# articles

feed_id: 1f7eee8954ce3f7d1af76a8675159a89
title: Childrens' books revised to eliminate prejudice
uri: Childrens-books-revised-to-eliminate-prejudice
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28Childrens%27_books_revised_to_eliminate_prejudice%29

content:
<p>

Many well-known childrens' books were <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/mar/09/dr-seuss-cancelled-theres-nothing-new-about-cutting-racism-from-childrens-books">revised to eliminate prejudice</a>.
<p>
I think such revisions are a good way to fix the problem.  They make the
book available without the prejudice.
<p>
The bad aspect is that the new edition will have a newer copyright;
children reading the new edition shortly after its publication will
grow old and die before they can lawfully share copies of it.  Beware
the <a href="media/d62a2831.ebooks.pdf" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/archives/ebooks.pdf">>oppressive e-books with DRM</a>!
They will have to resort to
unauthorized copying.
<p>
What publishers should <em>not</em> do is to withdraw the book from
publication at the slightest hint of prejudice.  That represents the
choice to destroy the work rather than fix it.
<p>
For instance, Dr Seuss's 1937 book, And to Think That I Saw It on
Mulberry Street, was withdrawn on account of one small drawing, which
depicts a Chinese man dressed in what might be a style of the 1800s
and wearing his hair in a queue, as the Manchu conquerors imposed.
<p>
I asked a Chinese friend and a Taiwanese friend what they thought of
that drawing.  Neither one felt offended by it.  Nor would I feel
offended by a drawing of an American with clothing and hairdo in a
style from the 1800s.


feed_id: c5ae56a5b13f615b12a2882d080f551e
title: Papua New Guinea overwhelmed by Covid-19
uri: Papua-New-Guinea-overwhelmed-by-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28Papua_New_Guinea_overwhelmed_by_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>

Papua New Guinea is being <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/10/papua-new-guinea-forced-to-wait-for-vaccines-as-coronavirus-crisis-spirals-out-of-control">overwhelmed by Covid-19</a>.
<p>
The statistic about the fraction of mothers coming to hospitals to
give birth who are infected is interesting because it is is something
close to a representative sample.  If 40% of them are infected, it
suggests that around 40% of the population are infected.
<p>
We will see what damage Covid-19 does when there is no way to hold it
back.


feed_id: 58fdec810e24fe830973c8e64c253494
title: Arkansas law banning abortions
uri: Arkansas-law-banning-abortions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28Arkansas_law_banning_abortions%29
content:
<p>

Arkansas has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/09/arkansas-abortion-ban-supreme-court-roe-v-wade">passed a law banning abortions</a>, almost like Honduras.
<p>
This is part of a plan for right-wing radicals on the Supreme Court to
eliminate or reduce the Roe v Wade decision that established
the right to an abortion.


feed_id: 3d8268f2f916ec7ae41052a417c96aec
title: Root cause of emerging infections
uri: Root-cause-of-emerging-infections
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28Root_cause_of_emerging_infections%29

content:
<p>

*   New coalition calls on governments to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/09/inaction-leaves-world-playing-russian-roulette-pandemics-experts">tackle root cause</a> of emerging
   infections &mdash; the destruction of nature.*


feed_id: 7363604c9454e36080fdcd5c82c2c00f
title: Two-thirds of the world's rainforest destroyed
uri: Two-thirds-of-the-world-s-rainforest-destroyed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28Two-thirds_of_the_world%27s_rainforest_destroyed%29

content:
<p>

*Humanity Has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/08/frightening-new-data-shows-humanity-has-degraded-or-destroyed-two-thirds-worlds">Degraded or Destroyed</a> Two-Thirds of
World's Rainforest.*


feed_id: 1260e03f48df8ee15b3efd5dea06a763
title: Crime to insult or taunt a police officer
uri: Crime-to-insult-or-taunt-a-police-officer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28Crime_to_insult_or_taunt_a_police_officer%29

content:
<p>

*A proposed Kentucky bill would make it a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/08/us/kentucky-bill-criminalize-insulting-police-officers-trnd/index.html">crime to insult or taunt a
police officer</a>.*
<p>
How about making it a crime for those <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to insult or taunt, or
worse, other people,


feed_id: 74471b0b8b829d83a4375b7e2d82626d
title: (satire) Paying pollution fine
uri: (satire)-Paying-pollution-fine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28%28satire%29_Paying_pollution_fine%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *ExxonMobil Throws In A Couple Extra Million While Paying
Pollution Fine As <a href="https://www.theonion.com/exxonmobil-throws-in-a-couple-extra-million-while-payin-1846416933">Advance On Next Violation</a>.*


feed_id: 1fcf5030ccd190cb8dd3dce2f38da6ac
title: Privatized Medicare for some Americans
uri: Privatized-Medicare-for-some-Americans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28Privatized_Medicare_for_some_Americans%29

content:
<p>

The wrecker <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/08/ghost-trump-administration-haunting-medicare">privatized Medicare for some Americans</a>.
As usual, privatizing a government service does harm to the people
it serves.
<p>
If a president could start this without Congress, another president
can end it without Congress.


feed_id: 305c1523cc46b173530bde1982a075be
title: (satire) Old-Growth celebrities
uri: (satire)-Old-Growth-celebrities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28%28satire%29_Old-Growth_celebrities%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Los Angeles Carries Out <a href="https://www.theonion.com/los-angeles-carries-out-controlled-burn-of-old-growth-c-1846433536">Controlled Burn Of Old-Growth
Celebrities</a> To Make Way For New Stars.*


feed_id: ade5c2fd4baf779783557c6586aa05f0
title: The lucky ones
uri: The-lucky-ones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28The_lucky_ones%29
content:
<p>

Avril Henry: *People with a terminal illness are the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/mar/09/the-last-days-of-avril-henry-right-to-die">lucky ones</a>.  I
have longed for a diagnosis of cancer.*
Eventually she gave herself a rapidly terminal illness.
<p>
It was an inexcusable wrong that she ended up (like so many others) in
a situation where life meant unbearable pain.  But no one had a way to
right that wrong.  She did not want people to feel sorry for her over this,
but I do anyway.
<p>
Henry did not deserve to die &mdash; no one ever does.  But even less did
she deserve to continue living in that pain-wracked body, a fate worse
than death.


feed_id: 0e18c209693c015a06cdb88c82093269
title: France's nuclear tests
uri: France-s-nuclear-tests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28France%27s_nuclear_tests%29
content:
<p>

It appears that France's nuclear tests <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/09/france-has-underestimated-impact-of-nuclear-tests-in-french-polynesia-research-finds">exposed people downwind to more
fallout</a> than formerly believed.  Those parts of Polynesia have
suffered an increased cancer rate since then.


feed_id: da08c556c00dba31b2289fadbcc58107
title: Greenhouse emissions tax on international flights
uri: Greenhouse-emissions-tax-on-international-flights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28Greenhouse_emissions_tax_on_international_flights%29

content:
<p>

*Charge more for flights to deter tourists and help the planet, says
Air New Zealand adviser,* advocating a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/09/charge-more-for-flights-to-deter-tourists-and-help-the-planet-says-air-nz-adviser">greenhouse emissions tax</a> on
international flights.
<p>
I have to agree.
<p>
In some countries, a large fraction of working people work in serving
tourists.  The loss of many of those jobs will cause considerable
suffering.  But that is the consequence of bad aspects of the
was our economies are organized: each person needs to work long hours
on something that is hard to automate.  We could change that.


feed_id: d8ba91ffa47251bc1e56f79a87332231
title: Academic Freedom Alliance
uri: Academic-Freedom-Alliance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28Academic_Freedom_Alliance%29
content:
<p>

*US scholars form <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/08/academic-freedom-alliance-college-university-free-speech">Academic Freedom Alliance</a> to defend free expression.*
<p>
The presence of Cornell West and Nadine Strossen suggests it does not
conceal a right-wing alignment, and will defend freedom to express any
viewpoint.  When I have a chance to learn more, I may support this
organization.


feed_id: 90d6effa79b08424cf386d9ed5f9b1b0
title: Urgent: Remove Proctorio from the Chrome app store
uri: Urgent-Remove-Proctorio-from-the-Chrome-app-store
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Remove_Proctorio_from_the_Chrome_app_store%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Google to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/google-listen-to-reviews-remove-proctorios-spyware-from-the-chrome-store">remove Proctorio</a> from the Chrome app
store.
<p>
Chrome is unjust also; kicking out Proctorio does not mean your
computing respects your freedom or treats you decently.  But it's one
step in that direction.


feed_id: 06d6f2acbf0f20051556d462a7afb858
title: Urgent: Monthly aid payments to every individual in the US
uri: Urgent-Monthly-aid-payments-to-every-individual-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Monthly_aid_payments_to_every_individual_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to send <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/abc-act?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-rootsactionorg&source=group-rootsactionorg">monthly aid payments</a> to every
individual in the US.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>


feed_id: 6ace9cd595f78bcac0e30d974ae4d698
title: Even 1.5C is disastrous
uri: 2021-03-10-Even-1-5C-is-disastrous
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Even_1.5C_is_disasterous%29
content:
<p>
At 1.5C of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, only .4C more than now, fatal weather
will start to occur <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/mar/08/global-heating-tropical-regions-human-livability">fairly often</a> in topical areas.


feed_id: c980d5bafad49a56aa6b43a60277af34
title: Colorado covidiots
uri: 2021-03-10-Colorado-covidiots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Colorado_covidiots%29
content:
<p>
A thousand covidiots were <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/07/us/boulder-colorado-large-party-officers-injured/index.html">joyfully infecting each other</a> in Boulder,
Colorado, when cops tried to make them stop.
<p>
  I don't know whether the cops acted like <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> -- one can never
presume they did not -- but some of the covidiots did.
<p>
The location outdoors would have tended to interfere with transmitting
virus, but with no masks and no distancing, they could have done it
anyway.


feed_id: b18026611e8b9d1ce41e2b03913afcd6
title: NYC Scooters
uri: 2021-03-10-NYC-Scooters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28NYC_Scooters%29
content:
<p>
New York City is about to introduce municipal rental scooters that
will <a hfef="https://citylimits.org/2020/12/11/opinion-citys-e-scooter-program-must-ensure-privacy-for-riders/">track whoever uses them</a>.
<p>
  
Don't be distracted by the side issue of rules for access to this
tracking data.  Whatever rules New York City adopts, the FBI won't be
required to heed them.  It will be empowered to collect the whole data
base at will &mdash; once a month, or once a minute.
<p>
Making systems respect privacy means designing them not to <em>collect</em>
sensitive data (such as locations) about people without a specific
justification validated by a court.
<p>
I would not use these scooters unless I could use them anonymously.
Likewise, I would not use Uber unless I could use them anonymously.


feed_id: 414cbf9f4c154a346f2728db44ff0981
title: Dem voting rights
uri: 2021-03-10-Dem-voting-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Dem_voting_rights%29
content:
<p>
Rep Caliban: Democrats *need to find a way to
   pass major voting rights legislation <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/07/james-clyburn-interview-filibuster-voting-rights">or they will lose control</a> of
   Congress.*


feed_id: 59a9d2ccda9be737718637b8723af0a0
title: Prince Bone Saw
uri: 2021-03-10-Prince-Bone-Saw
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Prince_Bone_Saw%29
content:
<p>
Prince Bone Saw is so important the US thinks that it <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/07/talented-mr-bin-salman?cd-origin=rss">can't afford
sanctions</a> against him.
<p>
  But <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> is one among many regimes that regularly get away
with murder.  Partly because making sanctions effective is harder that
it might appear.  If the US wants sanctions to exert positive
influence rather than only look tough or cause mass suffering, it
needs to be very clever about them.


feed_id: 3446cd46d996a3a548393430347eab52
title: Handing out food or water
uri: 2021-03-10-Handing-out-food-or-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_March_2021_%28Handing_out_food_or_water%29
content:
<p>
Georgia Republican officials claim that handing out food or water to
voters waiting for hours on line to vote &mdash; as blacks are often
compelled to do &mdash; <a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/pizza-outlawed-in-georgia/">is a crime</a>.

<p>
They have adopted various measures to suppress the black vote.

<ul>
  <li>Limit early voting on Sundays to just one Sunday.  Blacks often go to vote
   after church.</li>
  <li>Require a verified excuse to receive an absentee ballot.</li>
  <li>Eliminate mobile voting stations and reduce ballot drop-boxes.</li>
  <li>Require submitting ID with a mail-in ballot.</li>
</ul>

With luck, Covid-19 will no longer be a big threat, next time there is
an election in Georgia.  People can develop convenient and safe water
dispensers on carts with which to distribute tap water to waiting
voters.  Tap water is not an "object of (monetary) value", so the law
might not apply to it.

<p>
Perhaps it would be lawful to sell snacks, rather than giving them away.

<p>
This article <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/04/fight-to-vote-georgia-republicans-attacking-democracy">describes additional voter-suppression measures</a>.

<p>
Republicans figure that each obstacle will block or deter a certain
number of voters and bring them closer to "winning".

<p>
One of the Republican officials involved in these disenfranchisement efforts
is Brad Raffensperger.  Meanwhile, the press lionizes him <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/05/corporate-media-praise-republicans-who-oppose-trump-whitewash-their-extremism-and">for refusing to
of committing outright election fraud for the bully</a>.

<p>
By refusing, he did his job honestly in that particular, but that does not make
him a hero.


feed_id: 3e2523d620053e52fb798b07eefa7ff3
title: Urgent: Monthly aid payments to every individual in the US
uri: 2021-03-10-Urgent-Monthly-aid-payments-to-every-individual-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Monthly_aid_payments_to_every_individual_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to send <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/abc-act?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-rootsactionorg&source=group-rootsactionorg">monthly aid payments</a> to every
individual in the US.
<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>


feed_id: 7273e21f9d8ea27ae170966e1767ce54
title: Advocates for Palestinians' rights blacklisted
uri: Advocates-for-Palestinians-rights-blacklisted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Advocates_for_Palestinians_rights_blacklisted%29

content:
<p>
Advocates for Palestinian's rights are being blacklisted for their
stand, by tarring them as "antisemitic".  Those not ready to
dedicate them to that cause and get blacklisted often ask to
participate in an activity anonymously.  However, when they do this in
an event at a public university, an Israel-funded lawyer sues
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/03/06/palestine-israel-students-ucla-public-records/">using
public records laws to force disclosure of their names</a>.
<p>
These public records laws were meant for official decisionmaking; they
should not apply to academic activities.
<p>
That change needs to be made soon.  Otherwise, China will hire a
lawyer to get the names of people who anonymously describe what China
did to them or their relatives.


feed_id: 84de85a6723ead497d9f1cedded149d8
title: Mail-in voting
uri: Mail-in-voting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Mail-in_voting%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/06/mail-in-voting-democrats-2020-election-study">Mail-in
voting did not raise turnout or boost Democrats, study finds</a>.* At
least, not generally.  It may have made a difference in some places.


feed_id: 783622645f9dba598bfb4bfc8a1f5311
title: Shutdown of House of Representatives unwise
uri: Shutdown-of-House-of-Representatives-unwise
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Shutdown_of_House_of_Representatives_unwise%29

content:
<p>
It was unwise for the House of Representatives to shut on March 4
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/06/capitol-attack-threat-far-right-why-not-talking-about-it">because
of threats</a> from QAnonentities.


feed_id: c62cab82382314efba6baa49bec2b118
title: Covid-19 pandemic and gender equality
uri: Covid-19-pandemic-and-gender-equality
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Covid-19_pandemic_and_gender_equality%29

content:
<p>
Chancellor Merkel *has warned that the Covid-19 pandemic
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/06/covid-could-endanger-progress-on-gender-equality-says-merkel">could
endanger progress made on gender equality</a>, as women [are saddled
with the bulk] of childcare in lockdown and are more likely to work in
at-risk jobs.*
<p>
The use of the metaphor "the lion's share" in the article is
ironically inappropriate, since it means "100%" and refers to what the
lion unfairly takes by force.


feed_id: 4733b847d296e9b6335ed590ba3c47c4
title: Building unions to reduce racism
uri: Building-unions-to-reduce-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Building_unions_to_reduce_racism%29
content:
<p>
The founder of Jacobin magazine argues that building unions is the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/06/racial-equality-working-class-americans-advocacy">most
effective way to reduce racism in businesses</a>.


feed_id: 32612dd36f252bbfb17c5e41af1fc41f
title: The WATER Act
uri: 2021-03-10-The-WATER-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28The_WATER_Act%29
content:
<p>
Why the US needs
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/06/calls-biden-administration-prioritize-our-water-infrastructure">the
WATER Act</a>.


feed_id: caa64bae4b11b1214acfbf3d500915a9
title: Israel's military courts for Palestinians
uri: Israel-s-military-courts-for-Palestinians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Israels_military_courts_for_Palestinians%29

content:
<p>
*Israel's military courts for Palestinians are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/06/israel-military-courts-palestinians-law-uk">a
stain on international justice</a>.*
<p>
America's military courts in Guantanamo, likewise.
But the ones in Israel are imposed on far more people.
<p>
The activities criminalized in occupied Palestine remind me of
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_March_2021_(Supporters_of_democracy)">those
China has criminalized in occupied Hong Kong</a>.


feed_id: f13f765edeeda152ec64675b898bd9bd
title: US relations with Salafi Arabia
uri: US-relations-with-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28US_relations_with_Salafi_Arabia%29
content:
<p>
Discussing US relations with <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/05/rethink-or-reset-joe-bidens-dilemma-over-mohammed-bin-salman">how
to deal with Prince Bone Saw</a>.


feed_id: 7a9eeda4bac218cb6f4915703eb6b6cc
title: UK citizenship denied due to government errors
uri: UK-citizenship-denied-due-to-government-errors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28UK_citizenship_denied_due_to_government_errors%29

content:
<p>
Trevor Donald was formally denied UK citizenship on the grounds that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/05/windrush-victim-denied-uk-citizenship-home-office-admitting-error-trevor-donald">errors
by the UK government had kept him outside of the UK for nine
years</a>.


feed_id: 1a222916e2082391d5a1975ba023b7f3
title: Tennessee anti-protest bill
uri: Tennessee-anti-protest-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Tennessee_anti-protest_bill%29
content:
<p>
Tennessee Republicans propose to
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/04/us/tennessee-anti-protest-bill-felony-trnd/index.html">make
it a felony to block any passage in a protest</a>, and legalize
injuring or killing a protester through vehicular collision.


feed_id: 3fb033ff99cbd3418d542f187dc81dc2
title: Global heating threatens national security
uri: Global-heating-threatens-national-security
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Global_heating_threatens_national_security%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> threatens national security for just about every
nation.  But the only defense for a nation is to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/04/only-good-national-security-approach-climate-change-make-planet-itself-safer">defend
the Earth's climate</a>.
<p>
Focusing on adapting to how military threats might change could enable
the US to win a hypothetical war, but only until <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
effects cause it to collapse.


feed_id: 0f8cfec982d135f498f58a7a46be2e19
title: Weaknesses in the Justice in Policing Act
uri: Weaknesses-in-the-Justice-in-Policing-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Weaknesses_in_the_Justice_in_Policing_Act%29

content:
<p>
The House did not fix the weaknesses in the Justice in Policing Act,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/04/after-house-passes-police-reform-bill-without-addressing-advocates-concerns-drug">described
here</a>, so activists ask the Senate to make up for that.


feed_id: 150adde96e8a6180e31ea03eba52fb27
title: New Covid-19 variant
uri: New-Covid-19-variant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28New_Covid-19_variant%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Researchers Warn Of New Giant Covid-19 Variant
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/researchers-warn-of-new-giant-covid-19-variant-large-en-1846402091">Large
Enough To Swallow Grown Man Whole</a>.*


feed_id: ec69052256ef08c4cae274b76e3debc6
title: Hedge fund raiders
uri: Hedge-fund-raiders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Hedge_fund_raiders%29
content:
<p>
Hedge fund raiders
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/04/meet-new-koch-brothers-hedge-fund-activists-wrecking-americas-green-new-deal">squeeze
big corporations so that they have to buy back shares</a> rather then
invest in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
<p>
It does not follow inevitably that they would have invested more in
reducing greenhouse gas emissions if not for the hedge fund raiders.
And some of the companies they raid are scum because of what they do
to the freedom of users.
<a href="https://stallman.org/apple.html">Apple</a>, for instance, restricts users so that
they can't install a free program from source code.


feed_id: 597692fa805f9794d2b7d1ba06603c2a
title: U.S. banks' net-zero emissions goal
uri: U-S-banks-net-zero-emissions-goal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28U.S._banks_net-zero_emissions_goal%29

content:
<p>
*Goldman Sachs Latest Major U.S. Bank to Set Net-Zero Emissions Goal
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/04/goldman-sachs-latest-major-us-bank-set-net-zero-emissions-goal-without-key">Without
Key Details to Get There</a>.*
<p>
When I read that headline, I thought it was from The Onion.  But it is
not satire.  It is factual.


feed_id: 41afa6133fb86b76ca28fe961c1f57aa
title: Women in UK armed forces
uri: Women-in-UK-armed-forces
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Women_in_UK_armed_forces%29
content:
<p>
*Women in UK armed forces
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/04/women-in-armed-forces-face-hostile-environment-if-they-report-bullying">face
'hostile environment' if they report bullying</a>.  &hellip; women are
coerced to withdraw harassment complaints.*


feed_id: 974f33597371888a50826200d76f3740
title: US military spending
uri: 2021-03-10-US-military-spending
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28US_military_spending%29
content:
<p>
The US military is
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/04/rewarding-failure-why-pentagon-weapons-programs-rarely-get-canceled-despite-major">developing
weapons systems that cost billions and don't work</a>, yet it is
almost impossible to cancel them.


feed_id: 154a8dec3dc28856db764933733cca9b
title: Journalist faces prosecution for covering BLM protest
uri: Journalist-faces-prosecution-for-covering-BLM-protest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_March_2021_%28Journalist_faces_prosecution_for_covering_BLM_protest%29

content:
<p>
Local journalist Andrea Sahouri
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/04/iowa-prosecutors-must-drop-criminal-charges-against-journalist-andrea-sahouri">faces
prosecution</a> for covering a Black Lives Matter protest in Des
Moines.
<p>
Local <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> seem to have decided to treat her as a protester, never
mind that she told them she was a journalist.  This article makes me
wonder whether they also violated the protesters' right to protest,
but I don't have the information to judge that.  Can anyone tell me?


feed_id: ed2e32376328e55d1caeac3cde23df98
title: Right-wing extremist pretending to be antifa
uri: Right-wing-extremist-pretending-to-be-antifa
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_March_2021_%28Right-wing_extremist_pretending_to_be_antifa%29

content:
<p>
A right-wing extremist who joined in attacking the Capitol joyfully
told friends that <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/03/02/norwood-capitol-riot-antifa-arrest/">he pretended to be a supporter of antifa during the
attack</a>.


feed_id: e07d7620bc18c31e7a7eb7157777b267
title: Tipping
uri: Tipping
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_March_2021_%28Tipping%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/07/17/william-barber-tipping-racist-past-227361">The Racist History of Tipping</a>.*

<p>
This article was publish in 2019.  Does anyone know whether the minimum wage increase bill that was just defeated would have eliminated the subminimum wage
for tipped workers?


feed_id: 177cdc3471a07d32543a228ed0f08a3d
title: Meritocracy
uri: 2021-03-11-Meritocracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_March_2021_%28Meritocracy%29
content:
<p>
The idea of meritocracy makes sense to the extent that we would rather
have capable people make civic decisions.  But that doesn't justify
the idea <a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/160665/tyranny-merit-common-good-book-review-meritocracy-trial">that more capable people deserve better lives</a>.


feed_id: 8679838f0dad268ed425176e49ba7229
title: Concealing evidence
uri: Concealing-evidence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_March_2021_%28Concealing_evidence%29
content:
<p>
The prosecution of Nazir Ahmed, accused of sexual abuse of children,
collapsed when it was learned that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/09/nazir-ahmed-trial-collapses-due-to-disgraceful-late-disclosure-of-evidence">the prosecution had concealed
crucial evidence from the defense</a>.

<p>
I don't understand how the British legal system deals with this, but
it smells like an attempt to railroad the defendants.


feed_id: 7c0415d25a2c026374c287ef0b9ffa83
title: Override of drug monopolies
uri: Override-of-drug-monopolies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_March_2021_%28Override_of_drug_monopolies%29
content:
<p>
70% of Americans want to override the drug company monopolies and
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/09/majority-us-adults-support-government-action-require-covid-19-vaccine">allow companies in other countries to make Covid-19 vaccines</a>.

<p>
If only there a way to translate this into actual policy.


feed_id: 3a421b30c6025e64b4f68b745cd2bcaf
title: DCCC consultant blacklist
uri: DCCC-consultant-blacklist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_March_2021_%28DCCC_consultant_blacklist%29
content:
<p>
The DCCC has ended, officially at least, its policy <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/09/enormous-win-progressives-hail-official-end-dccc-consultant-blacklist">of blacklisting
consultants who work for progressive primary challengers</a>.


feed_id: 42c1f84181f5319b8f9e56f74abc70ea
title: Racist Mascot
uri: Racist-Mascot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_March_2021_%28Racist_Mascot%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/cdc-launches-ad-campaign-featuring-racist-mascot-in-eff-1846439799">satire</a>) *CDC Launches Ad Campaign Featuring Racist Mascot In Effort
To Get More Conservatives Vaccinated.*


feed_id: eff027b7bbad1755dc5b44162c7f7984
title: Progressive officials
uri: Progressive-officials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_March_2021_%28Progressive_officials%29
content:
<p>
After years of progressive organizing, Biden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/09/through-vigilant-organizing-progressives-secure-representation-biden-administration">has chosen a number of
progressive officials for important posts</a>.

<p>
It's a step forward, but we need several more such steps.


feed_id: 4f9fc3125180a28977f6317fbe1c2448
title: Fleeing before it's too late
uri: Fleeing-before-it-s-too-late
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_March_2021_%28Fleeing_before_it%27s_too_late%29
content:
<p>
*Help Hong Kong residents flee before it's too late.*
China is imposing a law to block anyone, arbitrarily, from leaving Hong Kong,
Other countries <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/10/help-hong-kong-residents-flee-before-its-too-late-fugitive-democracy-figure-urges">should help Hong Kongers flee before then</a>.
  I expect that China will block anyone from leaving that it suspects
may aim to move permanently.


feed_id: 9e7cfb9546a51352eb67b9ad3af2fa5d
title: Staying home during Covid-19
uri: Staying-home-during-Covid-19
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_March_2021_%28Staying_home_during_Covid-19%29
content:
<p>
Those who could stay home during Covid-19 are exaggerating their suffering;
the people who had to go to a store or factory to work, or become homeless,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/10/all-in-it-together-pandemic-losers-left-behind-boris-johnson">have had it far worse</a>.


feed_id: aa4c535304304f00af75235a9c383959
title: Pandemic losers
uri: Pandemic-losers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_March_2021_%28Pandemic_losers%29
content:
<p>
*All in it together? The pandemic's losers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/10/all-in-it-together-pandemic-losers-left-behind-boris-johnson">could soon be left behind</a>.*


feed_id: d55215bd54997e363dc6b3407039b2cc
title: New ICBM
uri: New-ICBM
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_March_2021_%28New_ICBM%29
content:
<p>
The US is designing a new ICBM because the businesses that will build it
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/10/cold-war-era-weapon-100bn-us-plan-to-build-new-nuclear-missile-sparks-concern">have steered the consideration of the question</a>.

<p>
That leaves the question of what the US ought to do.  I can't
rigorously prove this, but I think that the existing ICBMs are in effect
a doomday machine, because a Russian attack intended to destroy them
would require so many nuclear weapons as to cause a nuclear winter.
Does anyone know whether that is true?

<p>
If that is true, there is no need to try to "improve" the ICBMs.


feed_id: 711a9c97612b626d93e3fcfdad813748
title: Criminal justice reform
uri: 2021-03-11-Criminal-justice-reform
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_March_2021_%28Criminal_justice_reform%29
content:
<p>
George Gascón, district attorney of Los Angeles, is trying to institute
criminal justice reform in the face of massive opposition <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/10/george-gascon-los-angeles-district-attorney-prison-reform">from those
who believe the purpose of justice is cruelty</a>. 


feed_id: 342f6d2f8863aae1f2df39e568daa9b2
title: Diversity training
uri: Diversity-training
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_March_2021_%28Diversity_training%29
content:
<p>
Diversity training often fails; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/10/workplace-diversity-training-does-it-work-racial-justice">sometimes it backfires</a>.

<p>
Telling me to learn to be "less white, less oppressive" will inspire me to
righteous anger.  On the other hand, I've found it useful to learn to be
less certain, and I'd rather not be arrogant at all.


feed_id: 881ae91bc62f6ae47ff0f0e33bdafabc
title: Nationalist fanatics and theater
uri: Nationalist-fanatics-and-theater
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_March_2021_%28Nationalist_fanatics_and_theater%29

content:
<p>
Nationalist fanatics associated with the ruling right-wing nationalist
repressive party blocked an annual theater festival, because the
titles of some plays to be presented <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/10/indian-theatre-festival-forced-to-close-after-hindu-vigilantes-object-to-satirical-plays">struck them as insufficiently
nationalist</a>.

<p>
Modi is even worse for India than the wrecker has been for the US.


feed_id: 171a6129348c58a15384c58e61ee40b6
title: Urgent: Remove Proctorio from the Chrome app store
uri: 2021-03-11-Urgent-Remove-Proctorio-from-the-Chrome-app-store
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Remove_Proctorio_from_the_Chrome_app_store%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Google to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/google-listen-to-reviews-remove-proctorios-spyware-from-the-chrome-store?nowrapper=true">remove Proctorio</a> from the Chrome app
store.
<p>
Chrome is unjust also; kicking out Proctorio does not mean your
computing respects your freedom or treats you decently.  But it's one
step in that direction.


feed_id: d023861cd4a75e1e52e6a5f655f0bcc2
title: Urgent: Reject the "SAFE Tech" act.
uri: Urgent-Reject-the-SAFE-Tech-act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_the_SAFE_Tech_act.%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-congress-the-safe-tech-act-wont-make-the-internet-safer">reject the "SAFE Tech" act</a>, which would
pressure Internet platforms to censor very strictly.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>


feed_id: 7ce66f02a8124197133f04351f3f9a3b
title: (satire) Don Jr.'s likeness
uri: (satire)-Don-Jr-s-likeness
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28%28satire%29_Don_Jr.%27s_likeness%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Don Jr. Sends Letter To RNC <a href="https://www.theonion.com/don-jr-sends-letter-to-rnc-begging-to-have-likeness-us-1846442017">Begging To Have Likeness Used</a>
For Fundraising.*
<p>
The wrecker told the RNC a couple of weeks ago to stop using his
likeness.


feed_id: f3dda7fb320a2812fcd5ef7d98d65d77
title: School lockdown drills
uri: 2021-03-12-School-lockdown-drills
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28School_lockdown_drills%29
content:
<p>

50 million American schoolchildren today are likely to go through
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2021/03/us/school-shooting-lockdown-drills/">lockdown drills</a> repeatedly in their school careers.  I estimate that
100,000 current students will experience a non-drill school lockdown
at some time in their lives, and 100 will be killed in school
shootings.  Do the drills do more good, or more harm?


feed_id: d2c00de5238dd4945e27dccecfba6d43
title: Violent Greek thugs
uri: Violent-Greek-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Violent_Greek_thugs%29
content:
<p>

Greek <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are habitually violent.  A video showed a thug hitting
someone with an iron bar, and this <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/10/greek-pm-appeals-for-peace-after-police-brutality-ignites-riots">inspired a peaceful protest</a> in
which a few violently attacked some <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.
<p>
The person attacked by the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> was reportedly caught violating
Covid-19 precautions.  It is important to enforce them, but brutality
is not justified.
<p>
I can understand the pent-up anger that the protesters feel, but
sinking to the thugs' level will only <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#24_August_2020_(Most_protests_in_Portland_are_peaceful,_but_the_violent_ones_get_the_media_attention)">undermine their cause</a>.
Protest movements must learn the discipline of nonviolence.


feed_id: 684a8dcda39255bf897ff0349c9df772
title: Failure to investigate UK ministers
uri: Failure-to-investigate-UK-ministers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Failure_to_investigate_UK_ministers%29

content:
<p>

*Failure to investigate [UK] ministers [accused of corruption] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/10/failure-to-investigate-ministers-risks-alienating-public-says-ex-ethics-adviser-alex-allan">risks alienating public</a>, says ex-ethics adviser.*


feed_id: ba22b9a5d8befeda869bd681de4919e3
title: Covidiotic bullies
uri: Covidiotic-bullies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Covidiotic_bullies%29
content:
<p>

Texas is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/10/texas-vaccine-mask-mandate-lifted-governor-greg-abbott">endangered by gangs of covidiotic bullies</a>, and the rest are
desperately trying to get vaccinated to be safe from them.
<p>
If you run the nonfree Javascript code of a vaccination web site,
I'll understand &mdash; Covid-19 could endanger your life.  I decided
not to run that nonfree software, and instead find a vaccination
appointment by phone.  It did not take very long.


feed_id: 1a656bb82dc491647dbc6bbd25cd6244
title: Burmese arresting protesters
uri: Burmese-arresting-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Burmese_arresting_protesters%29
content:
<p>

Burmese thugs are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/10/myanmar-security-forces-arrest-200-in-military-coup-protests">arresting protesters by the hundreds</a>, and trying to
intimidate the striking railroad workers by shootings.


feed_id: 85f90c7f48341ff2112b780e26a24c8b
title: Failing to fulfill green Covid recovery
uri: Failing-to-fulfill-green-Covid-recovery
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Failing_to_fulfill_green_Covid_recovery%29

content:
<p>

*Governments <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/10/governments-failing-fulfil-talk-green-covid-recovery-un-warns">failing to fulfill</a> talk of green Covid recovery, UN warns.*


feed_id: 2d4a7d0ef79b39eed5befc4127b5d121
title: Damage done by foreign suppliers
uri: Damage-done-by-foreign-suppliers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Damage_done_by_foreign_suppliers%29

content:
<p>

The European Parliament advanced a proposed directive to make
companies responsible to some extent for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/10/meps-back-law-to-hold-firms-to-account-for-environment-and-human-rights-abuses">damage done by their foreign
suppliers</a>, including human rights violations and environmental damage.
<p>
It's not clear to me how far the responsibility would extend.
Also, I am not sure whether non-European companies selling directly
to customers in Europe would be covered.


feed_id: 0ce9b14403dfc8d34ce31dc06d22cc95
title: White supremacists' infiltration of police agencies
uri: White-supremacists-infiltration-of-police-agencies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28White_supremacists%27_infiltration_of_police_agencies%29

content:
<p>

Rep. Raskin: *FBI must target white supremacists' <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/10/fbi-white-supremacists-police-ties-congress">infiltration of
police agencies</a>.*


feed_id: 060642084671bddc9d02c2059afe2384
title: Victor Obiols fired as translator
uri: Victor-Obiols-fired-as-translator
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Victor_Obiols_fired_as_translator%29

content:
<p>

Victor Obiols was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/mar/10/not-suitable-catalan-translator-for-amanda-gorman-poem-removed">fired as Catalan translator</a> for Amanda Gorman's
poetry because he was the wrong race.
<p>
Obiols commented,
<p>
*But if I cannot translate a poet [Amanda Gorman] because she is a
woman, young, black, an American of the 21st century, neither can I
translate Homer because I am not a Greek of the eighth century BC. Or
could not have translated Shakespeare because I am not a 16th-century
Englishman.*
<p>
I can't say it is impossible that a young, black, female translator
would have an objective advantage in understanding and translating
Amanda Gorman's work.  My understanding of poetry is limited, so I
won't try to judge that question.
<p>
However, since Obiols has finished his translation, I think it would
be interesting to publish both translations and let readers &mdash; and
Gorman herself &mdash; compare and judge.
<p>
Even more interesting: publish both translations, labeled A and B, and
identify who translated which in an endnote.  This way, people can
compare the translations and see which they prefer, in a blind test.


feed_id: 6ab5e13c3b9e62060dbc6cea9eba58f8
title: Queensland bans single-use plastics
uri: Queensland-bans-single-use-plastics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Queensland_bans_single-use_plastics%29

content:
<p>

*Queensland passes laws <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/11/queensland-passes-laws-banning-killer-single-use-plastics">banning 'killer' single-use plastics</a>.*
<p>
The aim is to reduce litter and protect wildlife.


feed_id: b757c223d8e0f56770943c5b689b26cb
title: Thailand considers expanding jails
uri: Thailand-considers-expanding-jails
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Thailand_considers_expanding_jails%29

content:
<p>

*Thailand considers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/11/thailand-considers-expanding-jails-as-it-arrests-more-political-prisoners">expanding jails</a> as it arrests more political prisoners.*


feed_id: 34b0f82ed42b1d96ed593df14d0548cc
title: Cut 50% emissions by 2030
uri: Cut-50-emissions-by-2030
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Cut_50%2525_emissions_by_2030%29
content:
<p>

*US must <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/09/us-climate-crisis-cut-emissions-environment">cut 50% of emissions</a> by 2030, environmental groups say.*
This is counting from the 2005 level, which was higher than today.


feed_id: 11ec7b80bd478fe08a3b312f93734d73
title: China's treatment of the Uighurs
uri: China-s-treatment-of-the-Uighurs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28China%27s_treatment_of_the_Uighurs%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/09/chinas-treatment-of-uighurs-breaches-un-genocide-convention-finds-landmark-report">Making the case</a> that China's treatment of the Uighurs is genocide.


feed_id: 1311f5e35834a22180cf582cbf1a08d1
title: Notice of biometric surveillance
uri: Notice-of-biometric-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Notice_of_biometric_surveillance%29

content:
<p>

An Illinois law requiring companies to give notice of any biometric
surveillance is starting to <a href="https://www.aclu-il.org/en/news/aclu-warns-illinois-privacy-rights-risk-week">get in the way of some businesses</a>, so they
are pushing to repeal it.
<p>
That's what plutocracy looks like.
<p>
If you live in Illinois, I suggest you tell your state legislators you
want more restrictions on surveillance, not less.


feed_id: 53faa603181ca9cd64a437c535bde375
title: Global heating is eliminating forest
uri: Global-heating-is-eliminating-forest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Global_heating_is_eliminating_forest%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is eliminating forest in many parts of the world.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/10/is-this-the-end-of-forests-as-weve-known-them">Shrubs grow instead</a>.

<p>
This is a positive feedback for <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, since the dead trees' carbon
will get converted to CO2 (unless it becomes structures or furniture) and the
replacement vegetation won't use as much carbon as the trees.

<p>
It also casts doubt on whether planting lots of trees will do any good
to overcome <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.  It may be too late now for that.


feed_id: 500a73936cd532dd8c19eef31634f3e5
title: Overworked delivery drivers
uri: Overworked-delivery-drivers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Overworked_delivery_drivers%29
content:
<p>
*14-hour days and no bathroom breaks: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/mar/11/amazon-delivery-drivers-bathroom-breaks-unions">Amazon's overworked delivery
 drivers</a>.*

<p>
An overworked driver is dangerous.

<p>
There should be a special law specifying the maximum time a paid
driver can be paid to drive in one day, for the purpose of road
safety, and a special minimum wage for any paid driver, to make
sure paid drivers don't need to take more than one job.

<p>
If a paid driver has a collision and has been working more than the
maximum hours, whoever hired per to work longer should be legally
responsible for the collision.  That would make Amazon quit
overworking drivers.


feed_id: 4eb9eabe10a6c1cbfc682062f05d9b37
title: Legal impunity to use lethal force
uri: Legal-impunity-to-use-lethal-force
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Legal_impunity_to_use_lethal_force%29

content:
<p>
*   [Thug] departments in major cities across the world give their officers
   legal impunity to use lethal force <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/11/revealed-weak-rules-allow-the-worlds-largest-police-forces-to-kill">even when their lives are not in
   danger</a>.*


feed_id: 2800d89a6e746015cefcc9b176fc49cc
title: Deal with China
uri: Deal-with-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Deal_with_China%29
content:
<p>
*Hong Kong activists urge EU <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/11/hong-kong-activists-urge-eu-not-to-ratify-new-deal-with-china">not to ratify new deal with China</a>.*

<p>
I hope Europeans will organize a campaign for this.


feed_id: 2912eb00c15a07148e8fc95df0e2351a
title: Protecting students and teachers
uri: Protecting-students-and-teachers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Protecting_students_and_teachers%29

content:
<p>
In Australian universities, Chinese students and Chinese professors
kowtow to the long tentacles of China.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/12/chinese-students-in-australia-fear-reprisals-at-home-if-they-speak-out-inquiry-hears">So do the universities
themselves</a>.

<p>
Perhaps a computer system can be designed to enable students from China to
participate pseudonymously in courses and seminars, for their protection.

<p>
However, I don't see what could possibly be done to make professors
from China safe from Chinese repression.

<p>
I think that, in fields such as history and modern literature, in
which honest evaluations of Chinese policies is crucial for teaching.
Universities should not hire professors who would be inhibited by
China's repression.  I don't despise people who would be inhibited by
that monster.  I can understand it.  But if they are inhibited that
way, they can't be good professors, so the university must hire
someone else.

<p>
As for how to prevent the university from kowtowing, perhaps it would
be adequate to limit the number of students from China that can enroll
in any one university, any one department, any one lab, etc.  Limiting
the amount of funds that come from China might limit China's
influence.

<p>
These measures will be painful, but that pain must be suffered for the
sake of the university's integrity.


feed_id: a413438ec7468adf118f8f99f39b5135
title: New limerick
uri: New-limerick
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28New_limerick%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/doggerel.html#limerick-for-limericks">Limerick for Limerick</a>.


feed_id: 0a2da2c85ed70ba3c6605a01a83b7892
title: New laws to restrict protests
uri: New-laws-to-restrict-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28New_laws_to_restrict_protests%29
content:
<p>
The UK has proposed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2021/mar/11/civil-liberties-groups-call-police-plans-for-demos-an-assault-on-right-to-protest">new laws to restrict and punish protests</a>.


feed_id: 8e2b6068a96ef309f7172764eb9d1c07
title: Surveillance and censorship on the internet
uri: Surveillance-and-censorship-on-the-internet
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Surveillance_and_censorship_on_the_internet%29

content:
<p>
India's repressive right-wing government has imposed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/11/wolf-in-watchdogs-clothing-indias-new-digital-media-laws-spark-censorship-fears">sweeping
surveillance and censorship on the internet</a>.

<p>
India has already imprisoned people for criticizing the state,
                                                               so we
can expect this new repressive power to be used in the most harmful
possible way.

<p>
It's no longer just the Dalits and Muslims who are being repressed.
Now it's anyone Modi's party considers hostile.


feed_id: 5674b4acbb586e5b8346f33416512f38
title: Face-recognition patterns
uri: Face-recognition-patterns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Face-recognition_patterns%29
content:
<p>
The US border <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> want to make face-recognition patterns for every
non-citizen entering the US.  These patterns <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/10/aclu-civil-rights-groups-call-dhs-abandon-proposed-expansion-face-surveillance">would facilitate
checking images to match their faces</a>.


feed_id: fd4a4a7416f7d4ef61d9e0dcae752a0b
title: Influence
uri: Influence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Influence%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/secret-service-worry-major-biden-s-behavior-influenced-1846448797">satire</a>) *Secret Service Worry Major Biden’s Behavior Influenced By
Time Spent On Far-Right Dog Forums.*


feed_id: ae7dfe23400eef949c550e4361ee1646
title: Covid stimulus
uri: Covid-stimulus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Covid_stimulus%29
content:
<p>
The April 2020 Covid stimulus bill lent money to businesses (and other
employers) to keep their workers employed.  But many of the businesses
that borrowed <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/10/feds-main-street-lending-program-gave-18-billion-loans-companies-who-later-laid">did not then keep their workers employed</a>.


feed_id: 5f8a2db10faa3fea42d08c1c2e5bfe7d
title: Muslim ban
uri: Muslim-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Muslim_ban%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> arbitrarily blocked many Muslims from coming to the US.
Many can apply again, paying substantial fees a second time.
Thousands are not allowed to apply again <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/10/rights-groups-say-bidens-denial-visas-victims-muslim-ban-has-cemented-trumps-legacy">because of the nature of the
visa they sought</a>.

<p>
If Biden agrees that the ban on some Muslims arbitrarily denied them
their rights, he should restore what they were denied.  Citing laws is
not a moral excuse for failing to do so.


feed_id: 48cd65bf3211c45e75b4a683b2a4028c
title: Suing Clearview AI
uri: Suing-Clearview-AI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Suing_Clearview_AI%29
content:
<p>
*Activists and Rights Groups Sue Clearview AI, Warning <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/10/activists-and-rights-groups-sue-clearview-ai-warning-we-wont-be-safe-until-facial">'We Won't Be
Safe' Until Facial Recognition Firm Is Gone</a>.*

<p>
I wish they would stop undermining their arguments by talking about
the lesser accuracy of the system for blacks' faces.  We can't defeat
face recognition by arguing that sometimes it does not work.
The danger is that often it does work.


feed_id: fd146d27b32fd6becd21dbda4e42945e
title: Journalist found not guilty
uri: Journalist-found-not-guilty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Journalist_found_not_guilty%29
content:
<p>
*Journalist Andrea Sahouri, Arrested at Black Lives Matter Protest in Iowa,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/10/journalist-andrea-sahouri-arrested-black-lives-matter-protest-iowa-found-not-guilty">Found Not Guilty of 'Bogus Charges'</a>.*

<p>
It is scandalous that the prosecutor brought this to trial.  <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">Perse</a> had
plenty of chance to find out that they were bogus.  It bespeaks the
intention to use the legal system to harass journalists.  I suspect that
the prosecutor is right-wing, and perhaps even a white supremacist.
Is there information about that?


feed_id: 5d132d01ce594c752104b60c3c57a84d
title: Keeping small competitors' counter bare
uri: Keeping-small-competitors-counter-bare
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_March_2021_%28Keeping_small_competitors%27_counter_bare%29

content:
<p>
The big US grocery store chains, such as Walmart, use their purchasing
power <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/10/business/small-stores-out-of-stock/index.html">to keep small grocery store's counters bare</a>.

<p>
I recommend breaking up those big chains.  Make more, smaller chains,
that will have less power to starve everyone else.


feed_id: 6b7779bcc6e28d59d0c91eab723f6819
title: NFT artwork
uri: NFT-artwork
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28NFT_artwork%29
content:
<p>
One measure of how effective dooH niboR has been is that there are
people <a href="https://www.cnn.com/style/article/beeple-first-nft-artwork-at-auction-sale-result/index.html">ready to blow 69 million dollars</a> on a "non-fungible token"
whose worth derives from nothing except that (1) it can't be copied
because it has a signature and (2) others may in the future pay even
more for it.
<p>

It can be amusing to see them blow money so foolishly, but the poverty
that their system has imposed is no joke.


feed_id: b1fd7baeba6c76edcf1b5e756cb59c2e
title: Senator taking credit
uri: Senator-taking-credit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28Senator_taking_credit%29
content:
<p>
*[Republican] Senator Who Voted Against COVID-19 Relief Already <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/roger-wicker-covid-relief-credit_n_6049466dc5b672fce4ea3537">Taking
Credit</a> For Bill's Benefits.*
<p>
Today's Republicans will say, at each moment, whatever they feel like,
as if past history were meaningless.


feed_id: 029ee0782fc07fc509a8bb45dd66a4dd
title: True climate leadership
uri: True-climate-leadership
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28True_climate_leadership%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/11/researchers-say-true-climate-leadership-us-would-be-60-emissions-reduction-2030?cd-origin=rss">Researchers Say</a> 'True Climate Leadership' by US Would Be 60% Emissions
Reduction by 2030,* _plus_ support for poor contries to convert to renewable
energy.


feed_id: 6a0b41e3cd5f3a648af494e4c9743c23
title: Urgent: Call your senators to confirm Deb Haaland
uri: Urgent-Call-your-senators-to-confirm-Deb-Haaland
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Call_your_senators_to_confirm_Deb_Haaland%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your senators calling on them to confirm Deb Haaland
as secretary of the interior.

<p><a href="
https://act.350.org/go/227102?t=1002&akid=142708%2E1151744%2Exs4nEL">https://act.350.org/go/227102?t=1002&akid=142708%2E1151744%2Exs4nEL</a>
<p>
  Here's <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_March_2021_(Government-for-hire)">why</a> it is important to confirm her.
<p>
  


feed_id: 05c230e4fd7dc74477f76cb866bbef85
title: Climate coverage
uri: Climate-coverage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28Climate_coverage%29
content:
<p>
*Broadcast TV Networks Coverage of the Climate Crisis Plummeted in
2020.* <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/11/new-study-broadcast-tv-networks-coverage-climate-crisis-plummeted-2020?cd-origin=rss">It dropped 50%</a>.


feed_id: fdc9d5cb9baf107c4d381672213d0a8a
title: Congress investigation
uri: Congress-investigation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28Congress_investigation%29
content:
<p>
Rep. Jayapal <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/11/jayapal-demands-investigation-3-house-republicans-involvement-deadly-attack-capitol?cd-origin=rss">demands an investigation</a> of the involvenment of three right-wing
extremists, themselves members of Congress, in the attack on the Capitol.


feed_id: 536bf04d6259c12fd274daa53b995cf4
title: Fukishima no medical problems
uri: Fukishima-no-medical-problems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28Fukishima_no_medical_problems%29
content:
<p>
A study reports that the Fukishima nuclear meltdowns have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/10/fukushima-meltdown-did-not-damage-health-un-japan">caused no
medical problems</a> for the people living nearby.
<p>
However, it may be starting to harm the people who have recently
returned to areas closer to the power plants.
<p>
Even if people other than plant workers suffer no medical harm,
the loss of the plant itself and the cleanup cost amounts to
a disaster.  And if 50 years from now Japan is not in a situation
to finish the cleanup, a much bigger release of radiation will occur.
<p>
One advantage of renewable electricity is that the collapse of a wind
power generator or solar generator is not a disaster.


feed_id: 922d68c310a34622049c5f76b7ea978e
title: UK appliances
uri: UK-appliances
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28UK_appliances%29
content:
<p>
The UK government plans to tackle "premature obsolescence" for large
appliances with a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/10/tough-new-rules-aim-to-make-electrical-goods-last-longer">requirement to sell spare parts</a>.


feed_id: b4e0db75426ee68f517285275b1dfb5a
title: Yemeni journalist jailed
uri: Yemeni-journalist-jailed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28Yemeni_journalist_jailed%29
content:
<p>

Proxies of the UAE have <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/22/middleeast/yemen-journalist-adel-al-hasani-intl/index.html">jailed Yemeni journalist Adel al-Hasani</a>,
who reported on ties between UAE and al-Qa'ida.


feed_id: 0ac5d19bab69361b5e0a31443fa3992b
title: Pressure to fire Trump Holdovers
uri: Pressure-to-fire-Trump-Holdovers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28Pressure_to_fire_Trump_Holdovers%29

content:
<p>

*Growing Chorus Implores Biden to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/10/growing-chorus-implores-biden-fire-trump-holdovers-who-support-dismantling-and">Fire Trump Holdovers</a> Who Support
'Dismantling and Cutting' Social Security.*
<p>
They have already tried to sabotage the program.  Why let them have any
authority?
<p>
It is sometimes wise to make peace with officials who disagree with
you but are not cutthroat about it, and may change their minds.  But
it never makes sense to let a known <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a> remain.


feed_id: afdd39b1f283f988ebaa81c4a9fba8af
title: Refusing to shoot protesters
uri: Refusing-to-shoot-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28Refusing_to_shoot_protesters%29
content:
<p>


Some Burmese cops resigned and fled to India after <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-india-exclusive/exclusive-shoot-till-they-are-dead-some-myanmar-police-say-fled-to-india-after-refusing-orders-idUSKBN2B12U2">refusing an order
to shoot protesters</a>.
<p>
I suppose there were others that obeyed the order.


feed_id: d90004e89349e9251732b957f364c380
title: Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act
uri: Stop-Militarizing-Law-Enforcement-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28Stop_Militarizing_Law_Enforcement_Act%29

content:
<p>

The Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act would <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/10/police-de-militarization-bill-reintroduced-bar-gifts-grenade-launchers-and-high">limit the transfer of military weapons</a> to thug departments.  That's important since they often use those weapons when there is no valid reason.


feed_id: 19958d24e8361b3ef9cb48b5799a0c3f
title: Passengers with no masks
uri: Passengers-with-no-masks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28Passengers_with_no_masks%29
content:
<p>

A driver describes the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/mar/11/uber-san-francisco-maskless-assault-subhakar-khadka">encounter with three passengers that had no
masks</a>, and coughed on him when he insisted they get masks and wear
them.
<p>
It should be a crime to knowingly approach a person while maskless inside
a building or vehicle.
<p>
You can see, from how stingy Uber was, how much it exploits drivers.
That is one of many reasons to <a href="https://stallman.org/uber.html">refuse to do business with Uber</a>.
<a href="https://stallman.org/lyft.html">Lyft</a> is no better.
<p>
It is a good idea for drivers to carry spare masks for passengers who
need them.


feed_id: 8fb96fb7abe5e409be43c3bea0892435
title: London thugs say vigil is illegal
uri: London-thugs-say-vigil-is-illegal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28London_thugs_say_vigil_is_illegal%29

content:
<p>

The London thug department says that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/12/is-the-sarah-everard-vigil-ban-part-of-creeping-curbs-on-the-right-to-protest">holding a vigil for a murdered woman
is illegal</a> because the current rules intended to prevent spread of Covid-19
don't allow it.
<p>
The right of the people to gather in public to express one's views
must be respected, as long as the people take care to avoid spreading
disease.  Since these people are not right-wing truth-haters, and
indeed would be protesting about the danger women face on the street,
I am sure they will make every effort to keep each other safe while
they do this.
<p>
Perhaps instead of holding <em>a</em> vigil, in one area, they should spread
out around the neighborhood or around the city.


feed_id: d8bfa4efb0cac30688aa3b3392464587
title: NFT artwork
uri: 2021-03-14-NFT-artwork
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28NFT_artwork%29
content:
<p>
One measure of how effective <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a> has been is that there are
people <a href="https://www.cnn.com/style/article/beeple-first-nft-artwork-at-auction-sale-result/index.html">ready to blow 69 million dollars</a> on a "non-fungible token"
whose worth derives from nothing except that (1) it can't be copied
because it has a signature and (2) others may in the future pay even
more for it.
<p>

It can be amusing to see them blow money so foolishly, but the poverty
that their system has imposed is no joke.


feed_id: 26ad31f6ed00ee499c520ac587a739d1
title: True climate leadership
uri: 2021-03-14-True-climate-leadership
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28True_climate_leadership%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/11/researchers-say-true-climate-leadership-us-would-be-60-emissions-reduction-2030?cd-origin=rss">Researchers Say</a> 'True Climate Leadership' by US Would Be 60% Emissions
Reduction by 2030,* _plus_ support for poor countries to convert to renewable
energy.


feed_id: 74d2b0face9017e1c8e7540a55578710
title: Pun: abdominable accusation
uri: Pun-abdominable-accusation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Pun%3A_abdominable_accusation%29
content:
<p>

A doctor said I had a distended abdomen.  I said, "Hold it right
there!  I tend my abdomen carefully every day &mdash; particularly the
stomach."


feed_id: e2f2739388ef47759895474aade3c0a2
title: Urgent: End executions by the US government
uri: Urgent-End-executions-by-the-US-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_End_executions_by_the_US_government%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to put an <a href="https://act.grassrootslaw.org/sign/bush-pressley-letter/">end to executions by the US</a>


feed_id: 24defba0e514fc7b21fed8e70d0ee966
title: Urgent: Don't make Rahm Emanuel an ambassador
uri: Urgent-Don-t-make-Rahm-Emanuel-an-ambassador
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Don%27t_make_Rahm_Emanuel_an_ambassador%29

content:
<p>


US citizens: call on Biden and Congress <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/">not to make Rahm Emanuel an
ambassador</a>.
<p>
Here are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/11/rahm-emanuel-running-top-ambassador-post-prospect-appalling">reasons why not</a>.
<p>
To sign without running <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">nonfree JavaScript</a> code
from the web site, use the <a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">Salsalabs workaround</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>

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


feed_id: ba05ebcd1f100f98d43f1d740afd85cb
title: Russia arrested dissidents
uri: Russia-arrested-dissidents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Russia_arrested_dissidents%29
content:
<p>


Russia arrested more than 150 dissidents on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/13/russia-detains-scores-of-opposition-figures-at-moscow-meeting">charges of dissenting</a>.


feed_id: 8c9881470237ffa03cf5594cc6ec343f
title: Philadelphia calls for 'lights out'
uri: Philadelphia-calls-for-lights-out
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Philadelphia_calls_for_%27lights_out%27%29

content:
<p>


*Philadelphia calls for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/12/philadelphia-birds-skyscrapers-deaths-lights-out">'lights out'</a> after skyscrapers cause hundreds
of bird deaths.*
<p>
  I wonder why birds do not hit dark buildings.
  


feed_id: 1096be08b47f43bad58a058ebb0f7fbc
title: Defeat of Right-to-Work bill
uri: Defeat-of-Right-to-Work-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Defeat_of_Right-to-Work_bill%29
content:
<p>


*How Unions <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/03/12/union-right-to-work-montana/">Defeated a Right-to-Work Bill</a> in Deep-Red Montana.*


feed_id: ef7db4f84c96c595bcfd9697a7a32dbf
title: China's complaint to the UN
uri: China-s-complaint-to-the-UN
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28China%27s_complaint_to_the_UN%29
content:
<p>


China has complained to the UN about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/13/china-reports-australia-to-un-body-over-violated-human-rights">Australia's imprisonment of
asylum seekers</a> &mdash; in islands outside of Australia where the press <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#28_August_2019_(Nauru)">may not be allowed</a>.
<p>
China is right about this.  Australia is committing a horrible crime
and we should not let it off the hook.
<p>
Meanwhile, China is doing much worse, and on a far larger scale.
This is not a question of which of the two countries are committing
bigger crimes.


feed_id: 9a5d0c35b480e589d1f267a57171ce3b
title: Governor Cuomo scandals
uri: Governor-Cuomo-scandals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Governor_Cuomo_scandals%29
content:
<p>


New York Governor Cuomo can no longer keep scandals bottled up,
because his plutocratist Democratic machine has <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/03/12/andrew-cuomo-resign-new-york-progressives/">lost control
    of New York State</a> to progressive Democrats.


feed_id: 26d17b2f88d68ceea91c90aac717321f
title: Lying to Parliament
uri: Lying-to-Parliament
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Lying_to_Parliament%29
content:
<p>


UK ministers used to have to resign if they lied.
Bogus Johnson has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/12/politicians-are-now-lying-with-impunity">made lying to Parliament standard practice</a>.


feed_id: 052762dad2b861f5fe479817c200dce9
title: US colleges are cancelling spring break
uri: US-colleges-are-cancelling-spring-break
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28US_colleges_are_cancelling_spring_break%29

content:
<p>

Some US colleges are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/12/spring-break-coronavirus-florida-universities">cancelling spring break</a> so that their students
don't go to Florida to catch and spread Covid-19 and then bring it home.
<p>
That is a wise precaution.  It would be wise for the US to forbid
interstate travel in and out of states governed by spreaders.


feed_id: 6f9dffb2d3a23ca8c16a0d14fac49f3c
title: Texas thug charged with murder
uri: Texas-thug-charged-with-murder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Texas_thug_charged_with_murder%29
content:
<p>

A Texas thug has been charged with murder for <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/11/us/austin-texas-police-shooting-indictment/index.html">shooting and killing an
unarmed man</a> with no justification.
The thug department, of course, says <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> should be allowed
to get away with that.


feed_id: cd160615b2590580494f5f0683c63de2
title: Wealthy countries hamper Covid-19 vaccine production
uri: Wealthy-countries-hamper-Covid-19-vaccine-production
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Wealthy_countries_hamper_Covid-19_vaccine_production%29

content:
<p>

Wealthy countries including the US continued to insist on <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/11/peoplesvaccine-day-action-calls-big-pharma-drop-patents">hampering
global production</a> of Covid-19 vaccines by means of patents.
<p>
Please do not call patents <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">"intellectual property"</a>. That term 
injects fundamental confusion and presupposes values that put profit over life.
<p>
The TRIPES agreement (Trade-Restricting Impediments to Production,
Education and Science) ought to be cancelled entirely, along with the
rest of the WTO.


feed_id: ae0149afa6ef95731cbfce424dcfb85d
title: Palestinian died in a fire
uri: Palestinian-died-in-a-fire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Palestinian_died_in_a_fire%29
content:
<p>

A Palestinian died in a fire because Israeli soldiers <a href="https://imemc.org/article/palestinian-dies-in-fire-after-israeli-forces-detain-firetruck-at-checkpoint/">held up the fire
    truck</a> for half an hour.


feed_id: 8b8fce66ee40dce3e79880a9c0da26fa
title: Subsidy to private medical insurance
uri: Subsidy-to-private-medical-insurance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Subsidy_to_private_medical_insurance%29

content:
<p>


The US just gave private medical insurance companies <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/11/bidens-neoliberal-rescue-profit-health-system-proves-we-need-medicare-all">more subsidy</a> to
provide lousy medical care to Americans, but a universal national
medical system is what we need.


feed_id: 681c450d2f0ccc313d27d532fb1603b8
title: Urgent: Support unionization at Amazon
uri: Urgent-Support-unionization-at-Amazon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Support_unionization_at_Amazon%29

content:
<p>


US citizens: call on Congress and Biden to do their utmost to <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/amazon-union/">support
    unionization at Amazon</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>

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


feed_id: 60c2e4cbc1f9ef82feae142096899ab7
title: Violence to drive out Palestinians
uri: Violence-to-drive-out-Palestinians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Violence_to_drive_out_Palestinians%29

content:
<p>


Israelis that are living on Palestine's land <a href="http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=83004">continue using
violence</a> to try to drive out Palestinians.
<p>
This reminds me of what I heard about the pogroms that gentiles
carried out occasionally against Jews.  I have the impression that
Israeli Jews have learned the backwards lesson from the injustices
that their ancestors suffered until around 100 years ago: the lesson
that "We can do, to those weaker than us, as we were done to by those
stronger."


feed_id: 8e3a1ecb4daeb6bba06934b816174892
title: Plutocratist Democrats
uri: 2021-03-15-Plutocratist-Democrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Plutocratist_Democrats%29
content:
<p>

Plutocratist Democrats are making sure that Biden's infrastructure plan
will <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/11/sunrise-movement-responds-senate-democrats-plan-stall-infrastructure-package">be too small to do a lot of good</a> &mdash; or win over many voters.


feed_id: 4279b31800078acd7d865092ff3ab479
title: For the People Act
uri: 2021-03-15-For-the-People-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28For_the_People_Act%29
content:
<p>


The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/11/how-people-act-would-blunt-iowas-new-voter-suppression-law">For the People Act</a> would override many new Republican obstacles to
voting.


feed_id: 2faf5968b4e85f3f976a46f90ba0144c
title: Urgent: Reject the Menedez-Graham letter
uri: Urgent-Reject-the-Menedez-Graham-letter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_the_Menedez-Graham_letter%29

content:
<p>


US citizens: call on the Senate to <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/Menendez_Graham_Iran_deal">reject the Menendez-Graham
    letter</a>, which would obstruct resuming the non-nuclear deal with Iran.
<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>

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


feed_id: 593bb8596d885d18f1676bd96eda7829
title: Urgent: reject the "SAFE" bill
uri: Urgent-reject-the-SAFE-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_reject_the_SAFE_bill%29
content:
<p>


US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-congress-the-safe-tech-act-wont-make-the-internet-safer">reject the "SAFE" bill</a>.
which would terrify companies into censoring who-knows-what.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>

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


feed_id: 5b58d7fc1cf075b16f7803d846fa76a5
title: Israel has attacked Iranian oil tankers
uri: Israel-has-attacked-Iranian-oil-tankers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#14_March_2021_%28Israel_has_attacked_Iranian_oil_tankers%29

content:
<p>

There is a report that Israel has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/12/israel-bombed-a-dozen-ships-carrying-iranian-oil-or-weapons-report">attacked Iranian oil tankers</a>, as well
as Iranian ships carrying arms.
<p>
Israel has accused Iran of attacks at sea.  If that's true, those may
have been retaliation for Israeli attacks.  I have a suspicion that
the US encouraged Israel to make these attacks.
<p>
There is no reason for the US and Iran to be in conflict.  Iran is not
the Great Satan, and not a world power.
<p>
Iran supports Assad's regime in Syria.  Assad is a dictator and
torturer.  However, the US supports torturer-dictators too,
including Iran's great enemy, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#11_November_2018_(Push_for_cease-fire_in_Yemen)">Salafi Arabia</a>, so we Americans should not demonize Iran too much for this.  Let's make our
own government change its own wrongs.
<p>
Iran's government has a democratic part and an Islamist theocratic
part.  The theocratic part oppresses Iranians, and it should not
exist.  But there is nothing the US could or should do to change that.
We Americans should focus on defeating the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#19_May_2013_(Twisted_theocratic_Christians)">lunatic Christian theocratic</a> movement that threatens our own country's <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-jan-apr.html#21_April_2011_(Moyers_On_Plutocracy)">rather limited democracy.
    


feed_id: 2571ad4bb829d64a51774571cd6fa256
title: True climate leadership
uri: 2021-03-15-True-climate-leadership
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_March_2021_%28True_climate_leadership%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/11/researchers-say-true-climate-leadership-us-would-be-60-emissions-reduction-2030?cd-origin=rss">Researchers Say</a> 'True Climate Leadership' by US Would Be 60% Emissions
Reduction by 2030,* <em>plus</em> support for poor countries to convert to renewable
energy.


feed_id: 7d427f67908f75c7405037fc790aa12f
title: Erosion of civil liberties
uri: Erosion-of-civil-liberties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#15_March_2021_%28Erosion_of_civil_liberties%29
content:
<p>
The Observer: *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/14/the-observer-view-on-the-erosion-of-our-civil-liberties">On the erosion of our civil liberties</a>.*


feed_id: d9efdde005f9e643253fcfae1af2278a
title: Support to murderous army
uri: Support-to-murderous-army
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#15_March_2021_%28Support_to_murderous_army%29
content:
<p>
The Burmese now blame China <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/14/a-child-screams-in-myanmar-and-china-pretends-not-to-hear">for its support of the murderous army</a>.


feed_id: 7546aa316430bd50c85d34f65975a0bb
title: Teaching males not to be violent
uri: Teaching-males-not-to-be-violent
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#15_March_2021_%28Teaching_males_not_to_be_violent%29

content:
<p>
A call for people and government to do work <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/14/sarah-everard-misogyny-men-violence-death-women">to teach males not to be
violent towards women, with suggestions</a>.


feed_id: 10d8984c5504c399fc07a8932120138a
title: Scientist pressured to cover up
uri: Scientist-pressured-to-cover-up
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#15_March_2021_%28Scientist_pressured_to_cover_up%29
content:
<p>
An Italian WHO scientist says he was pressured <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/14/who-scientist-who-spoke-out-about-italy-handling-of-covid-crisis-resigns">to cover up Italy's
failure to plan for a future pandemic</a>.


feed_id: fd34b88955c4fcc384ffaa0c3616d57f
title: Breaking up vigil
uri: Breaking-up-vigil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#15_March_2021_%28Breaking_up_vigil%29
content:
<p>
The London <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department broke up a vigil for Sarah Everard,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/14/sarah-everard-vigil-police-extra-powers-met-brutal-women-priti-patel-protests">a woman who was murdered on the street</a>.

<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> do little to pursue men that rape or kill women, but when
women hold a carefully harmless protest, they think they must not
allow it to go ahead.  Apparently they are upholding the principle of
"No protests!"  Not even carefully planned harmless nonviolent
protests may be tolerated.

<p>
Meanwhile, the Tories want to give <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> additional permanent power to
suppress protests even after Covid-19 is gone.

<p>
That the man arrested for murdering her is a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>, acting as a private
citizen, adds to the irony of this situation.


feed_id: ff466c573a506033b46d2ca58fde397d
title: Criminal charges for coup leader
uri: Criminal-charges-for-coup-leader
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#15_March_2021_%28Criminal_charges_for_coup_leader%29

content:
<p>
Bolivia's "interim president" who took over when the military ousted
Evo Morales <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/14/bolivias-ex-interim-president-arrested-in-opposition-crackdown">faces criminal charges</a>.

<p>
The right-wing accusation that Morales rigged the election <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#14_November_2019_(Morales_election)">was bogus
all along</a>.
  This does not, in itself, imply that Añez and the various officials
now charged are guilty of crimes.  That we will have to see.


feed_id: dd68f0c726fe4511cb0efe06ee0325e7
title: Dam to hold toxic wastes
uri: Dam-to-hold-toxic-wastes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#15_March_2021_%28Dam_to_hold_toxic_wastes%29
content:
<p>
A proposed giant mine in Papua New Guinea includes a big dam to hold
toxic mine waste, plus lots of water.  The rock there would not safely
support the dam structure, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/14/entire-villages-would-be-wiped-out-if-natural-disaster-hit-dam-on-png-mine-critics-say">if the dam breaks it would pollute the
important Sepik river</a>.


feed_id: df05e6cae0df9e2a9fa0e3962dfa8bc8
title: Fighting in courts for masks
uri: Fighting-in-courts-for-masks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#15_March_2021_%28Fighting_in_courts_for_masks%29
content:
<p>
The officials of Austin, Texas, are fighting in court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/14/austin-fights-texas-loosens-covid-19-restrictions-masks">to maintain
their mask requirement</a>
  against the all-out efforts of Covidist state
officials who persistently seek to spread the virus wherever they can.

<p>
It is our country's sad fate that Covid-19 and a mind-virus are spreading
in tandem.


feed_id: 59ed95573f71188cdc6144696fa17832
title: Patents
uri: Patents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#15_March_2021_%28Patents%29
content:
<p>
First Google, now Microsoft, are trying impose patent obstacles
<a href="https://www.theregister.com/2021/03/13/microsoft_ans_patent/">on use of Jarosław Duda's ANS compression system</a>.

<p>
This illustrates how the US Patent Office has been deeply corrupted by
envisioning its job as serving patent applicants.  However, even a
well-run patent system <a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/software-literary-patents.html">would do harm if it issues patents that
restrict running software on computers</a>.


feed_id: e4896dbb173cae8bdd789452798713dd
title: Start considering Palestinians rights
uri: Start-considering-Palestinians-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#15_March_2021_%28Start_considering_Palestinians_rights%29

content:
<p>
Some progressive members of Congress asked Biden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/12/house-progressives-implore-biden-state-dept-center-palestinian-rights">to start considering
Palestinians' rights</a>.


feed_id: f49e4804f6a0a2b9bb0ccfb161a7190f
title: Covid-19 stimulus
uri: Covid-19-stimulus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#15_March_2021_%28Covid-19_stimulus%29
content:
<p>
The Covid-19 stimulus just adopted does not fix the problems in
the US economy: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/12/american-rescue-plan-does-not-address-deep-rooted-inequality-killing-us">dooH niboR is still at work</a>.


feed_id: 83a040868d432f911a0467a1a98794c0
title: Tracking students
uri: Tracking-students
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#15_March_2021_%28Tracking_students%29
content:
<p>
In China, students are tracked in everything they do, using tracking
devices in their uniforms.  EdTech is inventing totalitarian tracking
systems for US schools and students, <a href="https://letgrow.org/what-it-means-to-grow-up-under-constant-surveillance/">with the motto, "No child left
untracked."</a>


feed_id: 06fd7c912d5d5fca144386a291760f1f
title: Urgent: biomedical privacy law
uri: Urgent-biomedical-privacy-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#15_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_biomedical_privacy_law%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://studentprivacymatters.org/they-are-gutting-the-most-important-privacy-law-you-never-heard-of/">call Illinois legislators</a> to defend the Illinois biomedical
privacy law which businesses are pushing to repeal.

<p>
It is helpful for people outside Illinois to call!


feed_id: 4434c990cf4dfab25755ae207e610aa1
title: Urgent: Appoint a progressive commissioner to the FCC
uri: Urgent-Appoint-a-progressive-commissioner-to-the-FCC
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Appoint_a_progressive_commissioner_to_the_FCC%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden and the Senate to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/we-need-a-functional-fcc-now">appoint a progressive
commissioner to the FCC</a>, and soon.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>
    
<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 2ca3deb1c03ffb6c648e669ca72ba4a5
title: Urgent: Reduce military spending with the Lee-Pocan-Auchincloss letter
uri: Urgent-Reduce-military-spending-with-the-Lee-Pocan-Auchincloss-letter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Reduce_military_spending_with_the_Lee-Pocan-Auchincloss_letter%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on your congresscritter to <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/congress-cut-the-pentagon-budget">sign the
Lee-Pocan-Auchincloss letter</a> to reduce military spending.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>
    
<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 031dbd02275dbcc9e61430e58bc9e89a
title: Urgent: Cancel the ship-launched cruise missile
uri: Urgent-Cancel-the-ship-launched-cruise-missile
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Cancel_the_ship-launched_cruise_missile%29

content:
<p>


US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/stop-new-navy-nuke">cancel the ship-launched cruise
missile</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>
    
<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 25c473cc575491cdc75386b2390b6490
title: Urgent: Support the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act
uri: Urgent-Support-the-Break-Free-From-Plastic-Pollution-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Support_the_Break_Free_From_Plastic_Pollution_Act%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to support the <a href="https://action.storyofstuff.org/letter/BFFPPA-Cosponsor-Drive/">Break Free From Plastic
Pollution Act</a> of 2021.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>
    
<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 07d530ea650b2106c1f033d9bc3ebbca
title: Surveillance Verkada's systems carry out
uri: Surveillance-Verkada-s-systems-carry-out
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28Surveillance_Verkada%27s_systems_carry_out%29

content:
<p>


The crackers who found a way to watch through Verkada insecurity
cameras did it so they could show the world the <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-09/hackers-expose-tesla-jails-in-breach-of-150-000-security-cams">extent of surveillance</a>
Verkada's insecurity systems carry out.
<p>
Bravo!
<p>
What these activists did was an act of cracking, because it consisted
of breaking security.  It may also have been <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/on-hacking.html">hacking</a>, but I can't
directly tell.


feed_id: 2853dfaaac5b55e88d3f4928f9a8ba0e
title: Human rights in the West Bank
uri: Human-rights-in-the-West-Bank
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28Human_rights_in_the_West_Bank%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/14/icc-and-israels-charge-anti-semitism">According to Israel</a>, if you claim that human rights in the West Bank
are Israel's responsibility, you're an antisemite.  And if you claim
that the Palestinian government has the responsibility, you're an
antisemite.


feed_id: eeaa506dabe87d27869c303878fb3af1
title: Coal-power and gas-power bubble
uri: Coal-power-and-gas-power-bubble
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28Coal-power_and_gas-power_bubble%29
content:
<p>

2 trillion dollars of investment in coal-powered and gas-powered
electric generators <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/14/solar-wind-costs-plummet-coal-gas-vastly-over-priced-bubble-could-burst-worse-2008">is a bubble</a>.  When it bursts, those generating
plants are going to be valued at much less. Don't be caught owning
any of them when that happens!


feed_id: 665cf954a86e8378e35f6035eee92f32
title: Burmese political leader
uri: Burmese-political-leader
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28Burmese_political_leader%29
content:
<p>

The army arrested a Burmese political leader and protest organizer,
then said he had died while trying to escape from jail.  However,
evidence suggests he was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/15/the-death-of-zaw-myat-lynn-allegations-torture-used-on-opposition-activist-in-myanmar">tortured to death</a>.
<p>
*Acting civilian leader says people 'must <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/14/myanmar-acting-civilian-leader-pledges-revolution-against-junta">win the uprising</a>' against
junta.*


feed_id: 9bed9f512c1fe220927b8759eb06afb3
title: Erosion of the right to dissent
uri: Erosion-of-the-right-to-dissent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28Erosion_of_the_right_to_dissent%29
content:
<p>

*Has the pandemic led to a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/14/has-pandemic-eroded-right-to-dissent-sarah-everard-vigil">long-term erosion</a> of the right to dissent?*
<p>
There is no need to make it a question.  The answer is, definitely
yes.  What remains a question is whether the people, in the various
countries harmed, can overcome and reverse the process.


feed_id: fc89bec3ced874b8b3f14517ee988727
title: British wife of Syrian dictator
uri: British-wife-of-Syrian-dictator
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28British_wife_of_Syrian_dictator%29
content:
<p>

The UK wants to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/14/asma-al-assad-syria-risks-british-citizenship-loss-possible-terror-charges">cancel the citizenship</a> of the British wife of Syrian
dictator Assad.
<p>
The UK government claims she participated in his horrible crimes.  The
proper way for it to act to those claims is indict her and ask
Interpol to help arrest her.  Given adequate evidence, a fair trial
could convict her and sentence her to prison.  This would be justice.
<p>
Cancelling someone's citizenship is wrong on its face, and since the UK
does it without a trial, it is also punishment without trial.
<p>
In practice, the effect of either measure would be to prevent her from
traveling to the UK or to a country that might extradite her to the
UK.  If she travels anywhere, it would be to a country that has
decided to receive her as the spouse of Syria's president, and in that
case it would not matter directly to her which way the UK had handled
the matter.
<p>
But it will matter for justice to others in the future.


feed_id: 1c756ae017202c9e3240ae053daf3fdb
title: Ami Ayalon, former head of Israel's CIA:
uri: Ami-Ayalon-former-head-of-Israel-s-CIA
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28Ami_Ayalon%2C_former_head_of_Israel%27s_CIA%3A%29

content:
<p>

*To kill terrorist leaders
without addressing the despair of their supporters is a fool’s errand
and produces more frustration, more despair, and more terrorism.  The
more we ‘win’ such a misbegotten war &mdash; the more we debase civil
society and democratic norms &mdash; the more we turn our society into an
Orwellian dystopia in which <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/12/friendly-fire-review-israeli-warrior-ami-ayalon-peace">truth and lies are indistinguishable</a>.*


feed_id: 8f47e3c71bc3291dcccfe907335d4e8e
title: AstraZeneca vaccine
uri: AstraZeneca-vaccine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28AstraZeneca_vaccine%29
content:
<p>
European governments have ceased administering the AstraZeneca vaccine
based on a shadow of a shade of a problem, because <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/15/europes-caution-over-oxford-vaccine-about-more-than-the-science">they have adopted a
policy of bending over backwards to cater to vaccine anxiety</a>.


feed_id: fa63784c79f2a4ebc3974bc7551ea589
title: Secretary of interior
uri: Secretary-of-interior
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28Secretary_of_interior%29
content:
<p>
Den Haaland <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/15/deb-haaland-interior-secretary-first-indigenous-native-american-cabinet">has been confirmed as secretary of the interior</a>.

<p>
Usually I don't care about the "identity" of an official, only per
political stances.  However, in this case I think that Haaland's
indigenious background, which is more than just a matter of ancestry,
is likely to help her right some of the effects of historic wrongs,
<em>given that her political stance is to try to do that</em>.

<p>
I also cheer her commitment to increased protection of ecosystems.


feed_id: 750c7afab6aa395d962917ef4a66bc2d
title: Attacks on ICC
uri: Attacks-on-ICC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28Attacks_on_ICC%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker is no longer president, but his attacks on the
International Criminal Court continue.  Biden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/14/unless-biden-acts-trumps-assault-human-rights-will-continue">has done nothing to
change them</a>.

<p>
Americans that cooperate with the ICC face punishment under these sanctions.
The ACLU is suing to invalidate that part.


feed_id: 056ace04ab18877346a7ff84e1201020
title: Extradited before case was finished
uri: Extradited-before-case-was-finished
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28Extradited_before_case_was_finished%29

content:
<p>
Morocco was in an awful hurry to hand over Osama al-Hasani to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>,
where he is wanted for forbidden publication.  It extradited him <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/14/australian-extradited-to-saudi-arabla-faces-credible-risk-of-torture">before
his case was actually finished</a>.

<p>
It is clear that Morocco does not take legal rights seriously.
Sad to say, Morocco is not the only country that acts this way.
The UK's treatment of the extradition of Julian Assange is not similar
in details, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_June_2019_(Procedural_abuses_in_Julian_Assange_case)">but it is generally similar in its disrespect for
his legal rights</a>.

<p>
In recent years, the US has deported people who were <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#9_October_2020_(Still_deported)">in the middle
of their court cases over deportation</a>.


feed_id: 8a929eded201f70a9203867e25b2e1d8
title: Fed up with Bogus Johnson
uri: Fed-up-with-Bogus-Johnson
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28Fed_up_with_Bogus_Johnson%29
content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson lied to the British people, to Northern Ireland, and to
the EU about the trade UK-EU trade deal.  The British people are
starting to suffer the consequences &mdash; unemployment and poverty &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/14/the-observer-view-on-the-grim-effects-of-brexit-being-impossible-to-hide">and
ought to be fed up with the lies</a>.

<p>
*Collapse of trade with EU <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/13/collapse-of-trade-with-eu-will-last-until-the-summer">will "last until the summer"</a>.*

<p>
Meanwhile, the EU <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/15/eu-launch-legal-action-uk-plan-extend-brexit-grace-period">is already fed up</a>.


feed_id: 8b6128443cc79b9d3d79d50eb4d701b5
title: Do the right things
uri: Do-the-right-things
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#16_March_2021_%28Do_the_right_things%29
content:
<p>
As Sanders says, Americans want Democrats in Congress to do the right
things, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/14/bernie-sanders-us-public-cares-far-more-about-bold-relief-bipartisanship">not wait for Republicans in Congress to go along</a>.

<p>
The Republican Party today <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#21_April_2020_(*The_GOP_Has_Become_a_Death_Cult.*)">is a lunatic death cult</a>.
  The only thing to do with it is defeat it.


feed_id: a3a09ee3198e5623f0555cd03150b7bf
title: Urgent: Postal Banking Act
uri: Urgent-Postal-Banking-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#17_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Postal_Banking_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-to-congress-save-the-usps-and-provide-services-to-all-pass-the-postal-banking-act-3">call on Congress</a> to pass the Postal Banking Act.


feed_id: 1809ba5529e03bdfdccd76631b57ef01
title: Unaccompanied minors
uri: Unaccompanied-minors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#17_March_2021_%28Unaccompanied_minors%29
content:
<p>
Thousands of minors have crossed the US border unaccompanied.
Immigration sends them camps where they are supposed to stay for at
most 72 hours before being housed somewhere; the government can't find
places <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/13/us/border-detention-conditions/index.html">to house them as fast as they are arriving</a>.

<p>
The conditions sometimes get very bad.  Perhaps this is due to
overcrowding, but I don't think that is enough to explain the
problems.  I can't see what could legitimately cause people, in a camp
using tents as housing, from seeing the sun all day &mdash; unless they are
locked inside their tents.  Is that the case?  If so, why?

<p>
The government is trying <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/16/el-paso-migrant-children-shelters-capacity-biden-immigration">to make more places for minors</a>.


feed_id: 11fe4e94b46433ba379a532cea38f4fa
title: Blockade and starvation
uri: Blockade-and-starvation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#17_March_2021_%28Blockade_and_starvation%29
content:
<p>
Biden must end Salafi Arabia's blockade of Yemen, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/12/biden-urged-force-end-us-backed-saudi-blockade-after-chilling-report-starving-yemeni">which is causing
starvation</a>.


feed_id: fd977954e0aca49a68cd39c9322524af
title: Vaccine patents
uri: 2021-03-17-Vaccine-patents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#17_March_2021_%28Vaccine_patents%29
content:
<p>
Economics Nobel prize winners say that the world's economic recovery
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/12/nobel-economists-suspend-vaccine-patents-halt-pandemic">depends on setting aside vaccine patents</a>.


feed_id: 5b562563fb27eb719e70531f337204de
title: Higher Covid-19 rates
uri: Higher-Covid-19-rates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#17_March_2021_%28Higher_Covid-19_rates%29
content:
<p>
Since June/July, states governed by Republicans <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/12/covid-19-death-rates-higher-states-gop-governors-study">have had higher
Covid-19 case/death rates than the states governed by Democrats</a>.


feed_id: 71a41577a96ce791d1fb5e4abdba19a9
title: Foreign policy
uri: 2021-03-17-Foreign-policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#17_March_2021_%28Foreign_policy%29
content:
<p>
Medea Benjamin's criticisms <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/12/10-problems-bidens-foreign-policy-and-one-solution">of Biden's foreign policy</a>.

<p>
I agree with her except on items 3 and 6.
Regarding <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>, Biden using a kind of pressure
that has a chance of bringing about a transfer of power
  away from Prince Bone Saw.

<p>
Regarding China, I regard China as a real threat to the world,
especially <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_October_2020_(The_next_target_of_Chinese_imperialism)">its threat to conquer and enslave Taiwan</a>.

<p>
Unlike many other countries that the US claimed it would "help" &mdash; for
instance, Afghanistan, Cuba, Honduras, Iraq, and Venezuela &mdash; the
Taiwanese have a real democracy and want US support to protect it from
China.


feed_id: d959acdf84f86fd4600f939809cff37b
title: Minimum wage
uri: 2021-03-17-Minimum-wage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#17_March_2021_%28Minimum_wage%29
content:
<p>
*$15 Minimum Wage Would Lift Millions Out of Poverty, Says... <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/12/15-minimum-wage-would-lift-millions-out-poverty-says-wall-street-giant-morgan">Wall Street
Giant Morgan Stanley</a>.*

<p>
If a big company is against raising the minimum wage, I have to
suspect it wants to pay workers little.  But if it is for raising the
minimum wage, its motive must be more decent.


feed_id: 863fc516d1d3dc7c71dac844b7dc4af3
title: Computerized filtering résumés
uri: Computerized-filtering-résumés
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#17_March_2021_%28Computerized_filtering_r%C3%83%C2%A9sum%C3%83%C2%A9s%29

content:
<p>
Computerized filtering of job seekers' résumés means that anyone <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/15/job-hunting-technology-algorithms">who
is capable but unusual is never considered</a>.


feed_id: 42dcd10a30b515ac13885e06c0c9d467
title: Covidiots on spring break
uri: Covidiots-on-spring-break
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#17_March_2021_%28Covidiots_on_spring_break%29
content:
<p>
Covidiot students went to Florida on spring break and acted as if
there were no such thing as Covid-19.  Many <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/15/miami-police-arrest-100-people-spring-break-covid-coronavirus">will bring Covid-19 back
to school and spread it there</a>.

<p>
Last weekend was the Easter holiday long weekend in Italy.  Some
resort towns in Liguria, on the Mediterranean Sea, closed all stores
including supermarkets for the entire long weekend, simply to make
sure that vacationers from heavily-infected Milan would not come there
this time.

<p>
That is a wise policy, placing people's lives and long-term health
above profits.


feed_id: adf490ded4b7dde6f2210661ecda8800
title: Tree rings
uri: Tree-rings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#17_March_2021_%28Tree_rings%29
content:
<p>
Tree ring studies show that recent droughts and heat waves in Europe
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/15/climate-crisis-recent-european-droughts-worst-in-2000-years">have no parallel as far as the analysis runs</a>
 &mdash; which is 2,000 years.

<p>
Scientists have found that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> is the cause, which implies that
we are making the problem worse.


feed_id: 15a3fccaa2d3f6c11716fbe7bd3d2466
title: Deportation prisons
uri: Deportation-prisons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#17_March_2021_%28Deportation_prisons%29
content:
<p>
Ilhan Omar proposes that the US deportation <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> stop using prisons
for criminals <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/15/ilhan-omar-end-prison-ice-contracts-immigration-detention-system">to imprison people for deportation</a>.


feed_id: 6cc222a14fc829b2a26c3de90dde68c6
title: Undisguised propaganda
uri: Undisguised-propaganda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#17_March_2021_%28Undisguised_propaganda%29
content:
<p>
The Canadian province of Alberta <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/15/canada-lobby-group-bigfoot-family-oil-and-gas">runs an undisguised propaganda effort
in favor of fossil fuels</a>.
  Specifically, in favor of the CO2-intensive tar sands oil that
Alberta exports.


feed_id: 0fec421d6435c407dd6dd981f1a0099d
title: Neanderthal and Denisovan humans
uri: Neanderthal-and-Denisovan-humans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#17_March_2021_%28Neanderthal_and_Denisovan_humans%29

content:
<p>
The mingling of modern humans with Neanderthal and Denisovan humans
may have resulted <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/mar/15/neanderthals-helped-create-early-human-art-researcher-says">in a burst of creativity from 50,000 to 30,000 years
ago</a>.

<p>
I think it is a mistake to include Homo floresiensis among ancestors of
modern humans.  They were more like Homo erectus, and there is no evidence
that they did or could interbreed with Homo sapiens.


feed_id: 6ba7139fbb50455d83fa177281e2250a
title: Renewable electric generation
uri: 2021-03-17-Renewable-electric-generation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#17_March_2021_%28Renewable_electric_generation%29
content:
<p>
We need to triple the rate <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/15/renewable-energy-growth-must-speed-up-to-meet-paris-goals-agency-says">of building renewable electric generation</a>.


feed_id: 92ba30c9ecffefdfd5c29e71d319e1b0
title: Law to restrict protests
uri: Law-to-restrict-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#17_March_2021_%28Law_to_restrict_protests%29
content:
<p>
As the Tories push for a law to restrict protests, the minister of
repression says that protesters are "hijacked" <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/15/priti-patel-told-police-people-could-lay-flowers-at-sarah-everard-vigil">what she thought was
supposed to be much less</a>.

<p>
Bogus Johnson promised the protestes one part of their demand.
Whether a promise from him means anything is a good question.  But the
right to protest, itself, is more important than any of the causes
people protest for.

<p>
If some of the protesters stood too close together, the proper action
by the state would have been to insist that they they protect each
other by keeping distance &mdash; not to stop them from protesting.


feed_id: 3f136b5de5c71ee147e0ff75f24595aa
title: Law to restrict protests
uri: 2021-03-18-Law-to-restrict-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#17_March_2021_%28Law_to_restrict_protests%29
content:
<p>
As the Tories push for a law to restrict protests, the minister of
repression says that protesters are "hijacked" <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/15/priti-patel-told-police-people-could-lay-flowers-at-sarah-everard-vigil">what she thought was
supposed to be much less</a>.

<p>
Bogus Johnson promised the protesters one part of their demand.
Whether a promise from him means anything is a good question.  But the
right to protest, itself, is more important than any of the causes
people protest for.

<p>
If some of the protesters stood too close together, the proper action
by the state would have been to insist that they they protect each
other by keeping distance &mdash; not to stop them from protesting.


feed_id: f4fb5636f24bb981c6765afc0dfe1ab6
title: Sabotage of CDC
uri: Sabotage-of-CDC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#18_March_2021_%28Sabotage_of_CDC%29
content:
<p>
An investigation by the CDC found that the saboteur's aides <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/16/review-trump-era-cdc-guidance-confirms-political-manipulation-agencys-covid-response">altered or
wrote parts of some CDC reports last year</a>.

<p>
I'd be interested to see a summary of what specific changes and
impositions they found.


feed_id: 2b61213ecd7fef8d0ef20863e8986c88
title: Increasing vaccinations
uri: Increasing-vaccinations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#18_March_2021_%28Increasing_vaccinations%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/florida-attempts-to-increase-vaccinations-by-leaving-lo-1846467263">satire</a>) *Florida Attempts To Increase Vaccinations By Leaving Loose
Syringes Around Beaches.*


feed_id: 0e1401dfcd78866f75aad2172a2c69df
title: Foreign interference
uri: Foreign-interference
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#18_March_2021_%28Foreign_interference%29
content:
<p>
The Director of National Intelligence reports that Russia tried
secretly to support the wrecker's campaign with disinformation, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/16/russia-interfere-2020-us-presidential-election-trump-biden">while
Iran tried secretly to support Biden</a>.

<p>
Various countries will say what they wish to try to influence US
elections.  That can't be avoided.  But maybe we can have a system in
which such campaigns don't have much influence.

<p>
Maybe we can have candidates who won't be eager for such "help."


feed_id: f6f7b8b3a632ed065a4f4e110491c7f2
title: Urban design and engineering
uri: Urban-design-and-engineering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#18_March_2021_%28Urban_design_and_engineering%29
content:
<p>
Women's participation in urban design and engineering <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/16/the-guardian-view-on-urban-insecurity-build-a-feminist-city">can make streets safer</a>.


feed_id: 3dc2832478134eaefdbca54432e218ea
title: Threats to use nuclear weapons
uri: Threats-to-use-nuclear-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#18_March_2021_%28Threats_to_use_nuclear_weapons%29
content:
<p>
The UK threatens <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/16/defence-review-uk-could-use-trident-to-counter-cyber-attack">to use nuclear weapons in response to a cyber-attack</a>.

<p>
This is foolhardy and dangerous.  It is not obvious who launched a
cyber-attack, thus easy to do it as a false flag move.  And it could
lead to a nuclear war that would destroy our world.


feed_id: ab2368b148cdc87b2867f530b0ceef59
title: Uber drivers benefits
uri: Uber-drivers-benefits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#18_March_2021_%28Uber_drivers_benefits%29
content:
<p>
*Uber to pay UK drivers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/mar/16/uber-to-pay-uk-drivers-minimum-wage-holiday-pay-and-pension">minimum wage, holiday pay and pension</a>.*
  They get some benefits in case of illness, too.

<p>
If Uber treats drivers decently, I'd have no reason not to use it, if
someday I can do so anonymously and without running nonfree software.


feed_id: 01e0d742571a44a55e2f6de2d7231a21
title: Hospital staff getting Covid-19
uri: Hospital-staff-getting-Covid-19
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#18_March_2021_%28Hospital_staff_getting_Covid-19%29
content:
<p>
Port Moresby General Hospital (in Papua New Guinea) may have to close
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/17/covid-has-reached-my-hospital-in-papua-new-guinea-people-could-soon-be-dying-in-the-parking-lot">because 30% of the staff has Covid-19</a>.


feed_id: 97fb75e7d9283e6c7310e48f0296f357
title: Chimpazees using video link
uri: Chimpazees-using-video-link
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#18_March_2021_%28Chimpazees_using_video_link%29
content:
<p>
Two groups of chimpanzees, in two different zoos, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/mar/17/chimpanzee-zoom-czech-zoo-video-calls">seem to enjoy a video
link between them</a>.

<p>
I hope they are not grooming those chimps to use nonfree software.
They might never get organized to stop.

<p>
On the other hand, they are not entitled to human rights,
so maybe in their case it's not as bad as it is when humans use
nonfree software.


feed_id: d921bbb11fe28c42f15d0be5f9ffecfe
title: Investment companies and global heating
uri: Investment-companies-and-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#18_March_2021_%28Investment_companies_and_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
Some big investment companies are starting to recognize that they have
been accelerating global heating for decades, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/16/wall-street-climate-crisis-emissions">and making some effort
to slow the juggernaut</a>.

<p>
Is this going to be enough?  I don't think it will stop <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>
fast enough.  We need stronger action.


feed_id: f485a820b818c24e69c8749e471676aa
title: Death behind bars
uri: Death-behind-bars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#18_March_2021_%28Death_behind_bars%29
content:
<p>
*Feeble Pandemic Protections at Private Texas Prison <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/03/16/texas-private-prison-covid-geo-group/">Leave People
Fearing Death Behind Bars</a>.*

<p>
With Republicans in Texas preferring to catch and spread Covid, there seem to
be vaccine doses available there.  The US government has a responsibility to
give federal prisoners medical care, including vaccinations, so it should
give those vaccinations to prisoners to protect them.


feed_id: f18832a376f62e587f2e2aae9b67ee39
title: Hydrogen as a fuel
uri: Hydrogen-as-a-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#18_March_2021_%28Hydrogen_as_a_fuel%29
content:
<p>
Proposals to use hydrogen as a fuel are causing confusion <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/16/hydrogen-nuclear-net-zero-carbon-renewables">because they
think of hydrogen as a source of energy</a>.

<p>
In fact, the proposed use of hydrogen is not for generation.  It is
for storing and transporting energy densely, good for machines such as
airplanes which need to minimize the weight of their fuel.  A tank
full of liquid hydrogen weighs a lot less than a battery holding the
same amount of usable energy.

<p>
However, we're going to need to extract the hydrogen atoms out of
something.  If we want to use electricity to power this operation, we
will extract the hydrogen out of water, using electrolysis.

<p>
The advantages of using hydrogen for storage and transport are
entirely independent of how we generate electricity to make the
hydrogen.  Naturally we should choose the best method for that:
renewable generation.  Not expensive, polluting and accident-prone
nuclear reactors.


feed_id: 550582918caef40ed8225f1a043766cd
title: Foxconn in Wisconsin
uri: Foxconn-in-Wisconsin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#18_March_2021_%28Foxconn_in_Wisconsin%29
content:
<p>
Foxconn seems to want more subsidy from Wisconsin.  It is trying to give
the impression <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/mar/16/foxconn-considers-making-electric-vehicles-in-wisconsin">that it might actually manufacture something there</a>.

<p>
If Foxconn does make electric vehicles for the US market, I suspect they will
report their movements and listen to conversations for the Chinese state,
in addition to whoever else new cars snoop for.


feed_id: ed1490447f820a97df0a511fbf2ae475
title: Four-day work week
uri: 2021-03-18-Four-day-work-week
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#18_March_2021_%28Four-day_work_week%29
content:
<p>
Spain will sponsor companies <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/15/spain-experiment-4-day-workweek-idea-whose-time-has-come">to try out a four-day work week</a>.


feed_id: 8659db25299fc4d5f7bcd1f8403416b7
title: Free speech for some
uri: Free-speech-for-some
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#18_March_2021_%28Free_speech_for_some%29
content:
<p>
*   Why have Tory defenders of ‘free speech’ been so quiet over the
   proposed police powers? <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/16/johnson-government-authoritarian-policing-bill-free-speech">They know who they are aimed at</a>.*


feed_id: 159299b0da175b01d0f041c65923c630
title: Purdue Pharma
uri: 2021-03-18-Purdue-Pharma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#18_March_2021_%28Purdue_Pharma%29
content:
<p>
Purdue Pharma proposes to get out of bankruptcy <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/16/purdue-pharma-10bn-opioid-settlement-plan-bankruptcy-sackler-family">with insufficient payments
from the Sackler family</a>.

<p>
There seems to be a disagreement about how much money the Sackler
family actually received from Purdue Pharma.  Perhaps they should
agree to a full audit of their finances to determine what they
actually received.  For instance, to see whether they acquired any
offshore assets that are difficult to trace.


feed_id: cd0b1953cad7feaab5bbd06c84a05c63
title: US overthrown governments in many countries
uri: US-overthrown-governments-in-many-countries
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28US_overthrown_governments_in_many_countries%29

content:
<p>

US presidents have for decades overthrown governments in many countries.
It was a small leap from there to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/16/how-endless-wars-abroad-helped-spark-january-6-attack-home">trying to overthrow the US government</a>.


feed_id: 6d166000f64bdd795b984fef539c2fc6
title: (satire) Early mistranslation
uri: (satire)-Early-mistranslation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28%28satire%29_Early_mistranslation%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Bible Scholars Say Early Mistranslation <a href="https://www.theonion.com/bible-scholars-say-early-mistranslation-distorted-story-1846467632">Distorted Story Of
Jesus Crucifying The Romans</a>.*


feed_id: 176a449780f3712ae4a4356a91302d9f
title: Substitute teacher got a birthday surprise
uri: Substitute-teacher-got-a-birthday-surprise
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Substitute_teacher_got_a_birthday_surprise%29

content:
<p>

*A substitute teacher living in his car got a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/15/us/student-helps-substitute-teacher-trnd/index.html">birthday surprise</a> of $27,000 from a former student.*
<p>
If you focus on those few individuals, it is a heart-warming story.
But look at the bigger situation: our society is so plutocratist that
rich people blow millions on frivolities while teachers are homeless.


feed_id: c7375ff93d9caa7c788b39d6455a0b6a
title: Burning refined coal
uri: Burning-refined-coal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Burning_refined_coal%29
content:
<p>

Burning refined coal was supposed to reduce air pollution, but it
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/15/us-probe-underway-over-euphemistic-clean-coal-actually-increased-pollution">doesn't have that effect</a> in reality.


feed_id: 08a3c66ab73c8133c9ae318f45c08ebd
title: Moral and military issues of drones
uri: Moral-and-military-issues-of-drones
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Moral_and_military_issues_of_drones%29

content:
<p>

The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/15/bloody-truth-about-drones-we-need-international-convention-drones">moral and military issues</a> raised by drones as weapons.


feed_id: abcac5bc4d00e07b9b90adcab140341f
title: China's taste for beef
uri: China-s-taste-for-beef
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28China%27s_taste_for_beef%29
content:
<p>

*Eating up the rainforest: China’s taste for beef <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/16/eating-up-the-rainforest-chinas-taste-for-beef-drives-exports-from-brazil">drives exports from
 Brazil</a>.*


feed_id: 39755ebf47dcf1841b67582e04e386fc
title: Carbon from bottom trawling
uri: Carbon-from-bottom-trawling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Carbon_from_bottom_trawling%29
content:
<p>

*Bottom trawling <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/17/trawling-for-fish-releases-as-much-carbon-as-air-travel-report-finds-climate-crisis">releases as much carbon as air travel</a>, landmark study
 finds.*


feed_id: ec618bcf97d020f38fbac83e38cbb9bd
title: Racist extremist terrorist threat
uri: Racist-extremist-terrorist-threat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Racist_extremist_terrorist_threat%29

content:
<p>

*Racist extremists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/17/racist-extremists-us-domestic-terrorism-intelligence-report">pose most deadly terrorist threat</a> to US,
intelligence report warns.*


feed_id: d89ebe36b71e6a75573f2ec3c22bbe1d
title: Another wave of Covid-19 in Europe
uri: Another-wave-of-Covid-19-in-Europe
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Another_wave_of_Covid-19_in_Europe%29

content:
<p>

Europe is headed into <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/17/europe-at-the-start-of-a-third-wave-of-covid-experts-warn">another wave of Covid-19</a>, caused by variants
that spread more.
<p>
I agree that holding back on vaccination is foolish.  In addition to
delays in saving many people's lives, it will fuel anti-vax sentiment
which will itself endanger lives.


feed_id: bfbf1aaeb27823126138cb437eb69ef4
title: Australia deporting New Zealanders
uri: 2021-03-19-Australia-deporting-New-Zealanders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Australia_deporting_New_Zealanders%29

content:
<p>

Australia is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/18/deportation-of-a-minor-how-a-corrosive-policy-sank-cosy-relations-between-australia-and-new-zealand">deporting New Zealanders</a> for committing crimes, even if they
have not seen New Zealand for decades.
<p>
This is not as bad as when the US deports people to countries where they
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#31_October_2016_(US_immigration_policy)">don't even speak the language</a>.
But it is nonetheless unjustifiable.
<p>
The full enormity of Australia's policy can be seen in its attempt to
deport an Australian citizen, with Australian roots, who <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/17/government-attempting-to-deport-indigenous-man-to-new-zealand">happened to
have New Zealand citizenship too</a>.
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#18_July_2020_(Shamima_Begum_wins_right_to_return_to_the_UK)">Cancelling people's citizenship</a> is not a legitimate punishment.


feed_id: d2940ea71d0dce813ceae5a8c900767f
title: Supporters of Alexei Navalny
uri: Supporters-of-Alexei-Navalny
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Supporters_of_Alexei_Navalny%29
content:
<p>

*Prominent supporters of Alexei Navalny face <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/17/prominent-supporters-alexei-navalny-indefinite-house-arrest-pussy-riot-kremlin-protests">"indefinite" house arrest</a>.*


feed_id: e46ba2a0fde8e123389cb92e1627e07e
title: Easier to overcome a filibuster
uri: Easier-to-overcome-a-filibuster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Easier_to_overcome_a_filibuster%29
content:
<p>

Various proposed rule changes for the Senate would make it easier to
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/03/17/joe-biden-end-filibuster-senate/">overcome a filibuster</a>, and more difficult to keep it going.


feed_id: 36fcf2100cb090a67ba145a06d34c78b
title: Mass repression in Rangoon
uri: Mass-repression-in-Rangoon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Mass_repression_in_Rangoon%29
content:
<p>

The Burmese army has launched <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/17/yangon-becomes-battle-zone-as-myanmar-junta-enforces-martial-law">deadly mass repression in Rangoon</a>.


feed_id: 37d968ba42bf2d390eacbc22951e3c71
title: Glue-trap hunting of songbirds
uri: Glue-trap-hunting-of-songbirds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Glue-trap_hunting_of_songbirds%29
content:
<p>

*ECJ orders France to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/17/ecj-orders-france-to-ban-glue-trap-hunting-of-songbirds-outright-eu-rules-aoe">ban glue-trap hunting</a> of songbirds outright.*
<p>
A journalist investigated the trapping and found much deceit.


feed_id: f29ca1d3606afc210cb8f80227a11567
title: Stamping out democracy
uri: Stamping-out-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Stamping_out_democracy%29
content:
<p>

Republican state legislators are trying to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/14/rise-legislative-anti-democracy">stamp out</a> any and all forms of democracy at the state and local level.
<p>
The right to protest is part of democracy, so Republican state
legislators are trying to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/16/republicans-want-criminalize-protest">criminalize protest.


feed_id: 10ad5e90eba374263c398c9e2a9c3e90
title: Relief payments for payment of debt
uri: Relief-payments-for-payment-of-debt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Relief_payments_for_payment_of_debt%29

content:
<p>

The recently passed US relief bill failed to say that debt collectors
could not take the relief payments for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/14/congress-urged-take-immediate-action-stop-debt-collectors-snatching-relief-checks">payment of debt</a>.
<p>
The result is that many poor people are just as poor as before.


feed_id: 821d0e1f6bd5ab8cffa0e8879c445b9c
title: Criminalizing protests
uri: 2021-03-19-Criminalizing-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Criminalizing_protests%29
content:
<p>

The Tories are rushing through a law to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/14/new-anti-protest-bill-raises-profound-concern-human-rights-groups-say">criminalize protests</a>
and give <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> more power to attack protesters.
<p>
There was a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/15/arrests-made-at-protest-against-policing-bill-and-violence-against-women">substantial protest</a> on Sunday.
Britons had better protest while they still can.


feed_id: 42a0ba9f25da57210ed1513f10638ad3
title: Amazon retaliated against workers
uri: Amazon-retaliated-against-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Amazon_retaliated_against_workers%29

content:
<p>

*Amazon <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/03/17/amazon-covid-chicago-nlrb-strike/">Retaliated Against Chicago Workers</a> Following Spring Covid-19
Protests, NLRB Finds.*


feed_id: 234be50abe162ff4c5ccd7f5cb028500
title: Offshore power cable
uri: Offshore-power-cable
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Offshore_power_cable%29
content:
<p>

A few rich people with houses on Long Island are suing to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/17/wainscott-new-york-hamptons-offshore-windfarm">stop the power cable</a> from an offshore wind farm from running, 30 feet
underground, through their hamlet.
<p>
It would be good to establish national safety criteria for wind farms,
on sea and on land, to assure that they can't be built where they
would cause real problems for anyone &mdash; not even people who are poor
or disprivileged &mdash; and that even rich NIMBYs can't arbitrarily block
them.


feed_id: c30a2030f0291774820c669210deb082
title: The evil side of Winston Churchill
uri: The-evil-side-of-Winston-Churchill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28The_evil_side_of_Winston_Churchill%29

content:
<p>

Britain (and the world) needs to remember the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/17/why-cant-britain-handle-the-truth-about-winston-churchill">evil side of Winston
Churchill</a> as well as the heroic side.
<p>
In addition to his racism, he was also a Tory: he stood for keeping
working Britons down.  That's why they voted in 1945 to replace him
with the Labour Party, led by the giants that inspired Jeremy Corbyn.
<p>
Set against this, he not only championed the defeat of Germany and
Japan, he also made the world aware of the totalitarian repression of
the Soviet Union under Stalin.
<p>
It is true that cancellationism and pressure for censorship can be
found on the left and on the right.  When they come from the right,
they tend to involve heavy-handed threats.  Resisting that can be
difficult but people don't hesitate to denounce it as censorship.
When they come from the left, it consists of a mob that demands
submission in the name of a cause which is basically just.  Many
consider them heroes, and just as with Churchill, find it difficult to
recognize the evil side of what they do.


Sperm whales taught each other

Sperm whales taught each other, as a society, effective methods to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/17/sperm-whales-in-19th-century-shared-ship-attack-information">protect themselves</a> from human whale-hunters that were using sailing
ships.


feed_id: 7b26474e65f01f1e3003d169c9e3b32f
title: US government buying personal data
uri: US-government-buying-personal-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28US_government_buying_personal_data%29

content:
<p>

There is a campaign to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/15/secrecy-and-unaccountability-surveillance-state-delegitimizes-government-and">stop the US government from buying personal
data</a> about people from data brokers.
<p>
It would be a step forward, but as usual it does not try to deal with
the overall problem: massive surveillance of people in general.
<p>
The US government may not be the only government that buys data about
Americans from data brokers.  Is it ok if other governments know all
about most Americans?
<p>
Indeed, the US government could work around the proposed law.  The NSA
could get data about Americans by cracking the computers of foreign
governments that buy the data from US data brokers.  Or by cracking
the servers of foreign data brokers.
<p>
The real solution is to make sure that data brokers don't have such
data, because the data are not collected in the first place.


feed_id: 8dfc803095edaae1642ebf6a997a670f
title: Danger to journalists
uri: Danger-to-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Danger_to_journalists%29
content:
<p>

The Committee to Protect Journalists reports on the <a href="https://cpj.org/spyware">danger to journalists</a>
from spyware used to endanger them.


feed_id: 8ddff86ee300fd2e6fc21ab505028c75
title: Goods designed to cease to run
uri: Goods-designed-to-cease-to-run
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Goods_designed_to_cease_to_run%29
content:
<p>

People see the problem of goods designed to cease to run,
but they don't see that it is the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/17/ending-over-mending-planned-obsolescence-is-killing-the-planet">tip of the iceberg</a>.
<p>
The things that make an iMonster impossible to repair include the same
things that make it unjust to its users while it is still "in working order".
<p>
Please distinguish between obsolescence (something that happens to a
given <em>model</em>) and inoperability (something that happens to a
particular object).


feed_id: 90ff402626976ff05a858986464f38db
title: Thugs seized computers of Tillie Kottman
uri: Thugs-seized-computers-of-Tillie-Kottman
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Thugs_seized_computers_of_Tillie_Kottman%29

content:
<p>

Swiss thugs <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-12/swiss-police-raid-apartment-of-verkada-hacker-seize-devices">seized the computers of Tillie Kottman</a>, who I previously
read was the voice of the group of crackers that looked at the video
archive of Verkada insecurity cameras.
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> say this was on account of a previous act of security
breaking, about which we know nothing, but if it is similar to what
they did to Verkada and Nissan, it would involve commercial secrets
about mistreating the public.
<p>
I wish Kottman had not fallen into the trap of using the confused
pseudo-concept of <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">"intellectual property"</a>.
<p>
The article is written using confusing pronouns, so that I cannot tell
in some points whether "they" refers to one person or several.


feed_id: 63faed653c6deb842f93d228b4e1d717
title: Where banks refused to make loans
uri: Where-banks-refused-to-make-loans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Where_banks_refused_to_make_loans%29

content:
<p>

Us neighborhoods where banks refused to make loans (because they were
inhabited by poor people or blacks) are now generally <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/15/business/redlined-homes-climate-change-flooding/index.html">more vulnerable
to damage from flooding</a>.
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> is exacerbating the danger of flooding.
<p>
I'm curious about how this came to be.  I have a conjecture.
Cities invested less in those neighborhoods, and still do;
maybe inadequate infrastructure causes the risk of flooding.


feed_id: e59c7d2d558c615bac86ee686b56780d
title: Release of journalist Adel al-Hasani
uri: Release-of-journalist-Adel-al-Hasani
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Release_of_journalist_Adel_al-Hasani%29

content:
<p>

The US convinced the UAE to have its proxies in Yemen <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/14/middleeast/yemen-freed-journalist-intl/index.html">release
journalist Adel al-Hasani</a>.
<p>
He is not to be confused with the other person, Osama al-Hasani, whom
Morocco recently handed over to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> for repression.


feed_id: 52fbb9cecaeb4aee3ab97073e09639e3
title: Resenting attractive women
uri: Resenting-attractive-women
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Resenting_attractive_women%29
content:
<p>
*Why do so many straight men <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/18/atlanta-spa-shootings-men-rage-sex-addiction">come to resent the women they find attractive</a>?*

<p>
I've noticed that pattern too, but never understood it.  It seems to
result from an invalid step of reasoning which fortunately never
occurred to me.  If I long for a woman's affection and attraction, but
she does not feel that way about me, I assume my own inadequacy is at
fault.


feed_id: 5936696afb4b14122a763edd182840c6
title: Vaccine price hike
uri: Vaccine-price-hike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Vaccine_price_hike%29
content:
<p>
*Drugmakers Promise Investors <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/03/18/covid-vaccine-price-pfizer-moderna/">They'll Soon Hike Covid Vaccine Prices</a>.*


feed_id: 4a941eeef23eefd27977552425ec60e0
title: Spending cuts
uri: Spending-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Spending_cuts%29
content:
<p>
The Tories are planning a new era of spending cuts, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/18/britain-heading-for-new-era-of-austerity-thinktank-warns">which are sure to
fall mainly on poor people</a>.


feed_id: 4cfefc257cda8c9c094e8129ab5908a6
title: Electricity cut
uri: Electricity-cut
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Electricity_cut%29
content:
<p>
Utility companies have cut off electricity to over 750 million US
households because the pandemic <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/16/life-and-death-crisis-utilities-cut-power-over-765000-across-10-states-during">has left them with bills they can't
pay</a>.
  And that counts only 10 states.


feed_id: 032dd49bea3f0f9179a0ccffe05e5bc1
title: Filibuster
uri: 2021-03-19-Filibuster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Filibuster%29
content:
<p>
Senator McConnell threatens: if Democrats abolish the filibuster, he
will use all possible excuses in the Senate rules to paralyze the
Senate.  And that, if Republicans ever win power again, they will go
all-out <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/16/critics-say-scorched-earth-threat-over-filibuster-shows-mcconnell-getting-scared">to reverse the progressive achievements of past Democrats</a>.
  In other words, exactly what they doing now ;-}.

<p>
If he abuses other rules to paralyze the Senate, the Democrats can
alter those rules to prevent the paralysis.

<p>
As for threats some day to pass horrible laws, the best way to prevent
that is for Democrats to pass some laws that most Americans are eager
for.


feed_id: eb982de61f8af3d45528b779bfacbc03
title: Fossil fuel drilling
uri: Fossil-fuel-drilling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Fossil_fuel_drilling%29
content:
<p>
Biden ended the temporary halt <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/16/unfortunate-if-not-unexpected-biden-criticized-resuming-public-land-drilling-permits">to fossil fuel drilling permits for
public land</a>.

<p>
This is a step in the wrong direction.  And remember that fossil fuel drilling
on private land is just as dangerous for the survival of civilization.
There is no room in the carbon budget for fossil fuel development on
land or sea, anywhere in the world.


feed_id: bfaf8ebc5be6948222ac81af5a89b6da
title: Food safety measures during pandemic
uri: Food-safety-measures-during-pandemic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Food_safety_measures_during_pandemic%29

content:
<p>
*Documents Show Industry <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/16/documents-show-industry-pushed-relax-food-safety-measures-during-pandemic">Pushed to Relax Food Safety Measures During
 Pandemic</a>.*


feed_id: 54aee8c3141ec4bcce13346a25a86b8f
title: Western monarch butterflies
uri: Western-monarch-butterflies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Western_monarch_butterflies%29
content:
<p>
Congress is considering bills to protect the western Monarch butterflies,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/17/monarch-act-introduced-ensure-beloved-pollinator-around-future-generations">which are close to being wiped out</a>.


feed_id: 1b121507c5d3b29b3a0d0b6e4050745b
title: Seaweed for cows
uri: Seaweed-for-cows
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Seaweed_for_cows%29
content:
<p>
*Feeding cows seaweed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/18/cows-seaweed-methane-emissions-scientists">could cut their methane emissions by 82%,
 scientists say</a>.*

<p>
This is a great advance, but we would still need to reduce the
production of beef &mdash; because growing their feed uses too much 
land and too much fertilizer.


feed_id: 28ce2d1eda5f8e32cc740feae9673749
title: Medicare for All
uri: 2021-03-19-Medicare-for-All
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Medicare_for_All%29
content:
<p>
A new Medicare for All Act has been introduced in Congress.  Passing
it will not be easy, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/17/public-citizen-statement-medicare-all-act-2021">but let's push hard</a>.

<p>
The proposed single-payer medical system would be considerably better
than actual Medicare.

<p>
A study argues that Medicare for All <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/16/medicare-all-would-have-prevented-hundreds-thousands-covid-deaths-new-report">would have prevented a considerable
fraction of Covid-19 infections and deaths in the US</a>.


feed_id: b970ff4ef91a54cc9eba53906ac75408
title: Automation
uri: 2021-03-19-Automation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Automation%29
content:
<p>
US businesses are rushing to replace human workers with automation.
Some analysis <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/17/robots-are-coming-millions-blue-collar-jobs">forecast eliminating 45 million jobs by 2030</a>.

<p>
"If robots make it, we've gotta take it!"  A society with a cornucopia
must include everyone.

<p>
Of course, the cornucopia can't include products that degrade
ecosystems.  There will have to be limits on things like beef.


feed_id: 69228ba1a430e90caf333d88776cdcad
title: Tax hike on big corporations
uri: Tax-hike-on-big-corporations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Tax_hike_on_big_corporations%29
content:
<p>
*Sanders Bill Would Hike Taxes on Big Corporations <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/17/sanders-bill-would-hike-taxes-big-corporations-pay-ceos-over-50-times-more-median">That Pay CEOs Over 50 Times
More Than Median Worker</a>.*


feed_id: 5420fbd41be69f10cc97a63cb2a21c9f
title: Messing up friendship
uri: Messing-up-friendship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Messing_up_friendship%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/zookeepers-confirm-pandas-not-mating-because-they-re-sc-1846467554">satire</a>) *Zookeepers Confirm Pandas Not Mating Because They’re Scared Of Messing Up
Friendship.*


feed_id: 5cfe176add6f2a2a692864ea7b212d6a
title: Rep. Salazar
uri: Rep-Salazar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Rep._Salazar%29
content:
<p>
Correction: Republican Rep. Salazar, who voted against the Covid-19
relief bill, did not try to take credit for it.  She was talking about
a different bill <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/15/politics/fact-check-maria-salazar-american-rescue-plan-voted-against/index.html">that proposed a policy change for the Small Business
Administration</a>.

<p>
I correct this point because I posted the incorrect criticism before.


feed_id: cd19d44e360ec05c9dacbc54b7f50473
title: Apartheid
uri: 2021-03-19-Apartheid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Apartheid%29
content:
<p>
*This is What <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/3/14/2021085/-This-is-What-Israeli-Apartheid-Looks-Like">Israeli Apartheid Looks Like</a>.*


feed_id: 67f3da1e095d5c03729707c1c7236a2f
title: Electricity cut
uri: 2021-03-21-Electricity-cut
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#19_March_2021_%28Electricity_cut%29
content:
<p>
Utility companies have cut off electricity to over 750 thousand US
households because the pandemic <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/16/life-and-death-crisis-utilities-cut-power-over-765000-across-10-states-during">has left them with bills they can't
pay</a>.
  And that counts only 10 states.


feed_id: 5570f77d77a8f29aecebca15555f9f50
title: Urgent: End the filibuster
uri: Urgent-End-the-filibuster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_End_the_filibuster%29
content:
<p>

US citizens: call on the Senate to <a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/senate-end-filibuster-now/">end the filibuster</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>

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


feed_id: f6ef859b04bed66c922fb9b4b6102d2a
title: Urgent: Protect young North Atlantic right whales
uri: Urgent-Protect-young-North-Atlantic-right-whales
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_young_North_Atlantic_right_whales%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on the National Marine Fisheries Service to slow
ships to <a href="https://act.defenders.org/page/27570/action/1">protect young North Atlantic right whales</a>.


feed_id: 2d6a04288fa5cec6c7885b386890088b
title: Urgent: Investigate possible insulin price fix conspiracy
uri: Urgent-Investigate-possible-insulin-price-fix-conspiracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Investigate_possible_insulin_price_fix_conspiracy%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on the FTC to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/americans-are-suffering-and-dying-because-of-the-insulin-cartel">investigate possible conspiracy</a> to
fix the price of insulin.


feed_id: 1e45c4b99f343b564211c5612af0ebd6
title: European Union fomenting anti-vax sentiment
uri: European-Union-fomenting-anti-vax-sentiment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28European_Union_fomenting_anti-vax_sentiment%29

content:
<p>

The European Union and its member countries have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/19/eu-astrazeneca-vaccine-stance-spain-europe-covid">messed up Covid-19
vaccination</a>, with the effect of fomenting anti-vax sentiment.
<p>
Thousands may die because of their fear of a tiny danger that turned
out not to exist.


feed_id: 1f380af4b9912f19fede55dc733e21bc
title: Brazil's medical system is collapsing under Covid-19
uri: Brazil-s-medical-system-is-collapsing-under-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Brazil%27s_medical_system_is_collapsing_under_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>

Brazil's medical system <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/19/brazil-coronavirus-intensive-care-unit-capacity">is collapsing</a> under the weight of Covid-19,
and it is all because Bolsolaro has sabotaged the country
much as the wrecker <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#29_August_2020_(The_wrecker's_henchmen_forced_the_CDC_to_sabotage_its_testing_guidelines)">sabotaged the US</a>.


feed_id: 7ce1aa7c88a7d025c31578b7d43be90b
title: Global progress against tuberculosis reversed
uri: Global-progress-against-tuberculosis-reversed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Global_progress_against_tuberculosis_reversed%29

content:
<p>

*   Twelve months of Covid-19 has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/19/fight-against-tuberculosis-set-back-12-years-by-covid-pandemic-report-finds">reversed 12 years of global progress</a>
   against tuberculosis.*


feed_id: ecb180309a84a6d0db7863ca6bfa9acb
title: Secret trial in China
uri: 2021-03-22-Secret-trial-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Secret_trial_in_China%29
content:
<p>

A few years ago, China accused two Canadians of espionage, apparently for
revenge.  One of them, Michael Spavor, just had a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/19/michael-spavor-canada-criticises-china-after-trial-held-in-secret">secret trial</a> which
lasted just three hours.
<p>
Clearly China is not interested in whether Spavor really committed a crime.


feed_id: a0c6a1a208f75899988a4d326817000d
title: Supporters of the bullshitter clinging to his lies
uri: Supporters-of-the-bullshitter-clinging-to-his-lies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Supporters_of_the_bullshitter_clinging_to_his_lies%29

content:
<p>

The bullshitter urged his supporters to get Covid-19 vaccination.  An
interviewer found a group of them <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/oklahoma-diner-coronavirus-shot_n_6052f9bec5b672d709819d38">clinging to the lies</a> he taught them,
and despising him.
<p>
That's a step up from supporting both him and the lies.  But it is not
a step towards rationality or sanity.
<p>
If the majority of his cult followers follow this pattern, I predict
that the bullshitter will soon return to condemning vaccination,
and they will forget that he ever said anything different.


feed_id: 3f6ff234d9b0ea5489b8f45c2e9ba189
title: Coalition calls on Biden to end support for fossil fuel projects
uri: Coalition-calls-on-Biden-to-end-support-for-fossil-fuel-projects
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Coalition_calls_on_Biden_to_end_support_for_fossil_fuel_projects%29

content:
<p>

A broad coalition from 50 countries calls on Biden to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/18/430-groups-6-continents-demand-biden-end-all-us-subsidies-global-fossil-fuel">end US support
for fossil fuel projects</a> world-wide.


feed_id: f1a2d5fccc6d3ae627d4398d32c02c25
title: Call to donate US's surplus vaccine pre-orders
uri: Call-to-donate-US-s-surplus-vaccine-pre-orders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Call_to_donate_US%27s_surplus_vaccine_pre-orders%29

content:
<p>

Lula called on Biden to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/18/brazils-lula-urges-biden-call-emergency-g20-summit-promote-global-vaccine-equity">donate the US's surplus vaccine</a> pre-orders to
Brazil, or another country poorer than Brazil.
<p>
The US does not have a surplus of physical vaccine.  What it has a
surplus of is commitments by various countries to sell the US
additional vaccine doses later.  I expect the US will release those
commitments when it has enough actual vaccine, and the manufacturers
will sell those doses elsewhere.  But I don't think the US will pay
for them.


feed_id: be93ce516cb8c25df97a6f542dad37a3
title: Goldman Sachs operates like a sweatshop
uri: Goldman-Sachs-operates-like-a-sweatshop
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Goldman_Sachs_operates_like_a_sweatshop%29

content:
<p>

Goldman Sachs operates <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/18/group-of-junior-bankers-at-goldman-sachs-claim-inhumane-work-conditions">like a sweatshop</a> for its new employees.  They
have to work 100 hours a week.
<p>
I work something like 100 hours a week, but nobody makes me do it.
it's for causes I am glad to fight for.  In a good society, nobody has
to do that merely for money.


feed_id: a4b28dd837fbf1e465ce8be49a40cde6
title: The CLEAN Act bill
uri: The-CLEAN-Act-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28The_CLEAN_Act_bill%29
content:
<p>

The CLEAN Act bill <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/18/house-dems-urged-cut-fossil-fuels-and-false-solutions-clean-future-act">pretends to aim for 100% "clean" energy</a> by 2035 by
allowing "clean" to include unclean forms of generation, such as
fossil fuels and nuclear energy.


feed_id: b225ec1d51580cb3c8d18b7147d688a6
title: Give gig workers the rights of workers
uri: Give-gig-workers-the-rights-of-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Give_gig_workers_the_rights_of_workers%29

content:
<p>

Several countries have compelled companies to give gig workers the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/17/courts-close-in-on-gig-economy-firms-globally-as-workers-seek-rights">rights of workers</a>.
But in the US, plutocracy has won, so far.


feed_id: 36fcd1ea815f896efba8af91626251ed
title: Global oil demand
uri: Global-oil-demand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Global_oil_demand%29
content:
<p>

Global oil demand is quickly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/17/global-oil-demand-could-exceed-pre-covid-levels-without-clean-energy-moves">returning to the level from before
Covid-19</a>.


feed_id: df01d52e0492f73aa52993675bd6c8b7
title: Immigrant children given a way to become US citizens
uri: Immigrant-children-given-a-way-to-become-US-citizens
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Immigrant_children_given_a_way_to_become_US_citizens%29

content:
<p>

The House of Representatives <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/18/us-house-immigration-bill-dreamers-citizenship">passed once again a bill</a> to give immigrants
brought to the US as children a way to become US citizens.
<p>
I support this bill, notwithstanding their use of the hokey term "dreamers"
for the people that it would help.


feed_id: 3544b66df803e39e2b95496143bbbadf
title: Republican-style voter ID law in the UK
uri: Republican-style-voter-ID-law-in-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Republican-style_voter_ID_law_in_the_UK%29

content:
<p>

A lawsuit <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/18/supreme-court-hear-challenge-uk-voter-id-trial-2019-election">challenges Tory plans to impose a Republican-style voter ID
law in the UK.


feed_id: 64e266be3d5e2aac7f504c755404328d
title: Human fertility is decreasing
uri: Human-fertility-is-decreasing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Human_fertility_is_decreasing%29
content:
<p>

Human fertility is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/18/toxic-chemicals-health-humanity-erin-brokovich">decreasing</a> so fast that by 2045 it extrapolates to
zero.
<p>
I doubt it will actually reach zero.  Also, I expect there will be
ways to enable reproduction.  The decrease in fertility so far may
help reduce overpopulation.
<p>
But it is impossible to be certain.  And we need to stop the decrease.
<p>
I wonder how the decrease affects animals.


feed_id: 25e308de49d54a3a5e2689ee854440f5
title: UK cut the subsidy for electric cars
uri: UK-cut-the-subsidy-for-electric-cars
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28UK_cut_the_subsidy_for_electric_cars%29

content:
<p>

The UK has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/18/uk-slashes-grants-for-electric-car-buyers-while-increasing-petrol-vehicle-support">cut the subsidy for electric cars</a> while preserving the
subsidy for fossil fuel cars.
<p>
Tory policy statements are so contradictory that you can't tell what
they really intend to do.  Perhaps that is a strategy for getting away
with inconsistency.


feed_id: 6133291bdece49ccda2a9daefc383ffd
title: Oil industry knew of risks to human health
uri: Oil-industry-knew-of-risks-to-human-health
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Oil_industry_knew_of_risks_to_human_health%29

content:
<p>

*   The oil industry knew at least 50 years ago that air pollution from
   burning fossil fuels posed serious <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/18/oil-industry-fossil-fuels-air-pollution-documents">risks to human health</a>, only to spend
   decades aggressively lobbying against clean air regulations.*


feed_id: 21bbb2bcdc5152687f93e1361c5e350a
title: Natural post-infection Covid-19 immunity
uri: Natural-post-infection-Covid-19-immunity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Natural_post-infection_Covid-19_immunity%29

content:
<p>

Natural immunity after infection with Covid-19 is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/17/older-people-more-likely-to-catch-covid-a-second-time">not reliable</a>.
People need to be vaccinated, especially old people.


feed_id: b7fce0485b33b825c5d692a5ae08e798
title: Israeli forces arrest children
uri: Israeli-forces-arrest-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Israeli_forces_arrest_children%29
content:
<p>
*At behest of settlers, Israeli forces arrest Palestinian children <a href="https://mondoweiss.net/2021/03/at-behest-of-settlers-israeli-forces-arrest-palestinian-children-picking-wild-flowers/">picking
    wild flowers</a>.*<p>
This is not as harmful as some other things they do -- but it shows
the mean spirit of those fanatical "setlers".


feed_id: dd2da1a375fa922d83e7ee5429c90041
title: Covid relief payments
uri: Covid-relief-payments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Covid_relief_payments%29
content:
<p>
*GOP Senator Blocks Democratic Effort to Shield <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/18/gop-senator-blocks-democratic-effort-shield-covid-relief-payments-debt-collectors?cd-origin=rss">Covid Relief Payments</a> From
Debt Collectors.*<p>

I can imagine a landlord taking the relief payment to cover a small
part of an unpayable debt, then evicting the tenant anyway.


feed_id: cdfb4d17fb77f5f14a50a046fb24999b
title: China military Tesla cars
uri: China-military-Tesla-cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28China_military_Tesla_cars%29
content:
<p>
China has banned Tesla cars from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/20/elon-musk-denies-teslas-used-for-spying-after-chinas-military-bans-cars-from-bases">entering military bases</a>.
<p>
I think that is wise.  Maybe Tesla doesn't normally use the cameras in
its cars for spying, but it would be foolish to trust any car not to
spy.
<p>
We should not trust them either.  Rather, we should require cars to be
designed so that they _can't_ spy on what is around them.


feed_id: ec40413ff5a0a4fb37e1c85a08383a17
title: Male violence
uri: Male-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Male_violence%29
content:
<p>
*We always speak of women's safety. Let's talk about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/mar/20/we-always-speak-of-womens-safety-lets-talk-about-male-violence-instead">male violence instead</a>.*
<p>
  
I have never understood how a man can yearn for a woman and then do,
based on that yearning, something that is likely to make her unhappy
with him.  To me, that's akin to deciding to be totally mortified.
Only some terribly important responsibility could convince me to
suffer that fate by choice.
<p>
Perhaps this means I am not a normal man.  Are most men different
from me?  If so, what made them so, and at what age?
I have no idea -- how would I know?


feed_id: 050147ca9adb005849b9824d67e0d952
title: Undercover bar cops
uri: Undercover-bar-cops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Undercover_bar_cops%29
content:
<p>
Putting undercover cops in bars is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/20/undercover-police-bars-clubs-women-boris-johnson">dangerous rather than helpful</a> for safety.
<p>
  I think it is comparable to <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#28_February_2020_(School-to-prison_pipeline)">putting cops in schools</a>.


feed_id: 881d40c3a5a68bd55d1f13a8c05e3d5b
title: Politicized Science
uri: Politicized-Science
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Politicized_Science%29
content:
<p>
When there isn't time to do science the careful, reliable way, and it
becomes necessary to extrapolate beyond what is known, it is easy
for science to become <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/20/were-living-in-a-time-of-high-stakes-and-scientific-risks-need-to-be-taken">politicized and distorted</a> for advantage.


feed_id: 21d5223139cde99c3cb7b916352d5a42
title: Bolsonaro arrests critics
uri: Bolsonaro-arrests-critics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Bolsonaro_arrests_critics%29
content:
<p>
Opponents of Bolsonaro called him a Nazi, so to show how right they were,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/20/bolsonaro-uses-brazils-dictatorship-era-law-as-protesters-depict-him-as-a-nazi">he had them arrested</a>.


feed_id: ee0802419a7847053e0bb799af4afca3
title: India car tracking
uri: India-car-tracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28India_car_tracking%29
content:
<p>
India plans to <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/roadways/toll-booths-to-be-removed-gps-based-toll-collection-within-1-year-nitin-gadkari/articleshow/81566392.cms">track all cars</a> somehow.
<p>
  That will make it easier to find dissidents and anyone that state-linked Hindu
extremists wish to lynch.


feed_id: 4a431b484457966e15809ea7bc29fb36
title: UK citizenship law
uri: UK-citizenship-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28UK_citizenship_law%29
content:
<p>
The UK plans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/18/british-nationality-law-reform-aims-to-remove-windrush-anomalies">change citizenship law</a> to help people that were kept
out of the UK by the government's mistake and thus became ineligible.
<p>
However, the way they plan to fix it is not the right way, because it gives
a minister arbitrary discretion over whether to punish the individual
for a government mistake.  The right change would be to legislate that
absence from the UK in which a government mistake played a role is not
an impediment to citizenship.


feed_id: 55bcbb2fb739dff59776b3163bd0845c
title: Disputed election
uri: Disputed-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Disputed_election%29
content:
<p>
An opinion article describes a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/18/opinions/iowa-second-district-us-house-battle-douglas/index.html">disputed Congressional election</a> with
subtle right-wing bias.<p>
    
I agree that it would be better to decide this election in an unbiased
apolitical way.  And the House of Representatives won't do that; it is
dominated by the Democratic majority.
<p>
But the State of Iowa procedure would be equally political and
biased.  The Chief Justice was appointed to the court by 
an extreme right-wing governor.
<p>
Given this situation, I conclude that asking the House to decide is as
legitimate as asking the Republican judge to decide, if it has to be
one of those two.
<p>
What could be a better way?  The idea that occurs to me right now is
to establish objective criteria for deciding which ballots are valid,
in edge cases.  But this too will be politicized: Republicans would
prefer to invalidate any ballot which is somehow strange, since they
figure it is more likely to come from someone marginalized and thus
probably a Democrat.


feed_id: be932441c500edc365c7b670eb84bc6a
title: China breaking up families
uri: China-breaking-up-families
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28China_breaking_up_families%29
content:
<p>
  China is systematically <a href="">breaking up Uighur families</a>
   and keeping them relatives apart after years.


feed_id: 82d8e20327d7f00bc1f7fa0950c7375d
title: Covid-19 in the air
uri: Covid-19-in-the-air
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Covid-19_in_the_air%29
content:
<p>
Covid-19 spread from one person to another by remaining in the air in
a hotel corridor for <a href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/coronavirus-airplane-spread-study-scn/index.html">a period of 50 seconds</a>, from closing the door of
the first person's room to opening the door of the second person's
room.<p>
The fact that there was no ventilation in that corridor may have been
crucial.


feed_id: 4385175e6a0bac8528756c3d66075345
title: Local Birds
uri: Local-Birds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Local_Birds%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Local Birds Pissed Off Feeder <a href="https://local.theonion.com/local-birds-pissed-off-feeder-full-of-tourists-1846507713">Full Of Tourists</a>.*


feed_id: 4a6f580c7c42867b8ac30e90bdd29c9c
title: Moral budget
uri: Moral-budget
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Moral_budget%29
content:
<p>
*Poor Peoples Campaign's "Moral Budget" Offers Guide to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/19/poor-peoples-campaigns-moral-budget-offers-guide-new-budget-priorities?cd-origin=rss">New Budget Priorities</a>.*
<p>
  
I agree with the moral budget in a general way. I don't know enough
to comment on the specific details, except that I was surprised that
it seems to hold short of establishing a universal medical system.
Why not?


feed_id: f6e17f75cf4ed18d5e14997bb74a9381
title: UK government tutoring scheme
uri: UK-government-tutoring-scheme
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28UK_government_tutoring_scheme%29
content:
<p>
A UK government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/mar/19/uk-tutoring-scheme-uses-sri-lankan-under-18s-paid-as-little-as-157-an-hour">tutoring scheme</a> hires 17-year-olds in Sri Lanka and pays them
only £1.57 an hour.<p>
    
The author is most disgusted that some tutors are not quite 18 years
old. I am most disgusted by how little this government program pays
workers.


feed_id: e6ec9ecd97a67b2f8605ceba2116dba8
title: UK house fees
uri: UK-house-fees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28UK_house_fees%29
content:
<p>
The UK government did something <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/19/taylor-wimpey-countryside-leasehold-cma-ground-rents">right for a change</a>: it will make some
house construction companies cancel the sneaky, exponentially growing
fees that the not-exactly-owners of the houses were going to have to pay.


feed_id: 081a7b595759cdbceb6c95446f21c5e4
title: London Chinese Streets
uri: London-Chinese-Streets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28London_Chinese_Streets%29
content:
<p>
China is building a new embassy in London. The local council decided
to consider <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/19/uyghur-court-hong-kong-road-tower-hamlets-plans-name-changes-in-solidarity">renaming nearby places and roads</a> to Uyghur Court, Hong
Kong Road, Tibet Hill, and Tien An Men Square.
<p>
  I hope they push ahead with this plan.


feed_id: 1fc49467f62b384a293ef786dd64d246
title: Puerto Rico Self-Determination
uri: Puerto-Rico-Self-Determination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Puerto_Rico_Self-Determination%29
content:
<p>
The Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act would authorize Puerto Ricans
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/18/dems-introduce-bill-let-puerto-ricans-determine-their-own-political-future?cd-origin=rss">choose</a> statehood, independence, or various other options.


feed_id: 195c0ab3cb9ae30cd5919f4006fed61b
title: NYC BLM
uri: NYC-BLM
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28NYC_BLM%29
content:
<p>
Nine months after many New York City thugs attacked peaceful Black Lives
Matter protesters, <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/only-two-nypd-officers-face-serious-discipline-from-a-watchdogs-investigations-into-abuse-of-black-lives-matter-protesters">only two</a> thugs face some sort of legal proceedings.

<p>
  But these legal procedings are not real criminal charges.  The thug
department will hold a hearing to decide whether to punish them.  Perhaps
they will get slaps on the wrist.
<p>
Around 180 more cases are still being investigated, slowly, but unless
their acts of violence are taken more seriously than those two, thugs
in NYC will continue to feel perfectly safe punching and kicking
protesters.


feed_id: 290ba88b800fda9ca988ab18f82a7e6f
title: Unions change lives
uri: Unions-change-lives
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Unions_change_lives%29
content:
<p>
*8 People Describe How Unions <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/bvxqvm/why-unions-are-good-first-hand-accounts-of-how-unions-change-lives">Changed Their Lives</a>.*


feed_id: c11475c2cb4f718eec91c2353ba2921d
title: Big Music
uri: Big-Music
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Big_Music%29
content:
<p>
  *Big Music Needs to Be <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-big-music-needs-to-be-broken-up-to-save-the-industry/">Broken Up</a> to Save the Industry.*<p>


Also to smash its lobbying power, which it uses for repressive laws
such as the DMCA and worse.
<p>
Out, out, damned Spotify!  Please <a href="https://stallman.org/spotify.html">refuse to use it</a>.
<p>
The only ethical way to listen to music is by getting a copy
that has no DRM, without identifying yourself, and without making
the antisocial promise not to share.


feed_id: e7f58874fd7ffe87626a08a7f7191aae
title: People's Parity Project
uri: People-s-Parity-Project
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28People%27s_Parity_Project%29
content:
<p>
The People’s Parity Project aims to influence US courts and laws in a
progressive direction, <a href="https://prospect.org/justice/taking-on-corporate-law-in-both-parties/">working against</a> the right-wing Federalist Society.


feed_id: 2e84c75536274df4a2e5f87062211395
title: Israeli censorship
uri: Israeli-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Israeli_censorship%29
content:
<p>
An Israeli organization finances <a href="https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/nora-barrows-friedman/us-palestinian-activist-defeats-israeli-defamation-lawsuit">intimidation lawsuits</a> against people that
criticize the policies and/or actions of the occupation of Palestine.
One such lawsuit was defeated by California's anti-SLAPP law.


feed_id: a83998a64bb092adea633dc6cb959474
title: Vote against taking action for climate
uri: Vote-against-taking-action-for-climate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Vote_against_taking_action_for_climate%29

content:
<p>
Canada's Conservative Party voted <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/20/canada-conservative-party-climate-change-real">not to take action against global
heating</a>.


feed_id: b08cd973f0be4a1384f19781303ca36a
title: Cancellation of Philip Johnson
uri: Cancellation-of-Philip-Johnson
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Cancellation_of_Philip_Johnson%29
content:
<p>
Arguing against <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/21/moma-wants-to-cancel-philip-johnson-many-who-knew-him-do-not">cancellation of architect Philip Johnson</a>.

<p>
I don't recall that I ever heard of him before, and I have nothing to
say about him specifically, but I agree that we should not equate each
person to per worst mistake.


feed_id: 8fa5ea8ec3d60f9714bbe6c714b48f09
title: Censorship in museums
uri: Censorship-in-museums
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Censorship_in_museums%29
content:
<p>
Museums in Hong Kong <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/21/hong-kongs-arts-scene-shudders-as-beijing-draws-cultural-red-line">now face state censorship with vague rules</a>.

<p>
There is no way to be certain that any art work is not "subversive"
and criminal, so the M+ Museum should sell its entire collection
and open empty.


feed_id: bc49d03dff522a8bd826d24f31a36f55
title: Thug sentenced
uri: Thug-sentenced
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Thug_sentenced%29
content:
<p>
A UK thug who grabbed a woman on the street by her neck <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/19/west-midlands-police-officer-attacked-woman-pc-oliver-banfield">was sentenced
to a nighttime curfew, plus paying her a small sum of money</a>.

<p>
I think more is needed to reliably change his behavior, but I don't
know what sort of thing is effective with men that suffer from
irrational violent rage.  Perhaps psychotherapy could help.


feed_id: db80ab762b49c0a736842dda02cfe2bd
title: Soldiers on Android
uri: Soldiers-on-Android
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Soldiers_on_Android%29
content:
<p>
The British Army proposes that soldiers will communicate and get information
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/19/uk-military-to-unveil-shift-towards-hi-tech-warfare-as-cuts-bite">via mobile phones running Android</a>.

<p>
The article doesn't say whose phone network the soldiers would use, or
how they would stop it from triangulating on each of them &mdash; nor how
they would stop the enemy from getting their locations by cracking the
phone network.

<p>
I recall this sort of thing vaguely from the US, where officials said
that the army can save money by being smaller and yet be stronger by
using high-tech systems.  I think the high-tech systems ate up more money
than the savings.


feed_id: 95fe886daebc40df36cface75d972cd6
title: PRO Act passed
uri: PRO-Act-passed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28PRO_Act_passed%29
content:
<p>
The House passed a bill, the PRO Act, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/19/despite-fearmongering-business-interests-pro-act-will-not-destroy-gig-economy">which would give gig workers the right
to organize unions</a>.
  But that's all it would do for them.

<p>
In my view, it's a step forward but not enough.


feed_id: 1c9a0c37fba2bd54a3d11e6ca59e350a
title: Prosecuting Capitol attackers
uri: Prosecuting-Capitol-attackers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Prosecuting_Capitol_attackers%29
content:
<p>
Half of surveyed Republicans say <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/19/poll-large-majority-see-prosecution-insurrection-rioters-very-important">it is very important to prosecute the
people that attacked the Capitol</a>.

<p>
It would be interesting to know whether the Republicans who want to
prosecute are the ones that believe the attackers were Antifa.


feed_id: f2be1da184ad9731b29bc9b92a9405fb
title: Visiting border-crossing minors
uri: Visiting-border-crossing-minors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Visiting_border-crossing_minors%29
content:
<p>
A senator reports on visiting a building <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/19/sen-chris-murphy-fought-back-tears-visiting-detained-migrant-children-texas">where border-crossing minors
are kept</a>.
  The senator says that they are being treated decently given their numbers.

<p>
If children were held long-term in such places, the places would be
prisons.  Legally the government is supposed to send them to stay with
families within 72 hours, but it can't keep up.


feed_id: 5209a8e1bdc43d7afd07fe74f630d70b
title: Build Green bill
uri: Build-Green-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Build_Green_bill%29
content:
<p>
The "Build Green" infrastructure bill <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/19/democrats-unveil-build-green-infrastructure-and-jobs-act">would invest in electrification
of transportation in the US</a>.


feed_id: 2a29566163c0b8252c6a4ae2bdfe1b4b
title: Climate diplomacy
uri: Climate-diplomacy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Climate_diplomacy%29
content:
<p>
*For Biden's Climate Diplomacy to Be Successful Abroad, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/19/bidens-climate-diplomacy-be-successful-abroad-it-will-need-address-abusive">It Will Need Address
the Abusive Activities of U.S. Oil Companies in Africa</a>.*


feed_id: 913bc1950c11e7b7ec17eb7a328c0a08
title: Fanatical restaurant owner
uri: Fanatical-restaurant-owner
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Fanatical_restaurant_owner%29
content:
<p>
A fanatical restaurant owner in Michigan has been arrested <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/20/us/michigan-pizzeria-owner-arrest-covid-19-violations/index.html">for
persistently refusing to follow Covid safety guidelines and probably
spreading the disease</a>.


feed_id: e318778b9c2504fb13416323253c6fa4
title: Extending drugged war
uri: Extending-drugged-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Extending_drugged_war%29
content:
<p>
Biden is extending the drugged war <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/20/biden-pushes-colombia-restart-glyphosate-spraying-program">by pressuring Colombia to spray
glyphosate on coca farms</a>.


feed_id: ba89a9669c3f3904de5f85cd71d6226d
title: Public health
uri: Public-health
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Public_health%29
content:
<p>
*All Health <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/20/all-health-public-health">Is Public Health</a>.
  The pandemic has blown up the myth that
our health is largely a product of individual choices and personal
responsibilities.*

<p>
I agree with this proposal, more or less.  However, if we make
national sovereignty a foundational principle, we must recognize that
the rulers of countries can do things very badly.  The US was ruled
until January <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#2_September_2020_(Private_documents_from_the_saboteur_in_chief's_Covid-19_task_force)">by a covidiot who acted intentionally to spread
Covid-19</a>.
  Tanzania's late president was a Covid-19 denier and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/17/tanzanias-president-john-magufuli-dies-aged-61">may have died from
the disease he refused to recognize</a>.

<p>
Wealthier countries will not stand for funding the medical system of a
country which does not seriously aim to protect people's health.

<p>
National sovereignty and democracy don't guarantee that a system will
treat all the country's citizens with equal effort.  Prejudiced
majorities can be found in many countries.

<p>
Finally, plain old corruption can occur anywhere.

<p>
These potential problems do not constitute a reason to reject the
overall idea of the article.  But a proposed world medical system must
have a structure designed to reduce its vulnerability to these
problems &mdash; to discourage them rather than play into their hands.


feed_id: 8a1d958791e7c1758a7354b86ab150f1
title: Planet survival
uri: Planet-survival
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Planet_survival%29
content:
<p>
*The planet <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/19/planet-pursuit-profit-oil-companies-damage">cannot survive our remorseless pursuit of profit</a>.*


feed_id: 7e5328a4018bc8d9dc6ba57649734317
title: Reparations
uri: 2021-03-22-Reparations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28Reparations%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that the US owes reparations to Iraq <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/19/after-30-years-war-against-iraq-americans-must-make-reparations">for the damage it has
done</a>.

<p>
I agree that the US owes reparations for damages, but I disagree on
some secondary points.

<p>
The US did occupy Iraq for many years starting in 2003, but what the
US military has done in Iraq in recent years was help to defeat <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>.
The US government has not controlled the Iraqi government for a long
time &mdash; reportedly it has been friendlier to Iran than to the US.

<p>
Paying to rebuilding Iraq's infrastructure is not as simple as it
sounds.  This is not very different from the "nation building"
activities that the US made for some years after the conquest in
2003, and those funds were mostly siphoned off to corruption.

<p>
Funding the rebuilding of infrastructure <em>in the US</em> without having
the funds dissipated uselessly cannot be taken for granted.  To do so
in Iraq would be an amazing achievement.

<p>
Maybe the US could rebuild Iraq's medical system successfully.
That may be the most important infrastructure system to rebuild.


feed_id: e66ca5f77ce1c8cb0b96b4d35d6272ec
title: NYC BLM
uri: 2021-03-22-NYC-BLM
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28NYC_BLM%29
content:
<p>
Nine months after many New York City <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> attacked peaceful Black Lives
Matter protesters, <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/only-two-nypd-officers-face-serious-discipline-from-a-watchdogs-investigations-into-abuse-of-black-lives-matter-protesters">only two</a> thugs face some sort of legal proceedings.

<p>
  But these legal procedings are not real criminal charges.  The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>
department will hold a hearing to decide whether to punish them.  Perhaps
they will get slaps on the wrist.
<p>
Around 180 more cases are still being investigated, slowly, but unless
their acts of violence are taken more seriously than those two, <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
in NYC will continue to feel perfectly safe punching and kicking
protesters.


feed_id: d1786ceb6b13747e04746a27a511d930
title: The UK's mainstream right-wing press
uri: The-UK-s-mainstream-right-wing-press
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28The_UK%27s_mainstream_right-wing_press%29

content:
<p>

How the UK's "mainstream" right-wing press <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/21/racist-belligerent-media">supports racism</a> by targeting the weak and helpless.


feed_id: 3d03b281761fa0aebde861f72250b216
title: Miami Beach curfew
uri: Miami-Beach-curfew
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Miami_Beach_curfew%29
content:
<p>

Miami Beach <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/21/miami-beach-officials-impose-covid-curfew-to-curb-spring-break-chaos">declared a curfew</a> 8pm to 8am to stop crowds of covidiots
from getting drunk, destroying restaurant property, and making each
other sick.


feed_id: a19af30aeb8b28e72b318259330d0174
title: People of Asian descent
uri: People-of-Asian-descent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28People_of_Asian_descent%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/21/atlanta-shootings-racist-myths-lie-behind-the-rise-in-violence-against-asian-americans">Corrective information</a> about people of Asian or "Asian" descent in the
US.
<p>
What is occurring seems to be bigotry and hatred directed at people of
East Asian descent.  Whether we call them "Asians" or describe them
more accurately, the wrong of that hatred is the same.  But I like to
be accurate.


feed_id: 3255c81834ced28df15fe8203a762f0d
title: Putin's cyber-attacks
uri: Putin-s-cyber-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Putin%27s_cyber-attacks%29
content:
<p>

*Biden must punish Putin’s cyber-attacks. But [Britain's] building
more nukes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/21/biden-must-punish-putins-cyber-attacks-but-building-more-nukes-only-makes-things-worse">only makes things worse</a>.*
<p>
The US has a strong interest in limiting nuclear weapons, and if it
throws that away to punish Putin, it would put itself (and the rest of
the world) in more danger.  That is not a rational way to punish Putin?
<p>
Giving Germany something in exchange for its agreement to cancel the
new pipeline, and with it the planned increase in fossil fuel purchase
from Russia, would address two problems at once.


feed_id: 125f037a07ae53e4cdbb753e890017d7
title: The cult of the invisible hand
uri: The-cult-of-the-invisible-hand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28The_cult_of_the_invisible_hand%29
content:
<p>

Mark Carney, until recently head of the Bank of England, has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/mar/21/values-by-mark-carney-review-call-for-a-new-kind-of-economics">excoriated
the cult of the invisible hand</a>.
His book, Value(s), calls for *fairness between the generations, in
the distribution of income and of life chances.*
<p>
Fairness in the distribution of income is crucial &mdash; it means that
nobody should be painfully poor.  Without that, we would have the
frequent error of believing that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_March_2020_(Upward_social_mobility)">"social mobility"</a> is enough to make a
society good.


feed_id: 851cd66743e6674d76f0b91bd57576ed
title: Relationship education
uri: Relationship-education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Relationship_education%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/20/how-to-teach-young-people-about-sex-and-relationships-by-the-experts">"Relationship education"</a> is an advance in regard to teaching people
what not to do in connection with sex and romance.
Still missing is teaching people in practical terms how to find
their way towards joyous love.  Without that, people either stumble
upon it by chance, or fall into loneliness.


feed_id: 49917d8a944a68bba0e7b9309118972a
title: Smartphone tracking apps
uri: Smartphone-tracking-apps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Smartphone_tracking_apps%29
content:
<p>

Japan now requires people entering the country to have or acquire a smartphone
and <a href="https://soranews24.com/2021/03/19/travelers-entering-japan-will-have-to-install-location-confirmation-app-skype-on-smartphones/">install some tracking apps on it</a>.
<p>
This is not as bad as it first appears, because the requirement is
only for the duration of the mandatory quarantine.  Tracking your movements
is not harmful when you never go anywhere.
<p>
The harm that remains even if you're staying always in the same place
is that the phone can listen to your conversations all the time.


feed_id: 4acae56d632bd146fecc481bc1dd8db6
title: China military Tesla cars
uri: 2021-03-23-China-military-Tesla-cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#22_March_2021_%28China_military_Tesla_cars%29
content:
<p>
China has banned Tesla cars from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/20/elon-musk-denies-teslas-used-for-spying-after-chinas-military-bans-cars-from-bases">entering military bases</a>.
<p>
I think that is wise.  Maybe Tesla doesn't normally use the cameras in
its cars for spying, but it would be foolish to trust any car not to
spy.
<p>
We should not trust them either.  Rather, we should require cars to be
designed so that they <em>can't</em> spy on what is around them.


feed_id: 85b3c777a7ed1b4bb08a786b0f16e190
title: Trawling
uri: Trawling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Trawling%29
content:
<p>
The UK has banned trawling in a coastal area, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/22/trawl-fishing-ban-off-sussex-coast-aims-to-restore-seaweed-forests">hoping that this will
enable kelp to regrow</a>.


feed_id: 68d22f11ed191c25afc4f4effb04d93e
title: Handcuffed until after his wife was dead
uri: Handcuffed-until-after-his-wife-was-dead
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Handcuffed_until_after_his_wife_was_dead%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> in Georgia kept Mario Gonzalez in handcuffs in a squad car for
four hours after his wife (and others) were shot.  They didn't release
him until long after they had caught the killer &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/22/atlanta-spa-shootings-mario-gonzalez-detained-police">and until after his
wife was dead</a>.


feed_id: 092752cdc85c6370887442ea898eacbe
title: Withholding aid
uri: Withholding-aid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Withholding_aid%29
content:
<p>
*   We have to act on the Rwandan regime’s human rights abuses, but
   withholding aid <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/22/keep-foreign-aid-decisions-separate-from-moral-judgments">is unlikely to help the general population</a>.*


feed_id: d366d726e2905c8f43d268e8e0bf4a04
title: Negotiating ceasefire
uri: Negotiating-ceasefire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Negotiating_ceasefire%29
content:
<p>
Salafi Arabia and the Houthis <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/22/saudi-arabia-proposes-ceasefire-plan-to-yemens-houthi-rebels">are negotiating about a cease fire
and end to the blockade</a>.

<p>
I don't see any reason to insist that the Houthis receive no arms.
Nothing stops <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> from receiving arms.  In my view, Salafi
Arabia is in no way morally superior to the Houthis; one can argue it
is inferior.


feed_id: 077ecf6a1ad3b841b03d72b67f342985
title: Journalists and migrant children
uri: Journalists-and-migrant-children
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Journalists_and_migrant_children%29

content:
<p>
The border thugs are not allowing journalists into the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/20/media/biden-border-transparency/index.html">places where
migrant children are being held</a>.

<p>
Journalists must be allowed to photograph the conditions, and should
have a chance to talk with the children too.  Protecting the children
from Covid-19 is indeed important, but I expect that methods can be
designed for that.  For instance, the journalists could be required
to use use medical level PPE and show recent negative Covid-19 tests.


feed_id: 9b94aa4efe16fdc29dbf8500fbef9d86
title: Arctic ice already melting
uri: Arctic-ice-already-melting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Arctic_ice_already_melting%29
content:
<p>
The Arctic ice is melting extra early this year.  Usually icebreakers
can start crossing the northernmost part of Siberia in July.  This
year, <a href="https://boingboing.net/2021/03/19/arctic-shipping-routes-are-melting-early-its-good-for-trade-but-not-the-planet.html">one did it in February</a>.

<p>
This is a measure of the approach of climate disaster.  Many animal species
will be in big trouble without polar ice near the land.


feed_id: b696b8fc375710fe86cb7ae9e5b77d89
title: Beating up, then charging of attack
uri: Beating-up-then-charging-of-attack
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Beating_up%2C_then_charging_of_attack%29

content:
<p>
Two Florida <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> beat up and injured a man then charged him with
attacking one of them.  <a href="https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/i-team-investigates/home-surveillance-camera-shows-officer-lied-on-report-when-charging-man-with-major-crimes">Video proved the thugs were lying</a>.

<p>
Both <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> had had prior complaints, but that did nothing to stop them
from committing crimes.  Because of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>' political influence, the
system bends over backwards to protect them.


feed_id: dad4cabf6c31a30235d33cfe1daaa52f
title: Legalizing marijuana
uri: 2021-03-23-Legalizing-marijuana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Legalizing_marijuana%29
content:
<p>
Legalizing marijuana creates jobs, increases tax revenue, <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2021/03/16/976265525/the-data-on-legalizing-weed">and reduces
opioid abuse</a>.

<p>
I expect that it saves many people from the fate of being convicted of
possession of marijuana, but I don't have a reference to verify that.


feed_id: 6f7078cb647ada5773d8d759e6b64752
title: Megamerger of railroads
uri: Megamerger-of-railroads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Megamerger_of_railroads%29
content:
<p>
Two large US railroads <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/21/investing/canadian-pacific-kansas-city-southern-merger/index.html">want to merge</a>.

<p>
We should not be run over by another megamerger.
The government should stop it.


feed_id: ed0f94794587576ccf9174c72fc1e31b
title: Reconciling appreciation and reprehension
uri: Reconciling-appreciation-and-reprehension
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Reconciling_appreciation_and_reprehension%29

content:
<p>
On reconciling appreciation of Winston Churchill's tremendous
achievement &mdash; defeating Nazi Germany &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/21/a-rightful-re-examination-of-winston-churchill-reputation">with reprehension for his
racism and his support for dooH niboR</a>.


feed_id: 9085f68d24f79849af912f812f7ccc12
title: Designed to give handouts
uri: Designed-to-give-handouts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Designed_to_give_handouts%29
content:
<p>
The new Canada Infrastructure Bank <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/21/justin-trudeaus-new-public-bank-delivers-investors-not-us">is designed to give handouts to
big business</a>.


feed_id: 90d2237d0296b864ee9f4f609ab017e6
title: Disregarding vote registration forms
uri: Disregarding-vote-registration-forms
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Disregarding_vote_registration_forms%29

content:
<p>
Georgia disregarded the voter registration forms of thousands of
Korean-Americans, and used outrageous criminal charged <a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/voting-gangnam-style-the-rise-of-kim-crow/">to shut down
their voter registration organization</a>.


feed_id: 8c1c1c2498f58d0e66461fdfd316798f
title: Privatizing Medicare
uri: Privatizing-Medicare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Privatizing_Medicare%29
content:
<p>
In December, the wrecker's minions started a plan to literally
privatize Medicare.  If Biden does not stop it, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/13/advocates-sound-alarm-over-quiet-trump-era-move-could-further-privatize-medicare">it will continue to
run</a>.

<p>
But things were not ok in Medicare before that.  Years ago, Democrats
approved an insurance industry plan to embrace, extend and undermine
Medicare: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/13/perfidy-meets-putty-congressional-democrats-betray-voters">"Medicare Advantage" plans</a>, 
  described here by Ralph Nader.

<p>
Nader is being a little too harsh here.  On a radio program on March 5
he said that Sanders was giving single-payer medical care low priority
for now because Biden said he would veto it, so Sanders decided to
push on other issues where he thought progress was possible.

<p>
In that program, Nader and his guest, Kay Tillo, explained why and how
"Medicare advantage" plans are a trap: they cost less for people who
don't have major medical problems, <a href="https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/medicare-plans-better-called-medicare-disadvantage-plans">but cover less for those who do</a>.
   And if you make that choice when you are 65, your preexisting
conditions may deny you the option to switch to the older "medigap"
option back when "Medicare advantage" becomes expensive.

<p>
Since then, progressive Democrats <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/17/public-citizen-statement-medicare-all-act-2021">have introduced a single-payer bill</a>.


feed_id: 162516920a7bfbf9caf527d3b75b775f
title: Ethical online shops
uri: Ethical-online-shops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_March_2021_%28Ethical_online_shops%29
content:
<p>
There are many on-line shops <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/mar/21/alternatives-to-amazon-that-deliver-on-value-and-ethics">that try to be ethical alternatives to
Amazon</a>.

<p>
I appreciate many of the ways in which these stores try to be more
ethical.  (I do not wish to be vegan, though.)

<p>
However, they are all spoiled by not offering the two primary
dimensions of ethical treatment of the customer: (1) anonymous
purchase and (2) not imposing use of nonfree software.  So I decline
to use them.

<p>
Aside from that, when buying clothing, food or books I generally want
to see the product before deciding.  With clothing I want to try it
on.  With prepared food, I want to taste it.  With a book, I want to
browse it.  Nowadays it is hard to try on clothes even in a physical
store, and hard to taste the food, but I hope that will come back.


feed_id: b7b7953e650d06d64d3cb0707ff1e39d
title: Old convictions
uri: Old-convictions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#24_March_2021_%28Old_convictions%29
content:
<p>
Builders in the UK went on strike in 1972 and were prosecuted for
picketing.  Just now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2021/mar/23/shrewsbury-24-industrial-action-47-year-fight-justice">an appeals court threw out the convictions</a>.


feed_id: 0ca66e251b4b82bf47fee3fb60e6eca4
title: Peak meat
uri: 2021-03-24-Peak-meat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#24_March_2021_%28Peak_meat%29
content:
<p>
*Europe and US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/23/europe-and-us-could-reach-peak-meat-in-2025-report">could reach 'peak meat’ in 2025</a>.*

<p>
I doubt I will ever eat imitation meat &mdash; but lots of vegetables that
are proud to be vegetables are delicious.


feed_id: 9c63e435fac960be15d1e2e94d4409ec
title: Stamp cartridges
uri: Stamp-cartridges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#24_March_2021_%28Stamp_cartridges%29
content:
<p>
California is trying to spearhead requiring new guns to stamp
cartridges <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/23/california-gun-control-microstamping-bullet-casings">to show which gun fired them</a>.

<p>
It seems like a good idea to me.


feed_id: 74f6b8b4150851ab6bbf2de4190883c0
title: Fraudulent constructions
uri: Fraudulent-constructions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#24_March_2021_%28Fraudulent_constructions%29
content:
<p>
The Tories rejected the amendment to save flat owners from paying
enormous sums <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/mar/22/mps-defeat-bid-to-save-leaseholders-from-huge-fire-safety-bills">to repair fraudulent construction that made their buildings
unsafe</a>.


feed_id: 18c9c8f12d67f93e0fb784e0cfd2fabd
title: Merger between Penguin and Simon & Schuster
uri: Merger-between-Penguin-and-Simon-Schuster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#24_March_2021_%28Merger_between_Penguin_and_Simon_%26_Schuster%29

content:
<p>
A proposed merger between Penguin and Simon & Schuster <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/mar/22/authors-fear-the-worst-if-bertelsmann-takes-over-simon-schuster">would be bad
for everyone else, including authors</a>.

<p>
The advocates of increased concentration of industry will always say
that the merger of X and Y will make it big enough to compete better
with giant Z.  But that path leads to fewer and bigger companies.  The
right way to eliminate Z's advantage over X and Y is to make Z smaller
or split it up!


feed_id: bc6985d34b9e5155492cefd90340fbaa
title: Critics of government
uri: Critics-of-government
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#24_March_2021_%28Critics_of_government%29
content:
<p>
Critics of the Iraqi government <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/21/world/iraq-arrest-ibrahim-al-sumaidaie-yahya-al-kubaisi-intl-latam/index.html">face arrest for insulting officials</a>.

<p>
Such prosecution is unjust in Iraq, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-mar-jun.html#29_June_2013_(Ecuador_as_a_refuge_for_Snowden)">but also in other countries</a>.


feed_id: 5bc694e04c7dba55e821cc69eeffd084
title: Pressure to decarbonize
uri: Pressure-to-decarbonize
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#24_March_2021_%28Pressure_to_decarbonize%29
content:
<p>
A large consortium of investors <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/22/52-trillion-investor-coalition-release-net-zero-ratings-biggest-global-polluters">is coordinating to pressure companies
to decarbonize</a>.


feed_id: ae6a794727eb01514c74f030dc143c6a
title: Deepfake cheating
uri: Deepfake-cheating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#24_March_2021_%28Deepfake_cheating%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/ai-researcher-warns-deepfake-videos-of-him-cheating-on-1846514330">satire</a>) *AI Researcher Warns Deepfake Videos Of Him Cheating On Wife
Will Become More Common.*

<p>
I think that the possessiveness presumed by the article is a harmful
way of thinking.  I decided before 1980 never to be possessive about
someone I have a romantic and/or sexual relationship with.


feed_id: a8e04a0764270ae0b3cbeeb1350030c8
title: Not reporting all income
uri: Not-reporting-all-income
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#24_March_2021_%28Not_reporting_all_income%29
content:
<p>
*Richest 1% of US Households <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/22/tax-evasion-richest-1-us-households-dont-report-21-their-income-analysis-finds">Don't Report 21% of Their
Income</a>* 
  in total.

<p>
This does not mean that each of those taxpayers hides 21% of per income.
Some hide less, and some hide more.

<p>
Finding the enormous unreported sums requires careful and targeted
effort.  It is much easier to audit a few poor people who are hiding
small amounts so that they can survive.


feed_id: e57980197b0e44199201e273325ec844
title: Paygo law
uri: Paygo-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#24_March_2021_%28Paygo_law%29
content:
<p>
The "Paygo" law which imposes automatic budget cuts <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/22/progressives-demand-permanent-repeal-self-defeating-paygo-law-automatic-medicare">threatens Medicare
funds</a>.

<p>
Obama signed this Republican law, demonstrating what it means to be
"centrist" and seek "bipartisanship".


feed_id: cbc76614b01e4f76aa57adf04df895c6
title: Protesters attacking cops
uri: Protesters-attacking-cops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#24_March_2021_%28Protesters_attacking_cops%29
content:
<p>
A large protest was held in Bristol UK repression of protests and the
plans to restrict them more.  The protesters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/22/twelve-police-officers-injured-in-bristol-kill-the-bill-protests">attacked cops violently and
injured some severely</a>.

<p>
Bristol is a rather leftish city which elects a Green representative
to Parliament, so it makes sense that a big protest would happen there,
and that local officials would support the purpose.

<p>
I expect the violence did harm to the cause of defending the right to
protest, because it will allow the cops (who did not, it seems, act
like <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> on this occasion) a justification for the claim they need
more powers &mdash; which would enable the to repress nonviolent protests
more in the future,

<p>
It is not a valid justification, but they will make use of it anyway.

<p>
The left needs to adopt disciplined nonviolence, such as it employed
effectively in the 60s and 70s in the US, and reject "black bloc"
tactics.  As long as it does not, it is vulnerable both to hot-headded
supporters and to right-wing provocateurs.


feed_id: 7e206f7e9ecd3dbce670e7285fe0a6f7
title: Sending fleet to provoke
uri: Sending-fleet-to-provoke
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#24_March_2021_%28Sending_fleet_to_provoke%29
content:
<p>
China sent 200 vessels (boats, I suppose, rather than ships) to a reef
in disputed waters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/22/south-china-sea-philippines-200-chinese-vessels-whitsun-reef">as a provocation against the Philippines</a>.

<p>
I don't know whether it is true, as claimed, that their crews are
militias, but if they aren't this time, they will be in the future.

<p>
China has an advantage in this confrontation because it can mass its
forces at any point, whereas the countries it is attacking cannot
easily do so.

<p>
Sending 200 probably armed small vessels separately into Philippine
waters at once would be even more troublesome.


feed_id: 7e9cc2ff6fa95e85073facd8bd4c6fe3
title: Endorsing theft of elections
uri: Endorsing-theft-of-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#24_March_2021_%28Endorsing_theft_of_elections%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker has endorsed theft of elections by pushing to replace
Raffensperger <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/22/donald-trump-brad-raffensperger-primary-challenge-georgia-jody-hice">with an election official that endorses theft</a>
   as well as <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#2_January_2020_(Victory_for_voter_suppression)">voter-suppression</a>.


feed_id: 98aa567fbc2b7cce073e00fe2f14823b
title: Putting asylum seekers in prison
uri: Putting-asylum-seekers-in-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#24_March_2021_%28Putting_asylum_seekers_in_prison%29

content:
<p>
The UK is considering putting asylum seekers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/22/as-uk-considers-offshore-asylum-plan-why-australias-system-was-a-dangerous-failure">into an island prison, perhaps
forever</a>.


feed_id: 8b6548cb3368f7c4c3f6a231810fd4d6
title: Addressing root causes of migration
uri: Addressing-root-causes-of-migration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#24_March_2021_%28Addressing_root_causes_of_migration%29

content:
<p>
US officials will go to Guatemala to "address root causes of migration
in the region <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/22/senior-us-biden-officials-mexico-guatemala-border">and build a more hopeful future in the region</a>."

<p>
If they are sincere about this, the US could alleviate a lot of suffering that
it helped to cause.  But one can't take for granted that they are sincere.


feed_id: 0c4c05b0a5419d112debafd630550392
title: Lawyer put under house arrest
uri: Lawyer-put-under-house-arrest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28Lawyer_put_under_house_arrest%29
content:
<p>

An interview with Steven Donziger, the lawyer <a href="https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a35812573/steven-donziger-chevron-house-arrest/">put under house arrest</a>
by an evidently biased US judge for representing indigenous people in
Ecuador against Chevron.
<p>
I wish that sort of thing happened <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_November_2019_(Lula_freed_from_prison)">only in Brazil</a>.


feed_id: 6f2c8dd46711fd63f62843c83b7edd97
title: Florida law would repress protests
uri: Florida-law-would-repress-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28Florida_law_would_repress_protests%29

content:
<p>

A proposed Florida law would repress protests by jailing
all participants in a protest if <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/23/desantis-wants-silence-jail-his-opponents-dont-let-him">anyone commits a crime of violence</a>.


feed_id: 1b10ca35c30f00fff6ca881d14e2af8d
title: (satire) 10-year letter delivery
uri: (satire)-10-year-letter-delivery
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28%28satire%29_10-year_letter_delivery%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *USPS Announces <a href="https://www.theonion.com/usps-announces-10-year-plan-to-deliver-letter-1846538308">10-Year Plan</a> To Deliver Letter.*
<p>
It's an exaggeration, but <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/23/democrats-warn-dejoys-new-10-year-plan-guarantees-death-spiral-us-postal-service">the reality is bad enough</a>.


feed_id: e9ce9be9cef989d368f2cecb964a7d1f
title: (satire) Naps while working from home
uri: (satire)-Naps-while-working-from-home
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28%28satire%29_Naps_while_working_from_home%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *HR Warns Employees Against Taking <a href="https://www.theonion.com/hr-warns-employees-against-taking-unsanctioned-8-hour-n-1846513384">Unsanctioned 8-Hour Naps</a>
Every Night While Working From Home.*


feed_id: 3c8c8247f9df6b9349f43ea9af260a2f
title: The Second Amendment
uri: 2021-03-25-The-Second-Amendment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28The_Second_Amendment%29
content:
<p>

The words of the founders make it clear that the purpose of the Second
Amendment was to allow slave states to keep the militias that they used
for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/23/boulder-it-time-end-second-amendment">suppressing slave revolts</a>.
<p>
Now that we don't allow slavery, that purpose is irrelevant.  If the
Second Amendment were interpreted as limited to state-regulated
militias, it would become basically harmless.


feed_id: 3d9e69c057af94ff06b6bf3344159fa1
title: Summer weather for half a year
uri: Summer-weather-for-half-a-year
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28Summer_weather_for_half_a_year%29
content:
<p>

*By the end of the century, summer weather could last <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/23/weather/climate-change-hotter-summers-trnd/index.html">half a year</a> (and
that's not a good thing).*
<p>
All sorts of pests would chow down, and winter would hardly slow them
down.


feed_id: 78db30f88566efca49978bc00bc3db87
title: (satire) Suicide prevention
uri: (satire)-Suicide-prevention
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28%28satire%29_Suicide_prevention%29
content:
<p>

(satire) *A lack of adequate
   bridge maintenance [is] the <a href="https://www.theonion.com/report-nation-s-collapsed-bridges-save-hundreds-of-ame-1846528770">most reliable form of suicide prevention</a>
   available in the United States.*


feed_id: f56768c3d7dc06b6b152366f18b4a527
title: Ending Covid-19 restrictions
uri: Ending-Covid-19-restrictions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28Ending_Covid-19_restrictions%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/22/cdc-head-sounds-alarm-new-covid-cases-surge-states-across-us">Ending Covid-19 restrictions</a> in the US now will lead to an own goal.
It is a sign of immaturity, of Americans and our political system
that it can't hold out some months longer to prevent another surge of
cases &mdash; and perhaps a new variant that could be a big setback in
eliminating Covid-19.


feed_id: 205d50f9ce1d44d0efd1b924a255ec40
title: When "biomass" means wood chips
uri: When-biomass-means-wood-chips
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28When_biomass_means_wood_chips%29
content:
<p>

When "biomass" means wood chips, it is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/23/green-groups-dispute-power-station-claim-biomass-carbon-neutral">not a renewable fuel</a>.
Due to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> effects, the trees being cut down now
may be a permanent loss.


feed_id: 2d5462c109d5c7b78873773104597321
title: Export terminal for fracked gas
uri: Export-terminal-for-fracked-gas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28Export_terminal_for_fracked_gas%29
content:
<p>

Activists celebrate the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/22/good-day-be-human-being-activists-welcome-cancellation-texas-lng-terminal">cancellation of a proposed export terminal</a> for
fracked gas, and bizarrely cite only the local damage it would have
caused.
<p>
Don't be a NIMBY: oppose all new fossil fuel infrastructure no matter
where it may be!


feed_id: bab872d574c930439c5bc9935c6ff9e2
title: Botched evidence certification
uri: Botched-evidence-certification
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28Botched_evidence_certification%29
content:
<p>

*Massachusetts DA seeks to vacate thousands of drug convictions connected to
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/22/us/suffolk-county-da-hinton-lab/index.html">botched evidence certification</a> at state lab.*
<p>
The forensic lab which tested their possessions for drugs employed
chemists found to be messing up the testing.


feed_id: 51cf21613811157d8de0aff0ebd010bc
title: Sportswashing sponsorships
uri: Sportswashing-sponsorships
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28Sportswashing_sponsorships%29
content:
<p>

*Climate Polluters Pour Billions Into Hundreds of <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/22/climate-polluters-pour-billions-hundreds-sportswashing-sponsorships-report">'Sportswashing'
Sponsorships</a>.*
<p>
There is nothing particularly healthful about watching spectator sports.
These artificial struggles for a meaningless "victory" are a distraction
from real struggles over something important.


feed_id: 9ff2c905a724f7c2489765e68ae80377
title: Marine Ecosystems
uri: Marine-Ecosystems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28Marine_Ecosystems%29
content:
<p>

*Experts Urge World Leaders to '<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/22/experts-urge-world-leaders-put-marine-ecosystems-heart-climate-policy">Put Marine Ecosystems at the Heart of Climate
Policy'</a>.*
<p>
A billion human beings depend on oceans and seas for food.
<p>
Lakes are warming faster than oceans.  Warming of the depths of Lake Michigan
is <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/22/weather/climate-change-warm-waters-lake-michigan/index.html">harming native species</a> and aiding intrusive species.


feed_id: 6ad8cf680eda45e39eb2a7b0adfb9747
title: (satire) U.S. Borders
uri: (satire)-U-S-Borders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28%28satire%29_U.S._Borders%29
content:
<p>

(satire) *Biden Claims It’s <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/biden-claims-it-s-unfair-to-attack-administration-over-1846528578">Unfair To Attack Administration</a> Over
U.S. Borders That Were Created By [President] James K. Polk.*


feed_id: b6af06ea249c048ba307446d729ffb1d
title: A few hundred angry protesters
uri: A-few-hundred-angry-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28A_few_hundred_angry_protesters%29
content:
<p>

An eye-witness in Bristol (England) describes how a few hundred very
angry protesters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/22/a-game-of-two-halves-how-bristol-protest-went-from-calm-to-mayhem">started a violent riot</a> after a peaceful protest
(against repression by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>) of 3,000 people.
<p>
We on the left who denounce injustice need to keep the violent
protesters at a distance, if we can't convince them to contain
themselves on the occasions of our peaceful protests.
<p>
I understand why marginalized people can burst into anger, because I
have done so myself.  They have a lot to be angry about.  But they
need to develop the self-control needed to win their fight.


feed_id: fb7cd1dcebc449920590211e715f09e6
title: No reasonable person would believe election fraud claims
uri: No-reasonable-person-would-believe-election-fraud-claims
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28No_reasonable_person_would_believe_election_fraud_claims%29

content:
<p>

A lawyer that sued on behalf of the wrecker's campaign, claiming that
the election had been stolen from the wrecker, now says <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/23/sidney-powell-trump-election-fraud-claims">no reasonable person would have believed her claims</a>.
<p>
Lots of supporters of the wrecker took them seriously.  I guess she
claims they are not reasonable persons.


feed_id: 9c3f2de87626b00cfb8fc27f37aa31b6
title: Death threat against UN's Khashoggi investigator
uri: Death-threat-against-UN-s-Khashoggi-investigator
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28Death_threat_against_UN%27s_Khashoggi_investigator%29

content:
<p>

*Top Saudi official issued <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/23/top-saudi-official-issued-death-threat-against-uns-khashoggi-investigator">death threat against UN's Khashoggi investigator</a>.*


feed_id: 3c076f10c7706b726da721be418d8f1f
title: US Freedom House ratings
uri: US-Freedom-House-ratings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28US_Freedom_House_ratings%29
content:
<p>

The US has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/24/us-world-democracy-rankings-freedom-house-new-low">sunk 11 points</a> in 10 years in the Freedom House ratings
of how democratic a country is.


feed_id: 229481a88e08b47c26b878a285e94869
title: Virginia's death penalty
uri: Virginia-s-death-penalty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#25_March_2021_%28Virginia%27s_death_penalty%29
content:
<p>

Virginia has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/24/virginia-abolishes-ultimate-denial-human-rights-death-penalty">eliminated the death penalty</a>.


feed_id: a6759cc6f36bc0dcaf455a7d267d3497
title: Suing critics for libel
uri: Suing-critics-for-libel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#26_March_2021_%28Suing_critics_for_libel%29
content:
<p>
How Singapore crushes criticism of the powerful: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/25/singapore-blogger-ordered-to-pay-nearly-us100000-damages-to-pm-for-facebook-post">suing critics for libel
when they post newspaper articles</a>.


feed_id: d0f19e876347ac7e8247f07b2faafe82
title: Prevent nuclear war
uri: Prevent-nuclear-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#26_March_2021_%28Prevent_nuclear_war%29
content:
<p>
*The Urgent Need for a Biden-Putin Summit:* <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/23/urgent-need-biden-putin-summit">to prevent nuclear war</a>.


feed_id: 62b132c381d1dadb6b0615ee8a969ede
title: Punishing boat people
uri: Punishing-boat-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#26_March_2021_%28Punishing_boat_people%29
content:
<p>
The UK is going to punish boat people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/23/migrants-entering-uk-illegally-to-be-liable-for-removal-at-any-time">by never giving them permanent
asylum</a>.


feed_id: e4ca5c97c2b34234ab5153114d6e99ce
title: New oil and gas exploration
uri: New-oil-and-gas-exploration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#26_March_2021_%28New_oil_and_gas_exploration%29
content:
<p>
*UK government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/24/uk-government-to-allow-new-north-sea-oil-and-gas-exploration">to allow new North Sea oil and gas exploration</a>.*

<p>
This is supposedly in exchange for a promise by "industry" to cut its
emissions by 50%.  But which emissions would be cut?  Only those by
the fossil fuel businesses themselves, I suspect.  Emissions by users
of fossil fuels would probably increase a lot more than their
emissions would decrease.


feed_id: d0431910dac382990182d3d4add5b2a6
title: One step away from starvation
uri: One-step-away-from-starvation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#26_March_2021_%28One_step_away_from_starvation%29
content:
<p>
*Over 30 million people '<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/24/over-30-million-people-one-step-away-from-starvation-un-warns">one step away from starvation</a>', UN warns.*


feed_id: ac727612fa96566ec3d787b7d2fb472f
title: Trust has gone
uri: Trust-has-gone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#26_March_2021_%28Trust_has_gone%29
content:
<p>
*Europe's trust in Britain has gone. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/24/trust-britain-covid-vaccine-compromise">We're now a problem, not a partner</a>.*


feed_id: 36f80aa5bfcd42b36c4f22c946faf2a5
title: Staying home strike
uri: Staying-home-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#26_March_2021_%28Staying_home_strike%29
content:
<p>
Burmese oppositionists are now using <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/24/myanmar-military-releases-600-coup-protesters-as-silence-strike-begins">a general strike and staying home
as a replacement for visible protests</a>.


feed_id: 0478a3235aa208dd072ebc12a5737c13
title: In danger of collapsing
uri: In-danger-of-collapsing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#26_March_2021_%28In_danger_of_collapsing%29
content:
<p>
Somalia is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/24/in-somalia-the-gun-is-cocked-for-more-bloodshed-could-this-time-be-different">in danger of collapsing again</a>.


feed_id: 6d4c845e0b6214886f8f577df0cdcce1
title: Positive feedback loop
uri: Positive-feedback-loop
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#26_March_2021_%28Positive_feedback_loop%29
content:
<p>
Another positive feedback loop for global heating: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/24/soils-ability-to-absorb-carbon-emissions-may-be-overestimated-study">soil absorbs less
carbon than was expected</a>.


feed_id: 555b020574cb452dfa7a9f282c7ad9ae
title: Thugs
uri: 2021-03-29-Thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#28_March_2021_%28Thugs%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Police Say
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/police-say-dead-homeless-individual-threatened-them-wit-1846528777">Dead
Homeless Individual Threatened Them With Weapon As Far As You
Know</a>.*


feed_id: 5c21e77258d353d93c4bce7e59a9b815
title: Housing speculators
uri: Housing-speculators
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#28_March_2021_%28Housing_speculators%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/23/targeting-new-zealands-property-speculators-is-popular-but-wont-fix-the-housing-crisis">moved
hard against the housing speculators</a>.
<p>
This is good, but New Zealand (like many other places) needs to build
a lot more places for people to live, in concentrated form near public
transport.


feed_id: ba747da9595ae3127da3334a22fd2760
title: Deep job losses and benefits lags
uri: Deep-job-losses-and-benefits-lags
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#28_March_2021_%28Deep_job_losses_and_benefits_lags%29

content:
<p>
*Deep job losses and benefits lags have meant an increase in homeless
Americans, and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/25/pandemic-fuels-rise-in-us-homelessness">shelters
have struggled to keep up</a>.*


feed_id: 1a2d76e8cec11af500362afd7cac56a7
title: Blackrock endangers overall economy
uri: Blackrock-endangers-overall-economy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#28_March_2021_%28Blackrock_endangers_overall_economy%29

content:
<p>
Senator Warren is pushing for closer oversight of Blackrock, because
it is so big it
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/24/warren-grills-yellen-over-why-9-trillion-blackrock-not-treated-risk-economy">endangers
the overall economy</a>.
<p>
I think this is a good first step, but the right thing to do is make
Blackrock split up.  And other large companies in this and other
fields.


feed_id: 4f7b9d9e29e0f944c82282a6f4871e57
title: Toxic chemicals from US military
uri: Toxic-chemicals-from-US-military
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#28_March_2021_%28Toxic_chemicals_from_US_military%29

content:
<p>
*The US military is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/25/us-military-toxic-chemicals-us-states">poisoning
[low-income] communities</a> across the US with toxic chemicals.*


feed_id: 10ca70f3e13aba6f21aa94e778cadcf1
title: Voter-suppression and gerrymandering
uri: 2021-03-29-Voter-suppression-and-gerrymandering
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#28_March_2021_%28Voter-suppression_and_gerrymandering%29

content:
<p>
Republicans are stepping up both voter-suppression and gerrymandering
in an all-out push to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/25/us-voting-rights-threats-voter-suppression-republicans-stacey-abrams">make
it impossible to vote them out of office</a>.


feed_id: 6016cd8bd4289941f8509094bf231d36
title: American bald eagles
uri: American-bald-eagles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#28_March_2021_%28American_bald_eagles%29
content:
<p>
*American bald eagles have made
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/25/american-bald-eagles-strong-return-extinction">'strong
return' from brink of extinction</a>.*
<p>
We can protect a species, with effort.  But the main cause of
extinction is loss of habitat.  That means we have to stop the actions
that make habitats unlivable for their wildlife.


feed_id: 06e22ef7e0a3e56a3fd896c9a49d1e57
title: Having thugs in schools
uri: Having-thugs-in-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#28_March_2021_%28Having_thugs_in_schools%29
content:
<p>
*Having police in schools is emblematic of a society headed in the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/25/police-in-schools-emblematic-society-wrong-direction">wrong
direction</a>.*


feed_id: 2e2ca4acb7185ac690cdea7e597887c8
title: LA thugs evict homeless people's encampment
uri: LA-thugs-evict-homeless-people-s-encampment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#28_March_2021_%28LA_thugs_evict_homeless_peoples_encampment%29

content:
<p>
Los Angeles <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/25/los-angeles-police-homeless-encampment-clash">forcibly
evicted</a> a large homeless people's encampment.


feed_id: 1b8dc0413c3157e0afa0ca6a6ac8c381
title: Urgent: Make Washington, DC, a state
uri: Urgent-Make-Washington-DC-a-state
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#28_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Make_Washington%2C_DC%2C_a_state%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/dc-statehood-now/">call
on Congress</a> to make Washington, DC, a state.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!
<p>
(satire) *National Support Grows To
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/national-support-grows-to-give-north-dakota-s-statehood-1846529068">Give
North Dakota’s Statehood To D.C.</a>*


feed_id: 71e17e99e5c0a243b5063670f320bcba
title: Urgent: American Dream and Promise Act
uri: Urgent-American-Dream-and-Promise-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#28_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_American_Dream_and_Promise_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/dreamers2021/">call
on Congress</a> to pass the American Dream and Promise Act, which
would give non-citizens brought to the US as children a path to become
US citizens.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 38408c9ced54ff5dd2937f31c991e5d1
title: Covid disaster in Brazil
uri: Covid-disaster-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#28_March_2021_%28Covid_disaster_in_Brazil%29
content:
<p>
Brazilians see no way to prevent Covid disaster except to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/25/brazil-coronavirus-bolsonaro-300000-deaths">impeach
Bolsonaro</a>.
<p>
I don't know whether there is any real prospect of convincing Congress
to do that.


feed_id: 4dc6d30b24ba57295173cbc4207945ff
title: Why Georgia doesn't have stricter gun regulation
uri: Why-Georgia-doesn-t-have-stricter-gun-regulation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#28_March_2021_%28Why_Georgia_doesnt_have_stricter_gun_regulation%29

content:
<p>
(satire) *Georgia Lawmakers Warn Stricter Gun Regulation
<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/georgia-lawmakers-warn-stricter-gun-regulation-could-ca-1846545045">Could
Cause Mass Shooters To Move To Other States</a>.*


feed_id: b11ad7a40752ad2be806332be480e72d
title: Amazon spies on delivery drivers
uri: Amazon-spies-on-delivery-drivers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#28_March_2021_%28Amazon_spies_on_delivery_drivers%29

content:
<p>

*Amazon to Delivery Drivers:
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/24/amazon-delivery-drivers-agree-be-spied-biometrically-or-youre-fired">Agree
to Be Spied On Biometrically or You're Fired</a>.*
<p>
This is one among
<a href="https://stallman.org/amazon.html">many reasons not to buy from Amazon</a>.


feed_id: 0705f4157fdcd3217d18581093ab7ddc
title: Beating back cancel culture
uri: Beating-back-cancel-culture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#28_March_2021_%28Beating_back_cancel_culture%29
content:
<p>
*Beating Back Cancel Culture:
<a href="https://quillette.com/2021/01/27/beating-back-cancel-culture-a-case-study-from-the-field-of-artificial-intelligence/">A
Case Study from the Field of Artificial Intelligence</a>.*


feed_id: 8db643fff1e0d351b30429caf91d7ed5
title: Urgent: Uber facial recognition on drivers
uri: Urgent-Uber-facial-recognition-on-drivers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Uber_facial_recognition_on_drivers%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Uber
to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/ubers-facial-identification-of-drivers-is-wrong">stop
doing facial recognition</a> on drivers.
<p>
There are <a href="https://stallman.org/uber.html">many reasons</a> to refuse to do
business with Uber and <a href="https://stallman.org/food-delivery.html">Uber Eats</a>.


feed_id: aabc48dba631be8dbbd63a085c38de6c
title: Urgent: Bannon's role in the attack on the Capitol
uri: Urgent-Bannon-s-role-in-the-attack-on-the-Capitol
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Bannon%27s_role_in_the_attack_on_the_Capitol%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on the FBI to <a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/investigate-bannon-insurrection/">investigate Bannon's role</a> in the attack
on the Capitol.


feed_id: 22b0a7545e7316be86c3e1b7fa9339aa
title: $100m geoengineering research programme
uri: 100m-geoengineering-research-programme
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28%24100m_geoengineering_research_programme%29

content:
<p>

*Top US scientists back <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/25/top-us-scientists-back-100m-geoengineering-research-proposal">$100m geoengineering research programme</a>.*
<p>
It can't hurt to do this research, but we must not expect those measures
to address the whole problem, since they won't prevent ocean acidification
from wiping out coral, mollusks with shells, and some sea animals.
That alone would be a disaster, though not as big a disaster.


feed_id: 460ae31bd2eafe1c32f91928238ad435
title: A way for Polish women to ask for help
uri: A-way-for-Polish-women-to-ask-for-help
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28A_way_for_Polish_women_to_ask_for_help%29

content:
<p>

A fake cosmetic company gives Polish women <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/25/just-write-stop-the-teenager-helping-polish-women-flee-abuse">a way to ask for help</a>,
unnoticed by their controlling spouses.
<p>
It is a clever idea.  If only it were implemented without Facebook!


feed_id: e5f93329e5a6849ebb050302a9fb0412
title: Republican efforts to spread Covid
uri: Republican-efforts-to-spread-Covid
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Republican_efforts_to_spread_Covid%29

content:
<p>

Republican efforts to spread Covid more are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/26/us-covid-coronavirus-cases-hospitalizations-cdc-vaccinations">having an effect</a>: a 7% increase
in the past week.
<p>
This is not as fast as it was last fall, but still dangerous.


feed_id: 8b2d6d96d5da14107f7b56391e001c28
title: Allergy season severity
uri: Allergy-season-severity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Allergy_season_severity%29
content:
<p>

*Fears climate crisis could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/mar/26/fears-climate-crisis-could-increase-allergy-season-severity-by-60-percent">increase allergy season severity</a> by up to 60%.*


feed_id: 025bbbc09b1975a720450be15b6fe312
title: Power-sharing
uri: Power-sharing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Power-sharing%29
content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/26/power-sharing-war-yemen-us-houthi-peace">Power-sharing is the only way</a> to end the war in Yemen &mdash; if the US
 supports it.*
<p>
Yemen has been unstable for a long time.  If the US gets <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>
to stop intervening, that won't necessarily enable Yemen's factions to
share power in a peaceful and stable way.  But it will probably not be
as bad as now.


feed_id: 94ce054858b3856fc4b767662247a5fc
title: Breonna's Law
uri: Breonna-s-Law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Breonna%27s_Law%29
content:
<p>

*'Breonna’s Law' bans on no-knock warrants are growing &mdash; but they're
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/26/breonna-taylor-no-knock-warrant-bans-us-police-experts">just one step</a>.*


feed_id: 6510f908133336665ef1983bef9e6f63
title: Amazon's Drivers have no toilet access
uri: Amazon-s-Drivers-have-no-toilet-access
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Amazon%27s_Drivers_have_no_toilet_access%29

content:
<p>

Amazon's drivers don't have access to toilets while they work, so they
have to pee in bottles in the truck.  Amazon claimed this is not so,
but an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/mar/25/amazon-delivery-workers-bathrooms-memo">internal memo</a> shows it was lying.


feed_id: 9deb2d19e0bb81560270412f82ca2510
title: Water disconnections during the pandemic
uri: Water-disconnections-during-the-pandemic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Water_disconnections_during_the_pandemic%29

content:
<p>

*   Researchers say half a million infections might have been stopped if
   <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/26/water-shutoffs-moratorium-covid-pandemic-study">more states had suspended [water] disconnections</a> during pandemic.*
<p>
Consider the recommendation to wash your hands often to avoid
spreading Covid-19.


feed_id: 265a96d339410cfee705f7f0f734c75e
title: Georgia voting laws
uri: Georgia-voting-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Georgia_voting_laws%29
content:
<p>

The Republican government of Georgia, itself elected by a minority,
rapidly passed a law to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/25/vicious-attack-voting-rights-georgia-governor-signs-gop-suppression-bill">attack voting rights</a> in every way they could
think of.


feed_id: 87684e3181e3e0ae9d95fcf6f89088ba
title: Robert E Lee high school
uri: Robert-E-Lee-high-school
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Robert_E_Lee_high_school%29
content:
<p>

There is a <a href="https://boingboing.net/2021/03/25/does-robert-e-lee-high-school-have-a-racism-problem.html">Robert E Lee high school</a> in Florida &mdash; shocking enough &mdash;
which has banned teachers and students from showing support for Black
Lives Matter.
<p>
I don't think teachers in a public high school can have the right to
teach their political views in class, giving them the authority of the
school.  But they should be allowed to present their views as personal
views.
<p>
Students too should be free to show their support for a political
point, for instance with buttons, shirts, or printed handouts.  (I
disapprove of making students wear uniforms.)


feed_id: cc6226053234fdabef000f35e318c45c
title: US cops confronting Black Lives Matter protesters
uri: US-cops-confronting-Black-Lives-Matter-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28US_cops_confronting_Black_Lives_Matter_protesters%29

content:
<p>

US cops confronting Black Lives Matter protesters acted like <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>,
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/20/us/protests-policing-george-floyd.html">according to most of the investigations</a> that cities have carried out.
They treated the protesters like "the enemy."


feed_id: a025d8926a88f0cff7805d32ca14941c
title: (satire) Open toilet grate
uri: (satire)-Open-toilet-grate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28%28satire%29_Open_toilet_grate%29
content:
<p>

(satire) Amazon made <a href="https://www.theonion.com/amazon-improves-workplace-conditions-by-installing-open-1846555520">bathroom breaks unnecessary</a> in its warehouses
by turning the floor into an open toilet grate.


feed_id: 2b6713942d30c7dc056e70f63db4692f
title: California cash bail
uri: California-cash-bail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28California_cash_bail%29
content:
<p>

*California Supreme Court <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/26/us/california-court-cash-bail/index.html">ends cash bail</a> for some who cannot afford it.*


feed_id: 214e04cfa298b970de0ebcfb0b82f184
title: Impunity of violent thugs
uri: 2021-03-29-Impunity-of-violent-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Impunity_of_violent_thugs%29
content:
<p>

New York City adopted a law to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/25/us/nyc-police-reform-nypd/index.html">rein in the impunity of violent thugs</a>.


feed_id: 6f6a4921794d855099eeb0b6496f6d71
title: University of Michigan divestment from fossil fuels
uri: University-of-Michigan-divestment-from-fossil-fuels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28University_of_Michigan_divestment_from_fossil_fuels%29

content:
<p>

In 2015, the University of Michigan rejected divestment from fossil fuels.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/27/university-of-michigan-divesting-fossil-fuels-change-is-here">Now it has adopted divestment</a>.
<p>
The policy is still weak: it defines a goal in <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#13_July_2020_(Unity_panels)">terms of "net zero".


feed_id: f3290a4c2f168d296b78f5a1c23f97cb
title: Myanmar Armed Forces Day
uri: Myanmar-Armed-Forces-Day
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Myanmar_Armed_Forces_Day%29
content:
<p>

*Myanmar military says <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/27/myanmar-military-protesters-shot-armed-forces-day">protesters could be 'shot in the head'</a> as it marks
Armed Forces Day.*


feed_id: 7825607e43784a541c4963df9818ef11
title: UK clothing retailer
uri: UK-clothing-retailer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28UK_clothing_retailer%29
content:
<p>

A major UK clothing retailer has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/25/boohoo-severs-ties-with-hundreds-of-uk-manufacturers-after-critical-review">placed stringent new conditions</a> on
how its suppliers in the UK treat their staff.  For instance, at least
some are not allowed to do subcontracting.
<p>
I don't know what fraction of the clothing it sells come from foreign
producers, to which apparently these conditions would not apply.
It might be none, but I can't tell.
<p>
I am very unhappy with pressuring employees to give their fingerprints.
  


feed_id: 8450448407a1edf9010af63b3495bf21
title: Politics of bigotry
uri: Politics-of-bigotry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Politics_of_bigotry%29
content:
<p>
*Republicans have taken up the politics of bigotry, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/28/republicans-politics-bigotry-democracy-risk-border-voter-fraud-trump-biden">putting US democracy at
risk</a>.*


feed_id: 7f89e427a2ed2a20e433e312edfe3f2f
title: Standing up to economic power
uri: Standing-up-to-economic-power
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Standing_up_to_economic_power%29
content:
<p>
Disunited Europe <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/28/outraged-by-uighur-genocide-europe-picks-a-fight-with-china-and-loses">has trouble standing up to China's economic power</a>.


feed_id: bc8ba826922aa34fa936de79e0efc462
title: National ID by stealth
uri: National-ID-by-stealth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28National_ID_by_stealth%29
content:
<p>
"Vaccine passports" in the UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/28/give-pause-before-you-raise-a-glass-to-prospect-of-vaccine-passports">would be a "national ID card by stealth."</a>

<p>
I think it is possible to design them so that they do not have that
drawback.  However, as the article points out, it is not yet certain
whether they would do much good for public health.


feed_id: 09831fd53adf4d77de691521a787d8a1
title: Debt and interest
uri: Debt-and-interest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Debt_and_interest%29
content:
<p>
*Four-fifths of Sudan's £861m debt to UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/28/four-fifths-of-sudans-861m-debt-to-uk-is-interest">is interest</a>.*

<p>
Many poor countries pour out money to pay interest on old debts that
they cannot pay back.  In many cases, the borrowing was done by dictators
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#27_November_2018_(China's_infrastructure_program)">who spent the money and left the country with the debt</a>.

<p>
Cancelling these debts would teach banks not to be so eager to 
make loans to dictators.


feed_id: 242e53c7f1f569b181882a2d6ab64216
title: Sportswashing
uri: Sportswashing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Sportswashing%29
content:
<p>
*[Salafi Arabia] has spent at least $1.5bn <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/28/saudi-arabia-has-spent-at-least-15bn-on-sportswashing-report-reveals">on 'sportswashing'</a>, report reveals.*


feed_id: 6f9260d3f088f65225798ce5fe51e4f3
title: Size of ships
uri: Size-of-ships
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Size_of_ships%29
content:
<p>
The increasing size of ships inspired warnings <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/28/analysis-ever-given-suez-canal-foreseen-by-many">that one would get stuck in
the Suez Canal</a>.


feed_id: 11b5810dfc3491371fbf490847b530aa
title: Attacking peaceful protesters
uri: Attacking-peaceful-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Attacking_peaceful_protesters%29
content:
<p>
UK <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> lied (partially) about the violence at the first Briston
protest; on subsequent days, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/28/police-bristol-protests-locals-violent-mobs-havoc">they attacked peaceful protesters</a>.


feed_id: ab49e5927a117c511cc9cbd0c23961d4
title: Eliminating PISSI cells
uri: Eliminating-PISSI-cells
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Eliminating_PISSI_cells%29
content:
<p>
*Kurdish forces enter refugee camp in Syria <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/28/kurdish-forces-enter-refugee-camp-in-syria-to-eliminate-isis-cells">to eliminate [PISSI] cells</a>.*

<p>
It won't be easy for soldiers to find them, though.  That would take
police work or spying.  If most of the prisoners support <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a>,
those who are ready to kill for it will easily be able to hide.


feed_id: d5f519f6257323ace4eb05f5a4029a16
title: Worst day of terror
uri: Worst-day-of-terror
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Worst_day_of_terror%29
content:
<p>
*More than 100 killed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/27/more-than-100-killed-as-myanmar-junta-unleashes-worst-day-of-terror">as Myanmar junta unleashes worst day of terror</a>.*

<p>
I imagine mothers of soldiers sending them text messages, "The next
protester you shoot may be me."  It might convince some soldiers to
desert.

<p>
Some are organizing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/28/fear-turns-to-fury-in-myanmar-as-children-shot-by-military">a guerrilla to overthrow the army</a>.


feed_id: 5e758440e1d1ec787871f032accdeb08
title: Mayan inequality
uri: Mayan-inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Mayan_inequality%29
content:
<p>
The classic Maya had a higher level of inequality than other
Mesoamerican societies, <a href="http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/maya-wealth-inequalities-09493.html">due to being more autocratic</a>.

<p>
Ironically, this may be linked to the ancient monuments that make the
Maya so fascinating to us.

<p>
I think it is important for a society to use some of its wealth to
make glorious lasting things that can fascinate the public, present
and future.

<p>
Lasting things do not have to be buildings or art.  Condors and whales
are glorious, too, so saving them counts.

<p>
Making glorious things does not require the extreme inequality that
the US suffers today.  What it requires is to tax the rich enough to
have money for society's needs &mdash; including glory.


feed_id: f3dae2d60d700ffa49e684394691df90
title: Methane regulations
uri: Methane-regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Methane_regulations%29
content:
<p>
Congress is looking to reverse the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#saboteur">saboteur</a>'s change in methane
regulations <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/26/senate-dems-employ-obscure-law-effort-reverse-trump-rollback-methane-emissions">using the Congressional Review Act</a>.

<p>
I wonder whether Republicans can block this using the filibuster.
The article does not say.


feed_id: bd1ab783a3969cabcbdbe0d794e55843
title: Prison for insulting president
uri: Prison-for-insulting-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Prison_for_insulting_president%29
content:
<p>
*Jakub Żulczyk faces possible prison term <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/23/polish-writer-jakub-zulczyk-charged-for-calling-president-andrzej-duda-a-moron">for insulting [President] Andrzej Duda</a>.*

<p>
Many countries other than the US make it a crime to insult officials.
Some make it a crime to insult anyone.  This is disrespect for freedom
of speech.  People are entitled to the right to call anyone a moron,
even me.

<p>
I raised this issue once with an official in Mexico, who responded
that insults can wound people so much that it should be a crime to say
them.

<p>
I tried to reply, "The words that can wound most are, 'I'm breaking up
with you,' but everyone has the right to break up, so it must be
lawful to say so.  That being the case, it makes no sense to prohibit
mere insults from strangers."

<p>
However, I did not put it into Spanish clearly, and did not get
my point across.


feed_id: a145cbe550fbc589554ee8cc64e8cc88
title: Turning off precautions
uri: Turning-off-precautions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Turning_off_precautions%29
content:
<p>
Greg Palast describes the conspiracy of oil companies to turn off the
expensive precautions that they had agreed to, <a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/my-home-is-now-a-strange-place/">in order to get
permission to ship oil out of Valdez, Alaska</a>.

<p>
More about <a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/the-oil-industry-floats-on-lies/">the frauds that led to the oil spill</a>.

<p>
I am very interested what Greg Palast has to say, but I would prefer
if the articles were shorter, and more focused on the crucial facts
and the crucial conclusions they demonstrate.


feed_id: 96098337f7ba913775800d0f8bb9a901
title: Teacher showing cartoons excoriated
uri: Teacher-showing-cartoons-excoriated
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Teacher_showing_cartoons_excoriated%29

content:
<p>
A teacher in a UK school showed students cartoons from Charlie Hebdo
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/mar/25/batley-head-apologises-for-teacher-using-charlie-hebdo-cartoons">is being excoriated by officialdom</a>.

<p>
Was it wrong to show those cartoons in class?  I can't judge, because
crucial information has not been given.

<p>
The article tells us nothing about what lesson the teacher was
teaching.  If the lesson was to disparage Muslims, that was completely
unacceptable to teach in a school.  If the lesson was about freedom of
speech, freedom of religion, and controversies about them, perhaps it
was proper.

<p>
This would depend also on the age of the students, which isn't stated.

<p>
The protesters have the right to protest, but they must take
precautions against spreading Covid-19 to each other or to others.


feed_id: 50f9a68e607e1f13900b8184ca08f3c1
title: Estate tax threshold
uri: Estate-tax-threshold
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_%28Estate_tax_threshold%29
content:
<p>
Sanders's bill to reduce the estate tax threshold would also
eliminate <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/25/sanders-estate-tax-bill-shuts-down-wealth-hiding-loopholes">some of the legal maneuvers that are used to dodge paying it</a>.


feed_id: 576f86477bc40f4b240ffc20012f44e8
title: Urgent: End US involvement in the war in Yemen
uri: Urgent-End-US-involvement-in-the-war-in-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#30_March_2021_%28Urgent%3A_End_US_involvement_in_the_war_in_Yemen%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on your congrsscritter to <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/">end US involvement in the
war in Yemen</a>.
<p>
To sign without running <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">nonfree JavaScript code</a>
from the web site, use the <a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">Salsalabs workaround</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>
<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 31409ae04319678798ad7c70c869780d
title: Rise in Rape Culture
uri: Rise-in-Rape-Culture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#30_March_2021_%28Rise_in_Rape_Culture%29
content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/29/is-pornography-to-blame-for-rise-in-culture">Is pornography to blame</a> for rise in 'rape culture'?*


feed_id: 067f2a2e22b652b6e6be7414ae93cbed
title: Rio Tinto pledge to protect cultural heritage
uri: Rio-Tinto-pledge-to-protect-cultural-heritage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#30_March_2021_%28Rio_Tinto_pledge_to_protect_cultural_heritage%29

content:
<p>

*Rio Tinto pledges to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/23/rio-tinto-pledges-to-protect-cultural-heritage-after-juukan-gorge-disaster">protect cultural heritage</a> after Juukan Gorge
 disaster.*
<p>
After one sad loss, the outcome could be very good.


feed_id: 46a555a6d73e716728df5eb33396b0a3
title: Close to the edge
uri: Close-to-the-edge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#30_March_2021_%28Close_to_the_edge%29
content:
<p>

*Covid-19 has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/23/covid-19-humanity-resilience-climate-ai-pandemic">shown humanity</a> how close we are to the edge.*


feed_id: f49edfbeb3229c7cdfe7cf190f0c92c7
title: Assisted reproduction
uri: Assisted-reproduction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#30_March_2021_%28Assisted_reproduction%29
content:
<p>

*Shanna Swan: 'Most couples may have to use <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/mar/28/shanna-swan-fertility-reproduction-count-down">assisted reproduction by 2045</a>'.*
<p>
If it were no worse than that, it might be ok.  But we cannot be sure
that human reproductive systems will work sufficiently to utilize
those techniques.


feed_id: 203a6cf5eb348a088d38733de38b86f6
title: China's heavy-handed pressure
uri: China-s-heavy-handed-pressure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#30_March_2021_%28China%27s_heavy-handed_pressure%29
content:
<p>

China's heavy-handed pressure on its critics is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/26/the-guardian-view-on-china-xinjiang-and-sanctions-the-gloves-are-off">causing blowback</a>.


feed_id: e02b83aeb95a042e06f26ae5689607da
title: US support to the UN
uri: US-support-to-the-UN
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#30_March_2021_%28US_support_to_the_UN%29
content:
<p>

The US has given support to the UN again, in a prestigious way:
inviting it to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/25/us-joins-rules-based-world-afghanistan">lead peace negotiations</a> for Afghanistan.
<p>
I see hope that this might lead to a real peace rather than merely
a fig leaf behind which the US can <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jan-apr.html#14_February_2012_(Colonel_Davis)">stop prolonging the war</a>.


feed_id: 09f85a6fd4f4334a33eb79e7a1f356c8
title: Clandestine burning
uri: Clandestine-burning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#30_March_2021_%28Clandestine_burning%29
content:
<p>
*US Military Ordered 'Clandestine Burning' <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/25/us-military-ordered-clandestine-burning-toxic-chemicals-poor-neighborhoods-study">of Toxic Chemicals in Poor
Neighborhoods</a>: Study.*


feed_id: b9ce52efae3e93ca176a14bfab98ad0c
title: Hotel rooms for taking naps
uri: Hotel-rooms-for-taking-naps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#30_March_2021_%28Hotel_rooms_for_taking_naps%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/l-a-books-5-000-hotel-rooms-for-police-officers-to-tak-1846554682">satire</a>) *L.A. Books 5,000 Hotel Rooms For Police Officers To Take
Naps In Between Displacing Homeless.*


feed_id: 8abed62e5aa212adf546dfd5943ee990
title: Global war on terror
uri: Global-war-on-terror
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#30_March_2021_%28Global_war_on_terror%29
content:
<p>
How to wind down the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/25/holding-our-breaths-aumfs-drones-and-guantanamo">"global war on terror"</a>.

In addition to the deaths and other misery that it directly causes, 
the US brings itself into valid disrepute by pursuing this "war."


feed_id: cb682279d7fcc7e127909c61f3f38270
title: Antibiotic as pesticide
uri: Antibiotic-as-pesticide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#30_March_2021_%28Antibiotic_as_pesticide%29
content:
<p>
*Lawsuit Challenges EPA Approval of the Use of Medically Important Antibiotic
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/25/lawsuit-challenges-epa-approval-use-medically-important-antibiotic-pesticide">as a Pesticide on Citrus Crops</a>.*

If that decision stands, it will kill people.


feed_id: 042424c703872b13f2338680af0cf30a
title: Dismissed climate case
uri: Dismissed-climate-case
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#30_March_2021_%28Dismissed_climate_case%29
content:
<p>
The European Court of Justice dismissed the young people's climate case
on the grounds that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/25/families-and-indigenous-youth-vow-not-give-after-top-eu-court-dismisses-peoples">it does not consider accusations that a law is bad
for people in general</a>.
  I think the idea is that these issues should be handled by democratic
processes, not by trials.

That is valid in principle, and it might be ok in practice if the EU
had a strong and effective democracy.  But <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-may-aug.html#28_May_2016_(No_debt_relief_for_Greece)">that is far from true</a>.

The lawsuit may have boosted the climate defense movement despite
having failed.


feed_id: ea5d878e0aea0cd32ad9f6ee7df3ae71
title: Trusting what you see
uri: Trusting-what-you-see
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#30_March_2021_%28Trusting_what_you_see%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/can-you-trust-anything-you-see-says-jack-dorsey-sha-1846553601">satire</a>) *‘Can You Trust Anything You See?’ Says Jack Dorsey,
Shapeshifting Into Cat During Congressional Testimony On
Misinformation.*


feed_id: 6f3b39bd7641d8d81183d44b68c140fa
title: Power grab
uri: 2021-03-30-Power-grab
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#30_March_2021_%28Power_grab%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/ted-cruz-decries-voting-rights-bill-as-shameless-power-1846553352">satire</a>) *Ted Cruz Decries Voting Rights Bill As Shameless Power Grab
By American People To Control Country.*


feed_id: 35a8fe0c1d1b2aa90fbca3bcd7347da5
title: Wanting a carbon tax
uri: Wanting-a-carbon-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#31_March_2021_%28Wanting_a_carbon_tax%29
content:
<p>
The American Petroleum Institute says <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/26/big-oils-embrace-carbon-pricing-called-pr-ploy-avoid-real-effective-climate-action">it wants a carbon tax</a>.

<p>
A big enough carbon tax will cut down the demand rapidly.
A smaller one won't have much effect.  The API will lobby
for a smaller one, and 

<p>
I agree that we should not trust the API.  It represents the oil
companies, and what they want is to delay the emissions reductions
that we need to do quickly.


feed_id: 1fbdc88d1ea0d8c61a825b17ae1fe233
title: Ignoring Active Shooter Reports
uri: Ignoring-Active-Shooter-Reports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#31_March_2021_%28Ignoring_Active_Shooter_Reports%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/police-now-ignoring-active-shooter-reports-in-effort-to-1846563849">satire</a>) *Police Now Ignoring Active Shooter Reports In Effort To
Deprive Killers Of Attention.*


feed_id: 4183151689b3c8f1ebe047786c1dae66
title: March for climate law
uri: March-for-climate-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#31_March_2021_%28March_for_climate_law%29
content:
<p>
Tens of thousands marched in France demanding a climate law <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/29/vraie-loi-climat-tens-thousands-march-france-demand-much-stronger-climate-law">strong enough
to do France's share to prevent global heating disaster</a>.


feed_id: 35b0ecf31ee2f0719b27a36c70148b24
title: Helping abusive companies
uri: Helping-abusive-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#31_March_2021_%28Helping_abusive_companies%29
content:
<p>
The US is helping abusive big tech companies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/30/biden-tariffs-brexit-britain-eu-big-tech">by demanding a trade
agreement that stops Britain from regulating them</a>.


feed_id: 32bf5bcb96a179e290f5aca468fdd141
title: Anti-vaxxers misinformation
uri: Anti-vaxxers-misinformation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#31_March_2021_%28Anti-vaxxers_misinformation%29
content:
<p>
*How many anti-vaxxers does it take to misinform the world? <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/30/how-many-anti-vaxxers-does-it-take-to-misinform-the-world-just-twelve">Just twelve</a>.*


feed_id: 8441ebd9724d1d60005d6e5823b9f9f1
title: Thugs not convicted
uri: Thugs-not-convicted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#31_March_2021_%28Thugs_not_convicted%29
content:
<p>
Two St Louis <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> beat up and injured an undercover thug at a protest,
and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/30/st-louis-officers-trial-luther-hall-undercover-protest">were put on trial, but not convicted</a>.

<p>
What surprises me is that the attackers were not charged with the
attack itself &mdash; only with other related crimes.


feed_id: 32094f2b720324b42e91096820af5f99
title: Pro-business party
uri: Pro-business-party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#31_March_2021_%28Pro-business_party%29
content:
<p>
The Labour Party says it is now a pro-business party.  Indeed, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/30/labour-mp-apologises-for-saying-he-once-saw-business-as-the-enemy">more
than merely pro-business</a>.

<p>
I do not advocate being "anti-business"; it would be very bad to
abolish business.  (We have seen how bad Communism is.)  However,
businesses have a tendency to mistreat human beings, so a large part
of the job of the state is to make businesses stop doing that.

<p>
You can't make businesses respect human beings by thinking of yourself
as "pro-business" or "in a partnership with business".


feed_id: 0b868dc94a043f86caf4fcce8bc67abf
title: Bombing of wedding
uri: Bombing-of-wedding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#31_March_2021_%28Bombing_of_wedding%29
content:
<p>
Civilians say that the "gathering of armed extremists" bombed by a
French plane <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/30/deaths-of-19-civilians-in-french-airstrike-in-mali-disputed-by-paris">was actually a wedding party</a>.

<p>
I am inclined to believe the local people.  They generally know a lot more
about what is going on.

<p>
The US <a href="media/3bba46cc.faith-based-cartoon.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/faith-based-cartoon.jpg">has done things like that too</a>.


feed_id: fb7f19714830d460c3181f5d16facb47
title: Mass media and thugs
uri: Mass-media-and-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#31_March_2021_%28Mass_media_and_thugs%29
content:
<p>
When mass media believe <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> accounts of fighting protesters
without checking them, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/30/protesters-police-bristol-media">that puts democracy at risk</a>.


feed_id: bec23e44ab09e0abcda6bff8c66c041a
title: Corporate tax cuts
uri: Corporate-tax-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#31_March_2021_%28Corporate_tax_cuts%29
content:
<p>
*Big Chunks of Corporate Tax Cuts <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/03/30/corporate-tax-cuts-executives/">End Up in Executives’ Pockets</a>.*

<p>
This was supposed to "trickle down", but it didn't, because that
never really happens.


feed_id: 12b4f55204fac38221cccbda2ad645d3
title: Libel
uri: Libel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#31_March_2021_%28Libel%29
content:
<p>
Some right-wing judges want to weaken the criteria for judgments of
libel.  If they succeed, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/28/right-wing-judges-want-overturn-legal-precedent-preserving-free-speech">criticizing the wealthy would become very
risky</a>.


feed_id: 46c66c30dc10d70951f8a94813b42e4d
title: National debt and patents
uri: National-debt-and-patents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#31_March_2021_%28National_debt_and_patents%29
content:
<p>
If you're worried that the US national debt is too big, keep in mind
that patent and copyright monopolies (especially patents) <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/23/are-debt-whiners-fools-or-just-liars">have the same
effect and much bigger</a>.

<p>
Any continuing monopoly will tend to have the same effect, even if no
law prohibits more competition from arising.  Having insufficient
competition will do the same thing, though to a lesser extent.  Ask
the diabetics <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#16_April_2020_(Gouging_on_insulin)">that can barely afford the insulin they need to live</a>.


feed_id: 777144fd35f69735f7c47b588c5549a5
title: Oversensitivity
uri: Oversensitivity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#31_March_2021_%28Oversensitivity%29
content:
<p>
A tendency to oversensitivity to "what might someone possibly
mistakenly criticize?" <a href="https://medium.com/@ThingMaker/common-knowledge-and-miasma-20d0076f9c8e">is pushing society into increasingly rigid
self-censorship</a>.


feed_id: 90fe37c89cc3745e9ba0b63310467854
title: Defending cop in a lawsuit
uri: Defending-cop-in-a-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#31_March_2021_%28Defending_cop_in_a_lawsuit%29
content:
<p>
Even when New York City refuses to directly defend a cop in a lawsuit,
the city does so indirectly <a href="https://www.thecity.nyc/2021/3/26/22351475/nypd-union-contract-defend-officers-when-the-city-wont">through a special fund paid by the city</a>.


feed_id: cccbb89175452e8c8923af6ae197846a
title: ESG fund
uri: ESG-fund
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#31_March_2021_%28ESG_fund%29
content:
<p>
*   As the former chief investment officer of Sustainable Investing at
   BlackRock, the largest asset manager in the world with $8.7
   trillion in assets, I led the charge to incorporate environmental,
   social and governance (ESG) into our global investments. In fact, our
   messaging helped mainstream the concept that pursuing social good was
   also good for the bottom line. Sadly, that's all it is, a hopeful idea.
   In truth, sustainable investing boils down to little more than
   <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2021/03/16/wall-street-esg-sustainable-investing-greenwashing-column/6948923002/">marketing hype, PR spin and disingenuous promises from the investment
   community</a>.*

<p>
In the 1990s or 2000s, someone challenged me to look for an ethical
investment fund.  As it happened, I was acquainted with someone to had
started one &mdash; an independent company.  The fund stated its criteria
and it listed its investments.

<p>
I think the fund was honest.  The main investment was Microsoft.

<p>
Microsoft got a high ethical grade, according to the usual criteria &mdash;
which did not include the question of whether software respected the
freedom of its users.

<p>
I did not invest in the fund.


feed_id: 657a2be6af20bd66782e9bca735ced12
title: Treaty to protect states from pandemics
uri: Treaty-to-protect-states-from-pandemics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Treaty_to_protect_states_from_pandemics%29

content:
<p>

*Global <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/30/global-treaty-needed-to-protect-states-from-pandemics-say-world-leaders">treaty needed</a> to protect states from pandemics, say world leaders.*
<p>
I agree.  We need to bring more areas of life out of narrow national
interest, and into the sphere of cooperation.


feed_id: 12fe97d3893c71c39090afc95445ca0d
title: New Covid vaccines needed
uri: New-Covid-vaccines-needed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28New_Covid_vaccines_needed%29
content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/30/new-covid-vaccines-needed-within-year-say-scientists">New Covid vaccines needed</a> globally within a year, say scientists.*
<p>
We must increase the capacity to produce vaccine so that we can get the
new version to just about everyone in a few months.  Then we won't
have to do it yet another time.


feed_id: f2c8ebc9d327cbf033e6c1a3860d643b
title: Offshore wind electric generation
uri: Offshore-wind-electric-generation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Offshore_wind_electric_generation%29

content:
<p>

Biden plans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/29/joe-biden-administration-wind-energy-new-jersey">construct offshore wind electric generation</a> to power
"10 million homes" by 2030.
<p>
That is a significant step, but not enough.  We need to power half the
country with renewable energy by then, vehicle as well as homes.
<p>
If offshore wind farms have the effect of protecting part of the ocean
from fishing, so much the better.  We need to protect a substantial
fraction of the ocean.  Protected zones enable fish to reproduce and
grow, which results in more fish to catch in the nonprotected areas.
<p>
And if we don't stop making lots of CO2, with the resulting <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2007-nov-feb.html#24 January 2008 (Global warming is destroying coral reefs)">ocean
acidification</a> there may not be much to catch a few decades from now.


feed_id: 558d2119b66d7f17895b4996f531928f
title: Australia needs to cut greenhouse gas emissions faster
uri: Australia-needs-to-cut-greenhouse-gas-emissions-faster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Australia_needs_to_cut_greenhouse_gas_emissions_faster%29

content:
<p>

*The Australian Academy of Science says Australia needs to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/31/delay-is-as-dangerous-as-denial-scientists-urge-australia-to-reach-net-zero-emissions-faster">push faster</a>
to cut greenhouse gas emissions.*


feed_id: 265bed128160f652aa01841d1bd4d70a
title: British workers' rights
uri: British-workers-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28British_workers%27_rights%29
content:
<p>

*Under cover of Covid, British workers' rights are being <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/30/covid-british-workers-rights-stripped-away-fire-and-rehire-employers">quietly
 stripped away</a>.*
<p>
Tories do this in the UK just as Republicans do it in the US.  Unions,
and laws giving workers rights, help protect them from what
businesses, with their right-wing pretense that it is virtuous to
exploit workers as much as they can, keep trying to do to them.


feed_id: e9c0be8e0b239a10fedea3c3dfcd7a8b
title: AT&T laying off workers
uri: AT-T-laying-off-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28AT%2526T_laying_off_workers%29
content:
<p>

*AT&T said [the wrecker]'s tax cut would create jobs &mdash; now it's
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/30/at-and-t-tax-cut-job-layoffs-store-closed">laying off thousands of workers</a>.*


feed_id: 52f2adac39de8a39aa9d1b0c3114a8f8
title: Things wrong with the US electoral system
uri: Things-wrong-with-the-US-electoral-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Things_wrong_with_the_US_electoral_system%29

content:
<p>

Reviewing <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/30/us-elections-they-should-send-observers-over-here">many things that are wrong</a> with the US electoral system, not counting voter-suppression and gerrymandering by states.


feed_id: c30dc9487630d5d2ac493335427aada7
title: (satire) Year-Long Simulation Drill
uri: (satire)-Year-Long-Simulation-Drill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28%28satire%29_Year-Long_Simulation_Drill%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *CDC Concludes U.S. Not Prepared For Potential Pandemic
Following <a href="https://www.theonion.com/cdc-concludes-u-s-not-prepared-for-potential-pandemic-1846564507">Year-Long Simulation Drill</a>.*


feed_id: b5621978316e809525bec4ad8d47e17e
title: Covid-19 vaccine could be obsolete in about a year
uri: Covid-19-vaccine-could-be-obsolete-in-about-a-year
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Covid-19_vaccine_could_be_obsolete_in_about_a_year%29

content:
<p>

Experts estimate around a year before the current Covid-19 vaccines
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/30/experts-warn-failure-rapidly-vaccinate-world-creates-dangerous-opening-covid-19">become obsolete</a> due to new variants that are different enough to infect
people who are vaccinated.
<p>
The conclusion is clear: we must vaccinate everyone and soon, to cut
off the evolution of the virus.
<p>
Who gets the limited current supplies of the vaccine is a side issue.
We can't avoid the development of mutant strains by vaccinating A
instead of B.  We have to vaccinate them both.


feed_id: 9d63deaf34636647b71f4ed9ce969bc8
title: Biden's infrastructure plan
uri: Biden-s-infrastructure-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Biden%27s_infrastructure_plan%29
content:
<p>

Biden's infrastructure plan could be a significant start at what the
US must do to achieve <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/31/biden-infrastructure-plan-address-climate-crisis">its share of reducing greenhouse gas emissions</a>.
<p>
I don't think it goes far enough.  I expect that the UCS doesn't either.
<p>
Union of Concerned Scientists to Biden: *Slash Emissions <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/30/scientists-biden-slash-emissions-50-below-2005-levels-2030">50% Below
2005 Levels by 2030</a>.*


feed_id: 14f68e6d3c68db5431fd0294b30825f2
title: Pronouncing names
uri: Pronouncing-names
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Pronouncing_names%29
content:
<p>

It is important to people that you <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/30/opinions/asian-names-microaggression-liu/index.html">pronounce their names</a> rather than ask to substitute for them.
<p>
However, please be considerate of people who can't pronounce it, or
feel ashamed of pronouncing it wrong.
<p>
I could pronounce Fermín or Kuan-lin, but some languages have sounds I
don't know how to make.  I would be glad to learn, but I would need
teaching over time.  If you are prepared to coach me, I will do my
best.


feed_id: 5ded1159a0d61a11d8e67b94d6a59ae0
title: Digital vaccination certificate
uri: Digital-vaccination-certificate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Digital_vaccination_certificate%29
content:
<p>

New York State has made a try at a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/29/opinions/covid-excelsior-pass-new-york-sepkowitz/index.html">digital vaccination certificate</a>.
<p>
That article describes some flaws, which maybe will be fixed.  But I
wonder, how do restaurants, concerts and so on check your status?
Does it require you to have a smartphone?
<p>
Also, does the system record where your certificate is checked?
<p>
Can people use paper certificates instead?  I have one of those.
<p>
Please call Governor Cuomo's office and ask these questions.
Show the state that these questions matter.


feed_id: f3d352e16c4f7d199157236886b1a94e
title: Destruction of world's forests increased
uri: Destruction-of-world-s-forests-increased
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Destruction_of_world%27s_forests_increased%29

content:
<p>

*Destruction of world's forests <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/31/destruction-of-worlds-forests-increased-sharply-in-2020-loss-tree-cover-tropical">increased sharply</a> in 2020.*


feed_id: be72cec43c07da65f20797257091aa34
title: Taxes raised on the rich in New Zealand
uri: Taxes-raised-on-the-rich-in-New-Zealand
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Taxes_raised_on_the_rich_in_New_Zealand%29

content:
<p>

New Zealand has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/31/new-zealand-raises-minimum-wage-and-increases-taxes-on-the-rich">raised taxes on the rich</a> to help support the poor.
<p>
Hooray!


feed_id: 24c69776c63c0635cdea33d734b3f10c
title: Navalny hunger strike
uri: Navalny-hunger-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Navalny_hunger_strike%29
content:
<p>

Alexei Navalny has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/31/navalny-goes-on-hunger-strike-in-protest-over-his-prison-treatment">started a hunger strike</a>, and reports being tortured and
denied medical care.
<p>
His return to Russia was a powerful spur to opposition to Putin,
but the effect can wear off with time.


feed_id: 620511c9366cbd818ab8389a3a5f38bb
title: Increasing damage from intrusive pest species
uri: Increasing-damage-from-intrusive-pest-species
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Increasing_damage_from_intrusive_pest_species%29

content:
<p>

The amount of damage caused by intrusive pest species is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/31/damage-from-alien-species-invasions-trebling-every-decade">'trebling
every decade'</a>.
<p>
Perhaps in 20 years we will have safe technology to wipe out some of
these species, in the places where predators won't keep them in check.
However, the same technology might be used to wipe out the people of
a region.


feed_id: c39f274a534a90f892d5d055eb30ba91
title: Bullying songwriters
uri: Bullying-songwriters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Bullying_songwriters%29
content:
<p>

Singers and musicians are bullying songwriters to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/mar/31/top-songwriters-call-for-end-to-bully-tactics-by-artists-over-royalties">give up their share</a>
of income from music.
<p>
This happens as the the companies that distribute music are putting
the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#10_April_2018_(End_Spotify)">squeeze on the musicians</a>.
<p>
They would be better off with my suggestions for <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/copyright-vs-community.html">how to support
the musicians and songwriters/composers</a>.


feed_id: 49b495d7203039c3255cbaf2430932f9
title: Capitol police sue the bully
uri: Capitol-police-sue-the-bully
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Capitol_police_sue_the_bully%29
content:
<p>

Capitol police <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/31/police-officers-sue-donald-trump-injuries-capitol-riot">sue the bully</a> for inciting the Jan 6 riot.
<p>
I'm delighted to see it, but I doubt personal injury claims can possibly
amount to enough of a punishment for him.


feed_id: 7946bde5663ee6c27d13f9f4987b9deb
title: Grounds for coup in Brazil
uri: Grounds-for-coup-in-Brazil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Grounds_for_coup_in_Brazil%29
content:
<p>

Bolsonaro may have prepared the ground for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/31/brazil-jair-bolsonaros-troubles-president-military">another coup in Brazil</a>, perhaps to strengthen his grip on power as the people come to hate him.


feed_id: 11747f7e408d74b713c4790ef871da01
title: Cruelty of an elite English boarding school
uri: Cruelty-of-an-elite-English-boarding-school
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Cruelty_of_an_elite_English_boarding_school%29

content:
<p>

A former victim <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/mar/31/louis-de-bernieres-reveals-extreme-cruelty-he-suffered-at-prep-school">describes the cruelty</a> of an elite English boarding
school.
<p>
I got a taste of that just once while attending a private school in
New York City.  Being made to thank the school's head for slapping me
hard and knocking me off the chair was far less than what the article
describes, but I hated him after that.
<p>
One day I put a sign, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministries_of_Nineteen_Eighty-Four#Ministry_of_Love">"Ministry of Love,"</a>
on his office.  I put signs for the other three ministries of Oceania on other people's offices.


feed_id: 778316e3eac9b240cbd533ccf33b017e
title: Attacker of NYC caught
uri: Attacker-of-NYC-caught
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Attacker_of_NYC_caught%29
content:
<p>

The man who attacked a stranger of East Asian descent, in NYC <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/31/new-york-man-charged-hate-crime-attack-asian-american-woman">has been
caught</a>.  He was previously convicted of killing his own mother.
<p>
I condemn the surging violence and hatred against people who have
ancestry in East Asia and the Pacific.  Like all forms of ethnic hatred,
it is a evil that we must denounce and try to stop.
<p>
But I feel we should call those people by a term that doesn't define
India and other large parts of Asia out of existence.
<p>
More exact than "Asian Americans" would be "East Asian Americans."
However, that is not perfect, since the same hatred also targets
ethnic groups from Pacific islands, which are not in Asia at all.


feed_id: ceb40f3e5b5faaef8b33768639aecfb9
title: Welfare for people in penury
uri: Welfare-for-people-in-penury
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#1_April_2021_%28Welfare_for_people_in_penury%29
content:
<p>

The UK offers some welfare support to people in penury &mdash; but it is
not enough to live on, so <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/31/covid-miserly-benefits-starvation">they go hungry</a>.
<p>
The US, by contrast, offers nothing to many Americans in penury
and they end up begging on the street.


feed_id: 3315e90ea6dd149686f091243a053664
title: Guilty democracy
uri: Guilty-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_April_2021_%28Guilty_democracy%29
content:
<p>
*Hong Kong democracy leaders <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/01/hong-kong-democracy-leaders-found-guilty-over-peaceful-2019-protest">found guilty over peaceful 2019 protest</a>.*


feed_id: d5eb9274787f997cfad766b56f9b68f1
title: Hospitalization
uri: Hospitalization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_April_2021_%28Hospitalization%29
content:
<p>
Almost a third of the patients hospitalized for Covid-19 in the UK
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/01/almost-third-of-uk-covid-hospital-patients-readmitted-within-four-months">have been in the hospital in 4 months</a>.

<p>
So even if you get better, you're very likely not really better.


feed_id: 75991a9d8c661aba6cdaaaca96580de0
title: Urgent: non-nuclear deal
uri: Urgent-non-nuclear-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_April_2021_%28Urgent%3A_non-nuclear_deal%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/president-biden-restore-iran-deal?source=em20210329_2&t=1006&akid=6873%2E223515%2EDE5PBm">call on Biden</a> to restore the non-nuclear deal with Iran.


feed_id: 383a33bc7c3b5ee23fc62ec977bef39c
title: Trans-people
uri: Trans-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_April_2021_%28Trans-people%29
content:
<p>
The US has had <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/01/trans-children-history-jules-gill-peterson-interview">experience with trans-people for decades</a>.

<p>
There are a few examples I've read about in Europe, centuries ago.
I presume there must have been some for all of human history,
though I don't know details.

<p>
The Zuni Man-Woman describes the practice in various Amerindian and
Pacific Ocean cultures.


feed_id: f8e1a79f37bd7223900f4884f3905078
title: No check on corrupt lobbying
uri: No-check-on-corrupt-lobbying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_April_2021_%28No_check_on_corrupt_lobbying%29
content:
<p>
The UK puts almost no effective checks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/01/david-cameron-lobbying-rules-problem">on directly corrupt lobbying</a>.

<p>
Even when lobbying is not directly corrupt, it tends to make
government serve those who can pay lobbyists, and that is a corrupting
effect.  Perhaps the right solution is to prohibit lobbying, or
prohibit lobbying in many situations.


feed_id: 36f50bc5345ea81ffc11ae2078d382b6
title: Treaty against pandemic
uri: Treaty-against-pandemic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_April_2021_%28Treaty_against_pandemic%29
content:
<p>
A treaty alone <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/01/global-pandemic-treaty-covid-disease-control">may not secure global cooperation against a pandemic</a>.
  Governments need to be willing to cooperate on a rational policy
or they will break the treaty.


feed_id: 739704fd2b6723ec6f22d22701ecd537
title: Pesticides and bees
uri: Pesticides-and-bees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_April_2021_%28Pesticides_and_bees%29
content:
<p>
*Toxic impact of pesticides on bees <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/01/toxic-impact-of-pesticides-on-bees-has-doubled-study-shows">has doubled</a>, study shows.*


feed_id: efc0e2666028965142ba75ea3abaffb1
title: Pressure not to tax
uri: Pressure-not-to-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_April_2021_%28Pressure_not_to_tax%29
content:
<p>
The US is pressuring Britain in trade negotiations <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/29/us-threatens-tariffs-on-uk-exports-over-digital-services-tax"><em>not</em> to tax tech
companies</a>.


feed_id: 16fb36ce58aa1747f51addb3cc22a4a1
title: Alliances with autocracies
uri: Alliances-with-autocracies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_April_2021_%28Alliances_with_autocracies%29
content:
<p>
Comparing China with the US <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/03/31/ny-times-provides-us-government-propaganda-manufacturing-quote-top-chinese-official">in regard to alliances with autocracies</a>.


feed_id: 3f10f9f4738c2ea46a7f4c886c5bce9e
title: Falling behind
uri: Falling-behind
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_April_2021_%28Falling_behind%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/experts-worried-students-will-fall-behind-after-spendin-1846573663">satire</a>) *Experts Worried Students Will Fall Behind After Spending
Past Year In U.S.  Education System.*


feed_id: 1dabb80fc83a645a296913e2bcbbbea1
title: Onboarding
uri: Onboarding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_April_2021_%28Onboarding%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-wells-fargo-employee-walked-through-all-the-crimes-1846586161">satire</a>) *New Wells Fargo Employee Walked Through All The Crimes He’ll
Be Asked To Commit.*


feed_id: 826c9c348b9780bac4f6aa383060a35a
title: Climate policy for tax cut
uri: Climate-policy-for-tax-cut
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_April_2021_%28Climate_policy_for_tax_cut%29
content:
<p>
* Democratic [so-called] moderates are holding climate policy hostage <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/03/31/centrist-democrats-panned-demanding-revival-major-tax-break-rich">to get a tax
   cut for the rich</a>.*

<p>
For mainstream media, "moderate" Democrats are the plutocratist Democrats.


feed_id: 3d00ce2d359e94e8e9b6e07a133b690c
title: Regulate business and investment
uri: Regulate-business-and-investment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_April_2021_%28Regulate_business_and_investment%29
content:
<p>
To curb <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, we need to regulate business and investment,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/31/hundreds-groups-urge-kerry-push-wall-st-climate-regulation-not-partnership">not think of it as a "partner"</a>.


feed_id: edb4c1f66950b4275fed16b5cdd2ffc8
title: Healthcare in an emergency
uri: Healthcare-in-an-emergency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_April_2021_%28Healthcare_in_an_emergency%29
content:
<p>
*Nearly 46m Americans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/31/us-affordable-healthcare-uninsured-underinsured">would be unable to afford quality healthcare in an
emergency</a>.*


feed_id: 2eed4a17772cce0625a2c1d95759a4a2
title: Release of protesters
uri: Release-of-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#2_April_2021_%28Release_of_protesters%29
content:
<p>
The Burmese military have released some of the protesters they
arrested, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/31/myanmar-freed-protester-recount-military-cruelty-beatings-squalid-conditions">who report extremely cruel treatment in jail</a>.


feed_id: a437d15009c9451ca3426a61957e5e7c
title: LexisNexis providing information to ICE
uri: LexisNexis-providing-information-to-ICE
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28LexisNexis_providing_information_to_ICE%29

content:
<p>

*LexisNexis to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/04/02/ice-database-surveillance-lexisnexis/">Provide Giant Database</a> of Personal Information to ICE.*
<p>
The breadth of data that LexisNexis collects about people makes its
existence dangerous.  Some of that data, such as tracking based on
license plate readers, must not be collected at all.


feed_id: acf8fd35f493df0107a30922a48f9e0f
title: New York City sea level rise
uri: New-York-City-sea-level-rise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28New_York_City_sea_level_rise%29
content:
<p>

New York City is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/02/new-york-climate-change-daniel-zarrilli">worried about the sea level rise</a> that global heating
will cause.
<p>
A barrier that will keep water away from the city at high tide is just
a temporary stopgap.  To protect all the cities in the world that way would
cost more than curing the root cause &mdash; greenhouse gas emissions.


feed_id: 0bd61cae9c8b7173212a16dce9abf8b1
title: Chinese currency
uri: Chinese-currency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Chinese_currency%29
content:
<p>

Asia may over time switch to using Chinese currency for international
trade.  This would enhance China's economic power and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/apr/02/the-us-dollars-hegemony-is-looking-fragile">diminish that of
the US</a>.
<p>
I hoped to see a reduction in the US dollar's dominance in favor of the euro.
In favor of China, that's a different matter.


feed_id: d9b0fc7808235917013d2455d50e561d
title: Ethiopia evidence of war crimes
uri: Ethiopia-evidence-of-war-crimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Ethiopia_evidence_of_war_crimes%29
content:
<p>

*Ethiopia <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/02/africa/tigray-soldier-massacre-ethiopia-response-intl/index.html">dismisses evidence</a> of war crimes verified by CNN investigation*.
The crimes were killing of prisoners.


feed_id: 45fa739ce9fb805efd6a03ee4b9fef9e
title: Arkansas anti-trans bill sponsors
uri: Arkansas-anti-trans-bill-sponsors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Arkansas_anti-trans_bill_sponsors%29

content:
<p>

*The Pro-LGBTQ Companies That <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2021/04/02/the-pro-lgbtq-companies-that-helped-elect-arkansas-anti-trans-bill-sponsors/">Helped Elect</a> Arkansas Anti-Trans Bill Sponsors.*


feed_id: 2d4a11b2f5e4719508fc5f62e9971af2
title: Amazon drivers
uri: Amazon-drivers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Amazon_drivers%29
content:
<p>

Amazon apologized to the Rep. Pocan for calling him a liar, and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/apr/03/amazon-apology-democrat-mark-pocan">admitted</a> that its drivers really have to pee in bottles in the truck.
<p>
I don't think that peeing in a bottle is a horrible thing.
Nowadays there are products that make it less difficult for women.
<p>
But it reflects the outrageous time pressure that they are under &mdash;
all the time, not only when they need to pee.


feed_id: 38caf74f76ed24dd41731e9a86d47be1
title: Deporting migrants to Mexico
uri: Deporting-migrants-to-Mexico
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Deporting_migrants_to_Mexico%29
content:
<p>

The US border thugs are deporting migrants to Mexico <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/03/us-mexico-border-migrants-deported-no-explanation">without even telling
them</a> that that is what happened.


feed_id: aed83bc95b561dc8e5eb3f9081e43389
title: Dakota Access Pipeline
uri: 2021-04-04-Dakota-Access-Pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Dakota_Access_Pipeline%29
content:
<p>

The company that owns the Dakota Access Pipeline has <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/04/03/unicorn-riot-dakota-pipeline-energy-transfer-subpoena/">subpoena'd
unreleased documents</a> and videos from news publisher Unicorn Riot, which
covered the protests, aiming to identify all the protesters and sue
each and every one.
<p>
The name "Unicorn Riot" seems to be a joke &mdash; what they did was
journalism, not rioting.  I hope that it does not help the pipeline
owner pretend that they were rioting.


feed_id: b9b79ded668505e06c2ba3780e5e6f9c
title: Maskless covidiots
uri: Maskless-covidiots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Maskless_covidiots%29
content:
<p>

Maskless covidiots, many of them still unvaccinated, are making a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/03/california-covid-19-coronavirus-vacation-crowds">last attempt</a>
in the LA area to spread Covid-19 to a hundred thousand more Americans.


feed_id: 25e8690be0d263bd386490746efde196
title: Canadian Pacific herring fishery
uri: Canadian-Pacific-herring-fishery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Canadian_Pacific_herring_fishery%29
content:
<p>

The Canadian Pacific herring fishery is being <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/03/canada-herring-collapsing-moratorium-commercial-fishing">fished to death</a>.
Other animals that eat the herring are indirectly in danger.


feed_id: 018a79f4ff859d8c479e26966ce5bde4
title: Campaign to cancel Philip Roth
uri: Campaign-to-cancel-Philip-Roth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Campaign_to_cancel_Philip_Roth%29
content:
<p>

* The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/03/new-biography-unveils-philip-roth-as-misogynist-tell-me-something-i-dont-know">campaign to cancel</a> the author [Philip Roth] is typical of
today’s all-or-nothing approach, where if you don’t like everything
about a public figure, you can’t like anything.*


feed_id: 0e92d026fba0d974d803955d507adfc1
title: Early bloom of cherry blossoms
uri: Early-bloom-of-cherry-blossoms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Early_bloom_of_cherry_blossoms%29
content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/03/early-cherry-blossoms-bloom-washington-dc">Early bloom</a> of cherry blossoms in Washington DC point to climate crisis.*


feed_id: 1bfea9949d08c1a0030d44db314039a8
title: Long Covid
uri: Long-Covid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Long_Covid%29
content:
<p>

Over 120,000 personnel in Britain's NHS have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/apr/03/nhs-feels-strain-tens-thousands-staff-long-covid">long Covid</a>.

That must be an amazing fraction of all NHS workers.
I wonder how many workers it has.


feed_id: 66050ef28cb423891bce58d3a33a262c
title: Lift of Trump administration sanctions
uri: Lift-of-Trump-administration-sanctions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Lift_of_Trump_administration_sanctions%29

content:
<p>

*US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2021/apr/02/us-lifts-sanctions-icc-prosecutor-fatou-bensouda-pompeo-blinken">lifts Trump administration's sanctions</a> on top ICC prosecutor.*
<p>
The FSF should support the ICC.


feed_id: c0eac561710d5aca00e28d1c35e1eb8c
title: Collaboration with people smugglers
uri: Collaboration-with-people-smugglers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Collaboration_with_people_smugglers%29

content:
<p>

Italian prosecutors <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/02/sicilian-prosecutors-wiretapped-journalists-covering-refugee-crisis">tapped the phones</a> of journalists who were covering
the rescue of migrants rescued from drowning in the Mediterranean, all
in order to accuse people in the organizations that did the rescuing
with "collaboration with people smugglers."


feed_id: f9880ee92e54f3a8b81822150d95bc6f
title: US-Iran non-nuclear deal
uri: US-Iran-non-nuclear-deal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28US-Iran_non-nuclear_deal%29
content:
<p>
The US and Iran are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/01/hopes-rise-of-breakthrough-on-us-return-to-iran-nuclear-deal">making
progress</a> negotiating a return to the non-nuclear deal.


feed_id: bae44d0f39c002f2434a052747e9d20f
title: Lay-offs at US fossil fuel companies
uri: Lay-offs-at-US-fossil-fuel-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28Lay-offs_at_US_fossil_fuel_companies%29

content:
<p>
*US fossil fuel companies
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/02/fossil-fuel-companies-billions-tax-breaks-workers">took
billions in tax breaks &mdash; and then laid off thousands</a>.*


feed_id: 4355216103c6e59979afabb31c57af49
title: Letting drug companies raise prices unreasonably
uri: Letting-drug-companies-raise-prices-unreasonably
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28Letting_drug_companies_raise_prices_unreasonably%29

content:
<p>
The wrecker's ultimate act of sabotage was a proposed rule to let drug
companies raise prices unreasonably.  Shockingly,
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/04/02/covid-vaccine-price-hikes/">Biden
does not seem to plan to cancel it</a>.


feed_id: 0f65f3a5d613cb022d22927e7e49e22a
title: Covid-19 vaccination in Israel
uri: Covid-19-vaccination-in-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28Covid-19_vaccination_in_Israel%29
content:
<p>
Israel has vaccinated a large fraction of its population, and
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/02/really-good-place-israel-nearing-covid-endgame">Covid-19
transmission is dwindling</a>.  The main danger of Covid-19 in the future will be from variants spreading
in Palestine.
<p>
Israel is responsible for public health in territories it occupies or
besieges.  That means it must provide vaccine to the Palestinians.
Now that is also crucial for Israel's public health &mdash; so its
refusal is vindictiveness carried to the point of self-destruction.
<p>
I think the US should offer to donate vaccine for everyone in
Palestine if Israel does not.
<p>
Meanwhile, I wonder if people in Israel who refuse to run nonfree
programs, and therefore can't run the "green pass" app, are being
excluded from much of society's activity.  Is that really true?  Is
there no other way to demonstrate that you have been vaccinated?


feed_id: 0d978844644632d2455db77666a7a8f9
title: UK agency bolsters misconduct by thugs
uri: UK-agency-bolsters-misconduct-by-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28UK_agency_bolsters_misconduct_by_thugs%29

content:
<p>
A whistleblower claims that a UK agency whose job is to check for
misconduct by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> did the opposite: it spun its report about recent
protests in Bristol so as to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/31/police-watchdog-accused-of-skewing-report-to-back-protests-clampdown">justify
increased repression of protests</a>.
<p>
*This anti-protest bill
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/02/anti-protest-bill-uk-putins-russia">risks
making the UK like Putin's Russia</a>.*


feed_id: 801040ee0dbe8c9830a7877cd0728593
title: Whistleblower Daniel Everette Hale
uri: Whistleblower-Daniel-Everette-Hale
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28Whistleblower_Daniel_Everette_Hale%29

content:
<p>
Daniel Everette Hale has
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/31/politics/daniel-everette-hale-former-intelligence-analyst-pleads-guilty/index.html">pled
guilty to whistleblowing</a>: giving a reporter secret information
about US drone assassinations.


feed_id: ff7f4a150b7faa2ee6b51d6bf2fb60a2
title: Urgency of reducing emissions
uri: Urgency-of-reducing-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28Urgency_of_reducing_emissions%29
content:
<p>
*Forget 2030 or 2040, Says Greta Thunberg, World Must
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/01/forget-2030-or-2040-says-greta-thunberg-world-must-reduce-our-emissions-right-now">'Reduce
Our Emissions Right Now'</a>.*
<p>
I think she is right, as a general point.  Targets in the future serve
as an excuse not to make big efforts right away.
<p>
I think that Covid-19 did great harm to the climate strike movement.
It distracts people's attention to a threat that, ultimately, is not
as big.  And it prevents the large demonstrations that made climate
strike influential.
<p>
I hope it won't be too long before it regains its influence.
Civilization's survival depends on that.


feed_id: b4ecb98137e090d1f22721d0269aface
title: New gun control measure
uri: New-gun-control-measure
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28New_gun_control_measure%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *New Gun Control Measure Would
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-gun-control-measure-would-put-firearms-in-difficult-1846596394">Put
Firearms In Difficult-To-Open Hard Plastic Packaging</a>.*


feed_id: f431b16aceebe40fb27e580b65124879
title: Being homeless in the most affluent country
uri: Being-homeless-in-the-most-affluent-country
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28Being_homeless_in_the_most_affluent_country%29

content:
<p>
(satire) *Man Living In Most Affluent Country In World History
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/man-living-in-most-affluent-country-in-world-history-ha-1846594232">Has
Nerve To Complain About Being Homeless</a>.*


feed_id: cf5af77bb1f2d12976022211b9ad6d58
title: Global heating hurting farm productivity
uri: Global-heating-hurting-farm-productivity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28Global_heating_hurting_farm_productivity%29

content:
<p>
*Rapid <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/01/climate-crisis-global-heating-food-farming-agriculture">hurting
farm productivity</a>, study finds.*


feed_id: 00ea27262351e37297030c991c8a7bfb
title: GOP on bridges
uri: GOP-on-bridges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28GOP_on_bridges%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/gop-argues-government-shouldn-t-be-deciding-which-bridg-1846591823">satire</a>)
*GOP Argues Government Shouldn't Be Deciding Which Bridges Succeed Or
Fail.*


feed_id: f0ce47bc8a74d7198b1b228bba2e3dee
title: British Gas bullying installation engineers
uri: British-Gas-bullying-installation-engineers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28British_Gas_bullying_installation_engineers%29

content:
<p>
British Gas is bullying its installation engineers by firing them all,
then hiring them back only if they agree to pay cuts and longer hours.
<p>
The company's customers are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/apr/01/thousands-british-gas-customers-switch-fire-rehire-plan">pushing
back against this</a>.


feed_id: 095a11c854b356d1740ee2affbfa4d2a
title: Comic jailed for joke written in his notes
uri: Comic-jailed-for-joke-written-in-his-notes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28Comic_jailed_for_joke_written_in_his_notes%29

content:
<p>
*India's top court has granted bail to a comic [Munawar Faruqui] after
he 
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-55945712">spent 35
days in jail for a joke he didn't crack</a>.*
<p>
He wrote the joke in his notes, but did not use it in his performance.


feed_id: 9ccda314b991226a6a5eeba775da6b3e
title: Herd immunity
uri: 2021-04-04-Herd-immunity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28Herd_immunity%29
content:
<p>
The US could reach herd immunity for Covid-19 if enough people get
vaccinated &mdash; but that
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/30/health/herd-immunity-covid-shifts/index.html">won't
be permanent</a>.  Herd immunity could come and go.


feed_id: 27c7b59a600db622d7d65ea6f72ffa54
title: Cells of white supremacists in the US military
uri: Cells-of-white-supremacists-in-the-US-military
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28Cells_of_white_supremacists_in_the_US_military%29

content:
<p>
The US military has had
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/31/us/us-military-extremism-invs/index.html">cells
of violent white supremacists</a> for decades, and doesn't have an
adequate policy to prevent them.


feed_id: 9c0935e7cee659ecb845d7d8408aad1b
title: Thai dissidents threatened with 20 years in prison
uri: Thai-dissidents-threatened-with-20-years-in-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28Thai_dissidents_threatened_with_20_years_in_prison%29

content:
<p>
Thai dissidents are threatened with 20 years in prison
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/01/thailand-pro-democracy-activists-charged-over-protest-near-queens-motorcade">after
the queen's car drove through a crowd containing some dissidents</a>.


feed_id: d9c7de96706c6a0b8e98f9c93057d947
title: Georgia moving to eliminate "citizen's arrest"
uri: Georgia-moving-to-eliminate-citizen-s-arrest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28Georgia_moving_to_eliminate_citizens_arrest%29

content:
<p>
Georgia is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/31/georgia-citizens-arrest-law-ahmaud-arbery">moving
to mostly eliminate the practice of "citizen's arrest"</a>, which is
used as an excuse for racist crime.
<p>
This article leads me to wonder whether citizen's arrest existed in
Georgia before the 1863 adoption of the present law.


feed_id: 4e388cac1f5f8e32a91269aa01545a68
title: Deportations under Biden administration
uri: Deportations-under-Biden-administration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#3_April_2021_%28Deportations_under_Biden_administration%29

content:
<p>
*Biden Administration
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/03/31/biden-administration-deports-human-trafficking-victims-expels-immigrants">Deports
Human Trafficking Victims, Expels Immigrants to Countries They’ve
Never Visited</a>.*


feed_id: 9ece08296e5e0c2d24944e57a7b7276b
title: Urgent: Don't weaken infrastructure bill
uri: Urgent-Don-t-weaken-infrastructure-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_April_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Don%27t_weaken_infrastructure_bill%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.boldprogressives.org/survey/signon_2021_american_jobs_plan/">call
on Democrats</a> not to weaken the infrastructure bill to cater to
Republicans.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 498d67f37d511b8820377b8ba3bce741
title: Urgent: Increase vaccine production
uri: Urgent-Increase-vaccine-production
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_April_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Increase_vaccine_production%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/the-nih-has-leverage-to-get-moderna-to-ramp-up-global-access-to-vaccines-use-it?nowrapper=true">call
on The NIH</a> to tell Moderna to increase vaccine production.
<p>
If you sign, please spread the word!


feed_id: 7b912f76f30e3c86e412ceedce47b1a7
title: New Interior Department unit for indigenous people
uri: New-Interior-Department-unit-for-indigenous-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28New_Interior_Department_unit_for_indigenous_people%29

content:
<p>
*Haaland Announces New
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/02/haaland-announces-new-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-unit-interior">Missing
and Murdered Indigenous Unit</a> at Interior.*
<p>
The aim is to give indigenous people who are murdered the same chance
of getting justice that other Americans have, or at least more chance
than now.


feed_id: 766b33476c968fcd65f93058244ffb41
title: Vaccine credentials
uri: Vaccine-credentials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Vaccine_credentials%29
content:
<p>
*Any proposal for vaccine credentials
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/02/key-principles-creation-any-vaccine-passport-system">must
be primarily paper-based, decentralized, and protect privacy</a>.*
<p>
If we handle vaccination right, that system won't be needed for very
long.  Real vaccination will be very effective in making Covid-19 a
minor danger, as long as enough of the population gets vaccinated.


feed_id: efc456ae74c0bc7d1f1f5dc2c3ea24ee
title: The Republican Party
uri: 2021-04-05-The-Republican-Party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28The_Republican_Party%29
content:
<p>
*The Republican Party has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/02/gop-has-no-interest-actual-governing">no
interest in actual governing</a>.* It has no serious proposals, only
tactics for fighting the culture war and making elections unfair.


feed_id: 3f38be75a2d1f3c9ca136916e4900d55
title: Tax avoidance by giant US corporations
uri: Tax-avoidance-by-giant-US-corporations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Tax_avoidance_by_giant_US_corporations%29

content:
<p>
*55 US Corporate Giants Paid $0 in Federal Taxes in 2020 Thanks to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/02/55-us-corporate-giants-paid-0-federal-taxes-2020-thanks-gaping-loopholes">'Gaping'
Loopholes</a>.*
<p>
We should fix these loopholes &mdash; but also refuse to be
manipulated by fandom in businesses such as Nike.


feed_id: 90a843c10fdb719acfe2173ef2cf0a22
title: Desperate refugees a result of war on drugs
uri: Desperate-refugees-a-result-of-war-on-drugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Desperate_refugees_a_result_of_war_on_drugs%29

content:
<p>
*Why are
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/02/disastrous-us-drug-war-key-driver-displacement-central-america">desperate
refugees turning up on the U.S. border</a>? Because we have offloaded
the costs of the drug war on Latin America.*


feed_id: 54544e3a1fe4b58ddae35a2bf6d6fc15
title: Proposed ways of taxing the rich
uri: Proposed-ways-of-taxing-the-rich
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Proposed_ways_of_taxing_the_rich%29
content:
<p>
*These 7 ways of taxing the rich would generate
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/02/tax-rich-heres-how">more
than $6 trillion over 10 years</a>.* In other words, 600 billion or so
per year.  (Reporting costs and benefits on an annual basis keeps them
all comparable.)
<p>
Eliminating the "stepped-up cost basis" rule would be entirely
justified for billionaires, but if it applies to your parents'
apartment you would probably be unable to inherit it.  I suggest
maintaining that rule only for the deceased's primary residence.  Rich
people generally have a smaller fraction of their assets in their
primary residence than non-rich.


feed_id: 6ea5e42031b22bffdddfc48af4b2ef26
title: Effect of fracking on Navajo land
uri: Effect-of-fracking-on-Navajo-land
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Effect_of_fracking_on_Navajo_land%29

content:
<p>
*Fracking
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/04/navajo-nation-fracking">brings
pollution, not wealth</a>, to Navajo land.*
<p>
I am not surprised.  Businesses employ negotiators whose job is to
make bad deals sound good.


feed_id: d9f5aab30b23f7ea08c3b545f452edf4
title: UK government study of racism
uri: UK-government-study-of-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28UK_government_study_of_racism%29
content:
<p>
The UK government published a study of racism in the UK, whose main
thrust seems to be
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/04/yes-we-need-a-more-nuanced-debate-about-race-but-this-flawed-report-fails-to-deliver-it">to
reassure Britons that the situation is getting better, so there is no
need for the state to do anything to make it better</a>.
<p>
*The government has reversed progress and betrayed black Britons with
this
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/04/the-observer-view-on-the-sewell-commissions-race-report">divisive
and politically motivated document</a>.*


feed_id: fc5b39bd1b876223453f134c5a2079f6
title: Legacy of Britain's year of Covid
uri: Legacy-of-Britain-s-year-of-Covid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Legacy_of_Britains_year_of_Covid%29
content:
<p>
*This is the legacy of Britain's year of Covid:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/04/britain-covid-power-scrutiny-vaccine-passports">power
unchecked, scrutiny sidelined</a>.*


feed_id: b98c13c34b34fadfb6d0d903e689d5e0
title: Wastewater dam in Florida on verge of collapse
uri: Wastewater-dam-in-Florida-on-verge-of-collapse
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Wastewater_dam_in_Florida_on_verge_of_collapse%29

content:
<p>
A dam in Florida used to retain wastewater loaded with phosphate and
nitrogen is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/04/florida-imminent-pollution-catastrophe-phosphate-retention-pond-bradenton-piney-point-desantis">on
the verge of collapsing</a>, so people are pumping some of it into
nearby Tampa Bay where those chemicals could damage the ecology.
<p>
Fertilizer run-off is largely phosphate and nitrogen, and it regularly
causes toxic algal blooms and dead zones when it gets into the sea.
<p>
The problem with the dam has been developing for many years, but the
state ignored it until the last minute.  Florida needs to pay close
attention to assure all its dams are Tampa-proof.
<p>
Imagine a sports team, the Tampa Bay Fertilizer.  Or Tampa Bay Algae?


feed_id: 48e0cad05a96107d8ce84be00902f9b2
title: Carbon emissions from buildings
uri: Carbon-emissions-from-buildings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Carbon_emissions_from_buildings%29
content:
<p>
In addition to the carbon emissions from using a building, which could
be reduced by using renewable electricity to heat and cool it, we must
start reducing the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/03/dirty-secret-fossil-fuel-free-building-embodied-carbon-building-glass-steel-blocks">carbon
emissions from constructing it, repairing it, and eventually
demolishing it</a>.


feed_id: 7c5f338ab5530ee19756ea8f456d812a
title: Troll's "money bomb" scheme
uri: Troll-s-money-bomb-scheme
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Trolls_money_bomb_scheme%29
content:
<p>
*Trump 'money bomb' scheme
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/03/trump-money-bomb-scheme-republican-fundraising-2020">raised
millions from unwitting donors</a>.*
<p>
If this isn't illegal, it ought to be.


feed_id: 58b58cc685357a15796cb7855c11f3db
title: NY State greatly limits solitary confinement
uri: NY-State-greatly-limits-solitary-confinement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28NY_State_greatly_limits_solitary_confinement%29

content:
<p>
New York State has
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/02/us/new-york-governor-pass-solitary-confinement/index.html">greatly
limited solitary confinement</a>.


feed_id: 96fa12240bf6b831d8d9d2f9d17f37fb
title: Basic idea of "defund the police"
uri: Basic-idea-of-defund-the-police
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Basic_idea_of_defund_the_police%29
content:
<p>
San Francisco has implemented, to some extent, the basic idea of
"defund the police":
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/02/us/mental-health-police-response-go-there/index.html">send
trained de-escalators as first responders</a> instead of cops.


feed_id: 6f37f592f18046da8ead4bb4d39dd5e8
title: HR1
uri: HR1
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28HR1%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://medium.lessig.org/on-the-green-partys-opposition-to-hr1-c121bad07ff6">Larry
Lessig argues</a> with the Green Party criticisms of the bill, HR1.
<p>
I agree that we should pass HR1 &mdash; modified not to make things
harder for minor parties than they already are.


feed_id: 51b708296a2779dfd3615b14cbd0e897
title: Daniel Hale's whistleblowing
uri: Daniel-Hale-s-whistleblowing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#4_April_2021_%28Daniel_Hales_whistleblowing%29
content:
<p>
Daniel Hale's whistleblowing to journalists
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/02/drone-whistleblower-daniel-hale-pleads-guilty-advocates-warn-profound-threat-free">led
to publication of important information about American drone
assassinations</a>.  Prosecuting him was an attack on freedom of the
press in the US.


feed_id: dd5f1309791c62f4f67a9cfc0bf3c85d
title: Surveillance technologies used to hunt for rioters
uri: Surveillance-technologies-used-to-hunt-for-rioters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#5_April_2021_%28Surveillance_technologies_used_to_hunt_for_rioters%29

content:
<p>
The hunt for capitol rioters used many widely deployed surveillance
technologies that
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/04/02/capitol-siege-arrests-technology-fbi-privacy/">can
be used for repression also</a>.
<p>
I think it is proper to have security cameras inside and around the
Capitol.  But their video recordings must not be accessed in any
fashion except when there is probable cause for an investigation of a
specific person.  A security camera's recording should not be easy to
view, and it
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">should
be overwritten automatically after a few weeks if there has been no
grounds to look at it</a>.
<p>
I propose the following guideline for judging whether a technology
with surveillance potential is acceptable in a free society:
<ul>
<li>
If tracking or identifying any randomly chosen person is so much
trouble that the state won't do it unless there is a need, it is
safe.</li>
<li>
If identifying and tracking 100 people requires a major effort, and
the state would not even consider mounting such an effort except
because of an actual or planned terrorist attack or something
comparable, it is safe.</li>
</ul>


feed_id: b9bdf83e391915aeb6ff4b4d2c68674b
title: Institutional racism
uri: 2021-04-06-Institutional-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_April_2021_%28Institutional_racism%29
content:
<p>
*   The government has effectively declared institutional racism does not
   exist, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/05/race-report-trap-britain-government-institutional-racism">and framed those who disagree as the problem</a>.*

<p>
When the government takes the position that criticizing its statements
is unpatriotic, that is the final demonstration that it is unjust.


feed_id: d2a5827edd46e0f919145215c727b284
title: Christians
uri: Christians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_April_2021_%28Christians%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker's support among Christians has given religion a bad name
in the US, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/05/americans-religion-rightwing-politics-decline">and young people are abandoning it fairly fast</a>.


feed_id: f159e3fc5ed0d5ac1fd8cb0b97d5d14e
title: Urgent: stop funding voter suppression
uri: Urgent-stop-funding-voter-suppression
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_April_2021_%28Urgent%3A_stop_funding_voter_suppression%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/attvotersuppressionbills/">call on AT&T</a> to Stop Funding Voter Suppression.


feed_id: 3117222f18116e6847cb5c794c2f7804
title: Urgent: arms embargo on Burma
uri: Urgent-arms-embargo-on-Burma
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_April_2021_%28Urgent%3A_arms_embargo_on_Burma%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/president-biden-support-arms-embargo-burma">call on Biden</a> to support an arms embargo on Burma.


feed_id: b1dc6fcefc16382b6abcb545e6177f2e
title: Urgent: Equality Act
uri: 2021-04-06-Urgent-Equality-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_April_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Equality_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/senate-pass-equality-act-2021/">call on the Senate</a> to pass the Equality Act.


feed_id: 272bbfc4ca2897a62a5b06ae804ecf07
title: Urgent: reduce greenhouse emissions faster
uri: Urgent-reduce-greenhouse-emissions-faster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_April_2021_%28Urgent%3A_reduce_greenhouse_emissions_faster%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/Bold_on_Climate/">call on Biden</a> to propose bigger plans to reduce US
greenhouse emissions faster.


feed_id: 1737c5127f7fde0404247b9b5040d2a0
title: Buying farm land
uri: Buying-farm-land
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_April_2021_%28Buying_farm_land%29
content:
<p>
Bill Gates is buying lots of US farm land, just as an investment &mdash; but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/05/bill-gates-climate-crisis-farmland">concentration of land ownership is not a good thing</a>.


feed_id: da57ba280d00b6df02eae5048812504a
title: Capture
uri: Capture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_April_2021_%28Capture%29
content:
<p>
A seedling of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> has captured part of Mozambique.
It seems to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/04/countries-must-unite-halt-mozambique-insurgency-experts-say">too strong for Mozambique to defeat alone</a>.


feed_id: be967ee3aba1dcf197ae8e759abb0145
title: Guerrilla
uri: Guerrilla
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_April_2021_%28Guerrilla%29
content:
<p>
*Ethiopia is fighting 'difficult and tiresome' <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/04/ethiopias-pm-says-military-fighting-difficult-and-tiresome-guerilla-war">guerrilla war in
Tigray</a>, says PM.*

<p>
I expected something like this.


feed_id: d4d5ba7173bb6b518ef87b84d96f8001
title: Eater Bunny Hunt
uri: Eater-Bunny-Hunt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_April_2021_%28Eater_Bunny_Hunt%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand's annual Great Easter Bunny Hunt <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/05/new-zealand-easter-bunny-hunt-pest">killed almost 12,000
rabbits</a>, 
  but that wasn't enough.  Perhaps they should do it every month.


feed_id: 24ccf6f95a03f18852b5456dc9b997db
title: Heating in Amazon rain forest
uri: Heating-in-Amazon-rain-forest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_April_2021_%28Heating_in_Amazon_rain_forest%29
content:
<p>
Regional heating in part of the Amazon rain forest, due to
deforestation, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/03/study-sounds-latest-warning-rainforest-turning-savanna-climate-warms">is making it hard for the trees there to survive</a>.

<p>
This could deforest the whole region.


feed_id: 0e4aae83f3b3aa536734f4bab101ed81
title: Teaching empathy
uri: Teaching-empathy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_April_2021_%28Teaching_empathy%29
content:
<p>
Teaching people to feel more empathy can have a good effect, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/apr/04/empathy-compassion-personality-attitudes-can-people-change">with people
that want to feel more empathy</a>.


feed_id: 5537de07c499dd7cc6ac91e1b52d43c0
title: Enslavement during Covid-19
uri: Enslavement-during-Covid-19
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_April_2021_%28Enslavement_during_Covid-19%29
content:
<p>
Enslavement in the UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/apr/04/lockdown-brings-alarming-rise-in-modern-slavery">seems to have increased by 25% to 40% during
Covid-19</a>.


feed_id: c9852ff24ccf17bcf81a744a34c7ded4
title: AI emotion recognition
uri: AI-emotion-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_April_2021_%28AI_emotion_recognition%29
content:
<p>
*Scientists create online games <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/apr/04/online-games-ai-emotion-recognition-emojify">to show risks of AI emotion recognition</a>.*

<p>
The article identifies various dangers of this technology, but does not
mention the ones I think are worst.

<p>
If your boss can tell whether you are lying, and you can't tell
whether your boss is lying, that magnifies the boss's power over you.

<p>
If the repression agencies can tell whether you are lying, and you
can't tell whether agents are lying, that magnifies their repressive
power over you.


feed_id: 1a3bdc6ab65d10342deab804bc8136c2
title: Environmental protests
uri: Environmental-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#6_April_2021_%28Environmental_protests%29
content:
<p>
*Across the UK, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/04/uk-environmental-protest-developers">environmental protest is surging</a>.*

<p>
From this article, it seems that most of it is against local
development projects.  In principle, such objections may be valid or
they may be NIMBYism.  The UK needs a lot more housing; the shortage
especially hurts poor people.  The questions are where and how.

<p>
Each project should be evaluated under the right criteria.  What are
the right criteria?  That is a national political question which I
would not trust the Tories about.

<p>
The evaluation must be carried out by an honest government body -- which
is unlikely with Bogus Johnson in charge.

<p>
Thus, I would expect a lot of those objections ARE valid.


feed_id: 5a5431119a449ea37a4a9546d87d0d71
title: Urgent: no megaphone
uri: Urgent-no-megaphone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Urgent%3A_no_megaphone%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/fb_ban_trump_permanently">Tell Zuckerberg</a> not to give the bullshitter his megaphone back.


feed_id: ac637eaaaf16bcbdd0123eccacafc7b5
title: Urgent: no Checkpoint Britain
uri: Urgent-no-Checkpoint-Britain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Urgent%3A_no_Checkpoint_Britain%29
content:
<p>
Britons: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/06/ministers-plans-for-covid-status-certificates-run-into-growing-opposition">call your MP</a> to oppose "Checkpoint Britain".

<p>
  I hope you will say that <em>no occasion</em> should require a person to
carry a portable phone.


feed_id: 72e14f347f156bfd60997698e2e37113
title: Free trade
uri: 2021-04-07-Free-trade
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Free_trade%29
content:
<p>
Economists that advocated "free trade" knowingly hid the fact that
millions of people, and even some countries, <a href="https://noahpinion.substack.com/p/yes-experts-will-lie-to-you-sometimes">can be permanently harmed
by adopting that system</a>.

<p>
Perhaps it is true that they sincerely believed that this
condescending approach to the topic was for the best.  But business
schools and economics departments have ties with businesses, and that
biases them.


feed_id: b22b15bc89fc4f7b834614f398fc67c6
title: Free play
uri: Free-play
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Free_play%29
content:
<p>
It is a mistake for schools to eliminate all free play,
<a href="https://letgrow.org/to-prevent-bullying-school-bans-jumprope-and-ball-playing-replaces-them-with-poetry-reciting-and-supervised-quizzes/">even in the name of preventing bullying</a>.

<p>
There are some children who can't learn to deal with bullying on their
own.  It is important for schools to do something to help them not
just dismiss the problem with "That's life."  But this does not entail
eliminating free play for everyone.


feed_id: f99b6c97f2b570aad0a7cb0be37b1178
title: Fusion center
uri: 2021-04-07-Fusion-center
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Fusion_center%29
content:
<p>
A bill in the Maine legislature would put an end to Maine's "fusion center"
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/04/maine-should-take-chance-defund-local-intelligence-fusion-center">which exchanges surveillance data between various government agencies</a>.


feed_id: 1a5dce1ca7b5b5d19028a32878b3c57d
title: Legal observers
uri: Legal-observers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Legal_observers%29
content:
<p>
British thugs arrested legal observers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/apr/04/met-police-criticised-for-arrest-of-two-observers-at-kill-the-bill-protest">present outside a protest in Briston
to give legal aid to protesters that were arrested</a>.

<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> could not have failed to recognize that they were legal observers.

<p>
Describing all of the Briston protests together as "sometimes violent,
sometimes not" misrepresents them.  <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#29_March_2021_(Attacking_peaceful_protesters)">Most of the protesters were nonviolent</a>
while sometimes certain protesters started violence.


feed_id: 23231c4a6baa5a725ca73164a3acd3c9
title: Opposing taxing rich
uri: Opposing-taxing-rich
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Opposing_taxing_rich%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://local.theonion.com/man-opposes-taxing-rich-because-he-knows-one-day-he-cou-1846607379">satire</a>) *Man Opposes Taxing Rich Because He Knows One Day He Could
Find $20 Bill On Ground.*


feed_id: a1abf6340d060d2d92acc64837a97f9f
title: Global minimum tax rate on corporations
uri: Global-minimum-tax-rate-on-corporations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Global_minimum_tax_rate_on_corporations%29

content:
<p>
Treasury Secretary Yellen called for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/apr/05/janet-yellen-global-minimum-corporate-tax-rate">a global minimum tax rate on
corporations</a>.

<p>
I support this; however, to make it truly effective will require
global agreement on limiting deductions and blocking tax evasion.


feed_id: 3d539cfab663bdf8afe82e190fa1f9ac
title: Illegal retaliation
uri: Illegal-retaliation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Illegal_retaliation%29
content:
<p>
*NLRB Says Amazon Firing of Workers Who Demanded Better Climate, Labor
Policies <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/05/nlrb-says-amazon-firing-workers-who-demanded-better-climate-labor-policies-was">Was Illegal Retaliation</a>.*


feed_id: da511007e38ad458bf52e4d6762dc797
title: Voter suppression laws support
uri: Voter-suppression-laws-support
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Voter_suppression_laws_support%29
content:
<p>
Public pressure has convinced some large companies to condemn Georgia's
voter suppression laws &mdash; <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/05/corporate-backers-georgias-new-voter-suppression-law">after supporting the campaigns of the Republican
legislators that passed them</a>.

<p>
*Corporations Gave $50 Million to GOP Lawmakers <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/05/follow-money-corporations-gave-50-million-gop-lawmakers-behind-voter-suppression">Behind
Voter Suppression Onslaught</a>.*

<p>
Additional Republican-controlled states are passing similar laws.  To
get these companies to pressure additional states, we will need to
keep up the pressure on them.


feed_id: 41f9d13ebc687e0ef02f98e2d54c925a
title: Imitating API
uri: Imitating-API
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Imitating_API%29
content:
<p>
The US Supreme Court ruled that imitating the API of Java
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/5/22367851/google-oracle-supreme-court-ruling-java-android-api">was fair use of the text of the API description</a>.

<p>
The other decision would have been disaster.


feed_id: 097d396adff9f593ee3b82bc025738d5
title: Smart spy
uri: Smart-spy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Smart_spy%29
content:
<p>
*Your 'smart home' is watching &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/05/tech-police-surveillance-smart-home-devices">and possibly [sending] your data [to] the
police</a>.*

<p>
I am glad to see that awareness of this threat to everyone's freedom
is spreading, but it continues to be associated with an inadequate
proposed solution: laws to "protect privacy" by limiting how companies
use the data that they accumulate about the public.  This would reduce
the abuse of people's accumulated personal data <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">but not stop it</a>.

<p>
Please don't use <a href="https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#sharing">the word "sharing"</a>
  to describe propagation of surveillance data.

<p>
The police are plural, so the pronoun "they" fits them &mdash; but "roommate"
ought to be plural as well.

<p>
Before my freshman year of college, I stated my preference for a
roommate that was invisible, inaudible and intangible (if I couldn't
have a room of my own).  I forgot to add deaf and blind.


feed_id: 3d46ffa721eb040832f48567ebfab3d5
title: Support for human rights abuses
uri: Support-for-human-rights-abuses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Support_for_human_rights_abuses%29
content:
<p>
Western governments need to end their support for human rights abuses
and authoritarianism <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/05/sanctions-uyghurs-plight-china-policies">in order to be able to exert effective pressure
on China</a>.


feed_id: 47ef08daa22ae53e2723f0d913803df4
title: Assault weapons ban
uri: Assault-weapons-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Assault_weapons_ban%29
content:
<p>
*Can an assault weapons ban reduce killings <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/05/assault-weapons-ban-firearms-lifespan">if firearms last 100 years</a>?*

<p>
Perhaps the clips don't last as long as the guns.


feed_id: b2971cf01b22a51c4af1c3ae9d256489
title: Extinction rebellion
uri: 2021-04-07-Extinction-rebellion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Extinction_rebellion%29
content:
<p>
*   Extinction Rebellion is planning to step up its campaign against the
   banking system <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/05/extinction-rebellion-to-step-up-campaign-against-banking-system-climate-crisis">with a series of direct action protests and debt strikes</a>*


feed_id: 4269bc1b38f0c8722aad86081d5833b5
title: Alexei Navalny is seriously ill
uri: Alexei-Navalny-is-seriously-ill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Alexei_Navalny_is_seriously_ill%29
content:
<p>

Alexei Navalny is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/06/alexei-navalny-seriously-ill-on-prison-sick-ward-says-lawyer">"seriously ill"</a> in the Russian prison.
<p>
Since the Russian state poisoned him once, maybe it is doing something
similar now.


feed_id: 58bdc556c1fe1b2c977f7c0ea8cc2019
title: Students want cops removed from campus
uri: Students-want-cops-removed-from-campus
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Students_want_cops_removed_from_campus%29

content:
<p>

*Survey Finds 2/3 of US Students <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/06/we-need-police-free-schools-survey-finds-23-us-students-want-cops-removed-campus">Want Cops Removed</a> From Campus.*
<p>
I get the impression this is not a scientific survey,
but it demonstrates that US high school students are aware
of the danger of the school-to-prison pipeline.


feed_id: 4bd77bea83d834eaa2bef2dc6cd0a4e8
title: Ukraine afraid of Russian attack
uri: Ukraine-afraid-of-Russian-attack
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Ukraine_afraid_of_Russian_attack_%29

content:
<p>

Ukraine is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/06/ukraine-pressures-nato-for-membership-as-russia-amasses-troops-at-border">afraid Russia is about to attack</a> again soon.
<p>
This is not an absurd fear.  The Russia-fueled rebellion in eastern
Ukraine quieted down after a Russian missile unit <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#28_May_2018_(Launcher_that_shot_down_flight_MH17)">mistakenly shot down</a>
a passenger airplane, but it seems that Russia is heating it up again.
<p>
Putin tends to probe for weaknesses.  Responding with strength, but
not aggression, can convince him to pull back and not start a war now.
But this does not have to mean joining NATO &mdash; which would in any case
take too long.


feed_id: 7f6dbab87083fb538532218f59ea38a4
title: Six ways Chevron imperils
uri: Six-ways-Chevron-imperils
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Six_ways_Chevron_imperils%29
content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/04/six-ways-chevron-imperils-climate-human-rights-and-racial-justice">Six Ways</a> Chevron Imperils Climate, Human Rights, and Racial Justice.*


feed_id: d87e65871814aab13704f4e6cc636a18
title: Tesla's malware
uri: Tesla-s-malware
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Tesla%27s_malware%29
content:
<p>

Tesla's <a href="https://tiremeetsroad.com/2021/03/18/tesla-allegedly-remotely-unlocks-model-3-owners-car-uses-smart-summon-to-help-repo-agent/">innovation in malware</a> is designed to help repossess
the car if the owner falls behind on loan payments.
<p>
States should pass laws to enable car owners to turn off GPS and turn
off all radio communication from the car.


feed_id: 1cc60eb1ba1db0ad9bfff8d2f647e0c5
title: Political power via boycotts
uri: Political-power-via-boycotts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Political_power_via_boycotts%29
content:
<p>

In an <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2021/04/03/ambulatory-wallets/#sectoral-balances">economy of near-monopolies</a>, you can't usually get political
power via boycotts.
<p>
*It's a perfect macrocosm of the consumer's dilemma: if you rely on
   money, rather than politics, to accomplish political change, you
   will never make a change that reduces the power of money in
   politics.*


feed_id: 5b7daa084045b6f21ff203816faf3de4
title: State assets to secure vaccine deal
uri: State-assets-to-secure-vaccine-deal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28State_assets_to_secure_vaccine_deal%29

content:
<p>

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism: *Pfizer demands governments
<a href="https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2021-02-23/held-to-ransom-pfizer-demands-governments-gamble-with-state-assets-to-secure-vaccine-deal">gamble with state assets to secure vaccine deal</a>.*


feed_id: 60cd0a364dcf6e96914ba9f6357de15f
title: Dealing with the US military-industrial complex
uri: Dealing-with-the-US-military-industrial-complex
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Dealing_with_the_US_military-industrial_complex%29

content:
<p>

The US military-industrial complex and its products are surprisingly broad.
This article investigates the moral issues of <a href="https://medium.com/hardware-is-hard/hardware-and-the-military-industrial-complex-86a7e6620757">how to deal with it and
how not to</a>.
<p>
I think the US should move the research that is not directly about
fighting into a non-military agency.  That way, the cuts that we need to make
in military spending will not harm that research.


feed_id: 1b0ceec7af9390c81047b278a804d72e
title: Urgent: Pass the Medicare for All Act
uri: Urgent-Pass-the-Medicare-for-All-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Pass_the_Medicare_for_All_Act%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/sign-petition-congress-must-pass-medicare-all-act-2021/">pass the Medicare for All Act of
 2021</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.</p>
<p>If you call, please spread the word!</a>


feed_id: 75f85d0da469f5b2ef3894d5b631b7d3
title: Goon Squad manual
uri: Goon-Squad-manual
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Goon_Squad_manual%29
content:
<p>

*NYPD "Goon Squad" Manual <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/04/07/nypd-strategic-response-unit-george-floyd-protests/">Teaches Officers to Violate Protesters’ Rights</a>.*


feed_id: 153bed4b63337f45f1085b56368afd5b
title: Increase in Parkinsons's disease
uri: Increase-in-Parkinsons-s-disease
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Increase_in_Parkinsons%27s_disease%29

content:
<p>

Parkinson's disease is increasing, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/07/rates-of-parkinsons-disease-are-exploding-a-common-chemical-may-be-to-blame">Trichloroethylene may be the
cause</a>. We should ban it now rather than wait to be absolutely certain
when it is too late to avoid getting sick.


feed_id: 9d9268d6c146aeeb7e672b0c84ee274c
title: Strong for the common good
uri: Strong-for-the-common-good
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Strong_for_the_common_good%29
content:
<p>

*Will the United States Ever Become a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/07/will-united-states-ever-become-strong-nation-common-good">Strong Nation for the Common Good</a>?*
For the US to be great again, the US government must do great things
and tax the rich to pay for them.


feed_id: 79884b7a890e3fbbbc8313377eec9ae4
title: Leftwing anti-mine party
uri: Leftwing-anti-mine-party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Leftwing_anti-mine_party%29
content:
<p>

*Greenland’s leftwing anti-mine party <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/07/greenlands-left-wing-anti-mine-party-wins-snap-election">wins snap election</a>.*
<p>
Rare earths, though not exceedingly rare, are important as well as
valuable.  But mines tend to leave dangerous pollution <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#24_November_2012_(Radioactive_waste_from_refining_companies)">lying around</a>,
and mining companies lobby <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-jan-apr.html#22_March_2014_(Rare_earth_mining_in_China)">not to pay for remediating the damage</a> they
do.
<p>
I wonder, is there any safe way to let a mine operate?


feed_id: b5470e8cf7a96d0bf056c060271f2e23
title: Democrats in Congress
uri: Democrats-in-Congress
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28Democrats_in_Congress%29
content:
<p>

Democrats in Congress are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/06/did-democrats-blow-their-chance-repeal-slew-trumps-regulatory-attacks">failing to use their power</a> to eliminate
many of the wrecker's destructive federal regulations.


feed_id: dad8c2db41e9d0698869af18ff064982
title: (satire) Hat that didn't work
uri: (satire)-Hat-that-didn-t-work
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#7_April_2021_%28%28satire%29_Hat_that_didn%27t_work%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *U.S. Criticized For Giving $1 Trillion To Military
Contractor To <a href="https://www.theonion.com/u-s-criticized-for-giving-1-trillion-to-military-cont-1846628188">Develop Hat That Didn’t Work</a>.*


feed_id: 48397b2fb271c2cdeb1e12712d19e206
title: Non-nuclear deal with Iran
uri: 2021-04-08-Non-nuclear-deal-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_April_2021_%28Non-nuclear_deal_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>

To reestablish the non-nuclear deal with Iran, the US needs to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/06/true-jcpoa-re-entry-biden-must-tear-down-trumps-sanctions-wall">get rid
of several existing sanctions</a> against Iran, even if the ostensible motive
for the sanctions is "terrorism".


feed_id: 26ce0509615d0d4936f5fddcfb2a935f
title: Private Medical Insurance
uri: Private-Medical-Insurance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_April_2021_%28Private_Medical_Insurance%29
content:
<p>

Millions of Americans have private medical insurance that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/06/its-time-junk-junk-insurance">won't cover the
cost of expensive treatments</a> for grave illnesses.


feed_id: a8d85a7ac2470ace3a70d5345ea8e223
title: Plan to rename schools
uri: Plan-to-rename-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_April_2021_%28Plan_to_rename_schools%29
content:
<p>
San Francisco has retracted the plan to rename schools named
after heroes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/07/san-francisco-school-board-schools-rename">that were found to have done some things wrong</a>.

<p>
In some of those cases, I know the wrongs were real.  Perhaps that was
true in all 44 cases.  But it is a mistake to judge past heroes by
today's values and demand perfection.

<p>
Over time, the default views in society change.  Views we now consider
reprehensible were once held by almost everyone.  We don't need to
condemn people of the past for not understanding what we understand
today.

<p>
I have criticized Senator Feinstein <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#27_September_2020_(Senator_Feinstein_wants_to_allow_Republicans_to_block_all_progressive_legislation)">for her right-wing positions</a>.
  In addition, I believe that no government in the US should display
the flag of treason and slavery.  However, I can understand how an
official might not want to let vandalism decide changes in policy,
even changes for the better.


feed_id: 7507fd08250943a6e759a7413eb9a5d4
title: End support for Yemen War
uri: End-support-for-Yemen-War
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_April_2021_%28End_support_for_Yemen_War%29
content:
<p>
*[Two] Months After Biden Promised to End Support for Yemen War,
 <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/04/07/biden-yemen-war-congress-end/">Congress Still Has No Details</a>.*


feed_id: 10b7f5ba2db24d04fcc7f6e5856525f9
title: Ocean too warm
uri: Ocean-too-warm
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_April_2021_%28Ocean_too_warm%29
content:
<p>
*   Study suggests [the ocean] is already <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/08/marine-species-increasingly-cant-live-at-equator-due-to-global-heating">too warm in tropics for some species to
   survive</a>.*


feed_id: 2c534edfaf9799861605245c6c363a80
title: Light pollution
uri: 2021-04-08-Light-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_April_2021_%28Light_pollution%29
content:
<p>
*   Light pollution is killing insects and birds – and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/commentisfree/2021/apr/07/the-guardian-view-on-dark-skies-we-need-them">an ancient human
   connection with the heavenly bodies</a>.*


feed_id: 3aa622f43feabb3571bd174fe638d16e
title: Infrastructure plan
uri: 2021-04-08-Infrastructure-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_April_2021_%28Infrastructure_plan%29
content:
<p>
I have some criticisms <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/31/politics/infrastructure-proposal-biden-explainer/index.html">of the specifics of Biden's infrastructure plan</a>.

<p>
I question the decision to give so much money to roads (as distinct
from bridges) rather than to mass transit.

<p>
Upgrading Amtrak's Northeast Corridor would be a good thing if it
included allowing anonymous travel on that line.

<p>
Support for for buying electric cars is a good idea but the owner must
be allowed to turn off all features that track the vehicles'
movements.

<p>
Building charging stations for electric vehicles must include allowing
anonymous payment and the stations must not take note of the identity
of the vehicle being charged.

<p>
Replacing lead water pipes is a very good thing to do.


feed_id: 05a214f4e98cb71dc01a136428cf24e7
title: Attacking Venezuela
uri: Attacking-Venezuela
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_April_2021_%28Attacking_Venezuela%29
content:
<p>
The US keeps attacking Venezuela, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/06/capitol-raid-and-pandemic-can-help-us-empathize-venezuelans">with coup attempts and sanctions</a>.


feed_id: d5aa80e02aa35244b7b6470f4f70c14c
title: Fight for abortion rights
uri: Fight-for-abortion-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_April_2021_%28Fight_for_abortion_rights%29
content:
<p>
The fight for abortion rights <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/06/womens-rights-are-human-rights">continues in countries around the world</a>.


feed_id: e673e082db41ffe27970bcb49f76a615
title: Stay out of politics
uri: Stay-out-of-politics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_April_2021_%28Stay_out_of_politics%29
content:
<p>
*After Decades of Raking in Corporate Cash, McConnell <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/06/after-decades-raking-corporate-cash-mcconnell-tells-ceos-mildly-defending-voting">Tells CEOs Mildly
Defending Voting Rights to 'Stay Out of Politics'</a>.*

<p>
Does that mean he won't accept their money any more ;-}?


feed_id: 33a43f2c24478c0f9a8d99459bcc0fa9
title: Difference in US work
uri: Difference-in-US-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_April_2021_%28Difference_in_US_work%29
content:
<p>
The difference in US work, 50 years ago and now, is that well-paid union jobs
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/06/dont-be-fooled-corporate-america-crushing-working-class">have been replaced by precarious work for a pittance</a>.


feed_id: e15b52977918865e6f45a7b6f2cec15e
title: We the people
uri: We-the-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#8_April_2021_%28We_the_people%29
content:
<p>
The "We the People" Amendment bill <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/06/jayapal-house-dems-propose-constitutional-amendment-end-corporate-personhood">has been reintroduced</a>.
  This amendment would wipe away various Supreme Court decisions that extended
human rights to nonhuman corporations.


feed_id: 3b4d354a10a2e2711be0d564bea2b0b2
title: Peat
uri: 2021-04-09-Peat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_April_2021_%28Peat%29
content:
<p>
*The Guardian view on peat: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/08/the-guardian-view-on-peat-keep-it-in-the-ground">keep it in the ground</a>.*


feed_id: 586e49cb0c7b343536c8816acb15506d
title: On the verge of another surge
uri: On-the-verge-of-another-surge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_April_2021_%28On_the_verge_of_another_surge%29
content:
<p>
The UK is on the verge of another surge in Covid-19 among the millions
of people not yet vaccinated &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/08/uk-covid-cases-could-rise-again-despite-vaccine-progress-who-official">if it continues to relax restrictions and
open the commercial spaces that are closed</a>.

<p>
The US is already having another surge.  It is the work the same
Republican officials that obeyed the bullshitter by making foolhardy
disease-spreading a badge of defiance against rationality.


feed_id: 87b449ecdc4ef0a137c91bf7f0e37b3c
title: Police effectiveness
uri: Police-effectiveness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_April_2021_%28Police_effectiveness%29
content:
<p>
*Police are most effective <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/04/police-are-most-effective-when-the-public-approves-of-their-actions">when the public approves of their actions</a>.*


feed_id: cf7917ddaf322720c81b749a82ba796e
title: Airports expansion
uri: Airports-expansion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_April_2021_%28Airports_expansion%29
content:
<p>
*Climate campaigners <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/08/climate-campaigners-call-for-halt-to-regional-uk-airports-expansion">call for halt to regional UK airports expansion</a>.*

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#26_October_2013_(The_carbon_budget)">There is no room in the carbon budget</a> for increase in flying that
expanded airports would lead to.


feed_id: eacc5ac8bc595badf3370277524a29b9
title: West Virginia
uri: West-Virginia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_April_2021_%28West_Virginia%29
content:
<p>
West Virginia came to exist because that part of Virginia refused to
secede from the United States, and stayed with the Union in the Civil
War.  More recently, a right-wing political movement set up monuments
to the Confederacy and Confederate generals, thus spreading an
erroneous idea of the state's history.

<p>
Now Republicans, who dominate the state's government and perhaps lean
towards white supremacism, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/08/west-virginia-republican-bill-confederate-statues">want to make it illegal to remove or rename
those monuments</a>.

<p>
It is possible to deal with a statue that supports the Confederacy by
putting up an opposing statue: perhaps of Lincoln or Grant, or some
West Virginian who fought for the Union.

<p>
However, when a building's name refers to the Confederacy, it would
not usually be feasible to override its message by building another
building nearby.  Cities and schools in West Virginia should rename
those buildings promptly, before a new law can get in the way.

<p>
Putting up new monuments depicting West Virginia soldiers in their blue
Union uniforms would help teach the state's history.  And if West
Virginia organized regiments of escaped slaves, like the 54th
Massachusetts, monuments to them would get the point across even more
clearly.

<p>
They surely deserve monuments.


feed_id: 5be7c816d1183e05bee0c71c18edb8e2
title: Fishing gear
uri: Fishing-gear
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_April_2021_%28Fishing_gear%29
content:
<p>
New kinds of fishing gear <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/08/ropeless-fishing-north-atlantic-right-whale-us-canada">could save the North Atlantic right whale</a>.


feed_id: 5fd791f40e5d3da5303d2d5a49bb1d15
title: Forests inundated by the ocean
uri: Forests-inundated-by-the-ocean
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_April_2021_%28Forests_inundated_by_the_ocean%29
content:
<p>
On the coast of North Carolina, forests are slowly being inundated by
the ocean, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/08/ghost-forests-us-coast-sea-level-rise">and many of the trees are dead</a>.

<p>
When there is a drought on the land, salt water seeps inland and
salinifies the land.


feed_id: 57de37d42dcec6430f91c6a19ada8448
title: Trickle down
uri: 2021-04-09-Trickle-down
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_April_2021_%28Trickle_down%29
content:
<p>
The US government, and international institutions, have recognized that
trickle down only feeds dooH niboR, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/08/economic-orthodoxies-covid-crisis-states-taxes-budgets">and have adopted Keynsianism</a>.

<p>
The reason why Covid-19 increased inequality is that it caused lots of
disasters.  So it created lots of opportunities <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2006-sep-dec.html#04 September 2006 (Disaster capitalism)">for disaster capitalism</a>.
  People and institutions that had a habit of searching for such
opportunities found them and benefited from them.


feed_id: 6e35f2e354c9ad7ca0e0dfb1725f9ca7
title: Genocide suspect
uri: Genocide-suspect
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_April_2021_%28Genocide_suspect%29
content:
<p>
*Zimbabwe under renewed pressure <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/08/zimbabwe-under-renewed-pressure-to-give-up-rwanda-genocide-suspect">to give up Rwanda genocide suspect</a>.*


feed_id: e3ee742727804d29aa4c345c975762d6
title: Bitcoin mining empire
uri: Bitcoin-mining-empire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_April_2021_%28Bitcoin_mining_empire%29
content:
<p>
*China’s vast bitcoin mining empire <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/apr/07/china-bitcoin-mining-climate-targets-nature-study">risks derailing its climate targets</a>, says
study.*


feed_id: 99b2533745d6f826d9d666dd7492dbf5
title: Carbon Tax Center
uri: Carbon-Tax-Center
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_April_2021_%28Carbon_Tax_Center%29
content:
<p>
*   We at Carbon Tax Center believe that removing climate deniers from the
   Climate Solutions Caucus <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/06/any-bipartisan-approach-gop-carbon-tax-fools-errand">could help rehabilitate carbon taxing in the
   public conversation</a>.*

<p>
The overall point is that a revenue-neutral carbon tax, redistributing
the tax money to help the poor, would complement programs to invest in
renewable energy generation and use.  The investments would provide an
alternative to fossil fuel use, and the tax would pressure everyone to
use the alternative <em>instead of</em> fossil fuel rather than using more
energy.


feed_id: 3f1745fcf1dfe4057e6e3376d8328a8c
title: Potential fight
uri: Potential-fight
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_April_2021_%28Potential_fight%29
content:
<p>
The US military &mdash; or any military &mdash; is based on a philosophy of
seeing the world as a potential fight and the enemy as dehumanized.
This gives it <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/06/americas-far-right-uniform">a fundamental similarity to right-wing extremism</a>.

<p>
That is the foundation of the US military's vulnerability to
right-wing extremism, but other factors add to it.


feed_id: dd9826ecc4ad3b89cb0863bb5469eaf1
title: Bank directors ties
uri: Bank-directors-ties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_April_2021_%28Bank_directors_ties%29
content:
<p>
*   Analysis finds 77% of directors on boards of seven US banks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/06/banks-climate-change-line-3-pipeline-conflict-interest">have ties
   to ‘climate-conflicted’ groups</a>.*


feed_id: 7febaf71b571b4c42cdef13e68ccb01a
title: Rush into abandoning human rights
uri: Rush-into-abandoning-human-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_April_2021_%28Rush_into_abandoning_human_rights%29

content:
<p>
*UK's 'headlong rush into abandoning human rights' <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/apr/07/uks-headlong-rush-into-abandoning-human-rights-rebuked-by-amnesty">rebuked by Amnesty</a>.*


feed_id: 608d9d05063827980adb6e1c50974dd7
title: Covid-19 complications
uri: Covid-19-complications
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#9_April_2021_%28Covid-19_complications%29
content:
<p>
1/3 of patients who had Covid-19 developed neurological or psychological
problems in 6 months.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/07/one-in-three-covid-survivors-diagnosed-with-mental-health-condition">Most of these problems were psychological</a>.


feed_id: ecffecc8f07637d61520a6071532b837
title: 4C of global heating
uri: 4C-of-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%284C_of_global_heating%29
content:
<p>

With 4C of global heating, Antarctic ice shelves (which float) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/08/third-of-antarctic-ice-shelves-will-collapse-amid-4c-global-heating">will
collapse and melt</a>.
This will allow ice from the ice sheets (which rest on land) to flow
into the ocean and melt in turn.  That in turn would cause large rises
in sea level.


feed_id: e2d1055bf494ca3c0391183f4910e1ed
title: Shooting songbirds
uri: Shooting-songbirds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28Shooting_songbirds%29
content:
<p>

Wildlife defenders in Italy have pretty much put an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/08/snared-catching-poachers-to-save-italys-songbirds-aoe">end to trapping
migrating songbirds</a>, so people have switched to shooting them.
To stop this will require a change in the law.


feed_id: c8c66b2a4f7eafc9fe764978f766ef75
title: (satire)Hybrid Model
uri: (satire)Hybrid-Model
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28%28satire%29Hybrid_Model%29
content:
<p>

(satire) *More Companies Considering Hybrid Model Where <a href="https://www.theonion.com/more-companies-considering-hybrid-model-where-half-retu-1846636005">Half Return To
Office, Half Laid Off</a>.*


feed_id: 02b44e6967b72759b12e3a40f0222ef1
title: US deportation thugs focus on criminals
uri: US-deportation-thugs-focus-on-criminals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28US_deportation_thugs_focus_on_criminals%29

content:
<p>

The US deportation thugs, on Biden's orders, now <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/06/politics/immigration-arrests-deportations-biden/index.html">focus once again</a> on
unauthorized immigrants that are dangerous or serious criminals.
<p>
The number of prisoners in deportation prisons is half as many as last
year.


feed_id: 5a40bd3a2537aae1b161ea79bd93170d
title: Liberty Mutual insurance company
uri: Liberty-Mutual-insurance-company
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28Liberty_Mutual_insurance_company%29

content:
<p>

Liberty Mutual insurance company not only continues insuring fossil
fuel extraction, it is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/07/5-ways-liberty-mutual-threatening-communities-and-our-climate">building a new coal mine</a> itself.


feed_id: 75dd32f57e57e07b22bfca9284569b6f
title: Aggravation of human rights abuses
uri: Aggravation-of-human-rights-abuses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28Aggravation_of_human_rights_abuses%29

content:
<p>

Amnesty International reports on aggravation of human rights abuses in
many countries <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/apr/08/hidden-human-rights-crises-threaten-post-covid-global-security-amnesty">under the cover of Covid-19</a>.


feed_id: 1b0c4a5b8e5ea7725caa72b6e4168e13
title: Sweat checking ankle tags
uri: Sweat-checking-ankle-tags
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28Sweat_checking_ankle_tags%29
content:
<p>

Courts in Britain are ordering some people on probation or parole
to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-56583153">wear new ankle tags</a> that check sweat for indication that they
have drunk alcohol.
<p>
I think this is legitimate because it is applied only as part
of punishment for a crime.  What I object to is the systematic
monitoring of people in general, without specific grounds such
as a conviction for a crime.

Reduce dependence on China
Australian universities are trying to increase cooperation with Indonesia
to <a href="">reduce dependence on China</a>.

Regulation of guns
Biden made some <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/07/joe-biden-gun-violence-executive-actions">small increments</a> in regulation of guns, to try to convince
Congress to go further.


feed_id: 5b6d9cb7c623ecf5fc29588aab89c056
title: UK report on racism
uri: UK-report-on-racism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28UK_report_on_racism%29
content:
<p>

The UK government's report on racism in Britain cited old scholarship
which <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/07/sewell-report-structural-racism-research">didn't figure on structural racism</a>, rather than newer scholarship
which does.
<p>
The idea of using health disparities between groups to measure the net
effects of racism surprised me.  In principle, racism's injustices are
not limited to worse health and shorter life span.  Bigotry is wrong
even if it does not shorten your life, and it can do you harm in ways
that don't make you physically sick.
<p>
But the author suggests that the varied wrongs of racism tend to
manifest themselves in the form of worse health, visible in medical
statistics &mdash; and that this provides an objective way to measure the
level of harm caused by racism within any given population.  That is
very interesting.


feed_id: 33ae4ce859f3d2df55c1623f0e5f0e6f
title: Oslo man ten years dead
uri: Oslo-man-ten-years-dead
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28Oslo_man_ten_years_dead%29
content:
<p>

A man died in Oslo ten years ago, in his apartment, and his corpse was
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/09/mans-body-was-found-after-lying-in-norway-flat-for-nine-years-say-police">only just discovered</a>.
<p>
This is a sign of how little social contact a person can have now.
I wonder if the man was lonely and sad.


feed_id: dc6e5effa9acac7cecfb0f923ed54e55
title: Pulse rates of sheep
uri: Pulse-rates-of-sheep
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28Pulse_rates_of_sheep%29
content:
<p>

A study finds that sheep tend to have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/09/stress-test-australian-study-finds-herding-sheep-via-drone-better-for-their-welfare">lower pulse rates</a> when
shepherded by drones.
<p>
That might mean those sheep are better off, but that isn't certain.
Perhaps sheep benefit from occasional higher heart rates.
Humans do.


feed_id: 8da04ae070b26179b66256f0016d3e73
title: South of the border
uri: South-of-the-border
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28South_of_the_border%29
content:
<p>

* The United States created a hellish world for millions (south of the
   border) and now <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/08/fate-those-us-border-our-fate-too">demonizes those trying to escape it</a>.*

Covid-19 deaths in the medical field
Over 3,600 US workers in the medical field have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/08/fauci-admits-ppe-shortages-under-trump-increased-covid-death-toll-frontline">died from Covid-19</a>.
A substantial part of this was caused by the wrecker's bad policies,
such as allowing the manufacture of protective gear to grow slowly,
and encouraging the spread of the disease.

(satire) Rats' amusement park
(satire) *Rats Scramble To <a href="https://www.theonion.com/rats-scramble-to-hide-fully-functioning-amusement-park-1846606703">Hide Fully Functioning Amusement Park</a> And
Resort They Built As Workers Return To Office.*


feed_id: 104ad3b5948592ba2902a189e63196f2
title: AI-base surveillance of students
uri: AI-base-surveillance-of-students
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28AI-base_surveillance_of_students%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://onezero.medium.com/abolish-a-i-proctoring-c9e017dd764f">Moral arguments</a> against AI-based surveillance of students, in exams or
not.
<p>
The article uses the term "ablism" in a way I think is incorrect.  A
tendency to move your head around while thinking is not a disability,
merely a quirk.  So if a system penalizes people for such head
movements, I think the term "quirkism", meaning "prejudice against
people because of quirks", describes that system better.
<p>
Whatever name we call it, it is bad for systems to show prejudice against
quirks like that.
<p>
The article does not mention the essential basic injustice of
proctoring systems: they are nonfree software that the student is
required to run.


feed_id: 49c194c89fd0ac8688e6478c3f1f8603
title: Fight against Ukraine
uri: Fight-against-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28Fight_against_Ukraine%29
content:
<p>

It appears separatists in the Donbas area of Ukraine are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/09/kremlin-officials-say-russia-will-not-stand-aside-if-kyiv-launches-assault">escalating the fight</a>
against Ukraine.
<p>
The separatists are Putin's willing proxies; when the fighting was
hot, a few years ago, he sent Russian soldiers with Russian arms to
fight alongside them.  I presume that Putin invited them to heat up
that little war now to provide a pretext for a bigger invasion from
outside.


feed_id: d2dbd5132a1312232106ce453c80ff56
title: Amazon employees in Alabama
uri: Amazon-employees-in-Alabama
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28Amazon_employees_in_Alabama%29
content:
<p>

Amazon's employees in Alabama seem to have voted against unionization,
but the union claims Amazon <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/apr/09/amazon-union-vote-result-latest-news-bessemer-alabama-plant">intimidated workers</a> and made the election
unfair.


feed_id: cf527caeb0a373210d2657da6eecfcb9
title: Identified by infiltrating Twitter
uri: Identified-by-infiltrating-Twitter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28Identified_by_infiltrating_Twitter%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> sentenced alleged satirist Abdulrahman al-Sadhan to 40 years
of punishment.  The monarchy may have identified him by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/09/saudi-arabia-jails-alleged-satirist-identified-in-twitter-infiltration">infiltrating Twitter</a>.
<p>
Abdulrahman has been tortured in prison.


feed_id: 5f9ad1bc2600d421b95f83997ef00599
title: Demand for proof Princess Latifa is alive
uri: Demand-for-proof-Princess-Latifa-is-alive
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28Demand_for_proof_Princess_Latifa_is_alive%29

content:
<p>

The UAE has not responded to the UN's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/09/uae-has-failed-to-show-proof-that-princess-latifa-is-alive-says-un">demand for proof</a> that the kidnapped
Princess Latifa is still alive.
<p>
Were they Indian commandos mercenaries, or were they Indian armed forces?
What role, if any, did the government of India play in the events.
It ought to investigate who in India was involved.


feed_id: 19dfecae4b4c434d7d46999be43497b6
title: Uighur officials sentenced to death
uri: Uighur-officials-sentenced-to-death
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28Uighur_officials_sentenced_to_death%29

content:
<p>

China has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/09/china-uyghur-death-sentences-xinjiang-education-directors">sentenced</a> some former Uighur officials to death.


feed_id: cff42223edef0f37250b272d4cd96e33
title: Urgent: UN sanctions against Erik Prince
uri: Urgent-UN-sanctions-against-Erik-Prince
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Urgent%3A_UN_sanctions_against_Erik_Prince%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/sanctions-erk-prince">support UN sanctions against Erik
 Prince</a>.


feed_id: 93d2e9c7672c34697dc0ae8f27c118ee
title: Urgent: Cancel student debt
uri: 2021-04-11-Urgent-Cancel-student-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Cancel_student_debt%29
content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/Cancel_Student_Debt_Now/">Cancel Student Debt</a>.


feed_id: a60394f14b4374fdbb1a10de108bc4c1
title: Old-growth tress in British Columbia
uri: Old-growth-tress-in-British-Columbia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Old-growth_tress_in_British_Columbia%29

content:
<p>

British Columbia is allowing the small area of remaining large
old-growth trees to be cut down, and activists are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/09/canada-logging-old-growth-trees-vancouver-island">blocking the
logging teams</a>.


feed_id: 8746043b4b0d2a57dbda07eaa1737d0b
title: Brazil-nut hunters
uri: Brazil-nut-hunters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Brazil-nut_hunters%29
content:
<p>

Brazil-nut hunters are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/apr/09/the-forgotten-people-picking-your-brazil-nuts-for-a-fraction-of-the-price">forming cooperatives</a> to get more than a tiny share
of the price that we pay for them in foreign countries.
<p>
If deforestation turns the Amazon forest into a savannah, the
Brazil-nut trees will mostly be wiped out.  That alone would be sad
but not a disaster; to envision what things will be like in 40 years,
imagine that half the things you eat are gone and the other half are
too expensive.


feed_id: 3619fe97446127dfe0d6a309f7e00cb0
title: Fascism of India's RSS
uri: Fascism-of-India-s-RSS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Fascism_of_India%27s_RSS%29
content:
<p>

*Fascism of India's RSS <a href="https://pieterjfriedrich.medium.com/fascism-of-indias-rss-denounced-by-european-members-of-parliament-e0e33f3a7824">Denounced</a> by European Members of Parliament.*


feed_id: c9831c21421cb904ca2f2330a0e0d225
title: Reduce military spending
uri: Reduce-military-spending
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Reduce_military_spending%29
content:
<p>

Congress should <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/09/congress-urged-reject-bidens-unconscionable-715-billion-pentagon-budget">reduce military spending</a>, not keep it unchanged.
<p>
I have a hunch there are military programs that spend a lot of
money in West Virginia.  Proposing to cut them drastically could
persuade Senator Manchin to abolish the filibuster.
The security of the US would still be adequate with such cuts.


feed_id: 656300c0419392e0a77f79abf1f0645d
title: Military-grade healthcare
uri: Military-grade-healthcare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Military-grade_healthcare%29
content:
<p>

*Arm Our Cities With <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/09/arm-our-cities-military-grade-healthcare-not-weapons">Military-Grade Healthcare</a>, Not Weapons.*


feed_id: a823d881f69c81eef0b0694b6cc46495
title: Going too small on infrastructure
uri: Going-too-small-on-infrastructure
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Going_too_small_on_infrastructure%29

content:
<p>

*Economists Warn Democrats 'Going Too Small' on Infrastructure Risks <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/09/economists-warn-democrats-going-too-small-infrastructure-risks-economic-and-climate">Economic
and Climate Catastrophe</a>.*
<p>
*   The costs of inaction outweigh the risks of borrowing to take
   action—by trillions of dollars.*


feed_id: 81bdcd7ff2f49301f61178df786df944
title: Embrace a bold agenda
uri: Embrace-a-bold-agenda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Embrace_a_bold_agenda%29
content:
<p>

*   Democrats often blame their election losses on gerrymandering and voter
   suppression, but progressive initiatives win all over the country. It
   is time to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/09/trump-has-left-white-house-what-has-left-learn">embrace a bold agenda</a> and then fight like hell to to win it.*


feed_id: eef3561a3dc8ea7ba3dc3e55c39c0c4d
title: Doubled levels of Covid-19 infection
uri: Doubled-levels-of-Covid-19-infection
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Doubled_levels_of_Covid-19_infection%29

content:
<p>

A large beef- or pork-packing plant in a county <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2021/04/09/meatpacking-plants-and-covid-new-study-shows-devastating-link-between-outbreaks">more than doubled</a> the
level of Covid-19 infection in that county, on the average.


feed_id: e4197bba23366704563b34d8d1bff60b
title: (satire) Amazon celebrates union defeat
uri: (satire)-Amazon-celebrates-union-defeat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28%28satire%29_Amazon_celebrates_union_defeat%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Amazon Celebrates Union Defeat By <a href="https://www.theonion.com/amazon-celebrates-union-defeat-by-raising-all-prices-15-1846653082">Raising All Prices</a> 150% Anyway.*


feed_id: 82872396351f5cb444aaa544d7aa8f73
title: Norway's prime minister fined
uri: Norway-s-prime-minister-fined
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Norway%27s_prime_minister_fined%29
content:
<p>

Norway's prime minister was fined for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/09/norway-prime-minister-erna-solberg-fined-breaking-covid-rules-birthday">having a birthday party with 13
participants</a>, after endorsing an official limit of 10.
<p>
What a contrast with <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_(Tories_pushed_reopening_so_hard_that_Covid-19_is_increasing)">Tories</a> and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#18_July_2020_(Republicans_pivoting_towards_a_policy_of_reopen_business_fast)">Republicans</a>.


feed_id: 6889e400649aa85b8811ba3b7006245f
title: Fourth US Covid-19 surge
uri: Fourth-US-Covid-19-surge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Fourth_US_Covid-19_surge%29
content:
<p>

The US is beginning a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/10/coronavirus-midwest-wave-michigian-illinois-minnesota">fourth</a> Covid-19 surge, caused by the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/09/us/us-covid-vaccines-mistakes-progress-analysis/index.html">same foolish
actions</a> that caused the second and the third.
<p>
The anti-transmission precautions that have been recommended for a
year or so would prevent the fourth surge.


feed_id: c08cde1fb03bcdad857c8e63e79906c7
title: Shifting taxes from one country to another
uri: Shifting-taxes-from-one-country-to-another
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Shifting_taxes_from_one_country_to_another%29

content:
<p>

Biden has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/apr/08/biden-proposes-global-reforms-to-end-profit-shifting-to-tax-havens">endorsed plans</a> to prevent companies from shifting taxes from
one country to another which charges a lower tax rate.
<p>
All countries should unite to tax the plutocrats!


feed_id: 0029aea37ba50b58a38b415122469ee6
title: (satire) Patchy-haired, shivering rescue
uri: (satire)-Patchy-haired-shivering-rescue
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28%28satire%29_Patchy-haired%2C_shivering_rescue%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Panthers <a href="https://sports.theonion.com/panthers-adopt-patchy-haired-shivering-rescue-qb-who-s-1846644313">Adopt Patchy-Haired, Shivering Rescue</a> [Quarterback]
Who Spent Years Abused By Jets.*


feed_id: 97ac18fa33baeedcbe230080b661824e
title: Compensation to resident unauthorized immigrants
uri: Compensation-to-resident-unauthorized-immigrants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Compensation_to_resident_unauthorized_immigrants%29

content:
<p>

New York State will <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/08/new-york-offer-unemployed-migrants-15600-pandemic-relief">offer compensation</a> to residents who are
unauthorized immigrants for problems such as lost employment
caused by Covid-19.
<p>
Other residents are already eligible for such compensation.


feed_id: 9314254b4763384530598c316d036e55
title: Pressure to cancel Palestine elections
uri: Pressure-to-cancel-Palestine-elections
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Pressure_to_cancel_Palestine_elections%29

content:
<p>

Palestinian Authority president Abbas is <a href="https://www.palestinechronicle.com/israel-threatens-to-stop-everything-if-hamas-wins-parliamentary-elections/">under pressure to cancel</a> the Palestine
elections because Hamas might win.


feed_id: d5d025b09296e18541a72b1be6efa0fc
title: Israeli soldiers kill Palestinian motorist
uri: Israeli-soldiers-kill-Palestinian-motorist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Israeli_soldiers_kill_Palestinian_motorist%29

content:
<p>

*Israeli soldiers <a href="https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/tamara-nassar/israeli-soldiers-kill-palestinian-motorist-and-injure-his-wife">kill Palestinian motorist</a> and injure his wife.*
<p>
Several soldiers shot at them after telling them it was ok to get back
into their car.


feed_id: d7655747bf7dae1be683d0177c8b95af
title: Sweat checking ankle tags
uri: 2021-04-11-Sweat-checking-ankle-tags
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28Sweat_checking_ankle_tags%29
content:
<p>

Courts in Britain are ordering some people on probation or parole
to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-56583153">wear new ankle tags</a> that check sweat for indication that they
have drunk alcohol.
<p>
I think this is legitimate because it is applied only as part
of punishment for a crime.  What I object to is the systematic
monitoring of people in general, without specific grounds such
as a conviction for a crime.


feed_id: 4cdd146e59402f6bd0c5ffb0a516af03
title: Reduce dependence on China
uri: Reduce-dependence-on-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28Reduce_dependence_on_China%29
content:
<p>

Australian universities are trying to increase cooperation with Indonesia
to <a href="">reduce dependence on China</a>.


feed_id: 6caf991831e83c84529b8179d0016534
title: Regulation of guns
uri: Regulation-of-guns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28Regulation_of_guns%29
content:
<p>

Biden made some <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/07/joe-biden-gun-violence-executive-actions">small increments</a> in regulation of guns, to try to convince
Congress to go further.


feed_id: e421120c1281dfc331ee760c1125a727
title: South of the border
uri: 2021-04-12-South-of-the-border
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#10_April_2021_%28South_of_the_border%29
content:
<p>

* The United States created a hellish world for millions (south of the
   border) and now <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/08/fate-those-us-border-our-fate-too">demonizes those trying to escape it</a>.*


feed_id: b7de5dff952af1e95e8059803cd7472c
title: Covid-19 deaths in the medical field
uri: Covid-19-deaths-in-the-medical-field
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28Covid-19_deaths_in_the_medical_field%29

content:
<p>

Over 3,600 US workers in the medical field have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/08/fauci-admits-ppe-shortages-under-trump-increased-covid-death-toll-frontline">died from Covid-19</a>.
A substantial part of this was caused by the wrecker's bad policies,
such as allowing the manufacture of protective gear to grow slowly,
and encouraging the spread of the disease.


feed_id: 525aafe3b801233d50bb6fad3ae45b02
title: (satire) Rats' amusement park
uri: (satire)-Rats-amusement-park
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#11_April_2021_%28%28satire%29_Rats%27_amusement_park%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Rats Scramble To <a href="https://www.theonion.com/rats-scramble-to-hide-fully-functioning-amusement-park-1846606703">Hide Fully Functioning Amusement Park</a> And
Resort They Built As Workers Return To Office.*


feed_id: 74decc3d2f487d93fe34e6e3eb4c1d5c
title: Urgent: End filibuster
uri: Urgent-End-filibuster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_April_2021_%28Urgent%3A_End_filibuster%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.boldprogressives.org/survey/petition_senate_rules_filibuster/">call on the Senate</a> to end the filibuster so as to pass
federal voting rights and democracy protections.


feed_id: b6de52b9195c21f7ea5021c086744066
title: Urgent: ICBM Act
uri: Urgent-ICBM-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_April_2021_%28Urgent%3A_ICBM_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=14189">call on your senators and congresscritter</a> to support the
ICBM Act, which would transfer funds from ICBM development to vaccine
development.

<p>
To sign <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/javascript-trap.html">without running nonfree JavaScript code</a>
                                                from the web site,
use <a href="https://stallman.org/salsalabs-method.html">the Salsalabs workaround</a>.


feed_id: 7e88f35a91c91f3e39378abb0dae97d9
title: Urgent: protect the climate
uri: Urgent-protect-the-climate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_April_2021_%28Urgent%3A_protect_the_climate%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.350.org/sign/biden-summit-april/">call on world leaders</a> to protect the climate, and help
those who will face hardship soon.


feed_id: 4d1c8938c870b65db4ea258a7f2f5a57
title: Urgent: Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act
uri: Urgent-Tax-Excessive-CEO-Pay-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_April_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Tax_Excessive_CEO_Pay_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/Tax_Excessive_CEO_Pay_Act/">support</a> the Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act.


feed_id: 994e5cfcaf890719fb5e8d4f55002fc8
title: Pretending it's safe
uri: Pretending-it-s-safe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_April_2021_%28Pretending_it%27s_safe%29
content:
<p>
When Jon Heylings worked for Syngenta, he tried for decades to
convince the company to stop selling the weed killed paraquat which
also kills humans.  What he achieved was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/24/scientist-tells-of-relief-after-speaking-out-over-weedkiller-fears">a persistent effort to
pretend to have made it safe</a>.


feed_id: dfc462fb5d4e6982b1ebcf4af46f3095
title: Right-wing cancellation network
uri: Right-wing-cancellation-network
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_April_2021_%28Right-wing_cancellation_network%29
content:
<p>
A right-wing cancellation network <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/04/10/campus-reform-koch-young-americans-for-freedom-leadership-institute/">is attacking US college professors</a>.


feed_id: 8005769ff4a11b5e337537acc4f5e82f
title: IMF and wealth tax
uri: IMF-and-wealth-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_April_2021_%28IMF_and_wealth_tax%29
content:
<p>
The IMF <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/apr/07/imf-wealth-tax-cost-covid-pandemic-rich-poor">has endorsed a wealth tax</a>.


feed_id: 9aa6028f237f498fc1bcc44729e8ee44
title: Tax plan
uri: 2021-04-12-Tax-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_April_2021_%28Tax_plan%29
content:
<p>
*Biden’s Tax Plan Comes Up Short <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/07/greenpeace-says-biden-tax-plan-fossil-fuel-subsidies-simply-not-good-enough">on [cutting] Fossil Fuel Subsidies</a>*


feed_id: db1b7fadfbf725e92bdccb1289c0bb67
title: Racial profiling
uri: 2021-04-12-Racial-profiling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_April_2021_%28Racial_profiling%29
content:
<p>
*LAPD officers are accused of racial profiling <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/08/us/lapd-accused-racial-profiling-2019-arrest/index.html">during an arrest of a Black man
outside his home</a>.*

<p>
It seems rather open-and-shut.  Because the man was black, they assumed he
was guilty instead of bothering to check.


feed_id: 671e40d5b16f0e2051fc2d1a17405ebb
title: Amazon intimidating workers
uri: Amazon-intimidating-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_April_2021_%28Amazon_intimidating_workers%29
content:
<p>
One of the ways Amazon intimidated workers into voting against unionization
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/08/emails-reveal-amazon-pushed-usps-private-box-alabama-warehouse-union-vote-began">was to arrange to get workers mail their ballots from work</a>.


feed_id: 37fe6fe0d712837bc2b50ec7f923a5bf
title: Capitol attacker attacked in jail
uri: Capitol-attacker-attacked-in-jail
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_April_2021_%28Capitol_attacker_attacked_in_jail%29

content:
<p>
One of the people accused of attacking the Capitol was attacked in
jail <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/capitol-riot-defendant-ryan-sammsel-viciously-beaten-guard-washington-dc-jail-lawyer-says/">and may lose the use of one eye as a result</a>.

<p>
Even if he is guilty as charged, that doesn't excuse attacking a prisoner in jail.


feed_id: dc50116386e1d7063698894f797cbd0f
title: Killers excuses
uri: Killers-excuses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_April_2021_%28Killers_excuses%29
content:
<p>
Killers in Virginia can no longer claim as a defense <a href="https://boingboing.net/2021/04/08/virginia-bans-gay-and-trans-panic-defense-in-murder-and-manslaughter-cases.html">that they freaked
out because the victim was gay or trans</a>.


feed_id: c008ffabe5cb35480619e4001d944c1f
title: Qualified immunity
uri: Qualified-immunity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_April_2021_%28Qualified_immunity%29
content:
<p>
New Mexico <a href="https://boingboing.net/2021/04/08/nm-governor-signs-law-ending-qualified-immunity-for-cops.html">has abolished qualified immunity for thugs</a>.
  So it will be easier to sue them personally for gross violence or dishonesty.


feed_id: a40004ed3ba4dbb71324323a7d574c2f
title: Defector
uri: Defector
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_April_2021_%28Defector%29
content:
<p>
*GOP group bullies donors who don't give every month: "We will have to tell
Trump <a href="https://boingboing.net/2021/04/07/gop-group-bullies-donors-who-dont-give-every-month-we-will-have-to-tell-trump-youre-a-defector.html">you're a DEFECTOR</a>".*


feed_id: 259f4cb87047d5c0ae6fd42d624d9ed3
title: Inclined to join an union
uri: Inclined-to-join-an-union
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#12_April_2021_%28Inclined_to_join_an_union%29
content:
<p>
US employers have sophisticated techniques for refusing to hire
<a href="https://prospect.org/labor/how-workers-really-get-canceled-on-the-job/">anyone who might be inclined to join a union</a>.


feed_id: 8e8164950aac2e9fb38622c4b44fac13
title: Labour MP Jon Cruddas
uri: Labour-MP-Jon-Cruddas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_April_2021_%28Labour_MP_Jon_Cruddas%29
content:
<p>

Labour MP Jon Cruddas says the party is *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/apr/11/jon-cruddas-dignity-of-labour-meritocratic-elite-interview">losing sight of its historical
mission</a> to stand up for the working classes.*
<p>
To respond to digital scheduling with precarious work was a political
choice.  If installation of robots results in many humans living in
penury, that too will be a political choice.


feed_id: 3ac9c3128e58c6fd599c1ba18ff3c32c
title: Trial of Derek Chauvin
uri: Trial-of-Derek-Chauvin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_April_2021_%28Trial_of_Derek_Chauvin%29
content:
<p>

Why I am not reading about the trial of Derek Chauvin.
<p>
When I read, then saw, what Derek Chauvin did to George Floyd,
I concluded it was murder.  I am glad Chauvin is being tried, and I hope
he will be convicted.
<p>
I am not following the events of the trial for the same reason that I
don't watch election returns on the evening after Election Day: it's
too late for us to influence the outcome.
<p>
To focus on the details of the process would cause us anxiety,
uselessly.  It's more productive, and less stressful, to do activism
instead.
<p>
We'll see the result at the same time either way.


feed_id: 453498c329959c2ac1ab318d213d2d05
title: Journalists imprisoned for spying
uri: Journalists-imprisoned-for-spying
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_April_2021_%28Journalists_imprisoned_for_spying%29

content:
<p>

The Houthis have captured journalists and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/11/yemeni-journalists-call-for-release-of-colleagues-held-by-houthi-rebels">imprisoned them for
"spying"</a>.
<p>
The US is trying to do the same thing to Julian Assange.
They should both stop.


feed_id: 7aaa3d35f816d7eaac05450cf0b66471
title: Cyberattack against Iran's centrifuges
uri: Cyberattack-against-Iran-s-centrifuges
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_April_2021_%28Cyberattack_against_Iran%27s_centrifuges%29

content:
<p>

Israel <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/11/israel-appears-confirm-cyberattack-iran-nuclear-facility">launched a cyberattack</a> against Iran's uranium refining
centrifuges and caused them physical damage.
<p>
With each attack, one way or the other, the danger of nuclear war some
day increases.


feed_id: 6daf5ae4c053ac3d7b1349c620c333fc
title: US withdrawal from Afghanistan
uri: US-withdrawal-from-Afghanistan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_April_2021_%28US_withdrawal_from_Afghanistan%29
content:
<p>

*Concerns mount that US withdrawal from Afghanistan could <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/10/politics/afghan-womens-rights-us-withdrawal/index.html">risk progress on women's rights</a>.*
<p>
Sad to say, a probable increase in oppression of women is the worst
aspect of making peace with the Taliban.  The second-worst aspect is a
probable increase in oppression of men.
<p>
But oppression of women in Afghanistan is pretty bad even now under
the US-supported government.  It's not as bad as the Taliban would be,
but that's the best thing one can say about it.
<p>
I think that endless war is too high a price to pay to keep the oppression
somewhat less.


feed_id: 06caeae5422b5b3bb644be164a9ef1db
title: US marines refusing Covid-19 vaccination
uri: US-marines-refusing-Covid-19-vaccination
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_April_2021_%28US_marines_refusing_Covid-19_vaccination%29

content:
<p>

40% of US marines offered Covid-19 vaccination <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/09/politics/marines-coronavirus-vaccines/index.html">have refused it</a>.
<p>
This could be a symptom of dangerous right-wing extremism.  It also
means that an outbreak of Covid-19 in the marines could weaken the US
military.


feed_id: 495b5505549dbb3c458474dc89159b72
title: Dakota Access Pipeline
uri: 2021-04-13-Dakota-Access-Pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_April_2021_%28Dakota_Access_Pipeline%29
content:
<p>

Biden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/09/despite-pledges-tribal-relations-and-climate-biden-declines-shut-down-dakota-access">refused to shut down</a> the Dakota Access pipeline.
<p>
It is disappointing that he fails to protect our future when he has an
easy chance.


feed_id: 0f0de33a122592335f24a2ca346f21a3
title: Human rights lawyers recorded secretly
uri: Human-rights-lawyers-recorded-secretly
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_April_2021_%28Human_rights_lawyers_recorded_secretly%29

content:
<p>

*Italian prosecutors <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/09/italian-prosecutors-secretly-recorded-human-rights-lawyers">secretly recorded</a> human rights lawyers.*
<p>
The lawyers were talking with their clients, who operated rescue boats
to save drowning refugees.


feed_id: 622b7634bf24bc6263c07c54fe9a109a
title: Kentucky's response to killing of Breonna Taylor
uri: Kentucky-s-response-to-killing-of-Breonna-Taylor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#13_April_2021_%28Kentucky%27s_response_to_killing_of_Breonna_Taylor%29

content:
<p>

Kentucky has responded to the killing of Breonna Taylor by putting
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/09/kentucky-no-knock-warrants-partial-ban-breonna-taylor">stricter conditions</a> on the use of no-knock warrants.
<p>
The requirements for carrying out no-knock warrants may do some good,
but the added conditions for obtaining no-knock warrants won't make
any difference if all they do is require <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to tell a bigger lie.
<p>
Has the detective that lied to get that warrant been punished?  If we
want to teach cops to be honest, we must give them more than a slap on
the wrist when they lie.  And that must not be limited to cases like
this one, where the lie results in someone's death.  Even those of us
who reject religion must not tolerate bearing false witness.
<p>
One minor detail: In the winter, 6am is just as dark as 2am, and many
day-time workers and students are still asleep at 6am.


