# articles

feed_id: 5d3763f4cfebe803e5305b0da6a77bf7
title: Produce and eat better food
uri: Produce-and-eat-better-food
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Produce_and_eat_better_food%29
content:
<p>
*A "sustainability charge" on meat to cover its environmental damage
could raise billions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/04/eu-meat-tax-climate-emergency">to help farmers and consumers produce and eat
better food</a>.*

<p>
This tax would discourage people from eating meat &mdash; which is a good idea,
for the sake of health.  If the tax on beef is especially high, it would also
discourage raising cattle, which makes sense because they generate methane.

<p>
However, it makes sense also to tax the cultivation of plants that are
grown specifically to feed to animals farmed for meat.


feed_id: c5cae8f61796916805665c65c94b5802
title: Proof of bigotry
uri: Proof-of-bigotry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Proof_of_bigotry%29
content:
<p>
Indigenous Australians in Western Australia are fined by human
enforcers (<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>) of the rules of the road much more often than other
drivers.  Strangely, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/05/aboriginal-drivers-in-wa-more-likely-to-get-fines-from-police-officers-than-traffic-cameras">robot enforcers do not fine them especially
often</a>.

<p>
This seems to be proof of human bigotry.


feed_id: 48b7d067ef184c36abd774ee4ea536ed
title: Repressive loan
uri: Repressive-loan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Repressive_loan%29
content:
<p>
Tanzania's government wants to accept repressive conditions (on
non-rich people) with a loan from the World Bank &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/feb/04/tanzanian-politician-says-death-threats-wont-deter-bid-to-halt-world-bank-loan">but there is
opposition</a>.


feed_id: ff6ce90feb5028d6941193d2e911b980
title: Border volunteers
uri: Border-volunteers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Border_volunteers%29
content:
<p>
*Federal Judge Reverses Conviction of Border Volunteers, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/04/reversal-conviction-border-volunteers-gruesome-logic/">Challenging Government’s “Gruesome Logic”</a>.*


feed_id: 1038ca91427e6e53e3ce183291d0dcbe
title: Airlines and climate crisis
uri: Airlines-and-climate-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Airlines_and_climate_crisis%29
content:
<p>
*Airlines want you to think they’re serious about the climate crisis. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/04/airlines-climate-crisis-plant-trees-carbon-emissions">They’re
not</a>.*


feed_id: 5ebeafa5826e1574804050632118f8d3
title: Urgent: Stop financing Vung Ang 2 coal plant
uri: Urgent-Stop-financing-Vung-Ang-2-coal-plant
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_financing_Vung_Ang_2_coal_plant%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.priceofoil.org/sign/japan-vung-ang-2/">call on
Japanese companies</a> to stop financing the Vung Ang 2 coal plant.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: fc9a46f4201b1ccf7f91d634e90c1c75
title: Barbara Smith endorses Sanders
uri: Barbara-Smith-endorses-Sanders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Barbara_Smith_endorses_Sanders%29

content:
<p>
Barbara Smith, campaigner for the rights of black women, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/10/identity-politics-bernie-sanders-endorsement">endorses
Sanders</a>.


feed_id: 2904e39d79b5623d6a98e61dad2923bb
title: Anti-fascists sentenced for "terrorism"
uri: Anti-fascists-sentenced-for-terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Anti-fascists_sentenced_for_terrorism%29

content:
<p>
Russian anti-fascists have been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/10/russian-anti-fascist-group-network-jail">sentenced
to 6-18 years in prison for "terrorism"</a>.
<p>
The official bias towards fascists and against antifascists 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#23_August_2018_(Anti-fascist_protesters)">exists
in the US too</a>.


feed_id: 34c72a46e71e71efe31668cc0da93f75
title: Opposition to new fossil fuel pipeline
uri: Opposition-to-new-fossil-fuel-pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Opposition_to_new_fossil_fuel_pipeline%29

content:
<p>
In Canada, pipeline protesters 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/10/canada-protest-indigenous-wetsuweten-pipeline">blocked
ports and railways</a> to oppose a new fossil fuel pipeline.


feed_id: 8b4818529d7ad4e6789581603c5a3caf
title: Result of unions endorsing Sanders
uri: Result-of-unions-endorsing-Sanders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Result_of_unions_endorsing_Sanders%29

content:
<p>
As unions endorse Sanders,
*<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/01/31/joe-biden-donors-anti-union-lawyers/">Attorneys
From Union-Busting Law Firms Are Throwing Support Behind Joe
Biden</a>.*


feed_id: 6a5429d09395878b0af718b8b2ffc074
title: US students pressured to submit to phone surveillance
uri: US-students-pressured-to-submit-to-phone-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28US_students_pressured_to_submit_to_phone_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
Many colleges and universities in the US 
<a href="https://gizmodo.com/how-to-hypothetically-hack-your-schools-surveillance-1840680142">lead
or pressure their students to agree to be surveilled through portable
phones</a>.
<p>
The best way for students to resist this is not by hacking the system,
but by confronting it.  "No, I won't install your app &mdash; nonfree
apps cannot be trusted."  Better, "No, I won't carry a smartphone
&mdash; the nonfree operating system cannot be trusted."  Or do as I
do: "No, I won't carry a portable phone &mdash; they track people's
movements and can listen all the time."
<p>
Best of all, organize a group of students to make such a statement
together.
<p>
When you do that, don't be belligerent in tone.  Chances are it never
occurred to the staff that surveilling people was an injury to their
rights.  You must be firm, so don't add anger to that.
<p>
Be proud that you are standing up for freedom.  Even if you lose,
you can be proud of trying.


feed_id: e2b6564cc5d15d4a0cfca923e52aae85
title: Corruption of the PCAOB
uri: Corruption-of-the-PCAOB
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Corruption_of_the_PCAOB%29
content:
<p>
The US Public Company Accounting Oversight Board is supposed to verify
the honesty of the audits that big accounting companies do on
publicly-traded corporations.  One accounting company, KPMG, 
<a href="https://www.pogo.org/investigation/2020/01/how-accountants-took-washingtons-revolving-door-to-a-criminal-extreme/">corrupted
the PCAOB through the "revolving door"</a>, even hiring away its
employees and telling one of them to regard his new salary as a bribe
for telling KPMG which of its audits would be investigated.


feed_id: c5114e1667217bb12a90b63515e44281
title: Feelings of guilt over small things
uri: Feelings-of-guilt-over-small-things
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Feelings_of_guilt_over_small_things%29

content:
<p>
To advance the campaign to curb <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, stop feeling guilty
and trying to make small decreases in your own use of fossil fuel, and
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/10/opinion/sunday/how-to-help-climate-change.html">join
efforts to change the system that makes everyone live wastefully</a>.
<p>
The exception to "stop feeling guilty" is for activities that make
profligate use of fossil fuels.  For instance, to have a private jet,
a large boat, a mansion, or a child, are things you can and should
avoid.
<p>
The same advice applies to the campaign against nonfree software.
People often write to me asking me to forgive them for using some
nonfree software.  But I don't ask them to apologize for this; I ask
them to support campaigns against nonfree software, such as the GNU
Project


feed_id: 11ded0a52e8ca8672cfc469af2cca19e
title: Car window washer charged with making "terrorist threat"
uri: Car-window-washer-charged-with-making-terrorist-threat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Car_window_washer_charged_with_making_terrorist_threat%29

content:
<p>
Keith Martin approached a car to wash its windows, The driver was an
undercover <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>; he 
<a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Man-shot-by-undercover-Houston-police-officer-was-14982051.php">shot
Mr Martin and then charged him with making a "terrorist threat"</a>.
<p>
I can understand how the "offer" to wash your windows can be annoying.
These people often rush to start washing before you can say no, then
they manipulate you into paying them out of a feeling of undeserved
obligation, or to get the soap off your windshield.  It is bad
behavior, indeed.
<p>
But does it qualify as a "terrorist threat"?  What an absurd
exaggeration!  Do they deserve to be shot for this?  Obviously not.
That <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> should be prosecuted, because firing is not enough to stop
those menaces to society.


feed_id: 78be6983ba2cecee8453777a4b2470df
title: What children need most: curiosity
uri: What-children-need-most-curiosity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28What_children_need_most%3A_curiosity%29

content:
<p>
What children need most, to learn anything or everything well, is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/jan/28/schools-killing-curiosity-learn">curiosity</a>.
It is also a vital requisite for doing well on grades and tests.  But
schools systematically squash their curiosity in the name of
maintaining order.
<p>
I conjecture that teaching a class takes more work for the teacher if
the teacher encourages curiosity by answering the children's
questions.  I further conjecture that the extra work increases with
the number of children in the class.  Perhaps this is part of the
reason why smaller classes are better: because they make it easier for
the teacher to answer questions for all the children and avoid
squashing their curiosity.
<p>
Getting to know people in your neighborhood, 
<a href="https://letgrow.org/community-building/">building community
trust</a>, makes your children safer than hovering over them, while
giving them a chance to learn and explore.


feed_id: c1cb1e5d2df484bc5f276e8a62568f0e
title: US oil exports
uri: US-oil-exports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28US_oil_exports%29
content:
<p>
The US should stop exporting oil &mdash; that 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/01/28/handing-out-blankets-affected-smallpox-us-called-end-oil-exports-thwart-climate">would
make a big reduction in greenhouse gas emissions</a>.
<p>
The comparison with smallpox-infested blankets (which the US
government gave to some indigenous groups during the 1800s) is
misguided, since those two wrongs are wrong in different ways.  The
blankets were intended to, and likely to, kill only people in the
targeted groups.  Burning more oil, no matter who does it, is likely
to kill more people all around the world.  The one was a sneaky,
treacherous act of war; the other a contribution to global suicide.


feed_id: 76fcb9b30517c24c2d8e3434ab7e65c2
title: Wales to ban parents smacking children
uri: Wales-to-ban-parents-smacking-children
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Wales_to_ban_parents_smacking_children%29

content:
<p>
*Wales to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jan/28/wales-to-ban-parents-smacking-their-children-from-2022">ban
parents smacking their children from 2022</a>.*
<p>
When my father spanked me, he terrified and humiliated me.  It only
happened a few times, but each time it drove me permanently further
away from him.  I am sure it is better for families to avoid such
anger.
<p>
At the same time, I am sure that if I were a parent I would arrive at
situations where I was at my wits' end and saw no way to carry out my
responsibilities without spanking.  I don't understand how some
parents do it.
<p>
It's one more reason why it is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html">good that I have not had
children</a>.


feed_id: b3282b367525671bb2db2e5d812f7444
title: The order to kill Soleimani
uri: The-order-to-kill-Soleimani
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28The_order_to_kill_Soleimani%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/columnists/was-order-to-kill-soleimani-lawful-column/article_aeb16bba-3954-11ea-9931-9be2bf2e8c50.html">Was
order to kill Soleimani lawful?</a>* It seems to have been an act of
war, not authorized by Congress.


feed_id: f8be7e514cc773b827df864bf05687be
title: US deportation of Salvadoreans
uri: US-deportation-of-Salvadoreans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28US_deportation_of_Salvadoreans%29

content:
<p>
The US deports lots of Salvadoreans to El Salvador.  Since 2013, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/05/salvadorans-deported-us-killed-abused-report">200
of them have been killed, raped or tortured</a> &mdash; usually by the
same gang that had threatened them before.


feed_id: 32ffae54b473f6a8548d557ddc805a78
title: Unsafe conditions at Amazon warehouse
uri: Unsafe-conditions-at-Amazon-warehouse
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Unsafe_conditions_at_Amazon_warehouse%29

content:
<p>
*‘I'm not a robot’: Amazon workers condemn 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/feb/05/amazon-workers-protest-unsafe-grueling-conditions-warehouse">unsafe,
grueling conditions</a> at warehouse.*
<p>
This is one of the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">many reasons to refuse to buy from Amazon</a>.
I have never done so, and I refuse to start.


feed_id: acbb4dcea0c056fd2244fbe2ddda4fbc
title: Leaders ruling with impunity
uri: Leaders-ruling-with-impunity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Leaders_ruling_with_impunity%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/05/try-to-stop-me-the-mantra-of-our-leaders-who-are-now-ruling-with-impunity">‘Try
 to stop me’</a> &mdash; the mantra of our leaders who are now ruling
 with impunity.*


feed_id: 078efae4b86c1ecefdc04c19d9d22314
title: UK response to small terrorist attack
uri: UK-response-to-small-terrorist-attack
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28UK_response_to_small_terrorist_attack%29

content:
<p>
The UK responded to a small terrorist attack (three people wounded)
with
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/05/locking-up-terrorists-forever-not-answer-streatham-attack-extremism">drastic
proposals</a>, such as a life sentence for terrorists.
<p>
The recent terrorist attacks in the UK add up to a tiny amount of
violence compared with all the violence in the UK now.  Even if these
measures reduced the violence (and we don't know), that would make a
very small difference in safety.
<p>
It is self-defeating to respond to this with disproportionate symbolic
"toughness".  What is needed is to search for an effective way to
deradicalize.


feed_id: 4c8fefa5c756065717092130b9ae17c7
title: Almost a limit
uri: Almost-a-limit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#11_February_2020_%28Almost_a_limit%29
content:
<p>
Australia's planet-roaster government said it would put limits on
greenhouse emissions from big mining and industry companies, but in practice
the limits do not limit them &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/08/big-polluters-again-allowed-to-lift-emissions-without-penalty">companies get them increased as they wish</a>.


feed_id: e38edc77111d49d81199e61e350bade9
title: DoS on democracy
uri: DoS-on-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#11_February_2020_%28DoS_on_democracy%29
content:
<p>
Supporters of the bully did <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/06/trump-fans-flooded-hotline-disrupt-iowa-caucus-process">a DOS attack against the Democratic caucus
hotline</a>.


feed_id: af202ef39be77f526267c54e71236226
title: Prohibition of large amount of cash
uri: Prohibition-of-large-amount-of-cash
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#11_February_2020_%28Prohibition_of_large_amount_of_cash%29

content:
<p>
Australia is on the verge of <a href="https://reason.com/2020/02/06/australia-moves-to-restrict-cash-and-build-a-surveillance-state/">prohibiting the use of cash in large amounts</a>.

<p>
I don't think I would want to use cash to pay $10,000 or more,
However, limits like this tend to start high and get pushed much lower.
Some countries have limits of a few hundred dollars.


feed_id: 678014a097424a3e226dc0c0e161cb9c
title: MIGA
uri: MIGA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#11_February_2020_%28MIGA%29
content:
<p>
An officials of the Hinduismist BJP party <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/06/feed-them-bullets-not-biriyani-bjp-uses-delhi-elections-to-stoke-religious-hatred">is calling nonviolent protesters
"terrorists" and says to shoot them all</a>.

<p>
His statements can be summarized as "MIGA", "Make India Great Again",
and it is as bogus as when the bullshitter says that about America.


feed_id: bcccc95e18956c6571503a97ea409440
title: Journalism is not a crime
uri: Journalism-is-not-a-crime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#11_February_2020_%28Journalism_is_not_a_crime%29
content:
<p>
Glenn Greenwald seems to be safe from prosecution for his journalism,
because of a Supreme Court injunction that <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/06/glenn-greenwald-intercept-brazil-charges/">his journalistic acts are
not crimes</a>.


feed_id: 8d791333e31375367ea256c331e9a567
title: Stopping production of chlorpyrifos
uri: Stopping-production-of-chlorpyrifos
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#11_February_2020_%28Stopping_production_of_chlorpyrifos%29

content:
<p>
*The principal producer of chlorpyrifos has decided to stop making it.
It <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/06/chlorpyrifos-pesticide-corteva-trump-administration">has been linked to brain damage in children</a>.*
  However, the Environmental Poisoning Agency has made sure agribusiness will be
able to obtain chlorpyrifos elsewhere.

<p>
The former Environmental Protection Agency did not stand up to
business fully or often enough, but it did some good.


feed_id: 9dac3ca4ff99b8b519f7676b0f158981
title: One mistake should not ruin it
uri: One-mistake-should-not-ruin-it
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#11_February_2020_%28One_mistake_should_not_ruin_it%29

content:
<p>
(<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/senate-republicans-say-one-mistake-should-not-ruin-the-1841497854">satire</a>) *Senate Republicans Say One Mistake Should Not Ruin The Life Of A Naive,
Promising Young Man Like Trump.*


feed_id: bc79519730abafd5a55aeab1823ebf2e
title: DNC's rules committee
uri: DNC-s-rules-committee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#11_February_2020_%28DNC%27s_rules_committee%29
content:
<p>
Two members of the DNC's rules committee <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/06/law-school-they-called-conflict-interest-tlaib-objects-paid-bloomberg-staffers-dnc">work for the Bloomberg campaign</a>.

<p>
This is clear evidence of the DNC's bias against Sanders.  More
evidence is that DBC Chairman Perez, a plutocratist Democrat,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/06/beyond-absurd-dnc-chair-tom-perez-demands-recanvass-iowa-caucus-results-fully">demanded that the Iowa caucus work sheets be studied and accumulated again</a>.


feed_id: 593506f275786111d936706ec0948dbf
title: The most important issue facing society
uri: The-most-important-issue-facing-society
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#11_February_2020_%28The_most_important_issue_facing_society%29

content:
<p>
A poll by the American Psychological Association found that over half
of US adults consider "climate change" <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/06/fueled-eco-anxiety-majority-us-believe-climate-crisis-most-crucial-issue-facing">the most important issue facing
society</a>.

<p>
I recommend calling it "<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>", and its consequences "climate
mayhem" or "the climate crisis."  "Climate change" was introduced on
orders of the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> administration in the aim of downplaying its
importance.


feed_id: e8ef9d2f911bf767e6a5fb9434b31e27
title: Giving phones with no signal to immigration prisoners
uri: Giving-phones-with-no-signal-to-immigration-prisoners
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#11_February_2020_%28Giving_phones_with_no_signal_to_immigration_prisoners%29

content:
<p>
The UK deportation authority gave immigration prisoners cell phones to
talk with their lawyers, but they can't get a usable signal in the prison
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/05/home-office-told-to-act-as-detainees-unable-to-contact-lawyers">so cannot make plans with their lawyers</a>.


feed_id: 7bbc13e01dab241d14c7c2f919021ce5
title: Real Economic State of the Union
uri: Real-Economic-State-of-the-Union
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#11_February_2020_%28Real_Economic_State_of_the_Union%29

content:
<p>
*Forget [the bullshitter's] Lies, Here's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/06/forget-trumps-lies-heres-real-economic-state-union">the Real Economic State of
 the Union</a>.*


feed_id: c6cee9a18d052ba64f614cf81562955b
title: Commercial mining on indigenous land
uri: Commercial-mining-on-indigenous-land
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#11_February_2020_%28Commercial_mining_on_indigenous_land%29

content:
<p>
*Brazil's Bolsonaro unveils bill <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/06/brazil-bolsonaro-commercial-mining-indigenous-land-bill">to allow commercial mining on
 indigenous land</a>.*


feed_id: ba39f16a294719efc1fe89c72ffe5c7a
title: Against female genital mutilation
uri: Against-female-genital-mutilation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#11_February_2020_%28Against_female_genital_mutilation%29

content:
<p>
Activists against female genital mutilation <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/feb/06/we-will-end-female-genital-mutilation-only-by-backing-frontline-activists">have a big task to do
and little support</a>.


feed_id: cd93339a5db4dd9888f1e76dc9f0b535
title: Unlocking toilets
uri: Unlocking-toilets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#11_February_2020_%28Unlocking_toilets%29
content:
<p>
Posting the codes for the locked toilets of London cafes has made
it possible for a lot of people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/06/london-loo-codes-public-toilets">to find a toilet when they need one</a>.

<p>
It should be illegal for a restaurant or cafe, with a toilet for patrons,
to deny any orderly person the use of it.


feed_id: 461d7ca2958bdae13a0cdae0525a15bb
title: Exxon Mobil-backend law adopted
uri: Exxon-Mobil-backend-law-adopted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#11_February_2020_%28Exxon_Mobil-backend_law_adopted%29

content:
<p>
Congress Quietly Adopts Exxon Mobil-Backed Law <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/06/congress-exxon-mobil-eastmed-pipeline-cyprus/">Promoting New Gas Pipeline,
Arms to Cyprus</a>.

<p>
I don't object to the arms, in this case, but every new fossil fuel facility
makes war against humanity and nature.


feed_id: 8e642676a99390697f3a6795128ae75b
title: Feelings of guilt over small things
uri: 2020-02-12-Feelings-of-guilt-over-small-things
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#10_February_2020_%28Feelings_of_guilt_over_small_things%29

content:
<p>
To advance the campaign to curb <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, stop feeling guilty
and trying to make small decreases in your own use of fossil fuel, and
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/10/opinion/sunday/how-to-help-climate-change.html">join
efforts to change the system that makes everyone live wastefully</a>.
<p>
The exception to "stop feeling guilty" is for activities that make
profligate use of fossil fuels.  For instance, to have a private jet,
a large boat, a mansion, or a child, are things you can and should
avoid.
<p>
The same advice applies to the campaign against nonfree software.
People often write to me asking me to forgive them for using some
nonfree software.  But I don't ask them to apologize for this; I ask
them to support campaigns against nonfree software, such as the GNU
Project.


feed_id: 478a95be3279b12a415af92360cb625a
title: Global heating and oceans
uri: Global-heating-and-oceans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Global_heating_and_oceans%29
content:
<p>
Four ways that global heating of the oceans <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/01/31/5-things-you-should-know-about-earths-warming-ocean">is causing chaos and
destruction, and what we don't yet know about it</a>.


feed_id: d85c82d0683673aff2b57b71d840ce8a
title: Arresting everyone
uri: Arresting-everyone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Arresting_everyone%29
content:
<p>
When the RCMP arrested pipeline protesters, it also <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/02/10/canada-rcmp-must-respect-rights-journalists-cover-indigenous-protests">drove off journalists
with a threat to arrest them too</a>.


feed_id: 73edbf75e2eb5017389f5a7d503024bf
title: Rain extinguished three months fire
uri: Rain-extinguished-three-months-fire
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Rain_extinguished_three_months_fire%29

content:
<p>
After three months, Australia's enormous fires <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/10/rain-deluge-in-eastern-australia-set-to-extinguish-nsw-bushfires-this-week">are being extinguished
by heavy rain</a>.


feed_id: b7ddae41a14cd515d6e860be83e35bf9
title: Pro-occupation against Sanders
uri: Pro-occupation-against-Sanders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Pro-occupation_against_Sanders%29

content:
<p>
A pro-occupation campaign group <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/01/29/out-touch-pro-israel-group-criticized-ads-hitting-bernie-sanders-electability">is running ads claiming that Sanders
is unelectable</a> &mdash;
   the same old would-be self-fulfilling prophesy that is money can
make believable.  It doesn't try to argue openly in favor of the
occupation of Palestine because Democrats have ceased to support that
position.

<p>
I don't call it a "pro-Israel" group because defending Israel's
existence (as do I, as does Sanders) is not the same thing as
defending the occupation of Palestine.  The latter is the real
bone of contention.


feed_id: f5e31bc7706cd266aa3a826da361983a
title: Bully's revenge
uri: Bully-s-revenge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Bully%27s_revenge%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> took revenge against impeachment witness Alexander Vindman,
who worked for the National Security Council, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/further/2020/02/07/mobster-work-vindman-escorted-white-house-telling-sordid-truth">and against his brother
for nothing more than being his brother</a>.


feed_id: 95f62f60e5a9ad50919838c4c549a167
title: Threats of war
uri: Threats-of-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Threats_of_war%29
content:
<p>
Turkey threatens war with Syria <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2020/feb/09/syria-turkey-hit-back-assad-idlib-humanitarian-crisis">if Assad's forces continue advancing
into Idlib</a>.

<p>
Idlib is filled with millions of Syrians who are refugees from other
parts of Syria that Assad's forces have conquered.


feed_id: 7275088dc4ad85b37e7b983e6efd0414
title: Honoring Dr. Li Wenliang
uri: Honoring-Dr-Li-Wenliang
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Honoring_Dr._Li_Wenliang%29
content:
<p>
Chinese are honoring the public service of Dr. Li Wenliang, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/09/coronavirus-outbreak-has-exposed-deep-flaws-of-xi-jinping-autocracy">who discovered
the coronavirus infection and tried to spread a warning, caught it, and then
died</a>.

<p>
China suppressed his warning because it was unpleasant news.  If China
had not been so repressive, the epidemic might have been stopped at
the outset, or perhaps only delayed.

<p>
Chinese repression shares the responsibility for all the
problems caused by the disease, and the Chinese people (on whom
the suffering is now chiefly falling) are aware of this.


feed_id: 5fce09e3f8e5146f323b9c142b89269f
title: Buying presidency
uri: Buying-presidency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Buying_presidency%29
content:
<p>
*Michael Bloomberg is trying to buy the presidency – <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/09/michael-bloomberg-donald-trump-presidential-election">that should set off
alarms</a>.*

<p>
If your goal is to save the republic, don't get sucked into a fight
between Pompey and Caesar.


feed_id: b98e37a5e393c696d8e30385b7c6b478
title: Denial of citizenship
uri: Denial-of-citizenship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Denial_of_citizenship%29
content:
<p>
A citizen's crimes are no excuse to deny citizenship to per.
Each country has the responsibility to treat per as a citizen,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/09/britain-has-moral-duty-to-bring-back-shamina-begum">even when doing so means prosecution and punishment</a>.


feed_id: 387f9e9a01f4e059068d025f03656287
title: No alternative
uri: No-alternative
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28No_alternative%29
content:
<p>
The Australian Labor Party (ALP) is straining to appear preferable to
the original Liberal Party <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/09/labors-richard-marles-wont-rule-out-supporting-new-coal-developments">while supporting coal nearly as much</a>.

<p>
It's not for nothing that it has been called the Alternate Liberal Party.


feed_id: a0df0462a2341458dae8812d7e121118
title: Sextortion
uri: Sextortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Sextortion%29
content:
<p>
*More than half of women in Zimbabwe <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/feb/08/more-than-half-of-women-in-zimbabwe-have-faced-sextortion-finds-survey">have faced sextortion</a>, finds survey.*


feed_id: be152b1ed62fb15edf723fc342e4f38c
title: Sale of medical records
uri: Sale-of-medical-records
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Sale_of_medical_records%29
content:
<p>
The UK's National Health Service medical records are sold by the
millions to data companies &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/feb/08/fears-over-sale-anonymous-nhs-patient-data">in supposedly "anonymized" form, but
they can be de-anonymized</a>.


feed_id: 0999f9f9ea8fb637cdb8ba7ce94eef63
title: Continuous partial attention
uri: Continuous-partial-attention
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Continuous_partial_attention%29
content:
<p>
Continuous partial attention &mdash; a state of partial distractedness &mdash;
could explain why people who are not stupid nonetheless forward fake news
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/feb/07/how-to-stop-spread-of-fake-news-oliver-burkeman">which they would recognize as fake after a minute's though</a>.


feed_id: ff9f36d90aa60f106bdffa9fb6a2e3d8
title: Fighting voter suppression
uri: Fighting-voter-suppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Fighting_voter_suppression%29
content:
<p>
*How Advocates <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/07/how-advocates-are-fighting-voter-suppression">Are Fighting Voter Suppression</a>.*


feed_id: 8d0b6f2b1c90ac9c96ee0d280cc1a5f4
title: Divesting
uri: 2020-02-12-Divesting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Divesting%29
content:
<p>
Georgetown University <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/08/something-big-shifting-georgetown-announces-fossil-fuel-divestment-students-across">has decided to divest from fossil fuels</a>.


feed_id: 8d84842226a26b499431d7e3aec27ae9
title: Urgent: More green energy spending by EU
uri: Urgent-More-green-energy-spending-by-EU
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Urgent%3A_More_green_energy_spending_by_EU%29

content:
<p>
EU citizens: 
<a href="https://mailchi.mp/gr/its-your-time-to-fight-for-the-green-new-deal">contact
your MEPs</a> and call on the EU to spend more on green energy and
stop financing fossil fuels.


feed_id: 88882e82a9d70a248ed90b4c0040e094
title: Thuringia's mainstream parties allied with neo-Nazis
uri: Thuringia-s-mainstream-parties-allied-with-neo-Nazis
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Thuringias_mainstream_parties_allied_with_neo-Nazis%29

content:
<p>
*In Thuringia, mainstream parties have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/10/weimar-east-germany-thuringia-afd">allied
with [the neo-Nazi AfD]</a>.  The response has been furious and
chaotic.*
<p>
Can anyone tell me whether this is a case of channeling into bigotry
the anger provoked by the all-suffocating power of business over every
area of life?  That is a foolish response, as the right-wing
extremists won't give the non-rich anything but a scapegoat to look
down at, but people do it.


feed_id: 019fb6f0550b95257e4debf2aa22eacd
title: Climate anxiety
uri: Climate-anxiety
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Climate_anxiety%29
content:
<p>
The unfolding climate crisis is causing harm, so people fear more harm.
This means 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/10/the-guardian-view-on-climate-anxiety-we-live-in-frightening-times">people
suffer from climate anxiety</a>.
<p>
Don't let it paralyze you.  If that starts to happen, join and work
for an organization that works to curb <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> &mdash; the
Sanders campaign, a Green Party, the Sunrise Movement, Extinction
Rebellion.
<p>
There are many other systemic injustices that afflict humanity, and
working to end any of them will help you feel better about your life.
User-subjugating software is one of them; would you like to
<a href="https://gnu.org/help">>help the GNU Project</a>?


feed_id: 2d631395549404ed8695440a71bbce1c
title: "Investors" in Buttigieg's campaign
uri: Investors-in-Buttigieg-s-campaign
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Investors_in_Buttigiegs_campaign%29

content:
<p>
*Pete Buttigieg’s Policy Director Has Been 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/10/pete-buttigieg-fundraisers-sonal-shah/">Traveling
the Country for Months to Meet With “Investors”</a> in His Campaign.*


feed_id: d3303a296e3182a21ef116fa1bc4d97d
title: Ending the dominance of giant agribusiness
uri: Ending-the-dominance-of-giant-agribusiness
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Ending_the_dominance_of_giant_agribusiness%29

content:
<p>
Senator Warren has a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/01/29/after-half-century-corporate-dominance-over-food-economy-change-coming">plan
to revamp US agriculture</a> to end the dominance of giant
agribusiness and the contempt for small farms.
<p>
It could offer an opportunity to end wasteful overproduction and
exhaustion of resources.


feed_id: 0ada4524142bef1207f7b3c23b6f66d4
title: Prosecution of people who try to defend themselves
uri: Prosecution-of-people-who-try-to-defend-themselves
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Prosecution_of_people_who_try_to_defend_themselves%29

content:
<p>
Immigration <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> tried to arrest someone in NYC and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/06/ice-agents-new-york-shooting-brooklyn">did
not say they were official thugs</a>.  The victim tried to fight them
off, and a relative helped.  They shot the relative, fortunately not
fatally.
<p>
There is a long history of prosecution of people who tried to defend
themselves from unknown assailants, who later turn out to be official
state <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> but did not reveal that at the time.  Many of the people
were convicted of various crimes for these acts of self-defense.
<p>
What were they supposed to do?  Use telepathy?


feed_id: 5c5aa13984c26affd5eeb4ea6fa2a900
title: Megafires fueled by today's leaders
uri: Megafires-fueled-by-today-s-leaders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Megafires_fueled_by_todays_leaders%29

content:
<p>
Tim Flannery: *This is the age of the megafire &mdash; and it’s being
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/07/climate-fire-leaders-disaster-australian-government">fueled
by our leaders</a>.*


feed_id: b75ba3401312eeda3f9c886155dae4af
title: Record high temperature in Antarctica
uri: Record-high-temperature-in-Antarctica
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Record_high_temperature_in_Antarctica%29

content:
<p>
Another 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/07/antarctica-logs-hottest-temperature-on-record-with-a-reading-of-183c">record
high 65F in Antarctica</a> should make us reflect on the coming
submergence of New York, Miami, New Orleans, Shanghai, Tokyo, London,
Amsterdam, Hamburg, and so many other great cities, after the ice
melts.


feed_id: 02439df89fac27adbe6934571ea318da
title: Drought and hunger in Guatemala
uri: Drought-and-hunger-in-Guatemala
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Drought_and_hunger_in_Guatemala%29

content:
<p>
*Drought and hunger: why 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/feb/07/guatemala-hunger-famine-flee-north">thousands
of Guatemalans are fleeing north</a>.*
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is gradually making things worse.  We can see these
people as the start of a wave of central-American climate refugees.
<p>
It is not just food that they need.  They also need birth control,
sterilization and abortion.  Desperately supporting an increasing
population where food production is falling is as futile as
desperately preserving coastal housing as the sea level rises.  It
will inevitably fail, and cause suffering as described in the article.
Humanity must <em>reduce</em> the burden it puts on the Earth!


feed_id: 01f5bc696594ccd9ae38421dde31a5ca
title: Goober
uri: 2020-02-13-Goober
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Goober%29
content:
<p>
Goober, which pays drivers peanuts, has changed some details of how it
deal with drivers, so as to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/feb/07/uber-ab5-changes-drivers-california">convince
California voters that drivers shouldn't have the right of
employees</a>.


feed_id: 2a96b981d3740f0bf064c804418ce1c1
title: Leaving the EU
uri: 2020-02-13-Leaving-the-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Leaving_the_EU%29
content:
<p>
Leaving the EU offers the UK opportunities for deregulation, such as
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/07/brexit-regulation-britain-eu-agencies-sajid-javid">Putting
the lead back in paint, the sewage back on beaches and enhancing the
lethality of children’s toys.</a>* But even weak regulation needs
people to write them and enforce them.


feed_id: 6719283f576063542f1c44e1a9c8c27c
title: EU's greenwashing green deal
uri: EU-s-greenwashing-green-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28EUs_greenwashing_green_deal%29
content:
<p>
Varoufakis: *The EU's green deal is a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/07/eu-green-deal-greenwash-ursula-von-der-leyen-climate">colossal
exercise in greenwashing</a>.* It proposes to spend a fair pile of
money, but that money was already in the plans.  The real increases
proposed add up to little.


feed_id: 3a61cce13cdbfc49b7626675d16335ed
title: Brazil's rightwing regime
uri: Brazil-s-rightwing-regime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Brazils_rightwing_regime%29
content:
<p>
Brazilian artists and musicians: *Brazil’s rightwing regime 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/07/democracy-and-freedom-of-expression-are-under-threat-in-brazil">wants
to censor textbooks, spy on teachers, and repress minority and LGBT
groups</a>. We need the international community’s support.*


feed_id: dec92cca60d9b532465202df0a265e40
title: Suicides possibly caused by UK welfare cuts
uri: Suicides-possibly-caused-by-UK-welfare-cuts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Suicides_possibly_caused_by_UK_welfare_cuts%29

content:
<p>
A UK government inspection bureau has investigated 69 suicides
possibly caused by cutting off welfare benefits in recent years, but
suggests that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/07/dwp-benefit-related-suicide-numbers-not-true-figure-says-watchdog-nao">there
may be far more such cases</a>.


feed_id: ea6e10d7047ad6454b88868b01352c4d
title: DNC turning to Bloomberg to block Sanders
uri: DNC-turning-to-Bloomberg-to-block-Sanders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28DNC_turning_to_Bloomberg_to_block_Sanders%29

content:
<p>
The DNC is turning to Bloomberg and his money to block Sanders, but 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/07/establishment-knives-out-bernie-iowa-fiasco-just-taste-whats-coming">we
can still win</a>.
<p>
So don't give up!


feed_id: 317cf16a39018c7e0fcb62affa28d624
title: Corruption of Instagram "influencers"
uri: Corruption-of-Instagram-influencers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Corruption_of_Instagram_influencers%29

content:
<p>
The corruption of Instagram "influencers" has now reached election
campaigns: Bloomberg 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/07/mike-bloomberg-2020-campaign-instagram-influencers">plans
to pay them as campaign advertising</a>.
<p>
If influencers are influencing you, you have been suckered.  But you
don't have to allow this to continue.  You can change your habits so
that influencers no longer impinge on you.


feed_id: 5e16a5188b0322024ca3c36e5b3ba2b0
title: Growing up with apps
uri: Growing-up-with-apps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#12_February_2020_%28Growing_up_with_apps%29
content:
<p>
Did growing up with apps 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/07/we-gave-teenagers-smartphones-did-we-rob-them-of-an-inner-life">deprive
today's teenagers of the chance to learn to spend time on their
own</a>, or with a small group of people?
<p>
Professor Sussman thinks it also hampered them from learning to do
activities as a group.  He reports that clubs and community
activities of many kinds are dying.


feed_id: 04464ac0223114e0b049a4cc98add004
title: Thugs vs anti-fascists
uri: Thugs-vs-anti-fascists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#13_February_2020_%28Thugs_vs_anti-fascists%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> tend to hold right-wing views, so it is no surprise that they
sometimes frame anti-fascists, <a href="https://truthout.org/articles/amid-crackdown-on-activists-support-groups-help-resistance-continue-behind-bars/">and sometimes succeed in putting them
in prison</a>.


feed_id: 5c188bf4d7090654a26d0d4f52784c6c
title: Cutting healthcare costs by flying out
uri: Cutting-healthcare-costs-by-flying-out
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#13_February_2020_%28Cutting_healthcare_costs_by_flying_out%29

content:
<p>
*Utah cuts healthcare costs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/11/utah-cuts-healthcare-costs-flying-employees-mexico-prescription-drugs">by flying employees to Mexico for prescriptions</a>.*

<p>
Medicare for All, with its plan to negotiate an overall quantity price
for drugs (as most European countries do), would eliminate this problem
once and for all.


feed_id: 2cf840b4a51260806192b904e7158dc2
title: Proprietary encryption
uri: Proprietary-encryption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#13_February_2020_%28Proprietary_encryption%29
content:
<p>
A company that sold encryption systems to 100 countries was
controlled by US and German intelligence, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/11/crypto-ag-cia-bnd-germany-intelligence-report">and the equipment spied
on the governments that used it</a>.

<p>
Of course Huawei equipment will do likewise.

<p>
Moral: never trust a nonfree program, especially not for encryption.


feed_id: 32b54368861f6f583ce36b1f728ff3ee
title: Driving insects to extinction
uri: Driving-insects-to-extinction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#13_February_2020_%28Driving_insects_to_extinction%29

content:
<p>
Many different kinds of human activities are together <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/10/save-insects-save-ourselves-researchers-sound-alarm-bugpocalypse">responsible
for driving insects to extinction</a>, and if they die, we die.


feed_id: 0320374f7f85d03c20cced1463223f9b
title: Proposed Budget
uri: Proposed-Budget
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#13_February_2020_%28Proposed_Budget%29
content:
<p>
*[The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> in chief’s] Proposed Budget Cuts Disastrous for Public
Health, Clean Energy Investments.*  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/02/10/trumps-proposed-budget-cuts-disastrous-public-health-clean-energy-investments">He is going to subsidize coal instead</a>.

<p>
He also wants <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/02/10/trumps-budget-comically-bad-food-and-water-justice">to cut support for food and water</a>.

<p>
The house will not pass this budget, but since the bully has said <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/10/and-1-sanders-condemns-trump-budget-immoral-document-designed-hurt-families-and">he
wants it passed, we can judge him by it</a>.


feed_id: 4ffad6f28384ce3a4b668349573b99d0
title: Exporting prudery
uri: Exporting-prudery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#13_February_2020_%28Exporting_prudery%29
content:
<p>
The US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/feb/01/new-rules-of-office-romance">is spreading prudery to workplaces around the world</a>.

<p>
If your main way of meeting and getting to know people you could hope
to find love with is at work, and you're forbidden to have a
relationship with them, you may have no way at all.


feed_id: d35e09959fe7e13ffa684bc754adbd1a
title: Deporting people born in the country
uri: Deporting-people-born-in-the-country
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#13_February_2020_%28Deporting_people_born_in_the_country%29

content:
<p>
The UK is systematically deporting to Jamaica people who have lived in
Britain since they were children &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/10/windrush-deporting-people">in some cases, since they were born</a>.

<p>
People who grow up in a country deserve citizenship there, and it is unjust
to exile citizens even if they commit crimes.  That applies to the UK <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_March_2018_(Urgent:_Reinstate_DACA)">and
the US</a>.


feed_id: de34e13a4f4193ac5230e293674b5cd9
title: Climate-induced disasters
uri: Climate-induced-disasters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#13_February_2020_%28Climate-induced_disasters%29
content:
<p>
*Pacific Islanders have been experiencing climate-induced disasters for
 years, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2020/feb/11/i-have-witnessed-the-horrors-of-climate-change-in-the-pacific-australia-it-is-time-for-action">now they have reached Australia</a>.*


feed_id: 8e036a5abf6c57b638af719ccf64ca8a
title: Kushner's Israel plan
uri: Kushner-s-Israel-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#13_February_2020_%28Kushner%27s_Israel_plan%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/kushner-promises-israel-plan-will-relocate-all-palestin-1841330443">satire</a>) *Jared Kushner held a press conference Wednesday to
   make assurances that the administration’s Israel plan would relocate
   all Palestinians to a generous swath of the Mediterranean Sea.*


feed_id: a86b80d4e62ffe73b6a078fb01e799a5
title: Climate apartheid
uri: Climate-apartheid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#13_February_2020_%28Climate_apartheid%29
content:
<p>
The next stage of global heating <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/01/29/australia-fires-portend-future-climate-apartheid">will be that of "climate apartheid"</a>.

<p>
People with more wealth and/or privilege will move to places that
are safer from <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> effects.

<p>
I forecast that this will be temporary.  Once <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> cuts into
food production, while population growth leads to more demand for food,
increasing numbers will be trapped in hunger.  And if wars disrupt
the globalized manufacturing system, technology will crash.

<p>
There are millions of people who imagine surviving this on their own.
That is a pipedream.  You can't stockpile a lifetime's worth of food
and computers, Even solar cells need to be replaced eventually.  In a
Mad Max world, only a tiny fraction will survive even 20 years.  You
are not likely to be one of them.

<p>
The only way we can all survive &mdash; or at least most people &mdash; is to do
it <em>together</em>.  We have to avoid the situation that will cause climate
apartheid.

<p>
That means, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/01/29/condemning-nafta-20-giveaway-fossil-fuel-industry-sanders-vows-immediately">Sanders for President</a>!

<p>
The new NAFTA is a lot less bad than the previous one.  But it is
still bad, as Sanders points out.


feed_id: 5be905bd4fad11e3a0de30701e34ad2e
title: Total work
uri: Total-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#13_February_2020_%28Total_work%29
content:
<p>
Americans are being pressured towards a state of "total work", in which
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/09/if-work-dominated-your-every-moment-would-life-be-worth-living">every waking moment is occupied with one's job</a>.

<p>
Referring to writers and artists as <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Content">"content-producers"</a>, as the article does,
is a reflection of this change.  Please join me in refusing to
describe works of art or authorship as "content".


feed_id: 98b6831c73a9273f2ef8037ffc979753
title: Making civil disobedience a felony
uri: Making-civil-disobedience-a-felony
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#13_February_2020_%28Making_civil_disobedience_a_felony%29

content:
<p>
*West Virginia Legislation <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/09/west-virginia-legislation-would-make-civil-disobedience-against-gas-pipelines">Would Make Civil Disobedience Against Gas Pipelines
a Felony</a>.*


feed_id: 2f1c631053379080e189e01c4697eeb8
title: Surveillance can't be used properly
uri: Surveillance-can-t-be-used-properly
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#13_February_2020_%28Surveillance_can%27t_be_used_properly%29

content:
<p>
Chinese live under the total surveillance of a totalitarian state.
The new face recognition systems can recognize people even wearing
masks.  And the systems <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-surveillance-idUSKBN2011HO">automatically judge everything people do</a>.

<p>
In the special emergency of the coronavirus epidemic, I might consider
tracking justified as an emergency measure.  It could, potentially,
save thousands of lives, maybe even millions.  I would pay the price
of being surveilled to achieve that &mdash; if it were used only to prevent
the spread of the epidemic, and would be removed when the disease is
eradicated.

<p>
But once a country gets people used to surveillance, it won't stop
surveilling people, and mission-creep is sure to follow.

<p>
Meanwhile, the US government uses location data from a commercial
database to track unauthorized immigrants.  <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/federal-agencies-use-cellphone-location-data-for-immigration-enforcement/ar-BBZKUmi">The database is fueled by
malicious phone apps</a>.


feed_id: a16aa5e8670f6e842aa93ce80c424024
title: Changing holidays
uri: Changing-holidays
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#13_February_2020_%28Changing_holidays%29
content:
<p>
*Virginia will eliminate a state holiday honoring Robert E. Lee and
Stonewall Jackson. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/07/politics/virginia-ends-confederate-holiday-replace-election-day-trnd/index.html">It'll make Election Day a day off instead</a>.*


feed_id: 4cff3de3adb727d4f00e278afd8b0296
title: Neo-Nazis' threat level
uri: Neo-Nazis-threat-level
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#13_February_2020_%28Neo-Nazis%27_threat_level%29
content:
<p>
*The FBI Just Put White Nationalists and Neo-Nazis <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/3a8awn/the-fbi-just-put-white-nationalists-and-neo-nazis-on-the-same-threat-level-as-isis">on the Same Threat
Level as [PISSI]</a>.*

<p>
I think that the right-wing extremists are far more dangerous <em>in the
US</em> than Islamists.  There are other parts of the world where Islamist
terrorists are a substantial threat, but they don't have much power here.


feed_id: 2e6aa48e7983874c8bdc254188bc9c3e
title: List of companies linked to colonies
uri: List-of-companies-linked-to-colonies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#14_February_2020_%28List_of_companies_linked_to_colonies%29

content:
<p>
The UN has published a list of companies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/weather/2020/feb/12/un-publishes-list-of-companies-with-ties-to-israeli-settlements">linked to Israel's colonies in
Palestinian territory</a>.

<p>
The UN does not call for boycotting companies with a special tie to
these colonies, <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/palestine-trip.html">but I do</a>.


feed_id: 6f7cb870f0b3393eb206d9c66d03a0a8
title: Peace plan
uri: Peace-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#14_February_2020_%28Peace_plan%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s "peace plan" proposes to hand over some Israeli territory
to a future powerless Palestinian "state".  <a href="https://www.972mag.com/palestinian-citizens-protest-transfer-plan/">The Palestinians living
there would rather remain part of Israel</a>.


feed_id: 608904f9c1dcaa5c5bb27787f0b238fb
title: Respect for justice
uri: Respect-for-justice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#14_February_2020_%28Respect_for_justice%29
content:
<p>
Amazing respect for justice: a woman facing possible deportation from
the UK won a decision that she would not be deported, at least not
immediately.  But the prison guards tried to force her onto a plane.
She resisted this illegal action by fighting back.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/11/woman-cleared-of-assaulting-yarls-wood-guards-during-struggle">A court has ruled
that this was legitimate self-defense</a>.


feed_id: 7e360488cf9ea8fe0613ba2f3d53f135
title: Reasons for migration
uri: Reasons-for-migration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#14_February_2020_%28Reasons_for_migration%29
content:
<p>
*More than two-thirds of the migrants fleeing Central America’s
northern triangle countries &hellip; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/11/migrants-fleeing-central-america-guatemala-honduras-el-salvador-family-taken-killed-study">experienced the murder,
disappearance or kidnapping of a relative before their departure</a>.*


feed_id: ec5fc4dc2a7d55386ddb05bd1d22182a
title: Urgent: deauthorize war with Iran
uri: Urgent-deauthorize-war-with-Iran
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#14_February_2020_%28Urgent%3A_deauthorize_war_with_Iran%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/call-your-senators-no-war-with-iran-2020?source=em20200211&t=1005&akid=6059%2E223515%2EqhpVjc">Phone your senators</a> and say to pass a
"concurrent resolution" deauthorizing war with Iran.

<p>
A concurrent resolution does not require the president to sign it.


feed_id: 0a8072fada578be682762246d74ca047
title: Not feeling safer with a gun
uri: Not-feeling-safer-with-a-gun
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#14_February_2020_%28Not_feeling_safer_with_a_gun%29
content:
<p>
US gun owners do not feel happier <a href="http://www.sci-news.com/othersciences/psychology/gun-ownership-08108.html">or sleep better than people without
guns</a>.

<p>
Objectively, having a gun in the house makes people <em>less</em> safe.


feed_id: 5c63bb141f875da95fd8a8b1b2fa9cf7
title: Bought by Energy Company
uri: Bought-by-Energy-Company
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#14_February_2020_%28Bought_by_Energy_Company%29
content:
<p>
*A Canadian Energy Company <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/12/jordan-cove-oregon-pembina-pipeline/">Bought an Oregon Sheriff’s Unit</a>.*
  It wasn't officially a purchase, but in effect that's what it was.
The unit's purpose was to fight pipeline protesters, and its funds
came from a fossil fuel company.


feed_id: 703043232115eb85a1b5610bdfd7085c
title: Family in power
uri: Family-in-power
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#14_February_2020_%28Family_in_power%29
content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/11/boris-johnson-carrie-symonds">is putting his relatives into powerful government positions</a>,
much like the conman and Bolsonaro.


feed_id: a978f3ee81681399aba217cdc9baa5f8
title: Animals' life after fire
uri: Animals-life-after-fire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#14_February_2020_%28Animals%27_life_after_fire%29
content:
<p>
113 species of Australian animals <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/11/expert-panel-says-113-species-need-urgent-attention-after-australias-bushfires">need help to survive after the great
fires</a>.


feed_id: 6c310fe9d833ce643b587c3db2396c06
title: Shared parental leave
uri: Shared-parental-leave
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#14_February_2020_%28Shared_parental_leave%29
content:
<p>
Offering shared parental leave from work reduces one of the causes of
the gender pay gap: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/11/gender-pay-gap-shared-parental-leave-finland">the assumption that women will time off for babies
and men will not</a>.

<p>
It will also enable babies to feel less stress, which will help them
grow up healthier.

<p>
The climate crisis will give them too much stress, all too soon, which
is part of why people should avoid having babies nowadays.  But starting
the stress when they are newborns is not a humane way of making this point.


feed_id: b6d79eb54edf4e70c2d2e321f301fe35
title: Global heating damages
uri: Global-heating-damages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#14_February_2020_%28Global_heating_damages%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is damaging the delta of the Río Ebro in Spain,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/11/we-have-nothing-to-keep-the-sea-out-the-struggle-to-save-spains-ebro-delta">squeezed between two effects of the heat</a>.

<p>
On one side, bigger storms start from the higher sea level.  On the
other, Spain is becoming more arid and needs more water from the river
for irrigation.


feed_id: 3a9bbe1fcb2a966bc498a14fe15a843f
title: Leading democratic candidates
uri: Leading-democratic-candidates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#14_February_2020_%28Leading_democratic_candidates%29

content:
<p>
*Every leading Democratic candidate supports a form of conservation <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/11/democrats-conservation-climate-rural-america">that
   can reduce greenhouse gases and create jobs in rural America</a>.*


feed_id: 0c72b8a385d3bbed10d61e7f046b1115
title: Bloomberg should run as a Republican
uri: Bloomberg-should-run-as-a-Republican
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#14_February_2020_%28Bloomberg_should_run_as_a_Republican%29

content:
<p>
*If Bloomberg Wants to Buy an Election, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/11/if-bloomberg-wants-buy-election-he-should-run-republican-against-trump-not-sabotage?cd-origin=rss">He Should Run as a Republican Against Trump—Not Sabotage Democrats</a>.*

<p>
Why didn't he?  He may have judged that the bullshitter's fanatical
supporters can't be swayed by mere mainstream media, or that the
bullshitter is a master of stirring them up into hatred.

<p>
In any case, we have to deal with what he is actually doing.

<p>
You can't go far wrong by voting against the candidate supported
by lots of expensive TV ads.


feed_id: 047e0d1dd9b49651a83609e3ec36e29b
title: Former dictator to international court
uri: Former-dictator-to-international-court
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#14_February_2020_%28Former_dictator_to_international_court%29

content:
<p>
*Sudan says it will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/11/sudan-says-it-will-send-former-dictator-omar-al-bashir-to-icc">send former dictator Omar al-Bashir to [the
 International Criminal Court]</a>.*


feed_id: 10fc4b41b262f21d5d181572d871a74b
title: Impact of loud labels
uri: Impact-of-loud-labels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#14_February_2020_%28Impact_of_loud_labels%29
content:
<p>
Chile's very loud labels for food with high sugar, high salt or high fat
have had a big impact: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/11/chiles-drastic-anti-obesity-measures-cut-sugary-drink-sales-by-23">consumption of sugar-laden drinks has fallen by
about 1/4</a>.


feed_id: 88d9498cb86c59d8f59ee3130f370149
title: Urgent: Investigation based on Afghanistan Papers
uri: Urgent-Investigation-based-on-Afghanistan-Papers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Investigation_based_on_Afghanistan_Papers%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/tell-congress-investigate-afghanistan-papers">call
on Congress</a> to investigate the conduct of the war in Afghanistan
based on the Afghanistan Papers.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 53234c30f671d00fc8a5053f9c12f9e0
title: Urgent: Stop prosecution of Daniel Hale
uri: Urgent-Stop-prosecution-of-Daniel-Hale
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_prosecution_of_Daniel_Hale%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://diy.rootsaction.org/petitions/stop-the-prosecution-of-drone-whistleblower-daniel-hale">call
on the Department of Justice</a> to stop the prosecution of drone
whistleblower Daniel Hale.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 7e6a596f2c6bf019bce49d973104b070
title: Hottest January on record
uri: Hottest-January-on-record
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28Hottest_January_on_record%29
content:
<p>
*Earth just had 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/13/january-hottest-earth-record-climate-crisis">hottest
January since records began</a>, data shows.*
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/13/antarctic-temperature-rises-above-20c-first-time-record">A
temperature of 20C was observed in Antarctica</a>.  That's almost as
high as the temperature I like to have in my office.
<p>
It feels like spring now in Boston, and it is only February.  People
with their heads in the sand may think it is comfortable.  I find it
frightening!


feed_id: c5ef310355bc08d838365243659a89d7
title: Bloomberg's repressive views
uri: Bloomberg-s-repressive-views
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28Bloombergs_repressive_views%29
content:
<p>
Bloomberg is keeping his actual views out of the limelight, apparently
so voters won't notice their disagreements with him.  The mainstream
media are helping.  But he 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/12/bloomberg-avoiding-scrutiny-stop-frisk">has
shown his repressive views</a>.
<p>
Obama also hid his views behind the vague slogans of "hope" and
"change".  I did not expect much of either from him.


feed_id: 3c632b65ff1ae33b3e28fdb98035d90e
title: Airplane crews that carried out war crimes
uri: Airplane-crews-that-carried-out-war-crimes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28Airplane_crews_that_carried_out_war_crimes%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/12/saudi-led-coalition-starts-courts-martial-against-yemen-strikes-air-crew">agreed
to prosecution of airplane crews that carried out specific war
crimes</a>, such as attacking a hospital and a wedding party.


feed_id: b55b9e1b9ff10131663658fe57e7e06b
title: Ilhan Omar's proposals
uri: Ilhan-Omar-s-proposals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28Ilhan_Omars_proposals%29
content:
<p>
Ilhan Omar proposes laws to direct US foreign policy towards international
cooperation and encouraging peace, and 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/12/ilhan-omar-unveils-bold-proposal-us-foreign-policy-deeply-rooted-justice">reducing
the president's power of economic warfare</a>.


feed_id: 05bbc76a6abdc692ce60d030db1ade08
title: Insect apocalypse
uri: Insect-apocalypse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28Insect_apocalypse%29
content:
<p>
The insect apocalypse has been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/12/car-splatometer-tests-reveal-huge-decline-number-insects">measured
in the UK and Denmark</a>.
<p>
It was 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_November_2019_(Insect_biodiversity_in_Germany)">previously
reported from Germany</a>.


feed_id: 5e53f6967b4075d683cd363f06cf9b93
title: Bernie Sanders fights to un-rig the system
uri: Bernie-Sanders-fights-to-un-rig-the-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28Bernie_Sanders_fights_to_un-rig_the_system%29

content:
<p>
*Bernie Sanders Isn't a Radical &mdash; He's a Pragmatist Who 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/12/bernie-sanders-isnt-radical-hes-pragmatist-who-fights-un-rig-system">Fights
to Un-rig the System</a>.*


feed_id: 98569d040ac79d32566f2ed797af4886
title: Troll wants to destroy Medicaid
uri: Troll-wants-to-destroy-Medicaid
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28Troll_wants_to_destroy_Medicaid%29

content:
<p>
"Trump 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/01/30/people-poor-disabled-people-particular-are-going-die-trump-takes-axe-medicaid">wants
to destroy Medicaid while claiming to save it</a>."  This will kill
thousands of poor and disabled Americans.


feed_id: a404f02383edd637163b343b7de38d48
title: New Hampshire Democratic primary
uri: New-Hampshire-Democratic-primary
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28New_Hampshire_Democratic_primary%29

content:
<p>
Sanders got the most votes in New Hampshire Democratic primary, but
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/11/democrats-new-hampshire-bernie-sanders-moderates">two
corporate Democrats were close behind</a>.


feed_id: 0b7d96622c280a5c4b1670c64c342def
title: The desert locust in Africa
uri: The-desert-locust-in-Africa
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28The_desert_locust_in_Africa%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/feb/12/a-humanitarian-crisis-looms-in-africa-unless-we-act-fast-to-stop-the-desert-locust">A
humanitarian crisis looms in Africa</a> unless we act fast to stop the
desert locust.*


feed_id: 1d8c231998a83aba1db1f7c397a847b7
title: Freedom of expression
uri: 2020-02-17-Freedom-of-expression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28Freedom_of_expression%29
content:
<p>
A TV show in Pakistan showed an extramarital affair &mdash; unusually,
involving a wife rather than a husband.  
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/feb/12/the-cheating-wife-her-rich-lover-and-a-court-case-for-immoral-pakistan-tv-hit-meray-paas-tum-ho">The
producer and actors are accused in court of misogyny</a>, putting
freedom of expression in danger.
<p>
I reject the assumption that monogamy is morally imperative.  I refuse
to use the words "cheating" and "unfaithful" to describe sex, or
romantic love, in conflict with monogamy.  I think people should be
monogamous if they wish, and not if they don't.  When I love a woman,
I do not ask her to be monogamous, because I do not think of her as my
possession.  I simply wish for her to join me in keeping our love
going well.
<p>
The article refers an the end to the violence in Tom and Jerry
cartoons.  Americans a few decades ago began to question whether it
was a good thing to enjoy that violence.  I read that point, and it
made me aware of the pain that the violence depicted would cause in
reality.  I began to identify with the character suffering the
violence.  I am grateful to those who wrote about this.
<p>
But it must not be a crime to show violence in cartoons.


feed_id: 9bc0fb779d2e5113197a2f4a756b7c0d
title: Selection of judges in the UK
uri: Selection-of-judges-in-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28Selection_of_judges_in_the_UK%29

content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/12/protection-law-politicians-judges-courts">wants
to politicize the selection of judges in the UK</a> and limit their
ability to overturn decisions of government agencies.
<p>
In effect, the UK has evolved something comparable to the explicit
"checks and balances" of the US Constitution, and Bogus wants to
weaken it so he can do whatever he wishes.


feed_id: f44ee1a7fac7643506c30cd38ec72572
title: The trial of Stephen Ward
uri: The-trial-of-Stephen-Ward
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28The_trial_of_Stephen_Ward%29
content:
<p>
In 1960, the UK framed Stephen Ward so he couldn't say that a minister
had lied to Parliament.  The trial was "a charade, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2020/feb/12/landmarks-in-law-how-the-profumo-affair-became-modern-britains-most-disgraceful-legal-event">presided
over by a judge committed to a conviction</a>."  It was characterized
by "manipulation of the trial by the lord chief justice."
<p>
The UK has not got any more honest.  It is now doing something
comparable to Julian Assange.


feed_id: b2d0a0c49201079caea7c2015a214d04
title: UK thugs set up face recognition cameras
uri: UK-thugs-set-up-face-recognition-cameras
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28UK_thugs_set_up_face_recognition_cameras%29

content:
<p>
UK <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> set up face recognition cameras 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/11/met-police-deploy-live-facial-recognition-technology">looking
at the door of a shopping center</a>.  They put up signs saying "you
are not legally required to go through this area", but that does you
no good if you need to go there to shop.
<p>
They made a statement about what they would do with the videos, but
did they promise not to save the videos and do other things with them
later?


feed_id: 0044aaba9d9d1d7a5b0bb31516dcd157
title: EU backs 32 gas projects
uri: EU-backs-32-gas-projects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28EU_backs_32_gas_projects%29
content:
<p>
*EU accused of climate crisis hypocrisy after 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/12/eu-accused-of-climate-crisis-hypocrisy-after-backing-32-gas-projects">backing
32 gas projects</a>.*  The amount spent will be over 30 billion dollars
that should be spent on defending the climate rather than destroying
it.


feed_id: 0eab93ed932ee285e4bfc10438054912
title: Damming off the North Sea
uri: Damming-off-the-North-Sea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#16_February_2020_%28Damming_off_the_North_Sea%29
content:
<p>
Damming off the North Sea (and thus the Baltic too) would be a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/12/giant-dams-could-protect-millions-from-rising-north-sea">feasible
and cost effective way of protecting large parts of northern Europe
from inundation</a> due to global heating.
<p>
However, it would not protect anyone from the other aspects of climate
disaster &mdash; that should be the preferred solution.


feed_id: 3d075bbccfb962dabe6c4611c75c8771
title: Deported to live in hiding
uri: Deported-to-live-in-hiding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#17_February_2020_%28Deported_to_live_in_hiding%29
content:
<p>
The UK deported 17 people to Jamaica last week, 7 of them are living
in hiding, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/14/jamaicans-deported-by-home-office-go-into-hiding-fearing-for-lives">afraid of being murdered by gangsters who have threatened them
or their families</a>.


feed_id: 57cc27459ddb5a70688d85597b6e1601
title: Offsetting carbon emissions
uri: Offsetting-carbon-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#17_February_2020_%28Offsetting_carbon_emissions%29
content:
<p>
Delta Airlines <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/feb/14/delta-carbon-neutral-airline-plan">announced a plan to become "carbon-neutral"</a>.
  The plan involves ten years of spending.  It is not clear whether
it includes a specific target to complete the work in ten years.

<p>
The biggest weakness in the plan is that it depends on
offsetting the emissions, and these offsetting plans are likely to
have full effect only over ensuing decades &mdash; <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_(Carbon_offsetting)">if they work at all</a>.


feed_id: 7cb496250bc4e61e06279b4f2b66daed
title: Upgrading voters
uri: Upgrading-voters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#17_February_2020_%28Upgrading_voters%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/nevada-addresses-concerns-about-election-security-by-sw-1841692470">satire</a>) *the Nevada State Democratic Party announced Friday
   that it had addressed election security concerns by upgrading to a new
   system of electronic voters.*


feed_id: 697c9ec854249c50ed193897fc420365
title: Nils Melzer on Assange
uri: Nils-Melzer-on-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#17_February_2020_%28Nils_Melzer_on_Assange%29
content:
<p>
Nils Melzer, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, explains how the legal
process against him was rigged from the start <a href="https://www.republik.ch/2020/01/31/nils-melzer-about-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange">and violated legal norms
over and over</a>.

<p>
Why he is concerned about this case:

<blockquote>
The case falls into my mandate in three different ways: First, Assange 
published proof of systematic torture. But instead of those responsible 
for the torture, it is Assange who is being persecuted. Second, he 
himself has been ill-treated to the point that he is now exhibiting 
symptoms of psychological torture. And third, he is to be extradited to 
a country that holds people like him in prison conditions that Amnesty 
International has described as torture. In summary: Julian Assange 
uncovered torture, has been tortured himself and could be tortured to 
death in the United States. And a case like that isn’t supposed to be 
part of my area of responsibility?
</blockquote>

<p>
Melzer also explains how the legal procedures against Assange in
Sweden and the UK were run corruptly all along, violating all norms
of justice.

<p>
He also explains painstakingly how the Swedish state fabricated
charges against Assange, twisting what the two women actually said.
Rather than pursuing "justice" for them &mdash; supposed "justice" which
they did not want &mdash; the Swedish state only used them as an excuse
for bullshit.


feed_id: b3387521817dc77f219d800868009c62
title: Bloomberg in support for republican
uri: Bloomberg-in-support-for-republican
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#17_February_2020_%28Bloomberg_in_support_for_republican%29

content:
<p>
Bloomberg raised funds <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2020/02/14/democratic-presidential-candidate-michael-bloomberg-gop-bankroller/">for a Republican congresscritter in 2018</a>.


feed_id: 4432b8d14a4dc4a357fe62ab491d873c
title: Domestic workers enslavement
uri: Domestic-workers-enslavement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#17_February_2020_%28Domestic_workers_enslavement%29
content:
<p>
Nepal tried to protect Nepalese women from effective enslavement
as domestic workers in Persian Gulf countries by prohibiting Nepalese
from going there for such jobs.  But <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/feb/14/how-nepals-migration-ban-traps-female-modern-day-slaves-in-the-gulf">it didn't stop them, and made them
even more vulnerable once there</a>.

<p>
Nepal's embassy could give them new passports and fly them back to
Nepal.  But since Nepal is so poor, maybe cannot afford the flights.

<p>
Is there a chance or organizing ship they will take them to India,
perhaps once a month?  They might have to wait a few weeks on the ship,
but it would be better than being stuck in Kuwait as a slave.

<p>
The world powers could make these Gulf countries change their
policies, if they got together.

<p>
In a few decades, the problem may solve itself &mdash; those countries
probably won't exist any more, due to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> and sea-level
rise.  If we can stop them from exporting oil and causing global
heating, those countries may stop hiring foreign workers.


feed_id: 5e3fb4b1b0d90b531cfeeb02c1e25531
title: Immigrants without food and medical care
uri: Immigrants-without-food-and-medical-care
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#17_February_2020_%28Immigrants_without_food_and_medical_care%29

content:
<p>
Immigrants in California <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/14/will-they-take-my-kids-away-the-immigrants-refusing-food-aid-amid-trump-crackdown">are going without food and medical care for
fear of being denied residency for accepting them</a>.


feed_id: 3cea29b4615ac095cddcc225b70a7530
title: Promoting meat eating
uri: Promoting-meat-eating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#17_February_2020_%28Promoting_meat_eating%29
content:
<p>
*EU spending tens of millions of euros a year <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/14/eu-spending-tens-of-millions-of-euros-a-year-to-promote-meat-eating">to promote meat eating</a>.*

<p>
It is one of many issues where the EU works for the interests of
European businesses even to the detriment of Europeans' (and others')
life, health, or freedom.


feed_id: 8b9c480d6b417a247f776811ca85fab4
title: Anti-Bernie Sanders ads
uri: Anti-Bernie-Sanders-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#17_February_2020_%28Anti-Bernie_Sanders_ads%29
content:
<p>
*AIPAC Is Helping Fund Anti-Bernie Sanders <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/14/aipac-anti-bernie-sanders-ads-nevada/">Super PAC Ads in Nevada</a>.*


feed_id: 6e7aa56bcd1a919cd29b16ff0142df4b
title: Risks of interfering
uri: Risks-of-interfering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#17_February_2020_%28Risks_of_interfering%29
content:
<p>
*When Trump interferes with the proper exercise of power, as he did with
   Roger Stone, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/13/donald-trump-judiciary-independence-barr-roger-stone-case">he puts at risk the life, liberty and reputation of every
   American</a>.*


feed_id: ebe2284543d6d2e66af78d02b85f4f32
title: Escaping reality
uri: Escaping-reality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#17_February_2020_%28Escaping_reality%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/fox-news-producer-knows-his-work-formulaic-but-at-least-1841642387">satire</a>) *Fox News Producer Knows His Work Formulaic But At Least It
Helps People Escape Reality For Couple Hours.*


feed_id: 36e83918116d83cfa8ca3dc07638afad
title: Deaths by toxic pollution
uri: Deaths-by-toxic-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#17_February_2020_%28Deaths_by_toxic_pollution%29
content:
<p>
Toxic pollution from fossil fuel <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/12/mass-murder-new-report-says-air-pollution-fossil-fuel-combustion-causing-45-million">is estimated to kill over 4 million
people annually</a>.

<p>
This does not count the number killed by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> effects.


feed_id: cbdf9c3b43da0213cad8b955b33e9280
title: Oligarch
uri: Oligarch
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#17_February_2020_%28Oligarch%29
content:
<p>
Bloomberg acts like a true oligarch, using his money's power to reshape
the political system <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/12/michael-bloomberg-american-billionaire-oligarch">so he can squeeze more money out of it</a>.

<p>
The idea of “hate the game, not the player” is sometimes valid when
the game is one that people play for recreation &mdash; because they can
play some other game instead.

<p>
However, the idea is inapplicable when they treat our political system
as their game and exploit people through it.  Those who take advantage
of a bad political system to exploit people are always personally
culpable, even if the system is too.

<p>
*Bloomberg in 2014: <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/14/mike-bloomberg-privacy-nsa-surveillance-emails/">"We Should Hope" the NSA Is "Reading Every Email"</a>.*


feed_id: b6147234302602434b9fdef6cfa429ac
title: Destroying the climate
uri: Destroying-the-climate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#17_February_2020_%28Destroying_the_climate%29
content:
<p>
Republicans propose to destroy the climate <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/02/12/gop-climate-solution-doubles-oil-subsidy">in order to "save" it</a>.
  This is done in the most blatant possible way: by extending a tax cut
on oil.

<p>
*How to Support Your Children <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/12/how-support-your-children-turning-climate-angst-climate-action">in Turning Climate Angst Into Climate Action</a>.*

<p>
The comparison with the "Keep America Beautiful" campaign illustrates
a common paradigm: business change the system in a way that tends to create
a problem, then tells the millions they deal with that compensating for
that tendency is their responsibility.


feed_id: 7429c841e13554c10978b04f17ff2c01
title: Keeping academics silent
uri: Keeping-academics-silent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#17_February_2020_%28Keeping_academics_silent%29
content:
<p>
UK universities are ordering academics to keep silent on social media
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/feb/12/naked-intimidation-how-universities-silence-academics-on-social-media">about issues affecting their work environment</a>.


feed_id: 7944a5591d6ed7ddff7108c68787e69d
title: Urgent: Save the lifeline program
uri: Urgent-Save-the-lifeline-program
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Save_the_lifeline_program%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/internet_save_lifeline_2020/">call
on the FCC not to damage the lifeline program</a>.  (It provides phone
and internet to poor people at low cost.)
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: e0a320ef498941defcd03817e85eca54
title: Senate resolution to deauthorize fighting Iran
uri: Senate-resolution-to-deauthorize-fighting-Iran
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Senate_resolution_to_deauthorize_fighting_Iran%29

content:
<p>
The Senate 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/13/senate-passes-war-powers-resolution-stop-trump-launching-illegal-attack-iran">passed
the resolution to deauthorize fighting Iran</a>.  However, this is
apparently a joint resolution (which requires presidential approval or
else a 2/3 supermajority) rather than a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#14_February_2020_(Urgent:_deauthorize_war_with_Iran)">concurrent
resolution</a>.  Why did the Senate choose to do this in a form that
won't have legal effect?


feed_id: 30d4a520512f60e61c7a621dc78fc711
title: British immigration thugs
uri: British-immigration-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28British_immigration_thugs%29
content:
<p>
British immigration <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> held Rahman Mahafuzer’s six-year-old boy for
10 hours, and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/13/boy-six-refused-medical-attention-by-heathrow-airport-border-staff-father-says">refused
to call a medic even though the boy was vomiting</a>.
<p>
They seem to have blamed the father for the vomit, as if he had
intentionally made his son sick just to annoy them.
<p>
This is probably indirectly related to leaving the EU, because the
campaign stirred up bigotry and this look like an instance of that
bigotry.


feed_id: fa025906f1e12d1279378b75983962c4
title: Big Spill worse than previously believed
uri: Big-Spill-worse-than-previously-believed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Big_Spill_worse_than_previously_believed%29

content:
<p>
The oil leaked from the Big Spill in the Gulf of Mexico, in 2010,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/13/deepwater-horizon-disaster-oil-worse-impact-study-finds">spread
below the surface much farther than was visible on the surface from
satellites</a>.
<p>
Since fishing was not banned in areas beyond the visible oil slick,
that underwater oil could have got into fish which humans then ate.
<p>
I wonder if 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jan-apr.html#14_April_2012_(Oil_Companies)">the
dispersants that BP poured on the oil</a>, which make the oil mix more
with water, played a role in causing that.  This response was
criticized at the time.


feed_id: 016456e954e70e11819a18c074aa05ad
title: Las Vegas makes it crime to live on sidewalk
uri: Las-Vegas-makes-it-crime-to-live-on-sidewalk
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Las_Vegas_makes_it_crime_to_live_on_sidewalk%29

content:
<p>
Las Vegas has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/13/las-vegas-homeless-sleeping-ban-no-lodging">made
it a crime to live on the sidewalk</a>.  Someone campaigned for this
cruelty because he did not like finding excrement on the street.
<p>
They could have addressed the ostensible problem by providing proper
toilets instead.  But if the real goal was to treat homeless people
with contempt, that would not have sufficed.
<p>
As for squatting, if people suffer from homelessness and a house is
uninhabited, I think they should take it.


feed_id: 9aa34f0e29353d39a55a2bc85e6e7c59
title: Violence of French thugs
uri: Violence-of-French-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Violence_of_French_thugs%29
content:
<p>
The violence of the French <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/13/french-police-violence-gilets-jaunes-victims">derived
from repression in African colonies</a>.  Now there is video to prove
it, and the state is facing public reprobation.


feed_id: a052f7fa187cf98853d2a8e63eac3eeb
title: Sanctions against countries that repress journalists
uri: Sanctions-against-countries-that-repress-journalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Sanctions_against_countries_that_repress_journalists%29

content:
<p>
Amal Clooney and others 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/feb/13/amal-clooney-protect-journalists-from-detention-with-international-sanctions-report-urges">propose
international sanctions against countries that repress
journalists</a>.
<p>
I am in favor of it.  Don't forget the US and UK, for 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_October_2019_(Julian_Assange_extradition_hearing)">their
treatment of Julian Assange</a>.


feed_id: 72a5f4a49d1631ca6047be04c9dac061
title: Bloomberg's cut
uri: Bloomberg-s-cut
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Bloomberg%27s_cut%29
content:
<p>
*Mike Bloomberg Claims He Cut Stop and Frisk by 95 Percent — <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/11/bloomberg-stop-and-frisk/">After
Increasing It Seven Fold</a>.*

<p>
He misrepresents his past actions in several ways, and denies his
documented past racism.


feed_id: a8900c2ac0de757839d18e01251d10d0
title: Lobbying IRS
uri: Lobbying-IRS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Lobbying_IRS%29
content:
<p>
*Foreign-Funded Dark-Money Groups Lobby IRS <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/15/dark-money-irs-reporting-501c/">to Repeal Remaining Reporting</a>.*

<p>
This illustrates a standard phenomenon: the rich lobby to change
the rules in their favor.


feed_id: c8b681d4a152cf571353e99b919e84a2
title: Worst-likely-case of climate disaster
uri: Worst-likely-case-of-climate-disaster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Worst-likely-case_of_climate_disaster%29

content:
<p>
A worst-likely-case projection <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/15/worst-case-scenario-2050-climate-crisis-future-we-choose-christiana-figueres-tom-rivett-carnac">of climate disaster in 2050</a>.

<p>
If you have a child this year, that's what per 30th birthday could be like.
Per 40th would be even worse.  Unless you want to do that to someone you love,
don't have one!

<p>
Each birth avoided will make it a little less bad.


feed_id: 565d868b151173c880b5eb9b0a1bec1b
title: DCCC support for Rep.Cuellar
uri: DCCC-support-for-Rep-Cuellar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28DCCC_support_for_Rep.Cuellar%29
content:
<p>
The DCCC and Pelosi are supporting Rep. Cuellar, who is so
plutocratist <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/14/dccc-backed-incumbent-henry-cuellar-gets-support-koch-network-progressive-primary">that the Koch brothers support him too</a>.


feed_id: 28468e1f629c910cc79997b910180d06
title: Not the Onion
uri: Not-the-Onion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Not_the_Onion%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/further/2020/02/12/after-trump-shoots-susan-collins-middle-5th-avenue-she-says-shes-troubled-still">satirical title</a>) After [the bully] Shoots Susan Collins In the Middle of
5th Avenue, She Says She's "Troubled" But Still Supports Him.

<p>
This is not the Onion.  The title is extrapolation, but the article is
serious criticism of Senator Collins.


feed_id: 1bdeb92a5e6a5084354bba534f31267d
title: Forcing bodyguards to stay at Trump's hotel
uri: Forcing-bodyguards-to-stay-at-Trump-s-hotel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Forcing_bodyguards_to_stay_at_Trump%27s_hotel%29

content:
<p>
The conman has the Secret Service pay exorbitant rates for his
bodyguards <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/house-democrats-ask-secret-service-for-details-about-its-payments-to-trumps-company/2020/02/12/33b4a13e-4db3-11ea-bf44-f5043eb3918a_story.html">to stay in his hotel when off duty</a>.

<p>
This sort of corrupt self-dealing is the conman's basic MO.


feed_id: 47e491cc43c0886f9d08eb508ccd67ed
title: Medical debt scheme
uri: Medical-debt-scheme
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Medical_debt_scheme%29
content:
<p>
A county in Kansas has a peculiar law that arrests people for unpaid
medical debt, charges them $500 "bail", and never returns it.  
The money goes <a href="https://boingboing.net/2020/02/10/kentucky-county-sends-people-t.html">to the gougers, and to a lawyer who implement the scheme</a>.


feed_id: 326c1dd91229eac9496df4aea100592b
title: Urgent: reject the BURN IT act
uri: Urgent-reject-the-BURN-IT-act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Urgent%3A_reject_the_BURN_IT_act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/dont-let-congress-kill-encryption?nowrapper=true">call on Congress</a> to reject the BURN IT act,
which would let Barr ban services from supporting effective encryption.

<p>
"BURN IT" is not the bill's official name, but describes it accurately.


feed_id: 1306fe7f23d00ae4ad23229a9477e22e
title: 3 meters for 2C
uri: 3-meters-for-2C
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%283_meters_for_2C%29
content:
<p>
At most 2C of global heating, around 120,000 years ago, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/13/mass-melting-of-antarctic-ice-sheet-led-to-three-metre-sea-level-rise-120000-years-ago">caused at
least 3 meters of sea-level rise</a>.


feed_id: 06184554c7c118ea1178a5e0208f00cc
title: Centralization of globalization
uri: Centralization-of-globalization
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Centralization_of_globalization%29

content:
<p>
*Of course there’s a globalisation backlash. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/13/globalisation-backlash-open-markets-borders-climate-populism-coronavirus">It has failed billions of people</a>.*

<p>
Globalization of manufacturing is also a danger for society, because
it eliminates redundancy.  If only one company knows how to make an
XYZ, it is easy for one local disaster to eliminate all the capacity
and knowledge of how to make them.  This is happening just as we are
doing things that will make lots of local disasters.


feed_id: da263fa3457a6a875cf1ddfca125b559
title: The anybody vote
uri: The-anybody-vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28The_anybody_vote%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/moderates-worry-klobuchar-splitting-people-who-will-vot-1841639479">satire</a>) *&hellip; moderate Democrats were worried Amy Klobuchar could split
   the crucial people-who-will-vote-for-anybody vote.*


feed_id: 2f007acaa9bdf6df7d2ceb0ff7cb83a7
title: Hear my pitch
uri: Hear-my-pitch
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Hear_my_pitch%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/bloomberg-hires-thousands-of-canvassers-to-stop-black-m-1841701859">satire</a>) *Michael
   Bloomberg’s presidential campaign hired thousands of canvassers Friday
   to stop black men on the street and force them to hear his campaign
   pitch.*

<p>
Could we say his campaign is getting frisk-y?


feed_id: d3de6d994520ed6ad5b5ea2200a5e4d0
title: Reducing recidivism
uri: Reducing-recidivism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Reducing_recidivism%29
content:
<p>
One city in the UK has reduced recidivism rates by 15% by offering people
charged with certain crimes the opportunity <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/14/durham-pioneering-police-scheme-slashes-reoffending-rates-rehabilitation-programme">to participate in
rehabilitation courses and win deferred prosecution</a>.

<p>
This rehabilitation before prosecution is unusual, but US prisons used
to provide rehabilitation programs for the convicted.  That was
eliminated in the 80s when US politicians found they could win
elections by promising to be "tough".  That is also how the US ended
up with the world's highest percentage of population in prison.


feed_id: 2e0a3bef74077cdcea8f6d9e67fe4f92
title: Barr and Stone
uri: Barr-and-Stone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Barr_and_Stone%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/14/warren-sanders-join-letter-urging-ag-barr-resign-immediately-over-corrupt-role-roger">Senators to Barr</a>: "The shocking action taken by you or your senior
   staff to seek special protections for Mr. Stone make a mockery of
   your responsibilities to seek equal justice under the law."

<p>
But Barr has done this more than once: he has a habit of subjecting
political cases to special review of the prosecutors' actions, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/14/more-political-interference-doj-barr-installs-outside-prosecutor-scrutinize-michael">looking
for excuses to intervene</a>.

<p>
Prosecutors in the US have been known to break the law so as to make
trials unfair.  It might be a wise policy to give _every_ trial a
special review to see if prosecutors violated the defendant's rights
&mdash; if that were done fairly.

<p>
However, special preference for cronies of the conman is not justice.
The prosecutors in the Stone case <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/further/2020/02/11/thugs-r-us-roger-stone-prosecutors-all-quit-after-doj-meddles-sentencing-appease">resigned in protest</a>.

<p>
Bizarrely, Barr claims that the conman is undermining his authority <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/13/william-barr-trump-twitter-justice-department">by
tweeting about this</a>.  I cannot believe that Barr really wishes to be independent of the conman,
or that he is so.


feed_id: b5dd34e7f8f5f794af62afcf2cda036d
title: Extinction forecast
uri: Extinction-forecast
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Extinction_forecast%29
content:
<p>
Modeling that considers species' ability to move <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/14/climate-crisis-could-cause-third-plant-and-animal-species-disappear-within-50-years">forecasts 30% of species
on Earth could be wiped out in 50 years</a>.


feed_id: c0df1e4aba890ae72b50d6d24125d25c
title: Urgent: Gratis phone calls for prisoners
uri: Urgent-Gratis-phone-calls-for-prisoners
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Gratis_phone_calls_for_prisoners%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/keep-families-connected-connecticut-free-prison-calls">call
on Connecticut</a> to make phone calls for prisoners gratis.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 6dc2e19e12c382c8dc6dbc9c0b7bde48
title: Urgent: Equal Rights Amendment
uri: 2020-02-19-Urgent-Equal-Rights-Amendment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Equal_Rights_Amendment%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-on-lets-put-the-era-in-the-constitution?nowrapper=true">call
on the Senate</a> to extend the deadline on ratifying the Equal Rights
Amendment.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 303bf4b6e6e512c99f886b586220d933
title: Urgent: Ban local subsidies for Amazon Ring
uri: Urgent-Ban-local-subsidies-for-Amazon-Ring
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_local_subsidies_for_Amazon_Ring%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-congress-ban-local-subsidies-amazon-ring/">call
on Congress</a> to Ban local subsidies for Amazon Ring snooping
cameras.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: ada3678883d6353484c2e44414e4a14b
title: Campaign against extradition of Julian Assange
uri: Campaign-against-extradition-of-Julian-Assange
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Campaign_against_extradition_of_Julian_Assange%29

content:
<p>
Politicians in the UK, Europe and Australia are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/16/assanges-extradition-case-critical-moment-anti-war-movement">starting
to campaign against extradition of Julian Assange</a>.
<p>
The sad thing is that Bogus Johnson has a pattern of contempt for
everything that gets in his way.  He does not care about Assange, one
way or the other; he is negotiating a deal with the conman, so I
expect him to offer Assange in exchange for some of what he does want.


feed_id: 594d647ab7fbf98d4a10117108a0dba9
title: Death penalty in Tennessee
uri: Death-penalty-in-Tennessee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Death_penalty_in_Tennessee%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/16/tennessee-death-row-nicholas-sutton-execution/">Will
Tennessee Kill a Man Who Saved Lives on Death Row?</a>*


feed_id: a390e336ab8efb40621f01a9c6f44e71
title: A Professor Was Called a Pedophile Because of His Work
uri: A-Professor-Was-Called-a-Pedophile-Because-of-His-Work
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28A_Professor_Was_Called_a_Pedophile_Because_of_His_Work%29

content:
<p>
*A Professor Was Called a Pedophile 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/16/academic-freedom-free-speech-ut-austin/">Because
of His Work</a>.*


feed_id: c1922ecd7f87778dd8896bc05f7a05be
title: Children of immigrants in UK at risk of arbitrary exile
uri: Children-of-immigrants-in-UK-at-risk-of-arbitrary-exile
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Children_of_immigrants_in_UK_at_risk_of_arbitrary_exile%29

content:
<p>
*Deportations to Jamaica, the Shamima Begum case and Windrush betray a
woeful regard for the notion of citizenship* in the UK.
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/16/citizenship-precious-right-not-to-be-arbitrarily-revoked-by-the-state">negligence
of a basic human right for many of its own citizens</a>.*
<p>
This puts "all children of immigrants, all Jews and everyone from
Northern Ireland" at risk of arbitrary exile.


feed_id: c752b3f3fea3b232df14cfa786daf7d2
title: Personal medical data
uri: Personal-medical-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Personal_medical_data%29
content:
<p>
Personal medical data is a special case, among data bases of personal
data, because 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/16/our-personal-health-history-is-too-valuable-to-be-harvested-by-tech-giants">there
is a pressing reason to collect it and a pressing reason to look for
patterns in it</a>.  Perhaps the data can be made safe through a
system where no company or researcher can have a copy of the data, or
unlimited access to it; rather, they have to submit queries to be
vetted.


feed_id: 2250e393ae2ab4a13ad955141e4179be
title: Conman out-Nixons Nixon
uri: Conman-out-Nixons-Nixon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Conman_out-Nixons_Nixon%29
content:
<p>
*In his assault on justice, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/16/donald-trump-richard-nixon-department-justice-william-barr-roger-stone">Trump
has out-Nixoned Nixon</a>.*


feed_id: 03e9992843ccdebb332b0d688ac0fc9e
title: Bloomberg and the conman
uri: Bloomberg-and-the-conman
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Bloomberg_and_the_conman%29
content:
<p>
*Bloomberg and [the conman] are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/11/bloomberg-trump-two-sides-same-coin">two
sides of the same sinister coin</a>.*


feed_id: 9a5a1ae67fa959b5da3f4837fdfceb8b
title: Use of computers and software in elections
uri: Use-of-computers-and-software-in-elections
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Use_of_computers_and_software_in_elections%29

content:
<p>
The use of untrustworthy computers and software in elections &mdash;
in other words, <em>any</em> computers and software &mdash; 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/04/iowa-caucus-app-results-elections/">turns
any mishap, even an accidental one, into a source of distrust</a>.
People worry that the system was "hacked" (that is, 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/on-hacking.html">cracked</a>).
<p>
There is a danger that Russian crackers will break the security and
alter the results.  But I am more worried about that the voting
machine companies or election authorities will alter the results.
They can do this without cracking the security &mdash; they simply
step around it.


feed_id: 241feb9d395207ea24a6ec5eebfef22d
title: UK budget cut policy
uri: UK-budget-cut-policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28UK_budget_cut_policy%29
content:
<p>
The UK's policy of budget cuts for everything except enriching the
rich has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/04/terror-attacks-show-britain-needs-new-ideas-on-deradicalisation">undermined
efforts to deradicalize terrorists</a>.


feed_id: 800f9c439f5c5f720aa3a100448c27f5
title: Subsidized cattle ranching businesses
uri: Subsidized-cattle-ranching-businesses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Subsidized_cattle_ranching_businesses%29

content:
<p>
The US government subsidizes some cattle ranching businesses by
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/02/03/taxpayers-fleeced-once-again">charging
a pittance for letting their cattle graze on public land</a>.
<p>
This subsidy to beef promotes eating too much beef, which is bad
for individual health and for the survival of a livable climate.
It should end.


feed_id: fec78946dbdbde7c95b0dd65a00cb4ed
title: Barr and Stone
uri: 2020-02-19-Barr-and-Stone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#18_February_2020_%28Barr_and_Stone%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/14/warren-sanders-join-letter-urging-ag-barr-resign-immediately-over-corrupt-role-roger">Senators to Barr</a>: "The shocking action taken by you or your senior
   staff to seek special protections for Mr. Stone make a mockery of
   your responsibilities to seek equal justice under the law."

<p>
But Barr has done this more than once: he has a habit of subjecting
political cases to special review of the prosecutors' actions, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/14/more-political-interference-doj-barr-installs-outside-prosecutor-scrutinize-michael">looking
for excuses to intervene</a>.

<p>
Prosecutors in the US have been known to break the law so as to make
trials unfair.  It might be a wise policy to give <em>every</em> trial
a special review to see if prosecutors violated the defendant's rights
&mdash; if that were done fairly.

<p>
However, special preference for cronies of the conman is not justice.
The prosecutors in the Stone case <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/further/2020/02/11/thugs-r-us-roger-stone-prosecutors-all-quit-after-doj-meddles-sentencing-appease">resigned in protest</a>.

<p>
Bizarrely, Barr claims that the conman is undermining his authority <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/13/william-barr-trump-twitter-justice-department">by
tweeting about this</a>.  I cannot believe that Barr really wishes to be independent of the conman,
or that he is so.


feed_id: c2b11470808cffd14480d98447911862
title: Impact of diet on memory
uri: Impact-of-diet-on-memory
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Impact_of_diet_on_memory%29
content:
<p>
*Researchers find a western-style diet can impair brain function.
After a week on a high fat, high added sugar diet, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/feb/19/researchers-find-a-western-style-diet-can-impair-brain-function">volunteers scored
worse on memory tests</a>.*


feed_id: f0601e27933eb86c8b733328207b9363
title: Beavers work
uri: Beavers-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Beavers_work%29
content:
<p>
*Beavers cut flooding and pollution and boost wildlife populations &mdash;
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/17/beavers-cut-flooding-and-pollution-and-boost-wildlife-populations">according to a five-year study of animals in Devon</a>.*


feed_id: 48af36109bea099a3303bdf51dcdd516
title: The Volunteer
uri: The-Volunteer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28The_Volunteer%29
content:
<p>
*The Volunteer by Jack Fairweather review – the hero <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/feb/17/the-volunteer-by-jack-fairweather-review-witold-pilecki-auschwitz">who sent himself to
Auschwitz</a>.*

<p>
Jan Karski infiltrated the guards of a Nazi murder camp, and since he
was not a prisoner, he found it easy enough to leave to report on the
murder methods.  Later, in the US, he reported this to officials, who
did not believe what he told them.  He recounted this is in his book,
Story of a Secret State.


feed_id: 2287a64e386713fedc278fb701fd69f8
title: Uighurs persecution
uri: 2020-02-19-Uighurs-persecution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Uighurs_persecution%29
content:
<p>
Reasons to imprison Uighurs in brainwashing camps include *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/18/china-detains-uighurs-for-growing-beards-or-visiting-foreign-websites-leak-reveals">growing a
beard, wearing a veil or accidentally visiting a foreign website</a>.*


feed_id: 98db95cc0ef3ff62789b8577865b1381
title: Startup idea
uri: Startup-idea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Startup_idea%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/dnc-offers-startup-500-million-to-develop-pencil-that-1841455042">satire</a>) *DNC Offers Startup $500 Million To Develop Pencil That Can Accurately
Record Election Results.*


feed_id: 9fa27faa3ea32e4a2a148d3a8f17350b
title: Resign Now
uri: Resign-Now
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Resign_Now%29
content:
<p>
*More Than 2,000 Former US Department of Justice Officials Tell William Barr:
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/16/more-1100-former-us-department-justice-officials-tell-william-barr-resign-now">Resign Now</a>!*


feed_id: f5e42765095bb13fd7e5522c74cb0468
title: Why Taliban are fighting
uri: Why-Taliban-are-fighting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Why_Taliban_are_fighting%29
content:
<p>
The Afghan government's soldiers say the reason they are fighting is
for the pay.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/16/afghan-troops-say-taliban-are-brothers-and-war-not-really-our-fight">They can't find other work</a>.

<p>
Meanwhile, the Taliban soldiers are fighting mainly because the US
side has killed their relatives.  That is not a deep commitment, but
it is stronger than a salary.  No wonder the Taliban keep gaining.
But this suggests that if the US stops fighting them, in a few years
they will not be motivated to fight the US any more.


feed_id: d733deff0db03f4ef9e2f770f8de9de4
title: No bottling for state waters
uri: No-bottling-for-state-waters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28No_bottling_for_state_waters%29
content:
<p>
Washington State is considering a law to put its waters <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/17/safeguard-public-welfare-and-public-interest-groundbreaking-measure-washington-state">off limits to
bottling</a>.


feed_id: 1b1e7c191b6e1265dd29ccaf988651a4
title: Farmicide
uri: Farmicide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Farmicide%29
content:
<p>
Dicamba, Monsanto's latest herbicide, the next generation after
Roundup, is meant to be used with genetically engineered resistant
crops.  But it drifts off the field and poisons nearby farms.
Monsanto has been ordered <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/17/victory-farmers-jury-awards-grower-265-million-damages-drift-monsantos-dicamba">to pay 15 million dollars in compensation to
a large peach farm that has been destroyed, plus 250 million in
punitive damages</a>.

<p>
Will it be possible to rebuild the production there, or is it lost forever?


feed_id: 59ed261da2b58e88bcbd474d51986bca
title: Support for attacks against constitutional order
uri: Support-for-attacks-against-constitutional-order
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Support_for_attacks_against_constitutional_order%29

content:
<p>
After the US-supported coup in Honduras in 2009, the country has
suffered two more attacks against the constitutional order, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/17/we-talk-about-one-us-backed-coup-hondurans-talk-about-three">both with
US support of course</a>.


feed_id: 736da89aa2003cb558da9797c94c68e6
title: Secret making of trade treaties
uri: Secret-making-of-trade-treaties
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Secret_making_of_trade_treaties%29

content:
<p>
The UK never set up a system for Parliament to review or approve trade
treaties.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/18/britain-sovereignty-trade-deals-mps-boris-johnson">Ministers and officials write them in secret and impose them</a>.

<p>
Any bad law can be policy-laundered this way, and a trade deal with the
US under any plausible president but Sanders or Warren will surely do
great harm.

<p>
The article falls into the common error of talking about "intellectual
property" <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">as if that term referred to some specific thing</a>.


feed_id: c90abf4471054a75bf0bb7ae342fa297
title: Vape debate
uri: Vape-debate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Vape_debate%29
content:
<p>
*The great vape debate: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/18/the-great-vape-debate-are-e-cigarettes-saving-smokers-or-creating-new-addicts">are e-cigarettes saving smokers or creating new addicts</a>?*


feed_id: ff55dbf6726bfb27b19547260dc1ca6d
title: No returning home
uri: No-returning-home
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28No_returning_home%29
content:
<p>
The UK, France and other countries <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/02/06/british-islamic-state-suspects-set-go-trial-syria/">are blocking their citizens
captured by Rojava (for supporting PISSI) from returning home</a>.

<p>
The Kurds are now reluctantly trying them for their crimes,
but are not in a position to reliably keep people in prison for decades.


feed_id: 4e24d4b11e56567843e60f78bb9178cb
title: Urgent: Ban facial recognition in schools
uri: Urgent-Ban-facial-recognition-in-schools
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_facial_recognition_in_schools%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-congress-ban-facial-recognition-schools/">call
on Congress</a> to ban face recognition in schools.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 34b30c922d7e00bfe9ce2495dd17030d
title: Urgent: Call on judge not to extradite Assange
uri: Urgent-Call-on-judge-not-to-extradite-Assange
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_judge_not_to_extradite_Assange%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://diy.rootsaction.org/petitions/judge-baraitser-do-not-extradite-julian-assange-to-the-usa">call
on the judge presiding over Assange's extradition hearing</a> not to
extradite him.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 00f8fa21a8c635a8fdedd84d5eba7539
title: Urgent: Racial justice groups funded by Bloomberg
uri: Urgent-Racial-justice-groups-funded-by-Bloomberg
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Racial_justice_groups_funded_by_Bloomberg%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13852">call
on Bloomberg</a> to fund racial justice groups instead of a
presidential campaign.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 1f99f5bdaea662dc8646fc61a9f443cc
title: Leading students away from hate
uri: Leading-students-away-from-hate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Leading_students_away_from_hate%29

content:
<p>
An interview with Alan Singer about 
<a href="https://www.educationviews.org/can-schools-teach-not-to-hate-an-interview-with-alan-singer-from-hofstra-university/">what
schools can do to lead students away from hate</a>.
<p>
Notably, schools can't do the whole job of eradicating racism and
bigotry.  That requires changing the conditions of inequality that
people grow up in.


feed_id: 42d29c80dcf300dd3112c349b070b53b
title: US hospital workers can't afford healthcare
uri: US-hospital-workers-can-t-afford-healthcare
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28US_hospital_workers_cant_afford_healthcare%29

content:
<p>
*"We can’t afford healthcare": US hospital workers 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/17/hospital-healthcare-workers-unions-wages-conditions">fight
for higher wages</a>.*
<p>
Henry Ford famously paid the workers of his car factory enough that
they could buy his cars.


feed_id: c34550b2c003eebf6a93b0127b55a2a7
title: Bloomberg aims to privatize public schools
uri: Bloomberg-aims-to-privatize-public-schools
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Bloomberg_aims_to_privatize_public_schools%29

content:
<p>
Bloomberg 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/17/michael-bloomberg-education-reforms-public-schools">aims
to privatize public schools</a>, much
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#29_May_2017_(Democrats_and_DeVos)">like
DeVos</a>.


feed_id: 45de5e16fbbde4622e37abad125c6577
title: Class war against Bernie Sanders
uri: Class-war-against-Bernie-Sanders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Class_war_against_Bernie_Sanders%29

content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/17/escalating-class-war-against-bernie-sanders">The
Escalating Class War</a> Against Bernie Sanders.*


feed_id: 555ae719083176d8dbc6fffa43ad2af9
title: China censoring sick people
uri: China-censoring-sick-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28China_censoring_sick_people%29
content:
<p>
China's medical system, overwhelmed by people sick with Covid-19
coronavirus, is unable to treat them all, so China is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/17/wuhan-china-doctors-coronavirus">censoring
people who talk about needing help</a>.
<p>
To be ready to treat so many sick people is not easy.  Are other
countries stockpiling what they will need?  In the US, Republicans
tend to neglect such preparations because they don't care about
non-rich people.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> cares even less than usual.


feed_id: 4aeeba5f92746ffb5931097b0fbcfb0a
title: Online purchasing and packaging waste
uri: Online-purchasing-and-packaging-waste
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#19_February_2020_%28Online_purchasing_and_packaging_waste%29

content:
<p>
The amount of online purchasing of goods has brought about 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/shortcuts/2020/feb/17/hidden-costs-of-online-delivery-environment">mountains
of additional packaging waste</a>.


feed_id: 8b8a87a9be2cc424dacac177e837dd09
title: Urgent: delete false political ads
uri: Urgent-delete-false-political-ads
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#21_February_2020_%28Urgent%3A_delete_false_political_ads%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/facebook-ads?nowrapper=true">call on Facebook</a> to delete false political ads.


feed_id: f129ce78f534e88ca47409c05c803bfa
title: Ending immigration of low-wage workers
uri: Ending-immigration-of-low-wage-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#21_February_2020_%28Ending_immigration_of_low-wage_workers%29

content:
<p>
The UK plans to push hard <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/18/the-new-uk-immigration-rules-tell-employers-to-suck-it-up">to end immigration of low-wage workers</a>.
  We will find out if it really achieves a increase of standards of
living and of productivity.

<p>
Scandinavian countries have a different approach: tax the rich more
and spend more on helping people.  That method visibly does work.


feed_id: 12b282d743bdefc59587912b015e92bd
title: Pardoning corrupt officials
uri: Pardoning-corrupt-officials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#21_February_2020_%28Pardoning_corrupt_officials%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> demonstrated his contempt for all attempts to restrain corruption
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/18/us/politics/trump-pardon-blagojevich-debartolo.html">by pardoning a number of corrupt officials and crooks</a>.

<p>
Sanders <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/19/sanders-says-trump-clemency-wall-street-crooks-and-corrupt-officials-lays-bare">put it well</a>.


feed_id: e0ceb3efd2568c392eed0693fcbb3f19
title: Fear marketing
uri: Fear-marketing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#21_February_2020_%28Fear_marketing%29
content:
<p>
Amazon's Ring surveillance cameras are marketed as a way to catch
burglars and reduce burglary, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/all/cute-videos-little-evidence-police-say-amazon-ring-isn-t-n1136026">but there is no evidence that they
really do either one</a>.

<p>
This seems to be a campaign of marketing that uses fear to manipulate
people.


feed_id: 5332668ea406852cb242b7f8dafcf838
title: Quarantine in an authoritarian country
uri: Quarantine-in-an-authoritarian-country
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#21_February_2020_%28Quarantine_in_an_authoritarian_country%29

content:
<p>
China's early coverup for Covid-19, and the resulting epidemic, has
led to mass demand for freedom of speech, just as the state <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/19/dissent-becomes-another-victim-of-coronavirus-as-china-cracks-down">is applying
quarantine via threats far beyond the normal level of cruelty</a>.

<p>
One example is Chen Qiushi, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/10/coronavirus-journalist-missing-in-wuhan-as-anger-towards-chinese-authorities-grows">who has reported from Wuhan</a>.
  A week ago, he was apparently disappeared and his mother could not
find him.


feed_id: 0262422270d2879c489eb499c1105db3
title: Impunity for torturers
uri: Impunity-for-torturers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#21_February_2020_%28Impunity_for_torturers%29
content:
<p>
*Impunity Guaranteed for Torturers (and Presidents).* None of the US
government's torturers has been held responsible.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/18/impunity-guaranteed-torturers-and-presidents">Before the bully,
Dubya and Obama protected them</a>.


feed_id: 6934f5eb2bd270ed2c1b4a74215863bf
title: Carefully pushing to cut Social Security
uri: Carefully-pushing-to-cut-Social-Security
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#21_February_2020_%28Carefully_pushing_to_cut_Social_Security%29

content:
<p>
Bloomberg has not stopped pushing to cut Social Security, but <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/18/bloomberg-still-wants-cut-social-security">he has learned
to be more cagy about it</a>.


feed_id: 7ad3c51e96288058a66011a962927c2d
title: Military against climate change
uri: Military-against-climate-change
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#21_February_2020_%28Military_against_climate_change%29

content:
<p>
*Buttigieg and Centrist Dems Want a Military Response to Climate Change.
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/18/buttigieg-and-centrist-dems-want-military-response-climate-change-thats-dangerous">That’s Dangerous</a>.*

<p>
They want to enhance the military's capacity to fend off refugees and
flood waters.  That won't enable the United States of 2060 to survive
as a free and stable country.


feed_id: 454155614b547cdae3fe6c89e5e1645d
title: Fake recycling
uri: Fake-recycling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#21_February_2020_%28Fake_recycling%29
content:
<p>
*Greenpeace Finds Labels on Plastic Products "Mislead the Public and Harm
America's Recycling Systems"*.

Many plastic objects that are labeled for recycling <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/18/greenpeace-finds-labels-plastic-products-mislead-public-and-harm-americas-recycling">cannot really be recycled
in the US today</a>.


feed_id: 734a66ce118809efae17c5f3d0e4bb62
title: No liveable planet for children
uri: No-liveable-planet-for-children
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#21_February_2020_%28No_liveable_planet_for_children%29

content:
<p>
WHO: *The world <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/feb/19/the-world-is-failing-to-ensure-children-have-a-liveable-planet-report-finds">is failing to ensure children have a 'liveable planet'</a>.*


feed_id: 3d65f892ef93e0987aea2c4461a9f229
title: Useful hunting
uri: Useful-hunting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#21_February_2020_%28Useful_hunting%29
content:
<p>
A certain level of hunting is ecologically sustainable.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/19/wildlife-killing-deer-diversity-resources-environment">In the case
of deer, it is absolutely necessary</a>.


feed_id: 508f2e5b4b73a3b4fae423c22bfdb3e2
title: Cast rebel's fears
uri: Cast-rebel-s-fears
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#21_February_2020_%28Cast_rebel%27s_fears%29
content:
<p>
What it's like for a Dalit to "pass" as Brahmin: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/feb/19/coming-out-as-dalit-how-one-indian-author-finally-embraced-her-identity">fear of making one
little mistake that will give it away</a>.


feed_id: d70c44da0306bb62fc736a7ea16fffdd
title: Benefits of urban trees
uri: Benefits-of-urban-trees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#21_February_2020_%28Benefits_of_urban_trees%29
content:
<p>
Urban trees and hedges absorb air pollution.  They also <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/feb/18/plantwatch-how-urban-trees-and-hedges-help-cut-air-pollution">soak up rain,
thus reducing flooding</a>.


feed_id: 5c5550b119896b8f4037b62446fb4e34
title: Eradicating tropical diseases
uri: Eradicating-tropical-diseases
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#21_February_2020_%28Eradicating_tropical_diseases%29

content:
<p>
"Neglected" tropical diseases have harmed hundreds of millions of
people.  We are on the verge of eradicating some of them, but if we
don't push on and reach that point, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/19/job-not-done-fight-to-combat-neglected-tropical-diseases">they will spread again</a>.


feed_id: a096c819b245eddada06459f0c6fb77d
title: Reality check
uri: Reality-check
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#21_February_2020_%28Reality_check%29
content:
<p>
Utah Republicans have become aware all of a sudden <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/19/utah-republicans-climate-crisis-plan">of harm global
heating can do</a>.


feed_id: e75f9a9a525b66aca75240ea26722c40
title: Locusts in East Africa
uri: Locusts-in-East-Africa
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#22_February_2020_%28Locusts_in_East_Africa%29
content:
<p>
Locusts in East Africa 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/feb/20/huge-locust-swarms-raise-fears-of-food-shortages-in-south-sudan">threaten
25 million people with hunger</a>.


feed_id: f0a86a86263c97b4acfbac8dbf4b68af
title: Chance to kill "unitary patent" agreement
uri: Chance-to-kill-unitary-patent-agreement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#22_February_2020_%28Chance_to_kill_unitary_patent_agreement%29

content:
<p>
FFII contends that the departure of Britain from the EU has
invalidated the "unitary patent" agreement, and this 
<a href="http://blog.ffii.org/germany-can-no-longer-ratify-the-unitary-patent-due-to-brexit-and-the-established-aetr-case-law-says-ffii/">offers
a chance to kill it permanently</a>.
<p>
This is important because that deal would make the European Patent
Office effectively autonomous regarding the question of which ideas
are patentable &mdash; and it 
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/europes-unitary-patent.html">would
certainly take advantage of that to rule that computational ideas are
patentable</a>.
<p>
This offers one more chance to try to save software from patents
in Europe.  FFII will campaign to do this, and I will offer my help.


feed_id: f68ae4edb878afa71acd25283bf15fdd
title: Preventing the insect apocalypse
uri: Preventing-the-insect-apocalypse
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#22_February_2020_%28Preventing_the_insect_apocalypse%29

content:
<p>
There is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/20/fates-humans-insects-intertwined-scientists-population-collapse">no
time to wait for more data</a> before taking action to prevent the
insect apocalypse.  The danger is desperately urgent.
<p>
When you need to stop the train before it runs off the broken bridge,
you can't afford to spend a minute calculating precisely how hard to
push the brakes.


feed_id: 4a1dd990aa29ca50703141ea8476d5a3
title: Google to move data about UK residents to US
uri: Google-to-move-data-about-UK-residents-to-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#22_February_2020_%28Google_to_move_data_about_UK_residents_to_US%29

content:
<p>
After the UK's exit from the European Union, Google 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/feb/20/uk-google-users-to-lose-eu-gdpr-data-protections-brexit">plans
to move the data about UK residents to the US</a>.  It will be able to
do this because the GDPR will no longer apply
<p>
The GDPR are inherently weak, because they aim at "protection of data"
already collected, rather than at 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/real-privacy-laws.html">preventing the collection
of data about people's activities</a>.


feed_id: a295deaefbf248d4f151c0605f8f44ee
title: US blocks investigator of human rights violations
uri: US-blocks-investigator-of-human-rights-violations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#22_February_2020_%28US_blocks_investigator_of_human_rights_violations%29

content:
<p>
The US has 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/20/homeland-security-algorithm-revokes-u-s-visa-war-crimes-investigator-eyal-weizman/">blocked
Eyal Weizman from visiting Miami</a> to open an exhibit about his
work.  He leads Forensic Architecture, which investigates human rights
violations world-wide.
<p>
The border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> said that a computer program suggested he was a
security threat.  However, it was the humans who decided to heed that
suggestion.  They demand a list of all citizens of Syria, Iran, Iraq,
Yemen or Somalia that he has met, and invite him to volunteer names of
everyone else he knows who might perhaps be somehow suspect.  In
effect, "conduct a fishing expedition on yourself."
<p>
In the course of investigating human rights violations he has talked
with witnesses from those countries, people of various political
affiliations.  To turn him into a US spy on all of them could benefit
the US government, both by getting more information for its giant data
bases, and by getting a lever with which to ruin his career at any
time.  It could use that lever to stop him from investigating human
rights violations committed by the US.
<p>
He was wise to this danger, and refused to give the information.
<p>
In the past, being caught doing this would have chastened the US.  The
bullshitter will boast of having damaged two birds (human rights
investigation, and justice) with one lie.


feed_id: d40c94e1d46d06f4b5ebf9b282d4d62c
title: Large trees protect crops from hurricane
uri: Large-trees-protect-crops-from-hurricane
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#22_February_2020_%28Large_trees_protect_crops_from_hurricane%29

content:
<p>
In Fiji, large trees 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/20/a-farm-to-withstand-a-cyclone-rebuilding-after-fijis-worst-storm">protected
crops from the wind and waves of a hurricane</a> &mdash; in farms that
had not cut the trees down.
<p>
(For reasons of tradition, the term "hurricane" is not used for storms
in the South Pacific, but it's the same kind of storm.)


feed_id: c0041549962fad1bd934b807c0075aad
title: Nonfree preinstalled firmware
uri: Nonfree-preinstalled-firmware
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#22_February_2020_%28Nonfree_preinstalled_firmware%29

content:
<p>
Many kinds of computer components have processors which contain
nonfree preinstalled firmware that 
<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/firmware-hacks-vulnerable-pc-components-peripherals/">can
be altered maliciously by anyone with bad intentions</a>.
<p>
Some require the firmware to be signed with a particular key.
In those, to alter the firmware maliciously requires the aid
(willing or unwilling) of the manufacturer.  Still not secure.
<p>
Real security requires that the device not allow modification of the
firmware through the connectors for normal use of the device.


feed_id: 71dc434519d74ba242d7f814dee42d8d
title: Emotions and facial expressions
uri: Emotions-and-facial-expressions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#22_February_2020_%28Emotions_and_facial_expressions%29

content:
<p>
AI programs that are claimed to recognize emotions from facial expressions
have to be bogus, because 
<a href="https://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/61389-ai-systems-claiming-to-read-emotions-pose-discrimination-risks">different
people express the same emotion with different expressions</a>.


feed_id: 613922c5844678481ef5949ca520d37f
title: Trying to refute internet propaganda lies
uri: Trying-to-refute-internet-propaganda-lies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#22_February_2020_%28Trying_to_refute_internet_propaganda_lies%29

content:
<p>
Trying to refute internet propaganda lies 
<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/you-may-not-even-know-youre-spreading-lies/">often
backfires and has the overall effect of spreading them further</a>.
It's best for most of us to ignore them.


feed_id: e15c59da1f7e80dca2833a811525ce38
title: Koch-backed fox in the henhouse
uri: Koch-backed-fox-in-the-henhouse
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#22_February_2020_%28Koch-backed_fox_in_the_henhouse%29

content:
<p>
*Fox in the Henhouse: Koch-Backed 
<a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2020/02/10/fox-henhouse-koch-backed-opponent-consumer-financial-protection-bureau">Opponent
of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Chairs Taskforce to Evaluate
Its Regulations</a>.*


feed_id: 28f5cc2b0d2cba9b1384728a1d8ad3e3
title: Russian disinformation army
uri: Russian-disinformation-army
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#23_February_2020_%28Russian_disinformation_army%29
content:
<p>
Congressional representatives say that US intelligence warned them
that the Russian disinformation army is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/20/russian-interference-2020-house-warned">still
at work, supporting the conman</a>.
<p>
Russian election meddling is a real danger, but I expect that Koch
election meddling and Bloomberg election meddling are bigger dangers.


feed_id: a50c34fd730558fed42440a0a2fb2f10
title: Teaching children media literacy
uri: Teaching-children-media-literacy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#23_February_2020_%28Teaching_children_media_literacy%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://letgrow.org/teaching-media-literacy/">Ideas</a> for
teaching children media literacy.


feed_id: ae26d967de793374673f8041bb1bbfd2
title: Methane emissions from fossil fuel extraction
uri: Methane-emissions-from-fossil-fuel-extraction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#23_February_2020_%28Methane_emissions_from_fossil_fuel_extraction%29

content:
<p>
Methane emissions from fossil fuel extraction seems to be
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/19/study-suggests-fossil-fuel-use-emits-40-more-climate-heating-methane-previously">25%-40%
more than previously thought</a>.  This implies that cuts in
extraction will make an even bigger and faster difference.  Let's get
cracking!


feed_id: 420b2109d18983706b6c387bf8050228
title: Prioritizing ending greenhouse emissions
uri: Prioritizing-ending-greenhouse-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#23_February_2020_%28Prioritizing_ending_greenhouse_emissions%29

content:
<p>
Australia's main opposition party
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/21/bushfires-highlight-need-for-urgent-climate-action-and-a-real-target-anthony-albanese-says">now
calls for prioritizing ending greenhouse emissions</a>.
<p>
His plans have the usual faults &mdash; too late, and too little
(net-zero emissions sounds nice but offsetting
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-jan-apr.html#24%20April%202010%20(Carbon-offset%20scams)">tends
to be self-delusion</a>).  Nonetheless, this is a big step forward.
<p>
Too bad it is over 2 years to the next election there.


feed_id: 3396b8c30495f14a550e37cb01b8499e
title: Warren and others put Bloomberg on the spot
uri: Warren-and-others-put-Bloomberg-on-the-spot
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#23_February_2020_%28Warren_and_others_put_Bloomberg_on_the_spot%29

content:
<p>
Warren and other candidates
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/19/elizabeth-warren-mike-bloomberg-democratic-debate">put
Bloomberg on the spot in the Democratic debate</a>, mostly for his
personal politics, but also
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/20/michael-bloomberg-democratic-debate-flopped">for
his political positions</a>.
<p>
The Onion's satire in which
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#9_February_2020_(Asking_troll_to_run_as_Democrat_to_stop_Sanders)">the
DNC asks the bullshitter to run as a Democrat</a> is just a small
exaggeration of what it is doing by facilitating his fellow
billionaire, Bloomberg.
<p>
"If he wins the presidency, striking a 'grand bargain' with Mitch
McConnell to cut our earned benefits is
<a href='https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/19/contempt-shown-bloomberg-recipients-social-security-indicates-billionaire-would-seek'>likely
to be among his top priorities</a>."


feed_id: 4c33caf68e9a3f3ce1f895e43d0a8566
title: Australians accused of supporting PISSI
uri: Australians-accused-of-supporting-PISSI
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#23_February_2020_%28Australians_accused_of_supporting_PISSI%29

content:
<p>
Australia
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/21/arrest-warrants-issued-for-australians-in-syria-including-women-with-children-in-al-hawl-camp">seeks
to arrest and try</a> the Australians accused of supporting PISSI, who
are now in prison in Syria.
<p>
That is the right thing to do with them &mdash; not exile them.


feed_id: d6e2c911994bd37031139ab3076290bb
title: Terrorist inspired by US right-wing conspiracy theories
uri: Terrorist-inspired-by-US-right-wing-conspiracy-theories
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#23_February_2020_%28Terrorist_inspired_by_US_right-wing_conspiracy_theories%29

content:
<p>
A white-supremacist terrorist murdered 9 people in bars in Germany,
then killed himself.  He was
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/21/hanau-attack-part-of-pattern-of-white-supremacist-violence-flowing-from-us">inspired
by US right-wing extremist conspiracy theories</a>.
<p>
The
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/21/german-far-right-party-afd-hanau-attack">Nazi-like
AfD party</a> is accused of fomenting this hatred.
<p>
Ironically, there really is a conspiracy in the US to abuse and
torture children (plus a larger number of teenagers), operating at
locations that are inaccessible.  It is a right-wing conspiracy,
created by the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> and operated by the US Department of Hatred and
Suffering (DHS).  Its victims are imprisoned immigrants.


feed_id: 4fdbd3f241a4cdea431be1b5cb0d2cf3
title: Latest excuse to ban environmentalist protests
uri: Latest-excuse-to-ban-environmentalist-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#23_February_2020_%28Latest_excuse_to_ban_environmentalist_protests%29

content:
<p>
The latest Australian excuse to ban environmentalist protests is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/21/tasmanian-anti-logging-protesters-banned-from-forests-over-unsafe-behaviour">claiming
the protests are making an unsafe workplace</a>.


feed_id: dd8d4636f5cb93d5808a75cb4ea3ccde
title: Tories bring renewed misery to non-homeowners
uri: Tories-bring-renewed-misery-to-non-homeowners
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#23_February_2020_%28Tories_bring_renewed_misery_to_non-homeowners%29

content:
<p>
Tories have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/21/housing-property-market-young-rising-prices">brought
renewed misery to Britons that don't own a house</a>.
<p>
However, Bogus Johnson is making specific exceptions to the policy of
crushing the non-rich,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/21/tories-new-right-culture-war-leftwing-economics-labour">cutting
into the resentment against making people suffer without eliminating
all the suffering</a>.


feed_id: 01f651a763f3aff9a7c69d558f00ed2d
title: Global heating denialist bots
uri: Global-heating-denialist-bots
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#23_February_2020_%28Global_heating_denialist_bots%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/feb/21/climate-tweets-twitter-bots-analysis">1/4
of all tweets about global heating</a> come from denialist bots.


feed_id: 7f8f3f2ff34fc9a987f5d8b9f7a12150
title: UK university staff strike
uri: UK-university-staff-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#23_February_2020_%28UK_university_staff_strike%29
content:
<p>
Low-paid UK university staff, including teachers, are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/20/university-staff-jobs-strike-pay-workload-equality">on
strike</a>.


feed_id: ac40bab3dbcc938088e50b4c768f8300
title: Colorado River slowly drying
uri: Colorado-River-slowly-drying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#23_February_2020_%28Colorado_River_slowly_drying%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is slowly
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/20/colorado-river-flow-shrinks-climate-crisis">drying
up the Colorado River</a>.  The resulting drought could force millions
of people to move.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/21/california-drought-february-rain-snow-pack-sierra">California
is also drying</a> due to global heating.


feed_id: a7105cb6a7496f73c24b19f003fef7c0
title: EU police plan facial recognition database network
uri: EU-police-plan-facial-recognition-database-network
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#23_February_2020_%28EU_police_plan_facial_recognition_database_network%29

content:
<p>
*Leaked Reports Show EU Police Are Planning a
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/21/eu-facial-recognition-database/">Pan-European
Network of Facial Recognition Databases</a>.*


feed_id: 060ab4d5d78c68318293d76d997318ae
title: Worst-likely-case scenario for 2050
uri: Worst-likely-case-scenario-for-2050
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#24_February_2020_%28Worst-likely-case_scenario_for_2050%29

content:
<p>
A worst-likely-case scenario for 2050 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/15/worst-case-scenario-2050-climate-crisis-future-we-choose-christiana-figueres-tom-rivett-carnac">if the planet-roasters remain in control</a>.

<p>
Some have envisioned the complete extinction of humanity.  I think
that is unlikely.  People survived with low tech in harsh environments
before, and could do so again, albeit in small numbers (most of
humanity would be killed by such a transition).


feed_id: fcc8f54e8c4d6e7dd7b4d45f97a4f379
title: Couldn't do without his donations
uri: Couldn-t-do-without-his-donations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#24_February_2020_%28Couldn%27t_do_without_his_donations%29

content:
<p>
CommonDreams reports that Emily's List and the Center for American
Progress silenced their criticism of Bloomberg <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/15/grotesque-corruption-emilys-list-center-american-progress-sold-out-michael-bloomberg">because they couldn't
do without his donations</a>.

<p>
That's the power oligarchs enjoy.  In the same way, Bill Gates's money
ensured that hardly anyone in the field of education would criticize
his plans <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-nov-feb.html#17_February_2014_(Gates_Foundation's_plan_for_redesigning_education_in_US)">to restructure public schools in the US</a>.


feed_id: a63e1a16c024a79dce3c2bccbf9e6ef1
title: Teaching assistants threatened while on strike
uri: Teaching-assistants-threatened-while-on-strike
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#24_February_2020_%28Teaching_assistants_threatened_while_on_strike%29

content:
<p>
Teaching assistants at the University of Santa Cruz are on strike
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/21/university-california-santa-cruz-graduate-students-strike">are threatened with being fired from their assistantships</a>.


feed_id: ba1dc5c79a8d4077221c51089c0ceb25
title: Chevrolet Teton
uri: Chevrolet-Teton
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#24_February_2020_%28Chevrolet_Teton%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/gm-ups-ante-in-suv-race-with-new-14-seat-11-door-7-wh-1841830056">satire</a>) *General Motors
   unveiled Friday their new 14-seat, 11-door, 7-wheel, 4-trunk Chevrolet
   Teton.*


feed_id: 0d4131fa82ce1a5e7c78c4ddcc28cc7c
title: An advantage of cash
uri: An-advantage-of-cash
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#24_February_2020_%28An_advantage_of_cash%29
content:
<p>
Always paying cash (as I do) can save you lots of money <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/feb/21/oliver-burkeman-dont-give-up-cash-value-seeing-what-spend">by helping you
decide not to buy</a>.
  It is important to learn to appreciate that, each you consider buying.

<p>
And that's not to mention the most important thing it can give you:
privacy!


feed_id: 5be75ea2f4e82e66e4633b3ca39303f1
title: No election for exiled
uri: No-election-for-exiled
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#24_February_2020_%28No_election_for_exiled%29
content:
<p>
Bolivia's court says Evo Morales cannot run for senator in Bolivia <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/21/they-are-afraid-democracy-says-evo-morales-bolivian-tribunal-bars-him-running-senate">because
he is not a resident there</a>.
  What a sick excuse!  (He has taken refuge in exile since the coup in
November, only 3 months ago.)


feed_id: 6bb55ab1c44c1abb513c944919961d5f
title: Regulation on forever chemicals
uri: Regulation-on-forever-chemicals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#24_February_2020_%28Regulation_on_forever_chemicals%29

content:
<p>
Safe drinking water advocates applauded the public pressure which
forced the EPA on Thursday to announce it would regulate substances
known as "forever chemicals"—<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/21/avalanche-public-pressure-forces-trumps-epa-regulate-pfas-water-safety-experts-warn">but warned the new rules could take years
to have an impact on water safety</a>.*


feed_id: affdb6b231cf46fb12ee55c8bb7ab821
title: No monopoly on coronavirus vaccine
uri: No-monopoly-on-coronavirus-vaccine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#24_February_2020_%28No_monopoly_on_coronavirus_vaccine%29

content:
<p>
*Democrats Call on White House to Ensure <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/20/democrats-call-white-house-ensure-any-coronavirus-vaccine-not-profit-making-venture">Any Coronavirus Vaccine Is Not
[a Monopoly] for Big Pharma</a>.*


feed_id: 0f1d47366d22ba3b37545d5fb6573167
title: When a democrat is republican
uri: When-a-democrat-is-republican
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#24_February_2020_%28When_a_democrat_is_republican%29

content:
<p>
*'No Tolerance': Union Urges DCCC to Cut Off Support to Dems <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/20/no-tolerance-union-urges-dccc-cut-support-dems-who-voted-against-pro-labor-bill">Who Voted Against
Pro-Labor Bill</a>.*

<p>
The bill passed the house despite them, but when a "Democrat" is as
Republican as that, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee should
not support per.


feed_id: 0a602bcee33e60b0bef5e1aded7496de
title: Disbelieving reports of pain
uri: Disbelieving-reports-of-pain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#24_February_2020_%28Disbelieving_reports_of_pain%29
content:
<p>
People demonstrate racist and sexist bias in showing sympathy for
someone who reports pain.  When the sufferer is black, or female,
others <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/20/weinstein-trial-begs-question-why-pain-women-and-minorities-often-ignored">often look for excuses to disbelieve the report</a>.


feed_id: fac5153c26f4951a4e190744329b3020
title: Harassment of non violent dissent
uri: Harassment-of-non-violent-dissent
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#24_February_2020_%28Harassment_of_non_violent_dissent%29

content:
<p>
The British state tells schools and other institutions to report
people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/21/prevent-environment-animal-activists-referred-extremism">for nonviolent commitment to dissenting positions such as
protecting the environment, and animal rights</a>.

<p>
It was only a matter of time before this mechanism was put to the
service of labeling dissent as "terrorism".


feed_id: a6195ff70c770229f590ae4dde0e7bfc
title: Inhabiting antisocial media
uri: Inhabiting-antisocial-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#24_February_2020_%28Inhabiting_antisocial_media%29
content:
<p>
Decreased acquaintance with neighbors in the UK is marching along
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/20/britons-sense-of-community-belonging-is-falling-data-shows">with increased use of antisocial media</a>.


feed_id: f967c169a666b79451f0f9bc73827f62
title: Trying to bribe Assange
uri: Trying-to-bribe-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#24_February_2020_%28Trying_to_bribe_Assange%29
content:
<p>
A US Republican politician tried to bribe Assange to say that Putin was
not involved in leaking DNC emails, offering him a pardon.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/feb/20/julian-assange-case-is-the-dreyfus-of-our-age-says-john-mcdonnell">Assange refused</a>.

<p>
There is a disagreement about whether that offer came from the conman or not,
but I don't think that detail changes anything.

<p>
Bravo for opposition shadow-minister McDonnell for speaking up for Assange.


feed_id: 5f72106c2c418aaff325e907f77f50c0
title: Sanders vs Putin
uri: Sanders-vs-Putin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#24_February_2020_%28Sanders_vs_Putin%29
content:
<p>
Sanders would work to reduce the global problems that Putin derives his
power from exploiting: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/20/bernie-sanders-russia-putin-kremlin">tax havens (plutocracy), dependence on fossil fuels,
and seeing international relations as a zero-sum competition for power</a>.


feed_id: fa95dc8ac688850a94da7b4ed3e5d802
title: Superdelegates' nomination
uri: Superdelegates-nomination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#24_February_2020_%28Superdelegates%27_nomination%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic candidates running against Sanders <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/20/democratic-convention-bernie-sanders-superdelegates-nominee">would welcome
superdelegates giving them the nomination</a>.

<p>
There is a real danger that that will happen.


feed_id: 3e9cd6974737bb934062e2ce17718437
title: Living in flammable house
uri: Living-in-flammable-house
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#25_February_2020_%28Living_in_flammable_house%29
content:
<p>
Half a million people in Britain live in buildings with flammable
"cladding" insulation, and they face the threat of enormous bills to
replace it &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/24/half-a-million-people-in-uk-live-in-flats-with-unsafe-cladding-report">bills they cannot ever pay</a>.


feed_id: abcacc218b00fb4e355c1741244731c4
title: Support for Equal Rights Amendment
uri: Support-for-Equal-Rights-Amendment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#25_February_2020_%28Support_for_Equal_Rights_Amendment%29

content:
<p>
3/4 of Americans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2020/feb/24/equal-rights-amendment-era-poll-congress">support the Equal Rights Amendment</a>.
  3/4 of Americans also believe the Constitution already requires
equal rights for men and women.  I wonder how the two questions, and
their answers, relate.  Did the pollsters inform people about the
current situation before asking whether they support the amendment?


feed_id: 865aaff9574ddf4edf1369696d189cd5
title: Media against Sanders
uri: Media-against-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#25_February_2020_%28Media_against_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
The US mainstream media have thrown a series of fabrications and
exaggerations at Sanders, but now that we have actual election
results, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/24/bernie-sanders-electability/">we can see they are not true</a>.

<p>
US mainstream media's coverage of Sanders is not just subtly wrong.
It is thoroughly and persistently <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/24/us-media-elite-newspapers-television-trump-sanders">disconnected from reality</a>.


feed_id: 02528f0855f2cd5ecb25096ea133e643
title: Protests against pipeline
uri: Protests-against-pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#25_February_2020_%28Protests_against_pipeline%29
content:
<p>
Protesters are blocking train tracks in Canada <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/19/more-protesters-block-train-tracks-wetsuweten-pipeline-fight-canda">to protest the
planned planet-roaster pipeline to Canada's west coast</a>.

<p>
The indigenous Wet’suwet’en group continues <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/23/wetsuweten-protest-coastal-gaslink-pipeline/">to resist attempts to
build the pipeline across its land</a>.


feed_id: e8193c479af0958a6e2159a9c962d0cb
title: Politics of identity
uri: Politics-of-identity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#25_February_2020_%28Politics_of_identity%29
content:
<p>
*Beware the politics of identity. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/23/beware-politics-of-identity-they-help-legitimise-toxic-far-right">They help legitimize the toxic far right</a>.*


feed_id: 5c5e322f6e47446e7a3094d475e67f43
title: Peace with Taliban
uri: Peace-with-Taliban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#25_February_2020_%28Peace_with_Taliban%29
content:
<p>
The US and the Taliban have agreed on a truce and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/23/trump-taliban-truce-peace-deal-afghanistan">are considering a peace deal
if the truce holds</a>.


feed_id: 975d5d123f57f77e934d2a7e3822c674
title: Undoing justice reform
uri: Undoing-justice-reform
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#25_February_2020_%28Undoing_justice_reform%29
content:
<p>
*[Thugs], Prosecutors, and Republicans <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/23/criminal-justice-bail-reform-backlash-new-york/">Are Looking to Undo a Criminal
Justice Reform in New York</a>.*


feed_id: 9878d2868f6cb68da76f6fe5865bcf63
title: If internet goes down
uri: If-internet-goes-down
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#25_February_2020_%28If_internet_goes_down%29
content:
<p>
A fable about what happens if all life activities <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/feb/23/oliver-letwin-internet-of-things-tipping-point-apocalypse-how-interview">are managed
over the internet, and it goes down</a>.

<p>
Cash will continue to work.


feed_id: d0c62bc68b4568210874fdd9ebb5bd4b
title: Cost of not fixing problems
uri: Cost-of-not-fixing-problems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#25_February_2020_%28Cost_of_not_fixing_problems%29
content:
<p>
People who criticize the cost of Sanders's plans to fix our pressing
problems <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/22/bernie-sanders-green-new-deal-medicare-for-all-expensive-inaction">fail to compare them with the cost of not fixing them</a>.

<p>
Except for Warren, the other candidates don't propose to really fix them.


feed_id: ecc51699611c1f20ee8d32c239482c20
title: Gourmet food trucks
uri: Gourmet-food-trucks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#25_February_2020_%28Gourmet_food_trucks%29
content:
<p>
Gentrification is replacing old fashioned food stalls and food trucks
with "gourmet" versions inside chic markets, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/23/street-food-swindle-fake-diversity-privatised-space-small-portions">that make the food a
little fancier and far more expensive</a>.

<p>
They may enable you to formulate a romantic fantasy of your meal, as
long as you can afford to eat there.


feed_id: dc2cc32e00ae2deb0950cefe1ce6eab3
title: Banning unions
uri: Banning-unions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#25_February_2020_%28Banning_unions%29
content:
<p>
The bully is preparing to ban unions <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/22/travesty-and-disgrace-trump-quietly-issues-memo-could-abolish-union-rights-750000">for the civilian workers in the
Defense Department</a>.


feed_id: 5fa6147716ce55a5c67583b8174cf71d
title: Smearing Sanders
uri: Smearing-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#25_February_2020_%28Smearing_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
A right-wing MSNBC anchorman compared Sanders's success in Nevada
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/23/msnbc-chris-matthews-sanders-nevada-win-nazi-invasion">with the German conquest of France in World War II</a>.

<p>
One crucial difference which he disregarded is that Sanders is doing
well in a peaceful, democratic election, whereas France in 1940 was
defeated by a military invasion.

Many MSNBC commentators <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/23/msnbc-full-blown-freakout-mode-bernie-sanders-cements-status-democratic-frontrunner">are also smearing Sanders</a>.


feed_id: 3870d416fea25c67a6e933f99035afc2
title: A wall for Trump
uri: A-wall-for-Trump
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#25_February_2020_%28A_wall_for_Trump%29
content:
<p>
India built a wall so that the bullshitter <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/18/trump-india-visit-wall-criticism-hiding-poor-people">would not be able to see
a slum during his visit there</a>.

<p>
Supposedly this was for "security reasons", and that might be true in
an ironic way.  If he had seen the poor people's improvised houses,
who knows what he might have done?  Bomb the whole city?


feed_id: 6f8ee12de53f4f5d74cdea63b99697cd
title: Bloomberg News bullying
uri: Bloomberg-News-bullying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#25_February_2020_%28Bloomberg_News_bullying%29
content:
<p>
Bloomberg News killed Michael Forsythe's article about intimate
financial dealings of relatives of Chinese party officials, because it
didn't want to jeopardize its sales in China.  Then it fired him, and
demanded repayment of money provided for him to move to Hong Kong
unless both he and his wife signed a nondisclosure agreement.
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/18/mike-bloomberg-lp-nda-china/">Then it threatened to sue them if she didn't</a>.

<p>
She, Leta Hong Fincher, now reports on those events.  Bloomberg News
seems to demand others bow meekly to its threats just as it bows
to China's threats.

<p>
Bravo Ms Fincher!


feed_id: 99bfb9a3882244fa86a5c5e5a9068c09
title: Choosing what to pollute
uri: Choosing-what-to-pollute
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#25_February_2020_%28Choosing_what_to_pollute%29
content:
<p>
New exhaust scrubbers now required for ships keep toxic pollutants out 
of the air <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/17/shipping-pollution-regulations-could-harm-food-chain">by sending them into the ocean instead</a>.
  This is not necessarily better.


feed_id: a1c1f47883ff72df9fb3d48546ca3920
title: No more impunity
uri: No-more-impunity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#26_February_2020_%28No_more_impunity%29
content:
<p>
The conviction of Weinstein shows that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/25/the-guardian-view-on-harvey-weinstein-a-rapist-behind-bars">victim-blaming and millions no
longer assure impunity</a>.


feed_id: 6778d18dfcf7233dbdff14e73dd27b0c
title: Hair racism
uri: Hair-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#26_February_2020_%28Hair_racism%29
content:
<p>
Black students in some countries' public schools often face punishment
because of the shape and form of their hair, which doesn't easily comply
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/25/black-pupils-excluded-hair-discrimination-equality-act">with the rules designed based on white students</a>.


feed_id: 8c1a1c42bf21e2fb4018a405554ae47c
title: Plutocrat infiltration
uri: Plutocrat-infiltration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#26_February_2020_%28Plutocrat_infiltration%29
content:
<p>
*A 'brokered convention' designed to block Bernie Sanders <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/25/bernie-sanders-democrats-brokered-convention">would be a poison
pill</a>.*

<p>
We will see whether the Democratic Party is so obedient to plutocrats
(including Bloomberg) that it will destroy itself at their command in
order to block Sanders.

<p>
Bloomberg is spending <a href="https://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2020/02/is-mike-bloomberg-buying-dnc-if-so-what.html">a lot of money to make that happen</a>.

<p>
Buttigieg has morphed into a plutocratist tool to attack Sanders,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/24/corporate-tool-buttigieg-now-hammer-bash-sanders">along with progressive political ideas</a>.


feed_id: dbf088a181c682acedc588f985edc18d
title: Thugs aiming for eyes
uri: Thugs-aiming-for-eyes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#26_February_2020_%28Thugs_aiming_for_eyes%29
content:
<p>
Because Chilean <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> systematically shot protesters in the eye,
people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/25/chile-photographs-protest-statues-graffiti">have painted bloody eye sockets on statues around Chile</a>.


feed_id: 9cf0a5dd3dedccf6bb192a85ae4c41c1
title: Sabotage of justice
uri: Sabotage-of-justice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#26_February_2020_%28Sabotage_of_justice%29
content:
<p>
Craig Murray reports on how Julian
Assange's extradition hearing is
being stage-managed as a show trial.
The public is nearly excluded, and
the mainstream media <a href="https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2020/02/your-man-in-the-public-gallery-assange-hearing-day-1/">quote from prosecutors'
press release instead of reporting
on the real matters at stake</a>.

<p>
The whole article is worth reading.  The details are far worse than I
would have supposed.

<p>
*Julian Assange was handcuffed 11 times, stripped naked twice and
   had his case files confiscated after the first day of his extradition
   hearing, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/feb/25/julian-assange-handcuffed-stripped-naked-claim-lawyers">according to his lawyers, who complained of interference in
   his ability to take part</a>.*

<p>
To do this to a person who has never shown any tendency to violence,
and who is hardly able to access weapons, is sheer political theater
as well as sabotage of his defense.


feed_id: fa39ab00bf4d93968e2dd9d14462b902
title: No AIPAC event for Sanders
uri: No-AIPAC-event-for-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#26_February_2020_%28No_AIPAC_event_for_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
Sanders will not attend the AIPAC event: "You can support the
Palestinian and Israeli people without supporting leaders or
organizations <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/24/political-courage-sanders-will-not-attend-aipac-conference-over-concern-basic">that oppose the freedom and liberation of the
Palestinian people</a>."


feed_id: d3343d481db1d7948b6df57eac2796c2
title: 10 years of prison for book publisher
uri: 10-years-of-prison-for-book-publisher
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#26_February_2020_%2810_years_of_prison_for_book_publisher%29

content:
<p>
China has sentenced kidnapped book publisher Gui Minhai <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/25/gui-minhai-detained-hong-kong-bookseller-jailed-for-10-years-in-china">to 10 years in prison</a>.


feed_id: 30fc41f80a0eb6946c7163679ff25ddc
title: Plan for others
uri: Plan-for-others
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#26_February_2020_%28Plan_for_others%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/u-s-unveils-plan-for-rest-of-world-to-become-carbon-ne-1841885532">satire</a>) *the United States unveiled a
   plan Monday for the rest of the world to become carbon-neutral by 2030.*


feed_id: e83a3e027b8dbbc5b4b7ace855754673
title: Child care as investment
uri: Child-care-as-investment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#26_February_2020_%28Child_care_as_investment%29
content:
<p>
Sanders proposes federally-funded prekindergarten and child care
for young children, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/24/democratic-frontrunner-bernie-sanders-releases-plan-guaranteed-child-care-and-pre-k">as an investment in America's future</a>.


feed_id: cef1db7f8e1a4145be0d11592dcb8eae
title: Greyhound stops collaborating
uri: Greyhound-stops-collaborating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#26_February_2020_%28Greyhound_stops_collaborating%29

content:
<p>
Greyhound has stopped allowing deportation thugs <a href="https://reason.com/2020/02/24/greyhound-finally-says-no-to-random-border-patrol-checks-of-its-buses/">to enter buses at
will and demand to see passengers' ID</a>.


feed_id: 922c8e6026029592e95a970617d0b4ef
title: Good name, though
uri: Good-name-though
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#26_February_2020_%28Good_name%2C_though%29
content:
<p>
Governments meeting about protecting biodiversity have presented a
"Global Rescue Plan", <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/24/global-rescue-plan-stop-mass-extinction-hopelessly-weak-and-inadequate">but aside from the name, it is inadequate</a>.


feed_id: 5c947f82b929e40e7c7151116828a0cc
title: Public pressure vs mining company
uri: Public-pressure-vs-mining-company
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#26_February_2020_%28Public_pressure_vs_mining_company%29

content:
<p>
Public pressure for climate defense convinced a mining company <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/24/amazing-news-climate-activists-celebrate-victory-after-forcing-company-abandon">to drop
its application to start a new tar sands oil mine</a>.


feed_id: f46478a17a71310238e667c94ebbb947
title: More chances to radicalize each other
uri: More-chances-to-radicalize-each-other
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#26_February_2020_%28More_chances_to_radicalize_each_other%29

content:
<p>
UK plans to keep prisoners, that were convicted of somehow supporting
terrorism (which can include having copies of propaganda or
information), longer in prison can backfire <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/feb/19/longer-jail-time-for-terrorists-could-backfire-says-watchdog">by giving prisoners more
of a chance to further radicalize each other</a>.

<p>
Whatever we do to those prisoners, it has some chance of reducing terrorism
and some chance of inciting more terrorism.  No perfect solution is known.
It is foolish to presume that "tougher equals better."


feed_id: 7fc613c575d46aad75dc82f02788af4d
title: Trouble getting food
uri: Trouble-getting-food
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#26_February_2020_%28Trouble_getting_food%29
content:
<p>
1/3 of the population of Venezuela <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/24/venezuela-hungry-food-insecure-un-world-food-program">has trouble getting food</a>.

<p>
This is partly because of Maduro's foolish policies, and partly because
of crushing US sanctions on Venezuela.


feed_id: 14ffb572bdb5fb9407695ead84e80b11
title: Bloomberg's investment portfolio
uri: Bloomberg-s-investment-portfolio
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#26_February_2020_%28Bloomberg%27s_investment_portfolio%29

content:
<p>
*Bloomberg’s Investment Portfolio <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/24/mike-bloomberg-investment-portfolio/">Includes Bets on Private Equity, Fracking</a>.*


feed_id: 878c795cdaf44fcafeabc77cda911bb7
title: Corrupting administration
uri: Corrupting-administration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#27_February_2020_%28Corrupting_administration%29
content:
<p>
The corruptor is replacing many US civil servants <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/26/johnny-mcentee-trump-purge-civil-service-deep-state">with people
personally loyal to him</a>.


feed_id: 4b74158c79904623242a34cde99c3e94
title: Cause of extinction
uri: Cause-of-extinction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#27_February_2020_%28Cause_of_extinction%29
content:
<p>
Some ocean bottom species live only in in a small area of the bottom.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/26/the-rare-and-super-weird-creatures-at-risk-from-deep-sea-mining-aoe">A single zinc mine could cause extinction</a>.


feed_id: 30314dba6a68ab5f485829dc31fb10ff
title: Lead poisoning is still a thing
uri: Lead-poisoning-is-still-a-thing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#27_February_2020_%28Lead_poisoning_is_still_a_thing%29

content:
<p>
Lead poisoning from lead paint <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/26/lead-poisoning-minorities-poor-americans">continues to stunt the intelligence
of many US children</a>.


feed_id: 87a29f76f96b2728e3d620725994b9c9
title: Prosecuted for journalism
uri: Prosecuted-for-journalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#27_February_2020_%28Prosecuted_for_journalism%29
content:
<p>
Your Man in the Public Gallery – Assange Hearing Day 2.  The judge is
so hostile towards Assange that when his lawyer, joined by the
prosecutor, call on her to ask the prison officials not to persecute him
(so he would be able to participate properly in his case), when they both said this was normal practice and that prison officials usually followed judges'
advice, <a href="https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2020/02/your-man-in-the-public-gallery-assange-hearing-day-2/">she said she had never heard of such a thing</a>.

<p>
At the end, she announced that UK law authorized extradition for political
offenses.  Shame on the UK, if that is true.

<p>
The arguments in Assange's extradition hearing show that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/25/assanges-extradition-hearing-reveals-trumps-war-free-press-targeting-wikileaks">he is being
prosecuted for journalism</a>.


feed_id: 09f4635c2950c54be5510b473069d9b2
title: Redirecting political emails
uri: Redirecting-political-emails
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#27_February_2020_%28Redirecting_political_emails%29
content:
<p>
Google directs some email from political campaigns to secondary mailboxes.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/26/gmail-hiding-bernie-sanders-emails-google-inbox-sorting-consequences-2020">More from some campaigns than from others</a>.


feed_id: 74ce916604a11cb6ae30a5e49d605320
title: Pogrom against Muslims
uri: Pogrom-against-Muslims
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#27_February_2020_%28Pogrom_against_Muslims%29
content:
<p>
Armed gangs of Hindu extremists in Delhi are carrying out a
pre-planned pogrom against Muslims.  <a href="https://www.groundxero.in/2020/02/25/tu-hindu-hain-ya-muslim-pant-kholun-delhi-burning-in-flames-of-communal-hatred/">Often the uniformed thugs
support the unofficial thugs</a>.

<p>
The gangs were urged on by an official of the Hindu-extremist BJP,
which is the ruling party.  I suspect it organized the gangs, too, to
win more votes in the Delhi election.  Bigotry against Muslims is its
platform.  Prime Minister Modi got his initial political boost from
presiding over a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-jan-apr.html#19 April 2004 (Indian retrial)">pogrom in the state of Gujarat</a>, where he was a state official.

<p>
The conman and Modi are made for each other: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/26/trump-and-modi-are-undermining-the-pillars-of-the-us-india-relationship">each shift his country
towards hate and cruelty</a>.


feed_id: 4e2597b001a93bd883dd03a311553f30
title: Skepticism toward billionaires
uri: Skepticism-toward-billionaires
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#27_February_2020_%28Skepticism_toward_billionaires%29

content:
<p>
*Living under an oligarchic system, we should develop a healthy
   skepticism of the actions of billionaires, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/25/us-would-be-better-fewer-billionaires">whether they are running for
   office, bankrolling other candidates or giving billions to charity</a>.*

<p>
*'String of Intentional Outright Lies': Bloomberg Campaign <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/25/string-intentional-outright-lies-bloomberg-campaign-deletes-tweets-containing-fake">Deletes Tweets
Containing Fake Quotes of Sanders Praising Despotism</a>.*


feed_id: 0cabf7f62958d0de39df40d68b94d036
title: Closest to what is needed
uri: Closest-to-what-is-needed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#27_February_2020_%28Closest_to_what_is_needed%29
content:
<p>
Climate Defense Team endorses Sanders for president.  Comparing all
the presidential candidates' climate defense plans, it finds that
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/25/we-need-world-war-iii-style-mobilization-fight-climate-emergency-thats-why-we">Sanders's plan comes closest to what is needed to save the ecosphere</a>.


feed_id: e19c92a9d4fa5d56eb7e439947aaf0c6
title: Attempt to make an anti Semite of Sanders
uri: Attempt-to-make-an-anti-Semite-of-Sanders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#27_February_2020_%28Attempt_to_make_an_anti_Semite_of_Sanders%29

content:
<p>
*There is nothing radical about Bernie Sanders’ views on Israel, yet the
American Jewish establishment seems bent <a href="https://www.972mag.com/bernie-sanders-american-jews-israel/">on portraying the Democratic
front-runner as an anti-Semite</a>.*

<p>
What those organizations can't stand is that Sanders takes the
two-state solution seriously and is willing to press for it.  They
present themselves as representing all American Jews, but most of them
agree rather with Sanders.


feed_id: ca1c27a713dc1efa70214473197c7282
title: Continue to shoot
uri: Continue-to-shoot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#27_February_2020_%28Continue_to_shoot%29
content:
<p>
*The IDF Spokesman Announces: <a href="http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/52989.htm">Continue to Shoot Palestinian Children</a>.*


feed_id: 6a0aee77cb2548a11ad571cdb9de67b0
title: Four party system
uri: Four-party-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#27_February_2020_%28Four_party_system%29
content:
<p>
Slavoj Zizek: *US enters brutal ideological civil war <a href="http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/52973.htm">as four-party
   system begins to take form</a>.*

<p>
I disagree partially.  It is a mistake to talk about four parties;
really there are only three.  There are still some "moderate"
Republicans (though they are even further from what most Americans
stand for than the "moderate" Democrats) who disagree with the
bullshitter, but hardly any dare to stand against the extremist
Republican Party.

<p>
The US had real moral leadership during World War II and the Cold War.
In some places and times its behavior was consistent with its stated
principles, especially in Europe and Japan, even as in other parts of
the world the US supported colonial empires or economic elites.

<p>
Meanwhile, the US contended against horrible enemies.  Communist
Russia and China committed massive crimes.  Imagine if the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> could
have anyone in the US imprisoned or shot, as a whim, and nobody dared
to hint at disobedience; that's what Stalin's rule was like.  In
China, Mao's delusional "Great Leap Forward" caused an artificial
famine that killed millions.  There too, no one dared criticize.
The imprisonment of a million Uighurs for brainwashing is a sample
of what Mao's rule was like.

<p>
These were not merely a low standard of comparison against which US
looked better than it was.  They were real enemies on a global scale.

<p>
In today's United States, the good aspects have faded while the bad ones
have increased.  But we know that the way forward is with Sanders
and his political revolution.

<blockquote>
When our land was great before,
We taxed the rich a whole lot more.
</blockquote>


feed_id: 62a104512522f0aa9a41c2a585956681
title: Attack against Palestinians
uri: Attack-against-Palestinians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#27_February_2020_%28Attack_against_Palestinians%29
content:
<p>
*To connect the enclaves that make up Kedumim, [illegal Israeli
colonists] seized control of a central road serving Palestinians <a href="https://www.972mag.com/kedumim-settlement-kufr-qaddum/">and
blocked their access to it</a>.*

<p>
*Israeli ["settlers"] <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israeli-settlers-torch-fifth-grade-classroom-palestinian-village-south-nablus">torch Palestinian school in latest 'price tag' attack</a>.*


feed_id: 196ffd7c8b52b6868ae092ca36286b44
title: Partial release of political prisoners
uri: Partial-release-of-political-prisoners
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#27_February_2020_%28Partial_release_of_political_prisoners%29

content:
<p>
India has released some of the arbitrarily-imprisoned political
leaders of Kashmir.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/20/how-india-turned-kashmir-centaur-hotel-into-a-jail-for-politicians">But the former highest leaders are
still in prison</a>.


feed_id: 7976baaeca6d3603e7ea0d989f052a78
title: Family separation is torture
uri: Family-separation-is-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#27_February_2020_%28Family_separation_is_torture%29
content:
<p>
Physicians for Human Rights reports on how the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s family separation
policy amounts to torture &mdash; <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/25/family-separations-border-torture-report/">and often included intentional cruelty
to the parents and their children</a>.


feed_id: a8dade9cba3dfeeaaee1e8d3486aeb13
title: Dictators' friends
uri: Dictators-friends
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#27_February_2020_%28Dictators%27_friends%29
content:
<p>
*Bloomberg effort <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/25/mike-bloomberg-bernie-sanders-dictator-tweets-twitter">to mock Sanders with tweets praising dictators backfires</a>.*

<p>
Over and over, plutocratists accuse progressives of exactly what the
plutocratists often do.  Supporting and praising dictators is a perfect
example.


feed_id: 4b5103ebadb467ef51875c7d02b47bd8
title: Death from poverty
uri: Death-from-poverty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#28_February_2020_%28Death_from_poverty%29
content:
<p>
Error Graham died because the UK cut off his welfare benefits because
he missed an appointment.  His unsent letter to the officials who did
that begs them to "judge [him] fairly."  He was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/27/errol-graham-man-starved-death-benefits-cut-letter-welfare-officials">too depressed to send
it, or take any action except to huddle in a quilt as he starved</a>.

<p>
*Thousands of people in the UK are dying from the cold, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/27/dying-cold-europe-fuel-poverty-energy-spending">fuel poverty is to
blame</a>.*


feed_id: f536aec65989fd3b9758fe9d42ba8d2f
title: Reasons to prevent voting
uri: Reasons-to-prevent-voting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#28_February_2020_%28Reasons_to_prevent_voting%29
content:
<p>
*How Alabama blocked a man from voting <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/27/alabama-voting-rights-alfonzo-tucker">because he owed [the state] $4</a>.*


feed_id: cb369a5edcfa38b72ed7b2c8d246d561
title: Mute justice
uri: Mute-justice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#28_February_2020_%28Mute_justice%29
content:
<p>
What is said in Assange's hearing, Assange cannot hear, because he is kept in
a glass box.  He has to get a summary from his lawyers &mdash; but not very
often, as they are forbidden to speak with him in the court.


feed_id: cbc58ac05c44c1eb5025b59fc2aca100
title: No affordable vaccine
uri: No-affordable-vaccine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#28_February_2020_%28No_affordable_vaccine%29
content:
<p>
The Department of "Health" refuses to commit <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/27/outrage-hhs-chief-azar-refuses-vow-coronavirus-vaccine-will-be-affordable-all-not">to making Covid-19
vaccine affordable for all Americans</a>.

<p>
This is terribly foolish, because it would forfeit the chance of achieving
herd immunity and thus eradicating the disease.


feed_id: 678f3c0aaf9be17fbefdb122146c1e62
title: Unusual drought
uri: Unusual-drought
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#28_February_2020_%28Unusual_drought%29
content:
<p>
Party of famously rainy New Zealand <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/27/were-running-out-of-water-nz-army-sent-in-to-help-with-northland-drought-relief">is suffering from an unheard-of
drought</a>.


feed_id: 393e385456c6b4611bf4c43b8586bd35
title: Urgent: legalize marijuana
uri: Urgent-legalize-marijuana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#28_February_2020_%28Urgent%3A_legalize_marijuana%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/seize-moment-marijuana-justice">call on Congress</a> to pass the MORE Act, which would
legalize marijuana.

<p>
The page displays in an ugly way in IceCat &mdash; it looks better in lynx.
Both browsers allow you to sign this without running nonfree
JavaScript code; in IceCat you should enable LibreJS to make sure
that code does not run.


feed_id: 37aa9fc1f35c510325d107702271cae8
title: Marine protected areas
uri: 2020-02-28-Marine-protected-areas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#28_February_2020_%28Marine_protected_areas%29
content:
<p>
Palau has banned commercial fishing on most of its waters.  The protection
needs to be rebalanced, because people have entirely stopped catching tuna
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/27/palaus-marine-sanctuary-backfires-leading-to-increased-consumption-of-reef-fish">now catch the more rare (and more easily threatened) reef fish instead</a>.

<p>
People should not draw the simplistic conclusion that marine protected
areas are a bad idea.  Stricter protection on reefs, along with
allowing some additional area for fishing for tuna, might correct the
problem.


feed_id: 199fd16c5e2711676b8c427602e5a0b6
title: Sanders and coup addiction
uri: Sanders-and-coup-addiction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#28_February_2020_%28Sanders_and_coup_addiction%29
content:
<p>
*'In Chile, In Guatemala, In Iran': Sanders Applauded <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/26/chile-guatemala-iran-sanders-applauded-highlighting-us-record-overthrowing">for Highlighting
 US Record of Overthrowing Governments Around the World</a>.*

<p>
In order for the US to quit the coup addiction, it needs to start
by recognizing it.


feed_id: 72b8aca1a55987c508badf0c61c7a55a
title: Billionaires' problems
uri: Billionaires-problems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#28_February_2020_%28Billionaires%27_problems%29
content:
<p>
Billionaires are accustomed to getting the US government to do their
bidding, and feeling poor compared to decabillionaires, that they
believe <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/26/even-wall-street-plutocrats-cant-burn-bernie">they naturally deserve to rule and don't grasp what poor
Americans suffer</a>.

<p>
*'I Bough...—I, I Got Them': Bloomberg <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/26/i-bough-i-i-got-them-bloomberg-almost-admits-buying-members-congress">Almost Admits to Buying Members of Congress</a>.*

<p>
I suppose he was going to say that he bought their offices for them
rather than that he bought <em>them</em>.  After all, slavery is still illegal
in the US, and so is bribery &mdash; unless it is indirect and disguised.


feed_id: fc37b2b6a68117c0dbc103e6128548fc
title: The conman against the New York Times
uri: The-conman-against-the-New-York-Times
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#28_February_2020_%28The_conman_against_the_New_York_Times%29

content:
<p>
The conman's campaign has sued the New York Times for libel
based on a story which asserted that the conman <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/26/trump-campaign-sues-new-york-times-for-libel-over-russia-story">had an "overarching deal"
with Russia to help get him elected</a>.

<p>
That was four years ago.  It would be entirely in character for the
conman to make such a deal, but I can't remember whether we had
evidence showing he had done so.  I would like to see what the Times
says to support that claim.  It is somewhat closer to truthful than
the conman is, but it often presents half-truths, as cited in many
political notes.

<p>
It is extremely difficult for a public figure (in particular, any
candidate for office) to win a libel lawsuit in the US.  Since the suit
a New York State matter, the conman hasn't got much influence to pervert
justice with.  Maybe he plans to drop the suit after the election.


feed_id: 144e4f77568320dda30a83ef5434b0ae
title: School-to-prison pipeline
uri: 2020-02-28-School-to-prison-pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#28_February_2020_%28School-to-prison_pipeline%29
content:
<p>
The school-to-prison pipeline <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/25/florida-six-year-old-arrested-school-tantrum">begins in Florida at age 6</a>.

<p>
At least the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> was fired.


feed_id: b2416258f3a34e4fb93fe61d1a0454c9
title: Children's concerns must be heard
uri: Children-s-concerns-must-be-heard
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#28_February_2020_%28Children%27s_concerns_must_be_heard%29

content:
<p>
WHO and UNICEF: Children's "collective concerns must now be heard, and
effective actions taken <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/19/damning-new-report-says-every-nation-undermining-childrens-hopes-livable-planet">to prevent the next generation inheriting
an irreversibly damaged planet</a>."


feed_id: a7acd8f91a96e360047cfcff18c0cd5f
title: Fired for organizing a union
uri: Fired-for-organizing-a-union
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#28_February_2020_%28Fired_for_organizing_a_union%29
content:
<p>
Starbucks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/feb/25/starbucks-worker-labor-unions-organizing">is firing staff for organizing a union</a>.


feed_id: 4ba58eb683f7680289966fd14f06d671
title: Obsessive Categorization of Mental Conditions
uri: Obsessive-Categorization-of-Mental-Conditions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#28_February_2020_%28Obsessive_Categorization_of_Mental_Conditions%29

content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/american-psychiatric-association-adds-obsessive-catego-1828560637">satire</a>) *the American Psychiatric Association announced Thursday the
supplemental addition of “Obsessive Categorization of Mental
Conditions” to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual Of Mental Disorders.*


feed_id: b100d0fb24759d233b11a2e72cf470cf
title: Crowdfunding health
uri: Crowdfunding-health
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#28_February_2020_%28Crowdfunding_health%29
content:
<p>
*Barbaric': 8 Million Americans <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/19/barbaric-8-million-americans-have-been-forced-start-crowdfunding-campaigns-cover">Have Been Forced to Start Crowdfunding
Campaigns to Cover Medical Costs, Survey Shows</a>.*


feed_id: 4e2cae983e6f9f77ba967641c6c4c47d
title: Political offense
uri: Political-offense
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#2_March_2020_%28Political_offense%29
content:
<p>
Craig Murray reports on the dispute about whether the crime Assange is
accused of is a "political offense" under the extradition treaty, <a href="https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2020/02/your-man-in-the-public-gallery-assange-hearing-day-four/">and
whether the treaty matters at all</a>.

<p>
Murray, as a former ambassador of the UK, knows more about how
treaties and laws interact than the judge and prosecuting attorney
know.


feed_id: a43ed4572552a4e20b66423c1a0e3d21
title: Drying peat bog
uri: Drying-peat-bog
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#2_March_2020_%28Drying_peat_bog%29
content:
<p>
*Plan to drain Congo peat bog for oil <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/28/ridiculous-plan-to-drain-congo-peat-bog-could-release-vast-amount-of-carbon-aoe">could release vast amount of carbon</a>.*

<p>
Drying peat bogs is enough to make them burn sooner or later.
The trees burn, and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#5_July_2018_(Global_heating)">the peat burns too</a>.

<p>
People in some places <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#8_December_2018_(Ireland_phasing_out_peat_burning)">have extracted peat to use as a fuel</a>.


feed_id: 7cf31e9a6a3a0e71a7dd302345afb64f
title: Corruption in the open
uri: Corruption-in-the-open
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#2_March_2020_%28Corruption_in_the_open%29
content:
<p>
Bloomberg has literally <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/28/bloomberg-super-tuesday-texas-california-democratic-party-hires/">put state-level Democratic Party officials
on his payroll</a>.

<p>
There is no law against this &mdash; though there ought to be &mdash; but it is
no less corrupt for all that.  It demonstrates that he would be hardly 
any improvement over the current corruptor.


feed_id: 0d0b203874bbb3965a0cecf06eee2124
title: Gratis public transit
uri: Gratis-public-transit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#2_March_2020_%28Gratis_public_transit%29
content:
<p>
Luxembourg <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/28/luxembourg-public-transport-free-nationwide-congestion">has made all public transit gratis</a>, to reduce use of cars.


feed_id: 9c38d9ae93046c8d7fb9708cb87d0177
title: Rather destroying the party
uri: Rather-destroying-the-party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#2_March_2020_%28Rather_destroying_the_party%29
content:
<p>
Most of the Democratic Party's "superdelegates", those who will vote at the
convention but are not selected by voters, seem to want to block Sanders
from running at any cost &mdash; <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/27/youll-see-rebellion-sanders-supporters-denounce-open-threats-superdelegates-steal">even the destruction of the Democratic Party</a>.

<p>
Some "moderate" Democrats openly tell the public <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/27/public-doesnt-really-decide-msnbc-guest-under-fire-saying-voters-wont-choose-dem">to like it or lump it,
if that happens</a>.

<p>
*DNC Superdelegate Promoting Brokered Convention Is a Significant GOP Donor,
 <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/27/dnc-superdelegate-convention-gop-donor/">Health Care [business] Lobbyist</a>.*


feed_id: b4e318fd21b51d94cbbe9394a06a08d7
title: No additional runway
uri: No-additional-runway
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#2_March_2020_%28No_additional_runway%29
content:
<p>
A UK court ruled that building an additional runway for Heathrow
Airport is illegal <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/27/heathrow-runway-ruling-puts-planet-over-needs-of-uk-plc">because it conflicts with the UK's commitment to
reduce CO2 emissions</a>.

<p>
*For first time it seems impact of human activity has outweighed holy
   grail of economic growth.*


feed_id: be0acc71224c67a611c12e6dd9e6dd9e
title: No evidence of fraud
uri: No-evidence-of-fraud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#2_March_2020_%28No_evidence_of_fraud%29
content:
<p>
*[MIT statisticians'] New Study Finds No Evidence of OAS Fraud Claims,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/02/27/new-study-finds-no-evidence-oas-fraud-claims-very-likely-evo-morales-won">"Very Likely" Evo Morales Won Bolivia’s October Elections in the First
Round</a>.*


feed_id: 354c21233eb80c515fe99ee5f6a17a8e
title: NPR
uri: 2020-03-02-NPR
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#2_March_2020_%28NPR%29
content:
<p>
Two NPR journalists <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/19/factchecking-nprs-attempted-takedown-bernie-sanders">smeared Sanders with FUD, falsifying the views of
American voters</a> (about Sanders, about issues) just as servants of
plutocracy usually do.

<p>
In the late 1990s I noticed that NPR journalists frequently attacked
President Clinton from the right.  My dismay developed into
disapproval and I stopped listening to NPR news.


feed_id: b33fea8580a246b7d12b06d5c6c3e703
title: Held captive through healthcare
uri: Held-captive-through-healthcare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#2_March_2020_%28Held_captive_through_healthcare%29
content:
<p>
Corporations like having healthcare linked to employment. They like
   having people held captive in jobs they hate <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/19/why-wont-corporate-america-support-single-payer-medicare-all">for fear that they’ll lose
   their health coverage</a>.*

<p>
And other reasons why big companies will fight to the death &mdash; their
workers' death &mdash; against any plan that will assure those workers
get medical care.


feed_id: 6002d63b6bca5f9779e4b40ed46b9cea
title: Urgent: Roger Stone sentencing recommendation
uri: Urgent-Roger-Stone-sentencing-recommendation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#2_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Roger_Stone_sentencing_recommendation%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/roger-stone-sentencing/">call on congress</a> and the DOJ inspector general to
investigate the process of reversing the Roger Stone sentencing
recommendation.


feed_id: e693061ddaf80b04049df258fb885c30
title: Giving up the good way
uri: Giving-up-the-good-way
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#2_March_2020_%28Giving_up_the_good_way%29
content:
<p>
An oil company <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/25/great-australian-bight-equinor-abandons-plans-to-drill-for-oil">has given up on plans to drill for oil off Australia's
southern coast</a>.


feed_id: 6213a733854eb18fabc2b539cf164b0c
title: UCLA renounces face recognition
uri: UCLA-renounces-face-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#2_March_2020_%28UCLA_renounces_face_recognition%29
content:
<p>
UCLA has yielded to public pressure <a href="https://medium.com/@fightfortheftr/backlash-forces-ucla-to-abandon-plans-for-facial-recognition-surveillance-on-campus-ebe005e3f715">and decided not to
install face recognition technology</a>.

<p>
I suggest sending a message of appreciation.  Here is what I sent.

<blockquote><pre>
From: Richard Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
To: chancellor@ucla.edu
cc: media@stratcomm.ucla.edu
cc: rms
bcc: lia@fightforthefuture.org
Subject: Thank you for no face recognition
bcc: rms-outgoing@gnu.org
Reply-To: rms@gnu.org
--text follows this line--
I am very gratified to read that UCLA decided not to use face
recognition technology.

It is not illegal to deploy systematic face recognition, but it ought
to be, since it is the foundation for repression.  All organizations
have the responsibility to help prevent face recognition from becoming
widespread.

See https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html
for why that level of surveillance is incompatible with democracy.
Also https://stallman.org/articles/real-privacy-laws.html.
</pre></blockquote>


feed_id: 28f7058667f2871f8833989fde584cb1
title: Force-feeding migrants on hunger strike
uri: Force-feeding-migrants-on-hunger-strike
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#2_March_2020_%28Force-feeding_migrants_on_hunger_strike%29

content:
<p>
Some migrants in US immigration prison are on hunger strike and being
force-fed.  They are being held <a href="https://truthout.org/articles/hunger-striker-nearing-death-in-ice-custody-i-just-want-freedom/">waiting for hearings to decide whether
they can have asylum</a>.


feed_id: 51c817a606f47a9a8e91865d1a52d331
title: Becoming billionaire
uri: Becoming-billionaire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#2_March_2020_%28Becoming_billionaire%29
content:
<p>
How do people become billionaires?  Not by investment in the usual sense.
They do it by preparing to capture a windfall before someone else does.
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/21/bloomberg-entitled-keep-his-wealth">To capture the windfall does not mean earning it</a>.


feed_id: c1673f5b5e25ef319f0696e91f31e49f
title: Giving up on pipeline
uri: Giving-up-on-pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#2_March_2020_%28Giving_up_on_pipeline%29
content:
<p>
Public opposition induced the backers of a planned pipeline for
fracked gas, in New York and Pennsylvania, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/02/21/victory-constitution-pipeline-project-scrapped">to give up on it</a>.

<p>
Such decisions are not always final.  They may propose it again, with
some details changed.


feed_id: 7aa56d3933aab09718b4adcbf2cf9a02
title: Death from poverty
uri: 2020-03-03-Death-from-poverty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#28_February_2020_%28Death_from_poverty%29
content:
<p>
Errol Graham died because the UK cut off his welfare benefits because
he missed an appointment.  His unsent letter to the officials who did
that begs them to "judge [him] fairly."  He was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/27/errol-graham-man-starved-death-benefits-cut-letter-welfare-officials">too depressed to send
it, or take any action except to huddle in a quilt as he starved</a>.

<p>
*Thousands of people in the UK are dying from the cold, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/27/dying-cold-europe-fuel-poverty-energy-spending">fuel poverty is to
blame</a>.*


feed_id: 9fb5ce88ac59f383540e94b56923c57a
title: Turns out the bomb was planted by war lover, not antifa
uri: Turns-out-the-bomb-was-planted-by-war-lover-not-antifa
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28Turns_out_the_bomb_was_planted_by_war_lover%2C_not_antifa%29

content:
<p>
Threats of violence against civil war reenactors said that they came
from "Antifa", and led to much criticism of Antifa's absurdly extreme
position.  Turns out this was a false-flag attack, <a href="https://qz.com/1800988/antifa-falsely-accused-of-threatening-civil-war-group/">intended to hurt
the reenactors and Antifa</a>.


feed_id: ef6f4fab374719a3cd98c007f9cf36a0
title: Ending NSA phone tracking
uri: Ending-NSA-phone-tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28Ending_NSA_phone_tracking%29
content:
<p>
Sanders supports <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/26/presidential-candidates-should-declare-their-stance-costly-failure-nsas">ending the NSA's power to keep track of all phone calls
in the US</a>.  If you do too, phone your congresscritter ASAP, since the decision will
be made in the next two weeks.

<p>
Here is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/02/27/coronavirus-spending-bill-surveillance-patriot-act/">more about the issue</a>.


feed_id: 25f025a550fac6ddccae623ffda3a362
title: Laws and treaties
uri: Laws-and-treaties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28Laws_and_treaties%29
content:
<p>
The prosecutors in the Assange hearing are arguing that the extradition limits
in the UK-US extradition treaty do not actually limit extradition &mdash; that the subsequent extradition law makes the treaty irrelevant.

Craig Murray, who as an ambassador has participated the process of
passing laws to implement treaties, explains why this is backwards.
The law's purpose <a href="https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2020/02/your-man-in-the-public-gallery-the-assange-hearing-day-3/">is to implement what the treaty says</a>.


feed_id: 69489aed48549102cd1529e158728028
title: Protecting asylum-seekers against the bully
uri: Protecting-asylum-seekers-against-the-bully
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28Protecting_asylum-seekers_against_the_bully%29

content:
<p>
An appeals court blocked two of the bully's schemes to hurt asylum-seekers,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/28/trump-remain-in-mexico-halted-federal-appeals-court">including making them wait in Mexico for a hearing</a>.


feed_id: 1fba29f17a5262a0cc1d98764fd5efab
title: Social media against censorship
uri: Social-media-against-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28Social_media_against_censorship%29
content:
<p>
*Facebook, Google and Twitter <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/27/technology/pakistan-internet-censorship.html">Rebel Against Pakistan’s Censorship Rules</a>.*

<p>
They rarely do anything I admire, but I can't deny I admire this.

<p>
Nonetheless, I urge you <a href="https://stallman.org/facebook.html">to refuse to be used by Facebook</a>.


feed_id: cd333b8609bf74daa59aa84186d716eb
title: Attempts to revoke citizenship
uri: Attempts-to-revoke-citizenship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28Attempts_to_revoke_citizenship%29
content:
<p>
The bully told the Department of Justice to hunt for opportunities <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/27/nightmare-trump-accused-weaponizing-doj-new-task-force-focused-stripping-us">to
strip immigrants of their US citizenship</a>.


feed_id: 212bb49369a5dc6fe9c36c50ef2e8194
title: Luxury cities
uri: Luxury-cities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28Luxury_cities%29
content:
<p>
Around the world, developers are converting residences in cities to
luxury housing, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/29/governments-developers-housing-human-right">making life in the city almost impossible for
the non-rich</a>.  They buy the government's support.

<p>
One cause of this is the world's increasing urbanization.
China has made a giant effort to build new cities.
The US has hardly tried to address the problem.


feed_id: df95021db953d20b7944b0a4ac10a25a
title: To Be Assanged
uri: To-Be-Assanged
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28To_Be_Assanged%29
content:
<p>
Caitlin Johnstone: *To Be Assanged: <a href="https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2020/02/29/to-be-assanged-notes-from-the-edge-of-the-narrative-matrix/">Notes From The Edge Of The
Narrative Matrix</a>.*


feed_id: 92a440a05adfd65349224e934299b02e
title: Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights
uri: Part-Time-Worker-Bill-of-Rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28Part-Time_Worker_Bill_of_Rights%29
content:
<p>
*Warren and Schakowsky Introduce <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/27/warren-and-schakowsky-introduce-part-time-workers-bill-rights-battle-companies-skimp">Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights to Battle
Companies That 'Skimp on Wages and Benefits'</a>.*


feed_id: 5c1fb08c9b46c070f8b14747b812fcce
title: Moral concession to maybe win
uri: Moral-concession-to-maybe-win
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28Moral_concession_to_maybe_win%29
content:
<p>
*No, Elizabeth Warren – <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/29/elizabeth-warren-super-pac-week-in-patriarchy">taking Super Pac money is not girl power</a>.*

<p>
I am disappointed with this, too.  Sure, she would like to win &mdash; but
this is compromising part of what used to be her principles.

<p>
A heated competition tends to have that influence on people who are
falling behind.  "I'll make a little moral concession, and then I will
win, and I will do a lot of good."  But if that one concession to
wrongdoing doesn't enable you to take the lead &mdash; or if the opponent
makes the same moral concession &mdash; you will be back in the same
situation.


feed_id: 1eaf375f7f7abfe346504a4081d9d757
title: Taliban peace agreement
uri: Taliban-peace-agreement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28Taliban_peace_agreement%29
content:
<p>
*US and Taliban sign peace agreement <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/29/us-taliban-sign-peace-agreement-afghanistan-war">aimed at ending Afghanistan war</a>.*

<p>
Ending the war would be a very good thing.  It would not make the
conman/truth-hater an acceptable president, because preserving
democracy in the US is more important than ending this war.

<p>
Obama could have done this if he had had the will to do it.  Indeed,
Dubya could have made a similar deal in the summer of 2001.  The
Taliban were talking about the idea, but Dubya gave Afghanistan low
priority at the time.


feed_id: 217ef5cc7887dd3b3e9100287f2e18e5
title: Covid-19 and healthcare
uri: Covid-19-and-healthcare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28Covid-19_and_healthcare%29
content:
<p>
If the millions of Americans who have no medical insurance catch Covid-19,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/28/coronavirus-millions-of-americans-uninsured">they may die because otherwise they'd starve</a>.

<p>
And what if they have to go to work even though sick, because they have
no sick pay?

<p>
Covid-19 demonstrates that keeping us healthy <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/27/looming-coronavirus-threat-us-bolsters-case-medicare-all-and-universal-paid-sick">is something we need to do
together</a>.


feed_id: 6a1b7625115bae5abcee5ad203cfaede
title: Worthless security for voting
uri: Worthless-security-for-voting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28Worthless_security_for_voting%29
content:
<p>
The Voatz "mobile voting app" <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/akw7mp/sloppy-mobile-voting-app-used-in-four-states-has-elementary-security-flaws">was designed with worthless "security"</a>.

<p>
Because the app is nonfree, it is no surprise that its "security" is a
joke.  But even if the app itself  had no security holes, the phone it runs on
does have them.  Taking votes by computer is nuts, and <a href="https://stallman.org/evoting.html">letting people
vote on their own computers is stun-nuts</a>.


feed_id: e376278be9ec064e6b426a647cf33b4d
title: Farms over human residents
uri: Farms-over-human-residents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28Farms_over_human_residents%29
content:
<p>
California's groundwater regulations prioritize farms over human
residents.  The humans are running out of water, while the farms
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/28/california-water-wells-dry-sgma">are unsustainable and will need to shut sooner or later anyway</a>.


feed_id: ab0dd2789fb6230344f27010097f2090
title: Sliding into war
uri: Sliding-into-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28Sliding_into_war%29
content:
<p>
Turkey and Russia/Assad are sliding into war in Idlib, but Turkey <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/28/russia-and-turkeys-next-moves-will-define-the-syrian-wars-end">is
attacking Assad's forces while Russia attacks Turkey's forces</a>.


feed_id: 299252f3da43099bff5cf56c71e60889
title: Protesting anthem
uri: Protesting-anthem
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#5_March_2020_%28Protesting_anthem%29
content:
<p>
Brooklyn College basketball players protested the playing of Israel's
national anthem, somehow related to Yeshiva University.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/29/brooklyn-college-volleyball-yeshiva-university-kneel-national-anthem">Then they shook
hands with the Yeshiva University team</a>.

<p>
In other words, they have nothing against Jews but they criticize Israel.


feed_id: 8c597c891647650d9e2da9e325c212c4
title: Plutocrats against Sanders
uri: Plutocrats-against-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#5_March_2020_%28Plutocrats_against_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
CNN compared Sanders' increasing success <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/29/cnn-host-michael-smerconish-rebuked-comparing-sanders-surge-spread-coronavirus">with the spread of the
Covid-19 virus</a>.

<p>
It is blatant bias based on a blatant lack of reason.  That the
plutocrats' tools sink to this level of obviousness demonstrates
their desperation.

<p>
*'Uncharted Waters': DC Lobbyists Panic <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/28/uncharted-waters-dc-lobbyists-panic-over-possibility-sanders-win">Over Possibility of Sanders Win</a>.*

<p>
*It's Not Bernie But the So-Called "Moderates" That the Democratic Establishment <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/28/its-not-bernie-so-called-moderates-democratic-establishment-should-be-freaking-out">Should Be Freaking Out About</a>.*


feed_id: 9e8ba536d835b7b71b83c218b22c988d
title: Making poor people die younger
uri: Making-poor-people-die-younger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#5_March_2020_%28Making_poor_people_die_younger%29
content:
<p>
Tories' welfare cuts since 2010 have made poor people die younger.
And <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/29/it-is-official-tory-austerity-has-stifled-lives-untold-poor-britons">the cuts are still rolling out</a>.


feed_id: 29caf942bc3cf0f554dff000cdde951d
title: Endangered civilization
uri: Endangered-civilization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#5_March_2020_%28Endangered_civilization%29
content:
<p>
One million acres of oil and gas extraction leases on US public land
have been cancelled so as <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/28/trump-efforts-serve-corporate-polluters-dealt-blow-judge-vacates-oil-and-gas-lease">to prevent extinction of the greater sage grouse</a>.

<p>
It will also help prevent extinction of our civilization, but we have no
Endangered Civilization Act to protect us.  We needs a conspicuously threatened
species to keep our habitat habitable.


feed_id: 558fd9808b496a8c3fd9b18f876dbc82
title: Fact checking from the Onion
uri: Fact-checking-from-the-Onion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#5_March_2020_%28Fact_checking_from_the_Onion%29
content:
<p>
The Onion corrects the "facts" about Bloomberg's policy of stopping
and searching black people (usually) on the street.  (<a href="https://www.theonion.com/myth-vs-fact-stop-and-frisk-policy-1841973474">satire</a>)


feed_id: b2fe6aebfe592e92307c0107fce20917
title: Extinction Rebellion protesters acquitted
uri: Extinction-Rebellion-protesters-acquitted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#5_March_2020_%28Extinction_Rebellion_protesters_acquitted%29

content:
<p>
Extinction Rebellion protesters on trial in the UK were acquitted based
on grounds of necessity: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/28/landmark-win-fight-habitable-future-jury-refuses-convict-climate-activists-who">preventing a worse crime</a>.

<p>
Considering that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_February_2020_(Worst-likely-case_scenario_for_2050)">global heating disaster, if not checked, could kill billions
of people over this century</a>, almost anything which is effective at reducing
that disaster, and uses the minimum possible violence, ought to qualify.


feed_id: 500e781edb108d43337ea611b0958fc2
title: As bad as the other Republican candidates
uri: As-bad-as-the-other-Republican-candidates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#5_March_2020_%28As_bad_as_the_other_Republican_candidates%29

content:
<p>
Bloomberg's extensive record as a Republican makes him <a href="media/6a7e16c8.bloomberg-2.pdf" data-original-source="https://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6503/images/bloomberg-2.pdf">as bad as
the other Republican candidates of 2016</a>.


feed_id: 38f6d3ab212087c8f76e0b5f9353a243
title: 3000 conflicts of interest
uri: 3000-conflicts-of-interest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#5_March_2020_%283000_conflicts_of_interest%29
content:
<p>
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/28/astonishing-rate-corruption-trump-has-amassed-3000-conflicts-interest-taking-office">has identified 3000
conflicts of interest on the part of the cheater</a>.


feed_id: efa9f1019980485db31beced0665f8a1
title: No NATO support for Turkey
uri: No-NATO-support-for-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#5_March_2020_%28No_NATO_support_for_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
Since NATO won't support Turkey in Syria against Russia and Assad,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/28/turkey-mobilizes-war-syria-and-russia-nearly-3-dozen-turkish-troops-killed-0">relations are rather strained</a>.


feed_id: dbda6f6f0a35146bae333adf1111a361
title: Urgent: redistricting
uri: Urgent-redistricting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#5_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_redistricting%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: demand nonpartisan redistricting committees in
every US state, <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-demand-nonpartisan-redistricting-committees-in-every-us-state-to-prevent-rigged-district-maps?nowrapper=true">to prevent rigged district maps</a>.


feed_id: 09a230bd66cab598c38b138a0a789a89
title: In the footsteps of the KKK
uri: In-the-footsteps-of-the-KKK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#5_March_2020_%28In_the_footsteps_of_the_KKK%29
content:
<p>
The RSS in India <a href="https://scroll.in/article/954318/once-trump-leaves-muslims-will-not-be-safe-hindu-crowds-in-north-east-delhi">are following in the footsteps of the KKK</a>.


feed_id: d8149b437a91b3ace22c111663ac8f23
title: Making Coronavirus danger far worse
uri: Making-Coronavirus-danger-far-worse
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#5_March_2020_%28Making_Coronavirus_danger_far_worse%29

content:
<p>
*Coronavirus is bad enough &mdash; [the numskull's] cuts <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/01/trump-coronavirus-cuts-robert-reich">have made the danger
far worse</a>.*

<p>
Ironically, even the oligarchs are in danger from their own contempt
for the rest of us.  They imagine that they will buy for themselves
"the world's best medical care" that they have put beyond the reach of
most Americans &mdash; and usually they can.  But not in this.


feed_id: d1c8118cac6d66066a791a4aec253283
title: Resisting future new diseases
uri: Resisting-future-new-diseases
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#5_March_2020_%28Resisting_future_new_diseases%29
content:
<p>
An expert discusses the prognosis of Covid-19, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/01/the-worst-case-scenario-for-coronavirus-dr-jonathan-quick-q-and-a-laura-spinney">what changes need to be made
to better resist future new diseases</a>.


feed_id: 6ec51881a07c1470a0fd6ef6f300733a
title: Suing spammers
uri: Suing-spammers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#5_March_2020_%28Suing_spammers%29
content:
<p>
A new hack makes it possible to give spammers a credit card for a
"free" trial (they mean "gratis") and <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/4agak3/this-app-automatically-cancels-and-sues-roboallers">gets them sued if they try to
charge it again</a>.

<p>
I have the sad feeling that these otherwise-neat hacks require users to run nonfree JavaScript code.  What a shame.


feed_id: 8b656e0c4da0b61cc2e6533d5bc56c51
title: Jailing the truth
uri: Jailing-the-truth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#5_March_2020_%28Jailing_the_truth%29
content:
<p>
Dictator Xi's cult extends its suppression of the truth to all areas
of life that might concern him.  Although the doctor that first
reported Covid-19 has posthumously been declared a hero (once dead, he
could no longer say anything embarrassing), <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/26/the-reaction-to-the-outbreak-has-revealed-the-unreceonstructed-despotism-of-the-chinese-state">others have since been
jailed for showing the truth</a>.


feed_id: 5a2535dd23e3e1d760451cb5bdd7b42c
title: Protecting asylum-seekers against the bully
uri: 2020-03-05-Protecting-asylum-seekers-against-the-bully
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28Protecting_asylum-seekers_against_the_bully%29

content:
<p>
An appeals court blocked two of the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s schemes to hurt asylum-seekers,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/28/trump-remain-in-mexico-halted-federal-appeals-court">including making them wait in Mexico for a hearing</a>.


feed_id: b9fb777419bcae4599d2eaffa1ce83e8
title: Taliban peace agreement
uri: 2020-03-05-Taliban-peace-agreement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_March_2020_%28Taliban_peace_agreement%29
content:
<p>
*US and Taliban sign peace agreement <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/29/us-taliban-sign-peace-agreement-afghanistan-war">aimed at ending Afghanistan war</a>.*

<p>
Ending the war would be a very good thing.  It would not make the
conman/truth-hater an acceptable president, because preserving
democracy in the US is more important than ending this war.

<p>
Obama could have done this if he had had the will to do it.  Indeed,
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> could have made a similar deal in the summer of 2001.  The
Taliban were talking about the idea, but <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> gave Afghanistan low
priority at the time.


feed_id: d964fb2968731ef995b795d4dd2df17c
title: Hating progressives and women
uri: Hating-progressives-and-women
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#6_March_2020_%28Hating_progressives_and_women%29
content:
<p>
MSNBC TV host Chris Matthews not only hates progressives, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/26/fire-chris-matthews-womens-rights-group-says-after-msnbc-host-grills-warren-over">he hates women too</a>.

<p>
Why would Bloomberg lie?  Because he wants to get elected, perhaps?
Perhaps because truth is not one of his values, perhaps?


feed_id: 9a9a8e1b58cd23fabd63c225901bdf14
title: Outsourcing health products
uri: Outsourcing-health-products
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#6_March_2020_%28Outsourcing_health_products%29
content:
<p>
Globalization and outsourcing has left the US with no capacity to
manufacture face masks or protective clothing to prevent Covid-19
transmission.  They are all made in China, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-usa-production-exclusive/exclusive-u-s-mulls-using-sweeping-powers-to-ramp-up-production-of-coronavirus-protective-gear-idUSKCN20L2S0">which we can expect will
soon need all it can produce, and stop exporting them</a>.


feed_id: ecb5843e0fb6e8604c3de1b24d3eda8d
title: Face recognition in the wild
uri: Face-recognition-in-the-wild
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#6_March_2020_%28Face_recognition_in_the_wild%29
content:
<p>
Many thug departments, and many companies, <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanmac/clearview-ai-fbi-ice-global-law-enforcement">are using Clearview face
recognition</a>.


feed_id: 63cb727abf0f6bba8bd85aa8d7de0e1e
title: Can't afford insulin
uri: Can-t-afford-insulin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#6_March_2020_%28Can%27t_afford_insulin%29
content:
<p>
1/4 of Americans with type-I diabetes are skimping on insulin <a href="https://elemental.medium.com/theres-no-excuse-for-the-insulin-crisis-c92a8771e71b?gi=2aaea39bf6a9">because they
can't afford it</a>.

<p>
There are many changes we should make in the way American business
operates, but <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#29_July_2017_(Single-payer_system)">one vital change is Medicare for All</a>.


feed_id: 80b4b8470c540b279a28d4244760d215
title: All short melodies to public domain
uri: All-short-melodies-to-public-domain
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#6_March_2020_%28All_short_melodies_to_public_domain%29

content:
<p>
*Musicians Algorithmically Generate Every Possible [short] Melody,
<a href="https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/wxepzw/musicians-algorithmically-generate-every-possible-melody-release-them-to-public-domain">Release Them to Public Domain</a>.*


feed_id: 960761bc11ec4bc973fc580848e60d79
title: Meet Hugo Boss
uri: Meet-Hugo-Boss
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#6_March_2020_%28Meet_Hugo_Boss%29
content:
<p>
A comedian changed his name to Hugo Boss so he can irritate the luxury
clothing brand by that name.  He did this <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/02/comedian-joe-lycett-changes-name-to-hugo-boss-in-swipe-at-fashion-house">to take revenge for that
company's trademark bullying of small businesses in other fields</a>.


feed_id: 2ed03969f1a849f9d8e4eada80529c0b
title: Voiding anti-immigrant decrees
uri: Voiding-anti-immigrant-decrees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#6_March_2020_%28Voiding_anti-immigrant_decrees%29
content:
<p>
A court ruled that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> illegally appointed Ken Cuccinelli acting head
of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/02/blow-administrations-xenophobic-agenda-federal-judge-says-cuccinelli-unlawfully">and voided two of his
anti-immigrant decrees</a>.


feed_id: d3ce5a7e6868f5e0418820214ee35237
title: Forced medical bills
uri: Forced-medical-bills
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#6_March_2020_%28Forced_medical_bills%29
content:
<p>
Americans are being charged thousands of dollars for coronavirus
testing and related procedures &mdash; even those performed in mandatory
quarantine, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/02/why-are-we-being-charged-surprise-bills-coronavirus-testing-spark-calls-government">where they have no choice about the procedures</a>.


feed_id: 8932f9bd989aaeb34d59c10feefc46c1
title: Closing polling sites
uri: Closing-polling-sites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#6_March_2020_%28Closing_polling_sites%29
content:
<p>
*Texas closes hundreds of polling sites, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/02/texas-polling-sites-closures-voting">making it harder for minorities to
vote</a>.*

<p>
Republicans <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#11_November_2016_(Republican_election-rigging)">have done this in other states</a>.


feed_id: 2ae9e4503b367fa1a87f3b9843551417
title: Coronavirus, Biden and Sanders
uri: Coronavirus-Biden-and-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#6_March_2020_%28Coronavirus%2C_Biden_and_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
Representative Sanders fought to make medicines developed by
government-funded research available for a reasonable price.
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/02/coronavirus-vaccine-price-gouging-senate/">Senator Biden blocked the plan</a>.


feed_id: e70958642190aa57727429c88afd9bdd
title: Urgent: ban on landmines
uri: Urgent-ban-on-landmines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#6_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_ban_on_landmines%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/tell-congress-ban-landmine-use">call on Congress</a> to restore the ban on using antipersonnel
landmines.


feed_id: 152dab679900283344b70c12ae1908df
title: Urgent: Scrap the Cap
uri: Urgent-Scrap-the-Cap
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#6_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Scrap_the_Cap%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/scrap-the-cap?nowrapper=true">call on Congress</a> to Scrap the Cap on Social Security
contributions.


feed_id: e7422d81295fc6da6e5b9b7468d5741d
title: Agreement with Taliban
uri: Agreement-with-Taliban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#6_March_2020_%28Agreement_with_Taliban%29
content:
<p>
The agreement with the Taliban <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/02/afghanistasn-bomb-attack-taliban-us-deal">may have papered over big
disagreements</a>.


feed_id: ccf43265bf75dbe94c27f31372404a02
title: Eliminating beaches
uri: Eliminating-beaches
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#6_March_2020_%28Eliminating_beaches%29
content:
<p>
Global heating <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/02/world-sandy-beaches-disappearing-due-to-climate-crisis-study">is eliminating the world's beaches</a>.


feed_id: 535a05d630bebeeeb5f466eb8c9f5d56
title: Armoured Glass Box is torture
uri: Armoured-Glass-Box-is-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#6_March_2020_%28Armoured_Glass_Box_is_torture%29
content:
<p>
Craig Murray: *The Armoured Glass Box <a href="https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2020/03/the-armoured-glass-box-is-an-instrument-of-torture/">is an Instrument of Torture</a>.*

<p>
Murray watched the judge listen to lawyers' arguments why Assange
should be allowed to sit with them, so that he could confer with them
about what to say; then she read out a decision she had written in
advance.

<p>
Murray believes she wants to drive him to suicide.  Or she is paving
the way to murder him and say it was suicide.


feed_id: 995f59791adaf83e82b799d056727285
title: If Democratic Establishment Rigs Nomination
uri: If-Democratic-Establishment-Rigs-Nomination
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#9_March_2020_%28If_Democratic_Establishment_Rigs_Nomination%29

content:
<p>
*Progressives Planning to #BernTheDNC with Mass Nonviolent Civil Disobedience <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/01/progressives-planning-bernthednc-mass-nonviolent-civil-disobedience-if-democratic">If Democratic Establishment Rigs Nomination</a>.*


feed_id: ef8599722f1b62d1ff87988584d96bc8
title: Imposing plutocratist candidate
uri: Imposing-plutocratist-candidate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#9_March_2020_%28Imposing_plutocratist_candidate%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic Party leaders may be willing to impose a plutocratist
candidate that the voters have not supported, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/02/democrats-craving-a-brokered-convention-including-elizabeth-warren-should-learn-the-lessons-of-1968/">even at the price of
losing to the conman again</a>.  

<p>
The article proposes that Senator Warren may be planning to help the
plutocrats do that.  If she does that, I will never vote for her for
senator again.  But it is only a suspicion, and I hope it is not true.


feed_id: 55d19b0f7a8a3550f74b262c8aa89e20
title: Rigged algorithm for prison
uri: Rigged-algorithm-for-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#9_March_2020_%28Rigged_algorithm_for_prison%29
content:
<p>
[the deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>]' New York Office Uses a Rigged Algorithm to
Keep Virtually All Arrestees in [immigration prison].  <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/02/ice-algorithm-bias-detention-aclu-lawsuit/">The ACLU Says
It's Unconstitutional</a>.


feed_id: 571c0351ce346a1b2e07f0f6471e254d
title: 2030 climate target
uri: 2030-climate-target
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#9_March_2020_%282030_climate_target%29
content:
<p>
About half the member states of the EU <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/03/eu-member-states-call-for-2030-climate-target">call for a 2030 climate target</a>.

<p>
This is the necessary first step, but in addition they need to be
strong targets.  And backed up by specific measures to achieve them.


feed_id: 32d78b62e6fd4cd0e335fdd8481eb3c5
title: Coronavirus taskforce
uri: Coronavirus-taskforce
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#9_March_2020_%28Coronavirus_taskforce%29
content:
<p>
*Mike Pence shouldn't lead the coronavirus taskforce. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/03/trump-coronavirus-plan-pence-politics">He can't be trusted</a>.*


feed_id: e1d85befa924819def7ef02a79de868f
title: All-day curfew
uri: All-day-curfew
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#9_March_2020_%28All-day_curfew%29
content:
<p>
Conditions in Iran resemble an all-day curfew.  With people washing their hands
so often, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/03/an-absolute-disaster-iran-struggles-as-coronavirus-spreads">the water supply is running out</a>.

<p>
People distrust the government because it has lied to them about
violence before.


feed_id: 00a958a370c301e6fcbb85e7cb00c09a
title: Definition of rape
uri: Definition-of-rape
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#9_March_2020_%28Definition_of_rape%29
content:
<p>
Spain is moving to define "rape" <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/03/spain-approves-draft-law-to-strengthen-convictions">to include all sex without consent</a>.
  No more exceptions.


feed_id: 565bd3d218d46e88e9123ed397db3822
title: Psychological effects of family separation
uri: Psychological-effects-of-family-separation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#9_March_2020_%28Psychological_effects_of_family_separation%29

content:
<p>
*Physicians for Human Rights: the Persistent Psychological Effects <a href="https://phr.org/our-work/resources/you-will-never-see-your-child-again-the-persistent-psychological-effects-of-family-separation/">of
Family Separation</a>.*

<p>
The US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> never stopped taking advantage of excuses to separate
children (and teenagers) from their parents when they ask for asylum.

<blockquote>
"[The report] found pervasive symptoms
   and behaviors consistent with trauma; most met diagnostic criteria for
   at least one mental health condition, such as post-traumatic stress
   disorder, major depressive disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder
   consistent with, and likely linked to, the trauma of family separation."
</blockquote>


feed_id: 54026b7d813206e792ff96b9adbaf4e3
title: Record-Breaking Warm Weather Expected
uri: Record-Breaking-Warm-Weather-Expected
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#9_March_2020_%28Record-Breaking_Warm_Weather_Expected%29

content:
<p>
*Record-Breaking Warm Weather Expected Around Globe As Human-Caused Climate
Crisis Now <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/02/record-breaking-warm-weather-expected-around-globe-human-caused-climate-crisis-now">As Powerful As El Niño's Effects, Says WMO</a>.*


feed_id: 71bc7b319028703f3c4648d7f73466af
title: Nazi-like
uri: Nazi-like
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#9_March_2020_%28Nazi-like%29
content:
<p>
The violent, Nazi-like <a href="https://medium.com/@pieterjfriedrich/shoot-the-traitors-genocide-in-modis-rss-regime-acd0091d161c">history of Modi and the BJP</a>.


feed_id: 52104a06da3fb51bb59d8432ecf0ea0d
title: Bridge fuel
uri: Bridge-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#9_March_2020_%28Bridge_fuel%29
content:
<p>
Bloomberg still argues for natural gas (i.e., methane) <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2020/03/02/candidates-backed-bloomberg-helped-pollute-planet/">as a "bridge fuel"</a>.
  That was the fracking industry's fashionable excuse, a few years ago,
but <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#21_December_2019_(Methane_leak)">it is thoroughly fallacious</a>.


feed_id: 7a48224b6062f57f4dbc7050b295ad4e
title: Outdoor air pollution
uri: Outdoor-air-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#9_March_2020_%28Outdoor_air_pollution%29
content:
<p>
Outdoor air pollution cuts life expectancy by 2.9 years, on the
world-wide average.  The pollution that humans cause, and thus could
potentially avoid, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/03/outdoor-air-pollution-cuts-three-years-from-human-lifespan-study">is responsible for 1.7 years of that</a>.


feed_id: 06fb7676bf6a7c9f3506c08bc75beffa
title: Handshakes and kisses vs Covid-19
uri: Handshakes-and-kisses-vs-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#9_March_2020_%28Handshakes_and_kisses_vs_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
Putting an end to handshakes and kisses, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/03/the-end-of-the-handshake-saying-hello-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak">as a measure against transmitting
Covid-19 (or other diseases)</a>.


feed_id: 411414164010c037719514bb56805d79
title: Students against face recognition
uri: Students-against-face-recognition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#9_March_2020_%28Students_against_face_recognition%29

content:
<p>
Students protested at several US universities <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/02/facial-recognition-us-colleges-ucla-ban">demanding they end
the use of face recognition</a>.

<p>
While these universities are only a tiny part of US society, and nowhere
near as dangerous as government agencies that can arrest people and even
deport them, success in the domain of universities would be a first
victory that could build the movement.


feed_id: 05e759d164bae7ac0a131f9be561f631
title: Democracy supported labeled terrorist
uri: Democracy-supported-labeled-terrorist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#9_March_2020_%28Democracy_supported_labeled_terrorist%29

content:
<p>
The US is not the only country which arbitrarily labels organizations
as "terrorist" &mdash; and which tends to call nonviolent protest groups
"terrorists".  Vietnam has sentenced Chau Van Kham to 12 years in prison
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/03/retired-australian-baker-loses-appeal-in-vietnam-on-controversial-financing-terrorism-charges">for supporting a group that advocates democracy in Vietnam</a>.

<p>
His trial was blatantly unjust.  Vietnam doesn't bother to try to disguise
the injustice <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#27_February_2020_(Prosecuted_for_journalism)">the way the UK does with Assange's extradition</a>.


feed_id: 3d3940abbae8447a04dc352fa917007d
title: Vote obstruction
uri: Vote-obstruction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#10_March_2020_%28Vote_obstruction%29
content:
<p>
*California's rules for independent party voters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/02/californias-rules-for-independent-party-voters-is-another-form-of-suppression">could suppress the Bernie
vote</a>.*

<p>
Independent voters <em>can</em> vote in a primary, but the mail-in ballots
they were sent don't include the presidential race.  To do so, they
have to jump through complex hoops that the state does not tell them
about.  In effect, it is a dark pattern to obstruct voting for certain
voters.


feed_id: 257ef9f13bef89ace7b48a5a437aa2ad
title: Economic measures for Covid-19
uri: Economic-measures-for-Covid-19
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#10_March_2020_%28Economic_measures_for_Covid-19%29
content:
<p>
Economic measures that the US could employ <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/03/economic-policy-and-coronavirus-how-mitigate-harm-and-plan-future">to reduce the
economic shocks the Covid-19 will cause</a>.
  Paid sick leave could also reduce the number of people that catch
the disease.

<p>
Allowing children to wait at home by themselves could reduce the number
of people who lose work because schools are closed.


feed_id: 1096bd1a7048a18dca64698b00795c2b
title: Superdelegates
uri: Superdelegates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#10_March_2020_%28Superdelegates%29
content:
<p>
Biden got more delegates than Sanders <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/04/democratic-national-convention-contested-explained">in the primaries on Tuesday</a>.

<p>
This is likely to mean that the superdelegates will choose the
nominee, and I suppose they will choose Biden.  That would mean no
hope of electing a president that would try to correct America's
devastating problems, including plutocratic rule, people dying for
inability to pay for medical care, and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster.

<p>
The only way we can ever get the Democratic Party to stop foisting
right-wing candidates such as Biden on us is to show it can't presume
we will vote for them.

<p>
Bloomberg did badly in Super Tuesday primaries, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/04/mike-bloomberg-super-tuesday-results-future">is almost ready to
drop out</a>.

<p>
It is heartening to see that just throwing money at a US election
can't win it.  Apparently one needs to use the money with more subtlety
and expertise.

<p>
Bloomberg has the same age as Sanders.  Remember how that age was
taken up by the pundits and presented as a possible drawback of
Sanders?  Strange that they don't say the same thing about Bloomberg
now.  I suspect that this "concern" about Sanders was artificially
generated.


feed_id: 64dc120214001e32c6362b697f145e49
title: Attacking volunteer doctors
uri: Attacking-volunteer-doctors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#10_March_2020_%28Attacking_volunteer_doctors%29
content:
<p>
A mob of enraged immigrant-haters attacked volunteer doctors who had come
to treat refugees <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/04/we-left-fearing-for-our-lives-doctors-set-upon-by-mob-in-lesbos">who arrived in Lesbos (Greece) via Turkey</a>.


feed_id: db5b3ee43f125764e32b1af2b02a0b9d
title: Suing against fossil fuel power projects
uri: Suing-against-fossil-fuel-power-projects
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#10_March_2020_%28Suing_against_fossil_fuel_power_projects%29

content:
<p>
George Monbiot: *The [UK] government must abandon its fossil fuel
 power projects. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/04/government-fossil-fuel-power-projects-heathrow-judgment">If not, we’ll sue</a>.*


feed_id: db6344be66c18ca025f0ff22167e3c24
title: Planet roaster lobbyists
uri: Planet-roaster-lobbyists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#10_March_2020_%28Planet_roaster_lobbyists%29
content:
<p>
Europe's planet roaster lobbyists have a revolving door with the
European Union bureaucracy, and they are using it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/04/climate-action-the-latest-target-of-europes-fossil-fuel-lobbyists">to make sure
they can squeeze out every last eurocent</a>,
   before civilization collapses
and they can't make (or spend) any more.


feed_id: 90c2a0d3a9f9d6d4f4b019f58a440fd2
title: Paying people to have more children
uri: Paying-people-to-have-more-children
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#10_March_2020_%28Paying_people_to_have_more_children%29

content:
<p>
Some countries in Europe are paying people to have more children,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/04/baby-bonuses-fit-the-nationalist-agenda-but-do-they-work">presuming that those will be of the government's preferred race</a>.

<p>
It is good to give more support to parents &mdash; that can reduce their
stress, which is likely to hurt their children.  Not having having a
superfluity of resources to care for children leads to parents that
are under great stress and can't do it well.  And that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/04/german-care-system-troubled-children-system-crasher">often leads to
lasting problems for the children</a>.

<p>
But if parents use that support to have additional children, that will
put them back into difficult lives and cancel out the benefit.


feed_id: 7e5e11596f8586e16e70cb04990776b2
title: EFF lawyer facing Rep. Pelosi
uri: EFF-lawyer-facing-Rep-Pelosi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#10_March_2020_%28EFF_lawyer_facing_Rep._Pelosi%29
content:
<p>
Progressive Shahid Buttar, a constitutional lawyer who has worked for
the EFF, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/04/super-tuesday-primaries-california-pelosi-shahid-buttar/">will face Rep. Pelosi in November</a>.


feed_id: 221788b2dfe127ca973ca230b644e0b0
title: Bloomberg's ideology
uri: Bloomberg-s-ideology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#10_March_2020_%28Bloomberg%27s_ideology%29
content:
<p>
*The Real Global Threat to 21st Century Freedom <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/01/real-global-threat-21st-century-freedom-authoritarian-capitalism-not-democratic">Is Authoritarian Capitalism,
Not Democratic Socialism</a>.*

<p>
Sanders has denounced this threat for years.

<p>
Bloomberg is the epitome of authoritarian capitalism.  His supporters call
him "non-ideological" but his ideology is that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/01/here-10000-words-detailing-why-bloomberg-embodies-everything-wrong-us-plutocratic">the richest should rule, and
the poor should be downtrodden</a>.


feed_id: 2ebf4ac7a062c6f84a5c6a11a501bd9e
title: Student with janitors on climate strike
uri: Student-with-janitors-on-climate-strike
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#10_March_2020_%28Student_with_janitors_on_climate_strike%29

content:
<p>
Janitors in Minneapolis went on strike, demanding (among other things)
that the companies they indirectly work for adopt climate defense policies.
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/01/did-we-just-witness-first-union-authorized-climate-strike-united-states">Student climate strikers joined their union picket line</a>.


feed_id: f734c8395860798735b617463da0f6e3
title: Economic recession from extreme weather
uri: Economic-recession-from-extreme-weather
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#10_March_2020_%28Economic_recession_from_extreme_weather%29

content:
<p>
*Extreme Weather Could Spark Economic Recession <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/02/18/extreme-weather-could-spark-economic-recession-likes-which-weve-never-seen-research">'Likes of Which We've Never
Seen Before,'</a> Research Warns.*


feed_id: 3b3f793e357676f593458ead609374dd
title: A very important decision
uri: A-very-important-decision
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#10_March_2020_%28A_very_important_decision%29
content:
<p>
Caitlin Johnstone: *Humanity Is Making <a href="https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2020/03/01/humanity-is-making-a-very-important-choice-when-it-comes-to-assange/">A Very Important Decision When It Comes To Assange</a>.*


feed_id: d0cd3a02f14f73645b7ecf682dfa0deb
title: Uighurs' slavery
uri: Uighurs-slavery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#10_March_2020_%28Uighurs%27_slavery%29
content:
<p>
China is using imprisoned Uighurs to make export products for famous
brands.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/01/china-transferred-detained-uighurs-to-factories-used-by-global-brands-report">It looks like they have been enslaved</a>.


feed_id: 109860dafbd61f9910556ec5b31d6217
title: Extended summer
uri: Extended-summer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#10_March_2020_%28Extended_summer%29
content:
<p>
Australia's summer has extended a whole month since the
mid-20th-century.  As this continues, it will cause <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/02/climate-crisis-cutting-short-australias-winters-and-extending-summers">*longer and hotter
bushfires, more heatwaves and crop damage.*</a>


feed_id: 43af1347f2d94d6fd71481f4daff9a13
title: Abortion legalization
uri: Abortion-legalization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#10_March_2020_%28Abortion_legalization%29
content:
<p>
The president of Argentina proposes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/01/argentina-set-to-become-first-major-latin-american-country-to-legalise-abortion">to legalize abortion</a>.


feed_id: 5dcbc7ab1a6bb2eb8b7b786609ec29bc
title: Urgent: Replace Pense for Covid-19
uri: Urgent-Replace-Pense-for-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Replace_Pense_for_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.winwithoutwar.org/sign/tell-congress-no-pence-coronavirus_head/">call on Congress</a> to demand replacing Pence as chief of
dealing with Covid-19.


feed_id: 2d5f3f1dcb8581060d3b5f1808cfb97a
title: Investigating war crimes
uri: Investigating-war-crimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_March_2020_%28Investigating_war_crimes%29
content:
<p>
The International Criminal Court has decided <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2020/mar/05/senior-icc-judges-authorise-afghanistan-war-crimes-inquiry">to investigate war crimes
in Afghanistan</a>.


feed_id: 8312f0241e04a6cbf7660993088a6d97
title: Journalism is not espionage
uri: Journalism-is-not-espionage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_March_2020_%28Journalism_is_not_espionage%29
content:
<p>
Senator Wyden and Rep. Khanna have proposed a law <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/05/espionage-act-amend-wyden-khanna-press-freedom/">to make it clear
that journalism is not considered espionage</a>.


feed_id: 4ff07ad5a25fa8eb4db5b16a471db662
title: Rejecting refugees at gunpoint
uri: Rejecting-refugees-at-gunpoint
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_March_2020_%28Rejecting_refugees_at_gunpoint%29
content:
<p>
Greece is trying to force Syrian refugees back <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/05/turkey-deploys-special-forces-as-tensions-rise-along-greek-border">across the Turkish
border at gunpoint</a>.


feed_id: 48078c6be876fb8261b78f7df2ca3ca2
title: What banks want to do about Covid-19
uri: What-banks-want-to-do-about-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_March_2020_%28What_banks_want_to_do_about_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
Big banks' cure-all for the whole range of problems, including
coronavirus: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/03/youll-never-guess-how-big-banks-want-fed-handle-coronavirus-more-wall-street">deregulate the banks</a>.

<p>
If all you have is a hungry mouth, every problem looks like a piece of
candy.


feed_id: f162be0ce25abf5e4f4b70918c9b303d
title: Stockpile loved ones
uri: Stockpile-loved-ones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_March_2020_%28Stockpile_loved_ones%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/americans-urged-to-stockpile-loved-ones-ahead-of-corona-1842065141">satire</a>) *Americans Urged To Stockpile Loved Ones Ahead Of Coronavirus
Outbreaks.*


feed_id: 45807e06f128be3e17376f25adcb9994
title: Mouseland
uri: Mouseland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_March_2020_%28Mouseland%29
content:
<p>
Organized people or organized money: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/03/organized-money-vs-organized-people-new-sanders-memo-details-stark-choice-between">the choice between Sanders and Biden</a>.

<p>
*Mouseland <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/03/mouseland-should-be-governed-mice-not-cats">Should Be Governed By Mice, Not Cats</a>.*

<p>
The problem is not which cats (billionaires and their servants) rule,
it is that they are cats.


feed_id: e178ad30d48cce454cf5791c1fa98c52
title: Hospitals are not prepared
uri: Hospitals-are-not-prepared
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_March_2020_%28Hospitals_are_not_prepared%29
content:
<p>
US hospitals are not prepared <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/02/28/nations-hospitals-unprepared-covid-19">to protect their medical staff from
catching Covid-19</a>.


feed_id: 39dc7dbd7686f2fd92a2b4aed187593c
title: Thug shooting 9yo
uri: Thug-shooting-9yo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_March_2020_%28Thug_shooting_9yo%29
content:
<p>
An Israeli <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> shot a 9-year-old Palestinian boy in the head.
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/police-to-be-probed-over-serious-injury-to-9-year-old-boy-in-east-jerusalem-raid/">His skull was fractured and he will probably lose an eye</a>.

<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have made no effort to show that this was necessary to
protect their lives.


feed_id: 0ae27580caa253409364657e74e68aed
title: Reason to not want Sanders
uri: Reason-to-not-want-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_March_2020_%28Reason_to_not_want_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
Why Russia does not want Sanders to be president: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/23/why-russian-petro-state-actually-terrified-bernie-sanders-presidency-green-new-deal">the Green New Deal
would reduce oil prices, world-wide</a>.


feed_id: 6a7b78fcf231b15bb68d3deccc603134
title: Stopping paying student debt
uri: Stopping-paying-student-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_March_2020_%28Stopping_paying_student_debt%29
content:
<p>
Over 1/3 of the Americans with student debt have stopped making
payments &mdash; <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/23/bloomberg-running-student-debt-strike-even-more-urgent">some legally, some not</a>.

<p>
You can see this as an aspect of the system which makes it less rigid
and harsh.  You can see it as a debt strike.  I think it is a mixture
of both.  It is definitely an improvement &mdash; but millions of Americans
with student debt and low income are still stuck with payments.


feed_id: 291f91b6ee9a44366054950990008380
title: Extension of Patriot Act
uri: Extension-of-Patriot-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_March_2020_%28Extension_of_Patriot_Act%29
content:
<p>
*Congressional leaders might use a multibillion-dollar aid package <a href="https://theintercept.com?utm_source=The+Intercept+Newsletter&utm_campaign=0e70346b28-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_02_29&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e00a5122d3-0e70346b28-134997537">to
extend the government’s unpopular Patriot Act surveillance powers</a>.*


feed_id: fcf78cada1ceb962fb450a278f53b86a
title: Refusing Covid-19 testing for prisoner
uri: Refusing-Covid-19-testing-for-prisoner
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_March_2020_%28Refusing_Covid-19_testing_for_prisoner%29

content:
<p>
*Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe family believe she has coronavirus.*  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/feb/29/nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe-family-believe-she-has-coronavirus">The prison officials refuse to test her</a>.

<p>
There is no cure for Covid-19.  Do we know of a treatment that helps
in any way?


feed_id: e1b60d49ece620ae09c2cb52e994b474
title: Shooter drills scaring kids
uri: Shooter-drills-scaring-kids
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_March_2020_%28Shooter_drills_scaring_kids%29
content:
<p>
US teachers' unions call for an end on shooter drills, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/29/teachers-call-for-ban-on-shooter-drills-in-us-schools">because they
make children scared</a>.


feed_id: 86949b271b8dbf7770291ad17655140c
title: Selling meat from thieves
uri: Selling-meat-from-thieves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#11_March_2020_%28Selling_meat_from_thieves%29
content:
<p>
Big Brazilian meat companies resell meat raised by a farm-owner <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/03/worlds-biggest-meat-company-linked-to-brutal-massacre-in-amazon">that
steals land from the poor</a>.


feed_id: 36fe3be0db809757c5b3475e0e332c3d
title: Don't watch TV coverage of Covid-19!
uri: Don-t-watch-TV-coverage-of-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#12_March_2020_%28Don%27t_watch_TV_coverage_of_Covid-19%21%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/dont-watch-covid-tv.html">Don't watch TV coverage
of Covid-19!</a>


feed_id: b670b74493a43b09b5e2ec2c4a6fb739
title: Aristocrats for Power
uri: Aristocrats-for-Power
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#13_March_2020_%28Aristocrats_for_Power%29
content:
<p>
*Kentucky Koch Group <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2020/03/04/kentucky-koch-group-opposes-saving-hospital-patient-care-2000-jobs-risk/">Opposes Saving Hospital</a>.*

<p>
The organization, "Americans for Prosperity", should properly be known
as "Aristocrats for Power".


feed_id: e8466d6685b0bd7baeccf1c7ca53a53d
title: Ruler kidnapping his children
uri: Ruler-kidnapping-his-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#13_March_2020_%28Ruler_kidnapping_his_children%29
content:
<p>
*Dubai ruler organised kidnapping of his children, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/05/dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-organised-kidnapping-of-his-children-uk-court-finds">UK court rules</a>.*

<p>
This was considered in a case which he filed against his runaway wife,
except that it emerged she was no longer his wife since he has
divorced her and not informed her.

<p>
I wonder how Latifa was able to send her account to the court or the
public.


feed_id: e5cb44275a332aef568c9edd19e638c9
title: Urgent: clean elections
uri: Urgent-clean-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#13_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_clean_elections%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/urge-your-sen-to-support-HR1/">call on the Senate</a> to pass H.R. 1, for clean elections.


feed_id: b07b955f97e35462e8843413f3086ed2
title: Gratuitous strictness
uri: Gratuitous-strictness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#13_March_2020_%28Gratuitous_strictness%29
content:
<p>
British couples who took a ferry from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, and were
observed to have sat near someone with Covid-19, have been
quarantined with absurd and gratuitous strictness.  One couple was
forced to stay in two separate rooms and are forbidden to see each
other.  Another was allowed to stay together, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/05/chinese-police-place-britons-in-enforced-isolation-after-ferry-trip">but both have been
ordered to wear masks and not touch each other</a>.

<p>
Why not leave it to the couple to decide if they want to keep apart to
avoid transmitting the disease between the two?


feed_id: 0ef54a2a2b8669b9dcbeda7c136aec93
title: Pressure to stop exporting drugs
uri: Pressure-to-stop-exporting-drugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#13_March_2020_%28Pressure_to_stop_exporting_drugs%29

content:
<p>
An anti-Iran pressure group, with close relations with the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>,
is pressuring US drug companies <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/05/iran-coronavirus-medicine-sanctions/">to stop exporting medicines to Iran</a>.


feed_id: 9efbfbc5b0d5ebe424bd02d6a0bb2ab5
title: Trying to stop blacks from voting
uri: Trying-to-stop-blacks-from-voting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#13_March_2020_%28Trying_to_stop_blacks_from_voting%29

content:
<p>
Texas Republicans are trying to stop blacks from voting
by closing polling sites in areas which have many blacks.
Blacks stayed up for hours after the polls closed, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/further/2020/03/04/american-citizen-texas-gop-wants-shut-out-black-and-brown-voters-theyre-not">waiting in line
to vote</a>.

<p>
To try to stop some of your fellow citizens from voting displays total
contempt for your country.  That's typical among Republicans today.


feed_id: 765a67f987b68c99875b9ba6503100a2
title: Tropical forests releasing greenhouse gases
uri: Tropical-forests-releasing-greenhouse-gases
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#13_March_2020_%28Tropical_forests_releasing_greenhouse_gases%29

content:
<p>
Tropical forests are showing signs of converting into releasing
greenhouse gases <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/04/alarming-tropical-forests-shift-carbon-sponge-carbon-source">instead of absorbing them</a>.
  Scientists predicted this change, but did not expect it so soon.


feed_id: a4a1e84694c13ba2347990cbf8141ca6
title: Warren should endorse Sanders
uri: Warren-should-endorse-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#13_March_2020_%28Warren_should_endorse_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
Senator Warren has dropped out of the Democratic presidential
nomination race, without stating a preference between Sanders and
Biden.  If she is to support the policies she has proposed, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/05/profound-and-historic-question-elizabeth-warren-which-side-are-you">she needs
to endorse Sanders</a>.

<p>
Progressives are calling on Warren to exit the race <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/05/we-know-shell-continue-fight-alongside-us-progressive-chorus-warren-join-forces">and endorse Sanders</a>.

<p>
She owes this <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/05/elizabeth-warren-drop-out-bernie">to herself as well as to her country</a>.


feed_id: 4c5c2eb4b1456a5a118f02034c01632b
title: Debate on Medicare for All
uri: Debate-on-Medicare-for-All
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#13_March_2020_%28Debate_on_Medicare_for_All%29
content:
<p>
Sanders has asked Biden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/05/give-us-hour-msnbc-sanders-says-he-would-love-debate-medicare-all-vs-profit-system">for a debate about Medicare for All</a>.


feed_id: 7f4960abaa6830ba65bddf9d81ed9ee3
title: Trying to push felony for Greenpeace protesters
uri: Trying-to-push-felony-for-Greenpeace-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#13_March_2020_%28Trying_to_push_felony_for_Greenpeace_protesters%29

content:
<p>
Texas tried to use its new protest repression felony law to some
Greenpeace protesters, but <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/03/04/grand-jury-refuses-felonies-greenpeace-activists-and-others-charged-houston-oil">the grand jury refused to indict them for
the felony</a>.

<p>
It is very unusual for a grand jury to resist whatever the prosecutor
asks it to do.


feed_id: 47d3b1549c3085e6d1091f28c6d05e87
title: Ignoring studies that respect privacy
uri: Ignoring-studies-that-respect-privacy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#13_March_2020_%28Ignoring_studies_that_respect_privacy%29

content:
<p>
The EPA is broadening its policy of ignoring scientific evidence
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/04/super-tuesday-news-dump-epa-expands-rule-limiting-science-agency-can-use-make-public">from studies that respect patients' privacy</a>.
  (In effect, the Environmental Poisoning Agency now rejects all
legitimate scientific studies that involve human subjects.)


feed_id: 586a06fbd3d0b8a3569783b33243ab5e
title: Keeping Covid-19 in perspective
uri: Keeping-Covid-19-in-perspective
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#13_March_2020_%28Keeping_Covid-19_in_perspective%29
content:
<p>
Aid for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/06/worrying-keep-coronavirus-in-perspective">keeping Covid-19 in perspective</a>.


feed_id: 31662a8dec3f42cf09c92cc0e6c53559
title: Not daring to come back
uri: Not-daring-to-come-back
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#13_March_2020_%28Not_daring_to_come_back%29
content:
<p>
The pogrom in Delhi has ended, but thousands of Muslims who were
driven from their homes by murderous Hindu extremists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/06/how-can-i-go-back-delhi-fearful-muslims-mourn-riot-dead">do not dare go
back</a>.


feed_id: 417e4de530829d910e2e92475165dbd9
title: Pelosi campaigning for right-wing
uri: Pelosi-campaigning-for-right-wing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#13_March_2020_%28Pelosi_campaigning_for_right-wing%29

content:
<p>
Pelosi campaigned successfully for Koch-beloved right-wing
representative Henry Cuellar <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/04/pelosi-carries-right-wing-rep-henry-cuellar-over-finish-line-defeat-progressive">to defeat a progressive challenger in the
Democratic primary</a>.


feed_id: 711e3f95e89f9da35deb8e64f3585071
title: Blocking wounded from going to hospital
uri: Blocking-wounded-from-going-to-hospital
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#13_March_2020_%28Blocking_wounded_from_going_to_hospital%29

content:
<p>
An Israeli soldier shot a Palestinian teenager in the head with a
rubber-coated steel bullet at a short distance.  When people from his village tried to
bring him to a hospital, <a href="https://www.972mag.com/qaddum-palestinian-teen-wounded/">the soldiers blocked the car for 25 minutes</a>.

<p>
Both of those actions are common practice for Israeli occupation
soldiers.  I don't believe that either one happens accidentally.

<p>
A former Israeli soldier campaigns to end the injustices he carried out as
a commander <a href="https://www.972mag.com/jared-kushner-soldiers-occupation/">while maintaining the occupation</a>.


feed_id: 09364aeed7de76570f1f25ec214eec0e
title: Eliminating death penalty
uri: 2020-03-16-Eliminating-death-penalty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_March_2020_%28Eliminating_death_penalty%29
content:
<p>
Rep. Ayanna Pressley is campaigning <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/06/after-alabama-executes-nathaniel-woods-ayanna-pressley-leads-fresh-calls-us-abolish">to eliminate the death penalty in
the US</a>.

<p>
I am proud to have voted for her in 2018, and I will vote for her
again this year.


feed_id: c7a750bd4bce0c60b3edddbe9140162e
title: Prosecution of white-collar criminals
uri: Prosecution-of-white-collar-criminals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_March_2020_%28Prosecution_of_white-collar_criminals%29

content:
<p>
*Study Shows DOJ Prosecutions of White-Collar Criminals <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/06/disturbing-study-shows-doj-prosecutions-white-collar-criminals-hit-all-time-low">Hit
All-Time Low Under [the conman]</a>.*

<p>
When a rich person grabs a bigger share of the world's wealth, <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a>
may break some laws, expecting to be immune from punishment.  The
conman undertakes to support rich people generally whether they are
breaking laws or not.  This report shows us one of the methods used to
do so.

<p>
The conman was not the first modern plutocratist president.  <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_May_2015_(Income_inequality_killing_Americans)">Since
Reagan, each president has been plutocratist</a>,
  and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_February_2018_(Carter's_business_policies)">Carter seems to have started the trend</a>.


feed_id: 5e604ce448efd783ff3125bd2ec80585
title: Geofence warrants
uri: Geofence-warrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_March_2020_%28Geofence_warrants%29
content:
<p>
US <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> often issue "geofence warrants" that ask Google for a list of
references to people tracked to certain area in a certain period of
time.  Subsequently <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/google-tracked-his-bike-ride-past-burglarized-home-made-him-n1151761">they demand more information about some of those
people</a>.

<p>
In principle, using this to find burglars is legitimate, if it is done in
a legitimate way.  (Not secretly, for instance.)  But we can easily imagine
using it to identify and persecute protesters &mdash; which is exactly what
right-wing US politicians are making every effort to do.


feed_id: 0dfa5d99150ccbeb1ba79b1c43cacd20
title: Bullying protesters
uri: Bullying-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_March_2020_%28Bullying_protesters%29
content:
<p>
A US appeals court ruled that a protester who suggested other
nonviolent protesters protest in an illegal way can therefore be sued
for the subsequent violent action of one of those other protesters.
If the Supreme Court allows this to stand, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/07/will-us-supreme-court-protect-right-protest">Americans could be
bankrupted for protesting</a>.

<p>
Chinese dissident Xu Zhiyong is being held incommunicado in solitary,
and is likely eventually to be imprisoned for many years, simply for
saying <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/08/china-activist-who-called-xi-clueless-on-coronavirus-faces-years-in-jail-for-subversion">that Xi was "clueless" about Covid-19</a>.

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> hasn't yet grabbed enough power to do this to Americans, but he
and his supporters are working on it.


feed_id: 9d1ebbd3e1dc3fadd622fdc8e6095179
title: Choice and control over health care
uri: Choice-and-control-over-health-care
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_March_2020_%28Choice_and_control_over_health_care%29

content:
<p>
*The profiteers warn ominously that such reforms as Medicare for All or
a public option for health insurance would take away people’s "choice"
and our "control" over health care.*

<p>
*Hello: we [Americans] presently have no choice or control.
Our "care" is managed by a handful of insurance, drug, and hospital
monopolists <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/23/lie-healthcare-choice">whose primary objective is not improving our health, but
feathering their own cushy nests</a>.*

<p>
(There are some exceptions: the wealthy few, plus a larger number that
have good medical plans.)

<p>
The unparalleled expense of the US medical system is reflected in the
fact that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/06/outrageous-says-bernie-sanders-filings-show-top-healthcare-ceos-raked-combined-300">10 CEOs in medical companies made a total of over $300
million last year</a>.


feed_id: 3c8a05358f365a546d32cd4a5fafa30d
title: Ways to support Assange
uri: Ways-to-support-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_March_2020_%28Ways_to_support_Assange%29
content:
<p>
Craig Murray <a href="https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2020/03/julian-assange-hearing-your-help-wanted/">suggests ways to support Julian Assange</a>.


feed_id: f69026d98eaa0e3d7a23086a1afb094e
title: Exxon lobbying for fossil-fuel
uri: Exxon-lobbying-for-fossil-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_March_2020_%28Exxon_lobbying_for_fossil-fuel%29
content:
<p>
It appears that Exxon convinced the EU <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/06/exxonmobil-tried-to-get-european-green-deal-watered-down-claims-climate-lobbying-watchdog">to abandon its plans to
phase out sale of fossil-fuel vehicles</a>.


feed_id: 8bd1f73e30018b43ffea225a6d086c24
title: Biden's proof
uri: Biden-s-proof
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_March_2020_%28Biden%27s_proof%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/biden-says-incredible-comeback-proves-he-can-beat-progr-1842091985">satire</a>) *Biden Says Incredible Comeback Proves
   He Can Beat Progressive Democrat In A General Election.*


feed_id: 0d1d80f12ea3631809793c4d304c81be
title: Reasons to be reassured
uri: Reasons-to-be-reassured
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_March_2020_%28Reasons_to_be_reassured%29
content:
<p>
*Coronavirus: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/07/coronavirus-reasons-to-be-reassured">nine reasons to be reassured</a>.*


feed_id: 33ddd695ac8154c5651f32eaf0fb9090
title: Measuring cruelty
uri: Measuring-cruelty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_March_2020_%28Measuring_cruelty%29
content:
<p>
Measured against the heartless cruelty of Thatcherism, even a hint of
empathy for the poor from today's Tories looks like "moving left" &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/07/boris-johnson-thatcher-conservative-economic-policy-thatcherism">if
you don't try to measure it against fixed benchmarks</a>.


feed_id: b460a985d0ca869bf8e9840c7929d98c
title: Won't fight for abortion rights
uri: Won-t-fight-for-abortion-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_March_2020_%28Won%27t_fight_for_abortion_rights%29

content:
<p>
Don't trust Biden <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/07/joe-biden-abortion-rights/">to fight for abortion rights</a>.


feed_id: 4b70f7c7e4191dcc1be37731ac89cb83
title: The stock market doesn't matter
uri: The-stock-market-doesn-t-matter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_March_2020_%28The_stock_market_doesn%27t_matter%29

content:
<p>
*Coronavirus Matters, the Stock Market Doesn’t, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/06/coronavirus-covid-19-stock-market-economy/">and Thinking It Does May Literally Kill Us</a>.*

<p>
We can apply that to other areas.  Medical care matters, the stock
market doesn't.  Decarbonization matters, the stock market doesn't.


feed_id: 8dc4ad7bfbe326f4933ed0a05bedbcd1
title: Using nonfree software or flunking out
uri: Using-nonfree-software-or-flunking-out
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_March_2020_%28Using_nonfree_sofrware_or_flunking_out%29

content:
<p>
The University of Washington <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/06/us-coronavirus-death-toll-washington-state">has cancelled all in-person classes</a>.

<p>
This is understandable, but it also makes it especially crucial that the
university allow students to do this with free software.
Until now, it seems that students had the option of attending classes.
With that option cancelled, they may face the choice of running nonfree
software, or flunking out.

<p>
If I were a student, I'd drop out rather than yield to that.  But
schools should not impose on students the need for such sacrifice.

<p>
Aside from that, virtual "school" over the internet is known to be
inferior in quality to real school.  If this continues, students won't
continue paying for quality which they don't get.


feed_id: e9efa6f5bf606083095ed8878c0b74c4
title: Kidnapped by own father
uri: Kidnapped-by-own-father
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_March_2020_%28Kidnapped_by_own_father%29
content:
<p>
The UK will investigate <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/06/police-to-review-inquiry-into-2000-disappearance-of-dubai-rulers-daughter">the apparent kidnapping of Shamsa al-Maktoum
by her father, the emir of Dubai</a>.


feed_id: 74d703a31c6e6b6a6066fc9041387066
title: Blocking Netanyahu from forming a government
uri: Blocking-Netanyahu-from-forming-a-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_March_2020_%28Blocking_Netanyahu_from_forming_a_government%29

content:
<p>
In the latest Israeli election, the mainly-Arab "Joint List" Party won
15 seats and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/04/israel-arab-parties-make-historic-gains-election-support-surges">can block Netanyahu from forming a government</a>.

<p>
Some Jewish supporters of ending the occupation may have voted for
that party also.


feed_id: 4ee61d5ac35339505f25396745882d16
title: Make do and mend
uri: Make-do-and-mend
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#17_March_2020_%28Make_do_and_mend%29
content:
<p>
*Fashion culture now would benefit from studying the ‘make do and mend’
 attitude of the second world war, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2020/feb/24/should-we-ration-fashion-lessons-in-sustainability-from-the-second-world-war">says Extinction Rebellion co-founder
Clare Farrell</a>.*


feed_id: dea2c322e82e1ad614f2004ee34c2ff5
title: Surveillance app
uri: Surveillance-app
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#17_March_2020_%28Surveillance_app%29
content:
<p>
China is forcing everyone to install a new surveillance and
classification app which tracks a person's movements, and reports per
status.  At many places, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/07/how-global-health-crisis-turns-into-state-run-surveillance-opportunity">guards check whether the phone says the user
is allowed in</a>.

<p>
At the moment, it is used to implement quarantine for Covid-19.
But they will never get rid of it.

<p>
What made this possible is the switch to digital payment.

<p>
Don't use digital payment!  Pay cash!


feed_id: 6af2693a0922d4e61e3587f57e756574
title: A climate president in office
uri: A-climate-president-in-office
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#17_March_2020_%28A_climate_president_in_office%29
content:
<p>
*'We Have to Get a Climate President in Office': Jane Fonda Says
 <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/07/we-have-get-climate-president-office-jane-fonda-says-bernie-sanders-only-climate">Bernie Sanders Is the Only Climate Candidate</a>.*


feed_id: 7d16112851ec4c3fa081a54f5121944f
title: Woody Allen's memoirs
uri: Woody-Allen-s-memoirs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#17_March_2020_%28Woody_Allen%27s_memoirs%29
content:
<p>
*However controversial, Woody Allen’s memoirs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/07/however-controversial-woody-allens-memoirs-had-a-right-to-be-published">should be published</a>.*


feed_id: a32018aa7f130d9c45aa005f10d8d433
title: Coercive control
uri: Coercive-control
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#17_March_2020_%28Coercive_control%29
content:
<p>
Explaining the nature and causes of coercive control, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/08/patriarchy-and-power-how-gender-inequality-underpins-abusive-behaviour">a spirit-crushing form
of domestic abuse</a>.

<p>
I've seen this happen, though I had no name to call it.  When I was a
child, around age 10 to 12, I heard my father do this to his wife in
the evenings when I was in bed.  I felt so sorry for her, and helpless
because I had no way to protect her.


feed_id: c7d88bf4591ba23ab358b0fb332fc9f8
title: Systematic effort to pay women more
uri: Systematic-effort-to-pay-women-more
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#17_March_2020_%28Systematic_effort_to_pay_women_more%29

content:
<p>
New Zealand is making a systematic effort to value the traditionally
feminine jobs more highly, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2020/mar/08/in-new-zealand-we-are-starting-to-value-womens-work-fairly-its-time-for-the-world-to-follow">and pay them more too</a>.


feed_id: e3620e2ff82026bd0420d212dd85ce90
title: Threat to free speech
uri: Threat-to-free-speech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#17_March_2020_%28Threat_to_free_speech%29
content:
<p>
*No-platforming and the government’s Prevent anti-terror strategy <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/08/censoring-dangerous-ideas-is-itself-dangerous-no-platforming-prevent">are
   both threats to free speech in UK universities</a>.*


feed_id: c4c858e80c8ec3f3884b1565f6300497
title: Spying on opposition
uri: Spying-on-opposition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#17_March_2020_%28Spying_on_opposition%29
content:
<p>
*Erik Prince Recruited Ex-Spies to Help Project Veritas <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/07/chilling-erik-prince-recruited-ex-spies-help-project-veritas-infiltrate-groups">Infiltrate Groups 'Hostile' to [the conman's] Agenda</a>.*


feed_id: da762beb0b0425cc207a960fa3fa1614
title: Urgent: Warren should endorse Sanders
uri: Urgent-Warren-should-endorse-Sanders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#17_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Warren_should_endorse_Sanders%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://www.warren.senate.gov/contact/office-locations">phone one of Senator Warren's offices</a> to urge her to
endorse Sanders for president.


<p>
This is the necessary next step if she wishes to advance the
progressive causes she has supported.


feed_id: 3a676e4c86cd301568f9c104ad1ccf54
title: Fleeing quarantine
uri: Fleeing-quarantine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#17_March_2020_%28Fleeing_quarantine%29
content:
<p>
Italy quarantined the region of Liguria (along with several
provinces).  This enormous step <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/08/leaked-coronavirus-plan-to-quarantine-16m-sparks-chaos-in-italy">inspired thousands of people to flee
that region so as not to be stuck there</a>.


<p>
In Italy, each region consists of multiple provinces.

<p>
Elevated repression by the US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> is likely to
discourage unauthorized immigrants from getting tested or treated for
Covid-19.  They would instead be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/08/trump-immigration-policies-undocumented-coronavirus">more likely to spread the disease,
and more likely to get badly sick or die</a>.


feed_id: 593b2597b8a1d32e55deb7e09f09e939
title: Decreasing active cases of Covid-19
uri: Decreasing-active-cases-of-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#17_March_2020_%28Decreasing_active_cases_of_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
Taiwan's public health measures have cut down Covid-19 transmission
so effectively <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/07/coronavirus-outbreak-taipei-taiwan-china">that the number of active cases is decreasing</a>.



<p>
At least, that's what the government reports.  I am willing to trust
the Taiwanese government to be honest about this, but there could be more
cases that it does not know about.


feed_id: b26ed6a58aa7779dd33d510aa7368480
title: Imprisonment of critics
uri: Imprisonment-of-critics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#17_March_2020_%28Imprisonment_of_critics%29
content:
<p>
Chinese dissident Xu Zhiyong is being held incommunicado in solitary,
and is likely eventually <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/08/china-activist-who-called-xi-clueless-on-coronavirus-faces-years-in-jail-for-subversion">to be imprisoned for many years, for
criticizing Xi's handling of Covid-19</a>.

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> hasn't yet grabbed enough power to do this to Americans, but he
and his supporters are working on it.


feed_id: 6bce9ba017d358114bbaec15f6bf65bd
title: Supporting theft of elections
uri: Supporting-theft-of-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#17_March_2020_%28Supporting_theft_of_elections%29
content:
<p>
The Organization of American States has supported theft of elections
in Honduras and Bolivia, and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/06/organization-american-states-eroding-faith-democracy">seems to have tried to support a coup
in Dominica</a>.


feed_id: db3cba1bd045587c598cb36a3e40ca75
title: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
uri: 2020-03-17-Reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#17_March_2020_%28Reducing_greenhouse_gas_emissions%29

content:
<p>
Virginia has adopted a strong law <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/03/06/virginia-passes-historic-100-clean-energy-legislation">to move reduce greenhouse gas
emissions from electricity and heating</a>.

<p>
That does not cover all greenhouse emission: other sectors including
transportation, manufacturing and agriculture need to be reduced a well.


feed_id: b0a018fa2deed85d8011928fb4225341
title: Sanctions on health
uri: Sanctions-on-health
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#17_March_2020_%28Sanctions_on_health%29
content:
<p>
The sadist's sanctions against Iran stopped Iran from protecting itself
from Covid-19, and now they are squeezing the flow of medicines <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/06/exactly-how-many-people-iran-will-die-coronavirus-because-trumps-inhumane-sanctions">that can
help treat people in Iran who get sick</a>.


feed_id: 8000d96332bac1ac2d298ed0f320ddb7
title: No Medicare for All for Biden
uri: No-Medicare-for-All-for-Biden
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#18_March_2020_%28No_Medicare_for_All_for_Biden%29
content:
<p>
*Biden Refuses to Commit <a href="https://truthout.org/articles/biden-refuses-to-commit-to-signing-medicare-for-all-bill-as-president/">to Signing Medicare for All Bill as President</a>.*


feed_id: d3747c95fd4c527e024c0f7803ab8e64
title: Urgent: Sanders should skip the AIPAC event
uri: Urgent-Sanders-should-skip-the-AIPAC-event
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#18_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Sanders_should_skip_the_AIPAC_event%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13856">call on Sanders</a> to skip the AIPAC event again as he did
in 2016.


feed_id: 3df919aa9ec802f7e44d7ca534e85c36
title: Independent voters for Sanders
uri: Independent-voters-for-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#18_March_2020_%28Independent_voters_for_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
*Boosting Electability Argument, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/09/boosting-electability-argument-sanders-has-won-independent-voters-13-out-16-exit">Sanders Has Won Independent Voters in
 13 Out of 16 Exit Polls So Far</a>.
   In CNN's [exit] polls, Sanders won the support of independent voters
 in every state so far except Virginia, South Carolina, and Alabama.*

<p>
On the other hand <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/10/michigan-primary-joe-biden-bernie-sanders">Biden is the favorite Democratic candidate among
pre-2016 Republicans</a>.


feed_id: 83d86678f2eb591feac93120f51ed74c
title: Sentenced to prison for his films
uri: Sentenced-to-prison-for-his-films
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#18_March_2020_%28Sentenced_to_prison_for_his_films%29

content:
<p>
Prize-winning Iranian film director Mohammad Rasoulof <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/mar/04/golden-bear-winner-mohammad-rasoulof-sentenced-jail-iran">has been
sentenced to a year in prison for his films</a>.


feed_id: ebaa31eedaf5a0ed977fcf1ee08ac43f
title: Make laws more compliant to oil companies
uri: Make-laws-more-compliant-to-oil-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#18_March_2020_%28Make_laws_more_compliant_to_oil_companies%29

content:
<p>
The World Bank is funding Guyana <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/08/world-bank-accused-over-exxonmobil-plans-to-tap-guyana-oil-rush">to make its laws more
compliant to oil companies</a>.


feed_id: ac1be81b76c4acae67501acb7140f1ab
title: Freelancers with anti-union
uri: Freelancers-with-anti-union
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#18_March_2020_%28Freelancers_with_anti-union%29
content:
<p>
Freelancers Shouldn't Betray Other Gig Workers <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/08/freelancers-shouldnt-betray-other-gig-workers-allying-anti-union-opponents-ab5">By Allying with Anti-Union
Opponents of AB5</a>.


feed_id: b70c8d2f84f1c310da6f2781a1291656
title: Gratis lunch fights obesity
uri: Gratis-lunch-fights-obesity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#18_March_2020_%28Gratis_lunch_fights_obesity%29
content:
<p>
Receiving gratis lunch in school <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/mar/08/free-school-dinners-reduce-child-obesity-study-reveals">helps children avoid obesity</a>.


feed_id: 4fb4d6799539e54fab30468720139b40
title: Stephen King fighting censorship
uri: Stephen-King-fighting-censorship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#18_March_2020_%28Stephen_King_fighting_censorship%29

content:
<p>
Stephen King condemned the mob censorship that cancelled publication
of Woody Allen's memoire &mdash; not out of support for Allen
in particular, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/mar/08/stephen-kings-attacks-axing-woody-allen-memoir">but out principled opposition to censorship in general</a>.


feed_id: f5874bd1b018761cf8e96006bfa64dd0
title: Shutting down TV channels
uri: Shutting-down-TV-channels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#18_March_2020_%28Shutting_down_TV_channels%29
content:
<p>
India shut down two TV channels for some days because they showed
video of the pogrom in Delhi and <a href="https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/mar/06/malayalam-tv-channels-asianet-news-media-one-blocked-for-48-hours-over-coverage-of-delhi-riots-2113281.html">made the perpetrators (Modi's
supporters) appear to be at fault</a>.


feed_id: 795b1ad0a22cef752fe6095ec756ea61
title: Contraception and pre-natal care
uri: Contraception-and-pre-natal-care
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#18_March_2020_%28Contraception_and_pre-natal_care%29

content:
<p>
Sanders' Reproductive Health Care and Justice for All plan <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/07/sanders-unveils-plan-address-gop-attacks-reproductive-rights-and-black-maternal">would
assure all American women of contraception and pre-natal care</a>.


<p>
One aim is to reduce the rate of death in childbirth, which is
particularly high in the US.


feed_id: 296536409c44adc28bf96f63039faa9f
title: Funding the state's needs
uri: Funding-the-state-s-needs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#18_March_2020_%28Funding_the_state%27s_needs%29
content:
<p>
California's initiative petition to tax business property fully <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/09/jeff-bezos-climate-crisis-taxes-california">would
make Amazon and lots of smaller businesses fund the state's needs</a>.


feed_id: 54eec53f2472e56ae0756c79ff603d52
title: Ancient fertility rituals
uri: Ancient-fertility-rituals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#18_March_2020_%28Ancient_fertility_rituals%29
content:
<p>
Claiming that female genital mutilation started <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/09/eradicate-fgm-misunderstanding-history">as part of a series of
ancient fertility rituals in East Africa</a>.


feed_id: 9d8d5c54de50843c941880e05f02bc85
title: Green deal
uri: Green-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#18_March_2020_%28Green_deal%29
content:
<p>
The proposed European Green Deal would be far from sufficient, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/09/what-is-the-european-green-deal-and-will-it-really-cost-1tn">but
failing to do it would guarantee disaster</a>.


feed_id: b4d8aa9ea88357b3bb2abbc0471593f8
title: Cashing out on 2020 campaign
uri: Cashing-out-on-2020-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#18_March_2020_%28Cashing_out_on_2020_campaign%29
content:
<p>
*How Trump's business empire <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/09/how-trumps-business-empire-is-cashing-in-on-the-2020-campaign">is cashing in on the 2020 campaign</a>.*


<p>
His support comes from cynical businesses that don't mind paying bribes
if they won't be prosecuted, and from plutocrats think funneling money
to the rich is the purpose of the state.


feed_id: c195b67eb3faab4461e0b45fc24bb8ab
title: Trial of rebel officers
uri: Trial-of-rebel-officers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#18_March_2020_%28Trial_of_rebel_officers%29
content:
<p>
Russian and Ukrainian rebel officers are being tried <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/09/mh17-plane-crash-trial-opens-in-the-hague-malaysia-airlines-flight">for shooting down
MH17 as it passed over the rebel part of Ukraine</a>.


<p>
I am shocked by the use of the word "murder".  Does the prosecution
accuse that the officers knowingly attacked a civilian air vessel?  I
have never seen that accusation seriously made, and even assuming they
would kill noncombattants without hesitation, I can't imagine what
could have motivated them to do so in that instance.

<p>
I have seen claims that there was evidence that the plane was shot
down by machine-gun fire (by another plane).  It could be fake.  In
any case, I hope it is submitted to this trial so that the question of
its validity can be settled.


feed_id: c2de5185325e423b7903d63fbd26e4e1
title: Not hiring more
uri: Not-hiring-more
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#19_March_2020_%28Not_hiring_more%29
content:
<p>
AT&T lobbied for the conman's tax cuts for the rich by suggesting it
would hire more workers and increase wages.  Instead it continues
to cut jobs, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/10/at-and-t-layoffs-jobs-slashed-trump-tax-cuts">and has cut back on investment in its operations</a>.

<p>
Why try harder when you have so few competitors?


feed_id: ef7e2b94162aa1c013597d10de9d8f1e
title: Policy of medical neglect
uri: Policy-of-medical-neglect
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#19_March_2020_%28Policy_of_medical_neglect%29
content:
<p>
Quite a few Palestinians die from illness in Israeli prisons.
Palestinians <a href="https://electronicintifada.net/content/prisoners-denied-timely-treatment-dying-israeli-custody/29691">accuse Israel of carrying out a policy of "medical
neglect"</a>.


feed_id: 3231a16882a5877e0278931f441ae4b2
title: Criticism, not hate
uri: Criticism-not-hate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#19_March_2020_%28Criticism%2C_not_hate%29
content:
<p>
The protest by college basketball players in Brooklyn <a href="https://www.antiwar.com/blog/2020/03/03/the-brooklyn-yeshiva-anthem-protest-and-why-it-is-not-antisemitic/">was criticism
of Israel's occupation policies, not antisemitism</a>.


feed_id: de91ed68210d80ae475e8c81d8a48135
title: Advocating minority expulsion
uri: Advocating-minority-expulsion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#19_March_2020_%28Advocating_minority_expulsion%29
content:
<p>
An Israeli minister spoke advocating (via hints) <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/smotrich-appears-to-post-support-for-expulsion-of-arab-israelis/">a policy of driving
all Arabs out of Israel</a>.


feed_id: f5050abb9f1d1eaff34942a7b724ea79
title: No Covid-19 protection in prisons
uri: No-Covid-19-protection-in-prisons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#19_March_2020_%28No_Covid-19_protection_in_prisons%29

content:
<p>
US prisons do not have adequate plans <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/10/nightmare-waiting-happen-advocates-warn-us-prison-conditions-risks-intense">to protect prisoners from
Covid-19</a>.
  Once one prisoner in the prison gets sick, it is likely to spread to
many other prisoners (and guards).

<p>
Iran has freed 70,000 prisoners (perhaps temporarily) so they won't
catch Covid-19.  However, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/11/kylie-moore-gilbert-jailed-australian-not-among-70000-prisoners-freed-in-iran-as-coronavirus-spreads">political prisoners are not being released</a>.


feed_id: 0aa153742140577991fb4bc7d517eabc
title: Musical torture
uri: Musical-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#19_March_2020_%28Musical_torture%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://entertainment.theonion.com/new-cia-torture-program-concert-series-brings-metallica-1841790009">satire</a>) *&hellip; the CIA rolled out a new torture
   program concert series Wednesday that brings Metallica into black sites
   to play 72-hour sets.*


feed_id: 1872b51438752f9610254efdf3907119
title: Expanding assisted dying
uri: Expanding-assisted-dying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#19_March_2020_%28Expanding_assisted_dying%29
content:
<p>
*Canada's government seeks to expand access to assisted dying.
Proposal <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/24/canada-government-access-assisted-dying">would include for the first time people who are not in
immediate risk of dying</a>.*

<p>
This would help people who face a likelihood of decades of suffering
or decades of hopeless paralyzed uselessness and boredom.


feed_id: af99646bd87df8eab726a4248685af8a
title: Blocking 6,000 years old route
uri: Blocking-6-000-years-old-route
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#19_March_2020_%28Blocking_6%2C000_years_old_route%29

content:
<p>
*This pronghorn migration route is 6,000 years old. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/24/pronghorn-migration-gas-wells">Now [the
wrecker's] gas wells could block it</a>.*

<p>
The result of burning that gas could be part of destroying our
civilization, too.


feed_id: 8dca0470a8298c00aea7f684a2a24359
title: Restoring seagrass meadows
uri: Restoring-seagrass-meadows
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#19_March_2020_%28Restoring_seagrass_meadows%29
content:
<p>
There is a plan <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/10/uk-lost-sea-meadows-to-be-resurrected-in-climate-emergency-fight">to restore seagrass meadows off the coast of Britain</a>.

<p>
This is a good thing to do, provided the attempt isn't futile &mdash;
provided that the newly planted seagrass won't immediately be killed.
But even if this gets off to a good start, people must not count their
meadows as carbon offsets before they are fully grown.


feed_id: 853eca1a93454bba99877c2e157c3fac
title: Children in cobalt mines
uri: Children-in-cobalt-mines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#19_March_2020_%28Children_in_cobalt_mines%29
content:
<p>
People in the DR Congo are suing Apple, Google, Tesla, Microsoft and Dell
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/mar/10/human-rights-activist-forced-to-flee-drc-over-child-cobalt-mining-lawsuit">for employing children in cobalt mines and causing them injury or death</a>.

<p>
When one activist was discovered to be involved in the lawsuit,
he received death threats.


feed_id: 483afb7e6a4cf38ee6fbd433ff929ca0
title: Bridge over Amazon
uri: Bridge-over-Amazon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#19_March_2020_%28Bridge_over_Amazon%29
content:
<p>
Bolsonaro's proposed bridge across the Amazon river <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/mar/10/brazil-amazon-bridge-project-bolsonaro">would make it
easier for gangsters to cut down the trees in the region</a>.
  Bolsonaro would cheer them on as they push the forest towards the tipping
point where it would disappear.


feed_id: 80ff8448efe9b5045251774d4179df9f
title: Growing trees
uri: Growing-trees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#19_March_2020_%28Growing_trees%29
content:
<p>
Growing trees does little lasting good against <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
if the wood is used in ways <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/10/uk-commercial-tree-plantations-ineffective-climate-crisis-report">that will quickly decay and release
the carbon again</a>.


feed_id: 05c3b3a39df965ca55a5f41641e2b03d
title: Everything to the climate test
uri: Everything-to-the-climate-test
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#19_March_2020_%28Everything_to_the_climate_test%29
content:
<p>
*There's no 'deadline' to save the world. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/10/deadline-save-world-climate-test-crisis-governments">Everything we do now has to pass the
climate test</a>.*


feed_id: e5954d330613f49b4db253db20f57470
title: Political consequences of Covid-19
uri: Political-consequences-of-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#19_March_2020_%28Political_consequences_of_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
Italy's reaction to Covid-19 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/10/coronavirus-lockdown-italy-florence-panic">and its political consequences</a>.

<p>
It appears that the right-wing extremist Liga party, in power in
Lombardia, leaked the Lombardia quarantine plan so as to provoke chaos
which it could then blame it on the government.

<p>
Praise for Italy's well-organized campaign to block spread of the
virus, treat those who are sick (nearly all patients can survive with
good treatment), <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2020/mar/10/what-if-the-rest-of-europe-follows-italys-coronavirus-fate">and prevent the disastrous economic consequences that
the epidemic is likely to have</a>.


feed_id: ad17a94d16ef01f944706174cf7af0cc
title: Greater threat to the world
uri: Greater-threat-to-the-world
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#19_March_2020_%28Greater_threat_to_the_world%29
content:
<p>
*Deadly heatwaves, floods and rising hunger <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/10/climate-emergency-global-action-way-off-track-says-un-head-coronavirus">far greater threat to world
   than coronavirus, scientists say</a>.*

<p>
*Ecosystems the size of Amazon <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/10/ecosystems-size-of-amazon-rainforest-can-collapse-within-decades">'can collapse within decades'</a>.*


feed_id: e5352d121fa3fb2b0e3fabd4bc74d1be
title: Overwhelming virus
uri: Overwhelming-virus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#20_March_2020_%28Overwhelming_virus%29
content:
<p>
Covid-19 is overwhelming Italy's medical system &mdash; <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/11/italys-hospitals-overwhelmed-coronavirus-top-health-official-says-worse-yet-come-us">it does not have
the capacity to treat so many patients</a>.

<p>
People who have other medical problems may die because the medical
personnel have no time to treat everyone.

<p>
This demonstrates the error of prioritizing efficient operation in
normal time by tuning medical capacity to the normal level of demand.
A system such as the British NHS, which is operating over capacity
even in normal times due to Tory budget cuts, is starting from
a position of being overwhelmed.

<p>
*In opposing Medicaid expansion, Koch-funded organizations <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2020/03/11/despite-coronavirus-threat-americans-prosperity-still-leads-fight-against-medicaid-expansion/">have increased the likelihood of the spread of the coronavirus in the U.S.</a>*


<p>
Why is the US unprepared to deal with Covid-19?  The same underlying
reason that it is unprepared to deal with global heating: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/11/politics-and-consequences-climate-emergency-coronavirus">the 40-year
plutocratist war on science, and its political reach</a>.


feed_id: d5d9c9f283ac8df9156963b6c551bc05
title: Medical terrorism
uri: Medical-terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#20_March_2020_%28Medical_terrorism%29
content:
<p>
*Accusing US of 'Medical Terrorism,' <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/11/accusing-us-medical-terrorism-iran-demands-trump-lift-drug-import-sanctions-amid">Iran Demands Trump Lift Drug Import
Sanctions Amid Coronavirus Crisis</a>.*


<p>
The current dispute between Iran and the US is entirely the fault of
the US (specifically, the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> in chief).  The US ought to
apologize, and help Iran, in exchange for its agreement once again to
the non-nuclear deal which was succeeding in stopping Iran from
refining nuclear fuel.

<p>
There is no fundamental reason for the US and Iran to be enemies.  The
Iranian regime represses Iranians on religious and political grounds,
but nowhere near as much as <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> does.


feed_id: e081ad6ee77865496c1cf40d32b5adae
title: Stopping harming world in some decades
uri: Stopping-harming-world-in-some-decades
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#20_March_2020_%28Stopping_harming_world_in_some_decades%29

content:
<p>
Billionaire Polluters (BP) is talking about <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/11/loopholes-lurking-bps-new-climate-aims">aiming to become
"carbon-neutral" some decades from now</a>.

<p>
This is such a weak target that it contributes little more than lip service
to avoiding climate disaster.


feed_id: 3f0c1a91a3bf010fa4874f16d5b3ae29
title: Professors of economics for Medicare for All
uri: Professors-of-economics-for-Medicare-for-All
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#20_March_2020_%28Professors_of_economics_for_Medicare_for_All%29

content:
<p>
Many professors of economics and related fields state their
endorsement for Medicare for All <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/11/20-top-economists-endorse-medicare-all-best-plan-cut-costs-save-tens-thousands-lives">as the affordable way to provide
healthcare to Americans</a>.


<p>
Our current system <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#26_March_2019_(US_medical_care_costs)">fails to do so</a>.


feed_id: edc5d56961182b33244aac6f233a61a1
title: Joy of establishment
uri: Joy-of-establishment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#20_March_2020_%28Joy_of_establishment%29
content:
<p>
The joy of the Democratic Party establishment, and its tools in the
mainstream media, at Biden's recent victories show what we are up
against as we try to correct America's giant problems.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/11/dark-time-eye-begins-see-2020-bernie-campaign-represents-fight-must-continue">But we cannot
give up</a>.


<p>
I have no reason to think that the election was dishonest, overall.
More Democratic voters have voted for Biden.  I can't argue with those
votes.  But that doesn't compel me to vote for Biden.  I do not vote
for right-wing plutocratists merely because others have done so.


feed_id: 1c6ab2e70a21465f6d44d7b485020390
title: Almost impossible to win
uri: Almost-impossible-to-win
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#20_March_2020_%28Almost_impossible_to_win%29
content:
<p>
Biden's victories in recent primaries <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/11/five-takeaways-primaries-democrats-joe-biden-bernie-sanders">make it almost impossible for
Sanders to win the nomination</a>.

<p>
For a while I hoped that we could have a good president, but it seems we
will have another lousy one.


feed_id: 76c8b430d2a8ae05cc39a9e17aa9295b
title: Suing representative and press
uri: Suing-representative-and-press
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#20_March_2020_%28Suing_representative_and_press%29
content:
<p>
Burma is using its libel law to sue a member of its parliament
for saying that the army killed two Rohingya.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/10/myanmar-army-sues-reuters-over-report-on-deaths-of-rohingya-women">And suing Reuters for
reporting that</a>.

<p>
Here is <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/two-rohingya-women-killed-as-myanmar-army-shells-village-mp">the original Reuters article</a>.

<p>
Here is the article as Reuters modified it <a href="https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-myanmar-rohingya/two-rohingya-women-killed-in-myanmar-shelling-idUKKBN1ZX2OE">in response to the complaint</a>.


feed_id: 6a8e0e5f9a24598271457a6d7555c26f
title: Ranked choice
uri: Ranked-choice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#20_March_2020_%28Ranked_choice%29
content:
<p>
Ranked choice voting would fix the problem of primary votes
which are cast early <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/11/ranked-choice-voting-us-primary-elections-washington">for a candidate that drops out before election day</a>.

<p>
This is in addition to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_September_2019_(Ranked_choice_voting)">its other advantages</a>.


feed_id: 3fa6e24935ada62a05928145d0ee0bdd
title: Investigation of welfare cuts
uri: Investigation-of-welfare-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#20_March_2020_%28Investigation_of_welfare_cuts%29
content:
<p>
20 UK charities that serve the mentally ill demand an investigation
of dozens of cases <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/11/charities-call-for-inquiry-deaths-benefits-cuts-dwp">in which welfare cuts resulted in people's deaths</a>.


feed_id: 1b32270d103e986213bb3984c40e45ea
title: End-to-end encryption under threat
uri: End-to-end-encryption-under-threat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#20_March_2020_%28End-to-end_encryption_under_threat%29

content:
<p>
Senators are working on a bill that would <a href="https://reason.com/2020/03/09/senators-push-sneaky-anti-privacy-bill/">effectively ban end-to-end
encryption in commercial products (with their nonfree software)</a>.

<p>
Nonfree software is inherently untrustworthy; <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">the developer can always
insert a back door and deny it</a>.
   Even without this law, you should not trust it.

<p>
Nonetheless, we should campaign against this law.  If they go this far,
who knows where they will go next.


feed_id: 510bbb0057b6956b5fbc434215219136
title: Ruled by local neighborhood councils
uri: Ruled-by-local-neighborhood-councils
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#20_March_2020_%28Ruled_by_local_neighborhood_councils%29

content:
<p>
Interviews with Syrian Kurds <a href="https://reason.com/2020/03/07/a-kurdish-experiment-in-decentralized-governance/">report on a region ruled by local
neighborhood councils</a>.


feed_id: c32f04d92ff7e0fef0c072f09f03afaf
title: Losing Reality
uri: Losing-Reality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#20_March_2020_%28Losing_Reality%29
content:
<p>
The book Losing Reality describes social systems that deny some
aspects of reality, replacing it with obligatory falsehoods.
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/09/losing-reality-can-we-get-truth-back">The bullshitter's following is one example</a>.


feed_id: 4924ab2cf4b3a27c9d7647b31e439c1e
title: Petition against ISDS corporate courts
uri: Petition-against-ISDS-corporate-courts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#20_March_2020_%28Petition_against_ISDS_corporate_courts%29

content:
<p>
70,000 Britons petitioned the government <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/03/10/70000-demand-corporate-courts-kept-out-post-brexit-trade-deals">to reject ISDS corporate courts
in any new trade agreements</a>.


feed_id: 5cb37645c3eb749a22219efb78db3cc4
title: Economic harm of Covid-19
uri: Economic-harm-of-Covid-19
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#20_March_2020_%28Economic_harm_of_Covid-19%29
content:
<p>
How Covid-19 is likely to do widespread economic harm, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/10/coronavirus-reason-worry-about-economy-stock-market-plunge-not">especially to
working people</a>.

<p>
Low wages, precarious employment, lack of medical insurance, and
homelessness <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/10/six-quick-very-important-points-about-coronavirus-and-poverty-us">will all compel US workers to go to work even if they are
spreading Covid-19</a>.


<p>
A government which cared about working people could protect people
from the worst forms of economic harm.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/09/working-people-most-vulnerable-its-time-get-serious-about-economic-response">One recommendation is
rapid direct payments to individuals</a>.


<p>
The social and economic effects of Covid-19 are a foretaste <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/10/coronavirus-wake-call-climate-change">of what
climate mayhem will produce</a>.

<p>
Both problems call for global cooperation.


feed_id: ae3674933d77cbfab3ca8d93ba212a41
title: How will we pay for it
uri: 2020-03-20-How-will-we-pay-for-it
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#20_March_2020_%28How_will_we_pay_for_it%29
content:
<p>
If the US government can start a war without asking "how will we pay for it,"
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/10/insane-and-cruel-watch-nurse-rip-question-how-us-can-afford-make-coronavirus-vaccine">why should it ask that question about prevention (or treatment) for Covid-19</a>?

<p>
Indeed, why should it ask that question about any necessary medical
care?  Especially since Medicare for All will cost less than America's
current lousy medical system.

<p>
*Five Americans Living in Social Democratic Norway Explain <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/10/five-americans-living-social-democratic-norway-explain-why-bernie-sanders-so">Why Bernie Sanders
Is So Appealing</a>.*


feed_id: 14c41752df4fd2e5968ee1eb67b5b420
title: Confusions in press coverage of Covid-19
uri: Confusions-in-press-coverage-of-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Confusions_in_press_coverage_of_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/11/reading-about-coronavirus-without-scaring-yourself-too-much-or-too-little">Clarifying
the conceptual confusions</a> in most press coverage of Covid-19,
including measurements of its spread and measures to control it.
<p>
In particular, figures about number of cases are not even significant
to an order of magnitude at this point &mdash; the measurement system
is basically broken.
<p>
<a href="https://letgrow.org/mass-hysteria-and-panic/">Advice to
parents</a>.


feed_id: 4fcd493dd8169753b7e7cb0a03582082
title: Urgent: Help non-rich Americans cope with Covid-19
uri: Urgent-Help-non-rich-Americans-cope-with-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Help_non-rich_Americans_cope_with_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
Phone your congresscritter and senators to push for a bill that would
help non-rich Americans cope with Covid-19.  The bill would do these
things:</p>
<ul>
<li>
Federally mandated paid sick leave for caretakers and ill people, to
stop the spread of this virus by allowing sick people to stay home and
avoid infecting others;</li>
<li>
Free coronavirus testing that will allow people to know if they've
been infected and health agencies to track the spread of the
virus;</li>
<li>
Emergency food aid for low-income pregnant women, young children,
senior citizens, and food banks that may become overwhelmed as more
people are temporarily out of work and</li>
<li>
Unemployment funding for workers laid off or furloughed because of the
coronavirus pandemic.</li>
</ul>
<p>
If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: e6c84108046d8fe27f2720492427fcfd
title: Covid-19 and massive surveillance
uri: Covid-19-and-massive-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Covid-19_and_massive_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
Taiwan is containing Covid-19 with no <em>added</em> surveillance:
only the system of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/13/how-taiwan-is-containing-coronavirus-despite-diplomatic-isolation-by-china">tracking
people through their portable phones</a>.
<p>
Taiwan is not applying that surveillance to repress masses of people.
It remains a democracy.  However, we have no way of knowing that it is
not using that system against whistleblowers and a few dissidents.


feed_id: f045551520648b76fb582c17ef78a26d
title: Urgent: Thank abortion providers
uri: Urgent-Thank-abortion-providers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Thank_abortion_providers%29

content:
<p>
US citizens and residents:
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/give-thanks-abortion-providers">thank
abortion providers</a>.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 8ac18f18eb37291051bd7d29f9a068a8
title: Urgent: Oppose exploitation of Coronavirus
uri: Urgent-Oppose-exploitation-of-Coronavirus
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_exploitation_of_Coronavirus%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Tell world leaders:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-world-leaders-dont-exploit-coronavirus-to-take-away-our-basic-rights-2?nowrapper=true">don’t
exploit Coronavirus to take away our basic rights</a>.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: ea6864fed71aca53b30fbb3b98377d88
title: Urgent: Condemn extension of mass surveillance power
uri: Urgent-Condemn-extension-of-mass-surveillance-power
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Condemn_extension_of_mass_surveillance_power%29

content:
<p>
The House of Representatives
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/12/152-house-democrats-join-gop-reauthorize-abusive-government-surveillance-powers">voted
to extend the massive surveillance power originally granted in the USA
PAT RIOT Act</a>.  Around 60 representatives voted no.
<p>
I suggests phoning your congresscritter's office and asking, "Did Rep
XYZ vote to extend the government's power to track massive numbers of
phone calls?"  If the answer is yes, you could express your opinion of
that vote.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
and 888-355-3588.</p>
<p>
If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: a53b0f7a91cc7178020eb5dbfe98084c
title: Sweden sets example for disaster preparedness
uri: Sweden-sets-example-for-disaster-preparedness
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Sweden_sets_example_for_disaster_preparedness%29

content:
<p>
Sweden sets an example in teaching everyone
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2020/mar/13/swedes-expected-prepare-emergencies-coronavirus-necessary">how
to be prepared for possible disasters of any kind</a>.


feed_id: f81a4b37af8f4894d17a28c42c86ccfa
title: Extreme rainfall events in southern Brazil
uri: Extreme-rainfall-events-in-southern-Brazil
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Extreme_rainfall_events_in_southern_Brazil%29

content:
<p>
Deadly extreme rainfall events in southern Brazil have become
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/13/climate-crisis-blamed-for-rains-and-floods-that-have-killed-150-in-brazil">more
frequent and more deadly over the past 30 years</a>.
<p>
They are directly caused by the hotter air.


feed_id: 1888766a4b9bcb28a34b9a3a121e5a15
title: Misinformation about Covid-19
uri: Misinformation-about-Covid-19
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Misinformation_about_Covid-19%29
content:
<p>
Watch out for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/13/coronavirus-misinformation-health-advice">potentially
dangerous misinformation</a> about Covid-19.


feed_id: 416bd138ef03e490e838482b41497a9a
title: Violent French riot thugs
uri: Violent-French-riot-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Violent_French_riot_thugs%29
content:
<p>
French riot <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/13/feminist-activists-in-france-accuse-riot-police-of-attacking-them">violently
attacked a peaceful march for International Women’s Day</a>.  The
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> had been venting hatred verbally towards the marchers for a long
time before they attacked, so their misogynist motive is clear.


feed_id: 4c67c9b00f2aa4d0f607f15d084cccf1
title: Reducing drunk driving
uri: Reducing-drunk-driving
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Reducing_drunk_driving%29
content:
<p>
British Columbia reduced drunk driving deaths by 50% by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/13/move-to-soften-drink-driving-laws-in-canadas-alberta-province-prompts-debate">focusing
on prevention rather than punishment</a>.  The province can take away
the drivers' licenses and even their cars, rather than putting them in
jail.
<p>
Under the new system, the fines and the loss of the right to drive can
render a person destitute.  On the other hand, alcohol addiction can
also do that.


feed_id: eef2091f36895a470128d9eb25a7a10f
title: Italian in the US desperate to get home
uri: Italian-in-the-US-desperate-to-get-home
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Italian_in_the_US_desperate_to_get_home%29

content:
<p>
An Italian in the US is desperate to get home,
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/12/italy-coronavirus-united-states-preparedness/">figuring
that Italy will protect its people from Covid-19 much better than the
US</a>.


feed_id: ed895f1a273acd1eb5d29062bb675d56
title: Chelsea Manning released from jail
uri: Chelsea-Manning-released-from-jail
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Chelsea_Manning_released_from_jail%29

content:
<p>
Chelsea Manning has been
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/12/chelsea-manning-judge-order-released/">released
from jail</a>.  The court ruled that there was "no need" for her
testimony.
<p>
Surely that did not change last week.  The "need" must have ceased
weeks or months ago.  I hope she will tell us soon why she attempted
suicide this week rather than waiting a day to see if the court would
release her.
<p>
She is still saddled with a huge debt that would be difficult for her
to ever pay.  If she could get enough money to pay it, the idea of
working to pay a fine must be bitter.  If it were me, I'd be inclined
to shun wages and live by barter, just to avoid ever paying any of the
fine.


feed_id: 010872d304420badbb8c50336e8345fe
title: Insurance industry corrects the troll
uri: Insurance-industry-corrects-the-troll
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Insurance_industry_corrects_the_troll%29

content:
<p>
*Insurance Industry Corrects Trump: Actually,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/12/insurance-industry-corrects-trump-actually-were-only-waiving-copays-coronavirus">We're
Only Waiving Copays for Coronavirus Testing, Not Treatment</a>.*
<p>
Low-wage US workers will be able to find out that they are sick, but
they won't be able to do anything to protect themselves or others.


feed_id: 217e332291d76698f4f04ce183379ef3
title: Non-rich Harvard students shafted
uri: Non-rich-Harvard-students-shafted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Non-rich_Harvard_students_shafted%29

content:
<p>
Harvard students who are not wealthy have been
<a href="https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2020/03/harvards-let-them-eat-veritas-richest-universitys-poor-students-shafted-as-school-provides-spotty-inadequate-help-as-it-throws-them-out-of-dorms-and-jobs.html">shafted
by the enforced requirement to move out in 5 days and fly home at high
expense</a>.  Not to mention the loss of jobs they depend on.
<p>
The article assumes that on-line courses are fine if only you have
high-speed internet available.  It pays no attention to the injustice
of requiring students to run nonfree programs &mdash; which Harvard
does.  If I were one of the students, the only way I could see the
course lectures would be if I could look on with another student.
<p>
I admire an activist friend who tried to take a Harvard edX course,
but refuses to use imposed nonfree social networking software, so he
automatically failed the course.


feed_id: a2800642afbe9dd438e45ccb993338b7
title: Detroit to turn water back on for poor families
uri: Detroit-to-turn-water-back-on-for-poor-families
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Detroit_to_turn_water_back_on_for_poor_families%29

content:
<p>
*Detroit
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/12/detroit-water-shutoffs-unpaid-bills-coronavirus">to
turn water back on <em>temporarily</em></a> for poor families over
Covid-19 fears.*


feed_id: 20a727cc82ff9575a724f4a085063ce2
title: Ban on travel to US from Europe
uri: Ban-on-travel-to-US-from-Europe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Ban_on_travel_to_US_from_Europe%29
content:
<p>
The scapegoater
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/11/trump-coronavirus-europe-travel-suspended">banned
travel to the US from Europe</a> (except for US citizens and permanent
residents, and their families).
<p>
This could be an effective preventative measure, if nobody in the US
had Covid-19 already.
<p>
More about the confusion this has caused, and
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/12/trump-mistakenly-announces-ban-travel-imports-europe-backtracks/">what
his twisted thinking might be</a>.


feed_id: cdfca1c596a207725795e56d20b813e3
title: No evidence behind Covid-19 conspiracy theory
uri: No-evidence-behind-Covid-19-conspiracy-theory
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28No_evidence_behind_Covid-19_conspiracy_theory%29

content:
<p>
A
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/12/conspiracy-theory-that-coronavirus-originated-in-us-gaining-traction-in-china">xenophobic
conspiracy theory in China</a> claims that Covid-19 came from the US.
<p>
This theory has no evidence behind it, but people who want to believe
it will believe it anyway.
<p>
China is not culpable for the start of the epidemic, but the practice
of catching and selling live wild animals as food is risky, and China
is wise to be putting an end to that practice.
<p>
China is. on the other hand,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#21_February_2020_(Quarantine_in_an_authoritarian_country)">culpable
for trying to cover up the epidemic at the early stages</a>, rather
than contain it.


feed_id: 3e9d8739ba9d573113c23410fa231243
title: Tax subsidies for banks and wall street
uri: Tax-subsidies-for-banks-and-wall-street
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Tax_subsidies_for_banks_and_wall_street%29

content:
<p>
Robert Reich: the conman's plan to "help the economy" with tax
subsidies for banks and wall street
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/10/how-we-should-respond-national-coronavirus-emergency">will
not help Americans cope with the effects of Covid-19</a>.  The
government should instead spend that money, on sick leave, medical
care, and cash subsidies for everyone.


feed_id: 88d3d70a94bfc883a4946165920cfddb
title: US fracking industry
uri: US-fracking-industry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28US_fracking_industry%29
content:
<p>
The US fracking industry is collapsing due to low oil prices, so the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> in chief
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/03/10/fracking-should-be-banned-not-bailed-out">plans
to save it with public funds</a>.


feed_id: bf96809bd533b3dcddae44241d913cbe
title: Warren
uri: Warren
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Warren%29
content:
<p>
*If Warren refuses to endorse Sanders, and if her supporters vote for
Biden, then this was never about winning feminist reforms, let alone
dismantling patriarchy. It was about
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/10/if-you-support-women-and-feminism-back-bernie-sanders">advancing
the political career of one woman over the lives of the many</a>.*
<p>
Alas, she did not endorse him, with the sad results we have seen.


feed_id: d7f7113844a7b32ebbc10d1adb5719b4
title: Democratic nominations
uri: Democratic-nominations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#22_March_2020_%28Democratic_nominations%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Tulsi Gabbard Named Democratic Nominee After Discovery Of
Obscure Rule That
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/tulsi-gabbard-named-democratic-nominee-after-discovery-1842268489">Grants
Nomination To Whoever Wins 0.7% Of The Vote In Missouri</a>.*


feed_id: 7b74c414bda9f15a5025b88837d41220
title: The numskull travel ban
uri: The-numskull-travel-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28The_numskull_travel_ban%29
content:
<p>
*Public health experts say that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/14/trump-coronavirus-travel-ban-europe-us">once
a disease has begun circulating within a community, banning outsiders
is mostly futile</a>.*
<p>
However, the numskull travel ban for people coming from Schengenia
might be effective for scapegoating purposes.


feed_id: 777018125ba7a0fe0888af699fb17126
title: Price gouging on future Covid-19 vaccine
uri: Price-gouging-on-future-Covid-19-vaccine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Price_gouging_on_future_Covid-19_vaccine%29

content:
<p>
How Big Pharma companies have
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/13/big-pharma-drug-pricing-coronavirus-profits/">lobbied
and pressured to be able to gouge</a> on a future Covid-19 vaccine.
<p>
This mostly admirable article causes a gratuitous spot of confusion by
using the overbroad term "intellectual property".
<p>
Use of that term spreads confusion because it generalizes about
several unrelated laws, which have so little in common that lumping
them together impedes clear thinking about any one of them.  The term
leads people to adopt shallow, simplistic positions such as
"intellectual property is good" or "intellectual property is bad."
<p>
In any real issue, it is always better to name the specific law that
relates to the issue &mdash; in this case, patent law.  That way it is
easier to study the dimensions of that issue, based on the actual
requirements and effects of whichever law is involved.
<p>
See
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html</a>
for more explanation.


feed_id: 332df4c1b38fce2b80db541739f362d4
title: Biden's victories in the Democratic primaries
uri: Biden-s-victories-in-the-Democratic-primaries
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Bidens_victories_in_the_Democratic_primaries%29

content:
<p>
Arguing that Biden's victories in the Democratic primaries is because
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/13/generational-divide-between-biden-and-sanders">older
Democrats expect they can squeak by under the existing US economic
system, while younger voters see it will crush them</a>.
<p>
The article does not mention coming <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster, but
younger voters realize it is likely to make them die young, while
older voters expect (perhaps rationally) not to face great personal
suffering from it during their expected lifetimes.


feed_id: f8e560776bedb0c368791503d0b01861
title: Using drones to exterminate invasive animals
uri: Using-drones-to-exterminate-invasive-animals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Using_drones_to_exterminate_invasive_animals%29

content:
<p>
New Zealand is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/14/poison-laden-drones-to-patrol-new-zealand-wilderness-hunt-pests-aoe">developing
a drone that can drop poison bait on a precise target</a>, near an
invasive animal that would eat it.
<p>
Eventually Australia may be able to use this to exterminate rabbits.
Is there any way to poison a cane toad?


feed_id: 14936655aa1523c1ac5223b7a81fd891
title: Quarantine
uri: Quarantine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Quarantine%29
content:
<p>
Quarantine, including imposed self-isolation,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/13/behavioural-scientists-form-new-front-in-battle-against-coronavirus">tend
to traumatize people</a>, much as
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#12_July_2013_(The_Horrible_Psychology_of_Solitary_Confinement.)">solitary
confinement in prison</a> does.
<p>
The two are quite similar.  In the latter, guards forcibly keep
someone away from everyone else.  In the former, they compel someone
to avoid everyone else.
<p>
There is another version, shunning, in which someone is compelled to
avoid everyone else because they reject per.  I think that traumatizes
people too.
<p>
The article says that people can withstand quarantine better if they
understand clearly the reasons for the quarantine system and when it
will end.


feed_id: c063741588f4049894a9aeae90cb60dc
title: Academic studies funded by Monsanto
uri: Academic-studies-funded-by-Monsanto
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Academic_studies_funded_by_Monsanto%29

content:
<p>
Academic studies which
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/12/revealed-monsantos-secret-funding-for-weedkiller-studies-roundup">claimed
to prove that world agriculture can't get along without Roundup</a>
were secretly funded by Monsanto.


feed_id: 3ac548892345342f6fc22c64107e9fe9
title: Deportation of people with Covid-19
uri: Deportation-of-people-with-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Deportation_of_people_with_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
The US is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/12/us-migrant-deportations-coronavirus-central-america">deporting
people with Covid-19, who then spread the disease to another
country</a> &mdash; and probably won't get treatment there if they
have a bad case of it.


feed_id: 5fa1b4f4c69ca2f07c2cbf58345a1d03
title: Lead crisis
uri: Lead-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Lead_crisis%29
content:
<p>
*Newark’s Lead Crisis Isn't Over: <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/15/newark-new-jersey-lead-water-crisis/">"People Are Still Drinking Water
 That They Shouldn't"</a>.*


feed_id: d1fbf26db0cd78c43a06b0aaab3687bc
title: Exclusive use on vaccine
uri: Exclusive-use-on-vaccine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Exclusive_use_on_vaccine%29
content:
<p>
The US government reportedly is trying to buy exclusive use of a
Covid-19 vaccine currently under development, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/15/trump-offers-large-sums-for-exclusive-access-to-coronavirus-vaccine">intending to limit its
use to Americans</a>.

<p>
If this is accurate, it is murderous lunacy.  If and when a vaccine is
developed, it must be available to the whole world.

<p>
The report that the German government is countering with "financial
incentives" so that the vaccine will "stay in" Germany, if true,
indicates similar disrespect for that principle.  Also, if offering
money is the most Germany can do to prevent that scheme, it shows
plutocratic legal corruption.  It should not be necessary for Germany
to offer money to resist that scheme.  Germany should have the power
to order such things.


feed_id: 7a50e28729b8e38f96c2c1570ed3b96c
title: No public health system
uri: No-public-health-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28No_public_health_system%29
content:
<p>
The US has effectively no public health system.  If a vaccine for Covid-19
becomes available, <a href="https://mailchi.mp/inequalitymedia/everyone-knew-1987281?e=d0c616d663">the US has no system to vaccinate everyone</a>.


feed_id: 97a7532bbebde6fac4726e0d49fee3fa
title: Paying Manning fine
uri: Paying-Manning-fine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Paying_Manning_fine%29
content:
<p>
Supporters of Chelsea Manning <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/13/after-chelsea-manning-released-jail-supporters-fundraise-pay-her-256000-legal-fines">are raising money to pay the large fine</a>.

<p>
If you want to contribute, don't go through Go Fund Me &mdash; it requires
running nonfree software.  Instead, insist on getting an address to
mail a personal check or a money order.

<p>
However, paying that fine means that the government wins.  I'd rather
contribute to a fund to buy groceries for Manning.  Is there one?


feed_id: 064719a2abd2c72f4def19ec5d1561a5
title: Climate strikes are continuing
uri: Climate-strikes-are-continuing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Climate_strikes_are_continuing%29
content:
<p>
Climate strikes are continuing, but <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/13/coronavirus-isnt-stopping-us-youth-activists-adapt-global-pandemic-digital">only people who use Twitter will
notice them</a>.


feed_id: 237c4a7c22f6703e1b0a68589d56b9f0
title: Facilitating using pesticides
uri: Facilitating-using-pesticides
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Facilitating_using_pesticides%29
content:
<p>
The Environmental Pollution Agency has announced new rules to
facilitate using pesticides to kill wildlife, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/03/13/trump-epas-new-rules-assessing-pesticide-risks-ignore-many-harms-endangered">including endangered
wildlife</a>.


feed_id: 3d5ca277bf42c73a8543c007fe608d74
title: World-class medical lab
uri: World-class-medical-lab
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28World-class_medical_lab%29
content:
<p>
Canada once had a world-class public medical lab which developed cures
and manufactured them at avoidable prices.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/14/public-lab-could-have-helped-fight-covid-19-pandemic">It was privatized by a
plutocratist government</a>.


feed_id: e22b8eeedb0532e7da73c1af2b7b3a2c
title: Not so required paid sick leave
uri: Not-so-required-paid-sick-leave
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Not_so_required_paid_sick_leave%29
content:
<p>
The House passed a bill requiring paid sick leave, but Republicans
insisted on  exemptions for big businesses and small businesses,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/14/sick-leave-loopholes-theres-giant-hole-pelosis-coronavirus-bill">so the bill will cover only 20% of US workers</a>.


feed_id: d3b338aa0679783da7d1a0ec6be6c743
title: Secret Covid-19 meetings
uri: Secret-Covid-19-meetings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Secret_Covid-19_meetings%29
content:
<p>
White House meetings to discuss reaction to Covid-19 are secret and
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/12/white-house-removes-public-health-experts-coronavirus-discussions">all public health experts are excluded</a>.


<p>
Republican leaders today do not generally worry about embarrassing
disclosures.  They figure that their cloud of disinformation will
prevent all adverse consequences.  Whatever they are hiding, it must
be much worse than usual.

<p>
Perhaps they are trying to maximize billionaires' opportunity
to practice disaster capitalism, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/14/does-coronavirus-crisis-have-end-wealthier-wealthy">a.k.a. the "shock doctrine"</a>.



<p>
Perhaps they are trying to create, rather than avoid, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/12/america-prepared-presidential-election-crisis">an
election crisis</a>.

<p>
Republicans have stolen several presidential elections recently,
and some elections for lower offices as well.
  I would not put it past them to plan to make the epidemic worse.
Their previous budget cuts <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/14/trump-minimizing-and-sugarcoating-coronavirus-perils-bernie-must-continue-campaign">have undermined programs that would have
helped respond to it</a>.

<p>
Recall how Hurricane Katrina showed that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> had undermined FEMA, with
disastrous results.

<p>
Meanwhile, rank-and-file Republicans believe that Covid-19 is not a
real danger, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/14/how-authoritarianism-short-circuits-lizard-brain">just as they believe that global heating is not a real
danger</a>.

<p>
In a month they will start dying, and would be able to recognize the
statements their leaders have made so far as lies.  But by then they
will have been told to believe that those statements were never made
at all.


feed_id: c50a0540b96b728dd8f372241f42b6eb
title: Pooling paid sick days
uri: Pooling-paid-sick-days
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Pooling_paid_sick_days%29
content:
<p>
Whole Foods is asking employees to pool their limited paid sick days
in case they have to stay home due to Covid-19 <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/13/grotesque-level-greed-owned-worlds-richest-man-jeff-bezos-whole-foods-wants-workers">and need more sick days
than each one is given</a>.

<p>
That would work fine for the first ones to need sick days.
But those who need sick days once once the pool is used up
will really be in a hole &mdash; the Hole Foods hole.


feed_id: 2d100969071c581814b99e5253d7c2e2
title: Inequality kills
uri: Inequality-kills
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Inequality_kills%29
content:
<p>
*We're about to learn a terrible lesson from coronavirus: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/14/coronavirus-outbreak-inequality-austerity-pandemic">inequality kills</a>.*


feed_id: c207e9f8425f8412b63504c44acd560b
title: Controlling farmers
uri: Controlling-farmers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Controlling_farmers%29
content:
<p>
*'I can't get above water': <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/14/i-cant-get-above-water-how-americas-chicken-giant-perdue-controls-farmers">how America's chicken giant Perdue controls
farmers</a>.*

<p>
This is one more example of how concentration of US big business harms
many small businesses.


feed_id: 499658113edc41e287f889afec558261
title: Finding someone to blame
uri: Finding-someone-to-blame
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Finding_someone_to_blame%29
content:
<p>
*When [the bully] no can longer lie or deny, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/14/trump-may-exploit-coronavirus-crisis">he’ll blame immigrants,
journalists, [disprivileged racial groups], liberals and other
enemies</a>.*

<p>
I replaced the term <a href="https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#poc">"people of color"</a>
      because color is not something a person can be "of".


feed_id: 2a9372978f450980681dace76e8a0401
title: Confronting thugs while asleep
uri: Confronting-thugs-while-asleep
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Confronting_thugs_while_asleep%29
content:
<p>
*Maryland man fatally shot by [thugs] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/14/duncan-socrates-lemp-maryland-shot-police-officer">while asleep in his bedroom</a>.*
  They shot from outside the house without informing anyone inside
they had come.  Then they claimed he had "confronted" them &mdash;
presumably awake.  Lies like this are standard practice for <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> 
who have killed someone.

<p>
They wounded his girlfriend too.


feed_id: fe6ccaf813139eaf3b1fd5a488fab6bf
title: Making participation difficult for women
uri: Making-participation-difficult-for-women
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Making_participation_difficult_for_women%29

content:
<p>
Social media (that's what the article means when it says "internet")
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2020/mar/12/internet-not-working-women-girls-tim-berners-lee">are making participation in discussions difficult for women</a>.

<p>
Intimidating women into leaving discussions is an injustice and a
major social problem.  However, it does not constitute violence.
Calling it "violence" is an exaggeration, which invites solutions
that carry a danger of repression.

<p>
I suggest looking for fixes that change the servers' algorithms so
that they are difficult for trolls and bullies to exploit.  This might
be easier if the servers were not making money from targeting
advertising.


feed_id: ebbd17bbf65ba249a8149a1aa3dd1f99
title: Urgent: Let PAT RIOT Act surveillance systems expire
uri: Urgent-Let-PAT-RIOT-Act-surveillance-systems-expire
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Let_PAT_RIOT_Act_surveillance_systems_expire%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call your senators at (202) 930-8115 and urge them to
<a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/487355-senate-standoff-means-intel-programs-to-lapse">let
PAT RIOT Act surveillance systems expire</a>.  Say that if the
government wants to get information about people from data bases, it
should get warrant to investigate specific people and then get data
only about them.
<p>
If you call, please spread the word!


feed_id: eb4e61e8ecfccb0afc7776ebe85527ac
title: Congressional candidate without medical insurance
uri: Congressional-candidate-without-medical-insurance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Congressional_candidate_without_medical_insurance%29

content:
<p>
A Congressional candidate without medical insurance
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/12/coronavirus-outbreak-forces-uninsured-congressional-candidate-suspend-door-knocking">had
to stop knocking on voters' doors to talk with them</a>.  This may
cripple her campaign.


feed_id: 726eb6e08ad87b86ffdce03d64da66e6
title: The bombing of Pan Am 103
uri: The-bombing-of-Pan-Am-103
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28The_bombing_of_Pan_Am_103%29
content:
<p>
Although Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, a Libyan, was convicted of the bombing
of Pan Am 103 over Scotland in 1988, others claimed that Iran was
responsible.  Khomeini was still ruler of Iran, and sought to attack
the US.
<p>
Now a Scottish agency has recognized these doubts by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/15/will-we-finally-discover-the-truth-about-lockerbie">calling
for reconsideration of the verdict</a>.


feed_id: ad4a3eddc873483244df38e3ca34907a
title: Ren Zhiqiang missing
uri: Ren-Zhiqiang-missing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Ren_Zhiqiang_missing%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/15/chinese-executive-who-called-xi-a-clown-over-coronavirus-response-is-missing">China
seems to have disappeared Ren Zhiqiang</a>, who insulted Xi for his
handling of Covid-19.


feed_id: 95f05380f9122996bab9e1c680b642cf
title: Economic effects of Covid-19 epidemic
uri: Economic-effects-of-Covid-19-epidemic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Economic_effects_of_Covid-19_epidemic%29

content:
<p>
The economic effects of the Covid-19 epidemic
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/15/california-eviction-coronavirus-seniors-brookdale-san-pablo">will
put millions in California at risk of homelessness</a>, including many
old people who could not find new work.  Those who end up living on
the street are likely to catch the virus, and could die of it.
<p>
Over a million Americans could become homeless
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/13/unconscionable-amid-coronavirus-crisis-trump-moves-take-food-stamps-over-million">once
the bully cuts off their food stamps</a>, since they won't have money
for rent and food.


feed_id: 087adcd8aac1739ce62af53c11a6d71c
title: UK election interference by Russia
uri: UK-election-interference-by-Russia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28UK_election_interference_by_Russia%29

content:
<p>
The UK government
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/mar/15/uk-ministers-will-no-longer-claim-no-successful-examples-of-russian-interference">admits
that Russia succeeded in interfering in the UK election</a>.  It seems
to have used cracking government systems as well as disinformation.


feed_id: 42c409de9b1c9eefc6e706f84e07dd48
title: Isolating old people can be crushing
uri: Isolating-old-people-can-be-crushing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Isolating_old_people_can_be_crushing%29

content:
<p>
Isolating old people for months
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/16/older-people-contact-over-70s-self-isolate-crisis">can
be crushing for them</a>.


feed_id: 4a56ef56fe8ccb62f33b92c90758a9c8
title: Eliminating pedestrian deaths
uri: Eliminating-pedestrian-deaths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Eliminating_pedestrian_deaths%29
content:
<p>
*How Helsinki and Oslo
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/16/how-helsinki-and-oslo-cut-pedestrian-deaths-to-zero">cut
pedestrian deaths to zero</a>.*
<p>
I think that slowing car traffic is acceptable provided improved
public transportation offers a better way for people to get around the
city.


feed_id: 5e87b2257b6e4f485e9b41e5e4ef966d
title: Covid-19: fire or tide?
uri: Covid-19-fire-or-tide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Covid-19%3A_fire_or_tide_%29
content:
<p>
Is it better to treat Covid-19
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/16/social-distancing-coronavirus-stay-home-government">as
a kind of fire, to be extinguished, or as a tide, that will wash over
and recede</a>?
<p>
The article says no one can be sure, and I suppose in general that is
true.  My point is that it depends on the circumstances in each
country.  Some countries are in a position to act quickly and
thoroughly; they have come close to extinguishing the epidemic.  Other
countries can't do this.


feed_id: f61dec87e3295da82e40abc7f6ff1252
title: Covid-19 could wipe out the theater
uri: Covid-19-could-wipe-out-the-theater
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Covid-19_could_wipe_out_the_theater%29

content:
<p>
Covid-19
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/mar/16/uk-theatre-coronavirus-cancellations">could
wipe out the theater</a>.  And all restaurants, all art galleries, and
all artists.  Also all bands, all symphonies, all concert halls and
all music cafes.


feed_id: 1fda892f44709ceab5eebe961a46cbdb
title: Travel bans from Europe to some African countries
uri: Travel-bans-from-Europe-to-some-African-countries
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Travel_bans_from_Europe_to_some_African_countries%29

content:
<p>
Some African countries are
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/15/african-nations-turn-the-tables-imposing-travel-restrictions-against-u-s-europe-and-china-to-stave-off-coronavirus/">banning
travel from Europe</a> to keep travellers from bringing Covid-19.
<p>
Unfortunately, it won't make much difference in most countries, as
the virus is already spreading in them.  Most of Africa won't have
the medical capacity to keep the epidemic's spread in check.


feed_id: c988be48f6b92043c054243e229f49a7
title: Western Sahara independence movement
uri: Western-Sahara-independence-movement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Western_Sahara_independence_movement%29

content:
<p>
*[Western Sahara] independence movement lodges documents in high court
arguing
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/16/west-saharan-group-takes-new-zealand-superannuation-fund-to-court-over-blood-phosphate">$45bn
fund invests in illegally mined fertiliser</a>.*


feed_id: 56e3279fe46e77594ead1d3706c96b32
title: Cognac to be lost to global heating
uri: Cognac-to-be-lost-to-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Cognac_to_be_lost_to_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
The next casualty of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/15/climate-change-forces-cognac-makers-to-consider-other-grape-varieties">cognac</a>.
<p>
I don't think this qualifies as a disaster, though some will surely
miss it.  I mention it as an example of the wide variety of things
that will be lost.


feed_id: b6896211de8add9bf97170ede5df4c18
title: Anti-science movement in Democratic Party
uri: Anti-science-movement-in-Democratic-Party
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Anti-science_movement_in_Democratic_Party%29

content:
<p>
*The
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/15/anti-science-movement-democratic-party">Anti-Science
Movement</a> in the Democratic Party.*
<p>
(Some of the problems, such as the "electability" self-fulfilling
prophesy mechanism, are not limited to the Democratic Party.)


feed_id: 76c5f01370305ccacefb9774a0840a0a
title: World heading for long recession
uri: World-heading-for-long-recession
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28World_heading_for_long_recession%29

content:
<p>
The whole world is heading for a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/15/prepare-for-the-coronavirus-global-recession">long
recession</a>.
<p>
The idiot is ensuring that it will be a deep one.  I wonder if he will
use Covid-19 as an excuse to cancel the 2020 election and convert
himself into a tyrant.


feed_id: 0b8e0813094891d29668a2d1b11db109
title: Indians seeking political asylum
uri: Indians-seeking-political-asylum
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Indians_seeking_political_asylum%29

content:
<p>
As of a year ago,
<a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/996-rise-in-indians-seeking-political-asylum-in-past-10-years-1552869-2019-06-21">almost
52,000 Indians</a> were applying for political asylum now.
<p>
That number had increased from almost 5,000 ten years before.


feed_id: 46031301cd79bc7ac4e8c8564e1731e5
title: Urgent: Let PAT RIOT Act surveillance systems expire
uri: 2020-03-24-Urgent-Let-PAT-RIOT-Act-surveillance-systems-expire
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Let_PAT_RIOT_Act_surveillance_systems_expire%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call your senators at (202) 930-8115 and urge them to
<a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/487355-senate-standoff-means-intel-programs-to-lapse">let
PAT RIOT Act surveillance systems expire</a>.  Say that if the
government wants to get information about people from data bases, it
should get warrant to investigate specific people and then get data
only about them.
<p>
Here is
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/16/senate-leadership-pushing-through-dangerous-surveillance-bill-americans-are-focused">more
information about the situation</a>.
<p>
If you call, please spread the word!


feed_id: bcbbbb697448995c30b2d787c91aaac8
title: Antiviral drug
uri: Antiviral-drug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Antiviral_drug%29
content:
<p>
China is using <a href="https://www.mintpressnews.com/cuba-leading-world-fight-against-coronavirus/265771/">an antiviral drug developed in Cuba</a>.


feed_id: 5e0b86d8cd9565a91052a884b059a6f0
title: Tokenism
uri: Tokenism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Tokenism%29
content:
<p>
*Joe Biden's pledge to pick a female vice-president <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2020/mar/17/joe-biden-pledge-to-pick-a-female-vice-president-smells-like-tokenism">smells like tokenism</a>.*

<p>
Identity politics is about to tokenism.  To clamor for an
official in demographic group XYZ is to beg for tokenism.


feed_id: 139f34f49f15dfd6505c7e80e10bcf3d
title: Urgent: reject cut to Social Security funds
uri: Urgent-reject-cut-to-Social-Security-funds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_reject_cut_to_Social_Security_funds%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/world/coronavirus-news.html">call your congresscritter</a> and say to reject the  bully's
plan to cut Social Security funds in order to fund response to Covid-19.


feed_id: 04bc8bf3fa65e855b676a0e6a64d0c16
title: Vote by mail
uri: Vote-by-mail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Vote_by_mail%29
content:
<p>
There is pressure to allow <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/17/coronavirus-vote-by-mail-restrictions-us">every US voter to vote by mail</a>.

<p>
Just as long as they don't allow <a href="https://stallman.org/evoting.html">voting by internet!</a>


feed_id: 31383dc29fc369e5722e2a5586e27423
title: Still lying
uri: Still-lying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Still_lying%29
content:
<p>
*Biden Is Still Lying About His Positions <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/17/biden-fact-check-social-security-bankruptcy/">on Social Security Cuts,
 the Bankruptcy Bill, and More</a>.*


feed_id: d033ef9d77ed4886c101f93424bbe5b1
title: Vice president
uri: Vice-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Vice_president%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/biden-pledges-to-select-woman-as-vice-president-since-p-1842364522">satire</a>) *Biden Pledges To Select Woman As Vice President Since
Position Doesn’t Entail Much Anyway.*


feed_id: 8fd4f43497baa92c75c13c798beb1214
title: Do not bail out shareholders
uri: Do-not-bail-out-shareholders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Do_not_bail_out_shareholders%29
content:
<p>
Bailing out the airlines, if it is done, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2020/mar/16/coronavirus-points-to-ponder-before-a-bailout-of-airlines">should not save the stockholders
from losing their shares</a>.


feed_id: 972a00c7a125d094d6b8977f36aaba4c
title: Emergency aid for a few
uri: Emergency-aid-for-a-few
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Emergency_aid_for_a_few%29
content:
<p>
Pelosi's version of emergency aid for Americans dealing with Covid-19
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/16/pelosis-coronavirus-compromise-has-left-even-tom-cotton-saying-bill-doesnt-go-far">gives paid sick leave to a fraction of American workers</a>.
  It omits gig workers; more surprisingly, it omits employees of
companies with over 500 employees.  I would not describe a company
with 600 or 1000 employees as "big".  Even some Republican senators
say it is insufficient.

<p>
It appears they are omitted because she negotiated with Treasury
Secretary Mnuchin, who is a toady for big (and not-quite-big)
business.  I think it would have made more sense to include them
and dare Republicans to reject it.


feed_id: df41f5c6d2f1c92e520f8f4e0371aae1
title: Restore water to everyone
uri: Restore-water-to-everyone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Restore_water_to_everyone%29
content:
<p>
To assure everyone in the US can wash per hands frequently, the US must
end imposed water-shutoffs and restore water to everyone <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/16/advocates-argue-unprecedented-crisis-coronavirus-pandemic-proves-need-national-ban">whose service has
been shut off</a>.


<p>
That it is even necessary to discuss this demonstrates how cruelty to
the poor is ingrained in the US economic system.  More fundamentally,
with a just minimum wage and a just welfare system, nobody would get
that poor.


feed_id: c275370e09262de11cc0c4e0b890c428
title: Hyper-depressant
uri: Hyper-depressant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Hyper-depressant%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/pfizer-pours-all-resources-into-developing-new-hyper-de-1842361688">satire</a>) *Pfizer announced Monday they
   were pouring all their resources into developing a new hyper-depressant
   pill to help Americans ease the transition into self-quarantining.*


feed_id: 4df81694db2761bd852c42aed1827b50
title: Can't help you
uri: Can-t-help-you
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Can%27t_help_you%29
content:
<p>
The callous bastard told US governors that the US cannot help them <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/16/trump-governors-try-getting-it-yourselves-if-you-need-life-saving-equipment-fight">get
the respirators they need to protect medics from Covid-19</a>.
  He told them, in effect, to go and scramble for the few spares
that exist.  

<p>
The root of this problem is that the US has neglected central planning
to make sure there would be enough such machines if someday there were
an epidemic.

<p>
In addition, the profit-seeking US medical system tries to cut costs
even as it jerks up prices, so it tries to lower the system's capacity
to the point where it can just barely get by in normal times.  It
plans to treat only those who can pay, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/16/coronavirus-shows-it-time-remove-profit-infection-us-health-care">and has no slack for
emergencies</a>.



<p>
Covid-19 demonstrates even more strongly than usual the need to
replace this system with a national single-payer medical system.

<p>
Regarding respirators, the US should set up an emergency manufacturing
plan, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/17/uk-manufacturers-regear-factories-build-ventilators-nhs">like what is happening in the UK</a>.


feed_id: 4e3d1669a6f5fe2281e73eb6a10ea4bc
title: Thugs refusing to investigate crimes
uri: Thugs-refusing-to-investigate-crimes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Thugs_refusing_to_investigate_crimes%29

content:
<p>
The Delhi <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department denied protection to Muslims while the
pogrom was going on.  Currently <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/16/delhis-muslims-despair-justice-police-implicated-hindu-riots">it is refusing to investigate crimes
committed against Muslims</a>.


<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> seem to have gone further and encouraged the pogrom, which was launched
by a BJP official.

<p>
I expect Hindu <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> in India have the same range of attitudes towards
Muslims that German <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> in 1934 had towards Jews.  This means,
shifted further towards hatred and violence compared with the range of
attitudes that white <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> in the US have towards blacks.


feed_id: d396279fd499ee3c6081a2b450439f04
title: Struggling to exercise right to vote
uri: Struggling-to-exercise-right-to-vote
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Struggling_to_exercise_right_to_vote%29

content:
<p>
US citizens in jail have the right to vote, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/16/voting-rights-arizona-jails/">but they must struggle
to exercise that right</a>.



<p>
Note that only a few states permanently take away the voting rights of
anyone that has been convicted of a felony, and there is a movement to
eliminate practice that entirely, since it <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#15_November_2018_(Right_to_vote_in_Florida)">has the side effect
(perhaps intentionally) of disenfranchising blacks</a>.


feed_id: 9825c1010a67ff419a0052aa2f4bd008
title: Urgent: Quarantine soirees
uri: Urgent-Quarantine-soirees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Quarantine_soirees%29
content:
<p>
"Quarantine soirees" and digital freedom: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/mar/16/classical-music-opera-livestream-at-home-coronavirus">does any of the live streams
described here respect freedom</a>?

<p>
The usual forms of digital oppression are

<ul>
<li>
  Requiring nonfree software, often with DRM.
  Warning: this may be Javascript code; to check for it,
  use LibreJS.

<li>
  Identifying people.

<li>
  Imposing an antisocial contract ("terms of service").
</ul>

<p>
Experience suggests that all of those streams are oppressive,
but I'd like to know if any of them is not.

<p>
If you try one and find it to be oppressive, I hope you will not go
ahead with installing that nonfree software, entering your personal
data, or agreeing to the terms.  Get a copy of some music which does
not oppress those who listen to it, and listen to that instead.

<p>
It would be useful to inform the organization's personnel of your
objections to its computing practices.  Keep in mind that they have
probably never thought about these issues, never even heard the idea
that there might be something wrong with the usual practices that they
imitated or were taught by some "expert".  So be prepared to explain,
and not in an angry tone.

<p>
For streaming, the program they should be using is called IceCast.


feed_id: e7e130569eac1ff9954d33ca7d08b679
title: Global shortage of paracetamol
uri: Global-shortage-of-paracetamol
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Global_shortage_of_paracetamol%29
content:
<p>
There may be a global shortage of acetaminophen aka paracetamol, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/04/india-limits-medicine-exports-coronavirus-paracetamol-antibiotics">since India
has just banned exports</a>.


<p>
The concentration of drug production causes harm in many ways.
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#23_March_2020_(Price_gouging_on_future_Covid-19_vaccine)">Gouging is one consequence</a>; shortages are another, even in normal times.


feed_id: b7b07528c7477efe78a7dafd560fb207
title: Urgent: Moratorium on government use of face recognition
uri: Urgent-Moratorium-on-government-use-of-face-recognition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Moratorium_on_government_use_of_face_recognition%29

content:
<p>
Residents of Massachusetts:
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/press-pause-face-surveillance-tell-your-legislators-its-time-moratorium-massachusetts">call
on Massachusetts legislators</a> to pass the moratorium on government
use of face recognition.
<p>
I gave this personal message:
<blockquote>
<p>
I urge you to pass the proposed moratorium on use of face recognition
in Massachusetts government activities.</p>
<p>
This is only a first step.  Systematic use of face recognition technology,
and the systems that can do so, should be very strictly regulated.
The operations of Clearview AI should be illegal regardless of what
sort of entity carries them out, whether it be public or private.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 91f85c5138a001ec47edba64f36db816
title: Urgent: Stop Wall Street from using coronavirus
uri: Urgent-Stop-Wall-Street-from-using-coronavirus
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_Wall_Street_from_using_coronavirus%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/coronavirus-wall-street/">stop
Wall Street</a> from using the coronavirus to weaken bank regulations.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: f00344b6264d70e2a95d4627b162c39d
title: Urgent: Protect Americans from effects of epidemic
uri: Urgent-Protect-Americans-from-effects-of-epidemic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_Americans_from_effects_of_epidemic%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call your congresscritter at (202) 224-3121 and call for
strong action to protect Americans from the effects of the epidemic.
Please support these proposed actions:</p>
<ul>
<li>
Guaranteed paid sick leave for ALL employees</li>
<li>
Extended Medicaid</li>
<li>
Immediate one-time payments of $1,500 to every adult and $500 to every
child</li>
<li>
Suspension of the Trump administration’s “public charge” rule that
enables federal officials to deny green cards to immigrants who use
social safety net programs</li>
</ul>
<p>
If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 2da78a17c017d014e81f2c49c8df14ed
title: TikTok filters
uri: TikTok-filters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28TikTok_filters%29
content:
<p>
*TikTok
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/mar/17/tiktok-tried-to-filter-out-videos-from-ugly-poor-or-disabled-users">'tried
to filter out videos from ugly, poor or disabled users'</a>.*


feed_id: ec56eb710d4d044bb34799957c24c2c4
title: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe freed temporarily
uri: Nazanin-Zaghari-Ratcliffe-freed-temporarily
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Nazanin_Zaghari-Ratcliffe_freed_temporarily%29

content:
<p>
*Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/mar/17/nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe-freed-temporarily-from-iranian-prison">freed
temporarily from Iranian prison</a>.* She is now under house arrest
instead, which is at least much safer.


feed_id: 23cde34bf43bf6b1635e48039e19e59a
title: Orifice closures
uri: Orifice-closures
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Orifice_closures%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *porn industry leaders held a press conference Monday to
announce the
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/porn-industry-leaders-announce-immediate-closure-of-all-1842361197">immediate
closure of all orifices</a>.*
<p>
Don't go to the orifice &mdash; work from home!


feed_id: aae9f8857972211a10650bc55ed122a8
title: Countries with poorly developed health services
uri: Countries-with-poorly-developed-health-services
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Countries_with_poorly_developed_health_services%29

content:
<p>
The Norway University of Science and Technology
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/16/norway-university-calls-students-return-home-countries-poorly-developed-health">urged
students in countries with "poorly developed health services",
including the US, to return home</a> where they would get better
medical care.
<p>
The university was later intimidated into deleting the reference to
the US.  How sad.
<p>
As for the students, I think they have no way to return home now.
They are stuck.


feed_id: 096a996e287b547058432bd01f9d2a7a
title: Judge blocks troll's effort to take away food assistance
uri: Judge-blocks-troll-s-effort-to-take-away-food-assistance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Judge_blocks_trolls_effort_to_take_away_food_assistance%29

content:
<p>
*'Basic Human Decency' Wins as Judge
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/16/basic-human-decency-wins-judge-blocks-cruel-its-core-trump-effort-strip-food">Blocks
'Cruel to Its Core' Trump Effort to Strip Food Assistance From 700,000
People</a> Amid COVID-19 Crisis.*


feed_id: 44829e4b0fda2b42cedc19d6ec1283bf
title: Medical insurance company lobbying
uri: Medical-insurance-company-lobbying
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Medical_insurance_company_lobbying%29

content:
<p>
PAHCF, a medical insurance company lobbying group,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/17/despicable-insurance-industry-front-group-ramps-propaganda-against-medicare-all-amid">lobbies
against anything that helps or would help Americans get medical care
without going through those businesses</a>.
<p>
It would be interesting for Americans to organize to demand that their
medical insurance companies say how much money they gave to that
lobbying group in 2019.


feed_id: 39b8a30cb7e34b3ba6006bf8dfc55270
title: Debt relief
uri: Debt-relief
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Debt_relief%29
content:
<p>
*Why debt relief
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/18/debt-relief-coronavirus-crash">should
be the answer to this coronavirus crash</a>.*
<p>
The US
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/17/coronavirus-shock-will-likely-claim-3-million-jobs-summer">will
face a big recession</a> unless the US government starts giving money
to non-rich people to make up for the decrease.
<p>
The best way to do this is with spending that will have other social
benefits &mdash; spending on jobs that make an improvement.  For
instance, the Green New Deal.
<p>
*Can the Coronavirus and the Stock Market Meltdown Break
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/18/stock-market-coronavirus/">America’s
Addiction to Fantasy</a>?*
<p>
One corrective is needed in regard to increases in productivity: they
result in increased production each year, but who gets the benefit of
that increase is a political question.
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#7_January_2020_(Neoliberalism_fail)">The
rich try to keep it for themselves</a>, and workers get it only if
they fight for it and win.


feed_id: 2a5b4f69b58a0b928151fac0d711d3cf
title: Tricked into vote for reduction in paid sick leave provision
uri: Tricked-into-vote-for-reduction-in-paid-sick-leave-provision
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Tricked_into_vote_for_reduction_in_paid_sick_leave_provision%29

content:
<p>
Pelosi
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/17/many-lawmakers-out-town-democratic-house-quietly-weakens-paid-leave-provisions">tricked
the House of Representatives</a> to vote for a reduction in the new
paid sick leave provision by calling the change "technical", implying
there was no significant alteration.


feed_id: fc94ed0c8af468da3b388d83df8bf5f6
title: Bailout for the bailout industry
uri: Bailout-for-the-bailout-industry
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Bailout_for_the_bailout_industry%29

content:
<p>
(satire) *Congress Allocates $2 Trillion
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/congress-allocates-2-trillion-to-bail-out-struggling-b-1842376525">To
Bail Out Struggling Bailout Industry</a>.*


feed_id: da80e506179a3bddef7ac88e341e6b5b
title: Upward social mobility
uri: Upward-social-mobility
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Upward_social_mobility%29
content:
<p>
Upward social mobility is no longer giving people overall a better
life, says the best expert on the field.  As some move upward, others
move down.  But
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/mar/17/the-expert-in-social-mobility-who-says-education-cannot-make-it-happen">only
a small fraction move very far in either direction</a>.
<p>
Decades ago, the developed world was creating many additional
well-paid jobs, so there was more mobility upward than downward.
Nowadays, neither one is true.
<p>
Thus, to make a large number of people better off in the developed
world requires massively deconcentrating wealth (for instance, more
support for the poor, a Green New Deal, and Medicare for All) or
massively eliminating waste (such as, a Green New Deal, and Medicare
for All).


feed_id: c9a9a498b753ca4f9566855d8745da2b
title: Reduced schedule for subways and buses
uri: Reduced-schedule-for-subways-and-buses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Reduced_schedule_for_subways_and_buses%29

content:
<p>
The Boston subways and buses are running on a reduced schedule,
supposedly to encourage "social distancing".  I can't follow the logic
of that.  Running fewer buses or trains will mean more people ride
together in each one.  The effect of that will be exactly the opposite
of what they claim is the goal.
<p>
If you can figure out what sense they think this move has, please tell
me by email.


feed_id: 7335f4aaff64fec53df3449aebe06362
title: Venezuela's crippled medical system
uri: Venezuela-s-crippled-medical-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_%28Venezuelas_crippled_medical_system%29

content:
<p>
Venezuela's medical system is crippled by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/17/mask-gown-gloves-none-of-that-exists-venezuelas-coronavirus-crisis">shortages
of basic supplies</a>.
<p>
The article attributes these shortages purely to Maduro, and mentions
US sanctions in a way that doubts that they matter.  Chavez's
subsidies
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2008-may-aug.html#04%20May%202008%20(Food%20shortages%20in%20Venezuela)">created
shortages in the everyday goods that he subsidized</a>, but the
shortages
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_August_2019_(US_economic_warfare_against_Venezuela)">became
much broader and worse after the bully imposed the sanctions</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> is pushing sanctions on Venezuela
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/16/maximum-pressure-march-us-hybrid-war-venezuela-heats">as
hard as it can</a>.


feed_id: 757c330256891f4404b2df7b3d6f1e7c
title: Urgent: No habeas corpus suspension
uri: Urgent-No-habeas-corpus-suspension
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_No_habeas_corpus_suspension%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/stop_the_doj/">call on Congress</a> to refuse the demand to suspend habeas corpus.  Doing so would allow thugs to arrest people and jail them for
any length of time.


feed_id: 9814ea5504955af0c06d0a588fa5ca39
title: Urgent: no interfering with investigations
uri: Urgent-no-interfering-with-investigations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_no_interfering_with_investigations%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-mitch-mcconnell-elaine-chaos-corruption?nowrapper=true">call on Senator McConnell</a> to stop interfering with who
will have the job of investigating the alleged corruption of 
Elaine Chao, <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> of Transportation, who is (as it happens) his wife.


feed_id: 9d0c2eb81116f1a5697291c4caed7d3e
title: Urgent: investigate possible profiteers
uri: Urgent-investigate-possible-profiteers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_investigate_possible_profiteers%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/petition-coronavirus-congress-accountability/">call for an investigation of each
congresscritter or senator</a> who is suspected of profiting from Covid-19 by
selling stock based on inside information.

<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/21/us-senators-accused-coronavirus-insider-trading-are-a-symbol-moral-bankruptcy">Commentary about this issue</a>.


feed_id: b9813d2288a297f331c7a256944ec5ac
title: Urgent: pass the Ban Fracking Act
uri: Urgent-pass-the-Ban-Fracking-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_pass_the_Ban_Fracking_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-demand-the-house-pass-the-ban-fracking-act?nowrapper=true">call on the House of Representatives</a> to pass the
Ban Fracking Act.


feed_id: af3a58a9d7a1040472a80a6200e4494b
title: Urgent: put a stop on Covid-19 disinformation
uri: Urgent-put-a-stop-on-Covid-19-disinformation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_put_a_stop_on_Covid-19_disinformation%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/journ_misinfo_fcc">call on the FCC</a> to use its authority to put a stop to
dangerous Covid-19 disinformation on broadcast TV.


feed_id: d6f1bfefcb33573ae495f37047b47a23
title: Urgent: release old and sick prisoners
uri: Urgent-release-old-and-sick-prisoners
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_release_old_and_sick_prisoners%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/stop-spread-covid-19-free-elderly-and-sick-prisons-and-jails">call on US governments</a> to release old prisoners and sick
prisoners.


feed_id: c2c1b1847206219b5c163e668c79ddd1
title: Urgent: keep people safe in prisons
uri: Urgent-keep-people-safe-in-prisons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_keep_people_safe_in_prisons%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://humaneoutbreakresponse.org/">call for</a> many steps to keep people safe from
catching Covid-19 in prison.


feed_id: f608cd7837e4d693701973dcb6332d87
title: Urgent: remove all military forces from Iraq
uri: Urgent-remove-all-military-forces-from-Iraq
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_remove_all_military_forces_from_Iraq%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/us-troops-out-of-iraq">call on the US</a> to remove all military forces from Iraq.


feed_id: 46170d5205a0d15eba225190f5263bab
title: Urgent: stop charging for coronavirus coverage
uri: Urgent-stop-charging-for-coronavirus-coverage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_stop_charging_for_coronavirus_coverage%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/journ_covid_globe_latimes">call on the Boston Globe and the L.A. Times</a> to stop
charging for access to coronavirus coverage.

<p>
Paying to access an article these days generally requires running
nonfree Javascript code, and tracks who reads the article.  I consider
each of those an injustice, and I won't stand for either of them.
Therefore, if an article is thoroughly paywalled, I do without seeing
it.


feed_id: db4e157604e4c8bb8aa39aa2ab936dba
title: Urgent: rebuke senators against paid sick leave
uri: Urgent-rebuke-senators-against-paid-sick-leave
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_rebuke_senators_against_paid_sick_leave%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 51 Republican senators voted against offering paid sick
leave to additional American workers.  If any of them is your senator,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/19/here-are-51-republican-senators-who-just-voted-against-expanding-paid-sick-leave-all">phone per office now and rebuke per</a>.

<p>
(Please respect gender neutrality and number agreement together,
by <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/genderless-pronouns.html">referring to a single person of unspecified gender as
"perse" and "per"</a>.)


feed_id: 32b9c13b4b73553c29d8c8ad984001c4
title: Urgent: John Ratcliffe
uri: Urgent-John-Ratcliffe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_John_Ratcliffe%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/reject-ratcliffe-again/">call on the Senate</a> to reject the political appointment of
John Ratcliffe as DNI.


feed_id: 0c49519efcb6abdb0343d5fe7837fdb4
title: Urgent: fact-check political ads
uri: Urgent-fact-check-political-ads
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_fact-check_political_ads%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/petition-facebooks-political-ads/">call on Facebook</a> to fact-check political ads.


feed_id: 9f8259b086e1b6b9445e363000d1a759
title: Urgent: provide national paid sick leave
uri: Urgent-provide-national-paid-sick-leave
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_provide_national_paid_sick_leave%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://www.signherenow.org/petition/paid-sick-leave/democracy-for-america/">call on Congress</a> to pass legislation to provide national
paid sick leave.  For everyone, that is.


feed_id: 839581104451055188b41ec17a82dc4e
title: Urgent: implement rent freeze
uri: Urgent-implement-rent-freeze
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_implement_rent_freeze%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/tell-governor-edwards-to-implement-a-rent-freeze-and-moratorium-on-all-evictions-in-louisiana-now-1/">call on Louisiana Governor Edwards</a> to implement a rent
freeze and a moratorium on layoffs, evictions and water shut-offs in
the state of Louisiana.


feed_id: fbdfbb7456aa0b98611b52312a508b39
title: Urgent: stop making prisoners vulnerable to Covid-19
uri: Urgent-stop-making-prisoners-vulnerable-to-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_stop_making_prisoners_vulnerable_to_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/ny_cuomo_coronavirus/">call on New York Governor Cuomo</a> to end the prison injustices
that make prisoners vulnerable to Covid-19.


feed_id: 63913e424e5d3aff45b6327e3356b05b
title: The EPA
uri: 2020-03-26-The-EPA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28The_EPA%29
content:
<p>
The Environmental Poisoning Agency is being sued for
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/03/18/trumps-epa-sued-concealing-health-studies-violating-its-chemical-laws">repeatedly
disregarding some of the requirements in the Toxic Substances Control
Act</a>.


feed_id: 98af66260a601e6e8585946eecdc0dd0
title: Publicly owned medicine production
uri: Publicly-owned-medicine-production
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Publicly_owned_medicine_production%29

content:
<p>
*From testing for coronavirus to treating the health impacts of
climate change,
<A href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/17/if-you-think-coronavirus-profiteering-bad-wait-till-climate-heats">universal
healthcare and publicly owned medicine production</a> are critical
components for adapting to the coming crisis.*


feed_id: 6dc7e86426922580655a460d13186f33
title: War on dissent in 1917
uri: War-on-dissent-in-1917
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28War_on_dissent_in_1917%29
content:
<p>
In 1917, the US
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/17/when-fake-news-was-banned-america-trump-might-have-loved">imposed
arbitrary political censorship</a> in the name of war.  It was,
effectively, a war on dissent.


feed_id: b3d681aac52c932f0473a5c067ceb0df
title: Sending money directly to individuals
uri: Sending-money-directly-to-individuals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Sending_money_directly_to_individuals%29

content:
<p>
US officials are talking about sending money directly to individuals.
The question is
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/17/send-people-money-bids-are-ramping-trump-signals-direct-cash-payments-progressives">who
will get them, and whether they will be enough</a> to protect people
from destitution.
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/17/just-beginning-nearly-1-5-americans-say-they-or-someone-their-household-already-lost">Almost
1/5 of US households</a> have someone who has already lost work.
<p>
(satire) Trump
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/trump-quietly-checks-with-aides-to-make-sure-he-d-be-in-1842399427">Quietly
Checks With Aides To Make Sure He’d Be Included</a> In Receiving
$1,000 Government Checks


feed_id: da0654acd4b273b9195c5b61ce47f963
title: Concentration of wealth and overpopulation
uri: Concentration-of-wealth-and-overpopulation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Concentration_of_wealth_and_overpopulation%29

content:
<p>
Poor people in India live several people to a room, have to carry
water home so they can't often wash their hands.  A day when they stay
home from work, they don't get much food.  They
<a href="https://esichumanitiesclub.blogspot.com/2020/03/social-distancingyou-must-be-kidding-me.html">can't
do much to stop transmission of Covid-19</a>.
<p>
Moreover, they are so much in danger of diseases that are more likely
to be fatal that they can't give Covid-19 priority.  The worst effect
of Covid-19 might be the shortage of doctors to treat those other
diseases.
<p>
The underlying cause of this situation in India is the combination of
concentration of wealth and overpopulation.
<p>
The US is vulnerable to Covid-19 in the same sort of way, though not
to the same degree, because of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/19/coronavirus-insecurity-anxiety-us-epidemic">concentration
of wealth and plutocratist crush-the-poor politics</a>.


feed_id: db7fc39dd5e4ad9583b9927d95de4782
title: China exporting supplies and equipment
uri: China-exporting-supplies-and-equipment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28China_exporting_supplies_and_equipment%29

content:
<p>
China is making friends by
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/18/coronavirus-china-world-power/">exporting
the supplies and equipment needed to test for Covid-19 and treat
it</a>.


feed_id: f1719fcb6595ac4d636788e6e33f79da
title: Biden-Trump election would be a loss for democracy
uri: Biden-Trump-election-would-be-a-loss-for-democracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Biden-Trump_election_would_be_a_loss_for_democracy%29

content:
<p>
*A Biden-Trump Election Is a
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/03/18/biden-trump-election-win-win-wall-street-and-loss-our-democracy">Win-Win
for Wall Street and a Loss for Our Democracy</a>.*
<p>
The author recommends electing Biden anyway, then trying to pressure
him to keep his somewhat progressive election promises.


feed_id: 6cf467929f1f6e402a27cd0d4958c288
title: Expulsion of American journalists
uri: Expulsion-of-American-journalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Expulsion_of_American_journalists%29

content:
<p>
(satire) *Trump Hits Back At China By
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/trump-hits-back-at-china-by-announcing-u-s-will-also-e-1842397825">Announcing
U.S. Will Also Expel American Journalists</a>.*
<p>
The sad part is the he
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#17_November_2018_(Jim_Acosta)">really
has expelled them from the White House</a>.


feed_id: dfb1c6279533e6ae14b38bf7a2bb14b1
title: US threatens to harass relatives of ICC staff
uri: US-threatens-to-harass-relatives-of-ICC-staff
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28US_threatens_to_harass_relatives_of_ICC_staff%29

content:
<p>
The US government has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/18/bashing-probe-us-war-crimes-pompeo-threatens-family-icc-staff-consequences">threatened
to harass relatives of the staff of the International Criminal
Court</a>.


feed_id: 38a3dd48c89f4258034c9a615006b362
title: Government rescue for airlines
uri: Government-rescue-for-airlines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Government_rescue_for_airlines%29
content:
<p>
Any government rescue for airlines
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/18/airline-giants-beg-taxpayer-bailout-progressives-demand-stock-buyback-ban-and-strong">must
rescue their workers and permanently give them more power in the
companies</a>.
<p>
Senator Warren has proposed similar (identical?)
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/03/18/senator-warren-lays-out-progressive-litmus-test-bailouts-large-corporations">rules
for bailouts to any large businesses</a>.


feed_id: 3fb81c7997c2083d4194d717d18b1eaa
title: Effects of nasty practices revealed as intolerable
uri: Effects-of-nasty-practices-revealed-as-intolerable
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Effects_of_nasty_practices_revealed_as_intolerable%29

content:
<p>
Many nasty practices that shouldn't have existed ever are being
relaxed now because, in the context of an epidemic,
<a href="https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/03/coronavirus-tsa-liquid-purell-paid-leave-rules.html">their
nasty effects are revealed as intolerable</a> &mdash; and because the
justifications for them were weak or nonexistent in the first place.
<p>
Here's one more example:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/18/ice-us-immigration-scale-back-arrest-trump-coronavirus">searching
aggressively for people to deport</a>.
<p>
And another:
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/17/offering-model-nation-battling-outbreak-new-york-ag-suspends-all-medical-and-student">pressuring
people to pay medical and student debts</a> (but only those owed to
New York State).
<p>
Alas, new rigid excesses are being imposed, including "Absolutely
never meet a friend in person," and new unjust practices, such as "Do
your studying, meeting and paying through nonfree software and digital
dis-services that will track you."
<p>
The former will presumably disappear easily when the epidemic is over,
but getting rid of the latter will require a fight.  Therefore I
continue refusing to use web sites that demand nonfree JS code, and
not having a portable phone to track me with.


feed_id: f2e3a7eaffde43b0463eedbc1cbee7d3
title: Violation of quarantine orders in Italy
uri: Violation-of-quarantine-orders-in-Italy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Violation_of_quarantine_orders_in_Italy%29

content:
<p>
Some Italians have been accused of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/18/italy-charges-more-than-40000-people-violating-lockdown-coronavirus">violating
quarantine orders even when they have been told they may have
Covid-19</a>.
<p>
The article says that the state wants to punish anyone who goes
outside even if <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> has had no sign of or contact with Covid-19.
I've heard a report that Italy is tracking people through their phones
so as to make the repression total.
<p>
There is no need to repress people that strictly.  Occasional meetings
of a few people who probably don't have Covid-19 will have little
effect to spread it.


feed_id: d507df374c350ba13c83f2d229aa4522
title: NYC thug caught planting marijuana in someone's car
uri: NYC-thug-caught-planting-marijuana-in-someone-s-car
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28NYC_thug_caught_planting_marijuana_in_someones_car%29

content:
<p>
A New York City uniformed <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> was caught on video planting marijuana
in someone's car, to frame him.  When the state failed to imprison him
for the act of bearing false witness, he
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/03/18/nypd-misconduct-body-cameras-marijuana/">did
it again and was caught again</a>.
<p>
Until we put those <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> away for years, they will continue exploiting
their immunity to put honest citizens in prison arbitrarily.


feed_id: e5153cf2b0ef65158bf7d53656a73c9f
title: Global banks funneling trillions into fossil fuels
uri: Global-banks-funneling-trillions-into-fossil-fuels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Global_banks_funneling_trillions_into_fossil_fuels%29

content:
<p>
*Study: global banks 'failing miserably' on climate crisis by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/18/global-banks-climate-crisis-finance-fossil-fuels">funneling
trillions into fossil fuels</a>.*


feed_id: 5b8f07ad4e793bed4f38e16253d37d0c
title: Refugee support organizations shut down
uri: Refugee-support-organizations-shut-down
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Refugee_support_organizations_shut_down%29

content:
<p>
Support for refugees in the EU has been cut off because
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/mar/18/ngos-raise-alarm-as-coronavirus-strips-support-from-eu-refugees">the
support organizations have shut down</a>.


feed_id: 75a813cdc02724feebdea0f9952f1968
title: New Zealand eliminates legal obstacles to abortion
uri: New-Zealand-eliminates-legal-obstacles-to-abortion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28New_Zealand_eliminates_legal_obstacles_to_abortion%29

content:
<p>
New Zealand has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/18/new-zealand-passes-landmark-law-decriminalise-abortion">eliminated
the former legal obstacles to getting an abortion</a>.


feed_id: 0b30f9eaca9caea23bae3a6360b1a383
title: Daryl Davis
uri: Daryl-Davis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#25_March_2020_%28Daryl_Davis%29
content:
<p>
Daryl Davis was a black jazz musician who switched fields and began
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/mar/18/daryl-davis-black-musician-who-converts-ku-klux-klan-members">befriending
white racists and convincing them to drop their bigotry</a>.


feed_id: 7c3a183fcffbae619f30ced39510429e
title: Urgent: Suspend sanctions on Iran
uri: Urgent-Suspend-sanctions-on-Iran
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#26_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Suspend_sanctions_on_Iran%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/suspend-sanctions-iran-coronavirus">call
on Secretary Mnuchin</a> to suspend sanctions on Iran for 120 days.


feed_id: 93412de0ccbe696321fc4f84aba49b42
title: Urgent: Ban Fracking Act
uri: Urgent-Ban-Fracking-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#26_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_Fracking_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-demand-the-house-pass-the-ban-fracking-act?nowrapper=true">call
on the House</a> to pass the Ban Fracking Act.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 63ef52b70a982292815f43ef82878961
title: Urgent: Reject Stephen Schwartz as federal judge
uri: Urgent-Reject-Stephen-Schwartz-as-federal-judge
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#26_March_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_Stephen_Schwartz_as_federal_judge%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/petition-reject-schwartz/">call on
the Senate</a> to reject Stephen Schwartz as a federal judge.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 7b9491acef9858eb9b7b20f01c69d3ff
title: Covid-19 stimulus bill
uri: Covid-19-stimulus-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#26_March_2020_%28Covid-19_stimulus_bill%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/03/24/third-house-covid-19-stimulus-bill-better-protects-public-health-people-and">Third
House COVID-19 Stimulus Bill</a> Better Protects Public Health, the
People, and Democracy.*
<p>
Surely it can't be perfect.  I would like to see a review of its
downsides, from someone who criticizes it, to get an idea of how big
those are.
<p>
*New Senate Stimulus Bill Would
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/25/new-senate-stimulus-bill-would-ban-companies-owned-trump-or-his-children-receiving">Ban
Companies Owned by Trump or His Children From Receiving Any Bailout
Money</a>.*
<p>
However, it
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/26/looting-america-big-corporations-progressives-appalled-senate-unanimously-passes">gives
other giant companies a giant handout</a>.
<p>
*OBSCENE: Patriotic Millionaires Slam
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/03/25/obscene-patriotic-millionaires-slam-senate-bill-provisions-ceo-compensation">Senate
Bill Provisions on CEO Compensation</a>.*
<p>
I think it also has a provision to cut employer contributions to
Social Security, which was
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/23/trap-progressives-sound-alarm-gop-attempts-sneak-attack-social-security-coronavirus">reported
in this article a few days ago</a>.  This would enable Republicans to
say, perhaps next year, "Social Security is running out of money; we
have to cut benefits."


