# articles

feed_id: 63494526b3e1c01e85c10c585a1e9ce3
title: ID recording system used by bars
uri: ID-recording-system-used-by-bars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28ID_recording_system_used_by_bars%29
content:
<p>
An ID-reading system used by many bars 
<a href="https://onezero.medium.com/id-at-the-door-meet-the-security-company-building-an-international-database-of-banned-bar-patrons-7c6d4b236fc3">records
the name and address of everyone that enters</a>.  This should be
illegal.
<p>
Making the system even nastier, a bar can blacklist anyone, who will
then be denied entry to all of these bars, perhaps for decades.  But
that would never affect me &mdash; because the mere fact that the bar
wants to run my ID through a system that will record who I am will
convince me to refuse.
<p>
We should organize to regulate all such systems, both how they
blacklist people and how they record information about customers who
are not accused of anything.  But until that happens, we must stand up
for our rights.


feed_id: 30fa07991ef5682ad26a1aad0fc1a864
title: Brain-computer interfaces
uri: 2019-06-18-Brain-computer-interfaces
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Brain-computer_interfaces%29
content:
<p>
The Pentagon is funding research on 
<a href="https://www.tomsguide.com/us/darpa-mind-control-weapons-n3-project,news-30136.html">direct
brain-computer interfaces</a> that would connect to individual
neurons.
<p>
If this technology is developed, imagine what Facebook could do with
it.  For instance, it could make people so addicted that they can't
even imagine disconnecting.  To fake news, it could add fake sight and
fake hearing.  It could go beyond manipulating elections and directly
control how voters mark the ballot.  Did you think the vote you just
cast was for Sanders?


feed_id: 92733149662e9a3d3a440b19fed74b6f
title: Election manipulation through Facebook
uri: 2019-06-18-Election-manipulation-through-Facebook
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Election_manipulation_through_Facebook%29

content:
<p>
Chomsky warns that right-wing election manipulation through Facebook
and that company's other disservices is 
<a href="http://www.brasilwire.com/chomsky-speaks-out-on-brasils-manipulated-2018-election/">continuing
around the world</a>.


feed_id: f5820267d130f19b3b1dd40462e894eb
title: Anti-abortion Democrat
uri: 2019-06-18-Anti-abortion-Democrat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#17_June_2019_%28Anti-abortion_Democrat%29
content:
<p>
Progressives' criticism pressured Rep. Bustos, head of the Democratic
Congressional Campaign Committee, to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/23/under-fire-progressives-dccc-chair-backs-out-fundraiser-anti-choice-democrat">cancel
her plan to participate personally in fund-raising for anti-abortion
Democrat Lipinski</a>.
<p>
However, the DLCC still maintains its boycott which threatens the
ability of Lipinski's opponent to hire campaign support.


feed_id: 8e2f3fec39b39ca779e998929f7a129e
title: Urgent: ACA anti-discrimination
uri: Urgent-ACA-anti-discrimination
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_ACA_anti-discrimination%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/HHS-1557">call
on the Department of Health and Human Services</a> to uphold the ACA's
anti-discrimination protections.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: ff410636aaf4c921492078d3f6c03553
title: Urgent: DNC climate debate
uri: Urgent-DNC-climate-debate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_DNC_climate_debate%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/DNC-climate-debate">call
on the DNC</a> to hold a climate debate.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: ee1fee31ddc783c2247a353d65c272e2
title: Koch campaign funds
uri: Koch-campaign-funds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Koch_campaign_funds%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/cuellar-koch">call
on Rep. Cuellar</a>, a Democrat, to return the campaign funds that
came from Koch money.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 9d1ff884f31b345a7c76fed2eb0a61bb
title: Atlanta Federal Reserve board
uri: Atlanta-Federal-Reserve-board
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Atlanta_Federal_Reserve_board%29
content:
<p>
The conman's corruption continues: he borrowed millions at a low
interest rate from a small Florida bank, and
later <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/05/trump-2018-financial-disclosure/">its
president was appointed</a> to the Atlanta Federal Reserve board.
<p>
Naturally, all involved deny that this was a payoff.


feed_id: 691d574f11e43c98a903b944fd5d3aa7
title: Effects of Uber and Lyft
uri: Effects-of-Uber-and-Lyft
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Effects_of_Uber_and_Lyft%29
content:
<p>
Uber and Lyft have substantially
increased <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/technology/article/Uber-Lyft-San-Francisco-pros-cons-ride-hailing-13841277.php">pollution
and congestion</a> in San Francisco, and cut the ridership of buses
and trains as well as the amount people walk.


feed_id: 35e5e45157601d7def046dd3e6379068
title: Pentagon spending
uri: 2019-06-18-Pentagon-spending
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Pentagon_spending%29
content:
<p>
Presidential Candidates Must
Support <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/23/presidential-candidates-must-support-dramatic-pentagon-spending-cuts-funding">Dramatic
Pentagon Spending Cuts</a>, Funding of Human Needs Instead, Coalition
Says.


feed_id: ca8e7c0fd3fc504b1d38e1e87f128129
title: Bolsonaro's approval rating
uri: Bolsonaro-s-approval-rating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Bolsonaro%27s_approval_rating%29
content:
<p>
Bolsonaro's approval
rating <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/24/brazil-president-jair-bolsonaro-calls-for-street-rallies-as-criticism-of-his-rule-intensifies">is
under 30%</a> &mdash; many right-wing Brasilians call him incompetent
and authoritarian.
<p>
This gives some hope that Brasil will move up rather than down
in the next election.


feed_id: 0dbb2966ed296e94ffb06f66b698f56f
title: Flame retardants
uri: Flame-retardants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Flame_retardants%29
content:
<p>
Firefighters blame flame retardants for causing cancer in many
firefighters.  States are trying to pass laws to ban the dangerous
flame retardants, but chemical companies
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/24/massachusetts-flame-retardants-firefighters-safety-cancer">lobbying
hard to block the laws</a>.


feed_id: 524fe3ebe1c39d9a9168c60f9d14e241
title: University of London strike
uri: University-of-London-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28University_of_London_strike%29
content:
<p>
Some
academics <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/24/university-of-london-boycott-academics-outsourcing-cleaners">support
the strike</a> of support staff in the University of London.


feed_id: 8d4dd8e78d8a8337aa9e10d35bf4082d
title: Islamist campaign in Kashmir
uri: Islamist-campaign-in-Kashmir
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Islamist_campaign_in_Kashmir%29
content:
<p>
The Muslims of Kashmir spent decades demanding independence from
India, sometimes protesting and sometimes fighting, but they got
nowhere.  Now many
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/24/fears-of-unrest-after-india-kills-kashmirs-most-wanted-militant">turning
towards an Islamist campaign</a> to demand to impose Islamic law on
each other.
<p>
Salafi
Arabia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/may/24/what-they-did-to-me-was-so-horrific-brutal-silencing-of-a-saudi-feminist-loujain-al-hathloul">awarded
Loujain al-Hathloul</a> the Mohammed bin Salman human rights prize
&mdash; the honor of being tortured with special cruelty &mdash; for
advocating more rights for women.
<p>
That's Islamism at work.


feed_id: bb0b93d4304f8a949eae26419f21d827
title: Theresa May
uri: 2019-06-18-Theresa-May
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Theresa_May%29
content:
<p>
Theresa May has been compelled by the Tories to resign as prime
minister.  This
will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/24/theresa-may-steps-down-resigns-tory-leader-conservative-brexit">make
way for another Tory</a>, probably even worse.


feed_id: 9ab16260795b5c456cd76f96e135327f
title: Chagos Islands
uri: Chagos-Islands
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Chagos_Islands%29
content:
<p>
The UN General
Assembly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/24/chagossians-britain-colony-shameful-un-resolution">rejected
the UK's claim</a> to control of the Chagos Islands.  Only five
governments, all ruled by arrogant right-wing bullies, voted to
support the UK's dominion over them.


feed_id: 68efd000d5b5feb7933c18f0ed9cde7a
title: Social Security sufficiency
uri: Social-Security-sufficiency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Social_Security_sufficiency%29
content:
<p>
Social Security
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/24/elder-poverty-america-hardship-retirement-economics">no
longer sufficient</a> for the expenses of many retired Americans.
That includes many who were compelled to retire by failing health.


feed_id: 7706eec9c9d4a52213d474fdf17388f0
title: FTC conflicts of interest
uri: FTC-conflicts-of-interest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28FTC_conflicts_of_interest%29
content:
<p>
Most of the high officials in the Federal Trade
Commission <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/23/whopping-75-ftc-officials-have-revolving-door-conflicts-tech-corporations-and">have
conflicts of interest</a> through working for the industries they
regulate &mdash; either before or after their stint at the FTC.


feed_id: 93786c644036fbdfa3e584b61a2b28b8
title: Tory privatization of schools
uri: Tory-privatization-of-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Tory_privatization_of_schools%29
content:
<p>
Organized
parents <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/may/23/peacehaven-academy-plans-axed-after-parent-and-staff-campaign">blocked
Tory plans</a> to forcibly privatize two local public schools.
<p>
What is needed now is a way for parents to convert privatized schools
back into accountable public schools.  This is needed in the US also.


feed_id: 9fdb4e5a660198ee42b6c214706d5eff
title: Reality TV
uri: 2019-06-19-Reality-TV
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Reality_TV%29
content:
<p>
Reality TV programs 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/18/reality-tv-encourages-children-to-drink-and-smoke-experts-warn">could
encourage children to use alcohol and tobacco</a>.


feed_id: f7f8736c43fb7b54c1f43fcd8751acbc
title: Hong Kong protests
uri: 2019-06-19-Hong-Kong-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Hong_Kong_protests%29
content:
<p>
Hong Kong Protests Show 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/17/hong-kong-protests-show-first-dent-in-armour-of-xi-yinping">First
Dent in Armour of Xi Jinping</a>.
<p>
The people of Hong Kong really don't want to become Xi-ple.


feed_id: fc30e351a5eafa7ac63a80abb8b9882c
title: "Smart" listening devices
uri: 2019-06-19-Smart-listening-devices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Smart_listening_devices%29
content:
<p>
German <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> want the 
<a href="https://www.dw.com/en/when-smart-devices-pass-secrets-to-the-police/a-49207589">power
to use all "smart" listening devices</a> as bugs.
<p>
When they say "smart", understand "spy".


feed_id: 3f47aec5fda559dcf3fae95bdf4aaf7e
title: Eviction of indigenous people
uri: Eviction-of-indigenous-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Eviction_of_indigenous_people%29
content:
<p>
Evicting indigenous people from a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/24/colonialist-land-grab-happening-right-now-congo">new
nature reserve in the Congo</a>.
<p>
I believe that the Baka understand to preserve nature in their lands,
but I have to raise the issue of population growth.  How many Baka
people are there now, and how many were there 50 years ago?


feed_id: 8a5640b09f6201d8304c7ca4de38d899
title: The Coming Show Trial of Julian Assange
uri: The-Coming-Show-Trial-of-Julian-Assange
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28The_Coming_Show_Trial_of_Julian_Assange%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/17/coming-show-trial-julian-assange">The
Coming Show Trial of Julian Assange</a>.  The judge has shown more
than mere bias &mdash; she is willing to utter total bullshit to get
the intended result.


feed_id: ee207dd2a045e5dac797b1006ceeaa5c
title: Candidates who have support of banksters
uri: Candidates-who-have-support-of-banksters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Candidates_who_have_support_of_banksters%29

content:
<p>
Wall Street <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bankster">banksters</a>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/17/everything-you-need-know-warren-and-sanders-not-option-wall-street-abuzz-over-biden">support
Biden, Buttigieg, and Harris for president</a>.  That shows us they
will surrender to the rich.


feed_id: 017d17a2079bb6c372b4bcb96a49431c
title: Environment reporters
uri: Environment-reporters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Environment_reporters%29
content:
<p>
Environment Reporters 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/17/environment-reporters-facing-harassment-murder-study">Facing
Harassment And Murder</a>, Study Finds.


feed_id: daab56bef8b646cc88952584891360e3
title: Urgent: Refuse money from Koch brothers
uri: Urgent-Refuse-money-from-Koch-brothers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Refuse_money_from_Koch_brothers%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/koch-dems">call on
Democratic candidates</a> not to take money from the Koch brothers.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 1870826486741dbc701093891f7dcbf0
title: Ballot audits
uri: Ballot-audits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Ballot_audits%29
content:
<p>
EFF: Rep. Thompson's election security bill would be a big
improvement, but it would be 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/05/rep-thompson-works-secure-our-elections-0">even
better if it required ballot audits</a>.


feed_id: a85ef135f7fa5656c016db0707757ace
title: Failure of GDPR regulations
uri: Failure-of-GDPR-regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Failure_of_GDPR_regulations%29
content:
<p>
The EU's GDPR regulations on using personal data have 
<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-data-protection-gdpr-general-data-protection-regulation-facebook-google/">failed
to curb Facebook and Google</a>.
<p>
Google has made websites that show Google ads collect "consent" for
Google to get their personal information.  This demonstrates how
"consent" as criterion is too weak to thwart surveillance.


feed_id: 6547f498e101a7fbded169f19bb1c4a8
title: The "crime" of doing a reporter's job
uri: The-crime-of-doing-a-reporter-s-job
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28The_crime_of_doing_a_reporters_job%29

content:
<p>
James Risen: The "crime" Assange is now accused of is the very
definition of 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/24/the-indictment-of-julian-assange-under-the-espionage-act-is-a-threat-to-the-press-and-the-american-people/">a
reporter's job</a>.


feed_id: 4f73ab0d0d3bbc18449dd4e091b20cb0
title: Why powerful elite in US hates Assange
uri: Why-powerful-elite-in-US-hates-Assange
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_%28Why_powerful_elite_in_US_hates_Assange%29

content:
<p>
The powerful elite in the US hates Julian Assange 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/15/why-everyone-us-who-counts-wants-julian-assange-dead">because
he showed us government crimes</a>, for instance by publishing the
collateral murder video.
<p>
The link for the video used in that page requires nonfree software,
but
<a href="https://archive.org/download/UsArmy-CollateralMurder/CollateralMurder.ogv">this
URL</a> should work without any.


feed_id: 86ca7edb99983572b74d990e9111ab55
title: Urgent: Abortion rights
uri: 2019-06-20-Urgent-Abortion-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Abortion_rights%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/district_attorneys_abortion/">call
on your district attorney</a> not to prosecute abortion.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 1ea51e501bd7e467cc79318db2ccc245
title: Girl imprisoned in Australia
uri: Girl-imprisoned-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_June_2019_%28Girl_imprisoned_in_Australia%29
content:
<p>
A girl imprisoned with her family in Australia was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jun/18/detention-centre-denies-two-year-old-tamil-girl-a-birthday-cake">not
allowed to receive her birthday cake for her second birthday</a>.
<p>
Much worse, she has been kept indoors for 15 months, and developed a
deficiency (of vitamin D?), which has damaged her jaw.  Now she needs
surgery.


feed_id: 7c65a0916999f18d4925e16a146a416c
title: "Fast fashion"
uri: Fast-fashion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_June_2019_%28Fast_fashion%29
content:
<p>
"Fast fashion", 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/18/fast-fashion-environmental-audit-committee-polluting-industry">clothing
meant to be thrown away after hardly any use</a>, produces greenhouse
emissions and plastic pollution.  Let's put an end to it.


feed_id: d2c92dec6a0079e9eb02482e3876a0a3
title: A post-scarcity society
uri: A-post-scarcity-society
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_June_2019_%28A_post-scarcity_society%29
content:
<p>
A discussion about 
<a href="https://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/Wood20190617">how to aim
for</a> a post-scarcity society.
<p>
I don't think it will be easy for technological advances to make an
abundance of _everything_ people commonly want.  For instance, making
meat abundant in a safe way will be difficult.  However, since the
alternative seems to be global disaster, we will have to live with
less of it.


feed_id: e0a5a76d488d73ee796865716dcabd7c
title: Identification of Hong Kong protesters
uri: Identification-of-Hong-Kong-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_June_2019_%28Identification_of_Hong_Kong_protesters%29

content:
<p>
Hong Kong protesters trying to stop the puppet state from identifying
them, but it is 
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/06/14/use-burners-folks.html">hard
to block every system</a>.
<p>
This demonstrates that we must 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">demand
all widely used systems be designed not to track people</a>.


feed_id: a7fb84f0ee60cf02d56bba52ef9c033a
title: Network privacy law
uri: Network-privacy-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_June_2019_%28Network_privacy_law%29
content:
<p>
Maine has 
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/06/14/us-telecom-vs-usa.html">adopted
a network privacy law</a>.  Plutocratists in Congress will surely try
to stop states from having such laws.
<p>
This law stops ISPs from selling their records of individuals'
internet contacts, but that is far from adequate.  They should not be
allowed to track anyone's internet contacts, except under a specific
court order.
<p>
The law 
<a href="https://thehill.com/policy/technology/447824-maine-shakes-up-debate-with-tough-internet-privacy-law">also
applies to platforms such as Facebook</a>, which sounds good, but I
expect Facebook will negate the law by requiring its useds to
explicitly opt-in for this as a condition of starting an account.


feed_id: 0375aa201526ca872d008e3201eaf2c9
title: Abolition of scientific advisory bodies
uri: Abolition-of-scientific-advisory-bodies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_June_2019_%28Abolition_of_scientific_advisory_bodies%29

content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a>-in-chief 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/17/all-out-assault-science-latest-executive-order-trump-puts-expert-advice-chopping">ordered
the abolition</a> of many scientific advisory bodies.
<p>
It's not clear which ones will be abolished, since the order
is self-contradictory, but surely some will be abolished and that
will lead to many bad decisions.


feed_id: e4625061fa0bcd5bcc66ba220c2a3872
title: Urgent: Investigate Kavanaugh
uri: Urgent-Investigate-Kavanaugh
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_Kavanaugh%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/investigate-kavanaugh">call
on Congress</a> to investigate the various accusations of lying,
misconduct and crimes against Kavanaugh.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 81ea9c4e81b4a808b133942dc0889005
title: Extreme global inequality
uri: Extreme-global-inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_June_2019_%28Extreme_global_inequality%29
content:
<p>
Extreme 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/17/global-inequality-time-climate-emergency">global
inequality</a> related to looming global climate disaster.


feed_id: f9bf5fafb323c97a05feebc307797117
title: Boeing
uri: 2019-06-20-Boeing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_June_2019_%28Boeing%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Boeing CEO Admits Company Made Mistake By Including 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/boeing-ceo-admits-company-made-mistake-by-including-aut-1835588384">Automatic
Self-Destruct Function</a> On All 737 Max Planes.


feed_id: aac352d679e5a883ce62169ee20c7fdf
title: Urgent: Pass the FIRE Act
uri: Urgent-Pass-the-FIRE-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#19_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Pass_the_FIRE_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/congress-support-bill-foreign-offers-support/">call
on Congress</a> to pass the FIRE Act, which will require campaigns
report foreign attempts to interfere in elections to the FBI and FEC.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 3c1b6825e1d425073f0bdd5ec55c72bb
title: UK Prisons
uri: UK-Prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#20_June_2019_%28UK_Prisons%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Prisons in the UK have many prisoners <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jun/19/prison-survival-guide-carl-cattermole-interview">who are not really criminals</a>.
"It is a different type of person in prison now. You can go because
you are homeless, because you are a squatter, for not paying your TV
license or sending your kids to school."
<p>


feed_id: 2ce9ca892f4b1d15829a2b89006193fd
title: Female Academics
uri: Female-Academics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#20_June_2019_%28Female_Academics%29
content:
<p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/19/women-outperform-men-after-japan-medical-school-stops-rigging-exam-scores">Women Outperform Men</a> After Japan Medical School Stops Rigging Exam Scores.
<p>
<p>
If the fraction of women applying rises to 50%, this will raise the
question of whether to let in some less-qualified men for the sake of
diversity.
<p>


feed_id: 691cc2a4515233ff28a68cdf7c068d1f
title: Tax Havens
uri: Tax-Havens
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#20_June_2019_%28Tax_Havens%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Three tax havens under the control of the British crown
<a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/19/jersey-guernsey-and-isle-of-man-to-set-up-public-registers-of-firms-owners">have agreed to make companies register their owners</a>, but not until
4 years from now.
<p>
<p>
I have to wonder if they hope to cancel the promise before it comes
time to carry it out.
<p>


feed_id: c16a626cb19ea6713d3f720837c0f4bb
title: Urgent: Call On Ireland
uri: Urgent-Call-On-Ireland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#20_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Call_On_Ireland%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Everyone: call on Ireland and the US to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/the-world-must-support-ireland-against-us-wars">end US use of Irish airports
for military purposes</a>, and to remove US troops from Ireland.
<p>


feed_id: 48d3d405279190635f39cd035f6d0873
title: Age Gap
uri: Age-Gap
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#20_June_2019_%28Age_Gap%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Economic disadvantage in the UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/19/health-inequality-life-expectancy">denies the non-wealthy on average over
3 years</a> of healthy life.
<p>
<p>
A somewhat more equal society would enable everyone to stay alive and healthy
as long as the wealthy generally do now.
<p>


feed_id: 318c00ec53f0f345af763fed4272a996
title: Chennai Reservoirs
uri: Chennai-Reservoirs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#20_June_2019_%28Chennai_Reservoirs%29
content:
<p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/19/chennai-in-crisis-water-shortage-with-authorities-blamed-india">Chennai's reservoirs are empty</a>; many businesses and schools have been forced
to close.
<p>
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is surely increasing the likelihood of such events.
<p>


feed_id: 814944ddd165913dfc386c12f8368e35
title: Tohti Death
uri: Tohti-Death
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#20_June_2019_%28Tohti_Death%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Uighur writer <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jun/19/uighur-author-dies-following-detention-in-chinese-re-education-camp">Nurmuhammad Tohti died recently</a>, a couple of months
after release from Chinese prison. It appears the prison denied him needed medical care, then released
him when he was at death's door.  This amounts to murder.
<p>
<p>
I have to point out that the US does similar things.
<p>


feed_id: 2d9dc6d602ba0faaaae7df65dd986e89
title: Khashoggi Recordings
uri: Khashoggi-Recordings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#20_June_2019_%28Khashoggi_Recordings%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The UN has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/19/consulate-recordings-reveal-saudi-plan-for-jamal-khashoggi">released recordings of the Salafi Arabian officials with
Jamal Khashoggi</a> before and while they killed him.
<p>


feed_id: 5d9498e9f29fe1c09734d4c20bde95df
title: Reparations
uri: Reparations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#20_June_2019_%28Reparations%29
content:
<p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/19/reparations-slavery-ta-nehisi-coates-v-coleman-hughes">Should America Pay Reparations for Slavery?</a>
<p>
<p>

The reason I support reparations is that, as described in Inequality
by Design by Fischer et al, denying equal rights to a racial or ethnic
group tends to set in motion a system that oppresses their descendants
for generation after generation.  The descendants of American slaves,
and the descendants of Americans that were victims of Jim Crow laws,
are still at a disadvantage due to past governmental denial of equal
rights.  They are entitled to reparations.
<p>
<p>
Precisely how to make reparations is not obvious.  It would be good
to so this in a way that would surmount the continuing effects
of systemic racism.  I am not sure how best to do that.
<p>
<p>
What Hughes says about "making people into victims" is meaningless
wordplay, treated as if it meant something.  I love wordplay, but do
not confuse it with substance.
<p>


feed_id: bb5724aed87d8d16cdffc38c413efade
title: Thug List
uri: Thug-List
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#20_June_2019_%28Thug_List%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The district attorney of St Louis has made a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/19/st-louis-prosecutor-refuses-to-accept-cases-from-police-officers-accused-of-racism">list of visibly racist thugs</a>,
and refuses to prosecute charges based on their say-so.
<p>
<p>
This is valid.  Prosecutors' duty is not convicting whoever they can;
it is doing justice.  Charges submitted by racist <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are very
likely to be false, so it is correct to disregard them.  There is no
need to wait for each of them to be caught individually in a firing
offence before discounting their accusations.
<p>
<p>
I think that display of racist attitude ought to be a firing offense,
for <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> &mdash; especially if the goal is to convert it into a police
department whose cops are police officers &mdash; but making that so may be
difficult.
<p>


feed_id: 8a272943be58e1c6109a362f06156cce
title: Urgent: Oppose Line 3 oil pipeline
uri: Urgent-Oppose-Line-3-oil-pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_Line_3_oil_pipeline%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.climatehawksvote.com/tell_amy_klobuchar_stand_against_line_3">call
on Senator Klobuchar</a> to oppose the Line 3 oil pipeline.


feed_id: 3fa86ddfb2448f7661043362902fe8d4
title: Urgent: Do No Harm Act
uri: 2019-06-22-Urgent-Do-No-Harm-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Do_No_Harm_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/do-no-harm-act">call on
Congress</a> to pass the Do No Harm Act, which would reject citing
religion as an excuse for discrimination based on sexual orientation
or gender identity.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: f6a1b5aa48b64776f238049e8b421c1e
title: Hong Kong's activists
uri: Hong-Kong-s-activists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Hong_Kongs_activists%29
content:
<p>
Hong Kong's activists 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/19/hong-kong-activists-human-rights">defend
universal principles</a> rather than fighting for one group and
against another.
<p>
However, there are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/19/fears-hong-kong-protests-could-turn-violent-amid-calls-to-escalate-action">rumors</a>
they might plan violence in their next protest.
<p>
Perhaps this is a misunderstanding.  Perhaps the activists only
recognize that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> may respond with violence to their next
nonviolent protest.
<p>
Given that the puppet government is planning to send them to Chinese
prisons, I could not blame morally them for fighting back with
violence.  But that would be foolish and self-defeating.  Violent
protests play into the hands of the authoritarians.


feed_id: 808acbe6c11bf471bd254323658c3cf1
title: Reestablishing forests
uri: Reestablishing-forests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Reestablishing_forests%29
content:
<p>
Reestablishing forests is easier said than done, where the economic
system 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/19/planting-billions-trees-save-planet">pressures
people or businesses to cut down trees</a>.
<p>
Spending money to help people around the world cope with the effects
of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> is futile as the heating continues to increase. 
Spending to help people locally counteract damage that contributes
to heating is going in the right direction.
<p>
I wonder if the solar ovens used in parts of Africa can function
in Madagascar.


feed_id: 02611159db7798bbb261d7bdb8eefe61
title: Urgent: Cut military spending
uri: Urgent-Cut-military-spending
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Cut_military_spending%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-end-wasteful-military-spending">call
on Congress</a> to make big cuts in military spending.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: c6f22ae0a17f1dc9300e013f78d17bac
title: Uncomfortable art
uri: Uncomfortable-art
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Uncomfortable_art%29
content:
<p>
Why
students <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/26/san-francisco-george-washington-murals-new-york-harlem-courthouse">should
not look away</a> from uncomfortable art, and why we should not hide
it.
<p>
To cover up paintings of Exploitation of Labor and Hoarding of Wealth
is to protect those practices from criticism.  To hide from paintings
showing the suffering of slavery is to avoid understanding that
suffering.


feed_id: 0a23a04d436173c63cc8a72697315972
title: Surrogate pregnancy
uri: Surrogate-pregnancy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Surrogate_pregnancy%29
content:
<p>
Women who want to have a baby and not go through
pregnancy <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/may/25/having-a-child-doesnt-fit-womens-schedule-the-future-of-surrogacy">can
now hire surrogates</a> to do that for them.
<p>
As long as this process is expensive, thus limited to a few people, it
is not a big burden for the world.  The dangerous population growth is
at present almost entirely due to non-surrogate pregnancies.  But if
surrogacy started making a significant contribution to population
growth rates, I would suggest prohibiting it.


feed_id: 5af8ba9a625b2403235c9472fb32731c
title: Surviving at home
uri: Surviving-at-home
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Surviving_at_home%29
content:
<p>
We need to defend,
globally, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/24/right-stay-home">the
right to survive at home</a> rather than migrating.
<p>
An important part of this is to decrease birth rates.


feed_id: f40974f4234a5c9b81986e9e5388566e
title: Climate protests
uri: Climate-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Climate_protests%29
content:
<p>
One effect of climate strike protests is
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/24/millions-march-demand-climate-action-research-reveals-protests-make-people-more">win
public support and approval</a> of climate defense protests.


feed_id: 826d7adec0c31bcacccc50bd1079261f
title: Japanese American imprisonment
uri: Japanese-American-imprisonment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Japanese_American_imprisonment%29
content:
<p>
When the US imprisoned people of Japanese descent, many of them US
citizens, they did not all go along quietly.  Many of
them <a href="http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/center-shatters-myth-of-quiet-japanese-americans-imprisoned-in-camps">resisted
the draft</a>.
<p>
This paradoxically demonstrated how much they were part of American
culture rather than Japanese.


feed_id: 476ea901028d561b2d51674185916c3c
title: Defending the Kurds
uri: 2019-06-22-Defending-the-Kurds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Defending_the_Kurds%29
content:
<p>
Rojava's former expat volunteers call on the
UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/25/sajid-javid-british-volunteers-kurds-rojava-syria">not
to criminalize</a> helping defend the Kurds.
<p>
There is a broader principle at stake, too: the state should not have the
power to arbitrarily criminalize going to any particular place,
no matter what the reason.  If there is a justification for making it
a crime to go to a place, the decision should be adjudicated, not
simply announced.


feed_id: 5332e559034c797d37a04eee6f81a8d4
title: Appendicitis in prison
uri: Appendicitis-in-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Appendicitis_in_prison%29
content:
<p>
Prison <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> in Oklahoma repeatedly refused to let Joshua England see
a doctor.  Not long after his last attempt to get examined,
he <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/25/oklahoma-joshua-england-prison-death-lawsuit">died
from appendicitis</a>.
<p>
Forcing prisoners to sign a false statement is typical behavior for
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, and for other authoritarians such as the conman.


feed_id: f807d3702a95927fe52efc7e1bffc381
title: US Army question
uri: US-Army-question
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28US_Army_question%29
content:
<p>
The US Army asked people to report on how the army had affected their
lives.  Here's
what <a href="https://reason.com/2019/05/25/the-army-asked-how-serving-impacted-lives-so-people-shared-stories-of-the-high-cost-of-war/">some
of them said</a>.


feed_id: 35f042ad02e08de34dfe04b93662c52a
title: Global climate strike
uri: Global-climate-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Global_climate_strike%29
content:
<p>
Announcing
a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/24/were-stepping-join-us-day-halt-climate-crisis">global
climate strike</a> on September 20.


feed_id: e20c5e91dad2d45596e3c69312c5f97f
title: Funds for endangered species
uri: 2019-06-22-Funds-for-endangered-species
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Funds_for_endangered_species%29
content:
<p>
The US needs to fully fund protection of endangered species or some
will <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/24/fund-endangered-species-act-its-saved-99-percent-wildlife-brink">soon
be extinct</a>.


feed_id: 9165f38839c7a00698a8989c72b69ee3
title: ICE reprimand
uri: ICE-reprimand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28ICE_reprimand%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Saying the incident was so long ago that he had difficulty
   recalling the girl’s face, ICE agent Ed Thornton couldn’t believe
   he was being reprimanded Friday for a child
   who <a href="https://www.theonion.com/ice-agent-can-t-believe-he-being-reprimanded-for-child-1835011417">died
   months ago</a>.


feed_id: 650ee0dcb184adb78a50b65d87b4f38a
title: Climate strike participants
uri: Climate-strike-participants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Climate_strike_participants%29
content:
<p>
Organizers estimate
that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/24/save-our-planet-save-our-future-youth-demand-action-massive-climate-strikes">1.8
million people</a> participated in the recent climate strike.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/24/schoolchildren-go-on-strike-across-world-over-climate-crisis">Here
are reports</a> from the UK.


feed_id: 043974e9ebb12ff0b441a58787ee25ec
title: Bully's "national emergency" declaration
uri: Bully-s-national-emergency-declaration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Bullys_national_emergency_declaration%29

content:
<p>
A court 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/24/judge-bars-trump-from-building-border-wall-sections-with-emergency-funds">ruled
that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> can't declare a "national emergency" to take funds from
other activities to build a border wall</a>.


feed_id: 2f5e8831a7239ee3993f213618051957
title: Punishments for nonviolent protests
uri: Punishments-for-nonviolent-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28Punishments_for_nonviolent_protests%29

content:
<p>
Human rights defenders are 
<A href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/23/vague-overly-broad-and-sweeping-scope-lawsuits-take-aim-efforts-criminalize-anti">suing
to overturn the state laws that impose draconian punishments on
nonviolent pipeline protests</a>.


feed_id: 7792af53fb4c7d72faf4ab25ab9182d1
title: A pledge for presidential candidates
uri: A-pledge-for-presidential-candidates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28A_pledge_for_presidential_candidates%29

content:
<p>
Progressives call on presidential candidates to pledge 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/23/nurture-human-lives-rather-take-them-away-2020-democrats-urged-back-slashing-annual">substantial
cuts in the US military budget</a>.
<p>
Sanders supports this already, naturally.


feed_id: 1b24f672dea81bf27d713433662601fb
title: UK thugs want laws to stamp out protests
uri: UK-thugs-want-laws-to-stamp-out-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#21_June_2019_%28UK_thugs_want_laws_to_stamp_out_protests%29

content:
<p>
UK <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> say the disruption caused by Extinction Rebellion protesters
is intolerable and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/24/police-take-hardline-on-arrested-extinction-rebellion-protesters">call
for laws to stamp out those protests</a>.
<p>
If they don't like these minor disruptions, I wonder how they will
react to the far greater disruption that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#climate">climate mayhem</a> causes.  They
had better call now for laws to stamp out fossil fuels, to avoid that
disruption.


feed_id: 4d8130f8b3962dd00a2171b7be977f4e
title: UK Prisons
uri: 2019-06-22-UK-Prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#20_June_2019_%28UK_Prisons%29
content:
<p>
Prisons in the UK have many prisoners
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jun/19/prison-survival-guide-carl-cattermole-interview">who
are not really criminals</a>.  "It is a different type of person in
prison now. You can go because you are homeless, because you are a
squatter, for not paying your TV license or sending your kids to
school."


feed_id: 70fe4764167b39abc7c7644e338c1982
title: Female Academics
uri: 2019-06-22-Female-Academics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#20_June_2019_%28Female_Academics%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/19/women-outperform-men-after-japan-medical-school-stops-rigging-exam-scores">Women Outperform Men</a> After Japan Medical School Stops Rigging Exam Scores.
<p>
If the fraction of women applying rises to 50%, this will raise the
question of whether to let in some less-qualified men for the sake of
diversity.


feed_id: df07130e1225199d5f142ae975598cb5
title: Tax Havens
uri: 2019-06-22-Tax-Havens
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#20_June_2019_%28Tax_Havens%29
content:
<p>
Three tax havens under the control of the British crown
<a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/19/jersey-guernsey-and-isle-of-man-to-set-up-public-registers-of-firms-owners">have agreed to make companies register their owners</a>, but not until
4 years from now.
<p>
I have to wonder if they hope to cancel the promise before it comes
time to carry it out.
<p>


feed_id: 28b2a5f954ef4f30789fcbd8fbf0ec02
title: Urgent: Coal funding
uri: Urgent-Coal-funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Coal_funding%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.priceofoil.org/sign/japan-G20-coal/">call
on Japan</a> to stop funding coal.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 7d3101877e0013517e44e691680b6869
title: Urgent: Sheriffs and deportation
uri: Urgent-Sheriffs-and-deportation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Sheriffs_and_deportation%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/stop-nsa-fair-partnership">call
on the National Sheriffs' Association</a> to stop supporting the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s deportation campaigns.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 367fdd6619e869d2c3a50f20e5be9a75
title: Nile perch
uri: Nile-perch
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Nile_perch%29
content:
<p>
Chinese demand for fish maw
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/27/secretive-traders-netting-chinese-delicacy-leave-nile-perch-under-threat">wiping
out the Nile perch</a> in Lake Victoria.
<p>
Ironically, this might benefit the native fish, but to get the real benefit
requires getting rid of water hyacinth plants.


feed_id: 28425ff218fedbd97fbd691ec51c11d7
title: Japan as mediator
uri: Japan-as-mediator
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Japan_as_mediator%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>
said <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/27/donald-trump-welcomes-japans-offer-of-mediation-with-iran">he
has accepted</a> Japanese Prime Minister Abe's offer to mediate
between the US and Iran.
<p>
It could be that he is following with Iran his usual bluster-and-slaps
approach to negotiation, combined with unpredictable changes between
amity and hostility.  I think this is wrong-footed for leaders who
were accustomed to the traditional diplomatic dance of understated
signals.  But that won't continue; other countries' leaders are not
stupid, and they are catching on.


feed_id: a061050fe4f664c797689d2bb4468999
title: Green New Deal
uri: 2019-06-22-Green-New-Deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Green_New_Deal%29
content:
<p>
The Green New Deal, if done right, can
create <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/25/creating-home-through-green-new-deal">stronger
and more supportive local communities</a> as well as curb global
disaster.


feed_id: 106691ec656b02a648f9e42a5ba0982a
title: Journalists in Syria
uri: Journalists-in-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Journalists_in_Syria%29
content:
<p>
Assad's air force and ground
troops <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/23/sky-news-journalist-and-crew-shot-at-by-syrian-government">persistently
attacked</a> a British video journalism team.


feed_id: 863dd0c2d16ecde1cde0abf978a7fe48
title: Indictment of Assange
uri: Indictment-of-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Indictment_of_Assange%29
content:
<p>
The Government’s Indictment of Julian Assange Poses
a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/25/governments-indictment-julian-assange-poses-clear-and-present-danger-journalism">Clear
and Present Danger</a> to Journalism, the Freedom of the Press, and
Freedom of Speech.
<p>
What about Assange himself?
<p>
Assange has done some great things, some exceedingly foolish things,
and perhaps also some nasty things that no one should do.  (The sexual
acts alleged in Sweden would not count as rape in the US, but would be
wrong anywhere in the world.)
<p>
Based on this, what should be our judgment of Assange?
<p>
The great things, from publishing Collateral Murder to exposing the
bias of the Democratic National Committee against Sanders, were of
tremendous benefit to the world.  The effects of the others things
were local and small by comparison.  Despite some possible actions
that deserve rebuke, Assange still qualifies as a hero.


feed_id: 3b0b23da2ed2f22d783d3baa51799b2f
title: Gifts from billionaires
uri: Gifts-from-billionaires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Gifts_from_billionaires%29
content:
<p>
Beware the "gifts" offered by
billionaires.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/23/beware-billionaires-bearing-gifts">They
can be bait.</a>


feed_id: c2010e8771785c2cbda72cfb38f00fd0
title: Torture in Kashmir
uri: Torture-in-Kashmir
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Torture_in_Kashmir%29
content:
<p>
India regularly tortures people in Kashmir, sometimes to the point of
maiming or killing them.
India <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/26/india-kashmir-torture/">refuses
to cooperate</a> with UN investigations, too.


feed_id: af5ef5eadf14973e6487d611e8c650f7
title: Warning against war
uri: Warning-against-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Warning_against_war%29
content:
<p>
Dozens of retired diplomats and
generals <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/24/big-76-retired-us-generals-and-diplomats-warn-trump-against-war-iran">warn
the war-dreamer</a> not to start a war with Iran.


feed_id: 60dd28c98352a49eca9ba3a9713abb8d
title: Antisemitism in Germany
uri: Antisemitism-in-Germany
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Antisemitism_in_Germany%29
content:
<p>
Antisemitism in Germany has risen to the point where Jews
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/26/jews-in-germany-warned-of-risks-of-wearing-kippah-cap-in-public">warned
not to wear yarmulkas</a>.


feed_id: ee6cba64e12790b22212adb486cc6b98
title: Religious hatred in India
uri: Religious-hatred-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Religious_hatred_in_India%29
content:
<p>
Religious hatred is polarizing India
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/26/india-muslims-narendra-modi-bjp-new-dawn">making
it violent</a>.


feed_id: 334ba2942976ab2bd2169c936dce371f
title: US prison deaths
uri: US-prison-deaths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28US_prison_deaths%29
content:
<p>
Why
Are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/26/us-prisons-jails-inmate-deaths">So
Many People Dying</a> in US Prisons And Jails?


feed_id: f75afe49a72c9c8d9597aa1a13283cd1
title: Antiabortion attacks
uri: Antiabortion-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Antiabortion_attacks%29
content:
<p>
Threats and attacks against people associated with abortion are an integral
part of the right-wing antiabortion movement.  As the movement grows,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/24/new-data-reveals-alarming-escalation-threats-towards-abortion-facilities">threats
and violence grow</a>.
<p>
Christian fanatics
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/26/abortion-ban-rightwing-christian-figures-civil-war-predictions">talking
about a civil war</a> in which they fight to take power and crush
abortion.


feed_id: f35ba125980f31f10cba60e2e785b223
title: US deportation thugs
uri: 2019-06-23-US-deportation-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28US_deportation_thugs%29
content:
<p>
The horrible saga of Abdelhaleem Ashqar: us deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/06/21/palestinian-activist-ice-deportation-war-on-terror/">tried
to deport him by surprise to Israel</a>, where he would be tortured,
without allowing him to say goodbye to his family &mdash; so he could
not file an appeal against what they were doing.
<p>
I am not sure whether Ashqar aided Hamas in a way that would justify a
criminal conviction.  But even if he did, that can't justify what US
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have done to him.  When officials set out to deny people a
chance to exercise their legal rights, they become enemies of legal
rights, which makes them enemies of the state and enemies of the
people.


feed_id: a9c1452964145bb4e03c429c1b1c43fd
title: Fiscal crisis
uri: Fiscal-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Fiscal_crisis%29
content:
<p>
An article 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/18/can-donald-trump-hold-economic-crash-until-election">accuses
the bullshitter of planning to cause another fiscal crisis</a> to
explode just after his successor takes office.
<p>
I can't judge the validity of this prediction, or the claim that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a>
had a similar plan and it backfired.


feed_id: c5c07f54a82572f71c81bedfc1248130
title: Tracking of internet users
uri: Tracking-of-internet-users
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Tracking_of_internet_users%29
content:
<p>
The UK's system of identifying internet users and tracking their
browsing has been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jun/20/uks-porn-age-verification-system-to-be-delayed-indefinitely">delayed
indefinitely</a>.
<p>
This is good news, but we cannot count on this delay to be forever.


feed_id: 394a4570092d88f51de52edd97d7a0c4
title: Video analysis software
uri: Video-analysis-software
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Video_analysis_software%29
content:
<p>
ACLU: Video analysis software 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/19/army-robot-surveillance-guards-coming">threatens
to turn every surveillance camera into an eye of repression</a>.
<p>
Surveillance Camera Day was set up to make people aware of 
<a href="https://theconversation.com/surveillance-cameras-will-soon-be-unrecognisable-time-for-an-urgent-public-conversation-118931">how
much camera systems can now track them</a>.


feed_id: a3f6cbbe2c8d1829c48ed58d7ced071b
title: US system for checking food ingredients
uri: US-system-for-checking-food-ingredients
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28US_system_for_checking_food_ingredients%29

content:
<p>
The US system for checking the safety of food ingredients is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/28/bread-additives-chemicals-us-toxic-america">defective
by design</a>.


feed_id: 13d35559a6e4d335fef5d75305ab4379
title: Wars that should never have been fought
uri: Wars-that-should-never-have-been-fought
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Wars_that_should_never_have_been_fought%29

content:
<p>
The US 
<A href="https://www.commondreams.org/further/2019/05/26/no-more-imperial-war">must
not glorify the wars that it should never have fought</a>, such as the
Vietnam War.


feed_id: c6ac16659a3b3216105cffaa7f2fc361
title: Decay of Italian archaeological sites
uri: Decay-of-Italian-archaeological-sites
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Decay_of_Italian_archaeological_sites%29

content:
<p>
Italy is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/28/italys-new-ruins-heritage-sites-being-lost-to-neglect-and-looting">allowing
its old buildings and archaeological sites to decay</a>.


feed_id: d1e62644fa651b2d365dc2a0e5ec7b35
title: US deportation thug department
uri: 2019-06-23-US-deportation-thug-department
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28US_deportation_thug_department%29
content:
<p>
The ACLU urges Congress not to give more money to the US deportation
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department.  It uses its money to torture people with 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/27/dhs-locking-immigrants-solitary-confinement">prolonged
solitary confinement</a>.


feed_id: 2834b957fc60f1a6e092332250377a98
title: Pesticide contamination in food
uri: Pesticide-contamination-in-food
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Pesticide_contamination_in_food%29
content:
<p>
American food is often contaminated by pesticide, but that is just one
of the way that replacing nature with an artificial system is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/28/from-chicken-to-tomatoes-heres-why-american-food-is-hurting-you">causing
ecological and medical problems</a>.


feed_id: 4825189af15aa626a9e613d5bf20488b
title: Right-wing nationalist parties
uri: Right-wing-nationalist-parties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Right-wing_nationalist_parties%29
content:
<p>
The right-wing nationalist parties of Europe 
<A href="https://corporateeurope.org/en/2019/05/europes-two-faced-authoritarian-right-anti-elite-parties-serving-big-business-interests">pretend
to fight the rich elite, but actually support them</a>.


feed_id: 5f1bd3d501afc26a94ad343b6766d340
title: Green parties
uri: Green-parties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28Green_parties%29
content:
<p>
Green parties 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/26/greens-surge-as-parties-make-strongest-ever-showing-across-europe">gained
many more seats in the European Parliament</a>.


feed_id: f99db0bba78f5fb9a4d64c16db66769a
title: People increasing time indoors
uri: People-increasing-time-indoors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#22_June_2019_%28People_increasing_time_indoors%29
content:
<p>
People are spending more time indoors than ever before, and it 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/27/health-indoor-habit">could
be related to several health problems that are increasingly
common</a>.


feed_id: 79f0d1454d5e9c1602ffd650abaefe3f
title: Urgent: Overtime pay
uri: 2019-06-24-Urgent-Overtime-pay
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Overtime_pay%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/restoring-overtime-pay-2019">call
on Congress</a> to pass the Restoring Overtime Pay Act.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: f5e7fd2dd3cd417f249886284f5880bd
title: Urgent: Block war with Iran
uri: Urgent-Block-war-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Block_war_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/call/Iran-escalation-calls/">phone
your congresscritters</a> and ask them to block war with Iran.
</p>
<p>If you phone, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 58c94c3702513a9b9cd226d1e31a336b
title: Urgent: Gun violence research
uri: 2019-06-24-Urgent-Gun-violence-research
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Gun_violence_research%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/gun-research-funding">call
on the Senate</a> to fund research about gun violence.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: b65135735f9ed6aaca67f14b065e1604
title: Rakhine rebel group
uri: Rakhine-rebel-group
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_June_2019_%28Rakhine_rebel_group%29
content:
<p>
The Rakhine ethnic minority in Burma now has an underground rebel
group.  Both it and the Burmese army
are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/29/military-myanmar-commits-war-crimes-latest-operation-rakhine-state">committing
atrocities</a>.
<p>
Burma has never really been unified.  Various ethnic groups have had their
own effectively independent regions for decades.


feed_id: b661687a6ca6eb7c7fbb782c3c4e4795
title: Northern Ireland journalists
uri: Northern-Ireland-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_June_2019_%28Northern_Ireland_journalists%29
content:
<p>
Northern Ireland journalists
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/may/28/northern-ireland-judge-likens-journalist-arrests-police-state-conduct-loughinisland">suing
to overturn</a> a search warrant under which thugs seized their source
materials, which include secret documents showing <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> colluded with
murderers.


feed_id: 38eb1de921ab8ab3326cf0110acc51f3
title: Storms and floods
uri: Storms-and-floods
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_June_2019_%28Storms_and_floods%29
content:
<p>
Storms and floods in some regions of the US have prevented planting of
grain.  A substantial part of the usual
harvest <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/28/drastic-difference-climate-crisis-fueling-storms-and-floods-historic-delay-planting">may
be lost</a>.
<p>
Such problems will become bigger and more frequent as <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> proceeds.


feed_id: 470305e7c8bfba0cb5ec51b3fe520c29
title: Avoiding contact
uri: Avoiding-contact
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_June_2019_%28Avoiding_contact%29
content:
<p>
The practice
of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/30/ubers-quiet-ride-option-is-a-warning-we-are-falling-victims-to-convenience">using
apps to avoid contact</a> with people may be related to the increasing
loneliness that people generally feel, and their increasing ignorance
of how other kinds of people think and feel.


feed_id: 56b7fea07b727a5bb6e6a772d26fdc71
title: Reasons for abortion
uri: Reasons-for-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_June_2019_%28Reasons_for_abortion%29
content:
<p>
"I had an abortion.
It's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/28/i-had-abortion-its-none-your-business-why">none
of your business why</a>."
<p>
It's useful for some women to explain the circumstances that made
abortion the right choice for them.  That will help other people
understand why prohibiting abortion does so much harm, to pregnant
women and other people in their lives.  But I agree with the article
that these reasons shouldn't be presented as apologies or as pleading
for permission &mdash; and we should not expect women in general to
state reasons for their abortions.


feed_id: a8a9943b14b5fe1824ea13ae4eefcc17
title: 'No Iranian nukes'
uri: No-Iranian-nukes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_June_2019_%28%27No_Iranian_nukes%27%29
content:
<p>
If [the bullshitter] Really Only Wants 'No Iranian Nukes,' Then He
Should
Just <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/28/if-trump-really-only-wants-no-iranian-nukes-then-he-should-just-rejoin-nuclear-deal">Rejoin
the Nuclear Deal</a>.
<p>
In other words, what he says about this issue is bullshit
like nearly everything else he says.


feed_id: 7aadb72cfc185d1a9e86999a3773793c
title: San Francisco thugs
uri: 2019-06-24-San-Francisco-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_June_2019_%28San_Francisco_thugs%29
content:
<p>
The San Francisco <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> chief and the San Francisco thug union are
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/05/28/police-raid-on-san-francisco-journalist-descends-into-blame-game/">in
a dispute</a> about which thugs are to blame for the illegal raid on a
journalist, which was intended to identify who leaked some internal
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department reports.


feed_id: ba18cfbe1a63e6fe51fcee1b50381b98
title: Mentrification
uri: Mentrification
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_June_2019_%28Mentrification%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/may/29/mentrification-how-men-appropriated-computers-beer-and-the-beatles">"Mentrification"</a>:
judging whether something is valid, worthy or important based on
whether males (in particular) do or like it.


feed_id: 5d99395b9cc23be424426fef9a106d6f
title: Tax dodging sites
uri: Tax-dodging-sites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_June_2019_%28Tax_dodging_sites%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/28/uk-and-territories-are-greatest-enabler-of-tax-avoidance-study-says">Four
of the UK's autonomous territories</a> are among the world's top ten
sites for tax dodging.


feed_id: 8bb667227f1a97597014fae7e1298b18
title: SpaceX satellites
uri: SpaceX-satellites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_June_2019_%28SpaceX_satellites%29
content:
<p>
The thousands of proposed SpaceX communications are likely to
cause <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/may/28/spacex-satellites-could-blight-the-night-sky-warn-astronomers">lots
of light pollution</a>.
<p>
Worse, they could contribute to the gradually increasing buildup of
space junk which threatens to make space travel impossible.  The movie
Gravity presented
an <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#01_October_2014_(Space_debris)">unrealistically
speeded-up version</a> of this real, slowly-advancing danger.


feed_id: 456ab94857e227e2266a6356ec845c49
title: Bill Kristol
uri: Bill-Kristol
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_June_2019_%28Bill_Kristol%29
content:
<p>
In 2003, right-winger Bill Kristol said the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bushforces">Bush forces</a> would find
weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and said he would deserve
criticism if that prediction were wrong.  It turned out to be wrong.
<p>
Recently
Sanders <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/28/bernie-sanders-asked-bill-kristol-to-apologize-for-pushing-the-iraq-war-guess-what-happened-next/">asked
him to apologize</a>, and Kristol refused to take responsibility for
his error.


feed_id: 19b887cb856a8e8b3d7ea4e289a3c111
title: Taliban targeting schools
uri: Taliban-targeting-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#24_June_2019_%28Taliban_targeting_schools%29
content:
<p>
The Taliban are targeting schools, even with suicide bombs.  Half the
school-age children in
Afghanistan <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/may/28/attacks-schools-soar-afghanistan-report-unicef">are
not in school</a>.
<p>
This and many other reasons would justify fighting the Taliban,
if it were feasible to defeat them.  But it isn't.


feed_id: 03d135071a33f9f36cb908f182aa75ab
title: Blocking unfair systems
uri: Blocking-unfair-systems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Blocking_unfair_systems%29
content:
<p>
Republican Oregon state senators have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/21/oregon-senator-walkout-patriot-groups-vow-to-protect-republicans-who-fled-state">left
the state to prevent a quorum to pass greenhouse gas emissions
trading</a>.
<p>
In 2003, Democratic Texas state senators 
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Eleven">used a similar
method</a> to block a Republican gerrymandering bill.
<p>
I don't this method is inherently wrong.  The question is, to what end
is it being used?  Democrats in Texas used it to block a system of
unfair elections.  Republicans are using it to achieve the destruction
of civilization and a mass extinction.


feed_id: ada79b9984043993db173822520eabc2
title: Washing before cooking and eating
uri: Washing-before-cooking-and-eating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Washing_before_cooking_and_eating%29

content:
<p>
Notwithstanding the hygiene hypothesis for allergies, it is still
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/25/too-much-cleanliness-not-bad-for-health-report-on-hygiene-says">important
to wash before cooking and eating</a>.


feed_id: 1d7e4d5af4ff67d1fa5ac6940c665b7c
title: Subsidies for overseas coal plants
uri: Subsidies-for-overseas-coal-plants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Subsidies_for_overseas_coal_plants%29

content:
<p>
The world's major economies have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/25/g20-nations-triple-coal-power-subsidies-climate-crisis">tripled
the subsidies</a> for overseas coal plants since 2014.


feed_id: db9db48a0ca3b0c1630602ee94431644
title: Schoolkids' phones targeted
uri: Schoolkids-phones-targeted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Schoolkids_phones_targeted%29
content:
<p>
Schoolkids' Phones Are 
<a href="https://www.dw.com/en/schoolkids-phones-are-targets-for-fake-news/a-49285884">Targets
for Fake News</a>.


feed_id: 56a16999b1df33d8fda44adcd108072b
title: Facebook and Google political advertisements
uri: Facebook-and-Google-political-advertisements
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Facebook_and_Google_political_advertisements%29

content:
<p>
How Facebook and Google 
<a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-06/vt-hfa062419.php">got
exceptions from the rules</a> requiring disclosure of who paid for
political advertisements.


feed_id: e43e0588be60d40c2bf302e2ded80012
title: Medicalising everyday life
uri: Medicalising-everyday-life
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Medicalising_everyday_life%29
content:
<p>
Medicalising Everyday Life 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/24/medicalising-mental-health-ilnness-nhs">Doesn't
Help Anyone's Mental Health</a>.


feed_id: 17af4179068a6454b95c8bde7f86d3bf
title: Tiananmen Square protest
uri: Tiananmen-Square-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Tiananmen_Square_protest%29
content:
<p>
Ma Jien remembers the 1989 protest, by students and people of Beijing,
which was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/30/ma-jian-tiananmen-square-remembered">crushed
by mass murder</a>.


feed_id: a0b1e448bb927adddd322817b1f13e8e
title: New Zealand 'Wellbeing' budget
uri: New-Zealand-Wellbeing-budget
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28New_Zealand_Wellbeing_budget%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand 'Wellbeing' Budget 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/30/new-zealand-wellbeing-budget-jacinda-ardern-unveils-billions-to-care-for-most-vulnerable">Promises
Billions to Care for Most Vulnerable</a>.


feed_id: 71663904798c1c0511e2337c3efa9f85
title: Natalist Christian propaganda app
uri: Natalist-Christian-propaganda-app
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Natalist_Christian_propaganda_app%29

content:
<p>
The Femm "fertility" app is secretly a tool for propaganda by
natalist Christians.  It 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/30/revealed-womens-fertility-app-is-funded-by-anti-abortion-campaigners">spreads
distrust for contraception</a>.  It snoops on users, too, as you must
expect from nonfree programs.


feed_id: ae64f4ed2ba045f07787b6c76e587e16
title: Procedural abuses in Julian Assange case
uri: Procedural-abuses-in-Julian-Assange-case
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Procedural_abuses_in_Julian_Assange_case%29

content:
<p>
Endless Procedural Abuses Show Julian Assange Case 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/29/endless-procedural-abuses-show-julian-assange-case-was-never-about-law">Was
Never About Law</a>.  Any one of these events would smell fishy.
<p>
The sexual misconduct alleged in Sweden against Julian Assange is 
<a href="https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2019/04/20/debunking-all-the-assange-smears/">not
rape, as the term is defined in the US</a>.  Sweden's laws about
conduct in sex are more strict.
<p>
I have to interpret the use of the word "rape" to describe them as a
demonization campaign, meant to convince the public to tolerate the
denial of his rights as a publisher.  Given this precedent, the US
government will be able to deny the rights of other publishers without
making other allegations against them.


feed_id: 0ff6244959fe2eef8aa32d50b0d92cd6
title: Activism
uri: Activism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Activism%29
content:
<p>
Activism against unjust or destructive business 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/29/bottom-line-go-money">can
make large companies back down</a> by threatening them with large
costs.


feed_id: b5268ea1f29ca587c09c7735e4b9f336
title: Investment in fossil fuels
uri: Investment-in-fossil-fuels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Investment_in_fossil_fuels%29
content:
<p>
The UN Secretary General joined Pope Francis in 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/29/fossil-fuel-subsidies-mean-using-public-money-destroy-world-un-chief">calling
for an end to investment in fossil fuels</a>.
<p>
Meanwhile, the US government authorized an export terminal for 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/29/doe-release-touts-exports-us-molecules-freedom-orwellian-news-release">"freedom
gas"</a>.
<p>
Are they talking about laughing gas, or nerve gas?


feed_id: 22ee3faa1e4a93c0f8a4ecd864cf43c4
title: Marine protected areas
uri: Marine-protected-areas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Marine_protected_areas%29
content:
<p>
The UK is creating a large sweep
of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/31/uk-creates-blue-belt-of-marine-protected-areas-twice-englands-size">new
marine "protected areas"</a>.
The question is whether they will be "protected" enough to be of
real help to wildlife.


feed_id: 38adb7e121a9936a554e426deaca13d1
title: Lobbyists to Congress
uri: Lobbyists-to-Congress
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Lobbyists_to_Congress%29
content:
<p>
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ted Cruz proposed to prohibit former
members of Congress
from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/30/aoc-ted-cruz-lobbying">working
as lobbyists to Congress</a>.
<p>
I am totally in favor of this.  However, I worry that it might
be unconstitutional to limit a person's choice of employment
for a long period of time, other than as a punishment.


feed_id: f384872671e9d3c6c102bba2f728e057
title: Fetuses in Louisiana
uri: Fetuses-in-Louisiana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Fetuses_in_Louisiana%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Louisiana lawmakers passed a resolution this week that
requires aborted fetuses to be given
a <a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-louisiana-abortion-law-requires-fetuses-be-given-ja-1835101609">full
jazz funeral procession</a> through the French Quarter.


feed_id: e52d1aff409b18a30cdba5c2ce33dc59
title: Zoning laws in Connecticut
uri: Zoning-laws-in-Connecticut
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Zoning_laws_in_Connecticut%29
content:
<p>
Wealthy towns in Connecticut use zoning laws
to <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/how-some-of-americas-richest-towns-fight-affordable-housing">exclude
housing for poor people</a>, forcing them into effective segregation.


feed_id: 42153a783f5693671d1f70c938d4aa9f
title: Employees as owners
uri: Employees-as-owners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Employees_as_owners%29
content:
<p>
Sanders and other legislators
have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/28/legislative-package-introduced-encourage-employee-owned-companies">introduced
bills</a> to help employees get part ownership of businesses.


feed_id: 86d10b06c5faf9a41c273050ed96c17b
title: Missouri abortion clinic
uri: Missouri-abortion-clinic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Missouri_abortion_clinic%29
content:
<p>
Missouri plans to force the only abortion clinic in the state to close
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/28/missouri-abortion-clinic-closure-first-state-roe-v-wade">examining
the doctors</a> on suspicion of something or other.


feed_id: 8faa5484d110ee5a54fdd1cfdb71f05d
title: Mass media and hate
uri: Mass-media-and-hate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Mass_media_and_hate%29
content:
<p>
Matt Taibbi: the US mass media now manufacture consent
&hellip; <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/28/mass-media-poisoning-us-hate">about
hating each other</a>.


feed_id: f11b1c4bcacc7c71c4766fd3cca6c8b9
title: Chicago thug oversight
uri: Chicago-thug-oversight
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Chicago_thug_oversight%29
content:
<p>
Each time Chicago sets up a new organization to hold violent uniformed
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> responsible, it gets captured by them and helps to protect them.
Can <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/05/29/chicago-police-civilian-oversight-police-shooting-ricky-hayes/">the
latest instance</a> be set on the right path?


feed_id: c4d1753c672da4f1d317364d92524ad2
title: Repression for sex video
uri: Repression-for-sex-video
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Repression_for_sex_video%29
content:
<p>
A 16-year-old female in Maryland made a sex video of herself and sent
it to some friends.  When the school repression officer found out
about this, he shoved her into the school-to-prison pipeline.  Now she
is
being <a href="https://reason.com/2019/05/29/16-year-old-girl-sex-porn-child-court-case/">prosecuted
to "protect her"</a>.
<p>
I think it is ill-advised to give out nude photos, let alone sex
videos.  But that's no reason for this repression.


feed_id: 155d21a885bd149f39ea393d1f3135bd
title: Race recognition door lock
uri: Race-recognition-door-lock
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Race_recognition_door_lock%29
content:
<p>
Tenants in an apartment building in New York City are trying to block
the landlord from imposing
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/may/29/new-york-facial-recognition-cameras-apartment-complex">face
recognition door lock</a> on them.
<p>
We need laws to prohibit this &mdash; not only for the privacy of the
tenants, but also for their guests, and everyone that comes to visit
them.
<p>
The RFID keys they use are also unacceptable tracking devices.
I would not live in a place where I need to use those to get in.


feed_id: c2b63d02ad83d9835eb45344bc226e81
title: Early global heating
uri: Early-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#26_June_2019_%28Early_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Scientists
have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/30/humans-and-volcanoes-caused-nearly-all-of-global-heating-in-past-140-years">explained
the cause</a> of a small amount of global heating in the early 20th
century, which was previously unexplained.
<p>
Denialists used to seize on this small unexplained point and
exaggerate its significance as an excuse to reject all of climate
physics.


feed_id: 48813fa14cf51a605492eac9025844f8
title: FOIA requests
uri: 2019-06-27-FOIA-requests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28FOIA_requests%29
content:
<p>
Emulating the CIA, 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/25/emulating-cia-new-rule-would-let-trumps-epa-disregard-foia-requests-near-impunity">New
Rule</a> Would Let [the] EPA Disregard FOIA Requests With Near
Impunity.
<p>
I emended the title because the EPA does not legitimately belong to
the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> for him to do whatever he wishes with.  Even if he had
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#27_December_2016_(Republican_election-rigging)">really
won the election</a>, that would still be the case.


feed_id: 1f9733d34dba4d887edff4b01dc20ea0
title: Urgent: No hotels as deportation jails
uri: Urgent-No-hotels-as-deportation-jails
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_No_hotels_as_deportation_jails%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/hotels-ice">call on major
hotel chains</a> not to let their space be used as deportation jails.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 986a4ffbe52cf17be9914713cd4a52a4
title: US mainstream media moral bias
uri: US-mainstream-media-moral-bias
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28US_mainstream_media_moral_bias%29
content:
<p>
Even when US mainstream media try to understand the situation from
Iran's point of view, 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/25/when-npr-more-dangerous-fox-news">moral
bias that supports US officials' push for war seeps in</a>.
Supposedly, Iran's actions can compel the US to retaliate; strangely,
US actions can't compel Iran to retaliate.
<p>
The US (specifically, the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> and his officials) is entirely morally
responsible for the current situation of hostility between the US and
Iran.  If it leads to war, the US will be entirely morally responsible
for the war.  It behooves patriotic Americans to stop our country from
doing a great wrong; that means 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/128858">campaigning not to start
a war</a>, campaigning to cease and desist from war if it does start,
and rejecting the reasoning that pretends to excuse said war.


feed_id: 3d66ade6fe3fa534246142937a014c65
title: Security without tracking people
uri: Security-without-tracking-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Security_without_tracking_people%29
content:
<p>
One example of a high tech security that doesn't track people: it
<a href="https://www.libertydefense.com/news/liberty-defense-to-collaborate-with-fc-bayern-munchen-to-beta-test-hexwave/">only
detects concealed weapons</a>.
<p>
A weapon is not entitled to human rights, so I think this is ok.


feed_id: e6bba354c8f74511246e5c715e534eb6
title: Urgent: Cancel US student debt
uri: Urgent-Cancel-US-student-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Cancel_US_student_debt%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/omar-student-debt">call on
Congress</a> to cancel US student debt.
<p>
Perhaps the best approach is to allow a light form of personal
bankruptcy to cancel student debt.  That will avoid paying billions to
the lenders.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 746914c386c87fac187ce5928b84e09c
title: Order to allow shooting protesters
uri: Order-to-allow-shooting-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Order_to_allow_shooting_protesters%29

content:
<p>
Israel gave an order that snipers 
<a href="https://imemc.org/article/revealed-israels-illegal-rules-of-engagement-in-gaza-lets-snipers-shoot-key-instigators-even-when-they-move-away-from-protest-video/">can
shoot some Gazans labeled as protest leaders at any time</a>.
<p>
Shooting protesters is murder unless they are a threat to the
soldiers.  That order demonstrates contempt for that principle.


feed_id: 886c3feee1f28555d82b7c54cd6ea65b
title: Urgent: Investigate accusations against bully
uri: Urgent-Investigate-accusations-against-bully
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_accusations_against_bully%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritter to call for investigating the
accusations of rape and attempted rape made by women against the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>.
<p>
I saw a petition for this, but it uses the term "sexual assault"
in such an essential way that I won't sign or promote it.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
and 888-355-3588.


feed_id: 545ff7f21e5d6fc31ccd576ad18d7e8b
title: Refugees without hope
uri: Refugees-without-hope
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Refugees_without_hope%29
content:
<p>
Refugees dumped by Australia in Manus Island and Nauru are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/may/31/where-does-the-coalitions-re-election-leave-refugees-on-manus-and-nauru">starting
to injure and kill themselves</a>, now that the Australian election
took away their last shred of hope of refuge.


feed_id: 8eabaa9f9d025111a913db8f127b29f9
title: Natural gas
uri: 2019-06-27-Natural-gas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Natural_gas%29
content:
<p>
Natural gas is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/30/gas-loser-and-its-time-move-report-debunks-big-oil-myth-natural-gas-can-help-fight">not
a better replacement for coal</a>.


feed_id: 513ae39e5f22c326521f5d22ee4fa580
title: Asylum seekers being disappeared
uri: Asylum-seekers-being-disappeared
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Asylum_seekers_being_disappeared%29
content:
<p>
Asylum Seekers Are Being “Disappeared” in 
<a href="https://truthout.org/articles/asylum-seekers-are-being-disappeared-in-private-louisiana-jails/">Private
Louisiana Jails</a>.


feed_id: dbcfab74937e3916c58153cd03b14e15
title: Border thugs
uri: Border-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Border_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Senators proposed a 
<a href="https://gizmodo.com/new-bill-would-require-agents-to-actually-have-probable-1834960457">bill
to require border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to have probable cause before they can search
travelers' phones</a>.  (And, I hope, their other computers.)


feed_id: b888eed8f16986712c8e6f0f803df7ee
title: Jail sentence for sitting on sidewalks
uri: Jail-sentence-for-sitting-on-sidewalks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Jail_sentence_for_sitting_on_sidewalks%29

content:
<p>
A homeless man in the UK was 
<a href="https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/17635664.homeless-man-jailed-for-20-weeks-for-sitting-on-the-ground-without-reasonable-excuse/">sentenced
to 20 weeks in jail for sitting on sidewalks</a>.  The court gave the
justification that people might think he was begging.  How else are
homeless people supposed to pay for food?
<p>
The court also fined him, which I suppose means he will have to beg
later to pay the fine.


feed_id: c205f78bbac0ee45c53ee167e5dd2fbd
title: Toxic pollution
uri: 2019-06-27-Toxic-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Toxic_pollution%29
content:
<p>
The inhabitants of Reserve, Louisiana, are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/30/toxic-america-louisiana-residents-march-against-polluting-plant">marching
to demand fixing or closing the chemical plants whose toxic pollution
causes them cancer</a>.


feed_id: 06cd5978fa364a8db42e741f5ab0bb05
title: Urgent: No patenting human genes
uri: Urgent-No-patenting-human-genes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_No_patenting_human_genes%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/Dont-touch-our-genes">call
on Congress</a> not to allow patenting human genes.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: b49d40310604ed67abf126252cecdd6a
title: Urgent: No war with Iran
uri: 2019-06-28-Urgent-No-war-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_No_war_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.berniesanders.com/signup/em_iran_petition_2/">call
on Congress</a> not to allow a war with Iran.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 5b6df4364d3a3be363904f1c07278065
title: Urgent: PROTECT Immigration Act
uri: Urgent-PROTECT-Immigration-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_PROTECT_Immigration_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to pass the PROTECT Immigration Act,
which would 
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/kick-ice-out-our-communities">end
agreements for local <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments to cooperate with the US
deportation thugs</a>.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 3cbd44ac9fabcd35019e6e7c024dd417
title: Confronting dissemination of bigotry
uri: Confronting-dissemination-of-bigotry
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Confronting_dissemination_of_bigotry%29

content:
<p>
The UN Secretary General
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/26/as-the-wildfire-of-hate-speech-spreads-fighting-it-must-be-a-job-for-everybody">calls
on people to systematically confront the dissemination of bigotry</a>.
<p>
I try to do so here; please do this in your life.
<p>
I know that some people reading this site have fallen into believing
right-wing conspiracy theories.  Please make an effort to break free
of them.


feed_id: e5695ccc7b25819ffa009011eade756a
title: Planet roaster distraction campaign
uri: Planet-roaster-distraction-campaign
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Planet_roaster_distraction_campaign%29

content:
<p>
Shell has set up a fund for a multi-year "transition to a low-carbon
world" with funds equal to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/26/shell-not-green-saviour-death-machine-greenwash-oil-gas">1%
of the company's annual income</a>.  Various environmental groups are
dazzled by this paltry sum.
<p>
Shell's lobbying alone does enough damage to cancel any benefit that
fund can offer.
<p>
Decades of attempts to "engage with" fossil fuel companies proved to
have been a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#24_September_2016_(Big_US_banks_privately_fund_fossil_fuels)">planet
roaster distraction campaign</a>.
<p>
Forget about working with Shell, going one step forward and 100 steps
back, and focus on building the movement that will stop those
companies from drilling.


feed_id: f9875f2469ed85de39cb6d2e32c8cb05
title: China funding East Timor
uri: China-funding-East-Timor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28China_funding_East_Timor%29
content:
<p>
China is funding East Timor to help 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/26/timor-leste-rejects-report-it-is-taking-16bn-loan-from-chinas-exim-bank-for-gas-project">destroy
civilization</a>.
<p>
You'd never guess that from the article, which says not one word about
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> or the disaster this project will make more likely.
It focuses exclusively on short-term economic side issues.
<p>
East Timor and Australia had a long-running dispute about which one
would be allowed to extract the fossil fuel deposits in the Timor Sea.
I said that the right answer was 
<a href="">"Neither one"</a>.
<p>
I suggest you write a letter to the Guardian
(<a href="mailto:guardian.letters@theguardian.com">guardian.letters@theguardian.com</a>)
to insist that it cease disregarding <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> in articles about
the local politics of oil extraction.


feed_id: 6a3ccda5864b870890b67ad990707ea1
title: Tiffany Cabán
uri: Tiffany-Cabán
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Tiffany_Caban%29
content:
<p>
Tiffany Cabán won the election for DA of Queens, 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/06/26/tiffany-caban-queens-district-attorney-election-results/">defeating
the establishment candidate</a>.
<p>
Her efforts to jail fewer poor people may face a lot of opposition
from her own employees as well as from <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.  I hope she overcomes
it.


feed_id: bc7e562d6b9312dbe8df05921a6882c9
title: NYC climate strike on Friday
uri: NYC-climate-strike-on-Friday
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28NYC_climate_strike_on_Friday%29
content:
<p>
This Friday's climate strike in New York City 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/25/why-im-climate-striking-against-fox-news-on-friday">will
target Faux News</a>.  Faux News explicitly denies the danger of
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, while most US news outlets deny it by hardly talking
about it.


feed_id: 649565576d5d291ef4433edcb16ea765
title: Classification of illegal drugs
uri: Classification-of-illegal-drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Classification_of_illegal_drugs%29
content:
<p>
A commission with 14 former national presidents say that the
classification of illegal drugs are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jun/26/illegal-drugs-classifications-based-on-politics-not-science-cannabis-report-says">irrational
and need to be redone based on medicine and science</a>.
<p>
This has been obvious for a long time, but that commission's backing
may help change it.


feed_id: 5790e7738fde4a9766575d1bfc47899c
title: Urgent: Voting Rights Advancement Act
uri: 2019-06-28-Urgent-Voting-Rights-Advancement-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Voting_Rights_Advancement_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/urge-congress-to-pass-vraa/">call on
Congress</a> to pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 8fd449e20dccb57116c958916f5580e9
title: Drug trafficking route in Pacific
uri: Drug-trafficking-route-in-Pacific
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Drug_trafficing_route_in_Pacific%29
content:
<p>
"Caught in the middle of a drug trafficking route, [Pacific] island
countries are 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2019/jun/26/the-pacific-is-in-danger-of-becoming-a-semi-narco-region'>in
danger of falling under the control of drug cartels</a>."
<p>
Some countries there have already fallen under the grip of malign
government, including 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#08_September_2013_(Fiji's_constitution)">Fiji</a>
and
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#14_October_2018_(Nauru_condemns_MSF)">Nauru</a>.


feed_id: b0b9e25a7497f6404d72ec0ff4489825
title: Emergency food aid for Puerto Rico
uri: Emergency-food-aid-for-Puerto-Rico
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#27_June_2019_%28Emergency_food_aid_for_Puerto_Rico%29

content:
<p>
Congress approved funds for emergency food aid for Puerto Rico,
but the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/25/puerto-rico-still-waiting-approved-emergency-food-aid-sanders-condemns-trump-holding">blocking
the use of the funds</a>.


feed_id: dd32d9adb56d610d81cf3210d365f4e5
title: Urgent: Financial transactions tax
uri: Urgent-Financial-transactions-tax
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Financial_transactions_tax%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/wall-street-tax-schatz-sanders">call
on Congress</a> to enact a small financial transactions tax.
</p>
<p>
This would discourage high-frequency trading that causes market
instability.  It would also bring in a lot of money from the big
casino.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: a344e654eeca0ce9114366d44487169a
title: Prison death loophole
uri: Prison-death-loophole
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28Prison_death_loophole%29
content:
<p>
When Texas <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>' prisoners die, the thugs use a legal loophole to
cover up what happened.  (People want to know whether the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> killed
them.)  The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> unions just used their influence to block
a <a href="https://reason.com/2019/05/31/texas-police-union-kills-effort-to-close-states-dead-suspect-loophole/">bill
to close that loophole</a>.


feed_id: 735131cd4340b37efa7267705f02a4a4
title: THC and car crashes
uri: THC-and-car-crashes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28THC_and_car_crashes%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/05/31/new-car-crash-highlights-the-irrationality-of-dui-laws-based-on-thc-in-drivers-blood/">A
study of real car crashes</a> finds no significant relationship
between THC blood level and responsibility for crashes.
<p>
This is partly because the test can't reliably distinguish between
current usage and usage weeks before.


feed_id: 2af7ef0d4be4321c00aa4be6705295e1
title: Injustice of neoliberalism
uri: Injustice-of-neoliberalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28Injustice_of_neoliberalism%29
content:
<p>
Joseph Stiglitz: only one political camp in the US proposes to end the
injustice of neoliberalism (plutocracy), and that
is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/30/after-neoliberalism">the
progressive camp</a>.
<p>
Stiglitz calls it "progressive capitalism".  Sanders calls it
"socialism".  I consider it a mixture of socialism and capitalism.


feed_id: b3972d759d3225d252f76efc647444ff
title: Oil drilling in Ecuador
uri: Oil-drilling-in-Ecuador
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28Oil_drilling_in_Ecuador%29
content:
<p>
Indigenous people in
Ecuador <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/30/how-indigenous-peoples-won-landmark-victory-protecting-amazon-oil-drilling">won
a court case</a> to block oil drilling in their lands.


feed_id: dc46daab9ced87033f1d790a01ac7686
title: Micromanaged students
uri: Micromanaged-students
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28Micromanaged_students%29
content:
<p>
"You can't teach schoolchildren 'resilience' when
they're <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/31/schoolchildren-resilience-education-secretary-pupils">micromanaged
every day</a>."


feed_id: 022249f95eea86db6ccd1c252a8c968b
title: Fiction crimes in Turkey
uri: Fiction-crimes-in-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28Fiction_crimes_in_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
Turkey
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/31/turkey-puts-novelists-including-elif-shafak-under-investigation">accusing
fiction writers of crimes</a> if their fiction presents instances of
sexual violence.
<p>
I wonder whether they will charge the authors of murder mysteries
of advocating murder.


feed_id: 207e1828bf31a7c164595f1af383601b
title: Death penalty in New Hampshire
uri: Death-penalty-in-New-Hampshire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28Death_penalty_in_New_Hampshire%29
content:
<p>
New Hampshire
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/30/new-hampshire-death-penalty-abolished-state-senate-governor">abolished
the death penalty</a>.


feed_id: d05fc38079cd683c35d3c99140d03463
title: Prefab classrooms
uri: Prefab-classrooms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28Prefab_classrooms%29
content:
<p>
Israel stole prefabricated classrooms that the European Union donated
to Palestinians, and now plans
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/31/israel-to-auction-prefab-classrooms-donated-by-eu-to-palestinians">sell
them at auction</a>.


feed_id: 654573235fdd2838816a8650f17f1ea4
title: Student loan exile
uri: Student-loan-exile
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28Student_loan_exile%29
content:
<p>
Student loans trapped some Americans in ballooning, unpayable debts
which barred them from other life activities, so they
have <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/05/27/educative-extractavism.html">gone
into permanent exile</a> in countries where debt collectors can't
reach them.


feed_id: 2755c58ba9ccb448cbad3f8f9431f094
title: UK and Julian Assange
uri: UK-and-Julian-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28UK_and_Julian_Assange%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2019/05/the-missing-step/">Craig
Murray reports</a> on some occasions where the UK has bent over
backwards to twist its laws so as to imprison Julian Assange.
<p>
At present, he is being denied contact with his Swedish lawyer.


feed_id: 7b29a96129c85db869528c44afb38630
title: Impeachment inquiry
uri: Impeachment-inquiry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28Impeachment_inquiry%29
content:
<p>
The House of Representatives should launch an impeachment inquiry and
call on Mueller to testify, so as
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/29/mueller-just-invited-congress-do-its-job-impeach-trump">fill
in gaps in his report</a>.


feed_id: 603b0122f4dd287557ca3fead59db030
title: Census citizenship question
uri: Census-citizenship-question
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28Census_citizenship_question%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/05/30/census-citizenship-question-pushed-for-by-gop-gerrymanderer/">Documents
prove</a> that Republican plans to add a citizenship question to the
US census were meant to bias elections.


feed_id: 2947ccca63c01776bd1d50999c8a989e
title: Google's "data privacy" principles
uri: Google-s-data-privacy-principles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28Googles_data_privacy_principles%29
content:
<p>
Google commits to the usual 
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-alphabet-canada/alphabet-commits-to-data-privacy-in-toronto-smart-city-master-plan-idUSKCN1TP2KG">ineffective
principles of "data privacy"</a> for its "Smart City" project in
Toronto.
<p>
They are ineffective because (1) it is easy to manufacture consent
with carrots and sticks, and (2) the database 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">will
be abused even if Google doesn't directly sell it</a>.  In particular,
it will be available to the state.
<p>
<a href="http://www.blocksidewalk.ca/">Here's</a> the site for
fighting against this plan.


feed_id: d47c18094a9b43aadcb0a440d6c806f4
title: Partisan gerrymandering
uri: 2019-06-29-Partisan-gerrymandering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28Partisan_gerrymandering%29
content:
<p>
The Republican-appointed judges in the US Supreme Court 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/27/supreme-court-gerrymandering-dissent-elena-kagan">gave
state governments free rein for partisan gerrymandering</a>.
<p>
They do not always vote as a bloc, but they did so when it was
necessary to support election rigging by the Republicans that put them
there.


feed_id: 416b9bc27f52f2a4e6c86a982fce0d85
title: Concentration camps for immigrant minors
uri: Concentration-camps-for-immigrant-minors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28Concentration_camps_for_immigrant_minors%29

content:
<p>
"People are 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/27/took-drugs-recently-and-colours-danced-adrian-chiles'>dying
crossing borders</a>. It shouldn’t take shocking photos to change
that."
<p>
Congress should put money into Head Start rather than into
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/26/fund-head-start-not-internment-camps">concentration
camps for immigrant minors</a>.


feed_id: 14d273998bf41b567a40dd565494c60f
title: The school strike movement
uri: The-school-strike-movement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28The_school_strike_movement%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/27/doctors-call-for-nonviolent-direct-action-over-climate-crisis">Medical
doctors in the UK have joined</a> the school strike movement.


feed_id: 9acb740a8b2e2d7c2be7715ad591db4d
title: US hospitals suing the poor
uri: US-hospitals-suing-the-poor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28US_hospitals_suing_the_poor%29
content:
<p>
The US Hospitals 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/27/us-hospitals-lawsuits-medical-bills">Suing
the Poor Over Bills They Can't Afford</a>.


feed_id: e0a42485be7a01ad6f5a189a981b5de1
title: Media manipulation by Monsanto
uri: Media-manipulation-by-Monsanto
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28Media_manipulation_by_Monsanto%29
content:
<p>
Monsanto doesn't stop with smearing individual journalists and other
organizations that don't say what Monsanto wants them to say.  It also
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/02/monsanto-manipulates-journalists-academics">pays
organizations that pretend to be neutral</a>, to condemn them.
<p>
Monsanto went so far as to send a phony reporter to converse with the
real reporters covering a trial.  Her job was to suggest points of
view that favored Monsanto.
<p>
Similar tactics have been used in other fields (tobacco, oil) to
prevent the public from recognizing the danger of various products.
The punishment for the participation of a corporation in such a
campaign should be to seize the corporation's assets and dissolve it.


feed_id: c93d0c09d7d8dcff8692b96f51bbdbb9
title: US atrocities that Wikileaks revealed
uri: US-atrocities-that-Wikileaks-revealed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28US_atrocities_that_Wikileaks_revealed%29

content:
<p>
When the US government criticizes Assange, it carefully controls the
"context" &mdash; 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/30/assange-indictments-hide-context-war">excluding
all mention of the US atrocities that Wikileaks revealed</a>.
<p>
To punish those atrocities, and prevent more like them, was a powerful
justification for what Assange and Wikileaks did, powerful enough to
justify minor illegalities.  However, if Assange is tried under the
espionage act, 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#18_June_2019_(The_Coming_Show_Trial_of_Julian_Assange)">the
court will exclude this justification a priori</a>.


feed_id: 02f7e7cb890ae05ee76d8fb110244f06
title: Voters fed up with "free trade" policies
uri: Voters-fed-up-with-free-trade-policies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28Voters_fed_up_with_free_trade_policies%29

content:
<p>
American voters are fed up with the "free trade" policies.  Democrats
must
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/30/if-democrats-want-beat-trump-they-better-not-nominate-free-trade-candidate">reject
the candidates that support it</a>.


feed_id: 50fd0186455b3aa1a27052642c334257
title: The United States' priorities
uri: The-United-States-priorities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28The_United_States_priorities%29
content:
<p>
You can see the United States' priorities in 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/30/society-decay-when-worst-first-and-best-last">how
it allocates its money</a>.  This is also reflected in how the
amplifiers of public attention focus.


feed_id: b8de93329bf9355e3cf2f13125dc2d0a
title: The PRO act
uri: The-PRO-act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28The_PRO_act%29
content:
<p>
The PRO act would block or punish some of the ways companies try to
punish US workers for forming a union, and 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/31/us-workers-are-standing-their-rights-new-law-would-back-them">make
it harder for companies to refuse to negotiate</a>.


feed_id: d83d614aac27c131eab8d3c450c2db7c
title: US border thugs
uri: 2019-06-29-US-border-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#28_June_2019_%28US_border_thugs%29
content:
<p>
The US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are capable of making reasonable compromises 
<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/05/25/726128023/in-rural-west-texas-illegal-border-crossings-are-routine-for-u-s-citizens">with
people they don't yearn to cause suffering to</a>.


feed_id: 1c0d513a759476221f902f8fb60f48f9
title: Urgent: Reject the Pebble mine
uri: Urgent-Reject-the-Pebble-mine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_the_Pebble_mine%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/pebblemine-DEIS">call on the
Army Corps of Engineers</a> to reject the Pebble mine.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 5cb75593f9b540c93c79076ec38b0749
title: Ancient Rome's aqueducts
uri: Ancient-Rome-s-aqueducts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_June_2019_%28Ancient_Romes_aqueducts%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Historians Reveal Aqueducts Were Only Small Portion Of Ancient Rome’s
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/historians-reveal-aqueducts-were-only-small-portion-of-1835903546">Intricate
Water Park System</a>.


feed_id: e03a8b86364bf7a00594af3342888cef
title: Release of Ola Bini
uri: Release-of-Ola-Bini
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_June_2019_%28Release_of_Ola_Bini%29
content:
<p>
Ecuador has released Ola Bini from jail, but it seems that he
<a href="https://freeolabini.org/en/statement_habeas/">still faces
charges and can't leave Ecuador</a>.


feed_id: 54c463ce969b6bc5ae214207d8c7cce1
title: Assange suffering from psychological torture
uri: Assange-suffering-from-psychological-torture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_June_2019_%28Assange_suffering_from_psychological_torture%29

content:
<p>
The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture visited Assange and says he is
suffering the effects of
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/31/calling-treatment-julian-assange-psychological-torture-un-expert-demands-end-us">"prolonged
exposure to psychological torture" as well as physical illness</a>.


feed_id: e698705b83b4a7d9179df7e8dd62471c
title: Helicopter parenting
uri: Helicopter-parenting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_June_2019_%28Helicopter_parenting%29
content:
<p>
Helicopter parenting is
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/06/01/when-did-play-become-occupational-therapy/">forced
on US children even before they learn to walk</a>.  It supposes
children can't learn basic motor and sensory skills except through
explicit teaching.
<p>
As for old-fashioned free play, that is not allowed any more.


feed_id: a7282a6ef1dc0118a4ec8162501103df
title: Shootings
uri: 2019-06-29-Shootings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-mar-jun.html#29_June_2019_%28Shootings%29
content:
<p>
Senator Warren points out that mass shootings are the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/02/elizabeth-warren-san-francisco-democrats-virginia-beach-shooting">tip
of the iceberg of shootings in general</a>.


feed_id: 0bedfebb17019a7e96c55134b89ab505
title: Urgent: Linda Fairstein
uri: Urgent-Linda-Fairstein
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Linda_Fairstein%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/fairstein-central-park-5">call
for reexamining</a> the criminal convictions won by prejudiced
prosecutor Linda Fairstein.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: ff2964a70c0b8900826e78a0917d9fe0
title: Urgent: Immigrant children and teenagers
uri: Urgent-Immigrant-children-and-teenagers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_June_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Immigrant_children_and_teenagers%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/trump-administration-treatment-migrant-children/">call
on the Department of Harshness and Suffering</a> to stop violating the
human rights of immigrant children (and immigrant teenagers).
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: b3b0a60bb5777e7e9b59e0a214312554
title: EU farm policy
uri: EU-farm-policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_June_2019_%28EU_farm_policy%29
content:
<p>
The
EU <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/28/european-commission-accused-of-deliberately-harming-climate-action">buried
a study</a> about the climate impact of its farm policy.


feed_id: 6c38924c1889349b1033c3364bfdae26
title: Protests in China
uri: 2019-07-01-Protests-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_June_2019_%28Protests_in_China%29
content:
<p>
There were protests all across China 30 years ago, not just at Tien An
Men square in Beijing.  Students were
killed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/02/chinas-other-tiananmens-30th-anniversary-1989-protests">all
across China</a>, too.


feed_id: df85b603ee0885b6fc6ea5ae394e8fbf
title: Abortion bans
uri: 2019-07-01-Abortion-bans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_June_2019_%28Abortion_bans%29
content:
<p>
Republican-controlled states are passing abortion bans that most
people in those states oppose.  They are able to do this because their
gerrymandering
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/02/how-gerrymandering-undermines-democracy-us-elections">overridden
democracy</a> in those states.


feed_id: 841e5b040adbcbfe1f4ad5e2049d4dd8
title: Berlin highway
uri: Berlin-highway
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_June_2019_%28Berlin_highway%29
content:
<p>
Berliners are protesting to stop a new highway, not only because of
the buildings that would be torn down, but
also <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/02/germany-love-fast-cars-runs-into-berlin-radical-ravers">because
of pollution</a>.


feed_id: 059bce928a4406a733a4e51c42550ee5
title: Global heating and whiskey
uri: Global-heating-and-whiskey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_June_2019_%28Global_heating_and_whiskey%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> hit Scotland's economy last year, as the heat wave
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jun/02/scotland-whisky-climate-crisis-heatwave-distilleries-halt-production">interrupted
whiskey production</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/may/31/scotland-apocalypse-action-cut-emissions">Making
climate mayhem concrete</a> for Scotland.


feed_id: de18c1a5e6a3c0aa095467bf764bae37
title: Robots for crops
uri: Robots-for-crops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_June_2019_%28Robots_for_crops%29
content:
<p>
Robots are being developed
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jun/02/the-five-robot-farmers-labour-shortages-harvest-fieldwork-robotics-iron-ox-ecorobotix-farmbot">plant
and pick crops</a>, and to remove weeds.
<p>
To avoid the use of herbicide will be a great step forward.
Eliminating human jobs could wipe out millions of people
if society does not create other sustenance for them.
<p>
Meanwhile, I fear these robots are full of nonfree software and they
they subjugate farmers just
as <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_May_2015_(John_Deere)">John
Deere tractors</a> do.
It is surely possible to develop farm robots that do not impose this
injustice.  That will happen, if farmers organize to reject nonfree
software.


feed_id: e4f75b7acdb82a6d4597f5a3e61952cc
title: UK budget cuts
uri: 2019-07-01-UK-budget-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_June_2019_%28UK_budget_cuts%29
content:
<p>
Tory budget cuts have
caused <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/01/perfect-storm-austerity-behind-130000-deaths-uk-ippr-report">130,000
avoidable deaths</a> in the UK since 2012.


feed_id: 3573106deae59327a42858b9761864cc
title: Law for federal indictment
uri: Law-for-federal-indictment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_June_2019_%28Law_for_federal_indictment%29
content:
<p>
Senator
Warren <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/31/make-sure-no-president-above-law-warren-calls-new-measure-enabling-doj-indict">proposed
a law</a> to allow federal indictment of the president.


feed_id: d3bad565b55796307724ff3d100d0f42
title: Crowded refugee prisons
uri: Crowded-refugee-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_June_2019_%28Crowded_refugee_prisons%29
content:
<p>
Packing refugees into prisons: they were so crowded that some had
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/31/beyond-barbaric-internal-govt-report-reveals-migrants-forced-stand-toilets-breathing">stand
on toilets</a> to get some air.


feed_id: 3ccb8a56b2dc52642805abcfd1f6a233
title: Sanders' record
uri: Sanders-record
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#30_June_2019_%28Sanders%27_record%29
content:
<p>
"Americans should be very concerned about Bernie Sanders' record of
<a href="https://theweek.com/articles/843845/americans-should-concerned-about-bernie-sanders-record-opposing-mass-murder">opposing
mass murder</a>."
<p>
Warning: almost every statement in the article is meant ironically.


feed_id: d759c5c036ad94ad365a8f9bfc9ae4e0
title: World-wide threat to encryption providers
uri: World-wide-threat-to-encryption-providers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#1_July_2019_%28World-wide_threat_to_encryption_providers%29

content:
<p>
The Australian Labor Party voted to enact Australia's world-wide
threats to those that provide reliable encryption, while saying that
it went too far.  The party said it would fix the problem if it won
the next election.
<p>
Then the Labor Party lost.  The end result is that it
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/28/spies-with-that-police-can-snoop-on-mcdonalds-and-westfield-wifi-customers">helped
create the threat and cannot do anything to fix it</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#8_December_2018_(Back_doors_in_Australia)">More
information about that menacing law</a>.


feed_id: d8169a887a36d0a8c1fc13af29ae161f
title: Reward for blocking net neutrality vote
uri: Reward-for-blocking-net-neutrality-vote
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#1_July_2019_%28Reward_for_blocking_net_neutrality_vote%29

content:
<p>
GOP Blocking of Net Neutrality Vote Rewarded as
<a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/05/47-democrats-cave-on-net-neutrality-after-gop-calls-bill-dead-on-arrival/">47
Democrats Ask for Compromise</a>.


feed_id: e099bb0a575311b07800fc6d4136f620
title: Voter registration campaigns
uri: Voter-registration-campaigns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28Voter_registration_campaigns%29
content:
<p>
Tennessee Republicans are creatively trying another form of voter
suppression: fining organized voter registration
campaigns <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/04/tennessee-law-aims-to-suppress-african-american-votes-lawsuit">for
any mistake</a>.


feed_id: a97b021589261ddaf048d0406f542061
title: China 30 years ago
uri: China-30-years-ago
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28China_30_years_ago%29
content:
<p>
Ai
Weiwei <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/04/china-tiananmen-square-beijing">calls
on other countries</a> to help the world remember the Chinese state's
massacre of student protesters, 30 years ago.  It was the foundation
of the repression of China today.


feed_id: 0f1241e9521f7269718e5c961b17c16b
title: Surveillance art hack
uri: Surveillance-art-hack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28Surveillance_art_hack%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://criticalengineering.org/projects/prism-the-beacon-frame/">An
art/hack project</a> teaches people about government surveillance of
their Stalin's Dream devices.
<p>
It wouldn't affect me!


feed_id: 67b35675ad00752c29393d8521302ce9
title: Corporate polluters
uri: Corporate-polluters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28Corporate_polluters%29
content:
<p>
You Can't Save the Climate By Going Vegan. Corporate
Polluters <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/03/you-cant-save-climate-going-vegan-corporate-polluters-must-be-held-accountable">Must
be Held Accountable</a>.
<p>
Changes in our personal consumption habits are needed &mdash;
especially the habit of making more humans and increasing the
population.  But we won't achieve those changes soon enough by leaving
it up to people to go against social and economic pressures.  We need
to change those social and economic pressures.


feed_id: 8375866d0a3aeed346ef4a37334cee6a
title: Neglected Google Home
uri: Neglected-Google-Home
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28Neglected_Google_Home%29
content:
<p>
(satire) <a href="https://www.theonion.com/neglected-google-home-sits-by-window-barking-at-passers-1835191824">Neglected
Google Home</a> Sits By Window Barking At Passersby.
<p>
It was probably doing face recognition on them, too.


feed_id: 48d2decf3bc4cb33e8e05f03cc4ecd1d
title: PFAS chemicals
uri: 2019-07-02-PFAS-chemicals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28PFAS_chemicals%29
content:
<p>
Food products tested by the FDA
held <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/03/chemicals-seafood-meat-chocolate-cake-pfas-fda-report">substantial
levels of PFAS chemicals</a>.


feed_id: 5be04568d44caf43a6aac620e4d3806e
title: Protesters in Sudan
uri: Protesters-in-Sudan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28Protesters_in_Sudan%29
content:
<p>
Sudan's military rulers
have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/04/military-sudan-bashir-protesters-death-khartoum">massacred
protesters</a>, apparently with the support
of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/03/sudanese-crackdown-comes-after-talks-with-egypt-and-saudis">US-backed
axis of evil</a> (Egypt, Salafi Arabia and the UAE).


feed_id: 9741f38a40d9c3ffa7d65d62024ab9c7
title: Global heating and public health
uri: Global-heating-and-public-health
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28Global_heating_and_public_health%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is already
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/03/climate-crisis-seriously-damaging-human-health-report-finds">grave
public health problem</a>.


feed_id: 98ae39e0216b582c42dc6f07b648c0e5
title: High-heel requirement
uri: High-heel-requirement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28High-heel_requirement%29
content:
<p>
Japanese women are pressuring to prohibit employers
from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/03/women-in-japan-protest-against-having-to-wear-high-heels-to-work-kutoo-yumi-ishikawa">requiring
use of high-heeled shoes</a>.
<p>
Since I learned about the pain, and the difficulty of walking, that
high heels impose, seeing them leads me directly to think about how
uncomfortable the women wearing them must be &mdash; and it reminds me
of old Chinese foot-binding.


feed_id: a4db0eb8ff02a732251ad4fe176fb6a1
title: Apartments for homeless
uri: Apartments-for-homeless
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28Apartments_for_homeless%29
content:
<p>
Helsinki
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/jun/03/its-a-miracle-helsinkis-radical-solution-to-homelessness">eliminated
homelessness</a> by giving every homeless person an apartment, and
welfare benefits with which to pay the rent for it.
<p>
San Francisco would not be able to do this.  The first step is to make
enough apartments available, and that requires pushing aside the
zoning laws that get in the way, as well as money for the
construction.


feed_id: c2769a6f6a110b8e0efd4fd5c1fd186d
title: San Francisco
uri: San-Francisco
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28San_Francisco%29
content:
<p>
Even some tech workers in San Francisco agree that they have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/jul/01/san-francisco-big-tech-workers-industry">ruined
what was special and good about that city</a>.
<p>
Most of the big, prominent companies mentioned in the article either
distribute malware or offer spying, manipulatory dis-services, or
both.  I reject all that malware, and I mostly don't use their
dis-services.


feed_id: 7a9228e14b86f19ab408d3e999455b64
title: "Fans"
uri: Fans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Fans%29
content:
<p>
The internet has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/01/boris-johnson-hyperleader-insurgents-web-seize-control">elevated
the importance of charismatic leaders over political movements and
their programs</a>.  These leaders become the targets of intense
adoration by their supporters (or, should we say, "fans"?).
<p>
I admire some progressive hyperleaders, and I even have confidence in
them to make better strategic decisions than I could.  But no way will
I ever adore them in the pitiful fashion described in the article.
<p>
I don't want to have an imaginary, one-sided "personal" relationship
with the president of the US.  I want per to do the right thing for
the country and the world.
<p>
I urge you to support the free software movement.  I hope you see the
need to do what advances freedom in the long term, rather than what is
convenient for you in the short term.  But please don't be my "fan" in
an adulatory sense.  Don't lower yourself to the level of a mere "fan"
of anyone.  It's freedom that deserves such loyalty.


feed_id: 3e7fbeeb9fc4645efedae09d088d8bf5
title: Urgent: Oppose sale of government student loans
uri: Urgent-Oppose-sale-of-government-student-loans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_sale_of_government_student_loans%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Devos-sell-student-loans">call
on the Department of Education</a> not to sell government student
loans to Wall Street.


feed_id: b9e2027f87a3d31ec80ac09fab60a922
title: Haiti
uri: 2019-07-03-Haiti
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Haiti%29
content:
<p>
Haiti has a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/30/haiti-washington-meddling-missed-press">worse
crisis than Venezuela, and it has continued for much longer</a>.  The
US press and the OAS protect "President" Moise, because he was imposed
by Washington through a rigged election.


feed_id: dd9747686e4bb23abe7668e8fca27932
title: System that makes the rich richer
uri: System-that-makes-the-rich-richer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28System_that_makes_the_rich_richer%29
content:
<p>
Capitalism wasn't designed by an "invisible hand".  It was 
<A href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/capitalisms-dirty-secret-it-was-built-by-lawyers-not-by-the-invisible-hand-2019-05-01">built
by legal decisions made on a political basis</a>, with the rich
insisting on privilege.  The result is a system that makes the rich
richer.


feed_id: 28938555c729e9ebd92376ed5af8d82c
title: Mussels cooked by heatwave
uri: Mussels-cooked-by-heatwave
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28Mussels_cooked_by_heatwave%29
content:
<p>
Heatwave 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/28/california-mussels-cooked-heat">Cooks
Mussels in Their Shells on California Shore</a>.


feed_id: 84ee8657294d167ca35f696e0a6cfd5b
title: reCAPTCHA version 3
uri: reCAPTCHA-version-3
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28reCAPTCHA_version_3%29
content:
<p>
reCAPTCHA version 3 supposedly figures out "are you human?", and
Google won't say how, but experiment shows that 
<a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90369697/googles-new-recaptcha-has-a-dark-side">the
main question it uses is "are you logged in on a Google account?"</a>
<p>
Anti-trust rules could help deal with this, if they prohibit Google
from inviting lots of web sites from making use of a Google account
their criterion for letting people log in.  Competitors to Google
can't possibly test that.
<p>
It also penalizes users that browse via Tor.
Since I won't trust these companies to know where I am,
I won't turn off Tor to use a web site.  I simply won't use it.


feed_id: 15160f84c8044db52407e53a67d11008
title: Imprisonment of minors
uri: Imprisonment-of-minors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28Imprisonment_of_minors%29
content:
<p>
The sadist has made rules that bring about imprisoning minors that
cross the border, so they are being kept in primitive, unbearable,
disease-inducing conditions.  The sadist is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/30/children-border-crisis-america-wasnt-prepared-for-trump-us-immigration">using
them as political pawns</a>.
<p>
The border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> say they have the necessary supplies to alleviate
some of the imprisoned minors' suffering, so apparently the suffering
that occurs is what they intend.
<p>
We have a president and officials that intentionally practice sadism,
carrying out laws that presume at least a modicum of human decency.


feed_id: 7cee2c494ba4c05608cabe550c8cbe23
title: Silicon Valley and fake news
uri: Silicon-Valley-and-fake-news
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28Silicon_Valley_and_fake_news%29
content:
<p>
"By framing deepfakes as a tech problem we allow Silicon Valley to
evade responsibility for its 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/24/deepfakes-facebook-silicon-valley-responsibility'>symbiotic
relationship</a> with fake news."


feed_id: bf19ef91a426b7b0a057fee3157e9a00
title: Workplace violence and harassment
uri: Workplace-violence-and-harassment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28Workplace_violence_and_harassment%29
content:
<p>
The International Labour Organization has produced a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jun/21/move-to-end-sexual-harassment-at-work-hailed-as-milestone-for-womens-rights-international-labour-organization">treaty
to establish global standards for stopping workplace violence and
harassment</a>.


feed_id: a1b3b210001cd098f9c57052718b0d90
title: Industry lobby group
uri: Industry-lobby-group
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28Industry_lobby_group%29
content:
<p>
The "International Life Sciences Institute" is meant to be mistaken
for a research organization.  Its real work is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/03/science-institute-that-advised-eu-and-un-actually-industry-lobby-group">infiltrating regulatory
bodies</a> to exert influence on behalf of business.


feed_id: 38e26637bc670d1852107ce8057d35d5
title: The climate emergency
uri: The-climate-emergency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28The_climate_emergency%29
content:
<p>
"We 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2019/jun/03/we-must-mobilise-for-the-climate-emergency-like-we-do-in-war-time-where-is-the-climate-minister">must
mobilise</a> for the climate emergency like we do in war time. Where
is the climate minister?"


feed_id: 55479781f1ca70af799b24656f25bb85
title: India's history of lynching Dalits
uri: India-s-history-of-lynching-Dalits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28Indias_history_of_lynching_Dalits%29
content:
<p>
India's 
<a href="https://medium.com/@dalithistorynow/dulina-the-legacy-of-a-long-history-of-lynching-dalits-7c3c51a2f180">long
history</a> of lynching Dalits.


feed_id: 5d52b9bd81cf60a7b96611e71ffd2a0c
title: Alaska's ice highways
uri: Alaska-s-ice-highways
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#2_July_2019_%28Alaskas_ice_highways%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is making Alaska's ice highways dangerously thin,
sometimes 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/01/thin-ice-march-warming-alaska-led-eight-deaths-disrupted-fishing">fatally
so</a>.


feed_id: 76bf8a6fdd7c7f8a0c2157978790ea2e
title: Chase bank imposing binding arbitration
uri: Chase-bank-imposing-binding-arbitration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Chase_bank_imposing_binding_arbitration%29

content:
<p>
Chase bank is 
<a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90357331/chase-adds-forced-arbitration-clause-to-slate-credit-cards">imposing
binding arbitration on use of its credit cards</a>.
<p>
If you have one of those cards, you may as well send the letter to opt
out.  But it would be even better to switch to some other bank, one
which does not do this, and tell both Chase and the other bank your
reason for doing so.
<p>
Whichever credit card you use, every time you use it it will
inform the bank and the store.  Don't be tracked, pay cash!


feed_id: 3940778b901f6e3d50a607ba507a2c81
title: Ad-blockers impossible in Chrome
uri: Ad-blockers-impossible-in-Chrome
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Ad-blockers_impossible_in_Chrome%29
content:
<p>
Google has modified Chrome so that 
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/05/31/conflict-of-interest-2.html">ad-blockers
are impossible</a>.


feed_id: 20045c40c78e1552a18182b56b2fb91c
title: Terms of Service
uri: 2019-07-04-Terms-of-Service
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Terms_of_Service%29
content:
<p>
Public pressure has 
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/05/31/star-chamber-foiled.html">killed
an attempt turn clickthrough terms of service into legally binding
obligations in the US</a>.


feed_id: 680500134b1d55d2a31386c82902a9c0
title: Google Assistant contractors
uri: Google-Assistant-contractors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Google_Assistant_contractors%29
content:
<p>
Google outsources the work of training Google Assistant to contractors
that hire workers and pressure them to work
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/may/28/a-white-collar-sweatshop-google-assistant-contractors-allege-wage-theft">unpaid
overtime</a>.
<p>
I don't think Google would cheat its own employees, but the level of
indirection makes cheating almost automatic.


feed_id: 062fdd63670242511b309a8ef8330419
title: Interfering with oil pipelines
uri: Interfering-with-oil-pipelines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Interfering_with_oil_pipelines%29
content:
<p>
Republicans 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/04/dangerous-trump-administration-unveils-proposal-hit-pipeline-protesters-20-years">want
to make interfering with an oil pipeline (actual or under
construction) a federal crime with a 20-year penalty</a>.
<p>
We should go in the other direction, and legalize damaging pipelines
as long as this does not result in spilling any significant amount of
toxic chemicals.


feed_id: 5cb8324b982824e63fca90cc5252941a
title: Apple tracking
uri: 2019-07-04-Apple-tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Apple_tracking%29
content:
<p>
Apple can track iMonsters 
<a href="bhttps://www.macrumors.com/2019/06/03/apples-new-find-my-app/">even
when they are suspended</a>.
<p>
This distributed bluetooth network is said to be "secure", but it is
obviously _not_ secure from Apple or from governments that can command
Apple's obedience (such as the US and China).


feed_id: fd672738a2bfeb7db1144e7e857e2d58
title: Urgent: War promotion
uri: Urgent-War-promotion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_War_promotion%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/tell-us-media-outlets-dont-sell-war-iran">call
on US media outlets</a> not to promote war with Iran.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 809f0148fb3a3968da7de02ab4696cde
title: Urgent: Concentration camps
uri: Urgent-Concentration-camps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Concentration_camps%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/petition-190624-camps/">call
on the US</a> to shut down the concentration camps where the
government imprisons thousands of migrant minors (children and
teenagers), subject to brutal conditions.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 501b35a4dbe1010ad6848d512be2218f
title: Reusable boxes for shopping
uri: Reusable-boxes-for-shopping
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Reusable_boxes_for_shopping%29
content:
<p>
A supermarket in the UK is encouraging customers to buy many products
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jun/04/waitrose-launches-packaging-free-trial">without
throwaway packaging</a>.  One can get a reusable box from the store,
with a refundable deposit.


feed_id: 6d6417f89175f772ea40eab73fb0fc78
title: Teacher strike bill
uri: Teacher-strike-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Teacher_strike_bill%29
content:
<p>
The Republicans that control West Virginia
are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/03/absolutely-disgusting-west-virginia-senate-passes-bill-would-ban-teacher-strikes">working
on a bill</a> to authorize firing teachers that strike.
<p>
This is retaliation for the effective strikes that teachers held last year.


feed_id: 816b8e057fda44cb4e64a556a3de69aa
title: Thailand dissidents
uri: Thailand-dissidents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Thailand_dissidents%29
content:
<p>
Thailand appears to
be <a href="https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-thailand-dissidents-20190528-story.html">murdering
dissidents in exile</a>.


feed_id: c9c080882d36d488ea3a0672c740af3d
title: Concert face recognition
uri: Concert-face-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Concert_face_recognition%29
content:
<p>
A concert near you may be a little piece of China: a new system would
let them use face recognition systems to identify anyone who tries to
enter.  The developers of the system explicitly state that the purpose
of this is to exclude
people <a href="https://www.ticketnews.com/2019/05/new-ticketing-platform-facial-recognition/">based
on what they have said</a>.
If a concert required me to identify myself, I'd refuse outright.
<p>
If it is only concerts, it would not be a disaster.  We can live
without going to large concerts.  But the developers want to use it to
keep people out of train stations (and trains).  That would be little
different
from <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#20_April_2019_(China_deploys_robot_cops)">what
China does now</a>.


feed_id: 8f19970c2ed759825b1ccfc365a2a35f
title: Pre-planned spontaneous responses
uri: Pre-planned-spontaneous-responses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Pre-planned_spontaneous_responses%29
content:
<p>
The UK government
has <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/mind-control-secret-british-government-blueprints-shaping-post-terror-planning">pre-planned
spontaneous responses</a> of grief and sympathy to foreseeable kinds
of terrorist attacks.
<p>
To channel the public response away from hatred and demonization of
some segment of society seems like a good thing to me, provided it is
done in an honest way.  The article suggests that these campaigns
pretend to be something other than what they are, but I am not sure
that they do so.


feed_id: 402cf6f74c98896e7fd1a887db866295
title: Press freedom in Europe
uri: Press-freedom-in-Europe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Press_freedom_in_Europe%29
content:
<p>
Freedom of the press
can <a href="https://www.euractiv.com/section/media4eu/news/freedom-of-press-in-europe-no-longer-self-evident/">no
longer be taken for granted</a> in Europe.
Right wing governments are clamping down on the media.
<p>
Macron in France is trying to start this: some sort of secret police
have <a href="https://www.thelocal.fr/20190530/top-journalist-grilled-by-french-intelligence-over-macron-bodyguard">interrogated
reporters</a> about their sources for information about crimes of the
state.


feed_id: e2b30862d5873144ae8b8d6f4e292d1d
title: Carbon neutral Finland
uri: Carbon-neutral-Finland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Carbon_neutral_Finland%29
content:
<p>
Finland Pledges to
Become <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/04/finland-pledges-to-become-carbon-neutral-by-2035">Carbon
Neutral by 2035</a>.
<p>
That could be doing their share of solving this problem, or almost.


feed_id: 2c8dc8611beeaed0955c8c15fccca6bb
title: Punishing suicide attempts
uri: Punishing-suicide-attempts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Punishing_suicide_attempts%29
content:
<p>
Punishing people who try to commit suicide can make them more
depressed.  Meanwhile, it encourages others
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/04/suicide-attempt-criminalised-unjust-dangerous">treat
them with contempt</a>.


feed_id: 6954f31361a1c8195ebb5c607e6f7c3e
title: Koch research funding
uri: Koch-research-funding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Koch_research_funding%29
content:
<p>
The Koch brothers
fund <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/03/report-shows-how-koch-brothers-bankroll-fox-news-regulatory-policy-world-help-push">right-wing
biased "research"</a> inside universities.


feed_id: 655a9021055fecf9f5f8667934b6cfcc
title: Oakland gun violence
uri: Oakland-gun-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#3_July_2019_%28Oakland_gun_violence%29
content:
<p>
The Oakland <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department
has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/03/ersie-joyner-interview-oakland-police-ceasefire-gun-violence-prevention">cut
gun violence in half</a> by taking a less thuggish approach &mdash;
the first move is to try to help people get out of the violence.


feed_id: 41589b6fbd5467cfb5416d172adc8cf1
title: Urgent: Ban face surveillance
uri: Urgent-Ban-face-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_face_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/ma-no-secret-face-surveillance">call
on Massachusetts</a> to ban face surveillance.
<p>
To sign this without running nonfree Javascript code, use lynx.


feed_id: 4e6874aa0c119dd7fbb1bd9c191bea4c
title: Failures of humanitarian aid funds
uri: Failures-of-humanitarian-aid-funds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28Failures_of_humanitarian_aid_funds%29

content:
<p>
The UK government and other major donors of humanitarian aid funds
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jul/03/uk-government-among-those-exaggerating-impact-of-aid-report">exaggerate
how effective the aid is</a>.
<p>
They go so far as to harass people who want to report on problems or
failures.


feed_id: 74d2617bc60147dcab01857d07419f72
title: Mining the sea bottom
uri: Mining-the-sea-bottom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28Mining_the_sea_bottom%29
content:
<p>
Mining the sea bottom with today's technology could 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/03/deep-seabed-off-limits-mining-companies">wipe
out bottom-dwelling sea life and mobilize sediments into pollution
that could travel thousands of miles</a>.
<p>
The damage could take centuries to fade away.


feed_id: 95241b4f92ed2fa0015d950e8f33abf7
title: Brazil's presidency
uri: Brazil-s-presidency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28Brazils_presidency%29
content:
<p>
Bolsonaro has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/03/jair-bolsonaro-brazil-first-six-months-right-dismayed">alienated
a substantial fraction of his right-wing supporters</a>.  Alas, they
are stuck with him for several more years.


feed_id: 79e5ef14d09c324c48fcb454a62d4099
title: Elected to Parliament while black
uri: Elected-to-Parliament-while-black
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28Elected_to_Parliament_while_black%29
content:
<p>
A newly elected Green MEP is
black, and when he went to the Parliament for the first time, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/03/magid-magid-black-mep-claims-he-was-asked-to-leave-eu-parliament-on-first-day">someone
told him to leave</a>.


feed_id: d52a603ae33b85190c40534082310f17
title: Animal testing
uri: Animal-testing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28Animal_testing%29
content:
<p>
The Environmental Pollution Agency 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/07/03/epa-animal-testing-experiments-toxicity-regulation/">plans
to stop using animals to test whether chemicals can damage humans</a>.
<p>
Despite the advances made in testing via simulation, it would be
foolish to take for granted that the reality matches the simulation.


feed_id: b5e24aa6287d6841c9bfd94666f13cb3
title: Charged for being shot while pregnant
uri: Charged-for-being-shot-while-pregnant
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28Charged_for_being_shot_while_pregnant%29

content:
<p>
The DA dropped the charges against Marshae Jones, who was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/03/alabama-pregnant-woman-shot-charges-dropped">accused
(in effect) of being shot while pregnant</a>.
<p>
However, the fundamentally wrong idea that a fetus is a person has
been used against hundreds of women, and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/04/marshae-jones-alabama-fetal-rights-alarmed">could
be used against thousands more</a>.
<p>
Any woman who is pregnant and located in one of those repressive
states is taking a risk.  Best to leave that state and not return
until you're no longer pregnant.


feed_id: 8e9ab040436960bb2609a4d911a7f84e
title: Letting Boeing regulate itself
uri: Letting-Boeing-regulate-itself
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28Letting_Boeing_regulate_itself%29
content:
<p>
Obama boasted of his success in 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/06/boeing-obama-gold-watch-and-346-dead">marketing
Boeing planes while allowing the FAA to let Boeing regulate
itself</a>.
<p>
Keep in mind also that expanding aviation exacerbates <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: 82b16faefb8a22c5563c0981d0372b4d
title: Judicial independence in Italy
uri: Judicial-independence-in-Italy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28Judicial_independence_in_Italy%29
content:
<p>
Salivini is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/06/salvini-steps-up-attacks-on-italian-judges-who-challenge-him">attacking
judicial independence in Italy</a>.
<p>
This is a standard part of the fascist attack on human rights: to
eliminate anything that can limit their power over individuals.


feed_id: c50e027a5ba0b9d3549972bb0f2c03ec
title: Prosecution of Julian Assange
uri: Prosecution-of-Julian-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28Prosecution_of_Julian_Assange%29
content:
<p>
The US major media are waking up to how the prosecution of Julian
Assange
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/06/corporate-media-have-second-thoughts-about-exiling-julian-assange-journalism">threatens
them too</a>.


feed_id: 53ce2507f0843ad5293d071a4ba31f75
title: Fracking
uri: 2019-07-06-Fracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28Fracking%29
content:
<p>
Fracking in the US is the 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/05/not-freedom-gas-failure-gas-first-its-kind-report-details-planetary-perils-us">path
to global disaster</a>.


feed_id: 67fd9abf83792f041680433af4516556
title: US election system
uri: US-election-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28US_election_system%29
content:
<p>
America Is 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/05/america-missing-its-chance-fix-our-election-system-we-vote-2020">Missing
Its Chance to Fix Our Election System Before We Vote in 2020</a>.
<p>
There are 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#22_January_2017_(Jill_Stein_on_election_recounts)">obstacles
to making a recount really occur</a>, and Republicans have taken
advantage.
<p>
This article doesn't cover the other great flaws of US elections:
gerrymandering and voter suppression.


feed_id: 07e18ab465ad68551f4359cc90f3908e
title: DNC
uri: DNC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28DNC%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic National Committee 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/06/emergency-we-need-democrats-act-it-outrage-dnc-announces-it-will-not-host-2020">refused
to hold a presidential debate about climate defense</a>.  Furthermore,
if any of the candidates set up a debate outside the DNC, the DNC will
punish them.
<p>
If enough of the candidates get together to organize a climate debate
outside the DNC, they can make it gag on this decision.  
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/05/accused-plagiarism-biden-campaign-admits-lifting-carbon-capture-section-climate-plan">"Debates"
including only Biden</a> and a few unpopular candidates would make
the DNC ridiculous.


feed_id: 381aa2eed8fca0af42edd6a717906a64
title: Presidential candidates
uri: Presidential-candidates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28Presidential_candidates%29
content:
<p>
(satire) 
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/media-urged-not-to-release-names-of-any-more-presidenti-1835302127">Media
Urged Not To Release Names Of Any More Presidential Candidates</a> In
Effort To Prevent Copycats.


feed_id: 40ecd5f974064f241abcbf63ad140692
title: Pressuring officials to change views
uri: Pressuring-officials-to-change-views
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28Pressuring_officials_to_change_views%29

content:
<p>
Biden has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/06/abortion-joe-biden-hyde-amendment">reluctantly
dropped his opposition to government funding of abortions</a>.
<p>
It is useful to pressure officials to change their views, but when
candidates change their views under pressure, that is no reason to
vote for them.


feed_id: afb733c59cfcac199d3c949449b54198
title: Experiments on wealthy people
uri: Experiments-on-wealthy-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28Experiments_on_wealthy_people%29
content:
<p>
Many experiments show that wealthy people 
<a href="https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/opinion-why-do-rich-people-lie-cheat-and-steal-more-than-those-on-low-incomes-4647197-May2019/">tend
to me inconsiderate, even jerks</a>.


feed_id: d18cd2e1a13dcc961b2a8b5f6c38d5df
title: Rent control for New York State
uri: Rent-control-for-New-York-State
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_%28Rent_control_for_New_York_State%29
content:
<p>
Tenants in New York State are pushing to 
<a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/universal-rent-regulation-new-york/">extend
rent control to the entire state</a>.


feed_id: 1a8cf0b6423d7df416a2219bb432d6ab
title: Urgent: Private prison tax breaks
uri: Urgent-Private-prison-tax-breaks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#6_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Private_prison_tax_breaks%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/private-prison-tax-breaks">call
on Congress</a> to exclude private prisons from the REIT tax break.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: b5e0e9f3b78331b6a50f51ea0f7217d0
title: Fantasy terrorist
uri: 2019-07-07-Fantasy-terrorist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#6_July_2019_%28Fantasy_terrorist%29
content:
<p>
It looks like the FBI has
caught <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/07/new-york-terror-plot-times-square-man-accused-in-court">another
fantasy terrorist</a>.
<p>
The article does not say, but it sounds like he bought arms illegally
that were offered to him under the auspices of the FBI.  I can't be
certain, but I suspect he would never have been a real threat without
FBI help.
<p>
In some such cases, state informants have spent months persuading the
accused person to undertake the fantasy act of terrorism.  Those
people would not even have wanted to commit terrorism if not for the
activities of state agents.
<p>
These activities give the impression of protecting the public, but
they don't really do that.


feed_id: 4f7f6a0738b4d90a6c8b5da707048d23
title: CIA chief
uri: CIA-chief
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#6_July_2019_%28CIA_chief%29
content:
<p>
WSJ Says CIA Chief Wouldn't Do Anything 'Inappropriate' &mdash;
Despite <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/07/wsj-says-cia-chief-wouldnt-do-anything-inappropriate-despite-record-torture-and">Record
of Torture and Coverup</a>.
<p>
"Inappropriate" is used precisely because it is totally vague.  It is
often used to exaggerate and treat a mere disagreement of judgment as
a grave wrong.  Here it is being used to portray a grave wrong as a
mere disagreement of judgment.


feed_id: 2ac1d9d1a4f972463832e8452cca472b
title: Whitewashing war crimes
uri: Whitewashing-war-crimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#6_July_2019_%28Whitewashing_war_crimes%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/07/whitewashing-war-crimes-has-become-american-way">Whitewashing
War Crimes</a> Has Become the American Way.


feed_id: 182bf51c42eb62197050b1822c7624a1
title: Drug pricing bill
uri: Drug-pricing-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#6_July_2019_%28Drug_pricing_bill%29
content:
<p>
Citing Fears of Americans Getting 'Screwed,' Progressive
Democrats <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/06/citing-fears-americans-getting-screwed-progressive-democrats-call-out-pelosi">Call
Out Pelosi</a> for Crafting Pharma-Friendly Drug Pricing Bill in
Secret.


feed_id: 6b65cbafe135ec8c77e0418bc4c188a6
title: Use of economic sanctions
uri: Use-of-economic-sanctions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#6_July_2019_%28Use_of_economic_sanctions%29
content:
<p>
Economic sanctions are devastating weapons, which the US
is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/06/sanctions-are-genocidal-and-they-are-uss-favorite-weapon">using
against many countries</a>.


feed_id: 061e870430a24242f3c398047bed22b9
title: YouTube's purging attempts
uri: YouTube-s-purging-attempts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#6_July_2019_%28YouTube%27s_purging_attempts%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/06/journalist-and-educator-among-those-caught-youtubes-latest-attempt-purge-online-hate">Journalist
and Educator</a> Among Those Caught Up in YouTube's Latest Attempt to
Purge Online Hate Speech.
<p>
A centralized publishing platform provokes demands for centralized
censorship.  A centralized private publishing platform can censor
however it wishes &mdash; while people organize to demand that certain
works be censored, or not be censored.
<p>
I think that centralized publishing platforms are the root of the
problem.


feed_id: c024220ae7a2d94db403ac9cd8941d94
title: Walmart and minimum wage
uri: Walmart-and-minimum-wage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#6_July_2019_%28Walmart_and_minimum_wage%29
content:
<p>
Walmart's CEO asked Congress
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/06/05/walmart-ceos-call-higher-minimum-wage-shows-raising-wage-isnt-just-win-workers">raise
the US minimum wage</a>.
<p>
I agree, but this doesn't excuse Walmart for not giving its employees
a wage now.


feed_id: 174fa71d4ef1534c2d6fe1cf0457fba5
title: Bomb tech to Salafi Arabia
uri: Bomb-tech-to-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#6_July_2019_%28Bomb_tech_to_Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> wants to give Salafi
Arabia <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/07/warnings-more-deadly-attacks-yemen-trump-permits-raytheon-manufacture-high-tech-bomb">some
US bomb technology</a> so it can make its own bombs for devastating
Yemen.


feed_id: 06588412e9e6a945160ee6a3e89796c8
title: Measles vaccine 'fix'
uri: Measles-vaccine-fix
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#6_July_2019_%28Measles_vaccine_%27fix%27%29
content:
<p>
Homeopaths
are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/07/homeopathic-therapies-prevent-measles-cure-autism">misleading
the public</a> about measles vaccine by pretending that it does some
sort of damage and that they can fix it.
<p>
This "remedy" is less absurd than the usual homeopathic "remedies", which
contain approximately none of the supposed active ingredient.  At least it
contains vitamin C, which can cure scurvy (but nothing else).  However,
it is particularly dangerous.


feed_id: 7e8e4fe037d1e77ae6c27ad4cfd018ec
title: Drilling in Aegean Sea
uri: Drilling-in-Aegean-Sea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#6_July_2019_%28Drilling_in_Aegean_Sea%29
content:
<p>
The euro banks have forced Greece into leasing a large part of the
Aegean Sea for oil extraction.  In the short term this is likely
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/07/why-replace-dolphins-with-oil-drilling-battle-for-greece-marine-life-hellenic-trench">kill
lots of whales</a>.
<p>
In the long term it will contribute to global disaster.
The euro banks and the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bankster">banksters</a> that run them must be treated
as the enemies of civilization.


feed_id: 568e6d0f45e1000ba13775787d9d0b65
title: Glenn Greenwald
uri: Glenn-Greenwald
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28Glenn_Greenwald%29
content:
<p>
Glenn Greenwald published evidence that former judge Sérgio Moro
corruptly targeted Lula.  Now Moro in his new position as minister has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/03/brazil-glenn-greenwald-investigation-outcry-bar-association-journalists">ordered
a criminal investigation of Greenwald</a>.
<p>
I would be surprised if Greenwald had really committed a serious
crime.  So I expect this is meant as intimidation or revenge.


feed_id: 236d7032f982e72afa8230e3c9460d8e
title: The conman's tax returns
uri: 2019-07-07-The-conman-s-tax-returns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28The_conmans_tax_returns%29
content:
<p>
House Democrats have
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/07/02/finally-after-months-delay-house-democrats-sue-trump-tax-returns">sued
to demand copies</a> of the conman's tax returns.
<p>
I fear that the Republican-chosen Supreme Court will defend the
other Republicans.


feed_id: 0039058b160d8ae9076876b995b1e972
title: Cost of global heating
uri: 2019-07-07-Cost-of-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28Cost_of_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
With Poorest Bearing the Brunt, Report Warns Searing Temperatures of
Global Heating
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/07/02/poorest-bearing-brunt-report-warns-searing-temperatures-global-heating-could-cost">Could
Cost World Economy $2.4 Trillion by 2030</a>.


feed_id: edaf040efa79de1c8d890c87a2eb0fda
title: Scholars rebuke US Holocaust Museum
uri: Scholars-rebuke-US-Holocaust-Museum
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28Scholars_rebuke_US_Holocaust_Museum%29

content:
<p>
Historians and other scholars rebuked the US Holocaust Museum for
rejecting
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/07/02/400-scholars-rebuke-us-holocaust-museum-fundamentally-ahistorical-position">the
idea that Nazi atrocities carry any lesson about circumstances that
aren't precisely similar</a>.


feed_id: 24298b854cedc4b3037624ebab96479a
title: Eliminating patents on medicines
uri: Eliminating-patents-on-medicines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28Eliminating_patents_on_medicines%29
content:
<p>
Eliminating patents on medicines
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/07/02/why-arent-democrats-talking-about-ending-patent-financed-drug-research">would
do a lot to make medicines cheaper in the US</a>, but even the most
progressive candidates are not talking about it.
<p>
I have not seen how Baker proposes to do something similar to copyleft
in the domain of patents.  When I've looked at this, I found no way to
do it.  Basically, copyright law and patent law are so different that
it is a mistake to try to generalize from one to the other.  However,
if he has a good idea, I hope I get to see it.


feed_id: bc47e709781b86a8539e8f10ddc5510a
title: Defending Earth's climate
uri: Defending-Earth-s-climate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28Defending_Earths_climate%29
content:
<p>
There
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/07/02/meek-be-damned-global-warming">isn't
time left for a meek approach</a> to defending the Earth's climate.
<p>
I am in favor of the measures described, including establishing legal
requirements to preserve natural ecosystems and the conditions they
depend on.  However, to say that they have legal rights is
conceptually incoherent.  Only a being capable of wanting and deciding
can have rights, because exercising rights is a matter of wanting and
deciding.


feed_id: 43b472284d7b800e6ae54f7d46cadde6
title: Global Heating
uri: 2019-07-08-Global-Heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28Global_Heating%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Global heating has caused a <a href="Global heating has caused a plague of oak processionary caterpillars
in Germany.  They release tiny toxic hairs.">plague of oak processionary caterpillars</a>
in Germany.  They release tiny toxic hairs.
<p>
<p>
Large numbers of them might kill some oak trees, too.
<p>


feed_id: f6b01efd9f9aff1020d22b48a573125b
title: Deforestation
uri: 2019-07-08-Deforestation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28Deforestation%29
content:
<p>
<p>
A plague of forest-destroying monsters are rapidly <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/07/06/brazil-amazon-rainforest-indigenous-conservation-agribusiness-ranching/">converting the
Amazon forest</a> into a minimalist ecosystem of pasture, cattle, and
soybeans.
<p>
<p>
I think the first decade of food shortage, a few decades from now, will look
like this all around the world, as agribusiness pushes to compensate for
loss of yield by pushing even marginal land into production.
<p>


feed_id: f58f2fbf9dc7a67da57958067bc44136
title: Immigrant Policy
uri: Immigrant-Policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28Immigrant_Policy%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Australia has a policy of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jul/06/irish-family-darragh-hyde-anthony-hyde-christine-hyde-allowed-to-stay-in-australia">making immigrant families leave</a> if they
have a baby that turns out to have an expensive disease.
<p>


feed_id: a0b8b58b808499312901afa9190cad9d
title: Census Question
uri: Census-Question
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28Census_Question%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The bully is still hunting for an excuse to <a href="The bully is still hunting for an excuse to add a citizenship question to
the US census.">add a citizenship question to
the US census</a>.
<p>
<p>
"In the real world, the fact that the executive branch plans to offer
'a new rationale' [for the citizenship census question] <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/07/trump-plans-new-rationale-census-citizenship-question/593383/">is proof it
has been lying</a>. In the legal world, however, this maneuver might yet
succeed."
<p>
<p>
Given the evidence of its real purpose, any other supposed purpose must be
another lie.
<p>


feed_id: ef354642d96115e1f73637010630ff4c
title: Gaslighting
uri: 2019-07-08-Gaslighting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28Gaslighting%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Don't stretch the term "gaslighting" too far &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/06/gaslighting-gone-mainstream-but-we-shouldnt-overuse-the-term">it will lose its
useful meaning</a>.
<p>


feed_id: 0eb4f7c6da15f03ef26e039ea81439bd
title: Heating Up
uri: Heating-Up
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28Heating_Up%29
content:
<p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/05/alaska-heatwave-record-temperatures">Anchorage, Alaska, hit 90F</a>.  This follows a whole month of June
which was 5F hotter than the past average.
<p>
<p>
June 2019 was globally the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/07/03/june-hottest-month-record-antarctica-melts-top-3-signs-we-are-cooking-planet-and?cd-origin=rss">hottest month ever measured</a>.
<p>
<p>
Reportedly one wildfire in Spain started because a field of manure
spontaneously combusted.  With another few degrees of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
this will happen frequently.
<p>
<p>
Alaska's Republican governor wants to cut 40% of the University of Alaska
budget, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/06/mike-dunleavy-alaska-university-system-budget-cuts">especially the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment</a> and Policy.
<p>
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a> know if they can starve climate research for 20
years, we will miss the chance to use it to avoid disaster.
<p>


feed_id: dc243d4009a71d22d2925de7bac066ca
title: Goodwill Punished
uri: Goodwill-Punished
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28Goodwill_Punished%29
content:
<p>
<p>
Other ship captains faced, or now face, prosecution in Italy <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/05/o-captain-my-captain-sailors-who-risk-jail-to-save-migrants-lives
">for rescuing
people drowning</a> in the Mediterranean sea.
<p>


feed_id: 6b00f0ea323de56cd3300074f5c6157d
title: Jeremy Corbyn
uri: 2019-07-08-Jeremy-Corbyn
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28Jeremy_Corbyn%29
content:
<p>
<p>
The Plot to Keep Jeremy Corbyn <a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/07/04/plot-keep-jeremy-corbyn-out-power?cd-origin=rss">Out of Power</a>.
<p>
<p>
I still support Corbyn.  I condemn antisemitism, and I am satisfied
that he does, too.
<p>


feed_id: 009db99ec2dad267777bcfcf576efc29
title: Urgent: Surveillance
uri: Urgent-Surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Surveillance%29
content:
<p>
<p>
US citizens: call on Massachusetts legislators to support the moratorium
on <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/ma-face-surveillance-moratorium?ms_aff=MA&initms_aff=MA&ms=190701_Press+Pause_MA&initms=190701_Press+Pause_MA&ms_chan=eml&initms_chan=eml">government face surveillance</a>.
<p>
<p>
This does not go far enough, not nearly, but it is a good first step.
<p>


feed_id: b31e31cf97bcf7e4a68c097e406fcd07
title: Urgent: Iesha Harper
uri: Urgent-Iesha-Harper
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Iesha_Harper%29
content:
<p>
<p>
US citizens: call on Phoenix to fire and <a href="
https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/fire_phoenix_officers_assaulted_black_woman/?t=1007&akid=33788%2E1242918%2EvD7vcv">charge the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> that threatened
to kill Iesha Harper</a>.
<p>
<p>
I think it is morally irrelevant that Harper was female, that she was
pregnant, and that she and black.  Doing the same thing to me would
have been equally wrong &mdash; no more, no less.  It's wrong for agents of
the public to threaten people that way &mdash; any people &mdash; or to threaten
any kind of violence against people who are not violent.
<p>
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> might have treated a white man with more respect, but that's
a different question.
<p>


feed_id: c9a3bade5545cc5433dcb55943cf3b88
title: Urgent: Anti-discrimination laws
uri: Urgent-Anti-discrimination-laws
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Anti-discrimination_laws%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/dhhs-protect-trans-rights">call
on the Department of Health and Human Services</a> not to allow
discrimination on basis of gender identity or sexuality.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 4da9f761e1059562e239c146ea5ad4e6
title: Relations and identity
uri: Relations-and-identity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Relations_and_identity%29
content:
<p>
Isn't it perverse to think that "who you are" is defined
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2019/jun/09/dani-shapiro-science-will-bring-an-end-to-these-family-secrets-inheritance">which
people you are related to</a>?
<p>
If I were to find out that the mother and father that raised me were
not my biological parents (unlikely in my case), it would not change
who I <em>am</em>.  It would not even change <em>what</em> I am.  It
might affect what I think about some of the parents, but it would be
irrelevant to what I think about me.


feed_id: 9128cdc0349f507f0d6a76457f642962
title: 'Intelligence' about Iran
uri: Intelligence-about-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28%27Intelligence%27_about_Iran%29
content:
<p>
Some of the "intelligence" about Iran that the conman cites comes from
the propaganda campaign of the US-supported terrorist group
Mojahedin-e-Khalq, which attributes
it <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/06/09/heshmat-alavi-fake-iran-mek/">to
a fictional person</a> &mdash; in effect, a US sock-puppet.
<p>
This group was formerly designated by the US as a terrorist group,
but a campaign backed apparently by powerful influence and funds
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#23_September_2012_(Removal_of_Mojahedin-e_Khalq_from_terrorist_list)">got
that designation changed</a> a few years ago.
<p>
It is an injustice to designate groups as
"terrorist" <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_October_2017_(Labeling_groups_as_terrorist_without_trial)">without
a trial</a>, but there was a factual basis to consider it a
US-sponsored terrorist group.


feed_id: 30a29a2f36a32f398a31d9be1eabf4df
title: Biden and Iraq
uri: Biden-and-Iraq
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Biden_and_Iraq%29
content:
<p>
Biden, as a senator in 2002, pushed actively to invade Iraq; he
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/07/bravo-now-do-iraq-war-after-hyde-reversal-2020-candidate-seth-moulton-reminds-biden">blocked
careful examination</a> of Dubya's false claims.


feed_id: b4c425b93f1ba001e817bf6720c38ce3
title: Smear against Warren
uri: Smear-against-Warren
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Smear_against_Warren%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/07/curious-case-elizabeth-warren-and-charter-school-lobbyist-who-wasnt">Analyzing</a>
a right-wing disinformation smear against Senator Warren.
<p>
Compare this with the disinformation
smears <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_May_2019_(The_smears_against_Assange)">against
Julian Assange</a>.


feed_id: d26e378ab2c428e2ea1b5f0414a1f6af
title: Modern concentration camps
uri: Modern-concentration-camps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Modern_concentration_camps%29
content:
<p>
An historian of modern concentration camps (first used in the Boer War
to imprison the Afrikaner women and children) says that US prisons for
refugee
minors <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/07/predicting-even-more-horrifying-conditions-historical-journalist-describes-parallels">are
an example</a>.  "I expect to see contagious diseases, malnutrition in
some cases, and mental health crises."


feed_id: 0fcbab00cfcc39f66ad3ea4518dcad30
title: Restructuring the Supreme Court
uri: Restructuring-the-Supreme-Court
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Restructuring_the_Supreme_Court%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/07/four-ways-expand-us-supreme-court">Ideas
for restructuring</a> the US Supreme Court to be less partisan.


feed_id: b308307af2523be8a7242290435da47f
title: Arctic Ocean
uri: Arctic-Ocean
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Arctic_Ocean%29
content:
<p>
The Arctic Ocean is
becoming <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/07/oceans-demise-the-end-of-the-arctic-as-we-know-it">hot,
acidic, and short of oxygen</a>.


feed_id: a072a31c6955660c9450e555d96ede95
title: Killer of Justine Damond
uri: Killer-of-Justine-Damond
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Killer_of_Justine_Damond%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> who shot and killed Justine Damond has been sentenced
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/07/justine-damond-death-mohamed-noor-minneapolis">12
years in prison</a>.
<p>
Since it is so rare for <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to be punished for crimes, I think we
should celebrate each time this occurs.  At the same time, I hope that
such convictions will not be limited to cases where the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> is a Muslim
and the victim is white.


feed_id: 671f6a1e5062f6bee31da06fd479525d
title: Sites blocked in China
uri: Sites-blocked-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Sites_blocked_in_China%29
content:
<p>
China <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/06/07/china-bans-the-intercept-and-other-news-sites-in-censorship-black-friday/">has
blocked access</a> to many journalistic sites from the US, Canada and
UK.


feed_id: 1886d067647ada69a669eb6510ea2015
title: 'Death tax'
uri: Death-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28%27Death_tax%27%29
content:
<p>
The Australian election was affected by right-wing propaganda about a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jun/08/it-felt-like-a-big-tide-how-the-death-tax-lie-infected-australias-election-campaign">nonexistent
plan</a> for a "death tax".
<p>
This was a double dose of bullshit: the idea that there is something
bad about an inheritance tax, and the idea that Labor was in favor of
one.
<p>
Every country needs an inheritance tax to limit the accumulation of
great wealth across generations.  The US needs a bigger inheritance
tax, and needs to eliminate the ways that rich people can avoid it.


feed_id: 083c91676bf4f636ff1630a1e4d23f19
title: Nauru refugee prisoners
uri: Nauru-refugee-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Nauru_refugee_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
Australia 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jul/06/judge-accuses-australia-of-putting-relationship-with-nauru-before-the-law">pretends
that its puppet government in Nauru is stopping it</a> from bringing
its refugee prisoners to Australia for medical care that is impossible
on Nauru.
<p>
Nauru could delay even the consideration of the "request" for months
or years, until the patient is dead.


feed_id: 157dece474183a1588a95273315fc659
title: Attacks on civilians in Idlib
uri: Attacks-on-civilians-in-Idlib
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Attacks_on_civilians_in_Idlib%29
content:
<p>
Assad's air force is 
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-casualties/russian-led-assault-in-syria-leaves-over-500-civilians-dead-rights-groups-rescuers-idUSKCN1U200Q">persistently
attacking civilians</a> in Idlib, with Russia's help.


feed_id: 3db292803db3c8bbabd1920b269d65c6
title: Global population
uri: Global-population
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Global_population%29
content:
<p>
Global Population of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/07/africa-birth-control-global-population-crisis">Eight
Billion And Growing</a>: We Can't Go On Like This.


feed_id: 9cccee3c84ca54936ac0766dff44e7af
title: Spying on children
uri: Spying-on-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Spying_on_children%29
content:
<p>
Spying on Children 
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/07/opinion/lockport-facial-recognition-schools.html">Won’t
Keep Them Safe</a>.


feed_id: 8a1aa6ca53ded72e3206bcebdd2513f4
title: Republican "by hook or by crook" spirit
uri: Republican-by-hook-or-by-crook-spirit
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Republican_by_hook_or_by_crook_spirit%29

content:
<p>
Republicans in North Carolina demonstrate their "by hook or by crook"
spirit by 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/06/05/abortion-born-alive-bill-north-carolina/">threatening
over and over to vote on overriding the governor's veto of an abortion
restriction</a>.  To defeat it, every Democrat needs to be present,
over and over.


feed_id: fc1924052eeb77a6fcf995fd265c2a6e
title: Reporter beaten by thugs
uri: Reporter-beaten-by-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Reporter_beaten_by_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Doctors believe that Russian <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/08/russian-journalist-ivan-golunov-beaten-by-police-in-custody">beat
reporter Ivan Golunov badly enough to break his ribs</a>, but they
can't tell for certain, because the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> won't allow him to have an
x-ray.


feed_id: 21f25bea9a75040210ba88b583690049
title: Martin Luther King Jr
uri: 2019-07-09-Martin-Luther-King-Jr
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Martin_Luther_King_Jr%29
content:
<p>
There is an attempt to accuse Martin Luther King Jr. of being a
bystander at a rape, based an on 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/08/martin-luther-king-david-garrow-essay-claims">unattributed
note written on part of his FBI file</a>.  Historians say that such a
note is not real evidence.
<p>
Aside from that, he is also accused of peccadilloes such as having sex
outside of marriage.  As if that mattered.
<p>
Individuals and their actions can make a big difference in the course
of history.  I consider Martin Luther King a great man.


feed_id: b1c15c5fda3dcdbadd3af722c8c9a2c0
title: New laws banning abortion
uri: New-laws-banning-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28New_laws_banning_abortion%29
content:
<p>
40 prosecutors 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/07/40-state-and-local-prosecutors-say-they-wont-enforce-unconscionable-abortion-bans">refuse
to enforce</a> new laws banning abortion.


feed_id: 7375d3132eef504da82ac490fbaa8936
title: Multi-drug-abuse crisis
uri: Multi-drug-abuse-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Multi-drug-abuse_crisis%29
content:
<p>
It is more accurate to talk about a 
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/06/04/opioid-crisis-more-complex-than-that-study-shows-fatalities-usually-involve-multiple-drugs/54pI90wDIZW5egsKOqXQDK/story.html">multi-drug-abuse
crisis</a> than about an opioid crisis.


feed_id: f4fc44ecd18e1f32c3d9523cf09d4312
title: Intractable war in parts of Africa
uri: Intractable-war-in-parts-of-Africa
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Intractable_war_in_parts_of_Africa%29

content:
<p>
Many parts of Africa are wracked by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/09/world-full-of-wars-so-many-ignored-central-africa-sudan-boko-haram">intractable
war</a>.
<p>
It is easy to call for world powers to "do something", but what should
they do?  Some of these wars may be fueled by actions of foreign
powers &mdash; for instance, corruption that sucks Africa's money out
into tax havens &mdash; and we can see at least in principle how to
stop that.  But it is hard to see how to put an end to the violent
Islamist extremist groups.


feed_id: 75e9315b035ce041805c64169a373047
title: Protests in Hong Kong
uri: Protests-in-Hong-Kong
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Protests_in_Hong_Kong%29
content:
<p>
Hundreds of thousands 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/09/vast-protest-in-hong-kong-against-extradition-law-china">protested
in Hong Kong against the extradition law being imposed by the
legislature</a>, which has was elected under a system designed to give
China control.


feed_id: e95fa71c8b3bf9b5bba1f6125be1b99d
title: Military rule in Sudan
uri: Military-rule-in-Sudan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#8_July_2019_%28Military_rule_in_Sudan%29
content:
<p>
The protesters in Sudan have launched a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/09/general-strike-sudan-shutdown">general
strike</a>.
<p>
Sudan's military rulers are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/09/sudan-generals-renewed-crackdown-general-strike-looms-arrest-white-collar-workers">arresting
people to try to end it</a>.


feed_id: 7ae54ebcb4377d3434e7e277df21ba0c
title: Urgent: Stop face recognition by airlines
uri: Urgent-Stop-face-recognition-by-airlines
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_face_recognition_by_airlines%29

content:
<p>
If you live in the US or visit it regularly, 
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/letter/tell-jetblue-delta-and-american-airlines-stop-using-facial-scanning-technology-passengers/">call
on airlines in the US</a> to stop using face recognition to identify
passengers.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: ca6c144e74f46580400df9e2a16b05ff
title: Urgent: Ratify the Equal Rights Amendment
uri: Urgent-Ratify-the-Equal-Rights-Amendment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Ratify_the_Equal_Rights_Amendment%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-we-must-ratify-the-equal-rights-amendment-only-one-more-state-is-needed-virginia-must-vote-yes">call
on Virginia</a> to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 67295d3c1ec1505a8327ed304b0870f3
title: Urgent: Respect for refugees
uri: Urgent-Respect-for-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Respect_for_refugees%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-now-close-the-camps-and-respect-immigrants">call
on Congress</a> to give refugees respect rather than concentration
camps.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 17a36288abc475e3a80755fa851f4e7b
title: Tracking movements of cars
uri: Tracking-movements-of-cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28Tracking_movements_of_cars%29
content:
<p>
New York City 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/07/09/surveillance-perceptics-new-york-city-drivers/">wants
to use "congestion pricing" as an excuse</a> for total tracking of the
movements of cars.


feed_id: 9719a7411d4e4b2501ecd3b82d1954ae
title: Deportation decisions based on "evidence"
uri: Deportation-decisions-based-on-evidence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28Deportation_decisions_based_on_evidence%29

content:
<p>
The US government rejects and deports immigrants based on 
<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/immigration-officials-use-secretive-gang-databases-to-deny-migrant-asylum-claims">"evidence"
in a secret database</a> that supposedly indicates people's gang
affiliations.
<p>
Supposed gang affiliations have been 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#02_September_2015_(Solitary_confinement_of_gang_leaders)">based
on unverified speculations in other circumstances</a>.  There is no
reason to expect them to be better founded when used for deportation.
And secrecy positively invites lies.


feed_id: 7f5778296712c223b6efefcd239f3e28
title: Facebook
uri: 2019-07-10-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Facebook 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/09/facebook-is-ripe-for-exploitation-again-in-2020">stands
ready to promote right-wing extremism in 2020 just as it did
before</a>.  "The more extreme the message, the farther it will
travel."
<p>
The article proposes a law to require political ads to target the
whole constituency that is voting.  It sounds like a good idea.
However, Facebook is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/facebook.html">nasty in many other ways</a>, so show your
friends that Facebook is not where you can be found.


feed_id: b066a6ac4db5eecce297c9cae999b08a
title: Thwaites glacier
uri: Thwaites-glacier
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28Thwaites_glacier%29
content:
<p>
The melting of the Thwaites glacier in Antarctica is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/09/glacial-melting-in-antarctica-may-become-irreversible">heading
for a tipping point</a>, after which it will slide into the ocean and
raise sea level by around half a meter (20 inches) over the next 150
years.


feed_id: 1e08ca268014af7e00e1c3cc2e8510ef
title: Minimum wage in California
uri: Minimum-wage-in-California
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28Minimum_wage_in_California%29
content:
<p>
What's worse than paying $1200 per month to rent a slot in a bunk bed?
Working 45 hours a week for that slot, in lieu of pay &mdash; which
comes out to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/09/silicon-valleys-answer-to-the-housing-crises-charging-1200-for-a-bunk-bed-in-a-shared-house">roughly
$6 per hour</a>.
<p>
For life's other expenses, you need another job on top of that.
<p>
The minimum wage in California is over $10 an hour, so I think the
"volunteer" sales agents are being cheated.


feed_id: 1b6fb299966651f0f457edaabc82e418
title: Amazon's tax dodging and low wages
uri: Amazon-s-tax-dodging-and-low-wages
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28Amazons_tax_dodging_and_low_wages%29
content:
<p>
Some propose to boycott Amazon for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/08/amazon-25-burst-birthday-balloon">dodging
taxes and paying low wages</a>.
<p>
I don't disagree, but a mere boycott is inadequate.  It fails to
recognize that 
<a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">>Amazon does wrong to its customers
directly</a>.
<p>
To think of buying from Amazon as a "sin" means closing your eyes to
how it mistreats you.  I think of it as being spied on.  If I bought
from Amazon, if I let Alexa listen to me, I would feel ripped off
&mdash; not merely guilt.  I protect my rights; I don't give Amazon a
chance to mistreat me.


feed_id: 771a6e7d45eabab31ec8177cf2d6bd22
title: Union activism in "conservative" states
uri: Union-activism-in-conservative-states
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28Union_activism_in_conservative_states%29

content:
<p>
The strength of union activism in "conservative" states shows that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/10/want-to-beat-trump-learn-from-workers-in-republican-states">progressive
Democrats that stand for workers can win those states</a>.


feed_id: aa9eb98581826beefcef9b0047ee2934
title: Underlying evidence for Mueller's report
uri: Underlying-evidence-for-Mueller-s-report
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28Underlying_evidence_for_Muellers_report%29

content:
<p>
The conman 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/11/trump-russia-house-committee-to-see-mueller-evidence">made
a deal with the House of Representatives</a>, under which it is
providing some of the underlying evidence for Mueller's report.


feed_id: cd3f0f928697b36f567ee564009d1ad0
title: Salafi Arabia, UAE and Egypt
uri: Salafi-Arabia-UAE-and-Egypt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28Salafi_Arabia%2C_UAE_and_Egypt%29
content:
<p>
Why don't <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>, UAE and Egypt criticize China for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/10/us-envoy-decries-lack-of-foreign-response-to-chinas-attack-on-islam">putting
perhaps a million Uighurs in brainwashing camps</a>?
<p>
They generally work closely with the US.  I suspect they have
discussed this issue with the conman.  He does not care about
imprisoning Muslims, or killing them, and neither do those other
countries.


feed_id: 33bd1fc277e5251f73b7af0e1b7f5e8a
title: Old poor people in Japan
uri: Old-poor-people-in-Japan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28Old_poor_people_in_Japan%29
content:
<p>
Old poor people in Japan are pushed into living in a giant housing
project where there are no elevators, no stores to buy anything, and
no medical clinic.  That tells them, in effect, "Please die soon."
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/jun/11/how-tokyo-suburban-housing-blocks-became-ghettoes-for-the-old">Many
never have visitors</a>.
<p>
In he future, when many of the old people will have spent their lives
habituating themselves to isolation except over the internet, they may
find this isolation normal, but it will be even deeper.


feed_id: 1fee6b1c6018828346f64531437bf694
title: Labour Party
uri: 2019-07-10-Labour-Party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28Labour_Party%29
content:
<p>
The Labour Party needs to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/10/labour-antisemitism-row-hinders-palestinian-cause-peter-hain">expel
real antisemitism and launch a political debate about Israel and
Palestine</a>.


feed_id: 1595270efdd188ba640f0590e4f40c9b
title: Greenpeace activists board BP oil rig
uri: Greenpeace-activists-board-BP-oil-rig
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28Greenpeace_activists_board_BP_oil_rig%29

content:
<p>
Greenpeace Activists Board BP Oil Rig 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/09/greenpeace-activists-board-bp-oil-rig-as-it-is-towed-out-to-sea">As
It Is Towed out to Sea</a>.
<p>
There is no room in the carbon budget for new fossil fuel mines.
Every one that is made is a step too far, towards disaster.


feed_id: a2d798a313e9fd0b758d54d1526ad60f
title: Teaching children about LGBT issues
uri: Teaching-children-about-LGBT-issues
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28Teaching_children_about_LGBT_issues%29

content:
<p>
"Teaching children about LGBT issues is not brainwashing &mdash; it
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/09/teaching-children-lgbt-issues-parents-teachers-government'>equips
them for life</a>."
<p>I also like the quote, "No parent has a right to restrict [per]
children from learning about other perspectives on the world."


feed_id: 2641fceafd0307dbcd9987d636405325
title: National security as a bargaining chip
uri: National-security-as-a-bargaining-chip
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#9_July_2019_%28National_security_as_a_bargaining_chip%29

content:
<p>
The conman's aide, Mnuchin, made it clear that the motive for
sanctions against Huawei is partly 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jun/09/huawei-trump-restrictions-trade-talks-china-mnuchin">economic
pressure</a> (as distinguished from protecting national security).
<p>
How foolish of them to treat this important issue as a mere bargaining
chip.
<p>
Using a Chinese company's proprietary software threatens national
security in any other country, just as using a US company's
proprietary software threatens national security in any other country.


feed_id: f5f5c4d68cb803f43628a62a2f1e8d04
title: The Republican Party
uri: 2019-07-10-The-Republican-Party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28The_Republican_Party%29
content:
<p>
Rep. Amash says that the Republican Party is now so rigid there is 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/07/08/justin-amash-on-his-break-from-the-gop-its-not-just-about-trump/">no
room for any disagreement or independence</a>.


feed_id: b186f3bf526a5ff7f51837a5363ff141
title: Technology and the labor market
uri: Technology-and-the-labor-market
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Technology_and_the_labor_market%29
content:
<p>
Technology and the labor market 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/07/08/why-busy-ness-so-damaging">combine
to make many people too busy to think much</a>.


feed_id: 230ee4dd4b178879977d26615169b9d6
title: Heat wave in Europe
uri: 2019-07-10-Heat-wave-in-Europe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Heat_wave_in_Europe%29
content:
<p>
The heat wave in Europe 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/08/weatherwatch-heatwaves-nuclear-power">interfered
with nuclear power plants</a> because they couldn't get the river
water they require for cooling.


feed_id: f055fdf8705f67530350f4c0bd642e56
title: Mexico
uri: 2019-07-10-Mexico
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Mexico%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s tariff threat to Mexico 
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/08/us/politics/trump-mexico-deal-tariffs.html">was
theater</a>.  Mexico had agreed to most of the concessions already.
<p>
Mexico 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/10/trumps-mexico-tariff-deal-fake-news-mexico-has-been-enforcing-us-immigration-policy">has
been serving as a US border control agent for years</a>.


feed_id: 90229186f6f537e781c98edfe5a08d24
title: Methane from melting permafrost
uri: Methane-from-melting-permafrost
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Methane_from_melting_permafrost%29
content:
<p>
"Abrupt thawing" can make the melting permafrost release 
<a href="https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2785/unexpected-future-boost-of-methane-possible-from-arctic-permafrost/">large
amounts of methane in a short time</a>.  The release of the methane
won't be spread safely over centuries &mdash; it could be concentrated
in decades.
<p>
<a href="https://truthout.org/articles/arctic-is-thawing-so-fast-scientists-are-losing-their-measuring-tools/">Arctic
Is Thawing So Fast Scientists Are Losing Their Measuring Tools</a>.
Several meters of soil can come loose in a few days.
<p>
Abrupt thawing can cause landslides and 
<a href="https://phys.org/news/2019-04-rapid-permafrost-unrecognized-threat-landscape.html">transform
terrain beyond recognition</a>.


feed_id: 98e34597f9c28f921b1ab88dda44ae79
title: Plutocratists
uri: Plutocratists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Plutocratists%29
content:
<p>
Biden 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/11/biden-tells-donors-and-lobbyists-fundraiser-gop-will-know-better-after-trump-and">said
that banksters are "positive" (influences in the US)</a>, and said
that Republicans would become better if the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> were out of the way.
<p>
Republicans in Congress were not quite as bad, overall, a decade or
two ago.  But that has changed.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> has pressured Republicans
to join him in open contempt for any aspects of our democracy that
stand in their way.  The new Republican Party is the plutocratist
party, and only a crushing defeat can make it change.


feed_id: b479f6b601e063869504805be7773e1a
title: Heat and drought in India
uri: Heat-and-drought-in-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Heat_and_drought_in_India%29
content:
<p>
Record heat, combined with drought, is forcing people
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/12/indian-villages-lie-empty-as-drought-forces-thousands-to-flee">flee
from parts of India</a>.


feed_id: 5859a6ad1b2cf5adda47c5f2783633e6
title: Raids on Australian media
uri: Raids-on-Australian-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Raids_on_Australian_media%29
content:
<p>
Why the Raids on Australian Media Present
a <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-the-raids-on-australian-media-present-a-clear-threat-to-democracy-118334">Clear
Threat to Democracy</a>.


feed_id: cd6615228cb250f6a3ffd325683fa69d
title: Homeless people in LA
uri: Homeless-people-in-LA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Homeless_people_in_LA%29
content:
<p>
Los Angeles provided housing for 20,000 homeless people,
but <a href="https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-lopez-06052019-story.html">30,000
more arrived</a> on the streets.
<p>
In the long run, we need (1) fewer births, (2) more housing
construction, and (3) more sharing of apartments and houses.


feed_id: 92c0720e1c29104d7dcfa109d8b8fb3b
title: Fooling advertisers
uri: Fooling-advertisers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Fooling_advertisers%29
content:
<p>
Surveillance capitalism's success may be based
on <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/06/04/all-that-for-4-pct.html">fooling
advertisers</a> about how effective it is.


feed_id: 25487657af50d0fed1af4bd5e505906b
title: Biden 1988
uri: Biden-1988
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Biden_1988%29
content:
<p>
In 1988, Biden ran for president,
and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/03/us/politics/biden-1988-presidential-campaign.html">falsely
claimed</a> he had participated in civil rights marches.
<p>
Bernie
Sanders <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#13_February_2016_(Sanders_civil_rights_activities)">really
did march</a>.


feed_id: 56298b7637bfc4ec839765e30c321190
title: ISPs and network services
uri: ISPs-and-network-services
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28ISPs_and_network_services%29
content:
<p>
The few big US cable and wireless ISPs are pushing to regulate the few
big US network services, mainly so as
to <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190603/11293142321/if-big-tech-is-huge-antitrust-problem-why-are-we-ignoring-telecom.shtml">cut
in on the profits</a> from surveillance capitalism.
<p>
A pox on both their houses &mdash; we need to forbid massive
surveillance by anyone.


feed_id: 71d06a3186e35d26062d73da951d95b6
title: Protesters raped
uri: Protesters-raped
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Protesters_raped%29
content:
<p>
Sudanese Troops Raped Protesters at
Sit-In, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/11/sudan-troops-protesters-attack-sit-in-rape-khartoum-doctors-report">Doctors
Report</a>.


feed_id: 9fa5a6c06244e369f80fcf19fe6649a3
title: Extradition bill
uri: Extradition-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Extradition_bill%29
content:
<p>
Some Hong Kong businesses believe that China's extradition bill will
be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/11/hong-kong-businesses-vow-to-strike-as-anger-over-extradition-bill-grows">bad
for business</a>, and asked their staff to join protests against the
second reading of the bill.
<p>
This has a chance of convincing China to back down, and I think it is
worth a try.  However, given China's increasing business success, I
think China's rulers regard Hong Kong as dispensable.  I think they
want to wipe Hong Kong off the map and call it "China".


feed_id: b38b82ff5d82bb95fde5faa31c9968f3
title: Billionaires and global heating
uri: Billionaires-and-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Billionaires_and_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
Having a few billionaires that donate to fighting <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> does
not make up for the harm done by the planet-roaster billionaires
&mdash; and by
the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/10/billionaires-climate-change-michael-bloomberg">system
that produces billionaires</a>.


feed_id: 4e5b10d9b208e051edaf034dffc03c28
title: Candidates in Europe
uri: Candidates-in-Europe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Candidates_in_Europe%29
content:
<p>
Across Europe, right-wing repressive candidates are using conservative
religion as
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/11/populists-right-unholy-alliance-religion">base
for their campaigns</a>.


feed_id: c524b5b0f4d163a3b65c7fed938e2d1a
title: Side-effects of massive surveillance
uri: Side-effects-of-massive-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Side-effects_of_massive_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/jul/08/shell-fined-me-for-being-in-its-forecourt-waiting-for-a-car-wash">When
a robot's right hand doesn't know what its left hand is doing</a>, it
will insist there is no reason why it should know.  It may even claim
that the two hands are two separate robots.
<p>
The details are lacking, but I suspect that part of the cause of this
problem was that the parking system knew who was parking there.  In
other words, this was a harmful side-effect of massive surveillance,
in addition to the fundamental injustice of surveillance.


feed_id: 92d0e67b8d48915416140a26f4c75d1d
title: African business-supremacy treaty
uri: African-business-supremacy-treaty
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28African_business-supremacy_treaty%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.dw.com/en/african-leaders-launch-landmark-55-nation-trade-zone/a-49503393">55
African countries have signed a business-supremacy treaty</a>.
Whether this is good for non-rich Africans in general is something I
doubt.  It
<a href="https://stallman.org//business-supremacy-treaties.html">will give businesses more
power in those countries</a>.


feed_id: 19e257c89d19db1b8b6d2066e4d0fdfe
title: Australia's planet roaster government
uri: Australia-s-planet-roaster-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Australias_planet_roaster_government%29

content:
<p>
Australia's planet roaster government 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/12/adani-coalmine-federal-government-loses-legal-challenge-on-water-assessment">keeps
violating its laws in order to approve a new coal mine</a>, and keeps
getting caught.


feed_id: 0024f848d634e5098b60a3a9270efcf1
title: UK "domestic extremists"
uri: UK-domestic-extremists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28UK_domestic_extremists%29
content:
<p>
Five ridiculous reasons 
<a href="https://www.thecanary.co/feature/2019/05/30/five-ridiculous-reasons-why-the-police-label-campaigners-as-domestic-extremists/">why
[UK thugs] label campaigners as "domestic extremists"</a>.


feed_id: 54ee337b91c9e55533ff3c8aaf6abf08
title: Conman's "human rights" panel
uri: Conman-s-human-rights-panel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Conmans_human_rights_panel%29
content:
<p>
The conman will institute a new "human rights" panel so as to set a
new, narrower definition of what rights humans have, and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/08/trump-human-rights-review-panel-mary-ann-glendon-anti-lgbt-abortion">give
more power to religions instead</a>.


feed_id: ea257a79984807a834b269e77a6dbc8a
title: UK citizenship
uri: UK-citizenship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28UK_citizenship%29
content:
<p>
The UK 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/09/home-office-applies-good-character-test-to-children-as-young-as-10">strives
to find excuses to deny citizenship</a> to children that are normally
entitled to citizenship.


feed_id: 3b3c73b85353d358a8836149232b8848
title: Pacific gray whales
uri: Pacific-gray-whales
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Pacific_gray_whales%29
content:
<p>
Pacific gray whales are 
<a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/9th-dead-gray-whale-in-2-months-san-francisco_n_5cd0d01be4b04e275d4edf27">dying
from hunger</a>.
<p>
Some crucial food species must have crashed.  If this is a random
fluctuation, it might recover next year or the year after.  If it is
due to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, it could get worse and worse, and perhaps wipe
out those whales.


feed_id: 9bb4aef1a98b3f7c2d4782d0e8bf446a
title: Internet censorship in Britain
uri: Internet-censorship-in-Britain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Internet_censorship_in_Britain%29
content:
<p>
The UK's ISP association 
<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/05/isp-group-mozilla-internet-villain-dns-privacy/">condemns
DNS-over-HTTPS</a>, saying it would help people in Britain get around
censorship.
<p>
The way to defend censorship is to call it "online safety", which
subtly leads people to think of noncensorship as a personal threat.


feed_id: 07deca54a702e35a5e22e2958a445361
title: ISP customer data
uri: ISP-customer-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28ISP_customer_data%29
content:
<p>
Maine has 
<a href="https://www.pressherald.com/2019/06/06/mills-signs-bill-creating-tough-new-internet-privacy-protections/">passed
a law forbidding ISPs from distributing customer data without the
customer's consent</a>.
<p>
While the ISPs say this means the sky is falling, I consider it
inadequate.  First, because it doesn't apply when the FBI sends a
"national security letter" to get a copy of all the data.  Second,
because the ISPs have ways to get almost every customer to consent, in
formal terms.  The engineering of consent is very effective.
<p>
What we need is a law forbidding ISPs from <em>keeping data about</a>
what customers do.


feed_id: 1fce3177a9a9dfe5071eaac749701ee4
title: Astrology
uri: Astrology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Astrology%29
content:
<p>
The minister in charge of education in India 
<a href="https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/education-set-to-touch-astrological-heights-under-minister-pokhriyal">actively
supports astrology</a>.


feed_id: ff28d6519047e23ac7dbd606627da0f8
title: Teenager faces execution for protest
uri: Teenager-faces-execution-for-protest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Teenager_faces_execution_for_protest%29

content:
<p>
A teenager in <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/10/saudi-teenager-could-face-execution-protests-child-murtaja-qureiris">being
tried secretly</a> for participating in a protest when he was 13 years
old.  He could be executed.
<p>
His brother reportedly engaged in violence at the same protest.
<p>
The US has also 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#07_August_2016_(Death_penalty)">executed
people under such circumstances</a> &mdash; which is wrong, of course.
But even with a lesser penalty, it isn't just to punish A for a crime
B committed, if A was only planning a much lesser crime.


feed_id: c19f9384d737ce86bdbf302b6236dfcf
title: Extinct plant species
uri: Extinct-plant-species
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Extinct_plant_species%29
content:
<p>
Botanists have identified 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/10/frightening-number-of-plant-extinctions-found-in-global-survey">571
plant species that have been made extinct since 1750</a>, but there
are probably thousands more.
<p>
This does not count the species that are headed to extinction because
they cannot reproduce &mdash; for instance, the Torreya trees of
Florida.


feed_id: b61823d259497ced916297e1af4ccf60
title: Internet censorship in Britain
uri: 2019-07-11-Internet-censorship-in-Britain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#10_July_2019_%28Internet_censorship_in_Britain%29
content:
<p>
The UK's ISP association 
<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/05/isp-group-mozilla-internet-villain-dns-privacy/">condemns
DNS-over-HTTPS</a>, saying it would help people in Britain get around
censorship.
<p>
The way to defend censorship is to call it "online safety", which
subtly leads people to think of noncensorship as a personal threat.
<p>
Iran shows 
<a href="https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2017/iran">where
the UK is headed</a>.


feed_id: d048120c07c1502f43b77aec09d11e04
title: Census Question
uri: 2019-07-11-Census-Question
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#7_July_2019_%28Census_Question%29
content:
<p>
The bully is still hunting for an excuse to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/05/2020-census-trump-administration-still-seeking-grounds-for-citizen-question">add
a citizenship question to the US census</a>.
<p>
"In the real world, the fact that the executive branch plans to offer
'a new rationale' [for the citizenship census question] <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/07/trump-plans-new-rationale-census-citizenship-question/593383/">is proof it
has been lying</a>. In the legal world, however, this maneuver might yet
succeed."
<p>
<p>
Given the evidence of its real purpose, any other supposed purpose must be
another lie.
<p>


feed_id: 14537d51509f9ec9e1ecb712ea3326fe
title: UK parliament
uri: UK-parliament
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28UK_parliament%29
content:
<p>
The UK parliament is afraid that Boris Johnson, if he becomes prime
minister, would prorogue (dismiss) parliament and not call it back
into session until after the UK drifts out of the EU.  Therefore, some
members of parliament 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/09/grieve-proroguing-parliament-would-be-end-of-democracy-in-uk">plan
to pass a law they hope will block that</a>.
<p>
Should we call the supporters of Johnson "pro-rogue"?


feed_id: 5e65249a3f124e558aed10c8fd20e0fa
title: Right-wing extremism in Italy
uri: Right-wing-extremism-in-Italy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Right-wing_extremism_in_Italy%29
content:
<p>
Salvini's right-wing extremist party is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/11/matteo-salvinis-party-under-investigation-for-alleged-russian-oil-deal">being
investigated</a>, accused of making a deal to get Russian fund.
<p>
I have a sad hunch he won't lose any support for this.
<p>
Communism was once an international movement.  Then, Communists
professed good, idealistic goals, while some carried out repression
that they hid from the rest.  Communists considered it entirely proper
for the Soviet Union to aid Communist parties all around the world.
<p>
Now fascists have made an international movement, with repression as
the overt goal.  I have a hunch Salvini's followers will say, "It's
great that you got funds from Putin so we subject Italy to
repression."


feed_id: 0c35acac1aff0a4a4b85aca5784b019e
title: Lying thug charged for framing people
uri: Lying-thug-charged-for-framing-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Lying_thug_charged_for_framing_people%29

content:
<p>
A lying <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> in Florida has been charged for 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/07/11/florida-sheriff-deputy-arrested-after-planting-drugs-on-innocent-people/">framing
many people</a>.
<p>
A hundred criminal cases were dropped because he was involved in them.
Eight convictions have been overturned, but I think it is unlikely
that he succeeded in framing people only eight times.


feed_id: 2e4506d9402fdb71ec53981c7ca61172
title: 400 Poles trafficked to UK
uri: 400-Poles-trafficked-to-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28400_Poles_trafficked_to_UK%29
content:
<p>
A Polish gang trafficked 400 Poles to the UK 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jul/05/charity-and-police-break-up-uks-largest-modern-slavery-ring">to
enslave them</a>.
<p>
The victims were forced to do work &mdash; but not, it appears, sex
work.


feed_id: 34a012547952a3189bbdc943b3a04ca9
title: Corbyn
uri: 2019-07-12-Corbyn
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Corbyn%29
content:
<p>
Corbyn 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/11/corbyn-ditch-social-mobility">rejected
the goal of "social mobility" as a substitute for giving everyone a
decent life</a>.
<p>
It is important to give everyone a chance to put per talents to good
use, but the people who are not especially talented deserve a good
life too.


feed_id: 106021b3e22493a4e7010166ab00f3fb
title: Tax cuts that hurt the poor
uri: Tax-cuts-that-hurt-the-poor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Tax_cuts_that_hurt_the_poor%29
content:
<p>
Syriza is telling Greeks it 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/11/tsipras-asks-greek-voters-for-chance-to-govern-without-our-hands-tied">will
cut taxes to stimulate economic growth</a>.  Syriza was started as a
"leftist" party, but this sounds awfully right-wing to me.
<p>
With the euro rules forbidding deficit spending, tax cuts will force
cuts in spending, and that will hit the poor hardest.
<p>
To rebuild Greece "from the beginning", as Tsipras said, could be
possible only with debt relief.


feed_id: d799a8a6299ff2cee96808a90dddea2f
title: French doctors strike
uri: French-doctors-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28French_doctors_strike%29
content:
<p>
Macron is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/11/french-medics-health-service-collapse-doctors-nurses-protest-outside-french-health-ministry-strikes">cutting
funds for France's medical system</a> so much that doctors are going
on strike.


feed_id: 8c747132a14bc112b78619dc80e45820
title: The EU
uri: 2019-07-12-The-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28The_EU%29
content:
<p>
Britain has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/11/tory-contest-brexiters-leaving-eu">forgotten
the supposed advantages of leaving the EU</a>; its supporters now
demand that for its own sake at any cost.
<p>
The EU is the world's most powerful business-supremacy treaty.  There
is a motive for wanting to escape from it &mdash; think of the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#28_March_2019_(Copyright_Directive)">automated
copyright censorship</a> and
<a href="https://stallman.org/puns.html#eurologist">pissing on</a>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#08_July_2015_(European_Union_exposed)">Greece</a>
&mdash; but not if it means surrendering to even nastier
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#business-supremacy">business-supremacy treaties</a> with countries such as the US and China.


feed_id: 60d55cc399f036cf331b5a4bc9c647d3
title: Urgent: Shut US military revolving door
uri: Urgent-Shut-US-military-revolving-door
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Shut_US_military_revolving_door%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/pentagon-ethics-ndaa">call
on Congress</a> to shut the revolving door between the US military and
military contractor companies.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: a138abe3e91e200417269ee6afe1588d
title: Urgent: Legalize marijuana
uri: 2019-07-12-Urgent-Legalize-marijuana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Legalize_marijuana%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://www.signherenow.org/petition/legalize-marijuana/khanna/">call
on the US</a> to legalize marijuana.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 1bbefbba147fb591790328da333c4ca5
title: London subways to track passengers
uri: London-subways-to-track-passengers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28London_subways_to_track_passengers%29

content:
<p>
The London subways plan to track passengers' movements 
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-48921411">by their
phone WiFi</a>.
<p>
Supposedly this will be "anonymous", but I am sure they can
put a name to most passengers.
<p>
I have taken pains to make sure my laptop's WiFi interface
is always off except when I explicitly switch it on.  Every time
I reboot, every time I suspend and unsuspend, it switches off.


feed_id: 5ebf839f3240045b4d5a66db23bd5aaa
title: Investigation of CIA torture
uri: 2019-07-12-Investigation-of-CIA-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Investigation_of_CIA_torture%29
content:
<p>
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism has independently investigated
CIA torture.  Its report details 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/07/10/cia-torture-unredacted-four-year-investigation-reveals-what-was-hidden-us-senate">where
prisoners were seized, where they were tortured, and what the CIA did
with them afterward</a>.


feed_id: 3b0e20cd0127856de31c23bbf1bcfa0a
title: Guardian adopts term "global heating"
uri: Guardian-adopts-term-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Guardian_adopts_term_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
The Guardian 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/17/why-the-guardian-is-changing-the-language-it-uses-about-the-environment">has
adopted the term "global heating"</a>.
<p>
Other major media are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/24/media-outlets-guardian-reconsider-language-climate">considering
making the same change</a>.


feed_id: baead7bf0b104631bbfd2812c3490213
title: US system of medical "insurance"
uri: US-system-of-medical-insurance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28US_system_of_medical_insurance%29
content:
<p>
The US system of medical "insurance" could 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/11/medicare-all-coming-because-even-insured-are-not-safe-profit-system">at
any moment dump on you a bill for thousands of dollars, or hundreds of
thousands of dollars</a>, and make you wish you had been left
untreated.


feed_id: ca718968e2d11ed6545b5c9260648381
title: Plutocrats
uri: 2019-07-12-Plutocrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Plutocrats%29
content:
<p>
Plutocrats are offering public employees discounts from stores 
<a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2019/06/12/koch-backed-tech-group-behind-tool-used-push-union-opt-out-campaigns/">if
only they quit their unions</a>.


feed_id: 2448c8a78ee5cfd8bc837c1cde46b166
title: Repression of sex workers
uri: Repression-of-sex-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Repression_of_sex_workers%29
content:
<p>
The countries that have criminalized paying for sex 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/12/change-law-sex-workers-jailed">still
repress sex workers</a>, even if sex work is ostensibly legal.
Helping sex workers be safe and free is not the goal.
<p>
"Talking about 'decriminalisation' lends the Nordic model campaign a
veneer of progressiveness that a more honest 'stamp out prostitution'
is lacking."


feed_id: 6d612c2cb7a3c9314c00067c2dd4acd3
title: Tokyo's crackdown on public protests
uri: Tokyo-s-crackdown-on-public-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Tokyos_crackdown_on_public_protests%29

content:
<p>
Tokyo cracked down on public protests by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/jun/12/can-guerrilla-picnics-end-tokyos-50-year-war-on-public-space">eliminating
nearly all public places where people could do anything but walk</a>.


feed_id: 506b6e18b7b49ebd79bf6c8f6a551a2f
title: International humanitarian aid organizations
uri: International-humanitarian-aid-organizations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28International_humanitarian_aid_organizations%29

content:
<p>
International humanitarian aid organizations are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jun/12/oxfam-hypocrisy-not-unique-aid-system-built-on-power-imbalance">pervasively
given to coercing local people into sex</a>.  This targets both the
local workers and the people asking for aid.


feed_id: aac19692779b4cf52ac1e04338a7b8f1
title: Facebook personal data collection
uri: Facebook-personal-data-collection
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Facebook_personal_data_collection%29

content:
<p>
Facebook 
<a href="https://phys.org/news/2019-06-facebook-app-users-usage.html">Launching
App That Pays Users for Data on App Usage</a>.
<p>
When we see the effects of this, I forecast we will learn that it is
no less dangerous than all the other personal data collection.


feed_id: 56341688ef0301a491dad8c6a0c3c7cf
title: France tax airline tickets too small
uri: France-tax-airline-tickets-too-small
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28France_tax_airline_tickets_too_small%29

content:
<p>
Delayed departure: France will add a tax on airline tickets for the
sake of environmental protection, but it is
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48922049">too small to have
much effect</a>.


feed_id: c6a8a5542b8a7e90c8d3006d27c9665c
title: Apollo moon landings
uri: Apollo-moon-landings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Apollo_moon_landings%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jul/10/one-giant-lie-why-so-many-people-still-think-the-moon-landings-were-faked">Many
Americans</a> believe that the Apollo moon landings were a hoax.
<p>
I watched Apollo 17 take off &mdash; its launch into space was no
hoax.  To spend billions to do that much for real, then do the rest
only as a mere hoax, makes no sense.  If you can get that far, you
will go all the way.
<p>
If you haven't got your bearings to identify the absurd conspiracies,
a heuristic you can use is to ignore anyone who endorses the moon
landings hoax claim.
<p>
As for bigger jobs, such as curing cancer, we are doing that.  A
considerable fraction of the people who get cancer live many years,
even decades, after treatment.  In a few decades, if civilization
survives, we will do even better.
<p>
The truly difficult jobs, such as cleaning up the inner cities, and
ending <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, are hard because we face human enemies &mdash;
plutocrats &mdash; that profit from keeping these problems going, They
might even tell you these problems are hoaxes.


feed_id: f98e64ca66e117979ee24bfa7960a2b1
title: Press freedom in Salafi Arabia
uri: Press-freedom-in-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Press_freedom_in_Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> doesn't think that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/10/saudi-press-freedom-index-ranking-reporters-without-borders">jailing
30 journalists and murdering one</a> should earn it a low ranking for
press freedom.


feed_id: 2fe30c9b8884ae983c43cf92506fb2e7
title: Tame deer of Nara dying of hunger
uri: Tame-deer-of-Nara-dying-of-hunger
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Tame_deer_of_Nara_dying_of_hunger%29

content:
<p>
The tame deer of Nara in Japan are dying of hunger 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/10/japans-famous-nara-deer-dying-from-eating-plastic-bags">after
their stomachs fill up with plastic bags</a> discarded by tourists.
<p>
I suppose the bags smell somewhat like the food they contained.
<p>
Once, in Nara, I got a baked sweet potato for my own enjoyment.  As I
went strolling while eating it, I felt a thump on my back.  A deer was
butting me, demanding my food.  I did not hand it over; beggars should
not try to demand or intimidate.


feed_id: 07fdc609720c992f182ca8396ee01761
title: Harassment by Delta Airlines
uri: Harassment-by-Delta-Airlines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Harassment_by_Delta_Airlines%29
content:
<p>
Workers at Delta Airlines report 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/12/delta-workers-pro-union-report-threats-management">harassment
and threats against those that support unionization</a>.


feed_id: 978fd667dc3336f91baf22267290c53a
title: Pakistani visas for Afghans
uri: Pakistani-visas-for-Afghans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Pakistani_visas_for_Afghans%29
content:
<p>
Pakistan has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jun/12/patients-long-queue-medical-visas-afghans">made
it hard for Afghans to get a visa</a>, which 100,000 of them seek
annually to get medical treatment or even a diagnosis.
<p>
I suppose the motive for this is to block travel by Taliban and other
rebels.  But ISTR that there was a large region of Pakistan near the
frontier in which the government had little power, and that the
islamists didn't need passports to cross the frontier.  Has that
situation changed?


feed_id: a67ca3b019e205663510df50a2769459
title: Designing good genes for children
uri: Designing-good-genes-for-children
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Designing_good_genes_for_children%29

content:
<p>
In the long run, there is 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/06/12/the-case-for-designer-babies/">nothing
wrong in principle with designing good genes for children</a>.
<p>
In the short term, there are reasons to prohibit it: the great danger
that the artificial genes will backfire is one.  The danger of malware
in genes may arise, too.


feed_id: f900f87f677157255850375ca1dab979
title: State monitoring of prescriptions
uri: State-monitoring-of-prescriptions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28State_monitoring_of_prescriptions%29

content:
<p>
State monitoring of prescriptions has little effect in limiting abuse
of prescription opioids, but it is a
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/06/12/the-costs-of-monitoring-your-prescriptions/">big
intrusion on patients' privacy</a>.
<p>
Abuse of prescription opioids is only a small part of the problem
of opioid addiction anyway.


feed_id: caaa9e7efd158b4529ac58926df0c05e
title: Tried for giving water, food shelter
uri: Tried-for-giving-water-food-shelter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Tried_for_giving_water%2C_food_shelter%29

content:
<p>
Scott Daniel Warren was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/11/arizona-activist-migrant-water-scott-daniel-warren-verdict">tried
for giving water, food and a night's sleep</a> to border crossers.
The jury was unable to reach a verdict.
<p>
Given the cruelty of the US government towards border crossers, I
expect it will try him again and again until it gets a verdict.


feed_id: 3ec3b7acc49e2d1cf386187d74ff6f54
title: Self-inspecting beef processing
uri: Self-inspecting-beef-processing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#11_July_2019_%28Self-inspecting_beef_processing%29
content:
<p>
The US Department of Agriculture 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/10/dangerous-foodborne-illness-rise-usda-seeking-privatization-food-safety-inspection">wants
to allow beef processing plants to inspect their own products</a>.
<p>
Allowing Boeing to do that resulted in the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_(Letting_Boeing_regulate_itself)">death
of hundreds of people</a>.
<p>
Allowing this for meat could kill a lot more people, with less public
attention.  Rather than dying hundreds at a time in a few spectacular
incidents, they will die one by one and the cause won't be immediately
obvious.


feed_id: 9e584f61dc27d1bffdb72d5a3025135c
title: Hong Kong protesters
uri: 2019-07-12-Hong-Kong-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28Hong_Kong_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Hong Kong <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> attacked protesters; the protesters then attacked the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.  The head of the government, chosen by a process fundamentally
controlled by China,
now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/13/hong-kong-protests-extradition-carrie-lam-riot-police">reproaches
them for that</a>.
<p>
I can't say that the protesters did wrong, but it would have been more
effective to maintain nonviolent discipline.


feed_id: f8a86611937aa50323bd6150ec03057c
title: Socialism and plutocracy
uri: Socialism-and-plutocracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28Socialism_and_plutocracy%29
content:
<p>
When plutocratists call something "socialism", it
means <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/10/same-old-scare-tactic-about-socialism">"not
good for plutocrats"</a>.
<p>
President Truman: "Socialism is what they called public power,
&hellip; social security &hellip; bank deposit insurance &hellip; free
and independent labor organizations, anything that helps all the
people."


feed_id: 1b06c120a8b72c4e277a64089591f591
title: Koch brothers money
uri: Koch-brothers-money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28Koch_brothers_money%29
content:
<p>
The Koch brothers and other rich plutocrats are putting millions into
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/11/we-have-fight-back-progressives-call-mobilization-koch-brothers-open-their-pockets">defending
the Democrats</a> that serve them in the 2020 election.


feed_id: b76058eda7303297a5a7fc90555ad12c
title: Barr and Ross
uri: Barr-and-Ross
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28Barr_and_Ross%29
content:
<p>
The House of Representatives found Barr and
Ross <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/12/census-controversy-house-panel-votes-to-hold-trump-officials-in-contempt">in
contempt of Congress</a> and will ask courts to make them turn over
materials.


feed_id: b778a11049b064135c920fb821fadf13
title: Monitoring drivers
uri: Monitoring-drivers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28Monitoring_drivers%29
content:
<p>
Radar could make it possible
to <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/cars-that-think/transportation/sensors/vayyar-promises-a-radar-for-inside-the-car-as-well-as-outside-it">monitor
a driver's health</a> without identifying per.
<p>
Using radar probably doesn't automatically assure the driver is not
identified.  It's possible that the radar system could measure the
driver's height, for instance.  We need free software to guarantee
that the radar is not misused.  After all, you can't trust a car
company to be honest about what its software
does, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#9_December_2017_(Volkswagen_executive)">or
even to obey laws</a>.


feed_id: 1bb8f8abf023c204e0044fa49f416089
title: UK emissions proposal
uri: UK-emissions-proposal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28UK_emissions_proposal%29
content:
<p>
The UK has a proposal for net-zero-emissions by 2050.  Due to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/12/theresa-may-net-zero-emissions-target-climate-change">weaknesses
and escape routes</a>, it won't get the job done.


feed_id: f61005f1ad9b3152039c00269a2494cc
title: Attack on tankers
uri: Attack-on-tankers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28Attack_on_tankers%29
content:
<p>
Someone <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/13/oil-tankers-blasts-reports-gulf-of-oman-us-navy">attacked
Japan-bound tankers</a> in the Persian Gulf just as Japan was holding
negotiations with Iran.
<p>
The UAE says Iran did it, but it would make no sense for Iran to do
that &mdash; it would be self-defeating.  So I suspect Iran's enemies
(US allies) of doing the attack.


feed_id: 97852467464aa1302e965440d4470d68
title: UK drug policy
uri: UK-drug-policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28UK_drug_policy%29
content:
<p>
"I was blocked from advising on UK drug policy &mdash; because I
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/13/advising-uk-drug-policy-crisis-government-experts">criticised
UK drug policy</a>."


feed_id: 102bcd19ed4d0a7b53cb11d55ae00bd7
title: Imprisoned in Nicaragua
uri: Imprisoned-in-Nicaragua
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28Imprisoned_in_Nicaragua%29
content:
<p>
Nicaragua has
freed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/11/nicaragua-political-prisoners-released-new-law">many,
but not all,</a> of the people imprisoned for protests in 2018.


feed_id: 0ec9130b30f9d7f0e84dc04b54d6452b
title: Ivan Golunov
uri: Ivan-Golunov
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28Ivan_Golunov%29
content:
<p>
Putin made journalist Ivan
Golunov <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/11/russian-officials-ivan-golunov-investigative-journalist">a
national hero</a> by framing him and torturing him.
<p>
The article also explains how complete the repression of protest is in
Russia.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#planet">Planet roasters</a> in the US are trying
to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#29_September_2018_(Jailing_fracking_protesters)">head
in that direction</a> now.
<p>
Amazingly, the state has backed down
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/11/ivan-golunov-russian-police-drop-charges-against-journalist">dropped
the bogus charges</a>.  They must have caused too much international
embarrassment.
<p>
The high-level political support Golunov has received leads me to
suspect that the frame-up was organized by local officials without
Putin's approval.


feed_id: 3c01a2fda261d80d881c12cf6383de35
title: Seizing oil tankers in the Persian Gulf
uri: Seizing-oil-tankers-in-the-Persian-Gulf
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28Seizing_oil_tankers_in_the_Persian_Gulf%29

content:
<p>
After Britain seized a tanker carrying Iranian oil, Iran 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/11/uk-ships-in-gulf-on-high-alert-after-royal-navy-trains-guns-on-iranian-ships">tried
to seize a British oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.
<p>
Makes sense to me.  Sooner or later Iran will capture one.
Maybe then they can swap captures.


feed_id: fce679e084acf64e03c1c6c9226a93ed
title: Privacy
uri: 2019-07-13-Privacy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28Privacy%29
content:
<p>
Can We Talk in Confidence?  The Death of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/11/can-we-talk-in-confidence-the-death-of-candour-in-the-age-of-surveillance">Candour
in the Age of Surveillance</a>.
<p>
Most of the recommendations are good ones, and I agree
with the main point that society as a whole
needs to protect everyone's privacy, and not merely 'protect" data
bases.
<p>
However, the article does not recognize the issues of free software,
and peer-to-peer vs centralization.


feed_id: 4fb3e568d302e30c0be16135fcf4fcfa
title: New French tax on foreign companies
uri: New-French-tax-on-foreign-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28New_French_tax_on_foreign_companies%29

content:
<p>
France has adopted a 
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48947922">new tax on
large foreign companies doing business there</a>.
<p>
Bravo!  Taxing the rich more enables the country to do more.
<p>
France disregarded 
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-tax/france-says-sovereign-on-tax-as-u-s-opens-probe-into-digital-levy-idUSKCN1U60UQ">threats
from the US government</a> to do this.


feed_id: f2d892474ffe0ec68ded05d25cb6dcea
title: Voting machines
uri: 2019-07-13-Voting-machines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28Voting_machines%29
content:
<p>
Voting Machine Makers 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190706/17082642527/voting-machine-makers-claim-names-entities-that-own-them-are-trade-secrets.shtml">Claim
The Names Of The Entities That Own Them Are Trade Secrets</a>.
<p>
Calling something a "trade secret" is just a way of saying "I don't
want to tell you."  Why do governments so often allow companies to
conceal important information simply because they want to?  Many
countries have adopted laws and policies which give undue respect to
the wishes of companies.
<p>
We should change that.  Let's not allow companies that make or sell
election systems to keep anything about them secret, except the
password that they give to the purchaser.  The software in them
should be free.
<p>
However, making the software free/libre 
<a href="https://stallman.org/evoting.html">does not make a computer trustworthy for
recording votes</a>.  We have to do that on paper!


feed_id: b9ce768b1dde5218dc540be9bec65ea8
title: The Grenfell tower fire
uri: The-Grenfell-tower-fire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28The_Grenfell_tower_fire%29
content:
<p>
Two years after the Grenfell tower fire, the UK 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/13/two-years-grenfell-government-blocks-cladding">has
not even started to upgrade the fire safety standards</a> of other
buildings with the same problem.


feed_id: 16135a15bff3f79f5e1bbababf1b71ee
title: Investigation of lead in Flint's water
uri: Investigation-of-lead-in-Flint-s-water
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28Investigation_of_lead_in_Flints_water%29

content:
<p>
Michigan 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/13/flint-water-trial-charges-dropped-michigan">dropped
the charges against state officials connected with lead in Flint's
water</a>, in order to start the investigation again.


feed_id: 265cb614b9ddc355a23cb7b752a8264e
title: Violation of Hatch Act
uri: Violation-of-Hatch-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28Violation_of_Hatch_Act%29
content:
<p>
The US Office of Special Counsel 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/13/kellyanne-conway-violated-us-law-and-should-be-fired-federal-watchdog-says">called
for firing Kellyanne Conway for violating the Hatch Act</a>.


feed_id: 2af2a45fdcce6e1e0c44b807d142230b
title: 'Deja Vu' of Iraq War Lies
uri: Deja-Vu-of-Iraq-War-Lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28Deja_Vu_of_Iraq_War_Lies%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/13/deja-vu-iraq-war-lies-mike-pompeo-blames-iran-tanker-attack-without-single-shred">'Deja
Vu' of Iraq War Lies</a> as Mike Pompeo Blames Iran for Tanker Attack
Without Single Shred of Evidence.


feed_id: cd560f294a561768fb51a124d3fff34d
title: President's use of "national emergencies"
uri: President-s-use-of-national-emergencies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#12_July_2019_%28Presidents_use_of_national_emergencies%29

content:
<p>
A bipartisan bill would 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/06/12/senators-rand-paul-and-ron-wyden-pitch-new-limitations-on-presidential-emergency-powers/">clip
the president's power to use "national emergencies" to bypass
Congress</a>.


feed_id: e181767c8d3da749b8cd7b797210eb1a
title: Arctic wildfires
uri: Arctic-wildfires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_July_2019_%28Arctic_wildfires%29
content:
<p>
Arctic wildfires in June
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/12/arctic-wildfires-c02-carbon-emissions-same-sweden">emitted
as much CO<sub>2</sub> as Sweden does in a year</a>.
<p>
That positive feedback could force disaster.


feed_id: c443c4a36c02340085994ef338e60ae9
title: Anaheim thugs
uri: Anaheim-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_July_2019_%28Anaheim_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Anaheim <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> shot and killed Hannah
Williams, who may really have pointed a toy gun at them.  But it looks
like they 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/12/police-release-body-cam-footage-of-california-girls-shooting-death">might
have saved her life afterward if they had made that the priority</a>.


feed_id: 2ebe978bed35ef7900fa286ce3d41ad4
title: Do-dirty's death squads
uri: 2019-07-14-Do-dirty-s-death-squads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_July_2019_%28Do-dirtys_death_squads%29
content:
<p>
The UN Human Rights Council
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48955153">will
investigate</a> Philippine president Do-dirty's death squads, which
are accused of killing 27,000 people.


feed_id: 3456227c4fc5692470c2186717eff832
title: Measles vaccination
uri: Measles-vaccination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_July_2019_%28Measles_vaccination%29
content:
<p>
Measles has killed almost 2000 people in the DR Congo in the past 6
months, due to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jul/12/measles-vaccination-begins-in-ebola-hit-congo-amid-fears-of-massive-loss-of-life">many
who are unvaccinated</a>.


feed_id: 6aa0fc2b76a5c8088a3efec19fe7a9c4
title: Hong Kong
uri: 2019-07-14-Hong-Kong
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_July_2019_%28Hong_Kong%29
content:
<p>
"The extradition bill might be ‘dead’ but in Hong Kong, we
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/12/hong-kong-protest-extradition-bill-dead-continue-fight'>cannot
afford to back down</a>."
<p>
The reluctance of China's chief agent to officially withdraw the bill
has to inspire suspicion.


feed_id: 8614198a78b6ab372cc41c77b26ed60b
title: Greenpeace protesters on oil rig arrested
uri: Greenpeace-protesters-on-oil-rig-arrested
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_July_2019_%28Greenpeace_protesters_on_oil_rig_arrested%29

content:
<p>
The Greenpeace protesters on an oil rig in the North Sea were
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jun/13/greenpeace-north-sea-oil-rig-protesters-appear-in-court">arrested</a>.
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> make an exaggerated fuss about the danger (to a few
volunteers) of holding a protest at sea.  This is an excuse to ignore
the big threat to safety: the oil well that that rig is going to
drill.  They should arrest the would-be mass murderers at BP.


feed_id: d6c5acbce7244f6d890678695c16d90a
title: Pence gay-preventative checkup
uri: Pence-gay-preventative-checkup
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_July_2019_%28Pence_gay-preventative_checkup%29
content:
<p>
(satire) Pence Visits Conversion Therapist For Routine
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/pence-visits-conversion-therapist-for-routine-gay-preve-1835480234">Gay-Preventative Checkup</a>.


feed_id: 01e89c24a6328c61298617d0a6d8f29e
title: US economic warfare
uri: US-economic-warfare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_July_2019_%28US_economic_warfare%29
content:
<p>
Juan Cole said that mines that damaged oil tankers
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/14/whatever-pompeo-says-there-no-certainty-iran-mined-tankers">could
have been planted by Houthis</a>.
<p>
I don't think that the bullshitter or his allies would hesitate to
make a false flag attack.  If someone published a leak as evidence of
this, they would only call that "fake news" and prosecute the leaker.
<p>
However, Cole thinks it is possible the attack was done by Iran.
Here's a writer who considers it a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/14/trump-iran-oil-tanker-attacks">natural
result to US economic warfare</a>.


feed_id: 82c273301781efde08aac4caab5383a6
title: Global heating and financial crisis
uri: Global-heating-and-financial-crisis
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_July_2019_%28Global_heating_and_financial_crisis%29

content:
<p>
A Commodities Futures Trading Commission member warns that global
heating
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/12/comparing-climate-emergency-2008-financial-crisis-us-regulator-calls-action-all">can
lead to a global financial crisis</a>.


feed_id: 2477a94a1c7bd7948f6bce2dfe34294b
title: The GDPR
uri: The-GDPR
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_July_2019_%28The_GDPR%29
content:
<p>
An AI booster claims that the GDPR is significantly
<a href="https://iapp.org/news/a/want-europe-to-have-the-best-ai-reform-the-gdpr/">limiting
businesses' collection and use of personal data</a>.
<p>
The effects described in the article are beneficial for privacy, and
maybe Europe is falling behind China in setting up totalitarian
surveillance.  But that is not to make people safe.


feed_id: 763854ed56c3fcebd8274d487d524a3f
title: The second amendment
uri: The-second-amendment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#13_July_2019_%28The_second_amendment%29
content:
<p>
The second amendment was
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/12/how-fears-abolition-shaped-second-amendment">designed
to make sure slave states could put down slave revolts</a>.


feed_id: 1a987d9bd2a3211d3f63eb19e52a74c0
title: Thugs "running a plate for a date"
uri: Thugs-running-a-plate-for-a-date
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Thugs_running_a_plate_for_a_date%29
content:
<p>
Australian <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, like US thugs, practice "running a plate for a
date".  However, an Australian <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> actually
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jul/12/former-victorian-police-officer-convicted-after-misusing-database-to-find-womans-address">got
convicted for it</a>.


feed_id: 997b8ab92e843804f45ac1ccb8a5fc5c
title: Google home listening devices
uri: Google-home-listening-devices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Google_home_listening_devices%29
content:
<p>
Google contractors
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jul/11/google-home-assistant-listen-recordings-users-privacy">can
listen to what people say to its home listening devices</a>.
<p>
I am sure that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> can, too.


feed_id: 25d5b09cbb9271ce6b4543fe8bd7916e
title: Rich jerks in San Francisco
uri: Rich-jerks-in-San-Francisco
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Rich_jerks_in_San_Francisco%29
content:
<p>
Rich jerks in San Francisco
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/11/san-francisco-navigation-center-shelter-lawsuit">say
that homeless people are bad for the environment</a>.
<p>
We can see they are jerks because they refer only to their own local
environment, and they are stretching the term to include mere
annoyances.
<p>
Excess humans are bad for the environment, and the bigger their homes,
the worse they are.  Let's
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html">stop making so many humans</a>!


feed_id: a7cc59b622990c864d5d0fff40faacf1
title: Charter school profits
uri: Charter-school-profits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Charter_school_profits%29
content:
<p>
Charter schools are very profitable, partly due to scamming the
taxpayer.  They use these profits to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/07/10/why-wont-charter-school-industry-acknowledge-its-documented-failures">lobby
against efforts to curb charter schools</a>.
<p>
I think we should eliminate charter schools entirely
so that they won't have a lobby any more.


feed_id: f79330832e28c6e3c701f7294234f7b5
title: Innovative ecological farming
uri: Innovative-ecological-farming
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Innovative_ecological_farming%29
content:
<p>
Big Agro
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/07/10/agroecology-innovation">attacks
innovative ecological farming</a> by equating it with prescientific
traditional farming.


feed_id: 5804331c8430f4bb1a0823d8cd931ef6
title: The Democratic National Committee
uri: The-Democratic-National-Committee
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28The_Democratic_National_Committee%29

content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; voters across the
   country criticized the Democratic National Committee Tuesday for
   <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/dnc-criticized-for-overly-restrictive-debate-rules-requ-1835412876">requiring
   candidates to articulate at least one policy position</a> before
   they can participate in debates.


feed_id: 3b9e0ad5d7992c9fac77d71e0456e9d7
title: Citizenship for occupied Palestinians
uri: Citizenship-for-occupied-Palestinians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Citizenship_for_occupied_Palestinians%29

content:
<p>
"If Israel annexes Palestinian land and closes the door on a sovereign
Palestinian state, then the international community
<a href='https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/11/annexation-without-citizenship-apartheid'>must
demand that Israel extend citizenship to occupied Palestinians</a>."


feed_id: 3b5449bd06433158caad26406ff4d32d
title: Driving while black
uri: 2019-07-14-Driving-while-black
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Driving_while_black%29
content:
<p>
In Missouri, a black driver is
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/11/wake-call-report-shows-black-drivers-missouri-91-percent-more-likely-be-pulled-over">almost
twice as likely to be stopped by thugs as a white driver</a>.


feed_id: 8521bc48c662169b55ff6e8946c4e9c5
title: Destruction of forests
uri: Destruction-of-forests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Destruction_of_forests%29
content:
<p>
Corporations are
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/11/just-one-decade-corporations-destroyed-50-million-hectares-forest-area-size-spain">on
track to destroy forests the size of Spain</a> from 2010 to 2020.


feed_id: 011793a924ede5c13e96175213376f0d
title: Abuses committed in Khartoum attack
uri: Abuses-committed-in-Khartoum-attack
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Abuses_committed_in_Khartoum_attack%29

content:
<p>
Sudan Military Admits
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/14/sudan-military-admits-abuses-committed-in-khartoum-attack">Abuses
Committed in Khartoum Attack</a>.


feed_id: 0146f4b8a46a3dcb8a7b316e2e1013b1
title: Urgent: Housing assistance
uri: Urgent-Housing-assistance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Housing_assistance%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/take-action-to-keep-immigrant-families-together/">call
on the Department of Housing and Urban Development</a> not to restrict
housing assistance.
<p>
Here's the text I sent:
<blockquote>
I call on the Department of Housing and Urban Development not to
tighten eligibility for housing assistance.  When some of the people
in a family are US citizens, it is entirely legitimate to support
housing for family.  There is no justification for putting those
citizens out on the street or breaking up their families.  A great
country shows its greatness through compassion.
</blockquote>


feed_id: 705dce54280d27dd96f7577a8da4981d
title: Urgent: 'Black identity extremism'
uri: Urgent-Black-identity-extremism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_%27Black_identity_extremism%27%29

content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/stop-fbi-surveillance-black-activists">call
on the FBI</a> to stop pretending there is such a thing as "black
identity extremism".
</p>
<p>
This phantom threat distracts attention from the real threat of
white identity extremism.
</p>
<p>
I focus my politics on issues, not on identity.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: c5a8ad4426cd1c8a984d895623eff553
title: Rescuing drowning refugees
uri: Rescuing-drowning-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Rescuing_drowning_refugees%29
content:
<p>
Salvini has imposed
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/15/italy-adopts-decree-that-could-fine-migrant-rescue-ngo-aid-up-to-50000">fine
of 50,000 euros</a> on organizations that rescue drowning refugees and
bring them to Italy.


feed_id: c57824a72b19c1da88041b7c102c5fe3
title: Eliminating death penalty
uri: Eliminating-death-penalty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Eliminating_death_penalty%29
content:
<p>
Two legislators whose fathers had been
murdered <a href="https://reason.com/2019/06/14/his-father-was-murdered-he-helped-end-the-death-penalty-anyway/">helped
eliminate the death penalty</a> in New Hampshire.


feed_id: 8bfc9f9320b1d4c7e6405df6b1267ba9
title: Climate emergency
uri: 2019-07-15-Climate-emergency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Climate_emergency%29
content:
<p>
Pope
Francis <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/14/pope-francis-declares-climate-emergency-and-urges-action">Declares
'Climate Emergency'</a> And Urges Action to avoid “a brutal act of
injustice toward the poor and future generations.”


feed_id: a7e560e070dca50ff7c70a9e660054b2
title: US 'social credit' system
uri: US-social-credit-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28US_%27social_credit%27_system%29
content:
<p>
Making loan decisions based
on <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/zmpgp9/credit-scores-could-soon-get-even-creepier-and-more-biased">tracking
people's online activity</a> constitutes linking up the US "social
credit" system.
<p>
The injustice of this goes far beyond indirect race or gender bias.


feed_id: c7d263dcfc4849a7757f9765a8994e33
title: Glenn Greenwald
uri: 2019-07-15-Glenn-Greenwald
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Glenn_Greenwald%29
content:
<p>
Glenn Greenwald exposed the corrupt intentions behind the prosecution
of Lula.  Now he is receiving death threats and
a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/14/after-exposing-corrupted-brazilian-government-journalist-glenn-greenwald-faces">threat
from the state</a> to deport him.
<p>
Greenwald lives in Brazil and is married to an elected official.


feed_id: 9fc5f601afa339b67f74547234fe0b54
title: Young adult books
uri: Young-adult-books
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Young_adult_books%29
content:
<p>
The "young adult" book category is consuming itself with censorship
demands.  Many books have
been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jun/15/torn-apart-the-vicious-war-over-young-adult-books">withdrawn
or cancelled</a> in response to pressure campaigns accusing the
authors of various sorts of "insensitivity" or "cultural
appropriation".
<p>
The critics demand authors portray every minority in a "sensitive"
way.  Is there anyone in the world that can do this?  Any given human
being belongs only to a few groups.  An author will have to play safe
by assigning every character to the groups <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> belongs to.  But this
would trigger condemnation for a lack of diversity.
<p>
It looks like young adult books will have to be written by committees
that can provide sensitive treatment of many different intersections
of minority groups.  The publisher would apply for a sensitivity
certification from the Sensitivity Authority, which might demand
changes.  Then it would direct readers to send their complaints to the
SA if they think its evaluation standards ought to be changed.
<p>
I have decided to oppose <em>all</em> campaigns that demand publishers
withdraw a book, or a contribution to a book &mdash; regardless of
what reasons are cited.  Demanding censorship of books is in itself
destructive.  Even if the name presented on the book as author were
"Donald Trump", I would not demand the publisher withdraw it.


feed_id: 3016074255a2ed26f469aca3dcff5d93
title: War on education
uri: War-on-education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28War_on_education%29
content:
<p>
The
conman's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/14/trump-betsy-devos-education-quiet-war">war
on education</a>.


feed_id: d8189d34e05aa63ce7c0a1e63baa4040
title: Climate blindness
uri: Climate-blindness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Climate_blindness%29
content:
<p>
Climate blindness: Canadian west coast indigenous tribes are opposing
a tar sands pipeline, but cite only its local dangers
while <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/14/trans-mountain-pipeline-expansion-trudeau-indigenous-communities">ignoring
its global danger</a>.
<p>
Meanwhile, not far away, Alaska has had record heat this spring
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/13/climate-crisis-alaska-is-melting-and-its-likely-to-accelerate-global-heating">its
permafrost is melting</a>.  To avoid disaster is getting harder and
harder.
<p>
The melting permafrost also poses a short-term local threat, but we
should not be distracted by that.


feed_id: 463d2f8e0b183ff2af98fd2d5ef22508
title: Hong Kong surveillance
uri: Hong-Kong-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Hong_Kong_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/14/hong-kongs-digital-battle-technology-that-helped-protesters-now-used-against-them">Hong
Kong demonstrates</a> how surveillance tech threatens democracy.
<p>
It CAN happen here; indeed, it is already happening, just not to this
extent.  We, in countries that allow some space for public opinion,
must demand an end to the systems that track people.


feed_id: 69d530522a0713ccc3565ae8bf0ed6cc
title: Pentagon and climate crisis
uri: Pentagon-and-climate-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#14_July_2019_%28Pentagon_and_climate_crisis%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/12/new-report-exposes-pentagons-massive-contributions-climate-crisis-post-911">New
Report</a> Exposes Pentagon's Massive Contributions to Climate Crisis.


feed_id: 2cd8af532b4e71ee8cdc1ef6d1e7494c
title: Urgent: Protect Rights to Organize Act
uri: Urgent-Protect-Rights-to-Organize-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_Rights_to_Organize_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-demand-congress-pass-protecting-the-right-to-organize-pro-act">call
on Congress</a> to pass the Protect Right to Organize Act.


feed_id: f47f5cf85fcde02886d44315336aa0f1
title: Urgent: Resignation of US border thug head
uri: Urgent-Resignation-of-US-border-thug-head
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Resignation_of_US_border_thug_head%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: demand that the head of the US border thugs 
<a href="https://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/petition-190713-cbp/">resign
for promoting bigotry</a> (and hatred towards immigrants).
<p>
I oppose prudery, so I reject the idea that there is something
necessarily wrong with "vulgar jokes."  Those particular jokes may
have been nasty for some other reason.  By contrast, hostility towards
immigrants is clearly unacceptable from anyone that works in
government agencies that deal with immigrants.


feed_id: b8e8f99581890aca038f1700751bd489
title: Urgent: Drop deportation thug contracts
uri: Urgent-Drop-deportation-thug-contracts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Drop_deportation_thug_contracts%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/palantir-ice?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-free-press-action-fund">call
on Palantir</a> to drop its contracts with the US deportation thug
agency.


feed_id: 22707f17d4081226762993cd646d6fc9
title: Urgent: Cuts to military budget
uri: Urgent-Cuts-to-military-budget
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Cuts_to_military_budget%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on your congresscritter to 
<a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/tell-congress-progressive-ndaa-now">make
certain cuts in the US military budget</a>.


feed_id: fc6c898447ccb9949e866c2db29c8b72
title: Chernobyl
uri: 2019-07-15-Chernobyl
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Chernobyl%29
content:
<p>
Many civilians who lived near or visited Chernobyl after the explosion
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/16/chernobyl-was-even-worse-than-tv-series-kim-willsher">died
from illnesses that can plausibly be attributed to radioactive
fallout</a>.  No one investigated, so there is no established count,
and those in favor of nuclear power can still claim it never hurt
anyone but the workers.
<p>
Some still try to argue that we need to build new nuclear power plants
to avoid global heating disaster.  This is bogus because it would be
far cheaper to build renewable generation.


feed_id: 25f88de1aea6f2a0088b983c37559f86
title: Department of Agriculture
uri: Department-of-Agriculture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Department_of_Agriculture%29
content:
<p>
The staff of to Department of Agriculture research agencies believe
that moving the agencies out of Washington is a way of 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/14/usda-employees-turn-backs-sonny-perdue-usda-head-announces-moving-research-agencies">sabotaging
them</a>.


feed_id: 6eb69bdc8d74cac0698b5a5f51cfd17a
title: Cops' racist thuggishness
uri: Cops-racist-thuggishness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Cops_racist_thuggishness%29
content:
<p>
Research has discovered that racist thuggishness on the part of cops
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/14/armed-bureaucracy">originates
in racist attitudes on the part of many cops</a>.


feed_id: f8f2f69e17959975dc6ceffdb0044deb
title: Urgent: Abolish ICE
uri: Urgent-Abolish-ICE
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Abolish_ICE%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/petition-190712-ice">call
on Congress</a> to abolish the deportation thug department, ICE.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: c13922ffa5ddf15a6e267c567a368775
title: Urgent: Bullshitter's tax returns
uri: Urgent-Bullshitter-s-tax-returns
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Bullshitters_tax_returns%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/neal-nys-trump-taxes">call
on Rep. Neal</a> to get the bullshitter's tax returns form New York
State.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 3d7284d12181704939cca99978dfed37
title: Touch-screen ballot-printers
uri: Touch-screen-ballot-printers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Touch-screen_ballot-printers%29
content:
<p>
The State of Georgia is replacing its voting machines, but plans to go
against security recommendations and buy 
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/07/computer-scientists-worry-over-election-security-georgia/593497/">touch-screen
ballot-printers</a>.


feed_id: 64a8a77a90ada1b9f7b322c8ac4761e1
title: Making Africa self-sufficient in food
uri: Making-Africa-self-sufficient-in-food
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Making_Africa_self-sufficient_in_food%29

content:
<p>
Arguing that a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jul/15/wiping-out-hunger-africa-could-cost-5bn-what-are-we-waiting-for">one-time
expenditure of 5 billion dollars</a> could make Africa self-sufficient
in food.
<p>
To make that benefit last, assuming a stable climate, requires ending
population growth in Africa.  That would cost money, but there may be
other obstacles &mdash; religious &mdash; that money alone might not
easily address.
<p>
To make this solution lasting we 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_June_2019_(Global_heating_a_food_production)">need
to curb global heating</a>.


feed_id: 865af7b337cdd56d279b4d18fea9b4a7
title: Australia's cruelty to refugees
uri: Australia-s-cruelty-to-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Australias_cuelty_to_refugees%29
content:
<p>
Australia's exaggerated cruelty to refugees is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jul/15/young-afghan-man-tries-to-set-himself-on-fire-at-melbourne-detention-centre">driving
them to suicide</a>.  I expect that Australian politicians are
celebrate every suicide attempt as proof of success.


feed_id: 893f71f401ace4676af15e3b31dffe86
title: Catholic Church and birth control
uri: Catholic-Church-and-birth-control
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Catholic_Church_and_birth_control%29

content:
<p>
The Catholic Church is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jul/15/femm-menstruation-tracking-app-nigeria-anti-pill-campaignersus-">pushing
women in Nigeria to a malicious app</a> as a substitute for real birth
control.
<p>
There is a word for women who use this method: "mothers".


feed_id: 428a82293de684f050a50a5c1c969871
title: Urgent: Protect Rights to Organize Act
uri: 2019-07-16-Urgent-Protect-Rights-to-Organize-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_Rights_to_Organize_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-demand-congress-pass-protecting-the-right-to-organize-pro-act">call
on Congress</a> to pass the Protect Right to Organize Act.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: d443f2934cc7e9d1db78fb5f3b80752a
title: Urgent: Resignation of US border thug head
uri: 2019-07-16-Urgent-Resignation-of-US-border-thug-head
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Resignation_of_US_border_thug_head%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: demand that the head of the US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> 
<a href="https://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/petition-190713-cbp/">resign
for promoting bigotry</a> (and hatred towards immigrants).
<p>
I oppose prudery, so I reject the idea that there is something
necessarily wrong with "vulgar jokes."  Those particular jokes may
have been nasty for some other reason.  By contrast, hostility towards
immigrants is clearly unacceptable from anyone that works in
government agencies that deal with immigrants.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: f43906b97c0823f9adbfbbb73b8d7419
title: Urgent: Drop deportation thug contracts
uri: 2019-07-16-Urgent-Drop-deportation-thug-contracts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Drop_deportation_thug_contracts%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/palantir-ice?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-free-press-action-fund">call
on Palantir</a> to drop its contracts with the US deportation thug
agency.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 57b50374583cd6a34a21a0b4c29a93a1
title: Urgent: Cuts to military budget
uri: 2019-07-16-Urgent-Cuts-to-military-budget
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Cuts_to_military_budget%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on your congresscritter to 
<a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/tell-congress-progressive-ndaa-now">make
certain cuts in the US military budget</a>.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 2f544151de18d3fcd1716ece8219f406
title: Chernobyl
uri: 2019-07-16-Chernobyl
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#15_July_2019_%28Chernobyl%29
content:
<p>
Many civilians who lived near or visited Chernobyl after the explosion
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/16/chernobyl-was-even-worse-than-tv-series-kim-willsher">died
from illnesses that can plausibly be attributed to radioactive
fallout</a>.  No one investigated, so there is no established count,
and those in favor of nuclear power can still claim it never hurt
anyone but the workers.
<p>
Some still try to argue that we need to build new nuclear power plants
to avoid <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster.  This is bogus because it would be
far cheaper to build renewable generation.


feed_id: 4a4aeff0015753a83f11f9d8a89084ef
title: Fossil fuel facilities
uri: Fossil-fuel-facilities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Fossil_fuel_facilities%29
content:
<p>
The Environmental Poisoning Agency is moving
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/07/following-trumps-executive-order-epa-moves-limit-states-ability-block-dirty-energy">strip
states of the authority</a> to block pipelines and other fossil fuel
facilities.
<p>
Each fossil fuel facility creates an investor that has a giant stake in
continue to operate it, thus continue destroying the ecosphere.  To survive,
we will have to eliminate their legal right not to lose this investment.
<p>
As Study Shows Methane Emissions 'Vastly Underestimated,' Warnings
That US Fracked Gas Export
Bonanza <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/07/study-shows-methane-emissions-vastly-underestimated-warnings-us-fracked-gas-export">Imperils
Planetary Stability</a>.
<p>
Carbon Emissions from Energy Industry Rise
at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jun/11/energy-industry-carbon-emissions-bp-report-fossil-fuels">Fastest
Rate Since 2011</a>.
<p>
"The process of corporate plunder in the global mining industry is
severely <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/08/how-powerful-mining-corporations-flagrantly-plunder-global-south-without">aggravating
social and economic inequalities</a> across the planet."


feed_id: 55ada49abfb3c6df8796e5ebc5542cad
title: Refugee homes in Syria
uri: Refugee-homes-in-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Refugee_homes_in_Syria%29
content:
<p>
Assad <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/08/syria-demolishes-homes-grabs-territory">Demolishes
Refugee Homes</a> to Tighten Grip on Rebel Strongholds.
<p>
Former rebels don't dare return home &mdash; many of them will be
tortured.


feed_id: 8096a31dd85f27dc433717dba9c048ec
title: US Coast Guard searches
uri: US-Coast-Guard-searches
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28US_Coast_Guard_searches%29
content:
<p>
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/12/jamaica-fishermen-aclu-us-coast-guard-lawsuit">Under
   this policy</a>, the [US] Coast Guard stops boats in international
   waters, searches them and their crew for drugs, destroys boats, and
   detains crew members for prolonged periods of time in inhumane
   conditions, regardless of whether any drugs are found aboard."


feed_id: 26ffeebc88f284d57fd96fd256847223
title: Tanker attack
uri: Tanker-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Tanker_attack%29
content:
<p>
The Japanese shipping company says its tanker
was <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/14/contradicting-trump-claim-iranian-mine-attack-owner-japanese-oil-tanker-says-flying">attacked
by a missile</a>, not a mine.
<p>
This does not conclusively say who attacked the ship.  Perhaps some
ally of the conman did it, to add to the military threats and economic
warfare we know about.  Or perhaps Iran did it in response to those
military threats and economic warfare.  Either way, the US is the
aggressor overall.


feed_id: f25708167e95d7722a40276f62d4fe55
title: Dominion of the internet
uri: Dominion-of-the-internet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Dominion_of_the_internet%29
content:
<p>
Each step in increased regulation of the internet has reinforced the
<a href="https://www.economist.com/open-future/2019/06/06/regulating-big-tech-makes-them-stronger-so-they-need-competition-instead">dominion
of the existing giants</a>.


feed_id: debc5d38b2c9f1c81677dda289233548
title: Wealthiest and poorest Americans
uri: Wealthiest-and-poorest-Americans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Wealthiest_and_poorest_Americans%29
content:
<p>
Since 1989, the wealthiest 1% of Americans have gained 21 trillion
dollars, while the poorest 50%
have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/14/eye-popping-analysis-shows-top-1-gained-21-trillion-wealth-1989-while-bottom-half">lost
almost 1 trillion</a>.
<p>
The poorest 50% amount to roughly 150 million people, which means that
their loss averages roughly 6000 dollars <em>each</em>.


feed_id: 797e7e83299a5961f1eca1141d56a612
title: Facebook payment system
uri: Facebook-payment-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Facebook_payment_system%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jun/16/facebook-cryptocurrency-get-ready-to-spend-money">Facebook's
new payment system</a> will try to seize total surveillance and
control of monetary transactions.
<p>
Using this would be even worse than using a credit card.


feed_id: 9b0825171866cc608c31f02fdd52a178
title: Deep fake videos
uri: Deep-fake-videos
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Deep_fake_videos%29
content:
<p>
Deep fake videos will aid the bullshitters that aim to eliminate the
idea that the truth matters, by burying the truth
under <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/16/you-cant-believe-a-word-any-of-these-people-is-saying-thats-the-dep-fake-era-for-you">heaps
of contradictory lies</a>.


feed_id: 5074a245c99e3fed3cd7fed2cb0fad81
title: Environmental footprints
uri: Environmental-footprints
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Environmental_footprints%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/16/major-global-firms-accused-of-concealing-their-environmental-impact">700
large companies</a> are under pressure to stop concealing their
environmental footprint.


feed_id: e9524758d0106b63ab319a26e6e1d6f1
title: Platform censorship
uri: 2019-07-16-Platform-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Platform_censorship%29
content:
<p>
The pressure on platforms to censor certain points of view is spilling
over
inevitably <a href="https://reason.com/2019/06/16/let-god-tweet/">into
broader censorship</a>.


feed_id: 0af4b44d265fc11c88e83f1e5eea62f3
title: Bully basing campaign on racism
uri: Bully-basing-campaign-on-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Bully_basing_campaign_on_racism%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/15/trump-twitter-aoc-racist-rant-congress">basing
his campaign on racism</a>, and the saddest thing is that he might
win.


feed_id: 435a6f7750eeb5062ea1018f0925e5ae
title: Town replaces public transit with Uber
uri: Town-replaces-public-transit-with-Uber
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Town_replaces_public_transit_with_Uber%29

content:
<p>
In one town in Canada, Uber has advanced towards its goal of eliminating
other transport options.  The town has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/jul/16/the-innisfil-experiment-the-town-that-replaced-public-transit-with-uber">eliminated
its own public transit</a>, replacing it with being spied on by
nonfree software.


feed_id: 393d69f6efd0358f81c98ecfd6fe7464
title: Britain's law against discarding by-catch
uri: Britain-s-law-against-discarding-by-catch
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Britains_law_against_discarding_by-catch%29

content:
<p>
Britain's law against discarding by-catch has been ineffective because
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/16/ban-on-discarding-edible-fish-caught-at-sea-has-failed-lords-report">British
fishermen ignore it</a>.


feed_id: 84fab9d6f871bfc96fa250ecd3659c68
title: User-tracking Android apps
uri: User-tracking-Android-apps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28User-tracking_Android_apps%29
content:
<p>
Many Android apps can track users' movements 
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/8/20686514/android-covert-channel-permissions-data-collection-imei-ssid-location">even
when the user says not to allow them to</a>.
<p>
This involves an apparently unintentional weakness in Android,
exploited intentionally by malicious apps.  But those apps can't do
anything to "your" phone, if you recognize they are proprietary
software and won't allow them in your machine.
<p>
Warning: parts of Android are proprietary programs too, and many
phones sold with Android come with proprietary modifications, even
preloaded proprietary apps that the customer 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-sep-dec.html#20_November_2011_(Cell_Phones:_Surveillange_Package)">may
not be informed about</a>.  And that's not to mention the 
<a href="https://gnu.org/malware/malware-mobiles.html ">proprietary
radio software in the modem processor</a>, with its universal back
door.


feed_id: 0e42259b3d015065ab750445b375d9e5
title: Bully's Title X gag rule
uri: Bully-s-Title-X-gag-rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Bullys_Title_X_gag_rule%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s artificial restrictions, 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/06/20/ninth-circuit-lets-title-x-gag-rule-go-effect-threatening-health-care-millions">designed
to wipe out Planned Parenthood and stop other clinics from telling
women about abortion</a>, has been approved by an appeals court and
will go into effect.
<p>
I hope someone will report on what role judges recently appointed by
Republicans played in this decision.


feed_id: 9f30cfc65fe9bf96bc1ae177193df27d
title: What the American people deserve
uri: What-the-American-people-deserve
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28What_the_American_people_deserve%29
content:
<p>
(satire) &hellip; Schumer stated to members of the press Thursday that
"the American people deserve
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/chuck-schumer-the-american-people-deserve-a-president-1835697625">a
president who can more credibly justify war with Iran</a>."


feed_id: 303993ac8efe19ffe3c64b08376a0a7b
title: GOP Medicaid work requirements
uri: GOP-Medicaid-work-requirements
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28GOP_Medicaid_work_requirements%29
content:
<p>
Study Confirms GOP Medicaid Work Requirements Succeeded in Taking Away
People's Healthcare, But
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/20/study-confirms-gop-medicaid-work-requirements-succeeded-taking-away-peoples">Did
Nothing to Boost Employment</a>.
<p>
At a time when life is such a struggle for the poor, poor people all
try to get work.  The question is whether they can get enough work,
and fit it into life alongside sleep and commuting.


feed_id: 347ad828e7151b81941a57ef8213a0be
title: Refugees from Libya
uri: Refugees-from-Libya
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Refugees_from_Libya%29
content:
<p>
Libya is 
<a href="https://euobserver.com/opinion/145412">not a safe place to
send refugees back to</a>, so the EU should not send anyone there.


feed_id: efa7f614d9b185f84a15d132bbb12e80
title: Right-wing populism
uri: Right-wing-populism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Right-wing_populism%29
content:
<p>
(Right-wing) populism means 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/15/populism-boris-johnson-brexit-trump">never
having to say you’re sorry, and never having to say you’re wrong</a>.
You just change the subject.


feed_id: 9d47efb165028fbb296794ec205a959d
title: Teen resentment of surveillance
uri: Teen-resentment-of-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Teen_resentment_of_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
The experience of being tracked constantly by their parents is
<a href="http://web-old.archive.org/web/20190713142201/https://www.wired.com/story/life360-location-tracking-families/">making
some US teenagers resent digital surveillance</a>.


feed_id: f52288cecb8c5c86b76315473d9c88c7
title: The surveillance state
uri: 2019-07-17-The-surveillance-state
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28The_surveillance_state%29
content:
<p>
What Love Island Can Tell Us About 
<a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/what-love-island-can-tell-us-about-the-surveillance-state-1.3952734">the
Surveillance State</a>.


feed_id: 6029ee4fc6f28776be2167cb1b8829ec
title: Idolizing the English upper class
uri: Idolizing-the-English-upper-class
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Idolizing_the_English_upper_class%29

content:
<p>
Movies and TV that idolize the English upper class and its former
dominant position serve now to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/jun/20/never-mind-the-forelocks-why-film-should-give-up-its-obsession-with-the-upper-class">propagandize
Britons and Americans to bow down to the rich</a>.


feed_id: 547300d70f0728d56bc0e473f28e1d6d
title: US suicide rate
uri: 2019-07-17-US-suicide-rate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28US_suicide_rate%29
content:
<p>
The US suicide rate 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/18/why-americas-suicide-epidemic-hitting-trumps-base-so-hard">has
been rising for years</a>, especially among rural men with less
education and less income.
<p>
The full cause is not evident, but the widespread gun ownership in the
US could be one factor.  However, the industrial non-policy that
allows devastating decline in many rural areas could also be
responsible.


feed_id: 1e1d8d51c69345c423b53f2e72b8fbeb
title: Elected Palestinians face thug violence
uri: Elected-Palestinians-face-thug-violence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Elected_Palestinians_face_thug_violence%29

content:
<p>
Palestinians who are Israeli citizens can run for parliament, but if
elected they
<a href="https://mondoweiss.net/2019/06/manipulated-evidence-targeting/">still
face violence from thugs who cover it up with lies</a>.
<p>
Also described in the article is how Israeli soldiers murdered a
Palestinian driver by blocking paramedics from stopping his bleeding.
<p>
Israeli soldiers have done this before.  Tarek Loubani reports that he
saw this happen to a wounded medic at a Gaza protest: a sniper wounded
him, then snipers kept shooting near him to stop other medics treating
him.  Eventually the wounded medic bled to death.


feed_id: 189cb54b9c202ba4ca9e9b366c4b85c0
title: Demolition of Arab neighborhood
uri: Demolition-of-Arab-neighborhood
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Demolition_of_Arab_neighborhood%29
content:
<p>
Israel 
<a href="https://www.btselem.org/jerusalem/20190613_wadi_yasul">plans
to demolish an entire Arab neighborhood in Jerusalem</a>, evicting 500
people.


feed_id: b28dbc9f696d0b915d1f7ff98aab36e7
title: Israelis and Palestinians
uri: Israelis-and-Palestinians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Israelis_and_Palestinians%29
content:
<p>
The only path to reconciliation (in whatever form) between Israelis and
Palestinians is to have an 
<a href="https://www.pij.org/articles/1899/is-there-a-plausible-alternative-to-the-twostate-solution">independent
Palestinian state</a>.  It is not a mere "solution", it is a necessary
first step to an end to military occupation.


feed_id: b20f8b816d1700e1b732268cb57b8693
title: Iran
uri: 2019-07-17-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Iran%29
content:
<p>
US officials are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/18/if-true-they-are-even-bigger-lunatics-we-realized-un-officials-reportedly-believe">hinting
at a US missile attack at some facility in Iran</a>.


feed_id: 138a34bb02f4c779b48f87d7eabb09bc
title: What to do about killer cops
uri: What-to-do-about-killer-cops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28What_to_do_about_killer_cops%29
content:
<p>
In the US it proves almost impossible to convict killer cops.  Here
are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/16/killer-cop-eric-garner-life-justice">suggestions
for what we could try to do instead</a>.


feed_id: ed97273cb585dbbd596805bde10e12b9
title: Bully orders denial of asylum
uri: Bully-orders-denial-of-asylum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Bully_orders_denial_of_asylum%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> ordered 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/07/16/trump-new-rule-asylum-eligibility/">denial
of asylum to people fleeing Central America that pass through Mexico
and didn't ask for asylum there</a>.
<p>
This would make sense if Mexico were a safe country for refugees, but
if that were the case. they would probably ask for asylum in Mexico,
where people mostly speak Spanish which most of them already speak.
<p>
This 
<a href="https://theweek.com/articles/852863/trumps-new-asylum-rule-probably-doomed-still-incredibly-dangerous">may
be rejected by courts</a>.


feed_id: 0293ea4a54e69e7882b1b6d740cd5c39
title: Trademark extortion
uri: Trademark-extortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Trademark_extortion%29
content:
<p>
Yosemite national park 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/16/yosemite-national-park-historic-landmark-names-ahwahnee">paid
a ransom to recover the right to use the traditional names for hotels
and other activities</a>, which had been seized by a trademark
extortionist.
<p>
The article spreads confusion between trademark law and several other
laws by using the overgeneralization 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">"intellectual
property"</a> to refer to trademarks.  Please don't ever use that
term.


feed_id: b5d66a63167c767fb618682e1833f1fa
title: Having views on controversial questions
uri: Having-views-on-controversial-questions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Having_views_on_controversial_questions%29

content:
<p>
Academics 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/07/15/activists-demand-firing-of-feminist-grad-student-for-criticizing-the-transgender-movement/">should
not be fired for stating controversial views about gender issues in
the abstract</a>.
<p>
We must distinguish having views on controversial questions from
discrimination.


feed_id: 2d8c2a1094c09a058bbb36448684538f
title: School meals
uri: School-meals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28School_meals%29
content:
<p>
Many public schools in the US 
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/food-dining/2019/06/13/students-are-being-shamed-and-punished-over-lunch-debt-and-may-take-legislation-stop/MByJQuX2u15NHBG7H4WLoM/story.html">publicly
humiliate children whose families have not paid for school lunch</a>.
<p>
No family should have to pay for school meals, unless perhaps one so
wealthy that the fee is nothing to it.  The cost should be paid out of
general tax revenue, funded by a progressive income tax, so that the
poor don't have to pay anything.
<p>
However, I see a deeper and bigger issue here: how can we teach
children from poor families not to feel ashamed of this?  Children are
not responsible for their families' fortunes, but even the adults
should not feel ashamed of getting bad breaks.


feed_id: 9955c9207e622e4040499d6bcba1edac
title: Heathrow Airport expansion plans
uri: Heathrow-Airport-expansion-plans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Heathrow_Airport_expansion_plans%29
content:
<p>
Heathrow's Expansion Plans Make a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/18/heathrow-expansion-mockery-zero-emissions">Mockery
of the Zero Emissions Strategy</a>.  We need to cut down on flights,
not increase them.


feed_id: e01f9bb5f15217e9784aecebbba2b4b9
title: PFAS and pancreatic cancer
uri: PFAS-and-pancreatic-cancer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28PFAS_and_pancreatic_cancer%29
content:
<p>
PFAS appears to cause pancreatic cancer even at a very low
concentration, about 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/06/18/pfoa-pfas-teflon-epa-limit/">1/700
of the current maximum level in drinking water</a>.


feed_id: 7a4e439eccf4c3d91f154d7ce5123289
title: Arctic permafrost thawing
uri: Arctic-permafrost-thawing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Arctic_permafrost_thawing%29
content:
<p>
Scientists Shocked by Arctic Permafrost Thawing 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/18/arctic-permafrost-canada-science-climate-crisis">70
Years Sooner Than Predicted</a>.
<p>
They found that the whole landscape was melting.


feed_id: 12e2119a02c2ab2c1e81238b4887514a
title: Being less punitive
uri: Being-less-punitive
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Being_less_punitive%29
content:
<p>
Newly elected Massachusetts District Attorney Rachael Rollins is
trying to provide better justice by 
<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/07/06/stopping-injustice-putting-public-risk-suffolk-rachael-rollins-tactics-spur-pushback/IFC6Rp4tVHiVhOf2t97bFI/story.html">being
less punitive in some cases</a>.
<p>
We can't evaluate the effect of this by looking at specific cases.
It can only be judged as an aggregate.


feed_id: f0f40f52d42d91406403765986e1d18d
title: Journalists to be punished
uri: Journalists-to-be-punished
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Journalists_to_be_punished%29
content:
<p>
Burkina Faso will 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/14/burkina-faso-tightens-press-freedom-amid-security-crisis">punish
journalists that report on attacks by Islamist rebel groups</a>.


feed_id: aa44673f862a6cfa6f7c90a4780d18b9
title: Export of solar electricity
uri: Export-of-solar-electricity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Export_of_solar_electricity%29
content:
<p>
Plans to export solar electricity from Australia 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/14/just-a-matter-of-when-the-20bn-plan-to-power-singapore-with-australian-solar">through
a power cable, or in the form of hydrogen</a>.


feed_id: 3b8fea6a38f3236b764edcafb5469822
title: Enemy of Hong Kong
uri: Enemy-of-Hong-Kong
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Enemy_of_Hong_Kong%29
content:
<p>
The head of Hong Kong's puppet government has apologized for the
extradition bill, and said she would not try to push it again before
July 2020, but 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/18/hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-ignored-public-opinion-freed-activist">refuses
to go promise not to bring it back after that</a>.
<p>
One must suspect that she plans to try again later next year.  Having
chosen to serve China, she will not have a change of heart.  She will
remain the enemy of Hong Kong.


feed_id: d2844b5cb496b1ae8f53917b26c187f5
title: Death penalty in the US
uri: Death-penalty-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Death_penalty_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
The death penalty in the US is "as predictable as a lightning strike."
The system is 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/06/18/georgia-execution-death-row/">so
random</a>, in some ways, that it makes no sense.
<p>
One thing that is not random is the racism.  An extreme case: 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/18/los-angeles-death-penalty-sentences-jackie-lacey">in
Los Angeles, only non-whites get sentenced to death</a>.
<p>
(I refuse to use the expression 
<a href="https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#poc">"of color"</a>.  Color is not
something one can be "of".)


feed_id: 8e6f541d66d338aeed9cd80c844ac5c4
title: Republican power against public will
uri: Republican-power-against-public-will
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Republican_power_against_public_will%29

content:
<p>
In many of the states where Republicans are banning abortion, the
voting public does not support them and did not vote for them.  They
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/18/us-anti-abortion-bans-backlash-gerrymandering">hold
power via gerrymandering</a>, against the public will.


feed_id: 92e305d907b406b62ccfe4c865f59dce
title: US regime's policy towards Iran
uri: US-regime-s-policy-towards-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28US_regimes_policy_towards_Iran%29
content:
<p>
The US regime's policy towards Iran is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/17/the-trump-administrations-dangerous-fever-dream-about-iran">divorced
from reality in regard to strategy</a>.
<p>
This is in addition to being 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_June_2019_('No_Iranian_nukes')">divorced
from reality in its goals</a>.
<p>
Iran's regime does not respect human rights, but it's not as bad as
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>.  If the latter is good enough to be a US ally, so is
Iran.


feed_id: 706dcebce253d8cebd9fc7967a9b2524
title: Elizabeth Warren
uri: 2019-07-17-Elizabeth-Warren
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Elizabeth_Warren%29
content:
<p>
Warren's 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/18/elizabeth-warren-2020-polls-surge-plans-ideas">many
good domestic policy plans</a> have won her more support.
<p>
As I've read articles about Warren's plans, I have agreed with them,
more or less.  They show me that she is progressive and will fight the
plutocrats.
<p>
Sanders is also a progressive and has fought the plutocrats for
decades.  If we elect him, there will be no lack of good plans.  What
we may not have is enough progressives in Congress to enact them.
Sanders is dedicating his efforts to boosting their campaigns.
<p>
Moreover, Sanders 
<a href="https://portside.org/2019-06-08/bernie-sanders-and-palestine">rejects
US wars, and the crimes of US allies</a>, in a way that Warren has
not.
<p>
I support Sanders.  I would settle for Warren.


feed_id: 56093d1502fc5970ae9eaf883c135ff1
title: Wasting water
uri: Wasting-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Wasting_water%29
content:
<p>
Changing underwear every day 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/shortcuts/2019/jun/17/the-great-unwashed-are-clothes-that-dont-need-to-be-cleaned-the-future">wastes
water for so much washing</a>.  Until everyone had washing machines,
people didn't do this.


feed_id: 8735a7455f7eeecc04a9a5b5a4ee35d2
title: Analysis of latest Greek election
uri: Analysis-of-latest-Greek-election
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Analysis_of_latest_Greek_election%29

content:
<p>
Yanis Varoufakis' 
<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/world/europe/2019/07/how-syriza-s-capitulations-allowed-greek-right-escape-dustbin-history">Analysis
of the Latest Greek Election</a>.


feed_id: 5983c088c5fa0e0db96981ad22fbfd3d
title: Data protection in Brazil
uri: Data-protection-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Data_protection_in_Brazil%29
content:
<p>
Brazil 
<a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/brazil-to-add-digital-data-protection-to-fundamental-rights/">plans
to put a right to data protection into its constitution</a>.
<p>
This reflects good intentions, but adopts an ineffective avenue for
solution.  The constitution should guarantee a right to anonymity.


feed_id: 673c6ac66a4e517d96e116e419ca7929
title: Equal opportunity for actors
uri: Equal-opportunity-for-actors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Equal_opportunity_for_actors%29
content:
<p>
Actors should have equal opportunity, rather than a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/jul/14/scarlett-johansson-comments-diversity-casting-films">system
of privileges based on dozens of different demographic identities</a>.


feed_id: c8ce2c5bf3429e78ac33e90587589adf
title: Partial reactor meltdown at Simi Valley
uri: Partial-reactor-meltdown-at-Simi-Valley
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Partial_reactor_meltdown_at_Simi_Valley%29

content:
<p>
The partial reactor meltdown at Simi Valley scattered a lot of
radioactive material which joined toxic chemicals.  These pollutants
spread on water and wind, 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/07/13/60-years-largest-us-nuclear-accident-and-captured-federal-agencies">causing
elevated rates of many kinds of cancer</a>.


feed_id: cff1ca1f9aa9a58ce57abfde20ab2391
title: PTSD
uri: 2019-07-17-PTSD
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28PTSD%29
content:
<p>
Some studies 
<a href="https://reason.com/2019/07/14/trigger-warnings-useless-harmful-study/">suggest
that trigger warnings don't really help protect people with PTSD
&mdash; indeed, they could hurt instead.
<p>
I don't regard this as proven yet.


feed_id: 6a791bd45a73d45ad9d9c4ab607d9687
title: Record heat in Alaska
uri: Record-heat-in-Alaska
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Record_heat_in_Alaska%29
content:
<p>
'The Changes Are Really Accelerating': 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/14/changes-are-really-accelerating-alaska-record-warm-while-greenland-sees-major-ice">Alaska
at Record Warm While Greenland Sees Major Ice Melt</a>.


feed_id: 3b3b3ccea878d4bafdf2e8b696d785b5
title: US needs industrial policy
uri: US-needs-industrial-policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28US_needs_industrial_policy%29
content:
<p>
Here are 
<a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/did-someone-just-say-indu_b_14580334">many
reasons why</a> the US needs an industrial policy.


feed_id: 184475651228e13fa8fead3d1f22f51e
title: Attacking civilian infrastructure
uri: Attacking-civilian-infrastructure
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Attacking_civilian_infrastructure%29

content:
<p>
The New York Times says that the US is 
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/15/us/politics/trump-cyber-russia-grid.html">infiltrating
malware into Russia's power grids</a>.
<p>
This seems like dangerous brinkmanship to me.  Power grids are
civilian infrastructure, and should not be targets in war.  If Russia
is doing this to the US, one could argue that threats in return are
justified.  But then there should be negotiations for a cease fire in
that terrain.


feed_id: 085fa394d76b942167427665e6b1ab82
title: Criminalizing compassion
uri: Criminalizing-compassion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Criminalizing_compassion%29
content:
<p>
"Is showing compassion to migrants a crime?"  Right-wing regimes,
founded on cruelty, are 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/16/humanitarian-activist-migrants-scott-warren">trying
to make it so</a>.
<p>
The US prisons for border-crossers are 
<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/exclusive-single-migrant-adults-cbp-detention-growing-1000-week-documents-show-1443701">insufficient
to handle the overload caused by the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s policies of imprisoning
them</a>.  This will systematically put them in danger of losing life
or limb.


feed_id: 5a99449178e40bec5bf8674f451aa85c
title: Economic growth and global heating
uri: Economic-growth-and-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Economic_growth_and_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
The world cannot continue economic growth and avoid <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
disaster.  There is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/jun/17/is-time-to-end-our-fixation-with-gdp-and-growth">no
way to decouple growth from greenhouse emissions soon enough</a>.
<p>
I guess we need to take from the rich in order to give poor people a
better life.


feed_id: dec9e8a8d34a21b492209e4303d69d70
title: Ban on use of human fetal tissue
uri: Ban-on-use-of-human-fetal-tissue
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_July_2019_%28Ban_on_use_of_human_fetal_tissue%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a>-in-chief has attacked medical research by 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/05/advancing-its-war-science-trump-admin-blocks-fetal-tissue-being-used-federal">banning
use of human fetal tissue</a>.
<p>
Sooner or later, you will develop a disease that today is fatal.  Will
it still be fatal when you get it?  Understanding and curing some
diseases depends on fetal tissue research.  Forbidding that research
could be your death.


feed_id: 01420d5e235bba8a40f920e066126eb3
title: Drop in donations to UN relief efforts
uri: Drop-in-donations-to-UN-relief-efforts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Drop_in_donations_to_UN_relief_efforts%29

content:
<p>
Foreign aid donations to UN relief efforts have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jul/16/alarming-shortfall-foreign-aid-worlds-biggest-crises">dropped
by over 25% compared with the first half of 2018</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> increases the need, and weakens and impoverishes donor
governments.  Plutocracy and its increased inequality contributes to
the latter also.


feed_id: 154cfccb8bb6b5b12ba2316e4653544c
title: Personal data collections
uri: Personal-data-collections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Personal_data_collections%29
content:
<p>
Assigning a monetary "value" to collecting data about you 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/07/knowing-value-our-data-wont-fix-our-privacy-problems">would
not substitute for privacy</a>.
<p>
The monetary income of selling and renting that data is not a measure
of the harm done to you by collecting it.  It also completely ignores
the consequences of making the data available to the state.


feed_id: 71695fb0f2b7cbef0881344bf5b9cc74
title: People throw their freedom away
uri: People-throw-their-freedom-away
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28People_throw_their_freedom_away%29
content:
<p>
Swedes Are 
<a href="https://nypost.com/2019/07/14/swedish-people-are-getting-chip-implants-to-replace-cash-credit-cards/">Getting
Implants in Their Hands</a> to Replace Cash, Credit Cards.
<p>
It is hard to protect the freedom of people who are desperate to throw
their freedom away.


feed_id: 1ea76aeef3024a1bda804c6db9681aee
title: Federal thugs interrogate whistleblower
uri: Federal-thugs-interrogate-whistleblower
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Federal_thugs_interrogate_whistleblower%29

content:
<p>
The Australian federal <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> interrogated a whistleblower in 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jul/16/police-investigating-national-security-leak-grilled-whistleblower-about-journalists">an
attempt to build a case against journalists</a>.  Even worse, the
minister of repression defends this.
<p>
He is the biggest threat to Australians in the short term.
(In the long term, <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> is the biggest threat.)


feed_id: 64ed56eec9f32b75673937a81e572a82
title: Extinction rebellion protests
uri: Extinction-rebellion-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Extinction_rebellion_protests%29
content:
<p>
Extinction Rebellion Protests 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/15/extinction-rebellion-protests-block-traffic-in-five-uk-cities">Block
Traffic in Five UK Cities</a>.
<p>
Each city has a theme: rising sea levels, floods, wildfires, crop
failures and extreme weather.


feed_id: 9e66dc4d29cea3c6a415f5de7e027c4b
title: Right-wing extremists
uri: 2019-07-17-Right-wing-extremists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Right-wing_extremists%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> has put right-wing religious extremists 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/07/13/religious-fanatics-have-hijacked-americas-israel-policy-and-theyre-not-even">in
charge of US policy towards Israel and Palestine</a>.
<p>
Right-wing extremist Jews, right-wing extremist Nazis, right-wing
extremist Christians, right-wing extremist Muslims &mdash; they all
work together in the name of right-wing extremist cruelty.


feed_id: 5c275e2406b412817ef7fb988195e918
title: Spying on children
uri: 2019-07-17-Spying-on-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Spying_on_children%29
content:
<p>
Spying on Children 
<a href="https://web-old.archive.org/web/20190607201613/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/07/opinion/lockport-facial-recognition-schools.html">Won’t
Keep Them Safe</a>.


feed_id: 06a5b1f418b11db98d1a3191397deed3
title: Power to imprison anyone forever
uri: Power-to-imprison-anyone-forever
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Power_to_imprison_anyone_forever%29
content:
<p>
The US government 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/06/21/guantanamo-bay-indefinite-detention/">argued
in the Supreme Court that it has the power</a> to imprison anyone
forever, including even US citizens, simply by asserting that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> is
planning terrorism.
<p>
It is easy to make such an accusation against anyone, for those who
don't mind lying.  The US has 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#28_December_2017_(Forms_of_'terrorism')">labeled
various sorts of protesters as "terrorists"</a>.


feed_id: 61fb653d366234886b0bf8a075db91d3
title: Rising oceans
uri: Rising-oceans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Rising_oceans%29
content:
<p>
Seawalls to Protect US Against Rising Oceans 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/20/us-rising-seas-defense-seawalls-cost-report">Could
Cost $416bn by 2040</a>.
<p>
That spending would be as futile as trying to bail the water out of
the ocean.  By 2070 we would need to spend another 400 billion, or
perhaps another 800 billion or 2 trillion, because (1) the cost of
each cm of sea wall increases as it gets taller and (2) sea-level rise
will accelerate with time.
<p>
We can't afford to cure this problem.  The only remedy we can afford
is to prevent it.


feed_id: 6a005ce9039c44adeb87e7d39eb6d1d7
title: If Biden were elected
uri: If-Biden-were-elected
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28If_Biden_were_elected%29
content:
<p>
Vowing Not to 'Demonize' the Rich, Biden Tells Billionaires 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/19/biden-tells-billionaires-under-his-administration-things-wouldnt-change">'Nothing
Would Fundamentally Change'</a> If He [Were] Elected.


feed_id: 48c08be373e3715559d85b94ee6cf779
title: Cheater rewards campaign support
uri: Cheater-rewards-campaign-support
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Cheater_rewards_campaign_support%29
content:
<p>
It looks like <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> rewarded campaign support from William Koch
by
<a href="https://www.dcreport.org/2019/06/05/tax-dodges-of-the-super-rich/">telling
the IRS to dismiss an investigation into reported tax fraud</a> at his
businesses.


feed_id: 225e3449a7eb66a34b20ad002dc899c5
title: Deepfakes
uri: Deepfakes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Deepfakes%29
content:
<p>
Deepfakes are 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/20/could-deepfakes-help-swing-2020-election">already
being used in political manipulation</a>.  The success of the
bullshitter, and Republicans who pressure each other to believe even
obvious lies, has made the US more vulnerable to them.
<p>
The hypothetical deepfake described at the end of the article goes
only a little beyond what the bullshitter has already hinted at.  It
would not surprise me if he really said that, before the 2020
election.  By lying repeatedly about his past statements, he has
prepared a situation in which we would be unable to tell if such a
video is true or fake.
<p>
I think this is precisely his intention.


feed_id: 57c72b948c812c0d8a1e8c3d4bc3e294
title: Urgent: Stop digital support for deportation
uri: Urgent-Stop-digital-support-for-deportation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_digital_support_for_deportation%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/amazon-stop-ICE">call on
Amazon</a> to stop providing digital support for deportation.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: a8b15bd3e61bb4f7244b0cdd12d1cfeb
title: The UK's bullshitter
uri: The-UK-s-bullshitter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28The_UKs_bullshitter%29
content:
<p>
Boris Johnson is the UK's bullshitter &mdash he 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/21/defeat-boris-johnson-learn-lessons-donald-trump">takes
lying beyond the usual level, and plays the hero by defeating the
weak</a>.


feed_id: 9fbcb74ef3f2e6972d706b94910cfcde
title: Royal Shakespeare Company's links to BP
uri: Royal-Shakespeare-Company-s-links-to-BP
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Royal_Shakespeare_Companys_links_to_BP%29

content:
<p>
"With its 
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/21/royal-shakespeare-company-rsc-bp-sponsorship-climate-crisis'>links
to BP</a>, I can't stay in the Royal Shakespeare Company."


feed_id: 7d6c30700b99a63ed8013818d2d2add0
title: Violence towards protester
uri: Violence-towards-protester
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Violence_towards_protester%29
content:
<p>
A Tory minister 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/21/mark-field-suspended-as-minister-after-grabbing-climate-protester-by-neck">grabbed
a Greenpeace protester by the neck to push her out of the hall</a>.
<p>
Initiating pre-emptive violence on the off chance that someone else
might do so is not justified, not for ministers any more than it is
for <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.
<p>
The minister has been dismissed as minister, but that is not enough.
He should be prosecuted.  
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/21/mark-field-conservative-grabs-climate-protester-neck-far-right-cheer">The
cheers he got from other Tories and plutocrats in the room</a> make
prosecution necessary.
<p>
Some see this as an example of the pattern of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/21/mark-field-video-male-violence-minister-female-protester">male
violence towards females</a>.  That is a valid point, and it might be
that he has a habit of violence towards women and that it played a
role in his actions.  Ultimately, though, I don't think it changes the
conclusions in this particular case.  It would not be any more
legitimate to have done the same thing to a male.


feed_id: 67dc22875371c4d41e8a20e5aaf4f99a
title: Preventing war with Iran
uri: Preventing-war-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Preventing_war_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
Bernie Sanders: 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/21/us-iran-bernie-sanders-airstrikes-drone-attack-war">We
must stop the US from going to war with Iran</a>


feed_id: edb735caddeb01b1ffb82145b6513c90
title: Threat of censorship in France
uri: Threat-of-censorship-in-France
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Threat_of_censorship_in_France%29
content:
<p>
Now that France threatens a 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190708/09092142538/politicians-queue-up-to-make-frances-proposed-law-against-hateful-content-far-far-worse.shtml">24
hour censorship deadline for deleting articles</a>, some politicians
are trying to include revealing how farms treat animals.
<p>
The tendency of governments to label animal rights activism as
"terrorism" has been observed 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#22_November_2017_(Animal_rights_protests)">in
the US</a>, and the UK.  It seems to be a natural progression.  So
whenever you think about a proposed "antiterrorism law", remember that
animal rights activists may be included too.
<p>
I do not advocate animal rights below a low level.
I do advocate freedom of speech for those that advocate more (or less)
animal rights than I do.


feed_id: fb33b184928f9b2dd6f341d1989a91b5
title: Nonfree software
uri: Nonfree-software
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Nonfree_software%29
content:
<p>
The EFF has alerted the public to a particular of variety of malicious
functionality of nonfree software: 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/07/interoperability-fix-internet-not-tech-companies">artificial
restrictions on interoperability</a>.
<p>
This is useful, but it would have been more insightful to mention that
the underlying cause: proprietary (nonfree) software.  Proprietary
software
<a href="https://gnu.org/malware/">tends to be malicious in various
other ways</a>.


feed_id: 5330f513771584ac335f167b5d2ff91e
title: Empty federal government positions
uri: Empty-federal-government-positions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Empty_federal_government_positions%29

content:
<p>
The bullshitter doesn't want anyone in the federal government to
correct his lies.  
<a href="https://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/white-houses-science-division-completely-empty/">Over
85%</a> of the federal government positions that have to do with
science are now empty.


feed_id: 1082f5a3be193017b46ad80bec122583
title: Detroit thugs impose face recognition
uri: Detroit-thugs-impose-face-recognition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Detroit_thugs_impose_face_recognition%29

content:
<p>
The Detroit Police Commission excluded one commissioner from some of
its meetings where it decided to impose face recognition on the
public.  He came to an open meeting and 
<a href="https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2019/07/12/detroit-cops-arrest-police-commissioner-protester-at-raucous-public-meeting">tried
to condemn this, and the thugs arrested him</a>.
<p>
Thus tyranny marches on, imposing the tools for more tyranny.


feed_id: 9ed5a3033e36a3c1506c712587c12616
title: Endless war not inevitable
uri: Endless-war-not-inevitable
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Endless_war_not_inevitable%29
content:
<p>
"Endless War Isn't Inevitable": House 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/07/12/endless-war-isnt-inevitable-house-votes-stop-trump-launching-unauthorized-attack">Votes
to Stop [the bully] From Launching Unauthorized Attack on Iran</a>.


feed_id: 46cdd9c644855c8d748613a666c1fac4
title: Allowing children free time to play
uri: Allowing-children-free-time-to-play
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Allowing_children_free_time_to_play%29

content:
<p>
What parents suggest for 
<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learn/201906/restoring-children-s-play-overcoming-parental-fears">allowing
children some free time to play</a>.


feed_id: 4af0f4aee9c44e08b180b76f15df8cdb
title: June protests in Hong Kong
uri: June-protests-in-Hong-Kong
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28June_protests_in_Hong_Kong%29
content:
<p>
Protesters in Hong Kong passively 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/22/hong-kong-protesters-disperse-after-blockade-of-police-hq">blockaded
the thug department's headquarters for 15 hours</a>, then left.


feed_id: 738baec1ad9e1fc72bed2a9b19b9e7c8
title: Bottles of novichok
uri: Bottles-of-novichok
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Bottles_of_novichok%29
content:
<p>
Charlie Rowley, suffers permanent neural damage from the novichok
which killed his girlfriend.  He says that the bottle he found was
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jun/21/novichok-victim-partner-kept-in-the-dark-charlie-rowley-dawn-sturgess">packaged
in hard plastic</a> and is surely not the same bottle of novichok that
was used to poison the Skripals.


feed_id: 32877130ebad1556cf6c45287501f36c
title: US aggression against Iran
uri: US-aggression-against-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28US_aggression_against_Iran%29
content:
<p>
Explaining the 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/20/exceptionally-american-historical-amnesia-behind-pompeos-claim-40-years-unprovoked">decades
of US aggression against Iran</a> which are the historical background
for today's US aggression against Iran.
<p>
If the US had not overthrown the elected government of Mossadegh,
political Islamism probably would not be a significant factor in the
world today.  We would have no Islamic State, no al Qa'ida, no <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>,
no Boko Haram.
<p>
(satire) Bolton Argues 
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/bolton-argues-war-with-iran-only-way-to-avenge-american-1835704580">War
With Iran Only Way To Avenge Americans Killed In Upcoming War With
Iran</a>.


feed_id: 71a4a65d946701329fd67c03cf0b6ccd
title: Facebook prediction of diseases
uri: Facebook-prediction-of-diseases
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Facebook_prediction_of_diseases%29
content:
<p>
Facebook 
<a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/ywykm7/your-future-doctor-could-monitor-your-facebook-posts-for-disease">could
predict diseases such as diabetes, anxiety, depression, and
psychosis</a>, based on what zuckers post there.
<p>
Their doctors could also do this, but that might be acceptable,
so let's focus on what is <em>not</em> acceptable.


feed_id: 8ea0b5f99f60ad73386484face133ca2
title: Manus Island refugee prison
uri: 2019-07-18-Manus-Island-refugee-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Manus_Island_refugee_prison%29
content:
<p>
A refugee imprisoned by Australia on Manus Island has been denied
medical treatment for a long time.  He 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jun/21/manus-island-man-sets-himself-on-fire-after-being-denied-medical-treatment">set
himself on fire in his room</a>.
<p>
His action seems to me as rational as any other option, under the
circumstances.  I suppose he hoped he would die, but so far he is
still alive.
<p>
Maybe now they will give him medical treatment.


feed_id: 8533480b68684fb402257ab928d6b293
title: Leaks say bully approved bombing
uri: Leaks-say-bully-approved-bombing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Leaks_say_bully_approved_bombing%29
content:
<p>
Leaks say the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> approved bombing of Iran, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/21/friday-briefing-trump-gave-initial-approval-for-iran-strike">then
cancelled it at the last moment</a>.
<p>
We can't presume any of this is true.  The bullshitter uses bombastic
threats as a style of diplomacy.  Maybe he told the troops to get
ready to attack as a form of theater, intending to cancel it.  Or
perhaps that never happened and some flunkies were ordered to "leak" a
false story.
<p>
Either way, this was better than launching a real attack.


feed_id: 9443434cc093049410f005883ff11245
title: Ballot boxes in supermarkets
uri: Ballot-boxes-in-supermarkets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#17_July_2019_%28Ballot_boxes_in_supermarkets%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/21/milk-bread-democracy-new-zealanders-vote-election-supermarkets">will
put ballot boxes in supermarkets</a> so people can vote more
conveniently.
<p>
It is good to make voting more convenient, all else being equal, but
that is not the most important issue at stake.  Is it feasible to
prevent election-rigging via ballot boxes in a "crowded shop"?
Will it be feasible to have poll watchers from all parties at each
supermarket?


feed_id: 6366eaec56ff7cc10d922d35cca86757
title: Urgent: Fossil fuel divestment
uri: Urgent-Fossil-fuel-divestment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Fossil_fuel_divestment%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/harvard-divest-fossil-fuels">call
on Harvard</a> to divest from fossil fuels.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 79ff92fdb810754d58d7d7ae101b752e
title: Extinction denialism
uri: Extinction-denialism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_July_2019_%28Extinction_denialism%29
content:
<p>
Extinction denialism: right-wing
politicians <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/22/extinction-deniers-are-here">undercount
actual extinctions</a> in order to block policies to prevent future
extinctions.
<p>
This reminds me of the way right-wing politicians cited Iraq Body
Count to undercount the number of Iraqi war dead from <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a>'s
occupation of Iraq.  Iraq Body Count did (does?) a valuable job by
making a list of the identified, reported deaths, but using that to
estimate the total will obviously give a low result.
<p>
I think Iraq Body Count ought to make a prominent statement to this
effect.  Maybe the IUCN Red List should do likewise.
<p>
In the case of extinction, we cannot detect the extinction of species
whose existence we have not yet recognized.  These could number in the
millions.


feed_id: 611b713b1adfb8e7e4d7ebd8ce9d60c3
title: Extinction Rebellion die-in
uri: Extinction-Rebellion-die-in
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_July_2019_%28Extinction_Rebellion_die-in%29
content:
<p>
Extinction
Rebellion <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/22/new-york-times-protest-climate-crisis-coverage">held
a die-in</a> in front of the New York Times, demanding the newspaper
do justice to the danger.


feed_id: c517dd00783aa2478dd6286f311835a9
title: Palestinian deal
uri: Palestinian-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_July_2019_%28Palestinian_deal%29
content:
<p>
The conman's "deal of the century" for Palestinians includes a lot of
money to be paid to
Palestinians <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/22/jared-kushner-middle-east-peace-white-house">in
the future</a>.
<p>
In other words, he's asking the Palestinians to give him something on
credit.
<p>
You'd have to be nuts to give the trumpets anything on credit.
Remember the building contractor that did work on a Trump building,
and was still suing to get paid for it when the conman was
inaugurated?  He
was <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#1_August_2016_(Trump_cheated_painting_contractor)">not
the only one</a>.


feed_id: d7949a2a1069ee4fdeaa6cd69b9587ee
title: Getting paid for data
uri: Getting-paid-for-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_July_2019_%28Getting_paid_for_data%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/21/facebooks-plan-to-break-the-global-financial-system">Evgeny
Morozov agrees</a> that getting paid for data by Facebook will not
compensate for the damage done by the power Facebook gets by having
that data.
<p>
The idea that "you should own your data" is too weak a foundation to
resist the systematic manufacture of consent.  It puts each person in
the position of negotiating a deal with various giants &mdash; exactly
the way the giants want it.
<p>
Instead of negotiating individually with them, we need to join
together and pass laws that stop them from snooping on us.


feed_id: b172767051ec3ff025bac9f70aa271de
title: Iran and the bully
uri: Iran-and-the-bully
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_July_2019_%28Iran_and_the_bully%29
content:
<p>
Iran is talking and acting tough, in response to damaging economic
warfare.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> and his men condemn this
as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/22/the-trump-administration-is-trying-to-make-war-with-iran-inevitable">inexplicable
aggression</a>.
<p>
Several years ago I reported on how Israel used the same propaganda
ploy against Hamas in Gaza.  In a cycle of attacks by both sides,
Israel described Israeli
bombing <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#15_November_2012_(Israeli_group_near_Gaza_calls_for_negotiations)">as
"retaliation"</a> and Hamas missiles as "aggression".  At that time,
it was noticeable that it was generally Israel that broke the truce.
That does not seem to be the case in the past year, though.


feed_id: bcd1d5de2e9b37d37efa174715b3bad9
title: Surveillance and persecution
uri: Surveillance-and-persecution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_July_2019_%28Surveillance_and_persecution%29
content:
<p>
Yuval Harari: Pervasive digital surveillance will offer numerous ways
to determine who is homosexual &mdash; or even has an unconscious
leaning that way
&mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jun/22/fifty-years-after-the-stonewall-riots-yuval-noah-harari-on-the-new-threats-to-lgbt-freedom">for
the sake of persecution</a>.  Likewise for any other quirks that
people could be mistreated for.
<p>
If you belong to some group that is targeted &mdash; blacks,
Palestinians, animal rights campaigners, whatever it &mdash; the
secret police of your country won't hesitate to use your quirk to
force you into informing.
<p>
This is another reason we must stop systems from collecting data about
people.
<p>
Make or sell TVs that reports on people?  Go to prison!  Put up a
camera that identifies people?  Go to prison!


feed_id: f6f790b753a49cb39d7a1a984121827e
title: Eliminating private prisons
uri: Eliminating-private-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_July_2019_%28Eliminating_private_prisons%29
content:
<p>
Senator Warren proposes
to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-warren/u-s-democratic-candidate-warren-calls-for-ban-on-private-prisons-idUSKCN1TM1OW">eliminate
private prisons</a> completely in the US, including immigration
prisons.
<p>
She also plans to ban gouging prisoners for products and services.
<p>
What I like best is that she endorses the idea that certain areas of
activity should be off limits to profitmaking businesses.  It is not
yet the idea that government
services <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#16_March_2019_(Privatization)">should
never be privatized</a>.


feed_id: 82b8db9335659b656873eec9260f2e64
title: Attacking the idea of truth
uri: Attacking-the-idea-of-truth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_July_2019_%28Attacking_the_idea_of_truth%29
content:
<p>
Today powerful tyrants don't merely
lie.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/22/age-of-the-shameless-lie-moscow-riyadh-washington">They
attack the idea</a> that there is such a thing as truth.
<p>
What made life under the rule of Stalin and Mao so terrifying was that
no lie was too much for them.  The truth of your innocence meant
nothing to them if they found it useful to proclaim you guilty.
Today's cruel liars, including the conman, are no better.
<p>
Let's compare them with the plutocrats and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a>.  They
don't mind lying, and they lie constantly about their opponents.
But they do not attack the very idea of truth.


feed_id: ac34682632b04c3b5113dfe2032b5bca
title: Refugees in France
uri: Refugees-in-France
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_July_2019_%28Refugees_in_France%29
content:
<p>
Hundreds, maybe thousands, of refugees are living in France near
Calais and Dunkirk.
Thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/22/refugee-eviction-peak-in-france-bid-halt-channel-crossings">regularly
chase them around</a>, steal and destroy their tents, break their
water vessels, and poison their food with tear gas.


feed_id: 58a2cb3cd428da9102fcfb1f7589950c
title: Bombing Iran
uri: Bombing-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_July_2019_%28Bombing_Iran%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s ambivalence about bombing Iran could result from
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/21/trump-iran-airstrikes-drone-attack-analysis">conflict
between two inner impulses</a>.
<p>
It could also be theater.


feed_id: c9db443763d9446d96ea736a66c0dc61
title: Flood of opioid pills from drug makers
uri: Flood-of-opioid-pills-from-drug-makers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_July_2019_%28Flood_of_opioid_pills_from_drug_makers%29

content:
<p>
Drug Makers flooded Us with Billions of Opioid Pills 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/17/opioid-crisis-drug-makers-pills-federal-data-epidemic">as
Epidemic Surged</a>, Data Shows.


feed_id: bad67068ec6d954c2c9207d6f2e665ce
title: Privatized state surveillance
uri: Privatized-state-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_July_2019_%28Privatized_state_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2019/07/palantirs_surve.html">most
egregious aspects</a> of Palantir's privatized state surveillance of
just about everyone.


feed_id: 26f4885b1368e561dd9c1f7e44f1a81b
title: Boris Johnson's support for the EU
uri: Boris-Johnson-s-support-for-the-EU
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_July_2019_%28Boris_Johnsons_support_for_the_EU%29

content:
<p>
Boris Johnson, who stands to become the next prime minister of the UK,
wrote privately that he was in favor of keeping the UK in the EU.  A
year later he 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/17/boris-johnson-support-eu-revealed-leon-brittan-widow-letter">supported
the dishonest campaign to take it out</a>.


feed_id: e0cbdf2bcdd1a4221a99b323cf472594
title: The bully's grandfather
uri: The-bully-s-grandfather
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_July_2019_%28The_bullys_grandfather%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s grandfather was an 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/07/17/kellyanne-conway-irish-fred-trump/">organizer
of the KKK and helped lead a protest to tell Irish and Italian
immigrants to go home</a>.


feed_id: 895f83c674174087d3b4da6f2a5d6372
title: Europe must defend Taiwan
uri: Europe-must-defend-Taiwan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_July_2019_%28Europe_must_defend_Taiwan%29
content:
<p>
Hong Kong showed China is a threat to democracy. Now Europe 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/16/hong-kong-china-democracy-europe-taiwan-beijing-eu">must
defend Taiwan</a>.


feed_id: 2a6f53b443328b4f51a09dc2803d3196
title: Expulsion of bigots
uri: Expulsion-of-bigots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#19_July_2019_%28Expulsion_of_bigots%29
content:
<p>
There is a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/16/tom-watson-backs-labour-motion-auto-exclude-racism">proposal
to require expulsion of any member of the Labour Party if there is
clear evidence that the member is bigoted</a>.
<p>
The title of the article is misleading -- mere accusation would not
require expulsion.  There would have to be "irrefutable evidence."
<p>
I am in favor of this rule.  I don't think that parties should
tolerate bigotry against any group, and that includes Jews.
The Republican Party should adopt the same rule.
<p>
What I disagree with is the party's decision to adopt a controversial
criterion for judging anti-semitism, which was designed to shift the
boundary that separates criticism of Israel from anti-semitism.


feed_id: f31842bdb9c2c36028bbd16166b8ab74
title: The hate-spewer's own country
uri: The-hate-spewer-s-own-country
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_July_2019_%28The_hate-spewers_own_country%29
content:
<p>
The hate-spewer 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/18/trumps-been-hating-on-america-is-it-time-for-him-to-leave">should
go home to his country</a>, but where is that?
<p>
I think his country of origin is the one located, mythically, straight
down from wherever you are.


feed_id: 55f663d9a9403309374399575403609c
title: Iran seizes oil tanker
uri: Iran-seizes-oil-tanker
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_July_2019_%28Iran_seizes_oil_tanker%29
content:
<p>
Iran has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/18/iran-says-it-has-seized-foreign-oil-tanker-in-gulf">seized
an oil tanker</a>.
<p>
Now I suppose it will suggest to the UK an exchange of captured ships.
<p>
I have not seen any explanation of why the EU's refusal to trade with
Syria would have anything to do with Iran's trade with Syria.
<p>
Syria, Assad's empire, is an ally to be ashamed of, but not worse than
the US's ally, <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>.


feed_id: f533955b11836a644ba3d037081fdb32
title: IUCN red list
uri: IUCN-red-list
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_July_2019_%28IUCN_red_list%29
content:
<p>
IUCN Red List Reveals 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/18/iucn-red-list-reveals-wildlife-destruction-from-treetop-to-ocean-floor">Wildlife
Destruction from Treetop to Ocean Floor</a>.


feed_id: edff0e011bc2c5bb1caa5b50a57b5f0d
title: Flaw in collapsed dam in Brazil
uri: Flaw-in-collapsed-dam-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_July_2019_%28Flaw_in_collapsed_dam_in_Brazil%29
content:
<p>
A dam in Brazil that collapsed had a flaw, which a company (the
builder of the dam?) 
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48948775">knew about
and concealed</a>.


feed_id: a7fd6cd19928f52443139fe3680081d2
title: Yang Hengjun imprisoned in China
uri: Yang-Hengjun-imprisoned-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_July_2019_%28Yang_Hengjun_imprisoned_in_China%29
content:
<p>
Chinese expat writer Yang Hengjun has been made a 
<href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/18/yang-hengjun-australian-writer-detained-in-china-expected-to-be-charged-lawyer-says">political
prisoner in China</a>.
<p>
He is accused of "crimes" which are bullshit excuses for political
persecution, comparable to the US charges against Julian Assange and
Edward Snowden.  However, China nowadays applies its repression far
more broadly; mere opinions are enough.
<p>
This is why I decided, a few years ago, not to go to China any more.


feed_id: a07b0b829430cbc5f8a39296873d85e2
title: Urgent: End support for deportation thugs
uri: Urgent-End-support-for-deportation-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_End_support_for_deportation_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/deloitte-ice">call on
Deloitte</a> to stop providing services to the deportation thugs.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 49a12d14bd0aa05fea048b639e007d76
title: Tax incentives for leveraged buyouts
uri: Tax-incentives-for-leveraged-buyouts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_July_2019_%28Tax_incentives_for_leveraged_buyouts%29

content:
<p>
In support of Senator Warren's bill to 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/07/18/elizabeth-warren-means-business-letter-support-stop-wall-street-looting-act-2019">cut
off tax incentives for leveraged buyouts</a>.
<p>
I disagree with part of the argument &mdash; namely, arguing from
efficiency as the primary goal.  There are other important goals, such
as avoiding concentration of whatever industry.
<p>
These other goals strengthen the case for this law.


feed_id: ee2179409dbea3824c1f12843867eae6
title: Minimum wage
uri: 2019-07-22-Minimum-wage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_July_2019_%28Minimum_wage%29
content:
<p>
The House of Representatives 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/07/18/us-house-approves-historic-15hour-one-fair-wage">voted
for a $15 minimum wage</a>.
<p>
However, some right-wing Democrats in the House want to pass a law to
let the funding for community clinics
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/07/18/absolutely-disastrous-progressives-furious-fellow-democrats-push-funding-cut-health">decline
over time</a>.


feed_id: 2cac4b0f5e01e8d0c913a658db77a8ff
title: Charter of the Trump Organization
uri: Charter-of-the-Trump-Organization
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_July_2019_%28Charter_of_the_Trump_Organization%29

content:
<p>
The State of New York should dissolve the charter of the Trump
Organization for its 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/07/18/government-watchdogs-call-new-york-attorney-general-dissolve-trumps-company-and">persistent
history of crime</a>.


feed_id: dd988fdd79f8bf628cae5bbeedb5654a
title: Curbing global heating
uri: 2019-07-22-Curbing-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_July_2019_%28Curbing_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
To overcome the threat of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/07/18/fighting-climate-change-means-ending-war">requires
putting a stop to the practice of aggressive war</a>.


feed_id: 3b06aed1ef5892386686faf354c77b2d
title: Thugs bearing false witness
uri: Thugs-bearing-false-witness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_July_2019_%28Thugs_bearing_false_witness%29
content:
<p>
Chicago <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> have been 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/18/laquan-mcdonald-four-fired-coverup-chicago">fired
for helping to posthumously frame Laquan McDonald</a> after another
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> had killed him.
<p>
It is crucial to punish <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> for bearing false witness and not only
(rarely) for killing.


feed_id: a4455d789a54c8e30b210e51a965473c
title: Salt in foods
uri: Salt-in-foods
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#21_July_2019_%28Salt_in_foods%29
content:
<p>
In 2011, the Tories eliminated the UK's targets for reducing salt in
foods.  This is now estimated to have caused 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/19/coalitions-voluntary-salt-limits-have-been-public-health-disaster">over
10,000 cases of heart attack, stroke, and cancer</a>.


feed_id: 964f03c865a5ae0254ed81122e530dec
title: Urgent: Estate tax
uri: Urgent-Estate-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Estate_tax%29
content:
<p>
US
citizens: <a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/sanders-gomez-estate-tax">call
on Congress</a> to raise the estate tax.  This is a way to tax the
ultra-wealthy more.
</p>
<p>If you sign, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: ebeaf9e3161e0b4ed80f54fdbd802674
title: Urgent: Face surveillance
uri: Urgent-Face-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Face_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/ma-no-secret-face-surveillance">call
on Massachusetts</a> to ban government use of face surveillance.
</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.aclum.org/en/publications/face-surveillance-science-fiction-or-status-quo">More
information.</a>
</p>


feed_id: d4f3ee10b096e1f0ff870d45418a0b01
title: Australian elite
uri: Australian-elite
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28Australian_elite%29
content:
<p>
Australia's denialist
voters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jun/23/culture-shock-politics-upended-in-era-of-identity">have
been bamboozled</a> into thinking they are resisting an elite that is
gratuitously forcing change on them.
<p>
They don't understand that they are helping the real elite, the
planet-roaster plutocrats, arrange to murder their grandchildren.  But
the grandchildren know this.


feed_id: 7f1992b1a1cc5f63bd54ef924af7b194
title: Offshore oil drilling
uri: Offshore-oil-drilling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28Offshore_oil_drilling%29
content:
<p>
The House of Representatives put amendments into a funding bill that
would <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/06/21/house-votes-protect-coasts-new-offshore-drilling-activities">block
new offshore oil drilling</a>.
<p>
This is very important to do.


feed_id: c003bca35afd2332200a7bad02d01be5
title: US border guards
uri: US-border-guards
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28US_border_guards%29
content:
<p>
Reporter Seth Harp describes how US border guards threatened to keep
him in the airport indefinitely until he let them search through his
phone and laptop.  They lied to him sometimes, and one threatened
repeatedly
to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/06/22/cbp-border-searches-journalists/">kill
him and lie as an excuse</a>.
<p>
I hope he is not using that phone and laptop any more.  They could
contain key loggers.
<p>
In my personal experience, the border guards that give me the most
hassle are those of Canada.  A Canadian border agent, which appeared
human but was apparently a robot, demanded I say what I would do when
I returned to the US, while threatening to send me to the US (but not
the US city I was connecting for).
<p>
Once in the 90s a couple of US customs agents decided to harass me by
searching my luggage, slowly.  As I was not in a hurry and had only
permitted goods to import, I responded by taking a friendly tone and
complying with utmost diligence and care, which required me to go even
more slowly than they did.  Eventually they realized that their
harassment tactic had backfired, so they finished the search quickly.


feed_id: a07c7c9bdb2b825a822dc101670815a6
title: US soldier conscription
uri: US-soldier-conscription
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28US_soldier_conscription%29
content:
<p>
For the US to defeat Iran, it would need
to <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/05/31/iran-regime-change-american-troops-military-draft-column/656240002/">conscript
soldiers</a>.
<p>
If you are a young man, or a teenager, it is time to start organizing
draft resistance now!


feed_id: 9917338b264f7b3adf4c1e05545bbed7
title: Concentration camps
uri: Concentration-camps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28Concentration_camps%29
content:
<p>
Jewish Human Rights Scholar: Yes, America
Has <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/06/21/1-they-came-for-the-mexicans.html">Built
Concentration Camps</a>.
And it is not surprising that some of the prisoners in them have
died as a result of the systematic mistreatment.
<p>
The term "concentration camp" was initially used as a euphemism for
prisons into which colonial powers (Spain, the US, and Germany) and
conquerors (including the UK) forced a civilian population which was
sheltering and aiding rebels.  Killing them was not the specific
intention, but in many of these camps the general mistreatment and
lack of medical care killed substantial numbers of the prisoners.
This
is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/21/migrant-children-imprisoned-texas-detail-border-patrols-level-inhumanity">what
the US is doing now</a> to unauthorized immigrants.
<p>
The Nazis built political prisons which were referred to as
"concentration camps".  Initially they did not murder prisoners
outright but systematically worked prisoners to death.  Later the
Nazis began directly murdering large numbers of Jews (and others) in
some of these camps.  Thus, the term became associated with outright
mass murder.
<p>
The writer of that article believes that massive imprisonment is the
penultimate step on the road to genocide.  This may be right, because
the conditions that lead to setting up such camps generate hatred.
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> running US concentration
camps <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_May_2019_(Detained_Immigrants)">hate
the unauthorized immigrants</a>.
It wouldn't take much to loose the demons in them.


feed_id: e8cb567d74cdbac3c3102dd572888534
title: Psychiatrists 'in the network'
uri: Psychiatrists-in-the-network
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28Psychiatrists_%27in_the_network%27%29

content:
<p>
Blue Cross / Blue Shield offers subscribers a list of psychiatrists
who are "in the network", but only a few of them will actually accept
a new patient covered by insurance.  Many of the phone
numbers <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2019/06/17/ghost-networks-psychiatrists-hinder-patient-care/">don't
even work any more</a>.
<p>
Many other insurance plans are equally bad, and it affects other
medical specialties, not just psychiatrists.
<p>
There is evidence that insurance companies keep the errors
intentionally to discourage patients from getting care, and thus
reduce what they have to pay for.


feed_id: af4d4d24adf98ab7314af968c75cf5ff
title: KPMG
uri: KPMG
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28KPMG%29
content:
<p>
One of the Big Four accounting companies, KPMG, has been caught
cheating.  Specifically, its
executives <a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/06/19/quis-custodiet-ipsos-kpmg.html">cheated
on ethics exams</a>.
<p>
To shut down that company would leave only three companies to choose
from.  We need to do the opposite: make KPMG split up &mdash; and the
others, too.  We need to make them so numerous that we can shut them
when necessary.


feed_id: 02d828ebadbf6d1bf9ad18277fc50d94
title: Net neutrality regulations
uri: 2019-07-22-Net-neutrality-regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28Net_neutrality_regulations%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190613/08323042394/none-claimed-benefits-killing-net-neutrality-ever-arrived.shtml">None
of the predicted "benefits"</a> of ending the FCC's network neutrality
regulations has actually occurred.
<p>
When businesses claim that deregulating them will lead to benefits,
they are asking the public to give them something on credit, without
even a commitment to pay it back.  Businesses often cheat on their
commitments, so how likely are they to keep a non-commitment?
<p>
The proper response to any such a proposal is, "And if that doesn't
happen, then what?"  Followed by, "Let's make the deregulation
provisional, to be terminated automatically if any of the following
problems occurs&hellip;"


feed_id: e2525eec079252bbb0001471c8097c7f
title: Facebook video moderators
uri: Facebook-video-moderators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28Facebook_video_moderators%29
content:
<p>
Facebook <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/19/18681845/facebook-moderator-interviews-video-trauma-ptsd-cognizant-tampa">treats
the video moderators like shit</a>.  And that's in addition to the
depression they feel from watching the videos.
<p>
The article gives no evidence that Utley's death was caused by his
job, but the way the managers treated it is despicable even if they
did not cause it.
<p>
Naturally, these workers are subcontracted, so that Facebook can deny
responsibility for how they are treated.  But Facebook is in fact
responsible: it demands contractors offer a low price, which they
achieve by treating the workers like shit.  We need laws to hold
companies like Facebook responsible for the treatment of indirect
workers, and give them employee rights such as sick leave.
<p>
It should be a felony for employees of a company to ask a worker to
sign a nondisclosure agreement covering any aspect of the working
conditions, benefits, or pay.


feed_id: 30170bbe8f90cfe18fe3491c0b2c65e9
title: British citizenship
uri: British-citizenship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28British_citizenship%29
content:
<p>
Tories are gradually resolving the artificial problems they have
created for people that moved to Britain decades ago with citizenship
but can't prove it &mdash;
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jun/22/windrush-victim-richard-stewart-dies-with-no-apology-or-compensation">waiting
for them to die</a>.
In a few years, there may be no problem left.
<p>
The reason they can't prove their citizenship is that Tories deleted
the government data base
which <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#23_April_2018_(UK's_version_of_DACA_issue)">would
have proved it</a>.  In recognition of its own fault, the British
government ought to give them the benefit of the doubt.


feed_id: e1d0313497617c2ff84338b24bbd8cec
title: Urgent: Ban use of face surveillance
uri: Urgent-Ban-use-of-face-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_use_of_face_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/ma-no-secret-face-surveillance">call
on Massachusetts</a> to ban government use of face surveillance.
<p>
<a href="https://www.aclum.org/en/publications/face-surveillance-science-fiction-or-status-quo">Background
information</a>.
<p>
Since this bill would only apply to government use of face
recognition, it addresses only part of the problem.  But that's a good
start.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 2e4b5585229e3669ecacfbdc5cfd7e87
title: EU considers broad censorship system
uri: EU-considers-broad-censorship-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28EU_considers_broad_censorship_system%29

content:
<p>
The EU is considering a 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190716/08123442594/eu-looking-to-regulate-everything-online-to-make-sites-proactively-remove-material.shtml">broad
system of censorship</a> to apply to all internet sites and services;
even to ISPs.
<p>
It would that the European internet becomes like the Chinese internet.


feed_id: 415af11507975e09fe54cf166257a91f
title: The Cambridge Analytica scandal
uri: The-Cambridge-Analytica-scandal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28The_Cambridge_Analytica_scandal%29
content:
<p>
"Cambridge Analytica may have become the byword for a scandal, but
<a href='https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jul/20/the-great-hack-cambridge-analytica-scandal-facebook-netflix'>it's
not entirely clear that anyone knows exactly what that scandal
is</a>."
<p>
To try to prevent election manipulation using systems that profile
people is difficult.  It requires outthinking the people who are
looking for clever ways to use the databases to achieve their goals.
<p>
Preventing it by prohibiting data collection and profiling would
be more reliable.  If a database does not exist, there is no clever
way to use it to undermine society.


feed_id: 1accc3814adfd56faf2269027faa0fa8
title: WTO rules against local jobs
uri: WTO-rules-against-local-jobs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28WTO_rules_against_local_jobs%29
content:
<p>
The WTO 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/07/19/did-obamas-trade-legacy-just-hammer-green-new-deal">ruled
against some US states' support for local jobs that reduce greenhouse
gas emissions</a>.
<p>
One thing the conman has shown us is that the US can defeat
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#business-supremacy">business-supremacy treaties</a> if it attacks them.  The US could force
the WTO to back down from this, especially if it does so in a fair
way, demanding to permit this practice for all countries.
<p>
However, the emissions reduction programs would be good even without
this particular aspect.


feed_id: 051faf9bcd4d075187cc0af14dd2cc0f
title: Mobile phone scamming
uri: Mobile-phone-scamming
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28Mobile_phone_scamming%29
content:
<p>
More mobile phone scamming: companies 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/jul/20/i-turned-detective-to-lift-the-lid-on-mystery-mobile-phone-charges">can
put charges on a person's phone bill and falsely claim person approved
the payments</a>.


feed_id: 6e6d9febfd1fb91f0d9b5e4848bfaf7c
title: Encrypted messaging
uri: Encrypted-messaging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28Encrypted_messaging%29
content:
<p>
EFF: 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/07/dont-let-encrypted-messaging-become-hollow-promise">Don't
Let Encrypted Messaging Become a Hollow Promise</a>.
<p>
The article presumes that nonfree programs such as WhatsApp are
legitimate.  I hope you know better.


feed_id: 6f5a240385c8a78b876fd7abe8866e4b
title: Oklahoma suing Johnson & Johnson
uri: Oklahoma-suing-Johnson-Johnson
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28Oklahoma_suing_Johnson_and_Johnson%29

content:
<p>
Oklahoma is suing Johnson & Johnson 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/22/johnson-and-johnson-opioids-crisis-lawsuit-latest-trial">for
aggressively promoting sales of fentanyl</a>.
<p>
I think it is wrong to aggressively promote sales of any medical
treatment.  We must establish that corporations are not entitled to
human rights, so that they can't claim they have a "human right" to
publicize medicines.  But the issue goes beyond advertising.  We must
require drug companies to include "serving patients" alongside "making
money" as their responsibilities, and require participation of patient
representatives in business decisions about medicines.


feed_id: 6b5c6640b4b00f14b7a48c32cb8e329e
title: Tiffany Cabán
uri: 2019-07-23-Tiffany-Cabán
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28Tiffany_Caban%29
content:
<p>
Tiffany Cabán, running for district attorney in Queens, New York,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/23/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-queer-da-sex-workers-rights-revolution">will
not prosecute sex workers or their customers</a>, and will not put
poor people in jail for months awaiting trial by demanding bail money.


feed_id: 3d64355f7f1cefa3286ea0a34af7ef58
title: Neoliberal Democrats
uri: Neoliberal-Democrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28Neoliberal_Democrats%29
content:
<p>
Here's 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/23/heres-what-neoliberal-democrats-who-view-bernie-sanders-existential-threat-have-yet">What
Neoliberal Democrats Who View Bernie Sanders as an 'Existential
Threat' Have Yet to Realize</a>.


feed_id: e9732525c5dd613a520512dc43375f42
title: Bully's terror theater
uri: Bully-s-terror-theater
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_July_2019_%28Bullys_terror_theater%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a>'s 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/23/trump-migrants-raid-delay-political-pawns">threat
to arrest thousands of immigrants</a> was more of his usual terror
theater.


feed_id: 6fa5c59b6c1b1e6c5f4543f36683a54c
title: Urgent: Ban FBI and ICE access to DMV photos
uri: Urgent-Ban-FBI-and-ICE-access-to-DMV-photos
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_FBI_and_ICE_access_to_DMV_photos%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/tell-congress-ban-ice-and-fbi-accessing-dmv-databases/">call
on Congress</a> to ban FBI and ICE from accessing drivers' license
photos.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 1fef908ffdd5a903400b92e79738c140
title: Population in Congo
uri: Population-in-Congo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Population_in_Congo%29
content:
<p>
Population is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jul/22/gorillas-charcoal-fight-survival-congo-rainforest">reaching
crunch point</a> in the Congo.  The Pygmies, who lived there before,
demand to cut down the forest that lowland gorillas live in.
<p>
As the world's human population bloats, there won't be enough land for
everyone.  People will get desperate, and try to hang on a little
longer by destroying forests, farming land that isn't suitable,
catching the last few fish, and so on.  But that won't do more than
postpone the end.
<p>
The human population will eventually be limited &mdash; after
everything else is gone.  We need to limit the human population
earlier, before that destruction occurs.


feed_id: 4d5df8ff967a21c1db8320c7182a9d22
title: Thugs attack protesters in Hong Kong
uri: Thugs-attack-protesters-in-Hong-Kong
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Thugs_attack_protesters_in_Hong_Kong%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/22/where-were-the-police-hong-kong-outcry-after-masked-thugs-launch-attack">Masked
nonuniformed thugs</a> attacked protesters in Hong Kong.
<p>
Protesters say that the uniformed <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> took a suspiciously long time
to arrive, but the article does not indicate how long that was.


feed_id: 0a89b0ae6f5c1dae11f9330ad5af94c7
title: Thailand's military rulers
uri: 2019-07-24-Thailand-s-military-rulers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Thailands_military_rulers%29
content:
<p>
Thailand's military rulers have gone beyond charging democracy
activists with crimes.  Now it is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/22/i-thought-they-would-kill-me-thai-dissidents-targeted-in-brutal-crackdown">sending
nonuniformed thugs to club them on the head</a>.


feed_id: d2bef0588d115a5c7a41cbf6e16ad379
title: Discouraging searches without censoring
uri: Discouraging-searches-without-censoring
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Discouraging_searches_without_censoring%29

content:
<p>
Platforms can discourage searches for dangerous extremism by adopting
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jul/21/software-used-against-online-extremists-to-tackle-anti-vaxxers">methods
that stop short of censoring the search results</a>.


feed_id: 495ac81e919d507671dfea3e725d4dc6
title: Labour Party proposals
uri: Labour-Party-proposals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Labour_Party_proposals%29
content:
<p>
A Labour Party study proposed a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/07/21/agenda-new-internationalism">list
of ways to restructure the global economy to replace plutocracy</a>.
<p>
It is a good start, but I think it can be improved in some areas.  For
example, it makes general statements about "intellectual property"
which lump together various laws as a single confused mixture, and
considers this only in regard to its effects on taxation of business.
<p>
Making big businesses pay more tax is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#10_February_2018_(UK_budget_cuts)">very
important</a>, but some of these laws also harm people directly
&mdash; while others do not.  A wise policy on each of these laws
can't be formulated at the vague, abstract level that the term
"intellectual property" implies.  And
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/progressive-tax-on-business-gross-income.html">my
tax proposal</a> can deal with the problem with no need to pay any
attention to any of these specific laws.


feed_id: 68c9f5d4839b0f5f2a95548d2a4a11df
title: Corruption investigation in Brazil
uri: Corruption-investigation-in-Brazil
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Corruption_investigation_in_Brazil%29

content:
<p>
Sergio Moro 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/07/21/in-secret-chats-brazils-chief-corruption-prosecutor-worried-that-bolsonaros-justice-minister-would-protect-bolsonaros-senator-son-flavio-from-scandals/">privately
talked about protecting Bolsonaro's son from a corruption
investigation</a>.


feed_id: d7954aadaf6f6c2a277b5aeca6cfe4fa
title: Sabotage by political party operative
uri: Sabotage-by-political-party-operative
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Sabotage_by_political_party_operative%29

content:
<p>
A political party operative was the middleman in leaking the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/21/brexit-party-steven-edginton-darroch-cables">confidential
messages of the UK's ambassador</a> to the US.
<p>
That's not journalism, that's sabotage.


feed_id: ea3a7b9afe2cf3ae94726ae3e868a700
title: Extremist hatred and falsehoods
uri: Extremist-hatred-and-falsehoods
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Extremist_hatred_and_falsehoods%29
content:
<p>
Illinois Republicans Remove Offensive 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/22/illinois-republican-group-removes-facebook-post-calling-congresswomen-the-jihad-squad">Facebook
Post About "Jihad Squad."</a>
<p>
This is interesting because it demonstrates how extremist hatred has
no scruples about falsehoods, The four representatives they attack are
progressives, not Islamists, but right-wing extremists don't care.
(Ocasio-Cortez and Pressley are not even Muslims.)
<p>
It reminds me of when Bush I called Michael Dukakis a "card-carrying
member of the ACLU".  In effect, Bush equated defending the US
Constitution with Communism.  That just goes to show what Bush really
thought about the Constitution he swore to uphold.


feed_id: 85eeb24bc9d129dbf6d32963d921f321
title: Psychedelic drugs
uri: Psychedelic-drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Psychedelic_drugs%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that psychedelic drugs should be 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jul/22/michael-pollan-worries-we-dont-know-enough-to-legalise-psychedelic-drugs">decriminalized
but not fully legalized</a>.
<p>
I could support this option if there is a lawful way for adults to get
these drugs, made in properly regulated factories, so that they don't
need to but who-knows-what on the black market.


feed_id: e5b2e6dacbd8b77fccfa92fa53d3a728
title: Memorial to a glacier
uri: Memorial-to-a-glacier
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Memorial_to_a_glacier%29
content:
<p>
Iceland has put up a memorial to a glacier which has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/22/memorial-to-mark-icelandic-glacier-lost-to-climate-crisis">almost
completely melted</a>.


feed_id: 737eabb77932bfd82224ab9a4153d525
title: Guaidó's supporters
uri: Guaidó-s-supporters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Guaidos_supporters%29
content:
<p>
Guaidó's supporters have 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/22/six-months-on-juan-guaido-supporters-hang-on-to-fading-hope-in-venezuela">lost
their enthusiasm but mostly still support him</a>.  Except for the
conman, who finds different scapegoats more useful for the moment than
Maduro.
<p>
I can estimate what Guaidó would do to Venezuela, with support from US
plutocrats.  They don't give a dam about anyone in Venezuela except
those that will serve as their agents.  The country would come out
like Honduras or Colombia, and the trees of the Amazon region would be
made into products for the Amazon warehouse.


feed_id: 964aae13dd679f20fc37e93349e31183
title: Urgent: Rights of queer people
uri: Urgent-Rights-of-queer-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Rights_of_queer_people%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://act.credoaction.com/sign/ATT-stop-funding-hate">call
on AT&amp;T, T-Mobile, Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Dell</a> to stop
supporting politicians that attack the rights of queer people.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: d9e88eaca81b973a0fa3ff760fb0922d
title: Credit card with zero credit limit
uri: Credit-card-with-zero-credit-limit
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Credit_card_with_zero_credit_limit%29

content:
<p>
A credit card with zero credit limit is 
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/07/18/fight-fire-w-fire.html">ideal
for signing up for a "free trial period" and avoiding the dark
patterns that are designed to stop customers from cancelling
afterward</a>.
<p>
Is it possible to use that service without running nonfree Javascript
code?  Would someone like to test it and tell me?


feed_id: ad6f428b5a26a1b89aec45082a51f428
title: California Nazis sentenced to prison
uri: California-Nazis-sentenced-to-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28California_Nazis_sentenced_to_prison%29

content:
<p>
Three California Nazis Sentenced to Prison 
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2019/07/20/three-california-nazis-sentenc.html">for
Their Participation in the Charlottesville "Unite the Right"
Rally</a>.
<p>
Their crime was planning to have physical fights with antifascists.


feed_id: 1f118e2bbaf92b5f0b7c40ecb31cd8ee
title: Google retaliates against employees
uri: Google-retaliates-against-employees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Google_retaliates_against_employees%29

content:
<p>
The Google employees who led the campaign against certain egregious
projects have been 
<a href="https://medium.com/@GoogleWalkout/onward-another-googlewalkout-goodbye-b733fa134a7d">pushed
out by retaliation</a>.
<p>
While it was refreshing to see tech employees object to projects based
on moral scruples, their scruples cover only unusual kinds of wrong,
not the everyday wrong in the foundations of most computing nowadays.


feed_id: f24a1d20b4da66f202723ae40db2a7d6
title: Urgent: Campaign contribution rejection
uri: Urgent-Campaign-contribution-rejection
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_Campaign_contribution_rejection%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Democratic candidates to 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/pharmapledge">reject
campaign contributions from big pharma and big insurance</a>.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 41b85f1b57b2c456a21ae5513ba1bdea
title: Urgent: DCH1 Amazonians United
uri: Urgent-DCH1-Amazonians-United
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_DCH1_Amazonians_United%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://www.coworker.org/petitions/amazon-management-meet-with-dch1-amazonians-united-now">call
on Amazon management</a> to meet with the new union, DCH1 Amazonians
United.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 7e0856da0912b21de5860f8ec3ae459b
title: Women with lack of time
uri: Women-with-lack-of-time
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Women_with_lack_of_time%29
content:
<p>
One reason why it has been unusual for women to do great creative work
was that women 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/21/woman-greatest-enemy-lack-of-time-themselves">could
barely find 10 minutes at a stretch to think about something</a>.


feed_id: 308c0d6773746fc6b2a1368532eb423f
title: Librarians protest CIA's recruiting
uri: Librarians-protest-CIA-s-recruiting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Librarians_protest_CIAs_recruiting%29

content:
<p>
Citing CIA's Dark History, Librarians 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/24/citing-cias-dark-history-librarians-protest-agencys-recruiting-their-conference">Protest
Agency's Recruiting at Their Conference</a>.


feed_id: ecf6278440d3b1700979eb1561f23bc3
title: Energy efficiency for poor people
uri: Energy-efficiency-for-poor-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Energy_efficiency_for_poor_people%29

content:
<p>
The state 
<a href="https://e360.yale.edu/features/why-low-income-households-need-to-be-part-of-the-clean-energy-revolution">needs
to invest</a> in energy efficiency for poor people; they can't afford
to do it themselves.


feed_id: df85f1f8a25082f0152e6fbde327bf7e
title: Shopping while black
uri: Shopping-while-black
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Shopping_while_black%29
content:
<p>
Blacks are allowed nowadays to shop in any retail store, but they
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/24/shopping-while-black-yes-bias-against-black-customers-is-real">often
face nasty treatment from the staff</a>, apparently due to their skin
color.


feed_id: bd21e01ba12ea11c68a9842c3b599c7c
title: Survival of the natural world
uri: Survival-of-the-natural-world
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Survival_of_the_natural_world%29
content:
<p>
The survival of the natural world upon which humanity depends 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/24/survival-of-natural-world-is-in-balance-says-wildlife-chief">hangs
in the balance</a>, according to the new chair of the
Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Services.


feed_id: 716a455d47a416b8cf215e31adf9fefc
title: Individuals can change course of history
uri: Individuals-can-change-course-of-history
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Individuals_can_change_course_of_history%29

content:
<p>
Individual people &mdash; whether great or merely grandiose &mdash;
can change the course of history.  Here is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/24/boris-johnson-tory-coup-deal-brexit-tobias-ellwood-jeremy-hunt">an
example</a>.  And 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/23/boris-johnson-as-pm-would-be-catastrophe-for-uk-say-scottish-tories">more</a>.
<p>
Powerful impersonal forces are also at work in the UK's decision about
leaving the EU.  They constitute the pinball machine in which this
loose cannonball bounces around.  That does not imply the outcome is
predictable.


feed_id: 0d204932e3a2419c659e3251881816b5
title: Mayor of Istanbul
uri: Mayor-of-Istanbul
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Mayor_of_Istanbul%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/23/ekrem-imamoglu-turkeys-unexpected-new-hope-in-fight-for-democracy">secularist
opposition candidate</a> for mayor of Istanbul has won again, with a
much bigger margin this time.


feed_id: f56ab2c07cd7134091deb7c5b54b929a
title: College economics courses
uri: College-economics-courses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28College_economics_courses%29
content:
<p>
College economics courses 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/18/economics-101-and-ecological-collapse">teach
students that the economy has nothing to do with the ecosphere</a>.
Most of the students don't recognize the error in this.
<p>
This may not be coincidence.  It may be the result of 
business influence on academia</a>.


feed_id: 44b13449f893cc7fedd431e37e5825be
title: Four-day work week
uri: 2019-07-24-Four-day-work-week
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Four-day_work_week%29
content:
<p>
A four-day work week, in the wealthy (and high carbon footprint) countries,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/21/help-the-planet-work-a-four-day-week">would
cut greenhouse gas emissions a lot</a>.


feed_id: 69d7de521a7d275bd02f7e3e58c8dd97
title: Weak "data protection" laws
uri: Weak-data-protection-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Weak_data_protection_laws%29
content:
<p>
Google and Facebook are campaigning for the US to adopt the sort of
weak "data protection" laws that 
<a href="https://idlewords.com/2019/06/the_new_wilderness.htm">won't
hamper surveillance capitalism much</a>.
<p>
The concept of "ambient privacy" refers to what I have 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">campaigned
for years</a> to protect: not having data collected about you.


feed_id: 1516bf966e72b0677fc29ed2a52c0784
title: Domestic abuse
uri: 2019-07-24-Domestic-abuse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Domestic_abuse%29
content:
<p>
"Today, we know that that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/24/its-like-you-go-to-abuse-school-how-domestic-violence-always-follows-the-same-script">the
techniques common to domestic abuse</a> match those used by
practically anyone who trades in captivity: kidnappers,
hostage-takers, pimps, cult leaders."


feed_id: d2894bf5a9199ab072831db4d5a63f79
title: Live expectancy of wealthy vs poor
uri: Live-expectancy-of-wealthy-vs-poor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Live_expectancy_of_wealthy_vs_poor%29

content:
<p>
In a wealthy neighborhood of Chicago, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/23/chicago-latest-news-life-expectancy-rich-poor-inequality">the
life expectancy is 90</a>.  In a poor neighborhood, it is 60.
<p>
In other words, the plutocratic trickle-down that condemns people to
poverty also condemns them to death.
<p>
The Chinese economic system 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/23/china-america-economic-system-xi-jinping-trump">serves
Chinese people better than America's system serves Americans</a>.
<p>
I disagree with one point: the article says not to blame US
corporations for taking advantage of this system.  Their political
influence, their money, changed our system so that it serves them
rather than us.  They deserve to be blamed for that.
<p>
But even a corporation that done nothing beyond taking advantage
of laws in ways that harm people still deserves our condemnation.
"We are not violating laws" is not a defense for spreading suffering.
The condemnation will provide the impetus to make them stop.


feed_id: e90ceca770ca9a83de7b2a768250e77f
title: non_white_thugs
uri: non_white_thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28non_white_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Hiring more non-white thugs <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/22/us-police-diversity-racial-disparities-fatal-shootings-study">does not protect blacks from being shot by
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.
</a>
<p>
Maybe <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/22/us-police-diversity-racial-disparities-fatal-shootings-study">de-escalation training
</a>


feed_id: 94124c7ce7bdb17c94e0773bbcbc20f5
title: Urgent:_call_on_CNN
uri: Urgent-_call_on_CNN
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_call_on_cnn%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="
https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13729
">call on CNN</a> to add a progressive questioner in the
Democratic debates.
<br>
If you call, please spread the word!


feed_id: b40d45a0c059343ed4b7bd3008351a88
title: Urgent: US citizens: call on the DNC to hold a debate on global heating.
uri: Urgent-US-citizens-call-on-the-DNC-to-hold-a-debate-on-global-heatin
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_US_citizens%3A_call_on_the_DNC_to_hold_a_debate_on_global_heating.%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the DNC to <a href="https://act.oilchangeus.org/sign/DNC-cmte-climatedebate/?t=1001&akid=25215%2E44401%2EEP-lHU
">hold a debate on global heating.</a>
<br>
If you call, please spread the word!


feed_id: 2bf872bd69f030af738c61bce1f4a40e
title: Urgent: US citizens: call on Congress to pass the Private Prison Information Act.
uri: Urgent-US-citizens-call-on-Congress-to-pass-the-Private-Prison-Infor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Urgent%3A_US_citizens%3A_call_on_Conress_to_pass_the_Private_Prison_Information_Act.%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/private-prison-information?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-courage-campaign&source=group-courage-campaign
">pass the Private Prison Information Act.</a>

  If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 7a69801c8b9737104417e6f1057e509d
title: Republican_anti-sexuality
uri: Republican_anti-sexuality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Republican_antisexuality%29
content:
<p>
Some male Republican politicians say they <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/16/mississippi-republican-will-not-meet-women-alone-bill-waller">refuse to meet privately
with female reporters.</a>

<p>
  Aside from promoting anti-sexuality, this can harm women's careers.
<p>
Shouldn't they impose the same requirement on male reporters, for the
same reason?  There is no telling what two men might get up to in
private.


feed_id: 4f3c8de8823dedff3539be1923e685b4
title: Legality_of_vegetable_names
uri: Legality_of_vegetable_names
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Legality_of_veggttable_names%29
content:
<p>
On the legality of <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/23/arkansas-veggie-burger-soy-milk-law-ban">calling a vegetable product by names that
imply meat.</a>

<p>
I think the term "veggie burger" is legitimate.  There are many kinds
of "burgers", so the term does not imply any specific ingredient.  I
think it's the same for "sausage" &mdash sausages also can have many kinds
of ingredients.
<p>
However, it should be illegal to use the words "meat" or "beef" to
name a product which isn't made (respectively) from meat, or from
beef.


feed_id: 1be5d694e835eb679f3120c9c396a5f1
title: Animals_threatened_by_global_heating
uri: Animals_threatened_by_global_heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Animals_threatened_by_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
Even (currently) common animals are threatened by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
because they <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/23/animals-failing-to-adapt-to-speed-of-climate-crisis-study-finds">can't adapt as fast as the changes are happening.</a>

<p>
The changes will accelerate over the course of this century.


feed_id: 077769bd67aaabc050b337595a996a8c
title: Anonymizing_data_isn't_anonymous
uri: Anonymizing_data_isn-t_anonymous
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Anonymizing_data_isn%27t_anonyous%29

content:
<p>
A general demonstration that anonymizing data is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jul/23/anonymised-data-never-be-anonymous-enough-study-finds
">ineffective for protecting
privacy.</a>


feed_id: 24395f1148edc74b051b3793702cc8d0
title: Public_conservation_on_private_land
uri: Public_conservation_on_private_land
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Public_conservaion_on_private_land%29

content:
<p>
Why Isn’t <a href="https://e360.yale.edu/features/why-isnt-publicly-funded-conservation-on-private-land-more-accountable
">Publicly Funded Conservation on Private Land</a> More Accountable?


feed_id: 14f8b3a6da957e65000ffe656c450282
title: Cuban_brain_illness
uri: Cuban_brain_illness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Cuban_brain_illness%29
content:
<p>
The US embassy staff that reported a strange illness in Cuba
have shown a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jul/23/brain-scans-of-us-embassy-staff-to-cuba-show-abnormalities
">special and unusual pattern of brain structure
abnormalities.</a>


feed_id: b535664a8b08ec608010c1b23aca734a
title: Germany_bans_schools_from_cloud
uri: Germany_bans_schools_from_cloud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Germany_bans_schools_from_cloud%29
content:
<p>
The German government is just beginning to recognize that "the cloud"
is <a href="
https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2019/07/17/germany-bans-schools-from-using-tech-giants-clouds/">too cloudy and shady to be trusted for personal data.</a>


feed_id: 2710fda3677037b6f7e979dfd5401c37
title: Boris_Johnson's _Iran_decision
uri: Boris_Johnson-s-_Iran_decision
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Boris_Johnson%27s__Iran_descision%29

content:
<p>
In dealing with Iran, Boris Johnson will have to choose between two
conflicting pressures: <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/23/iran-not-seeking-confrontation-tehran-says-in-message-for-boris-johnson">the interests of his country, and demands of
the bully.</a>

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> wants the UK to be in conflict with Iran; specifically, to
hold Iran's tanker no matter how Iran retaliates.  The UK's interest
is to make a deal and free both tankers.
<p>
I expect that Johnson values the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s backing more,
so I predict he will not exchange the two ships.


feed_id: cc878994e42336adb7b4bfc5559bcaef
title: Burning_the_Amazon_rainforest
uri: Burning_the_Amazon_rainforest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Burning_the_Amazon_rainforest%29
content:
<p>
As the city of Manaus grows, people are constantly burning off part
of the Amazon rainforest <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/jul/23/the-jungle-metropolis-how-sprawling-manaus-is-eating-into-the-amazon
">in order to make space for houses.</a>


feed_id: f6c44bf983ea1b3044e66c88458c5b54
title: Abandoned_oil_ship
uri: Abandoned_oil_ship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Abandoned_oil_ship%29
content:
<p>
An oil storage and transfer ship, moored off the coast of Yemen, has
been sitting unused and unmaintained since 2015.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/23/yemen-deserted-tanker-holding-over-1m-oil-barrels-explode
">It could leak much
more than the Big Spill.</a>  It could also explode.


feed_id: cec88f770d465ffa1764a7bf644b1597
title: Australian_thugs
uri: Australian_thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Australian_thugs%29
content:
<p>
<a href="
https://interactive.guim.co.uk/fonts/garnett/GTGuardianTitlepiece-Bold.woff2">Australian thugs arrested French documentalists</a> who were filming a
protest against the planned new Adani coal mine.

<p>
If <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster kills billions of people, this mine's contribution
will amount to thousands.  The principle of necessity would justify sabotaging
the mine to prevent it from killing those thousands.


feed_id: 81c2da132a0e1299da4fae9eae45e260
title: Teachers_stress
uri: Teachers_stress
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Teachers_stress%29
content:
<p>
The UK's department of education did a survey to see what was causing
stress and extended work hours for teachers. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/jul/22/ofsted-teacher-wellbeing-survey-stress
"> It discovered that its inspections were responsible.</a>


feed_id: 3e0413ac9cf48727e11c20c5468d4837
title: Canadian_marjuana_regulations
uri: Canadian_marjuana_regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Canadian_marjuana_regualtions%29
content:
<p>
Advantages and disadvantages of <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/marijuana/2019/07/20/legalizing-marijuana-canada-did-everything-differently-here-what-can-learn/APKpz25e0uaCxrKnOD3p0K/story.html?et_rid=1841749494&s_campaign=metroheadlines:newsletter
">Canada's manner of regulating marijuana.</a>


feed_id: 3c8127fb8c276c2babebda1a26c38d85
title: US_troops_in_Salafi_Arabia
uri: US_troops_in_Salafi_Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28US_troops_in_Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
<a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/07/21/trump-setting-us-further-al-qaeda-attacks-putting-troops-saudi-arabia?cd-origin=rss">Sending US troops to Salafi Arabia</a> will strengthen the recruiting of
jihadist groups, including al Qa'ida and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.

<p>
If there were a real need to send troops there, I would not encourage
being dissuaded by something like this.  But since there is no reason
to send them, we should recognize that this is an additional reason
<u>not</u> to send them.


feed_id: c0b884c0bf961f43eb06b281567d27d0
title: Greta_Thunberg_answers
uri: Greta_Thunberg_answers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Greta_Thunberg_answers%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/jul/21/great-thunberg-you-ask-the-questions-see-us-as-a-threat
">Greta Thunberg answers questions from the public.</a>


feed_id: 8b2c1c5bf82dac44d51c53b3253f2fa2
title: England_hospitals'_parking_lots
uri: England_hospitals-_parking_lots
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28England_hospitals%27_parking_lots%29

content:
<p>
Hospitals in England have contracted out their <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/jul/21/parking-enforcement-penalty-carers-nurses-fines">parking lots to companies
whose business model is to trick and trap drivers,</a> using rules that are
opaque or impossible in practice to follow.  Even the staff get gouged.

<p>
Laws should require that any parking enforcement contracts require
giving the institution power to (1) forgive anyone's charges and (2)
limit the fees.


feed_id: 98b057d22fdaa3cbd2555a594189b257
title: Bully's_deportation_plans
uri: Bully-s_deportation_plans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Bully%27s_deportaion_plans%29
content:
<p>
The bully plans to deport people from <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/22/trump-administration-fast-track-deportations-immigration">inside the US fast, without a
hearing.</a>

<p>
<a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/07/23/18-year-old-us-citizen-dhs-custody-nearly-month-rights-advocates-demand-immediate?cd-origin=rss">US citizens will occasionally be deported, too.</a>

<p>
If <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">the cheater</a> can't officially abolish legal rights, he will arrange
procedures that are likely to trample them, accidentally on purpose.


feed_id: 4d3394cbd14742d239c57161a0c8875d
title: Mayor_Wilmot_Collins
uri: Mayor_Wilmot_Collins
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Mayor_Wilmot_Collins%29
content:
<p>
Mayor Wilmot Collins of Helena, Montana was told to "go back to Africa",
but he stayed. <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/07/22/wilmot-collins-senate-montana/
"> Now he is running for senator from Montana,
to replace a racist Republican.</a>x


feed_id: f444c97a8c9e96173328638a0bdc9552
title: Scientific_data_mining
uri: Scientific_data_mining
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#24_July_2019_%28Scientific_data_mining%29
content:
<p>
The scientific publishers are opposed even to <a href="
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190718/02430642607/why-carl-malamuds-latest-brilliant-project-to-mine-worlds-research-papers-is-based-india.shtml">data-mining the corpus
of scientific literature.</a>

<p>
I will be glad if Carl Malamud's hack succeeds, but let's not be distracted
by it.   The most important use of the scientific literature is exactly what
he will take care not to make possible: to read it.  Sci-Hub, by contrast,
does achieve that.  Thus, I admire Sci-Hub more.


feed_id: 77abb4777bd21fa00c9da1e26304c83f
title: Secret_911_Recordings
uri: Secret_911_Recordings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_July_2019_%28Secret_911_Recordings%29
content:
<p>
Many US states protect thugs and other emergency responders by <a href="
https://www.propublica.org/article/more-states-are-hiding-911-recordings-from-families-lawyers-and-the-general-public
">keeping
emergency calls secret</a> &mdash even when the caller has died. The relatives
can't find out what happened.


feed_id: 965820ef637ff0f85b5c2d093c5e62b5
title: Bully_Denies_Medical_Care
uri: Bully_Denies_Medical_Care
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_July_2019_%28Bully_Denies_Medical_Care%29
content:
<p>
The bully's plans will deny medical care to <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/01/us-immigrant-children-health-insurance-public-charge-rule">8 million minors who are
US citizens, whose parents are not citizens.
</a>
<p>
This will kill or permanently harm thousands of them.


feed_id: ecff6291094caba9a6734c42b09032a2
title: UK_Censorship
uri: UK_Censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_July_2019_%28UK_Censorship%29
content:
<p>
The UK government censorship/surveillance program which is supposed to
prevent terrorism represses students and studies in UK universities.
<a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/01/prevent-stopping-free-speech-campus-demonising-muslims">You don't need to come anywhere near wishing to commit violence before
the program threatens you or blocks an event.
</a>
<p>
Now, for where I disagree with the article. Sad to say, student
anti-racism also aims in that direction. It is not backed by state
power, so it does not threaten individuals, but if it prevents events
from being held, that amounts to censorship.
<p>
The UK government, while imposing its law-backed censorship, is hardly
in a position to sincerely defend freedom of speech on campus.


feed_id: e8a681a884636a38d87409eb1858ba5e
title: French_Thugs_and_Extinction_Rebellion
uri: French_Thugs_and_Extinction_Rebellion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_July_2019_%28French_Thugs_and_Extinction_Rebellion%29

content:
<p>
<a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/01/french-police-criticised-over-removal-of-paris-climate-protesters">French <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> used pepper spray on Extinction Rebellion protesters
who were sitting on a bridge in Paris.</a>

<p>
The heat wave has made some French people understand what global
heating disaster means. Protests will spread the awareness.


feed_id: 60834aec476083ca1ffb62abd5b9f752
title: Tips_For_Staying_Civil_While_Debating_Child_Prisons.
uri: Tips_For_Staying_Civil_While_Debating_Child_Prisons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_July_2019_%28Tips_For_Staying_Civil_While_Debating_Child_Prisons.%29

content:
<p>
<a href="
https://www.theonion.com/tips-for-staying-civil-while-debating-child-prisons-1827147411">Tips For Staying Civil While Debating Child Prisons.</a>

<p>
Most of the imprisoned immigrants are adolescents rather than
children. But they do include children, too. Let's remember that
imprisoning teenagers who are not threatening anyone is roughly
equally bad.


feed_id: b9b1ae30a81a447e838aecc2eb67f78d
title: Nazis'_euphemisms
uri: Nazis-_euphemisms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_July_2019_%28Nazis%27_euphemisms%29
content:
<p>
Making the dictionary of the Nazis' euphemisms <a href="
http://archive.is/pEvwE">that they used to
make mass murder sound like a minor matter.
</a>
<p>
I see the same sort of euphemism in today's terminology such as
"detain", "custody", and "security forces."


feed_id: f4aa0d3776e7b84cbf331d99556b8d48
title: Consumer_Paralysis
uri: Consumer_Paralysis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_July_2019_%28Consumer_Paralsis%29
content:
<p><a href="
https://theconversation.com/inducing-consumer-paralysis-how-retailers-bury-customers-in-an-avalanche-of-choice-116078">
Inducing Consumer Paralysis: How Retailers Bury Customers in an
Avalanche of Choice.
</a>
<p>
One additional source of complication is when you can't choose each
option independently, only a combination. If there are 10 two-way
choices to make, there are in principle 1024 combinations. If
companies offer just 30 different combinations, you will be
overwhelmed with options, of which probably none is what you really
want.
<p>
With free software, you could make each choice the way you like,
so it will be simple rather than overwhelming.


feed_id: dd45acfc156b6f806773b1c0de1027ff
title: Future_Elite
uri: Future_Elite
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_July_2019_%28Future_Elite%29
content:
<p>
It would be good to change the system so that the <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/30/dont-blame-parents-for-wanting-the-best-for-their-kids-change-private-school-system-instead">children of the
elite don't have a near-lock on becoming the future elite.</a>

<p>
That alone cannot do enough. There is no way that most people can
become elite. We need to make sure that non-elite people have a
decent life.


feed_id: 1c58e8a761a53467f35ab980ec6e1401
title: Punished_for_Saving_Refugees
uri: Punished_for_Saving_Refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_July_2019_%28Punshed_for_Saving_Refugees%29
content:
<p>
Captain Rackete of the Sea-Watch 3 brought <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/30/italy-refugee-rescue-boat-captain-carola-rackete-defends-decision">refugees rescued at sea
into an Italian port,</a> and faces the possibility of 10 years in prison
for this.

<p>
She says her decision was necessary, and that bringing the refugees back
to Libya (a country at war) was illegal too.


feed_id: 015e072ef601bfbe1ef7d924db58a1b5
title: Syrian's_Bully
uri: Syrian-s_Bully
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_July_2019_%28Syrian%27s_Bully%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/30/syrian-refugees-forced-destroy-own-homes-lebanon">
Lebanon is pressuring Syrian refugees to leave,</a> using cruelty that
we would expect from the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>.


feed_id: 39acc41c871f8ee5384b2a3b699a87b6
title: Republican_Violence
uri: Republican_Violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_July_2019_%28Republican_Violence%29
content:
<p>
Oregon's Republican senators <a href="
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/28/how-republican-senators-killed-oregons-climate-crisis-bill">threatened violence and mobilized violent
supporters to protest,</a> to kill the climate protection bill.

<p>
This illustrates Republicans' basic attitude towards the American
people. They want to take power and hold it, by intimidation,
violence, or any other means.


feed_id: 48506000f8afd94a2b7d84cc08cf58a1
title: Internet_Trust
uri: Internet_Trust
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_July_2019_%28Internet_Trust%29
content:
<p>
The internet is increasingly a low-trust society &mdash <a href="
http://web-old.archive.org/web/20190627192601/https://www.wired.com/story/internet-made-dupes-cynics-of-us-all/"> based on an
assumption of pervasive fraud.</a> This can lead to autocracy,
in this case dominion by big companies that erase freedom.

<p>
This is an additional reason to stay away from the dis-services where
these frauds abound.


feed_id: 05e1e505b3f389bb987c3a76b31c519a
title: Green_New_Deal
uri: Green_New_Deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_July_2019_%28Green_New_Deal%29
content:
<p>
If you think about the cost of _not_ doing the Green New Deal,
you see we can afford it. <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/06/28/who-can-afford-green-new-deal-we-can?cd-origin=rss
"It is an investment in survival.</a>


feed_id: 6e6d54b0e921aa7554ffcb2f6fc85ed8
title: Giving_The_Bully_Money
uri: Giving_The_Bully_Money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_July_2019_%28Giving_The_Bully_Money%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing Democrats joined Republicans to give the bully <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/28/spinelessness-schumer-and-pelosi-under-fire-after-democrats-join-gop-give-trump-46?cd-origin=rss
">more money
for repression at the border.</a>


feed_id: 5b0bc05172f73949f0fbbb900e9d08e1
title: Rich_Getting_Richer
uri: Rich_Getting_Richer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_July_2019_%28Rich_Getting_Richer%29
content:
<p>
Rich Will Keep Getting Richer and 'Nothing Will Change,' Says Bernie Sanders,
<a href="
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/28/rich-will-keep-getting-richer-and-nothing-will-change-says-bernie-sanders-unless-us?cd-origin=rss">Unless US Leaders Have Guts to Take on Powerful Corporations.</a>

<p>
This is why I support Sanders (and Warren): they want to do this. The
other candidates shy away from it and focus on secondary issues alone.
<p>
These secondary issues may be very important too: some are matters of
life and death for millions. But plutocracy is the one ring that
rules all the rest.
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/06/28/rising-enthusiasm-medicare-all-has-provoked-dramatic-surge-industry-backed-lobbying?cd-origin=rss
">
And plutocracy will fight us as we try to fix the secondary issues,
each of them one by one.</a> We need to cripple plutocracy in order to be
allowed to address other wrongs,


