  *American Atheists claims victory for <a href="https://www.atheists.org/2023/05/mississippi-removes-in-god-we-trust-license-plate/">removal of “In God We Trust”</a> from
Mississippi's standard license plate.*

 


title: Resistance to surveilled digital payments
uri: Resistance-to-surveilled-digital-payments
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Resistance_to_surveilled_digital_payments)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Resistance_to_surveilled_digital_payments)

content:
 
<p>

Resistance to pressure in the UK to use surveilled digital payments
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/aug/14/fears-uks-cashless-society-will-leave-more-than-just-the-vulnerable-behind">found in various groups</a>,
  including young people living on limited incomes and foreign
visitors, as well as the usually cited group (old people who
find digital technology confusing).
<p>
Alas, the article doesn't mention the group I belong to: people who
value privacy and understand that the way to prevent personal data
from being misused by companies is <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html"><em>not to allow companies to
      collect that data</em></a>.
<p>
The UK needs a political campaigning group to demand laws requiring
that certain important kinds of stores accept cash.
<p>
Last time I had a connection in Heathrow Airport, I wanted to buy a
snack from a store which accepted only tracked payments.  Since that
store would not accept my money, I bought something else from another
store.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Georgia_charges_of_election_fraud)
title: Georgia charges of election fraud
uri: Georgia-charges-of-election-fraud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Georgia_charges_of_election_fraud)
content:
 
<p>

The Georgia charges of election fraud target <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">the insurrectionist's</a> lawyers
and the heavies he sent to frame Atlanta election officials, along with
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">the insurrectionist</a> himself, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/15/georgia-indictment-trump-election-plot-analysis">acting as a conspiracy</a>.

 


title: No sincere demonstration of "benefits" of being a slave
uri: No-sincere-demonstration-of-benefits-of-being-a-slave
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(No_sincere_demonstration_of_benefits_of_being_a_slave)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(No_sincere_demonstration_of_benefits_of_being_a_slave)

content:
 
<p>

Abraham Lincoln pointed out that no one who proclaimed the "benefits"
of being a slave has ever demonstrated sincerity in that belief <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20170324194946/http://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/lincoln2/1:263?rgn=div1;view=fulltext">by
    asking to be a slave</a>.

 


title: Climate defender voices driven off ex-twitter
uri: Climate-defender-voices-driven-off-ex-twitter
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Climate_defender_voices_driven_off_ex-twitter)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Climate_defender_voices_driven_off_ex-twitter)

content:
 
<p>

  The Musk Ox has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/15/twitter-exodus-climate-green-voices-musk-takeover">driven half the climate defender voices off of Ex-Twitter</a>.
<p>
Given what he has said, I expect he considers that success.

 


title: Suggestion of plea bargain for Assange
uri: Suggestion-of-plea-bargain-for-Assange
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Suggestion_of_plea_bargain_for_Assange)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Suggestion_of_plea_bargain_for_Assange)

content:
 
<p>

The US ambassador to Australia is suggesting the <a href="https://consortiumnews.com/2023/08/14/caroline-kennedy-says-us-open-to-assange-plea-deal/">possibility that the
    US will give Julian Assange a plea bargain</a>.
<p>
  Whether that corrects the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_February_2016_(Assange_arbitrarily_detained)">injustice of the charges</a> against him
   depends partly on how much more time he would have to spend in
prison, but Alas on what he would have to plead guilty to, and whether
  than ends up <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-sep-dec.html#3_December_2022_(Pursuit_of_Julian_Assange)">criminalizing journalism</a> (which conviction the current
charges would do).

<p>
 


title: Urgent: AIDS medicines program could expire
uri: Urgent-AIDS-medicines-program-could-expire
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Urgent:_AIDS_medicines_program_could_expire)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Urgent:_AIDS_medicines_program_could_expire)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/pepfar?akid=9196.223515.JE_zb9&c0=pepfar.u-PUTo&rd=1&source=em20230816&t=1006">call on Congress</a>
to save the PEPFAR program which gives AIDS medicines to poor countries.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Lahaina_fire_recovery_efforts)
title: Lahaina fire recovery efforts
uri: Lahaina-fire-recovery-efforts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Lahaina_fire_recovery_efforts)
content:
 
<p>
The
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/17/hawaii-fires-maui-schools-search-death-toll">decision not to sound the sirens</a>
in Lahaina for the fire was made
for a rational reason.
<p>
This leads me to wonder how the warning system (and others like it)
could be improved so that it could safely be used for all kinds of
disasters.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Maui_water_rights)
title: Maui water rights
uri: Maui-water-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Maui_water_rights)
content:
 
<p>
*In their most desperate hour, Maui’s
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/17/hawaii-fires-maui-water-rights-disaster-capitalism">residents may lose their right
 to water</a>.*
Agribusinesses have been taking control of the island's water for
years, and the inhabitants have been suing for years, but disasters
are opportunities for big businesses.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Major_fire_risk,_HI)
title: Major fire risk, HI
uri: Major-fire-risk-HI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Major_fire_risk,_HI)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/aug/16/non-native-grass-species-blamed-for-ferocity-of-hawaii-wildfires">Invasive species of grass</a>
provided this year's Hawaii wildfires with more fuel than ever before.
The state needs to mostly get rid of them.  Perhaps farming animals in
those regions would help.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Grand_jurors'_plight,_GA)
title: Grand jurors' plight, GA
uri: Grand-jurors-plight-GA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Grand_jurors'_plight,_GA)
content:
 
<p>
*Names and addresses of Georgia grand jurors
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/17/georgia-grand-jurors-information-posted-rightwing-websites">posted on rightwing websites</a>.*
  This was evidently intended to threaten and intimidate anyone asked
to consider, in the future, whether right-wing fanatics have committed
crimes and should be prosecuted.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Canada_fires,_20K_evacuating_)
title: Canada fires, 20K evacuating
uri: Canada-fires-20K-evacuating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Canada_fires,_20K_evacuating_)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://grist.org/indigenous/in-canada-indigenous-residents-flee-fires-northwest-territories/">Yellowknife</a>,
the capital of Canada's Northern Territories, is cut off
by wildfires.  
<p>
So far, the province is evacuating various small towns, but if the fires
come closer to Yellowknife, it will have to evacuate that city.  It won't
be easy to do that by air.
<p>
It would take 100 trips of an medium-size airliner to evacuate the
whole population of around 20,000 people, but that is assuming people
take no more than what you could bring on a commercial flight.  People
evacuating, perhaps forever, will need to bring more than that.
<p>
The evacuation of Yellowknife should not wait.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Yellowknife_firefighting,_CAN)
title: Yellowknife firefighting, CAN
uri: Yellowknife-firefighting-CAN
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Yellowknife_firefighting,_CAN)
content:
 
<p>
Canada is doing
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/18/canada-wildfire-yellowknife-northwest-territory-evacuation">everything possible</a>
to prevent Yellowknife from being
destroyed by fire,    but nowadays it can't be sure of success.
<p>
This is a big change caused by <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>.  It used to be that we
could count on fire crews to protect substantial towns.  It required a
big effort, but they knew reliable methods to use and would not fail.
<p>
Nowadays, due to <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>, that big effort may not do the
job.  It may be that nothing can do the job.

<p>
 


title: Canary Island fires, 8.5K evacuating
uri: Canary-Island-fires-8-5K-evacuating
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Canary_Island_fires,_8.5K_evacuating)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Canary_Island_fires,_8.5K_evacuating)

content:
 
<p>
A wildfire on Tenerife that is causing evacuations of thousands from
their homes is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/19/tenerife-thousands-more-flee-their-homes-as-out-of-control-wildfires-rage">"beyond our capacity to extinguish</a>,"
according to the regional government.
<p>
Fires that civilization cannot extinguish indicate a new level of disaster,
caused by <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Workers'_heat_safety_standards,_US)
title: Workers' heat safety standards, US
uri: Workers-heat-safety-standards-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_August_2023_(Workers'_heat_safety_standards,_US)
content:
 
<p>
*<a href="https://www.levernews.com/r/5b619fb1?m=a1296444-4385-46f7-b56f-c5acabd34844">The Climate Culprits Blocking</a>
Workers' Heat and Wildfire Protections.*

 


title: Entrenched, militarized, civil repression, Egypt
uri: Entrenched-militarized-civil-repression-Egypt
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Entrenched,_militarized,_civil_repression,_Egypt)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Entrenched,_militarized,_civil_repression,_Egypt)

content:
 
<p>
*Ten years on from the slaughter of protesters in Cairo,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/17/the-guardian-view-on-the-rabaa-massacre-a-template-for-egypts-campaign-of-repression">[General al-]Sisi's
record is even grimmer</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Russian_journalist_poisoned)
title: Russian journalist poisoned
uri: Russian-journalist-poisoned
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Russian_journalist_poisoned)
content:
 
<p>
Exiled Russian journalist
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/17/berlin-prosecutor-probes-possible-poisoning-of-russian-journalist">Elena Kostyuchenko was warned</a>
Putin would try to have her assassinated.  Recently she became
strangely ill.  German prosecutors are investigating this as a
possible murder attempt.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Musk_throttling_networks)
title: Musk throttling networks
uri: Musk-throttling-networks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Musk_throttling_networks)
content:
 
<p>
*Twitter appears to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/aug/15/twitter-links-throttled-elon-musk-sites-dislike">delay links by five seconds</a>
to sites Elon Musk dislikes.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(War_as_deliberate_ecocide,_Ukraine)
title: War as deliberate ecocide, Ukraine
uri: War-as-deliberate-ecocide-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(War_as_deliberate_ecocide,_Ukraine)
content:
 
<p>
Accusing the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#putinforces">Putin forces</a> of committing ecocide by causing toxic industrial
chemicals, and toxins from weapons, to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/16/russia-ecocide-ukraine-world-war-crimes">leak into Ukraine's ecosystems</a>
and more or less poison them for a long time.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Protect medication abortion
uri: Urgent-Protect-medication-abortion
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Urgent:_Protect_medication_abortion)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Urgent:_Protect_medication_abortion)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/tell-courts-protect-medication-abortion-now?initms_aff=nat&initms_chan=eml&utm_medium=eml&initms=230818_mife_petition_gradead_sail&utm_source=sail&utm_campaign=mife&utm_content=230818_reproductiverights_petition_gradead&af=Yb3AJIpkvnwkl6wKwyjELOdf4si7cdbi9GZnigtn2XsinkZMgW/laHLUPy6o6RIvbf5eXPI4VQ9MCb7u6csUcuJHGCwdsf/Ekhq8Oy/iV2Y/VM5bOih/HmQmLg9UcJwBelZFsSGw38zZwE5iPDbe8SiTlCng7MmoxLHWel8aL4o%3D&gs=2S0HNICAbmtrqPM4MuEhLoyoTst%2BFzjD3IuvTxPYPzHzPb4n%2Bu10adDHhQUMKY4I&ms_aff=nat&ms_chan=eml&ms=230818_mife_petition_gradead_sail">call on US Courts</a>
to protect medication abortion.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Abortion_pill:_new_restrictions)
title: Abortion pill: new restrictions
uri: Abortion-pill-new-restrictions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Abortion_pill:_new_restrictions)
content:
 
<p>
The 5th circuit court of appeals ruled to put
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/16/restriction-abortion-pill-mifepristone-access-fda-court-decision">an end to easy access</a>
to mifepristone and thus the means to have a medicated abortion.
<p>
The 5 circuit includes Louisiana, Mississippi and part of Texas.  The
senators from those states are Republican, and due to the Senate's
rule that judges appointed to that court must have the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jan-apr.html#21_April_2023_(Judicial_appointments_blocked)">approval of
at least one senator from those states</a>,
the judges on that court are right-wing extremists.
<p>
Therefore, right-wing extremists generally use those states to file
their cases.
<p>
I hope that
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_June_2019_(New_underground_railroad)">abortion rights activists</a>
continue to be able to obtain mifepristone pills and mail them to
women who need them.  But it may now be more difficult to do this.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Manchin_as_traitorous)
title: Manchin traitorous
uri: Manchin-traitorous
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Manchin_as_traitorous)
content:
 
<p>
Senator Manchin has announced an "unrelenting fight" against
the survival of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/16/joe-manchin-inflation-reduction-act-climate-law-radical-agenda-joe-biden">world civilization and non-rich Americans</a>.
He has already announced that he may leave the Democratic Party.
This did not surprise me, since his views are in the range of the
Republican Party.
<p>
In November 2022, we rejoiced that the Democrats had picked up a seat
in the Senate and had clear control of it.  But that was a mirage.
The other fake Democrat, Sinema, has already left the Democratic Party.
We have succeeded in exposing Republican sleeper agents, but with their
exposure, the Republicans will effectively control the Senate through 2024.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Stop Citi executives destroying Amazonia
uri: Urgent-Stop-Citi-executives-destroying-Amazonia
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_Citi_executives_destroying_Amazonia)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_Citi_executives_destroying_Amazonia)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/demand-citi-executives-to-stop-destroying-amazonia-and-warming-our-planet/?nowrapper=true">call on Citi executives to stop</a>
destroying Amazonia and warming our planet.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Satire:_US_flag:_code_updated)
title: Satire: Updated code for US flag
uri: Satire-Updated-code-for-US-flag
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Satire:_US_flag:_code_updated)
content:
 
<p>
(satire) *Updated U.S. Flag Code States That American Flag Has
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/updated-u-s-flag-code-states-that-american-flag-has-po-1850736662">Power
To Grant Wishes</a>.*

<p>
 


title: Sarasota, FL college seized, restructured
uri: Sarasota-FL-college-seized-restructured
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(College_in_Sarasota,_FL_siezed,_restructured)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(College_in_Sarasota,_FL_siezed,_restructured)

content:
 
<p>
Governor Dismantle put people in charge of Florida's New College to
chop down all its principles and rules to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/16/florida-ron-desantis-academic-freedom">bury them in an anti-woke box</a>.
<p>
Many of the <a href="/archives/2023-may-aug.html#1_August_2023_(Professors_fleeing_Florida's_public_colleges)">faculty have already left</a>.
<p>
I would guess that most of the faculty, and most of the students, will
not return next year, and the college may be unable to continue
operating at all except as an empty shell.  But I think <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#dementis">DeMentis</a> will
call that success.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Full_text_of_the_indictment)
title: Full text of the indictment
uri: Full-text-of-the-indictment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Full_text_of_the_indictment)
content:
 
<p>
The full text of the Georgia indictment
<a href="media/d1e7194a.trump-ga-indictment.pdf" data-original-source="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23909569/trump-ga-indictment.pdf">against the corrupter
and his henchmen</a>.
<p>
Alas, this website blocks the Tor network.

<p>
 


title: The wrecker targets US judiciary
uri: The-wrecker-targets-US-judiciary
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(The_wrecker_aims_for_US_Judicial_system)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(The_wrecker_aims_for_US_Judicial_system)

content:
 
<p>
Robert Reich: *Trump is undermining the entire US judicial system with
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/16/donald-trump-big-lie-fulton-county-georgia-indictment">another big lie</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Afghan_scholars_in_UK_squeezed)
title: Afghan scholars in UK squeezed
uri: Afghan-scholars-in-UK-squeezed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Afghan_scholars_in_UK_squeezed)
content:
 
<p>
Afghans studying in UK universities
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/14/afghan-scholars-in-uk-fear-they-may-be-forced-to-return-home">face the threat</a>
of being deported to Afghanistan, where the Taliban will surely find
reasons to consider them enemies.


<p>
 


title: Prominent Israelis urge protest of "apartheid state"
uri: Prominent-Israelis-urge-protest-of-apartheid-state
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Prominant_Israelis_urge_protest_of_apartheid_state)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Prominant_Israelis_urge_protest_of_apartheid_state)

content:
 
<p>
*US Jews urged [by Israeli academics] to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/15/us-jewish-groups-statement-occupation-israel-palestine-netanyahu">condemn Israeli occupation</a>
 amid Netanyahu censure.*
<p>
Here is the Israeli academics'
<a href="https://sites.google.com/view/israel-elephant-in-the-room/home">petition</a>.
<p>
AIPAC, which claims to campaign in the US for support for Israel,
has shifted completely to campaigning in the US for support for
<a href="https://act.jstreet.org/go/260435?t=1007&akid=334044%2E538688%2E3NqW_t">Israel's
nondemocratic right-wing</a>.
<p>
For years it has campaigned in the US for <a href="/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_November_2020_(Swing_to_far_right)">support for the US
  antidemocratic right-wing</a>.
<p>
But that was not hostile enough.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Religious_emotional_outbursts)
title: Religious warpath, PAK
uri: Religious-warpath-PAK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Religious_emotional_outbursts)
content:
 
<p>
Muslim fanatics in Pakistan accused some Christians of blasphemy, so
other
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/16/churches-attacked-faisalabad-pakistan-blasphemy-claim">Muslim fanatics attacked Christian churches</a>.
<p>
In the US and Europe, we see <a href="/archives/2017-may-aug.html#14_August_2017_(Minnesota_mosque_bombing)">Christian fanatics attacking mosques</a>.
Humanity would be better off if we could put an end to fervent belief
in any religion.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Urgent:_Ban_assault_weapons)
title: Urgent: Ban assault weapons
uri: 2023-08-22-Urgent-Ban-assault-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Urgent:_Ban_assault_weapons)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-ban-assault-weapons-10?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-the-people-united&source=202308BanAssaultWeapons_TPU">call on Congress</a>
to ban assault weapons.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Microplastics_in_the_Great_Lakes)
title: Microplastics in the Great Lakes
uri: Microplastics-in-the-Great-Lakes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Microplastics_in_the_Great_Lakes)
content:
 
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/17/great-lakes-water-microplastic-pollution-contamination">90% of Great Lakes water</a>
samples have unsafe microplastic levels.  But experts say damage can
be reversed if US and Canada act quickly to stop new plastics from
entering lake system.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Moves_to_privatize_NHS,_UK)
title: Moves to privatize NHS, UK
uri: Moves-to-privatize-NHS-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Moves_to_privatize_NHS,_UK)
content:
 
<p>
*Private equity has its sights on
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/17/private-equity-nhs-hospital-crisis">[Britain's] NHS</a>.*
<p>
It can't be coincidence that the Tories are holding the doors open.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Urgent:_Save_Medicare)
title: Urgent: Save Medicare
uri: Urgent-Save-Medicare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Urgent:_Save_Medicare)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/gop-medicare/?t=1001&akid=31083%2E96703%2EBIQYDX">call on Congress</a>
to reject the Republican plan to destroy Medicare.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Homeless_crackdown,_San_Diego)
title: Homeless crackdown, San Diego
uri: Homeless-crackdown-San-Diego
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Homeless_crackdown,_San_Diego)
content:
 
<p>
San Diego has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/17/san-diego-arrest-unhoused-homeless-crisis">escalated the war on homeless</a>
people by arresting people caught sleeping outside.  However, the city
offers them no alternative.  Evidently this is an excuse for harshness against a scapegoat.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Peace_towards_Iran)
title: Peace towards Iran
uri: Peace-towards-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#21_August_2023_(Peace_towards_Iran)
content:
 
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> and Iran are really
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/17/saudi-iranian-relations-on-right-track-after-talks-says-tehran">moving towards peace</a>.
<p>
It is a shame that the United States did not help achieve this, and
that it instead boosts China's influence.  China will surely use that
influence to maintain hell on Earth.  But we can't blame China for
boosting its influence by doing something good for once.
<p>
If <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> can reconcile with Iran, is there a chance that the
US can do so?
<p>
Iran's government is repressive, generally in the name of its repressive
version of Islam.  The repression <a href="/archives/2022-jul-oct.html#9_September_2022_(Iran's_repressive_use_of_facial_recognition)">targets women</a>
in particular,
but also targets <a href="/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#27_April_2015_(Muslim_Countries)">everyone's religious freedom</a>,
including non-Muslims and any
<a href="/archives/2008-27 December 2008 (Ahmadinejad's Christmas message)">Muslims that want to convert</a>
to some other religious camp.  But the US has no influence to change
this.  General nastiness towards Iran will not help.
<p>
The main real complication is about renewing the non-nuclear deal that
the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#s-i-c">saboteur in chief</a> <a href="/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#9_January_2020_(Iran_deal_cancelled)">canceled</a>.  If there is any chance to do this,
the US must try its best.  However, it must emphasize the positive side
more than the negative side.
<p>
My approval of reconciliation between <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> and Iran does not
mean I condemn those governments any less than before.  They are
despicable and I wish they were both overthrown (though the US should
not try to overthrow them).  But that doesn't alter the fact that the
world is better off if they are not fighting each other.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(unite_union_sharon_graham)
title: Unite accuses Labour of ‘currying favor with big business’
uri: Unite-accuses-Labour-of-currying-favor-with-big-business
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(unite_union_sharon_graham)
content:
 
<p>
*[A large labor union] accuses Labour of "currying favor with big
business" 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/aug/18/unite-union-sharon-graham-labour-party-workers-rights-angela-rayner">on workers' rights.*</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(bird_killing_machines_nz)
title: New Zealand cools on cats to protect native wildlife
uri: New-Zealand-cools-on-cats-to-protect-native-wildlife
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(bird_killing_machines_nz)
content:
 
<p>
Many New Zealanders have concluded that it is harmful to have a pet cat,
because of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/19/bird-killing-machines-new-zealand-cools-on-cats-to-protect-native-wildlife">their depredations on native bird species.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(met_police_nhs_mental_health)
title: Met wins battle with NHS over not attending mental health calls
uri: Met-wins-battle-with-NHS-over-not-attending-mental-health-calls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(met_police_nhs_mental_health)
content:
 
<p>
The London thug department may soon be thuggish less often, as it has
rejected the responsibility to take most 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/17/met-police-mental-health-calls-nhs-mark-rowley">calls about mental health
emergencies.</a>
<p>
The department's motive for this was to focus its effort on crime.
<p>
It is interesting to compare this with the US, where the criminal
justice reform movement campaigns to take thugs off the mental health
calls because they sometimes 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/09/11/police-encounters-during-mental-health-crises-dont-have-be-violent">kill the people they were called to help.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_((satire)_guantanamo_bay)
title: (satire) Guantanamo Bay To Remain Open
uri: (satire)-Guantanamo-Bay-To-Remain-Open
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_((satire)_guantanamo_bay)
content:
 
<p>
(satire) *Guantanamo Bay To Remain Open Indefinitely After Earning 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/guantanamo-bay-to-remain-open-indefinitely-after-earnin-1850730037">National Historic Landmark Status.*</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(cambodia_prison)
title: Cambodians who fled genocide and civil war are being sent back
uri: Cambodians-who-fled-genocide-and-civil-war-are-being-sent-back
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(cambodia_prison)
content:
 
<p>
The Cambodians who came to the US decades ago included many children
who came with their families and never knew Cambodia except as a
child.  Even if they have committed crimes in the US, it is cruel and
wrong to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/17/cambodia-prison-sentence-deportation">deport them to Cambodia now,</a>
<p>
When someone immigrates as an adult, perse knows how to live in per
former country.  In those circumstances, being deported there is not
inherently disaster.  It is inherently disaster for people who only
know life in the US.
<p>
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/23/americas/haitian-kids-deportees-intl-latam/index.html">The US has done similar things</a>
 to people who immigrated as children
(lawfully or not) from 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/feb/16/venezuela-refugee-immigration-us">various countries.</a>
<p>
This is never right.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(mountain_treelines_rising)
title: Mountain treelines are rising due to climate crisis, study finds
uri: Mountain-treelines-are-rising-due-to-climate-crisis-study-finds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(mountain_treelines_rising)
content:
 
<p>
Tropical mountain treelines are moving uphill at around 3 meters per year,
and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/19/mountain-treelines-rising-climate-crisis-study">accelerating.</a>
<p>
In temperate zones they are moving only 1 meter per year.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(gladstone_plantation_demerara)
title: How the Demerara slave revolt led to emancipation
uri: How-the-Demerara-slave-revolt-led-to-emancipation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(gladstone_plantation_demerara)
content:
 
<p>
The Demerara slave revolt in British Guiana was brutally crushed, but
ultimately it led to the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/19/how-revolt-gladstone-plantation-led-to-emancipation-demerara-rebellion">abolition of slavery.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_((satire)_england_world_cup)
title: (Satire) World Cup Success Inspires New Generation
uri: (Satire)-World-Cup-Success-Inspires-New-Generation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_((satire)_england_world_cup)
content:
 
<p>
(satire) *England's World Cup Success Inspires New Generation Of 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/england-s-world-cup-success-inspires-new-generation-of-1850749267">Young
Girls To Become Hooligans.*</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(1973_coup_chile)
title: The 1973 coup against democratic socialism in Chile
uri: The-1973-coup-against-democratic-socialism-in-Chile
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(1973_coup_chile)
content:
 
<p>
The 1973 coup against President Allende, who tried to combine
socialism with human rights and democracy, was orchestrated and
supported by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/18/1973-coup-chile-democratic-socialism-still-matters-britain">Republicans in the US and Tories in Britain.</a>
<p>
This taught us to expect violence from supposedly democratic
right-wing parties.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(parmesan_producers_fight_fakes)
title: Parmesan producers fight fakes with micro transponders
uri: Parmesan-producers-fight-fakes-with-micro-transponders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(parmesan_producers_fight_fakes)
content:
 
<p>
Wheels of parmigiano-reggiano cheese are now labeled with RFIDs 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/aug/18/parmesan-producers-fight-fakes-microtransponders-chips-rind">saying where
each one was produced.</a>
<p>
I don't see anything wrong in labeling wheels of cheese, which are not
a retail product, with something printed.  Or even with an RFID, if it
is present only at the wholesale level.  But if there is any chance an
RFID can get into something sold to a retail customer, it must come
with directions for how to remove it.  Tracking individuals even as a
byproduct is unaccpetable.
<p>
If you want to be tracked, move to China!

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_enriching_Faux_News)
title: Urgent: Stop enriching Faux News
uri: Urgent-Stop-enriching-Faux-News
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_enriching_Faux_News)
content:
 
<p>
In the US:
<a href="https://civicshout.com/p/tell-cable-providers-no-fox-fee?link_id=2&can_id=8b24519448cbedadde1c8a966f94caad&source=email-fox-news-is-scrambling-4&email_referrer=email_2021008&email_subject=fox-news-covering-for-donald-trump">call on cable providers</a>
to drop collecting from all customers for <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#faux">Faux News</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Meat-eating_issues,_alternatives)
title: Meat-eating issues, alternatives
uri: Meat-eating-issues-alternatives
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Meat-eating_issues,_alternatives)
content:
 
<p>
Meat industry lobbying is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/18/gigantic-power-of-meat-industry-blocking-green-alternatives-study-finds">blocking the development</a>
of greener alternatives in the US and the EU.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(WHO_aspartame_guideline_COI)
title: WHO aspartame guideline COI
uri: WHO-aspartame-guideline-COI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(WHO_aspartame_guideline_COI)
content:
 
<p>
*Revealed:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/aug/17/who-panel-aspartame-diet-coke-guidelines">WHO aspartame safety panel</a>
linked to alleged Coca-Cola front group.*
<p>
*Guideline on Diet Coke ingredient by consultants tied to industry is
"obvious conflict of interest" and "not credible".*
<p>
If aspartame has a very low probability of causing cancer,
that may not make much practical difference.  I would not automatically
presume it does.  But I don't have the expertise to judge the question.
<p>
Allowing the beverage industry a role in judging it is definitely wrong.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Rail_safety_bill_and_Ohio)
title: Rail safety bill and Ohio
uri: Rail-safety-bill-and-Ohio
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Rail_safety_bill_and_Ohio)
content:
 
<p>
*Norfolk Southern [Railroad] Spent $1.9 Million in Washington as
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/08/18/norfolk-southern-rail-safety-lobby-congress/">Congress Weakened Rail Safety Bill</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Pride-flag_murder,_CA)
title: Pride-flag murder, CA
uri: Pride-flag-murder-CA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Pride-flag_murder,_CA)
content:
 
<p>
Republicans are turning to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/20/california-shop-owner-shot-dead-over-lgbtq-pride-flag">murder to silence</a>
disagreement with their views.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(SoCalGas_unsporting)
title: SoCalGas' unsporting abuse
uri: SoCalGas-unsporting-abuse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(SoCalGas_unsporting)
content:
 
<p>
SoCalGas spent $36 million to lobby against a proposal to
<a href="https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article277266828.html">end gas
hookups in new buildings</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Divesting_from_fossil_fuels)
title: Divesting from fossil fuels
uri: 2023-08-23-Divesting-from-fossil-fuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Divesting_from_fossil_fuels)
content:
 
<p>
California has 14.8 billion dollars of
<a href="https://grist.org/accountability/one-person-stopped-californias-divestment-from-fossil-fuels-again/">pension funds invested</a>
in <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#planet">planet roaster</a> companies.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Co2_capture,_US)
title: Co2 capture, US
uri: Co2-capture-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Co2_capture,_US)
content:
 
<p>
The US government plans to spend
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/11/us-government-biden-carbon-capture">a billion dollars 
researching</a>
capture of Co2 from the air.
<p>
It is a distant long shot, and not likely to be of real help before it
is too late.  On the other hand, it is small compared to what real
decarbonization will cost.  So I think it won't make much difference
either way &mdash; unless it somehow interferes with serious
decarbonization efforts.
<p>
But it could do just that.  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#planet">Planet roaster</a> companies will surely get
involved in these projects <a href="archives/2022-jul-oct.html#18_October_2022_(Big_Oil's_greenwashing)">and use them for greenwashing</a>, and to lobby
against methods that have a chance of actually reducing fossil fuel consumption.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Climate_justice,_some_examples)
title: Climate justice, some examples
uri: Climate-justice-some-examples
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Climate_justice,_some_examples)
content:
 
<p>
Rich countries are using poor countries' loans
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/aug/21/rich-countries-trap-poor-nations-into-relying-on-fossil-fuels">to trap them into
investing in fossil fuel</a>
extraction.
<p>
The obvious way to respond is to offer debt forgiveness in exchange
for commitments not to do more fossil fell development.  I think we
could do it, if not for the plutocrats trying to prevent it.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Climate_as_hyperthreat)
title: Global heating as hyperthreat
uri: Global-heating-as-hyperthreat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Climate_as_hyperthreat)
content:
 
<p>
Bernie Sanders: *The
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/21/us-bernie-sanders-china-climate-change-cooperation">US and China must unite</a>
to fight the climate crisis, not each other.*
<p>
I agree, that is what both <em>should</em> do.  If they both agree,
they could both do it.  If both agree&hellp;

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Ecuador_V._big_oil,_a_win)
title: Ecuador V. big oil, a win
uri: Ecuador-V-big-oil-a-win
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Ecuador_V._big_oil,_a_win)
content:
 
<p>
Ecuadorians
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/21/ecuador-votes-to-halt-oil-drilling-in-amazonian-biodiversity-hotspot">voted to end oil extraction</a>
in the Yasuni national park.
<p>
This decision has been a political battle for a long time.  President
Correa asked the rich countries to pay Ecuador to keep that territory
unexploited, saying that a poor country like Ecuador should not have
bear the whole of the sacrifice of not selling that oil.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Climate_activists_defy_gag_orders)
title: Climate activists defy gag orders
uri: Climate-activists-defy-gag-orders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#22_August_2023_(Climate_activists_defy_gag_orders)
content:
 
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/17/charge-us-with-contempt-too-say-40-people-if-climate-activist-trudi-warner-prosecuted">Charge us with contempt too</a>,
say 40 people, if climate activist prosecuted
[for carrying signs suggesting jury nullification].*

<p>
 


title: Plutocracy pushing kids into destitution
uri: Plutocracy-pushing-kids-into-destitution
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Plutocracy_pushing_kids_into_destitution)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Plutocracy_pushing_kids_into_destitution)

content:
 
<p>

  Plutocracy in Britain has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/aug/18/uk-poorest-families-fall-in-living-standards">pushed 100,000 children into destitution</a>,
  situations of incredible poverty.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Tables_for_big_spenders_only)
title: Tables for big spenders only
uri: Tables-for-big-spenders-only
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Tables_for_big_spenders_only)
content:
 
<p>

Some restaurants in St Tropez <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/20/st-tropez-mayor-france-restaurants-row-screening-bills-tips">won't let people have a table unless they
    spent big the previous time</a>.
<p>
I can propose a simple solution to this: make sure it not, practically
speaking, necessary for customers to identify themselves.

 


title: Corruption of US Christianity by corrupter
uri: Corruption-of-US-Christianity-by-corrupter
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Corruption_of_US_Christianity_by_corrupter)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Corruption_of_US_Christianity_by_corrupter)

content:
 
<p>

  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">The corrupter</a> has <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/08/08/1192663920/southern-baptist-convention-donald-trump-christianity">corrupted US Christianity so deeply</a> that when
preachers quote Jesus as saying "Turn the other cheek", some supposed
Christians ask, "Where did you get those liberal talking points?"
<p>
A decade or two ago I met someone who said that to be a true Christian
one must be a Liberal Democrat &mdash; meaning the kind of Liberals who
gave us the New Deal, I could have a high opinion of Christians like
that, but that would not convince me to believe supernatural claims
such as the existence of gods.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(US_leading_in_Millionaires)
title: US leading in Millionaires
uri: US-leading-in-Millionaires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(US_leading_in_Millionaires)
content:
 
<p>

  *The US <a href="https://inequality.org/great-divide/new-stats-old-story-our-rich-are-raking/">Leads the World in Millionaires</a>, but the Wealth Is Not Trickling Down.

<p>
 


title: Hong Kong thugs question relatives of overseas dissidents
uri: Hong-Kong-thugs-question-relatives-of-overseas-dissidents
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Hong_Kong_thugs_question_relatives_of_overseas_dissidents)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Hong_Kong_thugs_question_relatives_of_overseas_dissidents)

content:
 
<p>

  Hong Kong's security <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/17/gangster-tactic-the-true-aim-behind-hong-kongs-pursuit-of-overseas-dissidents">questioning relatives of overseas dissidents</a>
as a reminder that they could put those relatives in prison at any time.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(China's_fertility_rate_low)
title: China's fertility rate low
uri: China-s-fertility-rate-low
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(China's_fertility_rate_low)
content:
 
<p>

  China's fertility rate has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/16/china-fertility-rate-dropped-to-record-low-in-2022-estimates-show">become quite low</a>; this implies the population will
decrease.
<p>
If only India, the world's most populous country, could do the same,
it would start to alleviate the danger of overconsumption and pollution
and open the path to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-may-aug.html#5_August_2022_(nature_friendly_farming_productivity_study_finds)">rewilding</a> half of the Earth's surface.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Extreme_water_stress)
title: Extreme water stress
uri: Extreme-water-stress
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Extreme_water_stress)
content:
 
<p>

  *Extreme water stress <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/16/extreme-water-stress-faced-by-countries-home-to-quarter-of-world-population">faced by countries home to quarter of world population</a>.*

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(If_thugs_want_people_to_be_cops)
title: If thugs want people to be cops
uri: If-thugs-want-people-to-be-cops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(If_thugs_want_people_to_be_cops)
content:
 
<p>

If <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments want more people to seek to become cops,
they should <a href="https://reason.com/2023/08/11/police-reform-and-police-recruitment-dont-have-to-be-at-odds/">make efforts to respect the rights of the people they
    encounter</a>.

 


title: Slow reversal from UK judicial system
uri: Slow-reversal-from-UK-judicial-system
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Slow_reversal_from_UK_judicial_system)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Slow_reversal_from_UK_judicial_system)

content:
 
<p>

Andrew Malkinson was convicted of rape despite strong evidence he was not
the rapist.  It took the UK judicial system <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2023/aug/15/dna-and-injustice-a-timeline-of-the-andrew-malkinson-case">17 years to conclude that this
    was wrong</a>.
<p>
  *[Prosecutors] had key DNA evidence <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/15/police-and-cps-had-key-dna-evidence-16-years-before-andrew-malkinson-cleared-of-rape">16 years before Andrew Malkinson cleared</a>.*
<p>
What I see here is the effect of a presupposition of guilt, and later
a presupposition that a court conviction can't have been wrong.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Vandal_attacked_tree_in_Australia)
title: Vandal attacked tree in Australia
uri: Vandal-attacked-tree-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Vandal_attacked_tree_in_Australia)
content:
 
<p>

  A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/15/vandals-damage-indigenous-birthing-tree-sacred-to-victorias-djab-wurrung-people">vandal attacked a tree in Australia</a> designated by indigenous people
SST a "birthing tree".  They are fighting a plan to eliminate that
tree to build a road which motorists consider necessary.
<p>
In my view, the religious feelings and wishes of indigenous people
should get the same level of consideration as the religious feelings
and wishes of any other people, but not more.  Regardless of which group,
such feelings do not outweigh everything else in life.
<p>
To treat something as "sacred", and extremely protected, simply
because some sect calls it so is excessive.  We would not be shocked
if some neighborhood church, mosque, synagogue, temple or shrine &mdash; or
tree &mdash; were taken by eminent domain if the purpose is sufficient.  On
the other hand, if the religious object is rare and unusual, or
specially old, that would be a stronger reason to preserve it &mdash; by
rerouting the road, in this case.
<p>
Some information crucial for evaluating this case is not present in
the article.  For instance, how many birthing trees are there per
square mile in that region?  On the average, how long have they had
the status of birthing trees?  And how long has that particular tree
enjoyed that status?
<p>
If there are many birthing trees, preserving them all is an
unreasonable demand.  If they are few, preserving them is not much to
ask, and surely feasible to do.
<p>
If that tree has been a birthing tree for 200 years, that makes it
rather special, which is a good reason to protect it.  But if it was
designated 10 years ago, it is reasonable to respond, "Pick another
tree."

 


title: Sellers that don't pay Amazon to ship products
uri: Sellers-that-don-t-pay-Amazon-to-ship-products
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Sellers_that_don't_pay_Amazon_to_ship_products)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Sellers_that_don't_pay_Amazon_to_ship_products)

content:
 
<p>

(2023) Amazon's new anti-competitive requirement: sellers who don't pay for
Amazon to ship their products are now <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/08/amazon-adds-extra-seller-fee-despite-intensifying-ftc-scrutiny/">required to pay for not doing so</a>.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Thugs_shot_Sestinee_Thompson)
title: Thugs shot Sestinee Thompson
uri: Thugs-shot-Sestinee-Thompson
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Thugs_shot_Sestinee_Thompson)
content:
 
<p>

  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> in Colorado <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/17/destinee-thompson-family-sue-colorado-police-fatal-shooting">shot Sestinee Thompson dead</a> as she tried to flee by
car from a confrontation.
<p>
They knew she was not the robbery suspect they were searching for, but
they wanted to grab her for completeness' sake.  That was surely not
urgent enough to justify the escalation.
<p>
That Ms Thompson had children was irrelevant; that she was pregnant
was irrelevant.  Her right to life was as valid as yours or mine, no
more and no less.
<p>
Her actions, as described by the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, were very foolish, and perhaps
illegal, but they were not violent.  (We must not presume <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are telling
the truth &mdash; <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2003-sep-dec.html#12_September_2003_(he_started_it)">often they do not</a>.)
<p>
It is quite possible that the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> might have treated a white woman
differently.  Racism, conscious or unconscious, is not unusual.  If
they had done the same thing to a white woman, that would also have
been wrong.  We should criticize people for the cases in which they do
wrong, not for those in which they do right.
<p>
Racism is not what determines whether their actions in this case were
wrong.  It may be tangentially pertinent in explaining Ms Thompson's
over-the-top reaction to being questioned.  It may also be
partly to blame for chaotic life.
<p>
The reason the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs'</a> actions were wrong is unrelated to the race of
the victim.  It is that shooting at someone for fleeing questioning or
arrest is an dangerous overreaction, with a significant chance of
making things much worse.  There is no need and no justification for
life-threatening hurry.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Ethiopia's_population_growth)
title: Ethiopia's population growth
uri: Ethiopia-s-population-growth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Ethiopia's_population_growth)
content:
 
<p>

  Ethiopia's rapid population growth is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/17/ethiopias-lions-under-pressure-humans-farmers-aoe">leaving no room for wildlife</a>.
<p>
The next stage will cause famine.

 


title: Access to cash distance to local community
uri: Access-to-cash-distance-to-local-community
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Access_to_cash_distance_to_local_community)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Access_to_cash_distance_to_local_community)

content:
 
<p>

The UK says it will require banks to offer <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/aug/17/uk-banks-will-have-to-ensure-access-to-cash-within-three-miles-ministers-say">access to cash within a
    3-mile distance</a> of a depositor's local community.
<p>
This is a good policy in principle, but I fear British banks, with their
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-may-aug.html#18%20July%202004%20(British%20National%20Party%20accounts%20closed)">propensity to close accounts</a> to avoid inconveniences for themselves,
                will game the rules by implementing them in reverse,
like this:

<blockquote>
"Dear Sir or Madam, we are compelled to close your account on account
of the fact that we have no ATM within 3 miles of the village where
you reside.  We regret the inconvenience this may cause."
</blockquote>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Iranian_filmmaker_Saeed_Roustayi)
title: Iranian filmmaker Saeed Roustayi
uri: Iranian-filmmaker-Saeed-Roustayi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Iranian_filmmaker_Saeed_Roustayi)
content:
 
<p>

  Iranian filmmaker Saeed Roustayi has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/aug/16/iranian-director-saeed-roustayi-jailed-cannes-film-screening-leilas-brothers">sentenced to 5 years isolation</a>
from other cinema professionals, and to take a brainwashing course in
how to make films that embody the regime's propaganda.
<p>
It occurs to me that copyright law is what enables the Iranian regime
to use threats to block the showing of Iranian's' films in other
countries.  Copyright gives the filmmakers the power to deny
permission for such showings, and thus makes it effective for the
regime to jail them if they don't deny permission.
<p>
I can imagine other countries could pass laws to permit showings
of foreign films without authorization of the copyright holder or
any other entity that "owns" some aspect, if a court finds
that a repressive regime compels that entity to deny permission.

 


title: (satire) Lifelike dolls to simulate owning a slave
uri: (satire)-Lifelike-dolls-to-simulate-owning-a-slave
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_((satire)_Lifelike_dolls_to_simulate_owning_a_slave)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_((satire)_Lifelike_dolls_to_simulate_owning_a_slave)

content:
 
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/florida-students-given-lifelike-dolls-to-simulate-respo-1850688345">Florida Students Given Lifelike Dolls To Simulate
    Responsibility Of Owning Slave.</a>*

 


title: (satire) Heating lunch in 150-degree solitary confinement cell
uri: (satire)-Heating-lunch-in-150-degree-solitary-confinement-cell
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_((satire)_Heating_lunch_in_150-degree_solitary_confinement_cell)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_((satire)_Heating_lunch_in_150-degree_solitary_confinement_cell)

content:
 
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/prison-guard-heats-lunch-up-inside-150-degree-solitary-1850733554">Prison Guard Heats Lunch Up Inside 150-Degree Solitary
    Confinement Cell.</a>*
<p>
This is outrageous!  That lunch did nothing to deserve solitary
confinement.

 


title: Saudi Arabia global charm offensive
uri: Saudi-Arabia-global-charm-offensive
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Saudi_Arabia_global_charm_offensive)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Saudi_Arabia_global_charm_offensive)

content:
 
<p>

  *Saudi Arabia is on a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/18/saudi-arabia-global-charm-offensive-vice-blocking-critical-articles">global charm offensive</a>. By blocking critical articles,
Vice is helping it.*
<p>
Let us not forget that Crown Prince Bone Saw is responsible for
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#14_October_2018_(Khashoggi_recordings)">murdering a journalist</a>.

 


title: Failure to report methane emissions
uri: Failure-to-report-methane-emissions
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Failure_to_report_methane_emissions)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#23_August_2023_(Failure_to_report_methane_emissions)

content:
 
<p>

The UAE's state oil company, headed by the same emir who is heading
this year's UN climate conference, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/17/un-climate-summit-host-uae-failed-report-methane-emissions">failed to report its methane
    emissions to the UN</a>.

 


title: DeMentis censorious at his Iowa campaign
uri: DeMentis-censorious-at-his-Iowa-campaign
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#24_August_2023_(DeMentis_censorious_at_his_Iowa_campaign)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#24_August_2023_(DeMentis_censorious_at_his_Iowa_campaign)

content:
 
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#dementis">DeMentis</a> held a campaign event in Iowa and had Iowa state
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
<a href="https://iowastartingline.com/2023/08/11/desantis-has-law-enforcement-block-iowa-journalist-from-event/">forcibly exclude Ty Rushing</a>,
a reporter from an organization
that might criticize him.
<p>
The <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> leader said this was a "private event".  I wonder if that was
serious or bullshit.  Did the event have a specific guest list, or did
it admit strangers as long as they were not Ty Rushing?

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#24_August_2023_(Fossil_fuel_subsidies)
title: Fossil fuel subsidies
uri: 2023-08-25-Fossil-fuel-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#24_August_2023_(Fossil_fuel_subsidies)
content:
 
<p>
G20 countries poured a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/23/g20-poured-more-than-1tn-on-fossil-fuel-subsidies-despite-cop26-pledges-report">record-breaking $1.4tn</a>
into fossil fuel subsidies in 2022.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#24_August_2023_(Mafia_state_risk,_US)
title: Mafia state risk, US
uri: Mafia-state-risk-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#24_August_2023_(Mafia_state_risk,_US)
content:
 
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">The corrupter</a> has a mafia way of thinking and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/22/trump-yearns-to-govern-a-mafia-state-fitting-that-he-faces-racketeering-charges">sought to create a mafia state</a>.
If he grabs power again, he will learn from his failures and do it more thoroughly.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#24_August_2023_(Puberty_blockers_prohibition,_Ala.)
title: Puberty blockers prohibition, Ala.
uri: Puberty-blockers-prohibition-Ala
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#24_August_2023_(Puberty_blockers_prohibition,_Ala.)
content:
 
<p>
A US
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/22/alabama-ban-treatments-trans-children">appeals court ruled</a>
to uphold Alabama's law prohibiting minors
from using puberty blockers.
<p>
If our goal is that a minor should not prematurely make a permanent
commitment before <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> is old enough to be quite sure of per choice,
clearly we should ensure per right to use puberty blockers, and
prevent anyone from imposing a choice on per before <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> is ready.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#24_August_2023_(Teen_smoking,_a_study)
title: Teen smoking, a study
uri: Teen-smoking-a-study
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#24_August_2023_(Teen_smoking,_a_study)
content:
 
<p>
*Vaping found to be the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/aug/23/vaping-found-to-be-the-biggest-risk-factor-for-teenage-tobacco-smoking">biggest risk factor</a>
for teenage tobacco smoking.*

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(Heat_disrupts_photosynthesis)
title: Heat disrupts photosynthesis
uri: Heat-disrupts-photosynthesis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(Heat_disrupts_photosynthesis)
content:
 
<p>
*Some kinds of tree leaves could become
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/23/tropical-forest-face-massive-leaf-death-global-heating-unable-conduct-photosynthesis-study">too hot</a>
to be able to conduct photosynthesis, researchers warn.*  Those species would be wiped out.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(Rediculous_search_results)
title: Google AI-search results
uri: Google-AI-search-results
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(Rediculous_search_results)
content:
 
<p>
Google's
<a href="https://gizmodo.com/google-search-ai-answers-slavery-benefits-1850758631">experimental "artificial intelligence" search</a>
was willing
to answer about the "benefits of slavery" and offered a supposedly
safe recipe for cooking "angel of death" mushrooms.
<p>
I think this demonstrates that it is using a language model, Many refer to then as
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#ArtificialIntelligence">"artificial intelligence"</a>,
but that is a misuse of that term, since
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-mar-jun.html#30_May_2023_(AI_fear)">they don't actually understand</a>
the subjects they generate text about or what that text means.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Stop styrofoam take-out containers at Sonic
uri: Urgent-Stop-styrofoam-take-out-containers-at-Sonic
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_styrofoam_take-out_containers_at_Sonic)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_styrofoam_take-out_containers_at_Sonic)

content:
 
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="https://environmental-action.webaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=55436&supporter_KEY=229474">call on Sonic</a>
to stop using styrofoam take-out containers.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(Fossil_fuel_subsidies)
title: Fossil fuel subsidies
uri: 2023-08-26-Fossil-fuel-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(Fossil_fuel_subsidies)
content:
 
<p>
*Fossil fuels being subsidized at rate of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/24/fossil-fuel-subsidies-imf-report-climate-crisis-oil-gas-coal">$13m a minute</a>,
says IMF.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(Emperor_Penguins_in_peril)
title: Emperor Penguins in peril
uri: Emperor-Penguins-in-peril
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(Emperor_Penguins_in_peril)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/25/emperor-penguins-thousands-of-chicks-in-antarctica-likely-died-due-to-record-low-sea-ice-levels">Low levels of sea ice</a>
around Antarctica killed most of the emperor penguin chicks, in a
large part of that continent.  They can't survive if the sea ice melts.
<p>
As <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> eliminates sea ice, it may eliminate emperor penguins too.
To save them &mdash; and to save ourselves &mdash; we need to curb <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(How_Equador_said_no_to_oil)
title: How Ecuador said no to oil
uri: How-Ecuador-said-no-to-oil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(How_Equador_said_no_to_oil)
content:
 
<p>
Ecuador's referendum demonstrates that the people may vote to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/24/the-message-from-ecuador-is-clear-people-will-vote-to-keep-oil-in-the-ground">shut
down production in an oil field</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(Labor_union_win)
title: Labor union win
uri: Labor-union-win
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(Labor_union_win)
content:
 
<p>
*<a href="https://grist.org/labor/ups-workers-win-wage-increases-ac-in-new-union-contract/">UPS workers win</a>
wage increases, air conditioning in new union contract.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(Niger_coup,_causal_links)
title: Niger coup, causal links
uri: Niger-coup-causal-links
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(Niger_coup,_causal_links)
content:
 
<p>
Suggesting that army officers in Niger held a coup because the president
had passed a law, which European countries had pushed for, that cut off
the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/23/niger-observers-link-coup-to-president-mohamed-bazoum-support-of-eu-migration-policies-people-smuggling">flow of bribes to those officers</a>.
<p>
I don't know enough to gauge whether this is true, or to have an opinion
about that law.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(Prigozhin_gone_for_good)
title: Prigozhin gone for good
uri: Prigozhin-gone-for-good
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#25_August_2023_(Prigozhin_gone_for_good)
content:
 
<p>
Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Wagner, is reported to have been on a small
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/23/yevgeny-prigozhin-on-private-jet-that-crashed-near-moscow-russia-wagner">plane that crashed</a>,
or (some say) was shot down by the Russian army.
<p>
I wouldn't take any of this as certain.  But if Prigozhin is alive but
in hiding for the long term, he won't be able to run Wagner effectively,
so for most practical purposes it would be equivalent to his death.
<p>
If Prigozhin was indeed killed by that crash, it means
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/23/what-next-for-wagner-group-yevgeny-prigozhin-death">the end of
Wagner too</a>.
<p>
This may benefit Putin by removing apparent instability, but I think
it will weaken Putin's in Russia and deny him what Wagner used to
contribute to the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#putinforces">Putin forces'</a> military strength.

<p>
 


title: Mother of all tipping points imminent
uri: Mother-of-all-tipping-points-imminent
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(Mother_of_all_tipping_points_imminent)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(Mother_of_all_tipping_points_imminent)

content:
 
<p>
Researchers suggest that the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jul/25/gulf-stream-could-collapse-as-early-as-2025-study-suggests">gulf stream current</a>
will stop flowing at some point between 2025 and 2095, 
due to human-caused heating of the Atlantic Ocean.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(War_criminal_Henry_Kissenger)
title: War criminal: Henry Kissinger
uri: War-criminal-Henry-Kissinger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(War_criminal_Henry_Kissenger)
content:
 
<p>
Using Kissinger as an example to explain the evolution of the term
"<a href="https://tomdispatch.com/does-an-old-h-a-k-require-rehabilitation/">realpolitik</a>"
&mdash; from objectivity to amorality.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Pass the Civilian Harm Review and Reassessment Act
uri: Urgent-Pass-the-Civilian-Harm-Review-and-Reassessment-Act
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(Urgent:_Pass_the_Civilian_Harm_Review_and_Reassessment_Act)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(Urgent:_Pass_the_Civilian_Harm_Review_and_Reassessment_Act)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/congress-civilianharm?akid=9214.223515.QemHzw&c0=congress-civilianharm.wkEp5B&rd=1&source=em20230823&t=1006">call on Congress</a>
to pass the Civilian Harm Review and
Reassessment Act.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

<p>
 


title: Georgia replacing DA Fani Willis
uri: Georgia-replacing-DA-Fani-Willis
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(GOP_replacing_Georga_DA_Fani_Willis)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(GOP_replacing_Georga_DA_Fani_Willis)

content:
 
<p>
Georgia Republicans plan to
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/08/24/georgia-prosecutor-trump-gop/">set aside District Attorney Willis</a>,
who is prosecuting <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">the insurrectionist</a>, as a way to sabotage the case against him.
<p>
This uses a new law that Republicans adopted so as to protect racist killers from prosecution.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(Financing_global_heating)
title: Climate greenwashing fix
uri: Climate-greenwashing-fix
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(Financing_global_heating)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/sbti-s-proposed-standards-represent-important-progress-in-tackling-greenwashing-and-ensuring-credible-science-based-net-zero-pledges-from-financial-institutions">A project is developing strict rules</a>
which banks can adhere to in order to ensure that their operations are
committed to ending <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(Chatbot_verification)
title: Chatbot verification
uri: Chatbot-verification
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(Chatbot_verification)
content:
 
<p>
The idea of employing humans to check the output of generative systems
for occasional howling errors is not reliable &mdash; if such errors are rare,
the
<a href="https://pluralistic.net/2023/08/23/automation-blindness/">human checker will become unattentive</a>
and let errors slip by.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(Student_debt_plan)
title: Student debt plan
uri: Student-debt-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(Student_debt_plan)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/aug/22/biden-new-student-loan-plan">Biden has a new plan</a>
to help Americans trapped in student debt.  It replaces the previous
plan that the Supreme Court rejected, and works by reducing payment
requirements and interest charged.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(Mexico_food_sovereignty)
title: Mexico food sovereignty
uri: Mexico-food-sovereignty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(Mexico_food_sovereignty)
content:
 
<p>
The US is
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/mexico-gm-corn-ban">pressuring Mexico to allow imports</a>
of genetically
modified US corn.
<p>
The main economic effect of NAFTA was to spread poverty among Mexican
farmers (a large fraction of Mexicans) by <a href="/archives/2023-mar-jun.html#22_May_2023_(US_dumping_of_agricultural_products)">competition from US
agricultural products</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(Military_rule_ended_in_Thailand)
title: Military rule ended in Thailand
uri: Military-rule-ended-in-Thailand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(Military_rule_ended_in_Thailand)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/23/the-guardian-view-on-thaksins-return-to-thailand-dodgy-deals-cant-replace-democracy">Thai parties</a>
that have little in common except supporting various sorts
of strongmen formed a coalition to block the party that campaigns
for more freedom and democracy out of power.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Ecocide_laws)
title: Ecocide laws
uri: Ecocide-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Ecocide_laws)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/26/growing-number-of-countries-consider-making-ecocide-crime">Various countries</a>
have passed or are considering passing laws against the crime of ecocide.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Casino_capitalism_at_Fed_symposium)
title: Casino capitalism at Fed symposium
uri: Casino-capitalism-at-Fed-symposium
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Casino_capitalism_at_Fed_symposium)
content:
 
<p>
Climate defenders call on the participants in the Federal Reserve's
policy symposium to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/in-a-summer-of-climate-chaos-fed-summit-ignores-risk-of-climate-crisis-to-global-economy">pay heed the need</a>
to defend Earth's climate.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Proposed Argentina, state-owned oil pipeline
uri: Urgent-Proposed-Argentina-state-owned-oil-pipeline
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Urgent:_Proposed_Argentina,_state-owned_oil_pipeline)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Urgent:_Proposed_Argentina,_state-owned_oil_pipeline)

content:
 
<p>
Everyone:
<a href="https://act.350.org/sign/save-the-gulf-us/?source=em20230824-1-30-us&akid=292284%2E1151744%2EIjmnPq">call on the Argentine government</a>
and its oil company not to build a pipeline in Vaca Muerta.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Copcam_contradiction,_Phily)
title: Copcam contradiction, Philly
uri: Copcam-contradiction-Philly
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Copcam_contradiction,_Phily)
content:
 
<p>
Philadelphia <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> shot Eddie Irizarry inside his car, then
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/23/philadelphia-man-police-killed-car-eddie-irizarry">lied about
what they had done</a>.
A body camera video proved they were lying.
One of them has been fired, but what's needed is a prosecution.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Grassroots support for People's Response Act
uri: Urgent-Grassroots-support-for-People-s-Response-Act
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Urgent:_Grassroots_support_for_People's_Response_Act)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Urgent:_Grassroots_support_for_People's_Response_Act)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-on-become-a-grassroots-supporter-of-the-peoples-response-act-4?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-coalition-on-human-needs&source=20230731SWPRA_CHN">support</a>
the People's Response Act.
<p>
This plan, to send people with medically-oriented training rather than
training in arresting criminals to help people who are flipping out,
is &mdash; in substance &mdash; what was advocated under the misleading term
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#3_December_2020_(Defund_the_police)">"defund the police"</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Mayor_election_denied,_Ala.)
title: Mayor election denied, Ala.
uri: Mayor-election-denied-Ala
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Mayor_election_denied,_Ala.)
content:
 
<p>
Patrick Braxton, a black man, was elected mayor of a small town in
Alabama.  The white men who used to be the town government used a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/26/black-mayor-alabama-town-locked-out">series of mockeries</a>
of government procedure to deny that he had been
elected.
<p>
Biden should do what Lyndon Johnson did: send the national guard to
put a stop to this.  Or perhaps federal marshalls would be sufficient.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Abortion_pill_sales_denied,_W.Va.)
title: Abortion pill sales denied, W.Va.
uri: Abortion-pill-sales-denied-W-Va
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Abortion_pill_sales_denied,_W.Va.)
content:
 
<p>
*West Virginia can restrict abortion pill sales,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/25/west-virginia-abortion-pill-sales-restriction-judge-ruling">federal judge rules</a>.*
<p>
This decision is logically consistent, but banning abortion is an
injustice in any case, and the more methods it prohibits, the bigger the injustice.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Faux_News_FCC_license_petition)
title: Faux News FCC license
uri: Faux-News-FCC-license
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Faux_News_FCC_license_petition)
content:
 
<p>
The
<a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/08/petition-to-deny-fox-tv-license-over-false-election-info-gains-steam-at-fcc/">FCC is considering a petition</a>
to refuse to renew the license of a <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#faux">Faux News</a> TV station, WTXF-TV in
Philadelphia, for its distribution of false accusations in support of
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">the insurrectionist's</a> claims of election fraud.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Epoxy_glue_warning)
title: Epoxy glue warning
uri: Epoxy-glue-warning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Epoxy_glue_warning)
content:
 
<p>
A court ordered the
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/after-almost-a-decade-of-missed-deadlines-epa-ordered-to-finalize-ethylene-oxide-regulations">EPA to finalize standards</a>
to limit people's
exposure to the carcinogenic chemical, ethylene oxide.
<p>
This chemical is also known as epoxyethane, and is related to epoxy
resin glue.  It is useful as well as interesting.  Alas, it is
dangerous for humans to breathe, even in small quantities.  Leaks from
chemical plants can harm the people living nearby.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Covid_social_protocols_effective)
title: Covid social protocols effective
uri: Covid-social-protocols-effective
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Covid_social_protocols_effective)
content:
 
<p>
A
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/24/lockdowns-face-masks-unequivocally-cut-spread-covid-study-finds">study of many scientific articles</a>
found that combinations of
non-medical measures &mdash; typically mask requirements, distancing, and
limitations on gathering &mdash; were effective for slowing the spread of
Covid-19 and saving lives.
<p>
In the future we should make sure to be ready to call for use of
high-quality masks, such as N95, which protect uninfected wearers
as well as blocking the spread from coughs and sneezes.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Chinese_dissident_drama)
title: Chinese dissident drama
uri: Chinese-dissident-drama
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#27_August_2023_(Chinese_dissident_drama)
content:
 
<p>
A Chinese dissident
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/23/chinese-dissident-xi-jinping-critic-flees-south-korea-jetski">escaped to South Korea by jetski</a>.
<p>
I am curious about the escaper's reported name, Kwon Pyong, since that
does not fit Chinese pinyin orthography.  It would make sense as Korean.


<p>
 


title: Urgent: Stop banks from funding climate disaster
uri: Urgent-Stop-banks-from-funding-climate-disaster
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_banks_from_funding_climate_disaster)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_banks_from_funding_climate_disaster)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to stop banks from funding climate
disaster,  by <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-demand-banks-stop-funding-the-climate-crisis">passing the Fossil Free Finance Act</a>.

The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Closing_of_coal_plant_in_Ohio)
title: Closing of coal plant in Ohio
uri: Closing-of-coal-plant-in-Ohio
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Closing_of_coal_plant_in_Ohio)
content:
 
<p>

The closure of a coal plant in Ohio led to an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/25/pittsburgh-coal-plant-closure-emphasises-benefits-cleaner-air">immediate reduction in
    hospital visits</a> for heart problems and strokes in the vicinity, and
health continued to improve during subsequent years.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Book_of_Revelation_divides_Bible)
title: Book of Revelation divides Bible
uri: Book-of-Revelation-divides-Bible
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Book_of_Revelation_divides_Bible)
content:
 
<p>

  The Book of Revelation <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/04/03/1167715957/armageddon-shows-how-literal-readings-of-the-bibles-end-times-affect-modern-time">divides the Bible (and Christians)</a> between an idea
of a god that is love and an idea of a god that is hate.  Evangelicals mostly
worship hate.

 


title: Ex-Twitter is fascist propaganda site
uri: Ex-Twitter-is-fascist-propaganda-site
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Ex-Twitter_is_fascist_propaganda_site)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Ex-Twitter_is_fascist_propaganda_site)

content:
 
<p>

  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#extwitter">Ex-Twitter</a> is now firmly established as a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/aug/25/trump-twitter-mugshot-truth-social">fascist propaganda site</a>.

 


title: Insurrectionist barred from office by 14th amendment
uri: Insurrectionist-barred-from-office-by-14th-amendment
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Insurrectionist_barred_from_office_by_14th_amendment)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Insurrectionist_barred_from_office_by_14th_amendment)

content:
 
<p>

Some right-wing legal scholars agree that the <a href="https://boingboing.net/2023/08/23/trump-is-constitutionally-barred-from-presidency-say-conservative-legal-scholars.html">insurrectionist is barred from
    holding any office</a> (including that of president) by the 14th amendment.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Republican_ads_on_nwo-Nazi_sites)
title: Republican ads on nwo-Nazi sites
uri: Republican-ads-on-nwo-Nazi-sites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Republican_ads_on_nwo-Nazi_sites)
content:
 
<p>

The Republican Party's national committee streaming partner is placing
<a href="https://www.mediamatters.org/rumble/gop-debate-streaming-partner-rumble-placed-rnc-ads-numerous-pro-hitler-videos">ads for the party on nwo-Nazi sites</a>.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Space_junk_is_dangerous)
title: Space junk is dangerous
uri: Space-junk-is-dangerous
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Space_junk_is_dangerous)
content:
 
<p>

Space junk is dangerous because the <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/space-junk-hit-by-more-space-junk">objects tend to collide and
    generate a lot more junk</a>.   This is already happening.
<p>
There is a danger that the process will eventually cascade and make it
too dangerous to put anything into low Earth orbit, or maybe even to
cross it.  The movie Gravity depicted this disaster, in somewhat
accelerated form.  The disaster itself would be so harmful to
humanity, and so permanent, that the survival of some of those who
were in orbit hardly reduces it.
<p>
In the quotation from the ESA, does "mitigating the impact of existing
objects" refer to "impact" in a physical sense, or in a metaphorical
sense?  That's amusing as a double entendre.  I wonder if it was
intentional.
<p>
Assuming it means the metaphorical sense, that sentence illustrates
the way "mitigate" introduces vagueness.  I think we should avoid that
word.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(The_bullshitter_leads_a_cult)
title: The bullshitter leads a cult
uri: The-bullshitter-leads-a-cult
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(The_bullshitter_leads_a_cult)
content:
 
<p>

  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">The bullshitter</a> <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/8/21/2188553/-MAGA-faithful-trust-Trump-more-than-their-own-families">leads a cult</a> that systematically teaches its members to
distrust everyone but him.
   That includes their friends, their families, and their religious leaders.
<p>
Interestingly, almost 1/3 of them don't trust <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">the bullshitter</a> either,
but they are more likely to trust him that trust anyone else.

 


title: Scammers buy "blue checkmark" on Ex-Twitter
uri: Scammers-buy-blue-checkmark-on-Ex-Twitter
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Scammers_buy_blue_checkmark_on_Ex-Twitter)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Scammers_buy_blue_checkmark_on_Ex-Twitter)

content:
 
<p>

On <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#extwitter">Ex-Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/aug/27/consumers-complaining-x-targeted-scammers-verification-changes-twitter">scammers now buy the "blue checkmark"</a> that used
to indicate verification of identity.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Water_depletion_150_years_ago)
title: Water depletion 150 years ago
uri: Water-depletion-150-years-ago
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Water_depletion_150_years_ago)
content:
 
<p>

  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/27/maui-wildfire-water-plantations-ecology">Land privatization and water depletion</a>, 150 years ago, set the stage
for the Lahaina fire this year.
<p>
Recreating the eliminated wetlands may be desirable, but it won't be easy
while sea level is rising.  Coastal wetlands will turn into bays.
To have wetlands 50 years from now will require making wetlands where there
were no wetlands before.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(New_censorship_at_Guantanamo)
title: New censorship at Guantanamo
uri: New-censorship-at-Guantanamo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(New_censorship_at_Guantanamo)
content:
 
<p>

  <a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/08/27/guantanamo-bay-photo-essay/">New censorship at Guantanamo</a>: to cover any place other than the courtroom
for the "military commission" non-trials requires special permission.

 


title: Protection for historic buildings in Florida
uri: Protection-for-historic-buildings-in-Florida
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Protection_for_historic_buildings_in_Florida)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Protection_for_historic_buildings_in_Florida)

content:
 
<p>

  Governor <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#dementis">DeMentis</a> has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/27/al-capone-miami-mansion-demolition-ron-desantis">abolished protection</a> of many historic buildings in
Florida.
  I wonder why?
<p>
Is it simply that developers stand to make a lot of money by demolishing them,
and offered <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#dementis">DeMentis</a> and Republicans a share of that?

 


title: Billboards reporting on record high temperatures
uri: Billboards-reporting-on-record-high-temperatures
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Billboards_reporting_on_record_high_temperatures)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Billboards_reporting_on_record_high_temperatures)

content:
 
<p>

  Billboards in some US cities <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/multi-city-billboard-campaign-calls-out-big-oil-for-extreme-heat">report on record high temperatures</a>
"Brought to you big Big Oil."

 


title: Careful government scrutiny getting rid of carbon offsets
uri: Careful-government-scrutiny-getting-rid-of-carbon-offsets
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Careful_government_scrutiny_getting_rid_of_carbon_offsets)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Careful_government_scrutiny_getting_rid_of_carbon_offsets)

content:
 
<p>

More careful scrutiny by government regulation is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/24/carbon-credit-speculators-could-lose-billions-as-offsets-deemed-worthless-aoe">getting rid of much of the
    supposed carbon offsets</a> that were never credible.

 


title: Important to track SARS-COV-2 mutations
uri: Important-to-track-SARS-COV-2-mutations
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Important_to_track_SARS-COV-2_mutations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Important_to_track_SARS-COV-2_mutations)

content:
 
<p>

It is important to monitor SARS-COV-2 in the human population in order to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/25/covid-19-virus-what-caused-funding-slowing">keep track of its mutations</a>.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Black_Britons_convicted_of_killing)
title: Black Britons convicted of killing
uri: Black-Britons-convicted-of-killing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Black_Britons_convicted_of_killing)
content:
 
<p>

Black Britons convicted of a killing without evidence that they had
anything directly to do with it are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/23/human-rights-group-backs-manchester-men-who-say-racism-led-to-convictions">challenging the verdict</a>.
<p>
It may well be true that the practice of convicting people of murder
by labeling them as gangsters because they are friends with a murderer
is applied most often to blacks.  Perhaps the decision to apply the practice
is made in a biased manner.
<p>
But the crucial problem with this practice is that it is fundamentally
not a valid way to determine that certain people are a gang.  It is
only an unreliable heuristic.  Each time it is applied, whatever the
demographics of those it is applied to, it is likely to result in a
miscarriage of justice.  We need not ask what race they are to condemn
the practice.
<p>
If the practice were valid, <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> could nonetheless apply it based on
racist criteria.  Many <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-mar-jun.html#6_June_2023_(Police_officers_as_gang_members,_LA)">racist and they often do that</a>.
But that is a different kind of issue.

<p>
 


title: Federal Reserve ignoring recession risks
uri: Federal-Reserve-ignoring-recession-risks
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Federal_Reserve_ignoring_recession_risks)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Federal_Reserve_ignoring_recession_risks)

content:
 
<p>
The head of the Federal Reserve intends to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/fed-chair-again-ignores-recession-risks-under-higher-interest-rates">keep pursuing inflation</a> to
the ends of the earth, and never mind the risk of causing a recession.

<p>
 


title: (Satire) Extreme heat not safe for shootings
uri: (Satire)-Extreme-heat-not-safe-for-shootings
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_((Satire)_Extreme_heat_not_safe_for_shootings)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_((Satire)_Extreme_heat_not_safe_for_shootings)

content:
 
<p>
(satire) *Texas Cancels School Over Concerns Extreme Heat <a href="https://www.theonion.com/texas-cancels-school-over-concerns-extreme-heat-not-saf-1850775039?utm_source=regular">Not Safe
Environment For Shootings</a>.*

<p>
 


title: Antisocial media and disinformation
uri: Antisocial-media-and-disinformation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Antisocial_media_and_disinformation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Antisocial_media_and_disinformation)

content:
 
<p>
The main antisocial media companies are <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/08/25/political-conspiracies-facebook-youtube-elon-musk/">opening the gates to disinformation
of all kinds, including Republican disinformation</a>,
Russian disinformation and Chinese disinformation.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Putin's_murder_habit)
title: Putin's murder habit
uri: Putin-s-murder-habit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Putin's_murder_habit)
content:
 
<p>
Putin has a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/27/history-killing-how-russia-has-silenced-putins-opponents">protracted habit</a> of murdering his enemies, rivals, and critics.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Labour's_backtracking)
title: Labour's backtracking
uri: Labour-s-backtracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Labour's_backtracking)
content:
 
<p>
*Labour's backtracking on casual workers will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/27/labour-backtracking-casual-workers-will-weaken-rights-of-all-employees">weaken the rights of all
employees</a>.*
<p>
The "Labour" party is too right-wing to qualify for that name.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Inuit_coastal_zone)
title: Inuit coastal zone
uri: Inuit-coastal-zone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_August_2023_(Inuit_coastal_zone)
content:
 
<p>
Inuit on the Arctic coast of Canada are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/27/arctic-horizon-inuit-first-protected-zone-nunatsiavut-canada-photo-essay">managing a protected coastal zone</a>.
  That is a useful thing to do: it will delay regional damage from
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>, giving humanity somewhat more time to carry out the
long-term global fix: to greatly reduce greenhouse emissions.
<p>
However, the article's headline seems to have been written by someone
inclined to formulate issues in terms of racial conflict: "The Inuit
plan to reclaim their sea."
<p>
It is a mistake to describe the Inuit as "the Arctic's first people";
archaeology shows that they spread across the Arctic less than 1000
years ago, replacing an unrelated people we call the Dorset culture.
<p>
Was that an instance of colonization?  We can't judge that question,
since we don't know how or why the replacement took place.  But this
lack of knowledge is enough to show that we shouldn't model the past
based on the roles various groups have played in recent history.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_((satire)_Mandatory_genital_checks)
title: (satire) Mandatory genital checks
uri: (satire)-Mandatory-genital-checks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_((satire)_Mandatory_genital_checks)
content:
 
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/republican-presidential-candidates-undergo-mandatory-ge-1850664942?utm_source=regular">Republican Presidential Candidates Undergo
    Mandatory Genital Checks Ahead Of First Debate.</a>*

 


title: Protesters forbidden from speaking about a protest
uri: Protesters-forbidden-from-speaking-about-a-protest
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Protesters_forbidden_from_speaking_about_a_protest)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Protesters_forbidden_from_speaking_about_a_protest)

content:
 
<p>

Australian climate defense activists who protested a company drilling
for fossil gas have been hit by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/27/activists-threatened-with-woodside-lawsuit-over-protest-cleaning-costs-and-lost-productivity">court orders forbidding them from
    speaking about the protest</a>, and demanding they hand over all
communications pertinent to the protest.  The company also threatens
to sue them for the cost of expensive precautionary reactions.
<p>
I don't know what actually happened in the protest.  In particular, I
don't know whether the protesters released a (possibly malodorous) gas
or not.  I expect that they are opposed to violence against persons
and would not have considered releasing anything dangerous.
<p>
Therefore, I think that we have here an instance of a technique
frequently used by businesses and sometimes governments to repress
protesters: overreacting to the protest in a paranoid way at great
expense, then suing the protesters for the "damages" the organization
did to itself.


 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Briefing_to_Nixon,_Sept._11,_1973)
title: Briefing to Nixon, Sept. 11, 1973
uri: Briefing-to-Nixon-Sept-11-1973
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Briefing_to_Nixon,_Sept._11,_1973)
content:
 
<p>

On the morning of September 11, 1973, President Nixon was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/26/state-department-declassifies-pinochet-coup-documents-chile">briefed about
    the planning for a coup in Chile</a>.
<p>
His briefing told him that the plans were not then ready to be carried
out.  But they were carried out that very day.  It seems that the
right-wing enemies of President Allende accepted the cooperation and
help of the US, but made their own decisions about how to overthrow
Chile's government.


 


title: Negligence by Hawaiian Electric Co.
uri: Negligence-by-Hawaiian-Electric-Co
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Negligence_by_Hawaiian_Electric_Co.)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Negligence_by_Hawaiian_Electric_Co.)

content:
 
<p>

The Maui wildfires have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/26/hawaii-wildfires-possible-cause-bare-power-lines">tied directly to negligence by Hawaiian
    Electric Co</a>, which failed to put insulation on the wires, or
even to cut the tall vegetation growing near them.
<p>
The pylons holding the wires were wooden and decrepit, and did not
comply with the updated standard adopted back in 2002.
<p>
I wonder if the company's judgment for damages will exceed its market
value.  If so, Maui will get an easy opportunity to take over the
company and make it publicly owned henceforth.
<p>
If the company covers all the Hawaiian islands, they should all
participate in owning it.  The state of Hawaii could buy the whole
company from Maui, or the other principal islands could buy shares
of the company from Maui.
<p>
Splitting up the company is also conceivable.  That would be feasible
if the facilities operate separately from island to island, which I expect
is the case.

 


title: Ex-Alabama deputy sheriff sentenced for rape
uri: Ex-Alabama-deputy-sheriff-sentenced-for-rape
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Ex-Alabama_deputy_sheriff_sentenced_for_rape)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Ex-Alabama_deputy_sheriff_sentenced_for_rape)

content:
 
<p>


*Ex-Alabama deputy sheriff <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/26/ex-alabama-deputy-sheriff-sentenced-sexual-assault-woman-custody">sentenced to prison for [rape of] woman in
    his custody</a>.*
<p>
I approve of the long sentence of 12 years for rape, but given that
the convict committed the crime on duty as an official <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>, that
perhaps calls for a longer sentence.
<p>
The article states clearly that what he did was coerce her to have sex
with him.  The simple and clear term for that is "rape".  But the
article avoids that term entirely and replaces it with the vague term
"<a href="https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#assault">sexual assault</a>".
  Why do this?
<p>
In the antiglossary entry linked to just above, I propose an
explanation for this.


 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Oil_spill_averted_by_crowdfunding)
title: Oil spill averted by crowdfunding
uri: Oil-spill-averted-by-crowdfunding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Oil_spill_averted_by_crowdfunding)
content:
 
<p>

An impending disastrous oil spill in the Red Sea has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/29/the-remarkable-story-of-how-yemens-oil-tanker-disaster-was-averted-by-crowdfunding">averted by
    crowdfunding</a>.
<p>
It is admirable that people stepped up to do this.  But avoiding a
disaster should not depend on that.  It is governments' responsibility
and they should carry it out.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Using_ChatGPT_to_write_essays)
title: Using ChatGPT to write essays
uri: Using-ChatGPT-to-write-essays
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Using_ChatGPT_to_write_essays)
content:
 
<p>

Some educators propose that college applicants use <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/aug/27/chatgpt-ai-disadvantaged-college-applicants-affirmative-action">ChatGPT to make up for
    the lack of a family containing well-educated people</a> who can help them
write the essay in high-quality English.  Especially applicants who
are not native speakers of English.
<p>
The idea was new to me but I'm not opposed to it.  However, when the article
talks about "how students can use AI ethically", it makes a number of important
errors:

<li> What it intends by that phrase is whether the students are
behaving ethically in their use of a language model.  It doesn't raise
the question of whether <em>the language model</em> treats <em>its users</em>
ethically.  It starts from the usual attitude that however digital
system developers decide to treat their users can only be accepted &mdash;
that they have the right to impose any conditions they like.  Unless
they are illegal; but letting laws decide right and wrong is
backwards!

<li>
It says that these generative tools are "cheap are free", but I think it means
that using them is gratis/  ChatGPT is not free software; it is not even
proprietary software.  Its software is <em>unreleased</em>, not available to users.
<p>
The only way people can use ChatGPT is as an online disservice,
because it is SaaSS (service as a Software Substitute).  See
https://gnu.org/philosophy/who-does-that-server-really-serve.html for
why that is an injustice to the user.

<li>
  It is a misnomer to call these things <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#ArtificialIntellogence">"artificial intelligence"</a>,
because they don't know or understand what they are talking about.

 


title: Details about SAT scores shared with TikTok, Facebook
uri: Details-about-SAT-scores-shared-with-TikTok-Facebook
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Details_about_SAT_scores_shared_with_TikTok,_Facebook)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Details_about_SAT_scores_shared_with_TikTok,_Facebook)

content:
 
<p>

*The College Board <a href="https://gizmodo.com/sat-college-board-tells-facebook-tiktok-your-scores-gpa-1850768077">Tells TikTok and Facebook [and other companies]
    [the test-takers' grade averages]</a> and Details About SAT Scores.*
<p>
Staff who set up such surveillance, or knowingly allow it, should be
prosecuted.  By taking surveillance that seriously, we can end it.

 


title: Russia intimidating US consulate staff
uri: Russia-intimidating-US-consulate-staff
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Russia_intimidating_US_consulate_staff)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Russia_intimidating_US_consulate_staff)

content:
 
<p>

  *Russia accused of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/29/russia-accused-of-intimidating-us-consulate-staff-with-ukraine-war-spying-charges">intimidating US consulate staff</a> [Who are Russians]
with Ukraine war spying charges.*
<p>
What Shonov is accused of &mdash; relaying non-secret information picked up
from the public &mdash; is a normal part of the work of staff of diplomatic
organizations.
<p>
The US consulate would have trouble functioning without these employees.
But it can't tolerate this repression.
<p>
The US could not morally respond by threatening the American citizens
and other non-Russians who work for Russian consulates in the US.
What it could legitimately do is restrict how many local employees the
Russian consulates could employ.  If the intimidation goes so far that
the US consulates find it necessary to stop employing local staff, the
US should bar Russian consulates from hiring any local employees.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Reparations_foe_slavery)
title: Reparations for slavery
uri: 2023-08-31-Reparations-for-slavery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Reparations_foe_slavery)
content:
 
<p>
The descendants of William Gladstone have apologized for his father's
large role in
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/26/family-of-former-british-pm-william-gladstone-apologises-for-enslaver-past-in-guyana">British colonial slavery</a>
and the slave trade.
<p>
I think it is misguided to apologize for the actions of one's
ancestors.  People are not responsible for what their ancestors did,
and even less if the ancestors did them centuries ago.  To accept
blame for things one did not do is a surrender that people should
resist.  It suggests a desperation that entices hostile people to
demand more, as they have done this time.
<p>
However, those descendants are right to call for reparations for
Britain's past slavery.  We can all join in calling for that, because
it does not mean we personally accept blame for it.
<p>
It was the British government that established policies of slavery and
enabled their implementation.  And the British government, unlike the
individuals who implemented them, still exists.  It can legitimately
be held responsible today for wrongs it committed before 1834.
<p>
To try to compensate wrongs committed centuries ago makes sense only
for the biggest of wrongs.  It makes sense for slavery because that
was extremely big as a wrong.
<p>
I have called for
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#2_October_2020_(Reparations_to_descendants_of_past_slaves)">the US to pay reparations for slavery</a>,
Jim Crow, and discrimination in federal housing aid during the New Deal.
Those latter two were not as big wrongs as slavery, but they were
more recent, so it still makes sense to compensate them.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Whistleblower_protection,_AUS)
title: Whistleblower protection, AUS
uri: Whistleblower-protection-AUS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Whistleblower_protection,_AUS)
content:
 
<p>
Australia has federal laws to protect whistleblowers from reprisals,
but they have been
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/29/australias-federal-whistleblowing-laws-have-not-protected-anyone-since-inception-analysis-shows">totally ineffective</a>.
Of 70 whistleblowers who have filed for protection, none have been protected.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Tucson_border_patrol_depraved)
title: Tucson border patrol depraved
uri: Tucson-border-patrol-depraved
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Tucson_border_patrol_depraved)
content:
 
<p>
Some non-thuggish whistleblowers in the US Border <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">Thug</a> Department
report that the department has been imprisoning migrants in the
Arizona desert and
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/08/28/border-migrants-arizona-cages/">denying them necessities</a>
such as beds that they are legally entitled to. And covering it up with falsehoods.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Outbreaks_of_violence,_PNG)
title: Outbreaks of violence, PNG
uri: Outbreaks-of-violence-PNG
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Outbreaks_of_violence,_PNG)
content:
 
<p>
Law and order, including the traditional laws of tribal war, are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/29/papua-new-guinea-killings-whats-behind-the-outbreak-in-tribal-fighting">breaking down</a>
in Papua New Guinea.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Student_shot_dead:_wrong_door)
title: Student shot dead: wrong door
uri: Student-shot-dead-wrong-door
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Student_shot_dead:_wrong_door)
content:
 
<p>
Yet another American has been shot dead for trying to enter the wrong
house,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/28/university-of-south-carolina-student-shot-wrong-home">down the block from where he lived</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Cop_City_protesters_targeted)
title: Cop City protesters targeted
uri: Cop-City-protesters-targeted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Cop_City_protesters_targeted)
content:
 
<p>
Atlanta is systematically intimidating activists opposed Cop City by
jailing them without valid grounds, then after release
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/28/copy-city-atlanta-protesters-lives-domestic-terrorist-label">labeling them as
"terrorists"</a>
so they will be harassed in various ways.
<p>
I urge everyone to learn not to feel shame for being persecuted.
This can help help you stand up to hate campaigns from whatever side.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Potesting_Assad,_Syria)
title: Protesting Assad, Syria
uri: Protesting-Assad-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Potesting_Assad,_Syria)
content:
 
<p>
Peaceful protests are spreading in areas of Syria held by Assad's
government,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/28/syrian-protests-enter-second-week-with-calls-for-assad-to-go">calling for his removal</a>
from power.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(New_unionizing_rules,_NLRB)
title: New unionizing rules, NLRB
uri: New-unionizing-rules-NLRB
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(New_unionizing_rules,_NLRB)
content:
 
<p>
*The National Labor Relations Board issued new rules Friday that will
make it
<a href="https://newrepublic.com/post/175207/national-labor-relations-board-nlrb-rules-companies-union-bust">easier for workers to form unions</a>
&mdash; and much more difficult for companies to stop them.*

<p>
 


title: Climate scientists comment
uri: Climate-scientists-comment
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(2023_Weather_extremes,_scientists_comment)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(2023_Weather_extremes,_scientists_comment)

content:
 
<p>
The Guardian convened
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/28/crazy-off-the-charts-records-has-humanity-finally-broken-the-climate">45 climate scientists</a>
to consider whether <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> is already unstoppable.  Their
conclusion is, not yet, but without strong steps starting soon, it will be.
<p>
They reported that overall <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> so far fits closely with
predictions, but the models don't predict local extreme weather very
well, and some of that has been surprising.
<p>
Since local heat waves and disasters cause a substantial part of the
damage, I surmise that damage is rising faster than predicted.  That
includes food shortages.
<p>
Conclusion: *Dramatic climate action needed to curtail
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/28/dramatic-climate-action-needed-curtail-extreme-weather">"crazy" extreme
weather</a>.*

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Stop the neonicotinoid-coated seeds
uri: Urgent-Stop-the-neonicotinoid-coated-seeds
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_the_neonicotinoid-coated_seeds)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_the_neonicotinoid-coated_seeds)

content:
 
<p>
Everyone: call on stores to stop selling seeds coated in
bee-killing
<a href="https://environmental-action.webaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=55437&supporter_KEY=229474&utm_source=salsa&utm_medium=email&tag=email_blast:123191&utm_campaign=EAC4-FCNS:WILDLIFE:BEES-0823&utm_content=EM9:00C:0HH-CCP/">neonicotinoid pesticides</a>.
<p>
If you have disabled the page's JavaScript, you may get a blank
response after signing.  That does not mean anything is wrong; your
signature has probably been sent in properly.  The blank screen has
text that is rendered invisible by CSS; if your browser gives you a
way to disable the CSS in the page (as Icecat does), that should make
the text appear.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Urgent:_Reinforce_minor_labor_laws)
title: Urgent: Reinforce minor labor laws
uri: Urgent-Reinforce-minor-labor-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#30_August_2023_(Urgent:_Reinforce_minor_labor_laws)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-protect-our-children-reinforce-child-labor-laws?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-patriotic-millionaires&source=direct_link">call on Congress</a>
to reinforce minor labor laws.
<p>
Those laws are usually called "child labor laws", and some of the
people who may be put to dangerous work when these laws are weakened
are children.  But most are adolescents, and they too should be
protected from arduous work.  So let's use a fully accurate name.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(Young_homosexual_charged,_Uganda)
title: Man charged against Anti-homosexuality Act 2023, Uganda
uri: Man-charged-against-Anti-homosexuality-Act-2023-Uganda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(Young_homosexual_charged,_Uganda)
content:
 
<p>
A Ugandan man faces
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/29/uganda-prosecutors-charged-man-aggravated-homosexuality-anti-lgbtq-law">the threat of execution</a>
if convicted of "aggravated homosexuality."
<p>
The article leaves me wondering what aspect makes it "aggravated".
You would think editors would anticipate readers' being left with curiosity.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(DeMentis_booed_at_victims_funeral)
title: DeMentis at shooting-victims vigil, FL
uri: DeMentis-at-shooting-victims-vigil-FL
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(DeMentis_booed_at_victims_funeral)
content:
 
<p>
When <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#dementis">DeMentis</a> showed up at a vigil for three blacks murdered by a white
racist hater, and condemned the killer,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/29/ron-desantis-accused-of-hypocrisy-over-racist-killings-response">the people present booed him</a>
for promoting the racism, fascism and Nazism that motivated the killer.
<p>
The article linked to just above displays symbolic bigotry by
capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid endorsing bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)  <a href="/bigotry.html">I
denounce bigotry</a>, and normally I will not link to articles that
practice it, even if they also criticize it.  But I make exceptions
for some articles that I consider particularly important &mdash; and I label them like this.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(Rocky_future_of_peaches)
title: Rocky future of peaches
uri: Rocky-future-of-peaches
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(Rocky_future_of_peaches)
content:
 
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">Global heating</a> effects are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/29/peach-harvest-southern-united-states-farming">wiping out the peach crop</a>
in the southern US.  If only the farmers understood this, they might
start voting to curb <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>.
<p>
The article's title says <a href="/english.html#decimate">"decimated"</a>
but that word is an understatement here.

<p>
 


title: A mere fiction on liberty, Hong Kong
uri: A-mere-fiction-on-liberty-Hong-Kong
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(A_mere_fiction_on_liberty,_Hong_Kong)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(A_mere_fiction_on_liberty,_Hong_Kong)

content:
 
<p>
An organization in Hong Kong that promotes the Cantonese language has
been compelled to shut after its
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/29/hong-kong-cantonese-language-group-shuts-down-after-targeting-by-national-security-police">leader published a fictional story</a>
about loss of freedom there.
<p>
It doesn't surprise me that the story and its author were attacked.
Attacking the organization as well may simply reflect using it for
that publication.  But it could also be an escalation of the campaign
to suppress the Cantonese language.  That has been active in Canton
(Guang Dong province) for years.


 


title: Wikileaks on imperialist agriculture
uri: Wikileaks-on-imperialist-agriculture
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(Wikileaks_and_imperialist_agriculture)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(Wikileaks_and_imperialist_agriculture)

content:
 
<p>
*Environmentalists Owe
<a href="https://www.counterpunch.org/2023/08/23/environmentalists-owe-an-enormous-debt-to-julian-assange/">an Enormous Debt to Julian Assange</a>.*
Wikileaks revealed how the US twisted many countries' arms to
legalize the farming of patented GMOs which promote pesticides that
can wipe out all insects in the neighborhood, and to allow foreign
corporations to buy their farmland.
<p>
Wikileaks also published the secret text of the
<a href="media/c9a9c30b.trance-pacific-partnership.en.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/trance-pacific-partnership.en.jpg">Pacific Partnership
Trance</a> (official name, <a href="/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#19_November_2013_(Summary_of_why_TPP_is_harmful)">Trans-Pacific Partnership</a>),
which <a href="/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#27_January_2017_(The_trolls_unjust_policies)">helped the US to refuse to sign it</a>.
(How sad that countries <a href="/archives/2020-may-aug.html#11_August_2020_(Not_seeing_what_was_promised)">such as New Zealand</a>
signed it.  And recently <a href="/archives/2018-may-aug.html#23_July_2018_(UK_sovereignty)">the UK as well</a>
&mdash; one last act of lasting Tory sabotage.)
<p>
Environmentalists should demand that the US drop charges against
Julian Assange.  And don't waste time &mdash; he may be extradited in October.
<p>
The charges against him are meant to establish a precedent
for treating <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_(Prosecution_of_Julian_Assange)">journalists as spies</a>,
and the US, to get its hands on Assange, used tricks dirtier than those it used to push GMOs.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(Price_of_insulin)
title: Price of insulin
uri: 2023-09-01-Price-of-insulin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(Price_of_insulin)
content:
 
<p>
*Biden Administration Adds Insulin to
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/08/29/insulin-medicare-drug-price-negotiation/">Drug Price Negotiation List</a>
in Major Blow to Big Pharma.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(Republican_deceit_on_Ohio_voters)
title: Republican deceit on Ohio voters
uri: Republican-deceit-on-Ohio-voters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(Republican_deceit_on_Ohio_voters)
content:
 
<p>
*Ohio Republicans accused of trying to mislead voters with [misleading description of the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/29/ohio-abortion-republicans-mislead-voters-lawsuit">abortion ballot question</a>].*

<p>
 


title: Pope: living doctrine vs ideology
uri: Pope-living-doctrine-vs-ideology
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(Pope:_living_doctrine_vs_cruel_ideology)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(Pope:_living_doctrine_vs_cruel_ideology)

content:
 
<p>
Pope Francis rebuked the conservatives in the Catholic Church
for choosing
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/29/pope-francis-criticizes-us-conservatives">right-wing ideology over the church doctrine</a>.
<p>
I don't support Catholic doctrine any more than I do right-wing
ideology, but this is a good thing.

<p>
 


title: Houston elementary schools win a recess period
uri: Houston-elementary-schools-win-a-recess-period
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(Houston_elementary_schools_win_a_recess_period)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#31_August_2023_(Houston_elementary_schools_win_a_recess_period)

content:
 
<p>
Parents organized in Free Play Houston have convinced Houston public
schools to bring back recess, in which
<a href="https://www.freerangekids.com/sometimes-our-side-wins-houston-parents-push-schools-to-bring-back-recess/">children direct their own
activities</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(Labour_courting_big_business)
title: Labour courting big business
uri: Labour-courting-big-business
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(Labour_courting_big_business)
content:
 
<p>
*When a British politician discusses “tough choices”, [person] invariably
[reveals] whose side [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> is] really on. A tough choice tends to involve
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/28/wealth-tax-britain-labour-general-election">emptying the pockets of those with little, or slashing a service</a>
ordinary citizens depend on.*
<p>
In any country, the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#plutocratist">plutocratist</a> politicians are the ones that do
this.  Labour's string of "tough choices" shows it has become a
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#plutocratist">plutocratist</a> party.  The Tories, formerly the reasonable-sounding
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#plutocratist">plutocratist</a> party, has become the incompetent nutso party, and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/may/31/boris-johnson-dishonesty-keir-starmer-labour-abandoned-pledges">Starmer has moved Labour into the Tories' old spot</a>.  Now Labour is
competing 
<a href="/archives/2022-nov-feb.html#20_January_2023_(Tories_neglected_their_commitments_to_protect_wildlife_in_Britain)">with the Tories</a>
for breaking promises to correct horrible problems.  The most recent
Labour pledge to be dropped is the wealth tax.
<p>
In the US, <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#plutocratist">plutocratist</a> politicians since Reagan have allowed 
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>
to transfer ever more of the working people's previous share of national income <a href="/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#11_November_2014_(The_Billion_Dollar_a_Month_Club)">to the rich</a>.
Progressive proposals to return some of that to the
non-rich always provoke squeals of exaggerated pain from the rich,
claiming that that would be unfair and intolerable.  The politicians
who heed them do so because they are <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#plutocratist">plutocratist</a>.  Clinton, the first
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#plutocratist">plutocratist</a> Democratic president since a century ago, continued on that
path, and so did <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> and Obama.
<p>
Biden has made <a href="/archives/2021-nov-feb.html#24_January_2022_(Minimum_wage_for_federal_workers)">efforts to help the non-rich</a>.
I expected another Obama but I was favorably surprised.  He would have done more but
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#plutocratist">plutocratists</a> in Congress (including some Democrats)
<a href="/archives/2021-nov-feb.html#23_January_2022_(Drunk_with_feeling_of_importance)">blocked him</a>.
<p>
*Biden says
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/28/first-thing-biden-white-supremacy-no-place-us-florida-killings">white supremacy has no place in US</a>
after Florida killings.* That shows some moral leadership.
<p>
Nonetheless, he is no Bernie Sanders.
<p>
However, one difference between political parties in the US and
political parties in Britain is that a US party does not have veto
power over candidates for federal office.  The voters choose them.
That is why we see increasing numbers of progressive Democrats elected
to Congress.  We can, by supporting them, convert the Democratic Party
step by step into a progressive party again.
<p>
Britons can't do that any more in the Labour Party.  Starmer's strict
<a href="/archives/2023-may-aug.html#20_July_2023_(Labour_voters_in_support_of_Jamie_Driscoll)">measures to exclude non-plutocratists</a>
from 
<a href="/archives/2022-nov-feb.html#21_February_2023_(Virtual_coup,_UK)">running as Labour candidates</a>
block that completely, so there is no hope down the Labour path any more.
<p>
Compare today's Labour leadership with the leaders that
<a href="media/62a79bb0.anuran-bevan.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/anuran-bevan.jpg">set up the National Health Service</a>
and made it work.  What a shame.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: reconfirm Gwynne Wilcox, NLRB
uri: Urgent-reconfirm-Gwynne-Wilcox-NLRB
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#1_September_2023_(Urgent:_reconfirm_Gwynne_Wilcox,_NLRB)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#1_September_2023_(Urgent:_reconfirm_Gwynne_Wilcox,_NLRB)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: phone your senators to call on them to reconfirm Gwynne
Wilcox to another term on the National Labor Relations Board.
Republicans are trying to block her reappointment so that the board
will not have quorum and will be unable to do its vital work.
<p>
Please call as soon as possible &mdash; her reconfirmation will be voted
on next week.
<p>
I saw an online messaging campaign for this, but sending a message to
a member of Congress does not allow ordinary email.  It requires using
a web form that demands execution of nonfree JavaScript code.  For
moral reasons I do not use that form, or recommend it to the public.
<p>
See <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html</a>
and <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html</a>.
<p>
It is a grave wrong for any government activity to require the public
to run nonfree software co communicate with it.
<p>
I discovered this problem several years ago, and since then have always
asked people to use phone calls to communicate with members of Congress.
But I don't recall that I explained the reason before.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

<p>
 


title: Gov. consultancy firms scandals, AUS
uri: Gov-consultancy-firms-scandals-AUS
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#1_September_2023_(Gov._consultancy_firms_scandals,_AUS)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#1_September_2023_(Gov._consultancy_firms_scandals,_AUS)

content:
 
<p>
*[Large global] consultancy firm used
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/01/consultancy-firm-used-power-maps-of-australian-officials-to-help-win-government-contracts">"power maps" of Australian
officials</a>
to help win government contracts.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#1_September_2023_(Killing_fin_whales,_ISL_)
title: Killing fin whales, ISL
uri: Killing-fin-whales-ISL
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#1_September_2023_(Killing_fin_whales,_ISL_)
content:
 
<p>
*Iceland allows whaling to resume in
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/31/iceland-allows-whaling-to-resume-in-massive-step-backwards">"massive step backwards"</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#1_September_2023_(LGBTQ_US_travel_advisory,_CAN)
title: LGBTQ US travel advisory, CAN
uri: LGBTQ-US-travel-advisory-CAN
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#1_September_2023_(LGBTQ_US_travel_advisory,_CAN)
content:
 
<p>
*Canada issues travel advisory for LGBTQ+ residents
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/31/canada-travel-warning-lgbtq-residents-us">visiting US</a>.*

<p>
 


title: Political assassins: impunity a norm
uri: Political-assassins-impunity-a-norm
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#1_September_2023_(Political_assassins:_impunity_a_norm)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#1_September_2023_(Political_assassins:_impunity_a_norm)

content:
 
<p>
*Former member of Belarus "hit squad"
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/31/former-member-of-belarus-hit-squad-to-stand-trial-over-disappearances">to stand trial</a>
over disappearances [presumed ordered by Lukashenko].*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(School_dress_codes,_FR)
title: School dress codes, FR
uri: School-dress-codes-FR
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(School_dress_codes,_FR)
content:
 
<p>
*France to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/28/france-to-ban-girls-from-wearing-abayas-in-state-schools">ban girls from wearing abayas</a>
in state schools.* Abayas are long dresses worn by many Muslim girls.
<p>
I was astounded to see kameez in the list of Muslim "sectarian"
clothing.  In India, lots of urban women (not necessarily Muslim) wear
the salwar-kameez combination.
<p>
This gives me an idea for restoring laïcité without any ban: recruit
couturiers to develop abayas as a fashion, for any and all women
regardless of religion.  If that style of dress catches on, you won't
be able to determine a schoolgirl's religion from her abaya.

<p>
 


title: German official accused of antisemitism
uri: German-official-accused-of-antisemitism
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(German_official_accused_of_antisemitism)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(German_official_accused_of_antisemitism)

content:
 
<p>
*Bavaria’s deputy leader faces accusations over antisemitic
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/28/bavaria-deputy-leader-accusations-antisemitic-pamphlet-hubert-aiwanger">pamphlet*
published 35 years ago</a>
when he was 17 years old. At the time, he was determined to be the author of it.
<p>
From the descriptions in the article, the pamphlet repeatedly mocked
the holocaust, and that's undeniably antisemitic.  But people's views
often change from age 17 to age 52.  He may not be antisemitic today.
<p>
As an official, in recent years, he has endorsed various far-right
views.  Even if he has dropped antisemitism, those other statements
are enough to make him a bad person to have as an official.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(Doctors_as_gig_workers,_UK)
title: Doctors as gig workers, UK
uri: Doctors-as-gig-workers-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(Doctors_as_gig_workers,_UK)
content:
 
<p>
NHS doctors are now led to work in a gig economy system,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/aug/28/how-the-foundations-of-the-nhs-are-being-eroded">without
lasting relationships with patients</a>
or other personnel.
<p>
Labour has a plan to change this by applying
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/aug/28/labour-to-incentivise-gps-to-bring-back-the-family-doctor">financial incentives and
disincentives</a>
to doctors.  The insistence on making this change "cost neutral" forces the
decision to make the disincentives equal the incentives.  But we know
the NHS personnel need raises.  <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#1_September_2023_(Labour_courting_big_business)"></a>
Labour is screwing itself with its decision to bow down to the rich by not taxing them more.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(Its_Biden_vs_insurrectionist)
title: It's Biden vs the insurrectionist
uri: It-s-Biden-vs-the-insurrectionist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(Its_Biden_vs_insurrectionist)
content:
 
<p>
*Bernie Sanders urges left to back Biden
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/28/bernie-sanders-democrats-support-biden-trump-2024">to stop "very dangerous" Trump</a>.*
<p>
I would urge people to vote for Biden rather than <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">the insurrectionist</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(Tibetan_culture_vs_China)
title: Tibetan culture vs China
uri: Tibetan-culture-vs-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(Tibetan_culture_vs_China)
content:
 
<p>
China is trying to erase the Tibetan culture and Tibetans as an ethnic
group, with
<a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/04/china-vocational-training-programmes-threaten-tibetan-identity-carry-risk">forced assimilation</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(Rightwing_feeds_and_dire_effects)
title: Rightwing feeds, US effects
uri: Rightwing-feeds-US-effects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(Rightwing_feeds_and_dire_effects)
content:
 
<p>
Alan Singer: *Trump
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/8/27/2190000/-Trump-Insanity-on-the-Right?_=2023-08-27T14:34:48.000-07:00">Insanity on the Right</a>*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(Emperor_penguins'_climate)
title: Emperor penguins' climate
uri: Emperor-penguins-climate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(Emperor_penguins'_climate)
content:
 
<p>
A scientist who has studied emperor penguins for a career expects
them to be
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/28/emperor-penguin-extinction">extinct in our lifetime</a>,
due to <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(Polar_bears_climate)
title: Polar bears' climate
uri: Polar-bears-climate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(Polar_bears_climate)
content:
 
<p>
The
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/30/why-it-may-be-time-to-stop-using-the-polar-bear-as-a-symbol-of-the-climate-crisis">loss of sea ice</a>
is endangering polar bears in some regions of the Arctic,
but in other regions they have adapted to the changes &hellip; <em>so far</em>.
<p>
Whether the species will survive this century somewhere is not clear.
Since we don't know exactly what changes will result from <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>,
we can't assert with certainty that it will be wiped out.  But we also
cannot assert it will survive.
<p>
We can be sure that more heating makes more chance of extinction.

<p>
 


title: Venezuela punishing people with little evidence
uri: Venezuela-punishing-people-with-little-evidence
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Venezuela_punishing_people_with_little_evidence)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Venezuela_punishing_people_with_little_evidence)

content:
 
<p>

  Venezuela is accused of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/aug/29/beaten-suffocated-forced-into-an-abortion-the-fate-of-one-of-many-venezuelans-under-maduro">punishing people horribly</a> based on only a hint of
evidence they were guilty of anything.
<p>
  It is as bad when Maduro does this as it was when <a href="media/3bba46cc.faith-based-cartoon.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/faith-based-cartoon.jpg">Dubya did this</a> to
prisoners in black sites and Guantanamo, and in various massacres in
Iraq.

 


title: Some environmentalists support nuclear power
uri: Some-environmentalists-support-nuclear-power
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Some_environmentalists_support_nuclear_power)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Some_environmentalists_support_nuclear_power)

content:
 
<p>

Some environmentalists contend that building nuclear power plants
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/29/young-climate-activist-tells-greenpeace-to-drop-old-fashioned-anti-nuclear-stance">useful for curbing global heating</a>.
  I think they have been taken in.
<p>
The article does not make it clear whether they are disputing about
existing nuclear reactors or building new one.  But that distinction
is crucial.
<p>
A nuclear reactor takes many years to build and is very expensive.  If
the aim is to curb <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>, that is an ineffective method.
<p>
A nuclear reactor is also vulnerable in wartime.  It is, in effect, a
preexploded nuclear bomb, as regards fallout.  Installing one more is
making extra vulnerability.  At the end of its life, it will require
expensive and slow decommissioning.
<p>
However, for an existing reactor, the price of construction has
already been paid, the construction time has already elapsed, the
fallout is already there, and the cost of decommissioning is already
going to have to be paid.  <em>If</em> you can ensure that the reactor is
maintained so that it won't fail, maybe it is better to keep it running.
<p>
  The US has a history of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_June_2019_(Nuclear_reactor_safety)">letting flaws and damage slide</a>.

 


title: Indigenous group in Australia wants paid for iron ore
uri: Indigenous-group-in-Australia-wants-paid-for-iron-ore
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Indigenous_group_in_Australia_wants_paid_for_iron_ore)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Indigenous_group_in_Australia_wants_paid_for_iron_ore)

content:
 
<p>

An indigenous group in Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/aug/27/pilbara-native-title-case-the-fight-to-decide-if-fortescue-pays-compensation-to-indigenous-owners">demands payment for mining of dirt
    that contains iron ore</a>.  Why?  Because they consider it sacred
and feel very attached to it.
<p>
Nobody is entitled to more rights than others based on per religious
thoughts.  Whatever per origin, whether indigenous or immigrant, and
no matter what religion person might practice, the answer has to be
the same: your religious ideas (if any) and practices (if lawful) are
your choice, but they don't entitle you to dominate others.
<p>
The decision ought to be based on other factors.  What are they?
<p>
This case does not involve any ancient art that would be a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#14_August_2020_(Aboriginal_cultural_heritage_sites)">treasure of
    humanity's past and call for preservation</a>.
<p>
But these factors clearly apply:

<ul>
<li>
Whether the indigenous group owns that land (based on other reasons
than religion).  If so, that must be respected.  It seems that the
answer to this is "sort-of but not entirely."
</li>

<li>
The value of the iron ore to society.
</li>

<li>
Environmental protection.  Mining that iron (like any other mining)
could do environmental damage.  Often mining companies skip out on
compensating or cleaning up their damage.  The local people
(regardless of their ethnicity or religion) are entitled to demand
compensation for that, or to block the mining to prevent that damage.
</li>

</ul>

 


title: (satire) Assumption police officers are bad
uri: (satire)-Assumption-police-officers-are-bad
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_((satire)_Assumption_police_officers_are_bad)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_((satire)_Assumption_police_officers_are_bad)

content:
 
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/cop-annoyed-at-assumption-that-all-police-officers-are-1850775642?utm_source=regular">Cop Annoyed At Assumption That All Police Officers Are As
    Bad As Him.</a>*

 


title: (satire) Felons give corrupter advice for prison
uri: (satire)-Felons-give-corrupter-advice-for-prison
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_((satire)_Felons_give_corrupter_advice_for_prison)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_((satire)_Felons_give_corrupter_advice_for_prison)

content:
 
<p>

  (satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/convicted-felons-give-trump-advice-for-going-to-prison-1850781656?utm_source=regular">Convicted Felons Give [the corrupter] Advice For Going To Prison.</a>*

 


title: Global heating enabling spread of tropical tiger mosquitoes
uri: Global-heating-enabling-spread-of-tropical-tiger-mosquitoes
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Global_heating_enabling_spread_of_tropical_tiger_mosquitoes)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Global_heating_enabling_spread_of_tropical_tiger_mosquitoes)

content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">Global heating</a> is enabling formerly tropical tiger mosquitoes to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/01/paris-fumigates-city-tiger-mosquitoes-carry-zika-dengue-disease-france">spread into
    northern Europe</a>, bringing formerly tropical diseases with them.
<p>
When will we learn to defeat the plutocrats that lobby and
propagandize to make so many problems worse?

 


title: Republicans want to invade Mexico
uri: Republicans-want-to-invade-Mexico
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Republicans_want_to_invade_Mexico)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Republicans_want_to_invade_Mexico)

content:
 
<p>

Republicans in Congress are pushing for the US to invade Mexico,
and <a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/08/31/republicans-mexico-war/">want to pass laws to make this easy</a>.
<p>
Biden won't do what they wish, but the ruiner would do it if he is
elected again.

 


title: Burning coal and tires to mine bitcoin
uri: Burning-coal-and-tires-to-mine-bitcoin
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Burning_coal_and_tires_to_mine_bitcoin)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Burning_coal_and_tires_to_mine_bitcoin)

content:
 
<p>

A bitcoin miner in Pennsylvania is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/31/bitcoin-mining-plan-pennsylvania-tire-burning">controversially burning waste coal
    and discarded tires</a> to generate electricity.  This pollutes the air
but cleans land.  Is that practice wise or not?
<p>
It should be noted that only some kinds of cryptocurrency (notably
Bitcoin) use the "proof of work" method that entails using lots of
electric power.  There are other methods.
<p>
If burning waste coal to generate electric power is acceptable, it
doesn't have to be used for cryptocurrency.  It could replace other
forms of generation.  Thus, the crucial question is whether that
method makes more/worse pollution or less/milder pollution.  I don't
know enough to judge the answer to that.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(The_US_versus_planet_roasters)
title: The US versus planet roasters
uri: The-US-versus-planet-roasters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(The_US_versus_planet_roasters)
content:
 
<p>

  The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/as-idalia-threatens-florida-it-s-time-to-hold-big-oil-accountable-for-climate-disasters">US versus the planet roasters</a>, as they become ever more obdurately
opposed to civilization's survival.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Control_of_public_water_systems)
title: Control of public water systems
uri: Control-of-public-water-systems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Control_of_public_water_systems)
content:
 
<p>

  *President Biden: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/president-biden-don-t-give-wall-street-control-of-our-public-water-systems">Don't Give Wall Street Control of Our Public Water Systems</a>.*
<p>
Biden flip-flops between opposition to plutocracy and abject surrender
to plutocracy.

 


title: Sponsors that systemically brainwash the Uyghurs
uri: Sponsors-that-systemically-brainwash-the-Uyghurs
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Sponsors_that_systemically_brainwash_the_Uyghurs)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Sponsors_that_systemically_brainwash_the_Uyghurs)

content:
 
<p>

  Many UK universities and organizations are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/31/britain-uyghur-genocide-james-cleverly-china">sponsored by, or buy from</a>,
organizations participating in the systematic brainwashing of the
Uyghurs.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Updated_Covid_vaccine)
title: Covid update
uri: Covid-update
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Updated_Covid_vaccine)
content:
 
<p>
Covid-19 is still dangerous, and infection rates are increasing. 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/29/covid-cases-are-surging-we-need-more-from-government-than-keep-coughing-and-carry-on">Governments
are neglecting it</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(For-profit_communes_proliferate)
title: Communes proliferate, UK
uri: Communes-proliferate-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(For-profit_communes_proliferate)
content:
 
<p>
"Co-living" is a gentrified,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/29/socialism-private-gyms-co-living-mainstream-developments-community">luxury-pushing commercial version</a>
of the co-housing movement.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(DNA_collection_and_use)
title: DNA collection and use
uri: DNA-collection-and-use
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(DNA_collection_and_use)
content:
 
<p>
The
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/08/29/fbi-dna-collection-surveillance/">FBI now holds 21 million</a>
people's DNA profiles, and is rapidly collecting more.
<p>
This could be aiming, in the long term, for a collection covering all Americans.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Activists_blocked_Burning_Man)
title: Why activists near Burning Man
uri: Why-activists-near-Burning-Man
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Activists_blocked_Burning_Man)
content:
 
<p>
Burning Man has changed, over the decades, from a reunion of hippies
to a rich people's gathering where some fly in on private jets.  So
environmentalists
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/aug/28/burning-man-protest-climate-change-environment">protested by blocking the road</a>.
<p>
They call on Burning Man to stop permitting private jets, as well as a few
excessive forms of consumption of fossil fuels and single-use plastics.
<p>
It's sad how <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#2_August_2023_(OLIGARCH_Act)">so many billionaires</a>
(and the far more numerous decibillionaires) distort our society.
If Burning Man agrees to these demands, some decibillionaires might stay away.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Squalor_tour,_US$30,_SF)
title: Squalor tour, US$30, SF
uri: Squalor-tour-US-30-SF
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Squalor_tour,_US$30,_SF)
content:
 
<p>
A San Francisco
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/29/san-francisco-doom-loop-tour-flop">city commissioner organized a "doom loop</a>"
tour to highlight the city's problems.  It received a lot of media attention
so he felt compelled to cancel it, and then resign.
<p>
It turned out he is an executive in a real-estate company.  Naturally
he would perceive civic issues in terms of profit in the real estate
market.  Not the best sort of person to appoint to a municipal office
in a city where high rents are devastating low-wage workers, as ell
as many niche businesses that would employ them.  San Francisco
has a real housing crisis and saying things are just fine will not help.
<p>
San Francisco needs to find a way to let people use the abandoned
office buildings and stores as housing &mdash; fast!  Even if it means
relaxing or substituting, for these conversions, some codes that apply
specifically to residential buildings.  In this case, the perfect is
the enemy of the good.

<p>
 


title: Climate disruption adaptatives, AU
uri: Climate-disruption-adaptatives-AU
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Climate_disruption_adaptatives,_AU)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Climate_disruption_adaptatives,_AU)

content:
 
<p>
*Climate crisis to create
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/29/rba-governor-michele-bullock-climate-change-economy-challenges">"acute" challenges</a>
for Australia’s economy, incoming [Royal Bank of Australia] governor says.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Free_trade_agreements'_effects)
title: Free trade agreements' effects
uri: Free-trade-agreements-effects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Free_trade_agreements'_effects)
content:
 
<p>
Robert Reich: *Biden is turning
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/29/biden-is-turning-away-from-free-trade-and-thats-a-great-thing">away from free trade</a>
&mdash; and that’s a great thing.*
<p>
*[<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#business-supremacy">Business-supremacy treaties</a>] have brought cheaper goods. They’ve
also destroyed millions of US jobs and caused US wages to stagnate.*
<p>
They have done similar harm to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(Mexico_food_sovereignty)">other countries</a>.
<p>
And the <a href="/business-supremacy-treaties.html">ISDS clauses</a>
have blocked efforts to curb <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> and protect the environment,
public health and the general standard of living.  And then there is the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-jul-oct.html#8_October_2022_(european_commission_fossil_fuel_holdings)">oil investment treaty</a>.

<p>
 


title: The vagaries of anything centralized online
uri: The-vagaries-of-anything-centralized-online
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(The_vagaries_of_anything_centralized_online)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(The_vagaries_of_anything_centralized_online)

content:
 
<p>
Depending on online disservices to make
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/aug/29/techscape-twitter-x-elon-musk-mass-deletion-images-linkrot">your records or published works</a>
available over time is asking to lose.
<p>
The only thing you can trust is to have your own copy on your own equipment,
and to keep multiple encrypted copies on various backup services that commit
to keep them for you unless a disaster happens.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Keep campaigning on abortion rights
uri: Urgent-Keep-campaigning-on-abortion-rights
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#4_September_2023_(Urgent:_Keep_campaigning_on_abortion_rights)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#4_September_2023_(Urgent:_Keep_campaigning_on_abortion_rights)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-and-tell-democrats-abortion-is-a-winning-issue-keep-fighting-for-it?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-just-strategy&source=group-just-strategy">call on Democrats</a>
to keep campaigning on abortion rights.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Tax billion-dollar corporations
uri: Urgent-Tax-billion-dollar-corporations
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#4_September_2023_(Urgent:_Tax_billion-dollar_corporations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#4_September_2023_(Urgent:_Tax_billion-dollar_corporations)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-the-biden-administration-stay-firm-against-corporate-lobbyists-tax-billion-dollar-corporations?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-coalition-on-human-needs&source=group-coalition-on-human-needs">call on the Biden administration</a>
to stand firm against corporate lobbyists and tax billion-dollar corporations.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#5_September_2023_(DeMentis-driven_vote_suppression)
title: DeMentis-driven vote suppression
uri: DeMentis-driven-vote-suppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#5_September_2023_(DeMentis-driven_vote_suppression)
content:
 
<p>
*Florida judge strikes down
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/03/florida-judge-ron-desantis-voting-redistricting-map-unconstitutional">[DeMentis]-backed voting map as unconstitutional</a>.*
<p>
Of course, he designed it for racist purposes.
<p>
The article linked to just above displays symbolic bigotry by
capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid endorsing bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)  <a href="/bigotry.html">I
denounce bigotry</a>, and normally I will not link to articles that
practice it.  But I make exceptions for some articles that I consider
particularly important &mdash; and I label them like this.

<p>
 


title: Elected DA replaced, FL
uri: Elected-DA-replaced-FL
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#5_September_2023_(Elected_cops-prosecuter_fired,_FL)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#5_September_2023_(Elected_cops-prosecuter_fired,_FL)

content:
 
<p>
DeMentis removed state attorney Monique Worrell <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-real-story-behind-ron-desantis-newest-fired-prosecutor">just before she
could prosecute</a>
a corruption fraud ring among sheriff's deputies.
<p>
His objection to her was that she tried to prosecute the most
dangerous of the real criminals &mdash; the ones who wear badges.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#5_September_2023_(Newspaper_raid_motives,_KS)
title: Motives for raiding newspaper, KS
uri: Motives-for-raiding-newspaper-KS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#5_September_2023_(Newspaper_raid_motives,_KS)
content:
 
<p>
The Marion thugs raided the Marion County Record and seized its
computers, without grounds to do so under the journalism shield law.
The publisher has said
<a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/kansas-reporter-files-federal-lawsuit-against-police-chief-who-raided-her-newspapers-office">the paper was investigating</a>
the thug chief for past wrongdoing and that his aim was to derail that investigation.
<p>
I've seen this issue develop for weeks, but this is the first time I
saw a clear description of the rights and wrongs of it.  Without that,
I could not usefully post about this.

<p>
 


title: 37K invading species stifling biodiversity
uri: 37K-invading-species-stifling-biodiversity
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#5_September_2023_(Invading_species_stifle_diversity)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#5_September_2023_(Invading_species_stifle_diversity)

content:
 
<p>
*Invasive species
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/04/invasive-species-cost-humans-423bn-each-year-and-threaten-worlds-diversity-aoe">cost humans $423bn each year</a>
and threaten world's [bio]diversity.*

<p>
 


title: Meloni's several defamation lawsuits, ITA
uri: Meloni-s-several-defamation-lawsuits-ITA
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#5_September_2023_(Meloni's_several_defamation_lawsuits,_ITA)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#5_September_2023_(Meloni's_several_defamation_lawsuits,_ITA)

content:
 
<p>
The right-wing
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66374034">prime minister of Italy has sued</a>
a singer for calling her "fascist" and "racist" on stage.
<p>
I expect that he was right, but I don't have proof to cite.  I wish I
had something to cite to demonstrate the truth of his accusation.
<p>
Criminal prosecution for defamation is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#1_October_2020_(Imprisoned_for_posting_negative_review)">inherently unjust</a>.

<p>
 


title: Florida, Georgia and South Carolina damaged by hurricane
uri: Florida-Georgia-and-South-Carolina-damaged-by-hurricane
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Florida,_Georgia_and_South_Carolina_damaged_by_hurricane)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Florida,_Georgia_and_South_Carolina_damaged_by_hurricane)

content:
 
<p>

The Republican-dominated states of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina
have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/31/hurricane-idalia-florida-north-south-carolina-georgia">gravely damaged by a hurricane</a>.
  Much of the damage is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#17_July_2023_(Extreme_heat:_1%2F3_of_US)">caused by the Republican opposition 
    to curbing global heating</a>.
<p>
  Home insurance has already been <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2005-jul-oct.html#13%20September%202005%20(Private%20insurance%20companies%20have%20been%20pulled%20out%20of%20Florida)">mostly discontinued in Florida</a>.
</p>
  As a result, many if thise whose houses were ruined will loss all.
<p>
Now I expect similar developments in more states.
</p>

 


title: Humans brought into contact with more animal diseases
uri: Humans-brought-into-contact-with-more-animal-diseases
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Humans_brought_into_contact_with_more_animal_diseases)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Humans_brought_into_contact_with_more_animal_diseases)

content:
 
<p>

Environmental degradation, caused by <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> and other harm to 
wild ecosystsms, is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/02/bats-and-brain-worms-how-humanitys-environmental-impact-is-giving-rise-to-new-infections">bringing humans in contact with more animal diseases</a>.
<p>
Some of them can spread to large numbers of humans.

 


title: Distorted economic figures to derail renewable power
uri: Distorted-economic-figures-to-derail-renewable-power
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Distorted_economic_figures_to_derail_renewable_power)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Distorted_economic_figures_to_derail_renewable_power)

content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#planet">Planet roasters</a> in Australia are spreading distorted economic figures
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2023/sep/01/the-cheapest-reliable-energy-system-to-meet-australias-climate-targets-solar-and-wind-no-question">derail the country's conversion to renewable power</a>.
  They will stop to nothing to continue funding for fossil fuels and nucler
generation, at the expense of the country and the world.

 


title: Republican fanatics sentenced to prison for violent threats
uri: Republican-fanatics-sentenced-to-prison-for-violent-threats
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Republican_fanatics_sentenced_to_prison_for_violent_threats)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Republican_fanatics_sentenced_to_prison_for_violent_threats)

content:
 
<p>

  Republican fanatics are being <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/31/election-workers-threat-justice-department-taskforce">sentenced to prison for violent threats</a> against
election workers who might have the temerity to do their jobs honestly.

 


title: Dirty secret behind Tory "crime week"
uri: Dirty-secret-behind-Tory-crime-week
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Dirty_secret_behind_Tory_crime_week)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Dirty_secret_behind_Tory_crime_week)

content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/01/tory-crime-week-policing-police-leads-budget-cuts">The dirty secret behind Tory "crime week": their policies ruined
    policing</a>.*
<p>
I thought that a Tory "crime week" would be when <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#plutocratist">plutocratist</a> politicians
go all-out for corruption ;-}.
</p>

 


title: Ex-Tory MP apologizes for ancestors' links to slavery
uri: Ex-Tory-MP-apologizes-for-ancestors-links-to-slavery
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Ex-Tory_MP_apologizes_for_ancestors'_links_to_slavery)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Ex-Tory_MP_apologizes_for_ancestors'_links_to_slavery)

content:
 
<p>

  Bad mistake: *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/01/ex-tory-mp-apologises-for-ancestors-links-to-slavery">Ex-Tory MP apologises for ancestors' links to slavery.</a>*
<p>
You should never apologize for things others have done for which you
are not responsible.
</p>
<p>
Aside from that, what she did was proper.  She acknowledged the
ancestors' actions, which had been unknown to her until a historian
dug them up in old records, and she denounced them.  That is the right
thing for anyone to do who has as little responsibility for those
actions as she has.
</p>
<p>
It is horrible that people have made death threats against her for
things someone else did long ago.  Advocating Tory policies entails
moral responsibility for them (though not for slavery hundreds of
years ago), but it doesn't justify threats of violence.

 


title: North Carolina judge files lawsuit
uri: North-Carolina-judge-files-lawsuit
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(North_Carolina_judge_files_lawsuit)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(North_Carolina_judge_files_lawsuit)

content:
 
<p>

*North Carolina judge [who was] investigated for saying racial bias exists [has] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/01/north-carolina-judge-investigation-racial-bias">filed
    lawsuit</a>.*
<p>
Right-wing racists will go to any lengths to censor awareness of racism
and other right-wing oppression.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Judge_invested_in_big_pharma)
title: Judge invested in big pharma
uri: Judge-invested-in-big-pharma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Judge_invested_in_big_pharma)
content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/judge-invested-in-big-pharma-shouldn-t-try-case-on-big-pharma-profiteering">Judge Invested in Big Pharma Shouldn't Try Case on Big Pharma Profiteering.</a>*

 


title: Not clear whether Vivek Ramaswamy is bought
uri: Not-clear-whether-Vivek-Ramaswamy-is-bought
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Not_clear_whether_Vivek_Ramaswamy_is_bought)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Not_clear_whether_Vivek_Ramaswamy_is_bought)

content:
 
<p>

Vivek Ramaswamy claims he is the only Republican presidential candidate
that isn't bought.  It is <a href="https://www.levernews.com/r/94308722?m=a1296444-4385-46f7-b56f-c5acabd34844">not clear whether he is bought</a>, or cheating,
or buying, or buying the publicity.  
  It may bot matter, because either way he is a right-wing hater.

 


title: Homeless likely to spend on housing and food
uri: Homeless-likely-to-spend-on-housing-and-food
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Homeless_likely_to_spend_on_housing_and_food)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Homeless_likely_to_spend_on_housing_and_food)

content:
 
<p>

* Researchers [in Canada] find <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/30/canada-study-homeless-money-spending">homeless people more likely to spend
    lump sum on housing and food</a> and not ‘temptation goods’ such as
   alcohol.*
<p>
This study looked at homeless people who were not addicts.  The
scientists assumed that addicts may be exceptions.
</p>

 


title: Sold into slavery to fund founding Georgetown College
uri: Sold-into-slavery-to-fund-founding-Georgetown-College
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Sold_into_slavery_to_fund_founding_Georgetown_College)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Sold_into_slavery_to_fund_founding_Georgetown_College)

content:
 
<p>

  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/31/georgetown-college-slavery-272-book-rachel-swarns">Investigating 272 blacks who were forced into slavery</a> by the richest
Catholics of Maryland, and sooner or later sold to fund the founding
of Georgetown College.
<p>
Georgetoen college became part of Washington DC when that was carved
out of Maryland.
</p>

 


title: Tories let British finance run out of control
uri: Tories-let-British-finance-run-out-of-control
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Tories_let_British_finance_run_out_of_control)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Tories_let_British_finance_run_out_of_control)

content:
 
<p>

*The Tories let [British finance] run out of control. Now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/31/tories-city-labour-deregulation-environment-economy-finance">Labour plans
    to repeat their mistakes</a>.*

 


title: Amazon published guides to identifying mushrooms
uri: Amazon-published-guides-to-identifying-mushrooms
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Amazon_published_guides_to_identifying_mushrooms)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Amazon_published_guides_to_identifying_mushrooms)

content:
 
<p>

Amazon has <a href="https://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/ai-written-books-on-mushrooms-and-fungi-and-the-grave-danger-they-pose">published guides to identifying mushrooms</a> which were
written by language models that have no intelligence and could lead
people to poison themselves.
<p>
Please do not refer to such bullshit-generator systems as "artificial intelligence"!
</p>

 


title: Economic reforms that decrease economic inequality
uri: Economic-reforms-that-decrease-economic-inequality
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Economic_reforms_that_decrease_economic_inequality)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Economic_reforms_that_decrease_economic_inequality)

content:
 
<p>

Joseph Stiglitz: making US democracy function again <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/sep/01/global-democratic-politics-economic-reforms">requires economic
    reforms that decrease economic inequality</a>.

 


title: Implication of oceans getting too hot
uri: Implication-of-oceans-getting-too-hot
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Implication_of_oceans_getting_too_hot)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#6_September_2023_(Implication_of_oceans_getting_too_hot)

content:
 
<p>

Diana Nyad, who swam from Cuba to Florida, muses on the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/14/opinion/ocean-temperature-climate-change.html">implications
    of an ocean so hot that people can no longer safely do that</a>.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Eliminate subsidies for fossil fuel
uri: Urgent-Eliminate-subsidies-for-fossil-fuel
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Urgent:_Eliminate_subsidies_for_fossil_fuel)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Urgent:_Eliminate_subsidies_for_fossil_fuel)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on your senators to <a href="https://environmental-action.webaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=55441">eliminate subsidies for fossil
    fuel</a>.

The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

 


title: Urgent: Stop sabotaging of US military in effort to sabotage abortion
uri: Urgent-Stop-sabotaging-of-US-military-in-effort-to-sabotage-abortion
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_sabotaging_of_US_military_in_effort_to_sabotage_abortion)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_sabotaging_of_US_military_in_effort_to_sabotage_abortion)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Senator Tuberville to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-demand-that-tommy-tuberville-stop-endangering-national-security-over-abortion-policy">stop sabotaging the US military</a>
in an effort to sabotage abortion.

 


title: Urgent: Stop funding election misinformation through advertising
uri: Urgent-Stop-funding-election-misinformation-through-advertising
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_funding_election_misinformation_through_advertising)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_funding_election_misinformation_through_advertising)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on businesses that advertise to <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/stopelectionmisinfo">stop
    funding election misinformation through their advertising</a>.

 


title: China concealed news of spread of disease in 2020
uri: China-concealed-news-of-spread-of-disease-in-2020
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(China_concealed_news_of_spread_of_disease_in_2020)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(China_concealed_news_of_spread_of_disease_in_2020)

content:
 
<p>

In January 2020, Wuhan doctors knew that a new disease was spreading fast.
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/08/22/wuhan-doctors-pandemic-china-coverup/">China ordered them to conceal this bad news</a>.
<p>
In my view, whether this outburst was due to a lab leak or to contact
with wild animals was a secondary detail, since neither one would
have been culpable. The secrecy about facts was culpable.

 


title: Taking control away from "social media" sites
uri: Taking-control-away-from-social-media-sites
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Taking_control_away_from_social_media_sites)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Taking_control_away_from_social_media_sites)

content:
 
<p>

  Calling for <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230907215534/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/17/opinion/social-media-algorithm-choice.html">taking control away from "social media" sites</a> over what
will be recommended to users.
  Users should be able to choose the recommendation engines they use,
and not just among a limited list.  They should be free develop new
recommendation engines.
<p>
This does not necessary mean people, once they know about more
options, will choose wisely.  The author says she saw an <a href="apple.html">iMonster</a>, and
instead of feeling revulsed, she concluded she wanted one!

 


title: (satire) Rudy Giuliani puts himself up for adoption
uri: (satire)-Rudy-Giuliani-puts-himself-up-for-adoption
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_((satire)_Rudy_Giuliani_puts_himself_up_for_adoption)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_((satire)_Rudy_Giuliani_puts_himself_up_for_adoption)

content:
 
<p>

  (satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/rudy-giuliani-puts-himself-up-for-adoption-1850797017?utm_source=regular">Rudy Giuliani Puts Himself Up For Adoption</a>* to a rich family that
could pay his legal fees.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Choosing_officials_by_lot)
title: Choosing officials by lot
uri: Choosing-officials-by-lot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Choosing_officials_by_lot)
content:
 
<p>

  The idea of <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230905192512/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/opinion/elections-democracy.html">choosing officials by lot</a>, as ancient Athens chose some officials,
may be interesting.
<p>
But the officials chosen this way were usually members of a panel.  No
one of them had a large amount of power individually.  That reduces
the possible downside from random choice.
<p>
Also, the system assumes that these officials would be chosen from people
who would be basically civic-minded.  In the US today, many of the potential
lottery choices would be fascists inclined to use their positions to threaten
sabotage.  We could not expect that to work.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Ohio_thugs_shot_a_woman_dead)
title: Ohio thugs shot a woman dead
uri: Ohio-thugs-shot-a-woman-dead
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Ohio_thugs_shot_a_woman_dead)
content:
 
<p>

Two Ohio <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> noted a woman leaving a store and reportedly shoplifting,
and instead of arranging to arrest her, they <a href="https://jezebel.com/ohio-police-fatally-shot-21-year-old-pregnant-black-wom-1850780678">shot her dead</a>.
<p>
If she had stolen something necessary for her life, or for her
children's life, I would have said that the poor have a right to steal
necessities like that.  But that point was not applicable if she was
stealing alcoholic drinks.  She did not have a right to steal
alcoholic drinks.
<p>
But that does not mean it was a grave crime either.
<p>
Meanwhile, even though her petty theft was apparently unjustified, it was no
justification for killing her.
<p>
I disagree with the article's assumption: that we non-pregnant members
of society are less worthy of rights that are those members who are
pregnant.  Reproducing is not a special virtue, especially now in the
days when <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230905192512/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/opinion/elections-democracy.html">overpopulation</a> is likely to kill enough people to reduce the
population drastically through suffering.
<p>
But that detail doesn't affect the overall moral conclusion much.
Pregnant or not, mother or not, the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> killed that woman because
they saw an opportunity, and that morally makes them murderers.

 


title: Guantanamo judge rules on sticking food in prisoner's colon
uri: Guantanamo-judge-rules-on-sticking-food-in-prisoner-s-colon
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Guantanamo_judge_rules_on_sticking_food_in_prisoner's_colon)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Guantanamo_judge_rules_on_sticking_food_in_prisoner's_colon)

content:
 
<p>

The judge in a Guantanamo "military tribunal" ruled that sticking food up
a prisoner's colon was <a href="https://foreverwars.ghost.io/military-judge-rejects-cias-rectal-feeding-narrative-for-post-9-11-sexual-assault/">nothing but torture</a> &mdash; and that this torture invalidates
his testimony.
<p>
These "military tribunals" are meant to pass for valid trials without
meeting the criteria.  Thanks to Judge Acosta, they are a little
closer to being treated as real trials.

 


title: Study shows unions are good for non-rich
uri: Study-shows-unions-are-good-for-non-rich
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Study_shows_unions_are_good_for_non-rich)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Study_shows_unions_are_good_for_non-rich)

content:
 
<p>

A study by the US Treasury finds that <a href="https://boingboing.net/2023/08/30/new-us-treasury-report-confirms-that-unions-are-good-for-everybody.html">unions are very good for
    non-rich Americans</a> overall.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(AI-controlled_armed_drones)
title: AI-controlled armed drones
uri: AI-controlled-armed-drones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(AI-controlled_armed_drones)
content:
 
<p>

  The US airforce is <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230907190005/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/27/us/politics/ai-air-force.html">testing versions of future AI-controlled armed drones</a>
to be used in air combat alongside human fighter pilots.
<p>
I hope the article errs in saying that this AI is similar to the
erroneously labeled "AI" that operates today's bullshit generator
language models, because if that is accurate we have no telling who it
might fire at.
</p>
<p>
One of the dangers of AI-controlled devices that can do things with
real physical effects &mdash; even if not armed &mdash; is that it may make
clever inventions that could be fatal in ways that the AI would not
understand, and that no human would be asked to check.  This AI is
already demonstrating that sort of creativity which is also potential
danger.  I recommend reading the book <em>The Two Faces of Tomorrow</em>, by
James Hogan.  See <a href="https://libgen.rs">libgen.rs</a>.

 


title: AI programs as friends and counselors
uri: AI-programs-as-friends-and-counselors
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(AI_programs_as_friends_and_counselors)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(AI_programs_as_friends_and_counselors)

content:
 
<p>

A founder of DeepMind says that AI programs will be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/sep/02/i-hope-im-wrong-the-co-founder-of-deepmind-on-how-ai-threatens-to-reshape-life-as-we-know-it">good friends and
    counselors</a> for human beings.
<p>
Is your idea of a good friend and counselor one that reports on
everything about you to manipulative large companies and governments
too?  Not mine!
</p>
<p>
It is interesting that the interviewer presumes that AI-driven cars
will be "autonomous" and that they will drive better than the ones
humans drive.  They are not at all autonomous &mdash; they depend on
internet connections &mdash; and San Francisco already knows <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#19_August_2023_(Driverless_taxis_stopped_traffic)">how badly they
    mess up in driving</a>.
</p>

<p>
Perhaps they will drive well someday, when they understand as much
about driving as humans do.  But that is beyond today's technology.
</p>

 


title: Facial recognition cameras around Britain
uri: Facial-recognition-cameras-around-Britain
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Facial_recognition_cameras_around_Britain)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Facial_recognition_cameras_around_Britain)

content:
 
<p>

The UK's ministry of surveillance and tracking pushed to permit
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/sep/02/home-office-accused-of-secret-lobbying-for-facial-recognition-spy-company">massive deployment of facial recognition cameras around Britain</a>.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Anti-abortion_links_to_judge)
title: Anti-abortion links to judge
uri: Anti-abortion-links-to-judge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Anti-abortion_links_to_judge)
content:
 
<p>

An appeals court judge who ruled especially harshly against
mifepristone <a href="https://www.levernews.com/r/6d5bea2f?m=a1296444-4385-46f7-b56f-c5acabd34844">has corrupt links</a>, through gifts to his wife, with the anti-abortion organization that pushed the case.
<p>
  Clarence Thomas's personal <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jan-apr.html#13_April_2023_(Clarence_Thomas_pushed_to_kill_disclosure_laws)">corruption</a>
  sets a corrupt example through all of right-wing US judges.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Eviction_by_London_landlords)
title: Eviction by London landlords
uri: Eviction-by-London-landlords
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Eviction_by_London_landlords)
content:
 
<p>

  The UK government will warn London cops that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/27/met-officers-to-be-told-to-arrest-landlords-illegal-evictions">evictions by London landlords
    are likely to be illegal</a>, and perhaps even criminal.
  Cops have been told to refuse to support the eviction, and arrest landlords
who try certain illegal methods.
<p>
Hooray!
</p>

 


title: Isolated barge in Portland a firetrap
uri: Isolated-barge-in-Portland-a-firetrap
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Isolated_barge_in_Portland_a_firetrap)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Isolated_barge_in_Portland_a_firetrap)

content:
 
<p>

Firefighters are suing to prevent the UK government from putting any refugees
in the isolated barge in Portland, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/27/braverman-plan-to-house-uk-asylum-seekers-on-bibby-stockholm-barge-faces-legal-hurdle">claiming it is a firetrap</a>.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(NLRB_cannot_punish_Starbucks)
title: NLRB cannot punish Starbucks
uri: NLRB-cannot-punish-Starbucks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(NLRB_cannot_punish_Starbucks)
content:
 
<p>

*The NLRB has brought 100 cases against [Starbucks] over anti-union
activities &mdash; but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/28/will-starbucks-union-busting-stifle-a-union-rebirth-in-the-us">it cannot punish the company</a>.*

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Election_in_Zimbabwe)
title: Election in Zimbabwe
uri: 2023-09-08-Election-in-Zimbabwe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#8_September_2023_(Election_in_Zimbabwe)
content:
 
<p>

  Monitors from African countries said that the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/27/zimbabwean-opposition-leader-says-election-was-gigantic">election in Zimbabwe was not free and fair</a>.  Thee candidate who supposedly "lost" said it was rigged.
<p>
The previous one was not honest either.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(NHS_crisis_in_UK)
title: NHS crisis in UK
uri: NHS-crisis-in-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(NHS_crisis_in_UK)
content:
 
<p>

The UK has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/mar/09/nhs-crisis-causing-continued-higher-than-normal-levels-of-death-in-england-and-wales">greatly exercised by the conviction of a nurse for
    murdering 16 babies</a> in a hospital.  Of course, we must prosecute
murder; but the 170,000 excess deaths in Britain 2022 ought to be a
10,000 times bigger public concern.
<p>
Some thousands of these deaths were caused by Covid-19 but <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/health-64209221">not
    attributed to it</a>.
Some were caused by insufficient funding of the NHS,
which the two main <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#plutocratist">plutocratist</a> parties (<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#30_April_2015_(Price_of_housing_in_the_UK)">Tory</a>
and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(Labour_courting_big_business)">Starmer-Labour</a>)
have committed to continuing because they refuse to tax the rich even to save thousands of lives,

 


title: Microsoft tells users not to install Chrome
uri: Microsoft-tells-users-not-to-install-Chrome
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Microsoft_tells_users_not_to_install_Chrome)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Microsoft_tells_users_not_to_install_Chrome)

content:
 
<p>

Users report that Microsoft has <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/30/23851902/microsoft-bing-popups-windows-11-malware">installed popups that tell users not to use
    Chrome</a>.
<p>
That is entirely valid advice.  Chrome is nonfree software, which
implies it imposes unjust control over the user (see fsf.org/tedx).
It also has has malicious functionalities.
</p>

<p>
What I wonder is, does Microsoft single out Google's malware, or does it
also warn about malware from Apple, <a href="https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/malware-microsoft.html">Microsoft</a> and other countries?
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Food_shortage_by_2050)
title: Food shortage by 2050
uri: Food-shortage-by-2050
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Food_shortage_by_2050)
content:
 
<p>

  *Climate crisis <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/05/climate-crisis-could-contribute-to-a-global-food-shortage-by-2050-us-special-envoy-on-food-security-warns">could contribute to a global food shortage by 2050</a>, US
special envoy on food security warns.*
<p>
Do you want to have a child now that might starve at age 30?
I think it is more humane to <a href="/articles/children.html ">avoid that</a>.
</p>

 


title: Starmer with political views of Tony B'liar
uri: Starmer-with-political-views-of-Tony-B-liar
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Starmer_with_political_views_of_Tony_B'liar)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Starmer_with_political_views_of_Tony_B'liar)

content:
 
<p>

  Starmer is underscoring that he's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/04/starmers-promotion-of-blairites-shows-labour-focus-has-turned-to-governing">with the political values of Tony B'liar</a>.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Rare_that_opposites_attract)
title: Rare that opposites attract
uri: Rare-that-opposites-attract
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Rare_that_opposites_attract)
content:
 
<p>

  It is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/sep/04/opposites-dont-attract-couples-more-likely-to-be-similar-than-different-study-shows">very rare that "opposites attract" in romantic couples</a>.

 


title: Modi kicks two news organizations off internet
uri: Modi-kicks-two-news-organizations-off-internet
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Modi_kicks_two_news_organizations_off_internet)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Modi_kicks_two_news_organizations_off_internet)

content:
 
<p>

  Modi has <a href="https://rsf.org/en/modi-ramps-online-censorship-india">arbitrarily kicked two news organizations off the internet</a>,
and has arbitrarily had one evicted from its offices.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Too_many_wolves_in_Europe)
title: Too many wolves in Europe
uri: Too-many-wolves-in-Europe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Too_many_wolves_in_Europe)
content:
 
<p>

  The EU is coming to think that there are now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/04/eu-to-rethink-conservation-status-of-wolves-after-numbers-surge">too many wolves in Europe</a>.
  That could well be true.
<p>
I do not consider wolves sacred, and I have no wish to maximize their
numbers.  Rather, I want to see ecosystems healthy and extinctions
avoided.  That entails keeping wild populations well away from zero.
</p>

 


title: Paying prisoners 23 cents an hour
uri: Paying-prisoners-23-cents-an-hour
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Paying_prisoners_23_cents_an_hour)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Paying_prisoners_23_cents_an_hour)

content:
 
<p>

Paying prisoners 23 cents an hour to work for private businesses
is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/09/04/prison-labor-exploitation-america/">supposedly justified</a> to teach them job skills so they can get jobs
after release.  Except that nobody will hire them no matter how well they
do the job.

 


title: Salafi Arabia human rights abuses
uri: Salafi-Arabia-human-rights-abuses
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Salafi_Arabia_human_rights_abuses)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Salafi_Arabia_human_rights_abuses)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/04/twitter-saudi-arabia-human-rights-abuses">Twitter accused of helping [Salafi] Arabia commit human rights abuses</a>.
</p>
<p>
*Lawsuit says network discloses user data at request of Saudi
authorities at much higher rate than for US, UK and Canada.*
</p>

 


title: Former Proud Boys leader sentenced to 22 years
uri: Former-Proud-Boys-leader-sentenced-to-22-years
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Former_Proud_Boys_leader_sentenced_to_22_years)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Former_Proud_Boys_leader_sentenced_to_22_years)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/05/enrique-tarrio-proud-boys-sentenced-jan-6-attack">Former Proud Boys leader sentenced to 22 years over US Capitol attack.</a>*
<p>
He was one of the ringleaders, so he deserves this sentence,
But the fascist leader who they meant to install in power deserves
an even longer sentence.
</p>

 


title: Australia's export of fossil fuels
uri: Australia-s-export-of-fossil-fuels
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Australia's_export_of_fossil_fuels)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Australia's_export_of_fossil_fuels)

content:
 
<p>

*Australia's export of fossil fuels is like <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/06/australias-export-of-fossil-fuels-like-selling-drugs-to-maintain-lifestyle-former-top-fire-chief-says">selling drugs to "maintain"
    lifestyle</a>, former [state head fire official] says.*
<p>
This is so obvious that when officials who are not stupid don't see it
we must conclude they are determined not to see.  Sometimes the
not-see party can be almost as dangerous as the Nazi party.
</p>

 


title: Starmer-Labour on deregulating housing construction
uri: Starmer-Labour-on-deregulating-housing-construction
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Starmer-Labour_on_deregulating_housing_construction)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Starmer-Labour_on_deregulating_housing_construction)

content:
 
<p>

Starmer-Labour plans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/03/labour-tory-pollution-controls-housebuilders-environment-green-groups">join the Tories in deregulating housing
    construction</a> that would release toxic pollution into rivers.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(France_ban_of_disposable_vapes)
title: France ban of disposable vapes
uri: France-ban-of-disposable-vapes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(France_ban_of_disposable_vapes)
content:
 
<p>

  *France <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/03/france-plans-to-ban-disposable-vapes">planning to ban disposable vapes</a> in effort to combat smoking.*

 


title: Extreme Christianity takeover of African countries
uri: Extreme-Christianity-takeover-of-African-countries
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Extreme_Christianity_takeover_of_African_countries)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Extreme_Christianity_takeover_of_African_countries)

content:
 
<p>

American fanatical Christians spent a lot of money to <a href="https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/uganda-anti-lgbtq-bill-rcna76630">help extremist
    Christianity take over African countries</a>.

 


title: Musk threatening journalists on Ex-Twitter
uri: Musk-threatening-journalists-on-Ex-Twitter
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Musk_threatening_journalists_on_Ex-Twitter)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Musk_threatening_journalists_on_Ex-Twitter)

content:
 
<p>

Musk is is <a href="https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-757445">threatening journalists on Ex-Twitter if they look
    into his antisemitism</a>.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Chinese_political_slogan_mural)
title: Chinese political slogan mural
uri: Chinese-political-slogan-mural
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Chinese_political_slogan_mural)
content:
 
<p>

  Is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/aug/30/the-london-art-student-whose-chinese-political-slogan-mural-caused-a-storm">painting slogans on a wall</a>, that are meant to criticize China's
repression, "art"?
<p>
Is painting the regime's own statement, aiming for people to recognize
their ironic contradiction with its actions, an effective mode of
criticism?
</p>
<p>
In my view, the answers are "no" and "it's chancy".
</p>
<p>
I am all for condemning China's repressive dictatorship, as a
political act; but in order to qualify as <em>art</em> it needs to present
its meaning in a subtle, unobvious way.  That's the part that could be
art.  However, merely intending a text as irony fails to do that.  It
doesn't <em>present</em> the meaning in a subtle way, because the subtlety is
not in the work itself; rather, the artist hopes that it will come up
in the viewer's minds only.
</p>
<p>
As for the effectiveness, it seems that many of the public did not notice
the irony and mistook the quotation from the regime for support &mdash; and they
responded by painting over it with non-ironic condemnation of the regime,
thinking that the artist disagreed with them.
</p>
  <p>
You could say that the condemnation manifested itself by ricochet.
Maybe that is a kind of success.  Maybe.
  </p>
<p>
It seems to me that this art student's heart was in the right place
politically, but his artwork calls for an F as art.
</p>

 


title: Australia's support of Catholic hospitals
uri: Australia-s-support-of-Catholic-hospitals
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Australia's_support_of_Catholic_hospitals)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Australia's_support_of_Catholic_hospitals)

content:
 
<p>

  Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/06/labors-refusal-to-tie-public-hospital-funding-to-full-reproductive-care-condemned-as-outrageous">supports Catholic hospitals with public funds</a>
while they turn away women who need abortions.
<p>
One way to finesse this problem would be to set up an organizationally
separate facility for abortions, physically next to the religious
hospital but not under church funding or control.

 


title: Payday lenders gave millions to Republican group
uri: Payday-lenders-gave-millions-to-Republican-group
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Payday_lenders_gave_millions_to_Republican_group)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Payday_lenders_gave_millions_to_Republican_group)

content:
 
<p>

  *Payday Lenders <a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/08/30/payday-lenders-supreme-court-cfpb-republicans/">Gave Millions to Republican Group</a> That Backed Supreme
 Court Suit to Annihilate CFPB.*

 


title: Example set by Robert Reich's father
uri: Example-set-by-Robert-Reich-s-father
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Example_set_by_Robert_Reich's_father)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(Example_set_by_Robert_Reich's_father)

content:
 
<p>

Robert Reich's father set an example by <a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/personal-history-my-father-and-joe">standing up to antisemitic
    bullies</a> who tried to make him sell his house.

 


title: (satire) Teaching low-income Americans to ignore symptoms
uri: (satire)-Teaching-low-income-Americans-to-ignore-symptoms
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_((satire)_Teaching_low-income_Americans_to_ignore_symptoms)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_((satire)_Teaching_low-income_Americans_to_ignore_symptoms)

content:
 
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-community-health-program-teaches-low-income-america-1850793356">New Community Health Program Teaches Low-Income Americans To
    Ignore Symptoms.</a>*

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Poor_sacrificing_3_days,_India)
title: Poor sacrificing 3 days, India
uri: Poor-sacrificing-3-days-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Poor_sacrificing_3_days,_India)
content:
 
<p>
Modi has walled off poor neighborhoods of Delhi and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/08/ashamed-of-our-presence-delhi-glosses-over-plight-of-poor-as-it-rolls-out-g20-red-carpet">shut all business
in them</a>,
so that India will look shiny to visiting foreign dignitaries.
<p>
Although Muslims, Christians and Dalits are the usual targets of his contempt,
any poor person can be a target when that is convenient for him.

<p>
 


title: Reproductive rights constitutional, MEX
uri: Reproductive-rights-constitutional-MEX
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Reproductive_rights_constitutional,_MEX)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Reproductive_rights_constitutional,_MEX)

content:
 
<p>
*Mexico's
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/06/mexico-decriminalizes-abortion">supreme court decriminalizes abortion</a>
across country.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(14th_amendment,_CO)
title: 14th amendment, CO
uri: 14th-amendment-CO
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(14th_amendment,_CO)
content:
 
<p>
*Watchdog group sues to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/06/watchdog-group-sues-remove-trump-2024-election">remove "insurrectionist" [candidate] from 2024
 ballot</a>*
in Colorado.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Co-conspirators_off-hook,_GA)
title: Some co-conspirators off-hook, GA
uri: Some-co-conspirators-off-hook-GA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Co-conspirators_off-hook,_GA)
content:
 
<p>
The Georgia special grand jury suggested charges against Senator
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/08/lindsey-graham-criminal-charges-georgia-jury">Lindsey Graham and some other prominent Republicans</a>,
for supporting <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">the insurrectionist's</a> efforts to overthrow the 2020 election.

<p>
 


title: Dirty money as economic crime, UK
uri: Dirty-money-as-economic-crime-UK
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Dirty_money_as_economic_crime,_UK)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Dirty_money_as_economic_crime,_UK)

content:
 
<p>
The UK parliament passed laws a few years ago to require registration of
the effective ("beneficial") owner of foreign-owned properties,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/sep/03/owners-of-100000-properties-held-by-foreign-shell-companies-unknown-despite-new-uk-laws">but left a loophole</a>
that defeats the system: when the nominal owner is a trust, it can still
conceal the identity of the effective owner.
<p>
This is plutocratism at work.

<p>
 


title: Property registration and the economic crime bill, UK
uri: Property-registration-and-the-economic-crime-bill-UK
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Property_registration_and_the_economic_crime_bill,_UK)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Property_registration_and_the_economic_crime_bill,_UK)

content:
 
<p>
UK enforcement of the registration rules is so lax that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/sep/04/five-ways-kleptocrats-can-keep-hold-of-their-uk-assets">secret owners
are in no danger</a>
of being punished or hassled.
<p>
This applies to ordinary tax evaders as well as <a href="/archives/2022-jan-apr.html#1_March_2022_(Russian_oligarchs)">Russian oligarchs</a>
subject to sanctions because of Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

<p>
 


title: Online Safety Bill, spy clause, UK
uri: Online-Safety-Bill-spy-clause-UK
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Online_Safety_Bill,_spy_clause,_UK)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Online_Safety_Bill,_spy_clause,_UK)

content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/britain-admits-defeat-online-safety-bill-encryption/">The Tories have backed down</a>,
for the moment, on plans to scan users' digital communications, but
the requirement is still in the law they are about to pass.
<p>
Perhaps they plan to make another try in a year or two.

<p>
 


title: Precarious power grid seeks bitcoin loads, TX
uri: Precarious-power-grid-seeks-bitcoin-loads-TX
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Precarious_power_grid_seeks_bitcoin_loads,_TX)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Precarious_power_grid_seeks_bitcoin_loads,_TX)

content:
 
<p>
*Texas Energy Grid
<a href="https://gizmodo.com/texas-energy-grid-paid-bitcoin-miner-31-7-million-to-s-1850812843">Paid Bitcoin Miner $31.7 Million</a>
to Stop Working Amid Heatwave.*
<p>
One sign of US plutocracy is the idea that
<a href="/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#17_March_2015_(Energy_use_and_global_disaster)">companies should be paid every time
they do what the public needs</a>,
rather than be taxed or fined when they do not do it.
<p>
The poor are punished; <a href="/archives/2022-may-aug.html#24_August_2022_(Government_subsidises_business)">the rich get rewarded</a>.

<p>
 


title: Wet bulb temperature of 31.5C deadly
uri: Wet-bulb-temperature-of-31-5C-deadly
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Wet_bulb_temperature_of_31.5C_deadly)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Wet_bulb_temperature_of_31.5C_deadly)

content:
 
<p>
*Deadly humid
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/08/deadly-humid-heatwaves-to-spread-rapidly-as-climate-warms-study">heatwaves to spread rapidly</a>
as climate warms &mdash; study.*
<p>
This refers to what I have called "<a href="/archives/2022-may-aug.html#2_August_2022_(Wet_bulb_temperature)">fatal weather</a>."

<p>
 


title: Climate aftermaths and the hundredth US activist
uri: Climate-aftermaths-and-the-hundredth-US-activist
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Climate_aftermaths_and_the_hundredth_US_activist)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Climate_aftermaths_and_the_hundredth_US_activist)

content:
 
<p>
Ralph Nader: as second-order unnatural disasters (caused by the
effects of the first-order unnatural disasters) spread death and
suffering around the world,
<a href="https://nader.org/2023/09/08/second-and-third-stage-consequences-of-fossil-fueled-climate-disruptions-emerging-fast/">we must join to crush the power of the
corporations</a>
that make sure these disasters keep happening.
<p>
Nader believes the time is ripe for a left-right coalition to do this,
but I think one of the purposes of right-wing disinformation is to ensure
most right-wing people, in various countries, are so absorbed with fantasy
problems that they can't focus on real problems.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Coal-fired_power_plants)
title: Coal-fired power plants
uri: 2023-09-11-Coal-fired-power-plants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Coal-fired_power_plants)
content:
 
<p>
Big banks are financing US coal power plants,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/new-report-major-global-banks-are-financing-deadly-us-coal-plants-thanks-to-loopholes-in-their-climate-commitments">despite a supposed commitment
to stop</a>,
by lending instead to their parent companies.
<p>
The effort to stop lending and insurance for fossil fuel projects is a
backup plan, which we try because we can't get Congress to do what
really needs to be done: prohibit some of those projects and tax the
rest so much that some will be canceled.  If it worked, it would be a victory.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Climate_targets_elusive)
title: Climate targets elusive
uri: Climate-targets-elusive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Climate_targets_elusive)
content:
 
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/08/un-report-calls-for-phasing-out-of-fossil-fuels-as-paris-climate-goals-being-missed">UN warns world</a>
will miss climate targets unless fossil fuels phased out.*

<p>
 


title: Financing Prager University disinformation
uri: Financing-Prager-University-disinformation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Financing_Prager_University_disinformation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Financing_Prager_University_disinformation)

content:
 
<p>
*US "university" [calling itself PragerU] spreads climate lies and
receives
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/06/prageru-climate-change-denier-republican-donors">millions from rightwing donors</a>.*
<p>
Prager you too!

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Drilling_in_Alaska)
title: Drilling in Alaska
uri: 2023-09-11-Drilling-in-Alaska
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Drilling_in_Alaska)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/06/alaska-biden-cancels-gas-oil-drilling">Biden is canceling the fossil fuel leases</a>
that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> signed for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

<p>
 


title: Today's disaster restoration industry
uri: Today-s-disaster-restoration-industry
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(The_disaster_restoration_industry)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(The_disaster_restoration_industry)

content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/07/private-equity-climate-crisis-disaster-cleanup">Private equity is investing</a>
in causing climate disasters, and profiting from the work to clean them up.

<p>
 


title: Climate justice research, the dilemma
uri: Climate-justice-research-the-dilemma
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Climate_justice_research,_the_dilemma)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Climate_justice_research,_the_dilemma)

content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/07/climate-adaptation-finance-to-africa-must-increase-tenfold-research-shows">African countries are compelled to choose</a>
between coping with <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> effects, fighting poverty and paying debts.
I suppose the greenhouse emission rate of African countries is small enough
that reducing those countries' emissions is not urgent.

<p>
 


title: Gambler hotline offering doubling-down
uri: Gambler-hotline-offering-doubling-down
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Gambler_hotline_offering_doubling-down)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Gambler_hotline_offering_doubling-down)

content:
 
<p>
(satire)
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/fanduel-promo-offers-complimentary-100-bet-to-first-ti-1850780866?utm_source=regular">*FanDuel Promo Offers Complimentary $100 Bet</a>
To First-Time Gambling Hotline Callers.*

 


title: "Smart" device collect excess information
uri: Smart-device-collect-excess-information
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Smart_device_collect_excess_information)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Smart_device_collect_excess_information)

content:
 
<p>

  "Smart" devices typically collect <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/07/uk-owners-of-smart-home-devices-being-asked-for-swathes-of-personal-data">more data about their useds than is required</a>
to implement their features.
<p>
As usual, for "smart" read "snoop".  Instead of getting a "smart device",
be smart yourself &mdash; and reject them.
</p>

 


title: Israel's apartheid system on Palestinians
uri: Israel-s-apartheid-system-on-Palestinians
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Israel's_apartheid_system_on_Palestinians)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Israel's_apartheid_system_on_Palestinians)

content:
 
<p>

A former head of Israel's highly respected intelligence agency set off
a stir by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/06/israel-imposing-apartheid-on-palestinians-says-former-mossad-chief">acknowledging that Israel has imposed an apartheid system</a> on
the Palestinians.

 


title: Crime to stop child vaccinations in Pakistan
uri: Crime-to-stop-child-vaccinations-in-Pakistan
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Crime_to_stop_child_vaccinations_in_Pakistan)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Crime_to_stop_child_vaccinations_in_Pakistan)

content:
 
<p>

  A province of Pakistan has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/sep/06/parents-in-pakistan-could-be-jailed-for-polio-vaccine-refusal">made it a crime</a> for parents to stop their
children from being vaccinated for polio and other dangerous diseases.
<p>
This is meant to overcome the disinformation that threatens to undo
the almost-completed global eradication of polio, and protection from
measles and more.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(EU_law_to_curb_tech_giants)
title: EU law to curb tech giants
uri: EU-law-to-curb-tech-giants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(EU_law_to_curb_tech_giants)
content:
 
<p>

The EU's Digital Markets Act will or would ban, for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/06/eu-unveils-package-laws-curb-power-big-tech-giants">some
    large tech companies</a>, some of the worst abuses that they commit
using the power over users that they get from <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">non-free software</a>.
</p>

<p>
It is a good try, but what users really need is free software.
</p>

 


title: (satire) U.S. Army Recruitment Ad
uri: (satire)-U-S-Army-Recruitment-Ad
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_((satire)_U.S._Army_Recruitment_Ad)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_((satire)_U.S._Army_Recruitment_Ad)

content:
 
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-u-s-army-recruitment-ad-touts-military-as-great-al-1850775575">New U.S. Army Recruitment Ad Touts Military As Great
    Alternative To Starving On Streets.</a>*

 


title: Senate confirms 5th FCC commissioner
uri: Senate-confirms-5th-FCC-commissioner
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Senate_confirms_5th_FCC_commissioner)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Senate_confirms_5th_FCC_commissioner)

content:
 
<p>

  *Senate <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/senate-finally-confirms-5th-fcc-commissioner-after-vacancy-of-more-than-2-5-years">Finally Confirms 5th FCC Commissioner</a> After
 [Republican-imposed] Vacancy of More Than 2.5 Years.*

 


title: Insurrectionist's henchmen refused testimony
uri: Insurrectionist-s-henchmen-refused-testimony
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Insurrectionist's_henchmen_refused_testimony)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Insurrectionist's_henchmen_refused_testimony)

content:
 
<p>

One of <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">the insurrectionist's</a> henchmen <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/07/navarro-trial-guilty-contempt-congress-trump-adviser-january-6">refused to provide evidence or
    testimony</a> to the Jan 6 insurrection committee.  He has been convicted
of contempt of Congress, and may be sentenced to prison.
<p>
Will he now be ordered to hand over the dope?  I would expect that the
committee can no longer receive it, since the Republicans now control
the House of Representatives.  Justice may have won this skirmish, but
the Republicans may have won this battle.
</p>

<p>
I would be glad to see well-informed comment on these follow-on issues.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Fish_are_getting_smaller)
title: Fish are getting smaller
uri: Fish-are-getting-smaller
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Fish_are_getting_smaller)
content:
 
<p>

  Fish around the world are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/07/climate-change-drives-shrinking-size-fish-invertebrates-plants-science-aoe">generally getting smaller</a>.  Within a given
species, the population tends to be smaller than before.  Within an ecosystem,
larger species tend to be replaced with smaller species.
<p>
The article asserts that this is the consequence of what it calls the
"Anthropocene" period, but I call the <a href="/articles/obscene.html">"Obscene" period</a>.
</p>

 


title: France's ban of abaya in schools
uri: France-s-ban-of-abaya-in-schools
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(France's_ban_of_abaya_in_schools)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(France's_ban_of_abaya_in_schools)

content:
 
<p>

  Comments on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/07/frances-abaya-ban-isnt-intended-to-be-divisive">France's ban of the abaya in schools</a>, from several points
of view.

 


title: Antarctica warming faster than models predicted
uri: Antarctica-warming-faster-than-models-predicted
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Antarctica_warming_faster_than_models_predicted)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Antarctica_warming_faster_than_models_predicted)

content:
 
<p>

  *Antarctica <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/08/antarctica-warming-much-faster-than-models-predicted-in-deeply-concerning-sign-for-sea-levels">warming much faster than models predicted</a>.*
<p>
This suggest the rising sea will come for you sooner than previously
predicted.
</p>

 


title: Birds colliding with illuminated glass towers
uri: Birds-colliding-with-illuminated-glass-towers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Birds_colliding_with_illuminated_glass_towers)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Birds_colliding_with_illuminated_glass_towers)

content:
 
<p>

New York City is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/07/nyc-migrating-birds-night-lights-architecture">considering a law to save migrating birds from
    colliding with illuminated glass towers</a>.

 


title: Labour party donations at highest rate ever
uri: Labour-party-donations-at-highest-rate-ever
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Labour_party_donations_at_highest_rate_ever)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Labour_party_donations_at_highest_rate_ever)

content:
 
<p>

  The Labour Party is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/07/labour-boosts-election-war-chest-with-record-quarter-for-donations">receiving donations at the highest rate ever</a>, now
that plutocrats are donating to it.
</p>

<p>
I think they recognize that it is now almost as <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#plutocratist">plutocratist</a> as the
Tories, but more competent.
</p>

 


title: Antisemitic word meanings in dictionary of Spanish
uri: Antisemitic-word-meanings-in-dictionary-of-Spanish
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Antisemitic_word_meanings_in_dictionary_of_Spanish)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Antisemitic_word_meanings_in_dictionary_of_Spanish)

content:
 
<p>

  There is a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/07/drop-antisemitic-descriptions-from-spanish-lexicon-urge-jewish-groups">campaign to demand removal</a> of certain antisemitic word
meanings from the Real Academia Española's dictionary of Spanish.
</p>

<p>
This campaign is foolish and harmful.  Yes, those meanings are
antisemitic; they express bigotry.  Yes, their existence comes out of
a long tradition of antisemitism in Spain &mdash; naturally it does.
People should not those meanings, or any other way to express bigotry.
</p>

<p>
But that is a separate matter from what words the dictionary should
<em>define</em>.  To <em>use</em> those meanings endorses bigotry, but <em>citing</em> them
in a dictionary does not.
</p>

<p>
A dictionary should contain all sorts of words and meanings, including
those that you or I disapprove of &mdash; and if the meaning expresses
bigotry, the dictionary should say so.  That is part of the
dictionary's mission: to document the language fully.
</p>

<p>
You can't stop bigots from using prejudiced insults by omitting them
from the dictionary &mdash; that is not where they learn those words.  But
if they are omitted from the dictionary, we who have not grown up in a
milieu of antisemitic hispanophones could not find out what they mean
when we want to know.
</p>

<p>
To start trying to cleanse language by denying or hiding the existence
of words and meanings whose usage we condemn is to open dictionaries
to culture wars.  Then the most powerful political forces will
weaponize them.  They might be censored by racists, antisemites and
Nazis, and sooner than you think.  Instead of legitimizing censorship
of dictionaries, we had better fight now to protect dictionaries'
freedom to fully document language as it is used,
</p>

<p>
I looked in my copy of the Real Academia dictionary; it does not have
the definition of "judío" that the campaign condemns.  It is the 1992
edition; perhaps that definition was added subsequently.
</p>

 


title: US immigration use of heuristic computerized translators
uri: US-immigration-use-of-heuristic-computerized-translators
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(US_immigration_use_of_heuristic_computerized_translators)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(US_immigration_use_of_heuristic_computerized_translators)

content:
 
<p>

The US immigration system uses <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/07/asylum-seekers-ai-translation-apps">heuristic (and thus unreliable)
    computerized translators</a>.  Their mistakes put refugees' rights in
jeopardy.
</p>

 


title: Intimate relationships of British undercover thugs
uri: Intimate-relationships-of-British-undercover-thugs
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Intimate_relationships_of_British_undercover_thugs)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Intimate_relationships_of_British_undercover_thugs)

content:
 
<p>

British undercover <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> continue the practice of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/06/revealed-undercover-uk-police-officer-deceived-woman-relationship">maintaining
    intimate relationships under false names</a> while keeping their lovers
in the dark.
  But it may be rather different now.
</p>

<p>
One woman found out about hers in 2020 after 19 years. She was not
involved in whatever group or activity he was infiltrating, and he
reportedly wasn't directed to get involved with her.  He may have been
breaking the rules.
</p>

<p>
After many years he ceased to be in the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department but continued
the relationship under the same false name.  I guess he saw no way to
tell her the truth, so he was trapped in his own lie.
</p>

<p>
She and her families are trapped in the secret too.
</p>

 


title: (satire)Tesla regurgitates pedestrian
uri: (satire)Tesla-regurgitates-pedestrian
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_((satire)Tesla_regurgitates_pedestrian)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_((satire)Tesla_regurgitates_pedestrian)

content:
 
<p>

  (satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/self-driving-tesla-regurgitates-pedestrian-to-feed-offs-1850797094">Self-Driving Tesla Regurgitates Pedestrian To Feed Offspring.</a>*
</p>

 


title: Civil rights groups campaign against Musk
uri: Civil-rights-groups-campaign-against-Musk
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Civil_rights_groups_campaign_against_Musk)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Civil_rights_groups_campaign_against_Musk)

content:
 
<p>

  Organizations that campaign against hate are now <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/civil-rights-groups-attacked-elon-musk-are-mounting-counteroffensive-rcna103579">campaigning against Musk</a>
and his use of <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#extwitter">Ex-Twitter</a> to attack those organizations.
</p>

<p>
We have to conclude that Must is a fascist and suspect that he bought
Twitter to use it for hate.
</p>

 


title: "India's democracy" spreading repression of Muslims
uri: India-s-democracy-spreading-repression-of-Muslims
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(India's_democracy_spreading_repression_of_Muslims)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(India's_democracy_spreading_repression_of_Muslims)

content:
 
<p>

Modi boasts about "India's democracy" while covering up India's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/09/what-modi-wont-show-g20-muslims-india">spreading
    repression of Muslims</a>
(and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#22_January_2017_(Religious_persecution_in_India)">other non-Hindus</a> including <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-sep-dec.html#08%20September%202004%20(Dalit%20Resistance)">Dalits</a>).
  Other countries support the false front in order to do business with India.
</p>

 


title: Data collection by car manufacturers
uri: Data-collection-by-car-manufacturers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Data_collection_by_car_manufacturers)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Data_collection_by_car_manufacturers)

content:
 
<p>

Car manufacturers tell purchasers that they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/sep/06/cars-collect-extensive-personal-data-on-drivers-study-warns">intend to collect wide
    varieties of personal data</a>.  Most say they will sell the data and use
it against the purchaser.
</p>

<p>
I can see why the company would like to get information about the
owner's sex life and politics.  What I don't see is how they can make
the car get that sort of information for them, Perhaps they hope to
trade car data with other snooping companies for that data.
</p>

<p>
The important conclusion of this information is that these companies don't
respect you.  That leads to the question: how can you stop them from getting
data about you.  That requires at least a little skill &mdash; perhaps enough
to find and disconnect the car's antennas.
</p>

 


title: China law to prohibit "hurting country's feelings"
uri: China-law-to-prohibit-hurting-country-s-feelings
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(China_law_to_prohibit_hurting_country's_feelings)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(China_law_to_prohibit_hurting_country's_feelings)

content:
 
<p>

China is considering a vague law to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/08/chinese-law-to-ban-things-that-harm-feelings-of-country-prompts-concern">prohibit anything That "Hurts The
    Country's Feelings"</a>.
</p>

<p>
Since countries do not actually feel anything, the only way that
phrase can be interpreted is as a metaphor, so it can be stretched to
prohibit almost anything.  I suppose that's the purpose of it.
</p>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#12_September_2023_(phase_out_fossil_fuels_cop28)
title: Global push for commitment to phase out fossil fuels
uri: Global-push-for-commitment-to-phase-out-fossil-fuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#12_September_2023_(phase_out_fossil_fuels_cop28)
content:
 
<p>
*Global push for commitment to phase out fossil 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/09/phase-out-fossil-fuels-cop-28-un-summit-coal-oil-gas">fuels gathers pace
ahead of Cop28.*</a>
<p>
If this succeeds, it will be an important preparatory step towards
avoiding global disaster.
<p>
Some progress has been made at the G20 meeting, but it 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/in-unprecedented-commitment-g20-leaders-agree-to-tripling-renewable-energy-capacity-by-2023-but-gaps-remain-on-fossil-fuel-phase-out-and-finances">did not reach
a phase out.</a>


 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#12_September_2023_(adam_bandt_climate_protests)
title: Adam Bandt urges Australians to join climate protests
uri: Adam-Bandt-urges-Australians-to-join-climate-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#12_September_2023_(adam_bandt_climate_protests)
content:
 
<p>
The leader of the Australian Green Party calls for protests against
government policies that cater to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/30/adam-bandt-urges-australians-to-embrace-civil-disobedience-and-join-climate-protests">fossil fuels and deforestation.</a>
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#12_September_2023_(trump_interview)
title: Trump vows to lock up political enemies if he returns to White House
uri: Trump-vows-to-lock-up-political-enemies-if-he-returns-to-White-House
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#12_September_2023_(trump_interview)
content:
 
<p>
*The arch-fascist vows to lock up political 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/30/trump-interview-jail-political-opponents-glenn-beck">enemies if he returns to White
 House.*</a>
<p>
In the insane world view he promotes, there is no difference between
arbitrary political imprisonment and charging someone with a crime.
<p>
He said the reason is that "they are doing it to us," but that is more
bullshit: he demanded the same thing in 2016, and there was no move
then to charge him with a crime.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#12_September_2023_((Satire)_mediterranean_tourists)
title: *Satire* Tourists Go On Refugee-Watching Tour
uri: Satire-Tourists-Go-On-Refugee-Watching-Tour
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#12_September_2023_((Satire)_mediterranean_tourists)
content:
 
<p>
(satire) *Mediterranean Tourists Go On Incredible 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/mediterranean-tourists-go-on-incredible-refugee-watchin-1850780966?utm_source=regular">Refugee-Watching Tour.*</a>
</p>

 


title: Climate commitments breached
uri: Climate-commitments-breached
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#12_September_2023_(priceofoil_breach_intl_climate_commitments)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#12_September_2023_(priceofoil_breach_intl_climate_commitments)

content:
 
<p>
In 2021, 16 countries pledged to stop their international investments
in fossil fuel,  Most of them kept the pledge.
<a href="https://priceofoil.org/2023/09/06/revealed-taxpayer-funded-fossil-fuel-projects-from-the-u-s-germany-and-italy-breach-international-climate-commitments/">The US, Germany and Italy
did not.</a>
</p>

 


title: Urgent: Climate defense rally in New York City
uri: Urgent-Climate-defense-rally-in-New-York-City
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_Climate_defense_rally_in_New_York_City)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_Climate_defense_rally_in_New_York_City)

content:
 
<p>

  Sep 17: Join the <a href="https://www.endfossilfuels.us/logistics"> climate defense rally in New York City</a>.

 


title: Urgent: Extinction Rebellion rally in Boston
uri: Urgent-Extinction-Rebellion-rally-in-Boston
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_Extinction_Rebellion_rally_in_Boston)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_Extinction_Rebellion_rally_in_Boston)

content:
 
<p>

  Sep 20:  In Boston, <a href="http://xrboston.org/action/critical-mass-day-at-state-house-stand-out/">join the Extinction Rebellion rally</a>

 


title: Urgent: What the US government is doing in Yemen
uri: Urgent-What-the-US-government-is-doing-in-Yemen
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_What_the_US_government_is_doing_in_Yemen)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_What_the_US_government_is_doing_in_Yemen)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on the US govt to <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/go/34272?c0=ops-yemen.q8SCBl">say what it is now doing in Yemen</a>.

 


title: Urgent: Protect access to Medicaid
uri: Urgent-Protect-access-to-Medicaid
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_Protect_access_to_Medicaid)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_Protect_access_to_Medicaid)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on the Biden Administration to <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/medicaid-access/">protect access to
    Medicaid</a>.

 


title: Urgent: End attacks on Georgia DA Fani Willis
uri: Urgent-End-attacks-on-Georgia-DA-Fani-Willis
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_End_attacks_on_Georgia_DA_Fani_Willis)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_End_attacks_on_Georgia_DA_Fani_Willis)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on the mainstream media to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-stop-the-sexist-racist-attacks-on-fani-willis">end their racist and
    sexist attacks against Georgia DA Fani Willis</a>, who is prosecuting the
insurrectionist for trying to overturn the 2020 election.

 


title: Urgent: Tax billion dollar corporations
uri: 2023-09-13-Urgent-Tax-billion-dollar-corporations
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_Tax_billion_dollar_corporations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_Tax_billion_dollar_corporations)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on the Biden Administration to stay firm against
corporate lobbyists: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-the-biden-administration-stay-firm-against-corporate-lobbyists-tax-billion-dollar-corporations">tax billion dollar corporations</a>.

 


title: Call on Chick-fil-A to stop using polystyrene foam cups
uri: Call-on-Chick-fil-A-to-stop-using-polystyrene-foam-cups
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Call_on_Chick-fil-A_to_stop_using_polystyrene_foam_cups)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Call_on_Chick-fil-A_to_stop_using_polystyrene_foam_cups)

content:
 
<p>

Everyone: call on Chick-fil-A to <a href="https://environmental-action.webaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=55442">stop using polystyrene
    foam cups</a>.
<p>
If you have disabled the page's JavaScript, you may get a blank
response after signing.  That does not mean anything is wrong; your
signature has probably been sent in properly.  The blank screen has
text that is rendered invisible by CSS; if your browser gives you a
way to disable the CSS in the page (as Icecat does), that should make
the text appear.
</p>

 


title: Urgent: Protect Medicaid access for poor Americans
uri: Urgent-Protect-Medicaid-access-for-poor-Americans
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_Protect_Medicaid_access_for_poor_Americans)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_Protect_Medicaid_access_for_poor_Americans)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on the Biden administration to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-to-the-biden-administration-protect-medicaid-access">protect Medicaid
    access</a> for poor Americans.

 


title: Urgent: Investigate Governor Abbott's border policies
uri: Urgent-Investigate-Governor-Abbott-s-border-policies
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_Investigate_Governor_Abbott's_border_policies)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_Investigate_Governor_Abbott's_border_policies)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on the DOJ to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-the-doj-investigate-governor-greg-abbotts-inhumane-border-policies">investigate Governor Abbott's inhumane
    border policies</a>.

 


title: Urgent: Support "Unhoused" bill of rights
uri: Urgent-Support-Unhoused-bill-of-rights
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_Support_Unhoused_bill_of_rights)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_Support_Unhoused_bill_of_rights)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/add-your-name-support-the-unhoused-bill-of-rights">Support the "Unhoused" Bill of Rights</a>.
<p>
I dislike the new affectation, the word "unhoused", which appears in
the name of that bill.  I am glad I have a home to live in, and I wish
we made sure that everybody could have one, so I support this plan to
help the homeless.  But I will not call people "housed" or "unhoused".

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Slue_of_laws_storms_Texas)
title: Slue of laws storms Texas
uri: Slue-of-laws-storms-Texas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Slue_of_laws_storms_Texas)
content:
 
<p>
Republicans in Texas have passed many laws for repression of all sorts of
people
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/01/texas-new-laws-republican-legislature">they wish to persecute</a>.
<p>
One of these laws allow the state to rig elections in Houston, the
state's biggest city, if Republicans claim there was an "irregularity"
in the election.
<p>
Another is meant to force trans adolescents to go through puberty the
way they do not want to.  Forcing people to undergo irreversible
biological changes is gratuitous cruelty.
<p>
Another law will enable state officials to force prosecution of abortions.
<p>
<a href="/archives/2023-jan-apr.html#18_March_2023_(Republican_political_hostile_takeover)">Other Republican laws</a>
are <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-mar-jun.html#24_June_2023_(Death_Star_bill_passes,_TX)">nasty in spirit</a>
but can be blunted with effort.  For instance, young people can defeat censorship of
<a href="/archives/2023-may-aug.html#4_August_2023_(School_Libraries_remade_into_detention_centers,_Houston)">school libraries</a>
by buying books and sharing them.  <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#29_July_2023_(Teacher_fired_for_attending_drag_show)">Prohibition of drag shows</a>
can be overcome by sharing videos.
<p>
As for prohibition of participation of trans-people in sports, that
may lead to disappointment, but people need to distinguish between the
important things in life and the side issues.  People can get obsessed
with sports, but we should not take that to mean sports matter.

<p>
 


title: US as maladaptive to Latin America
uri: US-as-maladaptive-to-Latin-America
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(US_as_maladaptive_to_Latin_America)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(US_as_maladaptive_to_Latin_America)

content:
 
<p>
Calling on the US to publish its role in
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/11/the-guardian-view-on-the-other-911-pinochets-dictatorship-casts-a-lengthening-shadow">organizing the overthrow</a>
of President Allende of Chile.
<p>
The dictator Pinochet, despite being dead, is exerting a growing
influence in Chile in favor of fascism, much as the fascist-in-chief
<a href="/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#29_October_2020_(Resisting_effort_to_steal_the_election)">is doing in the US</a>.
<p>
*Chile president
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/11/chile-president-coup-allende-pinochet-1973">[Boric] gives staunch defense of democracy</a>,
50 years after Pinochet coup.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(US-Latin_America_relations)
title: US&mdash;Latin America relations
uri: US-Latin-America-relations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(US-Latin_America_relations)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/09/09/deconstructed-podcast-greg-casar-latin-america/">An interview with Rep. Greg Casar</a>,

progressive Hispanic and first term in Congress, about his visit to
various countries in South America and how the US can begin supporting
and favorizing democracy there instead of supporting right-wing oligarchs.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Enact ethics standards for the Supreme Court
uri: Urgent-Enact-ethics-standards-for-the-Supreme-Court
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_Enact_ethics_standards_for_the_Supreme_Court)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Urgent:_Enact_ethics_standards_for_the_Supreme_Court)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-no-more-corruption-enact-ethics-standards-for-the-supreme-court-2?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-the-people-united&source=2023SCEA_TPU">call on Congress</a>
to enact ethics standards for the Supreme Court.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

<p>
 


title: Talk in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland
uri: Talk-in-Biel-Bienne-Switzerland
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Talk_in_Biel%2FBienne,_Switzerland)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#13_September_2023_(Talk_in_Biel%2FBienne,_Switzerland)

content:
 
<p>
Richard Stallman will speak, along with other GNU contributors, on Sep
27 as part of the <a href="https://gnu.org/gnu40">GNU 40th anniversary celebration</a>
in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland.
<p>
The page does not describe live streaming, but we understand it
will happen.

 


title: Australian thugs working to convict Jason Roberts
uri: Australian-thugs-working-to-convict-Jason-Roberts
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Australian_thugs_working_to_convict_Jason_Roberts)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Australian_thugs_working_to_convict_Jason_Roberts)

content:
 
<p>

  Australian uniformed <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> worked very hard to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/08/jason-roberts-wrongfully-imprisoned-police-killings">come up with evidence</a>
to convict Jason Roberts of killing two <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.
  There wasn't enough real evidence, so they had to fake it.
</p>

 


title: Wearing your seat belt in Australia
uri: Wearing-your-seat-belt-in-Australia
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Wearing_your_seat_belt_in_Australia)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Wearing_your_seat_belt_in_Australia)

content:
 
<p>

  Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/08/queensland-seatbelt-mobile-phone-camera-glitch-incorrect-fines-loss-of-licence">fines drivers</a>, even cancels their driving licenses, if
occasionally a passenger does not wear a seat belt.
</p>

<p>
This is are a system of collective responsibility: "Hey you!  Monitor
those others near you, or we will punish you!"  This attitude towards
people is an injustice in general.
</p>
<p>
Since 1975 I have made a practice of wearing my seat belt. for safety,
whether driving or riding as a passenger.  But there is one exception:
when I need to sleep.  I have never found a way to sleep with a seat
belt rubbing on my shoulder &mdash; it changes my posture.  If I am
compelled to wear the seat belt because the driver has been
conscripted into forcing me, I will not be able to sleep and I may get
sick.
</p>
<p>
So I regard that system as an injustice.
</p>
<p>
If the system permitted me to wear the lap belt but not the shoulder
belt, I would certainly do that, since the lap belt does not stop
me from sleeping.  But nowadays they don't support that mode of use.
</p>

 


title: Rishi Sunak hopes for warm welcome
uri: Rishi-Sunak-hopes-for-warm-welcome
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Rishi_Sunak_hopes_for_warm_welcome)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Rishi_Sunak_hopes_for_warm_welcome)

content:
 
<p>

  *Rishi Sunak <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/08/rishi-sunak-hopes-for-warm-welcome-at-g20-as-indias-son-in-law">hopes for warm welcome</a> at G20 as India’s "son-in-law".*

  This warm welcome would be a <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#business-supremacy">business-supremacy treaty</a> that did not
disadvantage British plutocrats too much compared with Indian plutocrats.
</p>
<p>
What we see, therefore, is a less rich oligarch sucking up to a richer
oligarch.
</p>

 


title: Democratic voters would rather Biden step aside
uri: Democratic-voters-would-rather-Biden-step-aside
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Democratic_voters_would_rather_Biden_step_aside)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Democratic_voters_would_rather_Biden_step_aside)

content:
 
<p>

Most Democratic voters would rather that Biden step aside in 2024,
but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/07/joe-biden-poll-2024-election-democrats">few can name a candidate they would prefer</a>.
</p>
<p>
I would certainly prefer Bernie Sanders.
</p>
<p>
Biden is a strange mixture.  He has done a number of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#3_September_2023_(Free_trade_agreements'_effects)">things that
    surprised me for how <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#26_August_2023_(Student_debt_plan)">progressive</a> they were.  And he has partly
    achieved other <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#10_August_2023_(Grand_Canyon_protection)">progressive programs</a> to the extent progressives could
get them through Congress.  On the other hand, he keeps <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jan-apr.html#17_March_2023_(Oil_drilling_in_the_Arctic)">handing</a> planet
    roasters and other plutocrats <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-sep-dec.html#19_December_2022_(Biden_endorsed_Manchin's_deal_to_undermine_environmental_regulations)">gratuitous</a> victories.
</p>

 


title: Package travel sold through Xinjiang
uri: Package-travel-sold-through-Xinjiang
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Package_travel_sold_through_Xinjiang)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Package_travel_sold_through_Xinjiang)

content:
 
<p>

Urging western tourism companies to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/30/travel-firms-trips-uyghur-region-china-rights-abuses-xinjiang-tours">stop selling package travel
    through Xinjiang</a> 
into areas where <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jan-apr.html#8_March_2023_(Weaponizing_brainwave_measurability)">Uygurs are being brainwashed</a>.
</p>
<p>
It may be romantically exciting to imagine visiting Xinjiang and
pulling back the curtain or deception, but the Chinese who operate the
curtain are skilled experts whereas you would be encountering it for
the first time.  Whatever move you try, they would surely have
training and experience at countering.
</p>
<p>
It is wiser to leave that sort of thing to people who are themselves experts.
</p>

 


title: (satire) Black voters in impenetrable cube
uri: (satire)-Black-voters-in-impenetrable-cube
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_((satire)_Black_voters_in_impenetrable_cube)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_((satire)_Black_voters_in_impenetrable_cube)

content:
 
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/court-upholds-congressional-map-that-sealed-black-voter-1850804880?utm_source=regular">Court Upholds Congressional Map That Sealed Black Voters In
    Impenetrable Cube/</a>*
</p>

 


title: Mexico could provide a place for abortions
uri: Mexico-could-provide-a-place-for-abortions
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Mexico_could_provide_a_place_for_abortions)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Mexico_could_provide_a_place_for_abortions)

content:
 
<p>

  Mexico <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/08/mexico-abortion-ruling-americans-border">could provide a place</a> where US citizens in abortion-banning
southern states could get abortions.
  The ironic result would be that the main group of people in those
states who could <em>not</em> go to Mexico for an abortion would be the
unauthorized immigrants.  Republican racists would tear their hair out
to see their own abortion bans speeding the "great replacement".
</p>
<p>
Imagine a campaign calling for Texas to allow non-citizens to get
abortions <em>also</em>.  "Way to go, Republicans &mdash; protect every possible
anchor baby!"
</p>
<p>
Even better, US government could directly help the non-US-citizens get
abortions.  It could make an arrangement with Mexico to set up border
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/08/mexico-abortion-ruling-americans-border">abortion clinics on the Mexico side</a>, which would be federal facilities
so they would be lawful right away,
and allow anyone to cross the
border from the US directly into an abortion clinic and then return,
regardless of passport or immigration status.  However, only
authorized personnel would be allowed to enter the clinic from Mexico.
</p>
<p>
To make sure there is no unfairness towards Mexicans, each of these
transborder abortion clinics would be accompanied by another abortion
clinic that serves people coming from Mexico.
</p>
<p>
The arrangement could also explicitly permit royalty-free importation
of mifepristone and any other medicines purchased in these clinics.
</p>
<p>
What I don't know is whether it is possible to do this without getting
the approval of the Senate, which might be blocked by overt and covert
Republicans.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(When_hot_weather_kills_people)
title: When hot weather kills people
uri: When-hot-weather-kills-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(When_hot_weather_kills_people)
content:
 
<p>

In practical terms, hot weather tends to kill people when it reaches
the <a href="https://grist.org/extreme-heat/parts-of-the-world-have-already-grown-too-hot-for-human-survival/">point where humans must take conscious precautions to survive it</a>.
</p>
<p>
  That is well before the point of what I have called <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-may-aug.html#2_August_2022_(Wet_bulb_temperature)">"fatal weather"</a>
which is where nothing short of air conditioning will suffice.
</p>

<p>
Weather deadly by that lower standard has been observed in various
places in recent years.
</p>

 


title: Covid's back, it never went away
uri: Covid-s-back-it-never-went-away
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Covid's_back,_it_never_went_away)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Covid's_back,_it_never_went_away)

content:
 
<p>

*Covid's back, you say? As disabled and vulnerable people know all too
well, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/10/covid-coronavirus-disabled-vulnerable-people">it never went away</a>.*
</p>
<p>
What happened, rather is that governments gave up trying to protect the public
to cave to the people who preferred to pretend Covid was gone.  This is the case
in the US and Europe, with variations in details between countries.
</p>

 


title: British business barons invest in Labour party
uri: British-business-barons-invest-in-Labour-party
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(British_business_barons_invest_in_Labour_party)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(British_business_barons_invest_in_Labour_party)

content:
 
<p>

  British business barons are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/10/uk-bosses-flocking-to-labour-conference-business-turns-against-tories">flocking to invest in the Labour Party</a>.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Threat_to_freedom_of_the_press)
title: Threat to freedom of the press
uri: Threat-to-freedom-of-the-press
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Threat_to_freedom_of_the_press)
content:
 
<p>

The indictment of protesters against Cop City for "racketeering"
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/09/11/cop-city-indictments-protest-press-freedom/">threatens freedom of the press as well as freedom to protest</a>.
</p>

 


title: British unions defy anti-strike laws
uri: British-unions-defy-anti-strike-laws
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(British_unions_defy_anti-strike_laws)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(British_unions_defy_anti-strike_laws)

content:
 
<p>

  British unions have decided to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/11/tuc-agrees-non-compliance-strategy-against-anti-strike-laws">defy the Tories' new anti-strike laws</a>.
</p>

 


title: Federal thugs shot man in wheelchair
uri: Federal-thugs-shot-man-in-wheelchair
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Federal_thugs_shot_man_in_wheelchair)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Federal_thugs_shot_man_in_wheelchair)

content:
 
<p>

  Undercover federal <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> <a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/09/06/homelessness-family-shooting-forest-service-boise/">shot and maimed a man in a wheelchair</a> who had
come to the aid of his brother, whom the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> were attacking.  They
did not identify themselves as cops until after.
</p>
<p>
People should not be killed or maimed for coming to the aid, with or
without a gun, of someone being attacked by unknown strangers.
</p>
<p>
The fact that this victim was homeless doesn't alter the issue.
Neither does the fact that he already needed a wheelchair for some
other reasons.  Those are misfortunes, and a better organized society
would spare people the first of the two, but if the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> had done the
same thing to a fit and healthy home-owner it would have been equally
unjust.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Remember_the_9%2F11_war_lies)
title: Remember the 9/11 war lies
uri: Remember-the-9-11-war-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Remember_the_9%2F11_war_lies)
content:
 
<p>

*We Must Remember the 9/11 War Lies.*
</p>
<p>
  *We <a href="https://hartmannreport.com/p/america-cant-let-the-911-war-lies-26c">can’t afford to let these lies go down the memory hole</a>, like we have the other wars we were lied into.*
</p>
<p>
I disagree with Hartmann about ending the war in Afghanistan.  I
supported the war in Afghanistan, for the sake of democracy and
women's rights there, when it looked like we could win that war.  But
it became clear that the army we supported could never defeat the
Taliban.
</p>

 


title: Queensland cops attitude of bigotry
uri: Queensland-cops-attitude-of-bigotry
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Queensland_cops_attitude_of_bigotry)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Queensland_cops_attitude_of_bigotry)

content:
 
<p>

Queensland cops caught sharing a thuggish attitude of bigotry <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/12/its-like-theyre-impervious-fury-at-let-off-for-queensland-police-staff-in-racist-recordings">will not
    be punished</a>.
</p>
<p>
The state has a duty not to allow this.  Sneering at people with
insulting words cannot be a crime, since it is part of freedom of
speech.  But people who hold an office such as "<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#police">police officer</a>", which
includes special powers over everyone else and special authorization
for violence, have a duty to treat the public without bias.  If they
engage in bigotry, they are not fit for the office.  If they promote
bigotry among the other officers, they undermine the proper respect
for society among the whole body of officers.
</p>

 


title: Open letter condemning antisemitic comments by Mahmoud Abbas
uri: Open-letter-condemning-antisemitic-comments-by-Mahmoud-Abbas
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Open_letter_condemning_antisemitic_comments_by_Mahmoud_Abbas)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Open_letter_condemning_antisemitic_comments_by_Mahmoud_Abbas)

content:
 
<p>

*Dozens of leading Palestinian intellectuals, artists and other public
figures have published an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/11/intellectuals-condemn-mahmoud-abbass-attempt-to-justify-antisemitism">open letter condemning antisemitic
    comments</a> made by the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas.*
</p>
<p>
  Bravo!  Palestinians have <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#11_September_2023_(Israel's_apartheid_system_on_Palestinians)">plenty of reason</a> to hate Israel's occupation
policies;
  that they speak up to distinguish that from (and reject) antisemitism
is an admirable example.
</p>
<p>
If they can do this, surely the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-mar-jun.html#12_June_2023_(Legal_imposition_of_flawed_IRHA_criteria)">supporters of Israel's occupation
    policies</a>
   can do likewise.
</p>

 


title: Republicans blow smoke and exaggerate
uri: Republicans-blow-smoke-and-exaggerate
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Republicans_blow_smoke_and_exaggerate)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Republicans_blow_smoke_and_exaggerate)

content:
 
<p>

The Republicans' "investigation" of Biden, intended to find grounds
for impeachment, appears to be just <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/11/biden-impeachment-inquiry-abject-failure-report">"blow smoke and exaggerate it."</a>
</p>

 


title: Protests of Pinochet's dictatorship
uri: Protests-of-Pinochet-s-dictatorship
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Protests_of_Pinochet's_dictatorship)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Protests_of_Pinochet's_dictatorship)

content:
 
<p>

Chilean musicians <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/sep/11/music-pinochet-allende-hacia-la-victoria-chile-politics-resistance">protested Pinochet's dictatorship through underground
    performances</a>, often closed down by the regime's <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.
  Some protest musicians are blind &mdash; mutilated by <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.
</p>

 


title: Ginni Thomas exploited supreme court ruling
uri: Ginni-Thomas-exploited-supreme-court-ruling
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Ginni_Thomas_exploited_supreme_court_ruling)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Ginni_Thomas_exploited_supreme_court_ruling)

content:
 
<p>

  *Ginni Thomas and rightwing activists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/11/ginni-thomas-leonard-leo-harlan-crow-citizens-united-dark-money">exploited supreme court ruling</a> &mdash; report.*
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Zones_that_are_easy_to_police)
title: Zones that are easy to police
uri: Zones-that-are-easy-to-police
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#14_September_2023_(Zones_that_are_easy_to_police)
content:
 
<p>

Egypt is converting parks and open squares in Cairo into <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/11/egypt-saudi-arabia-megacity-human-cost">unwelcoming
    zones that are easy to police</a>.
</p>

<p>
 


title: Talk in Prague, Czech Republic on Oct. 1st
uri: Talk-in-Prague-Czech-Republic-on-Oct-1st
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Talk_in_Prague,_Czech_Republic_on_Oct._1st)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Talk_in_Prague,_Czech_Republic_on_Oct._1st)

content:
 
<p>
Richard Stallman will <a href="/talks.html#2023Oct01">give a talk</a>, 
"Free Software And Your Freedom",
in the Czech Republic in Prague on Oct 1.  That will be at this year's
<a href="https://1337.hcpp.cz/">Hackers Congress</a>,
part of the
<a href="https://cryptoevents.global/hackers-congress-paralelni-polis-2023/">Paralelni Polis 2023</a>,
September 29 – October 1, 2023.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Poverty_rate,_US)
title: Poverty rate, US
uri: Poverty-rate-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Poverty_rate,_US)
content:
 
<p>
* Poverty [in the US] increased sharply in 2022 due to safety net
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/poverty-increased-sharply-in-2022-due-to-safety-net-cutbacks-and-inflation-shock">cutbacks and inflation shock</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Auto_industry_strike)
title: Auto industry strike
uri: Auto-industry-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Auto_industry_strike)
content:
 
<p>
Bernie Sanders: *The United Auto Workers may soon strike.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/12/bernie-sanders-support-united-auto-workers-strike">Every
American</a>
should support them.*
<p>
I agree, but I am not sure how to do that.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Starlink_as_a_global_weapon)
title: Starlink as a global weapon
uri: Starlink-as-a-global-weapon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Starlink_as_a_global_weapon)
content:
 
<p>
The report that Musk deactivated Ukraine's use of Starlink near Crimea
just as Ukraine was sending attack drones there has been found to be a
confusion.  What actually happened was that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/sep/12/elon-musk-biographer-admits-suggestion-spacex-head-blocked-ukraine-drone-attack-was-wrong">he had never authorized</a>
Ukraine to use Starlink in that region.  Ukraine asked for this for
that attack, and he said no.
<p>
I won't call that treachery or any dirty names.  However, I disagree
with his decision.
<p>
Fortunately, Ukraine has developed other ways to attack Russian ships,
in port and at sea.
<p>
It is incorrect, however, to say that supporting Ukraine's attack
would have been "escalation".  Ukraine's intended attack on Putin's
ships would have been small compared to Putin's invasion of Ukraine,
and those ships had already been involved in attacking Ukraine.
Attacking them in their bases &mdash; as Ukraine has sometimes done since
in other ways &mdash; is simply continuing the war Putin started.

<p>
 


title: Journalistic-research source censured
uri: Journalistic-research-source-censured
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Journalistic-research_source_censured)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Journalistic-research_source_censured)

content:
 
<p>
Datasets for journalists
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/09/12/ddosecrets-censorship-reddit-twitter/">censured by Ex-Twitter and Reddit</a>
block the posting of links to the Distributed Denial of Secrets web site.
<p>
Russia and Indonesia block the site entirely.  Indonesia blocked it
after it posted the secrets of a big company that mines coal and deals
in palm oil.  One must suspect it of deforestation.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Big_tech_potency)
title: Big tech wartime potency
uri: Big-tech-wartime-potency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Big_tech_potency)
content:
 
<p>
Starlink has become controversial on account of Musk's repeated surprise
blockages to Ukraine, but all big tech companies have the same sort
of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/12/tech-giants-war-elon-musk-ukraine-starlink">dangerous world political power</a>
even if they have not used it yet.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_((Satire)_Minus_Tirith)
title: (Satire) "Minus" Tirith
uri: (Satire)-Minus-Tirith
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_((Satire)_Minus_Tirith)
content:
 
<p>
(satire) *Yevgeny Prigozhin Leads
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/yevgeny-prigozhin-leads-army-of-25-000-undead-toward-kr-1850775179?utm_source=regular">Army Of 25,000 Undead</a>
Toward Kremlin.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Police_killing_coverup)
title: Thugs-killing coverup
uri: Thugs-killing-coverup
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Police_killing_coverup)
content:
 
<p>
The Philadelphia <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
<a href="https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/eddie-irizarry-philadelphia-police-shooting-mark-dial-family-lawyer-20230822.html">that killed Eddie Irizarry</a>
lied to create an excuse, and the police chief said so and told a
different story which nonetheless gave them an excuse.  The cops
refused to release to videos that ought to have proved it was true.
But now a video has appeared which shows that too was all lies.  They
had no grounds at all for violence.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(TurboTax_NOT_free)
title: TurboTax NOT free
uri: TurboTax-NOT-free
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(TurboTax_NOT_free)
content:
 
<p>
Intuit claims that TurboTax is "free", but it has never been libre.
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2023/09/09/judge-orders-intuit-to-stop-lying-about-turbotax-being-free.html">A judge has ruled</a>
that it isn't gratis either, and ordered the company
to stop saying it is "free".
<p>
That they exchange money for using it is what most people are worked up about,
but the fact that users can't use it while keeping their freedom is what's truly important.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Goon_Squad_guilty_of_torture)
title: Goon Squad guilty of torture
uri: Goon-Squad-guilty-of-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Goon_Squad_guilty_of_torture)
content:
 
<p>
*Six [Mississippi <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>] known as the "Goon Squad" plead guilty to
<a href="https://mississippitoday.org/2023/08/03/six-rankin-officers-plead-guilty-to-torturing-two-black-men/">torturing two [black] men</a>,
using a sex toy on them and shooting one of them [almost killing him].*
<p>
The article linked to just above displays symbolic bigotry by
capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid endorsing bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)  <a href="/bigotry.html">I
denounce bigotry</a>, and normally I will not link to articles that
practice it.  But I make exceptions for some articles that I consider
important &mdash; and I label them like this.

<p>
 


title: (Satire) Guns as defense weapons
uri: (Satire)-Guns-as-defense-weapons
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_((Satire)_Guns_as_defence_weapons)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_((Satire)_Guns_as_defence_weapons)

content:
 
<p>
(satire) *Study: More Americans Buying AR-15s To Defend Selves From
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/study-more-americans-buying-ar-15s-to-defend-selves-fr-1850825860">Toddlers Who Found Their Guns</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Immigrant-ID_law_costly,_FL)
title: New immigrant-ID law costly, FL
uri: New-immigrant-ID-law-costly-FL
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Immigrant-ID_law_costly,_FL)
content:
 
<p>
Immigrants who helped Florida repair after previous hurricanes are afraid
to go there now, due to <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#dementis">DeMentis's</a>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/12/ron-desantis-immigration-law-idalia-recovery-effort">law to promote deportation</a>.
<p>
I wonder whether farms will have trouble finding workers for the harvest this year.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Protest_aftershocks,_Israel)
title: Protest aftershocks, Israel
uri: Protest-aftershocks-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Protest_aftershocks,_Israel)
content:
 
<p>
*Protests in Israel
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/12/israel-protests-judicial-curbs-supreme-court-challenge">as supreme court hears</a>
challenge to judicial curbs.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Libya_flood:_causation)
title: Libya flood: causation
uri: Libya-flood-causation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Libya_flood:_causation)
content:
 
<p>
*Libya’s floods are result of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/13/libya-floods-the-outcome-of-the-climate-crisis-meeting-a-failed-state">climate crisis meeting a failed state</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Fascism_in_Maricopa_County,_AZ)
title: Fascism in Maricopa County, AZ
uri: Fascism-in-Maricopa-County-AZ
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Fascism_in_Maricopa_County,_AZ)
content:
 
<p>
In
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/15/celia-nabor-maricopa-county-arizona-elections-official">Maricopa</a>
county, and many <a href="/archives/2023-jan-apr.html#23_April_2023_(Fascism_in_Shasta_County,_CA)">others</a>
where fascists have organized, they are
bombarding election officials with more public records requests than they can
answer, accusing officials of hiding some nonexistent conspiracy
(the sort of thing that only fascists actually do), and frightening capable
election officials into quitting.
<p>
The danger for democracy is that their replacements will be fascists.
Fascists know that they won't be persecuted.
<p>
Instead of the rule of law, fascists practice the rule of lie.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Axis_of_authoritarianism)
title: Axis of authoritarianism
uri: Axis-of-authoritarianism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#15_September_2023_(Axis_of_authoritarianism)
content:
 
<p>
The Russian fascist ruler (Putin)and American fascist would-be ruler
(Trump) have
<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-new-axis-of-evil">declared support for each other</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#16_September_2023_(Voter-ID_playbook,_UK)
title: Voter-ID playbook, UK
uri: Voter-ID-playbook-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#16_September_2023_(Voter-ID_playbook,_UK)
content:
 
<p>
*Voter ID in England led to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/11/voter-id-in-england-led-to-racial-and-disability-discrimination-report-finds">racial and disability discrimination</a>,
 report finds.*
<p>
This is what people <a href="/archives/2023-mar-jun.html#2_May_2023_(Thousands_will_rage,_UK)">predicted and criticized</a>
in advance, and surely 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#26_June_2012_(Purpose_of_voter_ID_laws)">what the Tories sought</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#16_September_2023_(Voter-ID_partial_unwind,_UK)
title: Voter-ID partial unwind, UK
uri: Voter-ID-partial-unwind-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#16_September_2023_(Voter-ID_partial_unwind,_UK)
content:
 
<p>
The Tories may be considering relaxing their voter-ID scheme somewhat,
but not in a way that would reduce the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/14/photo-id-voters-uk-cards-expansion-electoral-commisison-report">suppression of younger voters</a>
that the plan was designed to achieve.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#16_September_2023_(Elena_Kostyuchenko)
title: Elena Kostyuchenko
uri: Elena-Kostyuchenko
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#16_September_2023_(Elena_Kostyuchenko)
content:
 
<p>
Russian journalist
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/12/you-may-have-been-poisoned-how-an-independent-russian-journalist-became-a-target">Elena Kostyuchenko</a>
went to Ukraine to cover Putin's
invasion for the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, but stayed after
Putin closed it down.  Then she learned that there was an order out to
kill her.
<p>
She got sick, with an unidentifiable illness, and doctors eventually
concluded she had been poisoned by Putinite agents.
<p>
As her writing describes, it is not just a few heroes that Putin tries
to crush.  It is also hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians that the
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#putinforces">Putin forces</a> have conquered, then shot, <a href="/archives/2022-sep-dec.html#8_November_2022_(Putin_forces_kidnapping_people)">kidnapped</a>, 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-mar-jun.html#17_June_2022_(Details_of_Russia's_filtration_camps)">brainwashed or tortured</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#16_September_2023_(Abortion-trafficking,_Ala.)
title: "Abortion-trafficking", Ala.
uri: Abortion-trafficking-Ala
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#16_September_2023_(Abortion-trafficking,_Ala.)
content:
 
<p>
Alabama is trying to prosecute anyone that helps a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/12/anti-choice-states-arent-satisfied-now-they-want-to-punish-traveling-for-abortions">woman travel</a>
for an abortion for "criminal conspiracy".  Texas and Idaho also have
laws to punish helping a woman get out of the state for an abortion.
<p>
These laws are designed for repressive terror.
They show what fascist Christians stand for, and what they deserve.

<p>
 


title: De-democratization: UK anti-strike law
uri: De-democratization-UK-anti-strike-law
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#16_September_2023_(De-democratization:_UK_anti-strike_law)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#16_September_2023_(De-democratization:_UK_anti-strike_law)

content:
 
<p>
British
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/10/tuc-to-complain-to-un-watchdog-over-undemocratic-uk-anti-strike-law">unions will complain formally</a>
to the International Labor Organization about the Tories' new
restrictions on strikes, which violate UN rules.

<p>
 


title: NO digital learning, Swedish schoolchildren
uri: NO-digital-learning-Swedish-schoolchildren
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#16_September_2023_(NO_digital_learning,_Swedish_schoolchildren)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#16_September_2023_(NO_digital_learning,_Swedish_schoolchildren)

content:
 
<p>
Sweden is moving strongly back to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/11/sweden-says-back-to-basics-schooling-works-on-paper">teaching school on paper</a>.
The main aim is to help children learn better, but it also provides
an opportunity to free them from
<a href="https://gnu.org/education/">the grip of online disservices</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#17_September_2023_(Pirola_variant,_UK_and_US)
title: Pirola variant, UK and US
uri: Pirola-variant-UK-and-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#17_September_2023_(Pirola_variant,_UK_and_US)
content:
 
<p>
The UK is facing another wave of Covid-19 from the multi-mutation
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/16/nhs-uk-prepared-covid-winter-pirola-variant">Pirola variant</a>.
 Reducing the harm calls for wearing masks, but the government is too timid to promote them.
<p>
The situation is similar in the US.
<p>
I wear masks by choice, to protect myself and others.  So can you.

<p>
 


title: Amazon tactical growth: e-magazines
uri: Amazon-tactical-growth-e-magazines
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#17_September_2023_(Amazon_tactical_growth:_e-magazines)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#17_September_2023_(Amazon_tactical_growth:_e-magazines)

content:
 
<p>
Amazon has used its near-monopoly power to
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com:443/stories/2023/9/11/2192621/-Amazon-Apparently-Deliberately-Destroyed-Genre-Magazines-to-Enrich-Itself">force e-magazines</a>
out of operation or under its exclusive monopoly.
<p>
This is clearly an injustice.  However, the article does not take
notice of the context &mdash; based totally on injustice, because these
magazines were distributed for the <a href="media/3f1e898d.ebooks.pdf" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/ebooks.pdf">Amazon Swindle</a>.
<p>
Amazon identified each reader &mdash; an injustice &mdash; and, I
suspect made them sign contracts not to share copies &mdash; another
injustice.  They 
<a href="https://www.defectivebydesign.org/">may have had DRM</a>
&mdash; also an injustice.
<p>
Within this unjust context, Amazon's treatment of those magazines was wrong.
But the injustice of the <a href="/amazon.html#1984">Amazon Swindle</a>
is a far bigger wrong.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#17_September_2023_(The_Pope_knew,_1942)
title: The Pope knew in '42
uri: The-Pope-knew-in-42
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#17_September_2023_(The_Pope_knew,_1942)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/16/letter-suggests-pope-pius-xii-knew-of-mass-gassings-of-jews-and-poles-in-1942">A letter proves</a>
that Pope Pius XII received information in December
1942 from a close associate about mass murder of Jews by the German regime.
<p>
This refutes the claim that he could not be sure that Hitler was carrying out mass murder.
<p>
I can't dispute the point that the pope, living in the middle of Rome,
which at that time was the capital of Hitler's ally Mussolini, could not overtly oppose Hitler.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#17_September_2023_(Jan_8_coup,_Brazil)
title: Jan 8 coup, Brazil
uri: Jan-8-coup-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#17_September_2023_(Jan_8_coup,_Brazil)
content:
 
<p>
Brazil has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/14/far-right-fanatic-sentenced-17-years-coup-attempt-brazil">sentenced the first of hundreds</a>
of Bolsonaro supporters who attacked the government ministries on Jan 8 this year.

<p>
 


title: US accounts for more than third oil expansion
uri: US-accounts-for-more-than-third-oil-expansion
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(US_accounts_for_more_than_third_oil_expansion)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(US_accounts_for_more_than_third_oil_expansion)

content:
 
<p>

  *   The US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/12/us-behind-more-than-a-third-of-global-oil-and-gas-expansion-plans-report-finds">accounts for more than a third of the expansion</a> of global oil
   and gas production planned by mid-century, despite its claims of
   climate leadership,*
</p>
<p>
I suspect these figures are skewed by not including increases in coal
mining.  China is building new coal-fired generators at a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jan-apr.html#24_April_2023_(Coal_powering_up)">prodigious
    rate</a> and must be planning a comparable increase in the rate of coal
mining.  Whether the US or China comes out worse overall when all
kinds of fossil fuel are counted, I don't know, but they must both be
very bad.
</p>
<p>
  *World Bank <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/12/first-thing-world-bank-spent-billions-of-dollars-backing-fossil-fuels-in-2022-study-finds">spent billions of dollars backing fossil fuels</a> in
2022, study finds.*
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Air_capture_of_CO2)
title: Air capture of CO2
uri: Air-capture-of-CO2
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Air_capture_of_CO2)
content:
 
<p>

Direct air capture of CO2, though only rudimentary, is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/12/carbon-capture-texas-worlds-biggest-will-it-work">absolutely necessary
    for curbing global heating</a> &mdash; as long as our reductions in emissions
remain hopelessly inadequate.

 


title: Maria Ress and Rappler innocent of tax fraud
uri: Maria-Ress-and-Rappler-innocent-of-tax-fraud
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Maria_Ress_and_Rappler_innocent_of_tax_fraud)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Maria_Ress_and_Rappler_innocent_of_tax_fraud)

content:
 
<p>

Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, and the news site Rappler, have been
found <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/12/philippine-nobel-prize-winner-maria-ressa-acquitted-of-tax-charges">innocent of President Do-Dirty's tax fraud charges</a>.
</p>
<p>
  People suspected those <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#20_November_2018_(Do-dirty)">charges were fabricated</a>.
</p>
<p>
They still face other charges that are explicitly political.
</p>

 


title: From neoliberalism to right-wing populism
uri: From-neoliberalism-to-right-wing-populism
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(From_neoliberalism_to_right-wing_populism)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(From_neoliberalism_to_right-wing_populism)

content:
 
<p>

Under years of Tory rule, <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a> has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/12/tax-cuts-rich-britain-tory-test-lab-rightwing-populism">evolved from neoliberalism to
    right-wing populism</a> that drives down the meager incomes of the
non-wealthy.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Upgrade_in_US-Vietnam_relations)
title: Upgrade in US-Vietnam relations
uri: Upgrade-in-US-Vietnam-relations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Upgrade_in_US-Vietnam_relations)
content:
 
<p>

  *China concerns drive historic <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/12/china-concerns-drive-historic-upgrade-in-us-vietnam-relations">upgrade in US-Vietnam relations</a>.*
</p>
<p>
Some time after 2000 I learned that Vietnam had given the US a
military base.  I assumed this was support against Vietnam's enemy,
China.  China has been Vietnam's principal enemy ever since China
first conquered Vietnam, about two thousand years ago.  Since Vietnam
conclusively won independence, about a thousand years ago, it has
always had to watch out for China.
</p>
<p>
This is increase in relations is obviously good strategy against the
broader Chinese threat.  What makes me sad is that this is one more
dictatorship that the US supports, added to a long list.
</p>

 


title: (satire) Instacart Valuation crashes
uri: (satire)-Instacart-Valuation-crashes
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_((satire)_Instacart_Valuation_crashes)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_((satire)_Instacart_Valuation_crashes)

content:
 
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/instacart-valuation-crashes-as-americans-realize-they-c-1850825861">Instacart Valuation Crashes As Americans Realize They Can Do
    Some Things For Themselves.</a>*
</p>
<p>
Every "service" that requires each customer to identify perself is an
injustice simply for that.  So I am glad to see any of them lose
demand, whatever the reason.  However, shopping delivery services are
especially important to abolish, since their success threatens to
eliminate supermarkets and make life harder for those of us
who want to buy anonymously.
</p>

 


title: Crown Prince Bone Saw imprisons dissidents
uri: Crown-Prince-Bone-Saw-imprisons-dissidents
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Crown_Prince_Bone_Saw_imprisons_dissidents)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Crown_Prince_Bone_Saw_imprisons_dissidents)

content:
 
<p>

  Crown Prince Bone Saw has <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/08/29/saudi-arabia-man-sentenced-death-tweets">put several dissidents in prison</a>, and
sentenced one to death after a parody of a trial, for posting
criticism of the prince and other members of the royal family.
</p>
<p>
That regime is comparable in its evil to China, though some details
differ.
</p>

 


title: Tories dropping separation of UK and EU standards
uri: Tories-dropping-separation-of-UK-and-EU-standards
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Tories_dropping_separation_of_UK_and_EU_standards)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Tories_dropping_separation_of_UK_and_EU_standards)

content:
 
<p>

  The Tories are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/10/forcing-uturn-on-horizon-scientists-showing-flaws-of-brexit-can-be-overcome">dropping, step by step</a>, their plans to separate UK regulations
and inspections from EU standards.
  It is not clear that they will alter the policy changes that hurt
individuals, such as the plans to discard EU human rights requirements
or the burdens of not being EU citizen.  Ultimately, they care about
British businesses, not Britons.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(British_NHS_waiting_list)
title: British NHS waiting list
uri: British-NHS-waiting-list
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(British_NHS_waiting_list)
content:
 
<p>

  120,000 people in Britain <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/aug/30/national-tragedy-figures-show-large-rise-in-people-dying-while-on-nhs-waiting-list">died in 2022 while on NHS waiting lists</a>.
   That is double that dies while waiting in 2017/2018.
</p>
<p>
The cause of this is simple: bad policies imposed by the government.
Especially the policy of refusing to tax the rich so as to raise
enough funds to do the NHS job right and thoroughly.
</p>
<p>
I would have suggested voting for Labour, except now Labour is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#2_September_2023_(Labour_courting_big_business)">committed
    to be just as bad</a>.
</p>

 


title: Substances from marijuana useful medicines
uri: Substances-from-marijuana-useful-medicines
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Substances_from_marijuana_useful_medicines)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Substances_from_marijuana_useful_medicines)

content:
 
<p>

  A study found that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/aug/30/young-people-pregnant-women-and-drivers-should-avoid-cannabis-study">some substances from marijuana are useful medicines</a>,
but that aside from that young people (including teenagers and a little
older) and those who are pregnant should not take it.
</p>

 


title: Thugs stop family rushing dog to vet
uri: Thugs-stop-family-rushing-dog-to-vet
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Thugs_stop_family_rushing_dog_to_vet)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Thugs_stop_family_rushing_dog_to_vet)

content:
 
<p>

A white family in New Mexico was rushing to bring their badly injured
dog to a vet, when some <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> <a href="https://www.krqe.com/news/investigations/video-family-rushing-to-save-dogs-life-held-at-gunpoint-by-police/">stopped them and (for no reason at all)
    decided they were threatening someone somehow</a>.
</p>
<p>
The <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> made some get out of the car and pointed guns at them, as
they did nothing but say, "Our dog's gonna die."
</p>
<p>
The article does not say how many minutes the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> delayed this
trip to the veterinarian, so we can't try to guess whether the dog
might have survived without their intervention.
</p>
<p>
Another commentator pointed out that it is rare for whites to get this
horrible treatment, but blacks learn that for them it is standard.
</p>
<p>
This instance clearly illustrates how <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> can perceive threats and
defiance where there are none at all.
</p>

 


title: UK thugs delighted by facial recognition
uri: UK-thugs-delighted-by-facial-recognition
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(UK_thugs_delighted_by_facial_recognition)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(UK_thugs_delighted_by_facial_recognition)

content:
 
<p>

UK <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/11/facial-recognition-could-transform-policing-in-way-dna-testing-did-says-met-chief">delighted with the idea of identifying "suspects" by
    facial recognition</a> in all sorts of footage of crowds.
</p>
<p>
These "suspects" may very well be protesters charged
with grave crimes that are disguises for <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_June_2021_(Right_to_protest)">"causing inconveniencing with
    a protest"</a> &mdash; or "<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#7_December_2020_(Crime_against_democracy)">damaging corporations' profits with a protest</a>."
</p>
<!--
[pol note]
 -->

 


title: Short supply of various produce in UK
uri: Short-supply-of-various-produce-in-UK
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Short_supply_of_various_produce_in_UK)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Short_supply_of_various_produce_in_UK)

content:
 
<p>

UK supplies of tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, peppers and citrus
fruits <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/sep/13/uk-grocery-items-climate-breakdown-risk">ran short this year</a> due to unnatural extreme weather caused
by <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>.
</p>
<p>
The danger is predicted to extend to bananas, grapes, avocados,
cashews, cocoa, peas, canned tuna and tea.
</p>
<p>
I expect this problem to be global, more or less.
</p>

 


title: Biden's age covered as scandal by US news
uri: Biden-s-age-covered-as-scandal-by-US-news
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Biden's_age_covered_as_scandal_by_US_news)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Biden's_age_covered_as_scandal_by_US_news)

content:
 
<p>

  *   US news organizations have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/15/trump-biden-mainstream-politics-news-coverage">turned Biden’s age into a scandal</a> and
   continue to cover Trump as an entertaining side show.
With democracy on the ballot, the mainstream press must change its ways.*
</p>

 


title: Key diversity spots to safeguard
uri: Key-diversity-spots-to-safeguard
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Key_diversity_spots_to_safeguard)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#18_September_2023_(Key_diversity_spots_to_safeguard)

content:
 
<p>

*   From the Sargasso Sea to the Costa Rica thermal dome, scientists are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/15/five-amazing-ocean-sites-to-make-the-first-protected-high-seas-areas">identifying key diversity hotspots to safeguard</a> under a new UN treaty.*
</p>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Bullshit_generators)
title: Bullshit generators
uri: Bullshit-generators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Bullshit_generators)
content:
 
<p>

  Using <a href="https://locusmag.com/2023/09/commentary-by-cory-doctorow-plausible-sentence-generators/">bullshit generators to generate letters of recommendation</a>,
letters of complaint, or letters of pressure, paradoxically makes
them count for less.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Ex-twitter_paid_ads)
title: Ex-twitter paid ads
uri: Ex-twitter-paid-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Ex-twitter_paid_ads)
content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#extwitter">Ex-Twitter</a> has <a href="https://mashable.com/article/twitter-x-removes-ad-labels-for-some-users">stopped labeling paid ads at all</a>, for some users.
</p>

 


title: Sanctions on Iran for non-nuclear deal
uri: Sanctions-on-Iran-for-non-nuclear-deal
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Sanctions_on_Iran_for_non-nuclear_deal)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Sanctions_on_Iran_for_non-nuclear_deal)

content:
 
<p>

The non-nuclear deal with Iran calls for lifting certain sanctions in
October 2023.  However, France, Germany and the UK say that Iran's
violations are significant and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/14/uk-france-and-germany-refuse-to-lift-sanctions-on-iran-under-nuclear-deal">they won't do it</a>.
</p>
<p>
Iran could come back into compliance if it decided to.
It might do this if the US offers a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#12_December_2020_(Iran_willing_to_resume_the_nuclear_deal)">return to the deal
    in exchange</a>.
</p>

 


title: We need a radical change in economic policy
uri: We-need-a-radical-change-in-economic-policy
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(We_need_a_radical_change_in_economic_policy)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(We_need_a_radical_change_in_economic_policy)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/14/we-need-radical-change-in-economic-policy-not-just-a-change-of-government">We need radical change in economic policy</a>, not just a change of government.*
</p>
<p>
This goes for the US as well as the UK.
</p>

 


title: New York University to divest from fossil fuels
uri: New-York-University-to-divest-from-fossil-fuels
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(New_York_University_to_divest_from_fossil_fuels)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(New_York_University_to_divest_from_fossil_fuels)

content:
 
<p>

  Students have convinced New York University to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/12/new-york-university-fossil-fuel-divestment">divest from fossil fuels</a>.
</p>
<p>
Going by the article, the criteria will be fairly strict.  Many
organizations have "divested from fossil fuels", but it covered only
some of the ways of investing in fossil fuels, leaving plenty of room
to do so.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Carbon_offsets_misleading)
title: "Carbon offsets" misleading
uri: Carbon-offsets-misleading
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Carbon_offsets_misleading)
content:
 
<p>

A study has found that "carbon offsets" as certified by Verra are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/15/rainforest-carbon-credit-schemes-misleading-and-ineffective-finds-report">misleading and ineffective</a>.
</p>

 


title: Right-wing extremist as mayor in Germany
uri: Right-wing-extremist-as-mayor-in-Germany
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Right-wing_extremist_as_mayor_in_Germany)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Right-wing_extremist_as_mayor_in_Germany)

content:
 
<p>

A right-wing extremist is likely to be elected mayor of a city in
Germany.  He has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/15/prospective-afd-mayor-will-be-barred-from-holocaust-events-memorial-directors">condemned the activities to remind Germans of the
    evil of the Holoaust</a>.
</p>
<p>
I don't see in the article that he endorses antisemitism, but I think
the AfD party is heading in a direction which will get there soon.
</p>
<p>
  Another politician in that party is being <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/14/afd-politician-bjorn-hocke-to-stand-trial-germany-banned-nazi-slogan">tried for using a Nazi slogan</a>.
</p>
<p>
I abhor censorship of anything, even Nazism, because censorship opens
the door to tyranny.  However, so does Nazism, and more generally
fascism.  I am not sure which is the bigger danger.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Advice_about_tobacco_policies)
title: Advice about tobacco policies
uri: Advice-about-tobacco-policies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Advice_about_tobacco_policies)
content:
 
<p>

The government of Victoria got advice about tobacco policies from the
PR company KPMG which has a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/15/victorian-government-hired-kpmg-to-consult-on-tobacco-changes-despite-firms-links-to-industry">long association with tobacco companies</a>.
  This was, in effect, giving those companies special influence over
the policies meant to protect the public from their addictive,
disease-causing product.
</p>

 


title: Exxon Executives cast doubt on climate science
uri: Exxon-Executives-cast-doubt-on-climate-science
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Exxon_Executives_cast_doubt_on_climate_science)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Exxon_Executives_cast_doubt_on_climate_science)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/new-documents-show-exxon-executives-cast-doubt-on-climate-science-to-protect-profits">New[ly released old] Documents</a> Show <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#exxon">Exxon</a> Executives Cast Doubt on
 Climate Science to Protect Profits.*
</p>
<p>
  *   ExxonMobil executives <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/14/exxonmobil-documents-wall-street-journal-climate-science">privately sought to undermine climate science</a>
   even after the oil and gas giant publicly acknowledged the link between
   fossil fuel emissions and [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>].*
</p>
<p>
In 2008, <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#exxon">Exxon</a> said it would stop supporting climate-denialist groups
but it continued to support influentia; individual climate-denialists.
</p>

 


title: Wisconsin's gerrymandered state senate
uri: Wisconsin-s-gerrymandered-state-senate
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Wisconsin's_gerrymandered_state_senate)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Wisconsin's_gerrymandered_state_senate)

content:
 
<p>

Wisconsin's gerrymandered state senate gives Republicans a 2-1
supermajority.  They <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/14/wisconsin-republicans-vote-fire-meagan-wolfe-election-official">just voted to fire the state's chief election
    administrator</a> &mdash; in line with conspiracy disinformation, but really
for having unwelcome integrity.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(The_Earth_has_limits)
title: The Earth has limits
uri: The-Earth-has-limits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(The_Earth_has_limits)
content:
 
<p>

*The Guardian view on planetary boundaries: the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/14/the-guardian-view-on-planetary-boundaries-the-earth-has-limits-and-governments-must-act-on-them">Earth has limits and
    governments must act on them</a>.*

 


title: DeMentis contradicts his own abortion law
uri: DeMentis-contradicts-his-own-abortion-law
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(DeMentis_contradicts_his_own_abortion_law)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(DeMentis_contradicts_his_own_abortion_law)

content:
 
<p>

Florida governor <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#dementis">DeMentis</a> *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/14/ron-desantis-abortion-law-contradict-criminalize">contradicted [his] own abortion law to
    claim woman will not be criminalized.</a>*
  However, the text clearly admits of prosecuting the woman who has
an abortion.
</p>
<p>
This is the common Republican tactic of trying to have it both ways.
</p>
<!--
[pol note with an example]
  -->

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Desperation_of_some_shoplifters)
title: Desperation of some shoplifters
uri: Desperation-of-some-shoplifters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Desperation_of_some_shoplifters)
content:
 
<p>

  *I work in a supermarket and see <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/14/supermarket-shoplifters-professionals-people-poor-food">how desperate some shoplifters are</a>. My heart
goes out to them.*
</p>
<p>
The same worker also sees professional thieves, and addicts who steal
to buy an addictive drug.  Those have always existed, but what's changed
is that now there are many desperate thieves stealing necessities of life.
</p>

 


title: Coverup of Mangosuthu Buthelezi's career
uri: Coverup-of-Mangosuthu-Buthelezi-s-career
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Coverup_of_Mangosuthu_Buthelezi's_career)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Coverup_of_Mangosuthu_Buthelezi's_career)

content:
 
<p>

After Mangosuthu Buthelezi's death, South African officials are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/16/margaret-thatcher-mangosuthu-buthelezi-south-africa-warlord">covering up his career</a> of running a movement to serve the apartheid
government and repress for it.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(IHRA_criterion_for_antisemitism)
title: IHRA criterion for antisemitism
uri: IHRA-criterion-for-antisemitism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(IHRA_criterion_for_antisemitism)
content:
 
<p>

Use of the IHRA criterion for antisemitism has led to 40 cases of
accusations by universities against specific people and groups, of
which <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/sep/13/antisemitism-definition-used-by-uk-universities-leading-to-unreasonable-accusations">38 have been dismissed</a>.
</p>

 


title: Starbucks workers' union considering consumer boycott
uri: Starbucks-workers-union-considering-consumer-boycott
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Starbucks_workers'_union_considering_consumer_boycott)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Starbucks_workers'_union_considering_consumer_boycott)

content:
 
<p>

The Starbucks workers' union is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/sep/13/starbucks-boycott-union-busting">considering calling for a consumer
    boycott</a>.
</p>
<p>
Why wait?  You can start boycotting now.  I would, except that I never
buy from Starbucks anyway &mdash; its products don't appeal to me.
</p>

 


title: Test to determine use of mifepristone and misoprostol
uri: Test-to-determine-use-of-mifepristone-and-misoprostol
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Test_to_determine_use_of_mifepristone_and_misoprostol)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Test_to_determine_use_of_mifepristone_and_misoprostol)

content:
 
<p>

  The Polish government has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/16/abortion-pills-week-in-patriarchy-arwa-mahdawi">funded development</a> of a test to determine
whether someone has taken mifepristone and misoprostol.
  And now it is using this test to determine whether specific people
have had abortions.
</p>
<p>
Some right-wing US politicians are looking forward to the same thing.
</p>

 


title: Possible repeal for authorizations of use of force in Iraq
uri: Possible-repeal-for-authorizations-of-use-of-force-in-Iraq
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Possible_repeal_for_authorizations_of_use_of_force_in_Iraq)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Possible_repeal_for_authorizations_of_use_of_force_in_Iraq)

content:
 
<p>

  Congress is <a href="https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/4203737-22-years-after-military-force-was-authorized-in-afghanistan-congress-needs-to-restore-basic-checks-and-balances/">considering repealing</a> the authorizations for use of
military force in Iraq.  It should also repeal the one for Afghanistan,
which has been used to justify war in other parts of the globe.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Recording_of_Seattle_thug)
title: Recording of Seattle thug
uri: Recording-of-Seattle-thug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Recording_of_Seattle_thug)
content:
 
<p>

  A Seattle <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> was <a href="https://jalopnik.com/officer-caught-laughing-at-grad-student-killed-by-cop-1850830548">recorded expressing derision</a> for a woman who was
killed by another <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> who was driving dangerously fast to deal with
an incident.
</p>
<p>
The derision did not injure anyone, but it shows he has the wrong
attitude towards members of the public and is not fit to be a police
officer.
</p>

 


title: Starmer adopts a Corbyn idea on trade
uri: Starmer-adopts-a-Corbyn-idea-on-trade
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Starmer_adopts_a_Corbyn_idea_on_trade)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Starmer_adopts_a_Corbyn_idea_on_trade)

content:
 
<p>

  Starmer has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/17/keir-starmer-commits-to-rewriting-brexit-deal-if-labour-wins-election">adopted one of Corbyn's ideas about trade with the EU</a>,
at least partially.
  Corbyn said he would <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jan-apr.html#8_March_2023_(Rethinking_Brexit)">try to form a customs union with the EU</a>.
</p>
<!--
[pol note]
  -->

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(NYC_march_against_fossil_fuels)
title: NYC march against fossil fuels
uri: NYC-march-against-fossil-fuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(NYC_march_against_fossil_fuels)
content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/17/march-to-end-fossil-fuels-new-york-city">Tens of thousands in NYC march against fossil fuels</a> as AOC hails powerful
message.*
  *Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said the crowd must become ‘too big and too
radical to ignore” as Biden came under fire for oil projects.*
</p>
<p>
I agree.  Having separate rallies <em>on different dates</em>* in various cities
makes a smaller impression with the same number of people.
</p>
<p>
When people are motivated enough for hundreds of thousands to rally in
Washington DC, that will be impossible to ignore.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Social_networking_change)
title: Recovering, social-networking addict
uri: Recovering-social-networking-addict
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Social_networking_change)
content:
 
<p>
How quitting Facebook and <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#extwitter">Ex-Twitter</a> enabled
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/18/social-media-addiction-quit-facebook-twitter">one user</a>
to change for the better his approach to life.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Energy_transition,_AUS_analysis)
title: Energy transition, AUS analysis
uri: Energy-transition-AUS-analysis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Energy_transition,_AUS_analysis)
content:
 
<p>
Australia needs to replace the old coal-powered electric generators.
The
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/18/replacing-australias-retiring-coal-power-stations-with-small-nuclear-reactors-could-cost-387bn-analysis-suggests">right-wing wants to build small nuclear power plants</a>,
but they would cost over 17 times as much as solar power, 9 times as much as wind power.
<p>
Clearly the lobbying for small nuclear plants does not aim to serve
the public good.  It is an attempt by companies to profit by wasting
public funds.  That was pretty clear already, but this strengthens the case.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Solar_farms_in_space)
title: Solar farms in space
uri: Solar-farms-in-space
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Solar_farms_in_space)
content:
 
<p>
Solar power
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/sep/17/tim-peake-backs-idea-for-solar-farms-in-space-as-costs-fall">satellites are being considered</a>
seriously by the EU.
<p>
The L5 society's 1980 plan was to build large ones using material from
the Moon.  Launching that from the Moon's shallower gravity well would
be far cheaper than launching that from Earth.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Funding_climate_mitigation,_CA)
title: Funding climate mitigation, CA
uri: Funding-climate-mitigation-CA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Funding_climate_mitigation,_CA)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/17/california-sues-oil-companies-claiming-they-downplayed-the-risk-of-fossil-fuels">*California sues</a>
[five giant] oil companies claiming they [deceptively downplayed] the risk of fossil fuels.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Tigray's_dark_war,_Ethiopia)
title: Tigray's dark war, Ethiopia
uri: Tigray-s-dark-war-Ethiopia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(Tigray's_dark_war,_Ethiopia)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/sep/19/tigray-ethiopia-atrocities-continuing-after-ceasefire-un-rights-experts-warn">Despite the cease fire</a>
of the Tigray region's forces with Ethiopia, the atrocities continue
there, committed by other ethnic Ethiopian militias and the Eritrean army.



<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(NYC_debates_climate_threats)
title: NYC debates climate mitigation
uri: NYC-debates-climate-mitigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(NYC_debates_climate_threats)
content:
 
<p>
Expensive plans to protect Rockaway in NYC from
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/19/new-york-hurricane-sandy-flooding-plan">future hurricanes</a>
may not be
effective.
<p>
The article explains that efforts to estimate the probability of a
another similar disaster were bogus or confused.  Meanwhile, science
has advanced since the 2000s.  We should make a more plausible
estimate of that probability, based on acceleration of <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>,
then increase it for our continued incomplete knowledge.
<p>
Then we should make another such estimate assuming that proposed flood
protection plans have been implemented.  We can judge whether those
plans are worth implementing based on how much they decrease the
disaster likelihood.
<p>
If even after flood protection it is likely that another disaster will
happen within 50 years, the federal government should buy out the
properties there, and declare it a protected zone.  Let it become
beach, or wetlands.  We had better be spending that money on
decarbonization, which protects the whole world, not on short-term
protection of each area by itself.

 


title: Tibetan children in China's boarding schools
uri: Tibetan-children-in-China-s-boarding-schools
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Tibetan_children_in_China's_boarding_schools)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Tibetan_children_in_China's_boarding_schools)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230915235126/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/15/opinion/china-tibet-boarding-school.html">The One Million Tibetan Children in China’s Boarding Schools.</a>*
  They are being taught Chinese culture and separated from Tibetan
culture.  Tibet is being abolished.
</p>
<p>
Many other countries have done this to minority groups, including the
US, UK, Canada and France, to mention only those I recall at this
moment.
</p>

 


title: Conditions of use on medical equipment
uri: Conditions-of-use-on-medical-equipment
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Conditions_of_use_on_medical_equipment)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Conditions_of_use_on_medical_equipment)

content:
 
<p>

Some manufacturers of medical equipment are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/09/14/lethal-injection-medical-equipment/">trying to impose
    conditions</a> on how the purchaser uses it &mdash; "use for execution
prohibited."  They are trying to propagate this to indirect purchasers
too.
</p>
<p>
I oppose the death penalty.  However, these manufacturers are claiming
the outrageous general power to control those who buy their products.
Use that power to ban use for execution, they could use it to ban
anything else too.  Imagine "Use of this cable for copying audio and
video works without explicit authorization from copyright holders is
prohibited."
</p>
<p>
We must not tolerate the attempt to impose such power just because it
is being applied today to aid a cause we support.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Parents_tracking_their_children)
title: Parents tracking their children
uri: Parents-tracking-their-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Parents_tracking_their_children)
content:
 
<p>

Parents in the US are tracking their children up through ever-higher
ages.  Now some college students are being tracked.
</p>
<p>
  This article <a href="https://www.freerangekids.com/what-tracking-does-to-the-parent-child-relationship/">describes the harm that does</a>.
</p>

 


title: Large UK union spending on issues
uri: Large-UK-union-spending-on-issues
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Large_UK_union_spending_on_issues)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Large_UK_union_spending_on_issues)

content:
 
<p>

A large UK union will spend some money on publicly promoting a few
specific policy issues, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/17/unite-leader-sharon-graham-labour-has-to-shift-on-key-policies">instead of giving it to Labour</a>.
</p>
<p>
Not all of these policies are good.  One of them is to continue
developing more offshore oilfields, to extract oil that the world
cannot safely burn or make into more plastic.
</p>
<p>
I am in favor of a well-managed green transition, but trying to demand
it by overdrawing the carbon budget is environmental terrorism.
</p>
<p>
I can't see a reason why it would be beneficial overall to subsidize
steel production rather than import it.  Does that have any purpose
except competition for the votes of steel workers?
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Indian_agents_in_Canada)
title: Indian agents in Canada
uri: Indian-agents-in-Canada
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Indian_agents_in_Canada)
content:
 
<p>

Trudeau accuses Indian agents of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/sep/19/fear-the-night-review-neil-labute-on-losing-streak-with-atrocious-home-invasion-thriller">murdering a Sikh separatist leader in Canada</a>.
</p>
<p>
I do not see a reason to support that separatist cause, but assassinating
exiles is not justified.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Labor_activism_good_for_America)
title: Labor activism good for America
uri: Labor-activism-good-for-America
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Labor_activism_good_for_America)
content:
 
<p>

  Robert Reich: *<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/why-labor-activism-is-good-for-all">Why labor activism is good for America.</a>*
</p>

 


title: Plans to protect Rockaway in NYC
uri: Plans-to-protect-Rockaway-in-NYC
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Plans_to_protect_Rockaway_in_NYC)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Plans_to_protect_Rockaway_in_NYC)

content:
 
<p>

  Expensive <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/19/new-york-hurricane-sandy-flooding-plan">plans to protect Rockaway in NYC</a> from future hurricanes may not be
effective.
</p>
<p>
The article explains that efforts to estimate the probability of a
another similar disaster were bogus or confused.  Meanwhile, science
has advanced since the 2000s.  We should make a more plausible
estimate of that probability, based on acceleration of <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>,
then increase it for our continued incomplete knowledge.
</p>
<p>
Then we should make another such estimate assuming that proposed flood
protection plans have been implemented.  We can judge whether those
plans are worth implementing based on how much they decrease the
disaster likelihood.
</p>
<p>
If even after flood protection it is likely that another disaster will
happen within 50 years, the federal government should buy out the
properties there, and declare it a protected zone.  Let it become
beach, or wetlands.  We had better be spending that money on
decarbonization, which protects the whole world, not on short-term
protection of each area by itself.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Levels_of_salt_in_UK_food)
title: Levels of salt in UK food
uri: Levels-of-salt-in-UK-food
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Levels_of_salt_in_UK_food)
content:
 
<p>

For several years, the UK Labour government ordered reductions in the
amount of salt added to certain foods.  In 2014, the new government
ended that, and levels of salt increased.  This has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/19/end-of-salt-reduction-drive-led-to-24000-premature-deaths-in-england-study">tied to
    24,000 additional deaths</a>.
</p>
<p>
Since we get accustomed to whatever level of salt we consume,
there is no loss in reducing that across the board.
</p>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Reject Republican plans to cut Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security
uri: Urgent-Reject-Republican-plans-to-cut-Medicaid-Medicare-and-Social
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#21_September_2023_(Urgent:_Reject_Republican_plans_to_cut_Medicaid,_Medicare,_and_Social_Security)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#21_September_2023_(Urgent:_Reject_Republican_plans_to_cut_Medicaid,_Medicare,_and_Social_Security)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/red-alert-republican-budget-chair-proposes-closed-door-commission?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-red-alert-republican-budget-chair-proposes-closed-door-commission">call on Congress</a>
to reject Republican plans to cut Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.
<p>
Rich people do not have a "right" to keep all the money they alter our laws to direct to them!
<p>
If you are invited to phone your representative, that is an effective
thing to do.  But you don't need to do this by texting from a
snoop-phone.  You can simply phone 202-224-3121.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#21_September_2023_(Short_war_in_Azerbaijan)
title: Short war in Azerbaijan
uri: Short-war-in-Azerbaijan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#21_September_2023_(Short_war_in_Azerbaijan)
content:
 
<p>
Azerbaijan
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/19/azerbaijan-launches-anti-terrorist-campaign-in-disputed-nagorno-karabakh-region">heavily attacked</a>
the Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Renew funding for child care
uri: Urgent-Renew-funding-for-child-care
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Urgent:_Renew_funding_for_child_care)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Urgent:_Renew_funding_for_child_care)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to renew funding for child care before
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/call-on-congress-to-invest-in-child-care-before-funding-expires-on-september-30?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-sign-to-support-child-care-funding-before-it-expires-at-the-end-of-the-month">it expires on September 30</a>.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are
<a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>,
<a href="tel:+18888186641">+1-888-818-6641</a> and
<a href="tel:+18883553588">+1-888-355-3588</a>.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Tax billion-dollar corporations
uri: 2023-09-22-Urgent-Tax-billion-dollar-corporations
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Urgent:_Tax_billion-dollar_corporations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Urgent:_Tax_billion-dollar_corporations)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on the Biden Administration to stay firm against
<a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/biden-corporatetax?akid=9263.223515.dDlmWO&c0=biden-corporatetax.2HvFgz&rd=1&source=em20230914_2&t=1006">corporate lobbyists</a>,
and tax billion-dollar corporations.
<p>The White House comments lines are 
<a href="tel:+12024561111">+1-202-456-1111</a>
and (TTY/TDD) +1-202-456-6213.</p>
If you phone, please spread the word!<p>

<p>
 


title: Google lost another location-data lawsuit
uri: Google-lost-another-location-data-lawsuit
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Google_lost_another_location-data_lawsuit)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#20_September_2023_(Google_lost_another_location-data_lawsuit)

content:
 
<p>
California sued Google
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/sep/14/google-location-tracking-data-settlement">for keeping track</a>
of location history even when a user had specified not to do so.
<p>
In the settlement, Google committed to being more "transparent" about what
it was doing with location data.  The article does not say that it
committed to giving users the option for not storing location data
that it will truly obey.
<p>
The usual practice when
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">governments regulate with snooping
disservices</a>
is to assume that "transparency" (as part of asking for "consent") is
sufficient to make any sort of snooping legitimate.
Given that many users find that other aspects of
their lives practically compel them to use the disservice, they
don't really have the choice not to "consent".  Making the
request for consent "transparent" does nothing to fix that.

 


title: Celebrating 40 years: the GNU Project
uri: Celebrating-40-years-the-GNU-Project
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#21_September_2023_(Celebrating_40_years:_the_GNU_Project)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#21_September_2023_(Celebrating_40_years:_the_GNU_Project)

content:
 
<p>
Richard Stallman will be speaking at the GNU 40th anniversary event in Switzerland on
September 27<sup>th</sup>.
<p>
Celebration and Free/Libre Software Developer meeting in Biel/Bienne
<p>
40 years ago the GNU Project &mdash; to develop the GNU operating system &mdash;
was launched and gave birth to the Free Software movement, and Free
Software has since become the cornerstone of modern computing.  The
GNU Project is celebrating its fortieth anniversary with a hacker
meeting at the Volkshaus in Biel/Bienne, which will feature
presentations about various GNU packages, Free Software philosophy,
and the development process.
<p>                                                                                              
  <ul>                                                                                           
    <li> When? The event runs <b>September 27, 2023, 9:00&ndash;22:00 CEST</b>                   
    <li> When is this keynote address?  On September 27<sup>th</sup> at 14:00h                   
    <li> Where? <b>Volkshaus in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland</b>                                     
    <li> Link: <<a href="https://www.gnu.org/gnu40/">https://www.gnu.org/gnu40/</a>>             
  </ul>                                                                                          

<p>
 


title: Assange lands AUS delegation to US
uri: Assange-lands-AUS-delegation-to-US
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#21_September_2023_(Assange_lands_AUS_delegation_to_US)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#21_September_2023_(Assange_lands_AUS_delegation_to_US)

content:
 
<p>
Australian elected officials are putting pressure on the US to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/20/the-australia-us-alliance-has-long-gone-unchallenged-the-delegation-to-free-julian-assange-changes-that">drop charges against Julian Assange</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#21_September_2023_(Strike_and_you_are_in)
title: Strike and you are in
uri: Strike-and-you-are-in
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#21_September_2023_(Strike_and_you_are_in)
content:
 
<p>
Robert Reich: *Strikes aren’t bad for the US economy.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/19/strikes-us-economy-uaw-writers-actors-starbucks">They’re the best</a>
thing that could happen.*
<p>
Previous waves of strikes gave America the large middle class that has now
been mostly eliminated by the power of the rich.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#21_September_2023_(India_assasinating_separatists)
title: India assassinating separatists
uri: India-assassinating-separatists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#21_September_2023_(India_assasinating_separatists)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/19/canada-killing-adds-to-suspicions-of-indian-crackdown-on-sikh-separatists">Modi is accused</a>
of a series of assassinations of Sikh separatists.
<p>
I do not support that separatist cause, and it is legitimate for Indian
leaders to oppose it.  But not by assassination of exiles.
Is Modi taking after Putin as well as after <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">the bullshitter</a>?

<p>
 


title: Russia, Belarus taking children of Ukraine
uri: Russia-Belarus-taking-children-of-Ukraine
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#21_September_2023_(Russia,_Belaruse_taking_children_of_Ukraine)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#21_September_2023_(Russia,_Belaruse_taking_children_of_Ukraine)

content:
 
<p>
The <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#putinforces">Putin forces</a> have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/19/children-arrive-in-belarus-after-being-illegally-removed-from-ukraine">kidnapped over 18,000</a>
Ukrainian children from occupied areas and sent them to Russia.  Some of them have been
taken to Belarus by Lukashenko's agents.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#22_September_2023_(Human_lifeblood_scorched)
title: Civilization's lifeblood scorched
uri: Civilization-s-lifeblood-scorched
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#22_September_2023_(Human_lifeblood_scorched)
content:
 
<p>
This July in the US was the hottest month ever, and it caused
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/02/farming-food-supply-climate-change-drought-rain">unprecedented damage</a>
to US food production, covering land and sea.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#22_September_2023_(An_election_theory_very_base)
title: An election theory very base
uri: An-election-theory-very-base
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#22_September_2023_(An_election_theory_very_base)
content:
 
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker</a> is using criminal indictments
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/18/trump-election-strategy-biden-indictments">as a campaign strategy</a>.
His supporters hate government, justice and democracy so much
that he can turn them against any honest manifestation of them.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#22_September_2023_(Immigrant_detention_system,_UK)
title: Immigrant detention system, UK
uri: Immigrant-detention-system-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#22_September_2023_(Immigrant_detention_system,_UK)
content:
 
<p>
*I warned ministers about our
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/19/ministers-detention-centres-inspections-brook-house-suella-braverman-home-office">disgraceful</a>
UK detention centres. Their solution? Stop the inspections.*

<p>
 


title: Leaked: France complicit in Egypt's assassinating civilians
uri: Leaked-France-complicit-in-Egypt-s-assassinating-civilians
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#22_September_2023_(Leaked:_France_complicit_in_Egypt's_assasinating_citizens)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#22_September_2023_(Leaked:_France_complicit_in_Egypt's_assasinating_citizens)

content:
 
<p>
France accused of trampling freedom of the press for arresting
investigative journalist Ariane Lavrilleux, who reported on leaked
documents alleging
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/19/france-accused-attack-press-freedom-journalist-arrest">French intelligence targeted civilians in Egypt</a>.
She has been arrested,
<p>
France is becoming ever more repressive.  Long-distance buses now
require passengers' names, just like long-distance trains; next year,
all trains that travel from city to city will impose the same demand.
It is becoming difficult to pay for the Paris Metro with cash.
<p>
Pervasive tracking and surveillance is
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">the foundation for pervasive
repression</a>.

<p>
 


title: Carbon footprint study on remote working
uri: Carbon-footprint-study-on-remote-working
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#22_September_2023_(Carbon_footprint_study_on_remote_working)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#22_September_2023_(Carbon_footprint_study_on_remote_working)

content:
 
<p>
Working from home makes it possible to
<a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/working-remotely-can-more-than-halve-an-office-employees-carbon-footprint/">save over 50%</a>
of one's greenhouse gas emissions, by avoiding commuting, but achieving that
much savings requires taking significant steps to make your activities around home greener.
<p>
We should not forget that most employers demand use of unjust
technology that people should never tolerate.  Starting with things like
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/who-does-that-server-really-serve.html">Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams</a>,
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">Google Docs</a>,
and lots of imposed
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">employer-operated spyware</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#22_September_2023_(Co-official_languages,_Spain)
title: Co-official languages, Spain
uri: Co-official-languages-Spain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#22_September_2023_(Co-official_languages,_Spain)
content:
 
<p>
Spain has permitted speaking to Parliament in
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/19/spain-grants-basque-catalan-and-galician-languages-parliamentary-status">Basque, Catalan and
Galician</a>,
in addition to as Castilian (what is known as Spanish outside Spain).
Those three have long been official languages for people to use in Spain.
<p>
It may feel like a great victory to the activists of those ethnic
groups to have gained this added prestige for their languages.  In
practically terms, though, that right is useless because exercising it
is self defeating: if you speak to Parliament in one of those other
languages, you ensure that most of Parliament will not understand you.

<p>
 


title: Hope for whistleblower's trial, AUS
uri: Hope-for-whistleblower-s-trial-AUS
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#22_September_2023_(Whistleblower_relief_in_sight,_AUS)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#22_September_2023_(Whistleblower_relief_in_sight,_AUS)

content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/20/rex-patrick-launches-public-advocacy-fund-to-support-defence-whistleblower-david-mcbride">A campaign</a>
is raising funds to support whistleblower David McBride,
who revealed war crimes by Australia's military.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Your contracts, in the fine print: forced arbitration
uri: Urgent-Your-contracts-in-the-fine-print-forced-arbitration
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#23_September_2023_(Urgent:_Your_contracts,_in_the_fine_print:_forced_arbitration)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#23_September_2023_(Urgent:_Your_contracts,_in_the_fine_print:_forced_arbitration)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/urge-the-cfpb-to-stop-forced-arbitration-now?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-call-on-the-cfpb-to-stop-forced-arbitration-2">call on the CFPB</a>
to stop forced arbitration now.

<p>
 


title: Decarbonization backtracking, Tories
uri: Decarbonization-backtracking-Tories
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#23_September_2023_(Decarbonization_backtracking,_Tories)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#23_September_2023_(Decarbonization_backtracking,_Tories)

content:
 
<p>
The Tories have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/20/rishi-sunak-confirms-rollback-of-key-green-targets">dropped the commitments</a>
for decarbonization they adopted some years ago.
<p>
  It is a <a href="/archives/2023-jan-apr.html#12_April_2023_(Tories_taking_back_promise)">standard Tory pattern</a>
to make a commitment in response to public pressure backed by valid
reasons, go slowly, drop it a few years later when conditions make it in convenient.
<p>
Thus they pretend to address national problems but don't really do so.
<p>
A UK minister said that Britain must give up on decarbonization
rather than achieve it by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/20/suella-braverman-net-zero-not-bankrupting-british-people">"bankrupting the British people</a>."
<p>
This choice is the result of a policy that will ensure suffering
for most British people: the <a href="/archives/2023-may-aug.html#15_July_2023_(Tax_the_rich_v._cuts_to_services,_UK)">refusal to tax the rich</a>.
Britain has many grave problems, all caused by a lack of public spending. <a href="/archives/2023-may-aug.html#2_July_2023_(UK_school_buildings_closed_as_unsafe)">Schools</a>,
<a href="/archives/2023-may-aug.html#6_July_2023_(Collapsing_NHS_in_UK,_a_history)">the NHS</a>,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-jan-apr.html#1_April_2022_(Housing_for_UK_homeless)">housing for the non-rich</a>,
<a href="/archives/2022-jul-oct.html#20_September_2022_(Tying_global_heating_to_capitalism)">public transit</a>, as well as avoiding <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> disaster.
<p>
Ceasing the policy of providing more and more of national
income to the rich and the wealthy is necessary for all of them.
Corbyn would do this; Tories and Starmer-Labour have surrendered
to the rich and therefore can't do much about these problems.
<p>
I reject the term "net zero" for the way to formulate the goal of
curbing greenhouse emissions.  It provides an excuse to accept
continuing emissions that might well be underestimated.

<p>
 


