# articles

feed_id: f0d25eebb5464629ad72e2e26a13a970
title: Urgent: Remove provisions from FAA bill
uri: Urgent-Remove-provisions-from-FAA-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_September_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Remove_provisions_from_FAA_bill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your senators and congresscritter, and call on them
to 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/09/remove-drone-shoot-down-and-biometric-surveillance-sections-faa-act">remove
the drone shoot-down provision and the biometric surveillance
provision</a> from from the FAA reauthorization bill.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
and 888-355-3588.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!


feed_id: 37bd69bd3cfaf38d17e887b744769773
title: Urgent: Medicare for All PAC
uri: Urgent-Medicare-for-All-PAC
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_September_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Medicare_for_All_PAC%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: contribute to the Medicare for All PAC.
<p>
All you need to do is send a check to
<p>
PO Box 21912<br />
Seattle, WA 98111


feed_id: c63ce2d0ed6ca1a473cb700414cd1a88
title: Global ban on nuclear weapons
uri: Global-ban-on-nuclear-weapons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_September_2018_%28Global_ban_on_nuclear_weapons%29

content:
<p>
Arguments for a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/09/24/its-time-ban-nukes-good">global
ban on nuclear weapons</a>.


feed_id: bad26ca715ee3b75fa39a7ca8b7fe428
title: Bully terrorizing immigrants
uri: Bully-terrorizing-immigrants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_September_2018_%28Bully_terrorizing_immigrants%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> is now terrorizing authorized immigrants, 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1798253">threatening to deny
them permanent residency if they get get federal benefits for the
health of their children</a>, who are entitled because they are US
citizens.


feed_id: 8408f70d1a22a2197391e726b4f08dbb
title: Houston could avoid flood damage
uri: Houston-could-avoid-flood-damage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_September_2018_%28Houston_could_avoid_flood_damage%29

content:
<p>
Adapting Dutch technology and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/25/texas-coastal-barrier-could-prevent-hurricane-damage-if-oil-companies-will-help-fund-it">spending
$15 billion dollars</a> could enable Houston to avoid a much larger
sum in flood damage from future hurricanes.
<p>
The sad thing is, the US has become so downtrodden that it no longer
has the gumption to tax companies so it can do important jobs.  Thus,
this job can be done only if companies graciously bestow their
sponsorship.  Then they will ask us to be grateful for it.


feed_id: acabfea1fe9711ecff163e37bba7db27
title: Privatization of El Salvador's water
uri: Privatization-of-El-Salvador-s-water
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_September_2018_%28Privatization_of_El_Salvadors_water%29

content:
<p>
Campaigners Fear 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/sep/25/campaigners-fear-creeping-privatisation-el-salvador-water">Creeping
Privatisation of El Salvador's Water</a>.


feed_id: 22a5d4d4376abcc8e6e80eee1e673b0d
title: Climate gentrification
uri: Climate-gentrification
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_September_2018_%28Climate_gentrification%29
content:
<p>
Climate Gentrification: 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/25/climate-gentrification-phoenix-flagstaff-miami-rich-poor">the
Rich Can Afford to Move</a> &mdash; What About the Poor?


feed_id: abec2687af904c37f923b85ddc4ecbb8
title: US healthcare system
uri: US-healthcare-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_September_2018_%28US_healthcare_system%29
content:
<p>
Ex-UN Chief Ban Ki-moon Says US Healthcare System Is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/25/ex-un-chief-ban-kioon-says-us-healthcare-system-is-morally-wrong">'Morally
Wrong'</a>.
<p>
He also acknowledged that businesses are blocking a national health
system for their profits' sake.


feed_id: c6e336f21ac50c23e07e2904ec903103
title: Arrest of Senator Trillanes
uri: Arrest-of-Senator-Trillanes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_September_2018_%28Arrest_of_Senator_Trillanes%29
content:
<p>
Philippine Senator Trillanes, who had been sheltering in the senate hall,
has been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/25/duterte-critic-antonio-trillanes-iv-hits-out-at-darkness-and-evil-philippines">arrested</a>.


feed_id: 23dfba114472086d8b6b20cc3ef3033f
title: Joshua trees
uri: Joshua-trees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_September_2018_%28Joshua_trees%29
content:
<p>
Joshua trees 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/25/us-national-parks-climate-change-impacts">may
disappear from Joshua Tree National Park</a> as a result of global
heating effects.


feed_id: 54ce72379d901f906968e6b92162aa6a
title: Republican Party to face wrath
uri: Republican-Party-to-face-wrath
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_September_2018_%28Republican_Party_to_face_wrath%29

content:
<p>
The Republican Party Is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/sep/25/republican-party-face-wrath-women">About
to Face the Wrath of Women</a>.


feed_id: 0721f9516482a7600b6a3a61723be14f
title: US-Mexico border walls
uri: US-Mexico-border-walls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_September_2018_%28US-Mexico_border_walls%29
content:
<p>
Existing US border walls along parts of the border with Mexico 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/25/border-wall-security-dangers-flooding">damage
infrastructure and the environment</a>.
<p>
They don't stop people from trying to enter the US illegally, but
do push them into more risky routes on which a greater fraction die.
<p>
I think that is the border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>' intention, judging from the way they
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#17_April_2018_(Water_for_crossers)">destroy
water supplies left by humanitarians</a>.


feed_id: 4bb722cd48be8fe32bdc4215454dfdbf
title: China
uri: 2018-09-29-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_September_2018_%28China%29
content:
<p>
China is gaining influence in the UN's defense of human rights, and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/24/china-starts-to-assert-its-world-view-at-un-as-influence-grows">won't
use that for good</a>.
<p>
Whether it will do more evil than the US directed by the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>
remains to be seen.


feed_id: 7c8eb655b3ae1daaf0f57393fa072162
title: Glyphosate harms honeybees
uri: Glyphosate-harms-honeybees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_September_2018_%28Glyphosate_harms_honeybees%29
content:
<p>
Glyphosate can harm honeybees by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/24/monsanto-weedkiller-harms-bees-research-finds">damaging
their normal intestinal bacteria</a>.  This is in addition to other
indirect forms of harm.


feed_id: 8381d3a2a931fe8a96c8497d65bac5c8
title: Permanent arrangement for Idlib
uri: Permanent-arrangement-for-Idlib
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_September_2018_%28Permanent_arrangement_for_Idlib%29

content:
<p>
France and the US are pressuring for a permanent arrangement for Idlib
and for the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/24/syria-war-unga-france-warning-russia-extend-ceasefire">removal
of Iranian forces from Syria</a>.


feed_id: 36dea814b378486e91d0ac956c6fd34e
title: Discussion of political activity
uri: Discussion-of-political-activity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_September_2018_%28Discussion_of_political_activity%29

content:
<p>
If you discuss political activity as a game between teams, in which
the sides can win or lose points, you're 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/1797019">missing the
point</a>.


feed_id: c24a454d9970e292a4c3c69473c2bd86
title: Urgent: Hold Kavanaugh's confirmation
uri: Urgent-Hold-Kavanaugh-s-confirmation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#29_September_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Hold_Kavanaugh%27s_confirmation%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your senators at 1-844-248-4061 and call on them to
hold Kavanaugh's confirmation process for an FBI investigation, and
vote against him if that isn't done.
</p>
<p>If you phone, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 1b8cb66d271610c57e6688fa20a23be3
title: Oil train brakes
uri: Oil-train-brakes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#29_September_2018_%28Oil_train_brakes%29
content:
<p>
In another act against Americans' safety, the US
has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/09/25/shameless-trump-repeals-rule-meant-prevent-oil-carrying-bomb-trains-derailing-and">canceled
a rule</a> requiring oil trains to upgrade to computer-controlled
brakes.
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> in charge was convinced by the argument that the cost of upgrading
the brakes exceeds the worth of lives that might be lost in explosions
from runaway trains.


feed_id: 7bc62f5449950c61e219214c293b4795
title: Deportation thug boycott
uri: Deportation-thug-boycott
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#29_September_2018_%28Deportation_thug_boycott%29
content:
<p>
If you would like to stop the US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, one way is
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/09/25/outraged-ices-treatment-children-how-close-your-wallet-companies-profit-it">boycott
companies</a> that serve the US deportation thug department.
<p>
There are many reasons to boycott the big banks
<a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">and Amazon</a>.


feed_id: b9849b6a5745013941aa67d64740f24f
title: Deradicalization system
uri: Deradicalization-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#29_September_2018_%28Deradicalization_system%29
content:
<p>
A deradicalization system in
Australia <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/child-among-90-people-deradicalised-by-victoria-s-extremist-taskforce-20180925-p505y4.html">explains
how it operates</a>: finding people holding an intense grudge who
might get tipped into an insane desire for violence, then working with
them.
<p>
Some of these grievances might be due to real injustices.
<p>
One Somali boy was "mistakenly accused of swearing at police."  The
word "accused" has a range of meanings.  Did someone merely say that
the boy uttered curse words at some <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>?  That's a valid meaning,
but it seems unlikely to have resulted in a lasting grudge.
<p>
I have a hunch that insulting a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> is a crime in Australia, and that
the boy was charged with this "crime".  That would not justify
terrorism, but it would justify the grudge.
<p>
If that is what happened, Australia should repeal that law and
apologize to everyone prosecuted under it.  Insulting people is part
of freedom of speech.  People deserve the right to curse at <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, at
elected officials, at you, even at me.


feed_id: baaa057d384edf9dfd76e6fdf6f873f7
title: Expensive coal plants
uri: Expensive-coal-plants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#29_September_2018_%28Expensive_coal_plants%29
content:
<p>
Some US electric utilities are running their expensive coal plants
and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/09/25/millions-unwitting-americans-paying-1-billion-more-dirty-coal-energy-each-year-when">charging
customers extra</a> to pay for that, rather than buying cheaper
electricity to resell.


feed_id: e6ed3f078a88836349ee27dfaf1d4c88
title: Power of foreign business
uri: Power-of-foreign-business
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#29_September_2018_%28Power_of_foreign_business%29
content:
<p>
One issue where the bullshitter is right: he condemns the idea of
surrendering the state to globalization &mdash; to
the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/sep/26/donald-trump-globalisation-nation-state">power
of foreign business</a>.
<p>
The ironic part is that he bows down eagerly to business on all
other aspects of policy.


feed_id: 30a7486e28ff3a904169bc399bf8b50e
title: Civil war and Ebola
uri: Civil-war-and-Ebola
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#29_September_2018_%28Civil_war_and_Ebola%29
content:
<p>
The ever-bubbling civil war in the DR
Congo <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/26/drc-resumes-battle-against-ebola-after-militia-attack">impeded
vaccination</a> against Ebola.


feed_id: 562c095db9265d72a684ce7665cf0614
title: Saboteur Nielsen
uri: Saboteur-Nielsen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#29_September_2018_%28Saboteur_Nielsen%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> Nielsen, head of the Department of Harsh Sadism, chose a
policy recommended by staff as a way to deter unauthorized immigration
and that they acknowledged would mean taking children (and teenagers)
away from their parents.  Subsequently
she <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/09/25/family-separation-border-crossings-zero-tolerance/">lied
repeatedly</a> about those two facts.


feed_id: 1e016d9dcf5126fe4bcc178f92f9302c
title: Support for attacking Yemen
uri: Support-for-attacking-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#29_September_2018_%28Support_for_attacking_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
Important Democrats in
Congress <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/09/26/yemen-us-military-house-resolution/">now
support a resolution</a> to stop supporting Salafi Arabia in attacking
Yemen.


feed_id: 862edd58c589b55f7f6a9b00ff34cd18
title: Kavanaugh and Mark Judge
uri: Kavanaugh-and-Mark-Judge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#29_September_2018_%28Kavanaugh_and_Mark_Judge%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/1798852">Julie Swetnick
swears</a> that Kavanaugh and Mark Judge used to put drugs in the
punch at their house parties so as to make girls lose their
inhibitions, or even incapacitate them so a series of boys could rape
them.
<p>
She was once drugged to the point where she could not resist being
repeatedly raped.  She doesn't claim that Kavanaugh was one of the
rapists, but
they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/26/brett-kavanaugh-latest-accusation-julie-swetnick-sexual-misconduct-michael-avenatti">allowed
it to happen</a>.
<p>
Several friends of Prof. Blasey
Ford <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/26/christine-blasey-ford-kavanaugh-sworn-affidavits-senate">have
signed statements</a> that she told them about Kavanaugh's rape
attempt years ago, as far back as 2012.
To some she said his name; to another she said, "He's now a federal
judge."


feed_id: 5b622052419874f9e1e06f09f42e8782
title: Jailing fracking protesters
uri: Jailing-fracking-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#29_September_2018_%28Jailing_fracking_protesters%29
content:
<p>
The Jailing of Fracking Protesters Tells
Us <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/sep/26/jailing-fracking-protesters-fight-caroline-lucas">We
Are Winning This Fight</a>.
However, the UK is escalating repression of nonviolent protest on many
different issues.
<p>
The author is one of the leaders of the UK Green Party, and was arrested
(but not jailed) for a similar nonviolent protest.


feed_id: 18717335fdad298fb2f60a8c96a0a9f8
title: Methane leaks rule
uri: Methane-leaks-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#29_September_2018_%28Methane_leaks_rule%29
content:
<p>
The
saboteurs' <a href="https://grist.org/article/trumps-latest-rule-rollback-makes-natural-gas-as-dirty-as-coal/">elimination
of the methane leaks rule</a> will make natural gas as dirty as coal.


feed_id: 178bda08e02e3975869543d4b9be18a1
title: Civilian casualties in Yemen
uri: Civilian-casualties-in-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#29_September_2018_%28Civilian_casualties_in_Yemen%29

content:
<p>
Civilian casualties in Yemen
have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/sep/26/huge-spike-in-yemen-violence-as-civilian-deaths-rise-by-164-in-four-months-hodeidah">more
than doubled</a> since June.


feed_id: 56d2ea7847352300cebb9b6b1b66c9ca
title: Urgent: Believe Christine
uri: Urgent-Believe-Christine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Believe_Christine%29
content:
<p>
In the
US: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13489">say
that you believe</a> Christine Blasey Ford.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 7f883496e1c5468a20a70cfa873abb27
title: ABA and Kavanaugh
uri: ABA-and-Kavanaugh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28ABA_and_Kavanaugh%29
content:
<p>
Just after Kavanaugh cited his approval by the ABA, the ABA called for
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1799559">suspending the
process</a> of confirming him, so the FBI can investigate.


feed_id: 4e45bc01ec0262b8d2e338c8049156db
title: Water spill
uri: Water-spill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Water_spill%29
content:
<p>
(satire) A Coca Cola water tanker ship exploded off the coast of
Mexico, leaving marine animals drenched.  Water is
now <a href="https://www.theonion.com/dasani-under-fire-after-tanker-explosion-leads-to-massi-1829362402">washing
up on the coast</a>.


feed_id: 5961d5834e78dab70d8af4b17f904957
title: ARPA-E projects
uri: ARPA-E-projects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28ARPA-E_projects%29
content:
<p>
ARPA-E funds projects for efficient energy storage.  Congress
has <a href="https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/9/20/17877850/arpa-e-long-term-energy-storage-days">not
let the bully kill it</a>.


feed_id: fee0d72590e99022cc845e982d75c380
title: Patent examiners
uri: Patent-examiners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Patent_examiners%29
content:
<p>
Evidence suggests many patent examiners
are <a href="https://voxeu.org/article/revolving-doors-and-regulatory-capture">influenced
corruptly</a> by the prospect of future employment by businesses that
get patents.
<p>
The future employment they seek is,
effectively, <a href="media/86756526.tabakovic2018.pdf" data-original-source="http://twin.sci-hub.tw/6890/35bbcc5521812d70182e7449799a549f/tabakovic2018.pdf">lobbying
patent examiners</a> on behalf of those businesses.


feed_id: 23fcbf8d50d363a8874e60cd731cb312
title: Disks with customer data
uri: Disks-with-customer-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Disks_with_customer_data%29
content:
<p>
A store sold its old servers, and the disks
were <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/canadian-retailers-servers-storing-15-years-of-user-data-sold-on-craigslist/">sold
with customers' personal data</a> which is now being used to harm
those customers.
<p>
The obvious way to try to prevent repetition of this specific problem
is with a law about disposal of servers' disks.
<p>
The deeper way to fix this and many other problems caused by stores'
personal data is not to allow stores to collect any.  Stores should
not be allowed to track their customers.


feed_id: c704f11de27abaf93114efa1732804f6
title: McDonald's worker strike
uri: McDonald-s-worker-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28McDonald%27s_worker_strike%29
content:
<p>
McDonald's
workers <a href="https://www.jacobinmag.com/2018/09/mcdonalds-strike-metoo-sexual-harassment-organizing">held
a one-day strike</a> against sexual harassment on the job, which they
say often includes groping by supervisors.


feed_id: 344bf293682e262ad62d930b2ab062eb
title: Student debt forgiveness
uri: Student-debt-forgiveness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Student_debt_forgiveness%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> offered Americans paths to have their student debts "forgiven",
but those paths are strewn with obstacles and your chances of reaching
the goal are roughly zero.  Loan companies neglect to inform people of
the fine
print, <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/kz5zew/youre-probably-not-getting-that-loan-forgiveness-youre-counting-on">leading
them to fail</a>.


feed_id: 794e9b51202058c38a6f6108ff233634
title: Fan Bingbing
uri: Fan-Bingbing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Fan_Bingbing%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://m.cnn.com/en/article/h_c2f6d7bb858058fe39c7fd1c06fb5479">Fan
Bingbing's Disappearance</a> Shows No One Is Safe from Beijing.
<p>
I know very little about that actress, and I have no reason to
conclude that the charges are political.  For all I know, she might be
guilty of tax evasion.  Or not.
<p>
But this is not the way suspects ought to be treated.


feed_id: b0088761865ab1f303d09f94718406c4
title: Acapulco thug department
uri: Acapulco-thug-department
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Acapulco_thug_department%29
content:
<p>
The Mexican federal
government <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/26/americas/mexico-authorities-raid-acapulco-police-force/index.html">took
direct control</a> of the Acapulco thug department and arrested thugs
suspected of working with criminal gangs.
<p>
The War on Drugs fuels those gangs.  If limited to other kinds of crime,
the gangs would not disappear, but they couldn't get as much money.


feed_id: d233df0c7a610a951fdb28ca056f2de0
title: No-fly list lawsuit
uri: 2018-10-01-No-fly-list-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28No-fly_list_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180924/13253040704/court-wont-let-fbi-dodge-lawsuit-removing-american-citizen-no-fly-list-shortly-shortly-after-being-sued.shtml">Court
Won't Let FBI Dodge Lawsuit</a> By Removing American Citizen From
No-Fly List Shortly After Being Sued.


feed_id: 3b9ab73b6f94316d5b449c37fc3af5d3
title: Right to Repair activist
uri: Right-to-Repair-activist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Right_to_Repair_activist%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/qvajpv/michigan-teen-right-to-repair">About
the teenage activist</a> pushing for Right to Repair in Michigan.
<p>
Sad to say, the article does not hint at the ethical points.
Americans have been taught that businesses are fundamentally entitled
to treat customers in any way that customers will go along with,
and only certain kinds of arguments can be used against that.


feed_id: 51d336e245a95943f9046a2dc0cf3b85
title: Russian poisoner
uri: Russian-poisoner
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Russian_poisoner%29
content:
<p>
Journalist-investigators say they have identified one of the poisoners
of the Skripals as
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/sep/27/we-got-really-lucky-novichok-suspects-identities-revealed-bellingcat">Russian
intelligence colonel</a>.


feed_id: a55147f780fef95939af3265964dfcb8
title: World's orca population
uri: World-s-orca-population
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Worlds_orca_population%29
content:
<p>
Half the world's orca population will be 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/27/orca-apocalypse-half-of-killer-whales-doomed-to-die-from-pollution">killed
by PCBs</a> that continue leaking into the ocean.
<p>
A treaty calls for destroying the PCBs that were produced decades ago,
but only the US has actually tried to do it.


feed_id: 95d81a27a703b1175b9af62a45532b47
title: Former Veracruz governor sentenced
uri: Former-Veracruz-governor-sentenced
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Former_Veracruz_governor_sentenced%29

content:
<p>
The former governor of Veracruz has been sentenced to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/27/javier-duarte-mexico-veracruz-guilty-sentenced-corruption">9
years in prison for corruption</a>.


feed_id: bf1ef44f189ba42285b0b7c17630c15e
title: UK anti-fracking activists stand firm
uri: UK-anti-fracking-activists-stand-firm
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28UK_anti-fracking_activists_stand_firm%29

content:
<p>
UK anti-fracking activists, jailed for nonviolently blocking fracking
activities, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/27/jailed-anti-fracking-activists-release-defiant-video-message">stand
firm</a> and say that they will win the battle against fracking.


feed_id: 772a49c1c2553b7407c0f65964eb6675
title: Border thugs on Greyhound buses
uri: Border-thugs-on-Greyhound-buses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Border_thugs_on_Greyhound_buses%29

content:
<p>
ACLU: Greyhound 
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/immigrants-rights/ice-and-border-patrol-abuses/greyhound-still-failing-protect-customers-border">continues
to let US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> board a bus and demand to see passengers'
id</a> &mdash; and pretends that it has no choice.


feed_id: 2a0c31fff611bef728923335747057a4
title: Google's censorship
uri: Google-s-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Googles_censorship%29
content:
<p>
Google is 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/09/27/google-executive-declines-to-say-if-china-censors-its-citizens/">trying
to fudge the wrong of censoring for China</a> by denying that it's
censorship.


feed_id: 5cae945fdb90654ec9ea80f3685f73d9
title: Platform censorship
uri: Platform-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Platform_censorship%29
content:
<p>
Platform Censorship: Lessons From the Copyright Wars.  Basically,
forcing web sites to censor "fake news", "terrorism" or "hatred" 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/09/platform-censorship-lessons-copyright-wars">will
censor a lot more than that</a>.
<p>
As I read the article, the repeated use of 
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Content">"content"</a>
as a noun irritated me.  I also grit my teeth when I see some
publications referred to as
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Theft">"unlawful"</a>
when really they only infringe copyright, and by the verb
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Monetize">"monetize"</a>.
<p>
I linked to the article despite that because its point is important.
<p>
I wish there were another article I could link to instead.


feed_id: 7c181cbb5b7656cc38b47f77ed0c319a
title: Speculative investment vehicles
uri: Speculative-investment-vehicles
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Speculative_investment_vehicles%29

content:
<p>
The speculative investment vehicles that gave us the fiscal crisis of
2008 are banned, but
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/09/26/one-global-finances-biggest-doctors-warns-world-economy-about-get-very-sick">banks
are selling something quite similar</a>.


feed_id: 72988fc1d55d61bc6e97a706631c1f08
title: Storage batteries
uri: Storage-batteries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Storage_batteries%29
content:
<p>
Tesla's giant storage battery in Australia has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/sep/27/south-australias-tesla-battery-on-track-to-make-back-a-third-of-cost-in-a-year">recovered
1/3 of its construction cost in one year</a>.
<p>
Clearly the world needs a lot more storage batteries.


feed_id: 6c3a2fa8cc367849dfb6bf5c88673294
title: Selling blood products for big profit
uri: Selling-blood-products-for-big-profit
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Selling_blood_products_for_big_profit%29

content:
<p>
Selling blood products for big profit 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/sep/27/my-career-as-an-international-blood-smuggler">led
to disaster in China</a>; it spread HIV among the donors and perhaps a
million of them, perhaps more, died from that.
<p>
The US blood system is heading in the same direction. depending on
testing carried out by people whose imperative is to work fast.


feed_id: 91eb2be7bbd8e50c527a6f5a35a146cf
title: Wife is not husband's property in India
uri: Wife-is-not-husband-s-property-in-India
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Wife_is_not_husbands_property_in_India%29

content:
<p>
Adultery Is Not a Crime, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/27/adultery-is-not-a-crime-india-top-court-rules">India's
Supreme Court Rules</a>.
<p>
This is to say, a wife is not her husband's property.


feed_id: eb9214ab44a2b676bb24c2a5626f9fe9
title: Corruption in Argentina
uri: Corruption-in-Argentina
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Corruption_in_Argentina%29
content:
<p>
Describing corruption in Argentina as the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/27/argentina-corruption-book-cristina-fernandez">'main
structure of power'</a>.


feed_id: a5f2fffbe186e278f384929354da0d6a
title: Illegal fishing operation of US coast
uri: Illegal-fishing-operation-of-US-coast
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Illegal_fishing_operation_of_US_coast%29

content:
<p>
A large illegal fishing operation 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/27/sea-cucumber-poacher-washington">threatened
to wipe out sea cucumbers off the coast of Washington State</a>.  The
authorized fishing operations were cut way back to give the sea
cucumbers a chance to increase their population.


feed_id: abbc97477888a1c65b066e19dbd8ddfc
title: US children not getting enough sleep
uri: US-children-not-getting-enough-sleep
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28US_children_not_getting_enough_sleep%29

content:
<p>
Most US children, age 8-11, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/27/us-children-sleep-screen-time-cognitive-skills-study">spend
too much time using digital screens</a> and not enough time sleeping.
<p>
This is associated with poorer cognitive development, but that leaves
the question of which causes which.
<p>
Perhaps starting school at a later hour would help them get more
sleep.


feed_id: ac227eba66e16462f79a9bc7bdd1f6e0
title: Dutch gun license applications
uri: Dutch-gun-license-applications
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Dutch_gun_license_applications%29

content:
<p>
Anger at 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/27/anger-dutch-plan-ask-race-religion-gun-licence-applicants">Dutch
Plan to Ask Race And Religion</a> of Gun Licence Applicants.
<p>
Political views, too.


feed_id: a031e0c0bc5a1c99483a0b1e0bc12fc8
title: Puerto Rico
uri: 2018-10-01-Puerto-Rico
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Puerto_Rico%29
content:
<p>
The sacking of Puerto Rico began 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/09/21/puerto-rico-hurricane-maria-disaster-capitalism/">long
before Hurricane Maria</a>.
<p>
Disaster capitalism (through their subsidiary, the US government)
demanded crushing cuts in all public services including education and
medicine; to get this, it 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#29_June_2016_(Bill_to_protect_Puerto_Rico)">eliminated
democratic government there</a>.


feed_id: d5a7c9efd3a567652aafbe85a919d97f
title: Italy's right-wing government
uri: Italy-s-right-wing-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Italys_right-wing_government%29

content:
<p>
Italy's right-wing government is making a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/26/fake-news-journalist-made-chair-of-italys-state-broadcaster">bigoted
right-wing liar</a> president of the state radio/tv broadcaster Rai.


feed_id: 30837a81cc4f878725b08e7055776f8e
title: Palestine: the troll's testbed
uri: Palestine-the-troll-s-testbed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Palestine%3A_the_trolls_testbed%29

content:
<p>
Palestine: The Testbed for Trump's 
<a href="https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/09/21/palestine-the-testbed-for-trumps-plan-to-tear-up-the-rules-based-international-order/">Plan
to Tear up the Rules-Based International Order</a>.


feed_id: b52513bbb8401a3edf4b9f95cb509ae3
title: Khan al-Ahmar
uri: Khan-al-Ahmar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Khan_al-Ahmar%29
content:
<p>
Israel Gives Palestinians 
<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/israel-palestinians-days-leave-khan-al-ahmar-180923092255980.html">Eight
Days to Leave Khan al-Ahmar</a>.
<p>
A delegation of European parliamentarians warned Israel that 
<a href="http://imemc.org/article/european-delegation-says-khan-al-ahmar-demolition-is-a-war-crime/">demolishing
Khan al-Ahmar could be considered a war crime</a>.
<p>
Khan al-Ahmar unites the two halves into which Israel has divided the
West Bank.  If it is destroyed, Palestinians will be unable to travel
between the two except by passing through zones controlled by Israel.


feed_id: 4f330e53a50f74b257df5721c2431206
title: Malkia Cyril
uri: Malkia-Cyril
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Malkia_Cyril%29
content:
<p>
Edward Snowden describes 
<a href="http://web-old.archive.org/web/20180924155611/https://www.wired.com/story/wired25-edward-snowden-malkia-cyril-activist-surveillance/">Malkia
Cyril</a>, a campaigner against surveillance in the US.


feed_id: dd6dfb3d84513bcd05c2438202f71acb
title: EPA approval for pesticide use
uri: EPA-approval-for-pesticide-use
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28EPA_approval_for_pesticide_use%29

content:
<p>
The EPA's Inspector General reports that the EPA is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/09/25/epa-watchdog-emergency-pesticide-approval-process-flawed">too
quick to grant "emergency" special approval</a> for pesticide use, and
that it fails to measure properly the risks of harm to humans and
wildlife.


feed_id: 01479e296f3ed2a5efa4d83b4f92b2d6
title: Where Facebook gets "fake" news advice
uri: Where-Facebook-gets-fake-news-advice
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_September_2018_%28Where_Facebook_gets_fake_news_advice%29

content:
<p>
Facebook gets advice about what news is "fake" from 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/09/25/facebooks-new-propaganda-partners">two
partisan organizations</a>, the National Democratic Institute
(representing "centrist" plutocratist mainstream Democratic Party) and
the International Republican Institute (representing the
theocratic-plutocratist Republican Party).
<p>
Naturally this tends to label anything that doesn't sustain plutocracy
as "fake".


feed_id: 572e03723bc93d2473da0531c958c9c1
title: Urgent: Climate Risk Disclosure Act
uri: Urgent-Climate-Risk-Disclosure-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Climate_Risk_Disclosure_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/climate-disclosure-act">call
on Congress</a> to pass the Climate Risk Disclosure Act.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 081dd1bc51d28154c5ba9218075a2c95
title: Delay in confirming Kavanaugh
uri: Delay-in-confirming-Kavanaugh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Delay_in_confirming_Kavanaugh%29
content:
<p>
Interviews with the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/29/abuse-survivors-say-flake-lift-protest-in-solidarity-with-ford">protesters
that convinced Senator Flake to demand a delay</a> in confirming
Kavanaugh.


feed_id: 9b63620219e1ed2e47f7010b872ef73d
title: Birth rate
uri: Birth-rate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Birth_rate%29
content:
<p>
Macron dares to point out that Africa 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/sep/26/education-family-planning-key-africa-future-emmanuel-macron-un-general-assembly">needs
to reduce its birth rate</a>, not scrabble desperately to keep up with
it.


feed_id: 5b42e26cf4daa3f22d31892b0355d673
title: Inadequate "privacy protection" laws
uri: Inadequate-privacy-protection-laws
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Inadequate_privacy_protection_laws%29

content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://freedom-to-tinker.com/2018/09/21/thoughts-on-californias-proposed-connected-device-privacy-bill-sb-327/">latest
example</a> of totally inadequate "privacy protection" laws, this one
assumes the danger to users of the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#internetofstings">Internet of Stings</a> is limited to
unauthorized access by third parties.


feed_id: 9e59c38430ad8954d92935f3fdaab608
title: Fracking chemicals in food chain
uri: Fracking-chemicals-in-food-chain
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Fracking_chemicals_in_food_chain%29

content:
<p>
Fracking Chemicals Dumped in Allegheny River a Decade Ago 
<a href="https://truthout.org/articles/fracking-chemicals-dumped-in-allegheny-river-a-decade-ago-entered-food-chain/">Entered
Food Chain</a>.  They were found in the shells of mussels that were
growing that year.
<p>
Mussels grown since that discharge was prohibited still show signs
of those chemicals.
<p>
Freshwater mussels are endangered and this probably contributes to the
danger.


feed_id: a6ff18668bd6444bdd90a1ea2a8bfdb8
title: Internet censorship
uri: 2018-10-02-Internet-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Internet_censorship%29
content:
<p>
Canadians, watch out!  Canada 
<a href="https://www.macleans.ca/opinion/the-spectre-of-bad-internet-laws-in-europe-should-be-a-warning-shot-for-canadians/">might
follow the EU and US in censoring the internet</a> in the name of
copyright.
<p>
The article gives undeserved support to the companies that want to
impose these restrictions by calling music-sharing "piracy" and
referring to it as a "sin".  
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/copyright-vs-community.html">Sharing
is virtuous</a>!  The first step in defeating the copyright industry
is to refuse to spread its propaganda.
<p>
If Canada wants to punish the bullshitter, it should do so
by legalizing sharing of all published works.  Indeed, it should
do that regardless of what the US government is doing.


feed_id: fbdf0a1f81383f14b9bb0fa0f1d852d4
title: Privileged families
uri: Privileged-families
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Privileged_families%29
content:
<p>
"<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/sep/27/social-mobility-good-education'>Evidence</a>
shows that privileged families will stop at nothing to prevent their
children being overtaken [by anyone else's children]."
<p>
Society needs social mobility so that we don't end up with incompetent
aristos in charge and so that people from poor families get heard.
But social mobility is not a solution to the problem of poverty.  The
small chance of becoming wealthy is of no benefit to the poor children
who don't become wealthy (which is most of them).
<p>
Growing up in poverty and hardship stunts children's growth, including
their mental growth, so when judged on their "merits" later they will
be consigned to poverty.
<p>
The solution to poverty is to redistribute the wealth and income.
When no child grows up in hardship, no child will be stunted.
Indirectly, this will help social mobility too.


feed_id: de34723c9ce28d47727b3a0e7d9a8d92
title: Christine Blasey Ford's statement
uri: Christine-Blasey-Ford-s-statement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Christine_Blasey_Fords_statement%29

content:
<p>
The text of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/28/christine-blasey-fords-opening-statement-in-full">Christine
Blasey Ford's statement</a>.


feed_id: 3f2e1e30fceae0ed35e21756925273a6
title: Bill to disallow US aggression against Iran
uri: Bill-to-disallow-US-aggression-against-Iran
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Bill_to_disallow_US_aggression_against_Iran%29

content:
<p>
Sanders and some Democratic senators have 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/09/27/avoid-repeating-catastrophic-mistake-iraq-invasion-senate-bill-would-forbid-attack">introduced
a bill</a> to explicitly disallow a US aggression against Iran.


feed_id: 2c8068a238e3dff6e2fb25bb229d12ae
title: Insurance company collects personal data
uri: Insurance-company-collects-personal-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#1_October_2018_%28Insurance_company_collects_personal_data%29

content:
<p>
John Hancock insurance is 
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-manulife-financi-john-hancock-lifeins/strap-on-the-fitbit-john-hancock-to-sell-only-interactive-life-insurance-idUSKCN1LZ1WL">pressuring
people to give their personal data to Apple or Fitbit</a>.
<p>
The insurance company should offer an alternative which collects
<em>only</em> the exercise data, not people's locations or the time of
day when they walk, and sends it <em>only</em> to the insurance
company, which will store <em>only</em> the overall totals that are
pertinent.
<p>
The only rational need for life insurance is if you have long-term
dependents.  If you do the wise thing and 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html">avoid having
children</a>, you probably won't need life insurance anyway.


feed_id: ac18304ac30575cd34c1b494d66dc6e2
title: Deborah Ramirez's testimony
uri: Deborah-Ramirez-s-testimony
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#1_October_2018_%28Deborah_Ramirezs_testimony%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a>'s lawyers made discussions about Deborah Ramirez's testimony
break down by 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1799598">switching from
phone calls to written communication</a>.  They also demanded a full
description of her evidence in writing before they would even decide
to invite her to testify.  Sounds like they wanted the negotiation to
fail.
<p>
Then they blamed it on Ramirez's lawyers.


feed_id: 2a99db63cc5a00b8f821bd89631b9322
title: Puerto Rican debt
uri: Puerto-Rican-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#1_October_2018_%28Puerto_Rican_debt%29
content:
<p>
Hurricane Maria 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/09/28/puerto-rico-hurricane-maria-recovery-funds/">gave
vulture funds an opportunity to buy Puerto Rican debt cheap</a>.  It
looks like they want funds supposedly for Puerto Rico's rebuilding to
be given to them instead.
<p>
Puerto Rico deserves an opportunity to declare bankruptcy and
make those debts disappear.  That the vultures will lose a lot of
money is an additional secondary reason for this.


feed_id: 24f9564f559e353a0e239350182c5482
title: Salafi Arabia
uri: 2018-10-02-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#1_October_2018_%28Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
Don't treat 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/28/saudi-foreign-minister-demands-canada-stop-treating-it-like-a-banana-republic">Salafi
Arabia</a> like a banana republic!
<p>
For one thing, it's not even a republic.  It is an absolute monarchy
with an imposed religion.


feed_id: 3b0108aabfa8fb5c43bf194a6f403193
title: Inadequate federal data privacy law
uri: Inadequate-federal-data-privacy-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#1_October_2018_%28Inadequate_federal_data_privacy_law%29

content:
<p>
Big tech companies propose a federal data privacy law that is intended
to do an inadequate job while 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/09/28/california-privacy-law-big-tech/">prohibiting
states from doing any better</a>.
<p>
They want the law to be 
<a href="https://phys.org/news/2018-09-amazon-apple-google-companies-theyd.html">weaker
than the EU's GDPR</a>, which itself is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/03/facebook-abusing-data-law-privacy-big-tech-surveillance">not
strong enough to do much good</a>.
<p>
Anything that regulates mainly the use of their collections of
personal data, and fails to limit what data they can collect, is
missing 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">the
point</a>.


feed_id: 8f9a1f31c8eb2d9d3aaf284b9107306a
title: Delay in final vote on Kavanaugh
uri: Delay-in-final-vote-on-Kavanaugh
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#1_October_2018_%28Delay_in_final_vote_on_Kavanaugh%29

content:
<p>
Senate Republicans agreed to delay the final vote on Kavanaugh by 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/09/28/protest-matters-senate-asks-f-b-investigate-kavanaugh-flake-confronted-sexual-assault-survivors/">one
week</a> for the FBI to investigate the various rape and groping
accusations against him.
<p>
Is one week really enough to do that?
<p>
Normal FBI investigations of nominees do not examine their conduct as
juveniles.  But even if they did, they had 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/1799671">no reports to look
into until the recent accusations were reported</a>.


feed_id: 2d405dabbba6845e5ba1171831db9a0b
title: Toxic masculinity in global politics
uri: Toxic-masculinity-in-global-politics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#1_October_2018_%28Toxic_masculinity_in_global_politics%29

content:
<p>
"Kavanaugh has revealed the insidious force in global politics: 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/sep/29/brett-kavanaugh-insidious-force-global-politics-toxic-masculinity'>toxic
masculinity</a>."


feed_id: dac71447847fe4a189fde39e0973bf72
title: Glyposate articles arranged by Bayer
uri: Glyposate-articles-arranged-by-Bayer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#1_October_2018_%28Glyposate_articles_arranged_by_Bayer%29

content:
<p>
Articles that opposed the conclusion that glyphosate causes cancer
turn out to have been 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/09/27/reviews-glyphosates-cancer-risk-failed-fully-disclose-monsantos-role">secretly
arranged by Bayer</a> (formerly Monsanto), which even paid some of the
authors.


feed_id: f3f959f48c89e78666dfd2469947a50a
title: Sanctuary for unauthorized immigrants
uri: 2018-10-02-Sanctuary-for-unauthorized-immigrants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#1_October_2018_%28Sanctuary_for_unauthorized_immigrants%29

content:
<p>
51 unauthorized immigrants in the US are living in churches that have
offered them sanctuary.  One, Edith Espinal, has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/28/edith-espinal-columbus-mennonite-church-ohio-immigration-sanctuary">spent
a whole year in refuge in a church</a>.


feed_id: a0eb5b57b2b83bda5478eb6895022f8b
title: Back doors in Australia
uri: Back-doors-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Back_doors_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Australia is thinking
of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/27/australias-spyware-law-could-expose-phones-to-exploitation-business-group-warns">demanding
back doors</a> to install different software into computers and
phones, claiming this would be something other than a "security
weakness".


feed_id: a965905c136587080baed74bd9f3a067
title: Elizabeth Warren 2020
uri: Elizabeth-Warren-2020
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Elizabeth_Warren_2020%29
content:
<p>
Elizabeth Warren
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/29/elizabeth-warren-presidential-run-2020">considering
running for president</a> in 2020.
<p>
I will vote for her if she is the Democratic nominee and Sanders is
not running, but I'd rather elect Sanders.  His criticism of
plutocracy
is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#13_November_2016_(Sanders'_campaign)">deeper</a>
and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#13_December_2014_(Elizabeth_Warren)">broader</a>.


feed_id: f60ccdd8cfc2d22ca84a94a1e1afe960
title: Prison for video in Egypt
uri: Prison-for-video-in-Egypt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Prison_for_video_in_Egypt%29
content:
<p>
Amal Fathy posted a video criticizing sexual harassment she
experienced at a bank in Egypt.  She received
an <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2018/09/29/an-egyptian-woman-said-she-was-sexually-harassed-now-shes-been-sentenced-prison/">absurd
assortment of criminal charges</a> and has now been sentenced to two
years in prison.
<p>
For your own safety, stay away from Egypt.  Spend your money on some
other country.


feed_id: 120e7c31e803c2073cef6f01ef3537fb
title: Matabeleland film
uri: Matabeleland-film
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Matabeleland_film%29
content:
<p>
Zimbabwe's New Artistic Freedoms Are Tested
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/30/documentary-1980s-massacre-director-threatened">Film
on Matabeleland Violence</a>.


feed_id: 1493deb3b74893e45b36ab16b1647d1a
title: Nobel prizes and modern research
uri: Nobel-prizes-and-modern-research
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Nobel_prizes_and_modern_research%29

content:
<p>
Arguing that Nobel prizes don't fit into
the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/sep/30/nobel-prize-fails-modern-science">modern
form of scientific research</a>.


feed_id: 810d26a65ec61830173bde2e7e62ee37
title: Instagram and WhatsApp
uri: Instagram-and-WhatsApp
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Instagram_and_WhatsApp%29
content:
<p>
Instagram and WhatsApp will
be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/sep/30/instagram-founders-exit-shows-zuckerberg-rule-is-absolute">fully
integrated</a> into Facebook's surveillance network.
<p>
I never trusted them to be truly separate.


feed_id: bca42f8618d6185c26c56e6f9e5fdc24
title: Afghanistan's parliamentary election
uri: Afghanistan-s-parliamentary-election
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Afghanistan%27s_parliamentary_election%29

content:
<p>
Afghanistan is planning a parliamentary election for Oct 30, but it
has been delayed for 3 years
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/30/zakia-wardak-afghanistan-young-politicians-democracy-elections">may
not be possible now</a>.


feed_id: db62f1a279f303722146731e80b46270
title: Bellingcat founder
uri: Bellingcat-founder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Bellingcat_founder%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/sep/30/bellingcat-eliot-higgins-exposed-novichok-russian-spy-anatoliy-chepiga">An
interview</a> with the founder of Bellingcat.


feed_id: e456246af338e1f38d437481ba167470
title: Global heating target
uri: Global-heating-target
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Global_heating_target%29
content:
<p>
World <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/26/global-warming-climate-change-targets-un-report">'Nowhere
Near on Track'</a> to Avoid [heating] Beyond 1.5C Target.
<p>
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/09/28/even-trump-admin-predicts-catastrophic-rise-global-temperatures-2100-and-says">published
a report</a> admitting that the world is on track for 4C of global
heating in this century.
<p>
However, the same report supports cancellation of vehicle efficiency
rules on the grounds that that alone wouldn't be enough to avoid
disaster.
<p>
Of course it wouldn't &mdash; that's
why <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#21_June_2018_(Global_heating)">more
and broader measures</a> are needed,
and proposed.
<p>
That's one of the tactics in the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a>' playbook: to oppose
each measure because "this alone wouldn't be enough."


feed_id: 1572a91f5dec90b703f5bbed514e8309
title: Dismantling the EPA
uri: Dismantling-the-EPA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Dismantling_the_EPA%29
content:
<p>
While Everyone Is Looking at the Senate, the
EPA <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/1799629">Is Being Taken
Apart</a>.
<p>
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/1798892">More info.</a>


feed_id: b44b2b3be60b07021b31bc9ed37688b9
title: Criticism of Senator Collins
uri: Criticism-of-Senator-Collins
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Criticism_of_Senator_Collins%29
content:
<p>
Senator Collins
is <a href="http://www.pfaw.org/blog-posts/senator-collins-smear-campaign-of-constituents-leaves-mainers-resolute-in-their-opposition-to-scotus-nominee-brett-kavanaugh/">misrepresenting
the criticism and opposition</a> she is now getting from Mainers.


feed_id: 341037b024c4e6dffdd73cb17ae81766
title: Lessons regarding Kavanaugh
uri: Lessons-regarding-Kavanaugh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Lessons_regarding_Kavanaugh%29
content:
<p>
"It's fairly obvious that Kavanaugh cannot be trusted, but
there's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/09/28/what-brett-doesnt-know-ten-lesson-ford-kavanaugh-hearings">more
to it than that</a>."


feed_id: 7d427c9d8ec825d55aae3176d7d7b5d2
title: University as business
uri: University-as-business
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28University_as_business%29
content:
<p>
The UK encourages universities to act like businesses and treat
students as customers.  The result is that
they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/sep/29/can-you-get-a-refund-if-youre-unhappy-with-a-university-course">mislead
and cheat</a> their customers like businesses.


feed_id: 70dcb50c745f70fdd003ca73ff0918fe
title: Supreme Court hazing
uri: Supreme-Court-hazing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Supreme_Court_hazing%29
content:
<p>
(satire) <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/kavanaugh-impressed-by-hazing-rituals-before-they-let-y-1829370263">Kavanaugh
is greatly impressed</a> by the Supreme Court's hazing rituals.


feed_id: 1111514864a93133f83050843138d09a
title: Disappearing-message apps
uri: Disappearing-message-apps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#2_October_2018_%28Disappearing-message_apps%29
content:
<p>
When Police Use Disappearing-Message Apps, It's Not Just Bad for
Accountability
&mdash; <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/criminal-law-reform/reforming-police-practices/when-police-use-disappearing-message-apps-its">It's
Illegal</a>.


feed_id: d205850183c5088f2f7f37e0617a8c80
title: Urgent: Google thermostat
uri: Urgent-Google-thermostat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Google_thermostat%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: can you find out
whether <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/02/google-launches-new-nest-e-smart-thermostat-install-yourself">this
new Google "smart" thermostat</a> is just or unjust in certain ways?
<ul>
  <li>
    Can you connect to it digitally without going via a server?
  <li>
    Can you connect to it digitally without going via a server
    outside your house that belongs to someone else?
  <li>
    Can you adjust the temperature with a manual control, if it is
    disconnected from the internet?
</ul>
</p>


feed_id: bc2136b4d977b81d87724c5d7fb00998
title: Urgent: Denying benefits to children
uri: Urgent-Denying-benefits-to-children
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Denying_benefits_to_children%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no_publiccharge">call
on the US</a> not to deport parents for claiming benefits for their US
citizen children.</p>
<p>
Denying medical care and food aid to children can cause them lifelong harm.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 8c988ace98faecec732e3677060eaef3
title: Gandhi's tests of temptation
uri: Gandhi-s-tests-of-temptation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Gandhi%27s_tests_of_temptation%29
content:
<p>
Mahatma Gandhi tested his resistance to sexual temptation
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/01/gandhi-celibacy-test-naked-women">sleeping
with young naked women</a>, and doing nothing sexual with them.
<p>
I find his religious ideas irrational, but I see no harm in what he
did.  Today's narrow-mindedness would call for putting him
in prison.
<p>
Gandhi is not the Indian I most admire.  That
is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#21_November_2013_(Indias_greatest_hero_of_freedom_and_justice)">Dr
Bhimrao Ambedkar</a>, a firm rationalist and even firmer campaigner
against bigotry.


feed_id: 32269e21563f83864e5b1d8075c7260e
title: Net Neutrality lawsuit
uri: Net-Neutrality-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Net_Neutrality_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
US Justice
Department <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/01/us-justice-department-sues-california-to-over-new-net-neutrality-law">Sues
California</a> over New Net Neutrality Law.
<p>
The FCC already said that states could not adopt stricter rules, so
this confrontation was predictable.  That's why some other states decided
instead to adopt rules about what ISPs the state could do business with.
<p>
I hope California wins, but that is unlikely if Kavanaugh has anything
to say about it.


feed_id: 877a5b2b6de7d5c6723cd6bb5d5773d1
title: US carbon tax
uri: US-carbon-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28US_carbon_tax%29
content:
<p>
As a Wealthy, Warm Country, the US Would Benefit
from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/oct/01/new-study-finds-incredibly-high-carbon-pollution-costs-especially-for-the-us-and-india">Implementing
a Carbon Tax</a> to Slow Global [Heating].


feed_id: e0bea668e62e2cccbc505cf1eaaa3206
title: Investigation of Kavanaugh
uri: Investigation-of-Kavanaugh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Investigation_of_Kavanaugh%29
content:
<p>
The FBI investigation of Kavanaugh will be very limited.  The
FBI <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/01/brett-kavanaugh-deborah-ramirez-julie-swetnick-christine-blasey-ford">will
not interview</a> several pertinent witnesses.
<p>
The bullshitter says he did not impose those limits, but that could be
bullshit.


feed_id: 8b51df87bb011b570ee57c7201f9d539
title: Climate 'end game'
uri: Climate-end-game
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Climate_%27end_game%27%29
content:
<p>
Brace for Impact, as the Climate "End
Game" <a href="https://truthout.org/articles/brace-for-impact-as-the-climate-end-game-has-arrived/">Has
Arrived</a>.


feed_id: 37d76fdf196a06a44c1b83c53abcc597
title: Fathers and babies
uri: Fathers-and-babies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Fathers_and_babies%29
content:
<p>
When new fathers take care of their babies alone, their relationship
with the babies'
mothers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/sep/30/hands-on-fathers-less-likely-to-break-up-with-partners-paternity-leave-childcare">becomes
much more stable</a>.


feed_id: 84f1e6477d8c46bea5c71d6012c93296
title: Palestinian children killed
uri: Palestinian-children-killed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Palestinian_children_killed%29
content:
<p>
Israeli troops
have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/09/29/palestinians-mourn-and-demand-justice-after-israeli-snipers-murder-two-young">recently
shot and killed</a> Palestinian children as young as 11.


feed_id: bf550fbc64fbe6637a62d33925fcb392
title: Apple watch calling 911
uri: Apple-watch-calling-911
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Apple_watch_calling_911%29
content:
<p>
Apple's "smart"
watch <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/09/how-the-new-apple-watch-will-call-911-after-a-fall-if-you-want-it-to/">could
get you arrested</a> by calling 911.


feed_id: d6a6dd71dc9c0a8cd8e682a5d65bafa6
title: Evidence of Kavanaugh lying
uri: Evidence-of-Kavanaugh-lying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Evidence_of_Kavanaugh_lying%29
content:
<p>
Based on results in
psychology, <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1800272">there
is a lot of evidence</a> that Kavanaugh is lying.
<p>
His background of
privilege <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/09/28/kavanaugh-lying-his-upbringing-explains-why">teaches
many people to think</a> they are empowered to lie and entitled to do
so.
<p>
Bernie
Sanders <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/09/29/lying-congress-federal-crime-sanders-demands-fbi-investigate-whether-kavanaugh">calls
on the FBI</a> to investigate whether Kavanaugh has lied in his
testimony.


feed_id: 9e773979f671d37847b425e84d9bb996
title: Robot brothel
uri: Robot-brothel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Robot_brothel%29
content:
<p>
Houston
Officials <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/30/houston-robot-brothel-plan-halted">Halt
Proposed Plans</a> to Open First US 'Robot Brothel'.
<p>
The hostility towards this business, which would employ no human sex
workers, demonstrates that repression of sex work is based to a
substantial degree on prudish disapproval.
<p>
To help the people that do sex work reluctantly, we should not repress
sex work for those who choose to do it.  What we should do is give
poor people a bigger share of income.
<p>
To free those who are enslaved and forced to do sex work, let's use
methods that will also free the people who are
enslaved <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#5_September_2017_(Sex_trafficking)">doing
other kinds of work</a>.


feed_id: ca20283f54b456e7dfe85bce8c246eca
title: Protests in Brazil
uri: Protests-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Protests_in_Brazil%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/30/huge-protests-in-brazil-as-far-right-presidential-hopeful-jair-bolsonaro-returns-home">Huge
Protests in Brazil</a> as Far-Right Presidential Hopeful Returns Home.
<p>
He seems to be a lot like Do-dirty.


feed_id: 982fddb149a89b6db640638ca7ffe69f
title: Deported without their children
uri: Deported-without-their-children
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Deported_without_their_children%29

content:
<p>
A few parents who were deported without their children are sneaking
into the
US <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/09/30/parents-deported-without-children/">to
find them again</a>.


feed_id: bdbcc07695b89c28014e744df4c2ab52
title: Modern-day debtors' prison
uri: Modern-day-debtors-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Modern-day_debtors_prison%29
content:
<p>
'I Feel like a Slave': 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/24/i-feel-like-a-slave-st-louis-workhouse-denounced-as-a-modern-day-debtors-prison">St
Louis' Workhouse</a> Denounced as a Modern-Day Debtors' Prison.


feed_id: 6ff4a84ed209160c38119aa9db1d298e
title: The Maldives
uri: 2018-10-04-The-Maldives
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28The_Maldives%29
content:
<p>
The Maldives has a chance to move to democracy, but there are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/sep/25/maldives-democracy-abdulla-yameen">many
obstacles</a>.


feed_id: eefbfb0be6679e3fa828ae7ee5a7bd5b
title: Global war against freedom of speech
uri: Global-war-against-freedom-of-speech
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Global_war_against_freedom_of_speech%29

content:
<p>
The fanatics that condemned The Satanic Verses launched a global war
against freedom of speech.  No longer limited to Muslims, it now 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/sep/29/satanic-verses-sowed-seeds-of-rift-grown-ever-wider">aims
to silence anything that would offend some group of people</a>.
<p>
The right to offend is an essential part of freedom of speech.  If we
are forbidden to offend some groups, sooner or or later we will be
forbidden to offend Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, right-wing
extremists, rich people, and other groups with political power.
Unless you are namby-pamby and timid, sooner or later you will be the
victim of that censorship.
<p>
Please support the ACLU in defending freedom of speech, including
speech that offends someone.


feed_id: 3c17739b0dc30e31c9c0d09c1d5c49ea
title: Republican candidates on abortion
uri: Republican-candidates-on-abortion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Republican_candidates_on_abortion%29

content:
<p>
Republican candidates are trying to tell right-wing voters they will
ban abortion, while 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1798958">hiding this from
the mainstream media and the general public</a>.


feed_id: 5ee40c63a862e24263fe022927ee3bb2
title: Kavanaugh's lies
uri: 2018-10-04-Kavanaugh-s-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Kavanaughs_lies%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1799924">Fact Check</a>
Shows That Kavanaugh Is a Skilled Liar &hellip; But Still a Liar.


feed_id: 2324865176bb2ce9845c46a15a3131b2
title: Copyright power
uri: 2018-10-04-Copyright-power
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Copyright_power%29
content:
<p>
Another threat to increase copyright power would allow the Copyright
Office to 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/09/copyright-and-speech-should-be-treated-ttraffic-tickets">impose
fines and injunctions on people without a fair trial</a>.


feed_id: fa25d3a435ade6a4aed9c43520071692
title: California thugs and DNA samples
uri: California-thugs-and-DNA-samples
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28California_thugs_and_DNA_samples%29

content:
<p>
California <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> that want DNA samples from minors will be required to
get a
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/09/victory-gov-brown-signs-bill-adding-sensible-requirements-dna-collection-minors">court
order, or consent from the minor and parent or guardian</a>.
<p>
This is not quite enough; the law should prevent them from obtaining
consent by offering or hinting at any quid-pro-quo.
<p>
Furthermore, samples (except those of convicts) should be linked to a
specific case, and discarded whenever that case is closed.


feed_id: 7fbd2aec3ddad19ab2c6ac61db113d33
title: Data broker regulation
uri: Data-broker-regulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Data_broker_regulation%29
content:
<p>
Vermont has 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/09/vermonts-new-data-privacy-law">adopted
a law</a> to regulate data brokers.
<p>
The right way to regulate data brokers is to prevent them from getting
their hands on most information about people.


feed_id: 445e0310ad294e5e65a6107ed6ab28be
title: Facebook used's phone numbers
uri: Facebook-used-s-phone-numbers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Facebook_useds_phone_numbers%29
content:
<p>
Facebook collected its used's phone numbers for "security" but 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/09/you-gave-facebook-your-number-security-they-used-it-ads">uses
them for advertising</a>.


feed_id: ddd550acf6a5d5dc8f560e9622d0f8b7
title: Israeli thugs torture prisoners
uri: Israeli-thugs-torture-prisoners
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Israeli_thugs_torture_prisoners%29

content:
<p>
European investigators report on how 
<a href="media/443431da.SitRep2018.pdf" data-original-source="http://stoptorture.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/SitRep2018.pdf">Israeli
thugs torture</a> Palestinian prisoners.


feed_id: f333d6080f373bbbce7800a931fd26d8
title: Declared anti-semite by troll administration
uri: Declared-anti-semite-by-troll-administration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_October_2018_%28Declared_anti-semite_by_troll_administration%29

content:
<p>
Alan Singer: 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/9/27/1799152/-Trump-Administration-Declares-Me-an-Anti-Semite">Trump
Administration Declares Me an Anti-Semite</a>.
<p>
I think 
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/11/us/politics/rutgers-jewish-education-civil-rights.html">this</a>
is what Singer refers to.
<p>
I disagree with the claim that the existence of Israel is racist.
By the standards of the day, every nationality deserved a homeland,
and Jews desperately needed one.  However, the Arabs of Palestine
suffered a real injustice and they deserve justice too.
<p>
Here's 
<a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/downloads/truth/Truth%20Against%20Truth%20-%20English">how
Uri Avnery presented these two demands</a> for justice.


feed_id: f1219375c59f20b9c980c5a0a7783dfa
title: Very urgent: Georgia voter purge
uri: Very-urgent-Georgia-voter-purge
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28Very_urgent%3A_Georgia_voter_purge%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Georgia: the state purged 10% of registered voters last year.
By Oct 9, the deadline for registration, call your local election authority
to see if you are still registered &mdash; and, if not, do register.</p>
<p>
I learned of this from a mailing with a reference to a site I can't access,
so I am passing on the crucial message this way.
</p>


feed_id: f6bc2800c0945658f6c5a2e92d40a33f
title: Urgent: Federal voter ID law
uri: Urgent-Federal-voter-ID-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Federal_voter_ID_law%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/citizenship_voting">oppose</a>
the proposed federal voter ID law.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: b6db7f3c277d8c05785740c8437870d1
title: Conway and patriarchy
uri: Conway-and-patriarchy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28Conway_and_patriarchy%29
content:
<p>
Kellyanne Conway
Proves <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/01/kellyanne-conway-sexual-assault-christine-blasey-ford-kavanaugh">Patriarchy
Has No Gender</a>.
<p>
In an unequal society, the aristocrats can easily recruit others as
their lieutenants, by giving them power over most of the people.  In
that society, this is the only way for someone other than an aristocrat
to get some power, within the system's rules.  To change the inequality
requires that people seek such change rather than seeking to compete
for more power or wealth for themselves.


feed_id: 44d13755559bc20bda30498a8f16bb2f
title: Face recognition over passwords
uri: Face-recognition-over-passwords
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28Face_recognition_over_passwords%29

content:
<p>
New iMonsters urge users to use face recognition instead of passwords.
That <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/10/could-border-agents-trick-you-into-unlocking-your-face-id-enabled-iphone/">makes
it trivial</a> for state agents to unlock them.
<p>
I would expect that armed thieves can do the same thing.


feed_id: 894d5e2df33f090f44fcf51b1baba333
title: Cybersecurity weaknesses
uri: Cybersecurity-weaknesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28Cybersecurity_weaknesses%29
content:
<p>
The weakest link in cybersecurity is no longer the users.
Rather, <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/d3jxw7/hacking-week-call-for-pitches-who-is-the-weakest-link-in-cybersecurity">it
is the companies</a> that pressure or lure people to entrust data to
them.


feed_id: 8008e4b1a78fc6ee1277e748470bd09c
title: FEMA loan discrimination
uri: FEMA-loan-discrimination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28FEMA_loan_discrimination%29
content:
<p>
Blacks <a href="https://truthout.org/articles/recent-disasters-reveal-racial-discrimination-in-fema-aid-process/">face
discrimination</a> in FEMA disaster recovery loans.


feed_id: 85304d68106a70c90369c3c9ee9eba39
title: Suppressing fake news
uri: Suppressing-fake-news
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28Suppressing_fake_news%29
content:
<p>
A voluntary code to suppress fake news includes
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/sep/30/eu-crackdown-fake-news-code-disinformation">plausible
definition</a> of it.


feed_id: 2fb144891cc5ac8e6008702fa32eba98
title: Dismissing the masses
uri: Dismissing-the-masses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28Dismissing_the_masses%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/01/how-a-disastrous-change-in-perspective-disempowered-the-left-and-let-the-right-rise">The
error of smugness</a>: "By dismissing the masses as fools,
progressives confirmed all the culture warriors’ claims."


feed_id: e74f376c08cc2c4c828dc95a1996c775
title: California beach access
uri: California-beach-access
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28California_beach_access%29
content:
<p>
The Supreme
Court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/01/vinod-khosla-supreme-court-case-rejects-private-beach">refused
to hear</a> millionaire Vinod Khosla's case about the California beach
from which he seeks to exclude the public.  That means the California
public access law will stand.


feed_id: ae26d200e84b4e5b53a5ec64f0198cba
title: Rushed Kavanaugh vote
uri: Rushed-Kavanaugh-vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28Rushed_Kavanaugh_vote%29
content:
<p>
McConnell <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1800601">wants to
have a vote</a> on Kavanaugh before the FBI finished its hasty
investigation.


feed_id: 0e467112466cc7c2f6cc08e660860094
title: Imprisoned minors to military camp
uri: Imprisoned-minors-to-military-camp
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28Imprisoned_minors_to_military_camp%29

content:
<p>
US immigration <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have moved hundreds of minors who are prisoners
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1800476">to a military
camp</a> where they will be out of sight and impossible to visit.


feed_id: 8c3d1ab03e92c56c970d5a3e76a670ba
title: Aristocracy and lynching
uri: Aristocracy-and-lynching
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28Aristocracy_and_lynching%29
content:
<p>
How white southerners put over
the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/01/lynching-past">heroic
myth of aristocracy</a>, at the same time they were lynching.


feed_id: 407f2bc14eea9ab7b5654f9be1df5adf
title: Facebook stories blocked by Facebook
uri: Facebook-stories-blocked-by-Facebook
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28Facebook_stories_blocked_by_Facebook%29

content:
<p>
Facebook <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/28/facebook-blocks-guardian-story/">blocked
posting</a> of some news stories about Facebook's data breach
affecting 50 million of its useds.
<p>
The cracking of these Facebook accounts was made more harmful because
Facebook encouraged using its accounts
to <a href="https://theconversation.com/facebook-hack-reveals-the-perils-of-using-a-single-account-to-log-in-to-other-services-104227">log
in on other sites</a>.
<p>
Perhaps that sort of relationship between sites should be prohibited.
<p>
This suggests that plans to "eliminate passwords
and <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/10/project-verify">log
in with your phone</a>" are a bad idea, too.


feed_id: 1eae7436f41906ce648e1d66d0ee8ef0
title: System for appointing justices
uri: System-for-appointing-justices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28System_for_appointing_justices%29
content:
<p>
The US needs to reform its system for appointing justices of the
Supreme Court; the current one
is <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/1799222">crippled by
partisanship</a>.


feed_id: 986ec7f043239adbfe0ef43ad0dd6ab4
title: Labour leftists and the EU
uri: Labour-leftists-and-the-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28Labour_leftists_and_the_EU%29
content:
<p>
Labour leftists want to take Britain out of the EU because it
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/sep/30/leftwing-brexiters-want-out-from-the-transnational-juggernaut">wired
for neoliberalism</a>.


feed_id: 8e8210edc83d92219fceff785b96a43b
title: Owais Raja
uri: Owais-Raja
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28Owais_Raja%29
content:
<p>
The UK drove Owais Raja and his family into destitution by labeling
him a "security threat", and canceling his visa, because
he <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/01/engineer-deemed-security-threat-over-tax-error-gets-visa-in-home-office-u-turn">discovered
and corrected an error</a> in his tax return.
<p>
The UK government has now given him a visa.  I hope it will compensate
him for the harm done by its deliberate policy of erring on the side
of harshness.
<p>
Most of all I hope it will change that policy.


feed_id: 303d0df1a4be9cdb04aaf83a63c9e784
title: Plea bargain practices
uri: Plea-bargain-practices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_October_2018_%28Plea_bargain_practices%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/1799071">A judge reports</a>
on sleazy and dishonest practices by prosecutors in regard to plea
bargains.


feed_id: e3317b68ab4bdf1ce3dca1473168e31d
title: How women are silenced
uri: How-women-are-silenced
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28How_women_are_silenced%29
content:
<p>
[<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s] 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/03/trump-mockery-christine-blasey-ford-sexual-assault-script-male-dominance">Mocking
of Christine Blasey Ford</a> Shows How Women Are Silenced.


feed_id: d2d9abd83a78fd7212d7435eca75022f
title: Men traumatized by not getting something
uri: Men-traumatized-by-not-getting-something
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Men_traumatized_by_not_getting_something%29

content:
<p>
(satire) 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/nation-urged-to-be-extra-sensitive-to-men-reliving-trau-1829447828">Nation
Urged To Be Extra Sensitive To Men</a> Reliving Trauma Of Not Getting
Something.


feed_id: 7fa29190c57309b50d163a18179a7cd1
title: Proof of Kavanaugh's lying
uri: Proof-of-Kavanaugh-s-lying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Proof_of_Kavanaughs_lying%29
content:
<p>
Text messages of Kavanaugh's friends show he was aware of Deborah
Ramirez's accusations 
<a href="https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/kavanaugh-ramirez-new-yorker-response-friends-perjury-texts-fbi.html">before
they were published</a>.  That proves he lied to the Senate about that
point.


feed_id: 82e99f1fa06548d1226ae32bfac6bc14
title: NAFTA version 2
uri: NAFTA-version-2
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28NAFTA_version_2%29
content:
<p>
NAFTA version 2 would weaken the ISDS provision.  However, it 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/10/01/nafta-20-curtails-chapter-11-doesnt-meet-smell-test">would
make it harder to resist pipelines</a>.
<p>
It would permanently limit the EPA's use of scientific research
results, and weaken food safety regulations, and facilitate use of
toxic pesticides.  It 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/10/01/nafta-reboot-threatens-food-safety-promotes-fracking-and-gmos">would
also expand fracking</a>.
<p>
It would also extend the length of copyright in Canada, a sad loss for
Canada.


feed_id: d5bf6cf2d19c44792bed7cb011dbb55d
title: The population of Chagos Islands
uri: The-population-of-Chagos-Islands
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28The_population_of_Chagos_Islands%29

content:
<p>
When the UK expelled the population of the Chagos Islands, it allowed
them to live in the UK.  But 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/02/uk-threatens-to-deport-grandchildren-of-evicted-chagossians">their
grandchildren face deportation</a> to places where they have no
connections.


feed_id: 2e877733546e02e61dc42e907ffd6a69
title: Proposed changes in US laws
uri: Proposed-changes-in-US-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Proposed_changes_in_US_laws%29
content:
<p>
Proposed changes in US laws to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/02/trump-proofing-presidency-new-report-details-how-stymie-next-deeply-unethical-person">prevent
future presidents from sabotaging government ethics rules</a> as the
bullshitter is doing.


feed_id: 44d4418adb54c9290c138f43582a3c58
title: Amazon
uri: 2018-10-07-Amazon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Amazon%29
content:
<p>
(satire) 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/paper-towels-on-amazon-surge-to-2-000-a-roll-after-cri-1829471349">Paper
Towels On Amazon Surge To $2,000 A Roll</a> After Crippling Cost
Increase Of Paying Workers A Living Wage.
<p>
Amazon has indeed agreed to pay all its workers $15 an hour, but low
pay is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/10/02/consumer-watchdog-amazons-new-15-minimum-wage">not
the only way it mistreats them</a>.


feed_id: 0f526be5aad3ffc140ec4a7fbf94bd42
title: The cheater's tax-dodges
uri: The-cheater-s-tax-dodges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28The_cheaters_tax-dodges%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a> presents himself as a "self-made man", but he 
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/10/02/us/politics/donald-trump-tax-schemes-fred-trump.html">got
$400 million from his father through tax-dodges</a>, some of them
alleged to be fraudulent.


feed_id: e8e36e3ff9137ed013effd30938b2a0c
title: Crushing the Palestinian Authority
uri: Crushing-the-Palestinian-Authority
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Crushing_the_Palestinian_Authority%29

content:
<p>
The Palestinian Authority sends lots of money to Gaza every month.
With the US and Israel crushing the Palestinian Authority, and cutting
off its funds, Abbas may decide to stop paying Gaza.  This 
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/cornered-by-us-and-israel-abbas-could-pull-plug-on-gaza-and-start-a-war/">could
start a war</a>.  It would be rational for Gazans to fight before they
starve.
<p>
On the other hand, other powers might decide to provide Gazans money
to live on.


feed_id: 27851f417a95fa44e76eaf6eb328188f
title: Netanyahu's claims about Iran
uri: Netanyahu-s-claims-about-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Netanyahus_claims_about_Iran%29
content:
<p>
The "secret nuclear fuel warehouse" Netanyahu claims Iran has is
really a 
<a href="https://www.richardsilverstein.com/2018/09/28/u-s-official-calls-netanyahu-report-of-secret-iran-atomic-warehouse-misleading/">known
archive of nuclear program records</a>, according to a US official.


feed_id: d43d3c2545830a89f622e59745689123
title: Boycotting Israel
uri: 2018-10-07-Boycotting-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Boycotting_Israel%29
content:
<p>
States 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/10/01/in-first-amendment-case-arizona-is-blocked-from-penalizing-state-contractors-that-boycott-israel/">Can't
Punish Businesses for Boycotting Israel</a>, Federal Judge in Arizona
[rules].


feed_id: 9cb6d362f0936c8b6f07342de1a4975a
title: Israeli guards
uri: Israeli-guards
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Israeli_guards%29
content:
<p>
Palestinian prisoners say Israeli guards 
<a href="http://imemc.org/article/jalama-detention-center-deliberately-providing-dirty-water-to-detainees-during-interrogation/">gave
them polluted water to drink</a>, which made some of them sick.


feed_id: 4bec32b3ae9ec308b40f8e89f60b5f96
title: US psychological and psychiatric care
uri: US-psychological-and-psychiatric-care
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28US_psychological_and_psychiatric_care%29

content:
<p>
The US 
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/10/03/how-the-government-fails-to-help-the-men">does
not make a serious effort</a> to provide psychological and psychiatric
care to the seriously mentally ill.
<p>
It would cost a lot of money, which means we need to tax the rich to
pay for it.


feed_id: 67b45d71e15c16eb13e54115fb35ad09
title: Reducing politics to celebrity obsession
uri: Reducing-politics-to-celebrity-obsession
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Reducing_politics_to_celebrity_obsession%29

content:
<p>
George Monbiot: By reducing politics to a celebrity obsession &mdash;
from Boris to Trump to Corbyn &mdash; the media 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/03/cult-personality-politics-boris-trump-corbyn-george-monbiot">misdirects
and confuses us</a>.


feed_id: b5f7283730e1db311ae48b85232538b4
title: Digital payment systems
uri: Digital-payment-systems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Digital_payment_systems%29
content:
<p>
Banks and card networks are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/oct/01/cashless-britain-banks-atms">pushing
Britons into using digital payment systems</a> that give them a cut of
every payment &mdash; and track people, to boot.


feed_id: 7139dbe4e818e96b6f5ff2cea7acd682
title: Right-wing extremists
uri: 2018-10-07-Right-wing-extremists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Right-wing_extremists%29
content:
<p>
Germany has accused right-wing extremists of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/01/german-police-arrest-six-on-suspicion-of-far-right-terror-group">plotting
to overthrow the government by attacking foreigners on the street</a>.
<p>
The planned to attack journalists and politicians, too.


feed_id: 910bb50d1deaf96a721aa81a3180da99
title: Grand Canyon uranium mining ban
uri: Grand-Canyon-uranium-mining-ban
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Grand_Canyon_uranium_mining_ban%29

content:
<p>
The Supreme Court refused to consider the Grand Canyon uranium mining
ban, so 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/01/grand-canyon-uranium-mining-ban-upheld-as-supreme-court-declines-to-hear-challenge">the
ban will stand</a>.


feed_id: 1ba177a3e312c6414d68d20da9f054aa
title: Corrupt campaign donations
uri: Corrupt-campaign-donations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Corrupt_campaign_donations%29
content:
<p>
The right-wing Australian government 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/02/coalitions-changes-to-finance-laws-could-be-a-dreadful-step-backwards">wants
to legalize some corrupt campaign donations</a>.


feed_id: 6dba1732171e494d3f7a354b12e4b86f
title: The bullshitter and President Kim
uri: The-bullshitter-and-President-Kim
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28The_bullshitter_and_President_Kim%29

content:
<p>
The bullshitter has come out of the closet, affirming that he and President Kim
have 
<a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/09/we-fell-in-love-trump-describes-his-relationship-with-north-korean-dictator/">fallen
in love</a>.
<p>
I am glad for the two of them, but should the US have a president that
is in love with the ruler of another country?  Is love an emolument?


feed_id: ff41d50ba7125a80dea5c2cfb5211cbc
title: Kavanaugh's false testimony
uri: Kavanaugh-s-false-testimony
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Kavanaughs_false_testimony%29
content:
<p>
Kavanaugh got into a fight in a bar in 1985, and was questioned about
it by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.  A witness 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/01/kavanaugh-police-questioning-report-deborah-ramirez">described
Kavanaugh as "belligerent and aggressive"</a>.
<p>
This contradicts his statements about being a sober and nonviolent
person.
<p>
He has been working to recruit witnesses to testify on his behalf.
There is a report he was 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/1800617">working on
countering Ramirez's testimony as early as July</a>.  If this is true,
it demonstrates another instance of false testimony.


feed_id: 596ed107d5bb3009f0d50f8d2fe9bc28
title: UK thugs' access to surveillance data
uri: UK-thugs-access-to-surveillance-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28UK_thugs_access_to_surveillance_data%29

content:
<p>
The UK is putting the capstone on its system of massive surveillance
of everyone:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/01/police-super-database-prompts-liberty-warning-on-privacy">a
system to give every thug access</a> to the surveillance data.


feed_id: 9b53a3015b83c2d8d5d00e111724cd13
title: Whole Foods employees organizing
uri: Whole-Foods-employees-organizing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Whole_Foods_employees_organizing%29

content:
<p>
Whole Foods Employees Have Begun to Organize 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/oct/01/whole-foods-amazon-union-organization-grocery-chain">resisting
changes Amazon has made</a>.  "They want us to be robots."


feed_id: 07475e9c4ca8e7adf33084ada63b0f6f
title: Outsourced government department
uri: Outsourced-government-department
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Outsourced_government_department%29

content:
<p>
Australia 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/02/coalitions-outsourced-jobseeker-program-leading-to-anxiety-rather-than-jobs">outsourced
the government department that is supposed to help people find
jobs</a>.  It is 'leading to anxiety rather than jobs.'


feed_id: 85004c2b4ac165517b7ada550da6b22f
title: Prominent Iraqi women assassinated
uri: Prominent-Iraqi-women-assassinated
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Prominent_Iraqi_women_assassinated%29

content:
<p>
A series of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/02/death-of-high-profile-iraqi-women-sparks-fear-of-witch-hunt">prominent
Iraqi women</a> who don't stick to traditional restraints have been
assassinated.


feed_id: b06cba81ceef34bd5df542e87cddd1a8
title: Four-day, 32-hour work week
uri: Four-day-32-hour-work-week
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Four-day%2C_32-hour_work_week%29
content:
<p>
A New Zealand company with hundreds of employees is moving to a
four-day, 32-hour work week with no decrease in salary.  It has
already
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/02/no-downside-new-zealand-firm-adopts-four-day-week-after-successful-trial">tested
this approach and decided to adopt it completely</a>.


feed_id: ceeb070b6a0c7af432b5a140b721e476
title: Indonesian government
uri: Indonesian-government
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Indonesian_government%29
content:
<p>
The Indonesian government has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/02/sulawesi-tsunami-desperation-turns-to-anger-as-food-and-water-run-out">fallen
down</a> in delivering food and water to tsunami-hit Sulawesi.


feed_id: cf04305de1438d898adf75ccf07ceb01
title: National Housing Service
uri: National-Housing-Service
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28National_Housing_Service%29
content:
<p>
Maybe there should be a National Housing Service to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/02/total-rethink-housing-crisis-shelter-human-right">provide
housing to everyone</a>.


feed_id: a458f38a7a091a588cee5828d5007a7e
title: The contagion of memes
uri: The-contagion-of-memes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28The_contagion_of_memes%29
content:
<p>
Studying the 
<a href="media/86e11ae6.SR-2002_IFTF_Biology_of_disinformation_tk_042618.pdf" data-original-source="http://www.iftf.org/fileadmin/user_upload/images/DigIntel/SR-2002_IFTF_Biology_of_disinformation_tk_042618.pdf">contagion
of memes</a>, including disinformation.


feed_id: 4d698fcc6786cd219442ae9aa7431b10
title: Access to birth control in the US
uri: Access-to-birth-control-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Access_to_birth_control_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>
US Christian fanatics are now seriously trying to eliminate access to
birth control.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> has put a 
<a href="https://truthout.org/articles/contraception-deserts-likely-to-widen-under-new-trump-administration-policy/">saboteur
in charge of the funds for women's medical care</a> to achieve this.
<p>
I think these Christians want to force women to have children.
Stopping women from ending a pregnancy is half the job &mdash; forcing
them to get pregnant is the other half.


feed_id: f0568338281f773c7aa25d01f43e28ca
title: Urgent: Daily Kos candidate portals
uri: Urgent-Daily-Kos-candidate-portals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Daily_Kos_candidate_portals%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Daily Kos to make its candidate portals
function from a browser that disables JavaScript, so that voters
can consult them without having to surrender some of their own freedom.
</p>
<p>
You can communicate with the site by clicking on General Inquiries
on the site's footer, followed by Contact US.
</p>
<p>
You will be asking for a favor, so please use a friendly tone.
</p>


feed_id: 97f4d6e480af9842e9705a848d9d2497
title: Urgent: Justice For All Civil Rights Act
uri: Urgent-Justice-For-All-Civil-Rights-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Justice_For_All_Civil_Rights_Act%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/justice-for-all">support</a>
the Justice For All Civil Rights Act.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 9a968111e1133513a1c9f08c4b02582e
title: Amazon wage raise
uri: Amazon-wage-raise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Amazon_wage_raise%29
content:
<p>
Amazon's decision to raise wages to 15 dollars an hour
<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/10/02/amazon-minimum-wage/">may
have been a response</a> to Bernie Sanders's proposed BEZOS act.
<p>
Hooray for Bernie Sanders!
<p>
In the UK, however, Amazon is canceling out half of the pay
increase <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/03/amazon-offsetting-pay-rise-by-removing-bonuses-union-says">by
reducing bonuses</a>.


feed_id: cda6e3e7b43eddae7a12108f2a6b9845
title: Psilocybin legality
uri: Psilocybin-legality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Psilocybin_legality%29
content:
<p>
Researchers say that
psilocybin <a href="https://hub.jhu.edu/2018/09/26/psilocybin-scheduling-magic-mushrooms/">should
be treated legally</a> like prescription sleep medicine.


feed_id: 35a1008806e8c48b3a43e6de8e3092b0
title: New Zealand digital search law
uri: New-Zealand-digital-search-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28New_Zealand_digital_search_law%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand's new law about searching digital devices of people
entering the country has an apparent step forward, in that it requires
specific grounds for suspicion.  But the
thugs <a href="https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/367642/travellers-refusing-digital-search-now-face-5000-customs-fine">don't
have to say</a> what it is, so the step forward is more apparent than
real.


feed_id: e387d423051fdee59cc6275b145a7fa3
title: Minimum wage for tipped workers
uri: Minimum-wage-for-tipped-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Minimum_wage_for_tipped_workers%29

content:
<p>
The people that live in Washington DC voted to raise the minimum wage
for tipped workers, in effect to put an end to their dependence on
tipping.  The city council, influenced by money from restaurant
companies, is in the process
of <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/02/sad-day-democracy-bowing-restaurant-industry-dc-democrats-vote-overturn-tipped-wage">overriding
that decision</a>.
<p>
The article uses the confused
term <a href="https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#poc">"people of
color"</a>.  I agree with the article's position but not with that
term.


feed_id: 52f1977fcec6bbac804abf9beb2f76d1
title: NAFTA replacement
uri: NAFTA-replacement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28NAFTA_replacement%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.michaelgeist.ca/2018/10/from-copyright-term-to-super-bowl-commercials-breaking-down-the-digital-nafta-deal/">Here's
a summary</a> of various kinds of harm that Canada would suffer in the
field of copyright if it adopts the NAFTA replacement.
<p>
The article confusingly presents a few harms in the area of patent
law.  It looks like the author is following the confused practice of
lumping together several unrelated laws and calling them "intellectual
property".  The confusion in that term is why we
should <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">refuse ever
to use it</a>.
<p>
The article also uses the word "content" so much that I groan inwardly
as I read it.  I would have preferred to link to some other article to
present this information, but the information is important and I don't
know of one.


feed_id: 44361adc6ba211f743cc4b84b44ee440
title: Blasey Ford examination
uri: Blasey-Ford-examination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Blasey_Ford_examination%29
content:
<p>
Former federal prosecutors say that prosecutor Mitchell examined
Prof. Blasey Ford only, which is far too little to constitute an
adequate basic investigation of her accusations, but Mitchell's report
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/02/kavanaugh-hearing-prosecutor-rachel-mitchells-critique-dr-christine-blasey-ford">passes
it off as one</a>.
<p>
This is just one of the flaws they describe, which suggest it is
politically motivated.


feed_id: 8fd7223674e8614780da79ab3d141ca3
title: Investigation cut short
uri: Investigation-cut-short
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Investigation_cut_short%29
content:
<p>
It looks like the FBI is cutting the Kavanaugh investigation short
under <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1800942">pressure from
Republican politicians</a>.
<p>
However, Senator Collins is now insisting on
a <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1800923">thorough FBI
investigation</a> of Kavanaugh.
<p>
The article presumes, and I agree, that her shifts on the issue are a
matter of how seriously she takes the political pressure from various
sides.  I can't see what pressure could be responsible for her
supporting Kavanaugh as much as she has done until this point, despite
knowing that her constituents will resent it, but it must be awfully
powerful.
<p>
I am relieved to see that the anti-Kavanaugh pressure is capable of
outweighing that.


feed_id: e8810e96ebcd0d5cdeaecdf9ddd195eb
title: Sponsoring migrant kids
uri: Sponsoring-migrant-kids
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Sponsoring_migrant_kids%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1800873">Bipartisan
Legislation</a> Would Stop ICE from Targeting Immigrants Who Want to
Sponsor Migrant Kids.


feed_id: bea7bc874812c812b58346a62d341cdc
title: Detroit protesters
uri: Detroit-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Detroit_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Detroit protesters, charged with protest-crime, are refusing to accept
plea bargains, making the
state <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1800610">put them on
trial</a>.  These trials will put unjust state policies on trial.


feed_id: da9663c0ca9e0d550b02d6c134250c1e
title: Nunes's farm history
uri: Nunes-s-farm-history
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Nunes%27s_farm_history%29
content:
<p>
Rep. Nunes lets his voters think he has a farm in California in the
district.  In fact, he sold it in 2006 and gives
interviews <a href="https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a23471864/devin-nunes-family-farm-iowa-california/">from
someone else's farm</a>.


feed_id: c63f1ac8a797e37c4abfaf4f61e687f3
title: Teaching of evolution
uri: Teaching-of-evolution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Teaching_of_evolution%29
content:
<p>
Many countries prevent the teaching of evolution.  Israel and
Turkey <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/03/darwin-theory-evolution-schools-earth">are
joining them</a>.


feed_id: 5704344d7a405b041177d8421852af69
title: Jamal Khashoggi
uri: Jamal-Khashoggi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#6_October_2018_%28Jamal_Khashoggi%29
content:
<p>
Jamal Khashoggi, a dissident from <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> living in Turkey,
entered the Salafi consulate in Istanbul
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/03/saudi-dissident-jamal-khashoggi-reportedly-missing-consulate-visit-istanbul">did
not emerge again</a>.


feed_id: c1ee14a26e724731904e63cab939981a
title: Spy hardware on server motherboards
uri: Spy-hardware-on-server-motherboards
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Spy_hardware_on_server_motherboards%29

content:
<p>
There are 
<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/10/04/china-spy-hack-chip-bloomberg-supply-chain/">reports</a>
that China has infiltrated the production of server motherboards with
some sort of spy hardware.
<p>
This accusation is unconfirmed.  By contrast, Intel admits it has
infiltrated the production of processor chips with hardware that can
spy and also has a back door: the 
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/the-management-engine-an-attack-on-computer-users-freedom">Management
Engine</a>.


feed_id: abff05bcea2d04031ca534e69fb7816b
title: True conditions of farms
uri: True-conditions-of-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28True_conditions_of_farms%29
content:
<p>
Animal rights activists entered a chicken farm in California and found
chickens that were very badly sick.  They were arrested and charged
with felonies for "stealing" some chickens, which were 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/04/police-arrest-58-activists-after-factory-conditions-exposed-free-range-perdue">so
ill that veterinarians would not send them back to the farm</a>.
<p>
The idea of "rescuing" chickens, especially chickens that are so sick
that they couldn't survive anyway, is is a gimmick and doesn't impress
me.  However, gimmick aside, I support their efforts to reveal the
true conditions of farms.
<p>
Meanwhile, <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> plans have the USDA endanger Americans who
process or eat chickens: speeding up the processing in a way
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/10/04/trump-usda-allow-faster-poultry-line-speeds-ignoring-danger-workers-and">previously
determined to be unsafe</a>.


feed_id: 5ad1dd257b0de1fc6b9526b149c16ce6
title: Masculinity
uri: Masculinity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Masculinity%29
content:
<p>
We Need to Talk About 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/04/we-need-talk-about-masculinity">Masculinity</a>.
<p>
Somehow I escaped being taught to judge myself in terms of masculinity.
I judge myself based on success or failure, but I never took up
"having sex with women, regardless of circumstances and feelings" as a
goal.  Instead, I learned to want to feel loved and wanted by women,
and for women to be glad to feel loved by me.  My goal will never lead
me in the direction of trying to pressure a woman into reluctant sex.
<p>
The toxic masculinity goal is sometimes called "scoring", because it
treats sexual relations like a game where one gets points.  Those
points have no meaning, and that imaginary competition can't lead to
happiness.  It's only an excuse to tell yourself you're "winning".  If
you are playing that game, I hope you will recognize how pointless it
is.


feed_id: 3819bb32a6a6faa43fe2ef205991c9fe
title: Deforestation
uri: 2018-10-09-Deforestation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Deforestation%29
content:
<p>
Scientists Say Halting Deforestation 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/04/climate-change-deforestation-global-warming-report">'Just
as Urgent' as Reducing Emissions</a>.


feed_id: 5dc171a66e4ded6c2a6eaa83772d9b9b
title: Bezos's power and control
uri: Bezos-s-power-and-control
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Bezoss_power_and_control%29
content:
<p>
"Jeff Bezos runs a powerful monopoly that causes him to exert huge power
and control.  We 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/04/jeff-bezos-amazon-workers-raise-monopoly">shouldn’t
be praising him</a> but tackling his power."


feed_id: 8e0407bff94ab9bdb6d8365e381e0e0f
title: Temporary Protected Status
uri: Temporary-Protected-Status
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Temporary_Protected_Status%29
content:
<p>
A federal court 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/04/judge-restores-temporary-protected-status-trump-racism/">ruled
that the bully cannot terminate Temporary Protected Status</a> for
people that fled El Salvador, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Sudan.
<p>
The basis of the ruling was that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> based his decision on
racism, rather than on the criteria he is supposed to apply.


feed_id: cbeaa3130f6b4668f86a0c83d5de854e
title: FBI "investigation" of Kavanaugh
uri: FBI-investigation-of-Kavanaugh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28FBI_investigation_of_Kavanaugh%29
content:
<p>
Schumer and Feinstein say that the FBI "investigation" of Kavanaugh
was 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1801473">a sham</a>.


feed_id: 163ab6b09cf34fc872bd045f437e4480
title: DARPA virus delivery system
uri: DARPA-virus-delivery-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28DARPA_virus_delivery_system%29
content:
<p>
DARPA is funding a system to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/04/us-plan-to-genetically-alter-crops-via-insects-feared-to-be-biological-war-plan">use
insects to deliver viruses to crops</a>.  DARPA says that is meant to
benefit farmers, but maybe it is actually for biological warfare.
<p>
If the crops are friendly and the farmers are willing, you don't need
the insects.


feed_id: ebfb26f2a2e23f8b712438ea6d15803b
title: Intestinal bacteria samples
uri: Intestinal-bacteria-samples
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Intestinal_bacteria_samples%29
content:
<p>
A plan to save samples of the highly diverse intestinal bacteria of
people in 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/oct/04/build-noahs-ark-for-beneficial-gut-microbes-scientists-say">remote
communities</a>.


feed_id: 36fc5c453b5c38d7f9f4d9a574a881e0
title: Protesters face possible imprisonment
uri: Protesters-face-possible-imprisonment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Protesters_face_possible_imprisonment%29

content:
<p>
Nonviolent protesters blocked a deportation flight out of London.  Now
they are on trial and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/02/trial-begins-for-anti-deportation-activists-accused-of-blocking-stansted-flight">face
possible life imprisonment</a>.  Their defense is that they were
preventing a crime.


feed_id: ccf3034d6ca5a2f58ac52484789ea9b8
title: Stateless man imprisoned in Canada
uri: Stateless-man-imprisoned-in-Canada
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Stateless_man_imprisoned_in_Canada%29

content:
<p>
Canada wanted to deport Ebrahim Toure, considering him a menace to
Hollywood.  But he was totally stateless, so there was no country
Canada could send him to.  So Canada put him in prison, where he has
been for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/03/cananda-ebrahim-toure-immigration-detention">six
years</a>, in service of an impossible goal.


feed_id: 681e8145985490a08ee0e3ad0de0ee60
title: Christian extremist movie
uri: Christian-extremist-movie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Christian_extremist_movie%29
content:
<p>
A Christian extremist movie 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/03/the-trump-prophecy-film-god-election-mark-taylor">says
that the bullshitter was sent by "god"</a> to save the world's
morality.
<p>
According to the restored morality, people will lie and cheat all the
time.
<p>
This movie's success further demonstrates that the Republican Party
has become a cult.


feed_id: d2c7b56fc60d57b926e8c2b41ef8059d
title: More evidence of Kavanaugh's lies
uri: More-evidence-of-Kavanaugh-s-lies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28More_evidence_of_Kavanaughs_lies%29

content:
<p>
A letter written by Kavanaugh in 1983 provides 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1800985">more evidence</a>
that he lied to the Senate about how he lived then.


feed_id: 8260119690dad2082c4483b23c421d95
title: Wildfires polluting water supplies
uri: Wildfires-polluting-water-supplies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Wildfires_polluting_water_supplies%29

content:
<p>
Wildfires, increasing in many areas due to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, are
<a href="https://e360.yale.edu/features/how-wildfires-are-polluting-rivers-and-threatening-water-supplies">polluting
water supplies</a> &mdash; sometimes long after the fire.
<p>
The fires also release mercury, which ends up in wildlife, which can
be unsafe for people to eat.
<p>
If civilization survives, we ought eventually to deploy a system to
concentrate mercury from the environment, so we remove it from the
environment.


feed_id: 705ddb94071da68a56c5849e4cc946cb
title: Nitrogen fixing bacteria
uri: 2018-10-09-Nitrogen-fixing-bacteria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Nitrogen_fixing_bacteria%29
content:
<p>
Genetic engineers are developing nitrogen fixing bacteria to 
<a href="https://grist.org/article/billionaires-and-bacteria-are-racing-to-save-us-from-death-by-fertilizer/">replace
synthetic nitrogen fertilizer</a> (which is made using fossil fuel).
<p>
Will these new bacteria be designed to limit how much fixed nitrogen
they make?  Without negative feedback that would limit the production
based on circumstances, what would avoid that?
<p>
I also worry about the issue of patents and what this will cost
farmers.  Patents on the bacteria could make farmers even more
dependent.  On the other side, if the protection against an excess of
these bacteria, and a consequent excess of fixed nitrogen, is that
they don't survive very long, does that mean farmers would have to buy
more bacteria each year?
<p>
Runoff has 
<a href="https://e360.yale.edu/features/in-the-heart-of-the-corn-belt-an-uphill-battle-for-clean-water-iowa">made
the rivers of Iowa toxic</a> &mdash; people can't the fish or drink
the water.
<p>
This runoff includes phosphate as well as nitrate.  The bacteria to
fix nitrogen would perhaps eliminate the latter but not the former.
And no substitution of fertilizer will reduce the outflow from animal
feedlots &mdash; they only consume the plants.


feed_id: d03f8af9aee4c093199341b1d71661a0
title: Italian right-wing extremist
uri: Italian-right-wing-extremist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Italian_right-wing_extremist%29
content:
<p>
An Italian right-wing extremist, who wasn't elected when he ran for
the right-wing extremist League party, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/03/italian-extremist-given-12-year-sentence-after-shooting-at-migrants">shot
immigrants at random</a> as an act of racial hatred.  He has been
sentenced to prison.


feed_id: 270b7119a24c84cb1334c068eec3fb76
title: Puerto Rico
uri: 2018-10-09-Puerto-Rico
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Puerto_Rico%29
content:
<p>
Puerto Rico 
<a href="https://theconversation.com/puerto-rico-has-not-recovered-from-hurricane-maria-103288">Has
Not Recovered from Hurricane Maria</a>.


feed_id: 1bb7b17e07d575c700ccbcb04fe3d1db
title: Urgent: State of the Union speech
uri: Urgent-State-of-the-Union-speech
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_State_of_the_Union_speech%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/trumps-racism-makes-compromise-impossible-boycott-state-union/">Boycott</a>
the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s State of the Union speech.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 467f171accaa55b88ece30d2288eb860
title: Urgent: Drift gillnets
uri: Urgent-Drift-gillnets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Drift_gillnets%29
content:
<p>
Citizens of California: call on Governor Brown to sign
SB 1017, which would phase out use of drift gillnets for fishing.
</p>
<p>
Drift gillnets kill various species that are not targets for fishing,
including dolphins and some whales, and endangered sea turtles.
</p>


feed_id: 8d79d0c73cd3e0f52cd287ea92dcb308
title: Ruling on secret watchlist
uri: Ruling-on-secret-watchlist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Ruling_on_secret_watchlist%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/discriminatory-profiling/judge-just-reminded-cbp-border-isnt-rights-free-zone">A
federal court ruled</a> that a secret watchlist does not give US
border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> the power to jail people indefinitely with no grounds.


feed_id: 74c2092400e7d8ac93e6fa2f894ab5cb
title: 'Lie detectors'
uri: 2018-10-09-Lie-detectors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28%27Lie_detectors%27%29
content:
<p>
"Lie detectors" are not only pseudoscience, ineffective at determining
whether someone is lying,
they <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/privacy-technology/how-lie-detectors-enable-racial-bias">also
enable racial bias</a>.


feed_id: 92d4840c860645819a62e753cc0039da
title: Deforestation in Australia
uri: Deforestation-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Deforestation_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Australia is suffering rapid deforestation under the policies of its
extractivist
government.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/04/great-barrier-reef-forest-three-times-size-of-act-cleared-in-past-five-years">Almost
3000 square miles</a> of native forest have been cut down in 5 years.


feed_id: 4a8612d854a1144b118b14255b3b3eb4
title: Breaking up financial companies
uri: Breaking-up-financial-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Breaking_up_financial_companies%29

content:
<p>
Bernie Sanders
has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/03/too-big-fail-too-big-exist-sanders-introduces-bill-break-nations-largest-wall-street">introduced
a bill</a> to break up financial companies that are above a certain
threshold &mdash; amounting to 8 of them.


feed_id: eb1b867b75001b51acc551e521fe04ca
title: Law professor petition
uri: Law-professor-petition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Law_professor_petition%29
content:
<p>
900 US law
professors <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1801146">have
signed a petition</a> calling for rejection of Kavanaugh, saying that
he lacks the temperament and impartiality every judge is supposed to
have.


feed_id: 7d1bfe42f49f9fd7c7e8499ac2bc21ee
title: Surveillance technology in NYC
uri: Surveillance-technology-in-NYC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Surveillance_technology_in_NYC%29
content:
<p>
NYC is considering limiting the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department's use of surveillance
technology.  The first step is simply to make the
thugs <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/10/lifting-cloak-secrecy-nypd-surveillance-technology">say
what they do</a>.


feed_id: cf6e7b9ccc069f80998ac4d6b610d6b0
title: Room rental platform law in NYC
uri: Room-rental-platform-law-in-NYC
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Room_rental_platform_law_in_NYC%29

content:
<p>
The EFF
is <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/10/new-york-city-home-sharing-ordinance-could-create-privacy-nightmare">challenging
New York City's law</a> requiring room rental platforms to give a lot
of personal data about those who rent out a room.
<p>
I agree with the EFF.  The city has a valid right to get some limited
information, because the public has a valid interest in limiting the amount
of loss of rooms people can live in.  But it shouldn't get more than what
is necessary for this.
<p>
Please don't refer to rental
as <a href="https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#sharing">"sharing"</a>.


feed_id: 000fb4f3c1d8f3150850885c470030b4
title: Body cameras for border thugs
uri: Body-cameras-for-border-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Body_cameras_for_border_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Democratic senators have proposed to require border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> and
deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1801195">use body
cameras</a>.
<p>
Body cameras can be an effective check on violence by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, but they
require systems to ensure that
they <a href="http://www.technologyreview.com/view/539631/controlling-when-the-cameras-record/">record
at the right times</a>,
and laws to stop them from being used to record the full interior of
every place that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> enter and every person that thugs pass.
<p>
Especially we need to prohibit passing those people's faces to a face
recognition system if they are not observed committing some specific
crime.


feed_id: eb3e33893b8aef59ce9bd3cdb29bf6e4
title: Coal plant mercury limits
uri: Coal-plant-mercury-limits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Coal_plant_mercury_limits%29
content:
<p>
EPA saboteurs are setting up a two-stage process for cancelling the
limits on how much mercury coal plants can emit into the air.  They
are planning to do likewise for radioactive fallout emitted by coal
plants, citing
a <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1800891">convenient
crackpot theory</a>.


feed_id: bfd27624738653a11ef07b3279d44f5d
title: Eroded fingerprints
uri: Eroded-fingerprints
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Eroded_fingerprints%29
content:
<p>
Because India's biometric identification system depends on fingerprints,
<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/10/01/652513097/indias-biometric-id-system-has-led-to-starvation-for-some-poor-advocates-say">it
often fails</a> for people who have done manual labor for many years
and eroded their fingertips.
<p>
If the sincere intention is to identify people for welfare benefits,
they should be able to take prints from some other part of the body
&mdash; one which (1) doesn't leave prints on what you touch and (2)
won't get worn away.


feed_id: 85fe82e0604452d99a84d549c3c32d6d
title: Helmets at daycare
uri: Helmets-at-daycare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Helmets_at_daycare%29
content:
<p>
The report that a daycare center requires children to wear helmets is
only partly true, and it isn't totally outrageous.
However, <a href="https://letgrow.org/of-helmets-and-day-care-kids/">the
overall issue is real</a>.


feed_id: 6dbdcebe687cd6f7f3f44533c429f2b0
title: Escaping from capitalism
uri: Escaping-from-capitalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#8_October_2018_%28Escaping_from_capitalism%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that
the <a href="https://eand.co/if-the-point-of-capitalism-is-to-escape-capitalism-then-whats-the-point-of-capitalism-bedd1b2447d">aim
of everyone in capitalism</a> is to escape from capitalism.
<p>
I think that idea has a lot of truth in it, but not 100%.  To
construct a single thing that nearly everyone in capitalism is trying
to escape from, you need to put in more than just capitalism.  You
need to expand it to include the need to do work (whether for pay or
not) and the constraints of living in a society with others.  The
billionaires are clearly aiming for all of that.


feed_id: b16a213be51055f9f60efe709b15224c
title: Disappeard Chinese actress
uri: Disappeard-Chinese-actress
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Disappeard_Chinese_actress%29
content:
<p>
Disappeared Chinese actress Fan Bingbing 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/oct/04/fan-bingbing-mysterious-disappearance-chinese-film-star-elite">has
communicated again after months</a>, with a public confession.
<p>
I don't know whether Ms Fan is guilty of tax evasion.  I won't claim
that is not so.  However, mere guilt can't possibly justify holding a
prisoner incommunicado, nor torture.
<p>
I wish China would stop holding prisoners incommunicado in horrible
circumstances</a>.  Even more, I wish 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_June_2018_(Minors_in_military_bases)">the
US</a> would 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_March_2018_(Solitary_confinement)">stop</a>.


feed_id: 4970cb73b752fc6ff2d925459ddec1dd
title: Victims' rights
uri: Victims-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Victims_rights%29
content:
<p>
Peru: 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/10/04/peru-decision-overturn-fujimori-pardon-confirms-victims-rights-must-take">Decision
to Overturn Fujimori Pardon</a> Confirms That Victims’ Rights Must
Take Priority Over Political Decisions.


feed_id: 4732484ada65752d071694d4f32767b3
title: Urgent: Prevent war with Iran
uri: 2018-10-10-Urgent-Prevent-war-with-Iran
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Prevent_war_with_Iran%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/Tell-senate-block-trump-path-war-iran">Support
Sen. Udall's new bill S.3517</a> to prevent war with Iran.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 0873450b0a17d884f9b9cb45b5c35bdf
title: Salafi Arabia's oppression of women
uri: Salafi-Arabia-s-oppression-of-women
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Salafi_Arabias_oppression_of_women%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> has 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/06/saudi-arabia-women-driving-activists-exile/">jailed
or forced into exile</a> most of the women who campaigned for the
right to drive a car.
<p>
It seems that that the ruler intends that to be the one and only step
towards equal rights.


feed_id: 31666a3a2d4fea317c9664b60ccf1cc8
title: Nadie Murad
uri: Nadie-Murad
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Nadie_Murad%29
content:
<p>
Nadie Murad, who won the Nobel Peace Prize, tells 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/06/nadia-murad-isis-sex-slave-nobel-peace-prize">how
she was made sex slave by DAESH (*)</a>, which made a detailed plan
for enslavement of its captives (after killing all prisoners except
attractive women).
<p>
She later escaped to Germany and started a campaign against
enslavement.
<p>
* My usual term, <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>, feels too flip for this context.  I've read
that the Arabic acronym DAESH means, more or less, "What crushes
things".


feed_id: 70922814c412be53eabbe7813588e908
title: Release of political prisoners in Rwanda
uri: Release-of-political-prisoners-in-Rwanda
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Release_of_political_prisoners_in_Rwanda%29

content:
<p>
Rwanda's president Kagame has repressed dissidents for decades.  Now
he has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/05/release-rwandan-presidential-critic-rwigara-kagame-hopes-political-tolerance">released
over a thousand political prisoners</a>.
<p>
He is reputed to govern fairly well in areas 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#6_August_2017_(Suspicious_99%25_victory_in_election)">other
than human rights</a>.  He should be able to get reelected honestly,
so his repression was gratuitous as well as wrong.  I hope he is
learning to stop it.


feed_id: 5eeea06ec22331dc9300b773e0c4f020
title: Support for opponent of Senator Collins
uri: Support-for-opponent-of-Senator-Collins
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Support_for_opponent_of_Senator_Collins%29

content:
<p>
A crowdfunding campaign to support Senator Collins' eventual opponent
(but only if she votes for Kavanaugh) has received 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/05/after-backing-kavanaugh-funding-platform-unseat-susan-collins-2020-crashes-traffic">around
2 million dollars in donations</a>.  Recently the site crashed because
of the high volume of donations.
<p>
I wanted to post a reference to that campaign, but I determined that
there was no way to contribute to it without running nonfree
Javascript code.


feed_id: 0c0a77f81510542980328ca3670edc5a
title: Selling the US Postal Service
uri: Selling-the-US-Postal-Service
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Selling_the_US_Postal_Service%29
content:
<p>
Selling the US Postal Service 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/05/its-your-post-office-keep-it">would
be a grave error</a>.
<p>
Its financial problems result from a requirement that is not imposed
on private companies.  Converting it to a private company would fix
the problem, to be sure, but simply removing that special requirement
would fix it too.


feed_id: 19412f07c953991911d9408cdc397a1a
title: Policy of blocking access to reporters
uri: Policy-of-blocking-access-to-reporters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Policy_of_blocking_access_to_reporters%29

content:
<p>
Australian documents show that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/04/australia-jointly-responsible-for-naurus-draconian-media-policy-documents-reveal">Australia
worked with Nauru to set up Nauru's policy</a> of blocking access to
reporters.
<p>
The Australian government directly lied about this, pretending that
it had no control over its puppet.


feed_id: a87fd86e09344790cfc6418aa17b9447
title: Republicans fail to listen to churches
uri: Republicans-fail-to-listen-to-churches
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Republicans_fail_to_listen_to_churches%29

content:
<p>
The National Council of Churches 
<a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/409775-national-council-of-churches-calls-for-kavanaughs-nomination-to">called
for Kavanaugh's Nomination to be withdrawn</a>.
<p>
Naturally, Republicans didn't listen.


feed_id: eeccf316a9140d9a379b1ef5d653a03f
title: Heroic female protesters in Nicaragua
uri: Heroic-female-protesters-in-Nicaragua
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Heroic_female_protesters_in_Nicaragua%29

content:
<p>
Nicaraguan protest leader Nahmoy Urbina
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/oct/03/nicaragua-blonde-commander-nahomy-urbina-exile-terrorism-law-costa-rica">had
to flee the country after being charged with terrorism</a>.  Her
mother and grandmother were arrested by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> looking for her.
<p>
Other female protesters continue heroically despite repression,
defying threats of rape and murder.


feed_id: 714ed0da161213544d50f4754daa436e
title: Thug convicted
uri: Thug-convicted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Thug_convicted%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> that killed Laquan McDonald has been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/05/chicago-laquan-mcdonald-jason-van-dyke">convicted
of second degree murder</a>.
<p>
Occasionally they are held accountable.  It needs to happen more
often.


feed_id: 9728a9be5cbd5c382b93d5ed0024c0ab
title: The polygraph
uri: The-polygraph
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28The_polygraph%29
content:
<p>
The polygraph is 
<a href="http://web-old.archive.org/web/20181004171435/https://www.wired.com/story/inside-polygraph-job-screening-black-mirror/">nothing
more than pseudoscience</a> &mdash; it should be called a "fear
detector", or better "anxiety detector", rather than a "lie detector".


feed_id: 47fb66478fc5298a02ea9659ba4a7d1c
title: Facebook
uri: 2018-10-10-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Many Facebook posts show person A that B and C are doing something
together without A.  They 
<a href="https://www.futurity.org/facebook-social-exclusion-1877952/">tend
to make A feel sad and think less intelligently</a>.


feed_id: 547266160dcba7af041b9dff08b1b833
title: US elected officials
uri: US-elected-officials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28US_elected_officials%29
content:
<p>
Almost all US elected officials are from a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2018/oct/04/few-us-politicians-working-class">privileged
background</a>.  The article presents several reasons this happens.


feed_id: cca15738f74768bae9802bf8619470f1
title: Forced into prostitution by Japanese Army
uri: Forced-into-prostitution-by-Japanese-Army
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Forced_into_prostitution_by_Japanese_Army%29

content:
<p>
San Francisco has accepted a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/04/osaka-drops-san-francisco-as-sister-city-over-comfort-women-statue">statue
recognizing women forced into prostitution</a> by the Japanese Army.
<p>
Many of those women felt so ashamed that they never went back to their
families afterward.  Their culture taught them that they were to blame
for what had been done to them, rather than the perpetrators who did
it.
<p>
You can only be to blame for what you do, or fail to do, never for
what others do to you.


feed_id: 55a985fb7d0678e40ff3f06a43ba56d5
title: Thugs who shot protester face no punishment
uri: Thugs-who-shot-protester-face-no-punishment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Thugs_who_shot_protester_face_no_punishment%29

content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> who shot pipeline protester Marcus Mitchell in January 2017
in the eye, and maimed him, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/04/standing-rock-marcus-mitchell-shooting-charges">face
no punishment</a>.  But they seek to imprison him for two years, on
charges that are evident exaggeration.
<p>
His neck is likely to break from his injuries within two years,
rendering him a paraplegic.


feed_id: 158450a5fb66971b306c75b2557fb963
title: Italians rescue drowning refugees
uri: Italians-rescue-drowning-refugees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Italians_rescue_drowning_refugees%29

content:
<p>
Some Italians have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/04/italian-flagged-migrant-rescue-boat-mare-jonio-sets-sail-in-challenge-to-far-right-minister-matteo-salvini">commissioned
a ship flying the Italian flag</a> to rescue drowning refugees.
Minister Salvini will not have the authority to block that ship from
docking.


feed_id: 43524989f80a0670647423a6bd51b875
title: America's new aristocracy
uri: America-s-new-aristocracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Americas_new_aristocracy%29
content:
<p>
America's New Aristocracy Live in an Accountability-Free Zone.
No matter what crimes they commit, they are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/05/americas-new-aristocracy-live-accountability-free-zone-david-sirota">never
punished</a>.


feed_id: 3ff2db8ca14df044545970c696d52053
title: Racial discrimination of SF thugs
uri: Racial-discrimination-of-SF-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Racial_discrimination_of_SF_thugs%29

content:
<p>
ACLU: San Francisco <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have arrested blacks for selling small
amounts of drugs, but 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/04/san-francisco-police-black-residents-aclu-lawsuit">never
whites</a>.


feed_id: bb01cd9a6fac3751ea90fe22af3b4f32
title: Free Time Index
uri: Free-Time-Index
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Free_Time_Index%29
content:
<p>
Green Party Calls for Free Time Index 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/04/green-party-calls-for-free-time-index-to-replace-gdp-measure">to
Replace GDP Measure</a>.
<p>
I agree that the GDP is a bad index of how well the economy serves
people in general, but I haven't seen a good replacement.  It would be
good to include something like the Free Time Index, but that alone
can't do the job.  To take an extreme example, if a lot of people are
unemployed and starving, they have lots of free time but it isn't a
good situation to be in.
<p>
Therefore, a good index needs to include other things.  It needs to
include some measure of whether people have enough income for a
comfortable life, as well as not being overworked to get that income.


feed_id: 37d18c87c164637f8a7d46519f15e44e
title: Playful reference to sex
uri: Playful-reference-to-sex
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Playful_reference_to_sex%29
content:
<p>
Professor G&eacute;rard Mourou, who just received the Nobel prize,
made a video with students which 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/oct/05/bizarre-video-of-nobel-physics-laureate-gerard-mourou-surfaces">refers
playfully to sex</a>.
<p>
I see no wrong in it, but I fear that prudes will try to crucify him.


feed_id: 1dc850737c5dc6f2c58f7edb1fdc5dd4
title: Asbestos and bats in classroom
uri: Asbestos-and-bats-in-classroom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Asbestos_and_bats_in_classroom%29
content:
<p>
"My classroom has asbestos and bats": a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/05/guardian-us-teacher-takeover-betsy-devos">Message
for Betsy DeVos</a>.


feed_id: 5d394038d0ae6cf8454343e74b5a5d60
title: Carbon tax
uri: 2018-10-10-Carbon-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Carbon_tax%29
content:
<p>
"Charge 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/05/charge-30-a-tonne-for-co2-to-avoid-catastrophic-4c-warming'>€30
a tonne</a> for CO<sub>2</sub> to avoid catastrophic 4C warming."
<p>
The wording of the article suggests that when they say "carbon price"
they mean a carbon tax.  If so, I agree with them, but they are not making
the point clear.  The same term is used also to refer to emissions trading,
which has been ineffective because it was so 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-may-aug.html#18%20June%202010%20(Carbon%20offsets%20incentivize%20HFC%20production)">easy
to game</a>.


feed_id: cd69203717cbd947a25aa4f0bc4e9e8d
title: UK undercover thugs
uri: 2018-10-10-UK-undercover-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28UK_undercover_thugs%29
content:
<p>
When UK undercover <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> Mark Kennedy pretended to love Kate Wilson, he
took notes on her activities of all sorts, and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/03/covert-spying-activists-personal-life-monitored-and-recorded-in-detail">manipulated
her life so he could spy on other activists she knew</a>.


feed_id: cabe805ea71519e21443371e16c385a7
title: Overproduction on US farms
uri: Overproduction-on-US-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Overproduction_on_US_farms%29
content:
<p>
US farm policy promotes overproduction, and 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/03/bad-farm-policy-contributes-natural-disasters">directs
the money towards large intermediaries</a> rather than farmers.


feed_id: 70a9b43f5cada71dd99283407ef661fd
title: Kavanaugh's lies
uri: 2018-10-10-Kavanaugh-s-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Kavanaughs_lies%29
content:
<p>
Kavanaugh lied in his testimony about the 
<a href="https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/brett-kavanaugh-college-roommate-jamie-roche.html">meaning
of the slang that he used in his yearbook</a>.


feed_id: cd9a1b4f4738630132391258b1ad2be9
title: Kavanaugh investigation
uri: Kavanaugh-investigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Kavanaugh_investigation%29
content:
<p>
Here Are the 
<a href="https://www.justsecurity.org/60945/30-people-fbi-interview-kavanaugh-investigation/">30
People the FBI Needs to Interview</a> in its Kavanaugh Investigation.
<p>
If, that is, it were going to do a proper and thorough investigation.


feed_id: eedf3355f4eee6349fd37dacd0412c74
title: Sinking cities
uri: Sinking-cities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Sinking_cities%29
content:
<p>
From London to Shanghai, World's Sinking Cities Face 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/05/from-london-to-shanghai-worlds-sinking-cities-face-devastating-floods">Devastating
Floods</a>.


feed_id: c2133d48f74a431f54747b0100bb339d
title: Interpol-China scandal
uri: Interpol-China-scandal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Interpol-China_scandal%29
content:
<p>
Interpol-China scandal #2: the chief of Interpol, who is Chinese, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/05/french-investigate-after-interpol-chief-meng-hongwei-goes-missing-china">was
disappeared</a> last week on a visit to China.
<p>
Interpol-China scandal #1: the head of China's secret police was made
chief of Interpol.
<p>
Scandal 2 brings discredit on China.  Scandal 1 brings discredit on
Interpol.


feed_id: 14c9daed98bf8bf25d1b564f961a2734
title: US sanctions against Iran
uri: 2018-10-10-US-sanctions-against-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28US_sanctions_against_Iran%29
content:
<p>
The International Court of Justice ruled that US sanctions against
Iran violate a treaty, and that they 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/03/rejecting-us-claims-they-dont-harm-humanitarian-aid-un-court-orders-easing-sanctions">interfere
with humanitarian aid</a>.  It ruled that the US should drop these
sanctions.
<p>
In response, the US 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/03/drums-war-are-beating-icj-ruled-us-sanctions-violate-treaty-iran-so-pompeo-just">cancelled
the treaty</a>.


feed_id: 96cd95043ceb05f41af52fb1cd5020f1
title: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
uri: Federal-Energy-Regulatory-Commission
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#9_October_2018_%28Federal_Energy_Regulatory_Commission%29

content:
<p>
Union of Concerned Scientists: <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a> 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/10/04/ferc-nomination-shows-trumps-intent-politicize-independent-commission">wants
to nominate a saboteur</a> to the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission.


feed_id: a7e0ee1bcd597044b71df9100b3911fe
title: Urgent: Flint water inspections
uri: Urgent-Flint-water-inspections
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Flint_water_inspections%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/real-home-inspections-for-flint">call
for giving Flint residents</a> real inspections for lead in the water.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 1bca571c14f333b6e26164c22cd80c79
title: Urgent: Impeach Kavanaugh
uri: 2018-10-10-Urgent-Impeach-Kavanaugh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Impeach_Kavanaugh%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Kavanaugh_Impeach">call
on Congress</a> to impeach Kavanaugh from the Supreme Court.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 64eb2f18de8ca83b8c4509608e4723e7
title: Eliminating mosquito populations
uri: Eliminating-mosquito-populations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Eliminating_mosquito_populations%29

content:
<p>
An experiment to eliminate an isolated population of the mosquito
Anopheles gambiae with a gene drive has
succeeded.  <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/10/03/the-ethics-of-wiping-out-a-mos.html">Should
we eliminate that species</a> of mosquito, together with the other few
that carry most malaria?
<p>
I think we should do so.  There are over 400 species of Anopheles
mosquitos, so wiping out a few of them probably won't lead to big
changes in ecosystems.  Other mosquitos will replace them, and bats
and birds will still have food.
<p>
Human activity is on track
to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#16_December_2014_(Mass_extinction)">wipe
out a large fraction</a> of all the species on Earth &mdash; not
intentionally, only as a byproduct of causing global disaster.
Instead of sparing a few species that really do hurt us, we should try
to protect the hundreds of thousands of species we are likely to
extinguish unthinkingly,
by <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html">curbing our
population</a> and our greenhouse gas emissions.


feed_id: 09df2bd71713852950b82422cce01888
title: Arson convictions
uri: Arson-convictions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Arson_convictions%29
content:
<p>
Americans are still in prison, decades after being convicted of arson
based on false theories of how fires spread inside a house.  The
falsity of those theories
was <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/05/claude-garrett-parole-arson-fire-junk-science/">recognized
over 15 years ago</a>.


feed_id: c01963bb4bc5b5e3fdb1f91c854ebb2b
title: MacBook repair lockout
uri: MacBook-repair-lockout
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28MacBook_repair_lockout%29
content:
<p>
Apple plans
to <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/yw9qk7/macbook-pro-software-locks-prevent-independent-repair">lock
out independent repair</a> by designing MacBook hardware and software
to brick the machine if anyone else replaces the screen.


feed_id: 731df55c12768f721331f2eae8f4c1e6
title: Recycling as 'effeminate'
uri: Recycling-as-effeminate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Recycling_as_%27effeminate%27%29
content:
<p>
Recycling is regarded as a feminine trait, so some men reject
recycling so that they
will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/05/real-men-dont-recycle-how-sexist-stereotypes-are-killing-the-planet">not
be regarded as "effeminate"</a>.


feed_id: 26faf8b50fd13131270856513c98efaa
title: Consent for data collection
uri: Consent-for-data-collection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Consent_for_data_collection%29
content:
<p>
"Consent" for data collection is meaningless because it
is <a href="https://hbr.org/2018/09/stop-thinking-about-consent-it-isnt-possible-and-it-isnt-right">impossible
to express</a> what actions the consent is for.


feed_id: fd37b0a6d2a0862d2a0f626d3ea4a94c
title: Coal protest in Germany
uri: Coal-protest-in-Germany
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Coal_protest_in_Germany%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/06/fifty-thousand-come-together-germany-defend-ancient-forest-and-fight-coal">Fifty
thousand Germans protested</a> to demand and end to burning coal, and
to protect a forest that is scheduled to be cut down for coal mining.


feed_id: 290a44fbf1fe093e28b1ac32e9658334
title: Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court
uri: Kavanaugh-on-the-Supreme-Court
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Kavanaugh_on_the_Supreme_Court%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/06/brett-kavanaugh-confirmed-us-supreme-court">Republicans
succeeded</a> in putting Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court, with help
from Manchin, who calls himself a Democrat but votes with Republicans
on all the important issues.


feed_id: 5fcae4b2c13e4913486bfc5a681eb697
title: Surveillance system export
uri: Surveillance-system-export
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Surveillance_system_export%29
content:
<p>
A loophole permits the
UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/06/government-halt-surveillance-kit-sales-authoritarian-countries">export
of surveillance systems</a> to tyrannical states.
<p>
Since even states that are not generally considered tyrannical
abuse massive surveillance, I think it is becoming necessary to block
sale of surveillance systems to any state whatsoever.


feed_id: f0f77587ea101c090c5d39b7ec3c4eee
title: Corporation controlled by AI
uri: Corporation-controlled-by-AI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Corporation_controlled_by_AI%29
content:
<p>
An artificial intelligence, or even an artificial non-intelligence,
could <a href="https://theconversation.com/could-an-artificial-intelligence-be-considered-a-person-under-the-law-102865
">wield political power</a> by having control of a corporation with no
official human owners.


feed_id: 3ce7ff72d495b427a981ccdd8c76a097
title: School closures for spiders
uri: School-closures-for-spiders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28School_closures_for_spiders%29
content:
<p>
Schools <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/05/closing-schools-spider-children-disconnected-nature-london">have
been closed in London</a> because many harmless spiders have appeared
in them.


feed_id: 55159f008cd8048b7319e95725b7e71c
title: Amazon workers
uri: Amazon-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Amazon_workers%29
content:
<p>
It's good that Amazon is giving its workers a raise, but the overall
effect of Amazon on workers in
general <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/06/critics-fear-amazons-minimum-wage-hike-will-distract-from-its-other-issues">is
very harmful</a>.
<p>
That's not to mention
the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#17_April_2018_(Alexa's_listening)">harm
it does to customers' freedom</a> by tracking them and requiring they
run nonfree software.


feed_id: 49c15fdc5821cc493958e044bfef3c0a
title: Putin's popularity
uri: Putin-s-popularity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Putin%27s_popularity%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that Putin's
popularity <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/10/06/dissent-and-disarray-in-putins">is
superficial</a>, and his continued domination of Russia is not
assured.


feed_id: 3014f55f99dcc0b93551e0c40ec32e0c
title: Nauru's orders to MSF
uri: Nauru-s-orders-to-MSF
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Nauru%27s_orders_to_MSF%29
content:
<p>
Nauru has ordered Médecins Sans Frontières
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/06/nauru-orders-msf-to-stop-mental-health-work-on-island">stop
treating the refugees</a> that Australia has sent there for
imprisonment.


feed_id: 978e324680984503eba3a5a1f9a393c2
title: Fast food marketing
uri: Fast-food-marketing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Fast_food_marketing%29
content:
<p>
Fast food stores are driving obesity, and restrictions on their
marketing practices have done nothing to hold them back.
They <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/10/06/kids-still-eating-fast-food">find
ways around the restrictions</a>.
<p>
Maybe that means we need stricter measures.  The spread of obesity
is a disaster almost at the same level as <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: 99e1de906cccfa05ec1fff3d06b3098f
title: Nietzsche's altered work
uri: Nietzsche-s-altered-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Nietzsche%27s_altered_work%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/oct/06/exploding-nietzsche-myths-need-dynamiting">How
Nietzsche's work was altered</a>, after his death, to make him look
like a right-wing bigot.


feed_id: d4f36a89ad0e6da97b4db740287175bb
title: Kavanaugh's confirmation
uri: Kavanaugh-s-confirmation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Kavanaughs_confirmation%29
content:
<p>
Brett Kavanaugh's Confirmation Isn't Democracy.  It's a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/06/brett-kavanaugh-confirmation-supreme-court-republicans">Judicial
Coup</a>.
<p>
Elections do not amount to democracy when they are rigged by a
conspiracy of a minority.


feed_id: 69b5ddc3b90824ba724a34fd2bfa65e0
title: Disappearance of 43 Mexican students
uri: Disappearance-of-43-Mexican-students
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Disappearance_of_43_Mexican_students%29

content:
<p>
An journalist's investigation of the disappearance of 43 Mexican students
shows that 
<href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/oct/07/a-massacre-in-mexico-anabel-hernandez-review">all
the levels of government collaborated with a drug gang</a>.


feed_id: 6602262a669d1c08c94f42ed6a2522cc
title: Good neighborhoods vs bad neighborhoods
uri: Good-neighborhoods-vs-bad-neighborhoods
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Good_neighborhoods_vs_bad_neighborhoods%29

content:
<p>
The difference between a good neighborhood and bad one 
<a href="https://www.futurity.org/economic-mobility-outcomes-map-1880562/">can
make a tremendous difference in children's subsequent lives</a>.
<p>
We can't make all neighborhoods above average, but this difference
suggests there must be something that would make them all better.


feed_id: 81a0689c87f27f03f68c03495bb31ef5
title: Bad news for Canadian copyright
uri: Bad-news-for-Canadian-copyright
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Bad_news_for_Canadian_copyright%29

content:
<p>
New North American Trade Deal Has 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/10/new-north-american-trade-deal-has-bad-news-canadian-copyright">Bad
News for Canadian Copyright</a>.
<p>
I suggest Canada legislate that copyright last until either 70 years
after the author's death, or such time as is at least 50 years after
that death and this treaty is no longer in force &mdash; whichever
comes first.
<p>
That way, the treaty will not have a lasting effect if it is
cancelled.


feed_id: f96a66c635b4c66188bc8748717a7b47
title: Influence bots
uri: Influence-bots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Influence_bots%29
content:
<p>
EFF: California has adopted a bill that 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/10/victory-dangerous-elements-removed-californias-bot-labeling-bill">requires
labeling of influence bots while respecting privacy</a>.


feed_id: 795ca277d79c10c6ec7378a443524083
title: Amazon creating subsidiaries
uri: Amazon-creating-subsidiaries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Amazon_creating_subsidiaries%29
content:
<p>

Amazon is creating subsidiaries that act like "third-party" sellers,
to
<a href="https://qz.com/1414238/secret-amazon-brands-are-quietly-taking-over-amazon-com/">compete
with the real third-party sellers</a>.
<p>
This is one more example of how Amazon cooperates with various other
parties so as to get more power, then betrays them.  Amazon has done
wrong to readers, authors, bookstores, as well as its workers.  And
now to the companies that accepted it as a 
nearly-monopolistic market.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">More reasons</a> to refuse to buy from Amazon.


feed_id: 3eb03a59f978b54cae6554ae50d33ccc
title: Lobby-bots
uri: Lobby-bots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Lobby-bots%29
content:
<p>
Many federal agencies, asking for public comment, are bombarded by
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20181001/14155040759/fake-comments-are-plaguing-government-agencies-nobody-much-seems-to-care.shtml">lobby-bots</a>.


feed_id: 66fdb10f2d09917f2eef2ece5f518abe
title: War in Yemen
uri: 2018-10-11-War-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28War_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
How 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/05/how-saudi-money-keeps-washington-war-yemen">[Salafi
Arabia's] Money</a> Keeps Washington at War in Yemen.


feed_id: ec22830821c5d47ccf780bd9c1c7bb67
title: Jamal Khashoggi
uri: 2018-10-11-Jamal-Khashoggi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Jamal_Khashoggi%29
content:
<p>
Turkey says that Jamal Khashoggi was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/06/saudi-journalist-killed-inside-consulate-turkish-sources">murdered
inside Salafi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul</a>.
<p>
Neither of those states is known for its respect for human rights, or
for honesty.  There is no hard evidence.  However, if <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>
cannot produce Khashoggi alive, we will have to consider the
accusation proved.
<p>
It would not surprise me for <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> to assassinate dissidents,
given that it has 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#27_December_2012_(Web_site_editor_faces_death_penalty)">sentenced
dissidents to death</a>.  It does surprise me that it would do so in a
way that is implausible to deny and would cause a diplomatic incident.


feed_id: 442972885974df426c06a65ae4cc07c0
title: Advisory panel for Toronto's "smart" city
uri: Advisory-panel-for-Toronto-s-smart-city
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28Advisory_panel_for_Torontos_smart_city%29

content:
<p>
Saadia Muzaffar has resigned from the advisory panel for Toronto's
"smart" city, because the project is 
<a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/3km74w/google-smart-city-in-toronto-advisor-resigns-data-privacy">not
seriously attending to citizens' privacy concerns</a>.
<p>
As usual, "smart" means "spy".
<p>
Most campaigns to protect privacy aim for an inadequate target:
regulating the use of data collected.  That is not enough to protect
people from being harmed by the data collected about them.
<p>
I don't see anything in this article to suggest that Muzaffar, and the
citizens that complained, are trying to go further than that.


feed_id: b6019121c30b3b2c9ced7b9a6debc75e
title: FOSTA advertising censorship law
uri: FOSTA-advertising-censorship-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#10_October_2018_%28FOSTA_advertising_censorship_law%29

content:
<p>
Since the FOSTA advertising censorship law was passed, 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180927/23531640733/six-months-later-people-are-finally-realizing-that-fosta-actually-is-putting-lives-risk.shtml">more
sex workers are working on the street</a>, making them vulnerable to
arrest, violence, and subjugation by pimps.
<p>
Finding clients through the internet used to enable them to avoid
these dangers.


feed_id: 503584b1a98431d17c1bea888dea0aa9
title: Urgent: Boycott Senator Manchin
uri: Urgent-Boycott-Senator-Manchin
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#11_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Boycott_Senator_Manchin%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Manchin_Accountability">call
on Democratic leaders, donors and consultants</a> not to work for
Senator Manchin, who voted to confirm Kavanaugh.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 2cc27f18e8c2c0d9faca63c0929128da
title: Kigali amendment
uri: Kigali-amendment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#11_October_2018_%28Kigali_amendment%29
content:
<p>
An amendment to the treaty that ended production of ozone-destroying
chemicals
could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/08/kigali-amendment-little-noticed-treaty-could-help-delay-climate-catastrophe">delay
global heating for a while</a>.
<p>
This would give civilization a breather, but would not by itself save
us.


feed_id: 4c76b3664254771fce20061a5695f29d
title: Cheating-detection systems
uri: Cheating-detection-systems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#11_October_2018_%28Cheating-detection_systems%29
content:
<p>
Schools are
now <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/anti-plagiarism-tools-a-new-age-of-truth-at-university/a-45475465">invading
student's privacy</a> through cheating-detection systems.
<p>
I would not object to a school's running my papers through something
like Turnitin, as long as they did not tell Turnitin who wrote it, or
even say that all my papers were written by the same student.
<p>
However, I would never let the nonfree proctoring software onto
my computer.  (Besides which, it would not run on my operating system.)
I would be willing to take the test on the university's computer,
running whatever software the university happens to run, since the
exam is communication with the university.


feed_id: 083567c5fcfc04d331a8f95d4366de18
title: Reflecting sunlight into space
uri: Reflecting-sunlight-into-space
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#11_October_2018_%28Reflecting_sunlight_into_space%29

content:
<p>
People once again propose geoengineering
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/08/geoengineering-global-warming-ipcc">reflect
sunlight into space</a> as a way to counteract global heating.
<p>
However, ocean acidification would continue unabated, with the effect
of eventually wiping out all coral, and all molluscs with shells.
Many species of sea
animals <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#17_August_2018_(Ocean_acidification)">depend
on coral reefs</a>, and they would be wiped out too.  The food supply
for a billion people would be lost, just as plants
are <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#23_June_2015_(Effect_of_CO2_levels_on_food)">producing
less protein</a> due to the higher CO2 levels.


feed_id: 2997e64a4e315023d662082d606669a1
title: Banksy painting
uri: Banksy-painting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#11_October_2018_%28Banksy_painting%29
content:
<p>
Banksy auctioned a painting in a frame
that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/oct/08/why-shredder-is-banksy-greatest-work">shredded
the painting</a> just after it was sold.
<p>
I appreciate this as a bizarre hack.  But if he did not get the
purchaser's permission, it was also a serious crime.


feed_id: ce729bd9048db48a6bda9b5d42b20a13
title: Trust for Putin
uri: Trust-for-Putin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#11_October_2018_%28Trust_for_Putin%29
content:
<p>
Russians
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/08/trust-vladimir-putin-declines-steeply-among-russians-poll-shows-pension-changes">losing
trust for Putin</a> in response to his pension cuts.


feed_id: 5ac7b08f37fe0d3e358ae909e0c8b337
title: Rejecting racist myths
uri: Rejecting-racist-myths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#11_October_2018_%28Rejecting_racist_myths%29
content:
<p>
Mississippians are campaigning
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2018/oct/08/the-white-southerners-who-changed-their-views-on-racism">reject
the racist myths</a> they were brought up with.


feed_id: bf30ccfdafffc4680dba0e2666f4a403
title: Ads on Sydney Opera House
uri: Ads-on-Sydney-Opera-House
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#11_October_2018_%28Ads_on_Sydney_Opera_House%29
content:
<p>
For decades, local governments have increasingly traded integrity and
public spirit by renting out civic buildings for commercial publicity.
They even name the buildings after companies, for a price.  However,
Australians now say that using the Sydney Opera House walls
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/08/former-sydney-opera-house-boss-offensive-ad-horse-race">project
ads for gambling</a> is going too far.
<p>
If this had met no objection, the state might next have renamed it to
the "Horse Race Gambling Opera House" and put pictures of race horses
all around it.  That would fetch a higher fee.
<p>
Looked at superficially, this is a nice opportunity to bring in money
without directly hurting anyone.  Looked at deeply, it conveys the
message to "forget about civic spirit &mdash; everything in this city
is for sale."


feed_id: 9328a4516d680992f24f100ae32e03cb
title: UN report on global heating
uri: UN-report-on-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#11_October_2018_%28UN_report_on_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Global [heating] Must Not Exceed
1.5C, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/08/global-warming-must-not-exceed-15c-warns-landmark-un-report">Warns
Landmark UN Report</a>.
<p>
"Climate change is
occurring <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/oct/08/world-leaders-told-they-must-act-over-climate-change-cliff-edge">earlier
and more rapidly than expected</a>.  Even at the current level of 1C
warming, it is painful."
<p>
In fact, this
report <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/08/world-leaders-climate-change-ipcc-report">understates
part of the danger</a>.
<p>
Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/08/energy-sector-carbon-emissions-grow-second-year-climate-change-coal">fossil
fuel business sails on</a>, disregarding the disaster it is bringing.


feed_id: 4c5b34d4a1a50b3fbcbab7e31f829461
title: Citizenship as fob key
uri: Citizenship-as-fob-key
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#11_October_2018_%28Citizenship_as_fob_key%29
content:
<p>
Citizenship <a href="https://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/Searle20181007">considered
as a fob key</a>, the first and least selective of a series of
increasingly limited fob keys.


feed_id: cdbf26b41b8f66e3f7dccf26f6a115fb
title: EU reforestation
uri: EU-reforestation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#11_October_2018_%28EU_reforestation%29
content:
<p>
The
EU <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/07/caledonias-lost-forest-restored-to-glory-in-rewilding-cairngorms">has
a grand project</a> to restore substantial parts of some vast forests
that existed before modern times.
<p>
The project has a crucial prerequisite, not mentioned in the article,
without which it will fail: to curb <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> soon.  Without
this, the ecosystem they are trying to preserve would not be able to
survive where it used to exist, and perhaps not anywhere on Earth, not
even unmolested.  But it will surely be molested, by tropical pests,
floods, drought, and/or fire.  This project would fail, just as
walling out the rising sea will fail.


feed_id: 51b016def296e204ec345bf4ddec8e35
title: No more torture
uri: No-more-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#11_October_2018_%28No_more_torture%29
content:
<p>
"No More Torture," Says
France.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/07/no-more-torture-says-france-not-so-united-states">Not
So the United States.</a>


feed_id: dd89aa4ad78d3edb9650d071cdd87418
title: Campaign against trafficking
uri: Campaign-against-trafficking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#11_October_2018_%28Campaign_against_trafficking%29
content:
<p>
Famatta Massalay was handed by her parents to another family that
promised her education in the US.  Instead they made her a domestic
slave, who was forced into sex as well.  Now she heads
a <a href="https://www.freedomunited.org/news/how-i-ended-up-as-a-modern-day-slave-in-nyc/">campaign
against trafficking</a>.


feed_id: 1fc20d6bed7c18313defeab536fa20fe
title: Proposed encryption backdoor law
uri: Proposed-encryption-backdoor-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Proposed_encryption_backdoor_law%29

content:
<p>
The Australian official in charge of supervising various intelligence
agencies says that the proposed new compulsion-to-help-them-spy law is
<a href="https://www.itnews.com.au/news/australias-intelligence-overseer-frets-decryption-abuse-513742">dangerous</a>.


feed_id: 89bce19cbcca98be2aad200f9a652049
title: Mentally ill prisoners in solitary
uri: Mentally-ill-prisoners-in-solitary
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Mentally_ill_prisoners_in_solitary%29

content:
<p>
The US has put 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/10/mental-health-inmates-solitary-confinement-us-prisons">4,000
mentally ill prisoners in solitary confinement</a>.
<p>
Solitary confinement tends to make people mentally ill even if they
were not so before.  For those who already are, it is the opposite of
treatment.


feed_id: e9c21504aa0f53aa6adf83841df1313c
title: Climate report
uri: Climate-report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Climate_report%29
content:
<p>
Majority of Top U.S. Newspapers 
<a href="https://thinkprogress.org/majority-of-top-u-s-newspapers-failed-to-feature-landmark-climate-report-on-homepage-b91a9d2ac5b3/">Failed
to Feature Bombshell Climate Report on Homepage</a>.


feed_id: 481686887f4f57238315047420977191
title: Parents' income and children's health
uri: Parents-income-and-children-s-health
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Parents_income_and_childrens_health%29

content:
<p>
A study in the UK found that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/09/parents-social-mobility-could-add-to-likelihood-of-violence-in-later-life">rise
and fall of parents' incomes correlate with fall and rise in
children's mental illness and criminality</a>.
<p>
Scientific proof that the income changes cause those behavioral and
mental changes would take a lot more experiments, but it is clear that
rich countries are making life far too hard for poor people, and that
the resulting stress does lasting harm for their children.


feed_id: c0895e1b93da6b42270da2e25d075c7b
title: Disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi
uri: Disappearance-of-Jamal-Khashoggi
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Disappearance_of_Jamal_Khashoggi%29

content:
<p>
Various pieces of circumstantial evidence 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/09/khashoggi-case-cctv-disappears-from-saudi-consulate-in-turkey">tie
Salafi Arabia to the disappearance</a> of dissident Jamal Khashoggi.
<p>
However, Turkey seems to have decided to play down the incident.


feed_id: 6cb67a6a1f5cfd396de048e84391bbf9
title: Awareness of Putin's meddling
uri: Awareness-of-Putin-s-meddling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Awareness_of_Putins_meddling%29
content:
<p>
Europe is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/09/vladimir-putin-divide-europe-skripal-russia">now
aware</a> that Putin tries to cause trouble all across Europe.


feed_id: e54b1fe19126a99e1b0d167fbd06f9d8
title: Reporters banned from visiting Hong Kong
uri: Reporters-banned-from-visiting-Hong-Kong
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Reporters_banned_from_visiting_Hong_Kong%29

content:
<p>
China has started banning specific foreign reporters from visiting
Hong Kong 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/09/hong-kong-leader-refuses-to-explain-uk-journalists-visa-denial">based
on their political leanings</a>.


feed_id: ccb456fec600aa737d81264b25bd3a1c
title: Second Russian poisoner identified
uri: Second-Russian-poisoner-identified
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Second_Russian_poisoner_identified%29

content:
<p>
The second Russian poisoner has been identified as a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/08/website-names-second-suspect-in-skripal-poisoning-case">military
medical doctor that works for Russian military intelligence</a>.


feed_id: cc2f525a2d02ba1b8a51fb2fdb9a0a8a
title: US reaction to DDT
uri: US-reaction-to-DDT
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28US_reaction_to_DDT%29
content:
<p>
The US reacted energetically when DDT, useful though it was, was
discovered to be a threat to birds.  We 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/09/un-report-climate-change-fossil-fuels/">must
do the same for fossil fuels</a>.


feed_id: 75d3e22594cf84fd40804fbd33fc629a
title: Cutting greenhouse gas emissions
uri: 2018-10-13-Cutting-greenhouse-gas-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Cutting_greenhouse_gas_emissions%29

content:
<p>
An appeals court 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/09/dutch-appeals-court-upholds-landmark-climate-change-ruling">ordered
the Netherlands government</a> to bring about bigger cuts in
greenhouse gas emissions with a 2020 deadline.


feed_id: 2f6332946d8c297b6ab58a9ae5b7b4a9
title: Using Sydney Opera House for ads
uri: Using-Sydney-Opera-House-for-ads
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Using_Sydney_Opera_House_for_ads%29

content:
<p>
A million Australians have signed a petition against using the Sydney
Opera House to promote gambling.  There were 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/09/not-for-sale-sydney-opera-house-racing-ad-sparks-protests-australia">large
protests</a> at the opera house itself.
<p>
This issue is 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#11_October_2018_(Ads_on_Sydney_Opera_House)">more
important</a> than its immediate practical consequences would imply.


feed_id: 5af98a58fa66a274b5bc42ed330e0971
title: Obama and Kavanaugh
uri: Obama-and-Kavanaugh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Obama_and_Kavanaugh%29
content:
<p>
Obama's 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/09/brett-kavanaugh-supreme-court-bush-administration/">Resistance
to Investigating the Bush Administration</a>['s torture] Allowed Brett
Kavanaugh to Skate Onto the Supreme Court.


feed_id: 9104c3cac3986faca62e1aa474bbb905
title: Venezuelan opposition politician dead
uri: Venezuelan-opposition-politician-dead
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Venezuelan_opposition_politician_dead%29

content:
<p>
A Venezuelan opposition politician was arrested on returning from
visiting the UN, and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/09/fernando-alban-death-venezuela-opposition-politician-custody">within
a few days "jumped" out a window</a> and died.
<p>
There is no proof he was pushed; but if he really did voluntarily
jump, the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> must have done or threatened some horrible treatment,
which would still make them responsible for his death.


feed_id: 6c049f81e2c878fab4871c7770059570
title: AI drones and censorship
uri: AI-drones-and-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28AI_drones_and_censorship%29
content:
<p>
Software developers are 
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/07/technology/tech-workers-ask-censorship-surveillance.html">starting
to object</a> to working on drone AI projects and censorship projects.
<p>
I admire their personal refusal, but the refusal of some engineers and
researchers will not by itself put a stop to these projects.  What it
could do is spark a larger movement that might achieve that goal.


feed_id: 14fb9bb9686d2c8b67af7384bbde968b
title: Photographing shark nets
uri: Photographing-shark-nets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Photographing_shark_nets%29
content:
<p>
Queensland is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/09/images-show-baby-humpback-whale-trapped-in-shark-net-off-queensland-coast">planning
to prohibit</a> taking photographs of shark nets, even when whales are
caught in them.


feed_id: 7208ac6c64a5fa14a454835f0b5935f2
title: Kavanaugh could become deciding vote
uri: Kavanaugh-could-become-deciding-vote
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Kavanaugh_could_become_deciding_vote%29

content:
<p>
"Kavanaugh could become the deciding vote on an administration
official 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1802581">caught lying in
public statements can claim that executive privilege shields him from
having to testify</a> about those statements."


feed_id: e081d46395ce15744a93ac7b84ba2786
title: Right-wing extremist in Brazil
uri: Right-wing-extremist-in-Brazil
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Right-wing_extremist_in_Brazil%29

content:
<p>
In 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/08/in-brazil-only-the-grandest-of-coalitions-can-now-defeat-bolsonaro">Brazil</a>,
Only the Grandest of Coalitions Can Now Defeat [the droolingly violent
right-wing extremist] Bolsonaro.  He may get a mandate for 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/08/brazils-bolsonaro-led-far-right-wins-a-victory-far-more-sweeping-and-dangerous-than-anyone-predicted-its-lessons-are-global/">mass
murder of the poor</a>.


feed_id: 271911f5d99f3653ceb2cea489d6e690
title: Destruction of habitat in Australia
uri: Destruction-of-habitat-in-Australia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Destruction_of_habitat_in_Australia%29

content:
<p>
Destruction of Threatened Species Habitat Taking Place on
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/08/destruction-of-threatened-species-habitat-taking-place-on-scandalously-huge-scale">'Scandalously
Huge Scale'</a> [in Australia].
<p>
This is the result of government policies chosen intentionally to
favor extractivism.


feed_id: 10f74d59b5a3c56c2f0f8608fe3f4b19
title: Avoiding 1.5C of global heating
uri: Avoiding-1-5C-of-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#12_October_2018_%28Avoiding_1.5C_of_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
We can probably avoid 1.5C of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, but we need to push hard
to reduce emissions in 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1802660">all sections</a>.
<p>
The Australian government 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/09/australian-government-backs-coal-defiance-ipcc-climate-warning">directly
opposes the very idea of trying</a>.
<p>
In the US, Republicans are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/oct/08/the-trump-administration-has-entered-stage-5-climate-denial">arguing
not to bother cutting greenhouse gas emissions</a> because it's too
late &mdash; global disaster is now inevitable.
<p>
That's like saying, "We can't avoid the collision, so don't bother
using the brakes."


feed_id: f4940167110760ee7e04187e3967ed44
title: Urgent: Eric Blankenstein
uri: Urgent-Eric-Blankenstein
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#13_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Eric_Blankenstein%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/blankenstein">call
on the CFPB</a> to fire Eric Blankenstein, whose racist statements
disqualify him from his post in charge of stopping financial
discrimination.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: ecd2a354a99db61103e11ef66528527c
title: Rotten food for prisoners
uri: Rotten-food-for-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#13_October_2018_%28Rotten_food_for_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
A privatized US immigration prison gave
prisoners <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/11/adelanto-ice-detention-center-abuse/">rotten
food, and never enough</a>.  As well as no medical care.


feed_id: 52afaff482f8c8ba3e061502e4c2676c
title: Hurricane Michael
uri: Hurricane-Michael
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#13_October_2018_%28Hurricane_Michael%29
content:
<p>
Hurricane
Michael <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/11/hurricane-michael-trail-of-devastation-florida-georgia">flattened
towns in Florida</a>, and inundated some islands completely.
<p>
It would not have done so much damage without human help.


feed_id: 8290a8ddb1a2f4d76aedf2e9c1644b82
title: Custody over refugee minors
uri: Custody-over-refugee-minors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#13_October_2018_%28Custody_over_refugee_minors%29
content:
<p>
State courts may be giving custody over refugee minors
to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1803636">unrelated
American families</a>, which could block them from ever being reunited
with their families.


feed_id: b3884cbfad863669ecccdb4f04f0720f
title: Views within British Army
uri: Views-within-British-Army
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#13_October_2018_%28Views_within_British_Army%29
content:
<p>
The British Army is permeated
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/11/tommy-robinson-photos-british-army-far-right">right-wing
extremist views</a>, which follow from its colonial traditions.


feed_id: be60727a36446c0df907a06541ee3951
title: Surveillance software lawsuit
uri: Surveillance-software-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#13_October_2018_%28Surveillance_software_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
Bahraini Arab Spring
Dissidents <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/11/bahraini-arab-spring-dissidents-sue-uk-spyware-maker">Sue
UK Spyware Maker</a>,
saying that it knew the surveillance software would be used to
find dissidents so as to repress them.


feed_id: 0fda22c55c119e71f4303a755bd003c5
title: Apartheid comparison
uri: Apartheid-comparison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#13_October_2018_%28Apartheid_comparison%29
content:
<p>
A South African elected
official <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/11/grandfather-nelson-mandela-apartheid-parallels-israel-palestinian">compares
Israeli apartheid</a> to the apartheid of South Africa.


feed_id: e45f6adb3cd8a1763fd24c72256ac992
title: UK same-sex marriage cake
uri: UK-same-sex-marriage-cake
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#13_October_2018_%28UK_same-sex_marriage_cake%29
content:
<p>
The UK Supreme Court ruled, much like the US Supreme Court, that
bakers have a right
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/10/uk-supreme-court-backs-bakery-that-refused-to-make-gay-wedding-cake">refuse
to make a cake</a> which stated support for same-sex marriage.
<p>
I agree with this decision, when it concerns individual bakers or a
privately held corporation whose individual owners can validly think
of it as theirs.  I disagree with their views but I support their right
to express those views.
<p>
I see no reason to extend a similar right to publicly traded
corporations, however.  They are not people and
not <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_August_2015_(Human_rights_and_corporations)">entitled
to human rights</a>.
<p>
Isn't it easy to write any message you like on a cake, with frosting,
after you buy it?


feed_id: 89775feb58ac52505d7ed648b3cba1a0
title: Black babysitter
uri: Black-babysitter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#13_October_2018_%28Black_babysitter%29
content:
<p>
The newest form of US racial bias: <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> questioned a black man and
two children, suspecting him
of <a href="https://www.cbs46.com/news/white-woman-calls-police-on-black-man-babysitting-children/article_0b02ccda-cba4-11e8-89db-ff7b3202479e.html">babysitting
while black</a>.


feed_id: 4cb747d47b301630de3aefb71d312466
title: Political sign in Texas
uri: Political-sign-in-Texas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#13_October_2018_%28Political_sign_in_Texas%29
content:
<p>
Texas
thugs <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2018/10/06/police-seize-texas-political-yard-sign-gop-elephant-girl-skirt/">seized
a political sign</a> showing an elephant with its trunk up a young
girl's skirt.  They threatened to arrest the owner if she did not take
it down.
<p>
The sign exaggerated by presenting a child as the victim, but that's a
small detail; if it had shown a teenager or an adult woman, it would
have been straight on target.  In any case, it is lawful political
speech, and the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> were abusing their authority.


feed_id: bf92f52b6946f55e0877935ab5d370e2
title: Peaceful Resolution in the NFL
uri: Peaceful-Resolution-in-the-NFL
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#13_October_2018_%28Peaceful_Resolution_in_the_NFL%29

content:
<p>
(satire) NFL Urges Pass Rushers To Try Reaching Peaceful Resolution
With
Quarterbacks <a href="https://sports.theonion.com/nfl-urges-pass-rushers-to-try-reaching-peaceful-resolut-1829659755">Before
Resorting To Tackling</a>.


feed_id: 6fd10139476f14d3966bb940395ed426
title: Boston housing prices
uri: Boston-housing-prices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#13_October_2018_%28Boston_housing_prices%29
content:
<p>
How Boston
can <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/10/towering-excess-perils-luxury-real-estate-boom-bostonians">mitigate
the rise in housing prices</a> caused by large luxury condominiums
that rest on land where non-rich people used to live.


feed_id: de9fd12f40f1bad0cfd3e195c520b3d0
title: Towards war with Iran
uri: Towards-war-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#13_October_2018_%28Towards_war_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
As the bullshitter pushes the US towards war with Iran, the public
(guided by the mainstream media)
are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/10/trump-has-put-us-path-war-iran-while-nobody-paying-attention">paying
little attention</a>.


feed_id: 47cf7f95de93e748757296b3818f52c7
title: Pipeline protester charges
uri: Pipeline-protester-charges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#13_October_2018_%28Pipeline_protester_charges%29
content:
<p>
Pipeline protesters facing felony charges were permitted to present a
necessity defense, but the
court <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/08/stunning-state-court-silences-climate-experts-set-testify-valve-turners-necessity">rejected
their expert witnesses</a>.
<p>
It appeared they were doomed, and then the
judge <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/10/09/judge-throws-out-felony-charges-against-climate-defenders">threw
out the charges</a> and declared them not guilty, on grounds of
necessity.


feed_id: bb527bbb428e5dc8e72d903bfc578cf2
title: Reduction in meat-eating
uri: Reduction-in-meat-eating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#13_October_2018_%28Reduction_in_meat-eating%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/10/huge-reduction-in-meat-eating-essential-to-avoid-climate-breakdown">Huge
Reduction in Meat-Eating</a> "Essential" to Avoid Climate Breakdown.
<p>
We Label Fridges to Show Their Environmental Impact
&mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/10/we-label-fridges-to-show-their-environmental-impact-why-not-food">Why
Not Food?</a>


feed_id: f2aa8e9770f45d0a2d6d05f1e55cce9f
title: Privatizing the Acropolis
uri: Privatizing-the-Acropolis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#13_October_2018_%28Privatizing_the_Acropolis%29
content:
<p>
Workers at the Acropolis, and hundreds of other sites and museums in
Greece,
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/10/acropolis-to-close-in-one-day-strike-over-privatisation-threat">going
on strike</a> against rumored privatization.
<p>
The Euro-<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bankster">banksters</a> are pressuring Greece to sell or privatize everything,
even if it is nailed down.


feed_id: bf2cf5c438f77496c071e4611b51b2e8
title: Banksy painting
uri: 2018-10-14-Banksy-painting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#11_October_2018_%28Banksy_painting%29
content:
<p>
Banksy auctioned a painting in a frame
that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/oct/08/why-shredder-is-banksy-greatest-work">shredded
the painting</a> shortly after.

<p>
I appreciate this as a bizarre hack.  The person who had won the
auction (but had not yet paid) could have been very disappointed, but
was not in fact disappointed.


feed_id: 8b68d251fc8960377393d89c4e7e04cb
title: Urgent: Fact-checking the bullshitter
uri: Urgent-Fact-checking-the-bullshitter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#14_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Fact-checking_the_bullshitter%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/usa_today_trump_lies">Tell
USA Today and other news publishers</a> to stop publishing the
bullshitter's lies without fact-checking.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 9cd39e6526745dc0b4a09b890d3c1fa5
title: Khashoggi recordings
uri: Khashoggi-recordings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#14_October_2018_%28Khashoggi_recordings%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/12/recordings-prove-jamal-khashoggi-killed-turkish-investigators-claim">Recordings
Prove</a> Jamal Khashoggi Was Killed, Turkish Investigators Claim.


feed_id: 2252b692645b45c5d57552e604816373
title: Nauru condemns MSF
uri: Nauru-condemns-MSF
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#14_October_2018_%28Nauru_condemns_MSF%29
content:
<p>
Nauru's tyrannical
government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/12/they-conspired-against-us-nauru-government-accuses-msf-of-activism">condemns
Médecins Sans Frontières</a> for the temerity to treat some of the
refugees.
Never mind that doing so was part of their contract.


feed_id: 57e30b7ba97638a41ecd4d75c354854a
title: UK 'counter-terrorism' law
uri: UK-counter-terrorism-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#14_October_2018_%28UK_%27counter-terrorism%27_law%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/12/uk-counter-terrorism-plans-cross-line-on-human-rights-say-mps">Some
UK politicians object</a> to the latest proposed "counter-terrorism"
law on the basis of freedom of speech.


feed_id: 006aba64b4bf7b24113dd317e89932a8
title: Excess wild horses
uri: Excess-wild-horses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#14_October_2018_%28Excess_wild_horses%29
content:
<p>
In areas where there are so many wild horses that they cause harm to
the ecosystem, Americans have an
inaccountable <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/12/wild-horses-california-slaughter/">opposition
to killing the excess</a>.


feed_id: dddef079bcd09eab682a16c826d08c58
title: Undocumented seafood workers
uri: Undocumented-seafood-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#14_October_2018_%28Undocumented_seafood_workers%29
content:
<p>
Louisiana's Undocumented Seafood
Workers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/12/louisiana-seafood-workers-union-undocumented-abuse">Unite
to Fight Workplace Abuses</a>.


feed_id: b541ad58fcad96ca260f6961c967b28f
title: Confronting Britain's past
uri: Confronting-Britain-s-past
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#14_October_2018_%28Confronting_Britain%27s_past%29
content:
<p>
Corbyn <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/12/jeremy-corbyn-right-pride-shame-britain-history-empire">proposes
a way</a> to confront slavery and imperialism in Britain's past more
deeply than with simple "pride" and "shame".


feed_id: 2bf6109369072c3c790960fa9b73c5ba
title: Facebook's new camera
uri: Facebook-s-new-camera
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#14_October_2018_%28Facebook%27s_new_camera%29
content:
<p>
Facebook's new "smart camera" offers people the opportunity to
completely <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/12/would-you-have-a-facebook-portal-camera-in-your-house-me-neither">surrender
the privacy of their home</a> to that company.  Perhaps it will help
others wake up to the danger.


feed_id: 90216a21672090dce895cbb09e538fa4
title: Food deserts
uri: Food-deserts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#14_October_2018_%28Food_deserts%29
content:
<p>
"Food deserts" are areas in which junk food is the main food available.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/12/food-deserts-brits-obese-fresh-government">They
promote obesity.</a>


feed_id: bf964fe9fa65df8ac2ecd9a07e2c79de
title: Low-emissions car subsidies
uri: Low-emissions-car-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#14_October_2018_%28Low-emissions_car_subsidies%29
content:
<p>
The Tories have taken another step to increase future fossil fuel
consumption in the UK.  This time it
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/12/scrapping-uk-grants-for-hybrid-cars-astounding-says-industry">cut
subsidies</a> for low-emissions cars.


feed_id: b451c2af92a9812f2d2624d039e2c719
title: Pushback for Khashoggi disappearance
uri: Pushback-for-Khashoggi-disappearance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#14_October_2018_%28Pushback_for_Khashoggi_disappearance%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> is
receiving <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/12/saudi-arabia-fii-conference-withdrawal-jamal-khashoggi">some
nongovernmental pushback</a> for disappearing Jamal Khashoggi.


feed_id: 67c0132fe6dbe5d58b756fa0fc17fb6e
title: Brian Kemp
uri: 2018-10-15-Brian-Kemp
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#14_October_2018_%28Brian_Kemp%29
content:
<p>
Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp Is Helping His Gubernatorial
Campaign by
Putting <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1803852">53,000
Voter Registrations on Hold</a>.
The targets are mainly blacks that are likely to vote for the
Democrat, Stacey Abrams.


feed_id: 199c5103103aca5065c7f23806494a3e
title: Death penalty ruling
uri: Death-penalty-ruling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#14_October_2018_%28Death_penalty_ruling%29
content:
<p>
Washington State
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/11/washington-state-supreme-court-strikes-down-death-penalty">ruled
the death penalty unconstitutional</a>.
<p>
This is due to the details of the state's law, so it would not be impossible
for the state to reestablish the death penalty.  I hope that this can be
stopped.


feed_id: c6c1f6eb497cba29f6c89cd274858771
title: Very urgent: Nevada voter registration
uri: Very-urgent-Nevada-voter-registration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Very_urgent%3A_Nevada_voter_registration%29

content:
<p>
If you live in Nevada, call your election commission by Oct 18
to see if your voter registration has been cancelled.
(At least 90,000 registrations have been cancelled.)
If it was, you can reregister by Oct 18.</p>
<p>
Please pass the word to anyone you know in Nevada.
</p>


feed_id: 5ccb0449e67201e4c1ca2eb447644ba4
title: Urgent: Barbara Lee
uri: 2018-10-16-Urgent-Barbara-Lee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Barbara_Lee%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/barbara_lee_leader">call
on House Democrats</a> to support Barbara Lee for a leadership
position in their caucus.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 2efe95d0d9cc7156113898b63043c119
title: Handing out food
uri: Handing-out-food
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Handing_out_food%29
content:
<p>
California has
put <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/10/13/california-adopts-a-mixed-bag-of-food-la">impossible
regulations</a> on handing out food to the homeless.


feed_id: 108d78a5fac71b8a6d675dd636c74a84
title: Amazon voice analysis
uri: Amazon-voice-analysis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Amazon_voice_analysis%29
content:
<p>
Amazon patented the idea
of <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/10/amazon-patents-alexa-tech-to-tell-if-youre-sick-depressed-and-sell-you-meds/">analyzing
the user's voice</a> to check for signs of illness or upset.
<p>
What I find most scary is that this would be used by insurance companies.


feed_id: de0c904efb639d2100aec531eace5560
title: Progressives as stooges
uri: Progressives-as-stooges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Progressives_as_stooges%29
content:
<p>
Dear Progressives: Craig Kelly, Abbott and Trump
Are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2018/oct/13/dear-progressives-craig-kelly-abbott-and-trump-are-making-you-their-stooge">Making
You Their Stooge</a>.


feed_id: ea183ce8cc41d9e712146fdbed5b24bb
title: On-line gambling tracking
uri: On-line-gambling-tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28On-line_gambling_tracking%29
content:
<p>
On-line gambling in some US states is legally required to do
<a href="https://phys.org/news/2018-10-smartphone-casinos.html">location
tracking of users</a>.
<p>
To sacrifice privacy (vital
for <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">human
rights and democracy</a>)
to protect profits for one gambling company over another
is disproportionate at the level of values.


feed_id: 03df8d6065e9c90de36423e6327b3f0f
title: Palestinian protesters shot
uri: 2018-10-16-Palestinian-protesters-shot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Palestinian_protesters_shot%29
content:
<p>
Israeli
soldiers <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/12/israeli-soldiers-kill-seven-palestinians-injure-hundreds-more-during-weekly-gaza">shot
Palestinian protesters</a> in Gaza, killing seven and wounding over
250.


feed_id: bd37bed4bfc2f8ee67939b9016d0f3b8
title: Illegally voided warranties
uri: Illegally-voided-warranties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Illegally_voided_warranties%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/9k7mby/45-out-of-50-electronics-companies-illegally-void-warranties-after-independent-repair-sting-operation-finds">45
Out of 50 Electronics Companies</a> Illegally Void Warranties After
Independent Repair, Sting Operation Finds.
<p>
I wonder whether Apple's planned brick-it-if-repaired malfeature also
violates the Magnuson-Moss law.  I suspect that the idea of banning
independent repair through DRM did not occur to anyone when that law
was passed.


feed_id: b5c1ac183a7a8a0b0c4d985c2ae66f91
title: Signature from child refugee
uri: Signature-from-child-refugee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Signature_from_child_refugee%29
content:
<p>
US border
thugs <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1803926">pressured a
five-year-old refugee</a> to sign away her legal right to a hearing.
I don't think she had any way of understanding the meaning of what she
was signing.


feed_id: e840c74e0c5a3348bda8dfdf56b306ee
title: Israel's global censorship
uri: Israel-s-global-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Israel%27s_global_censorship%29
content:
<p>
Israel is trying to apply its censorship law globally.  It
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/oct/12/israel-fines-new-zealand-teenagers-18000-for-urging-lorde-concert-boycott">imposed
fines</a> (dressed up as damages to "harmed" individuals) on New
Zealanders.
<p>
Israel's censorship law says that the artificial plaintiffs were not required
to demonstrate that they had suffered any damage.  But even if they had, the
law would still be unjust, since all they did was state a political position
and suggest a response to that.  The law was designed specifically to punish
expression of that political position.
<p>
New Zealand should not take any risk that its courts will apply this judgment.
It should pass a law to assure that they don't.


feed_id: 4939329ee168f7085559c90f0942d7a4
title: Faulty vaccine outcry in China
uri: Faulty-vaccine-outcry-in-China
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Faulty_vaccine_outcry_in_China%29

content:
<p>
Beaten, Terrified And
Disappeared: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/12/china-vaccine-scandal-crackdown-activists-beaten-disappear">China
Cracks Down</a> on Faulty Vaccine Outcry.


feed_id: 5a0f1742ae23d42406ca574b7111fef0
title: Citizenship census question
uri: 2018-10-16-Citizenship-census-question
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Citizenship_census_question%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> Wilbur
Ross <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1803692">admitted to
court</a> that he consulted with Bannon and Kobach about asking a
citizenship question in the 2020 census.
<p>
This may help plaintiffs prove that question was based on racist intent.


feed_id: dd85af3801977f5fe5ff326f0a161b1e
title: Torture in Egypt
uri: Torture-in-Egypt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Torture_in_Egypt%29
content:
<p>
Egypt dares to
torture <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/11/egypt-american-citizen-torture-rape-khaled-hassan/">even
US citizens</a>.
<p>
Torturing Egyptians
is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_September_2017_(Egypt_prisoner_torture)">nothing
special there</a>.
The US gives Egypt lots of money, and if the US insisted, Egypt
would have to stop.


feed_id: 07aa2ee95738d6df1745eb5485420d29
title: UN Human Rights Council
uri: UN-Human-Rights-Council
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28UN_Human_Rights_Council%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/11/eritrea-joining-human-rights-council-membership-undermine-work-hrc">Several
countries</a> that trample human rights are being elected to the UN
Human Rights Council.
This trend threatens to make that organization
useless or even antagonistic to human rights.


feed_id: 3eae285f746b61ace48a880513a028b6
title: Retaliation toward abortion doctors
uri: Retaliation-toward-abortion-doctors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Retaliation_toward_abortion_doctors%29

content:
<p>
US abortion
doctors <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/12/1756619/-The-healthcare-industry-stigmatizes-abortion-and-it-hurts-both-providers-and-patients">face
retaliation</a> at their other workplaces, especially when a workplace
gets bought by a religious organization.


feed_id: 881981ca9e8144aab6f173fc436def00
title: US law student strike
uri: US-law-student-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28US_law_student_strike%29
content:
<p>
Many US law
students <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/11/demanding-kavanaugh-impeachment-law-students-launch-nationwide-strike-against">held
a strike</a> demanding impeachment of Kavanaugh.


feed_id: 2a120533ae02f8f0dcf9229d5278483a
title: UK immigration prison
uri: UK-immigration-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28UK_immigration_prison%29
content:
<p>
The UK puts people in prison when it might want to deport them.  They
may not even have entered the country without permission.  Prisoners
say it
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/11/life-in-a-uk-immigration-removal-centre-worse-than-prison-as-criminal-sentence">worse
than the prison for criminals</a>.


feed_id: a2afda608587d6413cca4608cdf72666
title: Student arrested for political views
uri: Student-arrested-for-political-views
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Student_arrested_for_political_views%29

content:
<p>
When Lara Alqasem arrived in Israel to study at Hebrew University,
Israel 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/09/israel-told-end-outrageous-detention-us-student-held-alleged-crime-supporting-bds">arrested
her in the airport</a> because she supports the Palestinian BSD
campaign.
<p>
Later a court ruled that she could not be jailed for this, so she is
now free to go back to the US.  She remains in the airport waiting for
her court case which will decide whether she is allowed to study in
Israel.


feed_id: 5ea3e3f02ea6b77379992da03c914a95
title: Academics denied visas to visit UK
uri: Academics-denied-visas-to-visit-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Academics_denied_visas_to_visit_UK%29

content:
<p>
WHO Voices Alarm as Academics 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/09/who-voices-alarm-academics-denied-visas-to-visit-uk-conference">Denied
Visas to Visit UK Conference</a>.


feed_id: 2c19dcc2d8bc880e6e7b2dd0029069c3
title: Unaffordable new cures for cancer
uri: Unaffordable-new-cures-for-cancer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Unaffordable_new_cures_for_cancer%29

content:
<p>
New cures for cancer are being developed, but companies will charge so much
that 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/09/nobel-prize-winning-cancer-therapy-will-be-unaffordable-most-americans-public">most
American patients will have to die instead</a>.


feed_id: 087e8a5d49d36e2fc526f09f486f51ca
title: Exxon's rider in carbon tax bill
uri: Exxon-s-rider-in-carbon-tax-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Exxons_rider_in_carbon_tax_bill%29

content:
<p>
Exxon supports a bill to establish a carbon tax &mdash; because it has
a rider that 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/09/scam-exxonmobil-backed-carbon-tax-will-not-save-planet">would
cancel Exxon's liability</a> for the damage caused by the climate
mayhem resulting from what it has already done.


feed_id: 75333ed09d5a28f1722d806e6f3cde83
title: Salafi Arabia
uri: 2018-10-17-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> has made a practice of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/10/critics-of-saudi-regime-are-at-risk-wherever-they-may-be">grabbing
dissidents from other countries</a> so as to punish them.


feed_id: a5d47fa6e08392fa7a9b707441b6f0f1
title: 12 years to curb global heating
uri: 12-years-to-curb-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%2812_years_to_curb_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
The IPCC report says that 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1803225">we have 12
years</a> to curb global heating, but that is assuming we don't hit a
tipping point first.
<p>
Since we don't actually know where the tipping points are, we need
to act even faster if we want to be (fairly) safe.


feed_id: c28a10cb5e0f45680c0f046c57bfb956
title: Islands made uninhabitable
uri: Islands-made-uninhabitable
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Islands_made_uninhabitable%29
content:
<p>
From Kiribati to Australia: 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2018/oct/10/while-my-island-nation-sinks-australia-is-doing-nothing-to-solve-climate-change">stop
making our islands uninhabitable</a>.


feed_id: 318905765de940931a1fedef4f156d20
title: Repression of homeless people
uri: Repression-of-homeless-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Repression_of_homeless_people%29
content:
<p>
Orb&aacute;n amended Hungary's constitution to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/oct/10/hungary-homeless-fear-they-are-viktor-orban-next-target">permit
severe repression of homeless people</a>.
<p>
If you find it annoying to find homeless people living on streets in
your neighborhood, think how annoying it is for them to be homeless.
How about participating in providing them with decent housing?


feed_id: 66550362eebbc183fe57fbe23090e017
title: Turning schools into fortresses
uri: Turning-schools-into-fortresses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Turning_schools_into_fortresses%29

content:
<p>
Parents 
<a href="https://letgrow.org/should-we-turn-schools-into-fortresses/">can
oppose</a> turning US schools into fortresses.
<p>
The article does not even mention the biggest danger of armed guards
in schools: if they are not merely armed, but also have the power to
arrest, they will feed students into the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#27_May_2016_(Student_harassed_by_thug_over_milk)">school-to-prison
pipeline</a>.
<p>
Most school <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> will pass their whole careers without shooting
anyone, but they are likely to arrest several students each year.


feed_id: 563baaf3bfa4d248582409e1c4c770da
title: Fracking on University of Texas land
uri: Fracking-on-University-of-Texas-land
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Fracking_on_University_of_Texas_land%29

content:
<p>
The University of Texas owns lots of rural land which is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/10/university-of-texas-eco-conscious-campus-and-major-fracking-landlord
">leased out for fracking</a>.
<p>
I wonder: what steps can the university lawfully take that would
reduce the amount of fracking on the land it owns?  I expect that at
the very least it could refuse to sign any more fracking leases.  Is
there a way it can go further than that?


feed_id: a7385830a2fee978b09737a188547c2d
title: Trudeau's plans for fossil fuel use
uri: Trudeau-s-plans-for-fossil-fuel-use
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#16_October_2018_%28Trudeaus_plans_for_fossil_fuel_use%29

content:
<p>
Trudeau plans to apply two counteracting forces to fossil fuel use in
Canada: a steadily increasing carbon tax, along with 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/10/justin-trudeau-canada-climate-change-fossil-fuels">direct
state investment in increasing production</a>.
<p>
The latter ensures that the former won't reduce emissions much.


feed_id: bab9ea0b4ed22b6a76141de034a3b0ba
title: Nonprofit service organizations
uri: Nonprofit-service-organizations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Nonprofit_service_organizations%29

content:
<p>
Nonprofit service organizations, as a general tendency, work to
protect poor and vulnerable people from the harmful effects of the
plutocratic economy and political system, but do so in a way that
<a href="https://truthout.org/articles/beyond-the-non-profit-industrial-complex/">reinforces
the system itself</a>.


feed_id: 5b7163d4cb6665a32f56268287b3a932
title: Indefinite detention of immigrants
uri: Indefinite-detention-of-immigrants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Indefinite_detention_of_immigrants%29

content:
<p>
"For pity’s sake, let’s 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/13/indefinite-detention-immigrants-britain-windrush-brook-house'>end
the indefinite detention of immigrants now</a>."


feed_id: 190fc0fe1adbce4265ad766a7a168af9
title: Robots and four-day weeks
uri: Robots-and-four-day-weeks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Robots_and_four-day_weeks%29
content:
<p>
Rise of Robots "Could See Workers Enjoy 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/13/rise-robots-four-day-working-week'>Four-Day
Weeks</a>" &hellip; if we elect progressives into government.
<p>
Otherwise, you'll work four days a week and get 4/5 of what you make
now.


feed_id: bb37554d8320e78d464b83941073cdf8
title: Fishing in protected area
uri: Fishing-in-protected-area
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Fishing_in_protected_area%29
content:
<p>
Fishermen that captured fish in a protected area in France have been
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/13/pirates-of-mediterranean-divers-plunder-endangered-fish-marseille-calanques-national-park">sentenced
to pay "environmental damages"</a>.


feed_id: 9a88ed69f4903416bd34e7e8fe3bd5b3
title: Hansen accuses UK of ignoring science
uri: Hansen-accuses-UK-of-ignoring-science
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Hansen_accuses_UK_of_ignoring_science%29

content:
<p>
James Hansen accused the UK of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/13/top-climate-scientist-james-hansen-attacks-uk-fracking-plans">ignoring
science and "aping Trump"</a>.


feed_id: 54307a165a0e38a61cea0eb493e6b9a9
title: We Need Tax Police
uri: We-Need-Tax-Police
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28We_Need_Tax_Police%29
content:
<p>
We Need Tax Police &mdash; And They 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/13/new-york-times-donald-trump-tax">Should
Go After the Likes of Donald Trump</a>.


feed_id: 4f6951e2e040982d8883d4a4db140d03
title: Urgent: Border thugs on buses
uri: Urgent-Border-thugs-on-buses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Border_thugs_on_buses%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/greyhound">tell
Greyhound</a> not to let the border thugs into its buses.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 4f98aad65a7bd43cab479d360d5a8b8c
title: Urgent: 'Bridge fuel'
uri: Urgent-Bridge-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_%27Bridge_fuel%27%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: affirm that fossil
gas <a href="https://act.climatetruth.org/sign/CT-G20-fossilgas-IM">is
not a "bridge fuel"</a>.
</p>
<p>If you send a letter, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: e74beddcb23a53ba0380e99daf433c55
title: Urgent: Salafi Arabia's investment event
uri: Urgent-Salafi-Arabia-s-investment-event
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Salafi_Arabia%27s_investment_event%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/media-companies-dont-invest-regime-murders-journalists-2">call
on Fox News</a> to drop out of Salafi Arabia's investment event.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 0bc790e08d1e7ed1f8c4637b2d5ba9d8
title: Everything becoming a computer
uri: Everything-becoming-a-computer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Everything_becoming_a_computer%29

content:
<p>
A Future Where Everything Becomes a Computer
Is <a href="https://www.schneier.com/news/archives/2018/10/a_future_where_every.html">as
Creepy as You Feared</a>.
<p>
The first step in stopping this is to insist on buying only
nontethered devices, and break the connectivity of any tethered
devices that you are stuck with.
<p>
The second step is political organization against tethering devices
to servers.


feed_id: 96dd2253a55157dd419ab28423ae9012
title: Demanding back doors
uri: Demanding-back-doors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Demanding_back_doors%29
content:
<p>
Canada has joined the US and Australia, etc.,
in <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/privacy-experts-are-alarmed-about-the-five-eyes-demand-for-backdoors-on-tech-devices">demanding
back doors in computers</a>, while pretending that what it is asking
for is not back doors.


feed_id: 89f51466e10d5109a73fad0f62f300c8
title: Robots stealing wages
uri: Robots-stealing-wages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Robots_stealing_wages%29
content:
<p>
Don't Believe the World Bank &mdash;
Robots <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/14/dont-believe-world-bank-robots-inequality-growth">Will
Steal Our Wages</a>.
<p>
The argument is stronger than Elliott presents it.  When he says,
"Automation will bring growth," implicitly that assumes we have
unlimited resources that we could safely use, so the limit on our
production is our ability to use the resources.  But if we are limited
by the resources we dare use &mdash; and I think that the case now
&mdash; automation won't produce more, it will only produce more
cheaply.
<em>All</em> the savings will go to the owners of the robots.


feed_id: eb192218398dca55bcdef2692a4a77b7
title: Racial profiling for drug searches
uri: Racial-profiling-for-drug-searches
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Racial_profiling_for_drug_searches%29

content:
<p>
UK <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> seem to practice extreme racial profiling when searching
people "for no particular reason" for drugs.  Blacks
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2018/oct/13/racial-bias-police-stop-and-search-policy-black-people-report">nearly
10 times as likely</a> to be searched as whites.


feed_id: 81b0733859f49be6295409a3fa50c74c
title: Sexual need and infidelity
uri: Sexual-need-and-infidelity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Sexual_need_and_infidelity%29
content:
<p>
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/oct/13/a-strong-libido-and-bored-by-monogamy-the-truth-about-women-and-sex">At
the precise moment</a> science reveals women have the bigger 'need' to
be sexually adventurous, society clamps down on infidelity."


feed_id: f32ac8aefb6d69c11957710e2413ebc3
title: Emissions in Australia
uri: Emissions-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Emissions_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/14/forget-coal-wars-says-alan-finkel-look-at-emission-outcomes">Australia’s
chief scientist says</a> the question facing the nation’s energy
future is not about renewables versus coal but how best to create "a
whole-of-economy emissions reduction strategy."
<p>
The goal needs to be a zero-emissions society.


feed_id: a9c6195bf0cb3bd4fa205626d3eeb6b3
title: Profit-driven inbreeding
uri: Profit-driven-inbreeding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Profit-driven_inbreeding%29
content:
<p>
How <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/14/how-profit-driven-inbreeding-could-bring-the-world-dairy-herd-to-its-knees">Profit-Driven
Inbreeding</a> Could Bring the World Dairy Herd to Its Knees.


feed_id: 7845b8541045f62f2d4eac3a741e6a40
title: Protest in Berlin
uri: Protest-in-Berlin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Protest_in_Berlin%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/14/german-march-against-far-right-draws-huge-crowds-in-berlin">Around
200,000 protested</a> in Berlin against right-wing extremism.


feed_id: 31051224aa2f777b2c3318c1e3574115
title: Talking to al-Shabaab
uri: Talking-to-al-Shabaab
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Talking_to_al-Shabaab%29
content:
<p>
We
Should <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/14/al-shabaab-mogadishu-bomb-anniversary-somalia">Talk
To al-Shabaab Now</a>.
<p>
I think that al-Shabaab's military position is weaker than a few
years, and the government now has some real support.  This could
be the right time for the US to get reasonable peace deal.


feed_id: 5911b3d61b17085cc0b2acc83d6b6019
title: Transgender rights in the UK
uri: Transgender-rights-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Transgender_rights_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
Political discussions about a possible change in UK law about
transgender rights are
being <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/14/women-claim-intimidation-silencing-gender-recognition-act-debate\">shut
down by campaigns of intimidation</a>.
<p>
The article does not state what the disagreement consists of, and I
can't begin to guess what my position would be if I knew.  However, it
is clear that British people need to respect freedom of speech more,
just as the British government does.


feed_id: 0437df0fd4a8eab34aedbf12cabf028f
title: AI for missiles
uri: AI-for-missiles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28AI_for_missiles%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/11/war-jedi-algorithmic-warfare-us-military">Using
AI to select targets</a> for missiles will make the US war machine
more of a global force against peace.


feed_id: 4bea8979a9f452f99c767985eac22f80
title: Lara Alqasem
uri: Lara-Alqasem
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Lara_Alqasem%29
content:
<p>
Lara
Alqasem <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/12/us-student-considers-taking-bds-detention-case-israels-supreme-court-after-judge">has
taken her case</a> (for being allowed to enter Israel to study at
Hebrew University) to the Israeli Supreme Court.


feed_id: 884c72b9cc1c68368ff0a49c43d1e0a9
title: World Bank on workers' rights
uri: World-Bank-on-workers-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28World_Bank_on_workers%27_rights%29

content:
<p>
The World Bank tells the world's poorest countries
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/oct/12/oxfam-criticises-world-bank-for-backing-deregulated-labour-markets">reduce
workers' rights</a>.
<p>
If they do, they will lower the floor level for workers' rights, and
pressure other countries, not quite so poor, to follow in the same
direction.  That is exactly what global plutocracy aims to do to every
country,
imposing <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business-supremacy
treaties</a> to push the process along.


feed_id: dd02d0e9aee9c67db1988a57b07e364d
title: Resources and growth
uri: Resources-and-growth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Resources_and_growth%29
content:
<p>
To reduce the use of resources that we are running out of, or whose
use threatens to destroy civilization, we need to move away from an
economy that prioritizes growth, since
that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/12/stop-misdiagnosing-climate-change">causes
it to push against</a> reducing dangerous but profitable industries.
<p>
"Green growth" may be possible in specific activities for a time.  But
if it operates by replacing an overused resource with another resource
which isn't used very much &mdash; not yet &mdash; then we cannot
assume it can be ramped up very far, without studying how far that
process of replacement could continue without exhausting the
substitute resource.


feed_id: b96f74726474d2baffe6f434d8e29961
title: Gaslighting by oil and gas
uri: Gaslighting-by-oil-and-gas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Gaslighting_by_oil_and_gas%29
content:
<p>
"The oil and gas
industry <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1804228">is
gaslighting you</a>" &mdash; pretending that global heating is
happening because you let the lights and water run too long.


feed_id: 270625ca16b913d8b35cafbec54b9c53
title: Google's censored-for-China search engine
uri: Google-s-censored-for-China-search-engine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Googles_censored-for-China_search_engine%29

content:
<p>
When a Google executive said its censored-for-China search engine was
merely a plan, he lied.  In July he 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/09/google-china-censored-search-engine/">told
developers it would be ready to launch in 6-9 months</a>.


feed_id: b1d809b3125d9347e95bb247d055e183
title: Salafi Arabia's attacks on expats
uri: Salafi-Arabia-s-attacks-on-expats
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Salafi_Arabias_attacks_on_expats%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> has a 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/12/jamal-khashoggi-saudi-arabia-dissidents/">history
of attacking its expatriate dissidents</a>.


feed_id: d8e52fb648e9e87758731fdd463c123f
title: Urgent: No CEO too big to fail
uri: Urgent-No-CEO-too-big-to-fail
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_No_CEO_too_big_to_fail%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/sec-ceo-musk/">tell the
SEC</a> that no CEO is too big to fail.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 50489e3213642f1cfbdb6a2a8d3b091e
title: Washington Post and Amazon
uri: Washington-Post-and-Amazon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Washington_Post_and_Amazon%29
content:
<p>
The Washington Post is not "liberal media".  In Maryland, it 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/12/wapo-picks-side-maryland-race-side-thats-offering-billions-amazon">supports
the candidate that would be good for Amazon</a>.


feed_id: fbc7b611b8dd321773876455410e5a35
title: Plutocratist Democrats
uri: 2018-10-19-Plutocratist-Democrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Plutocratist_Democrats%29
content:
<p>
Progressives explain
<a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/democratic-autopsy-one-year-later/">how
plutocratist Democrats impede the Democratic Party</a> from doing what
is needed to win Americans' full support.


feed_id: bbfec5b66d3bb226f315b33a092070e2
title: UK plans illegal surveillance database
uri: UK-plans-illegal-surveillance-database
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28UK_plans_illegal_surveillance_database%29

content:
<p>
The UK 
<a href="https://theconversation.com/proposed-police-super-database-breaks-the-law-and-has-no-legal-basis-but-the-home-office-doesnt-care-104527">plans
to set up an illegal surveillance database</a> for repression.


feed_id: 04cb6ee1f1d80298640a70987a7c618e
title: Georgia's voter purge
uri: Georgia-s-voter-purge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Georgias_voter_purge%29
content:
<p>
Suing Georgia to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/10/12/civil-rights-groups-sue-georgia-secretary-state-brian-kemp-cease-discriminatory">stop
its eager purge</a> of voters.


feed_id: 9c025b01ed650fc3558e42abfa513d9e
title: Voter disenfranchisement
uri: Voter-disenfranchisement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Voter_disenfranchisement%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Many states 
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/report-many-states-still-relying-on-outdated-methods-t-1829711550">still
use outdated methods</a> to disenfranchise their voters.


feed_id: dc8d993951151ed0a1684b54108b708e
title: Facebook deletes dissidents' pages
uri: Facebook-deletes-dissidents-pages
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Facebook_deletes_dissidents_pages%29

content:
<p>
Facebook deleted hundreds of pages, calling them "spam" and
dishonesty, and it turns out to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/12/facebook-accused-full-frontal-suppression-dissent-after-independent-media-swept-mass">include
honest dissidents</a> too.


feed_id: d2c7df7f639813c97f2b45c06bb8e569
title: Refugees without medical care on Nauru
uri: Refugees-without-medical-care-on-Nauru
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Refugees_without_medical_care_on_Nauru%29

content:
<p>
When Nauru expelled M&eacute;decins Sans Fronti&egrave;res, it
provided
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/13/un-health-crisis-demands-closure-of-australias-offshore-detention-centres">no
other medical care</a> for the refugees it is warehousing for
Australia.


feed_id: a9c517ee7a58dcfa176b6c7fbdd962ed
title: Facebook Messenger
uri: 2018-10-19-Facebook-Messenger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Facebook_Messenger%29
content:
<p>
The US may be trying to force Facebook to 
<a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/10/fbi-vs-facebook-messenger-whats-at-stake/">insert
a back door</a> into Facebook Messenger.  It is hard to tell, because
the case is secret.


feed_id: 4549668feb927f814c35014e6e5415d6
title: Oil prices
uri: Oil-prices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Oil_prices%29
content:
<p>
Oil prices are rising again, and one of the causes is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/oct/12/oil-price-barrel-markets-iran-sanctions">increased
demand</a>.
<p>
This is a sign of danger, since increased demand for oil means faster
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: b6d2f7c8cde77fc02993f90676d1e20c
title: UK deportation
uri: UK-deportation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28UK_deportation%29
content:
<p>
The UK regularly deports people to countries it says are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/12/dont-go-to-dangerous-countries-unless-the-uk-is-deporting-you">too
dangerous to visit</a>.


feed_id: b457b112c488af499838b21466ca0797
title: US military expelling non-citizens
uri: US-military-expelling-non-citizens
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28US_military_expelling_non-citizens%29

content:
<p>
The US military is systematically expelling soldiers that are not
US citizens, and 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/1803964">lying about it</a>.
<p>
These soldiers joined up as non-citizens, and were welcomed as such.
It was an advertised path to citizenship.


feed_id: ec3d3e78431255dbaa89d95212eeb256
title: Putin's supporters postpone local election
uri: Putin-s-supporters-postpone-local-election
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Putins_supporters_postpone_local_election%29

content:
<p>
Putin's supporters repeatedly postpone a local election 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/13/communist-challenge-exposes-cracks-putins-power">because
they know an opposition politician is going to win it</a>.


feed_id: 7936f6e0a76be2122f0a342e37bb93b6
title: Jamal Khashoggi
uri: 2018-10-19-Jamal-Khashoggi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#18_October_2018_%28Jamal_Khashoggi%29
content:
<p>
Reportedly Turkey 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/turks-tell-us-officials-they-have-audio-and-video-recordings-that-support-conclusion-khashoggi-was-killed/2018/10/11/119a119e-cd88-11e8-920f-dd52e1ae4570_story.html">gave
the US recordings</a> that demonstrate that Salafi Arabian officials
murdered Jamal Khashoggi in the consulate in Istanbul.
<p>
In the moral vacuum created by the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s rejection of human rights
as a global goal, pressuring <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> for the apparent murder of
Jamal Khashoggi falls to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/13/saudi-arabia-khashoggi-chulov">businesses
and the media</a>.  While it is good that they are helping out in the
case of Khashoggi, in general I don't think their support is very
reliable.


feed_id: 0efb738c140ce4fa20a7cbf5f46c9044
title: FEMA's slow response
uri: FEMA-s-slow-response
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28FEMAs_slow_response%29
content:
<p>
FEMA's slow response to Hurricane Michael 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/15/theyre-doing-us-they-did-new-orleans-anger-trump-inaction-hurricane-michael-leaves">resembles
the slow response in New Orleans</a>.
<p>
It is too soon to say whether it is as bad as what happened in Puerto
Rico a year ago.


feed_id: 1543255f07780a84de1e5a67daabae55
title: Degradation of the US judiciary
uri: Degradation-of-the-US-judiciary
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Degradation_of_the_US_judiciary%29

content:
<p>
The confirmation of Kavanaugh was another step in the degradation of
the US judiciary.  The previous step &mdash; the 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/15/how-guantanamo-set-stage-kavanaugh-hearings">Guantanamo
kangaroo courts</a> &mdash; is still going on.


feed_id: d1f585111fc73e5556ea468aac61b975
title: US support for Salafi Arabia
uri: 2018-10-20-US-support-for-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28US_support_for_Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
Trickle-down from arms sales is not enough to excuse US support for
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>'s 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/15/jobs-are-no-excuse-arming-murderous-regime">war
of aggression in Yemen</a>.


feed_id: afc85a0c7250dfe684368f7e6721042d
title: World Bank's loans
uri: World-Bank-s-loans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28World_Banks_loans%29
content:
<p>
How the World Bank's loans to poor countries 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/10/15/1804430/-When-the-World-Bank-Endorses-Education-Reform-We-Need-to-Worry">tend
to keep them poor</a>.


feed_id: dbe90ff89bb85808fff81467be4d62ca
title: War-weary voters
uri: War-weary-voters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28War-weary_voters%29
content:
<p>
Few Democrats Offer Alternatives to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/15/few-democrats-offer-alternatives-war-weary-voters">War-Weary
Voters</a>.
<p>
Sanders will ask the Senate again to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/15/demanding-end-saudi-arabias-blank-check-atrocities-sanders-give-senate-yet-another">cancel
US support for the war in Yemen</a>.


feed_id: 7b44f456259fc769c6bafcdd8d4ce1b7
title: Increasing global inequality
uri: Increasing-global-inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Increasing_global_inequality%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/15/confronting-climate-change-deeply-unequal-world">Increasing
global inequality</a> makes poor people desperately overrun the wild,
while it influences the global middle class to compete to consume.
That's the opposite of what the world needs.
<p>
In the first few decades of the United States, rich people were met
with disapproval.  As a result, they didn't flaunt their wealth, and
people generally felt less ambition to get rich beyond their needs.
<p>
If we begin expressing mild disapproval towards people who are
inordinately wealthy, we can start that pressure going again.


feed_id: 7460f0b47461289f7b1bd54728bc31ff
title: Stay away from United Arab Emirates
uri: Stay-away-from-United-Arab-Emirates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Stay_away_from_United_Arab_Emirates%29

content:
<p>
Matthew Hedges visited Dubai for two weeks and was then arrested and
charged with spying.  He has been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/15/matthew-hedges-british-academic-charged-spying-united-arab-emirates">kept
in solitary for 5 months and is now being tried</a>, effectively
without a lawyer.
<p>
My guess is that some of the questions he asked for academic purposes
were somehow sensitive to the rulers of Dubai, and they reacted in
typical Dubai fashion.


feed_id: f09c94df1719c37875635f3dfa190616
title: Khashoggi murder probe
uri: Khashoggi-murder-probe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Khashoggi_murder_probe%29
content:
<p>
'You Couldn't Make This Up': A Bunch of 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/15/you-couldnt-make-bunch-mops-cleaners-and-trash-bags-delivered-saudi-consulate-ahead">Mops,
Cleaners, and Trash Bags</a> Delivered to Saudi Consulate Ahead of
Khashoggi Murder Probe.


feed_id: 950a6ac0779b8a7f37d1698f051557bf
title: Lost evolutionary diversity
uri: Lost-evolutionary-diversity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Lost_evolutionary_diversity%29
content:
<p>
Humans have 
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/10/mammals-will-need-millions-years-recover-us/573031/">wiped
out the most evolutionarily unusual mammals</a>, lopping off branches
of the evolutionary tree.  It will take 3 to 7 million years for
evolution to replace the lost diversity.


feed_id: 12c1e24d971a5b0146a741606b1359e3
title: Wasteful spending by US schools
uri: Wasteful-spending-by-US-schools
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Wasteful_spending_by_US_schools%29

content:
<p>
US schools are 
<a href="https://www.apnews.com/3884ffc5420d4adaaa7732be30136ed9">buying
expensive (and unproven) hardware that is supposed to hamper shooters
in schools</a>, rather that spending the money on making a better
environment that discourages violence.


feed_id: 9414f0531820cb3d0400855592f13347
title: Copyright on telemetry from "connected" car
uri: Copyright-on-telemetry-from-connected-car
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Copyright_on_telemetry_from_connected_car%29

content:
<p>
The European Parliament 
<a href="https://jalopnik.com/eu-rules-that-any-data-your-autonomous-car-generates-is-1829666845/amp">voted
to let car manufacturers own a copyright</a> on the telemetry from a
"connected" car.
<p>
In my view, the first and basic moral issue about telemetry from a car
is whether to allow it to exist at all.


feed_id: ad3e4e67b147ac2595ac373ac32c13d6
title: Defend democracy
uri: Defend-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Defend_democracy%29
content:
<p>
Senator Sanders 
<a href="https://medium.com/@SenSanders/building-a-global-democratic-movement-to-counter-authoritarianism-46832e3beef6">called
for the US to defend democracy</a>, both at home and abroad, by making
it effective rather than a mask for plutocracy.
<p>
Sanders for President!


feed_id: 164311c63aceb7cf09e1ffc2718ba908
title: Arbitrary imprisonment of asylum seeker
uri: Arbitrary-imprisonment-of-asylum-seeker
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Arbitrary_imprisonment_of_asylum_seeker%29

content:
<p>
The UN 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/16/un-body-says-australia-breached-human-rights-laws-and-needs-to-review-migration-act">accuses
Australia</a> of arbitrary imprisonment of an asylum seeker.


feed_id: f8ab5a9c9d6d57824b0257a84072f659
title: Obama's medical insurance law
uri: 2018-10-20-Obama-s-medical-insurance-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Obamas_medical_insurance_law%29
content:
<p>
Not long ago, Republican officials were eager to get rid of Obama's
medical insurance law.  Now Scott Walker pretends to want to keep it
going, while
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1804485">trying subtly to
make it fall apart</a>.


feed_id: 1e5fa6b4c54f6f082d13d3bede3c928f
title: Civilian tech companies and the Pentagon
uri: Civilian-tech-companies-and-the-Pentagon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Civilian_tech_companies_and_the_Pentagon%29

content:
<p>
As the Pentagon starts asking civilian tech companies to develop
war-fighting systems, it 
<a href="https://lauren.vortex.com/2018/10/15/why-internet-tech-employees-are-rebelling-against-military-contracts">increasingly
provokes resistance from their workers</a>.


feed_id: 994da36061c2d91ef99187f3be0bece3
title: Guatemala rejecting Honduran migrants
uri: Guatemala-rejecting-Honduran-migrants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Guatemala_rejecting_Honduran_migrants%29

content:
<p>
Guatemala to Reject 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/15/guatemala-caravan-honduras-migrants-border-reject">Caravan
of 1,600 Honduran Migrants</a> Heading to Border.


feed_id: 685f073aa864e6a61874cd7642931e5c
title: Refugee minors still separated from parents
uri: Refugee-minors-still-separated-from-parents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Refugee_minors_still_separated_from_parents%29

content:
<p>
80 days after a judge ordered the US to reunite separated refugee
minors with their parents,
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1804479">136 of them still
remain separated</a> in immigration prison.
<p>
The government has found various creative excuses.


feed_id: 19ee2cdbdf2a0d8f91031f5224a06614
title: Tree of life
uri: Tree-of-life
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Tree_of_life%29
content:
<p>
Humanity
Is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/15/humanity-is-cutting-down-the-tree-of-life-warn-scientists">'Cutting
Down the Tree of Life'</a>, Warn Scientists.


feed_id: e8c6b2f24fe96025f2167eb3dc428c6e
title: Salafi Arabia extremely repressive
uri: Salafi-Arabia-extremely-repressive
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Salafi_Arabia_extremely_repressive%29

content:
<p>
The disappearance of Khashoggi should remind us that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/15/saudi-arabia-human-rights-jamal-khashoggi-disappearance">extremely
repressive towards even the mildest of dissidents</a>.


feed_id: 00417c94675a2ef26c14f19b088a56e9
title: Humpfty Drumpfty thinking
uri: Humpfty-Drumpfty-thinking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Humpfty_Drumpfty_thinking%29
content:
<p>
The right wing used to attack leftist postmodernism for rejecting
moral absolutes.  Now the right-wing 
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-end-of-scientific-rational-thinking-donald-trump-doug-ford-and-jordan-peterson-103207">rejects
the idea that there is any objective truth</a>.
<p>
I think the term "scientific relativism" is inadequate to describe the
bullshitter.  I'd call it "Humpfty Drumpfty thinking" &mdash; "the
truth is whatever I say it is".


feed_id: 58a1a28f73facc49b10e30e18bc84bcc
title: The bullshitter's pledge
uri: The-bullshitter-s-pledge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28The_bullshitters_pledge%29
content:
<p>
The bullshitter pledged 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1804458">a million dollars
to the charity of Senator Warren's choice</a> if she took a DNA test
and it revealed indigenous American ancestry.  She did, and it did.
Will the bullshitter pay up?


feed_id: 90c6470ac185a9566576074933063a93
title: Investigation into Russian meddling in UK
uri: Investigation-into-Russian-meddling-in-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Investigation_into_Russian_meddling_in_UK%29

content:
<p>
The UK government is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/15/police-will-not-examine-claims-of-russian-meddling-in-brexit-vote">straining
to avoid any substantial investigation</a> into Russian meddling in
the referendum about leaving the EU.
<p>
I suppose the fact that the government is committed to leaving has
something to do with the unwillingness to investigate.


feed_id: 1cbee0e75344c5b66560cde4ce89c259
title: Famine in Yemen
uri: 2018-10-20-Famine-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Famine_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
Yemen 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/oct/15/yemen-on-brink-worst-famine-100-years-un">on
Brink of 'World's Worst Famine in 100 Years'</a> if War Continues.


feed_id: e2f222755233d6a3d3a420a014dd5010
title: Boycott of Israeli institutions
uri: Boycott-of-Israeli-institutions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Boycott_of_Israeli_institutions%29

content:
<p>
Should professors refuse to write letters of recommendation addressed
to Israeli universities?  One has just been 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/14/not-writing-recommendation-letters-occupiers-palestinian-territories">punished
for refusing</a>.
<p>
Like Juan Cole, I support the boycott of products made by Israel in
occupied Palestinian territory &mdash; started by Gush Shalom, which
promoted it until Israel 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#07_December_2012_(Israels_Boycott_Law)">adopted
a law to impose unlimited damages on anyone that advocates this
boycott</a>.  I don't support the Palestinians' boycott of nearly all
Israeli institutions, though 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/palestine-trip.html">I followed it in the speaking
tour in which I was invited by Palestinians</a>.
<p>
Palestinians point out that each university in Israel is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#19_December_2013_(Boycott_of_Israeli_academic_institutions)">directly
involved in the occupation</a>.


feed_id: b2b63cf51a7d4f1f64fdb2c3357142cd
title: Tax evasion by the US rich
uri: Tax-evasion-by-the-US-rich
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Tax_evasion_by_the_US_rich%29
content:
<p>
Evading taxes is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/14/trump-just-one-player-much-much-larger-tax-story">standard
practice for the US rich</a>, and the government hardly tries to
detect, stop or punish them.  If the Trump family example makes us
aware of the bigger ripoff, let's put a stop to it.


feed_id: 9ddd48fba8ae6ae434798ae7c6d2eb63
title: Rider-tracking scooters
uri: Rider-tracking-scooters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Rider-tracking_scooters%29
content:
<p>
The dockless rider-tracking scooters are 
<a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/the-mad-tale-of-the-electric-scooter-craze-with-bird-lime-and-spin-in-san-francisco/">recharged
by low-paid piecework workers</a>.
<p>
That is an additional reason not to use them.


feed_id: deca7ab7064cb5010d210b45d99208ed
title: Abortion rights
uri: 2018-10-20-Abortion-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Abortion_rights%29
content:
<p>
Notre Dame Struck a Secret Deal With the Trump Administration to 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/11/notre-dame-health-insurance-birth-control-trump/">Deny
Birth Control Coverage</a>. Now Students Are Fighting Back.
<p>
This is more evidence that abortion rights are only the first target
of the right-wing assault.


feed_id: 1a06fe286b64c65c6e2ae6718bdadbf7
title: Amazon trains AI to prefer males
uri: Amazon-trains-AI-to-prefer-males
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Amazon_trains_AI_to_prefer_males%29

content:
<p>
Amazon trained an AI system to recognize good candidates for
employment, but since most of the past employees were male, the system
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/10/11/garbage-conclusions-out.html">learned
to prefer males</a>.
<p>
Amazon eventually decided that there was no way to fix the system,
that the flaw was fundamental.


feed_id: 7d929db51ffc8d74897646107683bffd
title: US deporting children alone
uri: US-deporting-children-alone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28US_deporting_children_alone%29
content:
<p>
The US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are deporting children alone to Central
America 
<a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ice-separated-children-central-america_us_5bc0b8bae4b0bd9ed559a75c">without
informing their dear deported parents</a>.


feed_id: 7ef3881885f66e84b747fdda4e90b064
title: Rent control on houses
uri: Rent-control-on-houses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Rent_control_on_houses%29
content:
<p>
Californians will soon vote on an initiative to 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/12/prop-10-california-rent-control-wall-street/">permit
rent control on houses, and on apartments built after 1985</a>.  Wall
Street landlords, that own lots of houses now, are spending a lot of
money to convince Californians to reject it.
<p>
If you know anyone in California, please pass the word.


feed_id: 959911b1ebdbbb5687a872ad0be2c670
title: The state's computing
uri: The-state-s-computing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28The_states_computing%29
content:
<p>
Maryland uses a private company to develop voter registration
software.  That is a grave error; it became a scandal just now because
the company was 
<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/maryland-voter-registration-platform-russian-oligarch/">bought
by a Russian oligarch</a>.
<p>
The company might now fiddle with the software on behalf of the
Russian oligarch, who might order that for Putin.
<p>
Before the purchase, the company could have fiddled with the software
for someone else.
<p>
The state 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/government-free-software.html">should
always do its computing with free software</a>, to make sure that
software never falls under the control of any private entity.


feed_id: 5d0f61dbcf2fc96a8a06dbae12c8784c
title: Mental health
uri: Mental-health
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Mental_health%29
content:
<p>
Around the world, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/09/world-mental-health-crisis-monumental-suffering-say-experts">governments
don't provide sufficiently</a> for mental health.  This causes an
estimated 13 million deaths per year.
<p>
Prevention is more effective than cure.  What is causing mental
illness to increase?  I can make guesses, but guesses are not
necessarily correct.


feed_id: ffd250b03ccde22ffb2e3fc07a55c7c5
title: Cuba's recovery from Hurricane Maria
uri: Cuba-s-recovery-from-Hurricane-Maria
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Cubas_recovery_from_Hurricane_Maria%29

content:
<p>
The Communism in Cuba handled recovery from Hurricane Maria 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/10/how-disaster-capitalism-has-ruined-puerto-rico">better
than the extreme Capitalism of the US did in Puerto Rico</a>.


feed_id: 33b6736c66541a0e1fe6ee2f2d864303
title: Proposed "internet bill of rights"
uri: Proposed-internet-bill-of-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Proposed_internet_bill_of_rights%29

content:
<p>
The proposed 
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/04/opinion/ro-khanna-internet-bill-of-rights.html">"internet
bill of rights"</a> is a step in the right direction, but it won't
prevent all the abuses we see today.


feed_id: b11685bd06a7cbc8a8837aeab0e7f307
title: Refugees on Nauru
uri: 2018-10-20-Refugees-on-Nauru
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Refugees_on_Nauru%29
content:
<p>
M&eacute;decins Sans Fronti&egrave;res
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/11/medecins-sans-frontieres-calls-for-immediate-evacuation-of-all-refugees-on-nauru">Calls
for Immediate Evacuation</a> of All Refugees on Nauru.


feed_id: 664af43cd7aea0e6de949ff5a44b7e12
title: Face surveillance
uri: Face-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#19_October_2018_%28Face_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
Chicago Should 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/10/chicago-should-reject-proposal-private-sector-face-surveillance">Reject
a Proposal for Private-Sector Face Surveillance</a>.
<p>
Beyond that, states should prohibit all systems for face recognition
in public places, unless they are limited to recognizing
court-designated suspects.


feed_id: 0406cde4dfdadb7e86329428cc9782fb
title: Urgent: Andrew Saul
uri: Urgent-Andrew-Saul
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Andrew_Saul%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Andrew_saul_social_security">call
on the Senate</a> to reject Andrew Saul as head of the Social Security
Administration.  He wants to sabotage it.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 8bcab2d58231778729c298fe9b53cf0e
title: Urgent: Chaco Canyon
uri: 2018-10-21-Urgent-Chaco-Canyon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Chaco_Canyon%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://secure.foodandwateraction.org/act/protect-chaco-canyon">call
on the BLM</a> to protect Chaco Canyon from fossil fuel drilling.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 55419173f908b3e080434b95597d5394
title: Reunification of asylum seekers
uri: Reunification-of-asylum-seekers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28Reunification_of_asylum_seekers%29

content:
<p>
Federal
Judge <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/15/judge-orders-reunification-father-and-son-separated-under-trump-policy">Orders
Reunification</a> of Asylum-Seeking Father And His Two-Year-Old Son,
Who Were Separated for Nearly Six Months.


feed_id: e933214812fd0b9c7db145d1432f4b75
title: Oil pipelines in Louisiana
uri: Oil-pipelines-in-Louisiana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28Oil_pipelines_in_Louisiana%29
content:
<p>
Oil pipelines in Louisiana damage swamps and bayous in ways that are
not obvious.  They
even <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/16/dakota-access-pipeline-bayou-bridge-protest-activism">hasten
the inundation</a> of the land.


feed_id: 36a6664c9de09efe6b717248a5166443
title: Rent control in California
uri: Rent-control-in-California
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28Rent_control_in_California%29
content:
<p>
The leader of the California NAACP is working for a campaign against
rent control &mdash; something which California
blacks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/16/naacp-alice-huffman-prop-10-california-rent-control">very
strongly want</a>.


feed_id: a7a7b020428cdd524f634985327afe70
title: Facebook page shutdowns
uri: Facebook-page-shutdowns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28Facebook_page_shutdowns%29
content:
<p>
Sincere and honest political activists talk about
Facebook's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/16/facebook-political-activism-pages-inauthentic-behavior-censorship">shutdown
of their pages</a>, which were labeled as spam.


feed_id: 6a5442b706b2007f8757e10324cdc9a0
title: UK group infiltration
uri: UK-group-infiltration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28UK_group_infiltration%29
content:
<p>
UK
thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/15/undercover-police-spies-infiltrated-uk-leftwing-groups-for-decades">infiltrated
various sorts of UK left-wing groups</a> for decades, including
anti-racist groups, environmentalists, even opposition to the Vietnam
War.
<p>
The UK needs
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/16/spy-cops-political-choices-parliament-domestic-extremist-police">legislate
criteria</a> for "domestic extremists", not let the thugs decide based
on their own right-wing pro-business politics.


feed_id: 54d40fc1d57a9c5a335e375592479ec9
title: Protecting the Antarctic
uri: Protecting-the-Antarctic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28Protecting_the_Antarctic%29
content:
<p>
"I’ve seen the Antarctic’s untouched
beauty. There's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/16/antarctic-ocean-sanctuary-climate-change-javier-bardem">still
time to protect it</a>."
<p>
That is true, but just barely.  To properly protect Antarctica
requires protecting it from <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: 6ddba6728bb604834a9e494aa1bac590
title: Marijuana law in Canada
uri: Marijuana-law-in-Canada
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28Marijuana_law_in_Canada%29
content:
<p>
Canada has eliminated blanket prohibition of marijuana, but is
replacing it with
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/16/canada-legalizes-recreational-marijuana-law-problems">patchwork
of disagreeing local laws</a> about how to buy it, use it, carry it
and share it.
<p>
These will provide plenty of pitfalls that will endanger unwary
Canadians.


feed_id: f6ed06df2990c45ff62bd6ad13faba7a
title: Discarded food in the UK
uri: Discarded-food-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28Discarded_food_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>
UK restaurants discard almost a million prepared meals each day.
Arranging to bring this food to hungry Britons who (due to Tory
spending cuts) can't afford food could give at least one meal a day to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/16/uk-restaurants-and-cafes-bin-320m-fresh-meals-a-year-data-shows">almost
a million of them</a>.


feed_id: 145632526cffda3ca1ed2cda175d7330
title: Famine in Yemen
uri: 2018-10-21-Famine-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28Famine_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
The extent of the developing famine in Yemen was underestimated.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/oct/16/enormity-yemen-famine-initially-underestimated">Millions
could die from it.</a>


feed_id: a9f79c7f2d6e6b99766baf987f5a9d50
title: Valero using Senator Cruz
uri: Valero-using-Senator-Cruz
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28Valero_using_Senator_Cruz%29
content:
<p>
An oil refinery company, Valero Energy,
has <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/16/ted-cruz-campaign-donor-valero-energy-rins/">invested
heavily in using Senator Cruz</a> to make the EPA allow more
pollution.


feed_id: a9622f46a082873485b97df0269c2cf4
title: Being black on campus
uri: Being-black-on-campus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28Being_black_on_campus%29
content:
<p>
Reginald Andrade was walking back to his office from the campus
exercise machines when someone perceived him as a threat and called
the campus <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.  They came to his office
and <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/racial-justice/race-and-criminal-justice/i-was-reported-police-agitated-black-male-simply">started
interrogating him</a>.
<p>
He was fortunate in that they did not kill him.  He answered their
questions and was fortunate that they didn't use them to fabricate a
crime, something that the
thugs <a href="media/24dad59c.5thp1.ogg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/video/5thp1.ogg">can easily do</a>
if you <a href="media/b75b803e.5thp2.ogg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/video/5thp2.ogg">answer any
questions</a>.


feed_id: 529bf9d060b52542c8ecc6e43f699f05
title: Interviewing imprisoned refugee minors
uri: Interviewing-imprisoned-refugee-minors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28Interviewing_imprisoned_refugee_minors%29

content:
<p>
Reporters have been allowed to interview the refugee minors imprisoned
at Tornillo, Texas.  Many have
spent <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1804560">weeks or
months in prison</a>.
<p>
They have trouble looking for a lawyer because the form they must fill
in to do that demands more English skill than they have.


feed_id: da286337b885df12ad457857320e9b45
title: Billionaires and public schools
uri: Billionaires-and-public-schools
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28Billionaires_and_public_schools%29

content:
<p>
US billionaires give lots of money to public schools,
while <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/14/how-wealthy-destroy-public-schools-one-gift-time">buying
elections to deny schools</a> even larger amounts of tax money.


feed_id: c4d9f9b81ff95e98825aa79d6949bc3f
title: Genetically modified honeybees
uri: Genetically-modified-honeybees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28Genetically_modified_honeybees%29

content:
<p>
Genetically modified honeybees
might <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/16/frankenbees-genetically-modified-pollinators-danger-of-building-a-better-bee">save
them from the effects</a> of neonicotinoid pesticides.
<p>
However, if they are patented, beekeepers will be subjugated by the
patentholders.
<p>
Neonicotinoid pesticides
damage <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#24_June_2014_(Neonicotinoids_poison_ecosystems)">other
non-pest insects</a>, too.


feed_id: b45b7b21c878815b4e2170daea0fb401
title: Deported back to Syria
uri: Deported-back-to-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_October_2018_%28Deported_back_to_Syria%29
content:
<p>
Turkey
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/oct/16/syrian-refugees-deported-from-turkey-back-to-war">deporting
Syrian refugees</a> back to Syria, where there is still a civil war.


feed_id: 0fdb5b23f9ee6da1fe992ecf8843d10d
title: Urgent: War in Yemen
uri: 2018-10-22-Urgent-War-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#21_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_War_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.amnestyusa.org/page/29017/action/1">call
on Mattis</a>, Secretary of "Defense", to make the US obey the laws of
war in Yemen.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: ef175c2fb6da2768d4fbabed2e6a41c6
title: AI ethics body
uri: AI-ethics-body
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#21_October_2018_%28AI_ethics_body%29
content:
<p>
Can
an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/17/baidu-chinese-search-firm-joins-global-ai-ethics-body-google-apple-facebook">"AI
ethics body"</a> set up by companies that develop and use AI software
possibly be adequate?
<p>
I have no solid proof, but I doubt it.


feed_id: e340364861e8dbbbbdb41eb45e19bc5f
title: Ricardo Hayes shooting
uri: Ricardo-Hayes-shooting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#21_October_2018_%28Ricardo_Hayes_shooting%29
content:
<p>
The Chicago <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> that shot Ricardo Hayes said Hayes was armed.  In
fact, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/17/video-shows-chicago-police-officer-shoot-unarmed-autistic-man">Hayes
was unarmed</a>, and did nothing threatening.  The threat was only in
the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>'s imagination.


feed_id: b2a112d621f2c24604c6a7c473c79bec
title: Life expectancy in Scandinavia
uri: Life-expectancy-in-Scandinavia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#21_October_2018_%28Life_expectancy_in_Scandinavia%29

content:
<p>
Scandinavia shows that having society help people do what increases
life expectancy is effective, while telling people it's their fault if
they don't do these things leads
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/17/life-expectancy-rising-finland-uk-scandinavia">falling
life expectancy</a>.


feed_id: 5bc8754d88fc9e5c45a2d17e4a1c0699
title: Jamal Khashoggi and Yemen
uri: Jamal-Khashoggi-and-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#21_October_2018_%28Jamal_Khashoggi_and_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
Why Is [Salafi] Arabia Under Fire Over Jamal
Khashoggi, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/oct/17/why-is-saudi-arabia-under-fire-over-jamal-khashoggi-but-not-yemen">But
Not Yemen</a>?


feed_id: a83118d36f87bdd298114f1b4a53037f
title: Paying for college
uri: Paying-for-college
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#21_October_2018_%28Paying_for_college%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/pa9899/heres-fresh-evidence-student-loans-are-a-massive-generational-scam">College
in the US is a scam</a>: Americans are pressured to pay for it, with
loans that they will spend a lifetime paying back, so as to escape the
income decline suffered by Americans without a college degree.


feed_id: 40dbb2502623eee47f12b5b3ad8ade77
title: English and Icelandic
uri: English-and-Icelandic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#21_October_2018_%28English_and_Icelandic%29
content:
<p>
English is starting
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/oct/17/viking-language-invasion-english-iceland-icelandic">threaten
the survival of Icelandic</a>.


feed_id: 9c0411fc41ccaa8a7a648bbaafdf469b
title: Supreme Court legitimacy
uri: Supreme-Court-legitimacy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#21_October_2018_%28Supreme_Court_legitimacy%29
content:
<p>
Chief Justice John Roberts Tries to Convince the Nation That Supreme
Court <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1805035">Is Still
Legitimate</a>.


feed_id: 627610a91274cd4613d59805da7015be
title: Richest entities on the planet
uri: Richest-entities-on-the-planet
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#21_October_2018_%28Richest_entities_on_the_planet%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/10/17/69-richest-100-entities-planet-are-corporations-not-governments-figures-show">69
of the Richest 100 Entities</a> on the Planet Are Corporations, Not
Governments.
<p>
That reflects the problem that corporations don't pay enough taxes,
and that they have been permitted to merge too much.


feed_id: 02419f33a60f6ce6bd7a0b167623c28d
title: Desire for junk food
uri: Desire-for-junk-food
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#21_October_2018_%28Desire_for_junk_food%29
content:
<p>
Heavy Use of the Internet And Watching Commercial
TV <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/17/research-finds-link-between-time-online-and-obesity-in-children">Increase
[children's] Desire for Junk Food</a>.


feed_id: a3d7734a35dfebea8351972ef576b9ce
title: Opening voting machines
uri: Opening-voting-machines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#21_October_2018_%28Opening_voting_machines%29
content:
<p>
Security Seals Used to Protect Voting Machines Can
Be <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/mbdw73/security-seals-used-to-protect-voting-machines-can-be-easily-opened-with-shim-crafted-from-a-soda-can">Easily
Opened With Shim</a> Crafted from a Soda Can.


feed_id: 2fadc6b4aa6635f2edf2c75ae865b376
title: NRA campaign support
uri: NRA-campaign-support
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#21_October_2018_%28NRA_campaign_support%29
content:
<p>
It appears that the
NRA <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1804629">illegally
supported the campaigns</a> of Republican candidates.


feed_id: b995b7e4b5197772f8adfb766cd7ab97
title: Fighting and corporal punishment
uri: Fighting-and-corporal-punishment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#21_October_2018_%28Fighting_and_corporal_punishment%29

content:
<p>
Research Reveals That Fighting Between Youths &mdash; Particularly
Females &mdash;
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/15/countries-where-smacking-children-is-banned-are-safer-to-grow-up-in">Is
Less Common</a> Where Corporal Punishment Has Been Outlawed.


feed_id: 686f1dfb928e42314534abff6c7d78ad
title: Fishing peoples forced to do smuggling
uri: Fishing-peoples-forced-to-do-smuggling
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Fishing_peoples_forced_to_do_smuggling%29

content:
<p>
In many parts of the world, traditional fishing peoples that can't
catch enough fish are being lured or 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/16/drug-trafficking-at-sea-is-devastating-island-states-ministers-say">forced
to do smuggling</a> instead.


feed_id: fc7282f3cd3c337dbc6cc235eea58b79
title: Corrupt customs agents
uri: Corrupt-customs-agents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Corrupt_customs_agents%29
content:
<p>
Corrupt customs agents represent a 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1804536">threat to US
national security</a>.


feed_id: 0afb1426cfc4095fc113e4a7b80b460d
title: If the UK leaves the EU
uri: If-the-UK-leaves-the-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28If_the_UK_leaves_the_EU%29
content:
<p>
One benefit for Europe if the UK leaves the EU: 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/16/false-promises-brexit-john-major">it
will no longer be able to push the EU in the direction of plutocratic
policies</a> such as business-supremacy treaties ("free trade").
<p>
It will also be unable to sabotage measures to protect the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#10_September_2015_(Lobbying_to_block_fracking_regulations)">environment</a>
and
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#15_June_2012_(EU_energy_efficiency_plan_sabotaged)">human
civilization</a>.


feed_id: 9ad9debfc4586356b52bd7d9aa18d51c
title: Bullies emboldened
uri: Bullies-emboldened
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Bullies_emboldened%29
content:
<p>
Khashoggi's Fate Isn't a Surprise: Trump Has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/16/khashoggi-saudi-arabia-bin-salman-trump">Emboldened
Saudi Arabia</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> has emboldened bullies around the world, including from
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#15_August_2017_(Racist_movement)">right-wing
extremists</a>,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#16_November_2016_(Trumps_extreme_misogynist_supporters)">misogynists</a>,
and tyrannical states.


feed_id: 5962c2b73ed541dc20fc7d32e186b8da
title: Saboteur of civil rights
uri: Saboteur-of-civil-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Saboteur_of_civil_rights%29
content:
<p>
DOJ's new <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> of civil rights has a career of 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1804602">helping companies
override them</a>.


feed_id: 364d81a756eb97ca79f75a17bb837213
title: Australian workers
uri: Australian-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Australian_workers%29
content:
<p>
Australian workers are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/17/employers-finding-ways-to-avoid-lifting-wages-reserve-bank-says">getting
little share of the increasing business profits</a>.  The employers
are making sure of that.


feed_id: df645621a12e4a2623f3623f48d5b61f
title: UK's privatizations
uri: UK-s-privatizations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28UKs_privatizations%29
content:
<p>
Even the IMF says that the UK's privatizations 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/17/economic-lies-neoliberalism-taxpayers">were
a mistake</a>.
<p>
This is ironic because usually the IMF 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2007-jul-oct.html#24%20July%202007%20(Water%20privatization)">forces
countries into privatizations</a> that are
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#07_June_2013_(IMF_privately_recognizes_harm_done_by_austerity_in_Greece)">harmful
for them in the long run</a>.


feed_id: bc4a98b7f305be91ca3376b164c2b85a
title: Enemy of Medicaid
uri: Enemy-of-Medicaid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Enemy_of_Medicaid%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a> 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/15/nation-warned-trumps-horrifying-medicaid-pick-hired-express-purpose-dismember">wants
to put a persistent enemy of Medicaid in charge of Medicaid</a>.


feed_id: 327248f6ba1745187028f9b02fa47703
title: Decrease in insect populations
uri: Decrease-in-insect-populations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Decrease_in_insect_populations%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> may be causing the 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/16/one-most-disturbing-articles-i-have-ever-read-scientist-says-study-detailing-climate">tremendous
decrease in insect populations around the world, which occurs even in
places where we do not use insecticides.


feed_id: 56aeab54e5757d16348ab7043ccfa036
title: War crimes in Yemen
uri: 2018-10-23-War-crimes-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28War_crimes_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/american-officials-could-be-prosecuted-for-war-crimes-in-yemen/">American
Officials Could Be Prosecuted</a> for War Crimes in Yemen.


feed_id: fe833903e9aeed283fae6b38a5da275e
title: TripAdvisor prankster
uri: TripAdvisor-prankster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28TripAdvisor_prankster%29
content:
<p>
The TripAdvisor prankster, who made his nonexistent restaurant number
one on that site, has now branched out into hoaxing interviewers by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/oct/17/fake-restaurateur-oobah-butler-fake-stand-ins-interviews">sending
volunteer proxies to give interviews for him</a>.


feed_id: 1b9654ffa1407cbd40a070a9fb67cec0
title: Social Security and Medicare
uri: 2018-10-23-Social-Security-and-Medicare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Social_Security_and_Medicare%29
content:
<p>
Republicans are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/16/lives-hang-balance-21-days-midterms-mcconnell-admits-gop-still-salivating-gut">still
planning to cut Social Security and Medicare</a> to compensate for the
supposed budget shortfall that the Republicans created by cutting
taxes for the rich.


feed_id: a55af11a87a1f0edc20303b31b2fa053
title: China's "reeducation camps"
uri: 2018-10-23-China-s-reeducation-camps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Chinas_reeducation_camps%29
content:
<p>
Perhaps 
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/16/asia/xinjiang-uyghur-china-camps-intl/index.html">a
million Uyghurs</a> in Xinjiang, China have been put in "reeducation
camps".  Inmates learn to say how great it is to be in a reeducation
camp.
<p>
We have to acknowledge that Islamist extremism has had an influence
among the Uyghurs, and some became terrorists.  At the same time,
Uyghurs resented having millions of Han Chinese moving into their home
and outnumbering them.  China did the same thing in Tibet, and is now
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#26_May_2018_(Teaching_Tibetan_language)">crushing
Tibetan culture</a>.
<p>
Indonesia has done something similar, moving 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#02_September_2013_(Indonesian_regime_forced_indigenous_leaders_to_sign_away_land)">millions
of Javanese colonists</a> into the areas inhabited by less dense
populations of different ethnic groups.


feed_id: 11e74bf4d754837a13ab21ebbebffd61
title: Chilean protest leaders turn up dead
uri: Chilean-protest-leaders-turn-up-dead
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Chilean_protest_leaders_turn_up_dead%29

content:
<p>
It's a noted phenomenon in Chile that leaders of protest movements
turn up dead, having apparently committed suicide.  
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/16/chilean-union-leader-found-dead-one-day-after-anti-pollution-demo">Union
leader Alejandro Castro</a> has now "committed suicide" just a day
after leading a protest.
<p>
Leading a protest is tremendously exciting.  Even participating in one
is invigorating.  That's hardly the time anyone would commit suicide,
even if 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/genderless-pronouns.html">perse</a> had the
inclination.


feed_id: 9547b156f0fbebae15b43d4b6d53b039
title: Reasons to stop supporting Salafi Arabia
uri: Reasons-to-stop-supporting-Salafi-Arabia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Reasons_to_stop_supporting_Salafi_Arabia%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/16/khashoggi-tip-bloody-iceberg-10-more-reasons-cut-us-saudi-alliance">10
reasons</a> the US (and other countries) should stop supporting Salafi
Arabia.


feed_id: 79babaf197ec1fdb15f13a4cc8d05ec5
title: Saboteurs' plan for coal and nuclear
uri: Saboteurs-plan-for-coal-and-nuclear
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Saboteurs_plan_for_coal_and_nuclear%29

content:
<p>
The saboteurs' plan to force electric utilities to prop up
unprofitable coal and nuclear plants has been 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/10/16/white-house-drops-scheme-bail-out-coal-nukes">blocked</a>.


feed_id: 73420c97f42f337114a72b8e13665890
title: News coverage deserts in the US
uri: News-coverage-deserts-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28News_coverage_deserts_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>
Many parts of the US are now 
<a href="https://thinkprogress.org/news-deserts-widen-across-america-new-study/">deserts
for news coverage</a>.


feed_id: 24c358410effe8c066c315668be79333
title: Republican response to global heating
uri: Republican-response-to-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Republican_response_to_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
Republican politicians 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/oct/17/republican-lawmakers-react-to-the-ipcc-report-we-have-scientists-too">firmly
deny that human actions are causing global heating</a>, and complain
that ending <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> would be a lot more expensive and
inconvenient than continuing the status quo in a fantasy world.


feed_id: 05269777012047c018c1c23e755f757f
title: Voting rights to ex-cons
uri: Voting-rights-to-ex-cons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Voting_rights_to_ex-cons%29
content:
<p>
Florida citizens: vote
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/20/florida-group-pushes-for-voting-rights-former-felon">restore
voting rights to ex-cons</a>.


feed_id: 8d73609dd48c905f4cfe99f0942a827f
title: Caravan of migrants
uri: Caravan-of-migrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Caravan_of_migrants%29
content:
<p>
Guatemala did not block the caravan of migrants, which is now
approaching the border with Mexico.  Mexico
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/19/mexico-caravan-migrants-prepares-us-border-crossing-latest">threatened
to stop them</a>.


feed_id: af84a002f53db6bbd4e016b69423ea52
title: Sex worker interview
uri: Sex-worker-interview
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Sex_worker_interview%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/19/universal-credit-benefits-women-turning-to-sex-work-frank-field">An
interview</a> with a British sex worker who chose that career, rather
than the alternative: her family hungry and living on the street.
<p>
Arresting her customers would have given her no help.  Hampering her
form of advertizing would have been no better.  What she needs is proper
government support for poor people.


feed_id: 09b8184a3e49f9112b0713126c9ad81d
title: Rights of unauthorized immigrants
uri: Rights-of-unauthorized-immigrants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Rights_of_unauthorized_immigrants%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/18/philadelphia-juntos-community-resistance-zone-immigrant-rights-ice">Training
unauthorized immigrants</a> to understand and exercise their legal
rights.
This is necessary since immigration <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> frequently act illegally.


feed_id: 6ac95896e57e7f65bf1df9305995867e
title: Protester deaths in Nicaragua
uri: Protester-deaths-in-Nicaragua
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Protester_deaths_in_Nicaragua%29
content:
<p>
Nicaragua's suppression forces have killed over 300 protesters by
shooting at protests.  Others have
been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/18/nicaragua-amnesty-international-police-killings-daniel-ortega">arrested
and tortured</a>.
<p>
I cannot blame the opposition for firing back, but it might be
mistaken strategy.


feed_id: 1a30f02f794857726fe29c286045f422
title: Rep. Rohrabacher
uri: Rep-Rohrabacher
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Rep._Rohrabacher%29
content:
<p>
Rep. Rohrabacher <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/18/orange-county-turn-blue-republicans-democrats">might
be defeated</a> by a former Republican running on the Democratic Party
ticket.
<p>
That could mean less support for bullying and bullshit, but a
plutocratist Democrat is no better than a Republican in the fight to
end plutocracy and curb <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: d13e4692969a5a0f958183d6399d1e6d
title: US Saudi relationship
uri: US-Saudi-relationship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28US_Saudi_relationship%29
content:
<p>
"The United States must view the Saudis not as flawed partners, but
rather as malign
actors <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/19/khashoggi-fate-us-saudi-relationship">undermining
US interests</a>."


feed_id: bf3fac45ba8933e877fd8ba75a62a545
title: 'Trump' businesses
uri: Trump-businesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28%27Trump%27_businesses%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a> and his family are directly involved in at least some of
the businesses that say
"Trump".  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/17/pump-and-trump-explosive-new-investigation-reveals-corrupt-practices-presidents">They
claim not to be.</a>


feed_id: 412777139cc37b15c7f515b1738df1b6
title: Emissions from agriculture
uri: Emissions-from-agriculture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Emissions_from_agriculture%29
content:
<p>
The world
is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/17/address-climate-crisis-we-must-completely-rethink-how-we-produce-and-consume-food">hardly
serious</a> about reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from
agriculture.


feed_id: 0fc74084d6a7b5047305cbda6fb4b5b2
title: Mercury-resistant trees
uri: Mercury-resistant-trees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Mercury-resistant_trees%29
content:
<p>
Experiments are testing the planting
of <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Drop_FII">mercury-resistant
trees</a> in parts of the Amazon forest that gold miners have
poisoned.
<p>
It's worth trying, but Bolsonaro might permit cutting down the whole
forest.


feed_id: 9174c70db558251a962520a3fc297fa1
title: Loopholes for offshoring wealth
uri: Loopholes-for-offshoring-wealth
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Loopholes_for_offshoring_wealth%29

content:
<p>
The EU is designing tax rules intended to block offshoring of wealth,
but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/oct/15/offshore-wealth-loopholes-found-eu-anti-tax-evasion-rules">a
loophole was just discovered</a> in them.


feed_id: bc07bdfd24ad898f8279eda2f0926e76
title: UK's slavery problem
uri: UK-s-slavery-problem
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28UK%27s_slavery_problem%29
content:
<p>
From Nail Bars to Car Washes: How Big is
the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/oct/18/nail-bars-car-washes-uk-slavery-problem-anti-slavery-day">UK's
Slavery Problem</a>?
It is hard to count the slaves.


feed_id: a6cfe7441dcd1b77e2f913d0470eebd0
title: Rebellion to fight climate change
uri: Rebellion-to-fight-climate-change
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Rebellion_to_fight_climate_change%29

content:
<p>
As the Fracking Protesters Show, a People's Rebellion Is
the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/18/governments-no-longer-trusted-climate-change-citizens-revolt">Only
Way to Fight Climate Change</a>.


feed_id: a49ff94621246f4b2ac2e955ddc0493b
title: Khashoggi assassination
uri: Khashoggi-assassination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Khashoggi_assassination%29
content:
<p>
Republicans are bending over backwards
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/18/republicans-saudi-arabia-derangement">excuse
the assassination</a> of Jamal Khashoggi.
<p>
They have designated the Salafi Arabian monarch as "on their side", so
they will excuse whatever he does.  This is pure 1984.
<p>
The former head of MI6, says that
the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/19/crown-prince-mohammed-jamal-khashoggi-killing-mi6-sir-john-sawers">evidence
points to the crown prince</a> of Salafi Arabia as the one who
commanded the murder of Khashoggi.


feed_id: 50d8e285b7bd3fe557da40c0ba37aa1d
title: Laser weapon to attack crowds
uri: Laser-weapon-to-attack-crowds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Laser_weapon_to_attack_crowds%29
content:
<p>
The US
is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/18/next-weapon-anti-protest-arsenal-us-military-building-plasma-gun-capable-vaporizing">developing
a laser weapon</a> to attack crowds of protesters by burning off the
outer layer of their skin.


feed_id: 886ec7339fa4a5dbfc330195f44c0847
title: Slowing voter registration
uri: Slowing-voter-registration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_October_2018_%28Slowing_voter_registration%29
content:
<p>
Republicans
are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/18/voter-data-suppression-gops-latest-anti-voter-tactic">slowing
down processing</a> of voter registrations so as to block people from
voting.
<p>
The Republican Party stands for "power by hook or by crook".


feed_id: 1c8e3529af199417658cd39a796bda14
title: Very urgent: Juliana v US in Boston
uri: Very-urgent-Juliana-v-US-in-Boston
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Very_urgent%3A_Juliana_v_US_in_Boston%29

content:
<p>
If you can get to
Boston, <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/events/juliana-v-united-states-trial-opening-justice-for-eachgeneration-3">join
the rally</a> Monday at 11:30am at the start of the Juliana v United
States climate damage lawsuit.
</p>


feed_id: f4a3819803dd19e9c0813eccd878023a
title: Urgent: 'Bridge fuel'
uri: 2018-10-26-Urgent-Bridge-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_%27Bridge_fuel%27%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: Tell the G20 leaders that natural gas
is <a href="https://act.climatetruth.org/sign/CT-G20-fossilgas-IM">not
a "bridge fuel"</a>.
</p>
<p>If you send a letter, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 608a5ad007a152b9ff4da43576b2659e
title: Urgent: Flores Settlement
uri: Urgent-Flores-Settlement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Flores_Settlement%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/flores-comments">call
for preserving the Flores Settlement</a>, which limits how long the US
can imprison refugee minors.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 81430f3962dcd26f7137665f0656b47b
title: Urgent: My Health Record
uri: Urgent-My-Health-Record
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_My_Health_Record%29
content:
<p>
Australians: you
can <a href="https://www.myhealthrecord.gov.au/for-you-your-family/opt-out-my-health-record">opt
out of My Health Record</a>.</p>
<p>
I don't have enough details about this to judge whether it is
important to do so, or whether it protects in any substantial way
from state surveillance.
</p>


feed_id: 0cece48b5f964814243f8def6c393fb3
title: Urgent: Killing of Chinedu Okobi
uri: Urgent-Killing-of-Chinedu-Okobi
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Killing_of_Chinedu_Okobi%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justice-for-chinedu/">Demand
Justice</a> in Police Taser Killing of Chinedu Okobi.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 2bcb914d580fc3b479d6a5cabe2fbe55
title: Farming robots
uri: Farming-robots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Farming_robots%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/20/space-robots-lasers-rise-robot-farmer">Small,
cheap farming robots</a> are being developed to pay attention to each
individual plant, and to kill weeds without pesticides.
<p>
In growing wheat, they could be used to enable the same number of
humans to do a far better job.  However, the plans for broccoli would
imply a big cut in employment, and that will harm people.  Until we
are ready to prevent efficiency from making millions of people starve
in the midst of plenty, we should not allow robots to be used that
way.
<p>
Meanwhile, when farmers use such robots, they deserve to run their
robots with free software, and to process their data with free
software too.


feed_id: d76218a1cea027c367e011c7b39d2e74
title: Steps toward gender equality
uri: Steps-toward-gender-equality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Steps_toward_gender_equality%29
content:
<p>
Small steps towards gender equality, decreasing the advantages of
being male,
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/20/week-in-patriarchy-male-trump-voters-equality-discrimination">interpreted
as oppression</a> by supporters of the bullshitter.


feed_id: 6868bff6b0b5433dd97ec44449e76e3e
title: Felony for hiding face
uri: Felony-for-hiding-face
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Felony_for_hiding_face%29
content:
<p>
In
Virginia, <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-speech/its-no-trick-these-virginia-cities-are-criminalizing-halloween">it
is a felony</a> to protect your anonymity by hiding your face.
<p>
We must demand such laws be abolished, so we can protect ourselves from
face recognition surveillance.


feed_id: 6605a1293afe773f2d822c0ccf380293
title: Global insect decline
uri: Global-insect-decline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Global_insect_decline%29
content:
<p>
The world's entire insect population
has <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/insect-collapse-study-disturbing-expert-warns-29ae68123fa8/">decreased
by a factor of 2</a> since 1980, apparently due to global heating.
<p>
Most of the decline has been in tropical forests, where the quantities
have declined catastrophically, in some places by a factor of 60.


feed_id: bc7592c1d1f6c7b96401b4e972504b58
title: Funds for endangered species
uri: Funds-for-endangered-species
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Funds_for_endangered_species%29
content:
<p>
"<a href="http://theconversation.com/new-data-tool-can-help-scientists-use-limited-funds-to-protect-the-greatest-number-of-endangered-species-105255">New
data tool</a> can help scientists use limited funds to protect the
greatest number of endangered species."
<p>
There is no inherent limit on the funds available for protecting
endangered species.  There is also no inherent limit on how many
species human activities can endanger.  So I think they are optimizing
for the wrong problem.


feed_id: 8c9627ad7c1bba1a8f8c1c4411a57595
title: Shifting tornado region
uri: Shifting-tornado-region
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Shifting_tornado_region%29
content:
<p>
Global heating
is <a href="https://blogs.agu.org/wildwildscience/2018/10/17/is-a-changing-climate-shifting-tornado-alley/">shifting
the region of the US</a> where tornadoes usually occur.  This means
people are vulnerable now who were not before.


feed_id: bb5e118f225bf19fd8b2f077a643b30f
title: Printer DRM
uri: Printer-DRM
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Printer_DRM%29
content:
<p>
Printer manufactures are very innovative &mdash; at blocking the use
of independent replacement ink cartridges.  Their "security upgrades"
occasionally <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/pa98ab/printer-makers-are-crippling-cheap-ink-cartridges-via-bogus-security-updates">impose
new forms of cartridge DRM</a>.  HP and Epson have done this.


feed_id: 5d1f65be680944a5520a99bf698d4324
title: Meritocracy
uri: 2018-10-26-Meritocracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Meritocracy%29
content:
<p>
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/oct/19/the-myth-of-meritocracy-who-really-gets-what-they-deserve">The
myth of meritocracy</a>: who really gets what they deserve?"
<p>
Meritocracy means "rule by the most worthy."  But the reason we want
the most capable as managers of society is not because they deserve
more than anyone else, but because we presume they could manage
society better.
<p>
That presumption may be valid provided they are not affected by bias
or corruption.  However, in practice ability does not assure honesty.


feed_id: 88e1d48b6f8075b1f7b80968a1fdb66d
title: Homework for three-year-olds
uri: Homework-for-three-year-olds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Homework_for_three-year-olds%29
content:
<p>
It is crazy to give homework to three-year-olds, but New York public
schools <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/19/homework-three-year-olds-too-young-rat-race">are
compelled to do this</a>.


feed_id: ffb442d49fe9ac24262942669bbda168
title: Green parties in Europe
uri: Green-parties-in-Europe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Green_parties_in_Europe%29
content:
<p>
"Adults in the
Room": <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/19/adults-in-the-room-greens-surge-across-europe-as-centre-left-flounders">Greens
surge across Europe</a> as centre-left flounders.


feed_id: f0ea4e2119ace663f671162235e6acd8
title: Saboteur Zinke
uri: 2018-10-26-Saboteur-Zinke
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Saboteur_Zinke%29
content:
<p>
Saboteur Zinke used government
funds <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/18/inspector-general-ryan-zinke-travel-policy-violation">for
family boat trips</a>.


feed_id: 20ba78b71977daafac4130ab5ef00629
title: Remote voting in West Virginia
uri: Remote-voting-in-West-Virginia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Remote_voting_in_West_Virginia%29

content:
<p>
West Virginia is allowing people to vote remotely (which in general
means your spouse or boss could watch), demanding that voters give
their fingerprints (surveillance of voters) and use lots of nonfree
software (tyranny).
<p>
Of
couse, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/13/west-virginia-voting-app-security-846130">it
is insecure too</a>.


feed_id: 83135b18e6cf84643d8c7ded469ccc65
title: Assassins without borders
uri: Assassins-without-borders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Assassins_without_borders%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/19/americans-saudis-and-israelis-assassins-without-borders">Assassins
Without Borders</a>: Salafi Arabia joins North Korea, Russia (and the
Soviet Union), Chile, Bulgaria, Israel and the US.
<p>
I would not apply the term "assassination" to most of the killing of
Gazans by Israel, because that word means that a specific target was
chosen and specifically killed.
<p>
Israel recently announced its soldiers
would <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/10/19/gaza-fears-further-bloodshed-israel-adopts-zero-tolerance-policy">apply
even less restraint</a> before killing Gazans that come near to the
border with Israel.
<p>
If Israel wants a buffer zone to keep Gazans away from Israelis, it ought to
set up the buffer zone on its own side of the border.


feed_id: b805fcdf3b46559ad03062de1826a630
title: Violence against journalists
uri: 2018-10-26-Violence-against-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Violence_against_journalists%29
content:
<p>
The
bully <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/19/trump-greg-gianforte-guardian-reporter-assault">praised
violence against journalists</a>, as a general matter.


feed_id: 4029b6cc86cf212c784db2dc46728896
title: Voter-verified paper ballots
uri: Voter-verified-paper-ballots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Voter-verified_paper_ballots%29
content:
<p>
Voter-verified paper ballots seemed to have potential, but they don't
work
to <a href="https://freedom-to-tinker.com/2018/10/19/continuous-roll-vvpat-under-glass-an-idea-whose-time-has-passed/">protect
the election from theft</a>.
<p>
For a secure election, voters should vote on paper.  Computers can count the
votes by scanning the papers.


feed_id: ea34e6b41fec0e57418257a153ce240e
title: Very urgent: Rally for planet roaster lawsuit
uri: Very-urgent-Rally-for-planet-roaster-lawsuit
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#26_October_2018_%28Very_urgent%3A_Rally_for_planet_roaster_lawsuit%29

content:
<p>
In the
US: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/10/25/communities-across-us-rally-supporting-youth-climate-lawsuit">participate
in a rally</a> Sunday or Monday to support the youth plaintiff's
lawsuit against the government for allowing <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a> to prepare
a predictable global disaster that is sure to affect them.
</p>


feed_id: df3c963c0477d8098e46fa7ab718b052
title: Urgent: Refugee imprisonment bill
uri: Urgent-Refugee-imprisonment-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#26_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Refugee_imprisonment_bill%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/block_mccarthy_borderbill">call
on Congress</a> to reject the bill that would start a reign of terror
for refugees, and imprison them indefinitely.
</p>
<p>
I am disappointed that the article uses
the <a href="https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#detained">emotionless
word "detain"</a> to refer to imprisonment.  A prison is still a
prison even if you decide to call it a "detention center".
</p>
<p>
I'm also disappointed by
the <a href="https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#latinx">absurd
word "Latinx"</a>.
But I signed the petition anyway and I hope you will too.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 2010404ae33683253d31a5e117a65212
title: Urgent: Georgia voter registrations
uri: Urgent-Georgia-voter-registrations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#26_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Georgia_voter_registrations%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-brian-kemp-release-50000-voter-registrations-hes-holding-hostage/">Call
on Kemp</a> to release the 50,000 Georgia voter registrations that he
is blocking.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: e39d403344389a4fea83a9daa12bb5e8
title: Repression of Turkish journalists
uri: Repression-of-Turkish-journalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#26_October_2018_%28Repression_of_Turkish_journalists%29

content:
<p>
Don't let Erdoğan's pursuit of justice for Jamal Khashoggi blind you
to Erdoğan's
not-quite-murderous <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/21/turkey-human-rights-abuses-journalist-shocking-jamal-khashoggi-osman-kavala">repression
of Turkish journalists</a>.


feed_id: 4f7de5d4d1c679bad1e52e71e04f2661
title: Khashoggi admission
uri: Khashoggi-admission
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#26_October_2018_%28Khashoggi_admission%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> admitted that Jamal Khashoggi was killed in its
consulate,
but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/21/death-of-dissident-jamal-khashoggi-mohammed-bin-salman">claim
that his death was not intended</a>.
<p>
This is, of course, incredible a priori, but what if it had happened?
Nothing could explain denying his death and disposing of his body.


feed_id: 044372d42a138732875e7a9f29665a9c
title: Nuclear missile treaty
uri: Nuclear-missile-treaty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#26_October_2018_%28Nuclear_missile_treaty%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> plans
to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1806003">pull the US
out</a> of the intermediate-range nuclear missile treaty, signed with
the Soviet Union in 1987.
<p>
This might
be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/21/uk-backs-trumps-nuclear-treaty-withdrawal-blames-russia-for-breakdown">meant
as punishment</a> for alleged Russian violations of the treaty.  I saw
reports of those accusations quite some time ago.


feed_id: 45ab949746b8f166d6673dd8a0e928b1
title: Caravan into Mexico
uri: Caravan-into-Mexico
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#26_October_2018_%28Caravan_into_Mexico%29
content:
<p>
The caravan of Hondurans and Guatemalans crossed into
Mexico <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/21/honduran-migrant-caravan-crosses-into-mexico-through-river">by
rafting and swimming</a>, bypassing Mexican border controls.


feed_id: 602ada4ee76498ba3453a06da81950dc
title: Paying with plastic bottles
uri: Paying-with-plastic-bottles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#26_October_2018_%28Paying_with_plastic_bottles%29
content:
<p>
A parking garage lets motorists pay
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/shortcuts/2018/oct/21/car-park-lets-drivers-pay-in-plastic-bottles-recycling">handing
in plastic bottles</a>.
<p>
If the bottles can really be recycled, this does some good, but we
really need to make fewer plastic bottles.


feed_id: 8a9b6ef345436035af413e7edc407acc
title: Making global heating a problem
uri: Making-global-heating-a-problem
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#26_October_2018_%28Making_global_heating_a_problem%29

content:
<p>
For the plutocrats and fascists, <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> is not a problem.  The
problem is us &mdash; the people they consider superfluous &mdash;
and <a href="https://eand.co/how-capitalism-torched-the-planet-and-left-it-a-smoking-fascist-greenhouse-fe687e99f070">global
heating is the solution</a>.
<p>
I see a possible way to defeat them: to prove to them now that, if
they kill hundreds of millions a few decades from now, those hundreds
of millions will make sure to drag them down too.


feed_id: 4a60ae1480cb727ccf68d1d0c595c0a7
title: Universal basic income
uri: 2018-10-26-Universal-basic-income
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#26_October_2018_%28Universal_basic_income%29
content:
<p>
For the giant businesses that seek to rule the world, Universal Basic
Income is appealing as a way to keep the
masses <a href="https://medium.com/s/powertrip/universal-basic-income-is-silicon-valleys-latest-scam-fd3e130b69a0">dependent
and powerless</a>.
<p>
That doesn't necessarily mean it isn't a change for the better.
However, today's politicians would be likely to make the basic income
less than universal.  They would pass laws to kick people off the
basic income if they commit a crime, fail a drug test, protest,
attract the attention of the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, etc.
<p>
I agree that Universal Basic Assets might be better &mdash; depending
on details.  At the same time, I still think that Universal Basic
Income could be a good system, if the rest of the political and
economic context were better.
<p>
The article's criticism of Uber omits the injustices Uber does
<a href="https://stallman.org/uber.html">directly to its
customers</a>:
<ul>
  <li> Making customers run nonfree software
  <li> Identifying them
</ul>


feed_id: 266001e90853d0d6adca28ee6d3b1e14
title: PEN lawsuit
uri: PEN-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#26_October_2018_%28PEN_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/16/accusing-trump-crossing-constitutional-line-pen-america-sues-over-threats-and">PEN
and others are suing</a> to stop the bully from threatening to use his
powers against freedom of the press.
<p>
The merger of Time Warner with AT&amp;T ought to be forbidden simply because
they are both so large &mdash; regardless of what CNN publishes.


feed_id: a4cbefc1d3eb109521be4a269b6e0e79
title: Papilloma virus vaccination
uri: Papilloma-virus-vaccination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#26_October_2018_%28Papilloma_virus_vaccination%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing prudes would
rather <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1805411">put women in
danger of cancer</a> than allow them to be vaccinated against
papilloma virus at age 12.


feed_id: a081f340432eb740d8a0eeec5769de21
title: Abortion drugs by mail
uri: Abortion-drugs-by-mail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#26_October_2018_%28Abortion_drugs_by_mail%29
content:
<p>
Women in many states of the US need
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/20/website-abortion-drugs-by-mail-us-women-aid-access">get
abortion drugs by mail</a>, as the states have set up arbitrary
obstacles.


feed_id: 2667462b3099f6ab9473aa2fe176e7a8
title: Illegal campaign messages in Brazil
uri: Illegal-campaign-messages-in-Brazil
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#26_October_2018_%28Illegal_campaign_messages_in_Brazil%29

content:
<p>
Bolsonaro's plutocratic supporters
are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/19/steve-bannon-shadows-brazils-right-wing-forces-accused-illegal-whatsapp-propaganda">illegally
sending campaign messages</a> to millions of Brazilians.


feed_id: 2314fa0708fc6c7130e7895b9a734896
title: Voting in Dodge City
uri: Voting-in-Dodge-City
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#26_October_2018_%28Voting_in_Dodge_City%29
content:
<p>
Republicans
have <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/1805615">made it nearly
impossible</a> for the Latinos of Dodge City to vote.  They have given
the city just one polling place for 13,000 voters.  It is outside the
city, a mile from any bus stop.
<p>
They can't win an election, so they have to steal it.


feed_id: 166c5aab4f2c92ec093ad7216095f52f
title: Shifting tornado region
uri: 2018-10-26-Shifting-tornado-region
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Shifting_tornado_region%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a>
is <a href="https://blogs.agu.org/wildwildscience/2018/10/17/is-a-changing-climate-shifting-tornado-alley/">shifting
the region of the US</a> where tornadoes usually occur.  This means
people are vulnerable now who were not before.


feed_id: 078845bb6b2ba995b4e242cd46e94336
title: Saboteur Zinke
uri: 2018-10-26-Saboteur-Zinke
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#25_October_2018_%28Saboteur_Zinke%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> Zinke used government
funds <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/18/inspector-general-ryan-zinke-travel-policy-violation">for
family boat trips</a>.


feed_id: 5b1445d9f08d1bfac31271870d3dcacd
title: Honduran refugees
uri: 2018-10-29-Honduran-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Honduran_refugees%29
content:
<p>
1600 refugees crossed from Honduras into Guatemala, so the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/16/trump-honduras-migrant-caravan-aid">demanded
that Honduras catch them and bring them back or he will cut all US
aid</a>.
<p>
Remember when the Soviet Union blocked refugees from leaving?  Leaving
required an "exit visa" &mdash; a demand that was condemned as
fundamentally unjust.  What the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> demands of Honduras goes beyond
that.  The Soviet Union did not try to kidnap and bring back all the
refugees who had managed to get out.
<p>
Much of the "aid" to Honduras props up the coup-installed
fake-democratic government.  Cutting off that aid might do some good
for that country.  But the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> won't consider doing that.
<p>
On the other hand, increased aid of the right kind might help
end the repression that drives people to flee.


feed_id: a9eeeeb922af5f0066561765d1f8afe3
title: UK may speed global heating
uri: UK-may-speed-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28UK_may_speed_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
The UK may speed <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/18/gatwick-plans-using-emergency-runway-to-increase-flight-capacity">expanding
a runway at a London airport</a>.
<p>
We have no chance of saving our climate if we don't reject proposals
to increase air travel.  We should increase the taxes enough so that
air travel does not increase; then no more airport capacity will be
needed.
<p>
In the US, Democrats appear to
be <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/18/are-you-kidding-me-outrage-democrats-push-incremental-steps-over-bold-agenda-needed">too
weak</a>, or perhaps too corrupt, to even propose measures sufficient
to do the job.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/18/we-need-inspire-courage-stop-climate-change-not-fatalism">Widespread
despair</a> about avoiding global disaster helps them get away with
that weak stand.
<p>
It is not physically too late to avoid the big disaster, but we have
to reinsert the world's overriding need into all issues that affect
it.


feed_id: 65fffc8f2a970e1a42bf819c88109c86
title: Video deleted by Facebook
uri: Video-deleted-by-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Video_deleted_by_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Facebook deleted a video in which George Monbiot 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/17/latest-fit-censorship-facebook-deletes-video-detailing-brutal-legacy-christopher">describes
the atrocities that Christopher Columbus personally led in the
colonization of Hispaniola</a> (now Haiti and the Dominican Republic).
<p>
It later restored the article after widespread criticism.
<p>
I don't know what words Yannis Mendez used, but the article refers to
publications as "content" and says it is legitimate to delete
"inappropriate" publications.  The term "content" 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#content">disparages
all publications, regardless of what is good or bad about them</a>.
There are valid reasons to delete some publications, but in order for
a reason to be valid, it must be statable with some concrete word
&mdash; <a href="https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#inappropriate">"inappropriate"</a>
is never sufficient.
<p>
Publishing on or via 
<a href="https://stallman.org/facebook.html">Facebook</a> feeds the power of that company.
The best way to protect yourself from its censorship is to publish
elsewhere.
<p>
If you access the video (or anything) on youtube, for your freedom's
sake I urge you to do it with youtube-dl rather than by running the
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/whats-wrong-with-youtube.html">nonfree
software that youtube.com sends in every page</a>.


feed_id: 9ccd096a199d25d1ba59541207a41e43
title: Eliminating HIV
uri: Eliminating-HIV
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Eliminating_HIV%29
content:
<p>
HIV prophylaxis medicine could, over time, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/18/groundbreaking-australian-hiv-trial-should-be-replicated-researchers-say">eliminate
HIV</a>.  We only need to make sure everyone can get it.


feed_id: f08c4db6633ce3cb9e02fc963702a3cd
title: Dubya and Obama's assassination programs
uri: Dubya-and-Obama-s-assassination-programs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Dubya_and_Obamas_assassination_programs%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> and Obama 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/17/israel-targeted-killings-noura-erakat-palestine-gabriella-blum/">borrowed
their assassination programs from Israel</a>, which had set it up as
part of denying that the occupation of Palestine was an occupation.
<p>
At that time, Israel occupied the whole of the Palestinian territory,
including Gaza.


feed_id: 651001ba62d752ebedaa772af55263b1
title: Privatization of salvage archeology
uri: Privatization-of-salvage-archeology
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Privatization_of_salvage_archeology%29

content:
<p>
The US has privatized salvage archeology 
<a href="https://theconversation.com/americas-archaeology-data-keeps-disappearing-even-though-the-law-says-the-government-is-supposed-to-preserve-it-104674">to
companies that discard the data</a>.


feed_id: cb6b84c990dda8b44c36b29491382cba
title: Boycott of Israeli universities
uri: Boycott-of-Israeli-universities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Boycott_of_Israeli_universities%29

content:
<p>
A professor at the University of Michigan was punished for 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/18/john-cheney-lippold-bds-aaup/">refusing
to write a letter of recommendation for a student's application</a> to
a university in Israel.
<p>
In general, I think professors should be allowed to boycott specific
universities for any reason.  However, letters of recommendation are a
different issue because they are something professors do for their
students.  Denying a student a letter of recommendation to a
university because of disapproval of that university forces the
student, in effect, to boycott that university too.  That choice
should be the student's choice to make.


feed_id: 0e53f53e935fd9ecfa4e146a53956a0c
title: Bully's defense of murder accomplice
uri: Bully-s-defense-of-murder-accomplice
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Bullys_defense_of_murder_accomplice%29

content:
<p>
Since the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> practices murder of civilians, it is no surprise that he
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2018/oct/18/as-trump-cozies-up-to-saudi-arabia-the-rule-of-law-collapses-further">defends
his Salafi Arabian accomplice for the murder of Khashoggi</a>.


feed_id: adfafa9a920aa663d5daf9e1e9c60426
title: Lobbying against network neutrality
uri: Lobbying-against-network-neutrality
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Lobbying_against_network_neutrality%29

content:
<p>
Up to 9.5 Million Net Neutrality Comments Were 
<a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/10/up-to-9-5-million-net-neutrality-comments-were-made-with-stolen-identities/">Made
With Stolen Identities</a>.  Lobbyists are being investigated for
this.
<p>
They were lobbying against network neutrality.  It was clear at the
time that the phony comments were meant to give Ajit Pai a superficial
excuse to pretend that the public did not support network neutrality.
It was not clear that some were identity theft, too.


feed_id: 227590bc5fc75187a3457e1c1e99f7b5
title: Rising seas
uri: 2018-10-29-Rising-seas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Rising_seas%29
content:
<p>
Rising seas 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/17/everglades-climate-change-threatens-work-to-reverse-manmade-damage">will
destroy the Florida Everglades</a>, which people have worked for so
long to preserve.


feed_id: c6df792d82a817ab21dee0d4937d0b98
title: Nonviolent protesters in prison
uri: Nonviolent-protesters-in-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Nonviolent_protesters_in_prison%29

content:
<p>
Anti-fracking protesters in the UK were sentenced to long prison
terms, but the appeals court cut them down to a short period (which
they had already served).
<p>
This is not good enough.  Nonviolent protesters 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/17/fracking-protesters-jailed-theresa-may-direct-action">should
not be jailed</a>.
<p>
"My release from prison for protesting fracking 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/18/prison-protesting-fracking-justice'>does
not equate to justice</a>."


feed_id: 7e617c425685f3d67f8c63448fc4aafc
title: Official trying to provoke shootings
uri: Official-trying-to-provoke-shootings
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Official_trying_to_provoke_shootings%29

content:
<p>
A Republican Party official in Montana is 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1805423">trying to provoke
the shooting of protesters</a>.


feed_id: 05b8ce790a6d36ec449621470e6c35be
title: Palestinian boycott
uri: Palestinian-boycott
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Palestinian_boycott%29
content:
<p>
Israel's Supreme Court decided to allow Lara Alqasem to study in
Israel, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/18/israeli-supreme-court-overturns-ruling-barring-us-student-lara-alqasem-from-country">based
partly on the argument that she no longer campaigned for the
Palestinian boycott</a>.


feed_id: 40281d6b69f6446cd416d8714c4f12a9
title: Criminal violence in Brazil
uri: Criminal-violence-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Criminal_violence_in_Brazil%29
content:
<p>
How Bolsonero 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/18/jair-bolsonaro-elections-brazil-police-brutality/">wins
support from poor and black Brazilians who fear criminal violence</a>.
<p>
Making life harder for the poor is, however, likely to impel more
violence.


feed_id: aa2429381285ac00a8828c9e7c1afff3
title: Shooting blacks while white
uri: Shooting-blacks-while-white
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Shooting_blacks_while_white%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/18/hurricane-katrina-roland-bourgeois-jr-shooting-hate-crime">10
years after the crime</a>, a white man who shot 3 blacks who were
fleeing New Orleans has pled guilty and will go to prison.


feed_id: f466b945d633f47a37acc99131417b0c
title: Florida state money
uri: Florida-state-money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Florida_state_money%29
content:
<p>
Evidence suggests Florida governor Scott invested state money in a
company 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/18/rick-scott-florida-pension-fund/">in
exchange for a donation to a PAC Scott controlled</a>.


feed_id: 8b5d8bbe1ba8688f5b04754141e08f83
title: Security of voters' computers
uri: Security-of-voters-computers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Security_of_voters_computers%29
content:
<p>
Blockchains Won't Fix Internet Voting Security &mdash; And 
<a href="https://theconversation.com/blockchains-wont-fix-internet-voting-security-and-could-make-it-worse-104830">Could
Make It Worse</a>.
<p>
Until we can rely on voters' computers to be secure, we must not allow
voting by internet.


feed_id: 4d004897bb6047e4a34161801f93bde7
title: Voter suppression in Georgia
uri: Voter-suppression-in-Georgia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Voter_suppression_in_Georgia%29
content:
<p>
Georgia is grasping any excuse to block poor and black people from
voting.  The latest excuse is 
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/voting-rights/fighting-voter-suppression/19-days-midterms-georgia-rejecting-ballots-over">to
claim signatures don't match</a>.
<p>
The Republican candidate for governor, Kemp, is in charge of this,
and he takes the usual Republican attitude: "If you can't stop me,
I will do it."


feed_id: 9e117783e3d749d6b470079edec8c612
title: Pirate Party
uri: Pirate-Party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Pirate_Party%29
content:
<p>
Pirate Party 
<a href="https://stallman.org/falkvinge/pirate-parties.html">Enters
Parliament in Luxembourg</a>, Gets 17% in Prague.


feed_id: 68bdc7439f1fa5ebf1acad3060d699dd
title: Urgent: Support for war in Yemen
uri: Urgent-Support-for-war-in-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Support_for_war_in_Yemen%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/go/25479">Tell
Congress</a> to end U.S. support for Salafi Arabia's war in Yemen.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 1402801eceab5589d951fb07e8c44f65
title: Urgent: Recognition of transsexuals
uri: Urgent-Recognition-of-transsexuals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Recognition_of_transsexuals%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/transgender-rights">oppose
the bully's plan</a> to make parts of the federal government deny all
recognition to transsexuals.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: b5b55db1efb0ef61ecef39b47219a66d
title: Urgent: Candidates against fossil fuels
uri: Urgent-Candidates-against-fossil-fuels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Candidates_against_fossil_fuels%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="media/163aec3c.Updated102118ClimateChampionsReport.pdf" data-original-source="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b9dda8c8f5130f854daef03/t/5bcdee18c830250ce9902bde/1540222489742/Updated+102118+Climate+Champions+Report.pdf">see
which candidates</a> have pledged to work against fossil fuels.
</p>


feed_id: c01086399a81458bfd63f568688c479c
title: US assassins in Yemen
uri: US-assassins-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28US_assassins_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
The
UAE <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/aramroston/mercenaries-assassination-us-yemen-uae-spear-golan-dahlan">hired
US veterans</a> to assassinate local leaders in Yemen.
The targets were called "terrorists".


feed_id: 024a1cc03ced5140692ac5bf140b6b40
title: Rigged for plutocrats
uri: Rigged-for-plutocrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Rigged_for_plutocrats%29
content:
<p>
Joseph Stiglitz: how the US economy and political system
were <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-american-economy-is-rigged/">rigged
to benefit the plutocrats</a> and screw most people.
<p>
Because the plutocrats got their wealth by legalizing cheating, and
hold on to their political power by lying and rigging elections, they
have no moral right to either this wealth or this power.  We should
organize to take it and redistribute it.  We need to do it soon, in
time to stop them from roasting Earth's ecosphere.


feed_id: 214589bfb784ecefb6fab414bacef94e
title: Seminars for US judges
uri: Seminars-for-US-judges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Seminars_for_US_judges%29
content:
<p>
Supposedly "bipartisan" seminars for US
judges <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/10/18/law-and-econ-and-plutocracy.html">teach
right-wing thinking</a> that endorses deregulation.


feed_id: 994e3548f22aac2851641b091cb914c8
title: Homosexual acting roles
uri: Homosexual-acting-roles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Homosexual_acting_roles%29
content:
<p>
The latest form of identity politics is
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/oct/20/cate-blanchett-defends-straight-actors-playing-gay-characters">condemn
straight actors</a> for playing homosexual roles.
<p>
Since gay actors such as Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn
(<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/aug/03/hollywoods-secret-history-scotty-bowers-on-sex-and-stars-in-the-golden-era">according
to Scotty Bowers</a>)
have played straight characters (and done it well),
why shouldn't straight actors play homosexual roles?  Why should it
matter what any actor's real orientation is?  The only question that
should matter is whether that actor plays the role well.


feed_id: 6f80d257f7efe5486b9900a88e2b636d
title: Australian arms contract
uri: Australian-arms-contract
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Australian_arms_contract%29
content:
<p>
An Australian minister ordered an auditor not to discuss whether an
arms contract was unreasonably expensive, on the grounds the
information
might <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/19/auditor-general-says-supression-order-left-him-unable-to-discuss-arms-deal-in-parliament">harm
the interests</a> of the arms company.
<p>
This means that the Australian government is in effect a government of
occupation for foreign arms companies, as well as
for <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_(Altered_environmental_study)">foreign
coal companies</a>.


feed_id: 0a71dbac5a02310f7d6dc949e6f7228d
title: Smearing Khashoggi
uri: Smearing-Khashoggi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Smearing_Khashoggi%29
content:
<p>
Sub-leaders of the Republican cult are trying
to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/conservatives-mount-a-whisper-campaign-smearing-khashoggi-in-defense-of-trump/2018/10/18/feb92bd0-d306-11e8-b2d2-f397227b43f0_story.html">smear
Jamal Khashoggi</a> so as to protect the repressive regime of Salafi
Arabia, because their leader says <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> is on their side.
<p>
It appears that Khashoggi covered Osama bin Laden's activities in the
time when al-Qa'ida was supported by the US to defeat the Soviet Union
in Afghanistan.


feed_id: 8b783497e04edf33832123bb7a6bdbad
title: Response to reported gun
uri: Response-to-reported-gun
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Response_to_reported_gun%29
content:
<p>
A cop <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/1805048">confronted a
black child</a> reported to have a gun &hellip; and behaved like a
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#police">police officer</a> instead of a thug.
<p>
He did not shoot, and the reported gun turned out to be a BB gun.


feed_id: ecbd804b99fdfaea5e4b721c54d65ab2
title: Rating hurricanes
uri: Rating-hurricanes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Rating_hurricanes%29
content:
<p>
The main damage from hurricanes comes from storm surge and voluminous
rain.  High-speed winds do damage too, but it is much less.  So we
should rate hurricanes based on
the <a href="https://e360.yale.edu/features/why-the-current-hurricane-rating-system-needs-to-be-scrapped">expected
water damage</a>.


feed_id: 405225ab54936104a6b5e88e10931b4a
title: College sports
uri: College-sports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28College_sports%29
content:
<p>
"It's naive to think college athletes have time for school."  Evidence
shows
they <a href="https://theconversation.com/its-naive-to-think-college-athletes-have-time-for-school-100942">don't
have time to succeed</a> in their studies.
<p>
Big-time college sports teams are a tumor on the side of education, a
perverse way of funding colleges based on inculcating a bizarre
obsession into the students (even the non-athletes).  It didn't take
with me; I never once attended a sports event during my own college
years.  I simply decided that teams were a distraction of no
importance.
<p>
With public funding of college &mdash; and if we stop employers from
asking about education that the job doesn't need &mdash; we could cut
out the tumor.


feed_id: 3e7c2c81f454214a66dff4f554d09460
title: Judging poor people
uri: Judging-poor-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Judging_poor_people%29
content:
<p>
The richest people and poor people do similar peccadilloes, but when
poor people do them, people say they
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/19/billionaires-wealth-richest-income-inequality">bad
and deserve to starve</a>.
<p>
One of these peccadilloes, "promiscuity", is bad only in the eyes of
prudes.  There's no reason you shouldn't have sex with various people,
if you enjoy that and have the opportunity, provided you take care to
avoid spreading diseases and babies.


feed_id: 5ec1f3035dde03d9e82f80b382c8d538
title: Kentucky pensions
uri: Kentucky-pensions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Kentucky_pensions%29
content:
<p>
How a Gang of Hedge
Funders <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/21/kentucky-pensions-crisis-hedge-funds/">Strip-Mined
Kentucky’s Public Pensions</a>.


feed_id: 3a46064ad7c58b16f4d2e16a0dbbf952
title: Chinese national anthem
uri: Chinese-national-anthem
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Chinese_national_anthem%29
content:
<p>
A Chinese music star
was <a href="https://gizmodo.com/internet-celebrity-imprisoned-for-short-goofy-renditio-1829783491">jailed
for singing</a> the national anthem in a non-serious manner.  She was
coerced into apologizing for "hurting the feelings" of properly
brainwashed Chinese.


feed_id: dbacb4cf5d7be49ab3717d56f9b8fe49
title: Frances Arnold on patents
uri: Frances-Arnold-on-patents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Frances_Arnold_on_patents%29
content:
<p>
Nobelist Frances Arnold
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/oct/21/frances-arnold-interview-ability-engineer-most-complicated-things-on-planet-nobel-prize-enzymes-chem">glad
she did not patent</a> the directed evolution of enzymes.


feed_id: 1b330856f29076af1df74095eb316d57
title: Omar al-Bashir
uri: Omar-al-Bashir
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Omar_al-Bashir%29
content:
<p>
33
countries <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/oct/21/omar-bashir-travels-world-despite-war-crime-arrest-warrant">allowed
Omar al-Bashir to visit</a> without arresting him for the
International Criminal Court.


feed_id: 4a9a96bf4c968e591753565c26d50676
title: Truth and freedom of speech
uri: Truth-and-freedom-of-speech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#28_October_2018_%28Truth_and_freedom_of_speech%29
content:
<p>
Freedom of expression is a dangerous licence
when <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/21/orwell-free-speech-important-not-enough">severed
from any commitment to truth</a>, as cyber-thugs reveal daily.
<p>
However, no one has found a way to offer freedom of speech only to
those who are sincere, or only to those who are right.


feed_id: e5623d6c2f9ca736facc0413d9f216ab
title: Urgent: War in Yemen
uri: 2018-10-30-Urgent-War-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_War_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13501">call
on your congresscritter and senators</a> to end the war in Yemen.
<p>
To sign without running nonfree Javascript, use
the <a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">Salsalabs
workaround</a>.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 96ab785177e0368c37e5e78dda0e1ac8
title: Urgent: WATER act
uri: 2018-10-30-Urgent-WATER-act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_WATER_act%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/save-our-water">call
on Congress</a> to pass the WATER act (Water Affordability,
Transparency Equity and Reliability Act, to provide Americans with
what people in Flint and other cities don't have.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: c0ece962c4f52a9d725b0bf2f59576dd
title: Urgent: Carbon 'offsets'
uri: Urgent-Carbon-offsets
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Carbon_%27offsets%27%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://amazonwatch.org/take-action/say-no-to-false-climate-solutions">call
on California</a> to reject unreliable "offsets" as an excuse for
expanded fossil fuel extraction.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 8a4476cd769d08f2d63f656c735c4aca
title: Format for genomic data
uri: Format-for-genomic-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28Format_for_genomic_data%29
content:
<p>
MPEG is developing
a <a href="https://datageekdom.blogspot.com/2018/09/">new format for
genomic data</a>, which will be patented, and probably off-limits in
the free world for 20 years.
<p>
We should campaign for rejection of that format.
<p>
The author thinks that some computational-idea patents might be
legitimate.  The reasons they are all harmful is that they create a
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/software-literary-patents.html">form
of gridlock</a>
&mdash; and that they usually exclude free software, since
the developer must pay license fee per user.  (We don't know how many
users our programs have.)
<p>
Therefore, we should protect the entire software field from
the <a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/limit-patent-effect.html">threat
of patents</a>.
<p>
The author says he is not against "commercialisation" of software.
Interpreting the term precisely, neither am I.  I am not against
profiting from software, as long as it respects users freedom (it is
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html">free/libre
software</a>).  However, nothing can justify a program
that <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">takes
away freedom</a> from whoever uses it.


feed_id: ccc0c4850065aecd5acb32bfd78a91c1
title: Surveillance equipment
uri: 2018-10-30-Surveillance-equipment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28Surveillance_equipment%29
content:
<p>
Israel has built up the
world's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/19/lgbtq-community-and-dissidents-main-targets-israel-exports-high-tech-spying-tools">leading
source of surveillance equipment</a>, used by many unjust states to
implement repression of dissidents, as well as groups such as queer
folk that are persecuted out of sheer bigotry.


feed_id: 58f1c11ee3dbbe787b8efdb367753f70
title: The bullshitter's lying
uri: The-bullshitter-s-lying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28The_bullshitter%27s_lying%29
content:
<p>
How Do You Write about Trump vs. Reality Without Saying 'Lie'?  New
York Times <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1805603">Shows
The Way</a>.
<p>
We may not have absolute, direct proof that the bullshitter is lying.
That is because he does not attempt to maintain a consistent position
from one moment to the next.  If he looks at the sky and sees
sunshine, and a minute later says it is raining, it is conceivable
that he isn't lying: he could perhaps sincerely believe that statement
if he has forgotten what he saw a minute before.  However, if he is
even halfway mentally competent, the only plausible conclusion is that
he is lying.


feed_id: 8d650255f066cf0b8ddff48d979e000b
title: Ceremony for Stalin's victims
uri: Ceremony-for-Stalin-s-victims
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28Ceremony_for_Stalin%27s_victims%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/19/moscow-bans-ceremony-honouring-victims-of-stalins-terror">Moscow
Bans Ceremony</a> Honouring Victims of Stalin's Terror.
<p>
Those who protect the reputation of Stalin take on a share of Stalin's
guilt.


feed_id: 67a7c58ff5ce271a88e3b1db30bd5b13
title: Local control of surveillance
uri: Local-control-of-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28Local_control_of_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
St Louis
is <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/privacy-technology/surveillance-technologies/how-shift-power-police-people">considering
a local law</a> to give elected officials control over surveillance
technology.
<p>
This could be a big step forward, but only if it leads to eliminating
some of the existing massive surveillance that the article describes.
<p>
Cambridge Mass is also considering such a law.


feed_id: 265fd67cd1f189b72c03a7f677f402b4
title: Uighurs in camps
uri: Uighurs-in-camps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28Uighurs_in_camps%29
content:
<p>
China turned abruptly from denying it puts Uighurs in brainwashing
camps to describing them
as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/22/from-denial-to-pride-how-china-changed-its-language-on-xinjiangs-camps">wonderfully
beneficial schools</a>.
<p>
I trust whatever China says about them about as much as what the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>
says about immigrants.


feed_id: 26c7af021ab6ebce7e953ea9a297a8b2
title: London march for referendum
uri: London-march-for-referendum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28London_march_for_referendum%29
content:
<p>
Hundreds of thousands, perhaps
700,000, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/20/peoples-vote-turnout-trumps-previous-protests">marched
in London</a> to demand a new referendum on taking Britain out of the
EU.


feed_id: 4b5bda47c6b3c6f2ace900e58f888ad8
title: The internet and democracy
uri: The-internet-and-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28The_internet_and_democracy%29
content:
<p>
We used to believe that the internet would promote democracy by
decentralizing media.  At present,
it <a href="https://theconversation.com/big-fail-the-internet-hasnt-helped-democracy-104817">does
little of either one</a>.


feed_id: ee03288b811cfd3ed9bed3fac4afea23
title: Redefining gender
uri: Redefining-gender
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28Redefining_gender%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> of Human Disservices wants
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/21/trump-administration-define-transgender-out-of-existence-new-york-times">define
gender in an immutable way</a> based on a baby's sex organs.
<p>
The article does not say what they would like to do with people
born with sex organs that are intermediate or mixed.


feed_id: 40c4f5476ae33ecdd40358fb6a588e91
title: Policies on disinformation
uri: Policies-on-disinformation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28Policies_on_disinformation%29
content:
<p>
The EU should not impose policies to curb disinformation which are
<a href="https://edri.org/civil-society-calls-for-evidence-based-solutions-to-disinformation/">based
on guesswork</a>.


feed_id: 2e49788a0141eed7ee814f60fa5121e8
title: Laws not under copyright
uri: Laws-not-under-copyright
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28Laws_not_under_copyright%29
content:
<p>
Appeals Court Says Of Course Georgia's Laws (Including Annotations) Are 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20181019/12232640876/appeals-court-says-course-georgias-laws-including-annotations-are-not-protected-copyright-free-to-share.shtml">Not
Protected By Copyright</a> And Free To Share.
<p>
This is a good outcome, if it is an outcome.  With doctrinaire
plutocratists now dominating the Supreme Court, I expect it to
overturn <em>every</em> decision that goes against plutocrats.


feed_id: a218324b88418a02a5d72fa79bfd5158
title: Dependency on Saudis
uri: Dependency-on-Saudis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28Dependency_on_Saudis%29
content:
<p>
Khashoggi Murder Exposes Trump
Administration's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/21/khashoggi-exposes-trump-administrations-de">Dependency
on Saudis</a>.
<p>
These dependencies concern the bullshitter's success, not anything that
is good for the US or the world.


feed_id: e02aa83951140675552d5757cea42c0d
title: Deporting military veterans
uri: Deporting-military-veterans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28Deporting_military_veterans%29
content:
<p>
The US is jailing then deporting US military veterans based on
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/20/canadian-deported-despite-having-served-for-us-military">infinitesimal
excuses</a>, and (naturally) lying about it.
<p>
When the US defends human rights and democracy, instead of defending
plutocrats from everyone else, it might be a good thing to join the US
military.


feed_id: 98662029e763fcfa305ac8c2c8553c28
title: Conflict from global heating
uri: Conflict-from-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28Conflict_from_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Red Cross: <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> is
already <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/21/climate-change-is-exacerbating-world-conflicts-says-red-cross-president">contributing
to conflicts</a>, years before that was expected.  "It's obvious some
of the violence we are observing &hellip; is directly linked to
[<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>],"


feed_id: 52898d17551f2e202ccc856f41e7e018
title: War on sharing in Australia
uri: War-on-sharing-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#30_October_2018_%28War_on_sharing_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Australia
is <a href="https://www.computerworld.com.au/article/648404/new-anti-piracy-laws-to-target-search-engines/">considering
an escalation</a> of the War on Sharing.
<p>
Australians, please write to your elected officials to oppose this.
What I would say is that sharing is good, and sharing ought to be
lawful; copyright issues should not be decided mainly for the sake
of the copyright industry.
<p>
Meantime, I urge you to make sure that you personally can share with
people you know.  Don't watch or listen to anything directly by
streaming; rather, insist on getting a local copy without DRM, so that
you <em>can</em> share copies if you decide to.


feed_id: b4ce4ca2918ba04fb2149f360403fb5b
title: Microplastics in humans' stools
uri: Microplastics-in-humans-stools
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Microplastics_in_humans_stools%29

content:
<p>
A sample suggests that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/22/microplastics-found-in-human-stools-for-the-first-time">50%
of humans</a> have microplastics in their stools.  They could cause
medical problems, but we don't know.


feed_id: eab6efe2cf0c42ee5d10af45e0a50841
title: Addiction treatment gap
uri: Addiction-treatment-gap
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Addiction_treatment_gap%29
content:
<p>
Addiction Treatment Gap Is 
<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/10/05/653360644/addiction-treatment-gap-is-driving-a-black-market-for-suboxone">Driving
A Black Market For Suboxone</a>.


feed_id: 8cbccd3107edf7ab0b0c0e0eeb9536f7
title: Judge lobbied for by Kavanaugh
uri: Judge-lobbied-for-by-Kavanaugh
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Judge_lobbied_for_by_Kavanaugh%29

content:
<p>
Kavanaugh Once Lobbied for Judge Now 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/22/brett-kavanaugh-supreme-court-tim-tymkovich-ethics-complaints">Handling
Ethics Complaints against Him</a>.
<p>
Nowadays, Republicans scorn the idea of integrity.  Is it possible
that the other judge still has some?


feed_id: be0778e6ec8785fa8bca1744b8538cc8
title: Survivors of Brazil's dictatorship
uri: Survivors-of-Brazil-s-dictatorship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Survivors_of_Brazils_dictatorship%29

content:
<p>
"After what I lived through?": survivors of Brazil’s dictatorship 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/22/after-what-i-lived-through-survivors-of-brazils-dictatorship-fear-bolsonaro">fear
Bolsonaro</a>.


feed_id: dc82ced9dbaba41d33e312e946030a0d
title: UK thugs who broke student's neck
uri: UK-thugs-who-broke-student-s-neck
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28UK_thugs_who_broke_students_neck%29

content:
<p>
UK <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/22/julian-cole-police-officers-face-dismissal-over-incident-in-which-student-was-paralysed">fired
for lying about the encounter</a> in which they broke a student's
neck, leaving him with incurable grave brain damage.


feed_id: a80d5a9fd95e87c28b33377c178a4d09
title: "War on drugs"
uri: 2018-10-31-War-on-drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28War_on_drugs%29
content:
<p>
A study of international statistics shows that the "war on drugs" is
"<a href='https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/22/global-war-drugs-terrible-eradicating-drugs-great-upending-societies-report'>terrible
at eradicating drugs</a>, but great at upending societies."


feed_id: ebef9932abb2cabbcacbdb7bc38420ee
title: Salafi Arabia
uri: 2018-10-31-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> brought a man that resembles Khashoggi to the Istanbul
consulate, and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/22/cctv-footage-appears-to-show-jamal-khashoggi-body-double-in-istanbul">sent
him out after the murder</a> wearing Khashoggi's clothing.


feed_id: 26fa433179fca7f03e8fb13131c35d25
title: Racial profiling in France
uri: Racial-profiling-in-France
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Racial_profiling_in_France%29
content:
<p>
French students are suing over 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/22/former-students-sue-french-state-for-racist-stop-and-search">racial
profiling in searching people on the street</a>.


feed_id: 81ba9379e80a7e90caf0bc100cd23971
title: Environmentalist group XR
uri: Environmentalist-group-XR
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Environmentalist_group_XR%29
content:
<p>
The environmentalist group XR campaigns for efforts to curb global
heating which are proportional to the gravity of the danger.  Their
protesters have occupied the Greenpeace UK headquarters to call
attention to the fact that 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/19/climate-activists-occupy-greenpeace-uk-headquarters-wait-cant-be-right">Greenpeace's
campaigns don't demand enough</a> to solve the problem.


feed_id: 9483a1f1de58b7f84250194c3e24aa42
title: Pat Elder
uri: Pat-Elder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Pat_Elder%29
content:
<p>
Supporting Pat Elder's campaign to be elected Democratic Whip in
Congress is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/19/most-strategic-midterm-race-progressive-challenges-steny-hoyer">vital
for taking the Democratic Party away from the center-right
"moderates"</a>.


feed_id: b47321c2980c2c4bf54c58a334894582
title: Municipal plastic recycling
uri: Municipal-plastic-recycling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Municipal_plastic_recycling%29
content:
<p>
Municipal plastic recycling is, in many cases, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/22/recycling-fuels-consumption-plastic">a
sham</a> &mdash; nothing ensures that the plastic collected goes
anywhere but a landfill or an ocean.
<p>
If you reuse a carry bag, or refill your own water bottle, the
reduction in plastic use is guaranteed.


feed_id: cfce7ec2adb0c0b8acff0e8d0b682bac
title: Persecution of trans people
uri: Persecution-of-trans-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Persecution_of_trans_people%29
content:
<p>
Authoritarians persecute trans people as 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/22/authoritarians-target-trans-people-democracy-patriarchy">a
way of repressing women in general</a>.


feed_id: cfcb51881050650d1517792065bd36e4
title: Separation of minors from parents
uri: 2018-10-31-Separation-of-minors-from-parents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Separation_of_minors_from_parents%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> has 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/19/have-democrats-forgotten-about-summers-immigration-debacle">found
another excuse</a> to take refugee minors away from their parents.


feed_id: 4a0b59264abceae48e754d30a9a26cf5
title: More voter suppression in Georgia
uri: More-voter-suppression-in-Georgia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28More_voter_suppression_in_Georgia%29

content:
<p>
Kemp 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/19/gop-candidate-also-overseeing-georgia-elections-107000-voters-purged-yet-another">de-registered
an additional 100,000 citizens of Georgia</a> simply because they had
not voted for 3 years.


feed_id: 7dba6d9280c3cbc93ec0b284a00f4de9
title: Soldiers are not for policing
uri: Soldiers-are-not-for-policing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Soldiers_are_not_for_policing%29
content:
<p>
Bolsonaro 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/22/brazils-jair-bolsonaro-says-he-would-put-army-on-streets-to-fight">says
he would put the army on the streets</a> of Brazil's cities.
<p>
Soldiers are trained for war, not for policing.  They would cause
tremendous avoidable suffering simply by responding to confusing or
alarming situations as if they were on a battlefield.


feed_id: ef92ad27ba46f4d9e50731d66f24afb0
title: Threats to cut oil shipments
uri: Threats-to-cut-oil-shipments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Threats_to_cut_oil_shipments%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> is threatening to cut oil shipments, but this 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/oct/21/saudi-arabia-most-lose-rise-oil-prices-riyadh-weaponise-west">would
backfire</a> if tried today.


feed_id: 3be1688d9863bac3c2a135cfa211fffc
title: Cancelling the INF treaty
uri: Cancelling-the-INF-treaty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Cancelling_the_INF_treaty%29
content:
<p>
Experts say that cancelling the INF treaty is a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/20/colossal-mistake-experts-sound-alarms-after-trump-confirms-plans-ditch-nuclear-arms">misguided</a>
way to get Russia to comply with it.


feed_id: ba68928deddaef7e7d0227cc5f345348
title: Candidate records offers of corrupt deals
uri: Candidate-records-offers-of-corrupt-deals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Candidate_records_offers_of_corrupt_deals%29

content:
<p>
An Italian candidate for office made video recordings of corrupt deals
he was offered &mdash; even
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/22/italian-politics-for-dummies-documentary-ismaele-la-vardera-palermo">selling
votes</a>.


feed_id: eefac5a2de7f2aaef8c86599c2f8940f
title: Military + evangelicals
uri: Military-evangelicals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Military_%2B_evangelicals%29
content:
<p>
In Brazil as in the US, military + evangelicals = 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/21/brazil-eternal-country-future-trapped-its-colonial-past">violent
repression</a>.


feed_id: b0862e50144399c5d5233d99eeeae42b
title: Political campaigns demonizing Muslims
uri: Political-campaigns-demonizing-Muslims
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Political_campaigns_demonizing_Muslims%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/22/anti-muslim-rhetoric-widespread-among-candidates-trump-era">Over
80 US political campaigns</a> are demonizing Muslims.


feed_id: bd2a9104f136829b395731fa61013421
title: When a president spews contempt
uri: When-a-president-spews-contempt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28When_a_president_spews_contempt%29

content:
<p>
With a president that spews contempt, civility may be too much to hope
for.  Bill McKibben says, how about if we 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/21/i-was-used-social-media-abuse-then-someone-suggested-shooting-me">stop
threatening to kill each other</a>?


feed_id: 8321409cdd2e21de3fe8d50be714065d
title: Urgent: Atena Daemi
uri: Urgent-Atena-Daemi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Atena_Daemi%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.amnestyusa.org/page/29498/action/1">call
on Iran</a> to free and pardon Atena Daemi.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: f949b0100c779da4983d4d05aff84e1e
title: Imitation cannabis
uri: Imitation-cannabis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Imitation_cannabis%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand prohibited so-called "synthetic cannabis", which then
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/23/new-zealands-synthetic-cannabis-crisis">became
extremely fatal</a>, apparently as a consequence of prohibition.
<p>
"Synthetic" is a misnomer; "artificial imitation" would fit these
drugs better, since they are not the same psychoactive chemicals found
in real marijuana.  It appears they are addictive.
<p>
It is not stated what "urgent action" is being considered, but I doubt
that they include any sort of legalization or partial legalization,
even though those measures could make the drug less dangerous
and less appealing to young people.


feed_id: 727d8d8ef84f976ab031e047ec646108
title: Greenhouse gas commitments
uri: 2018-11-01-Greenhouse-gas-commitments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Greenhouse_gas_commitments%29
content:
<p>
The US is <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1806409">not, in
fact, carrying out</a> its totally inadequate greenhouse gas
commitments made under the Paris Climate Agreement.


feed_id: 1bcc20f69135b8c0f4260cfc2c86d4b9
title: Bridge from Hong Kong
uri: Bridge-from-Hong-Kong
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Bridge_from_Hong_Kong%29
content:
<p>
China has constructed a 34-mile-long sea bridge from Hong Kong to
Zhuhai for
use <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/23/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-worlds-longest-sea-bridge">only
by selected individuals</a> China wants to single out for reward.
<p>
As a transportation system, it will be a waste of money.  As an
instrument of influence over Hong Kong, it may prove effective.
Wealthy Chinese compete for status, and part of this competition might
be shelling out lots of money so as to win qualifications to be
permitted the use of the bridge.


feed_id: a500e77c436f76ad54b1e9f04b58444a
title: Enabling Saudi crimes
uri: Enabling-Saudi-crimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Enabling_Saudi_crimes%29
content:
<p>
The
West <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/22/west-enabled-khashoggis-demise-not-mention-all-other-saudi-crimes">Enabled
Khashoggi's Demise</a> &mdash; Not To Mention All the Other Saudi
Crimes.


feed_id: d8251f5ad36e6c44e42720d6a8f6fe8c
title: LA teacher strike
uri: LA-teacher-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28LA_teacher_strike%29
content:
<p>
Los Angeles teachers
have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/22/los-angeles-teacher-strike-class-size-testing">voted
to strike</a>, and not only about their salaries.


feed_id: b8416734e2ae29715a559665808995e8
title: Marijuana in South Korea
uri: Marijuana-in-South-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Marijuana_in_South_Korea%29
content:
<p>
South
Korea <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/23/bong-arm-of-the-law-south-korea-says-it-will-arrest-citizens-who-smoke-weed-in-canada">threatens
to imprison South Koreans</a> for using marijuana even if they do it
in places where it is legal to do so.
<p>
I dislike this article greatly.  It asserts that South Koreans couldn't
possibly use marijuana in defiance of that law.  And it seems to
endorse the idea that that law makes the South Koreans wrong for
using marijuana, rather than making the country wrong for having the law.


feed_id: 226a97ec12d0efb50360d89395f8ea68
title: Deporting from Mexico
uri: Deporting-from-Mexico
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Deporting_from_Mexico%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International:
Mexico <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/10/22/americas-authorities-must-not-deport-caravan-members-face-danger">must
not deport anyone</a> to Honduras or Guatemala who would face danger
there.


feed_id: 19ec6b149b6a8774e02936cb648104d3
title: US mass media
uri: US-mass-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28US_mass_media%29
content:
<p>
No matter that the US mass media are so right-wing that
they <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/1806258">praise
plans</a> to cut back on civil rights for queer people, the
right-wingers claim the mass media have a "Liberal bias".


feed_id: 91c957978e1a1eec5e89a481a3923425
title: Coal mines in Wales
uri: Coal-mines-in-Wales
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Coal_mines_in_Wales%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/22/historic-moment-climate-action-wales-pledges-leave-its-remaining-coal-ground">Wales
will pledge</a> not to open any new coal mines.
<p>
Most coal mining in the UK, perhaps all, was shut down in the 1980s
because the underground mines were more expensive than blowing off
mountaintops in Appalachia.
<p>
Wales
has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/10/22/wales-pledges-keep-fossil-fuels-ground">also
banned fracking</a>.


feed_id: bdc607d9808f5b1431dbe4b1107b6df4
title: Examples of democracy
uri: Examples-of-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Examples_of_democracy%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/22/are-humans-actually-capable-democracy">Many
examples demonstrate</a> that humans can practice democracy and make
it work.
The US is having trouble because Americans have not recognized
that they need to unite to take power away from the plutocrats.


feed_id: 59aee74cf50ec1e1baabc6ce9e9127be
title: Arms exports to Salafi Arabia
uri: Arms-exports-to-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Arms_exports_to_Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
Germany
has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/22/while-trump-and-kushner-insulate-saudis-germany-halts-arms-exports-kingdom-and-calls">stopped
arms exports</a> to Salafi Arabia.


feed_id: ce6839b8453d86d394905808001c1a2c
title: Performance in Israel
uri: Performance-in-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#31_October_2018_%28Performance_in_Israel%29
content:
<p>
Two New Zealanders that Israel tried to "fine" for urging a singer not
to perform in Israel write to turn
attention <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/22/fined-lorde-boycott-israel-tel-aviv-concert">back
to the real issue</a>: the occupation of part of Palestine and the
siege of the rest.


feed_id: 2fb28f9aded6e7abb6561a39d9cfc56b
title: Urgent: Resignation
uri: Urgent-Resignation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Resignation%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Pittsburgh_resign">call
on US officials</a>, if you don't support the hatred of the bigot in
chief, resign.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 07569faae011c24006db192239ddf8bb
title: Coal mine candidates
uri: Coal-mine-candidates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Coal_mine_candidates%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/24/west-virginia-coal-third-congressional-district/">In
a Congressional race</a> in West Virginia, one candidate stands for
coal mine owners and the other for coal mine workers.
<p>
It looks like neither of them stands for those of us who would like to
limit fires, floods, tropical diseases and insect pests, extinction,
and food shortages.


feed_id: fb8fc7c2996e18dd59266d04a1f18eec
title: Boycotting Israel
uri: 2018-11-01-Boycotting-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Boycotting_Israel%29
content:
<p>
Israel
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/24/european-parties-urged-agree-israel-boycott-bds-antisemitic-mep">pressuring
European political parties</a> to arbitrarily declare boycotting
Israel as antisemitic.
<p>
Even if they say so, that won't make it true.


feed_id: 15c7ed9df599d9a9973f534dee57aa83
title: Arms sales to Salafi Arabia
uri: Arms-sales-to-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Arms_sales_to_Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
The UK could do without sales of arms to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>, but the
murderous
monarch <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/24/government-says-britain-needs-to-trade-with-saudi-arabia-its-a-myth">can't
make war without</a> support from the UK and US.


feed_id: 9d9f5ff034b246bc28eb7344693f3782
title: Upcoming copyright directive
uri: Upcoming-copyright-directive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Upcoming_copyright_directive%29
content:
<p>
The
EFF <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/10/effs-letter-eus-copyright-directive-negotiators">implores
EU leaders</a> to get rid of the extremely harmful clauses of the
coming copyright directive.


feed_id: a13543e92e7ac2b7e16c3c1a41374e8c
title: Deporting for expired visas
uri: Deporting-for-expired-visas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Deporting_for_expired_visas%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> wants to arrest and deport foreigners when their visas expire
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/10/24/trump-is-building-a-wall-of-bu">rather
than let them leave</a>.  Why bother?  To get an excuse to punish
them.


feed_id: c71af00a4dddf639fefcd01f22061c57
title: Single-use plastics
uri: Single-use-plastics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Single-use_plastics%29
content:
<p>
The EU
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/24/european-parliament-approves-ban-on-single-use-plastics-uk-eu-brexit">working
on a directive</a> to eliminate most single-use plastics.
<p>
I read that a majority of the debris in the Pacific garbage patch
comes from lost or damaged fishing nets.  This directive is good, but
fishing net waste must be curbed too.


feed_id: a3155f63702665e1798ad62685e7ce18
title: Eliminated island
uri: Eliminated-island
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Eliminated_island%29
content:
<p>
A
hurricane <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/24/hawaiian-island-erased-by-powerful-hurricane">eliminated
a small island</a> west of Hawaii, uninhabited by humans but depended
on by endangered seals and sea turtles.
<p>
This shows that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> can wipe out species you wouldn't expect to be
affected.


feed_id: 8760487e3feca08c0b67c195fa782908
title: West Nile virus spread
uri: West-Nile-virus-spread
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28West_Nile_virus_spread%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is causing West Nile virus
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/24/record-numbers-of-west-nile-virus-cases-reported-in-parts-of-us">spread
in the US</a>.


feed_id: ff986bd318c30a423712d226d11a5aa3
title: Non-compete agreements
uri: Non-compete-agreements
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Non-compete_agreements%29
content:
<p>
Businesses force non-compete agreements on employees, even
nonprofessional jobs such as security guards, which makes them
effectively trapped
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/24/non-compete-clause-low-wage-workers-lawsuits-rights">unable
to change employers</a>.
<p>
In some cases they are not legally valid, but the employees have no
feasible way to find this out.  And the fear of being sued, even
frivolously, by a company which can afford a lawyer, can intimidate
the employees.
<p>
I think that employment contracts need to be more tightly regulated.
Companies should not be allowed to make up new demands and impose them
on employees that feel they don't dare refuse.
<p>
Perhaps employers should be required to post a notice such as, "If you
are paid hourly, your employer MAY NOT impose a no-compete contract.
If it tries to, show your contract (dated 2019 or later) to state
office S and collect a $1000 fine from your employer right away."


feed_id: 0b5ac592b618761abf62bfb19ac33623
title: Papua New Guinea
uri: Papua-New-Guinea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Papua_New_Guinea%29
content:
<p>
Refugees that Australia dumped in Manus Island (Papua New Guinea) want
to get travel documents from Papua New Guinea so they can look for
somewhere else to go.  Papua New Guinea
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/24/manus-island-lawyer-representing-detainees-vows-to-keep-fighting-for-compensation">found
excuses to refuse</a>.


feed_id: f02411675019c53243e51dc268a6f7d2
title: Deep learning patents
uri: Deep-learning-patents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Deep_learning_patents%29
content:
<p>
Deep-learning AI is likely to be hit by
a <a href="http://web-old.archive.org/web/20180928045047/https://www.wired.com/story/despite-pledging-openness-companies-rush-to-patent-ai-tech/">tangle
of patents</a>.


feed_id: 3efe988458270352ae3af5bd72268d3a
title: Gaza's water supply
uri: Gaza-s-water-supply
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Gaza%27s_water_supply%29
content:
<p>
Gaza's water supply is severely restricted by the Israeli siege; its
wells have salted up.  If things get much
worse, <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/gazas-dying-of-thirst-and-its-water-crisis-will-become-a-threat-to-israel">it
will be fatal</a>.


feed_id: d3357354f98cbe4eecddf9280b28b184
title: Salafi Arabia uses Israeli spy software
uri: Salafi-Arabia-uses-Israeli-spy-software
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Salafi_Arabia_uses_Israeli_spy_software%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> uses Israeli spy software to 
<a href="https://www.richardsilverstein.com/2018/10/18/saudis-used-israeli-spyware-to-track-khashoggi-associate-leading-dissident/">track
expat dissidents</a>, including one that it invited to come to the
Salafi Arabian embassy in Washington DC to get a new passport.
<p>
There is no evidence yet about whether it used this software to
surveil Khashoggi too.


feed_id: 9b9c80493e37eb5fc6338dfc5749e0d5
title: Repression of press in Palestine
uri: Repression-of-press-in-Palestine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Repression_of_press_in_Palestine%29

content:
<p>
Palestinian governments 
<a href="http://imemc.org/article/mada-48-violations-against-palestinian-media-freedoms-during-september/">repress
the press</a> in Palestine, but not as much as Israel does.


feed_id: b346c136051c2957ffa1c735da272cb8
title: Israeli soldiers confiscate school vans
uri: Israeli-soldiers-confiscate-school-vans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Israeli_soldiers_confiscate_school_vans%29

content:
<p>
Israeli soldiers confiscated school vans 
<a href="http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=781566">used by
Palestinians in the Jordan Valley</a>.


feed_id: 503dd24c45303d5b7a7b5bcb39dd5831
title: Oppressive landlords in the UK
uri: Oppressive-landlords-in-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Oppressive_landlords_in_the_UK%29

content:
<p>
The UK's supposed "solution" to oppressive landlords is to make a
secret list of them &mdash; and so far,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/oct/23/governments-rogue-landlord-list-empty-after-six-months">no
one has been put in the list</a>.
<p>
It appears that the Tories 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/24/who-protect-tenants-from-rogue-landlords-not-tories">don't
really want to address this problem</a>, only pretend to have done so.


feed_id: 8590efec3074f13941b17dd73402d52b
title: Evaluating the troll's statements
uri: Evaluating-the-troll-s-statements
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Evaluating_the_trolls_statements%29

content:
<p>
(satire) Nation’s Fact-Checkers Confirm They'll Probably Wrap Up
Evaluating Trump's Statements 
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/nation-s-fact-checkers-confirm-they-ll-probably-wrap-up-1829938690">By
2050 At Latest</a>.


feed_id: 697b83b80d6c8afa1309750e7877f63e
title: Price of Salafi Arabia blames henceman
uri: Price-of-Salafi-Arabia-blames-henceman
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Price_of_Salafi_Arabia_blames_henceman%29

content:
<p>
The prince (and acting king) of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> is trying to put the
blame for Khashoggi's murder on 
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-adviser-insight/how-the-man-behind-khashoggi-murder-ran-the-killing-via-skype-idUSKCN1MW2HA">a
henchman who boasts of his total obedience to the prince</a>.


feed_id: d2c7767d846b8d9d91c320edec9a3ade
title: Restoration of phone service slow
uri: Restoration-of-phone-service-slow
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Restoration_of_phone_service_slow%29

content:
<p>
Ajit Pai, and Florida Governor Scott, say they are disappointed with
how slowly phone companies are restoring service in the areas hit by
the hurricane.  Their own 
<a href="http://www.wetmachine.com/tales-of-the-sausage-factory/hurricane-michael-a-wake-up-call-on-why-total-dereg-of-telecom-a-very-bad-idea/">deregulatory
policies</a> encouraged this problem.


feed_id: 7337091559a52116d2fb52bd13eb7695
title: Refurbished Apple batteries seized
uri: Refurbished-Apple-batteries-seized
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Refurbished_Apple_batteries_seized%29

content:
<p>
The US government (specifically, the Department of Hostility and
Sadism) seizes refurbished Apple batteries, 
<a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/a3ppvj/dhs-seized-aftermarket-apple-laptop-batteries-from-independent-repair-expert-louis-rossman">calling
them "counterfeit"</a>.
<p>
We should not allow companies such as Apple any excuse to block the
supply of independent replacement parts.


feed_id: 243d2e15d15c307e1b991082f457607e
title: "Smart" devices and the state
uri: Smart-devices-and-the-state
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Smart_devices_and_the_state%29
content:
<p>
Many manufacturers of "smart" devices refuses to say whether they use
them to 
<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/10/19/smart-home-devices-hoard-data-government-demands/">spy
on customers for the state</a>.
<p>
The article exaggerates tremendously when it claims that avoiding
snooper devices is "near impossible".  To avoid them in your own home
may be a little harder than falling off a log, but you can do it.  We
should, I believe, reject any device which delivers data to a
company's server.
<p>
To be sure, I won't complain about the detection of murderers and
crooks; that, in itself, is good.  What worries me is that the same
power can easily be turned against laudable "criminals" such as
Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden.  It is very good to catch real
terrorists, but dissidents are often labeled as "terrorists", and all
the same surveillance methods are used to catch them.


feed_id: af71c2f8e40e5afc597a1af8508d554b
title: Repair Day
uri: Repair-Day
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Repair_Day%29
content:
<p>
It's Repair Day: 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/10/its-repair-day-no-one-should-be-punished-contempt-business-model">No
One Should Be Punished for "Contempt of Business Model"</a>.


feed_id: 70e4fb1b00f4baad42d1bb202863b042
title: Lyft
uri: Lyft
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Lyft%29
content:
<p>
Lyft has 
<a href="http://www.sfexaminer.com/lyft-drops-100k-sf-tax-fund-housing-homeless/">spent
$100,000 to campaign against the initiative to tax big companies in
San Francisco in order to help the homeless</a>.
<p>
For the long term, what we need is to build considerably more housing
in places accessible by mass transit.
<p>
For the longer term, we 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html">need to have few children</a> so as
to decrease the population.  Then the existing housing will suffice.


feed_id: 4de6f6e5bfb138b216750dff5b5d8a0e
title: Arizona yields to anti-vaxers
uri: Arizona-yields-to-anti-vaxers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Arizona_yields_to_anti-vaxers%29
content:
<p>
Arizona yielded to anti-vaxers by 
<a href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-health/2018/10/18/arizona-course-vaccines-canceled-after-parental-backlash/1149710002/">cancelling
an educational program</a> for parents of students about vaccines.
<p>
Most of the people that objected had not seen it.


feed_id: 9d4b6177217f901bc09d3c2a81e6baa0
title: Municipal employee pensions
uri: Municipal-employee-pensions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Municipal_employee_pensions%29
content:
<p>
Municipal employee pensions have been underfunded in many US cities.
They 
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/10/24/the-public-sector-pension-crisis">may
be unable to pay the retirement funds that they promised</a>.
<p>
The article argues for privatization of pensions, but that has its own
dangers.  Many people will be lured into speculation by sales agents
that are more persuasive than scrupulous, and some of will lose their
whole pensions and end up out on the street.


feed_id: 0a0e0cd27a998e8efec7a9b173206852
title: Deforestation in Malaysia
uri: Deforestation-in-Malaysia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Deforestation_in_Malaysia%29
content:
<p>
The latest impulse for deforestation in Malaysia is to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/24/chinas-appetite-for-stinky-durian-fruit-threatening-endangered-tigers">make
durian plantations</a>.
<p>
To have a high standard of living for all humans in the future,
we need to make a lot fewer humans.


feed_id: 549b086ba64b651e46a6ec525e705e05
title: Bully follows Orwellian practice
uri: Bully-follows-Orwellian-practice
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Bully_follows_Orwellian_practice%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> follows the Orwellian practice of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/shortcuts/2018/oct/23/lyin-ted-cruz-is-now-beautiful-ted-how-a-change-of-nickname-reveals-trumps-midterm-fears">redesignating
enemies as friends on the spur of the moment, as if nothing had
changed</a>.  "Cruz, or Eastasia, has always been our friend."


feed_id: ab639ec5b2eac714b25580ea9aa91be2
title: Prosecuting the murderers of Khashoggi
uri: Prosecuting-the-murderers-of-Khashoggi
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Prosecuting_the_murderers_of_Khashoggi%29

content:
<p>
Since a trial in Turkey would inspire no confidence, prosecuting the
murderers of Khashoggi 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/23/international-court-jamal-khashoggi-killers-un">needs
to be done in international court</a>.


feed_id: 41e96f0eecb5e3ad17e6ee5d8ef042e0
title: Public employee pensions and Blackstone
uri: Public-employee-pensions-and-Blackstone
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Public_employee_pensions_and_Blackstone%29

content:
<p>
How California Public Employees 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/23/california-public-employees-unwittingly-fund-rent-control-fight">Fund
Anti-Rent Control Fight Unwittingly</a> (via their pensions invested
in Blackstone).


feed_id: d766cad23d3d45903884b3e13bcdb674
title: Isle of Man marine reserves
uri: Isle-of-Man-marine-reserves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Isle_of_Man_marine_reserves%29
content:
<p>
The Isle of Man created marine reserves, with the cooperation of
fishermen, which 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/23/a-sea-change-how-one-small-island-showed-us-how-to-save-our-oceans">protect
many marine species including for fishing</a>.
<p>
Island volunteers also clean all the visible pieces of plastic off its
beaches, but that is treating just one symptom of a global problem.


feed_id: 49d5ce27dd0c3976159ad4a797d24db2
title: Amazon, Palantir and Microsoft
uri: Amazon-Palantir-and-Microsoft
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Amazon%2C_Palantir_and_Microsoft%29

content:
<p>
Amazon, Palantir and Microsoft are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/23/silicon-valley-tech-firms-making-money-trump-anti-immigrant-agenda-report">making
millions from the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s cruelty to immigrants, including the
prisons</a>.


feed_id: e121229d51845c6eb4c36664f4cc7846
title: Australia's new coal mines
uri: Australia-s-new-coal-mines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Australias_new_coal_mines%29
content:
<p>
Australia has a new way to set up an unstoppable doomsday machine: by
starting new coal mines, and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/24/coalition-could-indemnify-new-coal-projects-against-potential-carbon-price">committing
to pay the whole of the mines' carbon taxes in the future</a>.
<p>
At a time when we need to reduce use of fossil fuels, to aim to make
fossil fuels cheaper to use is a fundamental mistake.  This is an
example of setting short-term convenience over long-term survival.
<p>
The purpose of a carbon tax is to make fossil fuel more expensive to
use, without making it more profitable to extract.  If it had started
10 years ago, with a large enough tax rate, we might have been well on
the way to decarbonizing by now.  However, with time being short,
it may be too slow.
<p>
We Need a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/23/fossil-fuel-non-proliferation-treaty-climate-breakdown">Fossil
Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty</a>.


feed_id: 36d236d90a390baba1e31b07179f27ed
title: Poor people in Dakar
uri: Poor-people-in-Dakar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Poor_people_in_Dakar%29
content:
<p>
Poor people in Dakar have to spend a lot of their income 
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/10/23/uber-but-for-poop">paying
a cartel monopolistic prices to empty their septic tanks and
latrines</a>.
<p>
The article recommends "Uber for poop", but I think that this is
different from Uber in a crucial way.
<p>
Uber is an unjust democracy-threatening surveillance system that
tracks customers' movements.  By contrast, calling a company to empty
your septic tank does not give it important data about your life.
This service might be morally legitimate.


feed_id: 52f31f25bbaa7ef415ca18a7a4b96264
title: Bernie Sanders for president
uri: 2018-11-02-Bernie-Sanders-for-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Bernie_Sanders_for_president%29
content:
<p>
Bernie Sanders is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/23/bernie-sanders-elizabeth-warren-democratic-party-2020-differences">more
deeply opposed to plutocracy</a> than Elizabeth Warren is.
<p>
I will vote for Warren for senator, and probably for president if she
wins the Democratic nomination.  (It would be her or the Green Party.)
But my choice is Sanders.


feed_id: f1b38650ec1c810c4687218f91f1a30f
title: Palestinian thugs torture dissidents
uri: Palestinian-thugs-torture-dissidents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#1_November_2018_%28Palestinian_thugs_torture_dissidents%29

content:
<p>
Human Rights Watch says that Palestinian <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/23/palestinian-authority-hamas-torture-peaceful-critics-rights-group-says">routinely
torture Palestinian dissidents</a>, much as 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#02_November_2012_(Israel_imprisons_Bassem_Tamimi_again)">Israeli
thugs</a> do.


feed_id: c13ccd5edfccef8d48316f9845590a0d
title: Urgent: Organophosphate pesticides
uri: Urgent-Organophosphate-pesticides
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Organophosphate_pesticides%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/ban_nerve_agents">call
on Congress</a> to ban organophosphate pesticides.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 279b2786b2a99d91f1f7c8d4958f5edd
title: Solitary confinement in Dubai
uri: Solitary-confinement-in-Dubai
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28Solitary_confinement_in_Dubai%29
content:
<p>
Dubai
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/29/uk-academic-matthew-hedges-detained-spying-dubai-released-bail">released
Matthew Hedges on bail</a>, but he shows the ill effects of almost 6
months of solitary confinement.
<p>
He will have to face a bogus trial represented by a lawyer he cannot
communicate with.


feed_id: e7b0dcb4af31cef562c7bf5bab1933dd
title: EU copyright directive
uri: 2018-11-04-EU-copyright-directive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28EU_copyright_directive%29
content:
<p>
Italy's
help <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/10/italy-steps-defend-eu-internet-users-against-copyright-filters-who-will-be-next">may
make it possible</a> to defeat the unconscionable copyright censorship
article in the EU copyright directive.


feed_id: 6ff190c2f7b43c827efc0e9c170add83
title: Toilets for homeless people
uri: Toilets-for-homeless-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28Toilets_for_homeless_people%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://missionlocal.org/2018/10/san-francisco-needs-a-marshall-plan-for-toilets/">It
is cheaper</a> to give homeless people proper toilets to use than to
force them to defacate on the street and then clean it up.
<p>
However, it would be even cheaper, and far more effective, to require
all restaurants to allow everyone to use their toilets, and to
announce visibly that they do.


feed_id: e277b94408dfb5e33fb38ea0dde4c9ed
title: War on Drugs in Alabama
uri: War-on-Drugs-in-Alabama
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28War_on_Drugs_in_Alabama%29
content:
<p>
Casualties of the War on Drugs in Alabama: thousands prosecuted for
using marijuana,
and <a href="https://www.civilized.life/articles/alabama-cannabis-prohibition/">everyone
else in Alabama</a>, who bear the expense of jailing them.
<p>
If that were not bad enough, Alabama makes it nastier by selectively
targeting blacks to jail.  However, even if it chose victims without
racial bias, the total gratuitous harm would be the same.


feed_id: c3dbf69adc964b1aa226509f139ec965
title: Access to laws
uri: Access-to-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28Access_to_laws%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/10/appeals-court-tells-georgia-state-code-cant-be-copyrighted">A
federal appeals court ruled</a> that Georgia cannot use copyright to
restrict access to its laws, or their government-composed
"annotations".
<p>
I would rejoice, but I don't know whether this decision will be final.
It could be appealed to the plutocratist-dominated US Supreme Court.


feed_id: c521bcbaa6e72f8d421d2302b81c9153
title: ExxonMobil lawsuit
uri: ExxonMobil-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28ExxonMobil_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
New York State
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/oct/24/lawsuit-alleges-exxonmobil-deceived-shareholders-on-climate-change-rules">suing
ExxonMobil</a> for concealing how future global heating could damage
the value of its shares.
<p>
The fact that cheating shareholders is more susceptible to legal
action than helping to kill (at least) hundreds of millions of people
is a sad comment on the way the world is governed.


feed_id: e12ac7d7049b01f6d2e74e29b4f2e332
title: Warning about Facebook
uri: Warning-about-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28Warning_about_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612332/facebooks-ex-security-boss-asking-big-tech-to-police-hate-speech-is-a-dangerous-path/">Facebook's
former head of security warns</a> not to let Facebook and such censor
the internet.


feed_id: 45c074be5e946dc265eb65bb243097b6
title: FBI's ideology
uri: FBI-s-ideology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28FBI%27s_ideology%29
content:
<p>
The FBI may be feuding with the bullshitter, but
it <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/24/left-warming-fbi-thats-mistake">continues
to be right-wing</a> and defend the plutocrats.


feed_id: 0ce0947701472041832ac3f0f6bb935a
title: Focused bombing in Yemen
uri: Focused-bombing-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28Focused_bombing_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
The bombardment of Yemen is not indiscriminate.  Often
it <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/24/surgical-strikes-what-attack-yemen-and-khashoggi-have-common">focuses
on the food industry</a>.  There is no military reason to bomb fishing
ports.
<p>
Bernie Sanders: We
Must <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/24/opinion/bernie-sanders-saudi-arabia-war-yemen.html">Stop
Helping Saudi Arabia</a> in Yemen.


feed_id: 65d0b51e25b393ec90487a12608bc89f
title: Gianforte lawsuit
uri: Gianforte-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28Gianforte_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
Gianforte, who pled guilty after attacking a reporter, settled the
reporter's lawsuit by promising not to misrepresent the events.
However, he did misrepresent them, and may have
to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1807220">face a renewed
lawsuit</a>.


feed_id: 7e9f62fd876a0eae7b15d54a72ff1bed
title: War on the rainforest
uri: War-on-the-rainforest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28War_on_the_rainforest%29
content:
<p>
Bolsonaro
Backers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/24/bolsonaro-backers-wage-war-on-the-rainforest">Wage
War on the Rainforest</a>.


feed_id: 41d4b13b659ba260b0793677d78465d2
title: Global health system
uri: Global-health-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28Global_health_system%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/oct/25/ebola-has-shown-global-health-system-strong-as-weakest-link-ellen-johnson-sirleaf">As
Ebola Has Shown</a>, the Global Health System Is as Strong as Its
Weakest Link.


feed_id: 3f4467b137a4b505c71a6f96f9aec07e
title: Information fiduciary
uri: Information-fiduciary
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28Information_fiduciary%29
content:
<p>
The EFF supports the idea
of <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/10/information-fiduciaries-must-protect-your-data-privacy">"information
fiduciary" rules</a>: "When you give your personal information to an
online company in order to get a service, that company should have a
duty to exercise loyalty and care in how it uses that information. "
<p>
This sounds nice, but it is fundamentally inadequate in the US because
of the PAT RIOT Act, which allows the FBI to take all that company's
data at any time.  In addition, it is weak, because it depends on the
company's good faith in interpreting "loyalty and care".  If the
executives are Republicans, they will do whatever suits them and call
it "loyalty and care".
<p>
The adequate solution is
to <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">forbid
companies from collecting</a> most of the data at all.  Then we won't
have to worry about how they use it.


feed_id: 16a43bcb26b2493b6ce79540c956be0a
title: American military victories
uri: American-military-victories
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28American_military_victories%29
content:
<p>
America's military no longer wins wars, but that's not its goal.  It
has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/25/why-american-leaders-persist-waging-losing-wars">achieved
complete victory</a> in the battle it really cares about &mdash; to
define ever-higher military spending as unquestionably good.


feed_id: 33fdaa74845140a87bb59dffd71da4dd
title: Bulk antibiotics for farm animals
uri: Bulk-antibiotics-for-farm-animals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28Bulk_antibiotics_for_farm_animals%29

content:
<p>
The European Parliament voted
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/25/european-parliament-approves-curbs-on-use-of-antibiotics-on-farm-animals">limit
the bulk use of antibiotics</a> on farm animals.


feed_id: ac899538c8fb47716b5acea3f711ed69
title: Salafi Arabia's supporters
uri: Salafi-Arabia-s-supporters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28Salafi_Arabia%27s_supporters%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/25/saudi-regime-mohammed-bin-salman-global-network-enablers">global
network of supporters</a> enables Salafi Arabia's power.


feed_id: 8135b9a44af19c1a6fbe38f6087713d0
title: Australian banks
uri: Australian-banks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28Australian_banks%29
content:
<p>
Big Australian banks get away with cheating customers because the customers
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/26/labor-says-banking-inquiry-failed-to-expose-how-legal-system-used-to-crush-customers">can't
find any lawyers</a> to work for them against those banks.


feed_id: aca4908c79f33f34446ddc56c1989838
title: Khashoggi context
uri: Khashoggi-context
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28Khashoggi_context%29
content:
<p>
The context for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi: many countries in the
Middle
East <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/10/25/jamal-khashoggi-death-freedom-of-speech/">repress
journalists harshly</a>.


feed_id: 50cccd52c405eb0aeaccf605974597b4
title: Making bricks from urine
uri: Making-bricks-from-urine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28Making_bricks_from_urine%29
content:
<p>
Making bricks using human
urine <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/oct/25/liquid-gold-students-make-worlds-first-brick-out-of-human-urine">avoids
most of the CO2 emissions</a> of ordinary bricks.


feed_id: 5d99c473342bd2ba379e3010eb7cc70d
title: Kavanaugh's close friend
uri: Kavanaugh-s-close-friend
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#3_November_2018_%28Kavanaugh%27s_close_friend%29
content:
<p>
If you thought Kavanaugh couldn't be worse: he is
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/25/brett-kavanaugh-eureka-club-noel-francisco-emails">close
friend of the lawyer</a> that argues cases for the executive branch.


feed_id: 29365089e37df6928c00309fcfc10c34
title: Urgent: Troops at the border
uri: Urgent-Troops-at-the-border
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#4_November_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Troops_at_the_border%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/mattis-border">call
on Mattis</a> to cancel troop deployment at the border with Mexico.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 66e97367a7e7899f5fb28bfb5b2ef62c
title: Organic food hype
uri: Organic-food-hype
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#4_November_2018_%28Organic_food_hype%29
content:
<p>
Hype that claims organic food reduces cancer risk
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/26/dont-believe-the-hype-organic-food-doesnt-prevent-cancer">based
on a small change</a> for a narrow segment of the population.


feed_id: da39db6a107751fbea41016e9726ab73
title: Human rights in Honduras
uri: Human-rights-in-Honduras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#4_November_2018_%28Human_rights_in_Honduras%29
content:
<p>
Congressional Democrats called for the US
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/26/honduras-us-congress-human-rights-trump">reconsider
Honduras' human rights certification</a>.
<p>
Honduras has been
repressive <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_November_2017_(Honduras_president)">ever
since the coup</a> that Clinton winked at.


feed_id: 4888c6dda65a90fb356efa206a70542b
title: Carbon emissions tax
uri: 2018-11-05-Carbon-emissions-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#4_November_2018_%28Carbon_emissions_tax%29
content:
<p>
Canada
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/oct/26/canada-passed-a-carbon-tax-that-will-give-most-canadians-more-money">adopted
a carbon emissions tax</a>.  It is not high enough, but it is a start.
<p>
The article says "The question is whether it will be sufficiently high
to meet the country’s climate targets."  I doubt that, because the
targets tend to be insufficient.  Also, there is a tendency to emit
more greenhouse gas than was predicted.  And some countries will not
try hard enough.


feed_id: 7087647d89a18e5cb20be3be8b7f9016
title: Richer billionaires
uri: Richer-billionaires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#4_November_2018_%28Richer_billionaires%29
content:
<p>
The World's
Billionaires <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/oct/26/worlds-billionaires-became-20-richer-in-2017-report-reveals">Became
20% Richer</a> in 2017.


feed_id: 45971826f237baab352e138a1f7aa090
title: What Jesus would do
uri: What-Jesus-would-do
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#4_November_2018_%28What_Jesus_would_do%29
content:
<p>
A movement of progressive Christians points out that the bullshitter's
actions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/26/trump-christian-vote-midterms-resistance-protest-tax-cuts-policies">are
the opposite</a> of what Jesus (as reported in the Bible) would do.
<p>
The Biblical Jesus would vote for Bernie Sanders.  As for the real
Jesus, but one can only guess, but he might have voted for Netanyahu.


feed_id: 6f1e638fdfbf94b0b4e0384ad722abf5
title: Billionaires' charity
uri: Billionaires-charity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#4_November_2018_%28Billionaires%27_charity%29
content:
<p>
We Don't Want Billionaires' Charity.  We Want Them
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/26/dont-want-billionaires-philanthropy-pay-their-taxes">Pay
Their Taxes</a>.
<p>
They have to pay a substantial tax rate, too.  We must not let them
starve our state.


feed_id: 9465f16d2e9d062128db7158797b410c
title: Indigenous American voter repression
uri: Indigenous-American-voter-repression
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#4_November_2018_%28Indigenous_American_voter_repression%29

content:
<p>
Republicans are applying voter
suppression <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/26/the-real-reason-for-voter-id-laws-to-prevent-native-americans-from-voting">specifically
to indigenous Americans</a>.


feed_id: 26f9b768eddfce6da3177a7b1dd4873c
title: Fracking in England
uri: Fracking-in-England
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#4_November_2018_%28Fracking_in_England%29
content:
<p>
Fracking has
been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/26/cuadrilla-forced-to-stop-fracking-as-quake-breaches-threshold">halted
in England</a> because it seems to be causing too much in the way of
earthquakes.


feed_id: 3e7036ab542d0c7bf753a95fccc3948c
title: Gunpowder regulation
uri: Gunpowder-regulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#4_November_2018_%28Gunpowder_regulation%29
content:
<p>
The NRA's campaigning has blocked for decades
the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/10/25/nra-has-worked-decades-block-efforts-regulate-type-explosive-reportedly">regulation
of gunpowder</a> used in homemade bombs.


feed_id: df9cf94c8b10418c27605d0a28c166d6
title: Access to water
uri: Access-to-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#4_November_2018_%28Access_to_water%29
content:
<p>
Americans can no longer count on access to water.  Projecting from
available data,
around <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/10/25/shocking-study-15-million-us-residents-had-water-shut-2016">5%
of American households</a> had their water shut off in 2016.


feed_id: 292aff392bfcddc9588ab4639e73e6d8
title: 'Medicare Advantage' plans
uri: Medicare-Advantage-plans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#4_November_2018_%28%27Medicare_Advantage%27_plans%29

content:
<p>
Why "Medicare Advantage" add-on plans
are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/25/10-reasons-medicare-advantage-plans-will-never-meet-our-needs">not
an adequate substitute</a> for Medicare for All.


feed_id: 72be0ddd8ba30a9eaabaeb325e7d85a8
title: Consent and rights
uri: Consent-and-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#4_November_2018_%28Consent_and_rights%29
content:
<p>
The US gives far too much value to "consent".  You can
be <a href="https://www.currentaffairs.org/2018/10/the-cult-of-the-form">stripped
of any rights whatsoever</a>, if you can be pressured, tricked or
forced into signing that you "consent" to losing them.


feed_id: 4061d0368c22190932e8e04728421175
title: Urgent: NY bail reform
uri: Urgent-NY-bail-reform
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#5_November_2018_%28Urgent%3A_NY_bail_reform%29
content:
<p>
Citizens of New York
State: <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/letter/demand-governor-cuomo-enforce-tighter-regulation-bail-bond-industry/">tell
Cuomo</a> you want a strong bail reform, strong enough to eliminate
the abuses.</p>
<p>
You could also call for eliminating cash bail.
</p>
<p>If you send a letter, please spread the word!</p>


