# articles

feed_id: 44eb058c00e58288184157a6317801ad
title: Gang enhancement
uri: Gang-enhancement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_November_2019_%28Gang_enhancement%29
content:
<p>
You might suppose that a "gang enhancement" is intended to make a gang
larger.  Actually it is a euphemism for lengthening a prison sentence
based on claiming the prisoner belongs to a gang.  Most prisoners in
California have their sentences increased in this way, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/26/california-gang-enhancements-laws-black-latinos">but generally
it happens only to blacks and Hispanics</a>.

<p>
While in prison, the prisoners can be put in solitary confinement for
long periods <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_September_2015_(Solitary_confinement_of_gang_leaders)">based on flimsily arguments that they belong to gangs</a>.


feed_id: 899f09ff07637c29bdacb9ac7736017e
title: Fossil fuel propaganda
uri: Fossil-fuel-propaganda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_November_2019_%28Fossil_fuel_propaganda%29
content:
<p>
"Whenever you read a newspaper article claiming EVs are worse than
diesel or petrol cars, that article <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/26/yes-electric-vehicles-really-are-better-than-fossil-fuel-burners">will be based on a report that
deliberately makes EVs look worse than they are</a>."


feed_id: c4d30454c23ff74a742de359268d5197
title: Military dictatorship in Bolivia
uri: Military-dictatorship-in-Bolivia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_November_2019_%28Military_dictatorship_in_Bolivia%29

content:
<p>
"Only two weeks since seizing state power, the evidence is clear: this
   is a rightwing, military dictatorship. The telltale sign for a country
   like Bolivia is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/26/bolivia-rightwing-military-dictatorship">the outright Indian killing</a>."


feed_id: 9b1898d69c182c0a6dcdaf5440a4b576
title: Replanting coral reefs
uri: Replanting-coral-reefs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_November_2019_%28Replanting_coral_reefs%29
content:
<p>
Replanting coral reefs in Kenya <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/26/lobsters-and-octopuses-are-back-kenyan-women-leading-coral-reef-revival-wasini-island">has brought back fish and invertebrates
for people to catch</a>.

<p>
Alas, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#17_February_2017_(Global_heating)">when the ocean gets acidic enough to kill all coral</a>, replanting won't work any more.


feed_id: efe392120fb9da9e5c7c2d8f623214e1
title: University market model
uri: University-market-model
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_November_2019_%28University_market_model%29
content:
<p>
The market model of the university <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/25/the-guardian-view-on-university-strikes-a-battle-for-the-soul-of-the-campus">is pushing professors into poverty</a>.

<p>
There are some exceptions in that pattern.  In some fields, a
professor can raise lots of research grants, especially by selling per
research to business.  But that isn't good either.


feed_id: 5deba58577e6eaaadb8d55b97def1363
title: Minor parties in elections
uri: Minor-parties-in-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_November_2019_%28Minor_parties_in_elections%29
content:
<p>
Plutocratist Democrats in New York State <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/11/25/new-york-cuomo-working-families-party-ballot/">are pushing to make it harder
for parties other than the principal two to participate in elections</a>.


feed_id: a83a018fd5eadbb59bfbfafe24893e6a
title: House Progressive Caucus and surveillance
uri: House-Progressive-Caucus-and-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_November_2019_%28House_Progressive_Caucus_and_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
The House Progressive Caucus rubber-stamped a short extension of <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/11/25/when-progressives-congress-let-us-down-we-should-push-back">PAT
RIOT Act massive surveillance powers</a>.

<p>
Apparently that caucus doesn't recognize the need to resist surveillance.
Not yet.


feed_id: c155a7c87ed5800d8e58f9a55bbdfdad
title: Right to repair and military
uri: Right-to-repair-and-military
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_November_2019_%28Right_to_repair_and_military%29
content:
<p>
Bizarrely, the lack of right to repair <a href="https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2019/11/lack-of-right-to-repair-limits-ability-of-us-military-to-maintain-its-own-equipment.html">shafts the US military just as it
shafts individuals</a>.

<p>
Morally, the individuals are more important; but this example may help
persuade legislators.


feed_id: a2bf058ab60aa3ff3df28171e6abeb0d
title: Response to bigotry
uri: Response-to-bigotry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_November_2019_%28Response_to_bigotry%29
content:
<p>
The provost of the University of Indiana says that <a href="https://provost.indiana.edu/statements/index.html">perse would not
fire bigoted Professor Rasmusen for his bigotry</a> even if perse could.

<p>
What <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> will do is make sure that Rasmusen cannot grade students
based on bigotry, and that no student is required to take his classes.

<p>
I think this is the right way to deal with such situations.
Apparently Rasmusen's bigotry is extreme and unmistakable, but anyone
can make statements in which someone else will detect some sort of
stereotype, and could then be denounced as "racist" or "sexist".
It is right, it is crucial, to discourage bigotry without a witch hunt.


feed_id: 22eefb60f73d111d512038db2115e471
title: Bullshitter distraction
uri: Bullshitter-distraction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_November_2019_%28Bullshitter_distraction%29
content:
<p>
The bullshitter is trying to distract attention from his shakedown of
Ukraine by claiming this is a legitimate response to supposed
"Ukrainian election interference" in 2016.  Some Republican officials
endorse this claim.  However, US intelligence officials have told
senators that there was no such thing: rather, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/us/politics/ukraine-russia-interference.html">Putin is trying to
pin his own interference on Ukraine</a>.

<p>
Aside from that, even if Ukraine had tried to interfere in the US election
of 2016, that would be entirely irrelevant to the issue of the shakedown.


feed_id: b6c93d3cd963530560abb30a4fa9bea8
title: Corruption
uri: 2019-11-28-Corruption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_November_2019_%28Corruption%29
content:
<p>
Senator Warren <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/11/21/warren-raises-corruption-alarm-after-trump-zuckerberg-and-thiel-hold-secret-white">called the conman's secret meeting with Zuckerberg and
Peter Thiel "corruption"</a>.  This is correct.

<p>
This may well be corruption in the narrowest moral sense; campaign
funds from the rich are effectively bribes.  However, there is a
broader sense of corruption: even in the absence of an outright bribe,
the power of the rich corrupts Democracy.  This meeting is certainly
a part of that.


feed_id: 415dfa8776e52acf19fbb557ece15bfb
title: Labour and suffering
uri: Labour-and-suffering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_November_2019_%28Labour_and_suffering%29
content:
<p>
Corbyn and the Labour Party <a href="https://jacobinmag.com/2019/11/labour-party-manifesto-jeremy-corbyn/">plan to tackle Tory-imposed suffering
firmly and thoroughly</a>.

<p>
The cost <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/25/labour-will-bring-uk-into-line-with-france-and-germany-says-corbyn">will not be exorbitant</a>.  Other countries' examples show that businesses and rich people will
have no trouble paying for this.


feed_id: 374b51a5ddbbd52b8a6a0372b3f250c8
title: President's aide must testify
uri: President-s-aide-must-testify
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_November_2019_%28President%27s_aide_must_testify%29

content:
<p>
A judge ruled in clear and strong terms that the president's aides <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/11/25/noting-presidents-are-not-kings-federal-judge-rules-don-mcgahn-must-submit">must
testify to Congress under subpoena</a>.

<p>
Will the Republican-appointed judges on the Supreme Court heed this
obvious principle, or will they fabricate an excuse to protect
the bullshitter?


feed_id: 4e57e3e4e038168427d08e4141d978bf
title: Black Friday
uri: Black-Friday
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_November_2019_%28Black_Friday%29
content:
<p>
A survey found that Black Friday is almost all phony, in the UK at least.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/nov/26/black-friday-uk-discounts-genuine-which">95% of the deals do not really offer a specially low price</a>.

<p>
There is a deeper fault in Black Friday: it focuses people's attention
on yearning to buy things they surely don't need.  Some of the things
may be of actual use, and I wouldn't say nobody should buy any of them.
(Though some of them are full of proprietary malware <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/proprietary-surveillance.html">which may spy on users</a>, or <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/proprietary-drm.html">restrict them with DRM</a>, and nobody should buy those.)  However, even if there is nothing
immoral about a particular product, and it is of some use, you should not
let yourself be manipulated so by sales campaigns.


feed_id: 8bb5b2ec605bf5a0129e6caf5795c9d1
title: Pardoning
uri: Pardoning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_November_2019_%28Pardoning%29
content:
<p>
Should Congress investigate the conman's practice of <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/trump-navy-secretary/">pardoning
military personnel convicted of war crimes as possible grounds for
impeachment</a>?

<p>
Pardoning them was wrong &mdash; war crimes call for punishment, and the US
usually fails to try the perpetrators.

<p>
Whether a politically controversial pardon should be grounds for
impeachment is a different question.  I think a president ought to
pardon whistleblowers and journalists, including Edward Snowden and
Julian Assange.  That too is politically controversial.  Should a
president be impeached for pardoning them?

<p>
Should Governor Altgeld have been impeached for pardoning the union
leaders wrongly convicted of the Haymarket bombing?  (Their "trial"
didn't try to prove they had anything to do with it.)  He was quite
unpopular after pardoning them, but the act was not treated a crime.


feed_id: a74b07f8f9f9b9fb0e9179b26cd0e7c2
title: Realism of Bernie Sanders
uri: Realism-of-Bernie-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Realism_of_Bernie_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
The Realism of <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/11/25/realism-bernie-sanders-climate-policy">Bernie Sanders' Climate Policy</a>.  It will make rich people and companies pay to build the systems
that will enable everyone to reduce their greenhouse gas footprints.


feed_id: 00651ddef8e1a80c0830d5b1d6e465b9
title: Frustrated camera
uri: Frustrated-camera
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Frustrated_camera%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/facial-recognition-software-knows-it-has-seen-man-befor-1840033674">satire</a>) a Cognitec FaceVACS-VideoScan Unit #121 facial recognition
camera expressed frustration Monday after focusing on a man it knew
it had seen before and found itself unable to remember his name.


feed_id: 4563159f4f86a7cd8274c9055e139113
title: Uber and identity
uri: Uber-and-identity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Uber_and_identity%29
content:
<p>
Uber has lost its license to operate in London, ironically for failing
to assure <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2019/nov/25/rival-ride-hailing-firms-can-steer-tfl-standards-why-not-uber">the identity of drivers</a>.

<p>
It should lose its license for insisting on identifying passengers.


feed_id: 7923bff80535d97e95156310d7959d6c
title: Arming murderers
uri: Arming-murderers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Arming_murderers%29
content:
<p>
A British company provided a crucial piece of weapons technology for
Turkey's armed drones, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/nov/27/revealed-uk-technology-turkey-rise-global-drone-power">which it has used recently to kill civilians</a>.


feed_id: 077452af8eed20484774d5818d3f2cd7
title: Vote for the planet
uri: Vote-for-the-planet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Vote_for_the_planet%29
content:
<p>
George Monbiot: *A vote for the planet <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/27/planet-vote-labour-greens-climate-crisis-election">means a vote for Labour or the Greens</a>.*


feed_id: 53359c166775ab8403d9bee7618b6bbf
title: Meanwhile in China
uri: Meanwhile-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Meanwhile_in_China%29
content:
<p>
China has dispatched over a million Han people to live in the humes
of Uighurs <a href="https://apnews.com/9ca1c29fc9554c1697a8729bba4dd93b">who must treat them as "relatives"</a>.


feed_id: 568ac5b0b87c875c2f0047823a95be9a
title: Crabbers and whales
uri: Crabbers-and-whales
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Crabbers_and_whales%29
content:
<p>
*[California] crabbers are postponing their harvest <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/27/why-a-california-delicacy-wont-be-on-the-menu-this-thanksgiving">to avoid
 entangling whales</a>.*


feed_id: 31e459b969df91c7dab2efa1b56442d5
title: Middle-class taxes
uri: Middle-class-taxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Middle-class_taxes%29
content:
<p>
*How can it be wrong to raise taxes on middle-class workers but
acceptable to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/27/class-war-conservatives-taxes-middle-class">cut benefits and squeeze working-class wages</a>?*


feed_id: 473ba78b17b36b81b22a076313e7e02a
title: Urgent: Free Julian Assange
uri: Urgent-Free-Julian-Assange
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Free_Julian_Assange%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13776">call on the UK</a> to free Julian Assange.

<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 32e47fe4e8843ba50b9307b3f952d679
title: Urgent: Medicare for All
uri: 2019-11-29-Urgent-Medicare-for-All
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Medicare_for_All%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-now-we-need-medicare-for-all-now?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-report-documents-reveal-hospital-industry-is-leading-fight-against-medicare-for-all">call on Congress</a> to pass Medicare for All.

<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 0b21531c88b94898e3e73e8cd4351951
title: Urgent: Free Lamar Johnson
uri: Urgent-Free-Lamar-Johnson
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Free_Lamar_Johnson%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/lamar_johnson/">call on Missouri Attorney General Schmitt</a> to free Lamar Johnson.

<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 09c84f9e971c0675c42d7614b35fff4d
title: Ending ground wars
uri: Ending-ground-wars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Ending_ground_wars%29
content:
<p>
Polls say that Americans want to end the US's ground wars.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/11/26/end-wars-win-antiwar-vote">Even most
Republicans do</a>.

<p>
That leaves out the question of the drone assassination campaigns in many
countries.


feed_id: 576a1b2e88cbaf8e65b0d56285547968
title: For climate action
uri: For-climate-action
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28For_climate_action%29
content:
<p>
*My hunger strike could be deadly. But I am willing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/27/hunger-strike-climate-action-extinction-rebellion">to risk that for climate
action</a>.*


feed_id: bcd1eb936bc153c0c7ff5a46edf336c1
title: Billionaire protests
uri: Billionaire-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Billionaire_protests%29
content:
<p>
"Billionaire-funded protests will inevitably make everyone more
cynical <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/27/billionare-funded-protests-america">about the integrity of real protests</a>."


feed_id: 9f958ddb82820895fb9d7cd332ed6b63
title: Retiring humans
uri: Retiring-humans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Retiring_humans%29
content:
<p>
The world Go champion has retired from professional play, saying he
considers it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/27/go-game-master-quits-saying-machines-cannot-be-defeated">pointless for humans to compete in that game</a>.


feed_id: b0e401d007fd89ee0f990588593234d8
title: NHS up for sale
uri: NHS-up-for-sale
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28NHS_up_for_sale%29
content:
<p>
*Jeremy Corbyn reveals dossier <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/nov/27/jeremy-corbyn-reveals-dossier-proving-nhs-up-for-sale">'proving NHS up for sale'</a>.*


feed_id: a68c5ab1b0985180a9d436f6061112ec
title: Lead poisoning in US
uri: Lead-poisoning-in-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Lead_poisoning_in_US%29
content:
<p>
Many US cities have problems with lead poisoning.  Here is how Cleveland
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/nov/27/we-can-stop-our-children-being-poisoned-the-fight-for-a-lead-free-cleveland">is taking action to put an end to it</a>.


feed_id: ac81510c4f4ee05e7534c39e242dcdd3
title: Democrats and war in Yemen
uri: Democrats-and-war-in-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Democrats_and_war_in_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
We can't count on Democrats in the House of Representatives to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/11/27/yemen-war-khanna-bernie-sanders-ndaa/">stand firm
against funding Salafi Arabia's war with Yemen</a>.

<p>
It may be useful to phone your congresscritter (of whichever party)
to oppose this.


feed_id: 87ffd88852674618921af6f91f7c0b60
title: Contact for the Web
uri: Contact-for-the-Web
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Contact_for_the_Web%29
content:
<p>
The "Contract for the Web" aims to protect privacy, but its privacy rules
are inadequate &mdash; <a href="https://contractfortheweb.org/principles/principle-3-respect-and-protect-peoples-fundamental-online-privacy-and-data-rights/">similar to the European Union's GDPR</a>.

<p>
There are cities in Europe and the US that require motorists to enter
the car's license plate number to pay for parking.  Cities say they
chose this method because it is efficient &mdash; but its byproduct is to
impose an additional system of massive surveillance on a large fraction
of the population.

<p>
The most sensitive data about you are your daily activities: where you
go, what you do there, and who you talk with.  Machine learning can
deduce many important things about you from these data.  It can identify
dissidents, whistleblowers, and journalists.

<p>
It is useless to try to prevent abuse of these data with rules about
using them.  <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">Personal data, once collected, <em>will</em> be misused</a>.  Businesses and states will push to misuse them, and China shows
where that will lead.

<p>
Thus, adequate rules to protect privacy must ensure nobody collects
these data about you except <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/real-privacy-laws.html">under a court order that specifies you</a>.

<p>
In particular, adequate rules would clearly prohibit using massive
surveillance to collect parking fees.  So we can judge any proposed
rules by checking whether they would certainly prohibit that.

<p>
The Contract for the Web offers no certainty of this, so it is not
adequate.


feed_id: 979fd797726253d618d8288b5515c450
title: Former UK state assets
uri: Former-UK-state-assets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Former_UK_state_assets%29
content:
<p>
The private companies that own the UK electric and water grids have
moved them into offshore holding companies to take advantage of
special business-supremacy treaties <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/nov/24/power-firms-move-ownership-offshore-to-protect-against-labour-renationalisation">that the UK has made with a few
other countries</a>.

<p>
The UK should try to renegotiate those treaties to exclude former
state assets that have been privatized.  If that doesn't work, it should
abrogate those treaties entirely.


feed_id: 60e2a1fb9c6f3b1a5933c73bf204b4fc
title: Germany's low wages
uri: Germany-s-low-wages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Germanys_low_wages%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/26/germany-damaging-european-economy-raise-german-wages
">Germany is damaging the European economy. The answer? Raise German
wages</a>.


feed_id: b9d2aa96335b83cd0b045f91b1ff8b46
title: Governments' use of malware
uri: Governments-use-of-malware
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Governments_use_of_malware%29
content:
<p>
Governments acquire malware "to spy on terrorists", then use it to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/26/surveillance-industry-suppression-spyware">spy
on dissidents and reporters (as well as whistleblowers)</a>.
<p>
The goal of stopping terrorism, while good in itself, cannot justify
endangering dissent and journalism, because a repressive and
unaccountable state is far more dangerous than underground terrorists.


feed_id: 0c4e2b508e7c8011d930cef5a83db7d6
title: Foreigners tortured and drugged in UAE
uri: Foreigners-tortured-and-drugged-in-UAE
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Foreigners_tortured_and_drugged_in_UAE%29

content:
<p>
Matthew Hedges: 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/26/detained-uae-britain-trade-citizens-foreign-office">I
was detained in the UAE. I learned that Britain puts trade before its
citizens</a>.  He reports being tortured and drugged.
<p>
The article lists other foreigners that were imprisoned there for
absurd reasons.


feed_id: 69df7a8e982363a1530635ea15b564f9
title: Iran crushes protests with gunfire
uri: Iran-crushes-protests-with-gunfire
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Iran_crushes_protests_with_gunfire%29

content:
<p>
Iran crushed nationwide protests with 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/26/the-guardian-view-on-irans-protests-unrest-is-crushed-unhappiness-endures">gunfire
and arrests</a>.


feed_id: 4906f577520defc5c49eba405e84a38f
title: Tories' reshuffling of welfare payments
uri: Tories-reshuffling-of-welfare-payments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Tories_reshuffling_of_welfare_payments%29

content:
<p>
The Tories' reshuffling of welfare payments 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/nov/23/million-families-cut-universal-credit-benefits-debts">makes
people wait 5 weeks with no income at the start</a>.  Some (60%, or
one million families) have got loans to cover that period, but the
price of this is repaying the loans after.  It makes people hungry or
homeless.


feed_id: ee307134997c41791629b956da4df9fd
title: Amazon facial recognition "watch lists"
uri: Amazon-facial-recognition-watch-lists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28Amazon_facial_recognition_watch_lists%29

content:
<p>
Amazon’s Ring 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/11/26/amazon-ring-home-security-facial-recognition/">Planned
Neighborhood "Watch Lists" Built on Facial Recognition</a>.


feed_id: 4a541f8be85a7ce46c36e6143f52e63a
title: The women and children of PISSI
uri: The-women-and-children-of-PISSI
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28The_women_and_children_of_PISSI%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/27/women-isis-syria-camps-refugees">We
must not abandon the women and children of [<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>] in camps in
Syria</a>.


feed_id: ec44498b67e3381763e6758b8dfb9a8e
title: UK's "hostile environment" for foreigners
uri: UK-s-hostile-environment-for-foreigners
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_November_2019_%28UKs_hostile_environment_for_foreigners%29

content:
<p>
The UK's "hostile environment" for foreigners extended to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2019/nov/27/thousands-of-asylum-seekers-may-be-due-damages-after-court-home-office-ruling">jailing
asylum seekers who had been tortured or trafficked</a>.  The Supreme
Court ruled this was illegal.
<p>
It also 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/nov/26/university-staff-launch-fightback-against-hostile-environment">covers
foreign academics at UK universities</a>.  Terrified universities are
checking passports when faculty from other universities are going to
do even small tasks.
<p>
Academics are pushing back by refusing to show their passports on such
occasions.


feed_id: d616690e68ca03c4872b4f1016916b91
title: US law enforcement vision of Keystone protesters
uri: 2019-11-30-US-law-enforcement-vision-of-Keystone-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_November_2019_%28US_law_enforcement_vision_of_Keystone_protesters%29

content:
<p>
*US law enforcement officials preparing for fresh Keystone XL
pipeline protests have privately discussed tactics to stop activists
   “by any means” and have labeled demonstrators potential “domestic
   terrorism” threats, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/25/keystone-xl-protests-pipeline-activism-environment">records reveal</a>.*


feed_id: 3d31e7f7c486c49e108f8f7125a56b41
title: Pro-democracy Hong Kong vote
uri: 2019-11-30-Pro-democracy-Hong-Kong-vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_November_2019_%28Pro-democracy_Hong_Kong_vote%29
content:
<p>
Pro-democracy candidates swept the elections for Hong Kong local councils.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/25/china-issues-warning-over-hong-kong-after-election-blow">Supporters of China's power won 10% of the seats</a>.
<p>
I've been told that 57% of the votes were for pro-democracy candidates,
according to
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/trad/chinese-news-50543193">this
article</a>.

<p>
Now it is clear that the people of Hong Kong mostly agree with the
protesters.  Can anyone find out what fraction of <em>votes</em> were for the
pro-democracy candidates?

<p>
I've read that these local councils choose some of the territory's
legislature, too.  So the consequences could be significant.


feed_id: e984e99c5f360330bfebc6b6808ef33d
title: Thugs killing in Colombia
uri: Thugs-killing-in-Colombia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28Thugs_killing_in_Colombia%29
content:
<p>
Students and workers in Colombia are holding another large protest
because <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/27/colombia-national-strike-unions-students-dilan-cruz">a thug killed a protester in the previous large protest</a>.

<p>
Killing protesters with a tear gas canister is usually not an accident.
It results from aiming at someone's head, instead of away from people.


feed_id: 77c30edb5268258a2e926b19de428880
title: Charges dropped on Extinction Rebellion protesters
uri: Charges-dropped-on-Extinction-Rebellion-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28Charges_dropped_on_Extinction_Rebellion_protesters%29

content:
<p>
Many Extinction Rebellion protesters charged with the crime of
protesting in London <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/27/charges-dropped-against-more-than-100-extinction-rebellion-protesters">will have charges dropped</a>.

<p>
Some Extinction Rebellion activists are using a hunger strike to
demand that various UK parties <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/27/meet-extinction-rebellions-hunger-strikers">support their climate emergency bill</a>.


feed_id: a31effdeb54430779a900dfd2ba5f41a
title: Climatic tipping point
uri: Climatic-tipping-point
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28Climatic_tipping_point%29
content:
<p>
Scientists say, watch out for climatic tipping points which lead to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/27/climate-emergency-world-may-have-crossed-tipping-points">irreversible slide towards disaster</a>.


feed_id: c9578bc5836bd71413631b63b8c8d088
title: Gerrymandering
uri: 2019-11-30-Gerrymandering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28Gerrymandering%29
content:
<p>
How citizens of Michigan won <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/27/gerrymandering-michigan-citizens-voters-not-politicians">the elimination of Republican gerrymandering</a>.


feed_id: 9bceb18cb7ffd3ffaa5e024ba913f883
title: Bella Ciao
uri: Bella-Ciao
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28Bella_Ciao%29
content:
<p>
A leaderless movement in Italy sparks large protests against Salvini,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/27/the-guardian-view-on-italys-sardine-movement-politics-with-panache-can-defeat-the-hard-right">sometimes bigger than his own campaign rallies</a>.


feed_id: e66c5ae4e970176a7a6ce06695d31105
title: NHS and US Big Pharma
uri: NHS-and-US-Big-Pharma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28NHS_and_US_Big_Pharma%29
content:
<p>
The Tories have discussed with the US plans to let Big Pharma (and
other drug companies) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/27/leaked-papers-prove-tories-want-to-sell-off-nhs-claims-corbyn">gouge on drugs for the NHS</a>.

<p>
*My investigation into a US trade deal shows <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/27/us-trade-deal-nhs-investigation-brexit-drugs">it really could cost the NHS
millions</a>.*


feed_id: cb7a9df2fa375f583c42d3e557a3ffc8
title: Increases in particulate air pollution
uri: Increases-in-particulate-air-pollution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28Increases_in_particulate_air_pollution%29

content:
<p>
Small temporary increases in levels of particulate air pollution lead
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/27/impact-of-air-pollution-on-health-may-be-far-worse-than-thought-study-suggests">small temporary increases in the rate of hospital admissions for
heart attacks and other illnesses</a>.

<p>
It suggests that larger long-term increases in levels of particulate
air pollution lead to larger long-term increases in the rate of the
same illnesses.

<p>
The study covered Americans enrolled in Medicare &mdash; that is, almost
entirely those aged 65 and over.  Whether the same would apply to
younger people is not known.


feed_id: 0508bc14fe30df4c2acb752ba2405d34
title: Measles outbreak
uri: 2019-11-30-Measles-outbreak
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28Measles_outbreak%29
content:
<p>
Samoa's measles vaccination rate has fallen way down, leading to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/28/samoa-measles-outbreak-who-blames-anti-vaccine-scare-death-toll">an
outbreak that has infected 3000 people and killed 39</a>.


feed_id: fe67c6ec702c91ff12671745cea0eb42
title: On-line advertising
uri: 2019-11-30-On-line-advertising
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28On-line_advertising%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/timeline-of-online-advertising-1840060177">satire</a>) History of on-line advertising.


feed_id: 550ab86208ac42e5b1f79c35f0538dba
title: The conman knew
uri: The-conman-knew
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28The_conman_knew%29
content:
<p>
[The conman] Reportedly Knew of Whistleblower Complaint <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/11/27/only-did-right-thing-when-he-got-caught-trump-reportedly-knew-whistleblower">When He
Unfroze Ukraine Aid</a>.

<p>
In other words, he knew his shakedown was going to become public
knowledge.


feed_id: e361154a234085874a0280610f17a96e
title: Refugee in jail
uri: Refugee-in-jail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28Refugee_in_jail%29
content:
<p>
A refugee who was tortured in Sudan and then beaten up in Italy
reached the UK and was subsequently jailed repeatedly there.  The UK
Supreme Court ruled that this was illegal.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/nov/27/i-still-suffer-trauma-home-offices-unlawful-detentions-case-study">It took the UK 7 years to
agree to consider his asylum claim</a>.


feed_id: e7419fe03417b32fd1268e706852fe6f
title: Bloomberg and books
uri: Bloomberg-and-books
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28Bloomberg_and_books%29
content:
<p>
Bloomberg, as mayor of New York City, eliminated some public libraries
and reduced the collections of the rest.  <a href="http://citizensdefendinglibraries.blogspot.com/2019/03/defending-libraries-testimony-to-city.html">Now New York City is doing more
of the same</a>.

<p>
My favorite library branch, the Donnell Library Center, is where I
went to look for textbooks on many subjects.  It was shut down in 2008
to sell the land to a hotel, and replaced 8 years later with a much
smaller library.


feed_id: 0a731475d9291aa61bb589c0681e3fee
title: Who Biden saw
uri: Who-Biden-saw
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28Who_Biden_saw%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/11/19/it-was-revealing-who-joe-biden-saw-and-who-he-didnt-see-california">It Was Revealing</a> Who Joe Biden Saw &mdash; and Who He Didn't See &mdash; in California.


feed_id: ac806eb4a91d5478ab8437cfcfd46565
title: Governors' antispecism
uri: Governors-antispecism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28Governors%27_antispecism%29
content:
<p>
Many US governors never pardon a human being, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/nov/27/turkey-thanksgiving-us-politicians-pardon-criminal-justice">only turkeys</a>.


feed_id: 9efeee5e13d8a641b99e24c590f85638
title: Cultural appropriation
uri: 2019-11-30-Cultural-appropriation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28Cultural_appropriation%29
content:
<p>
Micah Sample, a student at Indiana Wesleyan University, <a href="https://reason.com/2019/11/26/indiana-wesleyan-micah-sample-cultural-appropriation/">was harshly
punished for publishing a statement rejecting the idea that "cultural
appropriation" is something to be condemned</a>.

<p>
One of the comments pointed out that the article errs in describing
his statement as "trollish".  He stated his sincere views, not
a phony provocation.

<p>
I've stated <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#17_August_2018_(Racial_censorship)">similar views</a> and I stand by them.  Culture exists for everyone to appropriate,
because that is how culture develops.  It is as harmful for an ethnic
group to own a cultural practice as it is for Disney to own one.

<p>
This is not to say that there is no such thing as an offensive
statement.  Obviously, a statement or gesture can mock or insult
people, and it is normal for the targets to take offense at this.
Harsh mockery and insults are unkind, and can get to the point of
being nasty.

<p>
However, the issue at hand is the claim that incorporating elements
from some other cultural group into your statement or gesture is not
merely unkind but a violation of their rights, and that this is
regardless of the intended meaning.

<p>
There is an inherent risk in borrowing or "appropriating" elements
from a culture you don't know well: that of displaying your ignorance
or looking like a fool.  (The same things can happen with other
microsubcultures in your own culture.)  Don't blame anyone else if you
make such a mistake.  But we should let people live those mistakes
down.


feed_id: d6d85d78afd66c239a9dcf08a6e706e2
title: Data privacy bill
uri: Data-privacy-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28Data_privacy_bill%29
content:
<p>
Senate Democrats have introduced a data privacy bill which begins, though
just barely, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/11/26/expert-says-senate-democrats-sweeping-online-privacy-bill-answers-public-demand">to limit collection of some data</a>.

<p>
But it has obvious loopholes.  It won't require companies to reveal
the conclusions they have deduced from the personal data they have
access to &mdash; because they argue that those are not "the client's
data."  It won't, as far as I can see, limit the targeted ads that are
the basis for surveillance capitalism.

<p>
And it won't even try to make it possible to buy something over the
internet anonymously.  <a href="https://taler.net">We have the technology for this</a>.

<p>
The most sensitive personal data about you are where you go during the
day, what you do there, who you talk with, and what what you and they
say.  It should be illegal to set up or operate a system <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">which systematically collects any of those data, except when authorized
by a court order targeted at specific people</a>.

<p>
I propose a law requiring stores to offer the service of bringing an
item to the store for you to buy later, in exchange for an ordering
fee paid in advance.


feed_id: bef680a6ee39f5041a338b6cf2aa1cf8
title: Coalition against Amazon
uri: Coalition-against-Amazon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28Coalition_against_Amazon%29
content:
<p>
A new coalition against Amazon <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/11/26/athena-vs-amazon-new-coalition-debuts-eve-holiday-shopping-season-call-out-companys">plans to criticize the company heavily
during the holiday selling season</a>, but apparently not call (as i do) for refusing to buy from Amazon.

<p>
This doesn't reference a web site for the coalition, only a Twitter
URL.  I would like to see a list of the injustices they criticize,
because I worry that the fundamental injustice Amazon does <em>to its
customers</em>, making them identify themselves, is missing.

Here's <a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">my list of the injustices of Amazon</a>.


feed_id: 9148c926153a98eba8bce2bd04bd4711
title: Urgent: stop funding the Federalist Society
uri: Urgent-stop-funding-the-Federalist-Society
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28Urgent%3A_stop_funding_the_Federalist_Society%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/facebook-kavanaugh-federalist">call on Facebook</a> to stop funding the Federalist Society and the social acceptance of Brett Kavanaugh.

<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 5f87e88b6f7c49f7e87e98054b25af8b
title: EU and China
uri: EU-and-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28EU_and_China%29
content:
<p>
*That the EU now frets about the extent of China’s investment in
critical infrastructure but fails to acknowledge that its own policies
partly created the vulnerability <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/26/europe-china-billions-strings-attached">is evidence of a divided and
profoundly inconsistent approach to China</a>.*


feed_id: ccf5a2c3a93ffd3d88c648ad40b2b5f0
title: Billionaires fight
uri: Billionaires-fight
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_%28Billionaires_fight%29
content:
<p>

Plutocratists see Bloomberg as the opportunity to give plutocracy
a good name again <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/11/26/bloomberg-scandals-dont-bother-billionaires-punditry-class-cheerleaders">and avoid fixing its biggest problems</a>.

<p>
*Bloomberg kicks off campaign with $31m ad buy &mdash; and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/26/billionaires-us-elections-2020-president">he, Steyer and
   Trump make up two-thirds of all ad spends</a>.*

<p>
What a shame it would be if a billionaire got the Democratic nomination.


feed_id: 5eef1f8a2b85e306363832cbc22db9b6
title: Tories threaten to punish TV channel
uri: Tories-threaten-to-punish-TV-channel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#1_December_2019_%28Tories_threaten_to_punish_TV_channel%29

content:
<p>
A British TV channel invited all the party leaders to a debate about
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.  Bogus Johnson refused to participate, so the debate
substituted a melting ice statue for him.  Now the Tories 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/28/ice-sculpture-to-replace-boris-johnson-in-channel-4-climate-debate">threaten
to punish the TV channel for this</a>.


feed_id: ef0afc0af3d23ae338d38e3856cbb98d
title: Increase in plastic for bags
uri: Increase-in-plastic-for-bags
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#1_December_2019_%28Increase_in_plastic_for_bags%29
content:
<p>
Selling durable plastic bags in the UK has led to an increase in
plastic for bags, because customers 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/28/bags-for-life-making-plastic-problem-worse-say-campaigners">keep
buying another bag rather than reusing each bag many times</a>.
<p>
I carry three durable bags with me all the time, and I use each one
repeatedly until it wears out.


feed_id: b13e1014d2e6e63d3301b282df45a365
title: Collection of your personal data
uri: Collection-of-your-personal-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#1_December_2019_%28Collection_of_your_personal_data%29

content:
<p>
Evgeny Morozov: the idea of protecting privacy by "breaking up" big
tech companies is misguided: what matters is not the size of companies
that collect personal data, but 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/28/big-tech-populist-stance-big-money-big-state">who
controls those systems</a>.
<p>
I partly agree, but I would say that what is important is what
personal data they collect, and whether it is feasible to stop them
from collecting anything about you.
<p>
Meanwhile, breaking up the companies would at least reduce their power
to block and ignore regulations.


feed_id: 3b5b779413a9c7df20db58b7912249dc
title: Introduced mice on Farallon Islands
uri: Introduced-mice-on-Farallon-Islands
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#1_December_2019_%28Introduced_mice_on_Farallon_Islands%29

content:
<p>
The native life of the Farallon Islands can be protected from
introduced mice by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/28/truly-astounding-inside-the-farallon-islands-battle-against-a-plague-of-mice">eradicating
them</a>.
<p>
Mice are not endangered, so I think we should proceed with the
eradication.  It will take work to protect vulnerable species (though
gulls are not worth the trouble of saving), but this work will be
needed just once.  If we succeed in eradicating the mice from any of
the Farallon Islands, the native species there will be safe
indefinitely from mice; with any luck, the operation will never have
to be repeated.


feed_id: 9de4024caab78aea6b93f7f34decaa6c
title: Planet-roasting politics
uri: Planet-roasting-politics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#1_December_2019_%28Planet-roasting_politics%29
content:
<p>
The latest fashion in planet-roasting politics: recognize the causes
of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, but 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/28/boris-johnson-climate-crisis-denying-channel-4-debate">delay
real action until decades from now</a> when it will be 
<a href"https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_February_2016_(CO2_emission_limit)">too
late</a>.


feed_id: 77da402d847804fabac68e66be2207c0
title: The Bad sex award
uri: The-Bad-sex-award
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#1_December_2019_%28The_Bad_sex_award%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/nov/28/bad-sex-award-julian-gough">Do
you really want a world where every line you've ever uttered, every
joke you've ever made, can be dug up, stripped of context, flipped in
meaning, and used as evidence against you, in an instant trial with no
appeal?</a>


feed_id: 1c967e04df0575aee2c2058c05b48425
title: Election about who the UK exists for
uri: Election-about-who-the-UK-exists-for
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#1_December_2019_%28Election_about_who_the_UK_exists_for%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/28/brexit-election-bigger-future-austerity">Brexit?
This election is about something much bigger than that.</a>
<p>
It is about who the UK exists for &mdash; the rich alone, or everyone
in Britain.


feed_id: 4398a6dca5bd2a325874d08debc8f489
title: The Caruana Galizia killing
uri: The-Caruana-Galizia-killing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#1_December_2019_%28The_Caruana_Galizia_killing%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/28/maltese-pms-aide-accused-of-being-mastermind-of-caruana-galizia-killing">Maltese
PM's aide accused of being mastermind of Caruana Galizia killing</a>.


feed_id: e487435be31e00119ce69d1ec04639ae
title: Cost of an unjust society
uri: Cost-of-an-unjust-society
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#1_December_2019_%28Cost_of_an_unjust_society%29
content:
<p>
AOC: "I see decisions made every day that 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/11/28/unjust-society-far-costlier-aoc-says-beware-deficit-scolds-who-only-complain-about">cost
the American public billions of dollars a year for bogus reasons</a>
and nobody asks how we pay for it."


feed_id: 9426df9225b1012472204ebc537e92df
title: Murderous Argentine subaltern on trial
uri: Murderous-Argentine-subaltern-on-trial
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#1_December_2019_%28Murderous_Argentine_subaltern_on_trial%29

content:
<p>
One of the Argentine generals' murderous subalterns is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/28/argentina-carlos-luis-malatto-kidnap-witness-alberto-rivas-testifies-in-army-henchman-trial-in-rome">on
trial in Italy for several political murders</a>.


feed_id: 7e0eeda709b7956f12e9a09a01a09eca
title: Exiling citizens
uri: Exiling-citizens
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Exiling_citizens%29
content:
<p>
The ICRC rebuked the UK for canceling the citizenship of people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/30/red-cross-criticises-uk-for-stripping-isis-recruits-of-citizenship">who
went to fight for PISSI</a>.

<p>
You've heard of virtue-signalling.  Exiling citizens for crimes is a
right-wing form of this, based on equating cruelty with virtue.

<p>
As often happens, the US is even worse.  The US is persecuting a whole
family after one member attempted to commit an act of terrorism.  The
relatives were not involved, but since they are Muslims, the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s
men <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/30/trump-immigration-citizenship-green-cards-face-deportation">make excuses to crush their business and cancel their citizenship
or residency</a>.


feed_id: d0f85ea3db4add3a099ad9b5fe0b3d1d
title: Tory voters goal
uri: Tory-voters-goal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Tory_voters_goal%29
content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson may win the UK election because all the Tory voters care
about is defeating Corbyn (and thus protecting plutocracy).  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/30/boris-teflon-johnson-rise-confirms-ruling-classes-not-fit-purpose">They
don't care whether he is coherent, or even honest</a>.


feed_id: ce09c53d21fce1a7cf2346121fe57bac
title: Urgent: maintain clean air rules
uri: Urgent-maintain-clean-air-rules
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_maintain_clean_air_rules%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://secure.wildearthguardians.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1047">call on Colorado</a> to maintain its clean air rules.

<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: d54d057de5519c0438b5715ae260d55e
title: Taboo on death
uri: Taboo-on-death
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Taboo_on_death%29
content:
<p>
Use of euphemisms such as "passed away" reflects a powerful and
harmful taboo that our society <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/30/talk-about-death-openly-dying-bereaved">has placed on the topic of death</a>.

<p>
That taboo has made it hard for people to cope with death.


feed_id: 065dd64abb4ef0e34f352023b9e5abc8
title: The reason drug pries are increasing
uri: The-reason-drug-pries-are-increasing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28The_reason_drug_pries_are_increasing%29

content:
<p>
The main reason drug prices in the US are increasing <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/11/27/why-are-drug-prices-rising-so-much-pharma-exec-admits-no-other-rationale-profit">is that companies
can get away with it</a>.


feed_id: fb1bb264c00b961c7f575f8735d978dc
title: Treating Workers With Dignity Act
uri: Treating-Workers-With-Dignity-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Treating_Workers_With_Dignity_Act%29

content:
<p>
The Treating Workers With Dignity Act would guarantee employees a
break to eat a meal, use the restroom, or < href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/11/27/cwa-thanks-us-sen-brian-schatz-introducing-treating-workers-dignity-act">tend to their medical
needs while on the job</a>.


feed_id: 82d4ddff4617f900ec1db8359714d89c
title: Giuliani in Ukraine
uri: Giuliani-in-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Giuliani_in_Ukraine%29
content:
<p>
Giuliani <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/11/27/massive-criminal-enterprise-giuliani-reportedly-sought-ukraine-business-deals-he">pursued various personal business deals with Ukrainian
government agencies and officials</a>.

<p>
There is nothing inherently corrupt in offering Ukraine the service of
finding money that has been siphoned away from the Ukraine by corrupt
former officials.  That service, done honestly, could be well worth
the price Ukraine pays for it, if it leads to Ukraine's recovery of a
substantial fraction of that money.

<p>
However, for Giuliani to offer that service to Ukraine while serving
as the conman's lawyer while the conman shakes Ukraine down is a
corrupt combination &mdash; in effect, a secondary shakedown.


feed_id: 8479c4cf0f5a23bfae147f1f704532e9
title: Risks in US
uri: Risks-in-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Risks_in_US%29
content:
<p>
If Medicare for All 'Too Risky,' <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/11/27/if-medicare-all-too-risky-how-would-nyt-have-reported-push-social-security">How Would NYT Have Reported Push for Social
Security, Abolition, or the Overthrow of King George III</a>?

<p>
I think the word "overthrow" is incorrect as regards what happened to
George III.  He remained king, although his kingdom ceased to include
the rebellious colonies.


feed_id: 8b9de483a149b123cec73abf8e513979
title: Thugs against journalism
uri: Thugs-against-journalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Thugs_against_journalism%29
content:
<p>
Australian <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> put arbitrary restrictions on French photojournalists
to exclude them from public places <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/nov/28/queensland-police-had-french-journalists-under-surveillance-adani-documentary-claims">where they could have photographed
the coal terminal that endangers the Great Barrier Reef</a> (as well as the whole ecosphere).  This included surveilling them to discover and sabotage their plan to hire a boat to take pictures from
the harbor side.


feed_id: 96574106af1ed1055252c84d76d8161c
title: Tipping points
uri: Tipping-points
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Tipping_points%29
content:
<p>
Scientists warn that several global heating tipping points <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/11/28/existential-threat-civilization-planetary-tipping-points-make-climate-bets-too">may already
be starting to tip</a>.

<p>
We must err on the side of safety, not on the side of danger.  Since
we can't see the cliff edge, and we don't know how far away is, we had
better brake pretty hard.


feed_id: 82c44d3b997f09bf1c8ed02cedd1975c
title: Climate emergency
uri: 2019-12-02-Climate-emergency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Climate_emergency%29
content:
<p>
The EU Parliament has declared a climate emergency.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/11/28/eu-lawmakers-declare-climate-emergency-campaigners-say-only-emergency-action-will">Will it do anything to
curb the problem</a>?


feed_id: f096221d8697382da9e8407dc6d0b275
title: Double standard of major media
uri: Double-standard-of-major-media
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Double_standard_of_major_media%29

content:
<p>
The US major media <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/11/28/how-international-media-greenlights-israeli-aggression-toward-palestine">systematically apply a double standard when comparing
Israeli violence and Palestinian violence</a>.


feed_id: aa3f3757fc5bca61b5ed5fc12d9fd327
title: DNC and climate
uri: DNC-and-climate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28DNC_and_climate%29
content:
<p>
The DNC leader rejected the demand for a specific debate about the
climate emergency, promising instead to have many questions about
climate in their debates it would hold.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/11/28/dear-dnc-what-happened-all-those-early-and-often-climate-debate-questions">It has not kept that promise,
not even close</a>.


feed_id: 175bb761cd489785a6e3c194ff3cfe5f
title: An other reason for impeachment
uri: An-other-reason-for-impeachment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28An_other_reason_for_impeachment%29

content:
<p>
[The saboteur-in-chief]'s Climate Recklessness <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/11/28/trumps-climate-recklessness-grounds-impeachment">Is Grounds for Impeachment</a>.


feed_id: 3614f04c2cd66cc906f1cc239315eb9a
title: Religious freedom in Sudan
uri: Religious-freedom-in-Sudan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Religious_freedom_in_Sudan%29
content:
<p>
Sudan has taken <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/29/sudan-dissolves-ex-ruling-party-and-repeals-morality-law">a step towards religious freedom</a>.


feed_id: 300b79570ed9c4a32e9565d8d1315852
title: Returning loot
uri: Returning-loot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Returning_loot%29
content:
<p>
There is a movement to return to Benin the many bronze sculptures that
were taken by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/29/benin-bronze-sculpture-home-jesus-college-cambridge-return">a British military punitive expedition in 1897</a>.

<p>
I think this is the right thing to do, but how about making and
keeping copies?


feed_id: 687e9add067c4814e04c1b3928aebe8a
title: Protests building
uri: Protests-building
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Protests_building%29
content:
<p>
Learning from the WTO protest in Seattle 20 years ago: protest campaigns
should think about <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/11/29/wto-shutdown-what-now-and-what-next">building institutions and solidarity as a base to
fight the next battle</a>.


feed_id: b320e5ec730a7a62a16e860c14e55671
title: Johnson and his promises
uri: Johnson-and-his-promises
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Johnson_and_his_promises%29
content:
<p>
The husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe says that Bogus Johnson promised
to win her freedom, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/nov/29/johnson-did-not-keep-word-to-free-nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe-says-husband">then did not try</a>.

<p>
In general, I condemn paying ransom for hostages.  However, in this
case it was wrong for Britain not to return Iran's money.  It is wrong
for Iran to take people hostage to get that money back, but Britain
ought to pay it rather than steal it.


feed_id: 52bea68be65637ef84d0b71bbcd3417e
title: DiEM25
uri: DiEM25
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28DiEM25%29
content:
<p>
DiEM25, the campaign against plutocracy in Europe organized by
Varoufakis and others, <a href="https://mailchi.mp/gr/for-europe-for-the-uk-the-time-is-now-lets-get-behind-labour">endorses Labour in the UK election</a>.

<p>
It also endorses the Greens or the SNP or Plaid Cymru where those
have a better chance of defeating Tories.


feed_id: 6a9cddd97034715a6cf5587f70eb15a5
title: Governmental servants
uri: Governmental-servants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Governmental_servants%29
content:
<p>
The EU national governments rejected a proposed directive to make
companies disclose how much sales they have in each country and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/nov/28/12-eu-states-reject-move-to-expose-companies-tax-avoidance">how
much tax they pay to each country</a>.

<p>
This demonstrates the power that these companies have over the
governments that have become their servants, and the importance of
measures to cut off their poverty.

<p>
The plutocratic system is the root of most evils in the world today.
There are a few exceptions &mdash; the system may have no particular
interest in bigotry, except when that proves useful for right-wing
politicians to distract public attention from plutocracy.


feed_id: 960f5a1896290232fae85147d2436d2c
title: Planet-roasting politics
uri: 2019-12-02-Planet-roasting-politics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#1_December_2019_%28Planet-roasting_politics%29
content:
<p>
The latest fashion in planet-roasting politics: recognize the causes
of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, but 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/28/boris-johnson-climate-crisis-denying-channel-4-debate">delay
real action until decades from now</a> when it will be 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_February_2016_(CO2_emission_limit)">too
late</a>.


feed_id: 14ffe2310425cfeea571a97c2d380f34
title: Dropping arrest warrants
uri: Dropping-arrest-warrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_December_2019_%28Dropping_arrest_warrants%29
content:
<p>
The DA of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, is looking for old arrest warrants
to discard <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/11/29/norfolk-says-looking-decades-old-warrants-with-eye-dropping-nonviolent-cases/4VEXMvQ2qYsWRwZ5Y07OIJ/story.html">because they are somehow obsolete or pointless</a>.

<p>
I think he should go further.  For crimes that are not violent or
terribly serious, the warrants should be discarded after some years.


feed_id: b940097c9fce9e1f54109cdce2bae47a
title: Methane threat
uri: Methane-threat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_December_2019_%28Methane_threat%29
content:
<p>
Scientists do not have enough knowledge to estimate how fast methane
is leaking out of the ground and sea bottom into the air, and can't
begin to predict <a href="https://mahb.stanford.edu/blog/the-methane-gun/">how much this will contribute to global heating in
the future</a>.

<p>
If it happens fast, it could push the ecosphere's temperature up by 7
degrees C.  This would be likely to kill most of humanity, perhaps
even all.


feed_id: 75a4b8e87bd38623122747d686d34db4
title: Demands to Amazon
uri: Demands-to-Amazon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_December_2019_%28Demands_to_Amazon%29
content:
<p>
Protests in several countries demand that Amazon <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/11/29/black-friday-protests-across-europe-demand-amazon-start-treating-workers-humans-not">treat warehouse
employees better</a>.

<p>
I support this, but it does not go far enough.  We must require Amazon to allow
anonymous purchases, and we must help other companies compete with Amazon so
that it ceases to control a large fraction of online sales.


feed_id: 273ef1abf63310db22f0f98792600b9e
title: Student protest in Liverpool
uri: Student-protest-in-Liverpool
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_December_2019_%28Student_protest_in_Liverpool%29
content:
<p>
Students at Liverpool University were told it was illegal for them
to support striking teachers, so <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/nov/29/students-protest-against-liverpool-universitys-claim-that-support-for-strike-is-unlawful">they blocked a building instead</a>.


feed_id: c25a5c2ba13de4cfc400de21cc54ef13
title: Iraq PM steps down
uri: Iraq-PM-steps-down
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_December_2019_%28Iraq_PM_steps_down%29
content:
<p>
Iraq's prime minister agreed to step down <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/11/29/iraqi-prime-minister-step-down-human-rights-defenders-condemn-security-forces">in response to the protests</a>.


feed_id: f930bf342d991296a7dadfa0c10abf8e
title: Another reason for impeachment
uri: Another-reason-for-impeachment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_December_2019_%28Another_reason_for_impeachment%29

content:
<p>
An additional reason to impeach the conman: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/30/trump-impeachment-inquiry-removal">so a future president cannot
pardon him</a>.


feed_id: 995d01173c679ea369e5304a906934ca
title: Urgent: stop funding anti-abortion legislators
uri: Urgent-stop-funding-anti-abortion-legislators
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_stop_funding_anti-abortion_legislators%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/corporate-funding-abortion-bans/">call on Amazon, Walmart, and Target</a> to stop
funneling  money to anti-abortion legislators.

<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 4a240f31322747f51eb114d1daea8c46
title: Global heating spreading diseases
uri: Global-heating-spreading-diseases
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_December_2019_%28Global_heating_spreading_diseases%29

content:
<p>
Global heating is spreading dengue fever to cities and countries <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/humanity-united-partner-zone/2019/dec/01/global-heating-driving-spread-dengue-fever-asia-americas">where it did not exist before</a>.


feed_id: 3bf9343100b977377a6d3992824f5823
title: Iran and protesters
uri: Iran-and-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_December_2019_%28Iran_and_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Iranians protested the rise in gasoline price by blocking streets.
The state responded <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/01/iran-fuel-protest-crackdowns-revealed-on-social-media">with tear gas, bullets, and blocking the internet</a>.  Estimates are that around 70 people were killed.

<p>
We must end subsidies for fossil fuels &mdash; global heating disaster
threatens to kill billions of people a few decades from now.  We would
be fools to delay that for any reason whatsoever.  Thus, governments
need to develop a way to do that without short-term suffering for the
poor.


feed_id: 387106da38a1d66511361d0be06834da
title: Corbyn on terrorism
uri: 2019-12-03-Corbyn-on-terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_December_2019_%28Corbyn_on_terrorism%29
content:
<p>
*UK's military interventions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/01/jeremy-corbyn-uk-military-intervention-fuelled-radicalisation">have fueled terrorism, says Corbyn</a>.*

<p>
Corbyn has courage that other politicians lack.


feed_id: 2c9ee5eb326b22b3d27fafd4fe83a258
title: Landlord spying
uri: Landlord-spying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_December_2019_%28Landlord_spying%29
content:
<p>
Tenants in Atlantic Plaza Towers campaigned against installing face
recognition cameras and <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90431686/our-landlord-wants-to-install-facial-recognition-in-our-homes-but-were-fighting-back">got the landlord to back down</a>.

<p>
It should be illegal to install face recognition cameras in a
residential building, except for cameras installed inside an
apartment by the residents of that apartment.


feed_id: 7b16dbd15320f7dc7043c0fdab65fd13
title: Anti-abortion Ohio
uri: Anti-abortion-Ohio
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_December_2019_%28Anti-abortion_Ohio%29
content:
<p>
Ohio has already prohibited abortion (though this law has not been
approved by courts).  Now its Republican-gerrymandered legislature is
planning to define a fertilized egg as a human being.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/29/ohio-extreme-abortion-bill-reimplant-ectopic-pregnancy">This means women
would be imprisoned for failing to carry it to term</a>.

<p>
The law would also forbid doctors from treating an ectopic pregnancy
(by requiring them to do the impossible afterward).  Without treatment,
ectopic pregnancy carries a substantial chance of death.


feed_id: b720621f1cb3e500e9a76734d0356896
title: Students and plutocrats
uri: Students-and-plutocrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_December_2019_%28Students_and_plutocrats%29
content:
<p>
There was a large student climate strike, but the kept politicians continue
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/29/hundreds-of-thousands-of-students-join-global-climate-strikes">doing their job for the planet-roasting plutocrats</a>.


feed_id: bb5da3385cc3fd3effb0165667a11743
title: The age of fire
uri: The-age-of-fire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_December_2019_%28The_age_of_fire%29
content:
<p>
*Countries from Siberia to Australia are burning: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/29/countries-from-siberia-to-australia-are-burning-the-age-of-fire-is-the-bleakest-warning-yet">the age of fire is the
bleakest warning yet</a>.*


feed_id: 36916ec989f952487566b0ebef1b92d6
title: Thugs hiding evidences
uri: Thugs-hiding-evidences
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_December_2019_%28Thugs_hiding_evidences%29
content:
<p>
Dishonest Baltimore thugs concealed the evidence <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/30/baltimore-men-exonerated-36-years-alfred-chestnut-ransom-watkins-andrew-stewart">that would exonerate
three men who were convicted of murder by lying witnesses</a>.


feed_id: b4debd5050e98a32306f0ce328b80a0e
title: Facebook and Google interest
uri: Facebook-and-Google-interest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Facebook_and_Google_interest%29
content:
<p>
*Of course Facebook and Google want to ‘solve’ social problems. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/02/big-tech-social-remedies-public-ownership-facebook-google">They’re hungry
for our data</a>.*


feed_id: 12f124babf221f68c7753628676431b9
title: Swindle
uri: Swindle
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Swindle%29
content:
<p>
*Californians are turning to vending machines for safer water. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/02/california-water-vending-machines-quality">Are they being
swindled</a>?*

<p>
Whether or not any given brand of bottled water is a swindle in the
narrow sense, to give up on tap water and resort normally to bottled
water is being swindled in a broader sense.


feed_id: 006698d8fa0c03a937c0be6732a8b19e
title: Globalize democracy
uri: Globalize-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Globalize_democracy%29
content:
<p>
To the extent that elites collaborate globally to maintain their
power over their countries, we must reject the idea of "national
interest" vis-a-vis other countries and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/02/traditional-foreign-policy-no-longer-exists-democrats-are-the-last-to-know">globalize our campaigns for
promoting democracy and ending poverty</a>.


feed_id: e8f53e32c388e428f6f54b63c4c09eff
title: Fair election in Bolivia
uri: Fair-election-in-Bolivia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Fair_election_in_Bolivia%29
content:
<p>
Bolivians don't trust the coup-installed government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/02/bolivia-elections-democracy-president-jeanine-anez">to run a free and
fair election</a>.


feed_id: 5734e6fd3b46675b9f3ff85cee0ab3ea
title: Fossil fuel lobbies
uri: Fossil-fuel-lobbies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Fossil_fuel_lobbies%29
content:
<p>
*Fossil fuel lobbyists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/02/fossil-fuel-lobbyists-push-to-dilute-eu-anti-greenwash-plan">push to dilute EU anti-greenwash plan</a>.*


feed_id: f80b171d7c52a8e60a6340a5bfe0de8e
title: Parliament facing the consequences
uri: Parliament-facing-the-consequences
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Parliament_facing_the_consequences%29

content:
<p>
An Australian whose family home was destroyed by a wildfire fueled by
Australian coal mines brought the remains to Parliament, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/02/woman-brings-remains-of-home-lost-in-nsw-bushfires-to-parliament-in-climate-protest">demanding
climate defense action</a>.


feed_id: a3d9bb61c8fc0832c3c96d4742947067
title: Wealth in Chile
uri: Wealth-in-Chile
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Wealth_in_Chile%29
content:
<p>
Chile is a wealthy country, but the rich <a href="https://qz.com/1754400/protests-in-chile-are-about-wealth-as-much-as-inequality/">don't let the rest get much
of that wealth</a>.


feed_id: f4c0981473a98e3c45c13e4fe9c6ea5b
title: IMF on main threat to humanity
uri: IMF-on-main-threat-to-humanity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28IMF_on_main_threat_to_humanity%29

content:
<p>
The new head of the IMF says that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> is the main threat
to the world's human economy, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/nov/30/imf-boss-kristalina-georgiva-climate-crisis-financial-crash-economics">more dangerous than an economic crash</a>.

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> disaster will eventually cause an economic crash, but
by that time there will be no way to stop the slide down the cliff.


feed_id: 27658cf11c9e06aeb8e8a9331a38f5f9
title: Classified profit on tax money
uri: Classified-profit-on-tax-money
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Classified_profit_on_tax_money%29

content:
<p>
*[US military] contractors gleefully report record earnings in divisions
that bid on 'classified' projects, <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/11/29/your-tax-dollars-at-work.html">the fastest-growing part of the
Pentagon's budget</a>.*

<p>
Aside from the harm of a pit for public money spent in unaccountable
ways, there is also the danger that these systems will be used to
repress people, either in the US or elsewhere.  This includes mass
surveillance, which (<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#20_August_2018_(Uighurs_outside_China)">as China shows, especially in Xinjiang</a>) is the preparatory step for repression.


feed_id: a9904774e07ca10a42ad5e138f14875a
title: Imprisoned terrorists
uri: Imprisoned-terrorists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Imprisoned_terrorists%29
content:
<p>
What to do with imprisoned Islamist terrorists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/nov/30/terrorists-prison-releases-mistakes-deaths">poses a conundrum,
world-wide</a>.

<p>
In Western countries the danger of Islamist terrorism is pretty small,
overall.  The danger of being murdered by an Islamist terrorist is
tiny compared with the danger of being murdered for some other reason,
and unless you are black that too is small.

<p>
Thus, if we resist the pressure to freak out about this tiny danger, we
will find that releasing Islamist convicts at the end of their
sentences is an acceptably small risk in an otherwise-risky world.

<p>
Corbyn <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/dec/01/jeremy-corbyn-calls-for-focus-on-rehabilitation-of-terrorists-in-prison">is resisting that pressure</a>.


feed_id: b59c118a35b8eb7ef175de83a723275e
title: Urgent: put patients first
uri: Urgent-put-patients-first
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_put_patients_first%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/put-patients-first">call on Congress</a> to pass the Put Patients First Act,
which would insist that religion is no excuse for discrimination
in providing medical care.


feed_id: 364a6bb3f66ebdbd101e27d288bcefaa
title: Joy in Iraq
uri: Joy-in-Iraq
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Joy_in_Iraq%29
content:
<p>
Iraqi Crowds Erupt in Joyous Celebrations as PM, Elected Under Bush
Constitution, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/11/30/iraqi-crowds-erupt-joyous-celebrations-pm-elected-under-bush-constitution-offers">Offers to Resign</a>.

<p>
Setting up a system that is less corrupt will be a bigger challenge.
I hope they succeed.

<p>
Regarding Ayatollah Sistani, I have read that the long-established
Shi'a tradition is to have separation between the religion and state,
so that religious leaders can criticize oppression by the state.
Iran's "Islamic Republic" was an aberration against this tradition.


feed_id: 1250bcb16d9af10ff0f6c66c14393c41
title: Sex work and HIV
uri: Sex-work-and-HIV
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Sex_work_and_HIV%29
content:
<p>
ACLU: Reducing HIV Transmission <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/01/reducing-hiv-transmission-requires-decriminalizing-sex-work">Requires Decriminalizing Sex Work</a>.


feed_id: 9c50ce18e58cb1fe354c05813795b532
title: Consult Hong Kong people
uri: Consult-Hong-Kong-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Consult_Hong_Kong_people%29
content:
<p>
Michelle Bachelet: for Hong Kong's government to end the protests and
crisis, other than by wrecking the city, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/01/hong-kongs-leaders-have-only-one-way-out-protest-crisis">it needs to consult the
people truly</a>.


feed_id: 6480c12a54a7184893bd8bdcb9ccf54b
title: National emergencies deadlines
uri: National-emergencies-deadlines
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28National_emergencies_deadlines%29

content:
<p>
The Article One Act would limit national emergencies to 30 days
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/01/its-past-time-congress-reined-presidents-emergency-powers">unless Congress approves continuing them</a>.


feed_id: 7a18bc9b1185c1b0093320a91ed09552
title: Failure of UK prisons
uri: Failure-of-UK-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Failure_of_UK_prisons%29
content:
<p>
UK prisons, suffering from budget cuts, are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/01/locking-up-extremists-uk-cash-strapped-prisons">not
effective about convincing prisoners to stop being violent
Islamists</a>.


feed_id: 807f41562a9503ab17a4f5fcaa8879cc
title: Bully's planned cuts for food stamps
uri: Bully-s-planned-cuts-for-food-stamps
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Bullys_planned_cuts_for_food_stamps%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s planned cuts for food stamps 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/30/trump-food-stamps-snap-assistance-rules">would
have cut off almost 4 million Americans from food stamps</a>.
Millions more would have lost part of their benefits, and a million
students would have had trouble finding lunch.


feed_id: 7229c9f5bd7c3d954bd1193f253f9c40
title: Amnesty International condemns Turkey
uri: Amnesty-International-condemns-Turkey
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Amnesty_International_condemns_Turkey%29

content:
<p>
Amnesty International condemns Turkey for 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/18/trump-downplays-attack-kurds-amnesty-details-turkish-war-crimes-and-utterly-callous">repeatedly
bombarding Syrian civilians in Idlib</a>.


feed_id: 4a3d28e91e5cb11c45389a6f4aef6815
title: Green New Deal and FDR's New Deal
uri: Green-New-Deal-and-FDR-s-New-Deal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Green_New_Deal_and_FDRs_New_Deal%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/18/greening-new-deal">Comparing</a>
the proposed Green New Deal with FDR's New Deal of the 1930s.


feed_id: 8f8605f251e127c0c7d3a2d994aef14c
title: Gratis public college education
uri: Gratis-public-college-education
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Gratis_public_college_education%29

content:
<p>
Buttigieg wants people to oppose gratis public college education based
on a
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/11/29/progressives-condemn-nonsensical-and-dishonest-pete-buttigieg-ad-attacking-free">foolish
horror of giving even a small handout to rich people the same as
everyone else</a>.
<p>
Aside from the valid argument that programs which help everyone are
harder for plutocratists to eliminate, the point at hand will make
little difference in practice.  Rich people won't make use of gratis
public college education, because they will send their children to
private colleges.


feed_id: e07a4050ad06fe1d58b083daf38780fc
title: Why I support Bernie Sanders
uri: Why-I-support-Bernie-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#4_December_2019_%28Why_I_support_Bernie_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
At his core, [Sanders] is the same
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/11/27/bernie-sanders-hasn-changed-and-his-supporters-love-that/UV17agBXhQHArqVNSXPKMP/story.html">democratic
socialist who ran for mayor of Burlington, Vt., in the 1980s and for
the Democratic nomination in 2016</a>. He is who he is, and you know
who he is, &hellip;
<p>
That is why I support him.  He won't change his policies without a
reason that convinces him.  If it convinces him, I trust it would
convince me, too.


feed_id: d231054ed5540b6c2e0acaa9a73fec1b
title: Iran and protesters
uri: 2019-12-04-Iran-and-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#3_December_2019_%28Iran_and_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Iranians protested the rise in gasoline price by blocking streets.
The state responded <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/01/iran-fuel-protest-crackdowns-revealed-on-social-media">with tear gas, bullets, and blocking the internet</a>.  Estimates are that around 70 people were killed.

<p>
We must end subsidies for fossil fuels &mdash; <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster
threatens to kill billions of people a few decades from now.  We would
be fools to delay that for any reason whatsoever.  Thus, governments
need to develop a way to do that without short-term suffering for the
poor.


feed_id: 97f2730b5865a4e9b20932f11aec35d2
title: Occupation of Gaza
uri: Occupation-of-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#5_December_2019_%28Occupation_of_Gaza%29
content:
<p>
Under international law, Israel's control over Gaza's borders and use of
Gaza's territory means that Israel <a href="media/fe6942c2.status-of-the-gaza-strip-final.30.9.2014.pdf" data-original-source="https://www.diakonia.se/globalassets/blocks-ihl-site/ihl-file-list/ihl---briefs/status-of-the-gaza-strip-final.30.9.2014.pdf">is considered to hold a military
occupation of Gaza</a> [PDF].


feed_id: ad4c29ce6ab0bb703aeeb96dadf91c65
title: Coal plants insurance
uri: Coal-plants-insurance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#5_December_2019_%28Coal_plants_insurance%29
content:
<p>
Many US and European insurance companies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/02/coal-power-becoming-uninsurable-as-firms-refuse-cover">now refuse to insure
coal plants</a>.

<p>
However, there are still some companies that will insure them,
so this is not yet starting to protect us.

<p>
Oil and gas plants need to be next.


feed_id: 16820ab654cd79497dfd92442d638b42
title: China's total surveillance
uri: China-s-total-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#5_December_2019_%28China%27s_total_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
China requires everyone who has a mobile phone <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/02/china-brings-in-mandatory-facial-recognition-for-mobile-phone-users">to submit face scans for
face recognition</a>.

<p>
Putting this together with the elimination of cash, they add up to
total surveillance of almost all activities.


feed_id: 9f42cdd511f1cc380ae516edea873c13
title: Noble Savage
uri: Noble-Savage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#5_December_2019_%28Noble_Savage%29
content:
<p>
Western tourists seek the noble savage <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/02/ditch-harmful-myth-noble-hunter-gatherer">among modern-day hunter
gatherers</a>, who need to hide their digital devices when a tour comes through.


feed_id: 847b6fadd453b2a808d7d2c5844868d2
title: Biden and student debt
uri: Biden-and-student-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#5_December_2019_%28Biden_and_student_debt%29
content:
<p>
*How Biden helped create the student debt problem <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/02/joe-biden-student-loan-debt-2005-act-2020">he now promises to fix</a>.*

<p>
He supported the law that made it impossible to eliminate student debt
via bankruptcy.

<p>
For Vaugh Hatch, try Mekar Bhuana Centre <a href="mailto:info@BALIMUSICANDDANCE.COM">info@BALIMUSICANDDANCE.COM</a>.


feed_id: 300e12770d56548cb1e720f6bffdb89b
title: Privacy laws
uri: Privacy-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#5_December_2019_%28Privacy_laws%29
content:
<p>
What sort of laws <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/real-privacy-laws.html">would give us real privacy</a>?


feed_id: 467a7227c60ca645ef134b25df5f151e
title: Treating Workers With Dignity Act
uri: 2019-12-05-Treating-Workers-With-Dignity-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_December_2019_%28Treating_Workers_With_Dignity_Act%29

content:
<p>
The Treating Workers With Dignity Act would guarantee employees a
break to eat a meal, use the restroom, or <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/11/27/cwa-thanks-us-sen-brian-schatz-introducing-treating-workers-dignity-act">tend to their medical
needs while on the job</a>.


feed_id: 926a474b44350f530f9e8f2418b23618
title: Urgent: Nurses on medicare
uri: Urgent-Nurses-on-medicare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Nurses_on_medicare%29
content:
<p>
Thru Tuesday

<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://www.medicareforallnow.org">call Rep. Eshoo's office</a> at (408) 245-2339 and say,

<blockquote>
Hi, my name is ______ and I’m calling to request that Health
Subcommittee Chair Rep. Eshoo invite a nurse from National Nurses
United to be a witness in Tuesday’s Energy &amp; Commerce hearing.
Nurses have firsthand experience in our country’s broken health
care system, and they are a crucial voice that must be included.
Thank you.
</blockquote>

<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 99576471ed5c4457d86edb521d001826
title: Social security and the poor
uri: Social-security-and-the-poor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Social_security_and_the_poor%29
content:
<p>
Wealthier Americans can afford to delay Social Security till age 70
and get a higher monthly rate.  Poor Americans often desperately need
it at age 62. <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/03/report-details-how-social-security-has-become-rigged-wealthy-while-leaving-behind">So they get substantially less</a>.

<p>
The flaw here is not in Social Security itself.  Rather, it is that the
rest of the political-economic system crushes the poor.
That is what ought to be changed.


feed_id: 3db9d9a193ee585204dd6ce0693076b8
title: Death sentences
uri: Death-sentences
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Death_sentences%29
content:
<p>
Research into death sentences in the US found that 1/3 of the trials
that produced death sentences were carried out wrong and <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/03/death-penalty-capital-punishment-data/">had to
be re-adjudicated</a>.

<p>
I wonder if the same is true of trials that did not produce death
sentences.


feed_id: ceaaede79c3c0b2243b68c66f82dca30
title: Corruption in Malta
uri: Corruption-in-Malta
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Corruption_in_Malta%29
content:
<p>
*Malta's corruption is not just in the heart of government, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/03/malta-corruption-daphne-caruana-galizia-murder">it’s the entire
body</a>.*


feed_id: b52439e3852035a036f25375b3954d92
title: Bolivian elections
uri: Bolivian-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Bolivian_elections%29
content:
<p>
The OAS should retract its <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/02/the-oas-has-to-answer-for-its-role-in-the-bolivian-coup">groundless accusations of fraud in the Bolivian
election</a>.


feed_id: 1f6b8979a8db58d4919ad30e3e7f496d
title: Homelessness and brain injury
uri: Homelessness-and-brain-injury
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Homelessness_and_brain_injury%29
content:
<p>
A medical study of homeless people in several countries found half of them
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/dec/02/half-of-all-homeless-people-may-have-had-traumatic-brain-injury">had suffered traumatic brain injury</a>.


feed_id: b1bab0c6a94e9a03c631590fc4450f02
title: Murderers in jail
uri: Murderers-in-jail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Murderers_in_jail%29
content:
<p>
The murderers of Berta Cáceres, and officials that organized it, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/02/berta-caceres-murder-sentencing">have been
given long prison sentences</a>.


feed_id: df3cd199fbc1e6cecac36666f9aa939a
title: Blue mountain burning
uri: Blue-mountain-burning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Blue_mountain_burning%29
content:
<p>
*Revealed: 'monumental' NSW bushfires <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/03/revealed-monumental-nsw-bushfires-have-burnt-20-of-blue-mountains-world-heritage-area">have burnt 20% of Blue Mountains world
heritage area</a>.*

<p>
That area is located a short distance west of Sydney.  A few years of
increasing fires and that area could be entirely gone.

<p>
I think I visited Katoomba and played recorder for some wild cockatoos
during my first trip to Australia.


feed_id: c1a5e42e34b5bf482e52c25df8679ed6
title: When the state fears business
uri: When-the-state-fears-business
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28When_the_state_fears_business%29
content:
<p>
Indiana Deliberately Altered Amazon Worker’s Death Record <a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/news/indiana-deliberately-altered-amazon-workers-death-record-in-effort-to-lure-hq2-report/">in Effort to Lure
[Amazon's] HQ2</a>: Report.

<p>
This is an extreme example of the corruption that results when
governments bow down to business.  Democracy means the state fears
the people and business fears the state.  When the state fears business,
that is plutocracy.


feed_id: 6008223364686ff7cf7591d56a413e6a
title: Urgent: ban surprise medical bills
uri: Urgent-ban-surprise-medical-bills
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_ban_surprise_medical_bills%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/surprise-medical-bills">call on Congress</a> to ban surprise medical bills.

<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 351d43dfb97b51469f9f6fa96be33b9d
title: Occupy coal mines
uri: Occupy-coal-mines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Occupy_coal_mines%29
content:
<p>
German activists <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/02/turning-point-climate-activism-germans-block-coal-mines-their-bodies">occupied a coal mine and blocked the train tracks to
other mines</a>.


feed_id: b313a508669c2f72105c5248cd8dfd64
title: Climate displacement
uri: Climate-displacement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Climate_displacement%29
content:
<p>
Climate-related local disasters <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/12/02/climate-fuelled-disasters-number-one-driver-internal-displacement-globally">have displaced 20 million people each year
for the past decade</a>.  The numbers will increase as years pass.  By 2030 it could be 50
million a year, and many of them will not be able to return home.


feed_id: 7558c7f553671a2089c2a7c4621e443b
title: US wars
uri: 2019-12-06-US-wars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28US_wars%29
content:
<p>
It is crucial for the US to stop its wars, but <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/02/american-exceptionalism-killing-planet-earth">it is so attached to war
that it won't let go</a>.

<p>
The article describes Sanders as as expressing "strong support for Israel",
but (unlike the other candidates) that does not include support for Israel's
occupation policy.


feed_id: 2d4fa4da7f717ef6a45d6de107589483
title: "For your own good"
uri: For-your-own-good
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28For_your_own_good%29
content:
<p>
"Safety" in school is now the excuse for total surveillance of
students, teaching a whole generation of Americans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/dec/02/school-surveillance-us-schools-safety-shootings">surrender
to China-style surveillance</a>.

<p>
School violence is shocking, but it is a small danger as dangers go.
Suicide is a bigger danger, but I am skeptical that surveillance can
prevent suicide when the conflicting pressures of our society and the
menace of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> can so easily create despair.


feed_id: 3dab189350f47d14b8cef54bd708dc86
title: Alan Singer and Israel
uri: Alan-Singer-and-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Alan_Singer_and_Israel%29
content:
<p>
Alan Singer endorses the boycott of Israel, and <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/12/2/1902969/-Dear-Israel-I-Wasn-t-Coming-Anyway">most but not all
the demands of the Palestinians' BDS movement</a>.


feed_id: 4f34e55b008527ded56a44b7668f7504
title: Medicare for All terror
uri: Medicare-for-All-terror
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Medicare_for_All_terror%29
content:
<p>
Corporate Media's Mantra Is '<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/02/corporate-medias-mantra-anyone-sanders-or-warren">Anyone But Sanders or Warren</a>'.

<p>
Insurance Industry Is Clearly 'Terrified,' Says Sanders, As Lawmakers Admit
Lobbyists Helped Them <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/02/insurance-industry-clearly-terrified-says-sanders-lawmakers-admit-lobbyists-helped">Write Attacks on Medicare for All</a>.

<p>
They are trying to discourage us so we won't push on and win.


feed_id: 0e0a40d4fcdbea460402d95d51c2bc2a
title: Turkey in NATO
uri: Turkey-in-NATO
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Turkey_in_NATO%29
content:
<p>
Turkey, a member of NATO, has vetoed a plan for NATO's defense of the
Baltic region as a shakedown, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/02/turkey-denies-blackmailing-nato-over-baltics-defence-plan">depending that NATO support Erdoğan's
war against the Kurds of Syria</a>.

<p>
Bullies like Erdoğan, Putin and the conman use threats and shakedowns
to get what they want, but they are no one's friend or ally.


feed_id: dc14c6a952b4c53a588d561f17e4bb6b
title: Uber loans
uri: Uber-loans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28Uber_loans%29
content:
<p>
Uber is planning to trap drivers with car loans that will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/05/uber-loan-program-debt">compel them to
keep driving for Uber</a>.


feed_id: 424fe30749df1b7c0c6e67886651ca49
title: School-to-prison
uri: 2019-12-07-School-to-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28School-to-prison%29
content:
<p>
Ayanna Pressley has filed a bill to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/05/criminalization-students-school-prison-pathway/">close off the school-to-prison pipeline</a>.


feed_id: e778a4c7f06dce52a101bf5790577732
title: Rape victim set on fire
uri: Rape-victim-set-on-fire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28Rape_victim_set_on_fire%29
content:
<p>
An Indian woman was going to a court hearing for the trial of men
accused of raping her.  Before she could get there, they and some
other men grabbed her, set her on fire, and left her for dead.  She is
still alive and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/05/india-woman-set-on-fire-on-way-to-testify-against-alleged-rapists">may still be able to testify against them</a>.

<p>
Edit: Alas no, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/07/india-victim-dies-after-being-set-alight-on-her-way-to-court">she died of her wounds</a>.


feed_id: cdf1891199d557b10d9c60b413732626
title: Guantanamo
uri: 2019-12-07-Guantanamo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28Guantanamo%29
content:
<p>
Ahmed Rabbani, prisoner in Guantanamo for around 15 years based on
mistaken identity, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/05/guantanamo-bay-donald-trump-icc-crimes-humanity-afghan-war">hopes that the International Criminal Court will take
up his case</a>.

<p>
That not much of a hope, but he has no other.


feed_id: 77dc026c5142d7763b8deb636c51a3df
title: Anti-vax kills
uri: Anti-vax-kills
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28Anti-vax_kills%29
content:
<p>
WHO estimates that 140,000 people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/dec/05/142000-died-from-measles-last-year-who-estimates">died from measles in the past year</a>.  All this is because of anti-vax superstition.


feed_id: 624bf54cf9f987743a8b9822b6603e3b
title: Ignoring Sanders
uri: Ignoring-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28Ignoring_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
The LA Times published an article about a poll of California voters
and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/05/bernie-sanders-tops-new-california-poll-you-wouldnt-have-known-it-reading-la-times">took three paragraphs to mention who is leading</a>.

<p>
The candidate who is leading is the one they try to avoid mentioning.

<p>
PBS 2020 Segment Finds Time for Klobuchar, Sestak, and
Bullock-—<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/03/hes-justerased-pbs-2020-segment-finds-time-klobuchar-sestak-and-bullock-completely">But Completely Ignores Bernie Sanders</a>.


feed_id: 8c81b190b70b004e6c9f82668a1519aa
title: Tories strategy
uri: Tories-strategy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28Tories_strategy%29
content:
<p>
Tories are searching for various ways to rig UK elections in their
favor, and to punish their political enemies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/05/the-guardian-view-on-boris-johnsons-constitutional-changes-he-cannot-be-trusted">using personal
disfavoritism</a>.


feed_id: a61d4ad12ce7bc7ac7fa41f6e9981bf0
title: Right-wing extremists strategy
uri: Right-wing-extremists-strategy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28Right-wing_extremists_strategy%29

content:
<p>
A business profits from mass-producing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/06/inside-the-hate-factory-how-facebook-fuels-far-right-profit">coordinated fake news to
support right-wing extremists including the conman</a>.


feed_id: 25d2a5179e57f86af178837d8f1cc47c
title: Deorbiting satellites
uri: Deorbiting-satellites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28Deorbiting_satellites%29
content:
<p>
The ESA has designed a satellite to grab and deorbit obsolete satellites
so <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/dec/05/esas-plan-to-tackle-space-debris-hug-it-out">they cannot collide and make more space debris</a>.


feed_id: 67a5f852ee6655d3faf0461bf396f78c
title: Social media questioning
uri: Social-media-questioning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28Social_media_questioning%29
content:
<p>
Social media questioning by US in visa application endangers filmmakers
that need to hide their identities publicly; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/05/us-government-rule-puts-international-film-makers-in-danger-lawsuit-claims">some don't dare visit the US</a>.


feed_id: 6025b7409bda313573ac0670f2498876
title: Albert Camus death
uri: Albert-Camus-death
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28Albert_Camus_death%29
content:
<p>
Evidence argues that Albert Camus was assassinated in 1960 by the KGB
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/dec/05/albert-camus-murdered-by-the-kgb-giovanni-catelli">with connivance of the French government</a>.


feed_id: bfc1b55033195f54091386efbc5c788c
title: New Deal for Nature
uri: New-Deal-for-Nature
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28New_Deal_for_Nature%29
content:
<p>
*We need to protect nature to stand any chance of tackling climate chaos.*
The UK Green Party <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/05/protect-nature-tackle-climate-emergency-wildlife">proposes a New Deal for Nature</a>.


feed_id: 96214f2119d9be98d6d668128d2198e4
title: Failing protests in Haiti
uri: Failing-protests-in-Haiti
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28Failing_protests_in_Haiti%29
content:
<p>
Protests in Haiti are petering out <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/dec/05/killers-lurk-in-the-shadows-as-haiti-chaos-takes-a-sinister-turn">after they failed to oust President
Jovenel Moïse</a>, who <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#16_February_2017_(Haiti_elections)">was imposed by the US which bypassed the election</a>.


feed_id: 6a4d6d4cea31dc9f88577ed666979904
title: Supporting Amazon fires
uri: Supporting-Amazon-fires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28Supporting_Amazon_fires%29
content:
<p>
Bolsonaro's officials are supporting the burning down the Amazon forest
by bringing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/05/brazil-ngos-crackdown-raids-amazon-fires">arson charges against activists that tried to fight fires</a>.


feed_id: 2cbbca978c3cc80eadf475f56e522148
title: Strike for pensions
uri: Strike-for-pensions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28Strike_for_pensions%29
content:
<p>
French workers are going on strike <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/05/france-braces-for-biggest-strike-of-emmanuel-macron-presidency">against Macron's pension cuts</a>.


feed_id: 69fdc0aaf2b67b671285c968397087af
title: Divesting
uri: Divesting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28Divesting%29
content:
<p>
Brown University Committee Votes to Divest From <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/03/brown-university-committee-votes-divest-companies-complicit-human-rights-abuses">Companies Complicit in Human
Rights Abuses in Palestine</a>.

<p>
This directs the yearning for justice in a valid and possibly
effective direction.


feed_id: 1123286cdb01a9c85421e67631c6ba1a
title: Canceling The Foreigner
uri: Canceling-The-Foreigner
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#7_December_2019_%28Canceling_The_Foreigner%29
content:
<p>
Washington College canceled a performance of The Foreigner because it
is a comedy and presents a villain who is a KKK organizer.  Some
students <a href="https://reason.com/2019/12/03/washington-college-the-foreigner-censorship-students-kkk-racism/">demanded to forbid mentioning an aspect of history that
included racism in a comic tone</a>.


feed_id: 46c5f7c8bc740696622e8c5df81152f3
title: Urgent: People's Justice Guarantee
uri: Urgent-People-s-Justice-Guarantee
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Peoples_Justice_Guarantee%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://pressley.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-pressley-launches-bold-progressive-criminal-legal-reform-resolution-people">call
on Congress</a> to pass the People's Justice Guarantee.
<p>
Here is a 
<a href="https://pressley.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-pressley-launches-bold-progressive-criminal-legal-reform-resolution-people">summary
of the specific policies</a> in the bill.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 96ca05c3981a584599fb7d808011a53b
title: Urgent: Veto expansion of Dakota Access Pipeline
uri: Urgent-Veto-expansion-of-Dakota-Access-Pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Veto_expansion_of_Dakota_Access_Pipeline%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.oilchangeus.org/sign/no_DAPL/">call on state
governors</a> to veto expansion of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: b944bd079b45c2bf0080714ad0d5c364
title: Economic growth at expense of environment
uri: Economic-growth-at-expense-of-environment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Economic_growth_at_expense_of_environment%29

content:
<p>
*Pursuing economic growth at the expense of the environment is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/04/dont-pursue-economic-growth-at-expense-of-environment-report">no
longer an option</a> as Europe faces “unprecedented” challenges from
climate chaos, pollution, [96]biodiversity loss and the
overconsumption of natural resources, according to a report from
Europe’s environmental watchdog.*


feed_id: c1d7c9d7e6810492b3d81050408822ca
title: French workers strike
uri: French-workers-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28French_workers_strike%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/04/french-workers-cherish-welfare-state-strike-reforms-macron">French
workers cherish their welfare state</a>. That’s why they’re striking.*


feed_id: 4e541bcbf871f140df7445c86ae1c268
title: Loggers' roads through forests
uri: Loggers-roads-through-forests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Loggers_roads_through_forests%29
content:
<p>
When loggers make a road, it leaves a long-lasting scar in the forest
which 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/04/canada-logging-scars-forests-regenerate">prevents
new trees from growing on the former road</a>.
<p>
I wonder whether there are small machines that aerate the soil.


feed_id: 4492fb882da28161d4108ea1c0cc950d
title: National Butterfly Center blocks wall
uri: National-Butterfly-Center-blocks-wall
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28National_Butterfly_Center_blocks_wall%29

content:
<p>
The National Butterfly Center 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/04/trump-supporters-private-border-wall-blocked-concern-butterflies-texas">got
a court order to stop right-wing volunteers from building an
unofficial wall</a> on the center's land for butterflies.


feed_id: 13426bf2cf372d95c86bba41b75c63c1
title: Tories blame victims of their own budget cuts
uri: Tories-blame-victims-of-their-own-budget-cuts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Tories_blame_victims_of_their_own_budget_cuts%29

content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/04/boris-johnson-claimed-children-of-working-mothers-more-likely-to-mug-you">says
that children of working mothers tend towards crime</a>.
<p>
One must not believe anything on his say-so, but if it is true, whose
fault would it be?  It would be the fault of Tory politicians,
including Bogus Johnson, for imposing poverty and stress on those
families.
<p>
Blaming the victims of their own budget cuts is just the sort of thing
plutocratist politicians do.


feed_id: b94ebd9080b87b6e2b8d152f4aae5bf2
title: Repression of dissent in Nicaragua
uri: Repression-of-dissent-in-Nicaragua
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Repression_of_dissent_in_Nicaragua%29

content:
<p>
*UN 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/19/un-nicaragua-persistent-repression-hunger-strike">calls
on Nicaragua to end 'persistent repression of dissent'</a>.*


feed_id: b54a3541ca149031b2f19030cd678e80
title: Politics, the media, and business in the UK
uri: Politics-the-media-and-business-in-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Politics%2C_the_media%2C_and_business_in_the_UK%29

content:
<p>
*[In the UK] the divisions between politics, the media and business
have dissolved, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/04/boris-johnson-brexit-britain-politics-media-business">eroding
integrity</a>. It's not bad news for everyone.*


feed_id: 5b70b56e619a3c21e18b59bfa18c72ea
title: 50 years of accurate predictions from climate models
uri: 50-years-of-accurate-predictions-from-climate-models
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%2850_years_of_accurate_predictions_from_climate_models%29

content:
<p>
*Climate models have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/04/climate-models-have-accurately-predicted-global-heating-study-finds">accurately
predicted global heating for the past 50 years</a>, a study has
found.*


feed_id: 6e47dbfa557f5d35a0b0fa14a6360204
title: Political corruption in New Zealand
uri: Political-corruption-in-New-Zealand
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Political_corruption_in_New_Zealand%29

content:
<p>
*New Zealand’s political system relies on an 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2019/dec/03/the-foreign-donation-ban-is-a-good-thing-but-it-wont-protect-nz-from-political-corruption">untraceable
flow of donations from rich individuals with personal agendas</a>.*
<p>
Banning foreign donations won't change that.


feed_id: 54dd53bd2aba2f33dfba8b695c11f9d8
title: Thugs try to blame and criminalise protester
uri: Thugs-try-to-blame-and-criminalise-protester
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Thugs_try_to_blame_and_criminalise_protester%29

content:
<p>
2010 protester Alfie Meadows: "Over the past decade the police's
response to nearly killing me has been to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/03/brain-injury-police-waiting-for-justice">attempt
to blame and criminalise</a> me, and to delay and deny accountability
for their actions. This pattern is found in many cases of police
violence and deaths in custody, where racism and maltreatment of
people with mental health problems are often significant factors."


feed_id: 4455dfdf487751c555018fe6841bf8a9
title: The bully's abuse of the presidency
uri: The-bully-s-abuse-of-the-presidency
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28The_bullys_abuse_of_the_presidency%29

content:
<p>
*Trump 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/03/trump-impeachment-report-inquiry-house-democrats-findings-latest">abused
presidency for own gain</a>, Democrats' impeachment report concludes.*


feed_id: 1d9d3927a2959597fea9f8f6f6126f8f
title: US Navy's $22 billion nuclear submarine
uri: US-Navy-s-22-billion-nuclear-submarine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28US_Navys_%2422_billion_nuclear_submarine%29

content:
<p>
US Navy Places $22 Billion Cyber Monday Order for Nuclear Submarines,
But 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/03/us-navy-places-22-billion-cyber-monday-order-nuclear-submarines-who-asking-how-we">Who
Is Asking How We Gonna Pay For It</a>?
<p>
I think the US can afford submarines and all the other things we need.
What we cannot afford is the handouts to the rich.


feed_id: 777c0ad9b2bb0dc92fe25ed589d1d4a3
title: Tackling degraded oceans
uri: Tackling-degraded-oceans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Tackling_degraded_oceans%29
content:
<p>
Greenpeace: Tackling degraded oceans 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/04/tackling-ocean">could
mitigate climate crisis</a>.


feed_id: d7fbfd5ef0e17b2f9755f74be4c2ce23
title: Australia clamps foot on sick refugees
uri: Australia-clamps-foot-on-sick-refugees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Australia_clamps_foot_on_sick_refugees%29

content:
<p>
Australia has clamped its foot on sick refugees.  When the refugees
that Australia has dumped into Papua New Guinea and Nauru get sick,
they 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/04/medevac-repeal-bill-passes-after-jacqui-lambie-makes-secret-deal-with-coalition">will
no longer be able to get treatment in Australia</a>.  Instead, they
will get only whatever treatment Papua New Guinea and Nauru can give
them.
<p>
Nauru effectively 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-mar-jun.html#26_June_2016_(Nauru)">excludes
the press</a>, so the world may not even find out when those refugees
get sick, or when they die of curable diseases.


feed_id: da7b0af54261d5d2815118b174e032cb
title: Considering global heating when making major decisions
uri: Considering-global-heating-when-making-major-decisions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Considering_global_heating_when_making_major_decisions%29

content:
<p>
New Zealand's government 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/04/climate-change-to-steer-all-new-zealand-government-decisions-from-now-on">will
henceforth make it standard practice to consider the effect on global
heating of all major decisions</a>.
<p>
This is necessary, but no substitute for taking action to reduce
emissions quickly.


feed_id: ccf8c7f0ae33eb4fa957b9d47155d7c3
title: Personal sanctions on Chinese officials
uri: Personal-sanctions-on-Chinese-officials
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Personal_sanctions_on_Chinese_officials%29

content:
<p>
Congress has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/04/us-house-approves-uighur-act-calling-for-sanctions-on-chinas-politburo-xinjiang-muslim">passed
a bill authorizing personal sanctions on Chinese officials</a> on
account of the repression in Xinjiang.
<p>
I would have been inclined to suppose that China would shrug this off,
but apparently it really bothers the rulers.


feed_id: 4dcecf2605fc73405efec75db7269e08
title: African swine fever and pork shortage
uri: African-swine-fever-and-pork-shortage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28African_swine_fever_and_pork_shortage%29

content:
<p>
Farmers have killed 40% of the pigs in China in an attempt to contain
African swine fever.  This has resulted in a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/nov/23/china-pigs-african-swine-fever-pork-shortage-inflation">world-wide
shortage of pork</a>.
<p>
Since the disease keeps spreading, the shortage could easily get much
worse.
<p>
Perhaps what we need to do is assure that pigs don't eat scraps of
pig.  That is how we stopped the spread of mad cow disease, which can
also infect humans.


feed_id: 35b305af08b5367847c59ce964020616
title: Saboteur of the Interior
uri: Saboteur-of-the-Interior
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%28Saboteur_of_the_Interior%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> of the Interior Bernhardt, a former lobbyist for fossil fuel
companies, is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/12/02/oil-and-gas-favors-continue-during-trump-impeachment-proceedings">still
working for them</a>.  He just proposed to reduce the royalties that
oil companies must pay for risking a big spill in the Caribbean.


feed_id: 091ca91c2f806b065d3494cb146e1a3c
title: 5C of global heating in the next 80 years
uri: 5C-of-global-heating-in-the-next-80-years
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#6_December_2019_%285C_of_global_heating_in_the_next_80_years%29

content:
<p>
The World Meteorological Organization 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/03/after-hottest-decade-records-began-wmo-warns-world-may-face-5degc-rise-centurys-end">warns
we are on track to 5C of global heating in the next 80 years</a>.
<p>
Needless to say, very few of the children born today are likely to
reach age 80.  I doubt many will reach age 60.


feed_id: d879733a5a0c08ace6ec090d3f495093
title: Urgent: Repeal massive surveillance
uri: Urgent-Repeal-massive-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Repeal_massive_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/repeal-section-215">call on Congress</a> to repeal section 215 of the Patriot Act
which authorizes massive surveillance.

<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: e8d5957cf9fa369c620d4c9ba3aba61d
title: Protecting wildlife
uri: Protecting-wildlife
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Protecting_wildlife%29
content:
<p>
Countries must adopt binding measures to protect wildlife
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/06/measures-to-arrest-natures-decline-must-be-passed-into-law-say-meps">so it won't die away</a>.


feed_id: e6663a2bdf0a065f896c101939eedd0d
title: Heat waves
uri: 2019-12-08-Heat-waves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Heat_waves%29
content:
<p>
About US cities' plans to protect people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/dec/06/killer-heat-us-cities-plans-for-coming-heatwaves-fail-to-protect-vulnerable">who are especially vulnerable
during heat waves</a>.

<p>
This puts a bandaid on a potentially fatal injury.  As the heat keeps
increasing over the years, any measure for protecting people during
heat waves will become inadequate.  In a few decades, the whole summer
will be as bad as today's heat waves.


feed_id: aca7616c66ffd9e79be7d0d09919b5b0
title: Children surveillance
uri: Children-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Children_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
Some US parents are becoming concerned <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/dec/05/schools-monitor-students-online-activity">about schools' surveillance of
their children</a>.  The solution they are trying, calling on companies to delete some of the data
once a year, may do some good, but <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">it is far from adequate</a>.


feed_id: cf5cbe3278259c4b222df71f4ce3771d
title: No taxes for Amazon
uri: No-taxes-for-Amazon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28No_taxes_for_Amazon%29
content:
<p>
*Amazon <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/amazon-taxes-zero-180337770.html">will pay $0 in taxes on $11,200,000,000 in profit</a> for 2018.* Precisely how Amazon achieves this is a secret.

<p>
How about requiring all corporations operating in the US (or whichever
country it may be) to publish their full international accounts?


feed_id: 677ec866191d187a1f27b318830779b5
title: No effective action yet
uri: No-effective-action-yet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28No_effective_action_yet%29
content:
<p>
Greta Thunberg says that the school strikes for climate have failed
since <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/06/greta-thunberg-says-school-strikes-have-achieved-nothing">they have not led to the start of effective action</a>.

<p>
I would rather say that they have not won the battle <em>yet</em>.


feed_id: 347d6b4cc52c8683ca6de33725ab87e1
title: Summary execution
uri: Summary-execution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Summary_execution%29
content:
<p>
Indian thugs report that four suspects accused of rape and murder <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/06/indian-police-shoot-dead-four-men-suspected-of-hyderabad">were
shot and killed while trying to escape</a>.

<p>
Even people accused of grave crimes deserve a fair trial, not a
summary execution.


feed_id: 423a939832265bade162f470c974a541
title: Air pollution
uri: 2019-12-08-Air-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Air_pollution%29
content:
<p>
Reductions in air pollution <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/06/cutting-air-pollution-can-prevent-deaths-within-weeks">lead very quickly to big decreases in death rates</a>.


feed_id: 9047c5e080fb7d4cd46a7ec48ad22a46
title: Australia on fire
uri: Australia-on-fire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Australia_on_fire%29
content:
<p>
Sydney weather forecast: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/06/australia-fires-five-bushfires-merge-north-of-sydney-as-conditions-forecast-to-worsen">fire and even more fire</a>.

<p>
Australians (along with the rest of us) have brought this on
themselves, electing a planet-roaster government.  Will they learn a
lesson now?


feed_id: 436eb51d008bd567a039361d9961bb06
title: Kamala Harris is out
uri: Kamala-Harris-is-out
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Kamala_Harris_is_out%29
content:
<p>
*The Kamala Harris campaign is over. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/06/kamala-harris-campaign-tough-on-crime-democrat">So is the era of the tough-on-crime
Democrat</a>.*

<p>
I think that her support for internet censorship may have contributed, too.


feed_id: a0030b3b409f16f5a89d678dffd00032
title: Less repression in Salafi Arabia
uri: Less-repression-in-Salafi-Arabia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Less_repression_in_Salafi_Arabia%29

content:
<p>
Salafi Arabia is loosening its repression of women, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/06/its-a-free-country-now-saudi-arabia-touts-new-openness">at least for
wealthier urban women</a>.


feed_id: d9bbc4be056d65cedcc696b75dbe620d
title: Thugs kill in Iran
uri: Thugs-kill-in-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Thugs_kill_in_Iran%29
content:
<p>
The UN says that Iran jailed 7,000 people during protests, and killed
over 200, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/06/at-least-7000-people-reportedly-arrested-in-iran-protests-says-un">with thugs intentionally shooting to kill civilians who were
running away</a>.


feed_id: 023fb3410befc64f08cfdc6b129b0a33
title: Dangers for Ilhan Omar
uri: Dangers-for-Ilhan-Omar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Dangers_for_Ilhan_Omar%29
content:
<p>
*The dangers Ilhan Omar faces are real, relentless and deadly. And they
are being fueled <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/06/republicans-lhan-omar-threat">by her opponents in the Republican party</a>.*

<p>
I think that Republican politicians would regard her assassination as
a triumph, expecting it to strengthen the right-wing extremism that is
their base.


feed_id: 510f4574f9216202da50af1ed97630ef
title: Ad policy changes
uri: Ad-policy-changes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Ad_policy_changes%29
content:
<p>
Some suggested ad policy changes intended to prevent manipulative use
political advertising <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/06/facebook-political-ads-social-media">on Facebook and other platforms</a>.

<p>
I think these are good changes, but the collection of personal data
is a wrong and danger <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/real-privacy-laws.html">much bigger than political advertising</a>.


feed_id: a881afa2f36482c77df9af83e8cc30da
title: Antibiotic resistance from Palestine
uri: Antibiotic-resistance-from-Palestine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Antibiotic_resistance_from_Palestine%29

content:
<p>
The conditions of Israel's siege of Gaza <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/dec/05/i-feel-constant-pain-drug-resistance-adds-to-misery-of-gaza-gun-victims">are encouraging the evolution
of antibiotic resistance</a>.  These diseases will eventually spread and kill
people all around the world, ironically including Israel,
and your country whatever it is.


feed_id: 13fb83b10e8b4db4f52abc848d942047
title: Urgent: Investigate Facebook
uri: Urgent-Investigate-Facebook
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_Facebook%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/facebook-disinformation/">call
on Congress</a> to investigate Facebook’s role in the right-wing
disinformation machine.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: cdd5a2a0cc7ad305c26fbf26a138dd76
title: Urgent: Investigate conman's other crimes
uri: Urgent-Investigate-conman-s-other-crimes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_conmans_other_crimes%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritter and say 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/call/Peoples-Articles-D-Calls/">urge
Congress to investigate the conman's other crimes</a>, not just the
shake-down of Ukraine.
<p>
Here's more about 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/04/watergate-teaches-us-democrats-should-broaden-impeachment-charges">why
that is the right thing to do</a>.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
and 888-355-3588.


feed_id: 55c32e3454e6f25488819d6dc8c8c09f
title: US support of Israel's occupation policies
uri: US-support-of-Israel-s-occupation-policies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28US_support_of_Israels_occupation_policies%29

content:
<p>
Israel's Next Move: 
<a href="https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/11/29/israels-next-move-the-real-danger-in-us-decision-to-normalize-illegal-jewish-settlements/">The
Real Danger in US Decision to Normalize Illegal Jewish
Settlements</a>.  It replaces the previous tacit connivance with
Israel's occupation policies with overt support.
<p>
Israel is jumping on this support with a 
<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/israel-planning-settlement-flashpoint-hebron-city-191201154243417.html">plan
to seize and colonize the commercial center of Hebron</a>, which was
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-jan-apr.html#07%20April%202011%20(Israeli%20Colonists)">turned
into a no-mans-land</a> because of the Israeli colony right near by.


feed_id: 66260940dae2c2010f22867141b218a6
title: Hezbollah supporters attack protesters
uri: Hezbollah-supporters-attack-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Hezbollah_supporters_attack_protesters%29

content:
<p>
Hezbollah supporters 
<a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lebanon-protests-hezbollah_n_5ddd2500e4b0913e6f73d070">attacked
Lebanese protesters in Beirut</a>, and put the rather un-thuggish
Lebanese police in a dilemma.


feed_id: cadfba415598b0a82c8b5cbf464380b0
title: Bloomberg treats self to another campaign
uri: Bloomberg-treats-self-to-another-campaign
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Bloomberg_treats_self_to_another_campaign%29

content:
<p>
(satire) Democratic candidate Michael Bloomberg confirmed Tuesday that
he had decided to treat himself to a 
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/michael-bloomberg-treats-self-to-second-flashier-presi-1840175980">second,
flashier presidential campaign</a>.


feed_id: d95afbf0018dba7b4e1ac213ec8ba82f
title: Climate conference sponsored by fossil fuel
uri: Climate-conference-sponsored-by-fossil-fuel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Climate_conference_sponsored_by_fossil_fuel%29

content:
<p>
This year's climate conference is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/03/meet-big-polluters-sponsoring-cop25">once
again sponsored by businesses including fossil fuel companies</a>.
<p>
This undermines its purpose, just as fossil fuel companies 
lobby hard to eliminate the substance of all policies and agreements
to render them ineffective.


feed_id: c64f7916e02b63b5a60d040b2736b15d
title: Growing awareness of problem of surveillance
uri: Growing-awareness-of-problem-of-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Growing_awareness_of_problem_of_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
Surveys of several countries, including the US, have found that 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/04/damning-indictment-global-poll-shows-71-support-regulation-tech-giants-protect-data">70%
of people overall want regulation of how businesses use personal
data</a>.
<p>
This is a big step forward in public awareness of the problem of
surveillance, but people have a long way to go before they see
the 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">full
dimensions of the problem</a> and start to consider real solutions.


feed_id: 58ac42e830a36907afcab5d6087c936f
title: Threatened for failing to "respect" thugs
uri: Threatened-for-failing-to-respect-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Threatened_for_failing_to_respect_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Attorney General Barr threatens communities that fail to "respect"
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> by 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/04/profoundly-disturbing-william-barr-says-communities-do-not-respect-police-could-lose">saying
that thugs will neglect to protect them</a>.
<p>
The swindle is that those <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments already put more effort
into harassing them than protecting them.


feed_id: c32df86809152b73bf8bd5e1dd3068ad
title: Coal extraction subsidies
uri: Coal-extraction-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Coal_extraction_subsidies%29
content:
<p>
G20 countries subsidies to coal extraction and use add up to 
<a href="http://priceofoil.org/2019/06/24/g20-coal-subsidies/">over 60
billion dollars per year</a>.  To save the ecosphere, countries must
terminate this quickly.


feed_id: 1f4ba95db690a9a270fde3cbf167898f
title: Getting money out of US politics
uri: Getting-money-out-of-US-politics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Getting_money_out_of_US_politics%29

content:
<p>
On some attempts to get the money out of US politics, and the
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/04/can-we-get-money-out-politics">problems
they have encountered</a>.


feed_id: 10a53f7e8fea64d9f911d30a5a5ee83c
title: Progressive family values
uri: Progressive-family-values
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Progressive_family_values%29
content:
<p>
Conservative family values are about obeying rules.  Progressive
family values are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/04/modern-family-progressive-values-put-conservatives-shame">about
whether the people in the family love each other and make a good life
together</a>.


feed_id: bf50da53829d1a0d45399dc4cdb1b602
title: Acknowledging a homeless man's existence
uri: Acknowledging-a-homeless-man-s-existence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Acknowledging_a_homeless_mans_existence%29

content:
<p>
(satire) local mom Tara Cochran 
<a href="https://local.theonion.com/mom-scolds-child-for-pointing-at-homeless-man-instead-o-1840206043">scolded
her daughter Wednesday for pointing at a homeless man</a> instead of
ignoring his very existence.


feed_id: b90048dbecb8e2cd038c6815f1443394
title: Trying to block impeachment investigation
uri: Trying-to-block-impeachment-investigation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Trying_to_block_impeachment_investigation%29

content:
<p>
The conman 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/04/ukraine-yes-trump-must-also-be-impeached-obstruction">should
be impeached for trying to block the impeachment investigation</a>, as
Nixon was going to be.


feed_id: d7fd6bf661d9059b204207b6e62659cd
title: Oil and gas sector gangsters
uri: Oil-and-gas-sector-gangsters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Oil_and_gas_sector_gangsters%29
content:
<p>
  *The oil and gas sector <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/12/05/investments-oil-and-gas-production-over-next-five-years-will-lock-more-15degc">intends
  to invest USD 1.4 trillion</a> developing new oil and gas extraction. This
  risks locking in enough carbon emissions to push warming beyond 2°C.*
<p>
  The concept of "locking in" is that the owners will fight like
  gangsters to make sure the new wells are run until exhausted, so what
  matters is the quantity of emissions the wells will generate if run
  that way.


feed_id: 6ab96aeabfcb3c70017a449ab42ad96d
title: More waste-water in waterways
uri: More-waste-water-in-waterways
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28More_wastewater_in_waterways%29
content:
<p>
  The EPA (now Environmental Poisoning Agency) wants to dump more
  waste-water <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/12/05/proposals-allow-fracking-waste-dumping-waterways-epa-courting-disaster">from oil and gas extraction</a> into waterways, carrying toxins
  that ordinary sewage treatment plants are not designed to remove.


feed_id: 525fb8fa408d2f326b712d0f0714f39c
title: Food stamp cuts
uri: Food-stamp-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Food_stamp_cuts%29
content:
<p>
  (satire) Sonny Perdue Argues Food Stamp Cuts Will Incentivize People
  <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/sonny-perdue-argues-food-stamp-cuts-will-incentivize-pe-1840243415
  ">To Get Exploitative Jobs</a> That Won’t Exist In 5 Years.


feed_id: 3698bc009c9c2798abff16405f5b7425
title: Taxi driver, not terrorist
uri: Taxi-driver-not-terrorist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Taxi_driver%2C_not_terrorist%29
content:
<p>
  When the CIA got its hands on taxi driver Ahmed Rabbani, he was
  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/05/everyone-should-watch-report-take-it-guantanamo-bay-lawyer">supposedly the terrorist Hassan Ghul</a>.  Then it caught the real Hassan
  Ghul, who confessed in detail and was released.
<p>
  Rabbani confessed to being a taxi driver, and has been kept in
  Guantanamo ever since.
<p>
  My song Guantanamero is not as famous as The Who's music, presumably
  because it isn't as good, but you might <a href="https://stallman.org/guantanamero.html">like it anyway</a>. 


feed_id: 71a5de8862b65aab98f0bc84bfc5ef49
title: Meteorite eating microbe
uri: Meteorite-eating-microbe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Meteorite_eating_microbe%29
content:
<p>
  A <a href="http://www.sci-news.com/biology/meteorite-eating-microorganism-metallosphaera-sedula-07877.html">newly discovered</a> metal-eating microbe seems to be adapted specifically
  for meteorites.
<p>
  It's conceivable if it might have arrived on Earth on meteorites four
  billion years ago.  It will be very interesting to see how its DNA
  relates to other species of archaea.


feed_id: 4b8ef99ebbb1809695e5e766e1c28a84
title: ICC hearing on Afghanistan war crimes
uri: ICC-hearing-on-Afghanistan-war-crimes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28ICC_hearing_on_Afghanistan_war_crimes%29

content:
<p>
  ICC Holds Hearing on Afghanistan War Crimes, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/05/icc-holds-hearing-afghanistan-war-crimes-including-us-torture">Including US Torture</a>.


feed_id: 2b8d97f15b388e3c28e5b22bd7ea09f9
title: Stop gateway to prison drugs
uri: Stop-gateway-to-prison-drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Stop_gateway_to_prison_drugs%29
content:
<p>
  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/05/marijuana-gateway-drug">Let's stop marijuana</a> from being a gateway drug &mdash; gateway to prison.


feed_id: ef327e6ad453c14d8213e3613b2a649b
title: Robbery conviction overturned
uri: Robbery-conviction-overturned
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Robbery_conviction_overturned%29
content:
<p>
  A robbery conviction in London in 1972 has been overturned because the
  thug who provided evidence <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/dec/05/oval-four-men-jailed-in-1972-cleared-by-court-of-appeal-in-london">was a crook</a>.
<p>
  Fortunately the people falsely convicted didn't spend all the
  intervening time in prison.  But they had to struggle with being
  labeled as robbers.
  


feed_id: 6227e38d5089b5913a8ccf7b34421f8d
title: The Sunrise Movement approves of Sanders
uri: The-Sunrise-Movement-approves-of-Sanders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28The_Sunrise_Movement_approves_of_Sanders%29

content:
<p>
  The Sunrise Movement says that Sanders is the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/05/sanders-scores-highest-mark-sunrise-movements-climate-report-card-while-biden-told">best of the candidates</a> for
  the Democratic Party nomination.


feed_id: 9167881ede1047202ca48acdb2ed78da
title: Torries' hold on bigot vote
uri: Torries-hold-on-bigot-vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Torries%27_hold_on_bigot_vote%29
content:
<p>
  (satire) Boris Johnson Worried <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/boris-johnson-worried-anti-semitism-accusations-against-1840242337">Anti-Semitism Accusations</a> Against
  Labour Party Will Hurt Tories’ Hold On Bigot Vote.


feed_id: fa432f0fba044509bbeb2a761654db4f
title: Urgent: Block US war
uri: Urgent-Block-US-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Block_US_war%29
content:
<p>
    US citizens: <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-congress-dont-give-trump-blank-check-war/">call on Congress</a> to ensure the NDAA blocks US war with Yemen or Iran.
  </p>
  <p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 5c952b51d4d1bf4f2ee5e80587a36eec
title: Urgent: Universal service and public ownership of the postal service
uri: Urgent-Universal-service-and-public-ownership-of-the-postal-service
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Universal_service_and_public_ownership_of_the_postal_service%29

content:
<p>
    US citizens: call on the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors
    <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/postmaster-general-privatization">to appoint a Postmaster General</a> who is fully committed to universal
    service and public ownership of the Postal Service
<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>
    


feed_id: cbec26134137185ebeaf2e8f6b4f4019
title: Heat waves
uri: 2019-12-09-Heat-waves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#8_December_2019_%28Heat_waves%29
content:
<p>
About US cities' plans to protect people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/dec/06/killer-heat-us-cities-plans-for-coming-heatwaves-fail-to-protect-vulnerable">who are especially vulnerable
during heat waves</a>.

<p>
This puts a band-aid on a potentially fatal injury.  As the heat keeps
increasing over the years, any measure for protecting people during
heat waves will become inadequate.  In a few decades, the whole summer
will be as bad as today's heat waves.


feed_id: 4a60894a1d60a035beddbf9f4e372302
title: Dependence on extraction
uri: Dependence-on-extraction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Dependence_on_extraction%29
content:
<p>
Socialist governments in South America, as well as right-wing
neocolonialist governments, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/07/amazon-latin-america-extractivism/">depended on economically on extraction</a>.

<p>
The socialists spent money better, but they got it the same way, and
the people who live where the resources are tend to get hurt in the
process.


feed_id: 93b72b382a28fbdacb13418fb84ac1d5
title: Dead zones in oceans
uri: Dead-zones-in-oceans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Dead_zones_in_oceans%29
content:
<p>
Dead zones are spreading in the oceans, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/07/oceans-losing-oxygen-at-unprecedented-rate-experts-warn">boosted by fertilizer run-off
and global heating</a>.  The result is to boost jellyfish and decrease fish, especially large
fish.

<p>
I suggest people find a Vietnamese restaurant that offers a jellyfish
salad, and get accustomed to it.  Jellyfish is boring all by itself,
but becomes delicious when mixed with a dressing and a few other
things.


feed_id: ab30cbafb2a4e14f71556b32c7da11e4
title: From neoliberalism to brutality
uri: From-neoliberalism-to-brutality
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28From_neoliberalism_to_brutality%29

content:
<p>
In Chile's people's summit: <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2019/12/06/dispatches-from-peoples-summit-chile">A Clear Line from Neoliberalism to Brutality</a>.


feed_id: c13b998751e1c885d326107c8220b66d
title: Australia will keep burning
uri: Australia-will-keep-burning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Australia_will_keep_burning%29
content:
<p>
The 140 wildfires in Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/07/australia-fires-blazes-too-big-to-put-out-as-140-bushfires-rage-in-nsw-and-queensland">are doing lasting ecological damage</a>.

<p>
A large fire near Sydney is likely to burn for months (rain is likely
in February), because it is too big to put out.  What about using
firebreaks?  Perhaps firebreaks are ineffective because the trees are
so dry that a flying spark can spread the fire.

<p>
Normal life is now impossible in the regions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/07/from-disbelief-to-dread-the-dismal-new-routine-of-life-in-sydneys-smoke-haze">where half the population
of Australia lives</a>.

<p>
Australia has been getting hotter, and its fire season worse, for a
few years now.  I hope people draw the proper conclusion.


feed_id: 1da933e9468d5ed2946cf7d0fd60354d
title: Possession intolerance
uri: Possession-intolerance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Possession_intolerance%29
content:
<p>
Zero tolerance has ruined another career: Robyn Williams convicted of
having a child sex video on her computer, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/nov/19/police-chief-convicted-for-having-child-sex-abuse-video-on-phone-robyn-williams">which had been sent to her
by her sister who wanted legal action taken</a>.

<p>
Her sister was convicted also for trying to show it to her.

<p>
Laws against possessing a copy of something are inherently unjust,
regardless of what that something might be.  When interpreted rigidly
they make life into a minefield.


feed_id: 685db5cb11225451ab0f33d43f160d4c
title: Carbon addiction
uri: Carbon-addiction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Carbon_addiction%29
content:
<p>
Despite Warmest Decade on Record, We Still Act Like "<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/06/despite-warmest-decade-record-we-still-act-addicts-blowing-our-carbon-budget">Addicts Blowing Our
Carbon Budget</a>".


feed_id: 73fc2522ac1822ca558712af0b5ad115
title: COP25 sponsors
uri: COP25-sponsors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28COP25_sponsors%29
content:
<p>
Big Spanish polluters that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/12/06/new-research-big-polluters-bankrolling-cop25">are sponsoring the COP25 climate defense
conference</a>.


feed_id: 8bd885358f8a4f9eb6bfe050cb0bf9f7
title: Putin on nuclear weapons
uri: Putin-on-nuclear-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Putin_on_nuclear_weapons%29
content:
<p>
Putin has asked to extend the New START nuclear weapon limitation
treaty.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/06/no-brainer-anti-nuclear-movement-urges-trump-accept-putin-offer-renew-start-treaty">We have to hope that the numskull will agree</a>.


feed_id: ba268f8848367e4a92ce20a5f6107d8e
title: Buttigieg on NDA
uri: Buttigieg-on-NDA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Buttigieg_on_NDA%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/pete-buttigieg-blames-inability-to-disclose-political-s-1840272883">satire</a>) Pete Buttigieg Blames Inability To Disclose Political Stances
On NDA With Buttigieg Campaign.


feed_id: 523c9eb93c44ff43d41a9e5b43a16bda
title: Pesticide ban
uri: Pesticide-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Pesticide_ban%29
content:
<p>
The EU <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/12/06/us-ignores-risks-kids-eu-bans-brain-damaging-pesticide">has banned the use of brain-damaging pesticide chlorpyrifos on
food crops</a>.


feed_id: 85eb65ef89eeee52b85de01cd88d0a92
title: Artificial people rights
uri: Artificial-people-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Artificial_people_rights%29
content:
<p>
This amendment says that human rights are for natural persons,
<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-joint-resolution/48">not for "artificial" persons such as corporations</a>.

<p>
I think that the wording should be changed so that artificial physical
persons (for instance, robots) can qualify for human rights if they
meet certain criteria.  We can expect that this situation will arise,
so why not get it entirely right the first time?


feed_id: 5f098386b58077822e974228eb070050
title: Sanders on strike
uri: Sanders-on-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Sanders_on_strike%29
content:
<p>
Bernie Sanders Joins Des Moines Climate Strike, [also] Young People In
20 States Begin Sit-Ins <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/12/06/bernie-sanders-joins-des-moines-climate-strike-young-people-20-states-begin-sit">Demanding Green New Deal Support From
Establishment Dems</a>.


feed_id: 4ec5404362f4b7c9f0c9d0c728a10210
title: Voting Rights Advancement Act
uri: Voting-Rights-Advancement-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Voting_Rights_Advancement_Act%29
content:
<p>
The Democrats in the House of Representatives <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/06/support-just-one-republican-house-passes-historic-bill-restore-and-expand-voting">have passed the Voting
Rights Advancement Act</a>.

<p>
Republicans in the Senate refuse to allow a vote on it, so what this
serves is to provide an opportunity for political pressure on them for
refusing to hold the vote.

<p>
In substance, the federal approval requirement is a good one.  Any
changes in voting rules that discriminate against nonwhites are
unjust.  However, I don't think any group should be singled out for
less protection.  Changes in voting rules that systematically tend to
disenfranchise any demographic group should be stopped.


feed_id: 99b8e9b1b1c1aad984978f662fd30d67
title: Ruling on Cambridge Analytica
uri: Ruling-on-Cambridge-Analytica
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Ruling_on_Cambridge_Analytica%29
content:
<p>
Years too late, the Federal Trade Commission has ruled that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/dec/06/cambridge-analytica-facebook-data-collection-ftc">Cambridge
Analytica may not claim to properly protect users' privacy</a>.

<p>
Even if this ruling had come soon, its effect would have been so
narrow that it might have changed little.


feed_id: 47bd1a174aa044ea1a35151a79c2078d
title: Face recognition on borders
uri: Face-recognition-on-borders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#9_December_2019_%28Face_recognition_on_borders%29
content:
<p>
The US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> proposed to require face recognition on citizens
entering and leaving the US, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/12/05/government-drops-plan-mandatory-face-scans-travelers-now-congress-needs-ban">but backed down in the face of hostility</a>.

<p>
When I left the US on my last trip, Delta airlines offered me the
"convenience" of face recognition instead of scanning my boarding
pass.  I could have quietly said "I opt out of face recognition", but
I wanted to have a bigger effect, so I held my computer bag in front
of my face and said in a loud voice something like, "Don't do face
recognition on me!"

<p>
To make democracy safe, we need to fight against all systems that do
face recognition (outside of very narrow contexts), and indeed nearly
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/real-privacy-laws.html">all systems that can collect data about people's movements and activities</a>.


feed_id: 74d14b429eb5f4880f444075964a8a34
title: Rough surveillance
uri: Rough-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#10_December_2019_%28Rough_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/05/new-zealands-first-pornography-report-finds-problematic-amount-of-coercion">Naturally, authorities turn to censorship systems that would justify total
surveillance and strike fear into people</a>.  But <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/dec/08/rough-sex-and-rough-justice-we-need-a-greater-understanding-of-consent">there are other ways to 
teach young men that women generally don't enjoy force or violence</a>.

<p>
Here's an idea: sell cute signs with slogans such as, "I don't like
being slapped, spit on, gagged or choked.  How about asking what I do
like?"  Women could put those up in their bedrooms, to be seen by
their male lovers.  For men who have been taught wrong, and were never
informed it was wrong, one occasion could set them straight.


feed_id: 294e3f278a0cac6eb992679c138e0079
title: Usual misrepresentations
uri: Usual-misrepresentations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#10_December_2019_%28Usual_misrepresentations%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/08/missing-stories-three-big-issues-media-missing">The mainstream media systematically misrepresent</a> popular progressive
programs as "extremist", mainstream Democrats as aiming to serve the
people, and anti-governance Republicans as trying to make the US
government operate well instead of to wreck it.


feed_id: 38fd1280e56d53bbdcb4dbd8682c0180
title: Peace with Putin
uri: Peace-with-Putin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#10_December_2019_%28Peace_with_Putin%29
content:
<p>
President Zelenskiy of Ukraine <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/08/ukraine-president-volodymyr-zelenskiy-vladimir-putin-paris">aims to negotiate peace in the eastern
border regions with Putin, but not quickly</a>.


feed_id: bbd98ce516f26e329779eb18dc38b70a
title: Six months of pro-democracy protests
uri: Six-months-of-pro-democracy-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#10_December_2019_%28Six_months_of_pro-democracy_protests%29

content:
<p>
*Hong Kong: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/08/hong-kong-democracy-protests-continue-into-seventh-month">mammoth rally marks six months of pro-democracy protests</a>.*


feed_id: fc80353e25c44f2f48de4c5f15ffba14
title: Amazon bluff
uri: Amazon-bluff
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#10_December_2019_%28Amazon_bluff%29
content:
<p>
After New Yorkers blocked the corrupt plan to give Amazon a special tax break
to open an office in NYC, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/07/we-were-proven-right-says-aoc-after-amazon-expands-new-york-without-taking-billions">Amazon did it anyway</a>.

<p>
Thus, calling Amazon's bluff was a success, in narrow terms.

<p>
However, for Amazon to grow bigger this way is still bad for all of us.
Please <a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">join me in refusing to buy from Amazon</a>.  Let's make it smaller!


feed_id: 9b1629d97d4433404334aad078fa6bfa
title: Urgent: reject bribes
uri: Urgent-reject-bribes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#10_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_reject_bribes%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/republicans-impeachment-bribes">call on Republican senators</a> to reject campaign contributions
raised by the conman, which are effectively bribes for their coming role
as jurors in his trial.

  <p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 36c2a3d4e9412fc3b0d9383905cca3bd
title: WTO's power over laws
uri: WTO-s-power-over-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#10_December_2019_%28WTO%27s_power_over_laws%29
content:
<p>
The US may block the WTO's power to eliminate national laws,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/08/wto-faces-crisis-over-settlement-disputes-unless-trump-backs-off">including laws to protect the environment and public health</a>.

<p>
Never mind the article's alarm over this; it implicitly adopts the
values of business-over-democracy and growth-with-trickle-down.
Weakening the WTO would be a signal victory over business-dominated
globalization.

<p>
Here are two examples of how the WTO compelled the US to eliminate
laws that served good purposes.

  


feed_id: 4b8a71188533f67186ba6583d010de4e
title: Non-rich Britons to be screwed
uri: Non-rich-Britons-to-be-screwed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_December_2019_%28Non-rich_Britons_to_be_screwed%29

content:
<p>
U.S. Lobbyists Prepare to Seize "Historic Opportunity" to 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/09/brexit-american-trade-deal-boris-johnson/">impose
an exploitative trade deal on the UK</a>.
<p>
I warned in 2017 that leaving the EU under Tory control would enable
the Tories to screw all non-rich Britons.  This confirms what I said.


feed_id: 6fb8550f042922485d41c1ceb013dcd2
title: Warren talks about selecting Harris
uri: Warren-talks-about-selecting-Harris
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_December_2019_%28Warren_talks_about_selecting_Harris%29

content:
<p>
Senator Warren talked about 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/09/elizabeth-warren-democrat-presidential-2020-race">selecting
Kamala Harris as candidate for vice president</a>.
<p>
I am very disappointed.


feed_id: 04be1f19c27381e1b0b95fe279285a8d
title: Sanders and AOC condemn Gilead
uri: Sanders-and-AOC-condemn-Gilead
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_December_2019_%28Sanders_and_AOC_condemn_Gilead%29

content:
<p>
Sanders and AOC have condemned a pharma company, Gilead, for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/dec/09/sanders-and-ocasio-cortez-gilead-descovy-drug-hiv">applying
to extend the patent on a drug combination</a> called Descovy, which
is used for treating AIDS.
<p>
They accuse the company of delaying development of Descovy so that
the patent would start later and thus end later.
<p>
Based on information from Wikipedia it appears that the company's
business is more mergers and acquisitions than research as such.  Its
founder seems to be in the VC field rather than medical research.
<p>
The amount of development needed for such a drug combination is
little.  It seems to be mainly a matter of testing the effects of
combining drugs already approved.
<p>
Corporate-funded clinical tests of drugs are suspect anyway, so
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#26_February_2016_(Trade_secrecy_coverup_of_pre-clinical_test)">the
government should fund them</a>.  Therefore, even if we continue to allow
patents on drugs, which I think 
<a href="media/1dcfd209.45_1_stallman.pdf" data-original-source="https://www.luc.edu/media/lucedu/law/students/publications/llj/pdfs/45_1_stallman.pdf">we
should not</a>, we should at least disallow patents on combinations.


feed_id: 7d503087f52815629956de54248b0c40
title: UK right-wing party leader tied to US antisemite
uri: UK-right-wing-party-leader-tied-to-US-antisemite
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_December_2019_%28UK_right-wing_party_leader_tied_to_US_antisemite%29

content:
<p>
Farage, leader of a UK right-wing party, has been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/09/farage-appeared-with-antisemitic-pastor-on-us-web-radio-show">tied
to a real antisemite from the US</a>.
<p>
The latter staunchly defends the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>, and blames impeachment on
unspecified "Jews" as a scapegoat to distract attention from why he
deserves impeachment.


feed_id: 471091a50d9ec231b2f0c666e621475e
title: Capitalism and carbon
uri: Capitalism-and-carbon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_December_2019_%28Capitalism_and_carbon%29
content:
<p>
*Aramco’s flotation may have been scaled down, but it shows that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/dec/08/saudi-aramco-flotation-biggest-polluter-climate-action">capitalism
and carbon still go hand in glove</a>.*


feed_id: 2fb0fa0f78569c269c477e5a31bc4f90
title: Annexing West Bank
uri: Annexing-West-Bank
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_December_2019_%28Annexing_West_Bank%29
content:
<p>
Netanyahu's latest plan to avoid prosecution is to annex 25% of the West Bank,
even though <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/09/wag-dog-move-indicted-israeli-pm-netanyahu-moves-annex-25-palestinian-west-bank">that violates the treaties that govern occupation</a>.


feed_id: 17ad11816752d14dfd5dee45dc108340
title: Disruptive online banks
uri: Disruptive-online-banks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_December_2019_%28Disruptive_online_banks%29
content:
<p>
"Disruptive" online banks offer to cushion the pain of being in debt.
Sooner or later the price for this cushion <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/the-future-of-banking-is-youre-broke/">will be to push their customers a little faster and further into debt</a>.

<p>
If you are unable to make ends meet, you need to find cheaper
alternatives (don't buy something if you don't need it, share
facilities with others rather than getting your own), and fight for
higher wages (join or start a union, campaign for progressive
candidates).


feed_id: 17353cd87f3f5d320fc275febf71c448
title: Hospitals spending
uri: Hospitals-spending
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_December_2019_%28Hospitals_spending%29
content:
<p>
Why do US hospitals find it easier to order expensive tests and
treatments than to have enough nurses?

<p>
This article proposes the explanation that paying for the expensive
things concentrates wealth whereas hiring nurses spreads wealth.
The capitalists and their lobbyists <a href="https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2019/12/why-hospitals-never-have-enough-nurses-the-explanatory-power-of-prasads-law-of-wealth-concentration.html">push in favor of the former</a>.

<p>
Another explanation that occurs to me is that the expensive tests and
treatments are billed separately in the US, whereas attention from
nurses is not.

<p>
It could be that both explanations are partly valid.  At this point
they are only hypotheses.


feed_id: 03371cebf698b3bed7f27b18f532276c
title: Activists imprisoned
uri: Activists-imprisoned
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_December_2019_%28Activists_imprisoned%29
content:
<p>
Indonesia increasingly imprisons nonviolent activists <a href="media/d7c46c1e.PBB-Jan-2018-Oct-2019-Nov2019.EN_.web_.pdf" data-original-source="https://www.papuansbehindbars.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/PBB-Jan-2018-Oct-2019-Nov2019.EN_.web_.pdf">who campaign for
independence of Indonesia's colony in New Guinea</a>.

<p>
People who to try to act as their lawyers face repression too.

<p>
The ISP which hosts papuansbehindbars.org faced a DOS attack
when the report was posted.  One must suspect it was organized
by the Indonesian government.


feed_id: 9cf247bfae86e0a44c77ed27429617b6
title: Apple's insecurity
uri: Apple-s-insecurity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_December_2019_%28Apple%27s_insecurity%29
content:
<p>
Apple's new "security chip" includes <a href="https://www.ifixit.com/News/apples-activation-lock-will-make-it-very-difficult-to-refurbish-macs">security for Apple against the
"owner" of the computer</a>.


feed_id: 85f64267a4c14804fb9e517e52009a4b
title: Human rights downwards trend
uri: Human-rights-downwards-trend
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_December_2019_%28Human_rights_downwards_trend%29
content:
<p>
The annual report on human rights in most of the world's countries
<a href="https://www.article19.org/xpa-2019/">shows a general trend downwards</a>.


feed_id: 9d45a7709fc098efff631a32c85f5c78
title: Technological sovereignty
uri: Technological-sovereignty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_December_2019_%28Technological_sovereignty%29
content:
<p>
*China tells government offices to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/09/china-tells-government-offices-to-remove-all-foreign-computer-equipment">remove all foreign computer equipment</a>.*

<p>
China is right to do this, just as the US is right to reject Huawei
equipment.  But remember that computers can be made malicious for
other reasons too.  I have heard that Netflix limits some kinds of
service to computers with new hardware meant to restrict users.
That is just as bad as what China and the US do to snoop on people.


feed_id: 81e84976e324cd330d44b544506f8229
title: Army enslaved women as prostitutes
uri: Army-enslaved-women-as-prostitutes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_December_2019_%28Army_enslaved_women_as_prostitutes%29

content:
<p>
Old Japanese documents show that the government was in charge of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/09/japanese-officials-helped-procure-wartime-sex-slaves-report-claims">enslaving women of colonized and conquered countries as prostitutes
for the army</a>.  We <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2007-jan-apr.html#31 March 2007 (Inadequate apology from Abe)">already knew this</a>, but Japanese governments keep denying it.


feed_id: 1c8b7ebbc7b414f5f02629c0df62c254
title: Marine cargo emissions
uri: Marine-cargo-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_December_2019_%28Marine_cargo_emissions%29
content:
<p>
In Europe, marine cargo <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/09/european-shipping-emissions-in-way-of-nations-meeting-paris-climate-targets">is a significant part of greenhouse gas
emissions</a>.


feed_id: 39343b28d35a30e53ef09018bccdff23
title: For-profit colleges
uri: 2019-12-11-For-profit-colleges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_December_2019_%28For-profit_colleges%29
content:
<p>
80% of the students in for-profit US "colleges" fail to graduate and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/09/hiv-aids-prep-truvada-drug-prices-access">are
left with huge debts</a>.

<p>
Why stick to small steps?  Let's prohibit for-profit businesses from
being certified as schools.


feed_id: a3f980fc958749ee6bd0fb9493627cc0
title: Thugs bar doctors from offering vaccinations
uri: Thugs-bar-doctors-from-offering-vaccinations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Thugs_bar_doctors_from_offering_vaccinations%29

content:
<p>
The US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/10/us-immigration-detained-children-flu-shots">refused
to allow doctors to offer flu vaccinations to children and adolescents
in an immigration prison</a>.
<p>
The doctors had brought vaccine with them and were prepared to
administer it if permitted to.


feed_id: 8e60fc4c0d561e1fd0e4c3a3cd3db52e
title: Data about people held by UK political parties
uri: Data-about-people-held-by-UK-political-parties
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Data_about_people_held_by_UK_political_parties%29

content:
<p>
The main UK political parties are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/09/campaigners-threaten-uk-parties-with-legal-action-over-data-processing">failing
to give people the data that the parties hold about them</a>.


feed_id: 7c3a7f984b8375ab7f4ceb45b08eb35f
title: Continued separation of children from parents
uri: Continued-separation-of-children-from-parents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Continued_separation_of_children_from_parents%29

content:
<p>
The Government Has Taken 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/09/family-separation-policy-lawsuit/">At
Least 1,100 Children</a> From Their Parents Since Family Separations
Officially Ended.


feed_id: 74949a9f5678ac9d83ffcf881c88ea44
title: Mountain water shortages
uri: Mountain-water-shortages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Mountain_water_shortages%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/09/billion-people-risk-water-supply-rising-demand-global-heating-mountain-ecosystem">1.9
billion people at risk</a> from mountain water shortages, study
shows.*
<p>
Part of the problem is a projected 50% increase in population in
certain affected regions.  That must not happen!


feed_id: 8fe5b4bdfb909a6bb6d33c761baa98bb
title: Swedish diplomat on trial in China
uri: Swedish-diplomat-on-trial-in-China
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Swedish_diplomat_on_trial_in_China%29

content:
<p>
China has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/09/swedish-diplomat-anna-lindstedt-faces-trial-for-trying-to-free-china-dissident-gui-minhai">put
Swedish diplomat Anna Lindstedt on trial for organizing a meeting in
Stockholm</a> between Gui Minhai's daughter and some Chinese
businessmen who were thought capable of helping her campaign for Gui
Minhai's freedom.
<p>
If China is going to violate diplomatic immunity, the rest of the
world must not stand for it.


feed_id: 12fc5380595d02d8defdc047cbfb99cc
title: US intervention in Afghanistan
uri: US-intervention-in-Afghanistan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28US_intervention_in_Afghanistan%29

content:
<p>
The system of US intervention in Afghanistan 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/09/afghanistan-papers-military-washington-post-analysis">systematically
generated false reports overstating military progress</a> (of which
there was none).
<p>
This 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2009-sep-dec.html#10%20November%202009%20(Fuzzy%20accomplishments%20in%20Afghanistan)">resembles
what happened in Vietnam</a>.


feed_id: ea568d9288e59493cf9dbac9c0474d16
title: Rejection of business-supremacy treaty
uri: Rejection-of-business-supremacy-treaty
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Rejection_of_business-supremacy_treaty%29

content:
<p>
An influential MEP 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/09/eu-trade-deals-must-not-contradict-climate-goals-says-mep">rejected
the proposed trade treaty with parts of South America because its
environmental provisions are too weak</a>.
<p>
I expect that he's right, but I suspect that many other things are
wrong with that business-supremacy treaty.  For instance, does it have
an ISDS provision ("I Sue Democratic States") that 
<a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">would allow businesses to
sue countries for passing laws that diminish the businesses'
profits</a>?  Would it interfere with cancelling fossil-fuel projects
already agreed to?
<p>
More broadly, does it undermine the wage level of workers in Europe?
Does it encourage concentration of business in various fields, or
concentration of wealth in general?
<p>
I don't know any more facts about it, but I'd be amazed if it did not
do these things.


feed_id: 0cd9be322a798a4bebf973cec299d192
title: Election in Algeria
uri: Election-in-Algeria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Election_in_Algeria%29
content:
<p>
Algeria is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/10/protest-movement-likely-shun-algeria-controversial-election">holding
an election to choose between several establishment candidates</a>.
The opposition is inclined not to vote.


feed_id: c8595d7c8fb4da454f732fb08e2b0c3f
title: Separation of baby Jesus from parents
uri: Separation-of-baby-Jesus-from-parents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Separation_of_baby_Jesus_from_parents%29

content:
<p>
A nativity scene in a church a couple of hours away from the border
with Mexico 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/09/it-about-perseverance-against-cruelty-california-churchs-nativity-scene-shows-holy">depicts
Jesus and his parents in separate cages</a>.
<p>
This presents the side of Christianity that calls for compassion,
especially for the poor and weak.
<p>
It contrasts with the repressive side of Christianity, which developed
when one form of it was made the established, state-imposed religion
of the Roman Empire.  That side is visible in the Christians that
support the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>.


feed_id: 6916b0e0793c820d8bfa6ca604fd18b7
title: Crimes of Democratic presidents
uri: Crimes-of-Democratic-presidents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Crimes_of_Democratic_presidents%29

content:
<p>
Democrats, in impeaching the conman, have not touched on the 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/09/great-american-shakedown">crimes
that Democratic presidents have also done</a>.


feed_id: 8f4c608d4f9a4634308d41127d8c99a2
title: Invasions and long term
uri: Invasions-and-long-term
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Invasions_and_long_term%29
content:
<p>
Ted Rall wrote in December, 2001, that the US had completely messed up
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/11/us-government-lied-about-afghanistan-war-they-couldnt-have-done-it-without-lapdogs">by invading Afghanistan and would surely lose</a>.

<p>
At that time, I thought that the US had basically won already.
I didn't expect the Taliban to resurge.  Ted Rall understood what
I did not.


feed_id: cb603e664cc767958f31b39d13d957ce
title: Lie dogs
uri: Lie-dogs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Lie_dogs%29
content:
<p>
The U.S. Government Lied About the Afghanistan War. <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/11/us-government-lied-about-afghanistan-war-they-couldnt-have-done-it-without-lapdogs">They Couldn’t Have Done It Without Lapdogs Like the Washington Post</a>.


feed_id: 7cb0ee25d7033f0cbeb5a46988c764a5
title: Everyone oppression
uri: Everyone-oppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Everyone_oppression%29
content:
<p>
India has passed a law offering  citizenship to non-Muslims who moved to India
before 2015 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/11/india-to-bring-in-law-denying-citizenship-to-muslim-migrants">from three nearby countries: Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan</a>.

<p>
The idea seems to be that non-Muslims in those countries are likely to be
oppressed, and should be treated as refugees.  That is probably valid.
Meanwhile, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#21_April_2017_(Indian_government_hostility_towards_Muslims)">India oppresses the minority Muslims</a>.


feed_id: 0979ecc12ece966f042a87d083d5d901
title: Location of fires in Amazon
uri: Location-of-fires-in-Amazon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Location_of_fires_in_Amazon%29
content:
<p>
*Revealed: fires <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/10/revealed-fires-three-times-more-common-in-amazon-beef-farming-zones">three times more common in Amazon beef farming zones</a>.*


feed_id: 16159f714eed0fe4942cea429e5a849d
title: Deforestation laws
uri: Deforestation-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Deforestation_laws%29
content:
<p>
*Calls grow for laws requiring firms <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/10/calls-grow-for-laws-requiring-firms-to-reveal-links-to-deforestation">to reveal links to deforestation</a>.*

<p>
I am generally skeptical about systems which expect company A to make
sure supplier B doesn't engage in practice C.  The problem is, A has
every incentive not to try very hard to stop B from doing C and
covering it up.

<p>
I wonder if it might be more effective to impose on all possibly
deforestation-related products an import tariff whose rate is based the
fraction of deforestation in the country of production since a given
base year.  The tariff function could be 1/R - 1, where R is the
fraction of the forest in the year 2000 which still survives.  After
90% deforestation, the tariff would be 8 times the exporter's selling
price.


feed_id: 182781c5a3a168bee2c1455d3c00a806
title: Urgent: Pelosi should meet Extinction Rebellion
uri: Urgent-Pelosi-should-meet-Extinction-Rebellion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Pelosi_should_meet_Extinction_Rebellion%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://diy.rootsaction.org/petitions/meet-with-extinction-rebellion-hunger-strikers-1">call on Pelosi</a> to meet with Extinction Rebellion
hunger strikers.

<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 39ea90731d594cc728b7e2bd0d33b487
title: Income growth
uri: Income-growth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Income_growth%29
content:
<p>
'Staggering' New Data Shows Income [after taxes] of Top 1% [in the US]
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/09/staggering-new-data-shows-income-top-1-has-grown-100-times-faster-bottom-50-1970">Has Grown 100 Times Faster Than Bottom 50% Since 1970</a>.


feed_id: 8f6e37af9faba7da6f8d8c2365b00ff6
title: Journalism in Middle East
uri: Journalism-in-Middle-East
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Journalism_in_Middle_East%29
content:
<p>
Ramzy Baroud: *Thousands of foreign journalists, with no cultural or political
   connection to the Middle East, were shipped in, to replace their Arab
   colleagues, and to participate, willingly or otherwise, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/09/money-power-and-turf-winning-middle-east-media-war-any-cost">in the dirty
   propaganda campaigns championed by one rich Arab countries or another</a>.*

<p>
The repression of journalists by Middle-Eastern countries is well
documented, so I am confident that that claim is true.  The other
claim, about naive foreign journalists brought in for propaganda
purposes, might be true also, but I have no independent basis to judge
that point.


feed_id: 1e21ecb82362d77eb1d54e0eb53c4e23
title: Toys Ya Us
uri: Toys-Ya-Us
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Toys_Ya_Us%29
content:
<p>
Toys Я Us Worker: Wall Street Billionaires Should Not <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/09/toys-r-us-worker-wall-street-billionaires-should-not-be-making-money-putting-people">Be Making Money By
Putting People Out of Work</a>.

<p>
Let's not romanticize Toys Я Us.  It pressured people to buy expensive
toys that they couldn't afford and that their children didn't need.
I would expect that most of the toys sold there were media tie-ins, so that
children would perform unpaid advertising for other programs which themselves
were full of advertising.

<p>
In addition, the odd and inexplicable admixture of Cyrillic with the
Latin alphabet is annoying &mdash; and does "toys ya us" actually mean
anything?

<p>
This does not, however, excuse the harm done by leveraged buyouts or
invalidate the arguments made in the article.


feed_id: c1dfe52656042189c1a83067864870d8
title: Buying a country
uri: Buying-a-country
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Buying_a_country%29
content:
<p>
The plutocratist world pushed Zambia into enormous debts, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/dec/11/china-steps-in-as-zambia-runs-out-of-loan-options">so now it is
selling everything to China</a>.

<p>
Sooner or later, China will use that power to gain more power.
I wonder whether there is a chance that Western governments will 
support debt relief for poor countries once the debts are in the hands
of a strategic rival such as China.


feed_id: e66c82f06617b63cae45ff1ef18ff9e3
title: Endangered Eucalyptus
uri: Endangered-Eucalyptus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Endangered_Eucalyptus%29
content:
<p>
Of the 800-odd species of Eucalyptus trees in Australia, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/11/almost-a-quarter-of-eucalypt-trees-found-to-be-threatened-with-extinction">1/4 are
endangered</a>.

<p>
Mostly they have been decreased by humans that cut them down to make
farms, but fire now contributes.  Eucalyptus trees are adapted to
survive ordinary fires, but if the fire is very hot, it can destroy
a tree entirely.


feed_id: 5d7e7f937f14f2fad354aed559a0a3b4
title: Youth protests
uri: Youth-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Youth_protests%29
content:
<p>
Today's youth display admirable and unusual maturity in campaigning now
to cut greenhouse gas emissions, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/11/climate-crisis-old-v-young-earth-mess">even though those are not likely to
kill them until a few decades from now</a>.

<p>
Climate emergency protest in Australia: "<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/11/corbyn-begins-final-tour-of-key-seats-with-call-to-reject-politics-of-despair">NSW is Burning, Sydney is
Choking</a>."

<p>
We should have acted before it became an emergency.
Our response was blocked by corrupt leaders, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-nov-feb.html#24%20February%202011%20(Promoting%20Ignorance)">starting with Dubya</a>.

<p>
We should make it a crime to continue operating fossil fuel facilities,
and hold companies' major owners responsible for the crime.

<p>
Instead of jailing the poor suspects because they can't afford bail
and calling them "flight risks," let's jail the rich suspects because
they might bribe someone, and call them "corruption risks."


feed_id: 5e606e54c40440eb8fa23a1cad3605e5
title: Decarbonization
uri: 2019-12-13-Decarbonization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Decarbonization%29
content:
<p>
Denmark has taken a serious approach to decarbonization, with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/11/denmark-plans-to-power-10m-homes-with-new-wind-farm-islands">a
legally-binding reduction target every 5 years</a>.

<p>
This would eliminate the weakness of having only long-term targets
that can easily be ignored for a decade or two without political consequences.

<p>
Their schedule is still not fast enough, but at least it is an
approach that can do the job.

<p>
The EU is now proposing a bold initiative <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/11/eu-aims-to-stir-global-action-with-pledge-on-climate-crisis">to cut total greenhouse
emissions in half by 2030</a>.

<p>
*EU's soaring climate rhetoric <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/11/eu-soaring-climate-rhetoric-not-always-matched-by-action">not always matched by action</a>.*


feed_id: 6835f5fab698f8593e21aa2a5ece9b48
title: Right-wing con
uri: Right-wing-con
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Right-wing_con%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing supporters pretend that their side can do no wrong.
When evidence appears showing the harm their policies have done,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/11/paper-story-jack-williment-barr-online-lies-yorkshire-post">they post lies to discredit it</a>.

<p>
The lies sound so plausible, and the people they are attributed to
seem so normal and credible, that honest people are often taken in by
what amounts to a con.


feed_id: 58b938bf677acd2239f0806bbb227a85
title: Rollback on wildlife protection
uri: Rollback-on-wildlife-protection
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_%28Rollback_on_wildlife_protection%29

content:
<p>
*The US lawyers rolling back wildlife protection <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/21/the-us-lawyers-rolling-back-wildlife-protection-one-species-at-a-time">one species at a time</a>.*


feed_id: 890fc76c2d4e68a50cb77a470fc0c9a3
title: Small victory for Medicare
uri: Small-victory-for-Medicare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#13_December_2019_%28Small_victory_for_Medicare%29
content:
<p>
A small victory for progressives in the House of Representatives:
a bill to allow Medicare to negotiate prices for medicines <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/11/after-house-progressives-make-move-flex-our-muscles-pelosi-backs-down-drug-pricing">will cover
50 medicines instead of 25</a>.

<p>
Why only some medicines?  Sensible countries do have their medical
systems negotiate prices for all drugs.  The law that stops Medicaid
from doing this is an arbitrary plutocratist measure; we should
eliminate it entirely.


feed_id: 4208de372201522e98fd05f49f9260d4
title: Plan for Venice
uri: Plan-for-Venice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#13_December_2019_%28Plan_for_Venice%29
content:
<p>
Studying how Venice planned to cope with high tides, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/10/venice-floods-sea-level-rise-mose-project">what it will need
to do in the future</a>.

<p>
There is no plan for decades from now.


feed_id: 13d3ff45fc93711c7e0b7bc7ee655d36
title: Urgent: Client disclosure for Buttigieg
uri: Urgent-Client-disclosure-for-Buttigieg
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#13_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Client_disclosure_for_Buttigieg%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13796">call on Buttigieg</a> to disclose which companies were his
clients while he worked for McKinsey and Company.

<p>
The mere fact that he did that sort of work is confirmation that he is
a plutocratist and we should not elect him.

<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 810e928dbecec7239687487eb7a9a503
title: Urgent: end surprise medical bills
uri: Urgent-end-surprise-medical-bills
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#13_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_end_surprise_medical_bills%29

content:
<p>US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-congress-end-surprise-medical-bills-this-year?nowrapper=true">call on Congress</a> to end surprise medical bills this year.</p>

<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: e3c0502daf6b5f77295b4f2905771164
title: Just doing our job
uri: Just-doing-our-job
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#13_December_2019_%28Just_doing_our_job%29
content:
<p>
Veolia privately warned Flint's imposed nonrepresentative city government
that planned changes would make Flint's water carry lead.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/10/despicable-internal-emails-reveal-water-contractor-knew-about-lead-risks-flint">Then it carried
out the orders anyway</a>.


feed_id: 162c94f2d916dc9db62cfcaf6b171087
title: Revised NAFTA
uri: Revised-NAFTA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#13_December_2019_%28Revised_NAFTA%29
content:
<p>
Public Citizen: the revised NAFTA <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/12/10/redo-usmca-better-original-nafta-after-yearlong-effort-improve-trumps-2018-deal">is considerably less bad than the one
that is still in effect</a>.

<p>
Nonetheless, it will continue to strengthen the hand of businesses against
democracy.


feed_id: 02e2fb61202aa6232a882ec5de4fb0c4
title: Medical billing frauds
uri: Medical-billing-frauds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#13_December_2019_%28Medical_billing_frauds%29
content:
<p>
US medical billing is full of exaggerations and falsehoods <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/07/opinion/sunday/medical-billing-fraud.html">that are in
effect fraud</a>.

<p>
Usually the bills go to an insurance company that pays them because it is
too much trouble to question them.  Occasionally they go to a real patient
whose life can be ruined by them.


feed_id: 2a0de96c52d85492c1afa67ae2462577
title: Spy ring
uri: Spy-ring
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#13_December_2019_%28Spy_ring%29
content:
<p>
When owners of Amazon's Ring surveillance camera post footage on
Amazon's local social network, it becomes pretty easy to find exactly
where the camera is, <a href="https://gizmodo.com/ring-s-hidden-data-let-us-map-amazons-sprawling-home-su-1840312279">even though Amazon says that is confidential</a>.


feed_id: edc737f8340f23b50d413943d4d9a1a3
title: Deceased roles
uri: Deceased-roles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#13_December_2019_%28Deceased_roles%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://entertainment.theonion.com/national-association-of-corpses-express-outrage-at-stil-1840325664">satire</a>) "Nearly every day, we see deceased
   Americans losing out on parts in police procedurals to living,
   breathing actors who have no firsthand experience with what it’s like
   to lie immobile on a cold slab while a mortician embalms your abdominal
   cavity."


feed_id: d49ac409e5dafb3e9f5e0dc818da60fd
title: Water is getting too hot for famous fish
uri: Water-is-getting-too-hot-for-famous-fish
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#13_December_2019_%28Water_is_getting_too_hot_for_famous_fish%29

content:
<p>
The fish that the Gulf of Maine is famous for are dwindling because <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/10/new-england-fishing-communities-being-destroyed-climate-shocks-study">the area
is getting too hot for them</a>.


feed_id: df16fe581fa7754009df4ab40ad32130
title: Urgent: no new Trump tax scam
uri: Urgent-no-new-Trump-tax-scam
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#13_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_no_new_Trump_tax_scam%29

content:
<p> US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no-new-trump-tax-scam">call on Congress</a> to oppose any new Trump tax proposal and repeal the 2017 tax scam.

  <p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 104071847b28c0183951da1128e5a61c
title: Brazilian meat
uri: Brazilian-meat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#13_December_2019_%28Brazilian_meat%29
content:
<p>
*Don't invest in Brazilian meat, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/11/dont-invest-in-brazilian-meat-warn-deforestation-campaigners">warn deforestation campaigners</a>.*


feed_id: 8e9b525a397bab82f72f68289b54d9b8
title: Weaponized humans
uri: Weaponized-humans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#13_December_2019_%28Weaponized_humans%29
content:
<p>
Nadine Batchelor-Hunt: During this election I have felt my Jewishness
and my blackness frequently weaponised, sometimes pitted against each
other. I have cried, I have been angry, and I have often found it
impossible to articulate how horrific this has all been.  &hellip;
Labour has admitted fault on the issue of antisemitism and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/11/jeremy-corbyn-boris-johnson-antisemitism-hostile-agenda-people-colour">begun to
reform in a way that the Conservative party has not</a>.

<p>
She seems to have been mapped by <a href="https://stallman.org/puns.html#intersect">intersectionality</a> into the empty set.


feed_id: 8eb9822e0b2b6e687ca1ac117b84151c
title: Factchecking Aung San Suu Kyi
uri: Factchecking-Aung-San-Suu-Kyi
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#13_December_2019_%28Factchecking_Aung_San_Suu_Kyi%29

content:
<p>
*Factchecking Aung San Suu Kyi's claims over genocide allegations.*
Many of them <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/11/factchecking-aung-san-suu-kyis-claims-over-genocide-allegations">are at best half-truths</a>.


feed_id: 4e1b9abf60ce255cc327d71147068965
title: Antibiotics
uri: 2019-12-13-Antibiotics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#13_December_2019_%28Antibiotics%29
content:
<p>
*Americans take fish antibiotics because <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/11/fish-antibiotics-human-use-cheaper-than-doctor">it's cheaper than a visit to the
doctor</a>.*

<p>
It is bad for society as a whole when people people get antibiotics on
their own and use them without seeing a doctor.  They are likely to
use antibiotics when they shouldn't be used.  That tends to promote
antibiotic resistance.

<p>
Medicare for All would avoid this problem by making it easy and cheap
to see a doctor and cheap to fill the prescription.


feed_id: 2944fd0556130a90008a526effb541ed
title: Peak meat
uri: Peak-meat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#14_December_2019_%28Peak_meat%29
content:
<p>
*Reach ‘peak meat’ by 2030 to tackle climate crisis, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/12/peak-meat-climate-crisis-livestock-meat-dairy">say scientists</a>.*


feed_id: 340f2e63028bc09f4223764eb4273021
title: Power of human emotion
uri: Power-of-human-emotion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#14_December_2019_%28Power_of_human_emotion%29
content:
<p>
*Populists understand the power of human emotion. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/11/populist-politicians-power-emotion-loss-change">Europe’s liberals need to
grasp it, too</a>.*

<p>
I think that a passionate defense of liberal democracy must also
be compassionate towards the millions that have been deprived by
the plutocracy that has manipulated it for its own gain.
In other words, we must defend liberal democracy as a platform
for the many to defeat the plutocrats with.


feed_id: 583198d26a41bb4b469497952f3b4059
title: Gang rehabilitation
uri: Gang-rehabilitation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#14_December_2019_%28Gang_rehabilitation%29
content:
<p>
Oakland, California, has raised taxes and spent them on gang
rehabilitation programs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/12/criminal-justice-oakland-gun-violence">that have reduced murders by 30%</a>.


feed_id: 7a6b46267020383650a357ae20829259
title: Billionaire privileges
uri: Billionaire-privileges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#14_December_2019_%28Billionaire_privileges%29
content:
<p>
The trial of the libel suit against Elon Musk exemplifies how
billionaires have made themselves into a legally privileged class &mdash;
not entirely above the law, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/dec/12/musk-bloomberg-bezos-americas-aristocracy-of-tech-robber-barons-lives-by-its-own-rules">but treated with privileges</a>.

<p>
Compare, for instance, how Bill Gates was able to make US schools
twist education <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#20_August_2013_(Education_Standards)">around a standardized test</a>.


feed_id: 00a73e8cbfaae7b61708f4d932d024a3
title: Binational people's bank accounts locking
uri: Binational-people-s-bank-accounts-locking
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#14_December_2019_%28Binational_people%27s_bank_accounts_locking%29

content:
<p>
There must be over 100,000 Europeans who have US citizenship but don't
know it.  Due to a threat from the US, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/12/eu-joins-fight-against-us-tax-on-accidental-americans">European banks may now freeze
their accounts</a>.

<p>
I think it is entirely reasonable for the US to demand its citizens
pay taxes on large foreign income.  (ISTR that there
is already an exemption for up to a certain amount.)  However, The US
should revise the FATCA law so that the tax applies only to FATCAts,
and only to people who have acknowledged US citizenship in some way
since attaining adulthood.

<p>
The EU should do more than just beg the US to back off.  It should
protect its citizens by setting up alternative banks which do no
business in the US, and legislating that banks which close accounts
under threat from FATCA must move the accounts to the alternative
banks rather than freeze them.


feed_id: 9560b32b972ef8c54705ddf99dbd0b03
title: Low shopping celebrations
uri: Low-shopping-celebrations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#14_December_2019_%28Low_shopping_celebrations%29
content:
<p>
*Berlin’s rubbish collection service is urging [people to celebrate
by] shopping less, choosing to eat rather than throw away leftovers,
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/12/berlin-rubbish-collectors-time-stuff-christmas-waste-green">doing a good turn for a neighbour</a>.*

<p>
Bravo!

<p>
You could also celebrate <a href="https://stallman.org/grav-mass.html">Grav-Mass</a>.


feed_id: 40b5307af94d36f07eadaf02bb4ff164
title: Ukraine and Russia
uri: Ukraine-and-Russia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#14_December_2019_%28Ukraine_and_Russia%29
content:
<p>
*Could peace between Ukraine and Russia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/12/ukraine-russia-emmanuel-macron-angela-merkel">finally be at hand</a>?*

<p>
Putin started that war because having a war there would be convenient
for him.  The Russian-speaking rebels depended on Russia's military
support all along, and without it, I think they would accept some kind
of autonomy as part of Ukraine.


feed_id: 9b724f6bcbf348682008398a95233128
title: Answering to lie evidences
uri: Answering-to-lie-evidences
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#14_December_2019_%28Answering_to_lie_evidences%29
content:
<p>
*'Let's Bring Rumsfeld In': Khanna Calls for Hearings on US Officials <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/11/lets-bring-rumsfeld-khanna-calls-hearings-us-officials-who-lied-american-people">Who Lied to American People About Endless Afghan War</a>.*


feed_id: 86ee6075f35edc17bdfd2a778059df8d
title: Less bad NAFTA
uri: Less-bad-NAFTA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#14_December_2019_%28Less_bad_NAFTA%29
content:
<p>
*NAFTA 2.0 Is an Assault <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/12/11/nafta-20-assault-food-air-and-water">on Food, Air, and Water</a>.*

<p>
Balancing these new injustices against the elimination of part of the current NAFTA's injustices, I think the new one is less bad.


feed_id: f505deee99d07617c509d4f641368324
title: Silencing boycott
uri: Silencing-boycott
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#14_December_2019_%28Silencing_boycott%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> plans a sneaky, indirect move to force US universities to
shut down student groups that support the Palestinian boycott,
divestment and sanctions campaign <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/11/leaked-draft-trump-anti-semitism-executive-order-raises-concerns-about-campuses">to end Israel's military occupation
of Palestine</a>.

<p>
On all issues pertaining to Israel, I ask myself, "What would Uri
Avnery do?"  Avnery, who grew up in Germany and saw Nazis in power,
compared the oppression of Palestinians to the Nazi oppression of Jews.
in the 1930s.  He used the term "Araberrein", meaning "without any
Arabs", to describe Israel's real goal for the West bank, as a
reference to the Nazi term "Judenrein".

<p>
A legal requirement for people to keep silence about this truth
is political censorship.


feed_id: dcc66ef803af2601556bafddc45070c8
title: How will we pay for it
uri: How-will-we-pay-for-it
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#14_December_2019_%28How_will_we_pay_for_it%29
content:
<p>
Nonprogressive US legislators gave the Pentagon even more than the war-lover
asked for, and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/11/30-groups-condemn-obscene-738-billion-pentagon-bill-blank-check-war-and-gift-donald">didn't raise the question of "how will we pay for it"</a>

<p>
That question is raised whenever progressives propose to protect
non-rich Americans from the bigger dangers &mdash; hunger, homelessness,
mounting debt, surprise medical expenses, and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster
&mdash; because the wealthy believe they can cope with those problems
on their own, by abandoning the rest of their country.

<p>
They may be right, in regard to most of those dangers.  Rich people
are not likely to lack money for food, shelter, or medical care.  But
they can't save themselves from <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster alone.


feed_id: 6a24b134121e8d64294ddb362deafa63
title: Targeted political ads
uri: Targeted-political-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#14_December_2019_%28Targeted_political_ads%29
content:
<p>
Facebook pressures political organizations to show ads only to people
that Facebook believes support them.  <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/12/10/facebooks-ad-delivery-system-drives-partisanship-even-if-campaigns-dont-want-it-new-research-shows/">It charges extra to show the
ads to anyone else</a>.

<p>
This has the effect of encouraging twofaced campaigning.


feed_id: c613a687f189dc0598c20f484513d306
title: Poverty line
uri: Poverty-line
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#14_December_2019_%28Poverty_line%29
content:
<p>
The Republicans' next attack against the poor: a scheme <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/11/president-trumps-war-poor">to underestimate
the poverty line even more in the future</a>.


feed_id: aed3b1e335d6adbf679d958740d9b65a
title: Arctic
uri: 2019-12-14-Arctic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#14_December_2019_%28Arctic%29
content:
<p>
Global heating effects in the Arctic <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/11/sizzling-arctic-top-5-climate-horror-stories-noaas-report-card">are already disastrous</a>.

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> in the Arctic may already have passed tipping points so that
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/11/deep-trouble-arctic-and-beyond-noaa-climate-report-warns-feedback-loop-may-already">it would be difficult to stop</a>.


feed_id: 3c5313fbea9adae7963db46fc66be4c0
title: Detrumpification
uri: Detrumpification
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#14_December_2019_%28Detrumpification%29
content:
<p>
Defeating the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> is the first step: after that, we will need
detrumpification of the nonelected officials of the US government.  To
do this will require <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/11/detrumpification-urgently-necessary-process-after-trumpism">a substantial progressive victory and the will to
do the job</a>.

<p>
One part of this process must be to increase the size of the Supreme Court
so as to dilute away the influence of Gorsuch and Kavanaugh.


feed_id: 230148b7b187ca1c43a0218b7709cf51
title: Coca Cola and others drain local water supply
uri: Coca-Cola-and-others-drain-local-water-supply
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#15_December_2019_%28Coca_Cola_and_others_drain_local_water_supply%29

content:
<p>
The residents of Mt Tamborine. Australia, are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/12/queensland-school-water-commercial-bottlers-tamborine-mountain">running
out of water</a> because Coca Cola and other bottlers are taking away
all they can carry.


feed_id: 76624c6b873ae35dd2df346cecc64b20
title: Annexing the Jordan River Valley
uri: Annexing-the-Jordan-River-Valley
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#15_December_2019_%28Annexing_the_Jordan_River_Valley%29

content:
<p>
Israel's arguments that it needs to control a broad strip of land next
to the Jordan River are
<a href="https://forward.com/opinion/435940/dont-believe-netanyahu-annexing-jordan-river-valley-is-not-necessary-for/">obsolete
in the modern world</a>.


feed_id: 67cf30e20014b605b941bc49779be05d
title: UK teachers joining Extinction rebellion
uri: UK-teachers-joining-Extinction-rebellion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#15_December_2019_%28UK_teachers_joining_Extinction_rebellion%29

content:
<p>
Quite a few UK teachers are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/dec/10/teacher-rebellion-gave-up-job-fight-climate-crisis">joining
Extinction rebellion</a>.  They feel that teaching young people in
school is not as important as making sure <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster
won't kill them.


feed_id: 9b22ea7a64954114355bfcb46c1708bc
title: Reform of the Private Equity Industry
uri: Reform-of-the-Private-Equity-Industry
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#15_December_2019_%28Reform_of_the_Private_Equity_Industry%29

content:
<p>
*Warren, Baldwin, Brown, Pocan, Jayapal, Colleagues Unveil Bold
Legislation to
<a href="https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-baldwin-brown-pocan-jayapal-colleagues-unveil-bold-legislation-to-fundamentally-reform-the-private-equity-industry">Fundamentally
Reform the Private Equity Industry</a>.  Comprehensive Bill Would
Ensure Private Investment Funds Have Skin in the Game.*


feed_id: e5bb2a629c52646a8a5affd3e1853c89
title: Specialist rehabilitation cuts jail populations
uri: Specialist-rehabilitation-cuts-jail-populations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#15_December_2019_%28Specialist_rehabilitation_cuts_jail_populations%29

content:
<p>
*The Dutch justice system is cutting jail populations by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/12/why-are-there-so-few-prisoners-in-the-netherlands">offering
specialist rehabilitation to people with mental illnesses</a>.*


feed_id: 4804defd25b714975b00c7f103e9df3e
title: What US could afford
uri: What-US-could-afford
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_December_2019_%28What_US_could_afford%29
content:
<p>
*What could the US afford <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/13/billionaires-taxes-inequality-one-percent">if it raised billionaires' taxes</a>?*

<p>
The answer is, most of what we need.


feed_id: fa31c2b7ade53b2c26bc4164966b0db1
title: Deporting visitors with visas
uri: Deporting-visitors-with-visas
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_December_2019_%28Deporting_visitors_with_visas%29

content:
<p>
Croatian <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> deported two Nigerian visitors to Bosnia without taking time
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/13/nigerian-student-student-table-tennis-players-deported-croatia-had-visas">to verify that they had visas for Croatia</a>.

<p>
Now they are in prison in Bosnia, where they had never been before.
Why did Bosnia accept the deportation there of people who had no
connection with Bosnia?

<p>
They have asked to be sent to Nigeria.  They may not be able to afford
to buy new tickets there on their own.


feed_id: fb8d7da011fc77e956b49d3dcd87ab3d
title: Buttigieg and healthcare
uri: Buttigieg-and-healthcare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_December_2019_%28Buttigieg_and_healthcare%29
content:
<p>
*Revelations that [Buttigieg] worked for a healthcare firm
that hiked insurance rates and a scandal-hit Canadian company <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/13/pete-buttigieg-mckinsey-client-details">have
raised serious questions</a>.*


feed_id: 251de9e750aefe3851cd612e644cb514
title: Poll boycott
uri: Poll-boycott
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_December_2019_%28Poll_boycott%29
content:
<p>
*Huge crowds have massed in Algeria’s capital to protest against the
   election of a former loyalist of the deposed leader Abdelaziz
   Bouteflika as president <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/13/algeria-braced-for-protests-as-former-pm-wins-presidential-election">in a widely boycotted poll</a>.*


feed_id: cdcb7a4408b7473487dd5f1068a3bc84
title: Prosecuting police and army for abuse
uri: Prosecuting-police-and-army-for-abuse
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_December_2019_%28Prosecuting_police_and_army_for_abuse%29

content:
<p>
*Chile: UN calls for prosecution of police and army <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/13/chile-un-prosecution-police-army-protests">over response to protests</a>.*


feed_id: c1dffde3e492193b4e49cc5cfb383d45
title: Tories and NHS
uri: Tories-and-NHS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_December_2019_%28Tories_and_NHS%29
content:
<p>
What will the Tories do, now that they have won the election?
They will keep starving the NHS, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/dec/13/nhs-england-on-its-knees-as-performance-figures-hit-new-lows">which is already on the edge of collapse</a>.

<p>
Then they will "save" it by signing exploitative business-supremacy
treaties and bringing in the same US companies <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_August_2019_(US_pharma_system's_design)">that are gouging Americans</a> and killing those that can't afford treatment.


feed_id: 330512be6cef575d0586294f88a80c26
title: Framing the winner
uri: Framing-the-winner
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_December_2019_%28Framing_the_winner%29
content:
<p>
In the US, if you're a Republican and lose an election, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/13/us-elections-black-politicians-winning-jail">you can try
framing the winner</a>.


feed_id: ae010cf8ac3d1f143e360c9660f894bb
title: Not so conservative
uri: Not-so-conservative
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_December_2019_%28Not_so_conservative%29
content:
<p>
UK conservatives, for 60 years or more, have appealed to continuity
with past way of life, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/12/boris-johnson-conservative-margaret-thatcher-enoch-powell">while inviting laissez-faire to destroy it</a>.

<p>
It is a con veiled in dishonesty.


feed_id: df0ac11df77d5282a81468fdb69475f8
title: Morales in exile
uri: Morales-in-exile
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_December_2019_%28Morales_in_exile%29
content:
<p>
Evo Morales <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/12/evo-morales-argentina-asylum-bolivia">has received asylum in Argentina</a>.

<p>
From there he could easily return to Bolivia if Bolivians rise up to
support him.


feed_id: 437dab0234a205553bc3aa35d2389d6a
title: Ban on pregnant schoolgirls
uri: Ban-on-pregnant-schoolgirls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_December_2019_%28Ban_on_pregnant_schoolgirls%29
content:
<p>
*Sierra Leone ordered to revoke <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/dec/13/sierra-leone-ordered-to-revoke-ban-on-pregnant-schoolgirls">ban on pregnant schoolgirls</a>.*


feed_id: afa265b1acea5f94b991305c29b9e432
title: Rural jails
uri: Rural-jails
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_December_2019_%28Rural_jails%29
content:
<p>
*While big cities are finally putting fewer people in jail, small towns
and rural counties <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/13/rural-incarceration-hidden-scandal-us-criminal-justice">are locking up more people than ever</a>.*


feed_id: 35989f8f27e8bb4902d65a36ca41e5fc
title: Weaponized definitions
uri: Weaponized-definitions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_December_2019_%28Weaponized_definitions%29
content:
<p>
"I drafted the definition of antisemitism. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/13/antisemitism-executive-order-trump-chilling-effect">Rightwing Jews are weaponizing it</a>."


feed_id: deac4bbd5a48c495349ce3dc46d84ec1
title: No justice for Assange
uri: No-justice-for-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_December_2019_%28No_justice_for_Assange%29
content:
<p>
Assange's lawyers say that the UK is interfering with their visits to
him and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/dec/13/lawyers-complain-about-lack-of-access-to-julian-assange-in-jail">stopping them from informing him about evidence</a>.

<p>
This is yet one more sign that the UK government is railfoarding him
and trashing his legal rights.


feed_id: c953b52f627f41162999cc0715918da6
title: Lip-reading CCTV
uri: Lip-reading-CCTV
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_December_2019_%28Lip-reading_CCTV%29
content:
<p>
*Lip-reading CCTV will have people 'cupping hands over their mouths' in
street, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/08/27/lip-reading-cctv-will-have-people-cupping-hands-mouths-street/">warns surveillance watchdog</a>.*


feed_id: 8dae2395a530192367a49b4eaffc350f
title: Agriculture fall
uri: Agriculture-fall
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#16_December_2019_%28Agriculture_fall%29
content:
<p>
*Value of European agriculture could fall 16% in 30 years <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/04/benefits-to-farmers-of-global-heating-outweighed-by-losses-says-report">due to drought
and higher rainfall</a>.*


feed_id: c9d5ed9c9f250e6ee7843af99a833419
title: Urgent: Save the internet
uri: Urgent-Save-the-internet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Save_the_internet%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/net-neutrality-senate/">call on senators</a> to support the Save the Internet Act.


feed_id: cc2cb706460b1b83b35302f5bd885ba3
title: Urgent: National Popular Vote
uri: Urgent-National-Popular-Vote
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_National_Popular_Vote%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/national_popular_vote_petition/">call on states</a> to join the National Popular Vote compact.


feed_id: e88c6f9f5cc8797e65655abf1046481f
title: Urgent: investigate Facebook
uri: Urgent-investigate-Facebook
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_investigate_Facebook%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/investigate-facebook?nowrapper=true">call on Congress</a> to investigate Facebook's role in the
right-wing disinformation machine.


feed_id: 5e2ad7070b5fb05078636e6434fcb966
title: Urgent: stop undermining shareholder activism
uri: Urgent-stop-undermining-shareholder-activism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_stop_undermining_shareholder_activism%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-the-sec-to-stop-undermining-shareholder-activism?nowrapper=true">call on the SEC</a> to stop undermining shareholder activism.


feed_id: 3a23d15bc3b71ac23c3489228dd3618d
title: Urgent: end for-profit medical system
uri: Urgent-end-for-profit-medical-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_end_for-profit_medical_system%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/m4an?nowrapper=true">call on all Democratic presidential candidates</a> to end the US's broken for-profit medical system.


feed_id: 1bef30ea28f751c5e09a62882ccaab42
title: Afghanistan exit strategy
uri: Afghanistan-exit-strategy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Afghanistan_exit_strategy%29
content:
<p>
The US government, under <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> and under Obama, lied to itself about
the war in Afghanistan because the presidents and their cabinets
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/14/afghanistan-papers-detail-us-dysfunction-we-did-not-know-what-we-were-doing">preferred soothing falsehoods to painful truth</a>.

<blockquote>
   "If we think our exit strategy is to either beat the Taliban &mdash; which
   can’t be done given the local, regional, and cross border circumstances
   &mdash; or to establish an Afghan government that is capable of delivering
   good government to its citizens using American tools and methods, then
   we do not have an exit strategy because both of those are impossible&helliip;
   We did not know what we were doing."
</blockquote>


feed_id: f5dadc1254c759e1d90fd60027e5cf6d
title: Billionaires
uri: 2019-12-18-Billionaires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Billionaires%29
content:
<p>
*The historical case <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/14/the-historical-case-for-abolishing-billionaires">for abolishing billionaires</a>.*

<p>
They like to cite Adam Smith's "invisible hand", but he also warned about
privilege for the rich.

<p>
I prefer to focus criticism on the system (plutocracy) that
concentrates wealth and spreads poverty, rather than on the
billionaires who are its extreme manifestation.


feed_id: b8271ced9cf923c09c60930641b346e5
title: Sex
uri: 2019-12-18-Sex
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Sex%29
content:
<p>
A film taints the name of a deceased female journalist by claiming she had
sex with an FBI agent to get a scoop.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/14/clint-eastwood-richard-jewell-kathy-scruggs-women-lies-sex">The filmmakers cite no evidence
for this accusation</a>.

<p>
The act they accused would have been wrong because it would be
bribery.  Giving sex as a bribe is no more legitimate than giving money as a
bribe.

<p>
The article ties this accusation with the tendency to call women
"sluts" if they depart from strict chastity and modesty such as some
repressive religions impose.

<p>
I have never called anyone a "slut" and I cannot imagine doing so.  I
somehow escaped absorbing the prevailing attitudes about who can or
should have sex and when.  I only became aware of those attitudes when
I was in my 20s, and they were never accompanied by any reason to
adopt it.

<p>
If "slut" means "someone who has sex too readily", then according to
my understanding, in this society men are more likely to be sluts than
women are.  But the term is almost never applied to men.

<p>
If "slut" means "someone who has sex without affection", then I find
it hard to understand why people want that, but I see no reason to
criticize them for that preference.

The article mentions a Chilean song (though it isn't really a song, as
it has no melody) whose main point is to condemn the justice system's
bias against rape victims and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/06/chilean-anti-rape-anthem-becomes-international-feminist-phenomenon">its tendency to excuse rape</a>.

<p>
When it accuses <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, prosecutors and judges of this bias, it is
right.

<p>
But its chorus says, "You are the rapist."  I take this to refer to
men, and being one of them, I take offense.  I am no rapist.  How dare
they accuse me (and every man, indiscriminately) of rape!

<p>
Falsely accusing someone of rape based on no evidence is just as
scurrilous as falsely accusing someone of using sex as a bribe based
on no evidence.


feed_id: d20f44efca4a0b314334792632c38668
title: Low taxes on capital
uri: Low-taxes-on-capital
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Low_taxes_on_capital%29
content:
<p>
A UK economics think-tank reports that special low tax rates on
capital gains do not achieve their ostensible goal of encouraging
investment in business.  All they do <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/oct/21/entrepreneurs-tax-break-fails-to-boost-investment-says-ifs">is reduce the effective tax rate
for people who are at least somewhat wealthy</a>.


feed_id: bb67b29176281484c8f641a2367ff9fa
title: FBI lies
uri: FBI-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28FBI_lies%29
content:
<p>
Glenn Greenwalrd shows that the DOJ inspector general found that the
FBI repeatedly lied to the FISA court to get permission to spy on
Carter Page during the 2016 election.  Then he explains how the liars
get away with such practices: <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/12/the-inspector-generals-report-on-2016-fb-i-spying-reveals-a-scandal-of-historic-magnitude-not-only-for-the-fbi-but-also-the-u-s-media/">former military and intelligence
officials make a second career as pundits on TV</a>.

<p>
Given how much ordinary <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> lie, it should not be surprising that
federal cops and spooks lie too.

<p>
Poor United States: battleground between a conman running a gang that
blatantly spits on truth, and the "deep state" gang that also won't
hesitate to lie.

<p>
Some Republican senators who used to defend state surveillance almost ad lib
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/12/12/national-security-surveillance-apologists-are-starting-to-see-the-light/">are starting to see the danger</a>.


feed_id: 60ce5a81896debf0f57107612846e097
title: UN condemnation of repression
uri: UN-condemnation-of-repression
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28UN_condemnation_of_repression%29

content:
<p>
UN special rapporteurs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/13/queensland-anti-protest-laws-inherently-disproportionate-un-human-rights-experts-say">condemn Queensland's laws that repress protest</a>.


feed_id: 2e645d55da8fbdec9eeeb5d438bc5d48
title: Conman gonna con
uri: Conman-gonna-con
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Conman_gonna_con%29
content:
<p>
Some of the bullshitter's campaign fund-raisers <a href="https://popular.info/p/the-trump-campaign-holds-a-lot-of">look suspiciously like
cons</a>.

<p>
Why wouldn't they be?  We know he's a conman.


feed_id: be56e7e0f20480dc86f715da2862ed60
title: International unions
uri: International-unions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28International_unions%29
content:
<p>
US and Philippine unions are trying to work together, since <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/12/why-us-and-filipino-call-center-workers-are-working-together">US companies
are trying to play those workers against each other</a>.


feed_id: 2a263b461870cfbf31dbcc0d3a0f2c79
title: Court-approved torture
uri: Court-approved-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Court-approved_torture%29
content:
<p>
Israel carries out court-approved torture.  One example, that of Samer Arbeed,
provides <a href="https://al-shabaka.org/briefs/the-systematic-torture-of-palestinians-in-israeli-detention/">an illustration of a practice that has continued for decades</a>.


feed_id: 4a531f1a5a311c162f69920a6351dc31
title: Republicans use NLRB to deter unionization
uri: Republicans-use-NLRB-to-deter-unionization
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Republicans_use_NLRB_to_deter_unionization%29

content:
<p>
Republicans have 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/13/progressives-blast-new-nlrb-union-elections-rule-betrays-workers-it-meant-protect">used
the NLRB</a> to make it harder for workers to vote to unionize.


feed_id: 054bffe03378d50f6cff5d1763ad6a34
title: Lousy medical care in US immigration prisons
uri: Lousy-medical-care-in-US-immigration-prisons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Lousy_medical_care_in_US_immigration_prisons%29

content:
<p>
Lousy medical care in US immigration prisons 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/13/sick-my-stomach-explosive-report-details-ice-negligence-medical-care-detained">killed
four minors and made two others so sick they needed major surgery</a>.
They included At least one child.


feed_id: 73aebc60c25778beb1bb1d71cc5fef11
title: Conman's intermediate-range missile test
uri: Conman-s-intermediate-range-missile-test
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Conmans_intermediate-range_missile_test%29

content:
<p>
Having pulled the US out of the intermediate-range missile treaty,
the conman has 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/13/arms-expert-warns-reckless-and-unnecessary-escalation-after-pentagon-tests-missile">had
an intermediate-range missile tested</a>.
<p>
I don't think it is possible to build and test a new kind of missile
in four months.  I think the construction must have started earlier.


feed_id: 064d4b818ffd66aaace9e0edcace74fc
title: Plutocratist candidate exploiting Corbyn's defeat
uri: Plutocratist-candidate-exploiting-Corbyn-s-defeat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Plutocratist_candidate_exploiting_Corbyns_defeat%29

content:
<p>
Plutocratist candidate Biden is
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/13/biden-parrots-profoundly-silly-narrative-lesson-uk-elections-democrats-should-not-go">exploiting
Corbyn's defeat to argue once again that progressives are not
"electable"</a>.
<p>
However, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/15/democrats-uk-election-terrible-night-for-centrists">the
"centrists" in the UK lost badly also</a>.
<p>
Biden's argument is an attempt at a self-fulfilling prophesy: whatever
popularity Biden has in the primary is 
<a href="media/bf5a84f9.so-many-candidates.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/so-many-candidates.jpg">due to people who believe
it</a>.


feed_id: 9c096a05183f5fe209807470e126093e
title: The COP25 climate conference
uri: The-COP25-climate-conference
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28The_COP25_climate_conference%29
content:
<p>
Wealthy countries (even including the EU) 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/14/final-hours-cop-25-denounced-utter-failure-deal-stripped-ambition-and-us-refuses">blocked
any strong deal in the COP25 climate conference that just ended</a>.
They preferred to encourage dodgy "offsets" rather than cut emissions.
<p>
In theory, an offset for greenhouse gas emissions is equivalent to a
cut.  However, when you look at the proposed offsets, they are mostly
designed to operate later &mdash; if you're lucky.


feed_id: 086dae2b840721139dcac8e8a71d13be
title: Spirit of solidarity in Finland
uri: Spirit-of-solidarity-in-Finland
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Spirit_of_solidarity_in_Finland%29

content:
<p>
In August, the government of Finland tried to cut the wages of 700
postal workers.  (In the US, with 70 times the population, the
equivalent would be 49,000 workers.)  All postal workers went on
strike, and this 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/14/postal-pay-cuts-provoked-general-strike-finland-us-postal-workers-deserve-same">inspired
a general strike</a>.  The government had to resign.
<p>
Imagine what we could do if the US had this spirit of solidarity!
Let's spread that spirit.


feed_id: 7a9aef5fecb594ff6e5ecb1bfb5e7405
title: Conman's campaign hires data broker
uri: Conman-s-campaign-hires-data-broker
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Conmans_campaign_hires_data_broker%29

content:
<p>
The conman's campaign has hired a data broker that 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/11/the-donald-trump-campaign-is-deploying-phone-location-tracking-technology/">collects
data about people's movements by tracking their phones</a>.
<p>
It appears that the company gets the data from various other companies
which get the data through various apps.
<p>
The apps very likely get users' consent for this, buried in the fine
print of terms and conditions, and the app won't work unless the user
"consents".  That is a common practice, In practice, it is ineffective
at checking these abuses, because the companies are expert at the
manufacture of consent.
<p>
We 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">need
stronger restrictions</a> on collecting data on people's movements or
their presence in any place.


feed_id: f086f780ecee120829dfe03d232a2e26
title: Bully to leave millions of Americans hungry
uri: Bully-to-leave-millions-of-Americans-hungry
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Bully_to_leave_millions_of_Americans_hungry%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s current and planned cuts to food stamps 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/13/trumps-hunger-games">will
leave almost 5 million Americans hungry</a>.


feed_id: b0c2cc6b1e3c87c98b45868711a874f7
title: The Free Universal Encyclopedia and Learning Resource
uri: The-Free-Universal-Encyclopedia-and-Learning-Resource
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28The_Free_Universal_Encyclopedia_and_Learning_Resource%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/encyclopedia.html">The Free Universal Encyclopedia and Learning Resource (1999)</a>


feed_id: 10f421c01b4f42a2ee82236aeb5e91d5
title: The election in Bolivia
uri: The-election-in-Bolivia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28The_election_in_Bolivia%29
content:
<p>
The OAS continues to claim there was something wrong with the election
in Bolivia.  The CEPR 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/12/13/oas-final-audit-report-bolivia-elections-raises-more-questions-about-its-own">continues
to point out the errors in those claims</a>.


feed_id: 752585c107bad64e03da23e09a3cfd66
title: Ocean acidification and sea animal death
uri: Ocean-acidification-and-sea-animal-death
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Ocean_acidification_and_sea_animal_death%29

content:
<p>
Sediments from just after the asteroid strike that wiped out the dinosaurs
shows ocean acidification 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/21/ocean-acidification-can-cause-mass-extinctions-fossils-reveal">sufficient
to explain the death of many species of sea animals</a>.
<p>
We are heading for even more acidification in this century if we don't
stop it.


feed_id: 8d08bd67c007890b37f0f43b83fffed1
title: Thailand again bans an opposition party
uri: Thailand-again-bans-an-opposition-party
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Thailand_again_bans_an_opposition_party%29

content:
<p>
Thailand has again banned an opposition party.  Now 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/14/thailand-sees-biggest-anti-government-protest-since-2014-coup">several
opposition parties are protesting together</a>.


feed_id: fd94499e1d9559807498007d333ce3cf
title: Corbyn steps down for new leader of Labour Party
uri: Corbyn-steps-down-for-new-leader-of-Labour-Party
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Corbyn_steps_down_for_new_leader_of_Labour_Party%29

content:
<p>
Corbyn 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/14/corbyn-takes-share-responsibility-defeat">decided
to step down for a new leader of the Labour Party</a>.  However, he
refuses to apologize for Labour's policies, saying that the party won
the arguments and lost because Britons voted based on whether to leave
the EU.
<p>
It was foolish of them to vote that way, and they will suffer greatly
as a result.  The only party that had a chance of making departure
from the EU an opportunity for a better Britain was Labour.  The
Tories are 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_(NHS_and_US_Big_Pharma)">already
planning to use the departure as an opportunity to surrender to US
businesses</a>, through 
<a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business-supremacy
treaties</a> that will lock in hunger, sickness and homelessness.
<p>
Many British voters were 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/14/i-saw-just-how-many-voters-were-hostile-to-jeremy-corbyn">observed
to hate Corbyn personally</a>.
<p>
The article supposes that this is due to something bad about Corbyn,
but omits to tell us what that might be.  This leads me to suspect it
wasn't due to anything real about Corbyn, but rather the result of a
successful propaganda campaign against him, which was supported both
by centrists and the Tories.
<p>
One Labour politician reports that working-class Britons 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/14/working-class-voters-didnt-trust-labour-jess-phillips">disbelieved
Labour because it said it would campaign for their rights and
well-being</a>.  In other words, they are so cynical that it becomes
masochism.
<p>
She seems to be a centrist, and I fear this is an argument for Labour
to become centrist and aim for so little that cynics will trust it.
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/13/fight-back-recrimination-blame">Out
of this darkness we must find the will to fight back</a>.*


feed_id: 5de996d97650bd452481ccc79db92f00
title: Biased, inconsistent, and inscrutable decision-making
uri: Biased-inconsistent-and-inscrutable-decision-making
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Biased%2C_inconsistent%2C_and_inscrutable_decision-making%29

content:
<p>
Computerized algorithms are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/14/err-is-human-why-fear-machines-made-to-err-less-algorithmic-bias">not
the only decision-makers that can be biased, inconsistent and
inscrutable</a>.  "Before humans become the standard way in which we
make decisions, we need to consider the risks and ensure
implementation of human decision-making systems does not cause
widespread harm."
<p>
This simplistic argument is only half-right.  With algorithms, we
<em>can</em> insist they are nonbiased, consistent, and transparent
&mdash; but in many cases institutions don't bother to even try.  We
need rules to insist that this be done.


feed_id: 1e844bb1f6159f51c1d3e50255645667
title: Destabilization of weather
uri: Destabilization-of-weather
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Destabilization_of_weather%29
content:
<p>
As Arctic sea ice dwindles, Greenland could become the center of
coldness in the Arctic.  Because Greenland is far south of the pole,
this could
<a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2019/12/13/dispatches-cop-25-climate-change-conference-madrid/">increase
the destabilization of weather in the Northern hemisphere</a>, causing
even bigger and longer rains which will often ruin harvests.
<p>
This trend has already been observed in recent years.  The point is
that the Greenland effect could make it get much worse, and quickly,
in a few decades.
<p>
It's not a certainty.  Want to bet your life that it won't happen?


feed_id: 701e175957d56c7ea8751167f6850a67
title: Rate of Amazon deforestation doubles
uri: Rate-of-Amazon-deforestation-doubles
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Rate_of_Amazon_deforestation_doubles%29

content:
<p>
The rate of deforestation in the Amazon has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/14/brazils-amazon-deforestation-this-year-nearly-size-of-puerto-rico-says-agency">doubled
since a year ago</a>.


feed_id: 784ab363e9cdc417de67a3a86d1beceb
title: Conman to coordinate his own trial
uri: Conman-to-coordinate-his-own-trial
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Conman_to_coordinate_his_own_trial%29

content:
<p>
McConnell 
<A href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/13/he-planning-rig-impeachment-trial-mcconnell-vows-total-coordination-trump-senate">plans
to coordinate the conman's trial with the conman himself</a>.
<p>
This means, I suppose, mocking the idea of justice and the idea of
truth.


feed_id: 21dee704161cc8940efbdbef064c1cc0
title: US deportation thugs set up fake university
uri: US-deportation-thugs-set-up-fake-university
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28US_deportation_thugs_set_up_fake_university%29

content:
<p>
The US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> set up a fake university, the University of
Farmington, to 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/12/12/ice-used-dirty-tactics-to-lure-foreign-students-with-a-fake-university/">lure
foreign students into committing fraud against their visa
requirements</a>.  But it made the university so realistic that
students had no way of knowing it wasn't valid &mdash; which means it
wasn't fraud.
<p>
Of course, the deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> punished them anyway.


feed_id: 7e9e18deec69b034dbf7bd9e33a25172
title: Keeping US medical care expensive
uri: Keeping-US-medical-care-expensive
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Keeping_US_medical_care_expensive%29

content:
<p>
Medical treatment companies gave congressional staff to luxury resort
where they listened to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/12/ocasio-cortez-makes-connection-between-20-jump-healthcare-costs-and-industry">presentations
meant to keep US medical care expensive</a>.


feed_id: 10297fdd9d09e9bcf14482695d0329e9
title: Natural gas blowout
uri: Natural-gas-blowout
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Natural_gas_blowout%29
content:
<p>
*The Recent Natural Gas Blowout in South Texas Highlights the 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/13/recent-natural-gas-blowout-south-texas-highlights-need-strong-regulation">Need
for Strong Regulation</a>.*


feed_id: 9c16bc0bce2014f78967d36d67a80856
title: Democracy movements in southern states
uri: Democracy-movements-in-southern-states
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Democracy_movements_in_southern_states%29

content:
<p>
Democracy movements in various southern states are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/12/southern-states-take-fight-bold-democracy-reforms">campaigning
to end Republican-imposed impediments to voting</a>.
<p>
Wisconsin Republicans have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/14/wisconsin-purge-voter-rolls-judge-ruling">constructed
a simple excuse to stop 200,000 poor, old or young people from
voting</a>.


feed_id: 260fadbfffaaa8f5cf4a673ff5292c4b
title: Refund of donations mistakenly made to plutocratist
uri: Refund-of-donations-mistakenly-made-to-plutocratist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Refund_of_donations_mistakenly_made_to_plutocratist%29

content:
<p>
Buttigieg's campaigns is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/12/refundpete-trends-early-backers-request-donations-back-after-learning-buttigieg-not">giving
refunds to donors who are disappointed by his plutocratist
attitudes</a>, because they though he was a progressive.
<p>
I will never vote for Buttigieg, and I am glad that people are
spreading the word about his support for plutocracy.  However, I take
issue with the idea that campaigns owe refunds on demand.  It is
reasonable to conceive of the spending of campaign funds as first-in,
first-out.  In those terms, the early donations have already been
spent.


feed_id: fa5a2534da9c080ff84958b823fdb691
title: EU's too-slow climate defense proposal
uri: EU-s-too-slow-climate-defense-proposal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28EUs_too-slow_climate_defense_proposal%29

content:
<p>
Greenpeace 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/12/decrying-eu-proposal-address-climate-crisis-2050-too-little-too-late-greenpeace">protested
the EU's too-slow climate defense proposal</a> by making an EU
building in Brussels appear to be on fire.


feed_id: 6ee627e8612d8ecf132d7c37451a0a58
title: Carbon emissions from livestock sector
uri: Carbon-emissions-from-livestock-sector
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Carbon_emissions_from_livestock_sector%29

content:
<p>
"If the livestock sector were to continue with business as usual,"
experts warn, "this sector alone would account for 
<a href='https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/12/move-over-peak-oil-scientists-say-peak-livestock-must-arrive-decade-limit-global'>49%
of the emissions budget for 1.5°C by 2030</a>."  They call for "peak
livestock" within 10 years.


feed_id: 368e4792baaceee3e0b820a86af643db
title: Vendor stops selling Techdirt's t-shirts without explanation
uri: Vendor-stops-selling-Techdirt-s-t-shirts-without-explanation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Vendor_stops_selling_Techdirts_t-shirts_without_explanation%29

content:
<p>
An online t-shirt vendor stopped selling Techdirt's t-shirts and
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20191211/10560543557/teespring-takes-down-our-copying-is-not-theft-gear-refuses-to-say-why.shtml">wouldn't
say why</a>, except to point at a long list of possibilities and say
"you figure it out".
<p>
This is an example of a kind of runaround that has become standard
with businesses that communicate with the public digitally.  I deal
with such businesses as little as possible &mdash; directly, never.
<p>
The article uses terminology that we should avoid.  For instance, it
refers to art works and slogans as "content".  That term spreads a
presupposition I think is misguided and harmful.  I urge you to 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">reject
that term</a>, as I do.
<p>
Even worse, the article talks about "intellectual property" as if that
were a single coherent thing, and equates it to copyright.  That is a
grave confusion.  To formulate any issue in terms of "intellectual
property" is to confuse.  For the sake of proper understanding,
please 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">join me in never
using the term</a>.


feed_id: 089de05a6fa485d1c484d471954f1a25
title: The malice of always-listening computers
uri: The-malice-of-always-listening-computers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28The_malice_of_always-listening_computers%29

content:
<p>
In 2019, the public became aware that always-listening computers are
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/12/12/not-ok-google.html">as
malicious as you could possibly imagine</a>.


feed_id: f0537d907df1b6dc0d9b00af7e2b5759
title: Single-use containers and bags
uri: Single-use-containers-and-bags
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Single-use_containers_and_bags%29

content:
<p>
A cafe chain announced a 
<a rhef="https://boingboing.net/2019/12/12/coffee-chain-ditching-cups-in.html">plan
to eliminate the use of single-use containers and bags</a>.
<p>
Does its connection with Nestle matter?  Not very much. in my opinion.
My view in general is that if a company has several activities, and
they are effectively separable, we should judge each of them
separately.


feed_id: 98491af973b5fada4580057460bc5866
title: Oligarch-owned papers oppose wealth tax
uri: Oligarch-owned-papers-oppose-wealth-tax
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Oligarch-owned_papers_oppose_wealth_tax%29

content:
<p>
*Papers Owned by Oligarchs 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/12/papers-owned-oligarchs-unsurprisingly-oppose-wealth-tax">Unsurprisingly
Oppose a Wealth Tax</a>.*


feed_id: de1e0d238611e1f7787fc422891a74a6
title: Student debt
uri: 2019-12-19-Student-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28Student_debt%29
content:
<p>
After For-Profit College Agrees to Forgive $141 Million in Student Debt,
Sanders Says: "Good. Now 
<a href='https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/12/after-profit-colleges-agrees-forgive-141-million-student-debt-sanders-says-good-now'>$1,685,456,413,335
More to Go</a>."


feed_id: 5e7d219226139e14475bc661e5d78289
title: FBI lies
uri: 2019-12-19-FBI-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#18_December_2019_%28FBI_lies%29
content:
<p>
Glenn Greenwald shows that the DOJ inspector general found that the
FBI repeatedly lied to the FISA court to get permission to spy on
Carter Page during the 2016 election.  Then he explains how the liars
get away with such practices: <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/12/the-inspector-generals-report-on-2016-fb-i-spying-reveals-a-scandal-of-historic-magnitude-not-only-for-the-fbi-but-also-the-u-s-media/">former military and intelligence
officials make a second career as pundits on TV</a>.

<p>
Given how much ordinary <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> lie, it should not be surprising that
federal cops and spooks lie too.

<p>
Poor United States: battleground between a conman running a gang that
blatantly spits on truth, and the "deep state" gang that also won't
hesitate to lie.

<p>
Some Republican senators who used to defend state surveillance almost ad lib
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/12/12/national-security-surveillance-apologists-are-starting-to-see-the-light/">are starting to see the danger</a>.


feed_id: 4013a8bde17e551b5edaf3b846f9057a
title: Wrongful victory
uri: Wrongful-victory
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Wrongful_victory%29
content:
<p>
*A victory won by Brexit lies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/dec/15/victory-brexit-lies-does-not-make-them-true-govern-one-nation">does not make those lies true</a>.*


feed_id: 8f9804b305790da934aa870b5eb994a2
title: Public-private partnerships
uri: 2019-12-19-Public-private-partnerships
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Public-private_partnerships%29
content:
<p>
Governments used to borrow for infrastructure projects using public
bonds.  Now they set up "public-private partnerships", <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/12/13/cashing-in-on-climate.html">which means
private investors profit</a>.

<p>
This costs the taxpayers a lot more to get the same result.


feed_id: 331941a1b27fd3053341594f31d02253
title: Fondling dead bodies
uri: Fondling-dead-bodies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Fondling_dead_bodies%29
content:
<p>
An LA thug faces charges for "fondling" a corpse.  Apparently <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/13/us/lapd-officer-charged-fondling-dead-woman/index.html">he did
not ask the corpse for permission</a>.  There is no word on whether the corpse's feelings were hurt.

<p>
Will it next be a crime to fondle a doll without the doll's express
consent?


feed_id: 12f54e26453a80d29265c3ba81f14f3d
title: Second coming finding nobody on Earth
uri: Second-coming-finding-nobody-on-Earth
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Second_coming_finding_nobody_on_Earth%29

content:
<p>
The evangelical supporters of the bullshitter are crazy religious
fanatics.  The author's conversation with his mother <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/christian-right-worships-donald-trump-915381/">illustrates that
point</a>.

<p>
In their fervency, they overlook the fact that their scriptures do not
say that the hoped-for second coming will occur in the next century or
even the next millenium.  That is an arbitrary addition to their
religion.  Perhaps they would conclude that preserving everything the
Earth's ecosphere is consistent with their religion if they are
hammered on that one point.


feed_id: ac854b38a92106211a961206cc4f3027
title: Torturer extradition
uri: Torturer-extradition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Torturer_extradition%29
content:
<p>
*Argentina's 'dirty war': <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/16/mario-sandoval-france-approves-extradition-argentina-over-students-disappearance">France approves extradition of suspected torturer</a>.*


feed_id: 598680a925aca839f97db050080ebb22
title: Urgent: stop record-breaking NDAA
uri: Urgent-stop-record-breaking-NDAA
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_stop_record-breaking_NDAA%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://inthesetimes.com/article/22206/bernie-sanders-elizabeth-warren-trump-ndaa-militarism-defense-spending-war">phone your senators</a> at 202-224-3121 and call on them to
vote against the record-breaking NDAA (Pentagon spending authorization bill).

<p>
Sanders and Warren will vote against it.


feed_id: 1f53cb700f98cd1bb7f3cdeefafb0d0c
title: Abandoning the truth
uri: Abandoning-the-truth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Abandoning_the_truth%29
content:
<p>
*The lies have it: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/15/donald-trump-impeachment-defense-republicans-fox-news">Republicans abandon truth in [bullshitter] impeachment defence</a>.*


feed_id: d8ac2da1bd696d40d656d24b8354c57d
title: Overwhelmed fire fighters
uri: Overwhelmed-fire-fighters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Overwhelmed_fire_fighters%29
content:
<p>
With global heating, Australia's rural volunteer fire departments <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/15/bushfires-australia-shattered-volunteer-firefighters-tested-to-their-limits">are
not sufficient for the job</a>.


feed_id: b544752eb169e01d000916d5e01f98d8
title: Perverting OK sign
uri: Perverting-OK-sign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Perverting_OK_sign%29
content:
<p>
White supremacists in the military are using a hand gesture that is a slight
variant of the one for "OK" <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/15/army-navy-white-power-hand-signals">as a sign of their racism</a>.

<p>
Choosing a sign that is similar to a common innocuous one is dishonest
as well as hateful.  It means that people who mean "OK" can get wrongly
punished by the authorities, while at the same time they are falsely
cited as supporters by the extremists.

<p>
Maybe the army can turn this dishonest tactic back on them by teaching
everyone to use that sign to mean "OK".


feed_id: d28feb5bb3d10bbd51e6928d934b68fd
title: Disinformation against protestors and journalists
uri: Disinformation-against-protestors-and-journalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Disinformation_against_protestors_and_journalists%29

content:
<p>
Protestors and journalists in Lebanon <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/15/disinformation-the-online-threat-to-protest-in-the-middle-east">are targeted by organized
disinformation campaigns</a>.


feed_id: 9f42175b6539a7a78550ff49b153d92e
title: Warren Sanders
uri: Warren-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Warren_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
Donald Trump fears only one Democrat: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/15/donald-trump-democrats-elizabeth-warren-bernie-sanders">Warren Sanders</a>.


feed_id: e41bd6bca3a25fcce32b96fbd941f5eb
title: Life expectancy going down
uri: Life-expectancy-going-down
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Life_expectancy_going_down%29
content:
<p>
US life expectancy is going slowly down while life expectancy in other
advanced countries is slowly increasing.  The causes seem to be <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/15/drugs-guns-and-despair-how-america-killing-americans">drugs,
guns, despair, and obesity</a>.


feed_id: c5dc0caad17e50d671f25b1c817fe40c
title: Attack on BBC
uri: Attack-on-BBC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Attack_on_BBC%29
content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson is trying to turn the BBC into a Tory supporter
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/dec/15/boris-johnson-threatens-bbc-with-two-pronged-attack">by accusing it of hostile bias while threatening its funding</a>.


feed_id: 46c2b53c946459b3e0ca5c5b3e0e45a8
title: Urgent: Biden climate defense plan
uri: Urgent-Biden-climate-defense-plan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Biden_climate_defense_plan%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/biden-climate-leadership">call on Biden</a> to endorse an adequate climate defense plan.


feed_id: 08e0813752ab998f52a66b3c6c5802cb
title: Innovation on human suffering
uri: Innovation-on-human-suffering
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Innovation_on_human_suffering%29

content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/mark-zuckerberg-argues-high-taxes-on-wealthy-could-stif-1839230597">satire</a>) Mark Zuckerberg Argues High Taxes On Wealthy Could Stifle Innovation In
Human Suffering.


feed_id: 36302dcc89d0c68ef908ccca24fea6de
title: Doctors call on Australia to protect Assange
uri: Doctors-call-on-Australia-to-protect-Assange
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Doctors_call_on_Australia_to_protect_Assange%29

content:
<p>
  Doctors call on <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/16/100-doctors-demand-julian-assange-receive-safe-passage-australian-hospital-it-too">Australia to protect Assange</a> by bringing him to a hospital
  in Australia.
<p>
  Australia has a truth-despising government like those of the US and
  the UK.  It would have no interested in Assange's life.  But even if
  the Australian government were humane and defended justice, Bogus
  Johnson would consider it more important to suck up to the conman than
  to respect Australia.
  


feed_id: 72b6dc4d57625314df568d9a8b5818be
title: DCCC works with Republicans
uri: DCCC-works-with-Republicans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28DCCC_works_with_repubilicans%29
content:
<p>
  The DCCC boycotts campaign consultants <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/16/dccc-consultants-republican-with-honor-pac/">that work for primary challengers</a>,
  but working for Republicans is ok.


feed_id: d49b1d7440ac8e58e70fd1812cf6f410
title: Cutting carbon emissions and trees
uri: Cutting-carbon-emissions-and-trees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Cutting_carbon_emissions_and_trees%29

content:
<p>
  *Climate thinktank Sandbag said the heavily subsidized plans to cut
  carbon emissions will result in a "staggering" amount of tree cutting,
  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/16/converting-coal-plants-to-biomass-could-fuel-climate-crisis-scientists-warn">potentially destroying forests faster than they can regrow</a>.*


feed_id: 388a87b1e169b7e21c550bb9670d5fd6
title: Mekong river system dams
uri: Mekong-river-system-dams
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Mekong_river_system_dams%29
content:
<p>
  Damming the Mekong river system is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/16/mekong-basins-vanishing-fish-signal-ill-times-ahead-for-cambodia-aoe">changing the river's flow, its
  water, its shape, and its fish</a>.  The fish are mostly
  dying/disappearing.


feed_id: debb073627e4ec39f53d2014f3af2345
title: Fossil Fuel Companies Bankroll Their Campaigns
uri: Fossil-Fuel-Companies-Bankroll-Their-Campaigns
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Fossil_Fuel_Companies_Bankroll_Their_Campaigns%29

content:
<p>
  *As GOP State Attorneys General <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2019/12/12/gop-state-attorneys-general-fight-environmental-regulations-fossil-fuel-companies-bankroll-campaigns/">Fight Environmental Regulations</a>,
  Fossil Fuel Companies Bankroll Their Campaigns.*


feed_id: 6d7bf7fa4c7aa9341c0e3855c1d463d8
title: New rule classify NFL stadiums as aid to the poor
uri: New-rule-classify-NFL-stadiums-as-aid-to-the-poor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28New_rule_classify_NFL_stadiums_as_aid_to_the_poor%29

content:
<p>
  *'Astonishing' [conman regime] Rule <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/16/astonishing-trump-rule-could-let-banks-classify-nfl-stadium-investments-aid-poor">Could Let Banks Classify</a> NFL
  Stadium Investments as Aid to Poor Communities.*


feed_id: 2e2dc9318b35abf527009aabfd13e064
title: Food distribution system and poor health
uri: Food-distribution-system-and-poor-health
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Food_distribution_system_and_poor_health%29

content:
<p>
  WHO doctors warn that the development of the food distribution system,
  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/16/top-global-scientists-call-profound-food-system-transformation-combat-extreme">in countries that are not poor overall</a>, is leading to more obese
  children and more malnourished, stunted children at the same time.
<p>
  The full causes of this tendency are surely complex; however, it is clear that one significant cause is plutocracy.
  


feed_id: 1683b9f183a3792b2ff1cdd75ad1cab3
title: Urgent: investigate the conman's role in rewarding a donor with a contract
uri: Urgent-investigate-the-conman-s-role-in-rewarding-a-donor-with-a-cont
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_investigate_the_conman%27s_role_in_rewarding_a_donor_with_a_contract%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/investigate-trumps-personal-pentagon-slush-fund">call on congressional committees</a>
    to investigate the conman's role in rewarding a big donor with a big border wall contract.

  <p>If you call, please spread the word!


feed_id: 6180cbcba8d22789e44d69a70974dcbe
title: Urgent: focus criticism on plutocratist candidates
uri: Urgent-focus-criticism-on-plutocratist-candidates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_focus_criticism_on_plutocratist_candidates%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/survey/take-positive-progressive-primary-pledge">call on supporters of Sanders or Warren</a> to pledge to focus criticism on plutocratist candidates, not on the other progressive candidate.
  <p>
    If you call, please spread the word!


feed_id: 44e3a257cfe13bf7bb95f3056ee031fd
title: Urgent: automatic voter registration
uri: Urgent-automatic-voter-registration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_automatic_voter_registration%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your state legislators in support of automatic
    voter registration in your state.
  <p>If you call, please spread the word!


feed_id: 00befd4b564315cbb55516aaee6d7afc
title: Urgent: stop funding suns of Confederate veterans
uri: Urgent-stop-funding-suns-of-Confederate-veterans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_stop_funding_suns_of_Confedeerate_vetterans%29

content:
<p>
  US citizens: <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/tar-heel-confederates/">call on the University of North Carolina</a> to stop funding
  the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
<p>
  If you call, please spread the word!


feed_id: 40211e7af2b1fe13cd03f3c0e3a4c0e9
title: Repression in India
uri: Repression-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Repression_in_India%29
content:
<p>
Indian <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> displayed a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/16/india-citizenship-bill-shock-at-crackdown-may-unite-modi-opponents">level
of repression shocking even in India</a> when they attacked student
protesters and bystanders.
<p>
The new citizenship bill discriminates in favor of non-Muslim refugees
from three countries, but
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_(Everyone_oppression)">does
not take any existing rights away from anyone</a>.  Thus, it is biased
but not repressive.
<p>
By contrast, what India has
done to deny citizenship to residents of Assam 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#13_September_2019_(India_and_Assam)">threatens
to expel people who have lived all their lives in India</a>, and 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jul-oct.html#5_October_2019_(Tyranny_in_India)">what
it has done to Kashmir</a> is comparable to China in 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_November_2019_(More_political_prisons_identified_in_Xinjiang)">Xinjiang</a>.
<p>
However, they all spring from the same source: the repressive spirit
of religious prejudice that Modi's party is based on.


feed_id: cd222bcc425da5847747569cd6c56c8a
title: Funding cuts in French public hospitals
uri: Funding-cuts-in-French-public-hospitals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Funding_cuts_in_French_public_hospitals%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/16/600-french-doctors-threaten-to-quit-health-funding-row">600
French doctors threaten to quit in protest</a> against the funding
cuts that are making public hospitals inadequate.
<p>
This is the work of the plutocratist president, Macron.


feed_id: 64854b37a5473ea4e1389bcd1ed4e377
title: Community solidarity and social change
uri: Community-solidarity-and-social-change
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Community_solidarity_and_social_change%29

content:
<p>
Campaigns for social change 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/15/whats-secret-success-nonviolent-movements-try-solidarity">can
benefit greatly from solidarity from the community around them</a>.


feed_id: 3decc5e913cc80ba8e2a2fe6f3597e02
title: Corruption of Tufts University
uri: Corruption-of-Tufts-University
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Corruption_of_Tufts_University%29

content:
<p>
Tufts University 
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/12/12/tufts-professors-sue-over-new-fund-raising-requirements/hJauSJjRn9ugALoJ4zz1zL/story.html">requires
all professors to raise 40% of their salaries from outside
sources</a>.  Some tenured professors are suing, calling this a
violation of contract.
<p>
They may be right, but this harms a lot more than individual
professors.  It represents another step in the overall corruption of
that university (and it's surely not the only one).  With this
requirement, the university downgrades (and tends to eliminate)
research that isn't profitable, and pushes research under the power of
either the US government or businesses that already have dangerous
amounts of power.
<p>
Tufts may claim that it is only ceding to outside pressures.  That may
be true from a short-term perspective.  However, these pressures stem
from sources that will keep pushing.  The more they get, the more they
demand.


feed_id: 8a338bf2224368badc0a0b8d4b176087
title: Second coming finding nobody on Earth
uri: 2019-12-20-Second-coming-finding-nobody-on-Earth
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Second_coming_finding_nobody_on_Earth%29

content:
<p>
The evangelical supporters of the bullshitter are crazy religious
fanatics.  The author's conversation with his mother <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/christian-right-worships-donald-trump-915381/">illustrates that
point</a>.

<p>
In their fervency, they overlook the fact that their scriptures do not
say that the hoped-for second coming will occur in the next century or
even the next millennium.  That is an arbitrary addition to their
religion.  Perhaps they would conclude that preserving everything the
Earth's ecosphere is consistent with their religion if they are
hammered on that one point.


feed_id: ec0b423d6b444005dd5f92df5b7e24f2
title: Disinformation against protesters and journalists
uri: Disinformation-against-protesters-and-journalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#19_December_2019_%28Disinformation_against_protesters_and_journalists%29

content:
<p>
Protesters and journalists in Lebanon <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/15/disinformation-the-online-threat-to-protest-in-the-middle-east">are targeted by organized
disinformation campaigns</a>.


feed_id: 7f7128b8b3982754588d49fdd110a3b9
title: Military law to oppress citizens
uri: Military-law-to-oppress-citizens
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Military_law_to_oppress_citizens%29

content:
<p>
Human Rights Watch reports on how Israel uses military law
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/17/israeli-military-law-stifles-palestinian-rights-watchdog-says">to oppress Palestinians in the West Bank and crush protests</a>.


feed_id: 685dccd2c0e2418ec4f6fc3d84baa9c5
title: Economical losses from global heating
uri: Economical-losses-from-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Economical_losses_from_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
20 years of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> have cut the average profits of Australian
farms by 22%, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/18/climate-change-has-cut-australian-farm-profits-by-22-a-year-over-past-20-years-report-says">amounting to a total of a billion dollars per year in losses</a>.


feed_id: 4f86338a04cfdf209f286383dea4ea25
title: Fleeing because of global heating
uri: Fleeing-because-of-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Fleeing_because_of_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
Indigenous Australian communities in the middle of Australia are at
the edge of fleeing because <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> is making the region
dangerously hot without air conditioning, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/18/too-hot-for-humans-first-nations-people-fear-becoming-australias-first-climate-refugees">and drying up their sources
of water</a>.


feed_id: 33b5dec341db1099a5664c3003cb34a7
title: Censoring for China
uri: Censoring-for-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Censoring_for_China%29
content:
<p>
A UK football club <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/17/football-political-arsenal-ozil-wrong-side">chided a player not to criticize Chinese atrocities</a>.

<p>
A football club that gets lots of income from foreign fans becomes
just another globalized business &mdash; censoring for China, <a href="https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-jails.html#apple">just as Apple censors for China</a>.


feed_id: 0109b3f6a28f665bb94d7323fc8da028
title: Heat it Bob
uri: Heat-it-Bob
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Heat_it_Bob%29
content:
<p>
Murray Energy, on the path to bankruptcy, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/17/murray-energy-bankruptcy-climate-change/">continued funding global
heating denialism</a>.


feed_id: cea17c8dc4d8ea7d11abf93ed41248bf
title: Attacking disabled people
uri: Attacking-disabled-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Attacking_disabled_people%29
content:
<p>
The saboteurs are planning <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/16/national-disgrace-trump-proposes-social-security-change-could-end-disability">to cut Social Security benefits for hundreds of
thousands of disabled people</a>.

<p>
Reagan tried this, and public criticism made him back off.


feed_id: 0a2acb3997c518b98b9957f996221be8
title: PFAS threat
uri: PFAS-threat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28PFAS_threat%29
content:
<p>
In some parts of the US, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/17/rainwater-pfas-us-potentially-toxic-levels-study">rain contains enough
PFAS to be possibly dangerous</a>.


feed_id: 0b94a99f8397657281851ff0e890728e
title: Language extinction
uri: Language-extinction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Language_extinction%29
content:
<p>
*A third of the Indigenous languages used in America two decades ago have gone
extinct, and <a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/155913/native-american-languages-disappearing-reauthorization-act-congress">Congress isn't doing enough to preserve what remains</a>.*


feed_id: 8a04da4a7a870552db7b5722ed5366d7
title: Threat to Humanity
uri: Threat-to-Humanity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Threat_to_Humanity%29
content:
<p>
*US Denounced as 'Threat to Humanity' as COP25 Ends <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/15/us-denounced-threat-humanity-cop25-ends-without-deal-big-polluters-responsibility">Without Deal on Big
Polluters' Responsibility to Frontline Nations</a>.*

<p>
Even worse, we don't have a binding agreement to avoid a disaster
so complete that trying to compensate anyone would not even make sense.


feed_id: dbc0b1cbff23b947252d74f03981fd20
title: Protecting future generations
uri: Protecting-future-generations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Protecting_future_generations%29

content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/scientists-discover-oil-originally-buried-deep-undergro-1839235246">satire</a>) &hellip; a new study published Friday
   indicates that ancient humans buried crude oil deep underground in a
   desperate attempt to protect future generations from the grave threat
   it posed.


feed_id: aa03583ea7667f0799594f29f62667b3
title: Goldman Sachs divesting
uri: Goldman-Sachs-divesting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Goldman_Sachs_divesting%29
content:
<p>
Goldman Sachs says <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/dec/16/goldman-sachs-to-stop-financing-new-drilling-for-oil-in-the-arctic">it will no longer invest in thermal coal</a> (cheap for
 electric generation, which makes up 85% of what is mined).

<p>
It also will not invest in Arctic oil exploration and drilling.

<p>
This is an important step, but not enough by itself (even if all other
investors do likewise) to avoid disaster.


feed_id: 6136e83e4cfe3614323c13a05c7cba8c
title: No debates
uri: No-debates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28No_debates%29
content:
<p>
The bullshitter suggests <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/16/asserting-authority-dictate-process-trump-claims-2020-debates-are-me">he will refuse to participate in campaign
debates</a>.

<p>
I speculate he figures that his opponent will be a progressive, that
he would look bad in debates, and that the mainstream media will not
give that opponent much coverage otherwise.


feed_id: 8c23c135264f2436f9ac0bbc14b0f551
title: Limiting factory farms
uri: Limiting-factory-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Limiting_factory_farms%29
content:
<p>
Senator Booker has proposed a bill <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/16/bold-approach-we-need-new-booker-ag-bill-includes-first-ever-national-factory-farm">to limit factory farms and the giant
businesses they work with</a>.

<p>
This would protect family farms from being put out of business, and
the environment from the concentrated pollution.  It would 


feed_id: 24f8c7b6e93ec29a3b01104ca5860cb8
title: Military spending
uri: 2019-12-20-Military-spending
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Military_spending%29
content:
<p>
Since 1979 at least, US military spending has generally increased.  It
is now <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/16/lessons-battling-pentagon-four-decades">higher than at during the cold war, higher than during the
Vietnam war, and higher than during the Korean war</a>.

<p>
Americans need to trim that large excess, in order to stop starving
the country's needs (along with millions of Americans).  This is why
some progressives in Congress are voting against the NDAA.


feed_id: bae26c141167f92ca2106a533c61a4b6
title: Boeing leadership
uri: Boeing-leadership
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Boeing_leadership%29
content:
<p>
Ralph Nader:  *<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/16/boeings-perilous-bungling-requires-new-leadership">Boeing’s Perilous Bungling Requires New Leadership</a>.*

<p>
He also reminds us that the FAA enabled this by rubber-stamping
Boeing's lax safety evaluations.

<p>
Plutocracy has a general tendency to do this.  Compare with what US governments
(under Obama and under the conman) <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#4_June_2019_(Imported_drugs)">have done to drug factory inspections</a> and mean inspections.


feed_id: 1e35c9b5dc39731e788bdd629045a191
title: Classrooms used as testing ground for monitoring
uri: Classrooms-used-as-testing-ground-for-monitoring
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Classrooms_used_as_testing_ground_for_monitoring%29

content:
<p>
Classrooms are a 
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/12/16/schools-experiment-with-high-tech-student-monitoring/7sx3eMEqYTwO9zxzKjyEkK/story.html">testing
ground for monitoring</a> even beyond the level of an Amazon
warehouse.


feed_id: dcd53f964ce9af2207f579d3861759f6
title: Repression of Israeli military occupation
uri: Repression-of-Israeli-military-occupation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Repression_of_Israeli_military_occupation%29

content:
<p>
The Human Rights Watch report on the 
<a href="https://www.hrw.org/report/2019/12/17/born-without-civil-rights/israels-use-draconian-military-orders-repress">repression
of Israeli military occupation of the West Bank</a>.


feed_id: 7887c86434a4fc8600647ed05d0d082f
title: Declaring political inconvenience as "security threat"
uri: Declaring-political-inconvenience-as-security-threat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Declaring_political_inconvenience_as_security_threat%29

content:
<p>
Israel has 
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-thin-line-between-activist-and-ticking-time-bomb-for-an-amnesty-employee/">declared
Palestinian Laith Abu Zeyad a "security threat" because he is a
political inconvenience</a>: a campaigner for Amnesty International
who argues and lobbies against the occupation.
<p>
When governments deny people political rights, and don't distinguish
between political opposition and war, it is a natural step for them to
equate "campaigners for some cause" with "security threats."


feed_id: e47d2a8c0621570b3fd9094c167b226c
title: Smear of anti-semitism against Labour and Corbyn
uri: Smear-of-anti-semitism-against-Labour-and-Corbyn
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Smear_of_anti-semitism_against_Labour_and_Corbyn%29

content:
<p>
*<a href="https://denouncingthesmear.weebly.com/">Denouncing the
Smear</a> of Anti-Semitism Against Labour and Corbyn.*


feed_id: 483153128e349e04d5afe20fcf50116b
title: Violent fanatical Israeli "settlers"
uri: Violent-fanatical-Israeli-settlers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Violent_fanatical_Israeli_settlers%29

content:
<p>
Haaretz has 
<a href="https://imemc.org/article/israels-haaretz-256-cases-of-israeli-settlers-violence-towards-palestinians/">documented
256 cases of fanatical Israeli "settlers" who have committed violence
against Palestinians</a>.  Israeli officials ought to punish them, but
instead often encourage them.


feed_id: 73351d99d6001c97f9d5674d7a61cf8f
title: Rise of the Spanish far right
uri: Rise-of-the-Spanish-far-right
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Rise_of_the_Spanish_far_right%29

content:
<p>
*The Catalan crisis is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/16/catalan-crisis-spanish-far-right-vox">key
to the rise of the Spanish far right</a>.* *The Vox party drew on
Catalan unrest to gain seats in [the November] election. Both sides
feed off the other’s nationalist vision.*


feed_id: 0636709fb5af41cdf9cb1c985c9f0b4c
title: Turkey-Syria border "safe zone"
uri: Turkey-Syria-border-safe-zone
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Turkey-Syria_border_safe_zone%29

content:
<p>
Turkey is forcing Syrian refugees to move to the so-called "safe zone"
along the border inside Syria.  But 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/18/syrian-refugees-return-to-home-towns-in-safe-zone-despite-dangers">they
do not find it very safe</a>.


feed_id: 96784e66c7e60c67aa6d7536495cf427
title: River improvements and peace in Darfur
uri: River-improvements-and-peace-in-Darfur
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28River_improvements_and_peace_in_Darfur%29

content:
<p>
Peace is returning to Darfur after river improvements
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/18/how-water-is-helping-to-end-the-first-climate-change-war">help
water soak into the surrounding land</a>.
<p>
When works like these enable people to cope with the current level of
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, continued heating can become too much for them to
overcome.  In order for Darfur to remain at peace, we in rich
countries must stop heating up the Earth.


feed_id: cf9d73603454bca8cbdc69029e759e1d
title: Cobalt is toxic
uri: Cobalt-is-toxic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Cobalt_is_toxic%29
content:
<p>
Cobalt, used in electric car batteries, is toxic.  *In Zambia, studies
of soil and mango fruit grown near copper and cobalt mines have
revealed metals 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/dec/18/how-the-race-for-cobalt-risks-turning-it-from-miracle-metal-to-deadly-chemical">above
the safety limit</a>.*


feed_id: 577026bc70405aee0e8cbb4ea0a66d8d
title: Commoditization of people's lives
uri: Commoditization-of-people-s-lives
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Commoditization_of_peoples_lives%29

content:
<p>
As capitalism spreads into aspects of life which were not marketized before,
it commoditizes those aspects even for people who don't want that.  The worst
case is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/27/crisis-of-capitalism-europeans-gig-economy">in
politics</a>.
<p>
Even 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/dec/17/corporate-jargon-ruining-friendships-template-texts">friendship
and dating become commoditized</a>.
<p>
When we talk of "globalization", that usually stands for globalization
of the power of business.  Including people in more countries in
global markets does not inherently have to imply a big transfer of
income from workers to business owners, but when businesses rule the
roost, their owners insist on that transfer.


feed_id: 831297650aef280cfac0ad2315783756
title: Fighting for the right to protest
uri: Fighting-for-the-right-to-protest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Fighting_for_the_right_to_protest%29

content:
<p>
*After the autumn clampdown, fighting for the right to protest has
become a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/18/police-response-extinction-rebellion-protest-survival">vital
part of the collective fight for survival</a>.*
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> aim to cause so much suffering that protesters will give up,
and take any fragment of an excuse to break the law, even steal
mobility aids from handicapped people.  But Extinction Rebellion will
not give up, because they are fighting for everyone's children's
lives.


feed_id: ad74249800c7585b93f8a9cfd5efa977
title: Premature deaths due to toxic pollution
uri: Premature-deaths-due-to-toxic-pollution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Premature_deaths_due_to_toxic_pollution%29

content:
<p>
The Global Alliance on Health and Pollution says that toxic pollution causes
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/18/us-top-10-countries-pollution-related-deaths-study">15%
of premature deaths</a>.  But this must be an undercount, because the
effects of some widespread pollutants are impossible to count due to
the lack of varied environments to compare.
<p>
I don't think the single-country totals are interesting, because the
size of the population is one factor in those totals.  Single-country
percentages would be interesting to compare.
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/18/depression-and-suicide-linked-to-air-pollution-in-new-global-study">Depression
and suicide linked to air pollution</a> in new global study.*


feed_id: fb46eb73275e986f0b4cbcc7546e7fa6
title: Tories to allow undermining of EU-protected rights
uri: Tories-to-allow-undermining-of-EU-protected-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Tories_to_allow_undermining_of_EU-protected_rights%29

content:
<p>
Tories 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/18/lower-courts-can-roll-back-eu-laws-after-brexit-no10-johnson-confirms">plan
to allow lower courts to overturn laws that implement EU
requirements</a>.
<p>
The Tories plan to make it easy to undermine workers' rights,
environmental protection, public health, privacy, and all other rights
protected by the EU.


feed_id: 855807a1096d49bfd98c0f0dfe280aac
title: Troll leads revolution
uri: Troll-leads-revolution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Troll_leads_revolution%29
content:
<p>
Trump Is Leading a Revolution That Is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/17/trump-leading-revolution-destroying-america">Destroying
America</a>.


feed_id: 241692d39430d2550a4d7aa120dbf9c5
title: Refusal to merge consciousness with car
uri: Refusal-to-merge-consciousness-with-car
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Refusal_to_merge_consciousness_with_car%29

content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; 
<a href="https://local.theonion.com/luddite-in-2070-refuses-to-merge-consciousness-with-sel-1840480408">local
Luddite Thomas Berkshire reportedly refused</a> to merge consciousness
Tuesday with his new self-driving 2070 Hyundai Elantra.


feed_id: 785f2fa5c38789eea0323ee656e43196
title: Ex-Im Bank reauthorized to support planet-roasting projects
uri: Ex-Im-Bank-reauthorized-to-support-planet-roasting-projects
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Ex-Im_Bank_reauthorized_to_support_planet-roasting_projects%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/12/17/omnibus-extends-ex-im-bank-seven-years">Congress
quietly reauthorized</a> the Ex-Im Bank to support planet-roasting
projects for 7 years.
<p>
This defeat follows a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#11_December_2016_(Export-Import_Bank)">long
struggle which succeeded in stopping it for a time</a>.


feed_id: 1b2254940b91c4b1a46496edbf881533
title: Obama deploys ageism against Sanders
uri: Obama-deploys-ageism-against-Sanders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#20_December_2019_%28Obama_deploys_ageism_against_Sanders%29

content:
<p>
Plutocratist politician Obama 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/17/barack-obama-old-white-men">deploys
ageism against Sanders</a>.


feed_id: f6ac77121c7aae26a8fbaef47aa7d3e1
title: Skying in the alps
uri: Skying-in-the-alps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#21_December_2019_%28Skying_in_the_alps%29
content:
<p>
By 2050, half the ski resorts in the Alps won't have enough snow <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/19/snow-machines-fleece-blankets-inside-ski-industry-battle-with-climate-change-alpine-resorts">unless they
generate it artificially</a>.

<p>
It is OK if they do so, as long as they can do it with renewably generated
electricity.  Wind power ought to work, since they can make the snow
in advance when the wind blows, then protect it until people want to use it.


feed_id: 703a221f05f3462b45d2b2ecc8754e5a
title: Keeping protesting
uri: Keeping-protesting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#21_December_2019_%28Keeping_protesting%29
content:
<p>
Indians have not been cowed by a ban on protests, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/19/india-citizenship-law-protesters-across-country-defy-ban">they have continued
protests in many cities</a> to hamper protests against <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#12_December_2019_(Everyone_oppression)">the discriminatory immigration law</a>.

<p>
This is despite the shutdown of  down internet and phone service in Delhi 
and other places.


feed_id: 81c5e1d369e40cb5a2db3fefb03f704b
title: Health under Tories
uri: Health-under-Tories
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#21_December_2019_%28Health_under_Tories%29
content:
<p>
Northern Ireland nurses went on strike for 12 hours because Tory
budget cuts <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/19/nurse-staffing-levels-northern-ireland-strike-patients">have made hospitals unsafe</a>.

<p>
The Tories plan to reduce those cuts, but not enough; their plans
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/19/nhs-pledges-conservatives-queens-speech-staffing-waiting-times">won't fix the staff shortage</a>.

<p>
*Woman dies in Welsh hospital <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/dec/19/woman-dies-after-waiting-on-street-for-six-hours-for-ambulance-wales">after six-hour wait for ambulance</a>.*

<p>
This sort of thing did not happen before the Tories took power in 2010.


feed_id: 309f8f74c74479f8547ae753f153caae
title: Consulting the people
uri: Consulting-the-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#21_December_2019_%28Consulting_the_people%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand will hold a referendum to decide whether <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/19/new-zealands-euthanasia-and-cannabis-referendums-will-rightly-give-power-to-the-people">to legalize
assisted suicide (only for people expected to die within 6 months
anyway), and an advisory poll about legalizing marijuana</a>.


feed_id: 63943d4c2bbe6754e9ff1cc5d9393914
title: Rallies for impeachment
uri: Rallies-for-impeachment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#21_December_2019_%28Rallies_for_impeachment%29
content:
<p>
600 rallies for impeachment <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/18/hundreds-thousands-take-streets-all-50-states-simple-message-congress-time-impeach">were held across the US on December 17</a>.

<p>
I thought about participating in a protest, and definitely wanted to
post info about them.  I couldn't do either one, because the site
which presented the info didn't function for me, due to nonfree
Javascript code.


feed_id: a0fbd3a72db14f117a6837c03aa8e8e2
title: Wealth taxes
uri: Wealth-taxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#21_December_2019_%28Wealth_taxes%29
content:
<p>
Some easy ways for the US to tax the rich more, that might be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/dec/18/six-tax-based-ways-to-tackle-us-income-inequality">easier to
enforce than a wealth tax</a>.

<p>
Each of these measures would be an improvement, but I think that to
make them effective enough requires blocking the methods that rich
people use to shelter their estates and their income from taxation.
The article does not raise that issue.

<p>
A wealth tax would also avoid that issue.


feed_id: eb0d679b1fbb3a303f18d5b1a2ada475
title: Medical priorities
uri: Medical-priorities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#21_December_2019_%28Medical_priorities%29
content:
<p>
US medical research still gives low priority to medical problems only
women encounter &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/dec/18/women-have-been-woefully-neglected-does-medical-science-have-a-gender-problem">even if they affect large numbers of women</a>.


feed_id: bf5a31f699fb7b765a5e6f4ce9a3f39d
title: Urgent: McConnell can't be judge
uri: Urgent-McConnell-can-t-be-judge
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#21_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_McConnell_can%27t_be_judge%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/mcconnell-recuse">call on Senator McConnell</a> to recuse himself as effective judge
in the conman's trial in the Senate.

<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 6df38346ba0119b9b54e495089c35273
title: Global heating and wine
uri: Global-heating-and-wine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#21_December_2019_%28Global_heating_and_wine%29
content:
<p>
Global heating effects <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/18/australias-heatwave-and-bushfires-create-ominous-conditions-for-wine-industry">threaten Australia's wine industry this year</a>.

<p>
Is there any chance that the massive losses <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> is causing
now could pull Australia's government away from fossil-fool policies?


feed_id: 6a4cdfa6b1c9f469592dbfaca4ec05db
title: Hydrogen fuel
uri: Hydrogen-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#21_December_2019_%28Hydrogen_fuel%29
content:
<p>
Proposing a small international tax on fuel for ships, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/18/zero-carbon-ships-on-horizon-under-fuel-levy-plan">to develop
ships that run on hydrogen fuel</a>.

<p>
I am surprised by the idea of using ammonia as fuel.  What would that
do with the nitrogen?  Combining it with oxygen would be very
undesirable.


feed_id: b5c260ade6b21fa15168812b00844d84
title: Measles spreading
uri: Measles-spreading
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#21_December_2019_%28Measles_spreading%29
content:
<p>
In Samoa, measles spread in clinic waiting rooms.  The staff did not
comprehend how easily measles spreads, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/18/these-babies-should-not-have-died-how-the-measles-outbreak-took-hold-in-samoa">and did not take precautions</a>.

<p>
I wish the article had said what precautions they should have taken.


feed_id: 2da497126a913e94758810011fbdb408
title: Boko Haram is expanding
uri: Boko-Haram-is-expanding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#21_December_2019_%28Boko_Haram_is_expanding%29
content:
<p>
Boko Haram has expanded into part of Burkina Faso, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/dec/18/we-might-be-next-families-flee-as-burkina-faso-tips-into-chaos">half a million
people have been driven from their homes there</a>.


feed_id: 362e55b3224dd2510f15e69d79e4c5f0
title: Barr loyalties
uri: Barr-loyalties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#21_December_2019_%28Barr_loyalties%29
content:
<p>
Common Cause: Attorney General Barr <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/17/william-barr-must-be-removed-letter-urges-congress-impeach-attorney-general">gives his loyalty to the conman
rather than to the United States</a>.


feed_id: ca7bf42e2eb25b733c219b8f79cc8f3f
title: Methane leak
uri: Methane-leak
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#21_December_2019_%28Methane_leak%29
content:
<p>
A frack well had a blowout, and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/17/so-called-bridge-fuel-leads-hell-blowout-exxonmobil-fracking-site-among-nations">produced one of the largest methane
leaks ever observed in the US</a>.

<p>
I have a suspicion that as these wells get older they will be more likely
to break and leak.


feed_id: c993963c843871e3b5d55073ef264593
title: Still separating families
uri: Still-separating-families
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#21_December_2019_%28Still_separating_families%29
content:
<p>
US border thugs told a mother <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/17/outraged-response-forces-us-border-patrol-allow-19-year-old-mother-stay-sick-newborn">they would deport her but keep her sick baby in a hospital</a>.  She would very likely never have seen it again.


feed_id: a5d532b042a1b36c10a92037b4c1df9c
title: Removing disinformation accounts
uri: Removing-disinformation-accounts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Removing_disinformation_accounts%29

content:
<p>
Twitter is deleting accounts used for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/dec/20/twitter-blocks-accounts-saudi-arabia-manipulation-effort">state-organized disinformation
and propaganda</a>.


feed_id: ca02ed7374f32806b19661aa489e1c31
title: Stopping protests with arrests
uri: Stopping-protests-with-arrests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Stopping_protests_with_arrests%29

content:
<p>
13-year-old Izzy Raj-Seppings led her father to a protest outside the
residence of Australia's prime minister because of the immediate disaster
that his planet-roasting policies have caused.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2019/dec/21/im-the-13-year-old-police-threatened-to-arrest-at-the-kirribilli-house-protest-this-is-why-i-did-it">The thugs broke up the
protest by arresting protesters</a>.


feed_id: b79777e67c8cefcd3156de495c6f8723
title: Tied to uprisings
uri: Tied-to-uprisings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Tied_to_uprisings%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing Washington State Representative Matt Shea has been <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2019/12/20/alecs-washington-state-chair-engaged-domestic-terrorism-report-concludes/">tied to
three armed uprisings against the US government</a>.

<p>
Right-wing governments stretch the law to imprison unarmed, nonviolent
protesters that protect the environment or human rights.  Will anyone
dare prosecute the right-wing rebel, Shea?


feed_id: 95c30ba6868ff2ba75a7b3363b220aa8
title: Raising funds from billionaires
uri: Raising-funds-from-billionaires
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Raising_funds_from_billionaires%29

content:
<p>
Warren and Sanders criticized Buttigieg, and also Biden, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/20/elizabeth-warren-traps-pete-buttigieg-standing-billionaires-wine-caves/">for raising funds
from billionaires</a>.


feed_id: 6ff36d276a58ac5504d4ee805083f301
title: Labour antisemitism
uri: 2019-12-22-Labour-antisemitism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Labour_antisemitism%29
content:
<p>
*Smoke without fire: the myth of <a href="https://mondoweiss.net/2019/12/smoke-without-fire-the-myth-of-a-labour-antisemitism-crisis/">a ‘Labour antisemitism crisis’</a>*.

<p>
The US and France are both trying to prohibit opposition to Israel's
occupation of Palestine by <a href="https://www.972mag.com/palestinian-rights-zionism-antisemitism/">identifying that with antisemitism</a>.


feed_id: 935247f23d0ca69d209d4a83d6f9e702
title: Sadism
uri: Sadism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Sadism%29
content:
<p>
The sadist has forced 57,000 refugees to stay in the most violent part
of Mexico, just across the US border, where they are not allowed to
work.  But they can't go home, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/20/immigration-remain-in-mexico-policy-border-migrants">since they will be killed there too</a>.


feed_id: 010fd58624c0ab8b5322c4808e90f13b
title: Presenting disasters
uri: Presenting-disasters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Presenting_disasters%29
content:
<p>
Presenting a coming disaster as a disaster <a href="https://cosmicshambles.com/words/blogs/jennyrohn/amr-messaging">is effective for raising concern
in high-school students</a>.

<p>
Most adults may disregard it, but they disregard "don't scare 'em"
presentations too.  I figure it is better to be honest than hide the
truth.


feed_id: 2a55efefcdbf5fd9274ef470ac4aec0e
title: Killing for pipelines
uri: Killing-for-pipelines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Killing_for_pipelines%29
content:
<p>
Canadian <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> discussed killing nonviolent protesters to drive a
deadly pipeline <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/20/canada-indigenous-land-defenders-police-documents">through their land to the Pacific Ocean</a>.

<p>
There is no room <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#26_October_2013_(The_carbon_budget)">in the carbon budget for any new fossil fuel facilities</a>, except perhaps if they are redundant and useless.


feed_id: c3e6aa8a8fcf1d53dbc2d7a67ff4e764
title: Denunciation of militarism
uri: Denunciation-of-militarism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Denunciation_of_militarism%29
content:
<p>
A denunciation of militarism from 1909 <a href="http://commonwonders.com/militarism-the-delusion-lives/">is still valid today in the US</a>.


feed_id: 8d8a12ab9f3bc33b72bf3bb626aef011
title: Duty regarding climate change
uri: Duty-regarding-climate-change
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Duty_regarding_climate_change%29

content:
<p>
*Dutch supreme court upholds landmark ruling <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/20/dutch-supreme-court-upholds-landmark-ruling-demanding-climate-action">demanding climate action</a>.*

<p>
*Court rules Dutch government has duty to protect citizens’ rights in
face of climate change.*


feed_id: d816e9e0162b8f64130ce29903305d1f
title: Punishing Millennials
uri: Punishing-Millennials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Punishing_Millennials%29
content:
<p>
*Sanders Report Shows How Millennial Generation Is 'Being Punished
 <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/18/sanders-report-shows-how-millennial-generation-being-punished-crushing-student-debt">With Crushing Student Debt and Low-Paying Jobs</a>'.*


feed_id: 3f6bbb33017c82cf535dae9c8220ea7e
title: Billionaires controlling charities
uri: Billionaires-controlling-charities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Billionaires_controlling_charities%29

content:
<p>
A loophole permits billionaires to take a tax deduction for
"donations" to charity and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/18/google-billionaire-larry-pages-400-million-philanthropic-sleight-hand-raises">then control what the charity spends the
money on</a>.


feed_id: a043294c21dc52082aa93e106bf45120
title: Removal after impeachment
uri: Removal-after-impeachment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Removal_after_impeachment%29
content:
<p>
*Evangelical Christian magazine calls for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/19/trump-evangelical-christian-magazine-impeachment">Trump's removal after impeachment</a>.*

<p>
It looks like impeachment could be a great victory against the conman
politically even if he isn't removed from office by the Senate.


feed_id: 57aeae4ac6483de027af8ebab370470e
title: Procrastination
uri: Procrastination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Procrastination%29
content:
<p>
*2019 has been a year of climate disaster. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/20/2019-has-been-a-year-of-climate-disaster-yet-still-our-leaders-procrastinate">Yet still our leaders procrastinate</a>.*


feed_id: f8a9dcbe80bfb52b0d3702e1e978c600
title: Urgent: convict the conman
uri: Urgent-convict-the-conman
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_convict_the_conman%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/senate-convict-impeachment_pa/">call on the Senate</a> to convict the conman and remove him from office.

<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 57e3702752f506d754d30e45e8143149
title: Voter ID
uri: 2019-12-22-Voter-ID
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Voter_ID%29
content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; the House GOP 
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/gop-turns-dozens-of-house-democrats-away-from-impeachme-1840517918">turned
away dozens of Democrats from impeaching President Donald Trump</a>
Wednesday after determining they did not have adequate voter ID.


feed_id: 8e4f5a564f70d1f01750ab78ec8938f8
title: A carbon-neutral world
uri: A-carbon-neutral-world
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28A_carbon-neutral_world%29
content:
<p>
*Is a carbon-neutral world possible by 2050? Yes&hellip;  but 
<a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/06/the-world-will-be-carbon-neutral-by-2050-but-at-what-cost/">the
longer it takes, the more expensive it will become</a>.*
<p>
I think adopting 2050 as the target is going too slow.


feed_id: f699d37dd012b669f1ae800ba264ad85
title: US water crisis
uri: US-water-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28US_water_crisis%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/19/looming-us-water-crisis">The
US water crisis</a>: toxic pollution today in many cities, and water
shortage coming in a few decades.
<p>
Both problems are due to bad government policies set up by the
plutocratic system that has substituted itself for democracy.


feed_id: b0e3ccbbbe1b5b7c1feb48bcc7cbe785
title: China's surveillance network
uri: China-s-surveillance-network
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Chinas_surveillance_network%29
content:
<p>
China is developing a surveillance network that tracks people through
phones, face recognition, and other things, and gives every
level of the state 
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/17/technology/china-surveillance.html">total
repressive control over everything people do</a>.
<p>
Similar repression is coming to your country too, if you don't stop
it.
<p>
The article doesn't mention tracking people through payments, but the
state is working to make that inescapable too.
<p>
Some Chinese people object to this, but the crushing power of the
state gives them little chance to oppose it.
<p>
To prevent that requires preventing anyone from collecting data about
people's daily activities &mdash; where you go, what you do there, and
who you talk with.  Laws about how to use the data will prove in
effective because the state will make exceptions for itself.  (The
recently proposed US privacy bill 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_November_2019_(Data_privacy_bill)">does
not cover government activities at all</a>.)  The government will say
this is to catch criminals or stop terrorism &mdash; and it probably
will do those things <em>also</em>, but so what?


feed_id: 67e25a7236dd5db93de95e035b00214a
title: Acceleration of Greenland's ice sheet
uri: Acceleration-of-Greenland-s-ice-sheet
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Acceleration_of_Greenlands_ice_sheet%29

content:
<p>
*Greenland's ice sheet 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/10/greenland-ice-sheet-melting-seven-times-faster-than-in-1990s">melting
seven times faster than in 1990s</a>.*
<p>
The forecast global sea level rise by 2100 is now 67 cm.  However, I
expect considerably more, because the models are based on
well-established phenomena and tend to underestimate.


feed_id: e076e9ee40d7b82193692014749a7034
title: China cuts 'freedom of thought'
uri: China-cuts-freedom-of-thought
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28China_cuts_freedom_of_thought%29

content:
<p>
*China 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/18/china-cuts-freedom-of-thought-from-top-fudan-university-charter">cuts
'freedom of thought'</a> from top university charters.*


feed_id: dbd19c09ca0820b84044bb5ff5f4f4ca
title: Insecurity of Amazon Ring cameras
uri: Insecurity-of-Amazon-Ring-cameras
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Insecurity_of_Amazon_Ring_cameras%29

content:
<p>
Amazon Ring cameras are 
<a href="https://www.ringsafetywarning.com/">insecure even in the
usual narrow sense of the term</a>.  This is in addition to the
insecurity imposed on society as a whole by the tracking they are
intended to do.
<p>
Please do not refer to the acts of security-breaking as "hacking".
Please call them "cracking", to distinguish 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/on-hacking.html">what we
hackers do</a> from them.


feed_id: a037913738d670ebb56ab9f80af1e539
title: Corruption investigation in Brazil
uri: 2019-12-22-Corruption-investigation-in-Brazil
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Corruption_investigation_in_Brazil_%29

content:
<p>
A corruption investigation has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/18/bolsonaro-brazil-corruption-raids-investigation-flavio-bolsonaro">searched
homes of Bolsonaro's son and his associates, as well as a store they
are accused of operating as a cover</a>.
<p>
However, the year's delay in doing this has offered plenty of time to
cover up any evidence there might be.


feed_id: 1d598d84f0df39f15934315f08e845cc
title: Benefit of mowing lawns less
uri: Benefit-of-mowing-lawns-less
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Benefit_of_mowing_lawns_less%29
content:
<p>
Mowing lawns less is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/19/lawn-mowing-reduction-can-help-wildlife-says-study">good
for ecosystem health and human health</a>.


feed_id: 104d49770b5f48fb6305b99219c55695
title: Fired for stating opinion
uri: Fired-for-stating-opinion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Fired_for_stating_opinion%29
content:
<p>
A UK employment tribunal 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/dec/18/judge-rules-against-charity-worker-who-lost-job-over-transgender-tweets">ruled
that people can be fired</a> for denying, as a general statement, the
possibility of changing sex.
<p>
I don't agree with that opinion, but people should not be punished for
stating it.  It is an error to suppose that it must inevitably lead
the speaker to say anything whatsoever about any individual.
<p>
With gender-neutral words and 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/genderless-pronouns.html">pronouns</a>,
it is easy to talk about a person in ways that are entirely respectful
without ever identifying per as a "man" or a "woman".


feed_id: e7c65d8c43b1485ab86203ff54cca556
title: Absurd charges against Evo Morales
uri: Absurd-charges-against-Evo-Morales
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Absurd_charges_against_Evo_Morales%29

content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/18/warrant-for-arrest-of-evo-morales-issued-in-bolivia">Warrant
for arrest of Evo Morales</a> issued in Bolivia.*
<p>
The charges are absurd exaggerations;
they remind me of how many governments place charges on protesters.


feed_id: f1c232c3c58285a98ff1c9f3b1d8f830
title: The A to Z of troll's impeachable offenses
uri: The-A-to-Z-of-troll-s-impeachable-offenses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28The_A_to_Z_of_trolls_impeachable_offenses%29

content:
<p>
*The 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/19/a-z-trump-impeachment/">A
to Z of Things</a> Trump Could and Should Have Been Impeached For.*


feed_id: 72e78064dcbb2e81335f4fe65c592045
title: Impeachment not enough
uri: Impeachment-not-enough
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Impeachment_not_enough%29
content:
<p>
*The US Senate must show America, and the world, that there are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/19/impeaching-donald-trump-is-not-enough-the-case-for-conviction">consequences
for presidents who abuse their power</a>.*


feed_id: 39e0f42cc7b08e9e36cf0caf428a60ff
title: Pyrocumulonimbus clouds
uri: Pyrocumulonimbus-clouds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Pyrocumulonimbus_clouds%29
content:
<p>
Large fires can generate pyrocumulonimbus clouds, which can 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/20/scientists-fear-surge-in-supersized-bushfires-that-create-their-own-violent-thunderstorms">send
embers miles away where they can start new fires</a>.
<p>
They also generate lightning, which can start new fires closer by.
<p>
All of Australia could burn up if this cycle really gets going.


feed_id: 3bbdacd70cb380ca1c9493781dae11c5
title: The right to die
uri: 2019-12-22-The-right-to-die
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28The_right_to_die%29
content:
<p>
Paul Lamb, paralyzed except for his head, is condemned by UK law to
perhaps decades of pain and a useless life.  He tried to sue to
authorize people to help him if he decides to commit suicide, but 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/dec/19/right-to-die-campaigner-paul-lamb-fails-to-overturn-ban">the
court rejected the case</a>.
<p>
People would be prosecuted even for helping him go to Switzerland,
where he could get assistance for suicide.


feed_id: 7e79ca9c8071e41bfdaea95af52230aa
title: Proposal to phase out use of PFAS chemicals
uri: Proposal-to-phase-out-use-of-PFAS-chemicals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#22_December_2019_%28Proposal_to_phase_out_use_of_PFAS_chemicals%29

content:
<p>
The EU is considering a proposal to 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/19/pfas-chemicals-europe-phase-out/">phase
out nearly all use of PFAS chemicals</a> &mdash; ALL the kinds of PFAS
chemicals &mdash; by 2030.


feed_id: d8c733a7cced0b6bd46e6a81c1e3a9d2
title: Monitoring
uri: Monitoring
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Monitoring%29
content:
<p>
*Purchasing devices that constantly monitor, track and record us for
convenience or a sense of safety <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/18/google-nest-or-amazon-ring-just-reject-these-corporations-surveillance-and-dystopic">is laying the foundation for an oppressive future</a>.*

<p>
I agree, but we who do not want to be monitored, tracked and recorded
must go beyond that.  <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/real-privacy-laws.html">We must prohibit systems that systematically monitor, track or record people</a>.


feed_id: ce4111bf659dc45d200aa8c4b96d01a2
title: Women's March Global Worldwide Protests
uri: Women-s-March-Global-Worldwide-Protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Women%27s_March_Global_Worldwide_Protests%29

content:
<p>
Women's March Global Worldwide Protests Against the Rollback of Women's Human
Rights <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/12/18/womens-march-global-worldwide-protests-against-rollback-womens-human-rights-take">To Take Place 18 January 2020</a>.

<p>
I would like to promote these rallies and participate in one.  I hope
the organizers arrange to let people to find the rallies without being
required to run nonfree Javascript software on their own computers to
get the information.


feed_id: 83874f78f61c3019c59a34ad6a62860a
title: Removing the twin towers
uri: Removing-the-twin-towers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Removing_the_twin_towers%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://entertainment.theonion.com/united-93-director-announces-remastered-edition-digit-1840507803">satire</a>) "In order to avoid forcing people to relive the trauma of
   9/11, we are working with a graphics team to remove the Twin Towers
   from all the background shots of United 93 for the upcoming remastered
   release."


feed_id: 408e6af648e6f1297f679a121263e22c
title: Polite Gesture
uri: Polite-Gesture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Polite_Gesture%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/insurance-company-annoyed-customer-doesn-t-realize-they-1840508147">satire</a>) *&hellip; employees at Humana
   Insurance were becoming annoyed Wednesday with a customer who did not
   seem to realize that offers to pay for healthcare were just supposed to
   be a polite gesture.*


feed_id: 9a4d3924d5e949ee9e6ec5d4a4122fbd
title: Fossil fuels support
uri: Fossil-fuels-support
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Fossil_fuels_support%29
content:
<p>
A poll found that around 45% of Americans demand a rapid and drastic
reduction in fossil fuels.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/10/most-americans-support-phasing-out-fossil-fuels-isnt-worth-headline">Over 40% want a reduction, but slower</a>.

<p>
That leaves at most 15% that could possibly support continuing government
subsidization and promotion of fossil fuels.


feed_id: 10ddec28a21f91a063b0942e7f04b1b5
title: A ballet of sorts
uri: A-ballet-of-sorts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28A_ballet_of_sorts%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/chinese-government-justifies-mass-surveillance-by-expla-1840539084">satire</a>) *Chinese government officials defended their move toward mass
surveillance Thursday by explaining that life was a grand
performance, a ballet of sorts, that they were privileged to bear
witness to.*

<p>
If a tree falls in the forest where there is no surveillance camera,
did it really fall?


feed_id: f97e4e2e02811c8f6fc7a2cbec391be4
title: Location tracking data
uri: Location-tracking-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Location_tracking_data%29
content:
<p>
US data brokers sell location tracking data for cell phones, with the
phone numbers.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/19/story-cellphone-tracking-most-important-article-you-should-read-today-period">Even in places such as the Pentagon</a>.

<p>
If foreign countries or criminal gangs can track the movements of
officials and military officers, it might conceivably be useful for
planning a small attack of some sort.  I doubt it would make much
difference for a major attack.

<p>
However, if the US government can track the movements of dissidents,
whistleblowers, and journalists, that can devastate our democracy.

<p>
Both are dangerous to Americans, <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">but the latter is much more dangerous</a>.


feed_id: 754ea84b9d755be9ac547ea6fba43921
title: Fighting for surprise billing
uri: Fighting-for-surprise-billing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Fighting_for_surprise_billing%29

content:
<p>
*[Senator] Schumer Revealed as Key Industry Ally <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/20/schumer-revealed-key-industry-ally-defeat-effort-curb-surprise-billing">in Defeat of Effort
to Curb Surprise Billing</a>.*

<p>
Stated less tersely, Senator Schumer, a plutcoratist Democrat,
privately pushed hard to protect hospitals' right to charge you
thousands of dollars that your medical plan won't cover, if any one
the separate billable treatments or services you received when you
were unconscious in the emergency room was provided by someone outside
of the plan's network.


feed_id: 3c446628beaacdaff3c791d55ebb72da
title: Whistleblowers
uri: 2019-12-23-Whistleblowers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Whistleblowers%29
content:
<p>
The right-wing UK government has proposed a law <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/dec/20/journalists-union-criticises-plans-for-new-official-secrets-laws">that would treat national
security journalists and their sources as spies</a>.

<p>
This is the sort of policy under which Obama <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-may-aug.html#20 June 2010 (Bradley Manning arrested)">has prosecuted many
whistleblowers</a>, and which his administration <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#27_November_2018_(Prosecuting_Julian_Assange)">planned all along to apply</a>
to Julian Assange.


feed_id: 3d57105d10466653ae9af0022b83ad8c
title: Market manipulation
uri: Market-manipulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Market_manipulation%29
content:
<p>
There were suspicious large stock trade and futures contracts in advance
of statements by the conman <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/18/house-democrats-demand-probe-suspicious-stock-trades-surrounding-economy-shifting">that caused changes in stock prices</a>.

<p>
This is a natural kind of crime for a conman.


feed_id: 2c88e9ecc1a04a2323d84a7237d6fea3
title: Barbara Lee got it right
uri: Barbara-Lee-got-it-right
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Barbara_Lee_got_it_right%29
content:
<p>
*'I Was Wrong': Bernie Sanders Admits Barbara Lee Only Member of Congress in 2001 <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/20/i-was-wrong-bernie-sanders-admits-barbara-lee-only-member-congress-2001-who-had-it">Who Had it Right on Afghan War</a>.*


feed_id: 0ae302ec38151e1d52d039ed27bfc62b
title: Johnson will break promises
uri: Johnson-will-break-promises
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Johnson_will_break_promises%29
content:
<p>
*Johnson will break his Brexit promises. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/20/johnson-break-brexit-promises-labour-forensic-exposing">Labour must be forensic in exposing
this</a>.*


feed_id: a4175815d154b1b77cdff20605ad3238
title: War crimes investigations
uri: War-crimes-investigations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28War_crimes_investigations%29
content:
<p>
*ICC to investigate <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2019/dec/20/icc-to-investigate-alleged-israeli-and-palestinian-war-crimes">alleged Israeli and Palestinian war crimes</a>.*


feed_id: b867fc20606709a63afdb8eb65ddfe07
title: Vitamin E
uri: Vitamin-E
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Vitamin_E%29
content:
<p>
It appears that the recent rash of disease caused by vaping is due
to a specific additive, Vitamin E acetate.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/dec/20/vitamin-e-acetate-most-likely-caused-us-vaping-injuries-say-experts">Perhaps vaping itself
is not dangerous</a> (though tobacco sure is).


feed_id: c33ee7864c465f9de7ada50b027e49b0
title: One person protests
uri: One-person-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28One_person_protests%29
content:
<p>
Under Russia's absurd repression, protests are permitted as long as there
is only one protester.  But someone found an excuse <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/20/russian-climate-activist-inspired-by-thunberg-is-jailed">to jail climate striker
Arshak Makichyan anyway</a>.


feed_id: 3d0c9cacb873eb185a5e8b0b006f6848
title: Sentenced to death for blasphemy
uri: Sentenced-to-death-for-blasphemy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Sentenced_to_death_for_blasphemy%29

content:
<p>
Pakistan has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/21/death-sentence-for-pakistani-lecturer-junaid-hafeez-in-blasphemy-case-prompts-outcry">sentenced
Junaid Hafeez to death for blasphemy</a>.  The trial was a political
abuse, since it didn't bother to prove what he actually said.  But
even if that had been proven, nothing can justify punishing people for
criticizing a religion.
<p>
This menace is one of the reasons I have never gone to Pakistan.


feed_id: fb4a333996cc7ca8fc6e0d74128f5ad0
title: Republicans' reliance on voter suppression
uri: Republicans-reliance-on-voter-suppression
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Republicans_reliance_on_voter_suppression%29

content:
<p>
*Top [conman] adviser: Republicans 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/21/trump-adviser-republicans-voter-suppression">have
'always' relied on voter suppression</a>.*
<p>
The fact that they no longer bother to hide this testifies to their
belief that they have seized power so firmly that the public does not
matter.


feed_id: a7eed231cfadad9b6a15a3e1fcf0cd76
title: Pro-Trump social media network with AI-generated faces
uri: Pro-Trump-social-media-network-with-AI-generated-faces
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Pro-Trump_social_media_network_with_AI-generated_faces%29

content:
<p>
*Facebook & Twitter ban pro-Trump network that 
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/12/20/facebook-twitter-kill-55-mil.html">reached
55 million accounts with AI-generated faces</a>, Epoch Media Group and
Falun Gong links identified.*


feed_id: a491edb67fb09f86a5251db787916224
title: EU's mandatory automated copyright filters
uri: EU-s-mandatory-automated-copyright-filters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28EUs_mandatory_automated_copyright_filters%29

content:
<p>
The EU's mandatory automated copyright filters are being implemented
in national laws, and they 
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/12/20/fat-fingered-disaster.html">will
tend to support the dominance of the giant platforms such as Youtube.


feed_id: 34c4ff6ce873f5f0f1552f93400a2a00
title: The WTO
uri: 2019-12-24-The-WTO
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28The_WTO%29
content:
<p>
Attempting to explain 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/20/good-riddance-wto">why
the US wanted weak global trade rules from the 1940s to the 1980s,
then strict rules, and is now turning back to weak rules</a>.
<p>
The fact that the WTO cannot render judgments against countries means that
<a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">businesses cannot use it
to make countries eliminate good laws</a>.  However, the WTO has not
been eliminated.  The TRIPES agreement (Trade-Restricting Impediments
to Production, Education and Science) is still in force, with its
requirement for unjust patent law and unjust copyright law.


feed_id: e15a52c2866236f28c4832ca05c692a3
title: Bullshitter's cult
uri: Bullshitter-s-cult
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Bullshitters_cult%29
content:
<p>
Understanding the bullshitter's supporters as 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/20/understand-trump-you-must-understand-his-cult">a
cult</a>.  He fits the profile of a cult leader.


feed_id: 47e0a0a7cd601c8275ed3e518fafa0e2
title: Consequences of foreign interventions
uri: Consequences-of-foreign-interventions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Consequences_of_foreign_interventions%29

content:
<p>
Perhaps the US should be obligated to 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/12/09/what-do-we-owe-to-people-whose-countries-we-have-broken/">welcome
as refugees all the people who are compelled to flee by the
consequences of its foreign interventions</a>.  That rule would make
officials less eager to intervene.
<p>
A proper statement of the real rule of a pottery store is,
"If you break it, you have to pay full price for the pieces."
<p>
Unfortunately, no one knows how to fix a country that has been
devastated in this way, not even with billions to spend.  The Marshall
Plan worked well in western Europe, but that may be because the
beneficiary countries already had traditions of democracy, business,
unions, and other things, which only needed to be resuscitated.


feed_id: 4a51ea9413d67425cf1c66c23bb49834
title: New Zealand reduces danger of mass shootings
uri: New-Zealand-reduces-danger-of-mass-shootings
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28New_Zealand_reduces_danger_of_mass_shootings%29

content:
<p>
New Zealand gun owners 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/21/new-zealand-police-say-56000-guns-and-194000-parts-handed-over-in-buyback">handed
in (and were paid for) 56,000 now-prohibited guns, and almost 200,000
now-prohibited gun parts</a>.
<p>
Since such guns are no longer being sold there, I think these guns
represent a permanent decrease in the danger of mass shootings.


feed_id: 2be1027357c1147338a230d245d27297
title: Fighting for surprise billing
uri: 2019-12-24-Fighting-for-surprise-billing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#23_December_2019_%28Fighting_for_surprise_billing%29

content:
<p>
*[Senator] Schumer Revealed as Key Industry Ally <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/20/schumer-revealed-key-industry-ally-defeat-effort-curb-surprise-billing">in Defeat of Effort
to Curb Surprise Billing</a>.*

<p>
Stated less tersely, Senator Schumer, a plutocratist Democrat,
privately pushed hard to protect hospitals' right to charge you
thousands of dollars that your medical plan won't cover, if any one
the separate billable treatments or services you received when you
were unconscious in the emergency room was provided by someone outside
of the plan's network.


feed_id: b80c9729e1511ccabf270ad4abe828b0
title: Political rewilding
uri: Political-rewilding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#24_December_2019_%28Political_rewilding%29
content:
<p>
George Monbiot argues for "political rewilding" &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/18/demagogues-power-rewilding-party-trust-power-government">allowing politics
to evolve without being centrally managed by parties</a>.


feed_id: 5f6c759888983acaa3878ee501beaa4b
title: Blocking humanitarian aid
uri: Blocking-humanitarian-aid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#24_December_2019_%28Blocking_humanitarian_aid%29
content:
<p>
Russia and China vetoed a Security Council resolution to authorize
delivery of humanitarian aid to rebel areas in Syria.  Without this,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/21/mike-pompeo-china-russia-syria-turkey-iraq">the UN will block the aid at checkpoints on behalf of Assad</a>.

<p>
US sanctions against Iraq used to block trade in food and medicine.  Nowadays that is happening to Venezuela.

<p>
It is wrong when the US does this,
and wrong when Russia and China do it.


feed_id: 99dfa5d422e7311fd54627b72c6917c1
title: Volunteer demining
uri: Volunteer-demining
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#24_December_2019_%28Volunteer_demining%29
content:
<p>
Cambodian Aki Ra <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/oct/22/whistles-warnings-kaboom-a-day-with-a-landmine-clearance-team-cambodia">leads an unofficial volunteer team of deminers</a>. 

<p>
It would be nice if a few team members could establish new teams.


feed_id: 6de0a10cba050c092006e54c6194c358
title: Support for responsible agriculture
uri: Support-for-responsible-agriculture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#24_December_2019_%28Support_for_responsible_agriculture%29

content:
<p>
A poll by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that majorities of
voters in some agricultural states would favor candidates <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/19/farm-state-voters-see-soil-solution-agricultures-woes">that will
offer support for agricultural practices that protect the environment
and the soil</a>.


feed_id: 39a170c13e69bad84ed2c1dc72959faa
title: Crackdown on protests intensifies
uri: Crackdown-on-protests-intensifies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#24_December_2019_%28Crackdown_on_protests_intensifies%29

content:
<p>
*'They Are Turning India Into Kashmir': <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/19/they-are-turning-india-kashmir-government-crackdown-intensifies-protest-movement?cd-origin=rss">Government Crackdown Intensifies as
Protest Movement Grows Across Subcontinent</a>.*


feed_id: 9a2ba1f012791bc8fa040f889cc2f746
title: Rather plutocratists than them
uri: Rather-plutocratists-than-them
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#24_December_2019_%28Rather_plutocratists_than_them%29

content:
<p>
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is choosing plutocratist candidates, even ex-Republicans, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/19/democrats-republicans-senate-2020/">rather than progressive candidates</a>.


feed_id: a6c2e7b719e845a66d93bd9be67f8838
title: Buttigieg supports
uri: Buttigieg-supports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#24_December_2019_%28Buttigieg_supports%29
content:
<p>
*In 'Mind-Blowing Omission,' Buttigieg Campaign <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/18/mind-blowing-omission-buttigieg-campaign-failed-disclose-wall-street-power-brokers">Failed to Disclose Wall Street
Power Brokers in Release of Major Fundraisers</a>.*


feed_id: 991f4613b247c921f393579901683807
title: Rejecting threatening apps
uri: Rejecting-threatening-apps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#24_December_2019_%28Rejecting_threatening_apps%29
content:
<p>
*US Navy bans TikTok from mobile devices <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/dec/21/us-navy-bans-tiktok-from-mobile-devices-saying-its-a-cybersecurity-threat">saying it's a cybersecurity threat</a>.*

<p>
It is, and that is a wise choice,  However, lots of apps are threats to your
personal data security &dash; and so are <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/malware-google.html">Android</a> and <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/malware-apple.html ">iOS</a> themselves. The wisest choice is to reject them all.


feed_id: 94bbc84b07dee38c50005a511405b367
title: Not nationalist enough
uri: Not-nationalist-enough
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#24_December_2019_%28Not_nationalist_enough%29
content:
<p>
One Labour activist says that Corbyn <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/21/labour-older-voters-corbyn-local-socialism">wasn't nationalist enough to
satisfy older voters</a>.  "He fundamentally believes British lives are of
equal value to the lives of others."


feed_id: 8304b10468bb983fb2db0f192e4a9623
title: Laws on sleeping on the sidewalk
uri: Laws-on-sleeping-on-the-sidewalk
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#24_December_2019_%28Laws_on_sleeping_on_the_sidewalk%29

content:
<p>
If I understand this article, the Supreme Court has affirmed an
appeals court decision <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/12/16/supreme-court-affirms-homeless.html">overturning a city law prohibiting sleeping on
the sidewalk</a>.


feed_id: cf525853ed50c18a5a54a1120b4225ef
title: Buying to gouge
uri: Buying-to-gouge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#24_December_2019_%28Buying_to_gouge%29
content:
<p>
"Private equity" funds buy companies so as to gouge someone <a href="https://mattstoller.substack.com/p/why-private-equity-should-not-exist">or use a loophole to cheat someone</a>.

<p>
Senator Warren has proposed rules that would block the cheating.  I
don't see that they would block the gouging, though, whether the
victims are diabetics or the US government.  I suppose an additional
change in law is needed for that.

<p>
I see this part of a broader destructive pattern in US business, the
inclination to strip every asset as fast as possible rather than
protect it for continued service.  I wonder whether this is generally
due to bad rules about corporate governance, reporting and finance.


feed_id: 591cc594ee3d3c0cf0c9b5c56dbddbcb
title: Not delivering
uri: Not-delivering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#24_December_2019_%28Not_delivering%29
content:
<p>
Wisconsin made a sucker contract with Foxconn whereby it would pay
Foxconn to build a factory there and manufacture displays.  Foxconn
didn't do that, and has been vague about what if anything it would
build in Wisconsin or do there, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/13/21020885/foxconn-wisconsin-deal-renegotiate-tax-subsidy-lcd-factory-plant">but it seems to want to get the
subsidy anyway</a>.

<p>
I have a theory that Foxconn is changing the deal repeatedly in hopes
of making the state officials anxious about whether they will get the
too-expensive factory (and putative jobs) that Foxconn promised, to
make them so desperate for "a deal" that they will pay for nothing but
the show of a success.

<p>
I advocate a federal law forbidding states and cities <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/states-union.html">from competing to be
the site of a company's business</a>.


feed_id: 91bf0ffd9ebe19668e0cc3795c4ede42
title: Not news
uri: Not-news
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#24_December_2019_%28Not_news%29
content:
<p>
At least 450 ersatz news sites mainly publish right-wing propaganda <a href="https://www.cjr.org/tow_center_reports/hundreds-of-pink-slime-local-news-outlets-are-distributing-algorithmic-stories-conservative-talking-points.php">disguised
as news</a>.


feed_id: 97b6a317c2255965a9d7f6533140c046
title: Please change your name
uri: Please-change-your-name
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#24_December_2019_%28Please_change_your_name%29
content:
<p>
Not the Onion: Lyft told some users &mdash; including Cara Dick and Nicole
Cumming that <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/12/19/lyft-said-their-real-names-are.html">their accounts would be cancelled if they did not change
their names</a>.

<p>
This impudent demand is a secondary injustice.  The primary injustice
is that Lyft demands the passenger's name at all.  It should be
illegal to ask for that.  Taxi companies should use an anonymous
payment system <a href="http://taler.net">such as GNU Taler</a>
and respect users' anonymity.


feed_id: e60dda15f7133b1e17daacad5b332e5f
title: Tying children
uri: Tying-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#24_December_2019_%28Tying_children%29
content:
<p>
Many schools in Illinois <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/illinois-school-restraints#173374">tie children down as a punishment</a>.  This often results in injury to the child.


feed_id: 00217782ce46782e9d89f812492b2add
title: Christmas cards from forced labor
uri: Christmas-cards-from-forced-labor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#25_December_2019_%28Christmas_cards_from_forced_labor%29

content:
<p>
Foreign prisoners appear to be subject to forced labor making Christmas
cards for western companies.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/23/inside-chinese-qingpu-prison-forced-labour-claims-tesco-christmas-card">One
card contained a note from a prisoner</a>.


feed_id: 08a5047b2dbde7ed6dd34367db4fdceb
title: Snooping on students' communications
uri: 2019-12-26-Snooping-on-students-communications
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#25_December_2019_%28Snooping_on_students_communications%29

content:
<p>
Republicans
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/23/republicans-mass-shootings-school-surveillance">want
to make all public schools surveil students' communications</a>,
supposedly to discourage killings, although no one knows whether it
would reduce killings or increase killings.


feed_id: 38575dcd3dbc001f3484fc34380a7a52
title: Algorithmic housing discrimination
uri: Algorithmic-housing-discrimination
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#25_December_2019_%28Algorithmic_housing_discrimination%29

content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">Saboteur</a> of Housing wants to make housing discrimination allowable
as long as it is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/22/trump-housing-plan-would-make-bias-by-algorithm-nearly-impossible-to-fight">laundered
through a biased algorithm</a>.


feed_id: fd707ee562563bb3aacb73647c7a228b
title: Republican scheme for limiting Medicaid funds
uri: Republican-scheme-for-limiting-Medicaid-funds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#25_December_2019_%28Republican_scheme_for_limiting_Medicaid_funds%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/22/gop-and-zombie-medicaid-block-grants">The
Republican scheme to limit funds for Medicaid</a> to assure some sick
poor people will go untreated, or become homeless after paying for it.


feed_id: 688fd4e17247d4594058478d8ff008a4
title: EPA standards for particulate pollution levels
uri: EPA-standards-for-particulate-pollution-levels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#25_December_2019_%28EPA_standards_for_particulate_pollution_levels%29

content:
<p>
*The Experts Have Spoken: Disbanded Particulate Pollution Panel Finds
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/22/experts-have-spoken-disbanded-particulate-pollution-panel-finds-epa-standards-dont">EPA
Standards Don’t Protect Public Health</a>.*
<p>
Particulate levels allowed by current standards have been demonstrated
to cause an increased death rate.


feed_id: f793ed4bcc6c925b3edd685e20da2c19
title: Writing Wall Street out of 2008 financial crisis
uri: Writing-Wall-Street-out-of-2008-financial-crisis
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#25_December_2019_%28Writing_Wall_Street_out_of_2008_financial_crisis%29

content:
<p>
The
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/17/2008-financial-crisis-study/">Ongoing
Effort</a> to Write Wall Street Out of the 2008 Financial Crisis.
<p>
It works by focusing on small-time cheaters rather than
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2008-sep-dec.html#07%20December%202008%20(Misled%20into%20signing%20mortgages)">the
banks that swindled millions of Americans out of their homes through
filing fraudulent foreclosure papers</a>.


feed_id: 758ca4f499d303b50433189b44191890
title: Border thug teams that search and jail travelers
uri: Border-thug-teams-that-search-and-jail-travelers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#25_December_2019_%28Border_thug_teams_that_search_and_jail_travelers%29

content:
<p>
The US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/19/secret-cbp-team-targeting-and-detaining-innocent-travelers-were-suing">special
teams that search and jail travelers</a>, sometimes based on mere
hunches without any concrete grounds or evidence.  The ACLU is suing
to find out more about them.


feed_id: 835d383911fc670f2072c515ed3f0fb0
title: Teachers on strike
uri: Teachers-on-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#26_December_2019_%28Teachers_on_strike%29
content:
<p>
Macron's pension cuts now affect public school teachers, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/10/last-straw-teachers-france-join-nationwide-strike">so they went
on strike too</a>.


feed_id: 9646719f8361c246116726a06c5f9786
title: Governed by systems
uri: Governed-by-systems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#26_December_2019_%28Governed_by_systems%29
content:
<p>
Human behavior choices are strongly governed by systems (physical and
social).  If the goal is to change people's patterns of using energy,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/10/we-cant-do-it-ourselves">changing the infrastructure is the effective way</a>.

<p>
For instance, the construction of bicycle lanes (often separated) in
Boston and Cambridge may make a big difference in how much people
commute by bicycle.  Having more frequent buses would encourage
a lot of people to give up their own vehicles.


feed_id: 2921852f7cb631fb5bed6617518e9432
title: Refusing entry to refugees
uri: Refusing-entry-to-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#26_December_2019_%28Refusing_entry_to_refugees%29
content:
<p>
* &hellip; residents of
Burleigh County, North Dakota, rejected a proposal that would have
made the county the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/10/emotional-meeting-north-dakota-residents-talk-county-officials-out-trumpian-plan-ban">first in the nation to refuse entry to refugees</a>.*


feed_id: ee0717d28daa46114b607c4b1ab84ba7
title: Stopping wars
uri: Stopping-wars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#26_December_2019_%28Stopping_wars%29
content:
<p>
*If we don’t start holding the Washington DC foreign policy
establishment to account [for launching and continuing wars that
unjustified and/or stupid], <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/10/the-afghanistan-war-is-more-than-a-1-trillion-mistake-its-a-travesty">they will continue to act with impunity</a>.*


feed_id: 792c7c63471b8c5f170d5efaa77d316b
title: Attacked outside China
uri: Attacked-outside-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#26_December_2019_%28Attacked_outside_China%29
content:
<p>
A prominent Hong Kong protester was arrested incommunicado and subject
to forms of torture, so he fled to Australia.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/10/hong-kong-democracy-protester-says-he-was-ambushed-by-masked-chinese-men-in-australia">Chinese people came to his home in Australia and attacked him</a>.

<p>
I wonder how they knew where to find him.  Perhaps Huawei had
something to do with that.


feed_id: 306943ac8e8e413ef73369c5422d3918
title: Bribing a minister
uri: Bribing-a-minister
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#26_December_2019_%28Bribing_a_minister%29
content:
<p>
An ex-minister of public security in Mexico, who retired to the US,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/10/mexico-genaro-garcia-luna-sinaloa-cartel-drug-cartel">has been charged with taking bribes to protect a powerful drug cartel</a>.

<p>
With so much money, the cartel was sure to find someone to bribe.


feed_id: 3d8669a93e67f5bb91daab67d9db1213
title: Farmers and greenhouse emissions
uri: Farmers-and-greenhouse-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#26_December_2019_%28Farmers_and_greenhouse_emissions%29

content:
<p>
New Zealand calls on farmers to reduce greenhouse emissions in 5 years
or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/24/ardern-tells-new-zealand-farmers-to-cut-carbon-emissions-or-face-penalties">be included in a national emissions-trading system</a>.

<p>
The argument that some farms would rather stop operating or that this
would lead to more imports is specious, since that would happen only
if the government allows unsustainable foreign farms to undercut
sustainable local farms.  To prevent that, <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">New Zealand need only put a suitable import duty on food, and abrogate any business-supremacy treaties</a> that get in the way.


feed_id: 5860a4efe2cd078d13706c989209386a
title: Discrimination against Muslims
uri: Discrimination-against-Muslims
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#26_December_2019_%28Discrimination_against_Muslims%29

content:
<p>
The anti-Muslim discrimination of India's new immigration bill, plus
the planned expulsion of those who can't prove citizenship back almost
50 years, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/12/they-will-lock-us-up-or-just-kill-us-muslims-fearful-in-west-bengal">add up to discriminatory expulsion of lots of Muslims</a>.


feed_id: dc8b039f3bab941fe7a801b13be784b3
title: Criminalization of Dissent
uri: Criminalization-of-Dissent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#26_December_2019_%28Criminalization_of_Dissent%29
content:
<p>
*How the Prosecution of Animal Rights Activists As Terrorists <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/12/animal-people-documentary-shac-protest-terrorism/">Foretold Today’s Criminalization of Dissent</a>.*


feed_id: 396ddeb7f41cd7054844d2fb5b51ecad
title: Delaying medical treatment
uri: Delaying-medical-treatment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#26_December_2019_%28Delaying_medical_treatment%29
content:
<p>
In a Gallup survey of Americans, 1/4 said someone in their families
delayed medical treatment for a serious illness &mdash; in the past year
alone &mdash; <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/09/setting-gallup-record-quarter-americans-say-they-or-family-member-delayed-medical">because of its expense</a>.

<p>
This shows the extent of the disaster that US medical gouging has become.
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#3_August_2018_(Publicly-owned_drug_manufacturer)">We need Medicare for All</a>.


feed_id: 4ece93fd1f16c1900007e97673e7d2cb
title: Becoming carbon neutral
uri: Becoming-carbon-neutral
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#26_December_2019_%28Becoming_carbon_neutral%29
content:
<p>
The UK's biggest coal-burning electric plant <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/dec/10/drax-owner-plans-worlds-first-carbon-negative-business">has a questionable plan
to become carbon-neutral</a>.

<p>
There are three problems with this plan.


feed_id: d3625840fef4891af082efd9b87c28b4
title: They were warned
uri: They-were-warned
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_December_2019_%28They_were_warned%29
content:
<p>
*Home affairs (ministry) warned Australian government of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/24/home-affairs-warned-australian-government-of-growing-climate-disaster-risk-after-may-election">growing
climate disaster risk after May election</a>.*

<p>
The Australian government is a blackwhiting bunch of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a>.
They know who they serve, and they flatly deny that it causes any
problems.


feed_id: c3670da67f45ca4661ef343df696b875
title: Bullshit verdict
uri: Bullshit-verdict
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_December_2019_%28Bullshit_verdict%29
content:
<p>
The verdict on the trial of (some of) Jamal Khashoggi's murderers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/23/saudi-arabia-accused-of-mockery-of-justice-over-jamal-khashoggi-trial">was
bullshit</a>.

<p>
*Saud al-Qahtani: who is fixer <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/23/saud-al-qahtani-saudi-fixer-khashoggi">cleared by Saudis over Khashoggi murder</a>?*


feed_id: 484f44c20376f77936f37ac3aa265415
title: Wonderful teaching
uri: Wonderful-teaching
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_December_2019_%28Wonderful_teaching%29
content:
<p>
What the movie It's a Wonderful Life teaches <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/23/its-wonderful-life-bankers">about banks and politics</a>.


feed_id: d887279074942ba4ee5845c22c0089a3
title: Reindeer threatened
uri: Reindeer-threatened
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_December_2019_%28Reindeer_threatened%29
content:
<p>
Global heating <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/23/weatherwatch-reindeer-adapted-snow-climate-change">threatens reindeer</a>.


feed_id: 8dc63826c3546b76a842b8d5792072df
title: Urgent: release Chelsea Manning
uri: Urgent-release-Chelsea-Manning
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_release_Chelsea_Manning%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: call on the judge <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-free-chelsea-manning-now">to release Chelsea Manning from jail</a>.


feed_id: 03eb3809f1b22e84f153700417798ad0
title: Monitoring everyone
uri: 2019-12-27-Monitoring-everyone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_December_2019_%28Monitoring_everyone%29
content:
<p>
Attorney General Barr has ordered federal agencies to design a system
to monitor everyone in the US <a href="https://www.mintpressnews.com/william-barr-formally-announces-orwellian-pre-crime-program/262504/">for possible murderous intentions
(specifically, mass shootings)</a>.

<p>
No one knows of a reliable way to tell whether any given person might
turn to murder, which means no amount of surveillance will be
"enough".  Great excuse to demand to monitor more and more of
everyone's life.

<p>
The plutocracy of the US <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-may-aug.html#12_August_2014_(US_deaths_from_lack_of_medical_care)">is already killing many Americans every year</a>.  Increased surveillance will make that worse; by comparison, all
murders don't add up to much.


feed_id: e6f58056d4c77f81acc30c5c22d448ab
title: Bring the money
uri: Bring-the-money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_December_2019_%28Bring_the_money%29
content:
<p>
Almost 600 UK companies have helped rich suspects bring funds into the UK,
using 17,000 shell companies.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/oct/24/superyachts-and-private-jets-spending-of-corrupt-super-rich-revealed">The money amounts to over 300 billion dollars</a>.


feed_id: 04bc3c640c2e7cb901df3ae4246d59da
title: 10 times your usual fire
uri: 10-times-your-usual-fire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_December_2019_%2810_times_your_usual_fire%29
content:
<p>
Australia has wildfires every year, but the current fires have burned
more than 10 times what typically burns in a year.  Even rainforests
have burned recently, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/25/factcheck-why-australias-monster-2019-bushfires-are-unprecedented">because they have got no rain</a>.


feed_id: 4d19f25b3374006f6c97c74214915587
title: Torturing activist
uri: Torturing-activist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_December_2019_%28Torturing_activist%29
content:
<p>
*Don't Forget That Saudi Arabia Is Imprisoning and Torturing <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/24/loujain-al-hathloul-torture-saudi-arabia/">Women's Rights Activist Loujain al-Hathloul</a>.*


feed_id: f3c5df86b0ea53aacffca8be9e49773a
title: Restarted factories' jobs
uri: Restarted-factories-jobs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_December_2019_%28Restarted_factories%27_jobs%29
content:
<p>
When Chinese companies restart defunct US factories, the jobs they
create <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/24/chinese-western-factories-workers-american-factory-globalisation-british-steel">are nowhere near as good as factory work used to be</a>.

<p>
In effect, US manufacturing workers are competing, person for person,
with workers in China, Mexico, Vietnam, and wherever &mdash; <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">due to business-supremacy treaties</a>.


feed_id: 0a5d0a1b17fb38ae05408a19c9b3a034
title: Urgent: publish proposed budgets
uri: Urgent-publish-proposed-budgets
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_publish_proposed_budgets%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/ask-us-presidential-candidates-to-produce-basic-federal-budgets">call on US presidential candidates</a> to publish basic
proposed federal budgets.


feed_id: d834efa3eae7648aad63b9baf174e392
title: Urgent: investigate Rep. Nunes
uri: Urgent-investigate-Rep-Nunes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_investigate_Rep._Nunes%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-investigate-devin-nunes">call on Congress</a> to investigate Rep. Nunes for handling
the Trump/Russia investigation corruptly while he was committee head.


feed_id: e899a8b49961d5e679e39bd824b29bdd
title: Political exploitation
uri: Political-exploitation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_December_2019_%28Political_exploitation%29
content:
<p>
*Mike Bloomberg Exploited Prison Labor to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/24/mike-bloomberg-2020-prison-labor/">Make 2020 Presidential Campaign Phone Calls</a>.*


feed_id: a3aa6d7d6d15f1e37861db34101221ce
title: A certain vision of ethics
uri: A-certain-vision-of-ethics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_December_2019_%28A_certain_vision_of_ethics%29
content:
<p>
The London Stock Exchange has a list of "ethical investment" suggestions
which includes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/dec/22/ftse-leaves-coal-and-oil-firms-and-g4s-on-ethical-investment-list">companies that work on fossil fuel, even coal, as well
as a prison company</a>.


feed_id: 3a7ab8a119a8b3e90c305ac1f3fe9f94
title: Rohingya people abused again
uri: Rohingya-people-abused-again
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#27_December_2019_%28Rohingya_people_abused_again%29
content:
<p>
Bangladesh <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/dec/24/i-want-to-tell-of-our-suffering-comms-crackdown-puts-rohingya-on-mute-bangladesh-coxs-bazar">is cutting off communication for Rohingya refugees</a>.  This helps conceal the conditions that the refugees have to live in.


feed_id: a2f546f93d6d1ee8ed5d8beb66df3a36
title: New pun: dispositive
uri: New-pun-dispositive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_December_2019_%28New_pun%3A_dispositive%29
content:
<p>
A: Next time a group of people asks me to run a nonfree program
   with them, I will say "No thanks."<br />
B: Why so negative?<br />
A: It's not negative, it's dispositive.


feed_id: 44021c303c447b586961233d5df4dd1b
title: Demands to treat words as taboo
uri: Demands-to-treat-words-as-taboo
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_December_2019_%28Demands_to_treat_words_as_taboo%29

content:
<p>
There are so many words that various people demand we treat as taboo,
replacing them with an initial, that it is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/dec/23/from-b-word-to-q-word-alphabet-of-offence">difficult
to tell which word some initial letters stand for</a>.
<p>
If you would like people to change their terminology, you should
present it as a request, not a demand, and offer reasons aiming them
to convince them.  For instance, I ask people to refer
to <a href="https://gnu.org/gnu/linux-and-gnu.html">the operating
system which is basically GNU with Linux added</a> as "GNU/Linux",
rather than confusingly and unfairly calling it "Linux".  I 
<a href="https://gnu.org/gnu/why-gnu-linux.html">show reasons why this
is the right thing to do</a>.
<p>
Likewise 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/on-hacking.html">when I ask people to call
security-breaking "cracking"</a> to distinguish it from what we
hackers do.
<p>
But I do not make this a demand.  When people decline, without
hostility, to make the change I ask for, I do not rebuke them for that
refusal, and I will cooperate with them in many ways (there are a few
exceptions relating to publicity) nonetheless.


feed_id: 52bf8dbee8e4ba9a77e9a4be1ca88120
title: Boeing CEO dismissed
uri: Boeing-CEO-dismissed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_December_2019_%28Boeing_CEO_dismissed%29
content:
<p>
Boeing's board has dismissed its CEO, Mullenberg, who 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/dec/23/boeing-ousts-chief-executive-dennis-muilenburg">risked
plane crashes in order to save money</a>.
<p>
It may not be easy for Boeing to find a new CEO who gives safety
priority.  His leadership would not have trained subordinate managers
to adopt that attitude, and Boeing has no US large competitors to get
one from.
<p>
The statement by Carl Tobias raises a different moral concern: "The
CEO just seemed to be insufficiently responsive to deep public
concerns about [safety]."  Should the executives of an aircraft
manufacturer prioritize "public concerns" about safety, or safety
itself?  The former is part of a somewhat broader idea of business
success.


feed_id: 715427b6392b4280c8ff572dd8e9303f
title: The business of surprise medical bills
uri: The-business-of-surprise-medical-bills
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_December_2019_%28The_business_of_surprise_medical_bills%29

content:
<p>
Buttigieg says he wants to ban surprise medical bills, but one of his
campaign fundraising supporters is an executive of Blackstone, which
has 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/24/pete-buttigieg-health-care-blackstone-teamhealth/">built
up the business of surprise medical bills</a>.
<p>
His campaign said that donors get no influence on his positions in
exchange for their money, but 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/23/pretty-brazen-stuff-email-shows-top-buttigieg-fundraiser-offering-campaign-influence">one
of his fund-raisers seemed to say the contrary</a>.
<p>
There is no logical contradiction between accepting donations from an
executive of a company and calling for a ban on one of the ways it
does business.  But it would put him under pressure to change that
position for one that the company would like better, if he were
elected.
<p>
Or perhaps Buttigieg is already doing the main thing that company
wants: rejecting Medicare for All.  Perhaps that is what he gives to
Blackstone for its money.


feed_id: 829bc38722fe208f952026e78c78935b
title: Clinton and her campaign tried to distract
uri: Clinton-and-her-campaign-tried-to-distract
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_December_2019_%28Clinton_and_her_campaign_tried_to_distract%29

content:
<p>
Clinton and her campaign have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/24/hillary-clinton-called-me-a-russian-asset-the-establishment-is-losing-their-grip">tried
to paint Jill Stein as serving Putin</a> as a distraction from the
rational reasons Americans didn't vote for her.


feed_id: 06ad2e5962568a3b3aa3b61910437cf1
title: Ignoring "race"
uri: Ignoring-race
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_December_2019_%28Ignoring_race%29
content:
<p>
*While many on the left now reject gender categories, they seem
determined to enshrine racial categories.* However, some now argue 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/23/race-unlearn-blackness-thomas-chatterton-williams">it
may be possible for society to "unlearn race"</a>.
<p>
From all I have read, the distinction we understand to exist between
races was no part of people's thinking in the ancient world.  If they
could ignore "race", it must be doable.
<p>
If you know for a fact that many people are likely to classify you in
a certain category &mdash; black, white, male, female, or whatever
&mdash; it would be silly to deny that fact, or the way it may affect
your life.  But you don't have an obligation to define your sense of
identity on that basis merely because other people do.


feed_id: 2cb35e800d6a37df40786a75691ffee2
title: Tories shrug off antimuslimism
uri: Tories-shrug-off-antimuslimism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#28_December_2019_%28Tories_shrug_off_antimuslimism%29

content:
<p>
When The Tories are accused of antimuslimism, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/23/boris-johnson-reneged-inquiry-islamophobia-british-muslims">they
shrug it off and get away with it</a>.
<p>
How different from 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#7_May_2016_(Labour_suspends_officials_for_antisemitism)">the
way the Labour party was treated when accused of antisemitism</a>,
often for just barely stepping across someone's sharp line.
<p>
I think this double standard, and others, defeated Labour.


feed_id: e0683548c275041dfb7390a1f431dba6
title: Business supremacists for fossil fuel
uri: Business-supremacists-for-fossil-fuel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_December_2019_%28Business_supremacists_for_fossil_fuel%29

content:
<p>
Imagine a business-supremacy treaty designed specifically to bar laws
that would reduce fossil fuel use.  It's called the Energy Charter
Treaty, and negotiations <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/dec/09/energy-treaty-risks-undermining-eus-green-new-deal">were held a couple of weeks ago</a>.

<p>
All treaties with ISDS clauses (I Sue Democratic States) are an attack
on democracy, and <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">they must all be destroyed</a>.  But this one is even worse, because it threatens people's lives as well as their control
over their governments.

<p>
Can anyone find out what happened in those negotiations, a couple of weeks ago?


feed_id: 8d9fefe30b50161a18614f341092f201
title: A reason for Bolivia coup
uri: A-reason-for-Bolivia-coup
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_December_2019_%28A_reason_for_Bolivia_coup%29
content:
<p>
*Evo Morales Says He Is 'Absolutely Convinced' US Led Coup in Bolivia <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/25/evo-morales-says-he-absolutely-convinced-us-led-coup-bolivia-exploit-lithium">to
Exploit Lithium Reserves</a>.*


feed_id: 511074b3a82299ab471a29c280a825a6
title: Mainstream Bloomberg
uri: Mainstream-Bloomberg
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_December_2019_%28Mainstream_Bloomberg%29
content:
<p>
*Michael Bloomberg’s Blatant Lies About Terrorism Show That <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/26/michael-bloomberg-foreign-policy-terrorism/">He’s a Mainstream Politician</a>.*


feed_id: cb2084f5048a2119603f0b08b8746aaa
title: Getting dogs jobs
uri: Getting-dogs-jobs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_December_2019_%28Getting_dogs_jobs%29
content:
<p>
Farm dogs learn to work with a farm drone.  Elsewhere, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/dec/26/sky-shepherds-the-farmers-using-drones-to-watch-their-flocks-by-night">sheep learn to
follow a drone</a>.


feed_id: 2819429349afd2c3c8985104ca2cfa76
title: Courts against Erdoğan
uri: Courts-against-Erdoğan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_December_2019_%28Courts_against_Erdo%C3%84%C2%9Fan%29

content:
<p>
*Turkish court orders country's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/26/turkish-court-wikipedia-block-lifted">Wikipedia block to be lifted</a>.*

<p>
It is a pleasant surprise that a Turkish court goes against Erdoğan's
dictates.  I have a feeling he will not allow the verdict to stand.


feed_id: b6d322a644b4964784bc81351da47e5d
title: Rebuilding wetlands
uri: Rebuilding-wetlands
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_December_2019_%28Rebuilding_wetlands%29
content:
<p>
Removing dams and reintroducing some large animals <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/27/it-is-amazing-how-quickly-mother-nature-can-recover-restoring-ukraines-rich-wetlands-aoe">has rebuilt wetlands
in Ukraine</a>.


feed_id: e1475245ca1578ad5f635c91a1ca2bb6
title: Your children won't change the world
uri: Your-children-won-t-change-the-world
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_December_2019_%28Your_children_won%27t_change_the_world%29

content:
<p>
Comparing population growth to growth of traffic explains the fallacy
in the "self-soothing" conceit that <em>your</em> children <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/26/if-i-have-no-hope-for-the-planet-why-am-i-so-determined-to-have-this-baby">will make the
world better</a> (unlike most other people's children).

<blockquote>
"'Thinking your child will be part of the solution, not the problem, is
hubris.' We are the collapse. Our children are the collapse.
</blockquote>

<p>
That article is brilliant, but the author's reasoning errs at the end
when she asserts that her only choice, aside from reproducing and
regretting the harm that will do, is to be unwilling to "believe the
Earth can survive us."  The error is exaggeration of little hope into
zero hope.

<p>
"The Earth" here is a synecdoque and refers to Earth life as it exists
today.  The crucial point is that its chances of survival are not
<em>zero</em>, and they depend on what we do today.

<p>
In particular, its chances are greater if we don't add to the
population load it will have to cope with.  Each additional birth
makes it more difficult for the Earth to survive us, and that is a reason
not to have children.

<p>
But if you think survival is <em>impossible</em>, you might conclude you may
as well have a child and enjoy knowing per for 20 or 30 years till the
climate disaster gets you both.


feed_id: 02e2471008c3a6452582f2b0e2cc8436
title: Selective exaggerations
uri: Selective-exaggerations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_December_2019_%28Selective_exaggerations%29
content:
<p>
A study of a few people's patterns of reading news via smartphones
revealed that manipulative dis-services <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/05/uncovered-reality-of-how-smartphones-turned-election-news-into-chaos">choose which exaggerations and
distortions to show them</a>.

<p>
The authors of this article encourage that helpless attitude <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Consume">by using the word "consume"</a> to describe what people do with news items (and with
other publications).  If you don't want people to be foolish, don't
presuppose that there is no other way to be.


feed_id: 0a9dce6526e7ed6d47c4587193e7fb3c
title: Texas against youth
uri: Texas-against-youth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_December_2019_%28Texas_against_youth%29
content:
<p>
Texas is planning so much additional fossil fuel facilities <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/07/texas-permian-basin-shale-climate-crisis">that they
will guarantee world disaster</a>.

<p>
If you are young, these projects are likely to kill you in a few
decades.  If you want to act accordingly, what actions would that be?


feed_id: 1220bae51327fcf4a830d5f836437356
title: Preventing law reversal
uri: Preventing-law-reversal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_December_2019_%28Preventing_law_reversal%29
content:
<p>
DeVos wants to put shift debt into a separate government-controlled
corporation so that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/05/flat-out-corruption-devos-accused-scheming-stop-next-president-canceling-student">the next president won't be able to cancel it</a>.

<p>
It is a common Republican trick to reduce the authority of future
officials so they can't correct what the Republicans do today.
They have done this in some states when a Democratic governor
had been elected.


feed_id: bffed8047ae78e47ba85b08e84d91ca0
title: Cultural appropriation
uri: 2019-12-29-Cultural-appropriation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_December_2019_%28Cultural_appropriation%29
content:
<p>
Celebrated author Bernardine Evaristo <a href="https://reason.com/2019/12/03/bernardine-evaristo-cultural-appropriation-booker-prize/">denounces the concept of "cultural
appropriation" as something wrong</a>.


feed_id: f932b98cbd4f4c3b4f9b3b96549d84d2
title: Reduce violence
uri: Reduce-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_December_2019_%28Reduce_violence%29
content:
<p>
A plan to reduce violence in the most violent US cities, using the most
effective known methods, would save so much in non-costs of prevented
killings that it would be a great investment <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/10/us-gun-violence-thomas-abt">even in purely monetary
terms</a>.

<p>
That is aside from the virtue of saving lives and reducing fear.


feed_id: 633931f7f7f4c9db71b9020103066594
title: Guaranteed monthly income
uri: Guaranteed-monthly-income
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_December_2019_%28Guaranteed_monthly_income%29
content:
<p>
Stockton, California, is trying <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/10/town-gives-families-500-dollars-month-results">a guaranteed monthly income supplement</a>.


feed_id: 65ac29cda27c13898fc2b14b1c70e5ae
title: Collaborating with thugs
uri: Collaborating-with-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_December_2019_%28Collaborating_with_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Border thugs systematically board Greyhound buses passing through
Spokane, and pounce on people that look Hispanic (or otherwise likely
to be immigrants).  <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/10/border-patrol-greyhound-buses-spokane/">Greyhound facilitates this, although legally it
doesn't have to</a>.


feed_id: 304045a8df19a236742e9f905008115c
title: Drug companies fighting health
uri: Drug-companies-fighting-health
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_December_2019_%28Drug_companies_fighting_health%29

content:
<p>
Drug companies are lobbying to undermine a new Massachusetts law
to <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2019/12/23/pharmaceutical-industry-mounts-opposition-state-effort-curb-drug-costs/OlQAjYYeiJ7v5Zv7vkGbiN/story.html">hold down drug prices by pressuring weaker regulations to implement it</a>.


feed_id: 9e3026bb264acc5fd29fd4c06b517eea
title: State ownership of museums
uri: State-ownership-of-museums
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2019_%28State_ownership_of_museums%29
content:
<p>
*Billionaires rule the American art world. A radical response? 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/24/billionaires-rule-the-american-art-world-a-radical-response-nationalize-museums">Nationalize
museums</a>.*
<p>
State ownership of many museums seems to be pretty good in France,
though I am sure there is something to criticize, something I as a
non-artist would not know about.  But the US does not have the same
consensus about showing the nation's greatness through art, so I think
the result would be to close the museums.
<p>
Why do many billionaires support museums and other cultural
institutions?  It might just be a way to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#18_January_2016_(Billionaire_philanthropy)">present
themselves as "philanthropists"</a> to discourage criticism of their
harmful business practices.  For some, it is also a way of
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#5_February_2016_(David_Kochs_baneful_influence_on_NOVA)">ensuring
that those institutions don't become nuclei for criticism</a> of
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#2_June_2015_(Shell)">their
practices</a>.


feed_id: 89330fd8bf9f5a24427011932a7d42b8
title: India becoming brutal authoritarian state
uri: India-becoming-brutal-authoritarian-state
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2019_%28India_becoming_brutal_authoritarian_state%29

content:
<p>
*India Under Modi Is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/24/india-under-modi-becoming-brutal-authoritarian-state">Becoming
a Brutal Authoritarian State</a>.*
<p>
Even accused terrorists are welcome in public office if they are
Hinduists.


feed_id: 21b435b2695d6f9607989579c47520f2
title: Deportation of refugees to violent Guatemala
uri: Deportation-of-refugees-to-violent-Guatemala
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2019_%28Deportation_of_refugees_to_violent_Guatemala%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> has begun deporting refugees that came from violent Honduras
and violent El Salvador to violent Guatemala, where they can 
<A href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/24/other-americans-asylum-seekers-routed-guatemala">beg
or steal until their US asylum cases are heard</a>.


feed_id: b1c20b22524486d3fe23adbfa3cda079
title: Wildfires in Australia "out of control"
uri: Wildfires-in-Australia-out-of-control
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2019_%28Wildfires_in_Australia_out_of_control%29

content:
<p>
The head of Australian volunteer fighterfighters says that the
wildfires are "out of control" and accuses planet-roaster officials of
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/24/firefighters-australia-say-situation-out-control-prime-minister-denies-request">doing
little to help them cope with the magnitude of the job</a>.
<p>
They are reduced to asking for donations for crucial equipment.
Meanwhile, they can't afford to neglect their jobs for many months
without support.


feed_id: 3fff87f02d6a1e1543ecf784847be5ab
title: Internal email about freeze on aid to Ukraine
uri: Internal-email-about-freeze-on-aid-to-Ukraine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2019_%28Internal_email_about_freeze_on_aid_to_Ukraine%29

content:
<p>
An internal email shows that officials implementing the conman's
freeze on military aid to Ukraine 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/23/what-were-they-hiding-trump-critics-argue-explosive-white-house-email-shows-why-key">treated
it as a secret</a>, unofficially.


feed_id: 388105818f9769903566195bd61a3824
title: Urgent: gun safety
uri: Urgent-gun-safety
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_gun_safety%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.everytown.org/sign/US_Senate_VAWA_Include_Gun_Safety/">call on the Senate</a> to vote for gun safety provisions in
the Violence Against Women Act.


feed_id: b8d9d1cc80ff2ccdd5d8aa5063e52d19
title: Urgent: tax excessive CEO salaries
uri: Urgent-tax-excessive-CEO-salaries
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_tax_excessive_CEO_salaries%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-tax-excessive-ceo-salaries-combat-extreme-income-inequality?nowrapper=true">call on Congress</a> to tax excessive CEO salaries and thus reduce income inequality.


feed_id: e03a1fa95155d5b921c810de0ce62124
title: Silencing activist
uri: Silencing-activist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Silencing_activist%29
content:
<p>
Russia has silenced protest activist Ruslan Shaveddinov <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/26/anti-putin-activist-ruslan-shaveddinov-forcibly-conscripted-and-sent-to-arctic">by drafting
him and sending him to a remote Arctic island airbase without
bothering to give him any training</a>.


feed_id: 8e649a930c9cbc7c88734fb74a8f0ecc
title: Bernie Sanders can win
uri: Bernie-Sanders-can-win
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Bernie_Sanders_can_win%29
content:
<p>
*'People Should Take Him Very Seriously': Sanders Polling Surge
 Reportedly Forcing Democratic Establishment <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/26/people-should-take-him-very-seriously-sanders-polling-surge-reportedly-forcing">to Admit He Can Win</a>.*

<p>
*Here It Comes: Get Ready for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/27/here-it-comes-get-ready-stop-bernie-onslaught-youve-never-seen">a Stop-Bernie Onslaught Like You've Never Seen</a>.*


feed_id: 569aae08185350e0d079b36a7be48462
title: Resuming fishing
uri: Resuming-fishing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Resuming_fishing%29
content:
<p>
Protection of the sea bottom from bottom-trawling, off the US
northwest, has brought back fish stocks so well, in under 20 years,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/26/fishing-groundfish-trawlers-oregon-california-environment">that it has been possible to resume fishing in part of the area</a>.


feed_id: a85ac52cb5bb4f075c55f54f030ceada
title: War on Homeless
uri: War-on-Homeless
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28War_on_Homeless%29
content:
<p>
The War on Homeless <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/dec/26/theyve-turned-their-backs-on-us-californias-homeless-crisis-grows-in-numbers-and-violence">escalated in California in 2019</a>.


feed_id: 46d619634c575d98886ad994f07031f9
title: Condemned for fighting for democracy
uri: Condemned-for-fighting-for-democracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Condemned_for_fighting_for_democracy%29

content:
<p>
The UK is prosecuting Dan Newey for going to Syria to fight for
Rojava.  Now it has started investigating his relatives, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/dec/27/father-of-british-ypg-volunteer-in-syria-charged-with-terrorism-offences">perhaps for
helping him travel there</a>.  They are both accused of "terrorism" according to a twisted definition
of the word.


feed_id: b9b7b0b66e0011e2eb3c8260f821ea75
title: Anti-abortion bill
uri: Anti-abortion-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Anti-abortion_bill%29
content:
<p>
*A New [Pennsylvania] Anti-Abortion Bill <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/8xwyng/pennsylvania-fetal-burial-bill-death-certificates-for-miscarriage-abortion-fertilized-eggs-hb1890">Could Require Death
Certificates for Fertilized Eggs</a>.*

<p>
These Christianitist fanatics aim to go blatantly to the utmost
extreme simply to prove what extremists they are.


feed_id: e7c3c2cf44023e5557e6a8ebc7bb1b9b
title: Asking ICE for comment
uri: Asking-ICE-for-comment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Asking_ICE_for_comment%29
content:
<p>
The Harvard students that protested against ICE, the deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>
agency, condemned the Harvard Crimson for asking ICE for comments <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/10/23/harvard-student-journalists-respond-criticism-for-seeking-comment-from-ice/DRqAfmtUUm5wfK7cxLIZZN/story.html">before
publishing an article about the protest</a>.

<p>
I don't know the details of the criticism, but (as you can see from
previous political notes) I rebuke the deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> and might
very well have supported this protest.  At the same time, I praise the
Crimson in insisting on the rules of journalistic integrity.


feed_id: e7b78c20e57933db555dcca5ec7685a4
title: Oligarchy
uri: Oligarchy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Oligarchy%29
content:
<p>
The "Oligarchy" game demonstrates how a "free market" can create
social classes of poor and rich, <a href="http://brewster.kahle.org/2019/11/30/the-game-of-oligarchy/">just at random</a>.  It then proceeds to make one person the dictator or emperor.

For a market system to avoid its various instabilities requires
careful planning &mdash; planning by the state, since <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/why-we-need-a-state.html">it alone has the power to carry out such plans</a>.  But the state won't aim for this goal
unless it is effectively democratic.


feed_id: 6e630de643bdeef1ba038e6aa20d532e
title: Shooting the messenger
uri: Shooting-the-messenger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Shooting_the_messenger%29
content:
<p>
John Barnett was a quality manager in the production of Boeing 787s.
He found and reported <a href="https://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/news/200/john-barnett-on-why-he-wont-fly-on-a-boeing-787-dreamliner/">three systematic problems that threatened
passengers' safety, and management retaliated against him</a>.

<p>
One flaw is that 25% of the oxygen masks don't provide oxygen work
when activated.  Another flaw can cause fires, years down the line.
As for the defective parts that were installed secretly in planes,
they could cause various kinds of problems.

<p>
He tells his family not to fly on a 787.


feed_id: ea30d70833f0f5b57c50c334b92813e0
title: Buggy vote
uri: Buggy-vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Buggy_vote%29
content:
<p>
A late-model computerized voting machine system screwed up and said
that one candidate had received zero votes.  A hand recount determined
that that candidate <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/12/02/the-electronic-votes-said-he-l.html">had actually won the election</a>.

<p>
Has anyone seen more recent news?


feed_id: 9656108afde338544d37855cc2a77dd7
title: Pressuring doctors
uri: Pressuring-doctors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Pressuring_doctors%29
content:
<p>
*I was a drug rep. I know <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/i-was-a-drug-rep-i-know-how-pharma-companies-pushed-opioids/2019/11/25/82b1da88-beb9-11e9-9b73-fd3c65ef8f9c_story.html">how pharma companies pushed opioids</a>.*

<blockquote>
   "A good sales rep builds credibility with doctors by using
   scientific-seeming language to push the product and makes them feel
   subtly obligated to write more scrips."
</blockquote>

<p>
The author could pressure a doctor using data about the doctor's
prescribing patterns, obtained from data brokers that bought the
records from pharmacies.  This suggests we should legislate that any
given doctor's prescribing patterns are confidential, and punish
pharmacies from distributing them to anyone except a specific state
agency, which would also treat them as confidential.  This would take
away one of the sales reps' tools.

<p>
Increased competition and lower profit margins &mdash; which we need for
other reasons &mdash; would also reduce the amount of pushing that the
companies would do.


feed_id: d1fcf2f4bc475a6b024b610e2932a01d
title: Algorithmic accountability
uri: Algorithmic-accountability
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Algorithmic_accountability%29
content:
<p>
The "second wave" of studies on algorithmic accountability is taking
up questions about <a href="https://lpeblog.org/2019/11/25/the-second-wave-of-algorithmic-accountability/">which jobs algorithms should be used to do</a>.

<p>
I think the crucial underlying question about whether to job
algorithmically is whether to collect the data needed to do it
algorithmically.

<p>
Collecting data about people in a database is inherently threatening
and dangerous &mdash; <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">more so for some data than for others</a>.  If the algorithm requires dangerous data collection, that is a reason
not to use the algorithm.

<p>
It is a mistake to assume that the danger affects mainly "marginalized
communities".  Many dissidents come from marginalized communities,
because they campaign for justice for those communities.
Whistleblowers, by contrast, usually have to be insiders in order to
come across the secrets they reveal.  And we all depend on them,
whether our communities are marginalized or not, to give us the
opportunity to restrain our countries from crime and oppression.


feed_id: f3a468dd415606c9dc366eb38162cf42
title: Bus gratis
uri: Bus-gratis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#30_December_2020_%28Bus_gratis%29
content:
<p>
Kansas City, Missouri, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/06/now-lets-do-everywhere-kansas-city-missouri-approves-free-public-transit-all">has made use of city buses gratis</a>.

<p>
This not only helps the poor, it can also reduce car traffic and car pollution,
including greenhouse gas emissions.


feed_id: f1633c620ff411ae4afad5135633fbea
title: Collaborating with thugs
uri: 2019-12-30-Collaborating-with-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#29_December_2019_%28Collaborating_with_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> systematically board Greyhound buses passing through
Spokane, and pounce on people that look Hispanic (or otherwise likely
to be immigrants).  <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/10/border-patrol-greyhound-buses-spokane/">Greyhound facilitates this, although legally it
doesn't have to</a>.


feed_id: 42cbce92db1ead757b6163da9f6f5452
title: Urgent: Oppose large donors as ambassadors
uri: Urgent-Oppose-large-donors-as-ambassadors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_large_donors_as_ambassadors%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no-big-donors-ambassadors">call
on presidential candidates</a> to pledge not to nominate any large
donors and bundlers as ambassadors if elected.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 0423531d886cd1d6a4f9adf954a943b5
title: Pretending to "build democracy in Afghanistan"
uri: Pretending-to-build-democracy-in-Afghanistan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2019_%28Pretending_to_build_democracy_in_Afghanistan%29

content:
<p>
Former soldier Danny Sjursen reports on how all the soldiers in his
unit put on an act of "building democracy in Afghanistan", because
that 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/10/i-knew-war-afghanistan-was-lie">pretended
the command was succeeding</a>.


feed_id: a5c4e102c490c53126798fde126330a4
title: Bloomberg news publishes fallacious criticism
uri: Bloomberg-news-publishes-fallacious-criticism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2019_%28Bloomberg_news_publishes_fallacious_criticism%29

content:
<p>
Bloomberg news 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/24/despite-vow-not-probe-billionaire-owners-2020-rivals-bloomberg-news-runs-ridiculous">published
a fallacious criticism of Sanders and Warren</a>.  The article
presumes that criticizing a company is hypocritical if you don't
completely boycott that company.  That is too rigid.
<p>
I think they <em>should</em> reject Amazon totally &mdash; that's what
I do.  The reason they don't is that they see only part of the danger
of Amazon: the economic part.  They don't understand the harm that
Amazon does to each customer directly, through accumulating data and
imposing nonfree client software.
<p>
The other candidates don't understand that either, and neither does
Bloomberg News, so it is not in a position to criticize anyone else
for not understanding it.
<p>
The right thing to do about this problem is to teach more people
to recognize it and act accordingly.


feed_id: d0930d11327deac7cfd0ca3422e183e5
title: Repression in India
uri: 2019-12-31-Repression-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2019_%28Repression_in_India%29
content:
<p>
Modi's repressive regime has expelled a German student who 
<a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/govt-asks-german-exchange-student-to-leave-india-after-he-attends-caa-protest-in-iit-madras-1631078-2019-12-24">compared
his regime to the Nazi regime</a>.
<p>
His sign said, "1933-1945 &mdash; We have been there".


feed_id: 899f7e6b77a76be57f400aed1813a29b
title: Gifts for the rich, nutrition cuts for the poor
uri: Gifts-for-the-rich-nutrition-cuts-for-the-poor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2019_%28Gifts_for_the_rich%2C_nutrition_cuts_for_the_poor%29

content:
<p>
Scrooge-in-Chief: *Sanders and Tlaib Rip Trump 'Holiday Menu' of 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/25/just-about-cruelty-sanders-and-tlaib-rip-trump-holiday-menu-gifts-rich-and-nutrition">Gifts
for the Rich and Nutrition Cuts for the Poor</a>.*


feed_id: 1340c308e251f21f45f1331d930297a8
title: Tree plantations no substitute for natural forests
uri: Tree-plantations-no-substitute-for-natural-forests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2019_%28Tree_plantations_no_substitute_for_natural_forests%29

content:
<p>
Tree plantations are no substitute for natural forests.  The other
species that live in a forest 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/25/planting-trees-global-warming-natural-forests-plantations">can't
survive in a plantation</a>.
<p>
The Amazon forest is a sort of hybrid.  The precolombian inhabitants
planted useful trees, which 
still make up a large fraction of the
trees there, but these were native trees and they 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#21_October_2013_(16000_species_of_trees_in_Amazonia)">did
not wipe out the other tree species</a>.


feed_id: e2af3b197b3b567c48605fbac9362f77
title: US drone bombings in Afghanistan
uri: US-drone-bombings-in-Afghanistan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2019_%28US_drone_bombings_in_Afghanistan%29

content:
<p>
US drone bombings in Afghanistan grind on every day, killing enemies
and killing civilians, all 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/12/25/merry-christmas-us-drone-strikes/">rarely
mentioned in the US press because no American soldiers are present and
the government says hardly anything about the casualties</a>.
<p>
Any given Afghan civilian is not very likely to be killed in a drone
bombing in a given year.  But the author reports that millions of
children feel terror every time they hear drones circling.  How often
does that typically happen?  Perhaps, in some places, every day.
<p>
I don't think it is worse for people to be killed by drones than by
fighter-bombers, artillery, or guns.  The difference is in 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-jul-oct.html#16_October_2011_(US:_Drone_Bombers)">the
systems of war that these weapons fit into</a>.


feed_id: acda9420421234ef9f088e195b12ed66
title: The movement we need
uri: The-movement-we-need
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28The_movement_we_need%29
content:
<p>
*Bernie Sanders <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/11/27/bernie-sanders-movement-candidate-we-need">Is the Movement Candidate We Need</a>.* He will be the president we need, and leads the movement we need.


feed_id: 50b21270cc3c0fbb0b96da283abf5342
title: Demonizing sex workers
uri: Demonizing-sex-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Demonizing_sex_workers%29
content:
<p>
*Progressives Unveil New Bill to Investigate How Anti-Trafficking Law <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/17/progressives-unveil-new-bill-investigate-how-anti-trafficking-law-has-demonized-and">Has
'Demonized and Harmed' Sex Workers</a>.*


feed_id: ef1a7bf6358ec244d9315f73675a6037
title: Against paywalls for scientific article
uri: Against-paywalls-for-scientific-article
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Against_paywalls_for_scientific_article%29

content:
<p>
Many prestigious US universities have stated support for an expected
<a href="https://sparcopen.org/news/2019/sparc-letter-to-the-white-house-regarding-rumored-open-access-policy/">US government initiative against paywalls for scientific articles</a>.

<p>
Their campaign is weakened philosophically by the mistake of
advocating "open access" rather than <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/free-scientific-publishing.html">the stronger and deeper goal of
libre scientific publishing</a>.  However, it is possible that the publishers will make the articles
libre anyway, or that they won't bother to repress sharing even if
that isn't officially permitted.


feed_id: 9589c0c65acd33640c81a7d1cabe608e
title: Leaving people die in cells
uri: Leaving-people-die-in-cells
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Leaving_people_die_in_cells%29
content:
<p>
US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> put Carlos Gregorio Hernandez Vasquez in a cell and
did not have a doctor to look at him.  Next morning they found him
dead, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/05/impeach-trump-video-shows-final-hours-teens-horrible-death-us-immigration-detention">so they lied about what they had done</a>.

<p>
I don't think those <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> were exceptional.  It seems to be typical of
their agency.

<p>
Someone quoted in the article calls Hernandez Vasquez a "child",
apparently thinking we will feel more outraged that way.  I think the
US government should not do that to anyone regardless of per age.
Anyway, someone of age 16 is not a child.


feed_id: 15b7b73fa3d447fd8a60b444ec47b027
title: Hermit crab could be wiped out
uri: Hermit-crab-could-be-wiped-out
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Hermit_crab_could_be_wiped_out%29

content:
<p>
Plastic debris that washes up on beaches <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/05/plastic-pollution-hermit-crabs-species-decline-henderson-cocos-islands">acts as deadly traps for
hermit crabs, which could be wiped out by this</a>.


feed_id: ffba2f5a858f466b0c4e5d2a8dae0c36
title: Journalists considered foreign agents
uri: Journalists-considered-foreign-agents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Journalists_considered_foreign_agents%29

content:
<p>
People in Russia that work for foreign news media <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/03/putin-approves-law-targeting-journalists-foreign-agents">are now officially labeled
as "foreign agents" and in danger of prosecution</a>.


feed_id: 27d57b758d3ec6065d034e8a964a90f9
title: Hypersonic nuclear missiles
uri: Hypersonic-nuclear-missiles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Hypersonic_nuclear_missiles%29
content:
<p>
Russia claims to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/27/russia-deploys-first-hypersonic-missiles-nuclear-capable">have hypersonic nuclear missiles ready for launch</a>.

<p>
The ability to elude antimissiles may not make any difference since
there are no credible defense systems to stop ICBMs.  However, the
short travel time and the ability to strike anywhere from anywhere
could require governments to make a snap decision about whether to
retaliate.  This would increase the chance of nuclear war by mistake.

<p>
A world in which the US, Russia, China and other countries have
hypersonic nuclear missiles will face a bigger danger of nuclear war
than the world without them.  I think that stationing interceptor
missiles in space will destabilize the situation further, because
those could be wiped out by changing the trajectory of a piece of
space junk.

<p>
The sane way to deal with these weapons is by negotiating an
arms-limitation treaty to get rid of them.  This is what past US
presidents would have done.


feed_id: 083406967f992b828cbece13c22757bf
title: Can be used against anyone
uri: Can-be-used-against-anyone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Can_be_used_against_anyone%29
content:
<p>
*If Corbyn can be defeated with a libel <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/26/propaganda-and-defeat-jeremy-corbyn">it can work just as well on
Sanders</a>.*


feed_id: e45450ba29dc5f1ba46cb0875c46e489
title: Defying rules by running buses
uri: Defying-rules-by-running-buses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Defying_rules_by_running_buses%29

content:
<p>
Tel Aviv has started running buses on Saturdays, defying the demands
of Judaismists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/dec/28/secular-israel-sabbath-buses">who seek to impose their religious rules on others</a>.


feed_id: d477f9af3c465c93f40f4e540314d1c4
title: Valuing secularism
uri: Valuing-secularism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Valuing_secularism%29
content:
<p>
*My family are among those protesting<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/28/indians-protesting-secularism-modi-muslims">. It shows how much Indians value
secularism</a>.*


feed_id: 94f3a95a8b25df4cde1d0c65a75460c5
title: Removing the conman
uri: Removing-the-conman
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Removing_the_conman%29
content:
<p>
Most Americans now <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/26/poll-showing-record-support-trumps-ouster-indicates-gop-policy-complete-obstruction">want the Senate to remove the conman from office</a>.


feed_id: 59615c6f5b82beb0ceed5ff03d76584e
title: Natural gas prices
uri: Natural-gas-prices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Natural_gas_prices%29
content:
<p>
The price of natural gas has dropped by half in the past year, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/dec/26/energy-bills-for-millions-of-households-to-fall-after-gas-prices-halve">so
much is the US extracting by fracking</a>.

<p>
Short-term thinkers might rejoice.  Long-term thinkers will be terrified.


feed_id: 053c85286dd6323ffd29b3f6f87b94b2
title: Biden's weakness
uri: Biden-s-weakness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Biden%27s_weakness%29
content:
<p>
Sanders points out how Biden's voting record <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/27/citing-joe-bidens-troubling-voting-record-bernie-sanders-warns-my-god-trump-will-eat">will make him
vulnerable to valid criticism by the conman</a>.


feed_id: fbaa4c99c780f182ded74408e5cb7070
title: Urgent: no garment workers life in danger
uri: Urgent-no-garment-workers-life-in-danger
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_no_garment_workers_life_in_danger%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/amazon-bangladesh-accord/">call on Amazon</a> to stop putting garment workers' lives in
danger.


feed_id: 7f5368429f0f71c40e8c6007872fd029
title: Urgent: investigate Amazon
uri: Urgent-investigate-Amazon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2020_%28Urgent%3A_investigate_Amazon%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.presente.org/sign/investigateamazon/">call on Congress</a> to investigate Amazon for its
surveillance and market-domination.


feed_id: d7553fa2eea1521d2b7c1f78e518b80e
title: Measles vaccination
uri: 2020-01-02-Measles-vaccination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#2_January_2020_%28Measles_vaccination%29
content:
<p>
A crash vaccination campaign <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/29/samoa-ends-measles-state-of-emergency-as-infection-rate-slows">has ended Samoa's measles outbreak</a>, at the cost of 81 deaths that could have been avoided by vaccinating 
babies earlier.


feed_id: 36778bf6778ff8a438d45c5850db27fa
title: Major evacuation in face of bushfires
uri: Major-evacuation-in-face-of-bushfires
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#2_January_2020_%28Major_evacuation_in_face_of_bushfires%29

content:
<p>
An area of Australia half the size of Belgium <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/29/victoria-bushfires-australia-thousands-evacuate-vast-east-gippsland-fire-threat-zone">has been ordered
evacuated ahead of bushfires expected on Dec 30</a>.


feed_id: f8b68fc81d709745a3cf31e5dedc731d
title: Bushfires dangers
uri: Bushfires-dangers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#2_January_2020_%28Bushfires_dangers%29
content:
<p>
Five dangers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/dec/29/the-five-risks-of-wildfires-climate-emergency">caused by large wildfires</a>.


feed_id: 6ab8e250d1fc208925b5be5c0e7cdf40
title: Pumping water in arid area
uri: Pumping-water-in-arid-area
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#2_January_2020_%28Pumping_water_in_arid_area%29
content:
<p>
Building the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s border wall will require pumping 50 million
gallons of water out of an arid area that is drying up.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/29/trump-border-wall-water-fish-species-threatened">This could
kill off eight species of animals that live in the region</a>.

<p>
We should not allow water-guzzling crops to be grown in arid areas.
That practice represents a competition to be the first to grab the
last of a resource being drained.  For society as a whole, that is
imprudent, so society as a whole should stop it.


feed_id: 8bca2a4b70fcea37979bd7bbaaae9967
title: Father Christmas is dead
uri: Father-Christmas-is-dead
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#2_January_2020_%28Father_Christmas_is_dead%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/29/trump-kills-santa-and-other-stocking-chillers-stewart-lee">satire</a>) "Father Christmas is dead. No US personnel were lost in the
operation, while a large number of Christmas’s elves and reindeer
were killed with him," is how the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> announced an intervention
against socialist distribution of toys.


feed_id: b10017e872044dd498067927946c7d06
title: Turning agriculture regenerative
uri: Turning-agriculture-regenerative
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#2_January_2020_%28Turning_agriculture_regenerative%29

content:
<p>
Redirecting US agricultural subsidies from Big Ag to small
regenerative farms could turn America's agriculture regenerative in a
decade.  <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90366780/the-green-new-deal-could-boost-regenerative-agriculture">It would be good for human health and soil health, and reduce
greenhouse emissions</a>.

<p>
Farmers that have experienced John Deere's <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#26_April_2015_(Ownership)">subjugatory tractor software</a> should
not make the same mistake again.  Instead of jumping into dependence
on another nonfree program, they should develop free software for mapping
their pastures, and not save their data unencrypted in a cloudy server.


feed_id: 549073125e60a77c149458456dbc8273
title: Can't buy a home
uri: Can-t-buy-a-home
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#2_January_2020_%28Can%27t_buy_a_home%29
content:
<p>
US labor, housing and business policies have made it impossible for
most working Americans to buy a home, and compel them to live many to
a house, if they are not on the street.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/27/we-need-new-deal-housing">Changing these policies
can fix that</a>. 


feed_id: 53ad9e1f1a8fc26c4286ce5e02133a8a
title: New mothers and babies health
uri: New-mothers-and-babies-health
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#2_January_2020_%28New_mothers_and_babies_health%29
content:
<p>
The states that restrict abortion <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/27/high-price-abortion-restrictions">tend to have the worst records
on the health of new mothers and babies</a>.

<p>
This is no coincidence: the right-wing christianitist ideology that
bans abortion generally treats women as inferior, and it is
inclined to tell poor people that their poverty is a <a href="https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Fleas.-a019754613">divine punishment</a> which they deserve.


feed_id: d9a1725466951add56138f5da4eb2501
title: Playing into their hands
uri: Playing-into-their-hands
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#2_January_2020_%28Playing_into_their_hands%29
content:
<p>
The way the political system responds to right-wing extremists
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/12/27/avoiding-collapse-democracy-our-responsibility">plays into their hands</a>.


