# articles

feed_id: bb7663f208c87fcab62935625e72d8d0
title: Manhattan homeless shelter
uri: Manhattan-homeless-shelter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#21_January_2018_%28Manhattan_homeless_shelter%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/18/new-york-city-homeless-shelter-billionaires-row-backlash">
Manhattan billionaires object to setting up a homeless shelter
</a>
on the
next street from their skyscraper.
<p>
Boo hoo for them.


feed_id: 7f5c9db9eacec01f486d86d77528496f
title: Russian funds to NRA
uri: Russian-funds-to-NRA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#21_January_2018_%28Russian_funds_to_NRA%29
content:
<p>
The FBI is investigating accusations that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/18/trump-nra-fbi-alexander-torshin-russia-investigation">
the NRA accepted funds
from a Russian that was working for Putin,
</a>
for <a href="/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a>'s campaign.


feed_id: f7956724cd2890324d87f7d57610ee36
title: Withholding loan to Puerto Rico
uri: Withholding-loan-to-Puerto-Rico
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#21_January_2018_%28Withholding_loan_to_Puerto_Rico%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/18/1733852/-FEMA-and-US-Treasury-decide-to-help-Puerto-Rico-by-withholding-a-billion-dollar-emergency-loan">
FEMA and US Treasury decide to 'help' Puerto Rico by withholding a
billion-dollar emergency loan,
</a>
  claiming that Puerto Rico is not really broke.
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/18/puerto-rico-trump-administration-tells-its-too-rich-for-aid-money/">
What Puerto Rico needs is a grant instead of a loan.
</a>
  But that wouldn't serve the purposes of disaster capitalism.


feed_id: 5b91d210d6a7f9e3f4850b5d8eb2090f
title: Denying treatment
uri: Denying-treatment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#21_January_2018_%28Denying_treatment%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> has set up an office to provide legal defense for religious
doctors and nurses that want to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/18/health-office-religious-freedom-deny-treatment">
deny treatment to patients out of
prejudice based on religion.
</a>


feed_id: 56955102e5d5753b0df86f04348b183c
title: Outsourcing
uri: Outsourcing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#21_January_2018_%28Outsourcing%29
content:
<p>
Corbyn says that Labour will make
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jan/18/corbyn-on-carillion-well-end-outsourcing-racket-in-rule-change">
outsourcing government services to
businesses a last resort.
</a>
<p>
Outsourcing cut the workers' pay.  Reversing this will enable them
to get a raise.


feed_id: 77234552c123d668648bf8b0d0b73c7b
title: Zimbabwe's president
uri: Zimbabwe-s-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#21_January_2018_%28Zimbabwe%27s_president%29
content:
<p>
The newly appointed president of Zimbabwe says
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/18/zimbabwe-president-pledges-free-and-fair-vote-in-four-to-five-months">
he will run democratic
elections.
</a>


feed_id: 6303ea73fe6eacf61a0e5c5840260cff
title: Public fear and discontent
uri: Public-fear-and-discontent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#21_January_2018_%28Public_fear_and_discontent%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jan/18/trump-style-populism-murderous-leaders-free-rein-human-rights-watch-report">
Human Rights Watch report accuses western politicians
of driving global misrule by feeding off public fear and discontent.
</a>
<p>
<p>
Some details need correcting.  For instance, I don't think Putin or Xi
play any role in continuing the bombardment and blockade of Yemen;
that's down to the US and <a href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>.


feed_id: 90f71a8c3e7004d53ddbb7f2a0d6c867
title: Privatization
uri: 2018-01-22-Privatization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#21_January_2018_%28Privatization%29
content:
<p>
How privatization reduces the monetary cost of public services:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/18/outsourced-carillion-hospital-state-treasury-work">
reducing the number of workers by 1/3, and paying each of them 1/3 less.
</a>
<p>
The workers do not magically become more efficient by being paid less.
When their numbers are insufficient, they fall behind on the work.
The outsourced work is "more efficient" only in the sense that it
costs less per worker, and that's due to the reduced pay.
<p>
I didn't know, before reading this article, about how outsourcing part
of the work in an organization can cause discoordination and rigidity.
<p>
To kill <a href="/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>, we should restore the workers' old salaries
and the rich people's old tax rates.


feed_id: f4811e4000f34f125e52be2f79ac2ddf
title: Very fast deportations
uri: Very-fast-deportations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#21_January_2018_%28Very_fast_deportations%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/18/trumps-roundup-immigrant-leaders-has-begun">
US deportation <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are specifically targeting unauthorized immigrants that
organize for immigrants' rights,
</a>
and deporting them very fast before courts
have ruled on their cases.
<p>
I can't reach any conclusion about whether those specific people ought
to be allowed to remain in the US, but US citizens' rights are at
stake here too.  When the state acts to harm a person without waiting
for the court to decide about the matter, it expresses contempt for
the idea of legal rights -- for anyone whatsoever.
<p>
Moving possible deportees in places far away from their homes, without
demonstrating a need, is an act of gratuitous cruelty.


feed_id: 06c2f6b1de0e40142056307ffb853a0c
title: Coral reefs
uri: 2018-01-22-Coral-reefs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#21_January_2018_%28Coral_reefs%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/19/coral-reefs-at-make-or-break-point-un-environment-head-says">
Coral Reefs "At Make Or Break Point",
</a>


feed_id: eb5e2819b577abafce423aca6cbcda50
title: Protecting Antarctica
uri: Protecting-Antarctica
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#22_January_2018_%28Protecting_Antarctica%29
content:
<p>
The EU and Greenpeace are pushing for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/13/worlds-biggest-wildlife-reserve-planned-for-antarctica-in-global-campaign">
a very large protected area of
ocean near the Antarctic Peninsula.
</a>
<p>
This will be a significant step, but we need many more such steps.
<a href="http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/fact-sheets/2016/08/world-conservation-congress-motion-53-vote-yes-to-support-protection-for-30-percent-of-the-ocean">
Overall, we should protect around 30% of the ocean.
</a>


feed_id: 06a01e2f145686c3c75d881752eff7af
title: Urgent: Veto surveillance bill
uri: Urgent-Veto-surveillance-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#22_January_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Veto_surveillance_bill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone the White House at 202-456-1414 and urge the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>
to veto the massive surveillance bill.  He was against it before — he
might perhaps veto it now.


feed_id: 4da38171f6c7a43864231fd8d144aa17
title: Urgent: DREAM Act
uri: Urgent-DREAM-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#22_January_2018_%28Urgent%3A_DREAM_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/pass-dream-act/">call on Congress</a> to pass the DREAM Act, thus offering child-immigrants a path towards US citizenship.


feed_id: ff409f45daa5f640298b3a62c55100c6
title: Large companies as landlords
uri: Large-companies-as-landlords
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#22_January_2018_%28Large_companies_as_landlords%29
content:
<p>
Large companies tend to be nastier than individuals as rental
landlords.  When they <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/20/you-think-your-landlord-is-bad-try-renting-from-wall-street/">send your rent sky high</a>, there isn't even anyone
to negotiate with.
<p>
One of the roots of the housing shortage is in the zoning laws that limit
how much housing can be built on a plot of land.  We can't make housing inexpensive while keeping it low density.
<p>
Another root is the death of small towns and rural America.  There are
few jobs now outside cities.  Retired people may remain but sometimes
find it hard to get to a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#27_August_2016_(People_without_enough_food_in_Oklahoma)">place to buy food</a>.
Younger people have to move to where work is, and there isn't enough
housing there.
<p>
Making agriculture less efficient would make for more jobs in rural
places.  Many Americans would like to live in them.  Making cattle
ranching less efficient could also help Americans eat less meat, which
they need to do, for their own health and for the health of the
ecosphere.


feed_id: d368e35dc32f5ecd6dd03249cb169633
title: Countries as 'shitholes'
uri: Countries-as-shitholes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#22_January_2018_%28Countries_as_%27shitholes%27%29
content:
<p>
Talking about other countries as "shitholes" can <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/19/us-has-treated-poor-countries-shitholes-decades">facilitate violence</a>
against them.
<p>
This is not limited to the military interventions described in the article.
Economic aggression can be facilitated too.
<p>
If you think of a country as covered with shit, you shouldn't neglect
to ask whose shit it is.  Don't assume the local people produced it,
though some of them probably helped.  In many cases, it's the shit of
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jan-apr.html#20_April_2012_(UK)">former colonial powers</a> at the bottom layers,
with <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#13_October_2016_(Giving_Haiti_the_money_it_needs)">US shit</a> piled on top of that.
<p>
In some countries, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#04_April_2013_(Chinas_fishing_fleet_in_African_waters)">Chinese shit</a> is now being packed on top.


feed_id: 07e3016492504fe4f3fb355c58dfcdbf
title: Vietnam War
uri: 2018-01-23-Vietnam-War
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#22_January_2018_%28Vietnam_War%29
content:
<p>
Students in the US learn almost nothing about the Vietnam War,
and the series of lies that the US government used as excuses,
which <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/19/what-spielbergs-post-and-our-textbooks-leave-out">makes them susceptible</a> to lies when used to push them into
another war.


feed_id: 4820e74627e9b8bca0ea474a4b0934e3
title: Rights of students
uri: Rights-of-students
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#22_January_2018_%28Rights_of_students%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s saboteurs are working to serve companies by crushing the
rights of students — apparently <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/19/trump-fills-swamp-exploit-college-students">due to corruption</a> in several departments.


feed_id: d1419a467e2e94a935afc5bdc14b4b77
title: Control of the census
uri: Control-of-the-census
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#22_January_2018_%28Control_of_the_census%29
content:
<p>
The saboteur-in-chief is trying to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/19/1734125/-Trump-s-illegally-trying-to-put-a-notorious-gerrymanderer-in-charge-of-the-2020-census">sneak a partisan gerrymanderer</a> into
control of the 2020 census.
<p>
Republicans will stop at nothing to manipulate the census, because that will
help them rig subsequent elections.


feed_id: 238a15964dc260c58e586914d0471d3f
title: Bullshit jobs
uri: Bullshit-jobs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#22_January_2018_%28Bullshit_jobs%29
content:
<p>
Many people nowadays work at jobs they know <a href="https://strikemag.org/bullshit-jobs/">contribute nothing to
society</a>.
<p>
Why are there so many bullshit jobs?  I think it is partly because people
push to get those jobs rather than suffer the disaster of
unemployment.  Partly, governments allow this to happen so as to avoid
the unrest that the unemployment would cause.  The problem of
unemployment, under today's economic system, is real, and this is an
attempt to solve it.  But it has very bad side effects, and is greatly
inferior to the solution of increasing everyone's non-work time.


feed_id: 67900377eb6b7ce66dc67e991bc263ed
title: MLK Jr on capitalism
uri: MLK-Jr-on-capitalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#22_January_2018_%28MLK_Jr_on_capitalism%29
content:
<p>
How Martin Luther King Jr <a href="https://www.rawstory.com/2017/01/11-most-anti-capitalist-quotes-from-martin-luther-king-jr/">criticized capitalism</a>.


feed_id: 907cd25e6973d66737b09725ae1c7374
title: Buying the bully's favor
uri: Buying-the-bully-s-favor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#22_January_2018_%28Buying_the_bully%27s_favor%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.citizen.org/media/press-releases/sixty-four-trade-groups-foreign-governments-companies-charities-and-0">Over 60 companies and interest groups</a> buy the bully's favor by paying dearly
to hold events at sites he owns.
They include unsavory foreign governments.


feed_id: 94e3480235b5f5d37c052123da04fbc1
title: Drug prohibition
uri: Drug-prohibition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#22_January_2018_%28Drug_prohibition%29
content:
<p>
Prohibition of drugs <a href="https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2018/01/16/l-a-sheriffs-deputy-who-taught-criminal-reform-program-allegedly-ran-drugs-with-student/">continues corrupting thugs</a> in the US.
<p>
Heating up the War on Drugs reduces the supply and causes the price to
go up.  This increases the temptation, which brings more <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>,
airport employees, and whatever, into the business.  That is a poor
return for the price society pays, in the form casualties from the war.
<p>
There are some things that we have to fight, such as wildlife poaching
and deforestation.  That's because they threaten to do harm that goes
beyond making some people addicted.  We can't protect elephants or
rhinoceroses from extinction by legalizing the hunting of them.  But not
for drugs.


feed_id: 2f2363c972ca798c5366cdb30c5efcf3
title: Psilocybin as treatment
uri: Psilocybin-as-treatment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#22_January_2018_%28Psilocybin_as_treatment%29
content:
<p>
Research suggests that psilocybin is a <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320636.php">good treatment for depression</a>.


feed_id: 28f0e5a6d61d6bbfc80663da1a4298bd
title: EFF on surveillance vote
uri: EFF-on-surveillance-vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#22_January_2018_%28EFF_on_surveillance_vote%29
content:
<p>
The EFF <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/01/open-letter-our-community-congresss-vote-extend-nsa-spying-eff-executive-director">rebukes the members of Congress</a> that voted to continue and increase
massive surveillance, and vows the fight is not over.


feed_id: bab00a80c251d4edf89ddd03cc95a7cc
title: Making generic drugs
uri: Making-generic-drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#22_January_2018_%28Making_generic_drugs%29
content:
<p>
Several US hospital chains are <a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/01/peeved-by-price-gouging-and-shortages-hospitals-will-now-make-their-own-drugs/">joining forces to make generic drugs</a>
which have become outrageously expensive, or scarce.
<p>
It is not clear in the article whether they will sell to the general
public as well.  If they don't, the problem will get even worse for
everyone else.
<p>
I suspect that the problem is the result of the many mergers in the
pharma industry.  Idealized economics says we can count on competition
to do certain jobs, but that doesn't work when companies can merge
instead of competing.


feed_id: 00530a0809d3b2eb3dba1bf3743e7adc
title: Barbering school
uri: 2018-01-23-Barbering-school
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#21_January_2018_%28Barbering_school%29
content:
<p>
How could it make sense to require people to <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/01/19/barber-cops-bust-high-school-dropouts">graduate high school</a> to
go to barbering school?
<p>
How could it make sense not to offer a shortcut for someone who
already knows how to do the job to skip most of the schooling?
<p>
How could it be just to impose a heavy fine for barbering without a
license, on the first complaint?
<p>
How could it be just for a court to issue a fine and not appoint a lawyer
to represent the person that might be fined?
<p>
My friend Paul sent me this:
<blockquote>
It might help understand this if you know that an amazingly high
proportion of cosmetology school students are older black guys who
have gotten out of prison.  Opening a barber shop is one of their few
avenues to owning a business and making a living, given that their
criminal record makes it almost impossible to get a regular job.  So
it sounds like Tennessee is trying to put more obstacles in their
path.
</blockquote>


feed_id: 32210eb920277f57c754a2c5777e6aac
title: Global heating scenarios
uri: Global-heating-scenarios
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Global_heating_scenarios%29
content:
<p>
A study <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/18/worst-case-global-warming-scenarios-not-credible-says-study">rejected the good and bad extremes</a> of likely global heating
in this century if we fail to cut back greenhouse gas emissions.
<p>
However, this assumes that we don't hit a tipping point.  We know of
several possible tipping points, and we don't know whether they can
happen, or at what temperature.  The methane tipping point seems to be
<a href="https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/01/12/global-warming-stirs-the-methane-monster/">starting to move</a>.


feed_id: f9756741330747f251e3aca002a62bae
title: Flights for torture
uri: Flights-for-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Flights_for_torture%29
content:
<p>
Some citizens of North Carolina are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/17/cia-rendition-flights-north-carolina-citizens-commission">investigating a company</a> that flew
prisoners for the Bush regime to other countries that would torture
them.


feed_id: 8dc9a7df96f43260eededc54d94f6f1a
title: Food shortage in Venezuela
uri: Food-shortage-in-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Food_shortage_in_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/21/venezuela-looting-violence-food-shortages">Food shortage in Venezuela</a> is driving people to loot stores, even
steal race horses and eat them.


feed_id: 2d26050742e4ffc7e59752c48adf185f
title: How democracies die
uri: How-democracies-die
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28How_democracies_die%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2018/jan/21/this-is-how-democracies-die">How Democracies Die</a> — sometimes in a sudden coup, sometimes gradually as the
institutions of democracy are subverted by a minority.
<p>
The rich minority in the US have been working for decades to destroy our
democracy, and it hasn't functioned as a democracy since 20 years ago
under President Clinton.  Now that people are awakening to this, we will
see if there is anyway to take our country back from the plutocrats.


feed_id: faf04587664fa796a836cfd320640387
title: Total face-recognition
uri: Total-face-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Total_face-recognition%29
content:
<p>
China is setting up <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/18/china-testing-facial-recognition-surveillance-system-in-xinjiang-report">total face-recognition</a> in Xinjiang.
The rest of China will surely follow.
<p>
In India, every classroom will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/18/delhi-cctv-classrooms-parents-monitor-children">have a video camera</a>, so that each child can
be watched by the parents of the other children.  And by who-knows-who-else.
<p>
I wish we were safe from this in the US.


feed_id: 24b7f7dae708bf2d4c0c33f5719de6c4
title: Marxist scholar
uri: Marxist-scholar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Marxist_scholar%29
content:
<p>
Leading Marxist Scholar David Harvey on <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/21/marxist-scholar-david-harvey-on-trump-wall-street-and-debt-peonage/">Trump, Wall Street, and Debt Peonage</a>.
<p>
Harvey talks about problems caused by the internet, but (like most people)
he doesn't see how a large part of that stems from from nonfree software.
It's funny how people that criticize the power of business in other fields
have a blind spot here.


feed_id: 4949b96b66b592505eda7b5483bd3905
title: Enclosing public lands
uri: Enclosing-public-lands
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Enclosing_public_lands%29
content:
<p>
Rich people in Montana are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/21/public-land-battle-private-landowners-montana">enclosing public lands</a> with private property
so that other people can't get to them.
<p>
I think the private landowners adjoining public lands should be
legally required to provide adequate access to them, and that access must
not impose a long detour on anyone.


feed_id: 34e300b60c4774a184dc03216f70d5f0
title: Organizational rights
uri: Organizational-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Organizational_rights%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/21/labor-movement-us-unions/">What unions need to do</a> to advance workers' organizational rights.


feed_id: 27cc22d55ce0d8b3389d67d04a83dc03
title: Surveillance tickets
uri: Surveillance-tickets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Surveillance_tickets%29
content:
<p>
Tickets for some large concerts are now being sold through a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/jan/20/tickets-ticketmaster-facebook-twitter-verified-fan">system of
surveillance</a>.  It demands a Facebook account.  In some cases, it does
extortion as well.
<p>
Don't surrender to this pressure to let Facebook use you!  You don't
need to be a Verified Fan of a musician that is a Verified Fad.  There
are plenty of good musicians that you can enjoy, that are not so
famous and could really use your support, and will respect your
freedom.
<p>
In addition, every time you see or hear a discussion of the musicians
that act unjustly, it is an opportunity to say that they organize
snooping on their fans, so you have decided not to be one of those fans.
You don't need to have an argument, just to say it.  In under a minute
you can take a small easy step to promote surveillance awareness.


feed_id: 1b9388f316df9c0370db539e2e49b6af
title: IMF and Tunisia
uri: IMF-and-Tunisia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28IMF_and_Tunisia%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/17/imf-tunisia-people-rioting-2011-economic-reforms">The IMF Has Choked Tunisia</a>.  No Wonder the People Are Rioting.


feed_id: b61bd803c42d58e06f478033aab23560
title: Polio vaccination
uri: Polio-vaccination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Polio_vaccination%29
content:
<p>
In 2011, the US used a polio vaccination campaign as cover for finding
Osama bin Laden.  The terrorist blowback from this is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jan/19/mother-daughter-shot-dead-immunising-kids-polio-pakistan">blocking the
eradication of polio</a>.
<p>
The killing of bin Laden was not very effective at damping down
Islamist movements and terrorism.  In general, the leaders of
guerrilla rebellions are not essential, and killing or capturing them
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2009-may-aug.html#9%20August%202009%20(Baitullah%20Mehsud%20killed%20by%20Hellfire)">does not defeat the rebellion</a>.


feed_id: 3f9648043ab3e5a4092d3d5949cbacd6
title: Aziz Ansari
uri: Aziz-Ansari
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Aziz_Ansari%29
content:
<p>
What conclusions should we draw about Grace's <a href="https://babe.net/2018/01/13/aziz-ansari-28355">painful date with Aziz
Ansari</a>?
<p>
I will take Grace's description of the events to be accurate, since
Ansari did not contest them.  What can we conclude from these events?
<p>
She went to his apartment expecting and intending some sort of sexual
encounter, but as the encounter proceeded, she began to feel
uncomfortable with it.  After some time, she realized that she did not
want to continue.
<p>
That is not unusual.  When you "have a bad feeling about this", it
often takes time for that to crystallize into "I'm not going there."
<p>
Grace first made gestures to hint at her unwillingness, which Ansari
did not seem to recognize, and she rebuked him for that.
<p>
It is not valid to rebuke someone for "misreading" hints.  A hint is a
veiled form of communication.  It is unfair to obscure a message and
then rebuke someone for not understanding it.  If you want someone to
understand "no", say "no".  (Eventually she did.)
<p>
On the other hand, he might have understood her feelings if he had
cared about them.  It is clear for many reasons that he didn't care.
Ansari was selfish and inconsiderate throughout the date.
<p>
He pressured her persistently for penetration.  Apparently that
particular act was more important to him than her pleasure, or her
contentment.  He acknowledged that they could only continue in sex if
she too were "having fun", but it seems that her desire and enjoyment
mattered to him only as a requirement he had to satisfy to get the
pleasure he sought.  It was not, in itself, important to him.
<p>
Neither of them was a monster, but they both have things to learn.
I hope Grace learns how to recognize and express her wants.
I hope Aziz learns to care about what his lovers feel.


feed_id: 2a4c0093e3c4f559df0a352817b9df85
title: Reducing bullying
uri: Reducing-bullying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Reducing_bullying%29
content:
<p>
Methods for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2018/jan/17/bullying-is-still-rife-in-schools-heres-how-teachers-can-tackle-it">reducing bullying in school</a> other than by slapping down
the bullies.


feed_id: 21e104eded367201d3de918be70ad48a
title: Kurdish enclave attacked
uri: Kurdish-enclave-attacked
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Kurdish_enclave_attacked%29
content:
<p>
Turkey is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/20/turkey-bombs-kurdish-controlled-city-of-afrin-in-northern-syria">attacking the Kurdish enclave of Afrin</a> with planes as well
as artillery.
<p>
I doubt that the Kurds of that small enclave can hold out for long.
After that, the Turkish army could move on to the main Kurdish region.
<p>
The US talking about building up the Kurds' strength, but if it
doesn't act fast, those words will be meaningless.


feed_id: a746e4e1ae0c3734e6d1624c61b41cdf
title: Coal mine owner for senate
uri: Coal-mine-owner-for-senate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Coal_mine_owner_for_senate%29
content:
<p>
A coal mine owner who killed miners by violating safety standards
now wants to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/18/1733912/-Coal-baron-whose-actions-killed-29-miners-is-the-newest-Republican-Senate-candidate">run for the senate</a>.
<p>
I think Republicans are expecting to rig the election.


feed_id: 2ee13ebaa194b1be71a31f14c3aac2f8
title: Jailed by surprise
uri: Jailed-by-surprise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Jailed_by_surprise%29
content:
<p>
US immigration thugs jailed Adi Othman <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/18/1733879/-ICE-takes-Ohio-dad-and-small-business-owner-into-custody-after-nearly-40-years-in-the-U-S">by surprise for no reason</a>
when he came for a scheduled appointment.  Not long before, they
told him they had backed off the intention to deport him.


feed_id: b82119aa605e037bee0b4f9a66d90936
title: Venezuela rebuked
uri: Venezuela-rebuked
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Venezuela_rebuked%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/01/18/venezuela-must-respond-deadly-security-operation">rebuked Venezuela</a> for a police operation that
used lethal weapons and killed 9 people.


feed_id: 239cfdacf37fc2bec153a7f5d15b7abe
title: EU's single market
uri: EU-s-single-market
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28EU%27s_single_market%29
content:
<p>
If Labour adopts the policy of remaining in the EU's single market,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jan/20/brexit-labour-majority-back-eu-single-market-membership">as most supporters wish</a>,
will it be blocked from deprivatization as Corbyn warns?


feed_id: b1fb09769a16d5332102864b51042ac7
title: Authoritarian
uri: Authoritarian
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Authoritarian%29
content:
<p>
"If Trump is an authoritarian, why donât Democrats <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/20/if-trump-is-an-authoritarian-why-dont-democrats-treat-him-like-one">treat him like one?</a>"


feed_id: cb706d8f991deb412271630c67cdc0e9
title: Trial by ordeal
uri: Trial-by-ordeal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Trial_by_ordeal%29
content:
<p>
How medieval trial by ordeal managed to give correct results, most of
the time: <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/01/20/split-the-baby-drink-the-poiso">it was rigged</a> based on the assumption that only innocent accused
would submit to the ordeal.


feed_id: a936c702a8d51cdcce4e60870a9959f1
title: Urgent: Environmental Justice Act
uri: Urgent-Environmental-Justice-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Environmental_Justice_Act%29

content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: <a href="https://secure.foodandwaterwatch.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=3204">Support the Mass Environmental Justice Act</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://www.ace-ej.org/Massachusetts-Environmental-Justice-Act">For more information.</a>


feed_id: f4428a5e1b6bc8aefc9aa052734c8c63
title: City collective bargaining
uri: City-collective-bargaining
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28City_collective_bargaining%29
content:
<p>
Some progressive elected officials are calling for cities to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/22/amazon-headquarters-shortlist-hq2/">use
collective bargaining</a> in dealing with Amazon's plan to make them bid
against each other.
<p>
I proposed <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/states-union.html">something like that</a> in 2003.


feed_id: 99c7ae6ec0a22811647b94fd3e84e031
title: Wolves hunting sheep
uri: Wolves-hunting-sheep
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Wolves_hunting_sheep%29
content:
<p>
As wolves spread into depopulated rural areas of Europe, they are starting
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/04/wolf-pack-howls-from-steppe-to-madrid">hunt farmers' sheep</a>.
<p>
It might be desirable to tolerate a certain population of wolves in
each area, but not more.  We don't need to protect a species to the
utmost if it is pushing against the land's carrying capacity.


feed_id: cb17038295c2775e4af20206d8c7431b
title: Debate declined
uri: Debate-declined
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Debate_declined%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/22/uk-jewish-group-calls-amnesty-disgraceful-over-cancelled-debate">declined to hold a debate</a> between supporters and
opponents of Israeli colonies in Palestinian territory.
<p>
I think this is valid.  Amnesty supports the boycott of products made
those colonies, and therefore does not want to appear neutral.
<p>
Amnesty International campaigns against censorship, but that doesn't
mean it is obligated to offer a platform to those who disagree with it.
<p>
I hope the hosts of the debate find a different place to hold it.


feed_id: eee27ca9a8793c981a09e3692a1e2770
title: Pennsylvania gerrymander
uri: Pennsylvania-gerrymander
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Pennsylvania_gerrymander%29
content:
<p>
Pennsylvania's Supreme Court <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/22/1733876/-Huge-Court-strikes-down-Pennsylvania-s-GOP-congressional-gerrymander-and-orders-a-new-map-for-2018">invalidated the Republican gerrymander</a>.


feed_id: 6868d45c54ed14d43ec5e24f7f82972d
title: Disregarding current events
uri: Disregarding-current-events
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Disregarding_current_events%29
content:
<p>
Distrust of fake news and social networks is leading many people to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/22/distrust-social-media-traditional-journalism-fake-news">disregard
the events around them</a>.
<p>
You can't resist injustice by tuning it out.


feed_id: e9be53759c9dd85e3d96f9786b01b983
title: Pence speech protest
uri: Pence-speech-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Pence_speech_protest%29
content:
<p>
Arab members of Israel's parliament held signs to protest a speech by
Pence.  They were <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/22/palestinian-legislators-bundled-israeli-parliament-protesting-mike-pence-speech/">forcibly expelled</a> from parliament.


feed_id: 1b286e01306e2998cc2780c9c9100656
title: Unsafe cladding
uri: Unsafe-cladding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Unsafe_cladding%29
content:
<p>
The UK has been paralyzed from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jan/22/only-three-out-of-160-social-housing-towers-reclad-after-grenfell-fire">replacing unsafe cladding</a> in public
housing apartments, because the government won't pay for it
and nobody else can.


feed_id: 342642aba73a83af44568207462752a5
title: Reducing carbon emissions
uri: Reducing-carbon-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Reducing_carbon_emissions%29
content:
<p>
The US is reducing carbon emissions from electric generation.  Now it
needs to do that for transportation.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/jan/22/switching-to-electric-cars-is-key-to-fixing-americas-critically-insufficient-climate-policies">Promoting electric cars</a> would help.
<p>
Even better would be mass transit, which with a large ridership is
more efficient than any single-passenger vehicle.
<p>
To make mass transit popular, we should build higher and increase the
density of housing.  Building dense housing will also help end the
housing shortage that raises rents and makes people homeless.


feed_id: e645f863644ffa76c67af72a24d92582
title: Hong Kong universities
uri: Hong-Kong-universities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Hong_Kong_universities%29
content:
<p>
China is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/22/academic-freedom-hong-kong-universities-at-risk-says-report">putting political agents in charge</a> of Hong Kong universities,
to impose censorship on students and fire noncompliant professors.
<p>
Gui Minhai, the Hong Kong publisher that was kidnaped by China and
then prevented from leaving China, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/22/swedish-bookseller-allegedly-snatched-by-chinese-agents-from-train-gui-minhai">was arrested</a> to stop him from
reaching Beijing for a medical exam at the Swedish embassy.  (He is a
Swedish citizen.)
<p>
It is almost impossible to travel between cities in China without
being tracked.  Passengers must show identification to take a train, and
I think that applies also to buses.  In the US, Amtrak checks the identity
of passengers, which is why I <a href="https://stallman.org/amtrak.html">refuse to use it</a>.


feed_id: eda94d2d3de1a8f810dac4594ab314ed
title: British prison conditions
uri: British-prison-conditions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28British_prison_conditions%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/22/prisoners-left-to-rot-public-does-not-care-hmp-liverpool">Conditions in British prisons</a> are like those in old insane asylums:
bad enough to drive people mad, if they aren't mad already.


feed_id: 48d4df5b892319556f5fa85d5afc3c72
title: Billionaire boom
uri: Billionaire-boom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Billionaire_boom%29
content:
<p>
"Billionaire Boom": While World's Richest 1% Took 82% of All New
Wealth in 2017, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/01/22/billionaire-boom-while-worlds-richest-1-took-82-all-new-wealth-2017-bottom-half-got">the Bottom Half Got Zero</a>.


feed_id: 4c91c99d33fb0049a7662530c0fa7241
title: Ryan's reward for tax attacks
uri: Ryan-s-reward-for-tax-attacks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Ryan%27s_reward_for_tax_attacks%29

content:
<p>
A few billionaires gave the Rep. Ryan's Republican campaign committee
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/21/1734752/-Billionaire-donors-delivered-a-500-000-payday-to-Paul-Ryan-immediately-after-billionaire-tax-cuts">a million dollars</a> as a reward for the tax attacks.


feed_id: 2fae94a3ed42f6e6774cd5d22ffd2a7e
title: Twitter-bots on the shutdown
uri: Twitter-bots-on-the-shutdown
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Twitter-bots_on_the_shutdown%29
content:
<p>
Russian Twitter-bots are <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/22/1734927/-Republicans-getting-support-for-Russian-bots-to-push-shutdown-blame">supporting Republican efforts</a> to blame Democrats for
the shutdown of the government.
<p>
This does not necessarily prove collusion.  Putin can see for himself
how to weaken the US, and would do this even without a quid pro quo.
<p>
On the other hand, that doesn't prove there is no collusion.


feed_id: 48cc218c60e17bf0576252c37463dbce
title: UK malnutrition
uri: UK-malnutrition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28UK_malnutrition%29
content:
<p>
Old people in the UK are in danger of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jan/22/1m-uk-older-people-risk-withering-away-hunger">death from malnutrition</a>.
If they have money to buy food, they have no way to reach a place
to buy it.


feed_id: d6dee22a282be34232e23e721d7e81d9
title: Fertilizer runoff
uri: Fertilizer-runoff
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Fertilizer_runoff%29
content:
<p>
Australia will work to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/22/great-barrier-reef-to-get-60m-rescue-package-from-government">reduce the fertilizer runoff</a> that damages the
Great Barrier Reef.
<p>
It is important for various reasons to reduce fertilizer runoff, but this
won't protect the coral for very long.  We need to stop putting more
CO2 into the air (and therefore also the ocean).


feed_id: 16db7421c6e02726c47a79664b979968
title: California shantytowns
uri: California-shantytowns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28California_shantytowns%29
content:
<p>
The UN special rapporteur on adequate housing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/22/un-rapporteur-homeless-san-francisco-california">interviewed homeless people
in California</a>, and saw the beginning of the shantytowns that poor Americans
will soon be made to live in.


feed_id: 48dc4ff7c6cf7c6622458b1f87a22508
title: Jobs for homeless people
uri: Jobs-for-homeless-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Jobs_for_homeless_people%29
content:
<p>
Denver started a program to hire homeless people temporarily, and many of them
<a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2018/01/16/denver-day-works-program-homeless-jobs/">found permanent jobs</a>.
<p>
Alas, nowadays just having a job doesn't mean you can afford to live
anywhere but the street.


feed_id: 8c23e9002542a6afc1afa27bdf7758bf
title: Seabirds
uri: Seabirds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Seabirds%29
content:
<p>
Many species of seabirds have had <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/seabirds-suffering-massive-population-declines/">big population decreases</a> — overall
70% decline since the 1950s.


feed_id: e0a9cfb391e22bb23408a432137ae2db
title: Coast Guard prisoners
uri: Coast-Guard-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Coast_Guard_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
The US Coast Guard <a href="https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-11-24/us-coast-guard-operating-floating-prisons-pacific-ocean-outside-us-legal">captures alleged smugglers</a> on the ocean, then keeps
them chained to the deck of a ship for weeks, even months, before
handing them over to a court for trial.  In many cases the ship sails
into a US port and then out again with the prisoners still on board.
<p>
They are accused of crimes, and surely some are guilty, but even
convicts should not be treated like this.
<p>
To make things even nastier, the Coast Guard finds twisted excuses to
disregard laws intended to protect the rights of the accused.  This is
part of a general US government attitude of contempt for laws that get
in its way.


feed_id: 45635eea60551efa922e25f74e626777
title: Women's marches
uri: Women-s-marches
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#24_January_2018_%28Women%27s_marches%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/21/1734731/-Women-s-March-protests-continue-worldwide-to-be-capped-with-Las-Vegas-rally-and-registration-drive">Women's marches around the US</a> have drawn more than a million
participants.
<p>
I wanted to post an urgent note to suggest that people participate,
but the site for finding events demanded too much information about
participants and I didn't think I should send people there.


feed_id: 3adabcdf79a9d345e710b919a1e0c674
title: Urgent: Bill Nye
uri: Urgent-Bill-Nye
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Bill_Nye%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.climatetruth.org/sign/billnye-sotu/">Call on Bill Nye</a> not to attend State of Union speech as a guest
of climate-denier Bridenstine.


feed_id: 8b334d27014ed3999be674feddb2a368
title: Urgent: Treatment prejudice
uri: Urgent-Treatment-prejudice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Treatment_prejudice%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/no-health-care-discrimination/">Tell Health and Human Services</a> not to allow doctors
and hospitals to refuse treatment based on their religious prejudices.


feed_id: b001f118b70254ed56debf0aef404f12
title: Biometric scanners in cars
uri: Biometric-scanners-in-cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Biometric_scanners_in_cars%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.activistpost.com/2017/12/new-cars-equipped-complimentary-tsa-precheck-biometric-scanners.html">Some new cars</a> will be pre-equipped with biometric scanners for use by the TSA.


feed_id: 159a9d71081244bea8360f3093d739e1
title: Minister of education
uri: Minister-of-education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Minister_of_education%29
content:
<p>
India's minister of education <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/23/indian-education-minister-dismisses-theory-of-evolution-satyapal-singh">is a creationist</a> and denies that
evolution ever occurs.
<p>
His statements indicate a general idiotic preference for ignorance
over knowledge.


feed_id: 8d04008bc1934f26c0405a641f4c0f11
title: Solar panel tariff
uri: Solar-panel-tariff
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Solar_panel_tariff%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a>-in-chief will stop at nothing to block installation of
solar electric generation.  His latest method: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/23/trump-imposes-steep-tariffs-on-imported-solar-panels-and-washing-machines">a 30% tariff</a> on
imported Chinese solar panels.
<p>
If the goal were to boost US production without reducing use, it would make
more sense to start the tariff smaller and raise it each year.  That would
give domestic production a chance to ramp up.
<p>
The article uses the confused term "intellectual property",
which gives people a <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">totally misguided idea</a> of what current laws
say and do.


feed_id: 04130adb91b7ee79a4cc454bb93b10fa
title: 'scientific' whaling
uri: scientific-whaling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28%27scientific%27_whaling%29
content:
<p>
Japan plans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/23/japan-to-replace-whaling-mother-ship-in-sign-hunts-will-go-on">build a faster ship</a> for its "scientific" whaling,
so it can speed away from whale defenders.


feed_id: 9b4f20be47c6d1f2efff3e2fd1d70740
title: Slavery in fishing industry
uri: Slavery-in-fishing-industry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Slavery_in_fishing_industry%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jan/23/thai-seafood-industry-report-trafficking-rights-abuses">Slavery is rife</a> in the Thai fishing industry.


feed_id: 1eec39d02ce66ac8538060a87bbb1b1a
title: Votes for babies
uri: Votes-for-babies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Votes_for_babies%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jan/23/top-paediatrician-says-its-time-to-give-parents-extra-votes-for-their-children">A lunatic proposal</a> that might tempt fools: to let people get multiple
votes in public elections by having babies.
<p>
This would be a strong incentive to increase population growth, and
thus would threaten global disaster.


feed_id: e7c5f3fbc8e9d81d2176c08deed7664e
title: Attacks on al-Shabaab
uri: Attacks-on-al-Shabaab
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Attacks_on_al-Shabaab%29
content:
<p>
The US and its allies have stepped up air attacks against al-Shabaab,
resulting in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/23/somali-citizens-count-cost-of-surge-in-us-airstrikes-under-trump">plenty of civilian casualties</a>.  It is hard to tell how many
civilian casualties there are, or how many air attacks there are.
<p>
The ally mentioned in the article is Kenya, but I would expect
Ethiopia is involved also, since it was Ethiopia's intervention that
destabilized Somalia and <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#05_October_2013_(Where_al-Shabaab_came_from)">brought about the creation</a> of al-Shabaab.
<p>
Al-Shabaab is not just an underground terrorist gang.  It is also an
army that controls territory.  I don't think that fighting that army
with air power is wrong in principle, but there are moral requirements
(also supported by international law), and I wouldn't trust the US,
let alone Kenya and Ethiopia, to try to follow them.
<p>
The US is morally responsible for air attacks by its allies,
whether or not it specifically arranged all or any of their attacks,
since it arranged for the allies to carry out air attacks in Somalia.


feed_id: f265b79ef5c5efb9e885a26238737257
title: Syrian Kurds and Turkey
uri: Syrian-Kurds-and-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Syrian_Kurds_and_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
The US might <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/23/turkey-preoccupation-syrian-kurds-could-spell-disaster-for-us">abandon the Syrian Kurds</a> to conquest by Turkey
to stop Turkey from allying with Russia.
<p>
It is sad for Russia and Turkey that Putin and ErdoÄan are made for
each other.


feed_id: 447b3b16d4a8cd3e1b5ef4b36d47e11b
title: Arrest of Gui Minhai
uri: Arrest-of-Gui-Minhai
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Arrest_of_Gui_Minhai%29
content:
<p>
Sweden is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/23/sweden-summons-chinese-ambassador-over-kidnapping-of-gui-minhai">rebuking China very strongly</a> for the arbitrary arrest of Gui
Minhai.
<p>
China's government seems to think it can get away with anything,
much like the US government — much like the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>.


feed_id: 83301345dff2fed85b807786bf40dc68
title: From Manus to the US
uri: From-Manus-to-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28From_Manus_to_the_US%29
content:
<p>
Some of Australia's prisoners on Manus Island are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jan/23/second-group-of-manus-island-refugees-depart-for-us-under-resettlement-deal">going to the US</a>, which
has accepted them as refugees.


feed_id: d3bf5530837fd6ee27adadd925202ee1
title: Hispanic family names
uri: Hispanic-family-names
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Hispanic_family_names%29
content:
<p>
The now-cancelled national voter-suppression commission asked for
voter data from all states.  With Texas, it asked for one more step:
to indicate <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/22/1735043/-Trump-s-phony-voter-commission-asked-Texas-to-flag-all-Hispanic-surnames-in-voter-records">which family names were Hispanic</a>.


feed_id: 9cbf389f7568e17eeccd4d31022fe39a
title: Climate research in Canada
uri: Climate-research-in-Canada
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Climate_research_in_Canada%29
content:
<p>
Canada has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/22/canada-climate-science-faces-looming-crisis">terminated</a> its main climate research program.
<p>
Canada's national thug force has secretly endorsed <a href="/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
denialism and calls the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/18/canadian-mounties-target-anti-oil-activists-in-secret-memo">"anti-petroleum movement"</a> a threat to national
security.
This in a briefing memo aimed at proposals for new "anti-terror" legislation.
<p>
In the long term, "anti-terror" laws are a bigger threat to national security
than the few terrorists they claim to protect us from.


feed_id: d4604af1f8896eaffa713d5f9e050930
title: NIEHS director
uri: NIEHS-director
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28NIEHS_director%29
content:
<p>
Corrupt Republican congresscritters accuse the director of
the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of "lobbying"
because she <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/22/linda-birnbaum-niehs-house-science-committee/">published editorials</a> about the danger of chemicals whose
suspected toxicity has not been studied.


feed_id: 945fdd16dff01ccf7ec14373839a6607
title: Payment in stores
uri: Payment-in-stores
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Payment_in_stores%29
content:
<p>
Amazon is starting a long term attack against the option of buying
groceries anonymously, by opening stores that accept <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/22/amazon-go-convenience-store-corner-shop">only electronic
payment</a>.
<p>
States should pass laws requiring stores to accept cash payment
without hassles.


feed_id: ffa4472dd09a4122e6c8ffff6cd3f67d
title: Immigrants and wages
uri: Immigrants-and-wages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Immigrants_and_wages%29
content:
<p>
Unauthorized immigrants enable companies to drive wages down
precisely because they are unauthorized.  One way to stop this
would be <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/22/ties-divide-how-bipartisan-identitarianism-works-boss-and-against-citizen-and-non">to authorize them</a>.
<p>
The flaw in that solution is that it would encourage tremendous
numbers of people to try to enter the US expecting to be authorized
later.  US population growth is due to immigration; more immigration
would mean rapid population increase, and rapid increase in ecological
footprint.
<p>
Maybe someone can find a way to modify the proposal to avoid this flaw
while still serving the purpose.


feed_id: e8952f3a5ca458e6666bd1bbd1ace227
title: Lukasz Niec, M.D.
uri: Lukasz-Niec-M-D
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Lukasz_Niec%2C_M.D.%29
content:
<p>
US immigration thugs <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/01/22/ice-detains-a-polish-doctor-and-green-card-holder-who-has-lived-in-the-u-s-for-nearly-40-years/">want to deport Lukasz Niec, M.D.</a>, who has lived
in the US for 40 years since arriving at age 5, over misdemeanors he
committed as a teenager.
<p>
Their motto is, "When in doubt, hurt people."


feed_id: e6247a391758afe9d8afc26a9df0377a
title: Bangladeshi unions
uri: Bangladeshi-unions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Bangladeshi_unions%29
content:
<p>
Bangladeshi unions have used a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jan/22/bandgladesh-textile-factory-safety-unions-settlement">new arbitration process</a> to force
a multinational clothing front company to pay for having failed
to fix safety hazards in a factory producing goods for it to sell.


feed_id: 94f0db4b9c34401e2dacab96a126fa20
title: Sexual harassment on farms
uri: Sexual-harassment-on-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Sexual_harassment_on_farms%29
content:
<p>
A system that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/22/what-farmworkers-can-teach-hollywood-about-ending-sexual-harassment">protects women in tomato farms</a> from sexual harassment
might work for Hollywood as well.


feed_id: 51fc1b6dd22a5f28db7d877657a12996
title: Abortion laws
uri: Abortion-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Abortion_laws%29
content:
<p>
Several US states are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/22/untold-story-roe-v-wade-anniversary">passing laws</a> to strengthen abortion rights
and insurance coverage for abortion rights.


feed_id: 8c64dfd19f26e871a05fbf19a001b483
title: Violent actions by the US
uri: Violent-actions-by-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Violent_actions_by_the_US%29
content:
<p>
Violent actions by the US, for decades, have <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/22/blowback-cia-drones-middle-east/">repeatedly led to
blowback</a> in the form of hostility and violence towards the US.


feed_id: bea4f40f3bf0610e332d4aef874a0846
title: Aziz Ansari
uri: 2018-01-26-Aziz-Ansari
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#23_January_2018_%28Aziz_Ansari%29
content:
<p>
What conclusions should we draw about Grace's <a href="https://babe.net/2018/01/13/aziz-ansari-28355">painful date with Aziz
Ansari</a>?
<p>
We cannot take for granted that one participant's account of a
stressful situation is factually accurate.  However, we can take
Grace's account as accurate, since Ansari does not contest it.  What
can we conclude from these events?
<p>
She went to his apartment expecting and intending some sort of sexual
encounter, but as the encounter proceeded, she began to feel
uncomfortable with it.  After some time, she realized that she did not
want to continue.
<p>
That is not unusual.  When you "have a bad feeling about this", it
often takes time for that to crystalize into "I'm not going there."
<p>
Grace first made gestures to hint at her unwillingness, which Ansari
did not seem to recognize.  Later she rebuked him for that.
<p>
It is not valid to rebuke someone for "misreading" hints.  A hint is a
veiled form of communication.  It is unfair to intentionally obscure a
message and then rebuke someone for not understanding it.  If you want
someone to understand "no", say "no".  (Eventually she did.)
<p>
On the other hand, he might have figured out her feelings if he had
tried to.  It is clear in many ways that he didn't care much about
them.  Ansari was selfish and inconsiderate throughout the date.
<p>
He pressured her persistently for penetration.  Apparently that
particular act was more important to him than her pleasure, or even
her contentment.  He acknowledged that they could only continue in sex
if she too were "having fun", but it seems that her desire and
enjoyment mattered to him only as a requirement he had to satisfy to
get the pleasure he sought.  They were not, in themselves, important
to him.
<p>
Neither of them was a monster, but they both have things to learn.  I
hope Grace learns how to better recognize her wants and then express
them clearly.  I hope Aziz learns to care about what his lovers feel.


feed_id: e84145f33fe9a6e5b6cb1364cf0d83fc
title: Urgent: Coverage of the troll
uri: Urgent-Coverage-of-the-troll
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Coverage_of_the_troll%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/SOTU_Media">call on the media</a> not
to be fooled by <a href="/glossary.html#trump">the troll</a>'s
sane-sounding reading from a teleprompter.


feed_id: 632ad59f94f8b04ce6a0e799213b6dac
title: Road through wildlife refuge
uri: Road-through-wildlife-refuge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Road_through_wildlife_refuge%29
content:
<p>
The saboteurs are arranging to build a road through the Izembek
National Wildlife Refuge, which would lead to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/01/22/trump-administration-approves-land-swap-bulldoze-alaskas-izembek-national">despoiling its
particular ecosystems</a>.
<p>
If we succeed in taking power away from the saboteurs, we will need to
eliminate that road.
<p>
Meanwhile, Peru <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/22/peru-passes-law-allowing-roads-through-pristine-amazon-rainforest">authorized building roads</a> through the Amazon forest,
which will pave the way to cutting it down.


feed_id: 0c575f45738813959ec068b6ae0f1ce0
title: Blocking voting
uri: Blocking-voting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Blocking_voting%29
content:
<p>
Many US states are looking for more excuses and ways to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/01/22/new-analysis-voter-suppression-laws-concern-2018-though-many-states-looking">block citizens from voting</a>.


feed_id: c6e7f85e281e07b9107da7c4cd68b69e
title: Proof of citizenship on a bus
uri: Proof-of-citizenship-on-a-bus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Proof_of_citizenship_on_a_bus%29
content:
<p>
Immigration thugs <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/23/1735347/-Border-Patrol-agents-board-Greyhound-bus-to-demand-proof-of-citizenship-detain-passenger">boarded a bus in Florida</a> and demanded that all passengers
show them proof of citizenship.
<p>
Even US citizens should be afraid of random checks,
of being denied the freedom to move around without being identified.


feed_id: ed81816fd0877de3059354e17f5c7bb6
title: Satanic Temple lawsuit
uri: Satanic-Temple-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Satanic_Temple_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
The Satanic Temple is <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/satanic-temple-challenges-missouri-s-abortion-law-religious-grounds-n839891">suing to overturn a Missouri law</a> that requires
abortion clinics to make their clients read a presentation of the doctrine
of some Christian sects.  A woman who went through this asserts that it
constitutes discrimination against her religion.


feed_id: 173d008421692b75ce772e5de6796e28
title: Thug favoritism
uri: Thug-favoritism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Thug_favoritism%29
content:
<p>
New York City <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are angry that their official right to give or
sell favoritism cards to other people <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/01/21/police-union-slashes-number-of-get-out-of-jail-free-cards-issued/">has been reduced</a>.


feed_id: 2e58f7fe9af98efa2e7d7a3780f104b5
title: Facebook's depressive effect
uri: Facebook-s-depressive-effect
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Facebook%27s_depressive_effect%29

content:
<p>
The depressive effect of being used by Facebook is <a href="https://phys.org/news/2018-01-secret-history-facebook-depression.html">directly traceable</a>
to its "real name" requirement and stopping people from having
multiple accounts.


feed_id: a02d22b6c88726468923df856c5c41a7
title: Sears Canada pension fund
uri: Sears-Canada-pension-fund
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Sears_Canada_pension_fund%29
content:
<p>
The executives of Sears Canada have been <a href="https://www.thestar.com/business/2018/01/20/will-16000-sears-canada-retirees-see-their-pensions.html">cheating the employee's pension fund</a>
for years.  Will they get away with this?
<p>
Executives should be required to get permission from the staff to
underfund their pension fund.  If the staff are the ones who will take
the risk, they should decide whether to take it.


feed_id: 7d9c5b5afb42340f01349a31027c84a5
title: Big Brother on wheels
uri: Big-Brother-on-wheels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Big_Brother_on_wheels%29
content:
<p>
A modern car is Big Brother on wheels.  It <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2018/01/15/big-brother-on-wheels-why-your-car-company-may-know-more-about-you-than-your-spouse/">transmits lots of data</a> to
the manufacturer, including where the car goes.
<p>
In some cases — perhaps all — it transmits the data by cellular
modem.  I don't know of any other way it could be done.  On some cars
— perhaps most — it is possible to unscrew the modem, thus blocking
all transmission.  If the car is under warranty, maybe that voids the
warranty.  Or maybe it doesn't.  Would someone like to check this
and tell me?
<p>
However, it is also possible that something in the car computers makes
a log of all this data, which the warranty service can read out.
Would someone like to research this question?


feed_id: d624f4b3a5773c824afe0bf251cd4083
title: Random searches in NYC
uri: Random-searches-in-NYC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Random_searches_in_NYC%29
content:
<p>
New York City <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> used to randomly stop and search people on the
street for no reason that they would admit.  In 2011, they did this
almost 2000 times a day.  They claimed this was reducing street crime.
<p>
A court said this was an injustice and made the <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> stop.  Street
crime has <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/in-new-york-crime-falls-along-with-police-stops">gone down ever since</a>.
<p>
However, crimes by banks have shot up since 2000 and have not gone
down.  Should New York City start a program where it offers randomly
chosen customers an audit of the bank's dealings with them, with a view
towards prosecuting any crimes by the bank?


feed_id: c8bf33ce79f44fd74a27f414f18185c5
title: Payday loan companies
uri: Payday-loan-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Payday_loan_companies%29
content:
<p>
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, now run by a saboteur, is <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/lazarus/la-fi-lazarus-cfpb-payday-lenders-20180119-story.html">taking
the side of payday loan companies</a> rather than their customers.


feed_id: f9eb58d40c77f9c9af0bcafc81001450
title: Children attacking themselves
uri: Children-attacking-themselves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Children_attacking_themselves%29
content:
<p>
Why do three-year-old children <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/jan/23/children-young-three-self-harm-mental-health">attack themselves</a>?
<p>
Has this been happening all along?


feed_id: 34d756592af33ab3f4777d8a65953855
title: Child deaths in the US
uri: Child-deaths-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Child_deaths_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
The US does a bad job of protecting children's lives, compared with
other developed countries.  On the average, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/23/death-inequality-poverty-and-racism-are-killing-americas-children">10,000 more American
children</a> have died each year (over 50 years) than would have died if
the US did a comparably good job.


feed_id: 611febf3bb8099ae18f0d2841af109c2
title: Democracy in Tunisia
uri: Democracy-in-Tunisia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Democracy_in_Tunisia%29
content:
<p>
Young Tunisians know that freedom and democracy require more than
replacing their former corrupt dictator with an elected <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/23/young-tunisians-new-uprising-2011-revolution-austerity-repression">agent of the
foreign banks</a>.


feed_id: fe07e3a25822c3208ae28bfdbe04b5be
title: Climate sabotage
uri: Climate-sabotage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Climate_sabotage%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/23/10-ways-trump-white-house-has-waged-war-smart-climate-policy">Ten ways</a> that the saboteur-in-chief has sabotaged the US's
already-insufficient efforts to avoid global <a href="/glossary.html#climate">climate mayhem</a>.


feed_id: 26dd4f4fd0f6c24e47ba0e88aff69f9a
title: Dropping medical insurance
uri: Dropping-medical-insurance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Dropping_medical_insurance%29
content:
<p>
Unauthorized immigrants in the US are now <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/22/1735076/-Immigrants-are-dropping-health-coverage-and-treatment-out-of-fear-of-falling-onto-ICE-s-radar">dropping their medical insurance</a>
and their childrens', from fear that they will be deported.


feed_id: 64b4c9edd5d645e2522eeb387ed2c557
title: Israel's neighbors
uri: Israel-s-neighbors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Israel%27s_neighbors%29
content:
<p>
Israel does not want Hezbollah or Assad's forces coming near
the Golan heights, so it is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/23/israel-syria-safe-buffer-zone-golan-heights/">giving lots of money</a> to the local militias
that control that part of Syria and to the local inhabitants.
<p>
Iran recently endorsed the two-states Arab peace plan, so in principle
there is no need for Iran and Israel to remain enemies.


feed_id: 15be3aaf3a799789e48384cbacb13e43
title: Invasive species
uri: Invasive-species
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Invasive_species%29
content:
<p>
A new <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/23/new-global-registry-of-invasive-species-is-milestone-in-protecting-biodiversity">world-wide list of invasive species</a> should help efforts to curb
some of them.


feed_id: 92cea295359b3120d29580de7cfb9ad5
title: Privatization on Barbuda
uri: Privatization-on-Barbuda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Privatization_on_Barbuda%29
content:
<p>
Barbudans are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/23/robert-de-niro-barbuda-hotel-hurricane-irma/">campaigning to block</a> the plan to privatize land on Barbuda
so that rich foreigners can buy it.
<p>
One of the rich foreigners is Robert de Niro, and this provides an
opportunity for pressure.


feed_id: fbbf87072285b2e1c538736d53aea2bd
title: Running for president in Egypt
uri: Running-for-president-in-Egypt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Running_for_president_in_Egypt%29

content:
<p>
In Egypt, running for president is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/23/former-egyptian-general-arrested-by-military-after-announcing-presidential-bid-sami-anan">considered a crime</a>.


feed_id: e5c606583feeccdd9c9fd1b485c74e7b
title: Neanderthal genes
uri: Neanderthal-genes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#26_January_2018_%28Neanderthal_genes%29
content:
<p>
Remember how people used to call someone a "Neanderthal" meaning
"brutish and subhuman"?  And white supremacists used to claim that
blacks were "more like apes"?
<p>
Now some white supremacists say their proclaimed superiority is the
<a href="http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.org/genewatch/GeneWatchPage.aspx?pageId=267">result of Neanderthal genes</a>.
<p>
I find this ironically amusing.  They will argue from any invented
premises as long as it reaches their desired conclusion.


feed_id: 13ecd00da4c7b6f7937eae80cdb8191a
title: Urgent: Oil drilling off US coast
uri: Urgent-Oil-drilling-off-US-coast
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#27_January_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Oil_drilling_off_US_coast%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://www.signherenow.org/petition/no-coastal-drilling/amazonwatch/">oppose the saboteurs' plan</a> to authorize oil drilling on
US coast lines.


feed_id: fe29a42ce13465015311e9c9ea26bb81
title: Phony scientific journals
uri: Phony-scientific-journals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#27_January_2018_%28Phony_scientific_journals%29
content:
<p>
Global heating denialists are using <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2018/jan/24/murky-world-of-science-journals-a-new-frontier-for-climate-deniers">phony scientific journals</a>
to create an appearance of denial from climate scientists.
<p>
The central principle of right-wingers is that no lie is too vile.


feed_id: 8c5566b5eb1f7d5e61897fa5937408a2
title: Chile's right-wing president
uri: Chile-s-right-wing-president
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#27_January_2018_%28Chile%27s_right-wing_president%29

content:
<p>
Chile's new right-wing president seems to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/23/chile-president-elect-sebastian-pinera-andres-chadwick">more right-wing</a>
than his campaign indicated.


feed_id: 13142ae1939304b4fae2331cbf9ae134
title: Imprisoned in Egypt
uri: Imprisoned-in-Egypt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#27_January_2018_%28Imprisoned_in_Egypt%29
content:
<p>
US citizens have been imprisoned in Egypt for years, just for being at
the wrong time and place during the coup.  Pence has <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/23/mike-pence-egypt-sisi-american-prisoners-moustafa-kassem/">taken up their
cause</a>, and maybe it will do some good.
<p>
Even a lunatic religious fanatic will occasionally do something good.
It doesn't change my opinion of Pence, but I hope those prisoners are
freed.


feed_id: 68df829f21acf7a6867322dad39921a7
title: Gerrymandering
uri: 2018-01-27-Gerrymandering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#27_January_2018_%28Gerrymandering%29
content:
<p>
Republicans are <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/23/1735299/-North-Carolina-s-GOP-is-trying-to-take-over-the-state-s-judiciary-now">gerrymandering the election of judges</a> in North Carolina.


feed_id: 1cce65c783092893f0bd041f2d2f8181
title: Protecting plutocratists
uri: Protecting-plutocratists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#27_January_2018_%28Protecting_plutocratists%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic Party establishment is organizing to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/23/dccc-democratic-primaries-congress-progressives/">protect the
plutocratist Democrats</a> (that lost to Republicans) against progressives
that might win.


feed_id: 8fda0a35cd0f0819590df6a36bc574f7
title: Economic growth over equality
uri: Economic-growth-over-equality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#27_January_2018_%28Economic_growth_over_equality%29
content:
<p>
Prioritizing economic growth over equality tends to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2018/jan/22/young-people-warned-economic-focus-short-term-growth-failing-you-davos-world-economic-forum">lead to increased
inequality</a>, and increased poverty.  
<p>
I think that's because the <em>methods</em> to achieve economic growth involve
a lot of <a href="/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>, which is designed to boost inequality.
<p>
I suspect that this is part of why the plutocrats put the focus on
economic growth — it provides an excuse for <a href="/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>.


feed_id: c2f483085b1d687d3f2c332ad2216b95
title: Control over CIA money
uri: Control-over-CIA-money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#27_January_2018_%28Control_over_CIA_money%29
content:
<p>
The spending bill to keep the government operating for 3 weeks
also <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/22/the-top-republican-warns-under-new-spending-bill-the-intelligence-community-could-expend-funds-as-it-sees-fit/">eliminates Congress's control</a> over what the CIA spends money for.
<p>
I can't tell whether this is a permanent change, or only for the three weeks.


feed_id: b4f645a465391bc7f486f74f31c114a1
title: Conscious thug racism
uri: Conscious-thug-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#27_January_2018_%28Conscious_thug_racism%29
content:
<p>
A former thug chief in Kentucky <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2018/jan/22/if-black-shoot-them-former-kentucky-acting-police-chief-instructed-a-recruit">told a recruit</a>, "If black shoot
them."
<p>
Thus, it's not only unconscious racism to blame when <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> kill blacks.


feed_id: 49c7f4dba9f85c2e2d7e69ee5bea5b38
title: Mohammed Al-Mustafa
uri: Mohammed-Al-Mustafa
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#27_January_2018_%28Mohammed_Al-Mustafa%29
content:
<p>
Mohammed Al-Mustafa is stateless, but the UK demands proof he can't supply
before it will recognize that.  In the mean time it does <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/22/uk-home-office-tells-stateless-man-go-home">every imaginable
cruelty</a> to him hoping to pressure him to do the impossible: go to some
other country.


feed_id: 2c78b807aa0a8c12de786c5c8f7a93a8
title: Facebook and Cambodia's dictator
uri: Facebook-and-Cambodia-s-dictator
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#27_January_2018_%28Facebook_and_Cambodia%27s_dictator%29

content:
<p>
Facebook <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/01/22/khmer-stooge.html">Helped Consolidate Power</a> for Cambodia's Dictator and His Attack-Dog
Media, Then Killed the Independent Press's Platform.
<p>
To some extent the Cambodian government figured out how to use the
policies that Facebook had anyway.  However, some of the methods
described in the article show that Facebook went out of its way to
cooperate.


feed_id: b0c4f3d8f5aeab2285daaec83d138f30
title: Tiny killer drones
uri: Tiny-killer-drones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#27_January_2018_%28Tiny_killer_drones%29
content:
<p>
Plutocrats should be <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/22/inequality-revolution-and-drones-kill">afraid of tiny killer drones</a>, and so should the
rest of us.
<p>
I wonder if it is possible to design headgear that would keep the killer drones
a few inches away, if that would prevent grave damage.


feed_id: bab1c4272a5bb8e4bd68eded1f62361d
title: Replacing plastic
uri: Replacing-plastic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#27_January_2018_%28Replacing_plastic%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/23/plastic-free-future-nappies-copper">Ideas for replacing</a> some uses of plastic.


feed_id: a47dc6c4d3c02272de93fa6a2fb4c705
title: Gorsuch and the DACA case
uri: Gorsuch-and-the-DACA-case
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#27_January_2018_%28Gorsuch_and_the_DACA_case%29
content:
<p>
Gorsuch discussed the DACA case with politicians.  By Supreme Court rules,
this means he <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/23/1711755/-Neil-Gorsuch-must-recuse-himself-from-DACA-case-after-political-talks-with-Senate-GOP-leadership">must recuse himself</a> from that case.


feed_id: 3a1a4334ac5cc1068123a178df877ccf
title: Urgent: NRA and Russian money
uri: Urgent-NRA-and-Russian-money
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Urgent%3A_NRA_and_Russian_money%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/NRA_Russia">call on the Senate Judiciary Committee</a> to investigate charges that
the NRA funneled Russian money into the US election campaign.


feed_id: 19c826a349b6b7a519574aea97ed3e29
title: Medical care in Idaho
uri: Medical-care-in-Idaho
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Medical_care_in_Idaho%29
content:
<p>
Idaho Republicans have decided to baldly <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/25/1735928/-Idaho-decides-to-bring-on-a-costly-lawsuit-by-breaking-federal-Obamacare-law">disregard the federal medical
insurance law</a>, to cut medical care for poor people.


feed_id: dd2cc7d87b41c8ff62f83ed15cdb9547
title: Mueller firing attempt
uri: Mueller-firing-attempt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Mueller_firing_attempt%29
content:
<p>
The bully <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/25/trump-mueller-firing-june-white-house-counsel-quit">tried to fire Mueller</a> in June.
He abandoned the idea because his lawyer said he would quit rather than
implement that command.


feed_id: b98ed65f70c4bad413207ee927085be7
title: Bottled water
uri: 2018-01-29-Bottled-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Bottled_water%29
content:
<p>
London will push back against the use of bottled water by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/23/new-fountains-and-bottle-refill-points-to-tackle-londons-plastic-waste">providing
water fountains</a> and bottle-filling points.  Also, city hall will not
sell bottled water.
<p>
US national parks did this, but the saboteurs made them <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#20_August_2017_(National_park_litter)">start selling
bottled water again</a>.


feed_id: 34090306481cbc2fcb31976c9a35e594
title: President Kabila
uri: President-Kabila
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28President_Kabila%29
content:
<p>
President Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/23/congo-steps-up-deadly-crackdown-after-more-protests-against-kabila">using
force against protests</a> that call for him to abdicate.
<p>
He inherited the presidential throne from his father, the former
president.  Clearly not a legitimate government.


feed_id: cc348390f8bcbfe39f3813854ef1f51e
title: US bombardment campaigns
uri: US-bombardment-campaigns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28US_bombardment_campaigns%29
content:
<p>
The bully has made US bombardment campaigns <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/23/us-air-wars-trump">more secretive</a>, as well as
more deadly.  Apparently he thinks the US will escape blame if the
public can't tell what is going on.
<p>
Raqqa and Mosul really were war zones, and many soldiers might have
been killed in battle if the US had not given them close air support.
It was impossible to do this without killing civilians sometimes.
However, was it possible to do this while killing fewer civilians?
Denied information, we have no way of knowing.  We know only that
we can't rely on the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> to lead the US military to care.
<p>
Under <a href="/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> and Obama, the US generally denied causing civilian casualties,
sometimes <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-may-aug.html#24%20May%202004%20(Wedding%20Party%20Attack)">persisting in the denial</a> despite <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_August_2015_(US_bombing_campaign)">incontestable proof</a>.
You could even say that they blazed the trail for the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s
persistent lies.


feed_id: 9e94e01c7f6a097f967fce861b32f5ff
title: Outsourcing services
uri: Outsourcing-services
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Outsourcing_services%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/22/carillion-privatisation-myth-councils-pfi-contracts">collapse of a giant conglomerate</a> for privatized government
services sheds light on the many other cases where outsourcing
services has been a disaster.
<p>
If companies think they can hold agencies hostage by signing long-term
contracts, they will look for every opportunity to corrupt politicians
into signing them.  This crime against the nation must not pay!
<p>
States can eliminate the threat, and make the crime not pay, by
changing their constitutions to declare long-duration privatization
contracts invalid.


feed_id: 7ab6b2485c1410cf48c94b4be9fab71d
title: Charges against No More Deaths
uri: Charges-against-No-More-Deaths
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Charges_against_No_More_Deaths%29

content:
<p>
Eight members of No More Deaths were charged with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/24/us-immigration-activists-arizona-no-more-deaths-charged">the crime of
"abandoning property"</a> — that is, leaving water bottles near the
Mexican border so that border-crossers would not die of thirst.
<p>
With this action, the US government declares its direct intention
to criminalize leaving water for them, as well as ancillary actions
required in order to do so.


feed_id: 48306e233953261a812329fec8dcb65c
title: Doug Jones' vote
uri: Doug-Jones-vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Doug_Jones%27_vote%29
content:
<p>
Senator Doug Jones shockingly <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/24/1735702/-Alex-Azar-pharma-bro-and-Medicaid-hater-confirmed-to-head-up-HHS">voted to confirm</a> Alex Azar as saboteur
of Health and Human Services.  Apparently he is a right-wing Democrat.
<p>
What I saw from his web site made him look progressive to me.  I now wonder
how I can tell which candidates are really progressive.
<p>
I also wonder when will he face reelection?  That will be time to
fight him in the primary.
<p>
Meanwhile, Alabama's Republicans have voted to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/24/1735603/-Alabama-GOP-votes-to-end-special-elections-instead-of-vowing-not-to-nominate-perverts">stop holding special elections</a>
to replace senators that die or step down.
<p>
Their aim is to seize and hold power by doing whatever it takes.


feed_id: b874dae07da451473aa019c5ae6d8b3f
title: Refugee conviction
uri: Refugee-conviction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Refugee_conviction%29
content:
<p>
Chinese refugee Wang Yam was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/jan/25/murder-in-hampstead-did-secret-trial-put-wrong-man-in-jail-allan-chappelow">convicted of murdering Allan Chappelow</a>
based on no pertinent evidence, in a trial that was unfair because
his defense was kept secret by the court.
<p>
When more evidence came up to exculpate Wang, the appeals court
charged with reconsidering the verdict didn't even ask one witness to
say what he had seen.


feed_id: 57de62a401c7fbbb0a6145652959155b
title: Getting a search warrant
uri: Getting-a-search-warrant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Getting_a_search_warrant%29
content:
<p>
In some parts of the US, getting a search warrant is usually quick and
easy.  Sometimes so easy that it proves judges didn't exercise enough
care before issuing them.  And it is <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180119/17394739046/disrupting-fourth-amendment-half-law-enforcement-e-warrants-approved-10-minutes-less.shtml">rarely so long</a> that waiting for it
is a problem.


feed_id: ab63a8044fe6b85c1f45579753893546
title: Plastic debris
uri: Plastic-debris
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Plastic_debris%29
content:
<p>
Plastic debris is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/25/billions-of-pieces-of-plastic-on-coral-reefs-send-disease-soaring-research-reveals">making coral reefs sick</a>. 


feed_id: 55c489a31e25f6714e4f856286f0d01d
title: Solitary confinement lawsuit
uri: Solitary-confinement-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Solitary_confinement_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
The ACLU is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/25/pennsylvania-death-row-solitary-confinement-aclu/">suing Pennsylvania</a> for keeping all prisoners on death row
in solitary confinement, in some cases for decades as they appeal.
<p>
The death penalty is an injustice, and this is a separate injustice.


feed_id: bf10946aee9198a5ca0534fdfce27895
title: NDAs and sexual crimes
uri: NDAs-and-sexual-crimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28NDAs_and_sexual_crimes%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/24/nondisclosure-agreement-silencing-you-sharing-your-me-too-story-4-reasons-it-might">The ACLU explains</a> when an NDA to cover up some sort of sexual crime could
be legally invalid.
<p>
This situation is too complex and uncertain.  I think we should
legislate to make it completely clear that an NDA has no legal force
to block someone from reporting a felony.


feed_id: 15557d263ae138a1be5b96e847ee3fd1
title: Agricultural emissions
uri: Agricultural-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Agricultural_emissions%29
content:
<p>
To <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/01/24/reducing-food-waste-and-changing-diet-could-drastically-reduce-agricultural">reduce agricultural greenhouse emissions</a> enough, we need to reduce
wastage of food and change our diet to eat less beef, as well as changing
farming practices to use less fertilizer.
<p>
For each of these changes, there are other reasons to do it.


feed_id: 300f36c703583f2d621fe0d3a11a7946
title: Divest for Puerto Rico
uri: Divest-for-Puerto-Rico
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Divest_for_Puerto_Rico%29
content:
<p>
Students and Puerto Ricans are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/25/harvards-endowment-is-profiting-from-puerto-rican-debt-as-the-islands-schools-face-crippling-cuts/">pressuring US universities</a> to divest
from the vulture funds that profit from Puerto Rico's suffering.


feed_id: 8197ca700f3a580c6a5743a9d88c6b53
title: Water rationing
uri: Water-rationing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Water_rationing%29
content:
<p>
Cape Town is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/01/24/climate-bellwether-cape-town-almost-out-water-day-zero-looms">at most 3 months away</a> from strict water rationing
as its water is almost exhausted.  This is the result of <a href="/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: d6cf663b7f1e13b7b14929e78c33829f
title: Marijuana legalization
uri: 2018-01-29-Marijuana-legalization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Marijuana_legalization%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/01/25/support-marijuana-legalization-grows-60-percent-americans-now-favor">60% of Americans</a> now call for legalization of growing and using marijuana.


feed_id: 90932dd3c251aeb477e422afb21fcc4e
title: DREAM act voting
uri: DREAM-act-voting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28DREAM_act_voting%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> plan to vote on
a <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/25/1735864/-House-Republicans-extremist-immigration-bill-would-literally-criminalize-Dreamers-for-being-poor">sick version of the DREAM act</a>, according to
which it would be a crime for one of the supposed beneficiaries to
earn less than a certain amount per year.  Also, it would put all
immigrants in danger of criminal conviction.
<p>
I have not supported petitions for including the DREAM Act in the
spending authorization bill because I don't think it is right to
demand changes in law that way.  That tactic tends to put a monkey
wrench into democracy.  I think it should be limited to preserving the
status quo.
<p>
Thus, I support demanding extension of DACA as it was in the spending
authorization bill.


feed_id: f37f1221165fbeb16538e3c211fea626
title: Congo 'state agents'
uri: Congo-state-agents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Congo_%27state_agents%27%29
content:
<p>
Congo 'State Agents' <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/25/congo-state-agents-murdered-hundreds-in-2017-says-un-report">Murdered Hundreds in 2017</a>, Says UN Report.


feed_id: eb13fed93a2c4ccd19141b46dd6b1601
title: Outrage and persistence
uri: Outrage-and-persistence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#28_January_2018_%28Outrage_and_persistence%29
content:
<p>
If outrage becomes too cheap, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/25/black-gay-woman-selective-outrage-hashtag-protest-social-media">it loses impact</a>.
<p>
So it is important to support human rights causes persistently.  Don't
expect to win quickly, and be prepared to take action again, and
again, and again.


feed_id: d8ac0a7590b1ed8b8ffc287e0ead6287
title: Julian Assange needs MRI
uri: Julian-Assange-needs-MRI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Julian_Assange_needs_MRI%29
content:
<p>
Julian Assange is ill, and needs an MRI.  But he
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/jan/24/julian-assanges-health-in-dangerous-condition-say-doctors">does
not dare go to a hospital for one</a>, because he could be arrested
and sent to the US.


feed_id: 732cc0dfd74be715eeea715e9fc6bfe1
title: US common core standardized tests
uri: US-common-core-standardized-tests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28US_common_core_standardized_tests%29

content:
<p>
The US common core standardized tests are
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/24/few-kids-world-can-pass-americas-common-core-tests-according-new-study">too
strict, compared with real children in many countries</a>.


feed_id: 41f3f301e623ecfdbe708d3b217f9a74
title: Famine in Yemen
uri: Famine-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Famine_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
Washington Post blames the "Lack of US Leadership" for the famine in
Yemen, which in fact was
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/24/wapo-editor-blames-lack-us-leadership-famine-caused-us-leadership">caused
by US leadership</a>.


feed_id: cb62a8beed4bb714293c537bcf475eef
title: Amazon Mechanical Turk
uri: Amazon-Mechanical-Turk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Amazon_Mechanical_Turk%29
content:
<p>
Many Americans are compelled to work long hours on Amazon Mechanical Turk,
getting paid
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2018/01/amazon-mechanical-turk/551192/">a
few dollars an hour</a>.


feed_id: 9d88ece0f149ac6178fe069f1b750f56
title: EU fines Qualcomm
uri: EU-fines-Qualcomm
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28EU_fines_Qualcomm%29
content:
<p>
The EU has fined Qualcomm over a billion dollars for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jan/24/qualcomm-fined-997m-by-eu-for-paying-apple-to-exclusively-use-its-chips">paying
Apple to reject its competitors' chips</a>.


feed_id: d733017209bc0ff81043983bd9c93794
title: Mercury poisoning in Peruvian Amazon
uri: Mercury-poisoning-in-Peruvian-Amazon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Mercury_poisoning_in_Peruvian_Amazon%29

content:
<p>
An indigenous group in the Peruvian Amazon has been hit with mercury
poisoning contamination.  The only plausible source is a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/andes-to-the-amazon/2018/jan/24/amazon-tribe-mercury-crisis-leaked-report">nearby
natural gas complex</a>.


feed_id: be21eebd2375b81dd53a6f6388b46124
title: Nominally democratic era
uri: Nominally-democratic-era
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Nominally_democratic_era%29
content:
<p>
George Monbiot: "In the nominally democratic era, the complex state is
now, for all its flaws, all that stands between us and disaster."
Now, however, states are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/24/end-civilisation-take-different-path">turning
against the cause of survival</a>.


feed_id: b29111d495b1c7e4607e8e3265c2cc72
title: State officials that killed protesters
uri: State-officials-that-killed-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28State_officials_that_killed_protesters%29

content:
<p>
The Tunisian government
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/24/bereaved-families-await-justice-seven-years-after-tunisian-revolution">doesn't
seem to really want to prosecute</a> the state officials that killed
protesters in the 2011 revolution.


feed_id: b1fde8a9ac4ae1558bb17ec7deb8b0ce
title: Environmental protection in the UK
uri: Environmental-protection-in-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Environmental_protection_in_the_UK%29

content:
<p>
The UK is once again
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/24/uk-opposes-strong-eu-recycling-targets-despite-plastics-pledge">trying
to oppose EU environmental protection</a>.  Previous
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#10_September_2015_(Lobbying_to_block_fracking_regulations)">such</a>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-jul-oct.html#20_August_2014_(Lobbying_by_UK_environmental_dept)">action</a>.


feed_id: c7a24aeb8c5733c6ea83428b0bb0ab49
title: Herbal remedies
uri: Herbal-remedies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Herbal_remedies%29
content:
<p>
Herbal remedies can
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/24/mixing-herbal-remedies-and-conventional-drugs-could-be-harmful">sap
the effect of prescription medicines</a>.


feed_id: 07d44f3ed7b9d1bc7efb6360dabe62f2
title: Driverless cars
uri: 2018-01-30-Driverless-cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Driverless_cars%29
content:
<p>
Driverless cars work just well enough to lull people into trusting
them but
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jan/24/self-driving-cars-dangerous-period-false-security">not
well enough to be trustworthy</a>.
<p>
I don't call them "autonomous" because that is not necessarily true.
If they are "connected" then they are not autonomous.


feed_id: 05089bc3b8a55fb752a84da848a87f7c
title: NSA statement of values
uri: NSA-statement-of-values
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#29_January_2018_%28NSA_statement_of_values%29
content:
<p>
The NSA has
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/24/nsa-core-values-honesty-deleted/">deleted
"honesty"</a> from its statement of values.
<p>
Ironically, that might make it more honest.


feed_id: 5cffc9d00fb628ce3f8fea6c25fa3dd7
title: The troll
uri: 2018-01-30-The-troll
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#29_January_2018_%28The_troll%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/01/23/doj-fec-complaints-filed-against-trump-campaign-failure-report-130k-hush-money">may
have violated campaign finance laws</a> when paying money to porn
stars not to talk about their visit to his hotel room — for the
sake of his campaign.
<p>
Aside from this, I don't think there was anything wrong in that one
activity of his.  I condemn him for the many truly bad things he does;
but if paying for silence about sex were the worst thing he had done
in the past two years, he would be a great president.
<p>
It is a mistake to attack evil political figures over minor side
issues.  Here are the general reasons:


feed_id: 1cba999a4892732d9cc1dae9a4763dc7
title: Urgent: Bully investigations
uri: Urgent-Bully-investigations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Bully_investigations%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://secure2.convio.net/comcau/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=2311">tell SCROTUS</a> to stop deflecting congressional
investigations of the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>.


feed_id: 64994c4caa63aedb620e277b44da0493
title: Urgent: Protect Mueller
uri: 2018-01-31-Urgent-Protect-Mueller
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_Mueller%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://secure2.convio.net/comcau/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=2232">call on your senators</a> to protect Mueller from being fired.


feed_id: e1ad57e9c5d988982a5e33c808684995
title: Murray Energy
uri: Murray-Energy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Murray_Energy%29
content:
<p>
Murray Energy, a coal company, paid the saboteur-in-chief to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/25/how-one-coal-baron-set-entire-administrations-energy-agenda">sabotage
the EPA</a> and environmental protection, and that's exactly what he is doing.


feed_id: 0bf97490271b10f057f0eb380487ad90
title: Refugee abortions
uri: Refugee-abortions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Refugee_abortions%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> of the Office of Refugee Resettlement tries to forcibly
block female refugees from getting abortions.  Often they don't find
out they are pregnant until they are already imprisoned.  One of them
was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/26/trump-accused-abortion-block-women-aclu">pregnant from rape</a>, which may have been part of the reason she
fled to the US in the first place.


feed_id: 1845f28ac04a3fe38f29cf825b1b9142
title: Right to strike in Australia
uri: Right-to-strike-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Right_to_strike_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
Australia's right-wing government has almost finished <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jan/26/why-unions-are-furious-about-the-blocked-sydney-train-strike">eliminating the
right to strike</a>.
<p>
I agree with the union official that rejected any moral obligation to obey
unjust laws created for the purpose of oppression.  Even when plutocratic
wreckers have power, they are not legitimate.


feed_id: d99abc50795738ab68667b8d720f49dd
title: Doomsday Clock
uri: Doomsday-Clock
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Doomsday_Clock%29
content:
<p>
Here's How to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/26/donald-trump-kim-jong-un-nuclear-war-doomsday-clock">Turn Back the Doomsday Clock</a>: recognize that the dictator
of North Korea is rational and can be deterred from attacking.


feed_id: 7d86a243658384f88cf83d936e3b1531
title: Digital dystopia
uri: 2018-01-31-Digital-dystopia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Digital_dystopia%29
content:
<p>
The danger of a digital dystopia is <a href="https://phys.org/news/2018-01-doom-davos-digital-dystopia.html">becoming visible</a> and hard to deny.
<p>
Proprietary software is one of the principal causes, though not the
only cause.  Disservices that track people are a separate problem.
<p>
US immigration thugs are now tracking people through <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/26/1736241/-Unleashed-ICE-agents-will-soon-be-able-to-track-license-plates-all-over-the-U-S">thousands of
license plate recognition cameras</a> around the country.
<p>
It is no longer mere speculation that massive digital surveillance will
be used for repression.  It is fact.  Will Americans wake up to the danger
and put an end to this repression?


feed_id: 8477e2f85132f9170ddf235fbb7f0641
title: Hong Kong candidate
uri: Hong-Kong-candidate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Hong_Kong_candidate%29
content:
<p>
Hong Kong has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/27/hong-kong-authorities-block-pro-democracy-candidate-from-byelection">blocked another pro-democracy candidate</a> from running.


feed_id: 9315430a98fa07f9bbc4bc0586501308
title: Broke workers
uri: Broke-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Broke_workers%29
content:
<p>
In the UK, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/jan/25/uk-workers-chronically-broke-study-economic-insecurity">50% of workers</a> are normally broke.
<p>
In the US it is <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/most-us-live-paycheck-paycheck-what-it-does-your-health-ncna816411">almost 80%</a>.
And over 70% are constantly in debt.


feed_id: d26f1abb0206a2f12bf503beb216847f
title: Fighting sabotage
uri: Fighting-sabotage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Fighting_sabotage%29
content:
<p>
We have seen that no form of scandal and no form of opposition will
convince Republicans to swerve, we see that the hard way is the only
way.  This means we have to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/27/year-whatevs-why-trump-fatigue-makes-2018-so-dangerous">fight their specific acts of sabotage</a>,
until we can get rid of the Republican rulers.
<p>
Rationally, this news shows we ought to be trying even harder, but we
have to watch out for struggle fatigue and defeatism.


feed_id: 2d5ddf5b3c6acb3868345533efcd3c2d
title: Ambulance explosion
uri: Ambulance-explosion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Ambulance_explosion%29
content:
<p>
The Taliban put <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/01/27/nearly-100-killed-kabul-after-attacker-detonates-explosive-laden-ambulance">explosives in an ambulance</a> and blew it up.
<p>
It was wrong for the US to disguise the hunt for Osama bin Laden
behind a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#07_September_2012_(Pakistan_punishes_Save_the_Children)">polio vaccination campaign</a>,
but this is far worse.  However, I
doubt that many Afghans will hate the Taliban for this the way they
hate the US for the civilians it kills.
<p>
Islam creates many blind supporters just the way evangelical
Christianity and the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> create many blind supporters.  Both groups
refuse to turn against their militants no matter what depravity those
commit.  


feed_id: 9f30014cf7a22b0219b08583679b0372
title: Plutocratic domination
uri: Plutocratic-domination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Plutocratic_domination%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/26/tribal-america">Tracing the closed-minded political "tribes"</a> in the US to plutocratic
domination since Bill Clinton's day.  The article says that the
plutocratists squeezed all the non-rich and concentrated the media to
suggest that the non-rich blame other non-rich for this.
<p>
It also says that the elimination of network neutrality is the
continuation of that attack.


feed_id: 5d489fe182882c86eeb8cac35e1fd1a6
title: Home alone
uri: Home-alone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Home_alone%29
content:
<p>
A 3-year-old in Texas was apparently murdered by her father, and now
there is a <a href="https://letgrow.org/tragic-death-child-prompts-talk-pointless-law/">proposed law</a> to jail parents that leave children home
alone.
<p>
It's not just excessive and unjust, it's a non-sequitur.


feed_id: efe6e725273279bd5ec6b188e45de0a3
title: Empty luxury apartments
uri: Empty-luxury-apartments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Empty_luxury_apartments%29
content:
<p>
Thousands of expensive luxury apartments, built in London to sell to
foreigners as a speculation, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jan/26/ghost-towers-half-of-new-build-luxury-london-flats-fail-to-sell">find no buyers</a>.
<p>
London should tax unoccupied apartments enough to make the builders
sell them for whatever price they can get from someone who will really
live there.


feed_id: 8924068100295aa068210c74d9e50eee
title: New lie campaign
uri: New-lie-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28New_lie_campaign%29
content:
<p>
The bully will launch a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/27/donald-trump-state-of-the-union-speech-aims-to-present-him-as-a-great-unifier">new lie campaign</a> with the State of the Union speech.


feed_id: cbc81f47e86dca6b93cd9183d1224ba7
title: Favors for businesses
uri: Favors-for-businesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Favors_for_businesses%29
content:
<p>
Businesses can <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/27/1735707/-Corporations-needing-big-favors-from-Donald-Trump-need-only-play-along-with-his-rhetoric">buy favors from the US government</a> by supporting the
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s rhetoric.


feed_id: 0b3795ab3e8a65f64ffa0b38337e96d1
title: Transgender prisoner
uri: Transgender-prisoner
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Transgender_prisoner%29
content:
<p>
A transgender woman prisoner in the UK, jailed in a men's prison, says
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jan/27/marie-dean-trans-prisoner-male-prison-hunger-strike">she will fast to death</a> demanding to be moved to a women's prison.
<p>
Three others killed themselves already.


feed_id: 33795d240ce8203df7eb8f53517a0ff9
title: Automated public services
uri: Automated-public-services
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Automated_public_services%29
content:
<p>
Automating public services meant to help people makes them <a href="https://freedom-to-tinker.com/2018/01/18/automating-inequality-virginia-eubanks-book-launch-at-data-society/">rigid,
impersonal, unhelpful, and inaccessible</a>.
<p>
That makes it harder for people to get help, so they give up, and the state
saves money by not doing its job.


feed_id: eae78f3769795cc6b50452a260e7f7af
title: Israeli Knesset
uri: Israeli-Knesset
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Israeli_Knesset%29
content:
<p>
Uri Avnery: The Israeli Knesset (parliament) allowed Jewish MPs to
break the rules noisily by applauding Pence.  When the Arab MPs broke
the rules silently by holding up signs, they were <a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1517052482/">physically kicked
out</a>.
<p>
However, Avnery is cheered by the many Israelis that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/26/israel-holocaust-survivors-african-migrants-netanyahu">refuse to
transport African refugees</a> being deported.
<p>
Israeli Holocaust survivors implored Netanyahu to let the Africans remain
in Israel.


feed_id: f1fa6cdab39b09f13672639976cac4b4
title: US air strike deaths
uri: US-air-strike-deaths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28US_air_strike_deaths%29
content:
<p>
A US air strike in 2013 attacked a truck and killed 14 people from a
family.  The one survivor was a 4-year-old girl, who was left blind,
one-handed, and orphaned.  The US <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/27/a-4-year-old-girl-was-the-sole-survivor-of-a-u-s-drone-strike-in-afghanistan-then-she-disappeared/">insisted on the claim</a> that there
were Taliban soldiers in the truck, counter to all the available facts.


feed_id: 4bc8e80cf30ec06457a677e77cc874a9
title: Bully's press coverage
uri: Bully-s-press-coverage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Bully%27s_press_coverage%29
content:
<p>
For the press to cover the bully clearly in a way that <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/27/1736172/-Abbreviated-Pundit-Round-up-Pssst-Trump-s-covering-up-stuff-Pass-it-on">supports the
truth</a>, it should not take his bizarre denials and excuses seriously.
They are meant to distract, so don't be distracted by them.


feed_id: 6e882bef06ad63e8f67842936e938ab0
title: Drunk driving proposal
uri: Drunk-driving-proposal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Drunk_driving_proposal%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/01/27/national-academies-dui-report-targets-al">proposed campaign</a> to eliminate car crashes due to alcohol threatens
to be repressive and impractical.
<p>
I don't have any data, but I would guess that most of the time when
people drive dangerously drunk, it is not due to the precise details
of the current laws, but rather due to people who don't make any
attempt to follow them.  Thus, changes such as setting a lower legal
limit will not work unless they terrify people.  Besides which, you'd
need to carry your own breath tester to follow such a law carefully.
<p>
Some of the proposals are harmless and might be useful.  For instance,
to regulate marketing of alcohol more carefully — if that will help,
by all means do it.  Preventing sales to people who are drunk is
legitimate, but it is easier said than done.
<p>
A simple game can test for the mental and physical acuity necessary to
drive safely.  Putting one in the car would make it possible to detect
when the driver is too impaired to drive safely, regardless of the
cause.  When your reflexes are marginal, the law could say you can
drive to a place where you can safely rest for a while, but only with
your emergency blinkers on — or whatever rules would promote safety
for that shorter trip.


feed_id: f2a38985896d22df92ced9d0af71cde3
title: AT&T's "Internet Bill of Rights"
uri: AT-T-s-Internet-Bill-of-Rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28ATTs_Internet_Bill_of_Rights%29
content:
<p>
Don't fall for AT&T's inadequate "Internet Bill of Rights",
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180124/07230439071/ats-bogus-internet-bill-rights-aims-to-undermine-net-neutrality-foist-regulation-upon-silicon-valley-competitors.shtml">designed
to permanently deny the rights that are now endangered</a>.
<p>
True network neutrality would mean that the ISPs may not take note in
any way of what a user's network traffic consists of, except pursuant
to a search warrant.


feed_id: ca036805ed11229e7aa4794504d78cc9
title: Free speech
uri: 2018-01-31-Free-speech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Free_speech%29
content:
<p>
How can we protect free speech from rampant harassment speech that
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180124/11124039076/censorship-weaponizing-free-speech-rethinking-how-marketplace-ideas-works.shtml">has
an effect comparable to censorship</a>?


feed_id: 681e684922aa8d7272bf0a9e832a8f7e
title: Troll's phone call with Erdo&gbreve;an
uri: Troll-s-phone-call-with-Erdo-gbreve-an
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Trolls_phone_call_with_Erdogan%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> spoke on the phone with Erdo&gbreve;an, and they give
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/25/turkey-disputes-us-version-of-trump-erdogan-phone-call-on-syria">conflicting
reports of what the bully said</a>.
<p>
Which one is the truth — if either of them?  We can't tell,
since we can't trust either the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> or Erdo&gbreve;an about the
question.
<p>
It may not matter anyway.  The range of possible deals they might make
<u>that would actually be carried out</u> is rather limited, since
Erdo&gbreve;an can't trust the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s word any more than you or I
can.  And his own word can't be trusted much either.


feed_id: 70f8552b35c5f83b00e81bc1a04f6f40
title: Agroforestry on degraded land
uri: Agroforestry-on-degraded-land
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Agroforestry_on_degraded_land%29
content:
<p>
Formerly landless Brazilians have made a success of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/working-in-development/2018/jan/25/bunch-of-rioters-brazil-radical-farmers-agroforestry">agroforestry</a>
on degraded land that the state gave them.


feed_id: 23cb96a37b0032ce4bdef166e6205c31
title: Dubya
uri: 2018-01-31-Dubya
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Dubya%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> was not as bad as the troll, but he 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/25/1735573/-Cheers-and-Jeers-Thursday">did
great harm to the US and to other countries</a>.


feed_id: af996436401a748019278286975b6f37
title: Threats against Honduran activists
uri: Threats-against-Honduran-activists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Threats_against_Honduran_activists%29

content:
<p>
Honduran activists say <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/24/honduras-environment-activists-threats-security-forces">making
death threats as well as crushing protests violently</a>.


feed_id: b0a589e935a522303f53acb1b7bdb9e2
title: Refugees from Afghanistan
uri: Refugees-from-Afghanistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Refugees_from_Afghanistan%29
content:
<p>
Over 70% of refugees that returned to Afghanistan were 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jan/25/violence-forces-refugees-to-flee-afghanistan-again">forced
to flee again</a>.
<p>
Since the Taliban is growing in power, and <a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> is also operating
there, both fighting and terrorism in Afghanistan are getting worse.
Thus, I can't see how anyone can claim it is safe there, except
someone whose orders say to lie about this.


feed_id: f7ac646c1c2c7d38bddc08b6d1f656d1
title: Uighurs in "re-education" prison
uri: Uighurs-in-re-education-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Uighurs_in_re-education_prison%29

content:
<p>
A US radio station 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/25/at-least-120000-muslim-uighurs-held-in-chinese-re-education-camps-report">claims
that China has put some 120,000 Uighurs into prisons for
"re-education"</a>.
<p>
The US is not always truthful, but this is plausible for China.


feed_id: db6108df20953ca09a91a35ab4295928
title: Victims of enslavement in the UK
uri: Victims-of-enslavement-in-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Victims_of_enslavement_in_the_UK%29

content:
<p>
When enslaved people in the UK testify against traffickers, the UK
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jan/25/britain-accused-failing-basic-moral-duty-slavery-victims">makes
them live on the street and beg for food</a>.


feed_id: b783a6a1d9eec1a531f6fb55314b8b0e
title: Repressive rulers imitating troll
uri: Repressive-rulers-imitating-troll
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Repressive_rulers_imitating_troll%29

content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>'s practice of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/25/how-trumps-fake-news-gave-authoritarian-leaders-a-new-weapon">calling
all news he doesn't like "fake"</a> has been imitated by repressive
rulers around the world.
<p>
In the case of Catalonia, I read claims that some specific photos
posted around the time of the quashed referendum were fake.  But there
was plenty of evidence of the repression.


feed_id: 3ffd5f5d2044921f8c4f13390427dbd0
title: Ideology of "free trade"
uri: Ideology-of-free-trade
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Ideology_of_free_trade%29
content:
<p>
The ideology of "free trade" pressures all countries to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/25/sweden-ignore-chinas-economic-muscle-condemn-kidnapping-gui-minhai">compete
to bow down and serve China's tyranny</a>.
<p>
This is especially sad now that the "economic growth" that they say
requires this goes mainly to make the rich richer -- which is hardly a
worthy goal.
<p>
This is not a natural state of affairs.  It results from the
<a href="/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business-supremacy
treaties</a>.
<p>
The right kind of trade treaty, one intended to strengthen democracy,
would punish countries with trade sanctions for any acts of tyranny,
such as bogus punishment of dissidents.


feed_id: c02d400c59e23a2bcfbb37bad4ca2843
title: Citizens of Oregon vote to raise taxes
uri: Citizens-of-Oregon-vote-to-raise-taxes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Citizens_of_Oregon_vote_to_raise_taxes%29

content:
<p>
The citizens of Oregon voted to raise their taxes so as to 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/24/1735691/-Oregon-voters-overwhelmingly-vote-for-higher-taxes-to-keep-Medicaid-funding">support
medical care</a>.


feed_id: 62077cee450dd37e1596671c53b766ea
title: Criminalization of reporting on leaks
uri: Criminalization-of-reporting-on-leaks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Criminalization_of_reporting_on_leaks%29

content:
<p>
Australia 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jan/25/coalitions-security-laws-criminalise-reporting-media-companies-warn">plans
to criminalize</a> reporting on leaked secrets.


feed_id: f1ea78a76676a292d81851c80ae6b937
title: Privatization
uri: 2018-01-31-Privatization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Privatization%29
content:
<p>
Puerto Rico's governor, and its nonelected government, say they 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/24/puerto-rico-prepa-opportunity-government-plans-to-privatize-electric-power/">want
to use the hurricane's damage as an opportunity to privatize</a> its
electric system.
<p>
The new owner could squeeze out short-term profits.


feed_id: c18749fbe6f30c99a7036daf3706acb0
title: Tax cut facilitates cutting jobs
uri: Tax-cut-facilitates-cutting-jobs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_%28Tax_cut_facilitates_cutting_jobs%29

content:
<p>
Kimberly-Clark is using its new tax cut to 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/24/1735635/-Republican-tax-cut-will-help-maker-of-Huggies-and-Kleenex-slash-5-000-jobs">facilitate
cutting jobs</a>.


feed_id: abbe55f09c011d71ff64915d5f2991dc
title: Urgent: Network neutrality
uri: 2018-02-01-Urgent-Network-neutrality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Network_neutrality%29
content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13223">call on the state of Massachusetts</a> to
boycott ISPs that don't respect network neutrality.
<p>
To sign without running their nonfree Javascript, use the <a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">Salsalabs
workaround</a>.
<p>
You could also contact Salsalabs and ask them to fix this problem.
More complaints could convince them to do it.


feed_id: 851cf6ded78963d84ebe0c15b5298991
title: Urgent: Chaco Canyon
uri: Urgent-Chaco-Canyon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Chaco_Canyon%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no_chaco_drilling">tell the Bureau of Land Management</a> not to allow
oil drilling near Chaco Canyon.
<p>
The region is full of remains of ancient towns and dwellings, going far beyond
the area designated as a park.


feed_id: 7cfb30c62915463228716185b61c68af
title: Urgent: End to forced labor
uri: Urgent-End-to-forced-labor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Urgent%3A_End_to_forced_labor%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://www.freedomunited.org/advocate/forced-labor-detention/">demand an end to forced labor</a> in US immigration prisons.


feed_id: 674bac1f34f76f7b165bbf9e5079c859
title: Urgent: Abortion ban
uri: 2018-02-01-Urgent-Abortion-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Abortion_ban%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/no-20-week-ban-118/">Tell the Senate</a> you oppose SCROTUS's planned 20-week
abortion ban.
<p>
This would imprison doctors that do abortions after that point.
<p>
Abortions done that late are done for medical reasons, or because the
pregnancy was due to rape.  Thus, in each case where this ban stops a
woman from getting an abortion, it would either put her in specific
danger, require her to carry and give birth to a handicapped baby or
one that will die soon, or compound the injustice she suffered.


feed_id: 7293a7017826287166e35a915bfeab22
title: Geoengineering
uri: 2018-02-01-Geoengineering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Geoengineering%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/bjy4z5/half-assed-solar-geoengineering-is-worse-than-climate-change-itself">Geoengineering to cool the Earth</a> would be like those drugs that treat
a disease but are dangerous to stop taking.
<p>
Aside from that, heating isn't the only harm done by CO2 in the air.
It makes the oceans more acidic, and that is going to be <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2009-mar-jun.html#11%20March%202009%20(Atmospheric%20CO2%20to%20make%20oceans%20acidic)">fatal to coral</a>
in a few decades.


feed_id: ccd6b02acf0a4ef8b037eb3620524906
title: ISP boycott
uri: ISP-boycott
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28ISP_boycott%29
content:
<p>
New York State will now <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/01/net-neutrality-will-be-enforced-in-new-york-under-orders-from-governor/">boycott ISPs</a> that don't respect network neutrality.


feed_id: 25ebb5b77fab96b58d78961af4e337fc
title: 'We Shall Overcome'
uri: 2018-02-01-We-Shall-Overcome
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28%27We_Shall_Overcome%27%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180126/17452739093/we-shall-overcome-overcomes-bogus-copyright-claim-officially-public-domain.shtml">A court has ruled</a> that the song "We Shall Overcome" is not copyrighted.


feed_id: 554dea69c13c980496268237cfce15f1
title: Thug chief in Pakistan
uri: Thug-chief-in-Pakistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Thug_chief_in_Pakistan%29
content:
<p>
A thug chief in Pakistan is suspected of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/23/pakistani-police-chief-denied-flight-amid-hit-squad-accusations">murdering 250 people</a>
that he assumed were guilty of something.


feed_id: d9219f49960d88d18f2a1e0f63adb1b1
title: TPP agreement
uri: TPP-agreement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28TPP_agreement%29
content:
<p>
11 countries including Australia, Japan and Canada have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/24/trans-pacific-partnership-revived-after-11-nations-agree-to-trade-deal">agreed to the
TPP</a>, 
which I think means they have subjected themselves to the ISDS clause
(<a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">"I Sue Democratic States"</a>).
I presume it is still included,
because I'd expect I would have heard if it were removed.
<p>
I am sorry for those countries.


feed_id: 7952f6a7bb6781521e4db6a8bd1a750d
title: Puerto Rico's electric grid
uri: 2018-02-01-Puerto-Rico-s-electric-grid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Puerto_Rico%27s_electric_grid%29
content:
<p>
Puerto Rico's governor is using the hurricane as an excuse to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/01/23/disaster-capitalism-action-puerto-rico-governor-announces-plan-privatize-power">privatize the electric grid</a>.
<p>
Privatization sales often bring in far less than what the sold asset
is worth.  I suspect this is because the officials who favor
privatization are happy to enrich plutocrats an the expense of the
public — in other words, that they want the state to give the
plutocrats a good deal, rather than to get a good deal for itself.


feed_id: ae3ceb5f9fb65d73fc6c027e829dee8d
title: Enriching plutocrats
uri: Enriching-plutocrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Enriching_plutocrats%29
content:
<p>
The global economy has been directed towards enriching plutocrats.
Someone becomes a new billionaire every other day, while the poorer half
of humanity have gained <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/23/oxfam-report-reveals-global-economys-perfect-storm-making-1-even-richer">no wealth in a year</a>.


feed_id: d589178440ed33fcb3102b8e1252fc72
title: Lawyers for tenants
uri: Lawyers-for-tenants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Lawyers_for_tenants%29
content:
<p>
Giving tenants lawyers for eviction hearings <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/24/evicted-tenants-landlords-lawyers-disparity-housing-crisis">helps them tremendously</a>
because landlords' lawyers can no longer deny them their rights.


feed_id: 796e8dd45641664d3c920316cd990bba
title: Pay what you wish
uri: 2018-02-01-Pay-what-you-wish
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Pay_what_you_wish%29
content:
<p>
Some restaurants are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/28/la-pay-what-you-want-metro-cafe-inequality">functioning profitably</a> on a "pay what you wish" basis.
<p>
It may work better in a place where people are not poor.
Plutocratist politicians should be ashamed of how much they have made
people poor in the US.


feed_id: 75405e0f13e2dcca551081d35417c279
title: Military sexual abuse
uri: Military-sexual-abuse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Military_sexual_abuse%29
content:
<p>
US Military Fails to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/24/us-military-sexual-abuse-children-afghanistan-allies">Tackle Sexual Abuse of Children</a> by Afghan Allies.
<p>
I suspect that the US military doesn't have enough leverage over Afghan troops
to make them change this, and still have them fight.


feed_id: e57d8566506afda98e1c60bdc2b89d5c
title: "Disrespect"
uri: Disrespect
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Disrespect%29
content:
<p>
Disrespecting <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180120/05380339047/spanish-government-uses-hate-speech-law-to-arrest-critic-spanish-government.shtml">
A Spaniard called <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> "slackers",
</a>
a rather mild criticism, and is
now being prosecuted for showing <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> "disrespect".


feed_id: 9975db976688fa12677cac2a8a1e8630
title: "Polish death camps"
uri: Polish-death-camps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Polish_death_camps%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/27/israel-criticises-poland-over-draft-holocaust-legislation">
Laws against "hate speech" are threats to human rights.
Poland is considering a law to ban use of the term "Polish death
camps".
</a>
<p>
The Nazi extermination camps in Poland were set up and controlled by
Germans, not by Poles.  Thus, the term "Polish death camps" is indeed
somewhat misleading.
<p>
According to the Polish emissary's report, published as Story of a
Secret State by Jan Karsky, not many Poles collaborated actively with
the Nazis.  It was severely punished by the underground Polish state.
<p>
Nonetheless, antisemitism was traditional and widespread in Poland.
Many Poles didn't particularly mind that Jews were forced into ghettos
and then systematically killed.
<p>
The book describes, among many other things, how Karsky snuck into an
extermination camp by mingling with the guards, and what he saw there.
<p>
Once in the US, he reported it to US officials, but they refused to
believe it.  After the war, they found out it was true.
<p>
Although the term "Polish death camps" is misleading (so I wouldn't
use it myself), to prohibit the term by law is an censorship, an
injustice.  This law should be rejected.
<p>
Antisemitism is a very bad thing, and at its worst is as horrible as
anything humans have done.
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_(Antisemitic)">
Please do not conflate it with condemnation
of Israel's occupation of Palestine.
</a>


feed_id: e307d663cd8279394de9af43496082be
title: Putin's rigged election
uri: Putin-s-rigged-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Putin%27s_rigged_election%29
content:
<p>
Navalni has called for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/28/russian-police-raid-alexi-navalnys-office-on-day-of-anti-putin-rallies">
massive protests against Putin's rigged election.
</a>


feed_id: 7cae53fe98b1ba439ddab62a492eb947
title: Berlusconi
uri: Berlusconi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Berlusconi%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/28/silvio-berlusconi-march-election-matteo-renzi-five-star-movement">
Right-wing billionaire Berlusconi is aiming to rule Italy again.
</a>

I referred to him as "il ducino" because of his past statements of
<a href="https://stallman.org/notes/2013-jan-apr.html#30_January_2013_(Berlusconi_praises_Mussolini)">
admiration for the fascist dictator Mussolini
</a>
					      that lead Italy into
World War II as an ally of Germany.


feed_id: dd5d336f01e43b8a6f9b8fc87b8cb4dd
title: Ban sale of bottled water
uri: Ban-sale-of-bottled-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Ban_sale_of_bottled_water%29
content:
<p>
Let's
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/28/bottled-water-is-a-nonsense-fill-our-towns-with-drinking-fountains">
ban the sale of bottled water
</a>
in countries where the tap water
is potable.
<p>
I do ask restaurants and bars to refill my multi-use water bottle, when there
is no other place to fill it.  You can, too.


feed_id: eef794e2986d2136bb1bd61c26b6e2dc
title: Syrian Kurds
uri: Syrian-Kurds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Syrian_Kurds%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/28/turkey-attack-on-syrian-kurds-could-overturn-entire-region">
Now that ErdoÄan is fighting the Syrian Kurds openly,
</a>
that could cause
drastic changes in the Middle East.
<p>
There is opportunity here as well as danger.  ErdoÄan might destroy
the Syrian Kurds.  But if he gets a bloody nose, he might lose control
of Turkey, and that could open the way to restore secular democracy there.
<p>
I fear that the former is more likely.  The Kurds are doughty but
Turkey has tremendous advantages in the size of their forces and in
armaments.


feed_id: 8fa10e47f6b0c4ef7d40629aede320db
title: Vengeance
uri: Vengeance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Vengeance%29
content:
<p>
A Desire for Vengeance Is Human But Checks
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/28/desire-for-vengeance-human-checks-pursuit-of-proper-justice-larry-nassar">
the Pursuit of Proper Justice.
</a>


feed_id: 79842034bd8649162bc05830d2916af3
title: Flynn's testimony
uri: Flynn-s-testimony
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Flynn%27s_testimony%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> launched a smear campaign
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/01/27/trump-launched-smear-campaign-discredit-fbi-officials-likely-testify-against-him">
against FBI officials who could
corroborate Flynn's testimony against him.
</a>


feed_id: 857c86628d72e95cfba4cbe0bc778de1
title: Public vote disregarded
uri: Public-vote-disregarded
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Public_vote_disregarded%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.pressherald.com/2017/07/12/legislators-treated-will-of-voters-as-suggestions-this-sessionlaws-approved-at-the-ballot-box-were-discarded-or-altered-actions-that-lawmakers-defend-but-which-may-have-political-repercussions/">
The Maine legislature repealed two ballot initiatives that the public
voted for, and left another one unimplemented.
</a>
  Perhaps not by coincidence, they are all progressive.
<p>
I am skeptical of the claim that these initiatives violate Maine's
constitution.  Firstly, because initiative campaigns generally have
lawyers check their wording.  Secondly, because the legislature could have
fixed the problems in a way consistent with the goals, if it were not
aiming to thwart those goals.
<p>
The one-year delay on legalizing marijuana is not a disaster in itself.
As long as they don't do something else worse.


feed_id: 27dd5298ba06342d8edc793d920fb0c1
title: Unemployment system algorithm
uri: Unemployment-system-algorithm
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Unemployment_system_algorithm%29
content:
<p>
Designing algorithms to find tax and benefits cheaters could be
acceptable in some cases.  Treating a positive result as proof, never.
<a href="https://www.spectrum.ieee.org/riskfactor/computing/software/michigans-midas-unemployment-system-algorithm-alchemy-that-created-lead-not-gold">
And designing notices so that replying requires admitting fraud is
even worse.
</a>


feed_id: 56c6df342b87f7549d7129618da40926
title: Paris climate agreement
uri: 2018-02-01-Paris-climate-agreement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Paris_climate_agreement%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> said he might put the US back into the Paris climate agreement
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/28/donald-trump-says-us-could-re-enter-paris-climate-deal-itv-interview">
if it were made into a "better deal."
</a>
<p>
I think that means, "If it were weakened even further and thus rendered totally
null."


feed_id: ebd5d51f8b7556d7990f9ae8263df3e1
title: Immigration thug break-in
uri: Immigration-thug-break-in
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Immigration_thug_break-in%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/28/chicago-gangs-immigration-ice/">
Chicago <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> and immigration thugs broke into Wilmer
Catalan-Ramirez's home in Chicago without a warrant,
</a>
then disregarded
his warning that he had broken bones already, broke his other shoulder
with their brutal treatment.


feed_id: 61e2c14e39646894882411ec26b640b8
title: A hunger for data
uri: A-hunger-for-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28A_hunger_for_data%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jan/28/morozov-artificial-intelligence-data-technology-online">
"Will tech giants move on from the internet, now we've all been
harvested?"
</a>
<p>
The title is a pernicious exaggeration.  They have not got data about
all of us; for instance, outside of a few areas, the databases have
little information about me.  And I hope you too have resisted.
<p>
But that doesn't invalidate the idea of the article.
<p>
I am skeptical that there will cease to be companies with a hunger for
data.  There will occasionally be new competitors that want the data
that other companies already have.  There are fields in which they
don't have enough data.  Beyond that, they would like to understand
every individual, and individuals change.
<p>
Notwithstanding that, the projected change may happen to some extent.


feed_id: fbe1d72604188f3075ac700c7553511f
title: Seizing vacant "properties"
uri: Seizing-vacant-properties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Seizing_vacant_properties%29
content:
<p>
Corbyn:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jan/28/corbyn-labour-would-buy-8000-properties-for-the-homeless">
Labour will empower city governments to seize "properties"
intentionally left vacant.
</a>
<p>
This can make a big difference, depending on the precise meanings of
the words.  Would it include apartments owned by speculators in which
nobody resides?  Would it include unsold condos in a building of condos?


feed_id: bf7c8720278767c4b5d40e53dde18de2
title: Food stamps for children
uri: Food-stamps-for-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Food_stamps_for_children%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/28/1735944/-Republicans-don-t-want-you-to-know-the-real-truth-about-food-stamps">
<a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> want to reduce food stamps for children.
</a>


feed_id: 6ad5fd95d4a9099028121f1719f9f8f1
title: "Microschools"
uri: Microschools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Microschools%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/reason/Articles/~3/imdXKCg9H0o/are-microschools-the-next-big">
"Microschools" try to break the rigidity of standardized education.
</a>


feed_id: 3ccdd667f37fc99779d661646fd9e390
title: Urgent: FBI's 'identity extremists'
uri: Urgent-FBI-s-identity-extremists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_FBI%27s_%27identity_extremists%27%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.freepress.net/sign/justice_fbi_bie">call on the FBI</a> to forget the fictitious "Black Identity
Extremist" terror movement.


feed_id: 11470c49b10029f6817e2a2a56510f4e
title: Urgent: Democratic Party reforms
uri: Urgent-Democratic-Party-reforms
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Democratic_Party_reforms%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13197">call on the Democratic Party</a> to adopt the Unity
Commission's reforms.
<p>
To sign without running their nonfree Javascript, use the <a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">Salsalabs
workaround</a>.
You could also contact Salsalabs and ask them to fix this problem.
More complaints could convince them to do it.


feed_id: bcecdcf9ecf8ae8a48fa8bb421fa00e2
title: Refugees stonewalled
uri: Refugees-stonewalled
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Refugees_stonewalled%29
content:
<p>
An Australian minister told immigration to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jan/30/scott-morrison-asked-asio-to-delay-asylum-seekers-visa-checks-papers-show">stonewall refugees</a> — to
refuse to carry out the investigations to determine whether they were
entitled to asylum.


feed_id: b890e19f0b6a18819ed11246049efa71
title: Election manipulation
uri: 2018-02-02-Election-manipulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Election_manipulation%29
content:
<p>
Pompeo says he <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/29/russia-is-aiming-to-interfere-in-us-midterm-elections-warns-cia-chief">expects Russian manipulation</a> of the US 2018 election.


feed_id: 8555093166a7d24b3d4934febbd154a8
title: Policy towards China
uri: Policy-towards-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Policy_towards_China%29
content:
<p>
The UK's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/29/may-to-take-business-leaders-on-china-visit-in-search-of-deals">policy towards China</a> is a desperate "Buy something from us!"


feed_id: ff7c73993d9602afec1483f20f6f42c4
title: Sex education
uri: 2018-02-02-Sex-education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Sex_education%29
content:
<p>
California now requires sex education classes to teach something about
how to have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/29/lets-stop-sexual-harassment-and-violence-they-begin-comprehensive-sex-ed">good and healthy relationships</a>.
<p>
This is a big step forward.  But I think there also need to be
practical lessons about the emotional aspects of sex — how to be kind
to, listen to, and please your lover.  To learn this — to some extent
— by flailing around unaided has cost me decades.  I wish someone had
taught me when I was a teenager.


feed_id: 9e650574921aa97d6d404c08d76b20d3
title: Early voting questions
uri: Early-voting-questions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Early_voting_questions%29
content:
<p>
North Carolina's supreme court <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/1/28/1736597/-A-huge-loss-for-vote-suppressors-in-North-Carolina-last-week-thanks-to-a-single-African-American">overturned a law</a> designed to create
programmed deadlock on all practical questions about early voting —
as a system of voter suppression.


feed_id: c98da5c2ba8deb9a49aa8944e237db9d
title: Digital manipulation
uri: Digital-manipulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Digital_manipulation%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="media/fe032491.digital-deceit-final.pdf" data-original-source="https://www.newamerica.org/documents/2068/digital-deceit-final.pdf">study of the techniques</a> used for digital manipulation via platforms.
<p>
Whether the purpose is seizing political power, or selling a product,
there is no reason to permit these activities.  I think we can make
laws that will spike them, without censoring anyone from saying any
particular thing.


feed_id: dbe1bf92a7248e45efa1bf0ccfdff234
title: Trusting strangers
uri: Trusting-strangers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Trusting_strangers%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/29/study-reveals-why-we-trust-some-strangers-and-not-others">An experiment found</a> that people tend to trust strangers who look like
those that have treated them well, and distrust strangers who look
like those that have treated them badly.
<p>
If this is a real tendency (one experiment isn't enough to show that),
this pattern could tend to encourage bigotry.


feed_id: 7e8717e974db9d64fe545f7e60add8e6
title: Andrew McCabe
uri: Andrew-McCabe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Andrew_McCabe%29
content:
<p>
The bully's man <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/29/1736891/-McCabe-didn-t-retire-he-was-removed">abruptly forced out</a> deputy FBI director Andrew McCabe.
<p>
He was going to retire with full pension in two months.  It must have
taken some big threat to stop him from holding out for that time.
<p>
Why take the trouble, since he was going to leave so soon?  This could
be merely an example of the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s habitual cruelty, but I expect it
is meant somehow as an attack on Mueller's investigation.


feed_id: 888e3a8707c67e4de4aafd3efa07e788
title: Slavery in Mauritania
uri: 2018-02-02-Slavery-in-Mauritania
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Slavery_in_Mauritania%29
content:
<p>
The African Union court ordered Mauritania to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jan/29/african-union-mauritania-failing-to-tackle-pervasive-slavery">compensate teenagers</a>
enslaved because they were born into a family considered slaves.


feed_id: 773d19f843f7ecbaa7d0f358931feb50
title: The troll's trolling
uri: The-troll-s-trolling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28The_troll%27s_trolling%29
content:
<p>
Don't let the media lead you to focus on <a href="/glossary.html#trump">the troll</a>'s trolling!
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2018/jan/29/donald-trump-rethink-our-resistance-ikea-spiked">It's meant for distraction</a> — so don't let it succeed.


feed_id: b63eb651f1f8e54c2f1bfb55dec65936
title: US military interventions
uri: US-military-interventions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28US_military_interventions%29
content:
<p>
US generals have been <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/29/war-never-ends-us-military-high-command">fighting for 50 years</a> for the claim that the US
could have won the Vietnam War with a different military approach —
so don't hesitate to intervene in countries such as Afghanistan and
Iraq and Libya and…


feed_id: c862692b2587ac24215631f83e75b7b0
title: PISSI and the invasion of Iraq
uri: PISSI-and-the-invasion-of-Iraq
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28PISSI_and_the_invasion_of_Iraq%29

content:
<p>
How Dubya's invasion of Iraq <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/29/isis-iraq-war-islamic-state-blowback/">paved the way</a> for PISSI.
<p>
I think it is too strong to say that the US "created" <a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.
There were several steps from the Iraqi resistance of 10 years ago
to <a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>, so the claim that PISSI was inevitable is going too far.
<p>
For instance, without the Tunisian revolution in 2011,
and the famine in Syria in the preceding years,
Syria might still be firmly under the rule of Assad.


feed_id: 2a11c711057723dd2c12b948f5cfa4bb
title: Reducing inequality
uri: Reducing-inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Reducing_inequality%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/29/rich-people-wealth-america">Organizing Americans with inherited wealth</a> to work to reduce inequality.


feed_id: 79ea5efcd991996aeac2c1b8bf4a1b64
title: Koch brothers and elections
uri: Koch-brothers-and-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Koch_brothers_and_elections%29
content:
<p>
The Koch brothers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/29/koch-brothers-donors-network-donald-trump">reportedly think</a> the troll will hurt the whole
Republican Party in the coming elections.
<p>
Will they force <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> to impeach him?


feed_id: db8ef6ba333a79b014fe9507a2245e4c
title: US national parks
uri: 2018-02-02-US-national-parks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28US_national_parks%29
content:
<p>
US national parks' facilities are crumbling.  Due to insufficient taxation
on businesses and rich people, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/29/national-parks-repair-backlog-grand-canyon-zion">there are no funds</a> to maintain them.


feed_id: 96b88c79833f635d4065b25b22429177
title: Natural gas vs. coal
uri: Natural-gas-vs-coal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Natural_gas_vs._coal%29
content:
<p>
Natural gas has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/jan/29/natural-gas-killed-coal-now-renewables-and-batteries-are-taking-over">replaced half the coal burning</a> in the US, but that doesn't
reduce <a href="/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> very much.


feed_id: 8d6ad292292f9299c7194d30ee571447
title: Turkey's mistaken punishments
uri: Turkey-s-mistaken-punishments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Turkey%27s_mistaken_punishments%29

content:
<p>
Turkey is <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/terrifying-how-a-single-line-of-computer-code-put-thousands-of-innocent-turks-in-jail-1.4495021">retracting the punishments</a> imposed without trial on some
11,000 people who were mistakenly considered users of the
communications app Bylock.
<p>
The people taken to be users of Bylock, whether correctly so or
incorrectly, were all <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#12_September_2017_(Downloaders_in_Turkey_arrested)">punished without trial</a>.
ErdoÄan has shown no evidence to connect the users of Bylock with
GÃ¼len, or to connect GÃ¼len with the coup attempt.


feed_id: d08e629fb76fdff091eecaf2c0bd562a
title: Privileges for thugs
uri: Privileges-for-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Privileges_for_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Thugs' unions across the US have won <a href="http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2018/01/police-union-privileges.html">various special privileges</a> for
<a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> limiting how they can be interrogated.
<p>
In many areas, their arrest records are automatically erased.


feed_id: b272ef9e53ff33c38088ed8463cb0095
title: Koch money
uri: Koch-money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Koch_money%29
content:
<p>
The Koch brothers will <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/01/28/striving-best-plutocracy-money-can-buy-koch-brothers-plan-dump-400m-2018-midterms">spend 400 million dollars</a> to keep Republicans
in power in state legislatures.


feed_id: 7396064288cce5084c3a1df99294a173
title: Privatized tax collection
uri: Privatized-tax-collection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_%28Privatized_tax_collection%29
content:
<p>
The US farmed out collection of unpaid taxes to private companies.
These companies operated inefficiently, so in order to make a profit
they charged the US more than the value of the taxes they collected.
They also harassed people who didn't owe any taxes.  So the US
cancelled the program.
<p>
Proposed cuts to the IRS budget could be meant as an excuse to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/28/congress-and-tax-collector">start this
up again</a>.


feed_id: 58b38a678721fee161e7a0d5ee1f122c
title: Food stamps for children
uri: 2018-02-02-Food-stamps-for-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Food_stamps_for_children%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> want
to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/28/1735944/-Republicans-don-t-want-you-to-know-the-real-truth-about-food-stamps">reduce food stamps for children</a>.


feed_id: 498130cdfcb8850a63f82175e035af81
title: "Microschools"
uri: 2018-02-02-Microschools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Microschools%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://reason.com/archives/2018/01/27/are-microschools-the-next-big">
"Microschools" try to break the rigidity of standardized education.
</a>


feed_id: 1e3638f11f1126f7cd5e46e170b3ba07
title: "Polish death camps"
uri: 2018-02-02-Polish-death-camps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_%28Polish_death_camps%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/27/israel-criticises-poland-over-draft-holocaust-legislation">
Laws against "hate speech" are threats to human rights.
Poland is considering a law to ban use of the term "Polish death
camps".
</a>
<p>
The Nazi extermination camps in Poland were set up and controlled by
Germans, not by Poles.  Thus, the term "Polish death camps" is indeed
somewhat misleading.
<p>
According to the Polish emissary's report, published as Story of a
Secret State by Jan Karsky, not many Poles collaborated actively with
the Nazis.  It was severely punished by the underground Polish state.
<p>
Nonetheless, antisemitism was traditional and widespread in Poland.
Many Poles didn't particularly mind that Jews were forced into ghettos
and then systematically killed.
<p>
The book describes, among many other things, how Karsky snuck into an
extermination camp by mingling with the guards, and what he saw there.
<p>
Once in the US, he reported it to US officials, but they refused to
believe it.  After the war, they found out it was true.
<p>
Although the term "Polish death camps" is misleading (so I wouldn't
use it myself), to prohibit the term by law is censorship, an
injustice.  This law should be rejected.
<p>
Antisemitism is a very bad thing, and at its worst is as horrible as
anything humans have done.
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#8_December_2017_(Antisemitic)">
Please do not conflate it with condemnation
of Israel's occupation of Palestine.</a>
</a>


feed_id: 49484804b7447b4730356d303226f299
title: Urgent: Reject appointees
uri: Urgent-Reject-appointees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_appointees%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/Sessions_Soldiers/">call on the Senate Judiciary Committee</a> to reject the appointees
that Sessions wants to attack state-legal marijuana.


feed_id: 6a186dd5ac76bc0b998c67e627b5ac2b
title: Urgent: Inferiastructure
uri: Urgent-Inferiastructure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Inferiastructure%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: reject the troll's <a href="https://secure.foodandwaterwatch.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=3221">inferiastructure program</a>.


feed_id: a2a075ec01dcf7e31eb3c8ade993f058
title: Inspecting butchery
uri: Inspecting-butchery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Inspecting_butchery%29
content:
<p>
The US is trying out a "more efficient" system of inspecting butchery
of chickens.  It's more efficient because it's mostly done by
employees of the company itself.  The result is, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/01/30/privatized-inspection-system-produces-more-contaminated-chicken">more salmonella</a>.


feed_id: 15dbd0ee65c842dd4510b2d9265bb0fe
title: 'Disruptive' insurance
uri: Disruptive-insurance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28%27Disruptive%27_insurance%29
content:
<p>
The billionaire's "disruptive" insurance company is no substitute for 
Medicare for All, but the danger is people will <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/01/30/medicare-all-proponents-warn-against-billionaires-plan-disrupt-healthcare-industry">mistake it for one</a>.


feed_id: 93d382acb85f7c94a5e3d29862c4c83a
title: Facts on the FBI
uri: Facts-on-the-FBI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Facts_on_the_FBI%29
content:
<p>
ACLU: We can't assume the FBI is honest, but we shouldn't judge it by
the slanted selection of facts <a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> publish.  The Democrats should
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/01/30/after-gop-votes-releasethememo-aclu-says-dems-have-duty-make-fisa-intel-public">release the rest of the facts</a> so we can judge properly.


feed_id: ee58c505939f177e82545fab07df50e7
title: Autonomy for the Kurds
uri: Autonomy-for-the-Kurds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Autonomy_for_the_Kurds%29
content:
<p>
The US can protect the Syrian Kurds from Assad, and keep <a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> from
coming back, by joining Russia to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/30/us-must-stop-using-syria-pawn">press for a peace deal</a> which gives
the Kurds autonomy.


feed_id: 722291d52e0e5420c497903dfb59d017
title: Prosecution of Reality Winner
uri: Prosecution-of-Reality-Winner
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Prosecution_of_Reality_Winner%29
content:
<p>
The prosecution of Reality Winner <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/30/reality-winner-update-bail-nsa/">disregards both facts and laws</a>,
and disguises this behind secrecy.


feed_id: cce8e6485fe727c76ba3882d690a7720
title: Accessing internet traffic
uri: Accessing-internet-traffic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Accessing_internet_traffic%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/30/u-k-court-finds-governments-surveillance-law-unlawful/">A UK appeals court ruled</a> that the state must get something like a court order
before accessing someone's internet traffic.


feed_id: 27417089b80f02390d37f032ed22a903
title: Saboteurs of banking
uri: Saboteurs-of-banking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Saboteurs_of_banking%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s saboteurs of
banking <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/30/jay-clayton-sec-donald-trump-wall-street/">boast about</a> letting them get away
with whatever they like.


feed_id: 8aed4fb0d104353c4214b72e842917ea
title: Tax-dodging destination
uri: Tax-dodging-destination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Tax-dodging_destination%29
content:
<p>
The US is the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/01/30/new-report-us-2nd-biggest-tax-haven-world">world's second-largest</a> tax-dodging destination.


feed_id: 55eab5ea843ebb1828b84a84ad6f11b0
title: State of the Union
uri: State-of-the-Union
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28State_of_the_Union%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> converted the State of the Union speech into a fund-raising scheme
by <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/30/1737175/-Trump-turns-the-State-of-the-Union-into-a-pay-to-play-event">advertising the names of donors</a>.


feed_id: a4e1751c0c0d14d72877227c367d7212
title: 'Opportunity zones'
uri: Opportunity-zones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28%27Opportunity_zones%27%29
content:
<p>
"Opportunity zones" offer companies the chance of reduced taxes if
they do business in depressed areas.  They <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/30/new-york-times-tax-reform-opportunity-zones/">don't seem to achieve much</a>
for those areas, but they do reduce the total tax collected from
businesses.
<p>
Instead of looking for excuses to let some companies pay less tax if
they treat the public better, how about if we charge <em>more</em> tax
to the companies that don't.


feed_id: d1efd87e12c87ca79fe65068d47f649c
title: Abortion in Ireland
uri: 2018-02-03-Abortion-in-Ireland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Abortion_in_Ireland%29
content:
<p>
Ireland will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/30/abortion-referendum-ireland-women-protest-politicians-leo-varadkar-micheal-martin-repeal-mov">hold a referendum</a> to legalize abortion, because leading
politicians have come to support abortion rights.
<p>
It is fallacious to argue to prohibit any action on the grounds that
"If X and Y had done that, Z would not have been born."  There all sorts
of things X and Y have a right to do, which would have avoided the birth of Z.
<p>
If X and Y had never had sex, Z would not have been born.  If X and Y
had been in different cities at that time, Z would not have been born.
Should they have been compelled to have sex every night until
pregnancy resulted?


feed_id: eb02292e156b91473d08fc142d1dd467
title: Opposition in Turkey
uri: Opposition-in-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Opposition_in_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
People in Turkey that criticize Turkey's attack on the Syrian Kurds
are prosecuted for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/30/amnesty-workers-terrorists-repressive-new-turkey-ngo-draconian-government">"supporting terrorism."</a>
<p>
Tyrant ErdoÄan has <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#26_July_2017_(Turkey_Press_on_Trial)">already imprisoned</a> the leaders of political opposition;
now he goes after anyone that disagrees.


feed_id: 1eed4ca79ad50d261fbca579221a5b15
title: 'Booming' economy
uri: Booming-economy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28%27Booming%27_economy%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/29/six-big-losers-our-booming-economy">Poverty is booming</a> in the "booming" US economy.


feed_id: 37983972c160d6fb91981d5676a44b9a
title: Marijuana regulation
uri: Marijuana-regulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Marijuana_regulation%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/29/era-recreational-marijuana-we-must-do-more-protect-public-health">Raising questions</a> about proper regulation of how and where marijuana
is sold and advertised.


feed_id: 5c9765c1693df3098174bc0f561dba93
title: Right to say goodbye
uri: Right-to-say-goodbye
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Right_to_say_goodbye%29
content:
<p>
An immigrant facing deportation won in court the <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-29/soon-to-be-deported-activist-wins-his-freedom-to-say-goodbye">right to say goodbye</a>
to his family.


feed_id: 75a887cc34cd1fe37a44fd45566b2cba
title: Wisconsin legislature
uri: Wisconsin-legislature
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Wisconsin_legislature%29
content:
<p>
There are vacant seats in the Wisconsin legislature.  Now that
Governor Walker has seen that people are likely to elect Democrats, he
has decided <a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/scott-walker-is-literally-preventing-wisconsinites-from-voting/">not to hold the required special elections</a> to fill those
seats.
<p>
Walker's career has been <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-mar-jun.html#22_June_2014_(Walker_tied_to_criminal_conspiracy)">marked with cheating</a>
and the Republicans are heavily involved in <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#12_November_2016_(The_election_was_stolen)">voter-suppression</a>.


feed_id: ad83309d2783e15311a8da7d3faac728
title: Grand Staircase-Escalante
uri: Grand-Staircase-Escalante
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Grand_Staircase-Escalante%29
content:
<p>
Shrinking the Grand Staircase-Escalante national monument would
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/30/public-lands-dinosaurs-trump">threaten fields of dinosaur fossils</a>.
<p>
These fields could be strip-mined if the <a href="/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a>-in-chief gets his way.


feed_id: 8f493a6679cafc50cdde1ac032400a7c
title: EU trade rules
uri: EU-trade-rules
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28EU_trade_rules%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/29/labour-stop-dithering-brexit-tories-europe-single-market">Two Labour MPs argue</a> that progressives in Britain should support
accepting EU trade rules.
<p>
Their arguments make sense, but there's another issue they did not
raise: these trade rules act as <a href="/glossary.html#business-supremacy">business-supremacy treaties</a>.  They go
further than the World Trade Organization, which in itself is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#10_December_2015_(The_WTO)">so
harmful to democracy</a> that we should aim to abolish it.


feed_id: 45cb47acf0f97612bb944b1b29c68ecb
title: Demanding net neutrality
uri: Demanding-net-neutrality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Demanding_net_neutrality%29
content:
<p>
It is insufficient for states to demand ISPs respect net neutrality
<em>only for the state as customer</em>.  They must deal only with ISPs that
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/29/1736955/-Montana-to-FCC-big-telecom-Bring-on-your-net-neutrality-law-suits-we-re-ready">do this for <em>all</em> customers</a>.


feed_id: 909bfe257c8c0245823ed89407afb1e0
title: Single market and deprivatization
uri: Single-market-and-deprivatization
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#2_February_2018_%28Single_market_and_deprivatization%29

content:
<p>
Labour supporters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jan/30/corbyn-told-dont-hide-behind-leftwing-myths-on-single-market">try to demonstrate</a> that the UK can stay in the EU's
single market and still deprivatize industries.


feed_id: dfcd23e694a7652c10cf5abf3abe5e94
title: Urgent: Community health centers
uri: Urgent-Community-health-centers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Community_health_centers%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your Republican congresscritters and senators
to demand restored funding for <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/1/1737996/-The-community-health-centers-Republicans-took-hostage-are-starting-to-close">community health centers</a>.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
and 888-355-3588.


feed_id: fde283425c770e8c31e96bc6ef7354a1
title: Urgent: Museum of Natural History
uri: Urgent-Museum-of-Natural-History
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Museum_of_Natural_History%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/drop-mercer">call on the Museum of Natural History</a> to remove
climate-denialist Rebekah Mercer from its board.


feed_id: f13d94233b715aec183a8a05980093e7
title: Military bases and global heating
uri: Military-bases-and-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Military_bases_and_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
Almost <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/31/climate-change-threatens-us-military-bases-pentagon">half of all US military bases</a> are threatened by the effects
of <a href="/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: 3823421bf2ea39086f9690a217aed02c
title: Prudery campaign
uri: Prudery-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Prudery_campaign%29
content:
<p>
The new prudery campaign <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/jan/31/hylas-and-the-nymphs-jw--waterhouse-why-have-mildly-erotic-nymphs-been-removed-from-a-manchester-gallery-is-picasso-next">casts its shadow over art</a>.


feed_id: b9ff7d884734e6c3794d243ea0efe5a2
title: Mosquito nets
uri: Mosquito-nets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Mosquito_nets%29
content:
<p>
Using anti-malarial mosquito nets as fishing nets <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/31/global-use-of-mosquito-nets-for-fishing-endangering-humans-and-wildlife">endangers fish</a>.


feed_id: 373027cd410b626849651ee816d6e5dc
title: Kansas boycott law
uri: Kansas-boycott-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Kansas_boycott_law%29
content:
<p>
A court overturned the Kansas law that denied state contracts to
anyone that participates in a boycott of products from Israel.
<p>
The First Amendment <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/31/kansas-bds-law-free-speech/">covers the right to boycott</a>, and governments may
not condition unrelated dealings with people on their nonparticipation
in certain boycotts.
<p>
Palestinians and Palestine are not threatening the human rights of
Americans.  Israel and its agents are an immediate threat.


feed_id: d04b87488005c34428cd45a846c9afea
title: Antimonopoly law
uri: Antimonopoly-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Antimonopoly_law%29
content:
<p>
The sleaze has sabotaged the Federal Trade Commission so much
that it <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/31/trump-ftc-google-facebook-twitter/">hardly cares about monopolies</a> in internet search and advertising.
<p>
Other presidents starting with Reagan have been gradually undermining
antimonopoly law in the US.


feed_id: 145be5f0ba9ea0c8da6343dd0aeb1f3f
title: Work stress
uri: Work-stress
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Work_stress%29
content:
<p>
Instead of sending staff to mindfulness courses to cope with the
stress of work, businesses should <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/31/mindfulness-work-employers-meditation">put less stress on them</a>.
<p>
A raise is a good way to reduce the stress generated by the employees'
lives.


feed_id: 75fb2e4911c6bbe3cecd253ea6cb4f9b
title: North Korea and Iraq
uri: North-Korea-and-Iraq
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28North_Korea_and_Iraq%29
content:
<p>
The bully is repeating, in regard to North Korea, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/30/donald-trump-state-of-the-union-north-korea/">the position</a> that
<a href="/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> took before he launched the war with Iraq.
<p>
In one regard, the current push for war is not quite as dishonest.
North Korea really does have weapons of mass destruction, whereas that
claim against Iraq in 2003 was an <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2005-sep-dec.html#22%20November%202005%20(A%20long%20series%20of%20falsehoods)">engineered system of lies</a>.
<p>
But that is no reason for launching a war which, in this
case, could easily escalate to nuclear weapons.


feed_id: 0c9fb0067e6758d05c5e0944a64e6ba2
title: Insulting a nation
uri: Insulting-a-nation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Insulting_a_nation%29
content:
<p>
The right to "insult a nation" is a vital part of human rights and
<a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/01/31/polands-holocaust-bill-is-a-hate-speech">must be protected</a>.
<p>
This applies to all nations.


feed_id: bb21d270b3702c6ac01098c89eb04f8b
title: Australian spy agencies
uri: Australian-spy-agencies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Australian_spy_agencies%29
content:
<p>
Australian spy agencies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jan/31/asio-says-threat-to-australia-greater-now-than-in-cold-war">want to prosecute journalists</a> for leaks
to protect against "Chinese influence".
<p>
That seems like a nonsequitur to me.  If Chinese influence is exerted
through libel lawsuits, perhaps Australia ought to protect journalism
from libel lawsuits rather than add its own threat.


feed_id: 1fae065fe26437a5303cc65da814a57b
title: Wild plants on farms
uri: Wild-plants-on-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Wild_plants_on_farms%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/31/stripes-of-wildflowers-across-farm-fields-could-cut-pesticide-spraying">Maintaining areas of wild plants</a> around and within a farm can reduce
the need for pesticides.


feed_id: 50f80afb11249c041a66282e10ca8073
title: Books in Nigeria
uri: Books-in-Nigeria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Books_in_Nigeria%29
content:
<p>
Nigeria does have bookstores, but most children there can't afford to
buy books.  They depend on the public libraries, which are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/31/bookshops-nigeria-chimamanda-ngozi-adichie">collapsing
from lack of funding</a>.


feed_id: a71c296d3f5a37cd23cc6bfcbfd6e8d4
title: Too late to see a doctor
uri: Too-late-to-see-a-doctor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Too_late_to_see_a_doctor%29
content:
<p>
Donald Savastano couldn't afford to see a doctor until he won a
million dollars in the lottery.  The delay was too long — he had
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/31/1737502/-America-where-you-still-have-to-win-the-lottery-to-go-to-the-doctor">untreatable, advanced cancer</a>.
<p>
If he had been able to afford the visit when he first noticed symptoms,
he might have caught it in time.


feed_id: d74cb7648e2327da7133f32c3c62bd34
title: CDC head resigns
uri: CDC-head-resigns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28CDC_head_resigns%29
content:
<p>
The troll's <a href="/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> appointed to head the Centers for Disease Control
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/31/brenda-fitzgerald-director-of-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-resigns">has resigned</a> because of investments in a tobacco company.


feed_id: 36c20c635202f11c5ffb385032a9e954
title: Young Russians
uri: Young-Russians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Young_Russians%29
content:
<p>
Young Russians, at least some of them, learn to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/31/propaganda-defend-russia-technology">recognize and resist
propaganda</a>.
<p>
There is still the problem of how to figure out what the truth is
when every side engages in propaganda more or less.


feed_id: ffecb83bc335977c501f1fc8ce0e957a
title: Concert in Israel
uri: Concert-in-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Concert_in_Israel%29
content:
<p>
Israeli expansionists are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/31/lorde-israeli-fans-sue-activists-over-tour-cancellation">suing two New Zealand activists</a> for persuading
a singer to cancel a planned concert in Israel.
<p>
They are using a law that was designed to <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> Gush Shalom into
dropping its campaign to boycott products of the Israeli colonies in
occupied territory.  It exposes boycott advocates to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-nov-feb.html#07_December_2012_(Israels_Boycott_Law)">unlimited
financial "damages"</a> based on intentionally weak criteria.
<p>
Uri Avnery wrote that some leaders of Gush Shalom were willing to go
to jail for peace, but didn't dare <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#23_March_2017_(Repression_increasing)">risk the punishment</a> of imposed
penury for the rest of their lives.
Nowadays Gush Shalom does not advocate a boycott.  It does still
maintain a list of companies that operate in the colonies in
Palestinian territory.
<p>
These expansionists are trying to extend that bullying
internationally.  We will see if Israeli courts dare to attempt
world-wide repression of foreign criticism of Israel's policy.


feed_id: 9d2ff9d92fa5ddd537c659c4fa100181
title: Fake news on Facebook
uri: 2018-02-04-Fake-news-on-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Fake_news_on_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
A former Facebook executive attributes Facebook's usefulness for
fake news to its dependence on digital advertising.  This leads
Facebook to do <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jan/31/facebook-fake-news-disinformation-digital-advertising-report-news-feed">whatever suits the advertisers best</a>.


feed_id: 46206dd89bd1d3fc78ee0e8e7ba6d3ad
title: Dating with kindness
uri: Dating-with-kindness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Dating_with_kindness%29
content:
<p>
The Grace/Ansari bad date <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/31/me-too-we-demand-more-jessica-valenti">is a lesson</a> about the difference between a
kind, caring dating man and a selfish, uncaring one.
<p>
It makes no sense to legislate kindness, but men should all try to
learn it.


feed_id: 6078556cdb29174a84f8cc64ded3a26c
title: Tracing Bitcoin purchases
uri: Tracing-Bitcoin-purchases
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Tracing_Bitcoin_purchases%29
content:
<p>
Purchases made with Bitcoin can be traced to you, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180129020323/https://www.wired.com/story/bitcoin-drug-deals-silk-road-blockchain/">even years later</a>,
unless you are very careful.
<p>
This is one of the ways <a href="https://taler.net">GNU Taler</a> would have an advantage.
With Taler,
your purchases are truly anonymous, unless you reveal your identity
in some other way.
<p>
Merchants that don't accept Taler payments are intalerable.


feed_id: e8f5da29b14e3952206466a63a8545c0
title: Logic-puzzle liar
uri: Logic-puzzle-liar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Logic-puzzle_liar%29
content:
<p>
I have a conjecture about how <a href="/glossary.html#trump">the troll</a> got to be what he is.  When he
was a teenager he must have read a logic puzzle about truthtellers that
always tell the truth, and liars that always lie.  And since everyone said
that people should tell the truth, his rebellious streak led him to try
to become a logic-puzzle liar, or as close as humanly possible.


feed_id: 417f80614d539cfab0877299aa192a4c
title: Sharing tax cuts
uri: Sharing-tax-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#3_February_2018_%28Sharing_tax_cuts%29
content:
<p>
Most large US companies <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/01/30/new-report-corporations-not-being-so-generous-tax-cuts-after-all">have done nothing</a> to share the big tax cuts
with their employees.
<p>
I would bet that <em>none</em> of them has shared any with the "independent
contractors" of contracting companies that have mostly replaced employees.


feed_id: aafd3ab1f2c28c02b7ccd8ef29d07a81
title: Emergency room treatment
uri: Emergency-room-treatment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Emergency_room_treatment%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/1/29/16906558/anthem-emergency-room-coverage-denials-inappropriate">
Anthem medical insurance refuses to pay for emergency room treatment
</a>
if the problem was not really urgent.  Since patients have no way to
know that on their own, this means they risk bankruptcy every time
they go.


feed_id: 4f2bbf146cd9c72e3c55bb6da3600f40
title: Attractive-looking people
uri: Attractive-looking-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Attractive-looking_people%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/jan/31/hunky-tory-attractive-people-more-likely-to-be-rightwing-study-finds">
Attractive-looking people tend to be more right-wing,
</a>
because they
don't understand the struggles others tend to face.


feed_id: 0fd90da404fb41bb4a13f2a6714f3718
title: Stopping an abortion
uri: Stopping-an-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Stopping_an_abortion%29
content:
<p>
The fanatical natalist running the Office of Refugee Resettlement
attempted to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/31/scott-lloyd-considered-controversial-method-reverse-abortion">
stop an imprisoned pregnant refugee from completing an abortion
she had already started.
</a>


feed_id: 9611ae37f5a4f6b0ee5ef1ab13f0cbd8
title: Emissions limit target
uri: Emissions-limit-target
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Emissions_limit_target%29
content:
<p>
The Paris climate agreement's emissions limit target
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/31/met-office-warns-of-global-temperature-rise-exceeding-15c-limit">
may be exceeded
within 5 years.
</a>


feed_id: 1f0b0d187fa61dd5eddf2891d48c6de4
title: Huge military budgets
uri: Huge-military-budgets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Huge_military_budgets%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/31/huge-military-budgets-make-us-broke-not-safe">
Huge Military Budgets Make Us Broke, Not Safe.
</a>
<p>
The US military budget is so much more than any other countries
that it should be reduced.


feed_id: 4451837a90b0496e8875ec42f3ddc6dd
title: Disaster capitalism
uri: Disaster-capitalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Disaster_capitalism%29
content:
<p>
State of the Union Response:
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/01/31/state-union-response-disaster-capitalism-cloaked-progress">
Disaster Capitalism Cloaked as Progress.
</a>


feed_id: efacfa3e0b157e62b96fb510eaaf9210
title: Guantanamo prison
uri: 2018-02-04-Guantanamo-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Guantanamo_prison%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/31/1737497/-Trump-is-determined-to-continue-America-s-disgrace-by-adding-new-prisoners-at-Guant-namo-Bay">
The bully ordered the Guantanamo prison kept open,
</a>
apparently because
he looks forward to the opportunity to torture prisoners.
<p>
Just as he hates anything Obama did, or tried to do, he may feel
unsatisfied if he has not matched every evil act of Dubya.


feed_id: 2e727e93abd502a09b273fd014f447ed
title: Crippling public schools
uri: Crippling-public-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Crippling_public_schools%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/30/1737199/-Koch-brothers-turn-their-sights-on-destroying-public-education-for-private-profit">
The Koch brothers now aim to cripple public schools.
</a>
<p>
There could very well be better alternatives to US public schools,
but the Koch brothers are not going to aim to make them better
for most Americans.


feed_id: 2bf9ba21f37942d8edf76bed8f24e10e
title: Aflac insurance
uri: Aflac-insurance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Aflac_insurance%29
content:
<p>
Evidence in a lawsuit against Aflac insurance shows the company
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/31/aflac-insurance-sales-policies/">
signed people up to insurance policies without telling them, falsified
records, and cheated the sales agents too.
</a>


feed_id: 74b11d80e5449e637c163182b5da340d
title: Tap water
uri: Tap-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Tap_water%29
content:
<p>
The EU is considering
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/01/eu-measure-demands-rise-in-public-fountains-to-cut-bottle-waste">
a weak measure to promote use of tap water
instead of bottled water.
</a>
<p>
Why not require (as France requires) restaurants to offer tap water?
Why not label every plastic bottle -- of water, of other beverages --
with "Buying plastic bottles like this degrades the environment?"
<p>
We need politicians who don't hesitate to displease businesses.


feed_id: 648805590ac6ab498d2493140ed54749
title: Removing CO2 from the air
uri: Removing-CO2-from-the-air
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Removing_CO2_from_the_air%29
content:
<p>
We cannot expect to be able to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/01/silver-bullet-to-suck-co2-from-air-and-halt-climate-change-ruled-out">
remove CO2 from the air in the quantities
needed to compensate for our excessive emissions now.
</a>
<p>
The proposed methods are either very expensive, very challenging, or
very damaging to the environment.


feed_id: 68570b021bf50c20e82d506b4c04fc44
title: Lying to a bureaucracy
uri: Lying-to-a-bureaucracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Lying_to_a_bureaucracy%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing cuts in welfare benefits generally come with
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/01/spy-on-your-neighbour-britain-demonisation-benefit-claimants-disabled-people">
demonization
of anyone who "cheats".
</a>
The result is that everyone is likely to be
suspected of "cheating" -- most of them falsely.
<p>
What about the few who really do lie?  After all these cuts, it is
quite plausible they wouldn't get money for food and medicine if they
didn't lie.
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#9_August_2017_(New_Zealand_poverty)">
Maybe they could not care for their children if they told
the truth.
</a>
<p>
I think those circumstances justify lying to a bureaucracy.
<p>
If the state wants to deserve to be told the truth, it should
give decent treatment to those who do so.


feed_id: 31da8a53a6c330e19b70540277ec2017
title: US football brain injuries
uri: US-football-brain-injuries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28US_football_brain_injuries%29
content:
<p>
Professional US football systematically causes brain injuries, and
players typically get many of them.  The resulting damage often makes
victims irrational and violent.
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/01/nfl-concussion-super-bowl-protocol-football/">
A study of deceased former players'
brains found signs of injury in nearly all of them.
</a>
<p>
I don't think it should be illegal to play football, but society
should change the institutions that systematically attract people to
the game -- such as the NFL.


feed_id: 37e1947d3b2c68ab6d963f79af9d0045
title: Delivery vans
uri: Delivery-vans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Delivery_vans%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/01/privatisation-air-breathe-pollution-london">
We don't have to allow streets and air to be clogged with multiple
delivery vans.
</a>
We do not have to let rapid delivery be society's
priority.


feed_id: 62cbf50b61fd1ae0362a03f990b25d22
title: Emotional domestic abuse
uri: Emotional-domestic-abuse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Emotional_domestic_abuse%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/feb/01/scotland-set-to-pass-gold-standard-domestic-abuse-law">
Scotland is considering making emotional domestic abuse a crime.
</a>
<p>
In principle I agree, but it may be very difficult to prove such
crimes based on objective evidence judged by objective standards.


feed_id: d5b4a060a996ebec033a8cfee1473c87
title: Israeli tourist attractions
uri: Israeli-tourist-attractions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Israeli_tourist_attractions%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/01/israel-settlements-jerusalem-tourism-un">
Israel is setting up tourist attractions in occupied territory
to make annexation appear legitimate.
</a>
<p>
This reminds me of when I visited Tibet unknowingly -- my Chinese
hosts told me "Tibetans have lived here for hundreds of years" but didn't
say that's because
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2006-jul-oct.html#30 October 2006 (Repression under China)">
China had annexed part of Tibet.
</a>


feed_id: f1693eb0b5ad04cbc8ea7505de2d4710
title: Incomplete marijuana legalization
uri: Incomplete-marijuana-legalization
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Incomplete_marijuana_legalization%29

content:
<p>
Legalization of marijuana has done a lot of good and no real harm, but
it is incomplete.  Homeless people and people in federally-subsidized
housing have nowhere they can lawfully use marijuana.
<a href="http://www.drugpolicy.org/legalization-status-report?ms=2D2_1801MarijuanaStatusReport&utm_campaign=fy18newsletter&cid=70141000000TXbNAAW&spMailingID=32869035&spUserID=NTY4MTU3NjAyODQ3S0&spJobID=1220023293&spReportId=MTIyMDAyMzI5MwS2">
And lots of
minority group people are still arrested for the remaining crimes
such as using marijuana in public.
</a>
<p>
The article uses the absurd word "latinx."  Please don't write that
unless you are prepared to say it out loud.
<a href="/articles/castellano-sin-genero.html">
Using the convention I
proposed for gender-neutrality in Spanish,
</a>
  the word would be "latinis", but that proposal has not been adopted.


feed_id: 6a569f618e2bb623ec9e28e2f32e85e3
title: Taliban advance
uri: Taliban-advance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Taliban_advance%29
content:
<p>
As the Taliban slowly advance in Afghanistan,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/01/31/damning-new-study-helps-explain-why-pentagon-will-no-longer-release-afghan-war">
the US is covering this up
by not publishing status information.
</a>


feed_id: b99244d5582c50cbaf5a345403b520c4
title: Carbon pricing
uri: Carbon-pricing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Carbon_pricing%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/01/31/state-lawmakers-form-multistate-alliance-carbon-pricing">
Nine US states are working together to put a price on carbon emissions.
</a>
<p>
Emissions-trading schemes can be effective, but it is hard to prevent
companies from gaming the system.  The EU's system was designed wrong,
leading to a price so low that it doesn't reduce emissions.  The
problems have never been corrected, due I expect to fossil fuel
lobbyists.
<p>
If these states want the system to function, they should adopt an
emissions tax rather than emissions trading.


feed_id: 9e03a12b302366bb1ead0e226b5e736f
title: Outsourcing jobs
uri: Outsourcing-jobs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Outsourcing_jobs%29
content:
<p>
"Unless we rewrite NAFTA, the trade pact will keep giving the
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/31/trump-still-has-nothing-platitudes-american-workers">
green
light to corporations to outsource American jobs,
</a>
pushing down wages
for everyone."
<p>
<p>
I agree, but don't forget the worst thing in NAFTA,
<a href="/business-supremacy-treaties.html">
the ISDS provision
("I Sue Democratic States")
</a>
whereby each country gives foreign
businesses legal priority over its own citizens and effectively a veto
over laws.


feed_id: 3e1466ff482e8ccd4119455df9636f42
title: Mistake of the Union
uri: Mistake-of-the-Union
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Mistake_of_the_Union%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/01/31/green-party-rebuttal-president-trumps-2018-state-union-address">
The Green Party responds
</a>
to the Mistake of the Union speech.


feed_id: df3d1100cb10d2bf10151a8b96182b9a
title: Clean Water Plan
uri: Clean-Water-Plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Clean_Water_Plan%29
content:
<p>
Saboteur Pruitt has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/01/31/trump-admin-attempts-delay-clean-water-rule">
delayed the Clean Water Plan till 2020
</a>
as a first step
towards changing it to say "Polluters welcome!"


feed_id: 2e92f1c7844beb379bd596382b55e438
title: Exxon's new investment
uri: Exxon-s-new-investment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Exxon%27s_new_investment%29
content:
<p>
Exxon's new investment is a continuation of its previous policy
and
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/01/31/new-analysis-exxonmobils-50b-investment-not-likely-due-tax-cuts">
has nothing much to do with the Republican tax cut for corporations.
</a>


feed_id: 0a638ee04b23a588e8f784026585213d
title: Vacant elected offices
uri: Vacant-elected-offices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Vacant_elected_offices%29
content:
<p>
The latest systematic Republican attack on representative democracy is
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/01/31/scott-walkers-rejection-representative-democracy-shameful">
to keep elected offices vacant, or occupied by appointed substitutes,
for years
</a>
rather than let the people vote and perhaps elect a
Democrat.
<p>
Republican politicians don't want to win fairly, they aim to subjugate
America by hook or by crook.  Patriotic Americans who used to support
the Republican Party must recognize this, and join in defending the
Constitution against today's un-American Republicans.


feed_id: 052dbe3cf17d5f83555e2b01d660dbc9
title: Polar bears
uri: 2018-02-04-Polar-bears
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Polar_bears%29
content:
<p>
Polar bears need more food than was previously thought, meaning
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/01/polar-bears-climate-change">
they
could be extinct sooner than was thought.
</a>


feed_id: 17846be0d4c62681312b3d54b65ae6a1
title: Subsidizing mines
uri: Subsidizing-mines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Subsidizing_mines%29
content:
<p>
Australia spends
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/02/miners-receive-twice-as-much-in-tax-credits-as-australia-spends-on-environment">
twice as much on subsidizing mines as on protecting
the environment.
</a>


feed_id: 42f2b09c9c280cf887abeb76e13cb7f0
title: Amazon warehouses
uri: Amazon-warehouses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Amazon_warehouses%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/feb/01/amazon-fulfillment-centers-dont-boost-employment-analysis-finds">
Amazon warehouses do not result in increased employment locally.
</a>
<p>
So don't anyone offer them a tax break, hear?


feed_id: 6d0aeb9407cec39f99b03c4939d2631c
title: Fossil free fast
uri: Fossil-free-fast
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Fossil_free_fast%29
content:
<p>
Sanders urges Americans to knock on doors to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/01/days-numbered-fossil-fuels-sanders-backs-demand-rapid-energy-transformation">
call for action to curb
global heating.
</a>


feed_id: 546341850413fa71a7d4369f43f1dbe9
title: Legal problems and health issues
uri: Legal-problems-and-health-issues
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Legal_problems_and_health_issues%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2018/jan/29/one-in-three-people-with-legal-problems-in-uk-develop-health-issues-report">
One in Three People with Legal Problems Develop Health Issues.
</a>
This is true in the US, Canada, and the UK.


feed_id: 8fac80b046e42eccc261152e54fe667d
title: How PISSI ran Mosul
uri: How-PISSI-ran-Mosul
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28How_PISSI_ran_Mosul%29
content:
<p>

When PISSI captured Mosul, the first thing it did was
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jan/29/bureaucracy-evil-isis-run-city-mosul">
suppress the mafias
and make city services run smoothly.
</a>
It took a couple of months to institute
murderous repression.


feed_id: cba93b6b890689820dee8e31d771e2f0
title: Amazon wristband
uri: Amazon-wristband
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Amazon_wristband%29
content:
<p>
A patent application suggests that Amazon plans to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jan/31/amazon-warehouse-wristband-tracking">
track the position
of warehouse workers' hands.
</a>
<p>
Perhaps it will use this only to give workers feedback when they are trying
to pick something up.  Or perhaps it will use it to oppress them -- if it
doesn't already saturate the scale of repression.  Let's not let Amazon decide.


feed_id: ef5f9c3624e6650197760ede85a628ce
title: Justice to poor people
uri: Justice-to-poor-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Justice_to_poor_people%29
content:
<p>
The US legal system denies justice to poor people in lawsuits,
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/1/1737958/-Sessions-kills-DOJ-s-access-to-justice-initiative-in-another-blow-to-low-income-Americans">
because
they usually have no lawyer at all.
</a>


feed_id: 48b7d6b10b2ec69a73d1e6b0a24d3550
title: Boston resists surveillance
uri: Boston-resists-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Boston_resists_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
Boston Resists Surveillance and
<a href="https://rightsanddissent.org/news/boston-resists-surveillance-learns-programs-targeting-communities-color/">
Learns About Programs Targeting 
[minority ethnic groups].
</a>


feed_id: 1866f04a094a89dfe97eed15b21d1c32
title: US Bank duplicity
uri: US-Bank-duplicity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28US_Bank_duplicity%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/02/01/indigenous-and-environmental-justice-groups-rally-us-bank-headquarters-protest">
US Bank promised to stop funding oil pipelines, but didn't do that.
</a>
Protesters will visit offices of US Bank to protest its duplicity.


feed_id: 4d3f74698e7755f26090a2c97a7512f2
title: Linguistic mistakes
uri: Linguistic-mistakes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Linguistic_mistakes%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/01/dont-equate-trumps-linguistic-mistakes-stupidity">
Donât Equate Trumpâs Linguistic Mistakes With Stupidity.
</a>
<p>
Lots of people don't speak English with educated correctitude, and
they aren't necessarily stupid either.  Many of them support the
bully, and when he gets insulted for his speech style, they feel it
too.


feed_id: d25a699a99a016d88190ba97fc7e273d
title: Old marijuana convictions
uri: Old-marijuana-convictions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Old_marijuana_convictions%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/01/san-francisco-shows-nation-way-forward-throwing-out-old-marijuana-convictions">
Old marijuana convictions will be wiped out automatically in San Francisco,
</a>
so that the victims of that unjust law won't have to ask one by one.
<p>
The practice of excluding people from work, school, housing and
welfare because of a past conviction keeps millions of Americans
trapped in poverty (and crime, in many cases).  The practice has been
constructed in the past 50 years -- before that, it wasn't so.  The
practice is possible only because we have come to accept a large
permanent underclass.  We must not have an underclass, so we must
stop punishing people with life in poverty.


feed_id: f28ff556fd6ffa35af20ce2d27538a84
title: Altered environmental study
uri: Altered-environmental-study
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Altered_environmental_study%29
content:
<p>
The coal mining company Adani appears to have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/feb/02/suspicions-adani-altered-lab-report-while-appealing-fine-for-abbot-point-coal-spill">
altered an environmental
modeling study
</a>
before submitting it to a regulatory hearing.
<p>
Adani wants to open a giant coal mine in Australia, and
is undermining governments there by
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#8_December_2016_(Australia_considers_subsidizing_coal_mine)">
pushing for subsidies
</a>
and for
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jul-oct.html#25_October_2017_(Great_Barrier_Reef_tourism)">
looking the other way as it pollutes.
</a>
  After this, it ought to be banned entirely from operating there.


feed_id: 7499f8ae0afdc67b37fdd3ded89c07fa
title: Nestle's milk substitutes
uri: Nestle-s-milk-substitutes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Nestle%27s_milk_substitutes%29
content:
<p>
Nestle is once again using sleazy methods to lead mothers to believe
that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/feb/01/nestle-under-fire-for-marketing-claims-on-baby-milk-formulas">
its milk substitutes are as good for babies as human milk.
</a>


feed_id: 2d624f17c9721f9b86b4577d166f2ed6
title: Tip-theft rule
uri: Tip-theft-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Tip-theft_rule%29
content:
<p>
The Department of Labor claimed it couldn't forecast how much the
tip-theft rule would hurt waiters, but that's false:
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/02/01/dol-scrubs-economic-analysis-showed-its-tip-pooling-rule-would-be-terrible">
it had done the
forecast and didn't want to show the public the results.
</a>
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/01/internal-analysis-revealed-trump-plan-would-cost-workers-billions-so-labor-dept">
It would cost the waiters billions of dollars.
</a>


feed_id: 018ea83af80a21abdee3637db5d8a4e8
title: Fossil fuel campaign funds
uri: Fossil-fuel-campaign-funds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Fossil_fuel_campaign_funds%29
content:
<p>
Sanders and 350.org call for candidates to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/02/01/350-action-responds-sen-bernie-sanders-call-political-candidates-refuse-money">
refuse fossil fuel campaign
funds.
</a>
<p>
This will be a way to separate real environmental defenders from those
ready to be corrupted, in the Democratic primaries.


feed_id: 1653105ab20bb8a5a964af6fbba1d16e
title: Urgent: Infrastructure plan
uri: Urgent-Infrastructure-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Infrastructure_plan%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/trump_infrastructure_scam">call on Congress</a> to reject the troll's infrastructure infraplan.


feed_id: 915460898423da21fc59c036d91654b4
title: Urgent: Mueller's investigation
uri: 2018-02-04-Urgent-Mueller-s-investigation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Mueller%27s_investigation%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-congress-pass-legislation-protect-robert-mueller-investigation/">call on Congress</a> to pass legislation to protect the
Robert Mueller investigation.


feed_id: 90498acffd3996d34aefb76caadf0b8d
title: Praise for May
uri: Praise-for-May
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Praise_for_May%29
content:
<p>
Theresa May, PM of Britain, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/02/china-commends-visiting-theresa-may-for-sidestepping-human-rights">won praise from China</a> for avoiding the
inconvenient topic of China's repression and sticking to capitalism.
<p>
Since it was obvious to the Chinese state mouthpieces that this would
insult her, perhaps this was meant to demonstrate publicly how
subservient she is to China.


feed_id: df58eaa0cfa6ddbeb96fefbc6d9452fc
title: Wood-burning stoves
uri: Wood-burning-stoves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Wood-burning_stoves%29
content:
<p>
Wood-burning stoves produce lots of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/01/pollutionwatch-wood-burning-worsening-uk-air-quality">dangerous particulate pollution</a>.


feed_id: 77195cc5ffde4195bfff8556c6a56b66
title: Maldive Islands
uri: Maldive-Islands
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Maldive_Islands%29
content:
<p>
The Maldive Islands supreme court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/02/maldives-court-releases-key-political-prisoners-in-blow-to-regime">has ordered the release</a> of the main
political prisoners, and restored 12 opposition members of parliament.


feed_id: f76926f37b7757aa7938ee54331f9b90
title: FBI directors
uri: FBI-directors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28FBI_directors%29
content:
<p>
Every director of the FBI has been a Republican.  Democratic
presidents cave in to pressure to show "bipartisanship" by appointing
Republicans; apparently Republican presidents are not expected to be
"bipartisan."  This may relate to the <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/1/1737978/-In-attacking-the-FBI-Republicans-are-showing-their-willingness-to-eat-their-own-for-Trump">general right-wing attitude</a> of
the FBI.
<p>
The FBI investigated and harassed dissidents in the 60s and 70s.


feed_id: 8a8337a54d0343f29fbcf65a287fd3ff
title: Money for the NHS
uri: Money-for-the-NHS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Money_for_the_NHS%29
content:
<p>
The NHS is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/feb/02/nhs-compensation-payouts-unsustainable-say-health-leaders">not being given enough money</a> to both carry out today's
medical care and compensate victims of past neglect.
<p>
I'm sure a large fraction of the past neglect was due to insufficient
funding in the past.  Sufficient funding would cure the present and
future problems.


feed_id: b1228f7098055305aa571a25fabccb23
title: Head of US immigration
uri: Head-of-US-immigration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Head_of_US_immigration%29
content:
<p>
The head of US immigration thugs says he <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/01/ice-director-brags-about-how-much-hes-enjoying-tearing-immigrant-families-apart">enjoys his job</a>, which he interprets
as terrorizing people and deporting them.
<p>
He now plans an explicit policy of haunting courthouses to grab any
unauthorized immigrants that are defendants … <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/1/1737917/-ICE-has-already-escalated-courthouse-arrests-now-it-s-formalizing-it-on-paper">or witnesses</a>.
<p>
Imagine if you are violently robbed, and the robber can't be tried
because the witnesses don't dare show up in court.  Now imagine that
Republicans are chuckling.


feed_id: 972ab5270484ee6c042cc020279274ce
title: US public housing
uri: US-public-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28US_public_housing%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s saboteurs plan to kick lots of Americans out of public
housing.  <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/01/hud-subsidized-housing-rent-increase-work-requirement/">Especially the unemployed</a>.


feed_id: 286e58f77e8a1425070b5b70f8d46dc6
title: Massacre and mass graves
uri: Massacre-and-mass-graves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Massacre_and_mass_graves%29
content:
<p>
Burmese soldiers carefully planned to massacre Rohingya, then covered
up the results <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/02/myanmar-un-and-us-deeply-troubled-over-new-report-of-five-mass-graves">in mass graves</a>.


feed_id: 3227ec8cafbfe9aef3ce5192d39d24e6
title: Improve lives of the non-rich
uri: Improve-lives-of-the-non-rich
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Improve_lives_of_the_non-rich%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.demos.org/publication/everyones-economy">25 policies that the US needs</a> in order to improve non-rich people's lives.
<p>
They do not include the deeper political changes needed to restore
democracy, but if we don't do that, we will have trouble adopting
those policies.


feed_id: a8beee46f0e7506c857405a20e6ec3a8
title: Amnesty International Turkey
uri: Amnesty-International-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Amnesty_International_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
A court released the head of Amnesty International Turkey until his
trial for "terrorism", but <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/02/01/re-arrest-and-detention-amnesty-international-turkey-chair-hours-after-release">he was arrested again</a> a little while after.
<p>
When dissidents and human rights defenders face trumped-up charges
from an oppressive state, charges that ought to be dropped right away,
I normally don't post about changes in details, such as whether the
"suspect" is held in jail meanwhile.  I mention this instance because
it is particularly nasty.
<p>
Let's not use the bland and bureaucratic word <a href="https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#detained">"detention"</a>
to describe imprisonment of any kind.


feed_id: cbd78d7f05e3ed151f0247c0fd4bd594
title: Track any interest
uri: Track-any-interest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Track_any_interest%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/falkvinge/analog-equivalent-rights.html">Advertisers and stores</a> now try to track things whatever people betray
an interest in, even if they don't buy or say they like those things.
<p>
However, it is false to say that "we" are subject to this.  Maybe you
allow it to be done to you.  I don't allow it to be done to me.  I
don't connect to those web sites; the nonfree Javascript code used to
track what people pay attention to will be blocked in my browser
by <a href="https://gnu.org/software/librejs/">LibreJS</a>.


feed_id: b4b63cf0097664f4c3142606f32d5f9b
title: Equal respect
uri: Equal-respect
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Equal_respect%29
content:
<p>
Gender equality at work: it's not just about equal pay for comparable
work,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/02/gender-equality-work-respect-money">
it's also equal respect for comparable work.
</a>
<p>
While this principle applies to all kinds of work, I think that, in
regard to practical campaigning, equality for the many who work in
low-paid jobs deserves higher priority than equality for the few who
are stars.


feed_id: ed20b2ba599e8260a339771799d1653f
title: Youtube recommendations
uri: Youtube-recommendations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Youtube_recommendations%29
content:
<p>
Guillaume Chaslot, who formerly worked on YouTube's secret recommendation
algorithm, developed software to empirically study YouTube's patterns of
recommendations.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/feb/02/how-youtubes-algorithm-distorts-truth">
What he discovered is that YouTube tended to recommend
right-wing videos that supported the troll.
</a>
<p>
Why that occurred is not clear.


feed_id: 41663086b63ed5660ad9269590626096
title: Imposed globalization
uri: Imposed-globalization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Imposed_globalization%29
content:
<p>
Ai Weiwei:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/02/refugee-crisis-human-flow-ai-weiwei-china">
to cure the refugee crisis,
</a>
the west must recognize how its
imposed globalization causes disasters that force people to become
refugees.
<p>
I disagree partially.  It was not "the west" that has done this;
rather it was the western banksters and plutocrats that control
western countries, pretending that their benefit is our benefit too.
<p>
The same banksters and plutocrats are spreading poverty in the west,
just not as fast.  Being part of the lower 50% of Americans today is
not as bad as living in a refugee camp, but give the Republicans a few
more years and the difference will get smaller.  What is a
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooverville">
Hooverville,
</a>
	     after all, but a refugee camp?


feed_id: 19df100cca401d20837b2efd9b21ffbe
title: Heineken and HIV
uri: Heineken-and-HIV
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Heineken_and_HIV%29
content:
<p>
A medical charity aimed at curing diseases
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/feb/02/global-health-fund-rebuked-over-heineken-alliance-aids-tuberculosis-malaria">
made a partnership with
Heineken,
</a>
thus legitimizing a major cause of non-infectious maladies.


feed_id: 3c2b1772522c2c91bc4b5fa0603e8022
title: Poland's Holocaust ghosts
uri: Poland-s-Holocaust-ghosts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Poland%27s_Holocaust_ghosts%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/02/poland-holocaust-free-speech-nazi">
Poland Can't Lay Its Holocaust Ghosts to Rest by Censoring Free Speech.
</a>
Although Poles were not responsible for the Nazi extermination camps
in Poland, many Poles willingly killed Jews -- 200,000 Jews in all.
<p>
Does this amount to responsibility on the part of the "Polish nation"?
I don't think either "yes" or "no" is a valid answer.  It has to be
"somewhat".
<p>
I agree with Friedland in condemning laws that prohibit statements of
views about history.
<a href="/articles/hrant-dink.html">
Whether it is the genocide of the Jews, or the
genocide of the Armenians, or any other, forbidding disagreement about
history is itself tyranny.
</a>


feed_id: c41a934928d090c36c558c3b4dcc9979
title: Turning off a pipeline
uri: Turning-off-a-pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Turning_off_a_pipeline%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/02/ohio-iowa-pipeline-protest-critical-infrastructure-bills/">
Republicans in several states want to put people in prison for many years
for turning off a pipeline, or even entering the land around one.
</a>
  They want to interfere with journalism, too.


feed_id: 17db841f17184ecb368b46480e47932a
title: Data anonymization
uri: Data-anonymization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Data_anonymization%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/02/01/high-dimensional-data.html">
Don't trust supposed anonymization of your data!
</a>
<p>
If a company says it will distribute your data in "anonymized" form,
assume that means it will give the data to data brokers
with your name and address right on it.  And don't give the company
your name!


feed_id: 8d16e4c85db12ca45fd4e9d7f393c55d
title: Fast food workers strike
uri: 2018-02-06-Fast-food-workers-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Fast_food_workers_strike%29
content:
<p>
Fast food workers will protest to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/01/fight-15-and-rev-barber-announce-fast-food-worker-strike-racial-justice-and-voting">
demand $15 an hour.
</a>


feed_id: e7fc7b9bacfd961c82bae2da2f05da1c
title: Toy guns to plant
uri: Toy-guns-to-plant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Toy_guns_to_plant%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theroot.com/baltimore-cops-kept-toy-guns-to-plant-just-in-case-they-1822546984?utm_source=theroot_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow">
Baltimore Cops Kept Toy Guns to Plant
</a>
Just in Case They Shot an Unarmed
Person.


feed_id: 30f8b7194b9929aa8ad9668392d5f84c
title: LA's homelessness
uri: LA-s-homelessness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28LA%27s_homelessness%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-homeless-how-we-got-here-20180201-story.html">
LA is making big efforts to provide more housing for poor people,
</a>
but
it isn't anywhere near enough to shelter the growing numbers of
homeless people.


feed_id: 474df4731f51e2d92aa01e2d17d22b8b
title: Education savings accounts
uri: Education-savings-accounts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Education_savings_accounts%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/02/how-public-schools-became-easy-pickings-kochs">
The Koch brothers's next target is the public schools of the US.
</a>
<p>
They want to replace these with private schools that take public
voucher money for profit, and do a bad job for students.


feed_id: 50637b902f264284f964599d45292d4c
title: Disenfranchising ex-cons
uri: Disenfranchising-ex-cons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Disenfranchising_ex-cons%29
content:
<p>
A US court ruled that
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/02/implications-2020-and-beyond-judge-strikes-down-floridas-nonsensical-felony-voter">
Florida's scheme for disenfranchising ex-cons is unconstitutional.
</a>


feed_id: 9d5cf4c62ac7484d2bba2309a94f24a9
title: Restricting Airbnb usage
uri: Restricting-Airbnb-usage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Restricting_Airbnb_usage%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.dw.com/en/berlin-housing-law-replenishes-housing-stock-for-renters/a-42360345">
Berlin made 8000 more apartments available by
restricting Airbnb usage and discouraging speculation.
</a>
<p>
Other cities plagued by speculation in housing should do likewise.


feed_id: 97671aaf7f028b852f6f625067650258
title: MPEG patent
uri: MPEG-patent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28MPEG_patent%29
content:
<p>
The MPEG patent-rent standard organization seems to think its days are
doomed.
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/01/30/rent-seekers-rant.html">
Video compression formats that are protected by patent pacts
are replacing MPEG standards.
</a>


feed_id: 4871bee79a9f24c7fa3c37aae4ba82f5
title: US school web sites
uri: US-school-web-sites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28US_school_web_sites%29
content:
<p>
US school departments' web sites not only fail to have the most basic
protection outside against snooping on the visitors,
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/02/01/privacy-policy-fiction.html">
they even host
surveillance advertising themselves.
</a>
<p>
However, the recommendations would eliminate only the most gross
violations of students' privacy,
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">
which would continue to be threatened
by the schools' own data collection.
</a>


feed_id: 7f9c49a79f35bec17fc0bf91a16b53c9
title: Algorithmic cruelty
uri: Algorithmic-cruelty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Algorithmic_cruelty%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/01/31/empiricized-injustice.html">
When algorithms are used to rate people for good or bad treatment,
</a>
they are often designed in ways that push the bad treatment onto
the ones that have the least influence to push it away.
<p>
The basis for this is that the US systematically deprives poor people
of the possibility of making enough money to cope with the needs of
life.  Whether the money comes from work or from the state, there
isn't enough of it.  Inevitably, some people will get squeezed out the
bottom.
<p>
Precisely who gets squeezed out first depends on lots of details, but
those specifics are less important than the general situation that
ensures <em>someone</em> will suffer.


feed_id: e5e2f9508260d1b29d4ee9035f5557b7
title: Republicans conspiracy theories
uri: Republicans-conspiracy-theories
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Republicans_conspiracy_theories%29

content:
<p>
"The Nunes memo shows
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/02/nunes-memo-republicans-conspiracy-theories">
Republicans buy their own conspiracy theories."
</a>


feed_id: 9705395388f49c5ce53d0969c1f7d8bd
title: Nuclear belligerence
uri: Nuclear-belligerence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Nuclear_belligerence%29
content:
<p>
The bully plans to
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/2/1738219/-Trump-has-ordered-Dept-of-Energy-to-prepare-for-possibility-of-first-U-S-nuclear-test-in-26-years">
conduct nuclear weapons tests
</a>
as a show of
belligerence.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#11_April_2017_(Main_US_newspapers_praise_missile_attack)">
This is just the sort of thing that the mainstream media love to call
"presidential".
</a>


feed_id: 799d5c8fa7bb3595218854450c3efa7b
title: Judgment about Woody Allen
uri: Judgment-about-Woody-Allen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Judgment_about_Woody_Allen%29
content:
<p>
We should not rush to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2018/feb/03/actors-condemn-woody-allen-hadley-freeman">
judgment about Woody Allen.
</a>


feed_id: d235d285454bd12e8d48ad16f4e8182f
title: Rationed water
uri: Rationed-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Rationed_water%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/feb/03/day-zero-cape-town-turns-off-taps">
Cape Town has a plan to provide rationed water to all inhabitants
</a>
if drought compels turning off the piped water supply.
<p>
This is a short-term plan; it won't work for decades if the rainy
season of the past no longer occurs in the future.  People may have to
move.
<p>
As global heating hits increasing numbers of millions, they will find
there is nowhere to move to.


feed_id: 25bfe478beb2637c191ea72617e02348
title: Urgent: Oppose national ID card
uri: Urgent-Oppose-national-ID-card
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_national_ID_card%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://www.chooseliberty.org/no-national-id-directive/?sr=c10057653">
oppose imposition of a national ID card.
</a>


feed_id: c2be68edd918bc0e4c758aaa641db9ab
title: New nukes
uri: New-nukes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28New_nukes%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/03/trump-administration-hardens-nuclear-policy-against-russia">
The US review of nuclear weapons policy proposes new tactical nuclear
weapons,
</a>
ostensibly to deter Russia from using tactical nuclear
weapons.
<p>
It is not outrageous, but I think it is superfluous because I think
there is no chance Russia would start a major war in Europe.  Putin is
unscrupulous and aggressive, but careful and subtle.


feed_id: 60b426c5b9311e77b791e3990ba02c7e
title: Medicare benefits
uri: Medicare-benefits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Medicare_benefits%29
content:
<p>
SCROTUS have allowed
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/2/1737683/-Thanks-to-Republican-negligence-Medicare-patients-could-face-huge-new-bills-for-therapy">
some Medicare benefits to lapse.
</a>


feed_id: ed2632a9b2fdde71aef27991afb7f216
title: Chemical Safety Bard
uri: Chemical-Safety-Bard
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Chemical_Safety_Bard%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/2/1738197/-Trump-budget-would-eliminate-agency-investigating-major-chemical-accidents">
The bully wants to eliminate the Chemical Safety Board,
</a>
whose job is
to investigate and avoid major chemical accidents such as the oil
platform explosion that polluted much of the Gulf Coast.
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/03/epa-iris-toxic-chemicals/">
The EPA department that checks the safety of chemicals faces elimination.
</a>
<p>
Republicans think it is better for companies to poison their employees
or blow them up, than to let regulations prevent this.


feed_id: 26513d6cfdf401105b996ce7a0254964
title: Urgent: Reject heating-denying head of NASA
uri: Urgent-Reject-heating-denying-head-of-NASA
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_heating-denying_head_of_NASA%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the Senate to
<a href="https://act.climatetruth.org/sign/StopBridenstine?t=1003&">
reject heating-denier Bridenstine
as head of NASA.
</a>
<p>
Measuring the climate is part of NASA's mission, and a global-heating
denialist is likely to seek to stop that.


feed_id: 134dc0068675b0fd55e03a94c254e92d
title: Urgent: Oppose border wall
uri: Urgent-Oppose-border-wall
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_border_wall%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: to protect wildlife,
<a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3286&s_src=3WDE1805A1XX1&s_subsrc=020118_ADVACTFF_BorderWall_A2D_nondonor0to6mo">
oppose the bully's border wall.
</a>


feed_id: d7edd5536a8f1f83c0d109ea4060276e
title: Making kids go hungry
uri: Making-kids-go-hungry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Making_kids_go_hungry%29
content:
<p>
Paul Ryan Wants to Rebrand Making Kids Go Hungry As
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/1/1737939/-Paul-Ryan-wants-to-rebrand-making-kids-go-hungry-as-closing-the-skills-gap">
'Closing the Skills Gap'.
</a>


feed_id: 924b8ffb15aa2eaa3b52d7e144561871
title: Jews and Poles
uri: Jews-and-Poles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Jews_and_Poles%29
content:
<p>
Uri Avnery describes
<a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1517575668/">
the paradoxical alternation of friendship and
hatred between Jews and Poles.
</a>


feed_id: 4b7666979846699fc41f9d7beb456206
title: Nunes memo
uri: Nunes-memo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Nunes_memo%29
content:
<p>
How
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/03/memo-release-is-trumps-scramble-to-torch-threats-to-himself-and-his-circle">
the Nunes memo's distortions
</a>
relate to the troll's legal
predicament.


feed_id: 7c47cc5f5bb10969361b5049f8c08f8d
title: Urgent: Concealed carry reciprocity
uri: 2018-02-06-Urgent-Concealed-carry-reciprocity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Concealed_carry_reciprocity%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on senators to <a href="http://act.everytown.org/sign/dont-gut-our-gun-laws-postcards-2018/">reject the "concealed carry reciprocity" law</a>
that would let every state authorize people to carry guns in other states.


feed_id: d8d5f13475c079ee549e66faed3dbc7e
title: Urgent: Eric Dreiband
uri: Urgent-Eric-Dreiband
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Eric_Dreiband%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Block_Dreiband">Tell the Senate</a>: Donât confirm Eric Dreiband as director of the Department of Justiceâs Civil Rights Division.


feed_id: a4aa30952456ce3a0a32c85592edb516
title: Getting into college
uri: Getting-into-college
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Getting_into_college%29
content:
<p>
Want to Get Your Kids into College [and have them do well there]?  <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/12/29/christakis.play.children.learning/index.html">Let
Them Play</a>.


feed_id: ea207b6e83aefaaab997dd104401c59e
title: Freedom of dissent in Kenya
uri: Freedom-of-dissent-in-Kenya
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Freedom_of_dissent_in_Kenya%29
content:
<p>
Kenya's supreme court is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/02/kenyan-court-orders-government-to-free-opposition-lawyer">trying to protect</a> the freedom of dissent
by releasing a lawyer that the president arrested.


feed_id: 0c2340bea83d86d19a1f431fab4d0d57
title: 'The memo'
uri: The-memo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28%27The_memo%27%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/01/devin-nunes-fbi-memo-controversy">A brief explanation</a> of the issue of "the memo" that Republicans want
to release.
<p>
That article doesn't mention that Nunes has <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/1/1737849/-Trump-prepares-to-release-the-memo-and-bring-the-constitutional-crisis-to-a-boil">secretly edited the memo</a>
since the committee looked at it.
<p>
If the FBI says, "keep it secret", I am opposed to that.
Keeping us in the dark will not serve the cause of justice.
<p>
Releasing the full information, to show what
Nunes cherry-picked from, is what we should do.


feed_id: a2a0a1fe50d2db7202ea96a29adf8297
title: Remote control cars
uri: Remote-control-cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Remote_control_cars%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180201143228/https://www.wired.com/story/phantom-teleops/">Remote control</a> is being designed into many companies' driverless cars.
Naturally that includes remote viewing, which could be used all the
time.


feed_id: 81db701a614acc816e1fd76bc79b5a84
title: State-owned bank
uri: State-owned-bank
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28State-owned_bank%29
content:
<p>
California is considering <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cannabis-bank-chiang-20180130-story.html">setting up a state-owned bank</a>, specifically
because marijuana businesses need it, but others would use it too.
<p>
I hope it has physical branches, because I don't trust internet banking.


feed_id: 33dbbf199c276507be22317883df008e
title: Marijuana possession
uri: Marijuana-possession
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Marijuana_possession%29
content:
<p>
Although pot is now legal for adults in Colorado, ever more minors
from minority groups <a href="https://www.npr.org/2016/06/29/483954157/as-adults-legally-smoke-pot-in-colorado-more-minority-kids-arrested-for-it">are being arrested</a> for possession of marijuana.
<p>
Possession of marijuana should be like possession of tobacco or alcohol:
people should not be prosecuted, let alone jailed, for that.


feed_id: b1116e672e158a439dda71cbfbed385f
title: Driverless car data
uri: Driverless-car-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Driverless_car_data%29
content:
<p>
As driverless cars travel, they will take lots of pictures, and <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
will be allowed to <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/02/why-self-driving-cars-may-be-heaven-for-investigating-crimes-and-accidents/">collect all that data</a>.
<p>
When it is data about how a collision occurred, there is a valid reason
to collect that data.  But their collection won't be limited to that case.


feed_id: 813cae4460c2f4cbba43414850ebb377
title: Nuclear weapons use
uri: Nuclear-weapons-use
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Nuclear_weapons_use%29
content:
<p>
The Pentagon's review of nuclear weapons policy <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/02/realizing-worst-fears-peace-groups-trumps-nuclear-posture-review-urges-expanded-use">proposes using nuclear
weapons first</a>, in response to a non-nuclear attack.


feed_id: 1ddb3dc8b052f0d7a5bafdcc4d5d443c
title: Carter Page surveillance
uri: Carter-Page-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Carter_Page_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
One detail in the notorious Nunes memo <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/02/nunes-memo-fisa-trump-russia/">shows the real grounds</a> for
FBI surveillance of Carter Page.
<p>
I condemn broad surveillance of masses of people, in the absence of
specific grounds.  I support investigation of specific people based on
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">specific suspicion</a>, which this was.


feed_id: 47e574dacc238aad818e1c752c02d295
title: Rights of the Child
uri: Rights-of-the-Child
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Rights_of_the_Child%29
content:
<p>
The US is the <a href="https://downloads.unicef.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/UNCRC_summa">only country in the UN</a> that has not ratified the UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child.
<p>
The US's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._ratification_of_the_Convention_on_the_Rights_of_the_Child#Opposition">reasons for refusing</a> are quite strained.
<p>
It ought to be called the "Rights of Minors", since it applies to everyone
under 18 and it is wrong to call adolescents "children."  However the substance
of it is good, and the US ought to sign.


feed_id: 326d8e551bbdfe92cbf7b7fb78b5b7aa
title: US State Department
uri: US-State-Department
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28US_State_Department%29
content:
<p>
7 of the 9 top posts at the US State Department <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/2/1738210/-There-s-no-one-home-at-the-State-Department-as-North-Korea-and-other-crises-loom">will soon be empty</a>.


feed_id: 1520f7973746fd0e261c96366928ab92
title: Removing art
uri: Removing-art
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Removing_art%29
content:
<p>
"To remove art because it is tainted by the sins of its maker sets an
impossible standard for art institutions. Yet <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/03/caravaggio-killed-a-man-censor-art">that is what is happening</a>."


feed_id: 1322cc8f6c5fce4c8c3aac5aa39c4d7c
title: If Mueller is fired
uri: If-Mueller-is-fired
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28If_Mueller_is_fired%29
content:
<p>
200,000 Americans have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/03/resistance-now-thousands-organize-to-defend-robert-mueller">pledged to respond immediately</a> if the bully fires
investigator Mueller.


feed_id: 3ead56c65d7c6111d3ff4513abd32e02
title: Automation and isolation
uri: Automation-and-isolation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Automation_and_isolation%29
content:
<p>
If we automate more activities, such as driving, we could also
<a href="https://theconversation.com/dont-automate-the-fun-out-of-life-88681">isolate people more</a>.
<p>
This is in addition to the near-certainty that driverless cars
will record video showing everyone that passes on the street,
and have a remote control facility.


feed_id: 907b125605c0e883cedb83daa5c170a2
title: AI in charge of weapons
uri: AI-in-charge-of-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28AI_in_charge_of_weapons%29
content:
<p>
There will be a temptation to put AI in charge of launching nuclear
weapons, to try to distinguish a real attack from a false alarm.  <a href="https://theconversation.com/artificial-intelligence-is-the-weapon-of-the-next-cold-war-86086">That
would be very dangerous</a>.
<p>
In every false alarm so far, some human decided, "Never mind what this
looks like — let's not destroy humanity on the supposition it is a
real attack.  How would we feel on finding out it wasn't one?"
<p>
An AI system would not reason this way, if it weren't programmed to.


feed_id: 7f3eb1c7b69b525b0112c3c0c8e148b0
title: Violating terms of service
uri: Violating-terms-of-service
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Violating_terms_of_service%29
content:
<p>
Georgia is considering a bill to <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/02/georgia-must-block-flawed-computer-crime-bill">explicitly make it a crime</a> to violate
a web site's terms of service.
<p>
Is anyone investigating which companies fund the legislators that
support this bill?


feed_id: f5a7b1cd8444b509cf1bb40c7644948d
title: Copyright infringement
uri: Copyright-infringement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Copyright_infringement%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://torrentfreak.com/playboys-copyright-lawsuit-threatens-online-expression-boing-boing-argues-180202/">Playboy is suing</a> to establish that posting a link to
copyright-infringing material to illustrate a point is copyright
infringement.


feed_id: ad213bf269470cb1680e76e113dd9686
title: Moving a sports team
uri: Moving-a-sports-team
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Moving_a_sports_team%29
content:
<p>
When a major league sports team talks about moving to a
different city, the public <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/02/03/the-super-bowl-brought-to-you-by-taxpaye">generally gets gouged</a> in one city or the other.


feed_id: bbe943d060b9e7e206b910e65c49ef39
title: Plan for Puerto Rico
uri: Plan-for-Puerto-Rico
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Plan_for_Puerto_Rico%29
content:
<p>
The plutocrats' plan for Puerto Rico: shut schools, shut government
offices, privatize all infrastructure, and cut jobs.  This will cause
a depression that will be the <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/03/puerto-rico-debt-fiscal-plan/">excuse for their next stroke</a>.
<p>
The coming depression might leave a million Puerto Ricans unable to
pay the tax on their land.  Then the parasites will have an excuse to
take that too.  The "government" will take the land, and the parasites
will order the "government" to sell it to the parasites.
<p>
The bully's <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_(Urgent:_Infrastructure_plan)">infrastructure infraplan</a> aims to take the whole US in the
same direction.


feed_id: b6676c4f090844867281bcefdf28ffdf
title: Ukraine history book ban
uri: Ukraine-history-book-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Ukraine_history_book_ban%29
content:
<p>
Ukraine <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/feb/03/antony-beevor-stalingrad-ukraine-ban-censorship">bans history books</a> for even a shadow or a shade of an appearance
of criticizing Ukraine's past.


feed_id: 622f25e0cf9ba2f101372f2192bc8893
title: Youtube recommendations
uri: 2018-02-06-Youtube-recommendations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Youtube_recommendations%29
content:
<p>
Guillaume Chaslot, who formerly worked on YouTube's secret recommendation
algorithm, developed software to empirically study YouTube's patterns of
recommendations.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/feb/02/how-youtubes-algorithm-distorts-truth">
What he discovered is that YouTube tended to recommend
right-wing videos that supported <a href="/glossary.html#trump">the troll</a>.
</a>
<p>
Why that occurred is not clear.


feed_id: abf8e9d2c7a3652656f02da88c3fa840
title: Imposed globalization
uri: 2018-02-06-Imposed-globalization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Imposed_globalization%29
content:
<p>
Ai Weiwei:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/02/refugee-crisis-human-flow-ai-weiwei-china">
to cure the refugee crisis,
</a>
the west must recognize how its
imposed globalization causes disasters that force people to become
refugees.
<p>
I disagree partially.  It was not "the west" that has done this;
rather it was the western <a href="/glossary.html#bankster">banksters</a> and plutocrats that control
western countries, pretending that their benefit is our benefit too.
<p>
The same <a href="/glossary.html#bankster">banksters</a> and plutocrats are spreading poverty in the west,
just not as fast.  Being part of the lower 50% of Americans today is
not as bad as living in a refugee camp, but give the Republicans a few
more years and the difference will get smaller.  What is a
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooverville">
Hooverville,
</a>
	     after all, but a refugee camp?


feed_id: 01d5fb3d666f62f9627f3d506e383485
title: Nuclear belligerence
uri: 2018-02-06-Nuclear-belligerence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Nuclear_belligerence%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> plans to
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/2/1738219/-Trump-has-ordered-Dept-of-Energy-to-prepare-for-possibility-of-first-U-S-nuclear-test-in-26-years">
conduct nuclear weapons tests
</a>
as a show of
belligerence.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#11_April_2017_(Main_US_newspapers_praise_missile_attack)">
This is just the sort of thing that the mainstream media love to call
"presidential".
</a>


feed_id: 1f1e81d6f3cf75fb70a857d2df67426c
title: Rationed water
uri: 2018-02-06-Rationed-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Rationed_water%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/feb/03/day-zero-cape-town-turns-off-taps">
Cape Town has a plan to provide rationed water to all inhabitants
</a>
if drought compels turning off the piped water supply.
<p>
This is a short-term plan; it won't work for decades if the rainy
season of the past no longer occurs in the future.  People may have to
move.
<p>
As <a href="/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> hits increasing numbers of millions, they will find
there is nowhere to move to.


feed_id: f769aa9c652e7f6ec60842edbe729524
title: Medicare benefits
uri: 2018-02-06-Medicare-benefits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Medicare_benefits%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS</a> have allowed
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/2/1737683/-Thanks-to-Republican-negligence-Medicare-patients-could-face-huge-new-bills-for-therapy">
some Medicare benefits to lapse.
</a>


feed_id: 1ba309378c3bb282a7d4e1f8c7cc5fe9
title: Chemical Safety Bard
uri: 2018-02-06-Chemical-Safety-Bard
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Chemical_Safety_Bard%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/2/1738197/-Trump-budget-would-eliminate-agency-investigating-major-chemical-accidents">
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> wants to eliminate the Chemical Safety Board,
</a>
whose job is
to investigate and avoid major chemical accidents such as the oil
platform explosion that polluted much of the Gulf Coast.
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/03/epa-iris-toxic-chemicals/">
The EPA department that checks the safety of chemicals faces elimination.
</a>
<p>
Republicans think it is better for companies to poison their employees
or blow them up, than to let regulations prevent this.


feed_id: 21b4554d9c360c6289721732ff51f189
title: Urgent: Oppose border wall
uri: 2018-02-06-Urgent-Oppose-border-wall
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_border_wall%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: to protect wildlife,
<a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3286&s_src=3WDE1805A1XX1&s_subsrc=020118_ADVACTFF_BorderWall_A2D_nondonor0to6mo">
oppose the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s border wall.
</a>


feed_id: c8e640a7eea01e79aabc0c6b389d3fe2
title: Nunes memo
uri: 2018-02-06-Nunes-memo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#5_February_2018_%28Nunes_memo%29
content:
<p>
How
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/03/memo-release-is-trumps-scramble-to-torch-threats-to-himself-and-his-circle">
the Nunes memo's distortions
</a>
relate to <a href="/glossary.html#trump">the troll</a>'s legal
predicament.


feed_id: 2b4aa3e371d3059e1f72fc9cd956c890
title: Guantanamo prison
uri: 2018-02-06-Guantanamo-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Guantanamo_prison%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/1/31/1737497/-Trump-is-determined-to-continue-America-s-disgrace-by-adding-new-prisoners-at-Guant-namo-Bay">
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> ordered the Guantanamo prison kept open,
</a>
apparently because
he looks forward to the opportunity to torture prisoners.
<p>
Just as he hates anything Obama did, or tried to do, he may feel
unsatisfied if he has not matched every evil act of <a href="/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a>.


feed_id: 0fd0ada80852fb0160f51da935820478
title: Clean Water Plan
uri: 2018-02-06-Clean-Water-Plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Clean_Water_Plan%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> Pruitt has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/01/31/trump-admin-attempts-delay-clean-water-rule">
delayed the Clean Water Plan till 2020
</a>
as a first step
towards changing it to say "Polluters welcome!"


feed_id: faffb7c7b018562a602792534cf08874
title: Fossil free fast
uri: 2018-02-06-Fossil-free-fast
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Fossil_free_fast%29
content:
<p>
Sanders urges Americans to knock on doors to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/01/days-numbered-fossil-fuels-sanders-backs-demand-rapid-energy-transformation">
call for action to curb
<a href="/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.
</a>


feed_id: 0e3e934bbe39a9b1bdfaac980fa7a6d4
title: How PISSI ran Mosul
uri: 2018-02-06-How-PISSI-ran-Mosul
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28How_PISSI_ran_Mosul%29
content:
<p>

When <a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> captured Mosul, the first thing it did was
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jan/29/bureaucracy-evil-isis-run-city-mosul">
suppress the mafias
and make city services run smoothly.
</a>
It took a couple of months to institute
murderous repression.


feed_id: ca43cffb7a90d0ae233a68bb72872690
title: Linguistic mistakes
uri: 2018-02-06-Linguistic-mistakes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#4_February_2018_%28Linguistic_mistakes%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/01/dont-equate-trumps-linguistic-mistakes-stupidity">
Donât Equate Trumpâs Linguistic Mistakes With Stupidity.
</a>
<p>
Lots of people don't speak English with educated correctitude, and
they aren't necessarily stupid either.  Many of them support the
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>, and when he gets insulted for his speech style, they feel it
too.


feed_id: 1094f18cdc65d8a1b584a573d71999e7
title: Urgent: Oil and gas pipelines
uri: Urgent-Oil-and-gas-pipelines
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Oil_and_gas_pipelines%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.climatetruth.org/sign/US_BANK_DIVEST">tell US Bank</a> to stop funding oil and gas pipelines, as
it said it would.


feed_id: 0af8d9391d166e7e596f7a60f0059156
title: Urgent: Remove Rep. Nunes
uri: Urgent-Remove-Rep-Nunes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Remove_Rep._Nunes%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.moveon.org/go/32687">call for removing Rep. Nunes</a> as head of the Trump-Russia
investigation.
<p>
He doesn't want answers, only to cover them up with lies.


feed_id: 099c9b32f0818c40974373587ab4547d
title: Biometrics for air travel
uri: 2018-02-07-Biometrics-for-air-travel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Biometrics_for_air_travel%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://edri.org/un-security-council-mandates-worldwide-air-traveller-profiling/">The UN demands</a> that all countries set up databases for personal information
about air travelers, including biometrics.
<p>
It doesn't require all countries to collect any particular kind of
biometric, but that injustice is likely to follow.


feed_id: e58d2f7ad9344f5eeac9b239bd8ae537
title: Total solitude
uri: Total-solitude
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Total_solitude%29
content:
<p>
Modern patterns of living push old people into lives of total solitude.
Cohousing could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/04/ageing-nhs-loneliness-co-housing">help people avoid this fate</a>.
<p>
Automated and internet sales are part of the problem.  How about
discouraging those?


feed_id: 5ba7995033833cf2f6be6a8a2366f8f1
title: Coping with droughts
uri: Coping-with-droughts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Coping_with_droughts%29
content:
<p>
To cope with the future droughts that <a href="/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> will cause
requires changes in both <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/04/let-cape-town-revolutionise-the-way-we-think-about-water">physical systems and legal systems</a>.
<p>
One thing it may require is to give people water priority over
agriculture.  Those who try growing water-intensive crops that take
water from people must be shown they are asking to lose.


feed_id: c3f2931b2435dba4e94475680d1cd590
title: Expelled reporter
uri: Expelled-reporter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Expelled_reporter%29
content:
<p>
Indonesia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/04/bbc-journalist-rebecca-henschke-papua-tweets-hurt-soldiers-feelings">expelled a BBC reporter</a> for an erroneous tweet that criticized
the quality of food sent for malnourished children in Papua.
<p>
Her error was to confuse food imported for sale in stores with food
aid.  She corrected the error later.
<p>
Errors are to be avoided.  However, to interrogate and expel
journalists for what they publish — even for errors — is much worse
than an error.


feed_id: 962e3d61f20c40eaeab615a71a4f08e0
title: Water for a brewery
uri: Water-for-a-brewery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Water_for_a_brewery%29
content:
<p>
Mexico Protesters Fear US-Owned Brewery Will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/04/mexico-water-brewery-mexicali-constellation-brands">Drain Their Land Dry</a>.
<p>
In effect, beer is an excuse to transfer water from Mexican farmers to
US big business.


feed_id: 5786ae8e466c4790c9c3841689b605e2
title: Hong Kong files
uri: Hong-Kong-files
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Hong_Kong_files%29
content:
<p>
Hong Kong Democracy Activists Urge UK to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/04/hong-kong-democracy-activists-urge-uk-release-unseen-files-foreign-office">Release Unseen Files</a>.
<p>
Some of the information might put China under pressure to respect
human rights in Hong Kong today.


feed_id: 731b7e74c9b227772d28c4ed9d2e81da
title: Workforce development
uri: Workforce-development
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Workforce_development%29
content:
<p>
Paul Ryanâs Push for Workforce Development Is a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/03/paul-ryans-push-workforce-development-wolf-sheeps-clothing">Wolf in Sheepâs Clothing</a>.
<p>
The idea that training programs could correct for the harm done by
eliminating jobs is fundamentally mistaken.  Here are many reasons why.
<ul>
<li>
Half of the people in any country are below average in intelligence.
Many of them can't learn a complex job and do it well.
</li>
<li>
Many of the people that lose their jobs are no longer young.
They can't learn and remember a lot of new details
the way they could have done 20 years before.
</li>
<li>
Training programs, under today's political situation, will cost
substantial money.  If you are broke, like more than half of all
Americans, and then lose your job, you'd need a student loan.
<p>
Student loans today are dangerous.  If you don't get the degree (maybe
you're not among the brightest students), or of you don't get the job
afterward (maybe previous graduates filled the demand), you're left
with the student loans on your back for the rest of your life.
</li>
<li>
The school might cheat you, as other private training academies have done.
Obama worked to forgive the student debts, but the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s saboteur DeVos
has <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#26_May_2017_(The_troll_and_DeVos)">cancelled that</a>.
</li>
<li>
Nowadays, even many of the jobs that require training and a license
offer lousy pay.
</li>
<li>
You might have to move to a city where that lousy pay isn't enough for you
to find a place to live.
</li>
</ul>
We need to resist changes that take away large number of jobs.
We need a welfare system that will give every American a decent life
even if person can't do job that offers decent pay.


feed_id: b484af56d6080e46fbf04c16c41bb488
title: Nunes memo lies
uri: Nunes-memo-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Nunes_memo_lies%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/03/politics/memo-dossier-christopher-steele-carter-page/index.html">Refuting some specific lies</a> in the Nunes memo.
<p>
Alas, the memo seems to be having its intended effect of convincing
Republicans to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/3/1738539/-Poll-shows-just-38-of-Republicans-have-a-favorable-view-of-the-FBI-a-big-shift-from-last-January">distrust Mueller's investigation</a>,
which is meant to give the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> political cover for
shutting the investigation down.


feed_id: 513cca5abbebe589ec8a51f48de70aa3
title: Polar bears
uri: 2018-02-07-Polar-bears
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Polar_bears%29
content:
<p>
Consequences of <a href="/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> are visibly causing polar bears to starve.
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/2/1738201/-A-new-study-says-climate-change-has-put-polar-bears-closer-to-starvation-than-previously-believed">Now we know more</a> about why.


feed_id: ad1f80dfa861d2ef94e20426ae13296e
title: Less than minimum wage
uri: Less-than-minimum-wage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Less_than_minimum_wage%29
content:
<p>
Big and well-known US companies <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/3/1737538/-This-week-in-the-war-on-workers-25-million-wage-theft-win-for-Abercrombie-workers-but">use subterfuges</a> to pay workers less
than minimum wage.


feed_id: 3b0443a9f6cf4860b4df477148616936
title: Human rights setbacks
uri: Human-rights-setbacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Human_rights_setbacks%29
content:
<p>
Fundamental human rights are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2018/jan/31/human-rights-new-rule-of-law-index-reveals-global-fall-basic-justice">suffering a setback</a> in most of the countries
covered by the global survey.


feed_id: d333f67e0a7a5e71e1b487ebeb3371b2
title: Business surveillance
uri: Business-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Business_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
Detroit <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> want businesses to give them direct access to watch
through the cameras in the business.  At <a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2018/01/23/detroit-green-light/109524794/">any and all times</a>.
<p>
Indeed, they could record all the video from these businesses'
surveillance cameras, all the time.
<p>
These setups should be illegal except when a court order gives permission
to hook them up in a particular place.


feed_id: 9951a68a0a50d486d56526c2cd64e09f
title: Discrimination by banks
uri: Discrimination-by-banks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Discrimination_by_banks%29
content:
<p>
The racist has ordered the US government to stop enforcing the laws
against discrimination by banks.  The Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau had the responsibility to do this, but the racist has <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/1/1737952/-Trump-Mulvaney-to-Wall-Street-Be-as-racist-as-you-want-to-be">told
it to stop</a>.


feed_id: 4d51499dd55de378210c50ed562f4ca3
title: Face-recognition tracking
uri: Face-recognition-tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Face-recognition_tracking%29
content:
<p>
China's face-recognition tracking system has been <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180124/03425639068/china-exporting-surveillance-tech-philosophy-to-other-countries-helped-equipment-donations.shtml">set up in Ecuador</a>.


feed_id: 06b7ea0aaa935b854134003efd782938
title: The opioid problem
uri: The-opioid-problem
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28The_opioid_problem%29
content:
<p>
Many congresscritters want to deal with the opioid problem by being
"tough" on <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/01/31/joe-kennedy-response-opioid-crisis/">everyone except drug companies</a>.
<p>
Laws to restrict "overprescribing" end up being tough on people that
suffer from pain.  There is no cut-and-dried way to distinguish
between feeding a habit and treating pain; to cut down on the former
tends to cut down on the latter.


feed_id: b9d55e72b5889e179084fcef74a049e4
title: Dumped in Gaza
uri: Dumped-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Dumped_in_Gaza%29
content:
<p>
Israel <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/31/palestine-teenager-arrest-gaza-strip">arrested a Palestinian teenager</a> who lives near Jerusalem, and
dumped her in Gaza where she had never been.  There is no way to get
from Gaza to the West Bank, because Israel never fulfilled its
commitment to the PLO to set one up.
<p>
Of course, there was a bureaucratic excuse for this.  So what?  States
are supposed to treat people humanely, not screw them just because
they can.


feed_id: 1af1c9574b7abee00a84737c31f2ec00
title: Sequencing genomes
uri: Sequencing-genomes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Sequencing_genomes%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/03/1000-genomes-project-genetics-dna-database-key-beating-rarest-disorders">Sequencing people's whole genomes</a> is enabling progress at
understanding and curing rare diseases caused by unusual or mutant
genes.
<p>
We cannot pass up this benefit, but at the same time it leads to
danger.  The direct danger that people will be denied medical
insurance is prevented in the US, for the time being, by Obama's
insurance law which Republicans are trying to repeal.
<p>
To make use of the genetic danger requires correlating it with
lots other personal data, and that's what opens up more danger.
The state, and companies, can cause people lots of trouble using
knowledge of that personal data.


feed_id: 695007f56a920011e14f82bfe724e344
title: Drones outside battlefields
uri: Drones-outside-battlefields
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Drones_outside_battlefields%29
content:
<p>
The UK government is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/03/drones-gavin-williamson-mod-isis">facing a legal crisis</a> about using drones to kill
people in areas which are not battlefields.
<p>
I wish the US valued human rights enough to find the practice disturbing.
Once Obama <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-mar-jun.html#08_May_2011_(Drone_Missile_Exception)">endorsed the practice</a>, most Democrats went along with him.


feed_id: 79dec72c37c8a50b9b407212b8f4ce2c
title: Border spy tech
uri: Border-spy-tech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Border_spy_tech%29
content:
<p>
EFF: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/02/keep-border-spy-tech-out-dreamer-protection-bills">Keep Border Spy Tech Out</a> of [immigrant] Protection Bills
<p>
I object to the hokey term "dreamers".  This is one of the words that
people use to show their membership in a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#30_January_2018_(Plutocratic_domination)">political tribe</a>,
and I don't
want to do that.  I agree politically with some people on various
issues, and I am often glad to support their efforts to achieve it,
but I won't treat it like membership in a tribe.


feed_id: 444a0f430a97f4d70af5f1ecf0f96f83
title: Automated debt collection
uri: Automated-debt-collection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28Automated_debt_collection%29
content:
<p>
It is no accident that the right-wing government of Australia set up
an automated debt collection system that bullied thousands of people
about <a href="https://logicmag.io/03-austerity-is-an-algorithm/">nonexistent debts</a> for nonexistent welfare fraud, and wouldn't
listen to their counterevidence.
<p>
Part of the reason is that right-wingers demonize anyone that needs
help.  Another part is they followed the typical right-wing practice
of privatizing the debt collection.  Naturally the system didn't want
to hear when the debt wasn't real.


feed_id: 0012ea432191fd691970450eb42e80cc
title: State net neutrality rules
uri: State-net-neutrality-rules
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#6_February_2018_%28State_net_neutrality_rules%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/01/31/california-uber-alles.html">
California is about to join Montana in refusing to buy from ISPs that
disrespect network neutrality for customers.
</a>
  That seems to mean any customers, not just for the state
itself as customer.
<p>
The proposed law also directly prohibits ISPs from violating
network neutrality,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#17_December_2017_(Net_neutrality_lawsuits">
but the FCC's new rules may prohibit this.
</a>
  and it is not clear which side federal courts will take.


feed_id: 3883f30320439667a527c6dac323e57a
title: Urgent: The bully's wall
uri: Urgent-The-bully-s-wall
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_The_bully%27s_wall%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13226">call on Congress</a> not to fund the bully's wall.
<p>
You need to use the <a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">Salsalabs workaround</a> to sign this without
running the nonfree Javascript code.


feed_id: adda273788f22c90d904ccbe0ef53e5b
title: Urgent: Close Guantanamo
uri: Urgent-Close-Guantanamo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Close_Guantanamo%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.amnestyusa.org/page/19175/action/1?ea.url.id=1250789">call on your congresscritter</a> to close the Guantanamo prison.
<p>
I suggest explicitly saying also that each prisoner should get a fair
trial or be released.  Otherwise your congresscritter might think you
want imprisonment without trial extended from a foreign naval base
to the US itself.


feed_id: b15fbf6f6cb76900ddbce61b0569cc76
title: Urgent: Intelligence committee
uri: Urgent-Intelligence-committee
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Intelligence_committee%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Nunes_russia">call on Paul Ryan</a> to remove Nunes from the
intelligence committee.


feed_id: 36c37829fc956956a649cd79fbf6e06a
title: Photos with heads
uri: Photos-with-heads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Photos_with_heads%29
content:
<p>
People are upset that dentistry students and their professor <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/05/yale-dental-students-selfie-severed-heads">had themselves
photographed</a> with heads of deceased people that had willed their bodies to
science.
<p>
I have to ask, who did they hurt by making the photos?
I cannot see how this matters at all.


feed_id: 8a5ceb89248c8198e6507080699edab2
title: Bombing Syrian civilians
uri: Bombing-Syrian-civilians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Bombing_Syrian_civilians%29
content:
<p>
Russia and Assad retaliated for the downing of a Russian plane
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/05/russian-and-regime-jets-bomb-civilian-areas-in-north-west-syria-idlib">bombing civilians</a> in Syria.


feed_id: a143d2da92d9b27ed7937d246c2cac9e
title: Punished without trial
uri: Punished-without-trial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Punished_without_trial%29
content:
<p>
Men accused of rape or sexual harassment are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/05/the-nunes-memo-and-katie-roiphe-article-show-how-concerns-for-due-process-and-civil-liberties-are-highly-selective-and-self-centered/">not the only Americans</a> in
danger of being punished without a trial.
<p>
Human rights are for everyone, not just wealthy and powerful men.


feed_id: 726bfb88f54f547b2fcc36daf1788251
title: 'Facilitated communication'
uri: Facilitated-communication
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28%27Facilitated_communication%27%29

content:
<p>
The myth of "facilitated communication", which when investigated
proves to be pure pseudoscience, continues to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2018/feb/05/why-communication-from-a-locked-in-child-is-a-miracle-we-must-question">take in the loved ones</a>
of people who cannot communicate.
They desperately wish for it to be true, for themselves to have
communication with that person.  But that doesn't imply it is true.
<p>
I don't believe it is a kindness to tell someone a comforting lie.  To
get someone accustomed to a false view of the world is an injury to per.


feed_id: fa558dc216c5ccd3de7e553b84668f4a
title: Race bias and class bias
uri: Race-bias-and-class-bias
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Race_bias_and_class_bias%29
content:
<p>
How race bias interacts with class bias in determining <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/05/mass-incarceration-class-predictor-race/">who will be
imprisoned</a> in the US.
<p>
Direct racial bias affects mainly the jailing of poor people,
but many other kinds of bias tend to make blacks poor.


feed_id: 6d48be0fd5a025848293a450ef78f72d
title: Returning to Syria
uri: Returning-to-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Returning_to_Syria%29
content:
<p>
Governments are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/feb/05/syrian-refugees-at-risk-of-forced-return-home">pressuring Syrian refugees to return home</a> even though
the war continues.
<p>
There are some places in Syria that some refugees could safely return
to.  But we can be sure that deportation-mad officials will
underestimate the danger so they can force more refugees back to Syria
even where it isn't safe.


feed_id: 908bdd2e8a01e8549169fb67d10d436e
title: Walkable neighborhoods
uri: Walkable-neighborhoods
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Walkable_neighborhoods%29
content:
<p>
Neighborhoods that invite walking around seem to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/feb/05/walkable-cities-reduce-blood-pressure-study-finds">make people more healthy</a>.


feed_id: 82626f7ba6782b1fd8225d7e1d60c2c7
title: Sex education in Kenya
uri: Sex-education-in-Kenya
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Sex_education_in_Kenya%29
content:
<p>
Religious fanatics in Kenya <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/feb/05/dangerous-proposal-campaigners-kenya-condemn-sex-education-plan">oppose national sex education</a>.
Apparently their religion adores ignorance and avoidable distress.


feed_id: 75d6150d9e346cf1841ad78f08264684
title: Chao's shipping business
uri: Chao-s-shipping-business
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Chao%27s_shipping_business%29
content:
<p>
Saboteur of Transportation Chao's family shipping business <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/05/mitch-mcconnell-elaine-chao-offshore-paradise-papers/">dodges
taxes</a> by being incorporated in a tax shelter country.


feed_id: 208af753303c810ddeb3817a641b215a
title: UK immigrant data
uri: UK-immigrant-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28UK_immigrant_data%29
content:
<p>
The UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/05/brexit-data-protection-rules-immigrants">plans to facilitate</a> collecting and maintaining inaccurate data
about immigrants and would-be immigrants.


feed_id: 95232979aff4ddaaf21868690d418938
title: Research exaggeration
uri: Research-exaggeration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Research_exaggeration%29
content:
<p>
Universities often <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2014/dec/10/science-health-news-hype-press-releases-universities">exaggerate the importance</a> of their research results,
as a PR practice.


feed_id: 10f29fe13e663870e2118d631df1c51c
title: Harm from plastic
uri: Harm-from-plastic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Harm_from_plastic%29
content:
<p>
Businesses that distribute plastic to the public should <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/05/big-business-not-taxpayers-should-pay-to-clean-up-plastic-waste">pay for the
harm it does</a>, and will do.
<p>
This damage could include <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/05/whale-and-shark-species-at-increasing-risk-from-microplastic-pollution-study">extinction of filter-feeding whales</a>.
<p>
The two major uses of petroleum are to burn, and to make plastic.
Since both of them cause great damage, we have got to end petroleum
extraction.


feed_id: fe475266a27334dc502ec658d82f4a6d
title: Spontaneous moral symmetry breaking
uri: Spontaneous-moral-symmetry-breaking
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Spontaneous_moral_symmetry_breaking%29

content:
<p>
I've coined the term "spontaneous moral symmetry breaking" to describe
situations where there is a valid moral imperative to do something the
same way others mostly do it.  For instance, driving on whichever side
of the road is generally driven on where you are is right because it
tends to avoid collisions.
<p>
This is to be distinguished from peer pressure to conform; that is not
a valid moral imperative.


feed_id: f87a629b138c210c9e8c703fb9c37625
title: Loneliness
uri: Loneliness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Loneliness%29
content:
<p>
People need attention, and paradoxically lack of attention makes people
act in ways that repel attention, driving them into a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/feb/05/crimes-of-attention-stalkers-killers-jihadists-longing">pit of loneliness</a>
that digs itself deeper despite their best efforts.
<p>
A tiny fraction may be driven by this to commit various crimes, but
the number of people that suffer without committing crimes is
enormous.
<p>
I wonder if humans have a systematic tendency to reject any behaviors
that are often signs of loneliness precisely because they may indicate
loneliness.  We might feel we dislike them for various unrelated
reasons, all stand-ins for the fact that they suggest loneliness.


feed_id: 76e759596bcd5cc8330b620ba4fab5a1
title: Boko Haram and desertification
uri: Boko-Haram-and-desertification
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Boko_Haram_and_desertification%29

content:
<p>
Tying the support for Boko Haram <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/earth-insight/2014/may/09/behind-rise-nigeria-boko-haram-climate-disaster-peak-oil-depletion">to desertification</a> caused by global
heating effects.
<p>
The article also says that Algeria has boosted al Qa'ida in the region,
with tacit US backing.


feed_id: 61ce36cd4867bfc899590e33dec2d0e3
title: OxyContin
uri: OxyContin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28OxyContin%29
content:
<p>
Protecting heavily addictive OxyContin was a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/05/opioids-crisis-democrats-joe-kennedy">bipartisan effort</a>.


feed_id: f6b125c35d7cce52a5ea7d18835a07b5
title: War is mutating
uri: War-is-mutating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28War_is_mutating%29
content:
<p>
War is mutating into an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jan/30/new-war-rise-endless-urban-conflict-saskia-sassen">urban guerrilla</a> in which there is no one
with the authority to make peace.


feed_id: 7f6c3acbc71469f69e072883b108d5be
title: Foster parent agencies
uri: Foster-parent-agencies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Foster_parent_agencies%29
content:
<p>
Privatizing the agencies that find foster parents made the job <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jan/30/private-foster-care-agencies-increasing-cost-of-finding-children-homes">cost a lot more</a>.
A little of that increased cost provided a raise for the foster
parents, but most of it went to the business owners, through a
tax-dodging scheme.
<p>
Privatizing the supervision of convicts on probation was supposedly
going to do a better job of keeping them out of crime, and more
efficiently.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/feb/03/private-firms-fail-cut-rates-reoffending-low-medium-risk-offenders">It didn't work</a>.
This is what I would have expected, for two reasons — one specific,
and one general.
<p>
The general reason is that privatizing government services usually
does a bad job.  It has to cut corners in order to squeeze out profit.
It has to pay people less, so it gets workers who are less capable
and has them spend less time on each job (convict).
<p>
The specific reason is that human contact helps guide people away from
crime.  The way these companies increase "efficiency" means less human
contact.


feed_id: dd38bcf4f280d42260733567e34d2154
title: Criticism of China
uri: Criticism-of-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Criticism_of_China%29
content:
<p>
The Chinese government has set up numerous organizations in Australia
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jan/31/chinese-government-exerts-influence-across-australian-society-mps-told">suppress criticism of China</a>, especially by Chinese students, but also
targeting universities, businesses, publishers and so on.


feed_id: 1b2b3840f4d64cd24aee018096902e62
title: Surveillance advertising
uri: Surveillance-advertising
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#7_February_2018_%28Surveillance_advertising%29
content:
<p>
Surveillance advertising is making the internet <a href="https://edri.org/enditorial-living-as-if-being-at-an-airport/">like an airport</a>.
<p>
You can prevent this, personally, by refusing to run nonfree software
(which includes nearly all mobile apps), and refusing to talk to
surveillance web sites.  If stopping them feels like a sacrifice,
think about how they mistreat you, and you'll realize that the real
sacrifice was using them.


feed_id: 75af27128fffa8d4f39b13b91e92cbaf
title: Urgent: Matchbox workers
uri: Urgent-Matchbox-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Matchbox_workers%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://www.coworker.org/petitions/matchbox-respect-your-workers-rights">stand by the workers</a> that Matchbox Food Group fired.


feed_id: f0f23aec61893cfe62c5ed2d3a04e4d6
title: Urgent: Super Bowl athletes
uri: Urgent-Super-Bowl-athletes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Super_Bowl_athletes%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/SuperBowlBoycott/">thank athletes from the Super Bowl</a> that refuse to visit the bully
at the White House.


feed_id: 332503605762f2a14af11de47b658c0c
title: 'Trump University' settlement
uri: Trump-University-settlement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28%27Trump_University%27_settlement%29

content:
<p>
The students of "Trump University" finally <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/06/trump-university-court-upholds-25m-settlement-to-give-students-money-back">have a settlement</a> to get back
most of the money that <a href="/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> cheated them out of.


feed_id: 9f741bf89105b0b46edd0d1ed238ca85
title: Nunes memo assertions
uri: Nunes-memo-assertions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Nunes_memo_assertions%29
content:
<p>
Even if you suppose the Nunes memo is honest and accurate, its
assertions <a href="media/c3277aef.FINAL20DRAFT20--20Dear20Colleague20on20Nunes20Memo.pdf" data-original-source="http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/TODAY/z_Creative/inline-headers/FINAL%20DRAFT%20--%20Dear%20Colleague%20on%20Nunes%20Memo.pdf">don't support the conclusions</a>.


feed_id: 2005f510279c6f24aca58aec535f3790
title: Shooting unarmed man
uri: Shooting-unarmed-man
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Shooting_unarmed_man%29
content:
<p>
A sheriff in Tennessee ordered thugs to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/06/tennessee-sheriff-caught-on-tape-killing-suspect-lawsuit">shoot an unarmed man</a>
rather than risk damage to <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> cars.
<p>
A lawsuit is too good for him.  He should spend decades in prison.


feed_id: e75c6d70e6e84d953b49ee05127387f4
title: Livestreaming a march
uri: Livestreaming-a-march
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Livestreaming_a_march%29
content:
<p>
Vietnam <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/06/vietnam-jails-activist-for-14-years-for-livestreaming-pollution-march">Jails Activist for 14 Years</a> for Livestreaming Pollution March.
<p>
Repression of protests is despicable.  It's <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#9_March_2017_(Threat_of_prison_for_protesters)">even more despicable</a> when
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#30_September_2017_(Pipeline_protesters)">the US does it</a>.


feed_id: 07d9e11e6fe400322a17e019c19ad7ec
title: Banning face covering
uri: Banning-face-covering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Banning_face_covering%29
content:
<p>
Denmark <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/06/danish-government-proposes-ban-on-full-face-veils">is proposing</a> to prohibit people from covering their faces in
public.
<p>
Unless the law also ban face recognition systems pointed at public
places, in an effective way that can't easily be bypassed, this would
attack everyone's rights.
<p>
If you live in Denmark, please talk with your legislators!


feed_id: 5e97b4b172e86a2fb2f95d35e68a14cd
title: Bullying a journalist
uri: Bullying-a-journalist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Bullying_a_journalist%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://healthjournalism.org/blog/2018/02/cms-threatens-to-bar-modern-healthcare-from-press-calls-after-reporter-refuses-to-alter-story/">More about bullying a journalist</a> to change a story about the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.


feed_id: 5bf1d62f394ede970924d2e3aa63e271
title: Journalism Protection Act
uri: Journalism-Protection-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Journalism_Protection_Act%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/05/countering-trumps-hostility-toward-media-bill-would-protect-journalists-intimidation">Journalism Protection Act</a> would, if enacted, prohibit attacking
and intimidating journalists.


feed_id: 2f107c1b11d3c9f51c967e7aa623a17a
title: Arms divestment
uri: Arms-divestment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Arms_divestment%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/05/congress-feeds-merchants-death-people-must-divest">campaign for divestment</a> from arms manufacturers.


feed_id: 7bbb8b326c257cd1ce14a6aaf3e74cc6
title: Missing climate report
uri: Missing-climate-report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Missing_climate_report%29
content:
<p>
The State Department has not issued the climate report <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/02/05/trump-administration-threatened-lawsuit-over-missing-climate-report">required by a
UN treaty</a>.
Sabotage, I expect.


feed_id: 0f1756e2025304e2eb1d5194ce30cf62
title: ISP service for state governments
uri: ISP-service-for-state-governments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28ISP_service_for_state_governments%29

content:
<p>
New Jersey <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/02/isps-must-follow-net-neutrality-in-new-jersey-governor-declares/">has joined the states</a> that demand ISPs respect network
neutrality for all customers in order to sell service to the state
government.


feed_id: e1ea94c12f5ed64f7b0bbe998088611e
title: Sci-Hub attack
uri: Sci-Hub-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Sci-Hub_attack%29
content:
<p>
The war on sharing scientific knowledge has attacked Sci-Hub by making
Cloudflare <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/cloudflare-terminates-service-to-sci-hub-domain-names-180205/">stop serving it</a>.
<p>
Paradoxically this may improve the accessibility of Sci-Hub to people who,
as I do, refuse to run nonfree Javascript code and go through Tor.


feed_id: a58d4c249e689cb376734f1e0058151f
title: Colin Powell's lies
uri: Colin-Powell-s-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Colin_Powell%27s_lies%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/06/lie-after-lie-what-colin-powell-knew-about-iraq-fifteen-years-ago-and-what-he-told-the-un/">A detailed breakdown</a> of the lies that Colin Powell told the UN and the public
to give <a href="/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> an excuse to invade Iraq.
<p>
Powell, and <a href="/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a>, must bear some of the guilt for the subsequent
suffering in Iraq, including the existence of <a href="/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.


feed_id: b915fdbd58f06bd8b91c6973688d324f
title: Fossil fuel divestment
uri: 2018-02-09-Fossil-fuel-divestment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Fossil_fuel_divestment%29
content:
<p>
Edinburgh University <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/06/edinburgh-university-divests-from-all-fossil-fuels">Divests</a> from All Fossil Fuels.


feed_id: 10adf2d84d1737aa5a6ef96eb31acf8e
title: Hong Kong protesters
uri: 2018-02-09-Hong-Kong-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Hong_Kong_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Hong Kong has reduced the sentences for some protest leaders,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/06/hong-kong-activists-have-jail-sentences-overturned">"this time only"</a>.
<p>
I suppose this is a plan to avoid creating martyrs while still
repressing future protests.  It doesn't reduce the injustice of
criminalizing dissent.


feed_id: 752badd8c8afe8ea98994d303680b80b
title: Focus groups
uri: Focus-groups
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Focus_groups%29
content:
<p>
Focus groups give powerless non-elite people a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/feb/06/talk-is-cheap-the-myth-of-the-focus-group">feeling of participation</a> in
decision-making — for minor marketing decisions only.
<p>
This feeling of participation is meant to substitute for real
participation in important decisions.


feed_id: 644bc36256cca26e94ba04fa034064d4
title: Poor People's Campaign
uri: 2018-02-09-Poor-People-s-Campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Poor_People%27s_Campaign%29
content:
<p>
Decrying 'Dog-Eat-Dog System,'
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/05/decrying-dog-eat-dog-system-poorpeoplescampaign-kicks-40-days-moral-action">
#PoorPeoplesCampaign Kicks Off 40 Days of
'Moral Action'.
</a>


feed_id: 8a64b98a7ec8764e98cd289cc9672691
title: Facebook data-collection
uri: 2018-02-09-Facebook-data-collection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Facebook_data-collection%29
content:
<p>
Proposed US laws would
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/05/promoting-humane-technology-former-facebook-workers-aim-shield-public-social-medias">
limit how Facebook collects and uses personal data,
</a>
but just a little.
<p>
I conjecture that the reason these laws don't doesn't go far enough is
that they were written based on the unstated premise that we cannot
greatly reduce the profits of Facebook and other surveillance
companies.
<p>
In my view, ending massive data-collection must take priority over
their profits.  It would be no loss to society if we drove them out of
business as a side effect of protecting ourselves from them.  Indeed,
by refusing to give Facebook any data, I am taking a personal step to
that end.
<a href="https://stallman.org/facebook.html">
I set up my page about Facebook
</a>
   hoping to convince you to join me.
<p>
We should not limit ourselves to acting individually.


feed_id: 5a42f0e916c0c0934b5d8d6c18f8bb9a
title: Equifax investigation halted
uri: Equifax-investigation-halted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Equifax_investigation_halted%29
content:
<p>
Mulvaney, acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/02/05/equifax-gave-mulvaney-thousands-now-hes-putting-cfpbs-investigation-ice">
has halted an investigation of Equifax,
</a>
apparently because of all the
campaign contributions it sent his way.
<p>
Corruption is the Republican Way.


feed_id: 76bb8c1ba281d4ffb9406675e11ac3b2
title: The darkest hour
uri: The-darkest-hour
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28The_darkest_hour%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/05/degeneration-nation-2018-darkest-hour">
Our democracy and our ecosphere are under attack, as well as the very idea
of honesty.
</a>
Movements to overcome these attacks are growing, however.


feed_id: 65a3a13728882a59c02150ca3fd51775
title: Female 'muses'
uri: Female-muses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Female_%27muses%27%29
content:
<p>
The attacks of famous male artists against their female "muses" are
not limited to forced sex.  Sometimes they do simple physical violence.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/commentisfree/2018/feb/05/from-tippi-hedren-to-uma-thurman-being-a-muse-means-being-abused">
How interesting it is that Tarantino violently attacked the star of a
film he was making.
</a>
I saw one Tarantino film, Pulp Fiction, and was
disgusted by the violence portrayed, to the point that I avoided
seeing any more of his films.  (I cite that movie as an example of why
we should not advocate censorship of art merely because we find it
disgusting.)
<p>
But I never expected his treatment of the cast to resemble the stories
he portrays in the films.  I would have considered that sort of
inference naive.  And yet in this case it would have been valid.
Hmm.


feed_id: 34f4a4b3ea6f8b365238df0d4a6c9446
title: A day off to see a doctor
uri: A-day-off-to-see-a-doctor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28A_day_off_to_see_a_doctor%29
content:
<p>
A courier company in the UK doesn't allow its workers (all
"independent contractors") a day off to see a doctor.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/feb/05/courier-who-was-fined-for-day-off-to-see-doctor-dies-from-diabetes">
The result: one
of them died from diabetes after skipping medical appointments.
</a>
<p>
We have to put an end to this "independent contractor" bullshit.
<p>
A company that pays people to do more than 1000 hours per week of a
certain kind of work should be required to hire full-time employees to
do at least 80% of that work.  If the work amounts to more than 10,000
hours per week, the company should have hire full-times to do 90% of
it.  At more than 30,000 hours of work per week, there must be enough
full-timers to do 95% of it.
<p>
Work farmed out to contractor companies should count towards the total
just as if there were no middleman, and that slight differences in the
details of the work should not divide it legally into separate pools.


feed_id: 6168dcb12fb8a9a80a0c26e63fd02dd0
title: Urgent: Fire Scott Lloyd
uri: Urgent-Fire-Scott-Lloyd
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Fire_Scott_Lloyd%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://secure.ppaction.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=22082&s_src=ScottLloyd_0218_Alert_c4_e1&s_subsrc=4NALz1808E1N1V">
call for firing Scott Lloyd as head of the Office of Refugee
Resettlement.
</a>


feed_id: a3077cfe0396fcfd79df7b4be090f229
title: Attempt to censor
uri: Attempt-to-censor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Attempt_to_censor%29
content:
<p>
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, run by a <a href="/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a>,
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/5/1738959/-Trump-administration-just-yanked-press-access-of-a-journalist-who-wouldn-t-censor-his-story">
demanded that a reporter change his story
</a>
or the company he works for
would be excluded from future discussions with the press.
<p>
So far the company has stood firm, but that's not enough.  The other
news organizations should agree to provide their material to that one.


feed_id: 84a51457d045d1848f33251f7052d4ca
title: Malnutrition deaths
uri: Malnutrition-deaths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Malnutrition_deaths%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/feb/05/figures-show-rise-in-malnutrition-deaths-in-england-and-wales">
Deaths due to malnutrition are increasing in England,
</a>
as welfare often
provides too little money for poor people to pay for housing, medical
care and food, for themselves or for their children.
<p>
Many US college students skip food because they are broke.
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/02/04/even-elite-colleges-students-going-hungry/GMDfGe89ocg31Fm1cmzR2J/story.html?s_campaign=8315">
At MIT,
10% of the students each week skipped a meal due to lack of funds.
</a>
  This is not yet malnutrition, but it can retard their studies, and
it would never happen if the educational system worked.


feed_id: 53c2ec5abd8db09208b0e03e7b1cba07
title: Ozone depletion
uri: Ozone-depletion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#8_February_2018_%28Ozone_depletion%29
content:
<p>
Ozone depletion in the stratosphere is getting worse,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/06/ozone-layer-not-recovering-over-populated-areas-scientists-warn">
in the latitudes
where people mainly live.
</a>
<p>
This despite the fact that the depletion over Antarctica is gradually
decreasing.


feed_id: 14f529b754f731581a32bd26aecd5fa1
title: Urgent: Medicaid
uri: Urgent-Medicaid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Medicaid%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/trump_medicaid">call on all state governors</a> not to help the bully destroy
Medicaid.


feed_id: 2e0b3ae45b85486287cc147d3c6ec903
title: Urgent: Investigate NRA
uri: Urgent-Investigate-NRA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_NRA%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-congress-investigate-whether-nra-illegally-funneled-russian-money-2016-election/">call on Congress</a> to investigate NRA for funneling Russian
money to political campaigns.


feed_id: a6cc976e83eb692d70b6286d57a7a270
title: Urgent: Antiquities Act
uri: Urgent-Antiquities-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Antiquities_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.nrdc.org/letter/af-senate-monuments-180201">call on the Senate</a> to support the Antiquities Act
to protect national monuments.


feed_id: 8349415f02b63ad2e8f547cb7a2454c3
title: The Maldives
uri: The-Maldives
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28The_Maldives%29
content:
<p>
It is hard to find aspect in the governance of the
Maldives <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/07/maldives-political-soap-opera-judicial-reform">that isn't crooked</a>.
<p>
This is what I fear the Republicans will do to the US.


feed_id: 72deafc2765963b334581ebfcffd077f
title: WHO funding
uri: WHO-funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28WHO_funding%29
content:
<p>
SCROTUS threaten to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/07/siding-monsanto-gop-threatens-cut-who-funds-over-glyphosate-finding">cut off funding for WHO</a> because it reported that
Glyphosate is probably carcinogenic.


feed_id: caf1eb7009bf14e4162bd1a5a19d9b93
title: The Republican Party
uri: 2018-02-10-The-Republican-Party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28The_Republican_Party%29
content:
<p>
The Republican Party considered a sort of group madness that, in
advanced stages, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/07/where-do-republicans-go-here">disconnects people totally</a> from their loyalty to
anything bigger — such as their country or the truth.


feed_id: a0ef1f02d6c100252a91676928223adc
title: The new cold war
uri: 2018-02-10-The-new-cold-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28The_new_cold_war%29
content:
<p>
Former high officials urge Putin and the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> to
<a href="media/bc945c1b.Letter-to-Trump-and-Putin_Embargoed.pdf" data-original-source="https://www.europeanleadershipnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Letter-to-Trump-and-Putin_Embargoed.pdf">back off from the new cold war</a>.


feed_id: 50eb72d3bbb60bd8e276042293257c85
title: Limits on Wells Fargo
uri: Limits-on-Wells-Fargo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Limits_on_Wells_Fargo%29
content:
<p>
The US Federal Reserve has <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2018/02/02/news/companies/wells-fargo-federal-reserve/index.html">imposes punitive limits</a> on Wells Fargo for
swindling customers in several ways.
<p>
I fear that as soon as the the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s saboteur replaces Janet Yellen,
which may be soon, that <a href="/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> will cancel these measures.


feed_id: 15bf5cd640cfa4ba2b25e495633df8bc
title: Lawsuit for Andrew Finch
uri: Lawsuit-for-Andrew-Finch
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Lawsuit_for_Andrew_Finch%29
content:
<p>
The family of Andrew Finch, killed by a SWAT thug, is <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/family-of-man-killed-in-swatting-incident-sues-wichita-kansas/">suing the city</a>
and the <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.
<p>
Sad to say, even if they win, the <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> will probably lose nothing
since the city will pay the damages.  This system protects <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> so
thoroughly from accountability that it will hardly ever get them
to do anything better.


feed_id: b902199d0af2f16342fe40c8d5eaa54a
title: EU data privacy directive
uri: EU-data-privacy-directive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28EU_data_privacy_directive%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-data-protection-privacy-standards-gdpr-general-protection-data-regulation/">new EU data privacy directive</a> will limit certain ways that companies
intentionally abuse people's data.
<p>
Companies will still be able to misuse people's data, just not in all
of the same ways.  For instance, Facebook will still be able to sell
targeted advertising aimed at its useds.  That doesn't violate these
new rules.
<p>
Also, this directive does nothing to protect people from Big Brother.
The directive has no effect on how states in the EU forcibly take the
data once companies have collected.  The only benefit for dissidents
will be if the directive convinces some companies to hold less data
about people.


feed_id: 74f776987ffde876bc1c4c689ad64f9d
title: Self-checkout machines
uri: Self-checkout-machines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Self-checkout_machines%29
content:
<p>
The self-checkout machines that replace human sales clerks <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/03/stealing-from-self-checkout/550940/">also
encourage shoplifting</a>.
<p>
Shoplifting in a supermarket is not uniformly wrong.  Poor people are
morally entitled to steal food to eat, if they can't afford to buy it,
and the suffering imposed by the plutocratic state often puts them in
that situation.
<p>
But I hope this convinces the stores to get rid of those machines
and hire more human beings.
<p>
You can join me in helping to make that happen.  When I enter the
store I pass by those machines and tell the people using them, "If you
use those machines, you are putting other Americans out of work.  When
I realized that I decided to go always to the human sales clerks so
that they can stay employed."  I do the same thing when I leave.
<p>
You can do it too.


feed_id: 327635f78fb23463de46583ae91a939d
title: Purging books
uri: Purging-books
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Purging_books%29
content:
<p>
Many university libraries <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sns-bc-us--libraries-book-purge-20180207-story.html">are purging books</a> — they will be available
only digitally.
<p>
Since ebooks are typically distributed <a href="media/3f1e898d.ebooks.pdf" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/ebooks.pdf">in an unjust way</a>,
I'm afraid some of those injustices will apply to these books.


feed_id: ec952d74eef4e81447992d57836f923c
title: Locking phones away
uri: Locking-phones-away
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Locking_phones_away%29
content:
<p>
Requiring participants to lock their portable phones temporarily in bags
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2018/02/05/this-millennial-discovered-a-surprisingly-simple-solution-to-smartphone-addiction-schools-love-it/">improves the quality of interaction</a> at gatherings and events, and
helps education.
<p>
It's a step forward, but people should not think this prevents all the
<a href="https://gnu.org/malware/malware-mobiles.html">harm and wrong</a> portable phones do.


feed_id: 93a5077ca779625928ce8a7dffdd3fec
title: Cancelling student debt
uri: Cancelling-student-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Cancelling_student_debt%29
content:
<p>
Cancelling Americans' student debt is morally imperative to relieve
the impossible burden, but there is a secondary reason: it will
<a href="https://www.sandersinstitute.com/blog/the-macroeconomic-effects-of-student-debt-cancellation">boost the economy</a> in a way that doesn't push the non-rich down.


feed_id: df27891d2e610ae32894a3b669602df8
title: Black Lives Matter at School
uri: Black-Lives-Matter-at-School
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Black_Lives_Matter_at_School%29
content:
<p>
School teachers in the US have a campaign to teach students about racism:
the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/06/blacklivesmatteratschool-national-uprising-racial-justice">Black Lives Matter at School campaign</a>.


feed_id: 98d91118c80f1dee98fc8de31cdfffc6
title: 'Valve turner' protester
uri: Valve-turner-protester
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28%27Valve_turner%27_protester%29
content:
<p>
"Valve turner" protester Michael Foster <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/02/06/climate-activist-michael-foster-sentenced-three-years-prison-two-deferred">has been imprisoned</a> after
being convicted because the judge refused to let him present necessity
defense.
<p>
Foster courageously puts the emphasis on the giant crime he campaigns
to stop.
<p>
The willful blindness and pro-business bias of some judges is a large
obstacle to efforts to keep civilization going past this century.


feed_id: 4a0c7834b51d1aa1db089c58ec0c0bbf
title: Occupation of Palestine
uri: 2018-02-10-Occupation-of-Palestine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Occupation_of_Palestine%29
content:
<p>
Supporters of the occupation of Palestine must oppose measures for the
general defense of human rights, unless they <a href="https://forward.com/opinion/national/393311/bds-opponents-want-israel-held-to-a-lower-standard/">make an exception</a> to the
general standards for Israel.
<p>
Ireland is <a href="https://972mag.com/ireland-to-vote-on-settlement-trade-sanctions-bill/132791/">considering sanctions</a> against products made by Israelis
in colonies in the occupied Palestinian West Bank.


feed_id: d2516a8ee6ac7b876e917cb37630e715
title: Chlorine gas attack
uri: Chlorine-gas-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Chlorine_gas_attack%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International reports an apparent <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/02/06/syria-witness-testimony-reveals-details-illegal-chemical-attack-saraqeb">chlorine gas attack</a> by Assad's
forces in Syria.


feed_id: 82595f7f953afda570e766999a6b2d11
title: Surveillance equipment
uri: Surveillance-equipment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Surveillance_equipment%29
content:
<p>
The UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/08/uk-sold-spyware-to-honduras-just-before-crackdown-on-election-protesters">sold surveillance equipment</a> to the tyrannical Honduran state,
shortly before <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#19_December_2017_(Stealing_Honduras_election)">last year's stolen election</a>.


feed_id: 5af9b543b93883fa09adc4db491d3267
title: Russian election
uri: Russian-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Russian_election%29
content:
<p>
As Vladimir Putin Steals the Russian Election, Our Leaders Are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/08/vladimir-putin-russian-election-iran-zimbabwe">Shamefully
Silent</a>.


feed_id: 60147b069e54eaefe2c7928728512a6e
title: Homeless man's tent
uri: Homeless-man-s-tent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Homeless_man%27s_tent%29
content:
<p>
San Diego trash collectors put a homeless man's tent into a compactor,
and discovered just before it was too late that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/07/homeless-san-diego-garbage-truck-compact-tent-accident">he was inside it</a>.
<p>
If his tent had been empty of human beings at that moment, would that
have excused the city for destroying it and leaving its owner with no
shelter?  Of course not!
<p>
This is an example of routine intentional cruelty, aimed (naturally)
at those who are down and out, which almost this time did more damage
than it was supposed to.


feed_id: b4eb4c722f37e67b57198041a6f38260
title: Military parade
uri: Military-parade
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Military_parade%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>'s proposed military parade carries the US further down into
militarism, but it <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/07/trumps-military-parade-is-ridiculous-but-hes-not-the-first-u-s-politician-to-use-humvees-and-f-16s-as-props/">didn't start just now</a>.
<p>
The media have plenty of practice calling militarism "presidential".


feed_id: 048c37793846a0a06edfcd2d3929e0f2
title: Ian Bone's protests
uri: Ian-Bone-s-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#9_February_2018_%28Ian_Bone%27s_protests%29
content:
<p>
70-year-old Ian Bone holds <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/07/ian-bone-idol-shard-provocateur-anarchist-protester-qatari-royals">clever and funny nonviolent
protests</a> against squeezing non-rich people out of housing.
<p>
His protests embarrass billionaires from Qatar, so the UK government
has used an injunction to ban them.  Injunctions are the standard UK
method of ordering poor people to obey rich people.


feed_id: 4bee42d96138bd7d970bb35c611201c1
title: Coal seam gas
uri: Coal-seam-gas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Coal_seam_gas%29
content:
<p>
With global heating bringing frequent deep droughts in many regions,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/feb/07/day-zero-what-cape-town-can-learn-from-australia-millennium-drought-water-crisis">
how could they think of using fossil fuels in ways that also need
lots of fresh water?
</a>
I refer to coal seam gas production.
<p>
It must take a lot of money to convince enough people not to do the
right thing by insisting on renewable energy instead.
<p>
Truly long-term defense against running out of water requires
defending against population increase.  We must ask for everyone's
cooperation in this.


feed_id: 73239007d7afeb5962f42543ff8d99d6
title: Imprisoned legislators
uri: Imprisoned-legislators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Imprisoned_legislators%29
content:
<p>
The "president" of the Maldive Islands arrested judges to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/07/maldives-state-of-emergency-judges-block-political-prisoners">
stop
the Supreme Court from freeing imprisoned legislators.
</a>
<p>
The elected president Masheed campaigned globally to curb global heating.
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-nov-feb.html#10_February_2012_(Maldive_Islands)">
I suspect that oil interests helped arrange the coup against him.
</a>
<p>
If global heating goes far enough, the questions of democracy and human
rights in the Maldives will cease to matter.  Long before they are
entirely inundated, they will be unable to support their population.
The rulers, however, will probably get the chance to move elsewhere.


feed_id: 82945a252aa82fb746e31ee3e7a80c98
title: Bikini baristas
uri: Bikini-baristas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Bikini_baristas%29
content:
<p>
When drive-through cafes employ women wearing only underclothes,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/07/bikini-baristas-cover-up-coffee-washington-state">
is that a form of exploitation that they should be protected from?
</a>
<p>
I don't object to these businesses.  What I object to is a society
that pays millions of workers so little that some might feel they have
no choice but to work in these jobs.  People who feel uncomfortable
doing them should not have to do them.


feed_id: b675d13f555fdb9dbee1b47ecdba3a9d
title: 1920s' British intelligence
uri: 1920s-British-intelligence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%281920s%27_British_intelligence%29

content:
<p>
UK "national security" agencies in the 1920s
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/feb/07/the-secret-twenties-by-timothy-phillips-review">
treated all unionism as
Communism, and sabotaged the Labour government with a falsified leak.
</a>


feed_id: c2a8d56654c0a4f293ab03e69a92f96f
title: Hosting fundraisers
uri: Hosting-fundraisers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Hosting_fundraisers%29
content:
<p>
Andrew Wheeler, hoping for Senate confirmation as deputy saboteur of
the EPA, smoothed the path to committee approval
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/07/coal-lobbyist-andrew-wheeler-epa-deputy-confirmation/">
by corrupting two
Republican senators.
</a>


feed_id: caf9b5e04a1ca1ca072e49b55d55b35b
title: Civil commitment
uri: 2018-02-10-Civil-commitment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Civil_commitment%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/07/marriage-better-idea-legal-civil-commitment">
Any two adults should be allowed to make a legal commitment to each
other.
</a>
  It should not have to be marriage.  It should not have to imply a
romantic relationship or a sexual relationship.


feed_id: c8b9bd08a8f1a8fc6eef7674f3ffcbab
title: Kenyan opposition exiled
uri: Kenyan-opposition-exiled
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Kenyan_opposition_exiled%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/07/kenya-opposition-lawyer-miguna-miguna-deported-crackdown-row-judiciary">
Kenya has forcibly exiled an opposition leader.
</a>
<p>
The accusations that the election was falsified seemed plausible at
the time, and these actions make that more likely.  They are the actions
of someone that wants to be a tyrant.


feed_id: 957a914894b40243284d57cb240938ac
title: European Republic
uri: European-Republic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28European_Republic%29
content:
<p>
Proposing that the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/07/european-union-power-citizens-republic">
EU should become a European Republic,
</a>
rather than a
"United States of Europe".
<p>
<a href="http://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#20_December_2016_(Convicted_of_inciting_discrimination)">
How about taking the Swiss Confederation as a model, with its
referendums for important issues?
</a>


feed_id: 82a16ada235af2e3c244cc3143a9608d
title: Military parade
uri: 2018-02-10-Military-parade
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Military_parade%29
content:
<p>
The bully wants to be seen as resembling
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/07/trump-military-parade-would-be-despot-strongman-tactics">
despots that hold military parades.
</a>
<p>
I think the way to oppose this is with a celebration of the peaceful
and truly great achievements of the US, such as the Bill of Rights,
the New Deal, the Marshall Plan, Social Security, Medicaid, and the
Endangered Species Act.  Let's oppose cruel and twisted patriotism
with benevolent patriotism.


feed_id: a77921b840d830e10dae099c70ef2d06
title: Total surveillance system
uri: Total-surveillance-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Total_surveillance_system%29
content:
<p>
China's total surveillance system will be used for
<a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/big-brother-is-coming-inside-china-s-plan-to-rate-its-1-3-billion-citizens">
imposing
regimentation on any and all aspects of life.
</a>
<p>
The US is also moving toward a system of total regimentation, in its
usual sloppy commercially dominated way, that the state piggybacks on.  If
you want to resist this, stop using digital payments -- pay cash!


feed_id: 29b2d1687afd0accb4fbb6d73e882f1a
title: Urgent: Shark fins
uri: Urgent-Shark-fins
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Shark_fins%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3289">call on Congress</a> to ban the practice of killing sharks
and taking only their fins.
<p>
This is not only wasteful, it also endangers the sharks.  If fishermen
had to land the whole shark, they couldn't kill so many sharks
and the species could recover.


feed_id: 16f4594100115574c1f308913f2210d2
title: Greenhouse gas emissions
uri: 2018-02-11-Greenhouse-gas-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Greenhouse_gas_emissions%29
content:
<p>
The US is doing so little to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
that they are now <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/02/07/frightening-new-carbon-emissions-projections-require-bold-policy-solutions">predicted to increase</a>, for a few decades.
<p>
A few decades from now, the effects of <a href="/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> will make
emissions decrease, but that will be because disaster is already
advanced.
<p>
The <a href="/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a> believe they can give their descendants an escape
from the disaster they are bringing on the rest of the world.
The rest of humanity needs to show them that they can't do that;
that the only way their descendants can survive is if the rest
of humanity does too.


feed_id: 9942d63f9751a0a3654a724a7a073ced
title: 16 years of a torture state
uri: 16-years-of-a-torture-state
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%2816_years_of_a_torture_state%29
content:
<p>
It is 16 years since Dubya made the United States officially <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/07/exactly-16-years-ago-george-w-bush-opened-floodgates-torture-guantanamo">a torture
state</a>.


feed_id: f19973093880b3cb22c8a46cc09dc264
title: Prof accused of terrorism
uri: Prof-accused-of-terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Prof_accused_of_terrorism%29
content:
<p>
Stanford University has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/08/stanford-professor-mccarthyism-antifa">done nothing to defend</a> a professor from false
accusations of terrorism, published by a magazine hosted at Stanford
and funded by right-wing billionaire Peter Thiel.
<p>
I wonder, does he give money to Stanford University?
Does anyone know?


feed_id: f36f0bd08680df5e320755fe2837298c
title: Hamster at an airport
uri: Hamster-at-an-airport
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Hamster_at_an_airport%29
content:
<p>
Spirit airlines told a passenger she could bring her miniature hamster
on board — then when she arrived, told her no, so <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/08/spirit-airlines-emotional-support-hamster-flush-toilet-florida">she had to kill it</a>
in order to get home.
<p>
The airline spokesjerk expressed shock that she killed her hamster,
pretending that this wasn't compelled by the airline's decision.  What
else was she supposed to do — remain indefinitely at the airport,
effectively homeless?  Spend a week going home by bus and miss
classes?
<p>
The airline should have cages for use to keep small animals
in the hold, if it doesn't want to carry them in the cabin.


feed_id: b69430274e1dc3a781889be4f505c94c
title: John Perry Barlow
uri: John-Perry-Barlow
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28John_Perry_Barlow%29
content:
<p>
The death of John Perry Barlow <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/feb/08/john-perry-barlow-open-internet-dream-dying">is a reminder</a> of the time when
we thought the internet could bring people freedom.
<p>
The good that the internet can do is being blocked by censorship and
drowned out by intentional lies, while the bad (total surveillance and
the War on Sharing) is growing without restraint.
<p>
If you want freedom, the first step is to build the strength to say
"no thanks" when someone offers you convenience in exchange.


feed_id: bf9dc8676d4afbb3c99ec7a16e83fe2d
title: Data for immigration agency
uri: Data-for-immigration-agency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Data_for_immigration_agency%29
content:
<p>
The US immigration thug agency <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/8/1739815/-An-emboldened-ICE-reportedly-wants-to-become-a-part-of-the-U-S-intelligence-community">has asked for access</a> to all the
government's secret surveillance data, which supposedly is
collected to "protect" us from "terrorists".
<p>
If we tolerate government collection of data about
Americans in general, the government will use it against us
in ever increasing ways.  <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">We must put an end</a> to this
data collection.


feed_id: c3668de40885ad951b7010ea70782e0e
title: Raising interest rates
uri: Raising-interest-rates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Raising_interest_rates%29
content:
<p>
The Federal Reserve has started to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/08/stock-market-crash-jobs-report-wages/">raise interest rates</a>,
mainly with the purpose of stopping workers from getting raises.


feed_id: 1441cae1259eb0b36610159ec951f906
title: Election agencies penetrated
uri: Election-agencies-penetrated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Election_agencies_penetrated%29
content:
<p>
The US says that <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/7/1739611/-Top-U-S-official-confirms-that-Russia-successfully-hacked-small-number-of-voter-systems">Russian agents "penetrated"</a> some states' election
agencies.
<p>
This is a bad thing, but I'm far more worried about the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#30_October_2016_(Voter_suppression)">penetration
by Republicans</a>.


feed_id: 771f46671219eddc0a5db8b93a9481b9
title: UK budget cuts
uri: UK-budget-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28UK_budget_cuts%29
content:
<p>
The UK state is using local governments <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/feb/08/john-mcdonnell-councils-used-human-shields-funding-cuts">as "human shields"</a> to pass 
budget cuts on to the people.
<p>
It is natural that local governments will raise taxes to fund the
activities they must do.  This solves the immediate problem, but it is
not a fair solution.
<p>
Local governments can only tax the local inhabitants and local
businesses.  However, wealthy people and big, profitable businesses
are not evenly distributed.  In an area where most people are poor,
this puts a heavy burden on them.  That's why the national government
needs to do the taxing, and distribute the money to all the local
governments.


feed_id: a561837e5b519e149b4615a80600427a
title: Coal ash dumps
uri: Coal-ash-dumps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Coal_ash_dumps%29
content:
<p>
Coal ash dumps near power plants are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/02/07/new-industry-data-confirms-toxics-are-polluting-groundwater-coal-ash-dumps">poisoning the local water</a>.


feed_id: 97ccbdfe952ddbdbf3160af998039b09
title: Death of 'independent contractor'
uri: Death-of-independent-contractor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Death_of_%27independent_contractor%27%29

content:
<p>
The UK minister called the death of an "independent contractor" <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/feb/07/death-dpd-courier-don-lane-tragedy-business-secretary">a
"tragedy"</a>.
<p>
That death was the predictable result of allowing unjust business
practices, for which the minister is directly responsible.
That is no tragedy, it is an injustice.


feed_id: 31b3c2a471a9a11b4ae7af2de1fc7194
title: Limiting Medicaid
uri: Limiting-Medicaid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Limiting_Medicaid%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> wants to limit Medicaid benefits for people with
incurable diseases.  That means that they will get treatment
only until they <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/02/07/are-there-no-workhouses-3.html">reach the arbitrary limit</a>; then, I suppose,
they will be put out on the street.


feed_id: 64d28c69f83b30e554de2aa262eb115c
title: Coal seam gas
uri: 2018-02-11-Coal-seam-gas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Coal_seam_gas%29
content:
<p>
With <a href="/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> bringing frequent deep droughts in many regions,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/feb/07/day-zero-what-cape-town-can-learn-from-australia-millennium-drought-water-crisis">
how could they think of using fossil fuels in ways that also need
lots of fresh water?
</a>
I refer to coal seam gas production.
<p>
It must take a lot of money to convince enough people not to do the
right thing by insisting on renewable energy instead.
<p>
Truly long-term defense against running out of water requires
defending against population increase.  We must ask for everyone's
cooperation in this.


feed_id: 76d1fb8c12ca6b7a9333f7b314cc2c73
title: Imprisoned legislators
uri: 2018-02-11-Imprisoned-legislators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Imprisoned_legislators%29
content:
<p>
The "president" of the Maldive Islands arrested judges to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/07/maldives-state-of-emergency-judges-block-political-prisoners">
stop
the Supreme Court from freeing imprisoned legislators.
</a>
<p>
The elected president Masheed campaigned globally to curb <a href="/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-nov-feb.html#10_February_2012_(Maldive_Islands)">
I suspect that oil interests helped arrange the coup against him.
</a>
<p>
If <a href="/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> goes far enough, the questions of democracy and human
rights in the Maldives will cease to matter.  Long before they are
entirely inundated, they will be unable to support their population.
The rulers, however, will probably get the chance to move elsewhere.


feed_id: 2d5d316ca66f6ef2e184e0112d86f921
title: Hosting fundraisers
uri: 2018-02-11-Hosting-fundraisers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Hosting_fundraisers%29
content:
<p>
Andrew Wheeler, hoping for Senate confirmation as deputy <a href="/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> of
the EPA, smoothed the path to committee approval
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/07/coal-lobbyist-andrew-wheeler-epa-deputy-confirmation/">
by corrupting two
Republican senators.
</a>


feed_id: 95b9e7d71a206eeb40b81e2617735bdf
title: Military parade
uri: 2018-02-11-Military-parade
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_%28Military_parade%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> wants to be seen as resembling
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/07/trump-military-parade-would-be-despot-strongman-tactics">
despots that hold military parades.
</a>
<p>
I think the way to oppose this is with a celebration of the peaceful
and truly great achievements of the US, such as the Bill of Rights,
the New Deal, the Marshall Plan, Social Security, Medicaid, and the
Endangered Species Act.  Let's oppose cruel and twisted patriotism
with benevolent patriotism.


feed_id: f0cf0d15f6a60decebb6dce86d019622
title: Urgent: Liverpool FC sponsor
uri: Urgent-Liverpool-FC-sponsor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Liverpool_FC_sponsor%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://freetibet.co.uk/liverpool-fc">call on the football team Liverpool FC</a> to reject the
sponsorship of Chinese company Tibet Water Resources Limited, which is
an example of China's exploitation of Tibet.


feed_id: 6c28c3206e7b220e9143aa3b67a4c38d
title: Bail bond campaign donations
uri: Bail-bond-campaign-donations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Bail_bond_campaign_donations%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-demand-faith-johnson-ends-money-bail">call on District Attorney Faith Johnson</a> to return
campaign donations from bail bond companies.
<p>
They are a form of corruption because they give her an incentive
to demand higher bail for the sake of the companies.


feed_id: 96af2b12fe66ce1d1cce6176b90781db
title: DMCA section 1201
uri: DMCA-section-1201
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28DMCA_section_1201%29
content:
<p>
It's time for a replay of the triennial farce where the US copyright
office invites people to petition for <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/02/eff-vs-iot-drm-omg">narrow, temporary
half-exceptions</a> to the injustice of DMCA section 1201.
<p>
Granting one of these half-exceptions is always better
than not granting it, but every campaign for an exception
ought to campaign also for repeating DMCA section 1201.


feed_id: b76875edb6725b40f1b81b163e1372ad
title: Surveillance orders
uri: Surveillance-orders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Surveillance_orders%29
content:
<p>
EFF: <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/02/newly-released-surveillance-orders-show-even-individualized-court-oversight-spying">Newly Released Surveillance Orders</a> Show That Even with Individualized 
Court Oversight, Spying Powers Are Misused.


feed_id: 69f0e7f2e69e9f717c5787d2ee4b7fba
title: Republicans on deficits and debt
uri: Republicans-on-deficits-and-debt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Republicans_on_deficits_and_debt%29

content:
<p>
Republicans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/09/trump-saddle-america-debt-bankrupted-hotels">have stopped saying</a> they object to deficits and debt.
<p>
They never really did care, it was just an excuse
to stop Democrats from helping the non-rich.
Now that Republicans can run deficits to feed the rich,
they love deficits.


feed_id: 1a54036194aad27e2b46f1bc9dc6004e
title: File-sharing crimes
uri: File-sharing-crimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28File-sharing_crimes%29
content:
<p>
A Danish court <a href="https://torrentfreak.com/man-handed-conditional-prison-sentence-spreading-popcorn-time-information-180208/">says it is a crime</a> to tell people how
to use file-sharing software.
<p>
The companies behind the War on Sharing will stop at nothing to impose
their divide-and-rule strategy — until we decisively defeat them.  We
must legalize sharing of copies of any published work, and we must
block their legal (EULAs) and technical (DRM) methods for denying
people that right.


feed_id: c50a9832009b09384d29295f6cedc5a1
title: Protecting the climate
uri: Protecting-the-climate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Protecting_the_climate%29
content:
<p>
It is too late to fart around with half measures for protecting the
climate; to save the ecosphere from <a href="/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster we need
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/08/us-carbon-footprint-set-grow-2050-fossil-free-movement-our-only-hope">proceed with all due speed</a>.


feed_id: ad08f16315544402317052bc7e0b3945
title: Global gag rule
uri: Global-gag-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Global_gag_rule%29
content:
<p>
The bully's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/08/reproductive-rights-groups-slam-wh-report-trumps-unconscionable-global-gag-rule">renewed global gag rule</a> has undermined women's health care
in many poor countries.


feed_id: 85b5c8709366021ec8c6dc973a7bf124
title: US prison conditions
uri: US-prison-conditions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28US_prison_conditions%29
content:
<p>
US prison conditions are so cruel that a UK court <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/7/1739553/-U-S-prison-conditions-are-so-bad-Britain-s-putting-a-hold-on-some-extraditions">refused to extradite
a UK citizen</a> to the US on that account.
<p>
Please do not use the word "hacking" to refer to what Lauri Love was
accused of doing — that <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/on-hacking.html ">gives us "hackers" a bad name</a>.


feed_id: 8146fb15f1480ba8291b652ba8a7f854
title: Rejecting 'smart' phones
uri: Rejecting-smart-phones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Rejecting_%27smart%27_phones%29
content:
<p>
A substantial group of people have <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/40522828/this-is-what-its-like-to-not-own-a-smartphone-in-2018">rejected "smart" phones</a>.
<p>
Alas, even a non-"smart" phone tracks the user's location — with the
phone company and Big Brother, though not directly with other
companies — and can be remotely converted <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/malware-mobiles.html ">into a listening device</a>.
That's why I refuse to carry any kind of portable phone.
<p>
If you own a car, watch out: it may contain a built-in cellular modem
that makes it the equivalent of a "smart" phone.  Nowadays it may even
have a microphone to listen to conversations in the car.  But you can
probably disconnect it.  Wrapping it in aluminum foil may be enough to
make it cease to communicate.


feed_id: 7df13d620dc135ba482965ad118703f7
title: Al-Hudood
uri: Al-Hudood
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Al-Hudood%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/09/al-hudood-onion-style-website-poking-fun-middle-east-isam-uraiqat">Al-Hudood</a> is the Middle East counterpart of The Onion.


feed_id: 99fd00746c5013d81b39ee736a99e674
title: Homeschooling
uri: Homeschooling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Homeschooling%29
content:
<p>
Let's not allow <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/02/09/perris-house-of-horror-allegations">one case of cruelty</a> to interfere with homeschooling.
<p>
It is usually a good practice, as long as it doesn't
cut off the children from other sources of ideas and
knowledge.


feed_id: f2ff42d367849788cfb540db72433848
title: Fleeing Venezuela
uri: Fleeing-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Fleeing_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/08/venezuela-migrants-colombia-brazil-borders">Hundreds of thousands of people</a> are fleeing Venezuela because they
can't get food.
<p>
If Venezuela collapses, I fear that the international plutocratic
order will be imposed there.  It won't be as bad
as the current collapse, but it will be as bad
as the plutocratic regime that Chavez replaced.


feed_id: 8103fa79ad0dc47521661fbd44aae38b
title: Canada and the bully
uri: Canada-and-the-bully
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Canada_and_the_bully%29
content:
<p>
The planet-roaster government of
Canada <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/true-north/2018/feb/09/trudeau-government-welcomed-oil-lobby-help-for-us-pipeline-push-documents">cheered the election</a>
of the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> because it knew he would support fossil fuels
and pipelines.


feed_id: 8de49fd33f1ec59ec686bab5ace84267
title: US life expectancy
uri: US-life-expectancy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28US_life_expectancy%29
content:
<p>
Life expectancy in the US is falling, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/08/fueled-broken-social-contract-study-finds-inequality-and-despair-driving-us-life">slowly but steadily</a>, due
to increasing discouragement with harder life.


feed_id: 3df3c7d1ab6acb9a149e88b185f45ed4
title: Renewable electricity at universities
uri: Renewable-electricity-at-universities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Renewable_electricity_at_universities%29

content:
<p>
Students at 65 US universities are campaigning for them to move to
100% renewable electricity, and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/02/08/colleges-urged-shift-100-renewable-sources">succeeding with some</a>.
<p>
This many universities are a drop in the bucket, but when they
lead, they may lead many more to follow.


feed_id: d5bd7bbbfd06b73f86ba083e6a2a3b23
title: Attacking environmental activists
uri: Attacking-environmental-activists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Attacking_environmental_activists%29

content:
<p>
ACLU: 6 ways the US is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/07/6-ways-government-going-after-environmental-activists">attacking environmental activists</a>
to crush their protests.


feed_id: 77a1754fe896b3f4fa1b3160e3a95d6b
title: Opposition party in Bangladesh
uri: Opposition-party-in-Bangladesh
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Opposition_party_in_Bangladesh%29

content:
<p>
Bangladesh is persistently convicting the leaders
of the main opposition party for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/08/violent-protests-opposition-leader-jailed-bangladesh-khaleda-zia">various acts of corruption</a>.
<p>
I won't claim these convictions are false.  Bangladesh is probably
very corrupt.  It could be that every politician there is corrupt, but
these particular politicians are prosecuted for political motives
while other equally corrupt politicians are left alone.


feed_id: 1db0e29cfd3f9f33488dffc5e4232aa4
title: Raped by NYC thugs
uri: Raped-by-NYC-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Raped_by_NYC_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Two New York City <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> forced a woman into their van, handcuffed her,
and raped her.  They claim <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/8/1739725/-New-York-law-is-letting-police-officers-get-away-with-rape">she consented to sex</a>.


feed_id: 3a453cd8bb5d629a769423b95078602b
title: New forms of voter suppression
uri: New-forms-of-voter-suppression
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28New_forms_of_voter_suppression%29

content:
<p>
Republicans continue planning <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/07/get-ready-more-voter-suppression">new forms of voter suppression</a>.
<p>
This goes with the nationwide gerrymander to implement their policy of
"power by hook or by crook." 


feed_id: a126df0d278b9d54baa16c82beba41ea
title: Parental leave plan
uri: Parental-leave-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Parental_leave_plan%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> wants to offer
Americans <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/07/trumps-paid-family-leave-plan-would-punish-those-who-choose-have-kids">paid parental leave</a>,
at the expense of their own future retirement benefits.
<p>
Having children is not a necessity of life; it is a luxury.  I support
efforts to help, encourage and lead people to reproduce less.
I do not support this plan.
<p>
For those who do have children, parental leave is not a
luxury — it is a necessity for the good of those children.


feed_id: 533fa5d4dccca2a186cf00cd1a81a633
title: Negotiation with North Korea
uri: 2018-02-12-Negotiation-with-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28Negotiation_with_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>
Pence <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/07/putting-dent-olympic-diplomacy-pence-vows-most-aggressive-sanctions-yet-north-korea">completely rejected the idea</a> of negotiation with North Korea.
<p>
I don't think <a href="/glossary.html#trump">the troll</a> cares what actually happens with North Korea.
Everything he says and does in regard to North Korea is meant to
keep his supporters deluded.


feed_id: 2b59126ab86b273a57edb2c0df479db7
title: Urgent: John Kelly
uri: Urgent-John-Kelly
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_John_Kelly%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/john_kelly_resign/">call on John Kelly</a> to resign.


feed_id: 2a1c4ec9f46686f307db77dd6cf4ef47
title: Prisoner census count
uri: Prisoner-census-count
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Prisoner_census_count%29
content:
<p>
The US census counts prisoners for the places they are imprisoned,
rather than where they live.  The effect is to <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/9/1740058/-2020-Census-will-again-favor-communities-with-prisons-over-the-rest-of-the-country">transfer political
power</a> from cities to the rural areas where prisons are found.
<p>
The more prisoners, the more power the Republicans gain from this.


feed_id: 7c2af4a0ab318007786f6fcc9b7baa3a
title: US visa extensions
uri: US-visa-extensions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28US_visa_extensions%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a>'s saboteurs have found sneaky way to harm authorized
immigrants: <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/9/1740119/-Trump-administration-drafts-new-regulations-to-punish-legal-immigrants-for-taking-care-of-their-kids">denying them visa extensions and changes</a> if they use the
government benefits they are entitled to, even for their US-citizen
children.


feed_id: 4f8470828348ccc57fe9a3e9b02c2281
title: Logging and mining
uri: Logging-and-mining
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Logging_and_mining%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/09/montana-wilderness-study-area-republican-bill-threat">Republican senator proposes</a> to allow logging and mining in wild
"wilderness study areas", untouched regions under consideration for
being made national parks.


feed_id: bbb22079775d761e32ba69851e10d82e
title: US 'boundary zone'
uri: US-boundary-zone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28US_%27boundary_zone%27%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/8/1739770/-200-million-Americans-live-in-the-100-mile-zone-where-Border-Patrol-can-ask-for-papers">More than half of all Americans</a> live in the "boundary zone"
where immigration <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> can stop any person and demand to see
per papers.
<p>
This is oppressive to US citizens, not only to immigrants.


feed_id: 50e79416f1fcdf5d8c19f71428071dbf
title: Our radical past
uri: Our-radical-past
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Our_radical_past%29
content:
<p>
Big Business Is Hijacking Our Radical Past.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/09/big-business-radical-past-ram-trucks-martin-luther-king-whitewash">We Must Stop It</a>.
<p>
The article also reminds us that we must defend the right of violent
opposition to violent and unjust authority.  We must reject the unfair standard
which allows uniformed <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to crush protesters for even the slightest deviation
from politeness.
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> is now trying to put protesters in prison for many years
for planning a protest at which others committed minor property damage.
In effect, that starts from the assumption that protesting is a crime.
<p>
It isn't a new thing either.  They <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#26_October_2017_(Charging_200_protesters)">did it in Chicago</a> in 1886.


feed_id: 7e6afe598ede7eb278a2e8739b2eb919
title: Public defender strike
uri: Public-defender-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Public_defender_strike%29
content:
<p>
Public defenders in Brooklyn <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/09/fed-ice-targeting-courthouses-nyc-public-defenders-stage-mass-walkout">went on strike</a> after immigration thugs grabbed
a defendant as he left the courtroom.
<p>
Trials could not proceed without counsel, so their strike had a powerful
effect.


feed_id: 98a355833ccdef9a86359b2b7a7c845b
title: Fire-extinguishing foam
uri: Fire-extinguishing-foam
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Fire-extinguishing_foam%29
content:
<p>
The US military is replacing toxic fire-extinguishing foam with a
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/10/firefighting-foam-afff-pfos-pfoa-epa/">slightly different</a>, slightly less toxic fire-extinguishing foam.
<p>
Non-toxic foams are available, and airports in other countries already use them.


feed_id: 292bb722d6fb4c3818700953548b4d87
title: Sexual bullying
uri: Sexual-bullying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Sexual_bullying%29
content:
<p>
To fight sexual bullying among coworkers, how about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/10/sexual-harassment-power-bullying-metoo">focusing on the
bullying aspect</a>, rather than banning sexual relationships entirely?


feed_id: 81049cf8dd4ee3eb2ed7ff70b09cb258
title: Black Lives Matter and unions
uri: Black-Lives-Matter-and-unions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Black_Lives_Matter_and_unions%29

content:
<p>
Black Lives Matter is stimulating US blacks to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/10/black-lives-matter-labor-unions-factory-workers-unite">form and join unions</a>.


feed_id: d5da2d82a224de1a2695436bc0bb8c54
title: Disaster aid
uri: Disaster-aid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Disaster_aid%29
content:
<p>
The US has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/02/09/new-law-provides-disaster-relief-and-medicaid-funds-puerto-rico-and-us-virgin">allocated billions more</a> in aid for Puerto Rico
and other places affected by recent local disasters.
<p>
I would like to believe that this is a good thing,
but I have to be skeptical given that Republicans had
to approve it.  Is the aid for Puerto Rico's power grid
simply a handout to the private companies that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_(Puerto_Rico's_electric_grid)">it
will be sold to</a>?


feed_id: 4c62df344de37db1035c7ffb491a0547
title: Military parades
uri: Military-parades
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Military_parades%29
content:
<p>
Pence said that President Kim's latest military parade was <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/9/1740060/-Grade-A-suck-up-Mike-Pence-praises-Trump-s-military-parade-condemns-North-Korea-s">a
"provocation"</a>, but the bully's military parade would be a
"celebration".
<p>
I would guess Kim says the reverse.


feed_id: 7c4c82b16c283b14d454e1c4a33e9c93
title: Insurance loopholes
uri: Insurance-loopholes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Insurance_loopholes%29
content:
<p>
To stop insurance companies from finding loopholes to drive people into
poverty, let's get rid of them and set up <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/09/single-payer-provides-best-cure-california-health-care">a single-player scheme</a>.
<p>
I wonder why anyone gets medical coverage through Anthem?  I suspect
that mostly they don't have a choice — that mostly companies choose
Anthem for their employees.  Under that system, Anthem has no
incentive to do a good job for its non-customers.
<p>
Right now, we have a government agency that makes regulations for
insurance companies, which seek clever ways to shaft people through
loopholes in those regulations.  Having the government agency set the
rules directly will give us more accountability over the rules.


feed_id: fd6eb3cf14522096aaaed8e79c97881c
title: Winning in November
uri: Winning-in-November
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Winning_in_November%29
content:
<p>
Democrats can't win in November just by pointing at the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>.  They
have to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/09/democrats-cant-run-and-win-fact-trumps-idiot">stand for something much better</a> than moving back to the older
form of plutocracy.


feed_id: 04981768511a97a66c3805f8968acb55
title: Uber and Lyft wages
uri: Uber-and-Lyft-wages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Uber_and_Lyft_wages%29
content:
<p>
The low wages paid by Uber and Lyft have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/09/uber-and-lyft-driving-drivers-poverty-and-despair">driven some cab and limo
drivers to suicide</a>.
<p>
They blame state governments for eliminating cities' power to
regulate those companies.


feed_id: d2166960b25b09092cc197ba8a657310
title: Memo rebuttal
uri: Memo-rebuttal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Memo_rebuttal%29
content:
<p>
The bully <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/09/donald-trump-blocks-democrat-nunes-memo-russia">refused to allow publication</a> of the Democrats' rebuttal to
the Republicans' dishonest memo attacking the Mueller investigation.
<p>
The Republicans on that committee, headed by Rep. Nunes himself,
consult closely with the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>.  When they voted to approve
release of the Democrats' counter-memo, they surely knew
that the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> would block it.
<p>
I suppose the Democrats anticipated this too.  Now they can say, "We
can show that's not true, but the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> forbids us to tell you."
<p>
Unfortunately, that won't influence the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s supporters much.  They
don't care that the Nunes memo is dishonest, even incoherent;
they believe the conclusion anyway.
<p>
In effect, the Democrats are helpless against the height
of Republican dishonesty and manipulation.


feed_id: 6b5cad8351685fd5e3e3012c210c3639
title: Successful companies
uri: Successful-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Successful_companies%29
content:
<p>
Since successful companies owe a lot of their success to
public activities such as infrastructure, education, and research,
they should have to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/09/case-nationalizing-elon-musk">contribute a substantial part</a> of their income
to the public. 


feed_id: 05a55dc7e35e40ba61866227625e9a07
title: Reduced EPA enforcement
uri: Reduced-EPA-enforcement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Reduced_EPA_enforcement%29
content:
<p>
The Environmental Protection Agency has cut its enforcement actions to about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/09/penalties-against-polluters-lowest-level-under-trump">1/4 the previous rate</a>,
and fines are less too.
<p>
We could call it the Environmental Pushover agency, but I fear the
whole truth is even worse than that.


feed_id: 527c40b18122947022dbbf3b0634a31f
title: Protecting Nazis
uri: Protecting-Nazis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Protecting_Nazis%29
content:
<p>
Sacramento thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/09/california-police-white-supremacists-counter-protest">protected violent Nazis</a> and tried to prosecute
anti-fascist counterprotesters that the Nazis stabbed.


feed_id: 0b29fc735947d70dffb000b39c4b6183
title: Cheating
uri: Cheating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Cheating%29
content:
<p>
Cheating, in the sense of breaking rules, seems to be
<a href="https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/what-makes-people-cheat">becoming more common</a> in the US these days.
<p>
When a rule benefits society, cheating against it hurts society, but
we should not assume that all rules are just and beneficial.  When a
rule is unjust, disobeying it is virtuous.  This includes rules
against sharing copies of published works.  We should not call that
"cheating".
<p>
We do not want to be treated by doctors that cheated on their exams or
in their practice.  We do want to live among neighbors that will share
with us.
<p>
There is no reason to wait for a red light to change if you can see
that no other cars are moving for a few blocks away.  To wait
uselessly is a loss for you and benefits nobody; to stop, then proceed
with caution, is virtuous under those circumstances.


feed_id: 4ed73f5ed72adf576769339267915a80
title: Infiltration of dissidents
uri: Infiltration-of-dissidents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_%28Infiltration_of_dissidents%29
content:
<p>
The UK investigation of the underground infiltration of dissident
movements <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/09/undercover-police-female-activists-inquiry-farce">seems to be a pretense</a> intended as a coverup.


feed_id: 501d3d2c290339a9a973f7f735b3e603
title: Urgent: Inauguration protesters
uri: Urgent-Inauguration-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Inauguration_protesters%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-now-to-defend-all-protesters-first-amendment-rights">call for dropping all charges</a> against inauguration protesters.


feed_id: 9bfcb957a7d28a666131c06e8a2ba134
title: Urgent: Nestle taking water
uri: Urgent-Nestle-taking-water
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Nestle_taking_water%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://action.storyofstuff.org/sign/petition-forest-service-standup-nestle/">call on the Forest Service</a> to stop Nestle from taking water from
public forests.
<p>
Nestle never got a permit and is defying California water regulations.


feed_id: d818bf5fe9623aaabf9da8de1f006263
title: Trusting corporations
uri: Trusting-corporations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Trusting_corporations%29
content:
<p>
Republicans always look at a poor person as a potential cheater, but
they <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/4/1738174/-Republicans-trust-corporations-implicitly-People-Not-so-much-my-friend">trust corporations blindly</a>.


feed_id: 1e7f62af9e27eda309011752c9e7cb3c
title: Warrantless wiretaps
uri: Warrantless-wiretaps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Warrantless_wiretaps%29
content:
<p>
Why the minor changes made in FISA section 702 <a href="https://cdt.org/blog/fisa-702-what-happened-and-whats-next/">do nothing to protect</a>
even US citizens from US government warrantless wiretaps.


feed_id: 436a274929014d0177e7388dad35fe47
title: Kentucky Medicaid
uri: Kentucky-Medicaid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Kentucky_Medicaid%29
content:
<p>
The governor of Kentucky is <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/6/1739222/-Bevin-attacks-outside-liberal-group-that-s-from-Kentucky">trying to kick 35,000 people</a> in that state
off Medicaid.
<p>
Kentuckians are suing to block this, so to make them look bad, he
calls it out-of-state meddling.  Even if that were true, it would be
irrelevant — a distraction from the wrong he is doing to them.
<p>
Republicans constantly manipulate people with distractive non-issues.
Sometimes Democrats do it too.


feed_id: ad80c6f43501792f952b00aeba4f0afb
title: Pennsylvania Supreme Court
uri: Pennsylvania-Supreme-Court
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Pennsylvania_Supreme_Court%29
content:
<p>
A Republican legislator in Pennsylvania <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/06/subversion-democracy-gop-push-impeachment-state-justices-defend-gerrymandering">proposes
to impeach the majority</a> of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
This is a scheme to reverse its decision that the Republican
gerrymander violates the state constitution.
<p>
There is nothing Republicans respect enough that they
won't crush it to get more power.


feed_id: 4f612e9fde3dfb2a44e09b9d7eb3ff01
title: Equifax documents
uri: Equifax-documents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Equifax_documents%29
content:
<p>
"Leaked Equifax documents provided to US Senate reveal that they dumped <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/02/09/database-nation.html">all
our drivers' licenses</a>, too."


feed_id: ca6b9e161f322da2f94cf93c6e85a6f4
title: China's ecological vision
uri: China-s-ecological-vision
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28China%27s_ecological_vision%29
content:
<p>
China's President Xi announced a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/10/what-does-chinas-ecological-civilization-mean-humanitys-future">grand vision of an ecological society</a>,
and is leading mighty efforts to implement it.
<p>
Despite my condemnation for China's repression, I have to admire this.
Contrast it with the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> that has seized power in the US, who does
his best to increase both repression and environmental destruction.


feed_id: 5294921c519042750a5ff890626793a0
title: Face recognition for trains
uri: Face-recognition-for-trains
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Face_recognition_for_trains%29
content:
<p>
China is now using <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/china-police-using-facial-recognition-glasses-2018-2">face recognition camera eyeglasses</a> to identify
people that are not supposed to be allowed on trains.


feed_id: fdd724509f67854a5558f077022a6786
title: Apple source code leak
uri: Apple-source-code-leak
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Apple_source_code_leak%29
content:
<p>
How some <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/xw5yd7/how-iphone-iboot-source-code-leaked-on-github">secret Apple source code</a> was released that
may (we can hope) facilitate jailbreaking.
<p>
I do not encourage leaking proprietary source code because that would
fail to make the source code free software.  However, I do not
criticize people for doing it.  The wrong here was when Apple made
that software nonfree — and, even worse, made it a jail.
<p>
Nonfree programs in general do injustice to their users.
By <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">making this software nonfree</a>, Apple got power over users.
Apple employs that power to commit <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/malware-apple.html ">further injustice against users</a>,
including censorship, DRM, and putting users in jail.


feed_id: 619ab8b67871f296b42768faa59f6c3c
title: Republican control in Ohio
uri: Republican-control-in-Ohio
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Republican_control_in_Ohio%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/9/1740146/-Ohio-voters-will-get-a-chance-to-reform-congressional-redistricting-but-the-measure-has-major-flaws">Ohio's reform plan</a>, supposedly meant to eliminate the Republican
gerrymander, perpetuates Republican control but disguises it better.


feed_id: 216bdce6bb4bca3274be760aae95735e
title: Russian trolls on Tumblr
uri: Russian-trolls-on-Tumblr
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Russian_trolls_on_Tumblr%29
content:
<p>
Russian trolls <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/9/1740120/-A-large-network-of-Russian-bots-posed-as-black-activists-to-push-propaganda-on-Tumblr-report-says">operated on Tumblr</a> to attack Clinton and support
Sanders.
<p>
I object to Russian manipulations of our elections
even when they operate in favor of the best candidate
and criticize an inferior candidate.


feed_id: d42fe1e064990f84e9ca2f1919c52c70
title: Censorship proposals
uri: Censorship-proposals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Censorship_proposals%29
content:
<p>
Watch out for proposals to cure "fake news" through censorship
by the powerful (states, or companies).  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/11/fake-news-long-history-beware-state-involvement">We've seen those before</a>.
<p>
Charles II was overthrown by a revolution with strong public support
in 1678, 3 years after the censorship scheme mentioned in the article.
That revolution also ended the book censorship system that was
the origin of today's copyright.


feed_id: c90372761d247d5d7872df2fc9ae9f73
title: Polish law on antisemitism
uri: Polish-law-on-antisemitism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Polish_law_on_antisemitism%29
content:
<p>
The Polish law banning discussion of antisemitism of Poles during
World War II may unleash a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/10/polands-jews-fear-future-under-new-holocaust-law-nazi-atrocities">wave of antisemitism</a> there.


feed_id: b423eeccf37e76d9ed65f9c317bd1ea5
title: Fascist terrorism in Italy
uri: Fascist-terrorism-in-Italy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Fascist_terrorism_in_Italy%29
content:
<p>
Fascist terrorism aimed at immigrants has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/11/fascism-is-back-in-italy-and-its-paralysing-politics">appeared in Italy</a>.
<p>
The Italian economic suffering is due to the Euro-zone rules
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-sep-dec.html#13_December_2011_(Banksters)">applied by banksters</a>.
It's awfully convenient for them when
Italians blame it instead on powerless immigrants.


feed_id: b6f353c480a11aa7d123df1f9dea79a7
title: Campaign against religious prejudice
uri: Campaign-against-religious-prejudice
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Campaign_against_religious_prejudice%29

content:
<p>
Yashpal Saxena, whose son was murdered out of religious prejudice,
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/11/i-feel-no-hatred-the-radical-response-to-an-honour-killing-that-shook-india">launched a campaign</a> against religious prejudice.


feed_id: 7bdb2d361c5c4856d88dbedf067147e7
title: Brazil's president
uri: Brazil-s-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Brazil%27s_president%29
content:
<p>
Brazil's corrupt president has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/11/brazilian-president-michel-temer-will-escape-bribery-charges-say-police">escaped all prosecution</a>
due to support from other corrupt politicians.


feed_id: 0ea78cd88a4e73c35f1e0be211d6246b
title: FBI 'assessment'
uri: FBI-assessment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28FBI_%27assessment%27%29
content:
<p>
The FBI can do an "assessment" on anyone for the vaguest of reasons,
or even on everyone who lives in a certain area, correlating <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/01/31/based-on-a-vague-tip-the-feds-can-surveil-anyone/">many kinds
of data bases</a> including their phone calls and travel.


feed_id: 3e4cfb270af8a0673b7a3c7d1f6171f9
title: Microplastics
uri: 2018-02-15-Microplastics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Microplastics%29
content:
<p>
The fashionable thing to put on your skin for carnival in Brazil is
… microplastics that will get into the ocean and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/11/brazil-carnival-rio-glitter-microplastics-environment">poison sea
animals</a>.


feed_id: 0c55ac7089a4337a419f8b55505fb4b0
title: Life today and in past ages
uri: Life-today-and-in-past-ages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Life_today_and_in_past_ages%29
content:
<p>
The philosophy of the Enlightenment, centered around 1800, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/feb/11/reason-is-non-negotioable-steven-pinker-enlightenment-now-extract">survives in
today's humanist values</a>.
<p>
I agree with Pinker that life is better — for most people — in the
modern age than it was in past ages.  I disagree with his conclusion
that bleak expectations are irrational defeatism.  Our progress has
been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/11/steven-pinker-enlightenment-now-interview-inequality-consumption-environment">going backward</a> in recent decades.
<p>
This article suggests (I have not read his book) that Pinker does not
recognize the harm that plutocracy has done globally since the 1990.
Although material progress, in the sense of material riches,
continues, the richest few are grabbing nearly all of it.  In the US, the poor
are worse off and have shorter life expectancy.  <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">"Free
trade"</a>
has put the world's low-paid workers into direct competition, which
the rich use against all of them.  The rich now control many
governments, including the US government.
<p>
He also does not recognize how increased inequality <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#21_May_2017_(Great_inequality)">makes life worse
for people</a>, even aside from possible decrease in their own income.
<p>
Even if we were not undoing our achievements, we could not maintain
them for long by continuing our current practices.  <a href="/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a>,
topsoil exhaustion, and population growth ensure that.  The issue of
sustainability is a rational one.
<p>
It sounds fine to cite past situations where civilizations invented
solutions to their problems, but there were other past situations
where they failed and the people died.  Future progress may do great
things, but it is foolhardy to suppose problems will be corrected.
Especially when rich people who don't want them to be corrected
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#1_February_2018_(Koch_money)">dominate the state</a>.


feed_id: 5b89d8ec4064e4bcedae7ec79817d505
title: Menstrual pads for prisoners
uri: Menstrual-pads-for-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28Menstrual_pads_for_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
Female prisoners in Arizona <a href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/legislature/2018/02/07/arizona-female-inmates-get-12-menstrual-pads-month-bill-proposes-more-legislature/312152002/">don't receive enough menstrual pads</a>, and 
if they use up the insufficient number, they bleed on their clothing
and get punished for that.
<p>
The legislature is considering a bill to give them the supplies they
need, but some male legislators are so patriarchal that they resent
even hearing about the subject.


feed_id: 94cae423ad43a72efede4b9828d7824a
title: State vs city governments
uri: State-vs-city-governments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#14_February_2018_%28State_vs_city_governments%29
content:
<p>
Republicans that control US state governments are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/09/republican-war-local-control">systematically
reducing the power</a> of city governments to go against plutocratist
state policies.


feed_id: 9be7d5d0a2baad731398926cd20c1a92
title: DMCA section 1201
uri: 2018-02-15-DMCA-section-1201
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#11_February_2018_%28DMCA_section_1201%29
content:
<p>
It's time for a replay of the triennial farce where the US copyright
office invites people to petition for <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/02/eff-vs-iot-drm-omg">narrow, temporary
half-exceptions</a> to the injustice of DMCA section 1201.
<p>
Granting one of these half-exceptions is always better
than not granting it, but every campaign for an exception
ought to campaign also for repealing DMCA section 1201.


feed_id: 893cb6441c5ead9d89d839bb12d2de6a
title: Urgent: Aceh's Green Vision
uri: Urgent-Aceh-s-Green-Vision
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Aceh%27s_Green_Vision%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://www.lovetheleuser.org/support_leuser_protections">Support Aceh's Green Vision</a>.


feed_id: cd5579a954a12c21b3409685dcf03919
title: Urgent: Abortion rights
uri: 2018-02-16-Urgent-Abortion-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Abortion_rights%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.amnestyusa.org/page/19752/action/1">support abortion rights</a> in Poland.


feed_id: 4b4a44c1954b2becefee6c95c903cb37
title: Progressive candidates
uri: Progressive-candidates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Progressive_candidates%29
content:
<p>
Embracing Bold Platforms, Progressives <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/12/embracing-bold-platforms-progressives-working-unseat-corporate-dems-nationwide">Working to Unseat</a> Corporate Dems
Nationwide.


feed_id: df8e988cf6adf25a733d8e879b140191
title: Death by deportation
uri: Death-by-deportation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Death_by_deportation%29
content:
<p>
Ricardo Querales faces <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/venezuela/article198235939.html">death by deportation</a>.  The antiviral drugs, without
which he will die, are not available in Venezuela.
<p>
It is fundamentally wrong to make it a crime to possess drugs for
one's own use.  Such charges don't justify deporting someone, let alone
jailing someone.


feed_id: 9a01fc4b12db69f03d42f209707668d2
title: Extinction
uri: 2018-02-16-Extinction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Extinction%29
content:
<p>
Australia's disregard is allowing species <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/13/a-national-disgrace-australias-extinction-crisis-is-unfolding-in-plain-sight">to go extinct</a>.
<p>
The disregard is so big that the government is allowing businesses
to cut down large areas of wild forest.


feed_id: 6676f9c2b7ec2ddca4013ea4b893a146
title: Police officer's lawsuit
uri: Police-officer-s-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Police_officer%27s_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#police">Police officer</a> Mader treated an armed and suicidal black man the way
<a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> typically treat only whites.  But this was no use — some thugs
arrived as "backup" and shot that man immediately.  Then <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>
department fired him for not acting like a <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>.
<p>
Mader <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/12/stephen-mader-west-virginia-police-officer-settles-lawsuit">sued the thug department and won</a>.
<p>
I hope he finds a job as a <a href="/glossary.html#police">police officer</a> again.


feed_id: 062ee08f67139a2a030142e5bd8cff9a
title: Apple protests
uri: Apple-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Apple_protests%29
content:
<p>
A campaign of protests targets Apple in France for tax-dodging.
Apple is seeking to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/12/apple-goes-to-court-to-ban-tax-campaigners-from-its-french-stores">ban the protests</a> and fine the protesters.
<p>
It is Apple that deserves to be fined — or rather, taxed.


feed_id: fa00a74d9ff5d13b4fb44a31e9cdb421
title: Clothing fibre
uri: Clothing-fibre
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Clothing_fibre%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business-to-business/2018/feb/12/nice-threads-the-waste-based-fibres-cleaning-up-fashion">Making fibre for clothing from food waste</a>, to avoid using petroleum and
polluting the ocean with plastic.


feed_id: 787200444149da1110b56ddd90b4e729
title: Books portraying racism
uri: Books-portraying-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Books_portraying_racism%29
content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/feb/12/hurtful-harper-lee-mark-twain-dropped-from-minnesota-curriculum-to-kill-a-mockingbird-duluth">US school district removed</a> To Kill a Mockingbird and Huckleberry
Finn from the high school curriculum because they portray racism
in its rawness.
<p>
I don't think anyone is going to find tolerance for racism in To Kill
a Mockingbird.  It is too long since I read Huckleberry Finn, so I
don't have an opinion about it.
<p>
However, American racists are now so blatant that we may not need
books from 50 to 60 years ago to show how ugly racism is.


feed_id: 2d56c76047b44b084343f42dc787dbae
title: Lissa Lucas
uri: Lissa-Lucas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Lissa_Lucas%29
content:
<p>
Lissa Lucas came to the West Virginia legislative hearing and was
permitted to testify.  When she started saying how much money the
legislators in the committee had received from fossil fuel interests,
they told her to shut up, and <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/02/12/lissa-lucas-west-virginia-democratic-candidate-removed-from-legislative-hearing-for-listing-off-corporate-donors-to-fossil-fuel-friendly-lawmakers/">dragged her away</a>.
<p>
Bravo Ms Lucas!


feed_id: c410dbd1ee774a6954b316a44e25a159
title: Prisoner deaths in Iran
uri: Prisoner-deaths-in-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Prisoner_deaths_in_Iran%29
content:
<p>
Several prisoners have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/12/renowned-canadian-iranian-environmental-activist-dies-in-jail-in-tehran">died recently</a> in Iran, supposedly from suicide,
but their families don't believe it was suicide.
<p>
Suicide can be the best choice for a sane prisoner under certain
circumstances, but we cannot assume that Iranian <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are telling
the truth about how those prisoners died, any more than we
can trust what US <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> say about how prisoners die.


feed_id: b07f97a93f0c73f26d73e7b1a87e81f1
title: Opioid deaths and marijuana
uri: Opioid-deaths-and-marijuana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Opioid_deaths_and_marijuana%29
content:
<p>
Legalized medical marijuana <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/11/1740552/-Open-thread-for-night-owls-States-with-legalized-marijuana-dispensaries-see-fewer-opioid-deaths">reduces deaths</a> from opioid overdose.
The easier the access to marijuana, the bigger the effect.


feed_id: f93ce53eed1583e6925ff730ffeee83f
title: Ocean plastic
uri: Ocean-plastic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Ocean_plastic%29
content:
<p>
Even remote areas of the ocean have a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/12/microplastics-pollute-most-remote-and-uncharted-areas-of-the-ocean">substantial presence</a> of plastic
microparticles.


feed_id: 028138945934abc13fd925deddeae817
title: Cambodia tourists
uri: Cambodia-tourists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Cambodia_tourists%29
content:
<p>
The tourists jailed in Cambodia for dancing "pornographically" were
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/12/cambodia-deports-britons-new-zealand-canadian-jpornographic-party">dancing at a party in a house</a>, nowhere near temples.


feed_id: 3c0d74c3f0dd6a8529f78566a82eebf7
title: South and North Korea
uri: South-and-North-Korea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28South_and_North_Korea%29
content:
<p>
South Korea and North Korea are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/12/disconnect-between-us-and-south-korea-exposed-by-seouls-new-approach-to-north">rapidly improving</a> their relationship.
<p>
This is a very good thing.  It will reduce the danger of renewed war
(which could now be a nuclear war), and it might eventually lead North
Korea to become less of a dictatorship.  It could conceivably even lead
to reunification of a democratic Korea.


feed_id: 2a5d2552f805f9bce36b651f5db4fd32
title: Minimum wage
uri: 2018-02-16-Minimum-wage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Minimum_wage%29
content:
<p>
Modest increases in the minimum wage generally cause <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/02/05/raising-the-minimum-wage-doesnt-cost-jobs-multiple-studies-suggest/">no loss in jobs</a>.
<p>
A big increase in the minimum wage can cause a small loss of jobs, but
as long as the total wages of all workers increases, a system of tax
and redistribution among workers could make up for that.  Of course,
it would be better to tax the rich as well for this.


feed_id: 1e183dad36fea6298abd85b0610eba3a
title: 'American Dream' scam
uri: American-Dream-scam
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28%27American_Dream%27_scam%29
content:
<p>
FBI Warns Of <a href="https://www.theonion.com/fbi-warns-of-american-dream-scam-1822834360">âAmerican Dreamâ Scam</a>.
Millions have been bilked by this.


feed_id: e00d56baee5e85327ddce079e878e878
title: Bipartisanship
uri: Bipartisanship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Bipartisanship%29
content:
<p>
Congress Puts Aside Partisan Differences For <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/congress-puts-aside-partisan-differences-for-good-of-mi-1822844000">Good Of Military Contractors</a>.


feed_id: 0c181302e3efcdc455f8127c403a7170
title: Temporary bonuses
uri: Temporary-bonuses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Temporary_bonuses%29
content:
<p>
Why Companies like Disney Are <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/11/1739643/-Why-companies-like-Disney-are-willing-to-give-out-temporary-bonuses">Willing to Give Out</a> Temporary Bonuses.


feed_id: cc5923c6bcf58c479c6ef9620c78274c
title: Assange warrant
uri: Assange-warrant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Assange_warrant%29
content:
<p>
Sweden's prosecutors wanted to drop the arrest warrant
against Julian Assange in 2013, but UK officials <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/feb/11/sweden-tried-to-drop-assange-extradition-in-2013-cps-emails-show">persuaded
them</a> to keep it going.
<p>
In 2011, the Swedish prosecutors were ready to interview 
Assange in London, but the UK pressured them to hold out
for demanding Assange go there.
<p>
This is two smoking guns — proof that the arrest warrant was part
of a political plot.


feed_id: fd44bb2d5077bab1d46505400d698523
title: Bigotry in small towns
uri: Bigotry-in-small-towns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Bigotry_in_small_towns%29
content:
<p>
Crude bigotry against blacks never ended in many small towns in the
US, and Republican officials are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/11/green-book-facebook-black-motorists-racist-america-road-trip-pitstops-safe">actively stimulating it</a> and
supporting it.


feed_id: a17a09f0d5d0b25eae90db74aee3a388
title: Teacher shortage
uri: Teacher-shortage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Teacher_shortage%29
content:
<p>
UK schools are short 30,000 teachers.  Since their wages are capped
and inflation has eaten into it, people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/feb/04/30000-teacher-shortfall--secondary-schools-further-education">don't want the job</a>.


feed_id: 3cf79df29cdc13a7d342966694bd35ad
title: Urgent: Reject HR 620
uri: Urgent-Reject-HR-620
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_HR_620%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://ssl.capwiz.com/aclu-action/issues/alert/?alertid=79829626">call on your congresscritter</a> to reject HR 620,
which would weaken efforts to make life easier for people with
disabilities.


feed_id: 83444d96d99dc11be473444fdcd518db
title: Saboteur's budget proposal
uri: Saboteur-s-budget-proposal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Saboteur%27s_budget_proposal%29
content:
<p>
The saboteur's budget proposal would transfer <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/12/while-exploding-military-spending-trump-budget-eviscerates-funding-education">billions of dollars</a>
from education and health to even more armaments.


feed_id: 2060e1cf8aab0c6e50aa2fd3b46b81f8
title: Puerto Rico suicides
uri: Puerto-Rico-suicides
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Puerto_Rico_suicides%29
content:
<p>
The suicide rate in Puerto Rico <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/13/1741047/-Suicides-increase-in-Puerto-Rico-after-Hurricane-Maria-as-the-island-faces-a-mental-health-crisis">increased 50%</a> after last year's hurricane.
<p>
It would be interesting to study precisely what motivates these people
to commit suicide.  It could be the difficulty of coping with life
with many systems not functioning, penury due to the lack of income,
death of friends and relatives, the dread of losing your land and
house to banks, or maybe something else I have not thought of.


feed_id: dd79017ef669546ab03997ae54b5a455
title: Preventable deaths
uri: Preventable-deaths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Preventable_deaths%29
content:
<p>
The saboteur's budget could cause <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/13/bill-melinda-gates-foundation-trump-budget-foreign-aid">millions of preventable deaths</a> over
the next decade.
<p>
That's not counting the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#2_April_2017_(Sabotage_of_our_climate_defense_plans)">hundreds of millions of deaths</a> that would be likely
later in the century.


feed_id: e303fcafcd33e195c2c7dd12eeeb72fd
title: Endocrine disrupting chemicals
uri: Endocrine-disrupting-chemicals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Endocrine_disrupting_chemicals%29

content:
<p>
An estimate suggests that endocrine disrupting chemicals cause <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/06/health-costs-hormone-disrupting-chemicals-150bn-a-year-europe-says-study">$170 billion
damage</a> per year in Europe, considering just the effect on human beings.
<p>
These chemicals harm wildlife, too.


feed_id: 1bab2d88a07a7486f70a08306e19ac74
title: Exporting meat
uri: Exporting-meat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Exporting_meat%29
content:
<p>
One additional reason the UK to beware a new business-supremacy treaty
with the US: the US will insist on exporting meat that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/14/us-trade-deal-government-farming-practices-livestock-antibiotics">brings
antibiotic resistance</a>.
<p>
The US may demand the usual ISDS (<a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">I Sue Democratic States</a>) provision too.


feed_id: cab8266e6ede9a1c76b2b3657fbf4bf7
title: Hiding profits in Canada
uri: Hiding-profits-in-Canada
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Hiding_profits_in_Canada%29
content:
<p>
Canada's easy attitude towards companies whose owners are secret
makes it a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/14/canada-corruption-snow-washing-investigation-private-companies">prime transit site</a> for hiding profits.


feed_id: e558e33e59bd7eb7c97cc3bfd167d902
title: PFAS chemicals
uri: PFAS-chemicals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28PFAS_chemicals%29
content:
<p>
PFAS chemicals in food packaging and no-stick pans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/13/chemicals-in-packaging-carpets-and-non-stick-pans-may-contribute-to-obesity">may cause obesity</a>.
<p>
They are also found in <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#12_February_2018_(Fire-extinguishing_foam)">firefighting foam</a>, whose use puts them
indirectly into water supplies.


feed_id: 136c54d3986722556226f0842aec802b
title: Immigrant arrests
uri: Immigrant-arrests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Immigrant_arrests%29
content:
<p>
US immigration thugs have <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/13/1740810/-Following-unleashing-of-ICE-arrests-of-immigrants-without-criminal-records-more-than-doubles">doubled their rate</a> of arresting (and
deporting) immigrants without criminal convictions.
<p>
Some of those people face charges, of which they might be found guilty
or innocent.  If they are found guilty, they could be deported for
that.  If they are found innocent, there will be no particular reason
for deporting them.  So what's the rush?


feed_id: a2834cb14c9d202436eba090bcfeb5b1
title: Netanyahu corruption cases
uri: Netanyahu-corruption-cases
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Netanyahu_corruption_cases%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/13/israeli-police-recommend-indicting-benjamin-netanyahu-for-bribery">Two more corruption cases</a> against Netanyahu.
<p>
Makes one think of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#27_December_2017_(Temer's_corruption)">President Temer</a>.


feed_id: e7a6062a0f54773e256ccfaeb804225e
title: Cutting the safety net
uri: Cutting-the-safety-net
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Cutting_the_safety_net%29
content:
<p>
How Trump's Budget Would <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/13/trump-budget-cuts-safety-net-for-poorest-americans">Cut the Safety Net</a> for the Poorest Americans.
<p>
It's designed to subjugate the poor and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/12/trump-budget-offers-stark-vision-we-cannot-afford-ignore">strengthen the rich</a>: 
blatant <a href="/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>.


feed_id: 01d6e2c4e99ba0bddf72b73aa54038c1
title: California housing
uri: California-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28California_housing%29
content:
<p>
California legislators <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/14/california-housing-crisis-laws-homelessness">propose to allow</a> tall buildings with dense
housing near all major bus lines and train stations.
<p>
I am completely in favor of this, because overall it will mean cheaper
housing and less homelessness.
<p>
However, it should be joined with stiff taxes on dwellings that are not
anyone's primary residence or are the primary residence of considerably
fewer people than would normally live there.


feed_id: 127a89066f0c6e98fceece574df3e047
title: Defense Logistics Agency
uri: Defense-Logistics-Agency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Defense_Logistics_Agency%29
content:
<p>
The US Defense Logistics Agency spent almost a billion dollars which
it can't document.  What to do?  <a href="https://reason.com/archives/2018/02/14/one-pentagon-agency-lost-track-of-800-mi">Spend even more</a>.


feed_id: 29a0b19df944de31a293da9754b31df9
title: Staying in touch
uri: Staying-in-touch
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Staying_in_touch%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/feb/14/google-tests-robot-chat-reply-friends">New software</a> will enable people to avoid pressure to stay in touch with
other people by having Eliza-like programs do it for them.
<p>
The humans will be effectively isolated from other humans while their social
stand-ins leak their personal data autonomously.


feed_id: c16e5b41401e2d5416d3fb9f548a9706
title: Energy, agriculture, environment
uri: Energy-agriculture-environment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Energy%2C_agriculture%2C_environment%29

content:
<p>
The saboteur's budget proposal <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/02/12/trumps-proposed-budget-eviscerates-federal-science-rural-and-environmental">would cut research</a> for clean energy and
better agriculture, as well as monitoring the environment.
<p>
It attacks the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/02/12/trump-administration-budget-and-infrastructure-proposals-signal-all-out-assault">environment and public health</a>.


feed_id: a8e1b3b8bbc40c0b603c2dd04d97e8a4
title: Judge in Assange case
uri: Judge-in-Assange-case
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Judge_in_Assange_case%29
content:
<p>
The judge that insists on arresting Assange <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/13/saying-extradition-fears-not-reasonable-uk-judge-refuses-lift-arrest-warrant-julian">refused to consider</a> the possible
plot to deliver him to the US.
<p>
We know the UK was lying when it claimed publicly to be pursuing Assange
on behalf of Sweden while <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_(Assange_warrant)">privately telling Sweden</a> not to stop providing
the excuse for this.


feed_id: 897834b18c7545dea5641eaef6cb429e
title: Misogynist sadism
uri: Misogynist-sadism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Misogynist_sadism%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#dodirty">President Do-dirty</a> of the Philippines is using misogynist sadism to
motivate his base.
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/duterte-tells-philippine-soldiers-to-shoot-female-rebels-in-their-vaginas/2018/02/12/fd42c6ae-0fb0-11e8-827c-5150c6f3dc79_story.html">
He called for soldiers to shoot women in the
genitals so as to leave them alive but mutilated.
</a>
<p>
In effect, he is training Filipinos to be sadist monsters, much as the <a href="/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> is doing in the US.


feed_id: eb47860476e1aae05daaaddb0209de85
title: Sanitized history curriculum
uri: Sanitized-history-curriculum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Sanitized_history_curriculum%29
content:
<p>
Education in the US normally teaches students almost nothing
about
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/12/disguising-imperialism-how-textbooks-get-cold-war-wrong-and-dupe-students">
all the democratic governments that the US overthrew
and replaced with repressive regimes.
</a>
<p>
Many of those countries are repressive today.  I doubt there would be
a jihadi movement if the US had not overthrown Mossadegh.


feed_id: e486a61f1081065aabe98e7c2235a1db
title: UK electric grid
uri: UK-electric-grid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28UK_electric_grid%29
content:
<p>
Corbyn plans to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/12/jeremy-corbyn-nationalize-democratize-electricity-grid-avert-climate-crisis">
nationalize the UK electric grid.
</a>
<p>
Meanwhile, the US wants to
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_(Puerto_Rico's_electric_grid)">
sell off Puerto Rico's electric grid.
</a>


feed_id: eb5d1073b874c7b48bd72c5a14a9abbd
title: Food assistance
uri: Food-assistance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Food_assistance%29
content:
<p>
Republicans want to replace part of food assistance with
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/12/1740763/-Trump-food-assistance-proposal-We-ll-control-what-people-eat-how-much-and-when">
a fixed box of groceries.
</a>
<p>
If this were an option, and provided more food,
I think many people would take it.  However,
treating poor people like dirt is the purpose
of this policy.  It is meant to intimidate them
so that they don't fight for their rights.


feed_id: 2316291e2acd2f7dad1b237f2c07266f
title: Urgent: Reject attack on Social Security
uri: Urgent-Reject-attack-on-Social-Security
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_attack_on_Social_Security%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Reject the idea of
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/ss-trump-rubio?t=1002&">
taking parental leave funds out of
future Social Security payments.
</a>
<p>
Making people go hungry when they are old is not an effective or just
way of discouraging reproduction.


feed_id: 089ac5d1ed4abcea6534d0bb35b5a169
title: Faux News
uri: 2018-02-17-Faux-News
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Faux_News%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#faux">Faux News</a> spread faux claims that
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/12/1740742/-Fox-News-helps-promote-Border-Patrol-union-s-alternative-facts-regarding-border-agent-s-death">
a border <a href="/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> was killed, and that
the alleged killers were Mexicans.
</a>
<p>
There is no evidence that the agent was killed at all.


feed_id: af3e4ec643620ce6b7cb33108006de68
title: Private sexual activities
uri: Private-sexual-activities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Private_sexual_activities%29
content:
<p>
A US appeals court ruled that governments
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/12/1740718/-Ninth-Circuit-decision-could-lead-to-SCOTUS-showdown-over-your-right-to-a-private-sex-life">
can't fire employees for
private sexual activities
</a>
in the absence of a work-related reason.
<p>
I hope the Supreme Court agrees with this.


feed_id: 851e504f61200c4c25e67e440e031759
title: Privatizing water supplies
uri: Privatizing-water-supplies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Privatizing_water_supplies%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s "infrastructure plan" includes
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/12/trump-wants-sell-our-water-wall-street">
privatizing water supplies,
</a>
so companies can raise the rates and bankrupt non-rich homeowners.


feed_id: c192810662f20ce9463fa83bb19f32d2
title: UK asylum system
uri: UK-asylum-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28UK_asylum_system%29
content:
<p>
Whistleblowers in the department that handles asylum claims for the UK 
say they that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/11/lottery-asylum-system-unjust-home-office-whistleblowers">
some agents hate immigrants and only want to say no.
</a>
<p>
Even those that want to judge cases honestly can't because they are
too overworked,
<p>
Does anyone know how the US compares with this?


feed_id: 70f734166fdf66ea01b5beb903b007dc
title: Racism and sexism
uri: Racism-and-sexism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Racism_and_sexism%29
content:
<p>
Even among progressives,
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/2/11/1739743/-Racism-and-prejudice-So-damn-exhausting-but-can-make-one-stronger">
racism and sexism are still present.
</a>


feed_id: 2b10a1eed19162e0d02ab4acf5c84849
title: Marijuana businesses
uri: Marijuana-businesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Marijuana_businesses%29
content:
<p>
Federal regulations make it
<a href="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/banking-on-the-pot-industry/">
difficult for banks to serve marijuana
</a>
businesses, but one bank has found a way.


feed_id: bbda750266229b18268a60acacbe7375
title: Phony abortion advice
uri: Phony-abortion-advice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Phony_abortion_advice%29
content:
<p>
Phony abortion advice organizations (whose advice is always "don't")
<a href="https://gizmodo.com/how-google-maps-leads-women-seeking-abortions-astray-1822882758">
gave Google Maps so as to fool women that want an abortion.
</a>


feed_id: 3c2922439d65a2c6b60271bc79774c70
title: Rule by oligarchs
uri: Rule-by-oligarchs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Rule_by_oligarchs%29
content:
<p>
Rule by oligarchs (i.e., plutocracy) explains
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/02/12/deadly-rule-oligarchs">
why so many US government policy
make life worse for the non-plutocrats.
</a>


feed_id: af39d08e393712532e71a3931b59863f
title: Environmental reviews
uri: Environmental-reviews
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Environmental_reviews%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a>-in-chief's infrastructure plan would make development
more "efficient" by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/13/trump-infrastructure-plan-environmental-reviews">
ignoring the harm a project will do to everyone else.
</a>


feed_id: 1d1498a0fd4afebc58bb87963c9fc9d1
title: Egypt's presidential election
uri: Egypt-s-presidential-election
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Egypt%27s_presidential_election%29

content:
<p>
Egypt's Allies Urged to Denounce
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/13/egypt-allies-urged-to-denounce-farcical-presidential-election-abdel-fatah-al-sisi">
'Farcical' Presidential Election.
</a>
<p>
It resembles
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#31_January_2018_(Putin's_rigged_election)">
Putin's farcical election.
</a>


feed_id: dfb04642ba3db44e198e5b07a58a106f
title: Ahed Tamimi's trial
uri: Ahed-Tamimi-s-trial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Ahed_Tamimi%27s_trial%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/13/palestinian-teenager-ahed-tamimis-trial-begins-behind-closed-doors">
Israel considers Ahed Tamimi so dangerous
</a>
that reporters have been banned from her trial.
<a href="https://stallman.org/notes/2014-may-aug.html#15_July_2014_(Secret_trial_in_China)">
  Chinese style.
</a>


feed_id: e9f4b34ab93ff5d6a87d7709ab921b37
title: Two feet sea-level rise
uri: Two-feet-sea-level-rise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Two_feet_sea-level_rise%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/13/melting-ice-sheets-are-hastening-sea-level-rise-satellite-data-confirms">
The melting of ice on Antarctica and Greenland is accelerating,
</a>
so sea-level rise in this century is sure to be more than two feet.


feed_id: 598093d37c13f89c6e70774ea0af99eb
title: Spring flowers in autumn
uri: Spring-flowers-in-autumn
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Spring_flowers_in_autumn%29
content:
<p>
People who
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/13/a-first-in-my-60-years-readers-spot-early-signs-of-spring">
pay attention to the annual cycle in nature
</a>
can see <a href="/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> advance.


feed_id: 85c33e964bbb1f0669d46e0d94abc909
title: Agro-forestry
uri: Agro-forestry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Agro-forestry%29
content:
<p>
Agro-forestry is being used in many countries
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/13/worlds-lost-forests-returning-trees">
to restore forests.
</a>


feed_id: 2330f9b6c3927fe90eb0c1015f3062c6
title: Haiti aid scandal
uri: Haiti-aid-scandal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Haiti_aid_scandal%29
content:
<p>
The real scandal of aid organizations in Haiti is,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/feb/13/ngo-crimes-go-far-beyond-oxfam">
why did so
little of the aid money donated to them for Haiti get spent to help
Haiti?
</a>

I do not think it is wrong to hire sex workers (or to be a sex worker),
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/feb/13/oxfam-disgraced-haiti-official-liberia-post-roland-van-hauwermeiren">
so I won't criticize the staff of these organizations for hiring them.
</a>
  Hiring a prostitute is not "sexual abuse".
<p>
However, if the staff spent a lot of money on sex workers, that could
be a sign they were diverting the aid money to themselves.  That would
be part of the real scandal.  Whether this was done by stealing, or
"only" by arranging terms of employment that put too much of the
organization's money into enriching the staff, is just a detail.  It's
corruption either way.


feed_id: 46e5d0218385044d3778603c68f81580
title: US election manipulation
uri: US-election-manipulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28US_election_manipulation%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2018/2/13/1740978/-Intelligence-chiefs-warn-that-Russian-election-interference-is-going-to-be-worse-in-2018">
Russia is likely to manipulate the 2018 US election,
</a>
and might improve
its approach compared with its successful 2016 effort.


feed_id: 6896c600729889ecff8e97dbe221e8e1
title: US gun sales dropping
uri: US-gun-sales-dropping
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28US_gun_sales_dropping%29
content:
<p>
US gun sales have dropped so much that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/13/remington-bankruptcy-guns-trump-slump-sales">
gun manufacturers are in trouble.
</a>
<p>
The NRA functions as a marketing and lobbying arm for the gun
manufacturers.  If they don't have money to give it, the NRA may get
much weaker.


feed_id: 0f4dc98eeb30f93c24962384d2b331a6
title: Extramarital and homosexual sex
uri: Extramarital-and-homosexual-sex
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Extramarital_and_homosexual_sex%29

content:
<p>
Indonesia is about to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/14/indonesia-is-about-to-outlaw-homosexual-sex-can-we-stop-it">
criminalize all sexual acts outside of
heterosexual marriage.
</a>


feed_id: 61050d2b49d5115bf4c22969b7f59801
title: Assange arrest warrant
uri: Assange-arrest-warrant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Assange_arrest_warrant%29
content:
<p>
A UK court insisted that the UK would
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/feb/13/judge-refuses-to-withdraw-julian-assange-arrest-warrant">
arrest Assange if he leaves the
Ecuadorian embassy.
</a>
<p>
<p>
Even if the judge made this decision "on the merits" of that narrow aspect
of the case, due to the context it would be a continuation of the scheme,
punishing Assange for the UK government's dishonesty.  However, given
all the secret machinations, and given that UK judges often uphold
such machinations, I so not believe that this ruling was independent.
I think the judge is complicit in the same scheme.
<p>
If that is not true, let him prove it.


feed_id: 131465484b2b988763e894f4e0811352
title: Racial figleaf
uri: Racial-figleaf
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Racial_figleaf%29
content:
<p>
<a href="/glossary.html#trump">The troll</a> is a master of making racist statements,
<a href="https://theconversation.com/shitholes-and-figleaves-how-donald-trump-is-making-racist-language-ok-again-91705">
then semi-covering
them with "figleaves"
</a>
to help his supporters pretend they were not
racist.


feed_id: 69b487027476aeeed90f418e35cc374e
title: Computational extrapolation
uri: Computational-extrapolation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_%28Computational_extrapolation%29
content:
<p>
Computational extrapolation, used to predict success or failure in work,
<a href="https://theconversation.com/predictive-algorithms-are-no-better-at-telling-the-future-than-a-crystal-ball-91329">
turns out to be a self-fulfilling prophesy.
</a>


