# articles

feed_id: d9b9569662fe5ea4e178aebf45d9728d
title: Taliban wing
uri: Taliban-wing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_September_2021_%28Taliban_wing%29
content:
<p>
*The <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2021/9/3/22656493/the-texas-taliban-wing-of-the-republican-party">Texas Taliban wing of the Republican Party</a>.*


feed_id: 8539385be0e9743f00c92e237b08acce
title: Holding hostage pregnant women
uri: Holding-hostage-pregnant-women
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_September_2021_%28Holding_hostage_pregnant_women%29

content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/new-texas-law-allows-private-citizens-to-hold-pregnant-1847602167">satire</a>) *New Texas Law Allows Private Citizens To Hold Pregnant Women
Hostage Until Birth.*


feed_id: 594100b376cd7f7bd7f27abbe1bea5b5
title: Extreme winter weather
uri: Extreme-winter-weather
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_September_2021_%28Extreme_winter_weather%29
content:
<p>
Modeling now explains how the heating of the Arctic, in winter,
occasionally directs a large burst of cold air south, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/02/climate-crisis-extreme-winter-weather-events-report">causing extreme
winter weather</a>
  in what we used to call the temperate zones.


feed_id: 5f5c2b017865d8a5ec74c850eac1315b
title: Site of collapsed World Trade Center
uri: Site-of-collapsed-World-Trade-Center
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_September_2021_%28Site_of_collapsed_World_Trade_Center%29

content:
<p>
People who worked at the site of the collapsed World Trade Center in
2001 <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2021/08/30/911-first-responders-dementia/">are suffering from diseases of old age, including dementia, in
their 50s</a>.

<p>
I recall that officials said the air around the site was safe to breathe,
though this was not true.


feed_id: c081a8fc9c7473c50ecdd1f06981fe05
title: Leaks of oil and toxic chemicals
uri: Leaks-of-oil-and-toxic-chemicals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_September_2021_%28Leaks_of_oil_and_toxic_chemicals%29

content:
<p>
Hurricane Ida caused <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/02/when-we-drill-we-spill-climate-fueled-ida-behind-suspected-oil-spill-gulf-mexico">leaks of oil and toxic chemicals on the Louisiana
coast</a>.


  


feed_id: 5cf18443f1f79365ed517f16b7e39c05
title: Urgent: Mass transit funds
uri: Urgent-Mass-transit-funds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Mass_transit_funds%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/join-environmental-labor-and-transit-groups-demand-congress-include-10-billion-in-transit-funding-in-the-35-trillion-build-back-better-act?nowrapper=true">call on Congress</a> to pass the mass transit funds in the
budget bill, which were removed at last minute from the infrastructure
bill


feed_id: 40f83f01e20cb101054173c077f179b8
title: Urgent: Medically vulnerable prisoners
uri: Urgent-Medically-vulnerable-prisoners
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Medically_vulnerable_prisoners%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.newmode.net/action/color-change/send-letter-tell-your-congressperson-sign-demand-clemency-now">call on your Congressperson</a> to support the demand for
clemency for 4000 medically vulnerable prisoners that have been released
to house arrest.


feed_id: b9b2958238cac78bbb8cb5dc97bb63b1
title: Urgent: expand Medicare benefits
uri: Urgent-expand-Medicare-benefits
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_expand_Medicare_benefits%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-congress-expand-medicare?nowrapper=true">call on Congress</a> to expand Medicare benefits and extend them
to a lower starting age.


feed_id: 450f3b80f89b8461065e47ca533fb0c8
title: Urgent: Apple snooping plans
uri: Urgent-Apple-snooping-plans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Apple_snooping_plans%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://lists.sr.ht/~tyil/apple-privacy-letter">sign the letter</a> rebuking Apple's snooping plans.

<p>
If we convince Apple to back down, this time, <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">we will have beaten off
one threat of massive surveillance</a>.
  But real protection <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/">from insertion of malicious
functionalities into proprietary software</a>
                                          will come only from
rejecting proprietary software.  We need to learn that <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">no convenience
is worth the price if the price is using proprietary software</a>.


feed_id: db1802da1a3c404385d8475abb1a0252
title: Urgent: VOTES Act
uri: Urgent-VOTES-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_VOTES_Act%29
content:
<p>
Residents of Massachusetts: <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/ma-votes-act-hearing">call on your state legislators</a> to pass the VOTES
Act.


feed_id: 75dbdadbcc585bef003ec749d580c877
title: Urgent: Preparing for hurricanes
uri: Urgent-Preparing-for-hurricanes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Preparing_for_hurricanes%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/fcc_communications_infrastructure/">call on the FCC</a> to require phone and internet companies
to prepare adequately for hurricanes.


feed_id: 7ee6ae8e9b5527dc01f1dfe8d874f8ba
title: Urgent: Women's Health Protection Act
uri: 2021-09-08-Urgent-Women-s-Health-Protection-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Women%27s_Health_Protection_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/congress-pass-womens-health-protection-act-2021/">call on Congress</a> to pass the Women's Health Protection
Act.


feed_id: f1f3aaa588200cb82ed0a28b51ae8526
title: Urgent: Marvin Guy
uri: Urgent-Marvin-Guy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Marvin_Guy%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://freemarvinguy.com/">call on Bell County District Attorney</a> to drop the
charges against Marvin Guy.


feed_id: 57b178c41617dc567502f1e28b748972
title: Urgent: Top fossil fuel executives to testify
uri: Urgent-Top-fossil-fuel-executives-to-testify
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Top_fossil_fuel_executives_to_testify%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.350.org/go/248143">call on Congress</a> to make top fossil fuel executives
testify, even if it requires a subpoena.


feed_id: 377f31831a0f5c27816a3948e50b06b9
title: Afghanistan Papers
uri: 2021-09-08-Afghanistan-Papers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Afghanistan_Papers%29
content:
<p>
The Afghanistan Papers: *after eight years ... US and its allies were
 unclear on what they were doing and who they were fighting.*
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/sep/05/the-afghanistan-papers-review-craig-whitlock-washington-post">It was even more confused at the start</a>.

<p>
Officers' internal military reports, obtained later using FOIA, showed
that fighting was achieving nothing, showing that the encouraging
public statements made by the same people were deception.


feed_id: 8650bc78ce46f5ae0c30b6ea0b495bed
title: Sending asylum seekers back
uri: Sending-asylum-seekers-back
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Sending_asylum_seekers_back%29
content:
<p>
*As the Taliban overran Afghanistan, Australia told asylum seekers
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/06/as-the-taliban-overran-afghanistan-australia-told-asylum-seekers-they-should-expect-to-return">they should expect to return there</a>.*

<p>
This includes people who would very likely face persecution for
well-known reasons.


feed_id: ab753ce6cf89f8ccd56b724be0e3291f
title: Monopoly power of Big Tech
uri: Monopoly-power-of-Big-Tech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Monopoly_power_of_Big_Tech%29
content:
<p>
A package of bills <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/02/america-has-monopoly-problem-coalition-backs-legislation-break-big-tech">would help reduce the monopoly power of
Big Tech</a>.

<p>
This would not address the core injustice of their collection of
personal data, much of which would also get into the possession of the
US government.  However, with more competitors we might someday find
one that offers anonymous purchase, etc.


feed_id: a4356878fb75ba7a015a202c6c6bcd75
title: Pushing against reducing drug costs
uri: Pushing-against-reducing-drug-costs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Pushing_against_reducing_drug_costs%29

content:
<p>
*[Big Pharm] is trying to leverage its role in successful coronavirus
   vaccine development <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/03/lower-drug-prices-americans-too-good-be-true-declares-big-pharma">to sink a "once-in-a-generation" chance to
   slash drug costs</a>.*

<p>
The vaccine companies <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#19_March_2021_(Vaccine_price_hike)">are gouging on vaccines</a>,
  so we should see the importance of vaccines as one more reason for
laws to curb Big Pharma's ability to gouge.


feed_id: 7828bad81005f3166d82ab26fca2548f
title: Religious exemptions
uri: Religious-exemptions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Religious_exemptions%29
content:
<p>
*It’s Time <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/03/its-time-end-religious-exemptions-during-public-health-emergencies">to End Religious Exemptions During Public Health Emergencies</a>.*

<p>
You must have the right to practice your religion (if any), but that does
not excuse you from the duties of all citizens.


feed_id: 0c4c6647e8507a7a543707b4d8e00f3c
title: No prison for corruption
uri: No-prison-for-corruption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28No_prison_for_corruption%29
content:
<p>
*Guatemala top court <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-guatemala-justice/guatemala-top-court-eliminates-prison-sentences-for-corruption-crimes-by-public-servants-idUSKBN2FZ1EJ">eliminates prison sentences for corruption crimes
by public servants [including judges]</a>.*


feed_id: 7b4ffdb523a9fe0c3a1d0eccdc3b8993
title: Remote work
uri: Remote-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Remote_work%29
content:
<p>

Remote work for many companies requires workers to use computers
supplied by the company, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/05/covid-coronavirus-work-home-office-surveillance">running software designed to snoop on them</a>.


feed_id: e00df9ce23ca9109f97590f482cf5ff6
title: Firm reaction to Delta
uri: Firm-reaction-to-Delta
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Firm_reaction_to_Delta%29
content:
<p>

A rural village in Taiwan set an example for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/05/speed-decisiveness-cooperation-how-a-tiny-taiwan-village-overcame-delta">fast and firm reaction</a> to
an outbreak of Delta.
<p>
It seems clear from the article that there were cases outside
Fenggang.  What happened to the outbreak outside Taiwan.


feed_id: c47c685e4a89ceefc32fad2a487ec0a9
title: Protests of Modi's farm laws
uri: Protests-of-Modi-s-farm-laws
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Protests_of_Modi%27s_farm_laws%29

content:
<p>

Half a million Indian farmers <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-farmers-protests/hundreds-of-thousands-of-indian-farmers-rally-against-farm-laws-idUSKBN2G108A">protested against Modi's farm laws</a>, which are likely to enable big middleman companies to dominate food
distribution in India, as they do in the US.  In the US, the result
has been to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#16_April_2021_(The_US_food_system)">push farms into bankruptcy</a> so that bigger companies can
buy up their land.


feed_id: 4285dd64939d7bf78df0c7b83a39d588
title: Problems aviation must fix
uri: Problems-aviation-must-fix
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Problems_aviation_must_fix%29
content:
<p>

*The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/the-six-problems-aviation-must-fix-to-hit-net-zero">six problems aviation must fix</a> to hit net zero [greenhouse
 emissions].*


feed_id: c0a690ded3a02e2a476a04deb3fc6cc7
title: Call for urgent action on climate crisis
uri: Call-for-urgent-action-on-climate-crisis
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Call_for_urgent_action_on_climate_crisis%29

content:
<p>

*More than 200 [scientific medical] journals call for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/06/more-than-200-health-journals-call-for-urgent-action-on-climate-crisis">urgent action on
 climate crisis</a>.*


feed_id: 588f2d0c5e582dda398f599f6fead3a0
title: Defiance of anti-abortion law
uri: Defiance-of-anti-abortion-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Defiance_of_anti-abortion_law%29

content:
<p>

Texas women are planning to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/03/message-texas-women-are-tougher-right-wing-legislators">defy the anti-abortion law</a>.


feed_id: 16122f5c012619200793b8f576e613ec
title: Crimean Tatars
uri: Crimean-Tatars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Crimean_Tatars%29
content:
<p>

Russia has <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-crimea/u-s-condemns-russias-detention-of-crimean-tatar-leader-45-others-idUSKBN2G204Y">jailed 45 Crimean Tatars</a>, including their elected leader.
<p>
They strongly <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#27_November_2014_(Repression_of_Crimean_Tatars)">condemn Putin's seizure of the Crimea</a>.


feed_id: ce33a8c9606f927a84f15595c606a5ee
title: SpaceX launch site
uri: SpaceX-launch-site
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28SpaceX_launch_site%29
content:
<p>

The SpaceX launch site is next to wildlife sanctuaries.  When a rocket
crashes, the debris (including fuel) can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/05/texas-spacex-elon-musk-environment-wildlife">poison the wildlife</a>.


feed_id: d998392cf5b6bbdf0df82c7eb5c5a7d9
title: Bolsonaro rallying supporters
uri: Bolsonaro-rallying-supporters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Bolsonaro_rallying_supporters%29

content:
<p>

Bolsonaro is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/09/05/bolsonaro-september-7-brazil-trump-january-6/">rallying his supporters</a> to prepare a coup.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/06/brazil-warning-bolsonaro-may-be-planning-military-coup-amid-rallies">More info</a>.


feed_id: 28d170a7334da0672d46f0b8e13bfecb
title: Afghan women's rights march
uri: Afghan-women-s-rights-march
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Afghan_women%27s_rights_march%29

content:
<p>

*Taliban <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/05/taliban-break-up-afghan-womens-rights-march-with-gunfire">break up Afghan women’s rights march</a> with gunfire.* 
And tear gas.


feed_id: 2498075cd8acecc5a3292a5456207188
title: Lost generation
uri: Lost-generation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Lost_generation%29
content:
<p>

*‘Lost generation’: education in quarter of countries <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/sep/06/lost-generation-education-in-quarter-of-countries-at-risk-of-collapse-study-warns">at risk of collapse</a>.*


feed_id: dea4591ea371ff185f4c52fee944dfff
title: Opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava
uri: Opposition-leader-Maria-Kalesnikava
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Opposition_leader_Maria_Kalesnikava%29

content:
<p>

Lukashenko has ordered <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/06/belarus-opposition-leader-maria-kalesnikava-jailed-in-lukashenko-purge">11 years' imprisonment</a> for opposition leader
Maria Kalesnikava.


feed_id: 3956941b0ee9284df1bd71409e0bf830
title: Decoy candidates
uri: Decoy-candidates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Decoy_candidates%29
content:
<p>

Russia targets opposition candidates with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/06/three-near-identical-boris-vishnevskys-on-st-petersburg-election-ballot">decoy candidates</a> that
have the same name.  Now they even look similar.


feed_id: 3c29ab8f210ae0a2369288991c32204f
title: Identification in Venice
uri: Identification-in-Venice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Identification_in_Venice%29
content:
<p>

Venice tracks everyone in the city from camera to camera.  Now it
plans to force everyone in the city to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-tourism-venice/venice-prepares-to-charge-tourists-require-booking-idUSKBN2G20YK">identify perself to enter</a>.
<p>
This is associated with a plan to collect a fee from non-residents,
but I don't object to that.  Maintaining Venice is expensive, and so
is protecting it from sea level rise.  I would not mind paying, if I
could do so anonymously.
<p>
I will not go to Venice again if that practice goes into effect.  But that
doesn't mean I will be safe from it &mdash; because it might spread.


feed_id: 75d9533083b3bf7b2caf25d134eaa1d2
title: Overfishing
uri: 2021-09-09-Overfishing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Overfishing%29
content:
<p>

Overfishing is driving 1/3 of all <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/06/third-of-shark-and-ray-species-face-extinction-warns-study">shark and ray species to extinction</a>.


feed_id: 7810bf908f3164f0f9e2b129207c821e
title: Vietnamese man sentenced to 5 years
uri: Vietnamese-man-sentenced-to-5-years
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_September_2021_%28Vietnamese_man_sentenced_to_5_years%29

content:
<p>

Vietnam sentenced a man to 5 years in prison for <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vietnam-trial/vietnamese-man-jailed-for-5-years-for-spreading-coronavirus-idUSKBN2G21BF">breaking the general quarantine rules</a> and spreading Covid-19 as a result.
One of the people he infected died from it.


feed_id: 685b7c1c170d6b92b33b00f38b47df65
title: Wiping out union campaigning
uri: Wiping-out-union-campaigning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Wiping_out_union_campaigning%29
content:
<p>
The Tory election bill <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/07/election-bill-could-cut-millions-from-labour-campaign-spending-say-unions-party-finances">is designed to wipe out Labour's union
campaigning</a>.


feed_id: 3f07d2031c0dd5e019022354e81738cd
title: Fish oil
uri: Fish-oil
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Fish_oil%29
content:
<p>
The demand for fish oil <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/07/license-to-krill-the-destructive-demand-for-a-better-fish-oil">is leading to overfishing of krill</a>.
  In addition, the many animals (including whales) that feed on krill
will starve.


feed_id: 84960994b850d964d6264bc0ea5fa317
title: Hollywood companies and minimum wage
uri: Hollywood-companies-and-minimum-wage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Hollywood_companies_and_minimum_wage%29

content:
<p>
A union is pressuring Hollywood movie companies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/07/hollywood-film-industry-union-wages-conditions">to raise the pay for
most workers above minimum wage</a>.


feed_id: cfb15350e964cfa1f97c9b6e0cf41179
title: Marine reserve
uri: Marine-reserve
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Marine_reserve%29
content:
<p>
*Ecuador’s government is considering creating a new marine reserve near the Galapagos Islands <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ecuador-galapagos/ecuador-eyes-new-galapagos-marine-reserve-to-limit-commercial-fishing-idUSKBN2G30S6">to protect migratory species [of ocean life]</a>.*


feed_id: d2e6c9e64123c3d54aaf7da532b1592b
title: Murder of dissidents
uri: Murder-of-dissidents
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Murder_of_dissidents%29
content:
<p>
Human Rights Watch says that Egypt's suppression forces <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/sep/07/egypt-accused-of-widespread-state-sanctioned-killings-of-dissidents">have murdered
hundreds of dissidents and said they were killed in gun battles</a>.


feed_id: 28025208847c3873aadccf43988b4ac8
title: Torture of refugees
uri: Torture-of-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Torture_of_refugees%29
content:
<p>
Amnesty International says that <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-refugees/amnesty-international-says-syrian-refugees-tortured-on-return-idUSKBN2G30I9">Syrian refugees sent back to Syria
have been tortured, even disappeared</a>.


feed_id: f3c6d3baa57a25eb77f251e5f11fe084
title: Driving through lines of cops
uri: Driving-through-lines-of-cops
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Driving_through_lines_of_cops%29

content:
<p>
Supporters of Bolsonaro used trucks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/07/bolsonaro-supporters-clash-with-police-before-major-rally-in-brasilia">to try to drive through lines of
cops to attack Brazil's Congress</a>.

<p>
If he tries to overthrow democracy, the cops may help defend it.


feed_id: 2cdcaabc6bb41a9b0ff149c372fcb7a6
title: Freeing slaves
uri: Freeing-slaves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Freeing_slaves%29
content:
<p>
30 years before Jefferson thought about freeing his slaves and
didn't, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/05/us/robert-carter-iii-deed-of-gift-slavery-anniversary/index.html">Robert Carter freed 500 slaves</a>.


feed_id: cea8d7ed094af20d30898da75f7b42df
title: Global aid
uri: Global-aid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Global_aid%29
content:
<p>
*More global [foreign] aid <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/07/more-global-aid-goes-to-fossil-fuel-projects-than-tackling-dirty-air-study-pollution">goes to fossil fuel projects than tackling
 dirty air</a>.*


feed_id: aed9f60152064aa08d84539cb0d9570f
title: Stunned by climate disaster
uri: Stunned-by-climate-disaster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Stunned_by_climate_disaster%29
content:
<p>
A climate scientist reports on being stunned <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/05/climate-scientist-dystopian-moment">to watch climate disaster
cover New York City so soon as 2021</a>.


feed_id: 4d26bb37b78c4d0b0648eb907878b96f
title: Prosecuting those who use anti-abortion law
uri: Prosecuting-those-who-use-anti-abortion-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Prosecuting_those_who_use_anti-abortion_law%29

content:
<p>
Jurist Laurence Tribe suggests ways for the US government <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/09/05/justice-department-stop-texas-abortion-law-laurence-tribe/">to prosecute
those who try to use the Texas anti-abortion law to persecute people
that help women get abortions</a>.


feed_id: 88b9f706d103749289bb09a01bb11eb7
title: Building a city without water
uri: Building-a-city-without-water
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Building_a_city_without_water%29

content:
<p>
A billionaire wants to build a city of the future for 5 million people
&mdash; in an arid area <a href="https://www.cnn.com/style/article/telosa-marc-lore-blake-ingels-new-city/index.html">where there isn't enough water for the current
inhabitants</a>.


feed_id: 5ca32eba295eef14aec56580b305dbe2
title: Climate impact of transatlantic flights
uri: Climate-impact-of-transatlantic-flights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Climate_impact_of_transatlantic_flights%29

content:
<p>
According to one model, the climate impact of a transatlantic flight
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/06/climate-crisis-transatlantic-flight-global-economy-gdp">could cost global economy $3,000 over the course of this century</a>.

<p>
That number embodies assumptions which may not be true.  If
civilization collapses by 2060 with or without the flight, the
flight's ultimate impact might be zero.  If civilization survives
enough to talk about the impact of any specific act, that impact could
vary depending on other details.

<p>
I wonder what the likely impact of having a child would be.  According
to the study which estimated <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html">the expected impact of one child as 2880
translatlantic round trips, it would be 2880 * 2 * 3000, which is
17,280,000</a>.
             Rounded to one significant figure, that is 20 million
dollars.  But I suppose that could be off by a factor of 5 or 10 in
either direction.


feed_id: 96b37bf307fd4584d5739de5fbec2b36
title: Intimidating phone companies
uri: Intimidating-phone-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Intimidating_phone_companies%29
content:
<p>
*Republicans in crosshairs of 6 January panel <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/06/republicans-6-january-investigation-intimidation">begin campaign of intimidation</a>.*
  They are trying to intimidate phone companies that the House investigation
has given subpoenas for the phone records of officials that worked for
the coup leader.


feed_id: 64ed3a26646750b925df625646893ef7
title: Blocking charter flights
uri: Blocking-charter-flights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Blocking_charter_flights%29
content:
<p>
The Taliban have for a week blocked charter flights <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/06/biden-under-pressure-as-ngo-says-flights-from-afghanistan-blocked">from evacuating
people from Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan</a>.


feed_id: aecfc21674b7a1292b9c590de8c3f936
title: Cost of Post-9/11
uri: 2021-09-09-Cost-of-Post-9-11
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_September_2021_%28Cost_of_Post-9%252F11%29
content:
<p>

*Estimated Cost of Post-9/11 US Wars Hits <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/01/estimated-cost-post-911-us-wars-hits-8-trillion-nearly-million-people-dead">$8 Trillion With Nearly a Million
People Dead</a>.*
<p>
I am pretty sure that the total of one million is based on an
underestimate of the number of Iraqis killed &mdash; for instance, 
the figure from Iraq Body Count, which counted only the deaths
which could be <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#15_November_2019_(Deaths_caused_by_US_wars_since_2000)">individually verified</a>.


feed_id: 71ac60e551e7775edaad72fd724acbe0
title: Vaccination out of context
uri: Vaccination-out-of-context
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Vaccination_out_of_context%29
content:
<p>

Virologist David LV Bauer recognizes that vaccination is crucial protection
against Covid-19.  He explains how anti-vaxxers took a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/07/virologist-work-anti-vaxxers-covid">statement out of context</a>
and used it to misrepresent him as an anti-vaxxer.
<p>
When I see people arguing for an implausible conclusion and showing
signs of willingness to distort, I stop reading it.  That approach
doesn't converge on truth; rather, it leads to auto-expanding myths.


feed_id: a40d95709f1c16cfe2dba4428b25de3c
title: Deportation pipeline
uri: Deportation-pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Deportation_pipeline%29
content:
<p>

*California bill seeks to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/legal-us-usa-immigration-prisoners/california-bill-seeks-to-halt-prison-to-ice-deportation-pipeline-idUSKBN2G30VV">halt prison-to-ICE deportation pipeline</a>.*
<p>
Prisoners who risked their lives fighting wildfires now face
deportation.


feed_id: b5c818e0d2975e65fc7f5e925959fefe
title: Evolving to cope
uri: Evolving-to-cope
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Evolving_to_cope%29
content:
<p>

Many species of animals are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/07/animals-shapeshifting-in-response-to-climate-crisis-research-finds">evolving slowly to cope</a> with higher
average temperatures.
<p>
That's fine as long as they can keep up.  But as <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> speeds up,
more and more species will lag behind and die out.
<p>
Meanwhile, there are hard limits to cope with.  Small adaptations may
not enable humans to survive a fatal heat-humidity combination.  As
long as we depend on evaporation to cool our bodies, it will be
effective only when the ambient air causes evaporation.


feed_id: 47da298722a1ea39ae8613ce6fa1b603
title: Wild crops
uri: Wild-crops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Wild_crops%29
content:
<p>

*   Wild relatives of some of the world’s most important crops, including
   potatoes, avocados and vanilla, are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/07/avocado-and-vanilla-among-hundreds-of-crop-wild-relatives-facing-extinction-study-aoe">threatened with extinction</a>.*
<p>
Breeding crops with their wild relatives is a crucial method
for adapting them to cope with diseases, pests or environmental change.
Those are spreading a lot right now, so we should not allow
our resources for coping with them to be lost.


feed_id: cc92825aefd5cac5261b7379ffde09e1
title: Heather Bresch
uri: Heather-Bresch
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Heather_Bresch%29
content:
<p>

*Heather Bresch, [Senator] Joe Manchin's Daughter, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/09/07/joe-manchin-epipen-price-heather-bresch/">was CEO of Mylan</a>, the drug
company that artificially increased the price of Epipens.*


feed_id: 04ff06de2243d7b16fb4f2d704e65256
title: Republican "Happy Labor Day"
uri: Republican-Happy-Labor-Day
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Republican_Happy_Labor_Day%29
content:
<p>

Republicans' "Happy Labor Day" card to unemployed workers: <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/06/happy-labor-day-everyone-millions-stripped-unemployment-aid-worker-holiday">"Your
unemployment benefits have ended."</a>


feed_id: e40bf84e49aad960520756d96fb4629f
title: Press freedom bill
uri: Press-freedom-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Press_freedom_bill%29
content:
<p>

A <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/09/08/julian-assange-international-press-freedom-act/">US "press freedom" bill</a> would protect journalists facing persecution
in other countries.
But not journalists such as Julian Assange facing persecution in the
US.


feed_id: 8a57812b78baea4fa0f20c1c3d5936e8
title: Migrant database
uri: Migrant-database
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Migrant_database%29
content:
<p>

*EU "seeking to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/08/eu-seeking-to-turn-migrant-database-into-mass-surveillance-tool">turn migrant database into mass surveillance tool</a>."*


feed_id: 43f323afb895130cf91b3e323e12e5a3
title: Idaho hospitals
uri: Idaho-hospitals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Idaho_hospitals%29
content:
<p>

Idaho's hospitals are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/08/idaho-crisis-standards-of-care-covid-coronavirus">overwhelmed with sick unvaccinated patients</a>.
The state has formally declared that it can't properly treat all of them.


feed_id: 93c86392f8d48c005de2fc13c5448623
title: Alarmists proved right
uri: Alarmists-proved-right
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Alarmists_proved_right%29
content:
<p>

*From climate crisis to Brexit, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/08/from-climate-crisis-to-brexit-alarmists-have-been-proved-right-its-time-to-start-listening">[so-called] alarmists have been proved
right</a>. It's time to start listening.*


feed_id: 9d7b34b66d86d69a3d835a6c000050f5
title: Deaths by right-wing terrorism
uri: Deaths-by-right-wing-terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Deaths_by_right-wing_terrorism%29

content:
<p>

Since 2002, right-wing terrorism has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/08/post-911-domestic-terror">killed more Americans than
Islamist terrorism</a>.
<p>
What's more, Islamist extremism has never threatened the US's freedom
or democracy.  Right-wing extremism has been threatening the US
freedom and democracy ever since the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-mar-jun.html#28%20April%202004%20(Lies%20About%20the%20Patriot%20Act)">PAT RIOT Act</a>.


feed_id: 7d7c6ce054fe1295b3d29746a23571ed
title: Intelligence ahead of Capitol Violence
uri: Intelligence-ahead-of-Capitol-Violence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_%28Intelligence_ahead_of_Capitol_Violence%29

content:
<p>

*DHS Division <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/05/18/997553438/report-dhs-division-failed-to-analyze-intelligence-ahead-of-capitol-violence">Failed To Analyze Intelligence</a> Ahead Of Capitol Violence.*


feed_id: da0b4aa23023560197bd741889254a54
title: Ban of protests
uri: Ban-of-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Ban_of_protests%29
content:
<p>
The Taliban have banned protests, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/08/taliban-ban-protests-and-slogans-that-dont-have-their-approval">and banned all protest slogans
without explicit approval</a>.

<p>
*"Incredible fear" <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-conflict-un-women/incredible-fear-among-women-across-afghanistan-u-n-official-idUSKBN2G4244">among women across Afghanistan</a> &mdash; U.N. official.*

<p>
There is uncertainty about what policy the Taliban will actually implement
and how repressive that will be.


feed_id: e1bf436fca5764c6a866567b109859c8
title: Urgent: Talk in Kyiv, Ukraine
uri: Urgent-Talk-in-Kyiv-Ukraine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Talk_in_Kyiv%2C_Ukraine%29

content:
<p>
Richard Stallman will be giving a talk in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Saturday, September, 18, titled
Free Software and the GNU General Public License.

<p>
<a href="https://osdn.org.ua">Website of the event.</a>


feed_id: dc35ec0b0c00a1e20e0cc15aceb64314
title: Gulf drilling
uri: Gulf-drilling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Gulf_drilling%29
content:
<p>
*Gulf Drilling Condemned <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/07/gulf-drilling-condemned-hundreds-hurricane-related-spills-investigated">as Hundreds of Hurricane-Related Spills
 Investigated</a>.*


feed_id: 0f84e56c701d1cc607d31ad08378551c
title: Prison's bottom line
uri: Prison-s-bottom-line
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Prison%27s_bottom_line%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/inmate-granted-parole-after-court-determines-release-po-1847629251">satire</a>) *Inmate Granted Parole After Court Determines Release Poses
No Threat To Prison's Bottom Line.*


feed_id: 086981b7149b0877010cf38362050d68
title: Chasing lawyer into exile
uri: Chasing-lawyer-into-exile
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Chasing_lawyer_into_exile%29
content:
<p>
Russia has chased a lawyer into exile, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-politics-navalny-lawyer/top-human-rights-lawyer-leaves-russia-citing-criminal-case-against-him-idUSKBN2G315Q">for defending persecuted
opposition figures</a>.


feed_id: 095c683753c1eb23370ed0268f404799
title: Artists working for nazis
uri: Artists-working-for-nazis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Artists_working_for_nazis%29
content:
<p>
Should sculptors and other artists that worked for the Nazi regime
have been cancelled?  Should the non-Nazi work that they have done since
the fall of Hitler <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/sep/07/nazis-hitler-favourite-sculptors-germany-public-artworks-art-exhibition">be scorned and removed</a>?
    I don't think the fact that they made art for the German
government when it was in Nazi hands implies they should be
blacklisted.


feed_id: 85d45b98c1d1e9e5c4f36a198c0cd5f1
title: Charging opposition leaders
uri: Charging-opposition-leaders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Charging_opposition_leaders%29
content:
<p>
Uganda has charged opposition political leaders with murders
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-uganda-politics/uganda-charges-lawmakers-allied-to-opposition-leader-with-murder-idUSKBN2G31JQ">that may not have anything to do with them</a>.


feed_id: 2b2d0ee542be45e9660219151fea4198
title: Improper construction
uri: Improper-construction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Improper_construction%29
content:
<p>
The collapse of a metro train overpass in Mexico City has been traced back
to specific improper construction.  Given the level of corruption in Mexico,
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-train-accident-report/missing-bolts-among-issues-that-sparked-mexico-city-metro-collapse-auditor-finds-idUSKBN2G31RS">I suspect that this was fraud</a>.

<p>
It should be possible to identify the companies responsible, and maybe
even the individual inspectors responsible.


feed_id: 3eec0612cddf641ddab52bc001ba9123
title: Decriminalizing abortion
uri: Decriminalizing-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Decriminalizing_abortion%29
content:
<p>
*Mexican Supreme Court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/07/mexico-abortion-law-struck-down-supreme-court-penalties-unconstitutional">decriminalizes abortion in historic shift</a>.*

<p>
Hooray for the women of Mexico!

<p>
And for the women of southern Texas, since Coahula is right across the
middle of the Texas border.  They will be able to get an abortion in a
closer place.

<p>
Except for the women who are unauthorized immigrants, since they don't
dare visit Mexico and return.  They need abortion rights in Texas.


feed_id: 0d514216d4a015e6ba12d985fb029982
title: Fracking project
uri: Fracking-project
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Fracking_project%29
content:
<p>
Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/08/keith-pitt-moves-ahead-with-plans-to-open-up-beetaloo-basin-to-fracking-despite-legal-threat">plans to subsidize a large fracking project</a>.
  Businesses seem unable to destroy civilization fast enough with
their own resources.


feed_id: f2d1448096bbdb159605f77e1f5b2c0a
title: Arrest of protest organizers
uri: Arrest-of-protest-organizers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Arrest_of_protest_organizers%29

content:
<p>
*Hong Kong: police arrest senior members of group <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/08/hong-kong-police-arrest-leader-of-democracy-group-alliance">that organised Tiananmen
vigils</a>.*
  They decided to face prison rather than identify their members for further
persecution.


feed_id: 1c495634ef9a7c9d48475e867c31fbff
title: Everyone is a suspect
uri: Everyone-is-a-suspect
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Everyone_is_a_suspect%29
content:
<p>
*[The September 2001 terrorist attacks] <a href="https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2021/09/06/9-11-militarized-law-enforcement-and-made-every-american-a-suspect/">militarized law enforcement and made
 every American a suspect</a>.*

<p>
I use a year when I refer to those attacks, rather than a month and
day, to present them as an event that happened some years ago rather
than as a part of the eternal present.  I hope that will help Americans
throw off their influence.


feed_id: 381245425a8f989c224fa298c1dec207
title: Disregarding constitutional rights
uri: Disregarding-constitutional-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Disregarding_constitutional_rights%29

content:
<p>
Texas Republicans' example of disregarding constitutional rights by
inciting vigilante lawsuits <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/06/supreme-courts-attack-abortion-rights-opens-door-vigilante-lawsuits-against">can be turned against Republicans in other
areas of law</a>.


feed_id: e4e19f096b253c654249c121646c328b
title: Disregarding evidences
uri: Disregarding-evidences
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Disregarding_evidences%29
content:
<p>
The Department of Homeland Security <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/05/18/997553438/report-dhs-division-failed-to-analyze-intelligence-ahead-of-capitol-violence">disregarded plentiful evidence that
fanatical supporters of Trump were planning violence on Jan 6</a>,
  because
its political guidance, coming from Trump, was to focus on imaginary threats
from immigrants and from Antifa.


feed_id: 2092714f068535cd131575b28c4aa645
title: Urgent: support Nabisco workers
uri: Urgent-support-Nabisco-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_support_Nabisco_workers%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-stand-with-striking-nabisco-workers?nowrapper=true">Stand</a> with striking Nabisco workers.


feed_id: 062a15c26715fdac4c02301a9d43c704
title: Urgent: Protest against Apple
uri: Urgent-Protest-against-Apple
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Protest_against_Apple%29

content:
<p>

Everyone: on Sep 14, <a href="https://jahoti.tilde.team/events/ApplesSpyPhone_index.gmi">join a protest against Apple</a> and its plans to
insert snooping software in SpyPhones.


feed_id: e95c8d9d22030d52b1a3ffd3db2292a7
title: Urgent: Actions in favor of climate defense
uri: Urgent-Actions-in-favor-of-climate-defense
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Actions_in_favor_of_climate_defense%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: Sep 19/20, <a href="https://jahoti.tilde.team/events/septemberdayofaction_index.html">join actions in favor of climate defense</a>.


feed_id: e8c98aed42fe6c17fdf22e374502caee
title: DeSantis's ban on mask mandates
uri: DeSantis-s-ban-on-mask-mandates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28DeSantis%27s_ban_on_mask_mandates%29

content:
<p>

A court has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/08/florida-mask-mandate-ban-ron-desantis-judge">rejected Deadly DeSantis's ban on mask mandates</a> in schools,
allowing schools to require all the students to wear masks.


feed_id: 891e290f97f513c8010ca4f627fd3d8b
title: Vaping tobacco
uri: Vaping-tobacco
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Vaping_tobacco%29
content:
<p>

Vaping tobacco often <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/09/international-research-shows-strong-evidence-linking-vaping-to-cigarette-smoking">leads to smoking cigarettes</a>.


feed_id: ca7152417f8591e74312feeeba9894ef
title: Boston election for mayor
uri: Boston-election-for-mayor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Boston_election_for_mayor%29
content:
<p>

For the Boston preliminary municipal election for mayor,
I narrowed down the choices to Kim Janey and Michelle Wu.
<p>
Michelle Wu had answered Ballotpedia's questions with copious
information about what she stands for.  I agreed with most of it.
<p>
Kim Janey hadn't answered those questions.  The cards her campaign
mailer me told me about a few important issues, but no way to ask about
other issues.  No phone number, no email address, only addresses on a
few online dis-services and a web site that told me, "Please enable
Javaascript."  I'd have had to run nonfree softwsre to talk with
her campaign.
<p>
I voted for Michelle Wu.


feed_id: fcf3d59810f6fb20e0826f5e3d6a3ca5
title: Beating black motorists
uri: Beating-black-motorists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Beating_black_motorists%29
content:
<p>

Louisiana state thugs show a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/09/louisiana-state-police-videos-pattern-of-violence">pattern of beating and maiming black
motorists</a>, then lying about it.
<p>
The article linked to just above displays symbolic bigotry by
capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid endorsing bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)  I object to bigotry, and
normally I decline to link to articles which promote it.  But I make
exceptions for some articles which give important information about
racism or the fight to eliminate racism.  That article is one of the
exceptions.


feed_id: bdc54398d26dde6f2a1a4b7146cd958b
title: Hoarding vaccine supply
uri: Hoarding-vaccine-supply
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Hoarding_vaccine_supply%29
content:
<p>

Vaccine production is accelerating but the wealthy western countries are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/09/west-vaccine-doses-covid-production">hoarding it</a>.


feed_id: f81a3419fc335bf1590da8f2163a3080
title: Taliban thugs
uri: Taliban-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Taliban_thugs%29
content:
<p>

Taliban thugs <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-conflict-journalists-beat/afghan-journalists-beaten-in-taliban-detention-editor-says-idUSKBN2G5164">beat up Afghan journalists</a> that they had arrested
for covering a protest in Kabul.


feed_id: c9604fd785f93451c2c9ca95cafff3b1
title: Delay tactics
uri: Delay-tactics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Delay_tactics%29
content:
<p>

*Big oil's delay tactics are the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/09/big-oil-delay-tactics-new-climate-science-denial">new climate science denialism</a>.*


feed_id: a6b6260e6c961eed1da2d668e8762abd
title: Boats of unauthorized immigrants
uri: Boats-of-unauthorized-immigrants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Boats_of_unauthorized_immigrants%29

content:
<p>

The UK is about to follow Australia in <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-europe-migrants-britain/uk-says-it-is-ready-to-send-migrant-boats-back-to-france-idUSKBN2G50M0">towing boats of unauthorized
immigrants back to France</a>.
<p>
The UK does have a legitimate argument for saying, "If you'd like
asylum, ask France.  You're already there."


feed_id: 89e0c4be491b51ccc960c63db3246151
title: Designating terrorists
uri: Designating-terrorists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Designating_terrorists%29
content:
<p>

Designating armed rebel groups as "terrorist" does not magically
defeat them, but it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/09/blacklisting-terrorist-groups-911-wars">gets in the way of making peace with them</a>.


feed_id: a001b8abd684c9654b5ff453151de321
title: Access to contraception
uri: 2021-09-11-Access-to-contraception
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Access_to_contraception%29
content:
<p>

*France to give <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-health-contraception/france-to-give-free-access-to-contraception-for-women-aged-up-to-25-idUSKBN2G50JD">free access to contraception</a> for women aged up to 25.*
<p>
This should be the case in every country; for poor countries, the
world's rich should pay the cost.


feed_id: 559e135f03325ea01811d950b7a6c83b
title: Tiananmen massacre museum
uri: Tiananmen-massacre-museum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Tiananmen_massacre_museum%29
content:
<p>

*Hong Kong police <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/09/hong-kong-police-raid-tiananmen-massacre-museum">raid Tiananmen massacre museum</a>.*
<p>
China suppresses any attempt to talk about the huge protest and the
subsequent massacre at Shā Xuésheng Mén (Kill Students Gate).


feed_id: e03f26cb31758e3f3c00e814d7fb0071
title: Where suicide is criminalized
uri: Where-suicide-is-criminalized
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Where_suicide_is_criminalized%29

content:
<p>

Where suicide is criminalized, the effect is to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/sep/09/suicide-still-treated-as-a-in-at-least-20-countries-report-finds">deter people from seeking
therapy</a> if they are thinking about suicide.


feed_id: 592815cf8fcbb7dca41938ba0cdc37e9
title: Cruel vigilantes
uri: Cruel-vigilantes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Cruel_vigilantes%29
content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/07/abortion-bounty-hunters-texas-are-not-whistleblowers-theyre-cruel-vigilantes">Abortion Bounty Hunters</a> in Texas Are Not "Whistleblowers" &mdash; They're
Cruel Vigilantes.*
<p>
Whistleblowing means reporting on abuses of power and authority.
With that point understood, we can recognize misuse of the term.


feed_id: 12bf6ee1ca3a87ba00f61a8e7ce9d1d9
title: Right to practice racial discrimination
uri: Right-to-practice-racial-discrimination
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Right_to_practice_racial_discrimination%29

content:
<p>

The Christian right-wing organized in the 1970s to demand the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/08/abortion-us-religious-right-racial-segregation">right
for churches to practice racial discrimination</a>.
Later, in the 80s, it took a stand against abortion rights as a political football.


feed_id: 0b64d6fd030f32ccc79084705f1401c3
title: Social media accounts
uri: Social-media-accounts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Social_media_accounts%29
content:
<p>

Los Angeles thugs ask each person they talk with for per <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/08/revealed-los-angeles-police-officers-gathering-social-media">social media
accounts</a>.
<p>
I wonder what happens when someone says, "That's private."
Do they arrest per on some pretext?  Beat per up?


feed_id: af14abaadc4cad5470170d2d0ba96265
title: Estimating the carbon budget
uri: Estimating-the-carbon-budget
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Estimating_the_carbon_budget%29

content:
<p>

Estimating the carbon budget: 90% of coal reserves and 60% of oil and gas
reserves <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/08/climate-crisis-fossil-fuels-ground">must stay in the ground</a>, and that only gives us a 50-50 chance
of remaining below 1.5C of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.
<p>
The article apportions these excluded reserves among countries.


feed_id: 7e9c4329711566d10cc4cdadc214a7e2
title: Chinese PR
uri: Chinese-PR
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Chinese_PR%29
content:
<p>

A Chinese PR campaign <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-cyber-usa/pro-china-social-media-campaign-expands-to-new-countries-blames-u-s-for-covid-idUSKBN2G41GT">blames the US</a> for Covid-19.
<p>
This is about as stupid as the wrecker's campaign to blame China
for Covid-19.


feed_id: 3b2fada1a8e3d5648a1dac7eac64971b
title: Factual falsehoods
uri: Factual-falsehoods
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Factual_falsehoods%29
content:
<p>

Governor Abbott combines <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/08/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-greg-abbott-texas-abortion-ban">factual falsehoods with his religious
fanaticism</a>.


feed_id: ec5b81f4a5615487e5291b8d5842f60d
title: Anti-vaxxers' violent threat
uri: Anti-vaxxers-violent-threat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Anti-vaxxers%27_violent_threat%29

content:
<p>

Anti-vaxxers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/sep/08/scientists-must-be-protected-from-anti-vaxxer-abuse">threatened violence</a> against a scientist who criticized
the use of ivermectin to treat Covid-19.
<p>
I don't know enough to reach any conclusions about the use of
ivermectin, but threatening scientists for stating their conclusions
is violent and puts people in danger.


feed_id: 0d093e58137895d0ef1e79779df077d0
title: Observers at a protest
uri: Observers-at-a-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Observers_at_a_protest%29
content:
<p>

Legal observers at a protest in 2020 have <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/09/08/nypd-legal-observers-bronx-protest/">sued the New York Thug
Department</a> because thugs that beat them up.


feed_id: 6c1d428850e88b273f82c4e6b987284c
title: (satire) Plundered skeletons
uri: (satire)-Plundered-skeletons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28%28satire%29_Plundered_skeletons%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Birds Demand Natural History Museum <a href="https://www.theonion.com/birds-demand-natural-history-museum-return-dinosaur-ske-1847638740">Return Dinosaur
Skeletons</a> Plundered From Ancestral Resting Place.*


feed_id: bedaab8a15370add0b3c8d0e8f787e10
title: (satire) Smallpox vaccine
uri: (satire)-Smallpox-vaccine
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28%28satire%29_Smallpox_vaccine%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Horrified Anti-Vaxxer Discovers Every American Who Got
Smallpox Vaccine In 19th Century <a href="https://www.theonion.com/horrified-anti-vaxxer-discovers-every-american-who-got-1847644353">Now Dead</a>.*


feed_id: 8314d450617374ce866cf2746cfe843c
title: Fossil fuel crony
uri: Fossil-fuel-crony
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28Fossil_fuel_crony%29
content:
<p>

*Biden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/09/failing-key-climate-test-biden-nominates-fossil-fuel-crony-federal-energy-post">Nominates Fossil Fuel 'Crony'</a> to head the Federal Energy
 Regulatory Commission.*


feed_id: 1b0f36308dd0f709acfc4c0848ce4452
title: (satire) Saving money
uri: (satire)-Saving-money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28%28satire%29_Saving_money%29
content:
<p>

(satire) *CEOs Give Advice To Millennials About <a href="https://www.theonion.com/ceos-give-advice-to-millennials-about-saving-money-1847636505">Saving Money</a>.*


feed_id: 483ca970852f3298522c813fde49ef96
title: Freedom to have an abortion
uri: Freedom-to-have-an-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28Freedom_to_have_an_abortion%29
content:
<p>

Self-styled "libertarians" in politics fail to stand up for the
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/09/deregulation-and-covid-masks-libertarians-are-loud-female-liberty-deafening-silence">freedom to have an abortion</a>.
<p>
I argue that they are not entitled to the term <a href="https://stallman.org/antiglossary.html#libertarian">"libertarians"</a>, because
their principal goal is to eliminate taxes and have a laissez-faire,
laissez mourir economy.
<p>
The right term for them is <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#anti">"antisocialist"</a>.


feed_id: ca97479446a892216deb19fb4e7fb51d
title: Unfair trials
uri: 2021-09-11-Unfair-trials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28Unfair_trials%29
content:
<p>

The Guantanamo prison "military tribunals" are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/08/cia-torture-cover-still-looms-over-911-trials-guantanamo">unfair trials</a>, rigged
for injustice.  The US must eliminate them,
so as not to put itself in a class with the Soviet Union and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2005-sep-dec.html#30%20September%202005%20(Show%20trials)">other
purveyors of bogus trials</a>.
<p>
Once the US admits that it cannot give any of those prisoners a fair
trial, it will have to let them go.  And then it can close the
Guantanamo prison.
<p>
To cleanse its name, the US should prosecute all those involved in
torture in Guantanamo, starting with <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a>.


feed_id: 90ed4acad5bd6c0172e0c3059a8873c0
title: 20 years fighting
uri: 20-years-fighting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%2820_years_fighting%29
content:
<p>

*We <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/08/we-wasted-20-years-fighting-war-terror-instead-climate-change">Wasted 20 Years Fighting</a> the War on Terror Instead of [global heating].*


feed_id: 61d98fa8914537adae2e2556d25bdfc9
title: (satire) Diverse array of extremist perspectives
uri: (satire)-Diverse-array-of-extremist-perspectives
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28%28satire%29_Diverse_array_of_extremist_perspectives%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Taliban Criticized For <a href="https://www.theonion.com/taliban-criticized-for-failure-to-include-diverse-array-1847638456">Failure To Include Diverse Array Of
Extremist Perspectives</a> In Government.*


feed_id: fda5038db43932e671bfa05f9adae380
title: Attacked with whips and sticks
uri: Attacked-with-whips-and-sticks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28Attacked_with_whips_and_sticks%29

content:
<p>

Taliban <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/08/asia/afghanistan-women-taliban-government-intl/index.html">attacked female protesters</a> with whips and sticks.


feed_id: 569e819425aecbc69b2eb951278b9aa1
title: Children infected with Covid-19
uri: Children-infected-with-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28Children_infected_with_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>

Children are <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/08/health/delta-variant-in-kids/index.html">no longer basically safe from Covid-19</a>.
The US recently had 252,000 new infected children in one week.
<p>
Since the vaccine has not yet been approved for children &mdash; because it hasn't
been tested for them &mdash; we need to protect them by requiring masks in school.


feed_id: e72b3bafffbec99c77f4242c15e25810
title: Decriminalizing abortion
uri: 2021-09-11-Decriminalizing-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#10_September_2021_%28Decriminalizing_abortion%29
content:
<p>
*Mexican Supreme Court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/07/mexico-abortion-law-struck-down-supreme-court-penalties-unconstitutional">decriminalizes abortion in historic shift</a>.*

<p>
Hooray for the women of Mexico!

<p>
And for the women of southern Texas, since Coahula is right across the
middle of the Texas border.  They will be able to get an abortion in a
closer place.

<p>
Except for the women who are unauthorized immigrants, since they don't
dare visit Mexico and return.  They need abortion rights in Texas.
<p>
More about the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/07/unanimous-ruling-mexican-supreme-court-decriminalizes-abortion">court's reasoning</a>.


feed_id: e1e7f8e7ac3a3e52cb966afb38f6f1f7
title: California's homeless
uri: California-s-homeless
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28California%27s_homeless%29
content:
<p>

Governor Newsom has instituted a large program to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/08/politics/california-recall-homelessness-crisis/index.html">provide and adapt
housing</a> for California's homeless people &mdash; though it isn't as big as
the problem requires.
<p>
The crucial need is to encourage <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#16_February_2018_(California_housing)">dense housing</a> construction near transit
hubs.  The voters defeated a referendum to permit that.


feed_id: ae7cd952a31d18b396ddcdeb3a54b75d
title: (satire) Complete mental breakdown
uri: (satire)-Complete-mental-breakdown
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28%28satire%29_Complete_mental_breakdown%29

content:
<p>

(satire) * Study: Majority Of U.S. Population <a href="https://www.theonion.com/study-majority-of-u-s-population-one-disappointing-sa-1847629805">One Disappointing
Sandwich Away</a> From Complete Mental Breakdown.*
<p>
Painful surprises like these cause me small mental breakdowns every
day.  Fortunately, they last only a minute.


feed_id: d5cb307a694be6360fee7f5d4c774299
title: Taliban harassing Afghan staff
uri: Taliban-harassing-Afghan-staff
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28Taliban_harassing_Afghan_staff%29

content:
<p>

The UN says that Taliban are <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-conflict-un-staff/u-n-says-afghan-staff-increasingly-harassed-intimidated-since-taliban-takeover-idUSKBN2G52DL">harassing the Afghan staff</a> that work in UN
establishments in Afghanistan.


feed_id: 5c29849e0b006432f871fa96bc45b2a1
title: Disinformation posters
uri: Disinformation-posters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28Disinformation_posters%29
content:
<p>

Anti-vax disinformation posters in London have been found to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/sep/08/london-transport-staff-warned-of-razors-inside-covid-conspiracy-posters">contain
razor blades</a> intended to wound anyone taking them down.


feed_id: 353a9208fcfbd74091a9a2ddfc65646b
title: Earth's tipping points
uri: Earth-s-tipping-points
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28Earth%27s_tipping_points%29
content:
<p>

*Earth’s tipping points could be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/09/earths-tipping-points-closer-current-climate-plans-wont-work-global-heating">closer than we think</a>. Our current plans won’t
work.*


feed_id: c6b80f34dce29fffa31658ba2d09c77c
title: US conference on Hindu nationalism
uri: US-conference-on-Hindu-nationalism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28US_conference_on_Hindu_nationalism%29

content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/09/death-threats-sent-to-participants-of-us-conference-on-hindu-nationalism">Death threats sent to participants</a> of US conference on Hindu nationalism.*
<p>
"Hindu nationalism" means the antidemocratic movement that Modi leads,
which <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-nov-feb.html#15_February_2017_(Religious_tolerance)">represses Muslims in India</a> and, more generally, people who are
not Hindus.


feed_id: b3eb021bd8dd6f94201309676c76877e
title: Disregard of China's repression
uri: Disregard-of-China-s-repression
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28Disregard_of_China%27s_repression%29

content:
<p>

The Tories want China's trade enough to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/10/pm-accused-of-deliberate-strategic-void-on-china-to-prioritise-trade">disregard China's repression</a>.


feed_id: d4c4b66ae35f95584c61f826dca2bd54
title: Medicare advantage
uri: Medicare-advantage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28Medicare_advantage%29
content:
<p>

Arguments for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/08/medicare-advantage-profit-scam-time-end-it">eliminating "Medicare Advantage"</a> insurance plans.
<p>
I've read that Massachusetts, and a few other states, have legislated
that medigap insurance plans cannot reject new subscribers because of
preexisting conditions.  Maybe that means I'm safe from this problem.
Perhaps legislation like this nationwide would eliminate the danger of
Medicare Advantage plans to the subscribers.
<p>
Nonetheless, it would still be good to eliminate the profiteering and
overbilling described in the article.


feed_id: c5400f4d155e0ecbec20f2329d8a8402
title: UK trade deal with Australia
uri: UK-trade-deal-with-Australia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28UK_trade_deal_with_Australia%29

content:
<p>

*UK criticized for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/sep/08/uk-dropped-paris-climate-goals-in-trade-deal-with-australia-say-green-activists">‘dropping Paris climate goals in trade deal with Australia’</a>.*


feed_id: ed1aa67e42cfec2c8f2102f21d901d15
title: Historic heatwaves
uri: Historic-heatwaves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28Historic_heatwaves%29
content:
<p>

*   California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Utah faced <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/10/american-west-states-hottest-summer-climate-crisis">historic heatwaves</a>,
   which were made possible by human-caused <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, a study found.*


feed_id: 9eec545987f97f16b4a62ae9455c87d8
title: Spats out of climate fight
uri: Spats-out-of-climate-fight
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28Spats_out_of_climate_fight%29
content:
<p>

*U.N. chief urges China, US to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-usa-china-guterres/u-n-chief-urges-china-us-to-keep-bilateral-spats-out-of-climate-fight-idUSKBN2G61ZM">keep bilateral spats out of climate fight</a>.*


feed_id: a50fb73e0544bf2a3105466a0de2684d
title: Suspension of Tunisia's Constitution
uri: Suspension-of-Tunisia-s-Constitution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28Suspension_of_Tunisia%27s_Constitution%29

content:
<p>

Tunisia's president says he will <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-politics-reaction/some-tunisian-politicians-say-they-oppose-saieds-reported-plans-idUSKBN2G61RI">"suspend" the Constitution</a>. That's not very different from a coup.


feed_id: 850807914e97f9875aa8365797756c99
title: Underpaid Google workers
uri: Underpaid-Google-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#11_September_2021_%28Underpaid_Google_workers%29
content:
<p>

*Google illegally <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/sep/10/google-underpaid-workers-illegal-pay-disparity-documents">underpaid thousands of workers</a> across dozens of
countries.*


feed_id: 1c214065578ac8b5ad3415647fe0872c
title: Urgent: Budget reconciliation spending bill
uri: Urgent-Budget-reconciliation-spending-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Budget_reconciliation_spending_bill%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: phone your congresscritter at 1-202-559-1155 and say to
pass the full budget reconciliation spending bill, but replace any
parts that subsidize fossil fuels or the Pentagon.
<p>
Also call on them to close the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-nov-feb.html#22_December_2019_(Billionaires_controlling_charities)">"billionaire's loophole"</a>.


feed_id: 8e2a9bcdac23c7655f5e0457aeca2e21
title: Boosted support for the Taliban
uri: Boosted-support-for-the-Taliban
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Boosted_support_for_the_Taliban%29

content:
<p>

*How mass killings by US forces after 9/11 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/10/how-mass-killings-by-us-forces-after-911-boosted-support-for-the-taliban">boosted support for the Taliban</a>.*


feed_id: 32d21cadddea8ce9b7bf5ace46a5920a
title: Harvard fossil fuel divestment
uri: Harvard-fossil-fuel-divestment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Harvard_fossil_fuel_divestment%29

content:
<p>

Harvard has agreed to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/10/harvard-university-divest-endowment-fossil-fuels">divest its endowment</a> from fossil fuels.
<p>
I supported this campaign in small ways.


feed_id: c69685cd51de4cbf15e0823cb1ad8f24
title: Unlearnt lessons
uri: Unlearnt-lessons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Unlearnt_lessons%29
content:
<p>

*The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/10/unlearnt-lessons-911-twenty-years-out-0">Unlearnt Lessons of [September 2001]</a>, Twenty Years Out.*


feed_id: 665dac1e4254fb3358c44599872665fc
title: Poor countries' lack of vaccines
uri: Poor-countries-lack-of-vaccines
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Poor_countries%27_lack_of_vaccines%29

content:
<p>

*Poor countries say lack of vaccines <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-cop26-vaccines/poor-countries-say-lack-of-vaccines-may-exclude-them-from-climate-talks-idUSKBN2G61CL">may exclude them from climate talks</a>.*


feed_id: 8e63aba9930acdb76646a6c1f305da08
title: Taliban crackdown on protests
uri: Taliban-crackdown-on-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Taliban_crackdown_on_protests%29

content:
<p>

*At least four <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/10/at-least-four-killed-in-taliban-crackdown-on-protests-says-un">killed in Taliban crackdown on protests</a>, says UN.*
*Human rights official says group conducting house-to-house searches and
threatening journalists.*
<p>
*‘Tomorrow they will kill me’: Afghan female police officers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/sep/10/afghan-female-police-officers-live-in-fear-of-taliban-reprisals">live in fear of
Taliban reprisals</a>.*


feed_id: db3fdaa3f1993716d1d3ab6ad2f95285
title: If we don't talk to our enemies
uri: If-we-don-t-talk-to-our-enemies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28If_we_don%27t_talk_to_our_enemies%29

content:
<p>

*The lesson we failed to learn from 9/11: peace is impossible <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/10/lesson-9-11-peace-taliban">if we don’t talk
to our enemies</a>.*


feed_id: 9d0bbefabc7e3676b3a5abe23f065a9c
title: National parks overcrowded
uri: National-parks-overcrowded
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28National_parks_overcrowded%29
content:
<p>

US national parks are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/10/overcrowding-changing-us-national-parks">getting overcrowded</a>.
That is a microcosm of the whole world.


feed_id: 50db3f318afb4067297fb929b0c778ff
title: Pebbles as tools
uri: Pebbles-as-tools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Pebbles_as_tools%29
content:
<p>

A disabled kea with a broken beak figured out how to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/10/the-disabled-new-zealand-parrot-kea-using-tools-for-preening-aoe">use pebbles as
tools</a>.
<p>
See what I've <a href="articles/on-hacking.html">written about keas before</a>.


feed_id: b84a9b13c1eca2da523dfe89f6bee819
title: Deadly procrastination
uri: Deadly-procrastination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Deadly_procrastination%29
content:
<p>

*Forget plans to lower emissions by 2050 &mdash; this is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/10/net-zero-2050-deadly-procrastination-fossil-fuels">deadly procrastination</a>.*


feed_id: b5c047dacbf0799fe3d75f81bad82418
title: Warehouse algorithms
uri: Warehouse-algorithms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Warehouse_algorithms%29
content:
<p>

The California legislature has passed a law to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/10/california-bill-amazon-warehouse-quotas">require warehouses to
publish the algorithms</a> they use to determine how much work each worker
has to do.
Some sorts of nasty practices, such as retaliation for worker complaints,
are prohibited too.
<p>
Governor Newsom has not decided whether to sign it.  How can he have
any doubt about what to do?


feed_id: fe434b27c8c7b7d20429ad1a6645361b
title: Trans men in the 1700s
uri: Trans-men-in-the-1700s
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Trans_men_in_the_1700s%29
content:
<p>

About <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/10/transgender-history-18th-century-female-husbands">several trans men</a> who were reported on in the 1700s in England.
<p>
The article is impaired in clarity by using "they" to refer to
some of these individuals.  Since they declared themselves male,
the article could have used male pronouns for them to make
it clearer to read.


feed_id: 9b0a3d912f7d1663983035090c276d88
title: Torture of Tamil prisoners
uri: Torture-of-Tamil-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Torture_of_Tamil_prisoners%29
content:
<p>

Sri Lanka, ruled once again by a Rajapaksa, is <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sri-lanka-rights/sri-lankan-detainees-tortured-while-in-custody-rights-group-alleges-idUSKBN2G60WY">torturing Tamil
prisoners again</a>.


feed_id: 7cf19a9269e02cd24bd673b2c42fe0f1
title: Code red situation
uri: Code-red-situation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Code_red_situation%29
content:
<p>

*If President Biden believes this is an actual 'code red' situation, he
   should treat it as such by <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/09/climate-campaigners-demand-action-not-words-after-bidens-code-red-comments">declaring a climate emergency immediately</a>
   through an executive order and stopping all fossil fuel projects.*


feed_id: ffa3400925fa2f8f3f89575474564e60
title: Personal freedoms
uri: Personal-freedoms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Personal_freedoms%29
content:
<p>

*Addressing those who call [vaccine mandates] attacks on personal freedom,
   one doctor said that "people also <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/10/public-health-experts-praise-bidens-new-vaccination-requirements">have a right to be able to go to work
   and not get infected and not get sick and not die</a>."*
<p>
Hear, hear.  We all have a duty to get vaccinated, except for the
small fraction that medically can't do it.


feed_id: 9a86787ce303da8b68d444de9ceafaa5
title: Russia's journalists
uri: Russia-s-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Russia%27s_journalists%29
content:
<p>

*Putin’s crackdown: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/11/putins-crackdown-how-russias-journalists-became-foreign-agents">how Russia’s journalists became ‘foreign agents’</a>.*


feed_id: 066d9da2ba1152b34429dcbf06226832
title: Iran's uranium
uri: Iran-s-uranium
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Iran%27s_uranium%29
content:
<p>

Iran <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-iaea-cameras/iaea-will-have-no-access-to-surveillance-camera-footage-in-iran-state-run-tv-idUSKBN2G70HC">refuses to show the IAEA</a> what it is doing with uranium.
<p>
I fear this means that the old non-nuclear deal is dead, and that
the wrecker has gifted the world with a nuclear-armed Iran.


feed_id: c063fcb49b5adbcb040bffe748c1b06b
title: Cancellation attempts
uri: Cancellation-attempts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Cancellation_attempts%29
content:
<p>

Almost <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/11/so-sally-rooneys-racist-only-if-you-choose-to-confuse-fiction-with-fact">no writer is safe from cancellation attempts</a>.
Even if you're not actually racist, or XYZist, people can present
you as such.


feed_id: d50f3b17f3079a911a014f944980711a
title: Drone attack on aid worker
uri: Drone-attack-on-aid-worker
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Drone_attack_on_aid_worker%29
content:
<p>

The US military <a href="HTTPS://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/11/us-drone-strike-mistakenly-targeted-afghan-aid-worker-investigation-finds">sent a drone to attack a car</a> that supposedly had
seen people load it with explosives.  But they were not explosives,
they were water canisters.  And the driver was an aid worker,
not a terrorist.


feed_id: dd0d529fbbacf0b5e71f26d3e029a831
title: Tunisia's labour union
uri: Tunisia-s-labour-union
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Tunisia%27s_labour_union%29
content:
<p>

*Tunisia's labour union <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-politics-union/tunisias-labour-union-seeks-elections-before-constitution-change-idUSKBN2G708D">seeks elections before constitution change</a>.*
<p>
I agree &mdash; hold elections before deciding on such an important question.
<p>
*Tunisia's president indicates he will <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-politics/tunisias-president-indicates-he-will-amend-constitution-idUSKBN2G70JB">amend constitution*
using the constitutional pathways</a>.


feed_id: c40dce9b74a6c9262a0b55a0a2e1a297
title: Decarbonizing spending cutback
uri: Decarbonizing-spending-cutback
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Decarbonizing_spending_cutback%29

content:
<p>

The Tories are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/11/660000-jobs-at-risk-as-uks-green-investment-lags">cutting back on spending on decarbonizing</a>.
This will cause big job losses, even as support for people to stay home
is removed.


feed_id: bb49c0f728a1f219ab44eb892020138e
title: Calling out advertising agencies
uri: Calling-out-advertising-agencies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Calling_out_advertising_agencies%29

content:
<p>

Climate defenders are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/11/greenwash-fossil-fuels-ad-agencies">calling out the advertising agencies</a> that protect
fossil fuels.
<p>
Note the contrast between fighting companies for preparing to kill
millions and fighting individuals for views you disagree with.


feed_id: 7f94f75a01e054026f3ceca49ec7a0e5
title: Rainfall on Greenland's Ice
uri: Rainfall-on-Greenland-s-Ice
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#13_September_2021_%28Rainfall_on_Greenland%27s_Ice%29

content:
<p>

*Rain fell on Greenland’s ice sheet for the first time ever known.*
<p>
Vast areas of land, home to half a billion people, may be inundated
in this century by the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/13/greenland-ice-sheet-melting-fridtjof-nansen">melting of Greenland and Antarctic ice</a>.


feed_id: ccfd1cd36de17edea8c09ffc292dbb68
title: Pebbles as tools
uri: 2021-09-14-Pebbles-as-tools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#12_September_2021_%28Pebbles_as_tools%29
content:
<p>

A disabled kea with a broken beak figured out how to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/10/the-disabled-new-zealand-parrot-kea-using-tools-for-preening-aoe">use pebbles as
tools</a>.
<p>
See what I've <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/on-hacking.html">written about keas before</a>.


feed_id: 9d7212a34d9e03027ac6412794f57a94
title: Long Covid
uri: 2021-09-14-Long-Covid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#14_September_2021_%28Long_Covid%29
content:
<p>
It's possible that as much as 1/4 of the people who have had Covid-19
still have some amount of long Covid.  In the US, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/12/long-covid-post-illnes-symptoms-common">that could be
millions of people</a>.

<p>
And the medical system, with its hands full with serious acute cases,
cannot yet focus on them.  And it doesn't know a lot to do for them,
either.

<p>
Millions of Americans are being gratuitously infected by right-wing
extremist Republicans as a political gesture of "drop dead" arrogance.
All those who have a disability afterward should know that the
extremists did it to them.


feed_id: 88b135216ac8b2b0b42be2ccfa7addec
title: New excuses for killing women
uri: New-excuses-for-killing-women
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#14_September_2021_%28New_excuses_for_killing_women%29

content:
<p>
*Men are inventing new excuses for killing women <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/12/men-are-inventing-new-excuses-for-killing-women-and-judges-are-falling-for-them">and judges are
falling for them</a>.*


feed_id: 3b125557fb258bc7c4e984830ab80461
title: Insisting that EPA does its job
uri: Insisting-that-EPA-does-its-job
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#14_September_2021_%28Insisting_that_EPA_does_its_job%29

content:
<p>
Scientist Ruth Etzel was director of the EPA’s Office of Children’s
Health Protection.  She was out of the EPA <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/12/ruth-etzel-epa-whistleblower-hearing">for insisting that it do
its job and apply its standards</a>.


feed_id: a659d8c7200ceb385961ead6e6fb5120
title: Republican Party
uri: 2021-09-14-Republican-Party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#14_September_2021_%28Republican_Party%29
content:
<p>
The Republican Party <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/12/republicans-government-government-intrusions">is now the party of intrusive, repressive government</a>.


feed_id: 0227d357209d48a00572ae64ba931d50
title: Subcontractors at Facebook
uri: Subcontractors-at-Facebook
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#14_September_2021_%28Subcontractors_at_Facebook%29
content:
<p>
Facebook told a subcontractor <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/sep/12/facebook-office-cleaner-who-led-protests-at-london-site-fears-for-his-job">to pull the union representative (of
subcontracted janitors) off work on Facebook's building</a>.
  That was because he organized a protest against Facebook's demand to
work so fast that it made people work overtime unpaid.  This is likely
to be tantamount to firing him, though perhaps with a legal loophole.

<p>
This is one more reason why subcontracting should be limited by law to
small numbers of workers doing small total amounts of work.

<p>
Not every business is nasty to workers like this, but no business
deserves rights the way humans do.  Subcontracting generally gives
workers less power over their work (pay, schedules, working
conditions), even as it reduces the accountability over the business
in regard to the work they do for customers.  It benefits the business
but harms everyone else.  So let's forbid it, except for small cases
where a full-time employee would simply not make sense.


feed_id: 4365bcda780d6a213891ee561d4c7d94
title: Resuming monitoring nuclear sites
uri: Resuming-monitoring-nuclear-sites
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#14_September_2021_%28Resuming_monitoring_nuclear_sites%29

content:
<p>
Iran has agreed <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/iran-nuclear-iaea-int/iran-to-allow-iaea-to-service-nuclear-monitoring-cameras-after-talks-idUSKBN2G802G">to let the IAEA resume monitoring its nuclear
sites</a>.

<p>
Maybe it was bluffing to show the US it has to take the non-nuclear
deal seriously.  I hope the US does so.


feed_id: 357cc9f07f823615b99d1d19616b370d
title: Questions from the senate
uri: Questions-from-the-senate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Questions_from_the_senate%29
content:
<p>
*Philippines' Duterte <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-phiippines-politics/philippines-duterte-accused-of-stifling-scrutiny-in-senate-probes-idUSKBN2GA0Q4">accused of stifling scrutiny in senate probes</a>.*
  Specifically, he prevents the Senate from questioning executive
branch officials.

<p>
The bullshitter <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#9_June_2017_(Comeys_testimony)">did this too</a>.


feed_id: dead42ab8602567bde6efcbae7e36246
title: Criminalisation of good Samaritan
uri: Criminalisation-of-good-Samaritan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Criminalisation_of_good_Samaritan%29

content:
<p>
Church of England bishops condemned the proposed law <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/12/bishops-hit-out-at-criminalisation-of-good-samaritan-over-channel-crossings">that would
constitute "criminalisation of Good Samaritan</a>."

<p>
The US has prosecuted people <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#14_February_2019_(Food_and_water_in_the_desert)">for giving food and water to unauthorized
immigrants</a>
   and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-jan-apr.html#12_March_2017_(Food_not_Bombs)">to homeless people</a>.


feed_id: 3a87cf5b76f32ce3e1754d6e918ccf75
title: Moratorium on deep sea mining
uri: Moratorium-on-deep-sea-mining
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Moratorium_on_deep_sea_mining%29

content:
<p>
*Moratorium on Deep Sea Mining <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/10/momentous-moratorium-deep-sea-mining-adopted-global-biodiversity-summit">[endorsed] at Global Biodiversity
Summit</a>.*

<p>
This was not a binding decision, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#5_July_2019_(Mining_the_sea_bottom)">but may help lead to a real decision</a>.


feed_id: 2784b99ce327240b7ac2af3863d8da24
title: Anti-vaxxers dying
uri: Anti-vaxxers-dying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Anti-vaxxers_dying%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/14/the-virus-is-painfully-real-vaccine-hesitant-people-are-dying-and-their-loved-ones-want-the-world-to-listen">Vaccine-hesitant people are dying</a> -– and their
loved ones want the world to listen.*


feed_id: 9c637e7f0db0676ccf157e2ae8a58130
title: UK's CND Infiltration
uri: UK-s-CND-Infiltration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28UK%27s_CND_Infiltration%29
content:
<p>
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament demands an investigation of the
UK's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/sep/12/cnd-calls-for-answers-from-inquiry-over-police-infiltration-in-1980s">use of undercover thugs</a> to infiltrate it in the 1980.


feed_id: dbb4dd8d703272a575832992df019033
title: Preserving endangered languages
uri: Preserving-endangered-languages
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Preserving_endangered_languages%29

content:
<p>
Preserving endangered languages calls for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/14/give-lorde-a-break-non-maori-must-speak-maori-for-it-to-survive">encouraging everyone to use
them</a>.
This means rejecting the idea of "cultural appropriation" or
that these languages are off-limits to some people.


feed_id: b28039abc56bc9e0f9e3e72217e31e34
title: Egypt human rights
uri: Egypt-human-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Egypt_human_rights%29
content:
<p>
*U.S. [reportedly] to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-egypt-military-int/u-s-to-hold-130m-of-egypts-military-aid-over-human-rights-sources-idUSKBN2GA1M9">hold $130m of Egypt's military aid</a> over human
rights.*
<p>
It is good that the US is making an effort.  Getting a government to
stop torturing and killing dissidents and journalists is not easy, though.


feed_id: 149fd884f32533fcaa7a12d228b1bf51
title: Urgent: Build Back Better act
uri: Urgent-Build-Back-Better-act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Build_Back_Better_act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritter and say to fully fund
the Build Back Better act, at 3.5 trillion, and increase
taxes on rich people and corporations.
<p>
It wouldn't hurt to add that there should be no increased funds
for the military and no subsidy for climate destruction.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.


feed_id: 2922f8e7667d292a1de371105e683a5d
title: Head in the sand
uri: Head-in-the-sand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Head_in_the_sand%29
content:
<p>
*Australia burying ‘head in the sand’ on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/14/australia-burying-head-in-the-sand-on-security-risks-of-climate-change-former-defence-official-says">security risks of climate change</a>,
former defence official says.*


feed_id: c1d10692787f0987eb8d5afa20d75365
title: Environmental threats
uri: Environmental-threats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Environmental_threats%29
content:
<p>
Michelle Bachelet of the UN says that environmental threats are
the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-un-rights-climate/environmental-threats-are-biggest-challenge-to-human-rights-un-idUSKBN2G90OG">biggest challenge to human rights.


feed_id: b7f49b765a8e63f1fa720e0f1c499692
title: Environmental defenders nuedered
uri: Environmental-defenders-nuedered
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Environmental_defenders_nuedered%29

content:
<p>
65 environmental defenders were <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-colombia-violence-environment/killings-of-colombia-environmental-activists-hit-record+-ngo-says-despite-govt-promises-idUSKBN2G924E">murdered in Colombia</a> in 2020,
setting a new record.  World-wide there were 227 murders, also a record.
<p>
I think that increased awareness that environmental destruction is
tantamount to delayed murder the reason for this.


feed_id: d863cc016c13305000cd4087799b1fdb
title: British Labour Party
uri: British-Labour-Party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28British_Labour_Party%29
content:
<p>
A large British union has started to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/12/union-unite-labour-workers-sharon-graham">give up on the Labour Party</a>.
Its members no longer believe that the party would do much for workers
if it won.
<p>
I suspect that is a consequence of how it treated Corbyn.


feed_id: 3b482fcfc5244e4a6bce7a6324279d60
title: (satire) Fraternity cookout
uri: (satire)-Fraternity-cookout
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28%28satire%29_Fraternity_cookout%29

content:
<p>
(satire) *Fraternity Cookout Raises Over $10,000 To Pay Medical Bills
Of <a href="https://www.theonion.com/fraternity-cookout-raises-over-10-000-to-pay-medical-b-1847644293">Pledge They Put In Coma</a>.*


feed_id: 028fdfde2909d18aa31384f16b54a680
title: Universal camera surveillance
uri: Universal-camera-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Universal_camera_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
Not surprisingly, universal camera surveillance has been useful for
catching various sorts of criminals.  That is true in New York City,
as it is (I'm sure) true in China.  The <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/11/us/nypd-world-trade-center-tactics-9-11/index.html">danger of this surveillance</a> is
not so immediately visible, but every time we read about the damage
done by US wars based on lies, the cameras played a role in stopping
people from blowing the whistle on those lies.


feed_id: 7d68f81333c4dc7efc610598a373d494
title: Urgent: Bill that fund military spending
uri: Urgent-Bill-that-fund-military-spending
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Bill_that_fund_military_spending%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on your congresscritter to <a href="https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=14190">commit to voting No</a> on
any bills that fund military spending at over 90% of the current level
<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: 3b403c278ce1392c8665495b41a242b1
title: Urgent: New progressive social contract
uri: Urgent-New-progressive-social-contract
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_New_progressive_social_contract%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call for a <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-we-need-a-new-social-contract/">new, progressive, social contract</a> in
 the U.S.


feed_id: 2519883c30ad390e51961ffa4ae18cee
title: EU anti-deforestation law
uri: EU-anti-deforestation-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28EU_anti-deforestation_law%29
content:
<p>

*Leaked EU anti-deforestation law <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/14/leaked-eu-anti-deforestation-law-omits-fragile-grasslands-and-wetlands">omits fragile grasslands and wetlands</a>.*


feed_id: 033950e04277ac97f2707418ad551884
title: Fear of having children
uri: Fear-of-having-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Fear_of_having_children%29
content:
<p>

*Four in 10 young people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/14/four-in-10-young-people-fear-having-children-due-to-climate-crisis">fear having children due to climate crisis</a>,
The poll covered Australia, Brazil,
   Finland, France, India, Nigeria, the Philippines, Portugal, the UK and
   the US.*


feed_id: 2153d2223400129c07cfc8cb5fc844c6
title: Most pivotal bill in years
uri: Most-pivotal-bill-in-years
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Most_pivotal_bill_in_years%29
content:
<p>

Rebecca Solnit: *Congress is on the cusp of passing the most pivotal
bill in years &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/14/congress-is-on-the-cusp-of-passing-the-most-pivotal-bill-in-years-if-we-make-them">if we make them</a>.*


feed_id: f044ff1eac4ce7d02f820fcebc6d3c44
title: Not safe for refugees
uri: Not-safe-for-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Not_safe_for_refugees%29
content:
<p>

The UN's commission for Syria says that Syria is <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-un/syria-violence-worsening-not-safe-for-refugee-return-un-investigators-say-idUSKBN2GA10U">not safe for returning refugees to</a>.


feed_id: 585c5b67600c7d9b1b219c01ea1bc2b0
title: World vaccination target
uri: World-vaccination-target
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28World_vaccination_target%29
content:
<p>

*Biden to propose <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/14/joe-biden-propose-target-vaccinating-world-covid">target of vaccinating 70% of world</a> in a year.*
<p>
This is somewhat of a speedup over current targets.  Any speedup in
vaccinating the world is an improvement for all of humanity, but what
we really need is to vaccinate nearly everyone so that the virus will
more or less disappear.


feed_id: ff1de2fc79cf312291cc6b0f1a360272
title: Global farm subsidies
uri: Global-farm-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Global_farm_subsidies%29
content:
<p>

*90% of global farm subsidies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/14/global-farm-subsidies-damage-people-planet-un-climate-crisis-nature-inequality">damage people and planet</a>, says UN.*
<p>
The harmful subsidies are generally for producing meat and dairy
products.  The harm includes damage to health, <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>,
destruction of wildlife habitats, and ruin of small farms.


feed_id: ee0f6080be0f5e58c3ab3f7f85777349
title: Prime Minister Ariel Henry
uri: Prime-Minister-Ariel-Henry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Prime_Minister_Ariel_Henry%29
content:
<p>

*Haiti chief prosecutor calls for [Prime Minister Ariel Henry] to be
 <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-haiti-politics/haiti-chief-prosecutor-calls-for-pm-to-be-charged-in-presidents-killing-idUSKBN2GA1RJ">charged in [President Moise]'s killing</a>.*
The reason is that Henry had phone calls with a suspect who is on the lam.
<p>
Strangely, President Moise appointed Ariel Henry as prime minister a
few days before he was shot.


feed_id: 5e48b335b7610d8ed65ee56c6cff17d1
title: Research on Instagram
uri: Research-on-Instagram
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#15_September_2021_%28Research_on_Instagram%29
content:
<p>

Facebook concealed its own research which found that Instagram makes
teenage girls <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/sep/14/facebook-aware-instagram-harmful-effect-teenage-girls-leak-reveals">feel more anxious about their body image</a>.


feed_id: c3e425f687bfefb7c3ea09989a553f32
title: Drone Attack
uri: 2021-09-16-Drone-Attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#16_September_2021_%28Drone_Attack%29
content:
<p>
*Investigations of US Drone Attack That Killed 10 Afghans <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/11/investigations-us-drone-attack-killed-10-afghans-find-no-evidence-explosives-vehicle">Find No Evidence of
Explosives in Vehicle</a>.*


feed_id: c7366a9b4d6902c122e34f022a43dcad
title: Abortion providers ruined
uri: Abortion-providers-ruined
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#16_September_2021_%28Abortion_providers_ruined%29
content:
<p>
Abortion providers in Texas, and their lawyers, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/15/no-one-wants-to-get-sued-some-abortion-providers-have-stopped-working-in-texas">are afraid of being ruined
by lawsuits even if they win</a>.


feed_id: bae25ac907327b4eaf6afdc61942919f
title: Money laundering
uri: 2021-09-16-Money-laundering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#16_September_2021_%28Money_laundering%29
content:
<p>
Afghanistan's central bank is no longer trying to prevent
money-laundering there, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-conflict-financing/anti-laundering-unit-goes-off-grid-fraying-afghan-ties-to-global-finance-idUSKBN2GB0SO">according to people that work or worked there</a>.

<p>
It is not clear to me whether the Taliban wanted this to stop this
activity, or the staff fled pre-emptively and brought it to a halt.


feed_id: 73f168dd825bebee607f65a31ee75c92
title: Wearing cameras
uri: Wearing-cameras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#16_September_2021_%28Wearing_cameras%29
content:
<p>
Facebook is trying to manipulate us to treat it as acceptable <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/sep/15/techscape-smart-glasses-facebook">to wear
cameras (and microphones) on one's face when spending time around
other people</a>.

<p>
I suggest insist people put them away in an opaque container that
insulates sound pretty well, before we agree to talk with them.


feed_id: 9b5e6a7c5000b6f5f8585bc14e248c54
title: Vaccine requirement mandate
uri: Vaccine-requirement-mandate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#16_September_2021_%28Vaccine_requirement_mandate%29
content:
<p>
Biden's vaccine requirement mandate shouldn't be controversial, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/15/covid-vaccine-mandate-joe-biden">with
Covid-19 killing a thousand people per day in the US</a>.

<p>
Encountering other people without vaccination is like driving a car
without learning how to drive safely: it endangers oneself and others.
Everyone who can get vaccinated has a duty to do so.


feed_id: aa80a9aa4104064e0c24d683a520c6f0
title: 5 cents raise
uri: 5-cents-raise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#16_September_2021_%285_cents_raise%29
content:
<p>
CVS is offering workers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/15/cvs-workers-petition-wages-working-conditions-covid">a raise of 5 cents per hour</a>.

<p>
I think the workers deserve more.


feed_id: e5d01934cfaea8c34983cfce0650af42
title: Giant sequoia trees
uri: Giant-sequoia-trees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#16_September_2021_%28Giant_sequoia_trees%29
content:
<p>

A California wildfire is running straight towards the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/14/california-wildfire-sequoia-kings-canyon-latest">remaining giant sequoia trees</a>.


feed_id: b6bdf11537c26cab419d8a04b6a256c3
title: Bogus Johnson plan
uri: Bogus-Johnson-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#16_September_2021_%28Bogus_Johnson_plan%29
content:
<p>

For the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/15/government-winter-covid-plan-uk-lockdown-vaccinations-testing-masks">first time</a>, Bogus Johnson presents a serious plan for dealing
with a problem.  Specifically, for Covid-19 in the UK this winter.
<p>
Whether he will set another first, by keeping a promise,
remains to be seen.


feed_id: 022ca6e0f43125175a4eb2b48f6bb251
title: Fraud before losing
uri: Fraud-before-losing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#16_September_2021_%28Fraud_before_losing%29
content:
<p>

The leading Republican in the California governor recall election
started <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/14/larry-elder-california-recall-election-trump">complaining about "fraud"</a> even before he lost.


feed_id: 87b2610c85d2ca426a26a06f713206b2
title: Trap for the US
uri: Trap-for-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#16_September_2021_%28Trap_for_the_US%29
content:
<p>

Robert Fisk on 16 Sep 2001 wrote that the invasion of Afghanistan was
a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/12/our-post-911-archive-bush-walking-trap">trap for the US</a>.
<p>
It turned out more or less that way, though if it is correct that
the Taliban <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-may-aug.html#23_August_2021_(Unconditional_surrender)">tried to surrender in December 2001</a>
it implies that the US chose to be trapped.


feed_id: 40f495d1f109bdba475d345290f4fe2c
title: Ray DeMonia
uri: Ray-DeMonia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#16_September_2021_%28Ray_DeMonia%29
content:
<p>

Ray DeMonia of Alabama had heart trouble and needed intensive care.
None was available nearby, because covidiots had filled the hospitals
in his region.  Doctors sent him to a hospital 200 miles away, but <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/13/us/alabama-heart-patient-icu-shortage/index.html">he
died</a>.
<p>
The article doesn't assert that he died specifically because he couldn't
get an ICU bed quickly, but we know that some cardiac patients will die
from such delay.


feed_id: 2be5edd3080adc82f6a06784363d55d0
title: Climate mayhem
uri: 2021-09-17-Climate-mayhem
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#16_September_2021_%28Climate_mayhem%29
content:
<p>

Forecasting advancing <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#climate">climate mayhem</a> will compel 200 million people to
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/13/climate-emergency-may-displace-216-million-within-countries-2050-world-bank">leave their homes</a> (but not flee to another country) by 2050.
<p>
I expect additional millions will be compelled to flee to other
countries &mdash; if they get permission to enter those countries.


feed_id: 7a940386a299ef1de4109c53773c10f8
title: Patent and secrecy rules
uri: Patent-and-secrecy-rules
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#16_September_2021_%28Patent_and_secrecy_rules%29
content:
<p>

WTO patent and secrecy rules are a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/13/global-poor-facing-life-or-death-rich-nations-block-vaccine-patent-waiver">matter of death for poor countries</a>.
<p>
The WTO treaty allows a country to issue "compulsory licenses"
permitting production of life-saving medicines for use within the
country.  But many countries are not capable of supporting the
sophisticated production needed to make RNA vaccines, so they need a
more advanced country to make vaccines for them.  (Often this would be
India.)  The treaty offers no escape hatch to allow that.
<p>
That is one of <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">many changes called for</a> in the TRIPES agreement
(Trade-Restricting Impediments to Prodiction, Education and Science).
<p>
There is hope that the next German government will <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/14/ex-heads-state-nobel-laureates-urge-merkels-successor-back-vaccine-patent-waiver">change position</a> on this.
<p>
Meanwhile, some of Pfizer's secrets <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/15/big-pharma-secrets-revealed-group-uncovers-portion-pfizer-vaccine-recipe">have leaked</a>, which could be a step
in teaching the rest of the world how to make equivalent vaccines.
<p>
Such information should never be secret.


feed_id: 893079a47f6d45b9d40f845f4fe60262
title: (satire) Power wasted mining Bitcoin
uri: (satire)-Power-wasted-mining-Bitcoin
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#16_September_2021_%28%28satire%29_Power_wasted_mining_Bitcoin%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Study Finds Processing Power Wasted Mining Bitcoin Only
Thing <a href="https://www.theonion.com/study-finds-processing-power-wasted-mining-bitcoin-only-1847665197">Preventing Sentient Computers From Wiping Out Humanity</a>.*


feed_id: 4b1e9eb3e0c60bf49d35d5136886e3a1
title: Discourage Chinese learning English
uri: Discourage-Chinese-learning-English
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#16_September_2021_%28Discourage_Chinese_learning_English%29

content:
<p>

China is reportedly trying to <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210910053219/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/09/business/china-english.html">discourage Chinese from learning and
using English</a>.
<p>
This might reduce the influence of foreign philosophical and political
views in China, though with a practical cost.


feed_id: 8876c7a2e16647be7bd80bb40b029fa1
title: Roadblocks to social progress
uri: Roadblocks-to-social-progress
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#16_September_2021_%28Roadblocks_to_social_progress%29

content:
<p>

*So-Called Democratic "Moderates" Are Actually Right-Wingers Who Have Always
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/14/so-called-democratic-moderates-are-actually-right-wingers-who-have-always-thrown">Thrown Up Roadblocks to Social Progress</a>.*
<p>
That may be the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/sep/15/older-americans-financial-challenges-covid">underlying reason</a> why Covid-19 caused more financial
difficulties for old people in the US than in  other wealthy nations.
<p>
(satire) *Democrats Sick Of Being Blamed For Cowardice On Issues They
Actually Just Don’t Care About.*
<p>
I think this is unfair to Senator Schumer.  He has little leverage to
pressure the plutocratist Democrates in the Senate, including
Coal Magnate Manchin and Semi-Republican Sinema.


feed_id: 6fe68d0f669bcaa816deb513a0434948
title: Suppressing dissent
uri: Suppressing-dissent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#17_September_2021_%28Suppressing_dissent%29
content:
<p>
*Venezuela <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-un/venezuela-uses-judicial-system-to-suppress-dissent-u-n-investigators-say-idUSKBN2GC1HB">uses judicial system to suppress dissent</a>,
 U.N. investigators say.*


feed_id: 671658a22798f8179fdc0e5f61f0a1e5
title: Fighting crime by committing murders
uri: Fighting-crime-by-committing-murders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#17_September_2021_%28Fighting_crime_by_committing_murders%29

content:
<p>
The International Criminal Court has decided to investigate <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/15/icc-authorises-full-inquiry-rodrigo-duterte-war-on-drugs-philippines">Do-Dirty's campaign
of "fighting crime" by murder on the streets of the Philippines</a>.


feed_id: fec24f25cf9fa23a35d3a9997aee6d01
title: Illegal fundraising
uri: Illegal-fundraising
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#17_September_2021_%28Illegal_fundraising%29
content:
<p>
Brazil's Federal Electoral Court will investigate Bolsonaro's campaign
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics/brazil-electoral-court-to-probe-bolsonaro-rallies-source-says-idUSKBN2GB24N">for possible illegal fundraising and for campaigning outside the allowed
campaign period</a>.


feed_id: f81807b25b3bc82ad39b4431911f5245
title: Universities competition
uri: Universities-competition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#17_September_2021_%28Universities_competition%29
content:
<p>
New algorithms enable universities to compete successfully for
students <a href="https://techpolicy.press/enrollment-algorithms-are-contributing-to-the-crises-of-higher-education/">by offering more loans and less in scholarship grants</a>.
  This increases what students will typically have to pay &mdash; a burden
already unbearable for most Americans.


feed_id: b6c7a202e8c754f7e1265547ccfb09ff
title: Getting phone call
uri: Getting-phone-call
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#17_September_2021_%28Getting_phone_call%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/police-officer-s-wife-still-dreads-getting-phone-call-t-1847673015">satire</a>) *Police Officer's Wife Still Dreads Getting Phone Call That
Her Husband Has Been Vaccinated.*


feed_id: 5a2a5c8a4b9738cadfac4099eeda0980
title: Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
uri: Fossil-Fuel-Non-Proliferation-Treaty
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#17_September_2021_%28Fossil_Fuel_Non-Proliferation_Treaty%29

content:
<p>
*2,180+ Scientists Worldwide <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/14/2180-scientists-worldwide-demand-fossil-fuel-non-proliferation-treaty">Demand 'Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty'</a>.*

<p>
This includes no new expansion of fossil fuel extraction.


feed_id: 74a7622e974e6c91dce6ecabeb822eda
title: PR think tanks
uri: PR-think-tanks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#17_September_2021_%28PR_think_tanks%29
content:
<p>
Federal "intelligence" funds are going to militarist think tanks <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/09/15/pentagon-funding-think-tanks/">that
in effect do PR for more military spending</a>.


feed_id: f5171adfc733b4c144ed8e2c38f2dc23
title: Falling short of climate pledges
uri: Falling-short-of-climate-pledges
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#17_September_2021_%28Falling_short_of_climate_pledges%29

content:
<p>
*Governments falling <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/sep/15/governments-falling-short-paris-climate-pledges-study">woefully short of Paris climate pledges</a>, study finds.*
  This dilatory approach is leading to 3C of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.


feed_id: 37e8bcf42dcf51c55a13929ae8fc29c1
title: Outlawing torture
uri: Outlawing-torture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#17_September_2021_%28Outlawing_torture%29
content:
<p>
*Thailand's parliament on Wednesday started debating <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-disappearances/thai-lawmakers-debate-long-awaited-legislation-on-torture-abductions-idUSKBN2GB18H">draft legislation outlawing torture and enforced disappearance</a>.*


feed_id: 0afac76c8553ef7b437bbd1b928b9491
title: Big spike despite high vaccination rate
uri: Big-spike-despite-high-vaccination-rate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#17_September_2021_%28Big_spike_despite_high_vaccination_rate%29

content:
<p>
*Singapore reports <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/15/singapore-reports-biggest-spike-in-covid-cases-in-a-year-despite-81-vaccination-rate">biggest spike in Covid cases in a year despite 81%
vaccination rate</a>.*

<p>
This is disappointing news, because it indicates that current vaccines
<em>alone</em> are not enough to make Covid-19 disappear, even vaccinating
90% of adults, without taking some additional measures.

<p>
However, New Zealand seems to be on the home stretch of eradicating
an outbreak.


feed_id: 3628372c6a4d7e66ea78787e7b660da0
title: Urgent: Freedom to Vote Act
uri: Urgent-Freedom-to-Vote-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Freedom_to_Vote_Act%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: phone your senators to support the Freedom to Vote Act
<a>(which is a modified version of the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_(Compromise_voting_rights_bill)">For the People Act</a>),
and call for eliminating the filibuster to pass it over Republican opposition.
<p>
Common Cause said,

<blockquote>
It will end gerrymandering along partisan or racial lines by requiring fair maps for    
congressional districts. And, it will take important steps to curtail secret money in elections and encourage small-dollar donors to reduce the    
influence of big money.     
</blockquote>

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


feed_id: 3e641bd3a64b9c1121e4e8e5b5e4ad2b
title: Urgent: Massachusetts H.135
uri: Urgent-Massachusetts-H-135
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Massachusetts_H.135%29

content:
<p>


Massachusetts residents: call on your Massachusetts state rep to
support H.135, which would <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/ma-school-face-surveillance">regulate the use of face recognition</a> to
track people.
<p>
Here's the personal message I sent.

<blockquote>

Please support H.135 so as to prohibit using face recognition to identify
people and track people in Massachusetts. Whatever your skin color,
you deserve privacy in your movements.
<p> 
China has already shown how face recognition serves the purposes of
regimentation and repression. People who want to be tracked should
move to China &mdash; please don't let them bring China here.
</blockquote>


feed_id: fb0bacea7c4c84a1cd8b8c29338ad635
title: Urgent: Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act
uri: 2021-09-19-Urgent-Fourth-Amendment-Is-Not-For-Sale-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Fourth_Amendment_Is_Not_For_Sale_Act%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on the House and Senate Judiciary Committees to
advance the <a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/pass_fourth_amendment">Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act</a>, which would forbid
governments from tracking people by buying data about them from companies
that track people.
<p>
Really we should stop companies from <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">collecting data to track people</a>
at all.


feed_id: 355adb708e35402771ab06cc952c07ab
title: "Compromise" voting rights bill
uri: Compromise-voting-rights-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28Compromise_voting_rights_bill%29

content:
<p>

A new "compromise" <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/16/democrats-voting-rights-bill-senate-filibuster">voting rights bill</a> has the ostensible support of
all 50 Senate democrats, including Manchin and Sinema.
<p>
Despite not being as strong as the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#18_April_2021_(If_you_really_want_to_stop_voter_suppression)">For the People Act</a>,
it will make a big difference.
<p>
There are <a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/freedom-to-vote-act-background-briefing/">many problems with US elections</a> that this bill will not fix.
It is not enough.
<p>
Will Manchin and Sinema turn around and kill the bill they just agreed
to support, by insisting it needs to win 10 Republican supporters to
avoid a filibuster?  Or will they agree to eliminate that obstacle?
<p>
The author grew up with national ID cards and doesn't understand
how they <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2007-jan-apr.html#14%20February%202007%20(Real%20ID%20plan)">increase government power for repression</a>.
In addition, the existence of national ID cards leads to indexing
all sorts of person data by them, so that all databases are automatically
cross-indexed by default.


feed_id: ecd467da066ccc107f77361369890e3d
title: Bonding over wars
uri: Bonding-over-wars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28Bonding_over_wars%29
content:
<p>

We must reject the idea of <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/16/we-need-national-rite-passage-doesnt-include-war">seeing wars as opportunities for Americans
to bond with each other</a>.
<p>
It is difficult to avoid killing civilians in a war, but how difficult
depends on the way the fighting is done.  When fighting with swords,
it's not hard to see whether someone is a soldier.  With air strikes,
it is not easy to avoid mistakes, as <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-security/nigerian-jet-thought-to-have-killed-civilians-in-pursuit-of-militants-idUSKBN2GC0V4">Nigeria has discovered</a>.
<p>
War without a front line (that civilians can keep away from) is
especially likely to mean killing them.  And we saw, a <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_August_2021_(Safe_passage_undermined)">few weeks ago
in Kabul</a>, that this is still true for the US military.


feed_id: 3344655a7474f16179d969c4111467d2
title: French medical workers
uri: French-medical-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28French_medical_workers%29
content:
<p>

France has suspended some workers in the medical system <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-france-hospital/france-suspends-3000-health-staff-as-europe-targets-vaccine-refusal-idUSKBN2GC0OI">for not being
vaccinated</a>.
<p>
Requiring their vaccination is important to reduce the risk of
Covid-19's spreading in clinics and hospitals.  If the fraction
suspended is around 5%, the system can cope, and many will get
vaccinated and resume work in a couple of months.
<p>
Having all staff vaccinated could reduce the number of staff that at
any time must stay home due to detected or possible Covid-19
infection.  It will also contribute to reducing the country's general
level of infection.


feed_id: 118f4d8aa00995c0445207c44f15563f
title: Grassroots democracy
uri: Grassroots-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28Grassroots_democracy%29
content:
<p>

Grassroots democracy is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2021/sep/16/populism-grassroots-democracy-thriving-europe">thriving in Europe</a>.


feed_id: 148e7a017482db25ef7b2a34b0a34dc9
title: US thug departments acquiring tracking data
uri: US-thug-departments-acquiring-tracking-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28US_thug_departments_acquiring_tracking_data%29

content:
<p>

US <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments can get, from tracking companies such as Google,
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/16/geofence-warrants-reverse-search-warrants-police-google">list of everyone that was in a certain area in a certain period of time</a>.
<p>
Then they can cite that as grounds for investigating anyone and everyone who
was there.
<p>
That obtaining the list requires a warrant is a step forward, but
there needs to be other limits on launching a "fishing expedition"
against people simply for being on the list.  Either some limit on the
data they can get, or some other grounds to suspect an individual, or
both.


feed_id: d506f0d8378f7a099c545005b9709a1a
title: Induction stoves
uri: Induction-stoves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28Induction_stoves%29
content:
<p>

Replacing gas stoves with induction stoves <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/16/your-gas-stove-is-leaking-air-pollution-inside-your-own-home-go-electric">increases efficiency</a>, so it can reduce energy use even if the electricity is itself made from
fossil fuels. In addition, it reduces toxins in the indoor air.


feed_id: be1909e4ba5d772087dbec9d7aa115ae
title: Exxon needs to pay up
uri: Exxon-needs-to-pay-up
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28Exxon_needs_to_pay_up%29
content:
<p>

*Exxon <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/16/exxon-fossil-fuel-companies-pay-climate-crisis-cop26-summit">helped cause the climate crisis</a>. It's time [for the company to]
 pay up.*


feed_id: f5f2aff2260a42d046ddb6aa2c3ae043
title: Production of PFAS
uri: Production-of-PFAS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28Production_of_PFAS%29
content:
<p>

Production of PFAS <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/16/forever-chemicals-pfas-production-greenhouse-gases-analysis-finds">releases extra-powerful greenhouse gases</a>.


feed_id: bc4f333bbec56e9ad504bb18e80f908d
title: Adequate standard of living
uri: Adequate-standard-of-living
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28Adequate_standard_of_living%29
content:
<p>

The UN rapporteur on extreme poverty says that the UK's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/sep/16/unconscionable-universal-credit-cut-breaks-human-rights-law-says-un-envoy">planned
welfare cuts</a> would violate the human right to an adequate standard of
living.


feed_id: 2b64bd22e1f817cd9ebace63e6d7ed0e
title: Distance at funerals
uri: Distance-at-funerals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28Distance_at_funerals%29
content:
<p>

The strict Covid-19 regulations in Sydney properly do not allow people
to mingle at funerals.  A number of people tried to participate in funerals
in a safe way, by remaining in their cars and watching from a distance.
Thugs came and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/16/despicable-sydney-police-stop-muslim-mourners-from-watching-funerals-from-cars">ordered them to drive away</a>.
<p>
Is there a reason to think they might spread Covid-19 this way?  The
article doesn't show one.  If they parked side-by-side, with open
windows, there could be a danger; did they do that?
<p>
I tend to think that the official regulations have loopholes that have
thwarted the effort to end the outbreak there.  But increasing
strictness has to be designed with care.  Random rigidity in
enforcement won't correct the problem, it will only cause pointless
hurt, or worse.


feed_id: 6d5f7f191cb2a76183fbfd9df44bf961
title: Agreement not to enter Kabul
uri: Agreement-not-to-enter-Kabul
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28Agreement_not_to_enter_Kabul%29

content:
<p>

*   Zalmay Khalilzad says [the Taliban] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/16/afghanistan-ashraf-ghanis-exit-scuttled-taliban-power-sharing-chance-us-envoy">agreed not to enter Kabul</a> and to
   discuss future government before president [Ghani]’s swift departure.*
<p>
I accidentally typed "Talkiban" when writing the line above.  That's what
they might have developed into.


feed_id: 45e973499622fa9820692cba4c269d2b
title: Eritrean civilian refugees
uri: Eritrean-civilian-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28Eritrean_civilian_refugees%29
content:
<p>

Eritrean civilian refugees that had fled to Tigray were <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-conflict-refugees-exclusive/exclusive-hrw-eritrean-and-tigrayan-forces-killed-and-raped-refugees-idUSKBN2GC054">attacked both
by Eritrean soldiers and by Tigray's fighters</a>.


feed_id: 24c82253c8264b090b4cff59c44cf7bf
title: Aurora police
uri: Aurora-police
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28Aurora_police%29
content:
<p>

*Aurora police have a pattern of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/15/aurora-police-department-racially-biased-policing">racially biased policing</a>, Colorado AG says.*


feed_id: 9cadaedd3a8461a04ca1f5b17544f0d8
title: Vaccinated for UN session
uri: Vaccinated-for-UN-session
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28Vaccinated_for_UN_session%29
content:
<p>

New York City wants to require everyone attending the UN session to be
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/15/un-general-assembly-covid-vaccine-russia-new-york">vaccinated against Covid-19</a>.
<p>
I am surprised that the diplomats are concerned with what the city
government says, because of their diplomatic immunity.  The city can't
make them pay parking tickets, much less get vaccinated.
<p>
However, I am concerned for the diplomats themselves.  The vaccines
are effective but not perfect, so the presence of unvaccinated
diplomats in the meetings increases the danger that vaccinated
diplomats will get infected.


feed_id: b7958129c2ef4133e3c1a8bc95a3aeef
title: Back pay for temps
uri: Back-pay-for-temps
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#18_September_2021_%28Back_pay_for_temps%29
content:
<p>

*Google workers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/sep/15/google-underpayment-wages">demand back pay</a> for temps company underpaid for years.*
<p>
They are doing the right thing, standing up for better treatment of
other workers.
<p>
However, the wording of their petition was careless.  It calls for
paying the unjustly withheld pay to all the temps "who were knowingly
underpaid by Google."  That means, all those who knew they were being
underpaid.  But I suspect that none of then knew it, at that time.
<p>
I think the employees meant to say, those "that Google knowingly
underpaid."


feed_id: 82e90d64b8af23d55ddda50135f5d822
title: Suspending sale of dangerous AI technologies
uri: Suspending-sale-of-dangerous-AI-technologies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#19_September_2021_%28Suspending_sale_of_dangerous_AI_technologies%29

content:
<p>
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights calls for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/15/un-human-rights-chief-calls-global-halt-sales-dangerous-ai-technologies">suspending the
sale of dangerous AI technologies</a>.
<p>
(This means those whose use would imperil human rights.)
<p>  
I don't believe that any kind of usage limits could prevent
face recognition from endangering human rights.


feed_id: f41506ed26309c544574360386096ae3
title: Phasing out loans to fossil fuel companies
uri: Phasing-out-loans-to-fossil-fuel-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#19_September_2021_%28Phasing_out_loans_to_fossil_fuel_companies%29

content:
<p>
Progressives in Congress have launched a bill to require US banks
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/15/house-dems-unveil-bill-stop-wall-street-destroying-planet">phase out lending to fossil fuel companies</a>.


feed_id: 4ea6ec7d1c3eb1a1ac82df255fdeda1a
title: Medicare prices
uri: Medicare-prices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#19_September_2021_%28Medicare_prices%29
content:
<p>
A medical patients' interest group is campaigning against three
congresscritters that voted to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/17/patient-group-targets-pair-democrats-selling-us-out-drug-companies">keep Medicare drug prices high</a>.


feed_id: ae0cbafa44fe2194bc568277a94f568b
title: Cars detecting [and recording data] on drunk drivers
uri: Cars-detecting-and-recording-data-on-drunk-drivers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#19_September_2021_%28Cars_detecting_%5Band_recording_data%5D_on_drunk_drivers%29

content:
<p>
In principle, making cars detect a drunk driver and refuse to start is
legitimate in my opinion.  However, it is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/sep/17/automakers-technology-detect-drunk-drivers">unjust for the car to
record data about these events</a>.
<p>
If the car gets it, insurance companies will get it.


feed_id: 367d28eb5b4b9a1c18f99528ca1f9898
title: Troll farms
uri: Troll-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#19_September_2021_%28Troll_farms%29
content:
<p>
Facebook sent troll farm output to <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/09/facebook-forced-troll-farm-content-on-over-40-of-all-americans-each-month/">140 million Americans users each
month</a>.  100 million of them had not expressed any interest in those
things -- Facebook sent it to them spontaneously.
<p>
(Those figures are from 2019.)
<p>
Facebook did not seen to consider it urgent to put an end to this.


feed_id: 673ad813a25acd70d7ddc54cad104405
title: US nurses quitting
uri: US-nurses-quitting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#19_September_2021_%28US_nurses_quitting%29
content:
<p>
US nurses are quitting because they are <a href="https://theconversation.com/nurses-are-leaving-the-profession-and-replacing-them-wont-be-easy-166325">forced to work too long hours</a>.
I see the potential for a catastrophe as the retirements increase the
pressure on remaining nurses to quit.


feed_id: 612857983a53bf0d8892e331e325912f
title: Urgent: Insurrectionist politician funding
uri: Urgent-Insurrectionist-politician-funding
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#19_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Insurrectionist_politician_funding%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: tell General Motors, UPS, American Airlines and other
companies to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/exposed-these-companies-are-funding-trumps-insurrectionists">stop funding insurrectionist politicians</a>.


feed_id: 8bcf6f862283d371a32f93772129a8c5
title: Urgent: AT&amp;T donating to anti-abortion Texas politicians
uri: Urgent-AT-T-donating-to-anti-abortion-Texas-politicians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#19_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_AT%2526amp%3BT_donating_to_anti-abortion_Texas_politicians%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: call on AT&T to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-att-stop-donating-to-anti-abortion-politicians">stop donating to anti-abortion Texas
politicians</a>.


feed_id: 837d4e7c53c4348a88c3a74ab58359ba
title: Doomsday machine
uri: 2021-09-19-Doomsday-machine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#19_September_2021_%28Doomsday_machine%29
content:
<p>
Climate experts fear that China's next cold-war move will be a form of
doomsday machine: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/16/aukus-pact-dash-hopes-china-emissions-deal-cop26-climate">threatening burn lots of coal</a> unless the US and
allies back down from plans to strengthen military forces.
<p>
There is no inherent link between the two issues, just a stratagem.
Surely China's leaders will think better of this linkage once they see
the stratagem won't work.


feed_id: 084275439bb1d573b635d46ad04c4cfb
title: Conspiracy ideations
uri: Conspiracy-ideations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#19_September_2021_%28Conspiracy_ideations%29
content:
<p>
Thousands of Americans have died from conspiracy ideation.
Here are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/16/anti-vaxxer-mother-and-daughter-die-from-covid-in-northern-ireland-hospital">descriptions of two of them</a>.
<p>
I will not claim there are no conspiracies, because politics is full
of them.  For instance, politicians in the same party often make plans
about achieving political goals; they do not deny this, because that
is what a party is supposed to do.  Many other conspiracies take the
form of, "You will stick something in that 500-page bill to give us
hundreds of millions, and in return we will give you a 500,000-a-year
salary after you leave office."  That kind of conspiracy is not a
crime, but it ought to be.
<p>
The horrible mistake of conspiracy ideation is not that it alleges
conspiracies, but that it sets ridiculously low standards of evidence
for them.  Most alleged conspiracies are absurd.  If you don't try
hard to separate the few valid allegations from the thousands of bogus
ones, you will believe mostly nonsense.  And since it is often hard to
get to the bottom of the matter, there are many cases where you will
not be able to be certain.
<p>
On the other hand, the internet of today is full of alleged
conspiracies that are total bullshit, baked fresh every day.  So the
first step in rejecting them is to see which sources are careless with
the truth, and stop listening to them.  Big Lie Republicans and
QAnonentities are not worth taking seriously, except as dangerous
lunatics.
<p>
Studying the details of their bullshit is a mistake, unless you need
that to take action againt them.  That will waste your time and can't
do any good.


feed_id: f3a045a78662861231707358467b3270
title: Pegasus spyware
uri: Pegasus-spyware
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#19_September_2021_%28Pegasus_spyware%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/16/big-spy-your-little-phone">Pegasus spyware</a> facilitates injustice on the part of repressive or
corrupt governments.  It is used against dissidents and investigative
journalists.  We would be better off if it did not exist.
<p>
Would prohibiting the sale of that program make the problem go away?
Not necessarily.  Users both authorized and unauthorized might
continue using it.
<p>
Pegasus exploits a problem inherent in the nature of Android and iOS:
they are nonfree software, so users cannot do anything to strengthen
the system.  Instead, they are helplessly dependent on Google or
Apple.


feed_id: b9bd0896af2f954a2c49384738b81cc3
title: Glasgow climate summit
uri: Glasgow-climate-summit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#19_September_2021_%28Glasgow_climate_summit%29
content:
<p>
*Glasgow climate summit <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-un/glasgow-climate-summit-at-risk-of-failure-u-n-chief-warns-idUSKBN2GC1X5">at risk of failure</a>, U.N. chief warns.*


feed_id: efe187f1e2eea0758e801c2f4ccae876
title: Deep sea mining
uri: Deep-sea-mining
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#19_September_2021_%28Deep_sea_mining%29
content:
<p>
The current plans to mine metal nodules from the sea bottom
would <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/29/is-deep-sea-mining-a-cure-for-the-climate-crisis-or-a-curse">destroy the habitat for many deep-sea species</a>, and it would
take untold ages for that habitat to regenerate.
<p>
I can see possible solutions for some of the problems.  Instead of
using robots that roll on the bottom and suck nodules off with pipes,
maybe the robots could float a little above the bottom and pick off
some nodules with hands, then put them into pipes whose openings are
kept a couple of meters off the bottom.  This might do much less
damage.  (That would have to be tested.)
<p>
For the animals that live on nodules, it might work to send down
hollowed-out shells of nodules, each with two holes so it will fill
with water once in the ocean.  With some care in design and
production, they could serve the same animals.
<p>
This would raise the cost of mining the nodules, but the world economy
can afford it.  Protecting so much wildlife will be worth the cost.


feed_id: d1b729035082a8d4da00f81e0dba57cc
title: Urgent: Freedom to Vote Act
uri: 2021-09-20-Urgent-Freedom-to-Vote-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Freedom_to_Vote_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritter and senators to call for
elimination of three items in the Freedom to Vote Act that would
further disadvantage parties other than Democrat and Republican.

<ul>
  <li> Eliminating the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, which Green presidential candidates have used for presidential primary matching funds<li>
  <li> Permitting party committees to contribute $10,000 (up from the current $5,000) to House candidates (including House candidates who qualify for matching funds)</li>
  <li> Qualifying for Congressional matching funds will require  at least 1,000 contributors and $50,000 in contributions of $200 or less. </li>
</ul>


feed_id: 20bd8351907f8e11aa249789fe3711c5
title: Gerrymandering
uri: 2021-09-20-Gerrymandering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Gerrymandering%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/democrats-face-new-hurdle-after-republicans-gerrymander-1847681395">satire</a>) *Democrats Face New Hurdle After Republicans Gerrymander All
Left-Leaning Voters Into Single House District.*


feed_id: 4192628c463a65e6ee7a6c247cc25692
title: Night-Shift solution
uri: Night-Shift-solution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Night-Shift_solution%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/night-shift-janitor-leaves-behind-brilliant-solution-to-1847665738">satire</a>) *Night-Shift Janitor Leaves Behind Brilliant Solution To
Israeli–Palestinian Conflict On U.N. Chalkboard.*

<p>
If only disputes could be resolved so easily.


feed_id: 3209b1e02a5738bf02b6e4eaea1be9b5
title: Too small to save us
uri: Too-small-to-save-us
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Too_small_to_save_us%29
content:
<p>
Big Oil is continuing to lie to lead us <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/15/beware-big-oil-lies-about-climate">into accepting climate defense
solutions that are too small to save us</a>.


feed_id: 09c94ba147436bb27ef6a59fe2dce13d
title: Second compromise
uri: Second-compromise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Second_compromise%29
content:
<p>
Sanders continues to refuse <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/15/its-gonna-be-35-trillion-sanders-holds-line-against-right-wing-democrats">to make a second "compromise" starting
from the first compromise</a>.


feed_id: 4fabe0f2df83ceac949152f01fa64904
title: Resisting eviction
uri: Resisting-eviction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Resisting_eviction%29
content:
<p>
*The Moral Case <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/16/moral-case-resisting-evictions-amid-pandemic">for Resisting Evictions Amid a Pandemic</a>.*


feed_id: aa14a86c151058285621d49f87b0e68c
title: Transaction waste
uri: Transaction-waste
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Transaction_waste%29
content:
<p>
*Waste from one bitcoin transaction <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/sep/17/waste-from-one-bitcoin-transaction-like-binning-two-iphones">"like binning two iPhones."</a>*


feed_id: c6bcfcc36a73b7dc55c4cad04a02be5a
title: Apple and Google obeying Putin
uri: Apple-and-Google-obeying-Putin
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Apple_and_Google_obeying_Putin%29

content:
<p>
Apple and Google have obeyed Putin's order <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/17/apple-and-google-accused-of-political-censorship-over-alexei-navalny-app">to block installation of
Navalny's tactical voting advice app</a>.

<p>
Apple and Google can't simply refuse to obey, as long as they want to
operate an app store doing business in Russia, and program phones to
report where the user is located.

<p>
If the app is free software, it could be put on F-Droid for use on Android.


feed_id: 111ce9673ed60eb7892e94fc5a1cbb23
title: Condemning Extinction Rebellion
uri: Condemning-Extinction-Rebellion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Condemning_Extinction_Rebellion%29

content:
<p>
The UK government <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-britain-m25/uk-government-condemns-climate-activists-as-they-block-london-motorway-again-idUSKBN2GD0VW">condemned Extinction Rebellion for disrupting a
major highway</a>,
  in a small foretaste of what future <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> will do to Britain
if the UK does not try harder to prevent it.


feed_id: c52354bd4fbebe3480fbfe38ecbbadee
title: Bombing cell towers
uri: Bombing-cell-towers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Bombing_cell_towers%29
content:
<p>
The Burmese army <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics/attacks-on-myanmar-telecom-towers-show-evolving-tactics-in-conflict-idUSKBN2GD13D">suggests that the rebels are bombing cell towers</a>.

<p>
It is not clear to me why they would do that.  What could they gain?


feed_id: 565edb02efd116752b7ea53d8f131237
title: Gratis rapid coronavirus tests
uri: Gratis-rapid-coronavirus-tests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Gratis_rapid_coronavirus_tests%29

content:
<p>
England plans to put an end to gratis rapid coronavirus tests.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/17/coronavirus-plans-to-end-free-rapid-tests-in-england-reckless">This is very dangerous</a>.

<p>
Low-paid workers and unemployed people in the UK are desperately poor.
They can't afford to pay for tests &mdash; they will have to do without them.


feed_id: 589e203a41002923aa1593524ab4432f
title: Banning abortion
uri: Banning-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Banning_abortion%29
content:
<p>
A Texas Republican admits that banning abortion <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/17/texas-abortion-ban-jonathan-mitchell-supreme-court-brief">is meant to convince
women not to have sex</a>.


feed_id: 53c2f8b85fffd714017bad42368f98fd
title: Global coral cover
uri: Global-coral-cover
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Global_coral_cover%29
content:
<p>
*Global coral cover <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/17/global-coral-cover-halves-since-1950s-analysis-finds-aoe">has fallen by half since 1950s</a>, analysis finds.*


feed_id: ac90f118c643ea5b4333117022fbb6c8
title: Cops in schools
uri: Cops-in-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Cops_in_schools%29
content:
<p>
The New York City school system, and many others in the US, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/17/new-york-city-reassign-5000-school-safety-officers">will reduce the
number of cops that work inside public schools</a>.
  The system will try to retrain them to implement restorative
justice, but I have doubts about whether people who have lived in the
cop culture can easily change to that.


feed_id: ad2eb906f8e30bcf16957a1bd3ef3b52
title: Shelves empty
uri: Shelves-empty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Shelves_empty%29
content:
<p>
Supermarket shelves are empty in the UK because decades of
union-busting and letting employers work drivers into the ground
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/17/empty-shelves-covid-brexit-britain-lorry-drivers">have made the life of a driver unlivable</a>.


feed_id: 02140e0557d937f0a4a1bc589ff5a61f
title: Urgent: Military pollution
uri: Urgent-Military-pollution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Military_pollution%29

content:
<p>

Everyone: call on delegates to the Cop26 climate conference
to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-excluding-military-pollution-from-climate-agreements-2">stop excluding military pollution from climate agreements</a>.


feed_id: 1f37a91b5889db7ef9766bda9f268951
title: Urgent: Shutoffs of water, power and broadband utilities
uri: Urgent-Shutoffs-of-water-power-and-broadband-utilities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Shutoffs_of_water%2C_power_and_broadband_utilities%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/stop-the-shutoffs">prohibit shutoffs</a> of water, power,
and broadband utilities.

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


feed_id: f7f3f5555b5364c04b3c0e99332dbeb0
title: Urgent: Cancel the Line 3 pipeline
uri: Urgent-Cancel-the-Line-3-pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Cancel_the_Line_3_pipeline%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/biden-cancel-line-3">cancel the Line 3 pipeline</a>.


feed_id: 7a327ec32eac6b93bf4b25c9afbf4101
title: Lack of trusted authority
uri: Lack-of-trusted-authority
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Lack_of_trusted_authority%29
content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/15/lack-trusted-authority-why-covid-19-kicking-our-butts">Lack of Trusted Authority</a> Is Why Covid-19 Is Kicking Our Butts.*
<p>
Alas, this doesn't give us a clear guide to what to trust.  But we can
reject those who we can see are being sloppy.  Those who spread
conspiracy ideation, adopting a different "truth" every day,
are being sloppy, so don't listen to them or those who trust them.


feed_id: 8f52e7bae7dd579fa785bde4bc238d03
title: Shamima Begum
uri: 2021-09-21-Shamima-Begum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Shamima_Begum%29
content:
<p>

*Shamima Begum says she <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/sep/15/shamima-begum-says-she-wants-to-prove-innocence-in-uk-courts">wants to prove innocence</a> in UK courts.*
The UK has <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_July_2020_(Shamima_Begum_wins_right_to_return_to_the_UK)">exiled her without a trial</a>.
Whether she is innocent or guilty, punishing her without a trial is unjust.


feed_id: 643d16ccede3720243d967ec7157e1f3
title: Rep. Barbara Lee
uri: Rep-Barbara-Lee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Rep._Barbara_Lee%29
content:
<p>

How Rep. Barbara Lee described her <a href="media/8bca4454.e5422dc72189ac7d6383a5208d4979856e90bc13af2b862d2d853a9ed4f5.png" data-original-source="https://assets.dailykos.com/assets/ms-icon-144x144-e50be5422dc72189ac7d6383a5208d4979856e90bc13af2b862d2d853a9ed4f5.png">refusal to vote to authorize
the US war in Afghanistan</a>.
<p>
Her speech reflects deep moral concern, and I honor her for that.  Her
expectations were generally valid.
<p>
However, if <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-may-aug.html#23_August_2021_(Unconditional_surrender)">No Good Men Among the Living</a>
is accurate, it says that her
prediction that the US would create a much worse situation did not
have to be true &mdash; that the US could have won in 2001.  All it had to
do was accept surrender when the Taliban offered it.


feed_id: 3cb7b3523f0fddb09e988149ad8c182d
title: California vaccination requirement
uri: California-vaccination-requirement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28California_vaccination_requirement%29

content:
<p>

Thugs in California are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/13/los-angeles-police-covid-vaccine-mandate-lawsuit">suing over the new vaccination requirement</a>,
and some have threatened to resign.
<p>
In the specific case of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, the threatened resignations are a great
opportunity to get rid of right-wingers, many of whom would be
inclined to violate the human rights of blacks, protesters, and
homeless people.  Maybe not all of them would do that, and many of
them will not have done anything that would be grounds to fire them.
But if they resign, no grounds are needed to accept their resignation.
<p>
It would, however, be useful to make it more difficult for anyone who
has quit in protest against public safety to rejoin later.
<p>
There should be no religious exemptions from precautions for public
safety.  Your right to practice your religion does not include
activities that endanger other people.


feed_id: 38734a024d4f69136278ca1df4260fd0
title: China and the TPP
uri: China-and-the-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28China_and_the_TPP%29
content:
<p>

China wants to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/australia-china-trade/china-applies-to-join-pacific-trade-pact-in-bid-to-boost-economic-clout-idUSKBN2GC1GK">join the TPP</a>.
<p>
China often does not really obey trade agreements it signs.  I suspect
that China thinks this one would be beneficial only because it expects
to disobey.  China may also protect Chinese workers from the full harm
of the treaty, by disobeying it.


feed_id: d52a0f627ed9219a4b73b84c7b9d9e35
title: Fights against Medicaid expansion
uri: Fights-against-Medicaid-expansion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Fights_against_Medicaid_expansion%29

content:
<p>

*Koch Network Fights to <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2021/09/16/koch-network-fights-to-stop-medicaid-expansion-in-remaining-states/">Stop Medicaid Expansion</a> in Remaining States.*


feed_id: e5940d51b49303e37ced060d96315446
title: Women in Iraq's legislature
uri: Women-in-Iraq-s-legislature
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Women_in_Iraq%27s_legislature%29

content:
<p>

Almost a thousand women are <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/iraq-election-women-int/braving-intimidation-hundreds-of-iraqi-women-run-for-parliament-idUSKBN2GC1LV">running for seats</a> in Iraq's legislature.


feed_id: b5cf0dab5730b486b784f2e92135ea9a
title: Palestinians in the West Bank
uri: Palestinians-in-the-West-Bank
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Palestinians_in_the_West_Bank%29

content:
<p>

The new Israeli government is taking <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/16/middleeast/israel-palestinian-conflict-cmd-intl/index.html">pragmatic steps to ease the lives
of Palestinians</a> in the West Bank, despite having no internal agreement
on an ultimate goal.
<p>
I wonder what Uri Avnery would think about this.


feed_id: c196018c47b04c5fe8ae81ea9714d7e8
title: Single variety of a species
uri: Single-variety-of-a-species
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Single_variety_of_a_species%29
content:
<p>

Massive cultivation of a single variety of a species makes the species
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/sep/17/are-we-eating-ourselves-to-extinction">vulnerable to extinction</a>.


feed_id: 452e5f4979eec6706de32a4775e0d38c
title: Taliban reopened high schools
uri: Taliban-reopened-high-schools
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Taliban_reopened_high_schools%29

content:
<p>

The Taliban reopened high schools for boys, but apparently <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/17/taliban-ban-girls-from-secondary-education-in-afghanistan">excluding girls</a>.


feed_id: 848de18678af89d4dc4f63a845219ba5
title: Kabul drone strike
uri: Kabul-drone-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Kabul_drone_strike%29
content:
<p>

The Pentagon acknowledged its last drone strike in Kabul was <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-conflict-usa-military-civ/pentagon-says-kabul-drone-strike-killed-10-civilians-in-tragic-mistake-idUSKBN2GD1YQ">targeted
by mistake at a civilian family</a>.
The military personnel believed they had seen people loading
explosives into the car, but what they saw was not explosives.  It was
perfectly innocent.
<p>
The US stubbornly denied established facts about <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2019_(US_drone_bombings_in_Afghanistan)">civilian casualties</a> in
Afghanistan, Iraq and other theaters of its "global war on terrorism",
to the point of becoming famous for denialism.
I hope that the admission of this mistake represents the start of
a new US policy of honesty about civilian casualties.
<p>
It is impossible to avoid accidental casualties in war.  But it is possible
to avoid compounding the error by lying about them.  Also, once the US starts
being honest about them, it will tend to be more serious about considering
the reasons to end end a war.


feed_id: a19ebd9af1da280e91bc1710e7964c67
title: Indigenous groups without access to vaccines
uri: Indigenous-groups-without-access-to-vaccines
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Indigenous_groups_without_access_to_vaccines%29

content:
<p>

Many indigenous groups that are entitled to participate in the Glasgow
climate conference will be excluded by the fact that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/15/global-indigenous-coalition-echoes-call-postpone-un-climate-talks">they can't get
vaccinated against Covid-19</a>.  They have no access to vaccines.  They
call for postponing the conference.
<p>
Many of them are being harmed by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> effects of by the side
effects of extracting fossil fuels, and they want to bring this up at
the conference.


feed_id: 48c25a8425e38f9b7b1a4501ac15f74e
title: Chemicals made to appear safer
uri: Chemicals-made-to-appear-safer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Chemicals_made_to_appear_safer%29

content:
<p>

*<em>Scientists at the</eM Environmental Protection Agency [showed] that
 senior staff have made chemicals appear safer by <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/09/18/epa-corruption-harmful-chemicals-testing/">minimizing the
 estimates</a> of how much is released into the environment.*


feed_id: c43734dd4c558c9aa6307e5756f2c689
title: US Ambassador to India
uri: US-Ambassador-to-India
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28US_Ambassador_to_India%29
content:
<p>

Protesters demanded the resignation or termination of the US
Ambassador to India for <a href="https://pieterjfriedrich.medium.com/us-ambassador-atul-keshap-protested-over-rss-visit-a903c8b4fc9f">publicly showing support for the violent
Hinduismists of the RSS</a>.
<p>
Hinduismists are to Hinduism as Islamists are to Islam.


feed_id: 2d60877b460eee26313c7277f6a0ee97
title: Fossil fuel CEOs and lobbyists
uri: Fossil-fuel-CEOs-and-lobbyists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Fossil_fuel_CEOs_and_lobbyists%29

content:
<p>

A House committee has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/16/dems-call-fossil-fuel-ceos-lobbyists-testify-about-climate-disinformation">asked fossil fuel CEOs and lobbyists to testify</a>.
<p>
At the moment they are asking for voluntary testimony, but I think the
idea is to give them subpoenas if they refuse.


feed_id: 8862811bcbcfa5ab5d9b3d89182113d0
title: Freedom to Vote Act
uri: Freedom-to-Vote-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Freedom_to_Vote_Act%29
content:
<p>
More about the Freedom to Vote act's provisions <a href="https://www.gp.org/ftvact">that will hurt
the Green Party</a>
  and any other party except the principal two.


feed_id: be829ae7c94dd58b4d97610e47cb18e2
title: Cut in methane emissions
uri: Cut-in-methane-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Cut_in_methane_emissions%29
content:
<p>
*US and EU <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/17/us-and-eu-pledge-30-cut-in-methane-emissions-to-limit-global-heating">pledge 30% cut in methane emissions to limit global heating</a>.*
  The commitment is to achieve that cut by 2030.

<p>
That is impressive by comparison with the general level of government
commitment, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/17/critics-warn-biden-30-methane-reduction-2030-not-good-enough">but we need to do more</a>.
  We are in a race against natural phenomena
that won't be addressed by sincere effort.


feed_id: 1a64353d337032eed9acb04c933720d1
title: Increasing taxes on the rich
uri: Increasing-taxes-on-the-rich
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Increasing_taxes_on_the_rich%29

content:
<p>
The plutocratist Democrats' tax plan <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/13/billionaires-are-popping-champagne-progressives-slam-house-dems-tax-plan">increases taxes on the rich just
a little</a>.
  *Working people in America will continue
to pay almost twice the tax rate of millionaire investors.*


feed_id: b1f8b9a4716feb2a9566e7b3c7781146
title: Virus fooled
uri: Virus-fooled
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Virus_fooled%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/study-finds-virus-frequently-fooled-by-fake-vaccine-car-1847696696">satire</a>) *Study Finds Virus Frequently Fooled By Fake Vaccine Card.*


feed_id: 009edfc789afc04ae78fcf112e10cff7
title: History of slavery and racism
uri: History-of-slavery-and-racism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28History_of_slavery_and_racism%29

content:
<p>
The Legacy Museum presents <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/19/the-legacy-museum-america-racist-history">the history of slavery and racism in America</a>.
  Its founder aimed to compensate for the numerous monuments to the
Confederacy throughout Montgomery, Alabama.

<p>
The article linked to just above displays symbolic bigotry by
capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid endorsing bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)  I object to bigotry, and
normally I decline to link to articles which promote it.  But I make
exceptions for some articles which give important information about
racism or the fight to eliminate racism.  That article is one of the
exceptions.


feed_id: 7f71d61ef3d354f2a1b0417e9c816823
title: United opposition
uri: United-opposition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28United_opposition%29
content:
<p>
The main Hungarian opposition parties have formed a united front <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/18/meet-the-brave-consensual-mayor-set-to-face-down-hungarys-autocrat">to
try to defeat Orbán despite his rigging the elections</a>.


feed_id: fc626fefb29f3b09fe1b0c2bc310093b
title: Advertising on conspiracy sites
uri: Advertising-on-conspiracy-sites
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Advertising_on_conspiracy_sites%29

content:
<p>
*Nike and Amazon <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/18/nike-amazon-among-brands-advertising-on-covid-conspiracy-sites">among brands advertising on Covid conspiracy sites</a>.*

<p>
I wonder which adtech companies implement those ads, and how hard an
advertiser has to work to keep its off those sites.


feed_id: 147fb68c64e5c17fd7b86de8f0735a73
title: Protesting banks supporting fossil fuel
uri: Protesting-banks-supporting-fossil-fuel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Protesting_banks_supporting_fossil_fuel%29

content:
<p>
Extinction Rebellion protested in NYC at the headquarters of big banks 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/17/40-nyc-activists-arrested-protests-against-banks-fueling-climate-emergency">which support increased use of fossil fuels</a>.


feed_id: f09ea68a80b222dbb972d1eb2d0f19a6
title: Rebellion against oppression
uri: Rebellion-against-oppression
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Rebellion_against_oppression%29

content:
<p>
On the legitimacy of rebellion against oppression, <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/06/riots-are-american-way-george-floyd-protests/612466/">for blacks as well
as whites</a>.

<p>
When the protests began against the murder of George Floyd, they were
nonviolent.  That was the disciplined response, the one more likely to
achieve a victory over racism.  Let is not forget that the violence was
started <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#30_July_2020_(Right-wing_provocateur_breaking_windows_during_protest)">by a right-wing white provocateur, "umbrella man."</a>

<p>
Vandalism of shop windows, in and of itself, is not a major crime, but
he surely intended indirectly to destroy more than shop windows.  Have
charges been brought against him?  If not, why not?

<p>
Maybe violent criminal acts designed to provoke a riot, or to falsely
put the blame on a racial group, should be classified as a federal
hate crime.  Hmm, is that already so?


feed_id: 4bf680a1ababb40f035ce41e50d55c86
title: Election audit
uri: 2021-09-21-Election-audit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Election_audit%29
content:
<p>
Republicans conducting an "election audit" in Pennsylvania <a href="https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2021/09/pa-gop-subpoena-personal-voter-information-2020-election-audit/">wish to subpoena
personal information about every voter in Pennsylvania</a>.

<p>
I think this would violate the Fourth Amendment, but we cannot trust
courts to object these days when Republican-run governments violate
people's rights.

<p>
Their aim is to gin up something they can cast as fraud by individual
voters, at least a handful of them.  If not actual fraud. Then some
sort of doubt.  Then they would tell credulous Republicans that this
supports the big lie, that the corrupter won the 2020 election for
president.


feed_id: 760422f40c5f9ab9abc6d7fd275f489e
title: Lockdown food shortage
uri: Lockdown-food-shortage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Lockdown_food_shortage%29
content:
<p>

A charity <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/19/people-are-hurting-food-charities-in-demand-in-sydneys-covid-hotspots">is delivering 8000 more food batches per week</a>.

<p>
This represents a failure on the part of the government, which has
the duty to take care of poor people when they are suffering due to
necessary precautions.


feed_id: 3aab3a9031179b8b82b82c5f01cebef7
title: Global heating dereliction
uri: Global-heating-dereliction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Global_heating_dereliction%29
content:
<p>
The primary cause of the worsening situation [of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>] is
   not the combustion of fossil fuels, but the massive political
   dereliction that has allowed the bonfire <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/18/letting-world-burn-question-governance">to go on after we knew
   that it posed a potentially lethal threat to humankind</a>.

<p>
  We have no precedent for malfeasance at this scale therefore
   we have no law, no accountability—and so far—no remedy.*


feed_id: eb3262cb96123fcd743709a0edae124d
title: Queer people hiding
uri: Queer-people-hiding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Queer_people_hiding%29
content:
<p>
Queer people in Afghanistan are hiding, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/17/middleeast/afghanistan-lgbtq-evacuation-intl-hnk-dst/index.html">expecting the Taliban to hunt
for them to murder them</a>.


feed_id: 1c471554b52427bba926c4d1a2ccece2
title: Life on the line
uri: Life-on-the-line
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Life_on_the_line%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/tucker-carlson-announces-he-putting-life-on-line-by-get-1847688854">satire</a>) *Tucker Carlson announced Thursday that he would be putting his
   life on the line by getting a booster shot for a Fox News investigation
   into the Covid-19 vaccine.*


feed_id: 5d9819ecc3af7539a5086b72ad11dd25
title: Established research
uri: Established-research
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Established_research%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/fourth-grader-s-report-on-anacondas-largely-rehashes-es-1847674347">satire</a>) *Fourth-Grader's Report On Anacondas Largely Rehashes
Established Research.*


feed_id: 56ed03e026e5451cd448b9c11eec0c56
title: Kabul drone strike
uri: 2021-09-21-Kabul-drone-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Kabul_drone_strike%29
content:
<p>

The Pentagon acknowledged its last drone strike in Kabul was <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-conflict-usa-military-civ/pentagon-says-kabul-drone-strike-killed-10-civilians-in-tragic-mistake-idUSKBN2GD1YQ">targeted
by mistake at a civilian family</a>.
The military personnel believed they had seen people loading
explosives into the car, but what they saw was not explosives.  It was
perfectly innocent.
<p>
The US stubbornly denied established facts about <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#31_December_2019_(US_drone_bombings_in_Afghanistan)">civilian casualties</a> in
Afghanistan, Iraq and other theaters of its "global war on terrorism",
to the point of becoming famous for denialism.
I hope that the admission of this mistake represents the start of
a new US policy of honesty about civilian casualties.
<p>
It is impossible to avoid accidental casualties in war.  But it is possible
to avoid compounding the error by lying about them.  Also, once the US starts
being honest about them, it will tend to be more serious about considering
the reasons to end end a war.

<p>
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/17/politics/kabul-drone-strike-us-military-intl-hnk/index.html">More information</a>.


feed_id: a258e67dcd5ca9da20644ef6d7fe4ec7
title: Chemicals made to appear safer
uri: 2021-09-21-Chemicals-made-to-appear-safer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Chemicals_made_to_appear_safer%29

content:
<p>

*<em>Scientists at the</em> Environmental Protection Agency [showed] that
 senior staff have made chemicals appear safer by <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/09/18/epa-corruption-harmful-chemicals-testing/">minimizing the
 estimates</a> of how much is released into the environment.*


feed_id: b71bb405f9044ceffb2f336aacc07889
title: Taliban female student transportation
uri: Taliban-female-student-transportation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28Taliban_female_student_transportation%29

content:
<p>
The Taliban say they will let girls go to school some day -- <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/18/asia/afghanistan-schools-girls-taliban-intl/index.html">after they
institute a "secure transportation system" for female students</a>.


feed_id: 72b9d9faa2fc8e1efd79e6f676930bd0
title: Buy now, pay later
uri: Buy-now-pay-later
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28Buy_now%2C_pay_later%29
content:
<p>
"Buy now, pay later" is becoming more popular as a way to lead you
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/sep/18/the-surge-in-buy-now-pay-later-and-why-we-should-be-worried">spend even more money that you can't afford</a>.


feed_id: a70c0db30a5594ba0655f2422def8ed8
title: Dechlorane
uri: Dechlorane
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28Dechlorane%29
content:
<p>
The US has used its influence to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/19/biden-pledged-protect-people-and-environment-toxic-chemicals-now-its-time-act">prevent other countries from banning
the toxic pesticide dechlorane</a>.
Biden could put a stop to this.


feed_id: 5f3e62ac3c22bd8518352df4fcaae284
title: Budget fraud susceptibility
uri: Budget-fraud-susceptibility
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28Budget_fraud_susceptibility%29
content:
<p>
*Sanders Denounces a Pentagon Budget System <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/20/sanders-denounces-pentagon-budget-system-found-inherently-susceptible-fraud">Found 'Inherently
Susceptible to Fraud'</a>.*


feed_id: 187750fb4806b6a6b9618ce8337e16b8
title: (satire) Ocean drain
uri: (satire)-Ocean-drain
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28%28satire%29_Ocean_drain%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Relieved Ecologists Announce Rising Sea Levels Were Due To
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/relieved-ecologists-announce-rising-sea-levels-were-due-1847696527">Clump Of Hair Clogging Drain At Bottom of Ocean</a>.*


feed_id: 6e9a835df25ae40b18f41ec05126a937
title: School spy tech
uri: School-spy-tech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28School_spy_tech%29
content:
<p>
Using Google and Microsoft software Minneapolis schools came with
<a href="https://www.the74million.org/article/gaggle-spy-tech-minneapolis-students-remote-learning/">intense 24/7 surveillance and monitoring of all kinds of communication</a>.


feed_id: 8212957ab5b002c7d774c406808f803f
title: Pledged climate finance
uri: Pledged-climate-finance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28Pledged_climate_finance%29
content:
<p>
*Rich countries <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/20/rich-countries-not-providing-poor-with-pledged-climate-finance-analysis-says">not providing poor with pledged climate finance</a>,
 analysis says.*


feed_id: 91e03ea8753124cf383ebf2c83ab85c4
title: Political gestures
uri: 2021-09-22-Political-gestures
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28Political_gestures%29
content:
<p>
*Political gestures can be inspiring.  But <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/20/political-gestures-victory-knee-football-dress">let’s not mistake them for victory</a>.*
<p>
Black Lives Matter has brought about scattered examples of real change,
but not much -- not yet -- compared to the magnitude of systemic racism.


feed_id: 6336a72132660423308b3ed8fb4f8c17
title: Trafficking and slavery risk
uri: Trafficking-and-slavery-risk
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28Trafficking_and_slavery_risk%29

content:
<p>
*Climate crisis <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/sep/20/climate-crisis-leaving-millions-at-risk-of-trafficking-and-slavery">leaving "millions at risk of trafficking and slavery."</a>*


feed_id: 19df664b09f2e49bfdcf7a682d8b480e
title: Bolsonaro support dwindles
uri: Bolsonaro-support-dwindles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28Bolsonaro_support_dwindles%29
content:
<p>
As Bolsonaro calls for his supporters to attack other branches of government,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/20/jair-bolsonaro-brazilian-president-supreme-court">his support is dwindling</a>.
<p>
Maybe Brazil will survive him.


feed_id: 33a65ff595b6e3f336ff20c0e38d7dd2
title: Thugs charged for killing human rights lawyer
uri: Thugs-charged-for-killing-human-rights-lawyer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28Thugs_charged_for_killing_human_rights_lawyer%29

content:
<p>
Four Kenyan thugs face <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kenya-police/kenya-judge-policemen-must-answer-for-killing-of-human-rights-lawyer-idUSKBN2GG0JH">charges for killing a human rights lawyer</a>.


feed_id: a79aee571c7e38bdadd90c6fe5ba48ee
title: More US desert utopia problems
uri: More-US-desert-utopia-problems
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28More_US_desert_utopia_problems%29

content:
<p>
More problems with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/20/a-billionaire-wants-to-build-a-utopia-in-the-us-desert-seems-like-this-could-go-wrong">the notional city of the future</a> that a billionaire
wants to build in the US southwest.
<p>
These are in addition to the <a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#9_September_2021_(Building_a_city_without_water)">problems of water scarcity and wildfires</a>.


feed_id: 75a0f11a7f159fd48745a86b19969b53
title: Medicare bulk price negotiation blocked
uri: Medicare-bulk-price-negotiation-blocked
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28Medicare_bulk_price_negotiation_blocked%29

content:
<p>
Three Democrats in the House have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/20/democrats-blocking-lower-medication-prices-bill">blocked giving Medicare the power to
negotiate bulk purchases of medicines</a>.  They all have close ties
to Big Pharma.


feed_id: 56791be143883c3814dca9ee12e68414
title: UK taxes
uri: UK-taxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28UK_taxes%29
content:
<p>
Arguing for a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/20/new-wealth-tax-uk-arguments">wealth tax in the UK on the wealthiest 1%</a>.
<p>
And a windfall profits tax for businesses that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/20/fresh-calls-for-windfall-tax-on-companies-that-prospered-during-covid">profited from Covid-19 and
lockdowns</a>.


feed_id: d3dfbaecbff623e95de2acbf6724d472
title: Glued to the road
uri: Glued-to-the-road
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28Glued_to_the_road%29
content:
<p>
Climate protesters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/20/environmental-activists-insulate-britain-target-m25-for-fourth-time-in-a-week">glued themselves to highways near London</a>.  The
government called this *irresponsible and dangerous*.
<p>
If you want to see something irresponsible and dangerous in Britain,
look at the government's inadequate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.  The standard to judge by is not whether other governments
are worse.  Nature sets an absolute standard, and even though we have
not determined exactly how much reduction is needed, we know that
humanity overall is on track for failure.


feed_id: f7042d5c1d4fdd67a02f5f94696d2830
title: Big tech rhetoric
uri: Big-tech-rhetoric
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28Big_tech_rhetoric%29
content:
<p>
*Big tech's pro-climate rhetoric is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/20/big-tech-climate-change">not matched by policy action</a>,
 report finds.*


feed_id: 11200527a262ed4c7a37da643761812b
title: EU condemns executions
uri: EU-condemns-executions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28EU_condemns_executions%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-execution/eu-joins-outcry-over-execution-of-nine-men-by-yemens-houthis-idUSKBN2GG11E">The EU has condemned the execution of Yemenis</a> tried by the Houthis and
convicted of spying.
<p>
I join the EU in condemning the death penalty, and I'm entirely ready to
believe that the Houthis can hold <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#22_April_2017_(Death_penalty)">unfair trials in death penalty cases</a>.
After all, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_March_2016_(The_death_penalty)">the US has often done so</a>.
<p>
Salafi Arabia carries out many official executions.  I expect that the EU
condemns them, too, but does that get the same amount of press coverage?


feed_id: 67d326d302a9d9e3f304eff11797bd4e
title: Autism therapy for infants
uri: Autism-therapy-for-infants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Autism_therapy_for_infants%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/sep/20/autism-therapy-infants-study-social-development">Communications training for parents</a> while a potentially autistic baby
is one year old helps many of them to a milder form of autism.


feed_id: 1c997004d3f117d0550823e7bfed3d42
title: Covid vaccine waste disaster
uri: Covid-vaccine-waste-disaster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Covid_vaccine_waste_disaster%29

content:
<p>
*Gordon Brown calls for urgent action to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/19/gordon-brown-calls-for-urgent-action-to-avert-covid-vaccine-waste-disaster">avert "Covid vaccine waste disaster</a>."*
<p>
It seems that the production rate is about to be over a billion doses
per month, this fall.  100 million is therefore around 3 days' production.
That is not "staggering."  At the same time, if they could vaccinate
50 million people, it would be a great shame to waste them.
<p>
12 billion doses is enough to vaccinate just about everyone on Earth
who can be vaccinated and is willing to be vaccinated.  (Covid-19
vaccines are not approved as safe for children, under 12.)  That
forecast, if it occurs, will be very good news.
<p>
But we can't vaccinate everyone without an effective channel for the
vaccines to reach people in countries that can't pay for them.  Will
greedy vaccine tycoons flog them as boosters, and keep poor countries
unsafe?


feed_id: 2856d2d69569af2a4001f87c8e1e1cb8
title: American mortality
uri: American-mortality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28American_mortality%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/19/americas-mortality-gap-should-sound-a-blaring-alarm-across-the-atlantic">Americans don't live as long as Europeans.</a>  Even rich Americans don't.
Part of this is due to poverty in the US.  Part of is due to racism.
But they can't explain all of it.


feed_id: 2cb63dc089641e1ddc705f9b5eb2c220
title: Line 3 pipeline
uri: Line-3-pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Line_3_pipeline%29
content:
<p>
Construction of the Line 3 pipeline has used so much water in Minnesota
that it has caused a drought <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/19/tar-sands-pipeline-minnesota-lakes">which is harming agriculture</a>.


feed_id: 03753d60257031a5ee773894cf2c8702
title: The small print
uri: The-small-print
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28The_small_print%29
content:
<p>
Another example of why we should not allow companies that do business with
the public <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/19/what-does-the-small-print-really-say-that-youll-never-win">to set their own rules</a>.


feed_id: 78d23594a2bf3b6663dca09956f0567d
title: Texas doctor protests abortion ban
uri: Texas-doctor-protests-abortion-ban
content: <p> *Texas doctor protests abortion [ban] law by admitting he carried out [an abortion].*
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Texas_doctor_protests_abortion_ban%29


feed_id: f63c3584d896424c0333de0089b8a388
title: Labour Party conference
uri: Labour-Party-conference
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Labour_Party_conference%29
content:
<p>
A Labour MP who disagrees with trans-activists on the definition of
"woman" has received abuse and threats, and has been driven out of
attending the Labour Party conference.  In response, another Labour MP
says the party must discuss the matter civilly so that no one is
afraid to attend the conference.


feed_id: 748a430a22b013a349d2bde6963b4b22
title: Women with heart attacks
uri: Women-with-heart-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#21_September_2021_%28Women_with_heart_attacks%29
content:
<p>
Australian doctors tend to give women with heart attacks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/20/doctor-bias-behind-women-getting-worse-treatment-for-heart-attacks-australian-study-finds">less and
worse treatment</a> than they give to men with heart attacks.


feed_id: 997e119448b55758d01363e60e28c1f1
title: Shipping industry decarbonization
uri: Shipping-industry-decarbonization
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28Shipping_industry_decarbonization%29

content:
<p>
Shipping must <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/20/global-shipping-is-a-big-emitter-the-industry-must-commit-to-drastic-action-before-it-is-too-late">go faster in decarbonization</a>.
Currently it is not keeping up with the Paris agreement target,
which is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#13_December_2015_(Paris_climate_deal)">insufficient</a> to begin with.
<p>
Faster decarbonization may require ships to travel more slowly.


feed_id: 11d9d5a8433dbde35585cdeb1fab550e
title: Chemicals made to appear safer
uri: 2021-09-22-Chemicals-made-to-appear-safer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Chemicals_made_to_appear_safer%29

content:
<p>

*Scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency [showed] that
 senior staff have made chemicals appear safer by <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/09/18/epa-corruption-harmful-chemicals-testing/">minimizing the
 estimates</a> of how much is released into the environment.*


feed_id: 2fae5d572e414be3ae9430dece6fce8e
title: Urgent: Freedom to Vote Act
uri: 2021-09-22-Urgent-Freedom-to-Vote-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#20_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Freedom_to_Vote_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritter and senators to call for
elimination of three items in the Freedom to Vote Act that would
further disadvantage parties other than Democrat and Republican.

<ul>
  <li> Eliminating the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, which Green presidential candidates have used for presidential primary matching funds</li>
  <li> Permitting party committees to contribute $10,000 (up from the current $5,000) to House candidates (including House candidates who qualify for matching funds)</li>
  <li> Qualifying for Congressional matching funds will require  at least 1,000 contributors and $50,000 in contributions of $200 or less. </li>
</ul>


feed_id: 29d0ac6b3da77a5f3a03d9fedd2d26cc
title: Extinction from forest fires
uri: Extinction-from-forest-fires
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Extinction_from_forest_fires%29

content:
<p>
Today's intense fires can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/22/dixie-fire-moonscapes-recovery">destroy a forest permanently</a>.
Animal species can be rendered extinct.


feed_id: 89000d1dd2aca2dd1764fffcb51998b8
title: Taiwan applies to join TPP
uri: Taiwan-applies-to-join-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Taiwan_applies_to_join_TPP%29
content:
<p>
Taiwan has asked <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/taiwan-trade/taiwan-applies-to-join-pacific-trade-pact-cptpp-official-news-agency-idUSKBN2GI152">to join the TPP</a>.
<p>
This may seem like a good strategy for competing with China, but the TPP
is still a <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business-supremacy treaty</a>,
so signing it would be bad for everyone
in Taiwan except rich people.


feed_id: b5029d8309c6a81e3c8c76b7e9eaf510
title: Plutocratist Democrats
uri: 2021-09-23-Plutocratist-Democrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Plutocratist_Democrats%29
content:
<p>
A progressive slate campaigns to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/09/22/rhode-island-progressives-matt-brown-cynthia-mendes/">replace Rhode Island's plutocratist
Democrats</a>.


feed_id: 9fbbac99f2ceec9e9764e4d2a0824d08
title: Pollutant safe limits cut
uri: Pollutant-safe-limits-cut
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Pollutant_safe_limits_cut%29
content:
<p>
WHO has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/22/who-cuts-guideline-limits-on-air-pollution-from-fossil-fuels">cut the safe limits for some pollutants</a> made by vehicles.


feed_id: f812d25a0aaccbef3d526272fe968614
title: Infant malnourishment
uri: Infant-malnourishment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Infant_malnourishment%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/sep/22/most-infants-in-91-countries-are-malnourished-warns-unicef">Most infants in 91 countries are malnourished</a>, warns Unicef.*


feed_id: 8aca085acf29dd5af6ae818244b12048
title: Xiaomi phone censorship
uri: Xiaomi-phone-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Xiaomi_phone_censorship%29
content:
<p>
Some Xiaomi phones have a malfeature to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/22/lithuania-tells-citizens-to-throw-out-chinese-phones-over-censorship-concerns">bleep out phrases that express
political views China does not like</a>.  In phones sold in Europe, Xiaomi
leaves this deactivated by default, but has a back door to activate
the censorship.
<p>
This is the natural result of having nonfree software in a device that
can communicate with the company that made it.


feed_id: b2b8fad1d359a8ba02ccd70e298a69b0
title: Global shipping carbon
uri: Global-shipping-carbon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Global_shipping_carbon%29
content:
<p>
Ten ways to <a href="https://theconversation.com/ten-ways-to-cut-shippings-contribution-to-climate-change-from-a-researcher-167997">reduce the carbon emissions</a> from global shipping.


feed_id: 4c7dda96d1efc57a127499be5b2940da
title: No new coal-fired power projects abroad
uri: No-new-coal-fired-power-projects-abroad
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28No_new_coal-fired_power_projects_abroad%29

content:
<p>
*China promises <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/22/china-climate-no-new-coal-fired-power-projects-abroad-xi-jinping">no new coal-fired power projects abroad</a>.*
<p>
This is a significant step forward -- and the fact that China has
already made that step, practically speaking does not reduce its
significance.  However, it is not enough.


feed_id: 8425633ed17be7424c7dcef98d4c7c3f
title: Arbitrary jailing
uri: Arbitrary-jailing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Arbitrary_jailing%29
content:
<p>
The president of Tunisia is <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-politics-rights/tunisia-military-judge-jails-two-members-of-parliament-idUSKBN2GI012">jailing members of
parliament arbitrarily</a>.


feed_id: 0a0bdb38d44fcc3cf2664f4736903cd2
title: Supreme Court legitimacy
uri: 2021-09-23-Supreme-Court-legitimacy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Supreme_Court_legitimacy%29
content:
<p>
* If presidents do not get to replace justices in an election year,
then Coney Barrett’s confirmation is illegitimate; if presidents
do, then Gorsuch’s is illegitimate.* <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/21/supreme-court-legitimacy-conservative-justice-step-down">One should resign</a>.
<p>
Republicans define "legitimate" as "boosts Republican power."


feed_id: db7eff0c95e16251195b830fe2655b2b
title: Litvinenko murder
uri: Litvinenko-murder
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Litvinenko_murder%29
content:
<p>
The European Court of Human Rights concurred that <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-russia-litvinenko/russia-responsible-for-litvinenko-killing-european-rights-court-r
ules-idUSKBN2GH0MU">Russia sent agents to murder
defector Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006</a>.


feed_id: e135d5d4747fd38d5b359d30935d2cf4
title: Military pollution
uri: Military-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Military_pollution%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: call on climate negotiations to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-excluding-military-pollution-from-climate-agreements-2?nowr">stop excluding military
pollution from climate agreements</a>.


feed_id: 634428ccc9d41e37522ecb56d9064582
title: Urgent: Pentagon's drone attacks in Afghanistan
uri: Urgent-Pentagon-s-drone-attacks-in-Afghanistan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Pentagon%27s_drone_attacks_in_Afghanistan%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the Pentagon to investigate <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/accountability-drone-warfare?source=em20210917&t=1006&akid=7227%2E223515%2EqsfsSS">civilian casualties
from the Pentagon's drone attacks in Afghanistan</a>.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.
<p>
If you call, please spread the word!


feed_id: 63e4e9d6d38622bf860988dd3468e245
title: Anti-vax radio hosts dying of Covid
uri: Anti-vax-radio-hosts-dying-of-Covid
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Anti-vax_radio_hosts_dying_of_Covid%29

content:
<p>
Right-wing talk radio hosts are very influential as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/21/anti-vax-radio-hosts-dying-covid">they tell their
listeners not to get vaccinated</a>.
When a host dies from Covid-19,
the station finds another host.


feed_id: ee61cdbd1c0b85e4078a32265494465d
title: Broken safety equipment
uri: Broken-safety-equipment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Broken_safety_equipment%29
content:
<p>
Thai rail workers union leaders have been sentenced to prison for a campaign
where they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/sep/21/bias-that-blinds-medical-research-treatment-race-gender-dangerous-disparity">refused to drive trains with broken safety equipment</a>.


feed_id: 25a997b2c3cf0eae99c9c8802f7a4194
title: US medical biases
uri: US-medical-biases
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28US_medical_biases%29
content:
<p>
Bias causes US women and blacks to get <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/sep/21/bias-that-blinds-medical-research-treatment-race-gender-dangerous-disparity">worse medical care</a>.
For some kinds of problems, the crucial responsibility of bias has
been scientifically proved by adopting systems that eliminated the
possibility of bias.
<p>
The article linked to just above displays symbolic bigotry by
capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid endorsing bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)  I object to bigotry, and
normally I decline to link to articles which promote it.  But I make
exceptions for some articles which give important information about
racism or the fight to eliminate racism.  That article is one of the
exceptions.


feed_id: 6dca683f4f9791232595e33b6e522b13
title: Global food sustainability
uri: Global-food-sustainability
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Global_food_sustainability%29
content:
<p>
Meat and dairy industry campaign groups threaten to withdraw from
discussions intended to achieve global food sustainability, if those
discussions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/21/livestock-industry-lobbying-un-to-support-more-meat-production">seriously confront the need to reduce greenhouse
 emissions
from meat and dairy production</a>.
<p>
If they are participating only as sabotage, it is better to show them
the door.  It is better in general to make adequate environmental
standards and confront business with them, than to make weak and
useless standards that business will give lip service to.  The former
may eventually overcome business resistance, but the latter achieves
only greenwashing.
<p>
Scientific research directed at reducing the methane emissions per cow
or per chicken are fine, but we must not count those low-emission
chickens until they hatch.  In the mean time, we must make plans
that will avoid disaster if those technologies do not eventuate.


feed_id: 002733ab12a45af7b7fbab0edb2a96e3
title: Relentless diplomacy
uri: Relentless-diplomacy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Relentless_diplomacy%29
content:
<p>
*Joe Biden promises UN an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/21/joe-biden-un-speech-end-relentless-war-diplomacy">end to "relentless war" and the start of "relentless
diplomacy.</a>"*
If truly carried out, this would imply returning to the approach from before
Dubya, not only before the bullshitter.
<p>
He also commits to increased aid to help poor countries address global
heating; but it is not clear whether than means reducing greenhouse
emissions (curing the disease) or coping with extreme weather and
sea-level rise (treating the symptoms).


feed_id: 74ad864906c3132a416217eebc0fd353
title: Wildfire carbon dioxide emissions
uri: Wildfire-carbon-dioxide-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Wildfire_carbon_dioxide_emissions%29

content:
<p>
*Global wildfire carbon dioxide emissions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/21/global-wildfire-carbon-dioxide-emissions-at-record-high-data-shows">at record high</a>, data shows.*


feed_id: 4007eb1f5efbe9053adc2b34cc168d0c
title: Australia carbon credits
uri: Australia-carbon-credits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Australia_carbon_credits%29
content:
<p>
Australia spends money on "avoided deforestation" projects which
consist of paying farmers not to cut down forests.  The potential for
these to be bogus is obvious.  A study claims that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/22/one-in-five-carbon-credits-under-australias-main-climate-policy-are-junk-cuts-research-finds">20% of them are
bogus</a>.
<p>
How long will it be before another farm gets paid to preserve the same
forest another time?
<p>
How long will it be before a fire eliminates those trees?


feed_id: 31406eda909396c3bcab131c2372db65
title: Nuclear talks
uri: Nuclear-talks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28Nuclear_talks%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-un-assembly-iran/iran-wants-resumption-of-nuclear-talks-that-leads-to-lifting-u-s-sanctions-raisi-idUSKBN2GH1UW">Iran wants resumption of nuclear talks</a> that leads to lifting U.S. sanctions.*
<p>
It's a reasonable goal; however, I think Iran would need to offer more
than just a non-nuclear deal.  There are other disputes between the US
and Iran.  In principle, they could be resolved, and it would be great
if they were, but Iran as well as the US will need to offer concessions.
Each country has done wrongs to the other, as well as wrongs to some of its
own people.
<p>
Are those two governments up to the challenge?


feed_id: 26f9da57536fd0a1958d2816c5420036
title: More conservative double standards
uri: More-conservative-double-standards
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#23_September_2021_%28More_conservative_double_standards%29

content:
<p>
*Conservatives Only Care About the Incarcerated <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/09/21/capitol-riot-january-6-incarcerated-prince-georges-county-jail/">When It Comes to the Capitol Rioters</a>.*


feed_id: a18eff25cda869eb3e7edc66e3de71b6
title: Talk in Poland
uri: Talk-in-Poland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#24_September_2021_%28Talk_in_Poland%29
content:
<p>
On Monday, September 27, 2021, 16:15pm
  Richard Stallman will be giving a talk titled "Free Software and its Political, Ethical Implications for Medicine" in Fundacja Rozwoju Kardiohhirurgii
  im. prof. Zbigniewa Religi, POLAND, ZABRZE UL. WOLNOSCI 345A.
</p>

<p>This is a RMS dedicated event for medical students, professionals and
scientists, Richard's lecture will be preceded by one by prof.  Zbigniew
Nawrat who will give a short intro speech on Automation and its implications
on Freedom and health care/medical  services.</p>

<p>This event will be limited to Membership of International Society for Medical Robotics, invited guests. Due to covid
restrictions any extra people interested in participating should <a href="mailto:nawrat@frk.pl">contact the Foundation</a></p>


feed_id: 80b85f65e325c8f44d5411466ae549ae
title: Salt-tolerant vegetables
uri: Salt-tolerant-vegetables
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Salt-tolerant_vegetables%29
content:
<p>
Salt-tolerant vegetables will allow farmers in some parts of Bangladesh
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/sep/24/salt-tolerant-crops-revolutionise-life-for-struggling-bangladeshi-farmers">keep farming a few decades more</a>.
<p>
Once the land is underwater a substantial fraction of the year, I think
these methods will cease to work.


feed_id: 247a37b61ad8899e10a9e81b391fcc66
title: NHS face recognition
uri: NHS-face-recognition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28NHS_face_recognition%29
content:
<p>
The UK's NHS app uses <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/sep/24/undisclosed-private-companies-analysing-facial-data-from-nhs-app">computerized face recognition</a>.  Since it is
implemented by private companies, those companies as well as a state
agency are involved in the process
<p>
The app is also nonfree software, and runs only on nonfree operating
systems.  Imagining that I lived in Britain, if I were ever tempted to
run it, I could not.  Which is a good thing, because nonfree programs
is generally malware (and so, arguably, is this one).


feed_id: bab5ad17b073d6e22bbbb4358b61a662
title: Guantanamo immigration prison
uri: Guantanamo-immigration-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Guantanamo_immigration_prison%29

content:
<p>
The US proposes to put an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/22/guantanamo-bay-migrant-camp-biden-reopen">immigration prison in Guantanamo</a>.
This is a bad thing to do, and not only for symbolic reasons.  The
reason Dubya put the torture center and prison there was to take
advantage of a legal loophole which <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_September_2020_(Denial_of_legal_recourse_to_the_prisoners_in_Guantanamo)">reduced the rights</a> that prisoners
could claim there.
<p>
The same will apply to any immigrants sent there.
<p>
We have already seen difficulty in making sure that all unauthorized
immigrants get their legal rights even when imprisoned in the US itself.
No immigration prison should be in Guantanamo.
<p>
Using <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_(Privatized_immigration_prisons)">private contractors</a> to run an immigration prison is also wrong,
for similar reasons.


feed_id: feb7728b348f1149d634554742662a0c
title: New Zeland emission reduction
uri: New-Zeland-emission-reduction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28New_Zeland_emission_reduction%29

content:
<p>
*The delay to New Zealand’s emissions reduction plan is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2021/sep/23/the-delay-to-new-zealands-emissions-reduction-plan-is-embarrassing-we-need-action-now">embarrassing –
we need action now</a>.* 


feed_id: 8f8f91dd42207d7cd41717c3a92009c7
title: Melbourne thugs
uri: Melbourne-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Melbourne_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Thugs in Melbourne <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/23/arrest-footage-and-teargas-raise-concerns-about-victoria-polices-use-of-force-to-quell-protests">attacked pro-spreading protesters with unjust force.</a>
<p>
Even though their cause is unjust, they still should not be brutalized
when their own actions are nonviolent.


feed_id: 0bc9570fdf5864a6dc79262b9ac3e6ad
title: Starmer's plan
uri: Starmer-s-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Starmer%27s_plan%29
content:
<p>
Starmer's plan, as head of the Labour Party, is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/22/labour-fear-party-left-change-leadership-election-rules">to change the system
of internal voting</a> that enabled the party members to put Corbyn in
charge of it.
<p>
The reason Starmer offers no vision for Britain's future that can
bring support is that the the vision that can inspire strong support
is Corbyn's vision (more or less), and Starmer's mission is to oppose
that.


feed_id: bd0cb090cada5fa0c69ad1cf6fca29e5
title: Talk in Poland
uri: 2021-09-25-Talk-in-Poland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#24_September_2021_%28Talk_in_Poland%29
content:
<p>
On Monday, September 27, 2021, 16:15pm
  Richard Stallman will be giving a talk titled "Free Software and its Political, Ethical Implications for Medicine" in Fundacja Rozwoju Kardiohhirurgii
  im. prof. Zbigniewa Religi, POLAND, ZABRZE UL. WOLNOSCI 345A.
</p>

<p>This is a RMS dedicated event for medical students, professionals and
scientists, Richard's lecture will be preceded by one by prof.  Zbigniew
Nawrat who will give a short intro speech on Automation and its implications
on Freedom and health care/medical  services.</p>

<p>This event will be limited to Membership of International Society for Medical Robotics, invited guests. Due to covid
restrictions any extra people interested in participating should <a href="mailto:nawrat@frk.pl">contact the Foundation</a></p>


feed_id: bdfca98b27af51804b62791f0b1f8c17
title: EU condemns executions
uri: 2021-09-25-EU-condemns-executions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#22_September_2021_%28EU_condemns_executions%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-execution/eu-joins-outcry-over-execution-of-nine-men-by-yemens-houthis-idUSKBN2GG11E">The EU has condemned the execution of Yemenis</a> tried by the Houthis and
convicted of spying.
<p>
I join the EU in condemning the death penalty, and I'm entirely ready to
believe that the Houthis can hold <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#22_April_2017_(Death_penalty)">unfair trials in death penalty cases</a>.
After all, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jan-apr.html#20_March_2016_(The_death_penalty)">the US has often done so</a>.
<p>
Salafi Arabia carries out many official executions.  I expect thet the EU
condemns them, too, but does that get the same amount of press coverage?


feed_id: 2d9a8582fd9343368ab4dc2e69f5c74c
title: Green capitalism
uri: Green-capitalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Green_capitalism%29
content:
<p>
"Green capitalism" sounds great, but when you look at what it means in
practice, it comes down to this: "<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/21/avoiding-real-change-myth-green-capitalism">Governments must not directly take
the strong climate-defense actions that only they are likely to take</a>.
All they can do is set up incentives for companies."
<p>
A <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-sep-dec.html#30_November_2016_(Carbon_tax_in_the_US)">carbon tax</a> can be a very strong incentive to companies -- if the tax
is large enough and is prescheduled to grow substantially each year.
However, a small incentive is likely to have small effects.


feed_id: f04336fa3e5a6eb2f784e3c23c0bb36c
title: Florida surgeon general
uri: Florida-surgeon-general
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Florida_surgeon_general%29
content:
<p>
Deadly DeSantis has appointed an <a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/09/floridas-new-surgeon-general-skeptical-of-vaccines-opposes-masks/">anti-vaxxer as head of Florida's
public health</a>.
He opposes requirements, too.  His position can be summarized as,
let's all breathe in the virus and accept whatever happens.
<p>
I wonder if he is against requiring seat belts in cars, too.
<p>
People with these views describe themselves with the word "skeptics",
but that is misleading -- it implies there is a rational doubt.  The
mainstream media use that word because they don't want to take sides.
The correct term is "denialists".
<p>
Make a Republican cry -- get vaccinated!


feed_id: 8466f31700658d6ff6543d5a15ad8686
title: Trump coup
uri: Trump-coup
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Trump_coup%29
content:
<p>
Evidence is accumulating that <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/22/politics/donald-trump-new-revelations/index.html">the wrecker was serious about trying to
set aside the election results and seize continuing power</a>.


feed_id: 3c787b9f2bc734868ee542d47ea4cfeb
title: Monoclonal antibody treatment
uri: Monoclonal-antibody-treatment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Monoclonal_antibody_treatment%29

content:
<p>
Tennessee's Republicans have given the unvaccinated priority for <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tennessee-vaccinated-denied-monoclonal-antibody-treatment-2021-9">one of the
few immediately protective treatments</a> for those who catch Covid-19.
<p>
The overall Republican policy is to increase the spread of Covid-19
in various ways.  This is a variant of that policy.


feed_id: cc951f87b184bd9916b68ae3fa9b9a4d
title: Secret taekwondo
uri: Secret-taekwondo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Secret_taekwondo%29
content:
<p>
Afghan women who studied taekwondo are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/sep/23/we-buried-our-sportswear-afghan-women-fear-fight-is-over-for-martial-arts-taliban">practicing in secret</a>.
<p>
Are martial arts useful for real fighting?


feed_id: 15f029f3498733cdd96ae47cece7bb2a
title: USB-C charging ports
uri: USB-C-charging-ports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28USB-C_charging_ports%29
content:
<p>
The European Union wants to require small electronic devices to have
a standard USB-C charging port.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/23/apple-opposes-eu-plans-to-make-common-charger-port-for-all-devices">Apple is against it</a>,
because it profits from imposed incompatibility.
<p>
Naturally, Apple cites "innovation" as a reason to sell incompatible
power adapters.  Our society systematically overstates the importance
of innovation, because many businesses find that a useful excuse for
mistreating users in various ways.


feed_id: b1e16e38859417f86a6214ef02b93198
title: Tunisian president
uri: Tunisian-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Tunisian_president%29
content:
<p>
*Four Tunisian parties say <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-politics/four-tunisian-parties-say-president-has-lost-his-legitimacy-idUSKBN2GJ10M">president has lost his legitimacy</a>.*
<p>
I don't know any specifics about these parties, but the majority party,
which the president considers an enemy, is not one of them.


feed_id: befd01153daf59e8c1571a05427eadf5
title: Wild boars
uri: Wild-boars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Wild_boars%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/23/wild-boar-streets-rome-used-against-me-mayor-virginia-raggi">Wild boars are proliferating in parts of Italy</a> to the point that they endanger people.
<p>
I suggest increasing the hunting of wild boars, including trapping
them in cities, and thus managing their population at a stable level.


feed_id: 9fa06188228c6c638a1e4e311a3f4c4a
title: US envoy to Haiti resigns
uri: US-envoy-to-Haiti-resigns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28US_envoy_to_Haiti_resigns%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/23/haiti-us-envoy-resigns-daniel-foote-migrant-deportations-letter">US envoy to Haiti resigns</a> over ‘inhumane’ decision to deport migrants.*
<p>
Explaining <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/23/men-on-horses-chasing-black-asylum-seekers-sadly-america-has-seen-it-before">the situation of the violence against Haitian
asylum-seekers at the Texas border</a>, and relating it to past
acts of violence against slaves who had fled to Mexico.
<p>
Earlier in this century, the US allowed Haitians to stay in the US
temporarily even when they could not justify asylum, because
conditions in Haiti were very bad (due to a hurricane or an earthquake
on top of political instability).
<p>
Now Haiti has had a hurricane and an earthquake on top of political
instability.  Why not let them stay temporarily now?


feed_id: c5d69c3acaab517794cd0d5dceb8b623
title: Reproductive freedom state
uri: Reproductive-freedom-state
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Reproductive_freedom_state%29
content:
<p>
California has passed bills to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/23/gavin-newsom-california-reproductive-freedom-abortion-law">protect the privacy</a> of people getting
abortions, or going to abortion clinics for any reason.
<p>
The bill prohibiting making videos recognizes that real privacy
protection requires restricting the collection of identifying data,
because regulating its use is insufficient.  But I wonder why the law does
not cover still photos also.  Aren't those usable for intimidation too?


feed_id: de0c557bf2f551c59c7f153547bd924c
title: UK energy privatization
uri: UK-energy-privatization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28UK_energy_privatization%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/23/uk-energy-suppliers-publicly-owned-crisis">Privatization of electric supply in the UK</a> requires every electric customer
to have to make an account with an electricity supplier.  This market
is badly regulated and unstable.


feed_id: 9507ef2143290f08fcc017f9348b9072
title: Mafia deals
uri: Mafia-deals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Mafia_deals%29
content:
<p>
An appeals court in Italy ruled that it was not a crime for <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-mafia/in-shock-ruling-italy-court-overturns-mafia-verdicts-idUSKBN2GJ1MR">Italian
officials to make a deal with mafia leaders</a> in which the latter agreed
to stop a series of killings.
<p>
One of the killings targeted a judge and his family.
<p>
I don't know enough to agree or disagree with the decision, legally.


feed_id: ff11bc87201e14cdb120392f7c8cf415
title: Faster climate action
uri: Faster-climate-action
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Faster_climate_action%29
content:
<p>
*Low-lying nations implore <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-un/death-sentence-low-lying-nations-implore-faster-action-on-climate-at-u-n-idUSKBN2GJ1NO">faster action on climate</a> at U.N.*


feed_id: 48cf648ed032c84890c765d4c7016d05
title: Meadows and Bannon subpoenaed
uri: Meadows-and-Bannon-subpoenaed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Meadows_and_Bannon_subpoenaed%29

content:
<p>
*House committee on Capitol attack <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/23/us-capitol-attack-subpoena-mark-meadows-steve-bannon">subpoenas Trump’s ex-chief of staff and
other top aides</a>.*


feed_id: 58c0cdd38d35dbe5cf84dd7539f7e7a9
title: Urgent: Make Polluters Pay act
uri: Urgent-Make-Polluters-Pay-act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Make_Polluters_Pay_act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Phone your senators at 1-888-751-2787 and call on them to
support the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_September_2021_(Urgent:_Polluters_Pay_Climate_Fund_Act)">Make Polluters Pay act</a>.


feed_id: fa3a0d82a56128c9a1e06543b95cd0b0
title: New Zeland abandoning covid eradication effort
uri: New-Zeland-abandoning-covid-eradication-effort
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28New_Zeland_abandoning_covid_eradication_effort%29

content:
<p>
New Zealand seems to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2021/sep/24/once-covid-world-beaters-the-mood-in-new-zealand-is-changing-and-jacinda-ardern-knows-it">abandoning the effort to fully eradicate Covid-19</a>.
<p>
The lockdown to end the current outbreak has gone on for many weeks,
and yet it keeps trickling along.  It appears that transmission
occurs, just enough to defeat eradication, along routes that public
health has been unable to identify.
<p>
If everyone got a Covid test every week, perhaps eradication would
succeed.


feed_id: 10c54d5f89fa69c64c41b26b9148961e
title: Republicans choosing who gets treated
uri: Republicans-choosing-who-gets-treated
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Republicans_choosing_who_gets_treated%29

content:
<p>
Alaska, dominated by Republican Covid-spreaders, has filled up its
hospitals and now has to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/24/alaska-covid-coronavirus-rations-care-hospitals">choose which patients will get treatment</a>.


feed_id: cf7522221f82e1c711adeb8bc52b5e44
title: Disappeared relatives
uri: Disappeared-relatives
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Disappeared_relatives%29
content:
<p>
China denies expat Uyghurs <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-xinjiang-relatives/overseas-uyghurs-struggle-to-locate-relatives-in-xinjiang-prisons-idUSKBN2GH2AZ">information about their disappeared
relatives</a> in China.


feed_id: 883d5798e06f3962656fa15b7664872e
title: Surveillance overreach
uri: Surveillance-overreach
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Surveillance_overreach%29
content:
<p>
*New Zealand: rushing anti-terror law could lead to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/22/new-zealand-rushing-anti-terror-law-could-lead-to-surveillance-overreach-minor-parties-say">surveillance overreach</a>,
minor parties say.*
<p>
Attacks like the one that occurred recently are desirable to prevent
if that can be done without harm to society.  But it is a mistake to
overestimate the importance of such attacks compared with other
problems of society.  I would guess that the shortage of housing in New Zealand
kills a lot more people each year than terrorism.
<p>
Also, keep in mind that any new anti-terrorism law will prevent only a
fraction of the actual terrorism.  It won't make you "safe".  And there
will surely be opportunities later to propose further cuts to human rights.


feed_id: 088c9f2b9f4b4a0febcc78443610c681
title: Technology companies
uri: Technology-companies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Technology_companies%29
content:
<p>
*The world's largest technology companies have <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/09/big-tech-companies-snap-up-smaller-rivals-at-record-pace/">snapped up smaller rivals
at a record pace this year</a> in a buying spree that comes as US
politicians and regulators prepare to crack down on "under the radar"
deals.*
<p>
The US government is starting to throw off the bizarre spell that was
put on it by plutocratists in the 70s and 80s, which weakened
antimonopoly law almost to the point of nullity.  I hope that some day
we can un-merge the giant drugstore chains and the giant supermarket
chains.  (Typically a supermarket chain will operate under many
different names, creating a false appearance of more competition than
really exists.)


feed_id: 3730af2289ff30b6b0f35f9306848917
title: Abortion-restricting
uri: Abortion-restricting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Abortion-restricting%29
content:
<p>
Texas passed another abortion-restricting law, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/22/texas-abortion-inducing-drugs-law-greg-abbott">making it harder to get
    abortion drugs</a>.
<p>
This is something that can be corrected from outside Texas.  A state,
or a federal agency, must set up a system to mail abortion drugs to
women in Texas without insisting on seeing them physically first.
<p>
Can Texas really prosecute someone for mailing something from another
state into Texas if it is lawful in that other state?
<p>
I seem to recall that in some other responsible countries abortion drugs
do not require a prescription, and that there was a push to make them available
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_May_2019_(Dated_Policy)">without</a> <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#3_May_2017_(Abortion_medicines_without_prescription)">prescription</a> in the US too.


feed_id: 61a33af46ef06aef9e9ce97e0a12f6b5
title: Conspiracy theories
uri: 2021-09-26-Conspiracy-theories
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Conspiracy_theories%29
content:
<p>
George Monbiot: *It’s shocking to see so many <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/22/leftwingers-far-right-conspiracy-theories-anti-vaxxers-power">leftwingers lured to the
far right by conspiracy theories</a>.*


feed_id: e59873ecaaab8b5fd4497d05fa454aec
title: Greenwashing climate destruction
uri: Greenwashing-climate-destruction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Greenwashing_climate_destruction%29

content:
<p>
*Top Ad and PR Firms Exposed for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/21/top-ad-and-pr-firms-exposed-helping-big-oil-greenwash-their-climate-destruction">Helping Big Oil Greenwash Their
Climate Destruction</a>.*


feed_id: e2828282bcba383429fba9ffad46fbe6
title: (satire) Reporters
uri: (satire)-Reporters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28%28satire%29_Reporters%29
content:
<p>
(satire) *Hospital ICUs At Capacity With <a href="https://www.theonion.com/hospital-icus-at-capacity-with-reporters-covering-anti-1847716379">Reporters Covering
Anti-Vaxxers Dying From Covid</a>.*


feed_id: 1aa15cd8942e38989515cd019233659f
title: (satire) Merkel gets Greece
uri: (satire)-Merkel-gets-Greece
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28%28satire%29_Merkel_gets_Greece%29

content:
<p>
(satire) *EU Honors Angela Merkel's Tenure By <a href="https://www.theonion.com/eu-honors-angela-merkel-s-tenure-by-giving-her-greece-1847739719">Giving Her Greece</a>.*


feed_id: 3a477ec0f716600a1efa3df9a6e5719f
title: Urgent: New York Thug Department donation information
uri: Urgent-New-York-Thug-Department-donation-information
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_New_York_Thug_Department_donation_information%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on the NYC Police Foundation to <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/nyc-police-foundation-accountability/">release all information on
its donations to the New York Thug Department</a>.


feed_id: 88cc0d187c6cfa1b0e854dbd0d034515
title: Saving civilization
uri: Saving-civilization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Saving_civilization%29
content:
<p>
US unions that represent fossil fuel workers are starting to reconcile
the the short-to-mediium-term needs of those workers with the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/sep/20/labor-climate-allies-green-union-jobs">overriding requisites for saving civilization</a>.
<p>
In the past, those unions have lobbied against decarbonization.  I hope
they are now changing their positions.  I support helping those workers
get through decarbonization and avoid poverty.
<p>
I think this would be a lot easier if the US adopted progressive
policies to help all poor people.


feed_id: f83fb2eb45fde0fee07dc6fedd94a773
title: Massive irregularities
uri: Massive-irregularities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Massive_irregularities%29
content:
<p>
*Germany points to reports on <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-points-reports-massive-irregularities-russias-duma-elections-2021-09-20/">"massive irregularities" in Russia's Duma
elections</a>.*


feed_id: 3a4dd4576714886dae4ae2ccdad1c2a1
title: 'Coolest Dictator' fears democracy
uri: Coolest-Dictator-fears-democracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28%27Coolest_Dictator%27_fears_democracy%29

content:
<p>
The president of El Salvador seems to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/21/fears-for-democracy-in-el-salvador-after-president-claims-to-be-coolest-dictator">overriding the country's
constitution by corrupting its supreme court</a>.


feed_id: 7fb4d7b8879d4b530d72b4daa2acc068
title: Fight atainst right-wing control
uri: Fight-atainst-right-wing-control
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Fight_atainst_right-wing_control%29

content:
<p>
The unions that support the Labour Party stated they will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/21/major-row-brewing-over-plans-to-change-way-labour-elects-party-leader">fight
against Starmer's plan to give the party's right-wing control
over the leadership</a>.


feed_id: 7c912327f8ba58e458c5bbe45d80ff4e
title: Tories undermining decarbonization
uri: Tories-undermining-decarbonization
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Tories_undermining_decarbonization%29

content:
<p>
The Tories, since 2015, have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/21/britain-energy-crisis-conservatives-insulate-homes">undermined the UK's decarbonization plans
on many different dimensions</a>.


feed_id: 6d2d8d08f06a3a04f81f326d62bd94ba
title: Accounting revolving door
uri: Accounting-revolving-door
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Accounting_revolving_door%29
content:
<p>
Major US accounting companies use the "revolving door" to get their
lawyers into the Treasury Department, where they <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/19/report-revolving-door-and-tax-policy-sparks-calls-federal-probe-and-reforms">alter US policies to
benefit the big companies those accounting companies work for</a>.
<p>
The article explains that this can be illegal, but the facts would
be hard to prove.
<p>
In addition to the measures mentioned in the article, I think that
breaking up each of the large accounting firms into many smaller ones
could reduce the effectiveness of this corruption.


feed_id: 16cb4972990bb61e6d10a45d281f6489
title: Consulting
uri: Consulting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Consulting%29
content:
<p>
An apology alone is not enough for the US to do after <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/19/opinions/us-drone-strike-in-kabul-rothenberg/index.html">killing an
Afghan family in a drone attack</a>.
<p>
I think the US needs to consult with Afghans about the Afghan ways to
make amends for unintentional killings.  Following Afghan culture is
likely to satisfy Afghans' sense of justice.


feed_id: 52124101b24466a798997c0ddaebb604
title: The wrecker's big lie rally
uri: The-wrecker-s-big-lie-rally
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28The_wrecker%27s_big_lie_rally%29

content:
<p>
A <a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/few-show-up-for-justice-at-rally-in-support-of-jan-6-rioters/">rally for the wrecker and his Big Lie was widely announced</a>, but
under a hundred people joined in.
<p>
Author Greg Palast points out that larger rallies by progressives are
often ignored.


feed_id: adcad25749c866e3678863f9b37ead63
title: Wealth redistribution
uri: Wealth-redistribution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Wealth_redistribution%29
content:
<p>
Sanders still <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/23/you-tell-me-what-we-should-cut-sanders-not-budging-35-trillion">refuses to cut the 3.5 trillion wealth-redistribution
compromise any further</a>.


feed_id: 95eeba3ea169992cde7f95242b613dfa
title: Canada wealth tax
uri: Canada-wealth-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Canada_wealth_tax%29
content:
<p>
Canadians: call on the NDP to push the Liberal Party for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/23/ndp-should-push-liberals-public-hearings-popular-wealth-tax">hearings
on adopting a wealth tax</a>.
<p>
That's part of what needs to be done to compensate for rich Canadians'
long campaign to spread poverty in Canada.
<p>
But don't limit your resentment only to the well-off who can afford a
second home.  Really rich people deserve it a lot more.


feed_id: 6102f23f1895cadc083d4482f4577017
title: (satire) Circus bear bike sharing program
uri: (satire)-Circus-bear-bike-sharing-program
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28%28satire%29_Circus_bear_bike_sharing_program%29

content:
<p>
(satire) *Moscow Debuts <a href="https://www.theonion.com/moscow-debuts-new-citywide-bike-sharing-program-for-cir-1847730541">New Citywide Bike Sharing Program For Circus Bears</a>.*


feed_id: 95b34624c5cf4b4ae6f0a9c29c32cd49
title: Lawsuits to curb pollution
uri: Lawsuits-to-curb-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Lawsuits_to_curb_pollution%29
content:
<p>
A campaign of <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/23/new-legal-campaign-aims-protect-people-and-nature-polluters-irreparable-damage">lawsuits against polluters</a> aims to curb pollution in
various countries.
The first two lawsuits are in Chile and Colombia.


feed_id: 503e9299c9be67e0b291a6c1381951ae
title: World-wide paroxism of violence
uri: World-wide-paroxism-of-violence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28World-wide_paroxism_of_violence%29

content:
<p>
The US has gone on <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/23/parable-all-american-violence">a world-wide paroxism of violence for 20 years</a>, and
naturally the effects reach the US as well as other countries.
<p>
There is a lot of violence in the human world (though humans are less
violent than apes, and modern society is less violent than it was
before).  It is unfair to judge yourself as others as "complicit" in
all that violence.  Just having something in common with those
responsible is not enough grounds to deduce complicity.
<p>
But it does mean we should try to reduce the violence.


feed_id: 0a8c1784855bac2638f718824ec0a782
title: Evergrande
uri: Evergrande
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Evergrande%29
content:
<p>
The Chinese real estate company Evergrande described as something like
a pyramid scheme, <a href="https://qz.com/2062541/this-researcher-foresaw-chinas-evergrande-group-collapse/">obtaining loans by means of overvalued real estate
assets valued at bubble-inflated prices</a>.


feed_id: 2a250b5a0e2ea999c9fee0bc2587c9ff
title: Salafia Arabia's war in Yemen
uri: Salafia-Arabia-s-war-in-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Salafia_Arabia%27s_war_in_Yemen%29

content:
<p>
The House of Representatives voted to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/23/big-house-passes-amendment-cut-us-complicity-saudi-bombing-yemen">end certain continuing forms of support
for Salafia Arabia's war in Yemen</a>.


feed_id: 46cfb79202bc2a65d10a58fc0ed9a762
title: New York City food delivery workers' rights
uri: New-York-City-food-delivery-workers-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28New_York_City_food_delivery_workers%27_rights%29

content:
<p>
A new New York City law <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/sep/23/gig-economy-doordash-grubhub-food-delivery">protects a few basic rights for gig workers
that do food delivery</a>.
However, the companies will continue mistreating those workers in
other ways, as the article says.
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/food-delivery.html">food delivery companies do other nasty things</a>.
They mistreat their customers by insisting on
identifying them via digital payment, and make them run nonfree software.
Some of them exploit reataurants, which feel compelled to surrender to
the exploitation because customers demand it.
<p>
In Cambridge, Massachusetts, there are signs on the street urging people
to pick up take-out themselves rather than use food delivery companies.
Hear, hear!


feed_id: 9193fb046f6f087c1a9c7f83bc1565e4
title: Trump loyalists subpoenaed
uri: Trump-loyalists-subpoenaed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Trump_loyalists_subpoenaed%29
content:
<p>
The Jan 6 attack investigation has <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/23/politics/january-6-subpoenas-trump-loyalists/index.html">sent subpoenas to some of the
corrupter's supporters</a>:
<blockquote>
   *White House chief of staff
   Mark Meadows, former deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino, former adviser
   Steve Bannon, and Kash Patel, a former chief of staff to then-acting
   Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller&hellip;*
</blockquote>


feed_id: bd4572bbb810c4be8e55e35d6b35220b
title: Urban segregation
uri: Urban-segregation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Urban_segregation%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/23/politics/residential-segregation-race-deconstructed-newsletter/index.html">urban segregation of 1960 persists in US cities</a>, though it has shifted
around to some extent.
Partly this is maintained by the desire of the wealthier to use their
influence and political power to create advantages for cheir children.
They take advantage of many political systems to do this.


feed_id: 88cee6d0aa5c8520e0ce4d2a6de225b2
title: Chinese Wikipedians
uri: Chinese-Wikipedians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Chinese_Wikipedians%29
content:
<p>
Chinese Wikipedians seem to be <a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20210916/06131747572/hongkongers-battle-supporters-beijing-soul-chinese-language-wikipedia.shtml">campaigning systematically and sneakily
to slant and censor what it says about recent Chinese history</a>.
<p>
Ironically, the article emphasizes the term "open source" whose
purpose was and is to draw attention away from freedom (too
controversial a topic).  In a second level of irony, in this specific
case the correctness and quality of articles is about freedom.
<p>
My 1998/1999 proposal for a <a href="https://www.gnu.org/encyclopedia/free-encyclopedia.html">universal encyclopedia</a>
dealt with this by
rejecting the idea that there would be one official article about a topic.
Rather, it allowed for different articles written by different authors
and presenting different points of view.


feed_id: 8e1de4db7e99c3f9f39e3f8b4372cbe8
title: Haitian expats
uri: Haitian-expats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Haitian_expats%29
content:
<p>
Thousands of Haitian expats who live in Central and South America
have <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/22/politics/haitian-immigrants-us-border-explained/index.html">headed for Texas, wishing to live in the US instead</a>.
<p>
They are not (in general) fleeing persecution now, so not eligible for
asylum, and probably not eligible for immigration.  Nor for temporary
protective status, which has been granted to Haitians who are already
in the US.
<p>
Denying them entry to the US may be correct, but that doesn't justify
sending them back to Haiti now, especially if they didn't recently
come from Haiti.


feed_id: 5bc3dc90b02e0a68269e91ba5227568f
title: Decline in Internet freedom
uri: Decline-in-Internet-freedom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Decline_in_Internet_freedom%29
content:
<p>
Freedom House's annual global survey reports that <a href="media/56bb375b.FOTN_2021_Complete_Booklet_09162021_FINAL_UPDATED.pdf" data-original-source="https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/FOTN_2021_Complete_Booklet_09162021_FINAL_UPDATED.pdf">internet freedom
declined in 2020, in the US and globally</a>.


feed_id: ca9c99b782807a7baaf8c0337362c1ea
title: Vaccine apartheid
uri: Vaccine-apartheid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Vaccine_apartheid%29
content:
<p>
Biden has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/22/experts-biden-strongarm-big-pharma-erase-moral-stain-vaccine-apartheid">the power to make Covid-19 vaccine companies cooperate with
expanding global production</a>, and should do so promptly.


feed_id: dbad58dc92504b92f12cf06a97775872
title: Americans internally displaced
uri: Americans-internally-displaced
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Americans_internally_displaced%29

content:
<p>
Over a million Americans are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/22/climate-change-triggering-new-refugee-crisis-inside-us">now "internally displaced" -- forced out
of their homes</a> -- by global heating effects.
<p>
As these effects get worse, the number will increase.
When will it reach ten million?


feed_id: eecc598f12d9afeef2108721e553d14a
title: Oil tax loopholes
uri: Oil-tax-loopholes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Oil_tax_loopholes%29
content:
<p>
US oil companies <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/22/enough-enough-report-shows-big-oils-offshore-tax-loopholes-cost-us-least-86-billion">reduce their taxes by about $60 billion</a> via two loopholes
created in 2017.
<p>
This is in addition to a comparable amount in older tax breaks and subsidies.


feed_id: 27ab33ad0eedf045813034359759fd1e
title: Assassination
uri: 2021-09-27-Assassination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Assassination%29
content:
<p>
The D. R. Congo (Kinshasa) has <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-congo-rights-journalist/rights-groups-demand-release-of-congo-journalist-over-terrorism-charges-idUSKBN2GK1MB">charged a journalist for possession
of video evidence of an assassination</a>, and is demanding he reveal
his sources.


feed_id: 7bd1d1e5678c349d15ac4a23c0438054
title: Increased crime
uri: Increased-crime
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Increased_crime%29
content:
<p>
Changing laws or cops' budgets in an attempt to reduce sexual violence
or harassment against women has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/24/violence-against-women-police-powers-sabina-nessa--sarah-everard">a history of backfiring: women suffer
increased crime</a>.


feed_id: 9daaf665f8a7573e37b05f125b713e2b
title: Birthrates
uri: Birthrates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Birthrates%29
content:
<p>
If you think a country needs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/24/birthrates-are-falling-but-theres-no-need-to-panic">more births</a> in order to prosper, have you
considered the alternative of spending more on giving all the
country's children, regardless of their background, a kind and helpful
upbringing?


feed_id: abb7305d5481e529c24d2213faa4c2b6
title: Multiple crises
uri: Multiple-crises
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Multiple_crises%29
content:
<p>
The UK is suffering from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/24/food-petrol-shortages-brexit-goods-johnson-botched-deal">multiple crises in parallel</a>, generally related
to leaving the EU.
<p>
With Corbyn in charge, the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jan-apr.html#23_February_2021_(The_next_worst_thing)">consequences</a> of leaving would have avoided
these crises.


feed_id: 93627d6bdd9d5dd4696fda4ac8723506
title: There was a global climate strike
uri: There-was-a-global-climate-strike
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28There_was_a_global_climate_strike%29

content:
<p>
There was a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/sep/24/people-in-99-countries-take-part-in-global-climate-strike">big global climate strike</a> on Friday.  I didn't see news
about it until Friday, which was rather late.  I wish I had learned
about it well in advance, so I could publicize it, and perhaps join
in.
<p>
It is not simple for me to do either one.  Their web sites require
running nonfree software to see where the actions are.  For me to
publicize them requires getting a scraping system updated.  That calls
for a week of advance notice, ideally more.
<p>
I wish they would post events in a freedom-respecting site.
Then I could simply link to it.


feed_id: 407194617ef4ecf0a67aa283074089d3
title: Censorship AI
uri: Censorship-AI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Censorship_AI%29
content:
<p>
Russia plans to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-politics-internet/russia-boosts-online-monitoring-tools-in-clampdown-on-banned-content-idUSKBN2GK18V">develop AI for censorship purposes</a>.


feed_id: 90d16bc190117f8ae8e1b4a61258e248
title: Arizona 'audit'
uri: Arizona-audit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Arizona_%27audit%27%29
content:
<p>
Arizona Republicans' "audit" of the vote in one highly Democratic
county found <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/24/republican-audit-arizona-bigger-lead-biden">360 more votes for Biden</a>.
<p>
But they don't need proof -- insinuation is sufficient.


feed_id: 01464e967a99c2063f5062f7e5716f87
title: Way of thinking
uri: Way-of-thinking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Way_of_thinking%29
content:
<p>
The Taliban won because of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/24/mismatch-of-mindsets-why-the-taliban-won-in-afghanistan">their way of thinking</a>, one that the US
Congress and officials could not understand.
<p>
One can understand it as commitment, or as fanaticism.


feed_id: 189a9525a02290775e0d6eb43f94f582
title: Donations for global heating
uri: Donations-for-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Donations_for_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/24/climate-funding-target-for-poorer-countries-likely-to-be-met-by-2022">Donations to help poor countries</a> take action regarding global heating
lumps emissions reduction together with short-term protection from
gloobal heating effects.
<p>
It is a fundamental mistake to treat curing the disease and
alleviating the symptoms as equivalent.  The inhabitants of countries
receiving aid will want to use the funds for alleviating the symptoms,
and so will fossil fuel companies.  But alleviating the systems will
provide only a temporary benefit -- 30 years from now, its effect will
be gone.
<p>
If we don't direct these funds to the long term reduction of
greenhouse emissions, they will do nothing to save civilization and
the ecosphere.


feed_id: f896289d33d9e42765b36ebb7321ee30
title: Libya cease-fire
uri: Libya-cease-fire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Libya_cease-fire%29
content:
<p>
Libya will test a fairly new cease-fire by <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security/libyas-proposed-election-is-a-moment-of-danger-in-push-for-peace-idUSKBN2GK0TA">trying to hold an election</a>.


feed_id: d831e46d83017a4c7f9d22bbe66f86c7
title: Asylum-seekers
uri: 2021-09-27-Asylum-seekers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Asylum-seekers%29
content:
<p>
*U.N. rights chief urges <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-politics-eu-rights/u-n-rights-chief-urges-belarus-neighbours-to-protect-asylum-seekers-idUSKBN2GK0W4">Belarus neighbours to protect asylum-seekers</a>.*


feed_id: ead76b8ae43098a5ade60d5c85a7175e
title: Danger to democracy
uri: Danger-to-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Danger_to_democracy%29
content:
<p>
*Tunisia labour union calls president's moves <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-politics/tunisia-labour-union-calls-presidents-moves-danger-to-democracy-idUSKBN2GK0UX">danger to democracy</a>.*


feed_id: 8def8631c946d4b8054aa2c35b3b8a93
title: Nauru immigration prison
uri: Nauru-immigration-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Nauru_immigration_prison%29
content:
<p>
Nauru will serve as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/24/australia-signs-deal-with-nauru-to-keep-asylum-seeker-detention-centre-open-indefinitely">Australia's press-excluded immigration prison</a>
forever.


feed_id: 627500089a3ee388cdb5ae4b1b0320d3
title: Online gambling
uri: 2021-09-27-Online-gambling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Online_gambling%29
content:
<p>
Karnataka proposes to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/india-gaming/indias-silicon-valley-state-seeks-to-ban-online-gaming-worrying-booming-industry-idUSKBN2GK0P6">ban online games that involve gambling</a>.
<p>
I have no moral objection to the proposed ban as regards businesses
that offer gambling.  However, if the law prohibits individuals from
privately making a bet using digital communication, that would be
oppressive.


feed_id: a94b935ecfda8ede78de795b41ca86aa
title: Indigenous residential schools
uri: Indigenous-residential-schools
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Indigenous_residential_schools%29

content:
<p>
*Canadian Catholic bishops apologize for <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-indigenous-children/canadian-catholic-bishops-apologize-for-role-in-indigenous-residential-schools-idUSKBN2GL00K">role in indigenous residential
 schools</a>.*


feed_id: 8d73ce3e552070acb1ab07e74632d880
title: Meng Wanzhou
uri: Meng-Wanzhou
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Meng_Wanzhou%29
content:
<p>
Huawei executive <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-huawei-tech-detainees/canadian-pm-trudeau-says-two-detained-citizens-have-left-china-idUSKBN2GL01O">Meng Wanzhou made a deal with the US that permitted
her to return to China</a>.  China then released two Canadians that it had
held hostage for almost three years to pressure for Meng's release.
<p>
I have no way of knowing whether Meng was guilty of a real crime, and
I can't be sure that the charges against the two Canadians were not
valid, but the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#30_December_2018_(Canadians_arrested_in_China)">bogus trial</a>
they received demonstrates
that China was using them as pawns.


feed_id: 71d86ee0f4c0fc20048d6866b469042a
title: Misguided comparison
uri: Misguided-comparison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Misguided_comparison%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/24/insulate-britain-m25-protests-homes-warmer">Misguided comparison</a>: is it more effective to insulate large numbers
of homes, or to block a highway as a protest?
<p>
  If you're the government, it is more effective to insulate homes.
<p>
If you're a band of a few dozen citizens with no particular power,
only willingness to make a sacrifice to increase the pressure on the
government, blocking a highway could help.  At least people will
notice.
<p>
When the government starts taking real and effective action to reduce
greenhouse emissions, your job will be done.  That has not happened yet.
<p>
*‘Low-hanging fruit’: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/24/low-hanging-fruit-insulate-britains-message-makes-sense-say-experts">Insulate Britain’s message makes sense</a>, say experts.*


feed_id: 0628583d7193f5606613074d7aa8aff4
title: Saving civilization
uri: 2021-09-27-Saving-civilization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Saving_civilization%29
content:
<p>
US unions that represent fossil fuel workers are starting to reconcile
the the short-to-medium-term needs of those workers with the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/sep/20/labor-climate-allies-green-union-jobs">overriding requisites for saving civilization</a>.
<p>
In the past, those unions have lobbied against decarbonization.  I hope
they are now changing their positions.  I support helping those workers
get through decarbonization and avoid poverty.
<p>
I think this would be a lot easier if the US adopted progressive
policies to help all poor people.


feed_id: b05893e7ce1fa4cbaa3e16ee80914110
title: World-wide paroxysm of violence
uri: World-wide-paroxysm-of-violence
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28World-wide_paroxysm_of_violence%29

content:
<p>
The US has gone on <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/23/parable-all-american-violence">a world-wide paroxysm of violence for 20 years</a>, and
naturally the effects reach the US as well as other countries.
<p>
There is a lot of violence in the human world (though humans are less
violent than apes, and modern society is less violent than it was
before).  It is unfair to judge yourself as others as "complicit" in
all that violence.  Just having something in common with those
responsible is not enough grounds to deduce complicity.
<p>
But it does mean we should try to reduce the violence.


feed_id: 7675a3bdfafa4e9531b5e3b54e26ec4c
title: New York City food delivery workers' rights
uri: 2021-09-27-New-York-City-food-delivery-workers-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28New_York_City_food_delivery_workers%27_rights%29

content:
<p>
A new New York City law <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/sep/23/gig-economy-doordash-grubhub-food-delivery">protects a few basic rights for gig workers
that do food delivery</a>.
However, the companies will continue mistreating those workers in
other ways, as the article says.
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/food-delivery.html">food delivery companies do other nasty things</a>.
They mistreat their customers by insisting on
identifying them via digital payment, and make them run nonfree software.
Some of them exploit restaurants, which feel compelled to surrender to
the exploitation because customers demand it.
<p>
In Cambridge, Massachusetts, there are signs on the street urging people
to pick up take-out themselves rather than use food delivery companies.
Hear, hear!


feed_id: 78154ac3af8e9d6b68253a5616027059
title: Urban segregation
uri: 2021-09-27-Urban-segregation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Urban_segregation%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/23/politics/residential-segregation-race-deconstructed-newsletter/index.html">urban segregation of 1960 persists in US cities</a>, though it has shifted
around to some extent.
Partly this is maintained by the desire of the wealthier to use their
influence and political power to create advantages for their children.
They take advantage of many political systems to do this.


feed_id: d10e5d676df12309ec302b8cb550d63f
title: Donations for global heating
uri: 2021-09-27-Donations-for-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Donations_for_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/24/climate-funding-target-for-poorer-countries-likely-to-be-met-by-2022">Donations to help poor countries</a> take action regarding global heating
lumps emissions reduction together with short-term protection from
global heating effects.
<p>
It is a fundamental mistake to treat curing the disease and
alleviating the symptoms as equivalent.  The inhabitants of countries
receiving aid will want to use the funds for alleviating the symptoms,
and so will fossil fuel companies.  But alleviating the systems will
provide only a temporary benefit -- 30 years from now, its effect will
be gone.
<p>
If we don't direct these funds to the long term reduction of
greenhouse emissions, they will do nothing to save civilization and
the ecosphere.


feed_id: 51e1638db46c30d5b7cfee6626b5370a
title: Urgent: Support the Bowman/Khanna amendments
uri: Urgent-Support-the-Bowman-Khanna-amendments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Support_the_Bowman%252FKhanna_amendments%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Democratic leadership to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-dem-leadership-to-vote-yes-on-anti-war-syria-and-yemen-amendments">support the
Bowman/Khanna amendments</a> to end endless wars in Yemen and Syria.


feed_id: 21677c33fe619b739f657bf00ff9b729
title: Agreement for no new coal plants
uri: Agreement-for-no-new-coal-plants
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28Agreement_for_no_new_coal_plants%29

content:
<p>

Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Montenegro, Sri Lanka, and the U.K.
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/24/coal-dead-new-global-pact-announced-after-chinas-bold-step">signed an agreement to build no new coal plants</a>.
<p>
Germany is an important case because it uses a lot of coal.  Now to
convince Australia, China and the US to sign it,


feed_id: cb9e5f43183f2dddb92ac59774444f84
title: Georgia's new election law
uri: Georgia-s-new-election-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28Georgia%27s_new_election_law%29

content:
<p>

How Georgia's <a href="https://apnews.com/article/elections-georgia-46c13960e11733e23b195e5aeca75d10">new election law</a> enables Republicans to remove local
election officials and replace them with Republicans that have made
up their mind to rig the election.


feed_id: 0579690f03bacff7129afe73b2523d5b
title: EPA being sued over paraquat
uri: EPA-being-sued-over-paraquat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28EPA_being_sued_over_paraquat%29

content:
<p>

The EPA is being sued for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/24/coalition-sues-biden-epa-over-approval-highly-toxic-pesticide-linked-parkinsons">reapproving the pesticide paraquat</a>,
which it says is "highly toxic".


feed_id: c601030632f2c1439727b77f28925af3
title: Children deported to Haiti
uri: Children-deported-to-Haiti
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28Children_deported_to_Haiti%29
content:
<p>

The US <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/23/americas/haitian-kids-deportees-intl-latam/index.html">deported at least 41 children to Haiti</a> although they are citizens
of other countries.
<p>
They were deported with their parents, who are of Haitian origin
but were living in South America.  I think it was wrong for the US
to send the parents to Haiti.
<p>
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-mexico-haiti/after-long-trek-to-u-s-haitian-woman-fears-husband-deported-idUSKBN2GH229">More information</a>.


feed_id: fe43e2c32b90789cb6c348e6cef9b6a9
title: Climate impacts on Joshua tree
uri: Climate-impacts-on-Joshua-tree
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28Climate_impacts_on_Joshua_tree%29

content:
<p>

*'Groundbreaking' Win as Court Rules USFWS <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/22/groundbreaking-win-court-rules-usfws-cant-ignore-climate-impacts-joshua-tree">Can't Ignore Climate
Impacts on Joshua Tree</a>.*


feed_id: e513c4b510edf757e397f2bd0ff63129
title: 'White feminists' under attack
uri: White-feminists-under-attack
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28%27White_feminists%27_under_attack%29

content:
<p>

*‘White feminists’ are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/26/white-feminists-are-under-attack-from-other-women-here-can-only-be-one-winner--men">under attack from other women</a>. There can only be one
winner &mdash; men.*
<p>
I agree with the article's point and its values, but I must dispute a
detail of its title.  The inevitable winner is not <em>all</em> men, but
rather patriarchy and the men who align with it.  Patriarchy with its
idea of masculinity hurts many men, though it hurts women more.


feed_id: 9ba5cfa34702e31a645f42e73e3a7117
title: Syria's dictator Assad
uri: Syria-s-dictator-Assad
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28Syria%27s_dictator_Assad%29
content:
<p>

The US is facilitating the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/26/assad-the-outcast-being-sold-to-the-west-as-key-to-peace-in-middle-east">reintegration of Syria's dictator Assad</a>,
which includes handing Syria power once again over collapsing Lebanon.
<p>
Syria was torn apart between the Assad and the Sunni Islamists that
took over the anti-Assad rebels.  For a while, the US sent military
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-nov-feb.html#11_February_2012_(Syrian_Rebels)">aid to the rebels</a> but it all fell into the hands of the Islamists.
<p>
As Assad's men tortured rebel prisoners, the Islamists persecuted
everyone who wasn't Sunni,

  which drove all those other groups into Assad's camp.
<P>
Then <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#pissi">PISSI</a> exploded, and Assad got support from Russia and Iran.
<p>
If Assad gains more legitimacy, I fear for the survival of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#18_January_2018_(Syrian_Kurds_of_Rojava)">Rojava</a>,
which is the only state in the region that deserves much support.


feed_id: aab38d539a07ca02e629fe38426448c1
title: Influencers organizing
uri: Influencers-organizing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28Influencers_organizing%29
content:
<p>

Influencers are trying to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/sep/26/pay-us-a-fair-share-for-all-the-likes-we-earn-demand-influencers">organize to demand more pay</a> for manipulating
the public.
<p>
Influencers are one part of the harm Instagram does to the world.
Body-shaming is another.  Why let that into your life?
<p>
In addition, it makes you run non-free software and collects personal
data about you.  Unless you turn it off.


feed_id: 38ed873fc6bd5750f6fcf60f14ab5170
title: Zuckerverse
uri: Zuckerverse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28Zuckerverse%29
content:
<p>

Zuckerberg wants to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/sep/26/is-facebook-leading-us-on-a-journey-to-the-metaverse">convert Facebook into a virtual reality world</a>,
which we could call the "zuckerverse".
<p>
Most of the places and things would be designed by other designers,
but access to all of them would be controlled and tracked by
Facebook's non-free software.  Many designers would get a little
money from this, while Facebook would let the most successful few have
a million or two out of Facebook's billions so as to inspire the rest
with unlikely hopes.
<p>
I expect this system to be built on the internet.  But unlike the
internet and the pre-2000 World Wide Web, whose protocols anyone is
allowed to implement, this one will be restricted.  Free
implementations will not be allowed.
<p>
The VR headsets of today are based on non-free software, and since the
headsets can talk over the network, we must expect them to have
surveillance and other malicious functionalities.
<p>
Will we ever be allowed to make a free VR headset?


feed_id: 5c27399a50afc5d811dea47e4ec356c0
title: Corporate social responsibility
uri: 2021-09-28-Corporate-social-responsibility
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28Corporate_social_responsibility%29

content:
<p>

"Corporate social responsibility" is a term that businesses and their
PR agencies use to pretend they will voluntarily treat the public
better &mdash; to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/26/why-corporate-social-responsibility-is-bs">dissuade us from passing laws</a> that could compel them to
do so for real.


feed_id: 4325f2ff5a647d717678dfed68d55196
title: Inundated by greenhouse gas
uri: Inundated-by-greenhouse-gas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28Inundated_by_greenhouse_gas%29
content:
<p>

Vanuatu will ask the International Court of Justice to state an
opinion about what rights a country has when other countries are
causing it to be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/26/vanuatu-to-seek-international-court-opinion-on-climate-change-rights">inundated through their greenhouse gas emissions</a>.


feed_id: e3a9b44b6f6057ff818e5f15dc927030
title: Clearview AI subpoena
uri: Clearview-AI-subpoena
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28Clearview_AI_subpoena%29
content:
<p>

*Clearview AI, the controversial facial recognition company that
scrapes public images from social media to aid law enforcement probes,
has <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/24/clearview-ai-subpoena-watchdog-groups-514273">subpoenaed internal documents</a> from some of the groups that first
exposed its activities.*
<p>
The article suggests this is nothing but an attempt to cause trouble for
those NGOs.


feed_id: 7f68a687534c7eff6567637e1c415f43
title: Mind-affecting drugs for therapy
uri: Mind-affecting-drugs-for-therapy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28Mind-affecting_drugs_for_therapy%29

content:
<p>

Use of several forbidden mind-affecting drugs for therapy is now
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/sep/26/psychedelics-renaissance-new-wave-of-research-puts-hallucinogenics-forward-to-treat-mental-health">getting clinical trials</a>.


feed_id: 57b0799d7eaa1de75f7e622aea832c67
title: Teach children about plutocracy
uri: Teach-children-about-plutocracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28Teach_children_about_plutocracy%29

content:
<p>

Ralph Nader: Please teach your children about <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/25/please-teach-your-children-about-corporate-criminals">plutocracy and
domination by corporations</a>.
<p>
The article's title uses the term "corporate criminals", but that is
too narrow, since it limits the issue to violation of existing laws.
The article's text shows that Nader understands, of course, that the
existing laws are inadequate and the problem is much broader than that.


feed_id: 207c36a62df4a68e93b4fc6d9d9f08c0
title: Tennessee teachers
uri: Tennessee-teachers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28Tennessee_teachers%29
content:
<p>

*Tennessee <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/25/sexy-seahorses-outrage-conservatives-trying-rewrite-history">banned teachers from teaching anything that instructs</a> that
"an individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, is
inherently privileged, racist, sexist or oppressive, whether
consciously or subconsciously."*
<p>
What can we say, morally, about that requirement?
<p>
It is absurd to claim that you are racist or sexist merely by virtue
of your race or sex.  Indeed, such a claim is bigotry.
<p>
What if the social system around you displays systemic racism or
sexism?  That may well be so, but it's a different question.  That
social system is not your personal responsibility.  You can't easily
opt out of it or change it individually (though you can join in
efforts to change it).
<p>
However, you may indeed be privileged (or disprivileged) simply by
virtue of your race or sex.
<p>
Why the difference?  Being racist, sexist or oppressive is a matter of
what you think and do.  Bring privileged (or disprivileged) is a
matter of how other people treat you.  If people treat you better (or
worse) because of your race, or your sex, you're privileged (or
disprivileged) simply because of your race or sex.
<p>
It is a mistake to think that saying you are privileged (or
disprivileged) is a moral judgment about you.  It states a factual
point about society, that's all.
<p>
Thus, the Tennessee law <em>in regard to privilege</em> forbids teaching how
society really functions.


feed_id: 866417d9969bc9c6fe6b59078a0a22e5
title: Aid to non-wealthy Americans
uri: Aid-to-non-wealthy-Americans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28Aid_to_non-wealthy_Americans%29

content:
<p>

3.5 trillion dollars for <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/09/25/biden-agenda-trillion-spending/">aid to non-wealthy Americans</a>, spread over 10
years, is not a large amount.  It is 1.2% of the US economy.
<p>
Naturally, it's less than we could really use.


feed_id: b0e94433d4a6c6f235e650740935aeff
title: Starmer's plans
uri: Starmer-s-plans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#27_September_2021_%28Starmer%27s_plans%29
content:
<p>

Starmer has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/25/starmer-ditches-key-part-of-plan-to-change-labour-leader-selection-rules">abandoned part of his plan</a> to keep future Corbyns out of
Labour's leadership. But not all of it.


feed_id: a01e250bb508baddc64ac48379406e20
title: Donations for global heating
uri: 2021-09-28-Donations-for-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#26_September_2021_%28Donations_for_global_heating%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/24/climate-funding-target-for-poorer-countries-likely-to-be-met-by-2022">Donations to help poor countries</a> take action regarding global heating
lumps emissions reduction together with short-term protection from
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> effects.
<p>
It is a fundamental mistake to treat curing the disease and
alleviating the symptoms as equivalent.  The inhabitants of countries
receiving aid will want to use the funds for alleviating the symptoms,
and so will fossil fuel companies.  But alleviating the systems will
provide only a temporary benefit -- 30 years from now, its effect will
be gone.
<p>
If we don't direct these funds to the long term reduction of
greenhouse emissions, they will do nothing to save civilization and
the ecosphere.


feed_id: 9c38e8b8422073254dfdbcba0f311be9
title: Guantanamo immigration prison
uri: 2021-09-28-Guantanamo-immigration-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_%28Guantanamo_immigration_prison%29

content:
<p>
The US proposes to put an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/22/guantanamo-bay-migrant-camp-biden-reopen">immigration prison in Guantanamo</a>.
This is a bad thing to do, and not only for symbolic reasons.  The
reason <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> put the torture center and prison there was to take
advantage of a legal loophole which <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_September_2020_(Denial_of_legal_recourse_to_the_prisoners_in_Guantanamo)">reduced the rights</a> that prisoners
could claim there.
<p>
The same will apply to any immigrants sent there.
<p>
We have already seen difficulty in making sure that all unauthorized
immigrants get their legal rights even when imprisoned in the US itself.
No immigration prison should be in Guantanamo.
<p>
Using <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#23_April_2019_(Privatized_immigration_prisons)">private contractors</a> to run an immigration prison is also wrong,
for similar reasons.


feed_id: cd5aedfc049c82e511cf011685405f38
title: Pfizer CEO
uri: Pfizer-CEO
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Pfizer_CEO%29
content:
<p>
*Pfizer CEO — Biden's 'Good Friend' — Is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/23/pfizer-ceo-bidens-good-friend-privately-working-tank-drug-price-reforms">Privately Working to Tank Drug Price
Reforms</a>.*


feed_id: 2ffba3407e428b98d7cf5f996e760f4f
title: Hydrofluorocarbons
uri: 2021-09-29-Hydrofluorocarbons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Hydrofluorocarbons%29
content:
<p>
The EPA is doing its job for at least one important pollutant:
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/23/landmark-decision-epa-finalizes-rule-cutting-use-super-pollutant-hfcs">hydrofluorocarbons</a> used in refrigeration systems.


feed_id: de86ce10119bac0c76f104e6f95d5496
title: Agreement on monitoring equipment
uri: Agreement-on-monitoring-equipment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Agreement_on_monitoring_equipment%29

content:
<p>
*Iran <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-iaea/iran-fails-to-fully-honour-agreement-on-monitoring-equipment-iaea-says-idUSKBN2GM0HY">fails to fully honour agreement</a> on monitoring equipment, IAEA says.*


feed_id: e65b2061db70e477b0bf58f00c5babe0
title: Facebook's 'Project Amplify'
uri: Facebook-s-Project-Amplify
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Facebook%27s_%27Project_Amplify%27%29

content:
<p>
Facebook now intentionally puts <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/21/technology/zuckerberg-facebook-project-amplify.html">positive stories about Facebook</a> into
its useds' Facebook news feeds.


feed_id: 5f93f578b2c553a3a454e2e2c66a1eb3
title: Data privacy crisis
uri: Data-privacy-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Data_privacy_crisis%29
content:
<p>
Some US senators think that <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/technology/573065-democrats-ask-ftc-to-fix-data-privacy-crisis">better enforcement of the weak existing rules
on use of businesses' collections of personal data</a> would eliminate the
problem of misuse of that data.
<p>
Even if the US had rules as substantial as the EU's GDPR, and enforced
them as well as EU countries do, that would not be <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/real-privacy-laws.html">sufficient</a>.


feed_id: a52fb471af12267d56cdf90a31d393d1
title: Urgent: Expand the Supreme Court
uri: 2021-09-29-Urgent-Expand-the-Supreme-Court
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Expand_the_Supreme_Court%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-on-stop-the-shadow-docket-expand-the-supreme-court-with-the-judiciary-act-of-2021?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-the-people-united&source=direct_link">expand the Supreme Court</a>,
because the wrecker's right-wing members are corrupting it by deciding
cases without even hearing them.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.
<p>
If you call, please spread the word!


feed_id: 5f78e62abd966ccd60d9206651a60eea
title: Urgent: Invest in communities
uri: Urgent-Invest-in-communities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Invest_in_communities%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: tell Congress that we need <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-now-if-you-support-investing-in-our-communities-rather-than-endless-wars?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-re-after-20-years-in-afghanistan">to invest in our
communities, not in the military-industrial complex</a>.


feed_id: b463d192b016d357afac9680f3ea417d
title: Urgent: End fossil fuel tax giveaways
uri: Urgent-End-fossil-fuel-tax-giveaways
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_End_fossil_fuel_tax_giveaways%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-end-fossil-fuel-tax-giveaways?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-takeitbackorg&source=group-takeitbackorg">end fossil fuel tax giveaways</a>.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.
<p>
If you call, please spread the word!


feed_id: 5438f77689df2c7f7858e880cc98ad72
title: Build Back Better World
uri: Build-Back-Better-World
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Build_Back_Better_World%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-latam-b3w/u-s-plans-projects-in-latin-america-countering-chinas-belt-and-road-idUSKBN2GN0PE">U.S. plans projects in Latin America</a> countering China's Belt and Road.*


feed_id: dde48a894170286706e66f084d6640b5
title: International Seabed Authority
uri: International-Seabed-Authority
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28International_Seabed_Authority%29

content:
<p>
More information about the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/27/race-to-the-bottom-the-disastrous-blindfolded-rush-to-mine-the-deep-sea">International Seabed Authority,
largely controlled by mining companies</a>, that is the only accepted
way to regulate stripping the seabed.
<p>
If all else fails, the US could occupy Nauru and carry out regime change
in the name of preventing ecocide.


feed_id: e783469ccd6891a05a4dd89510900d88
title: Covid-19 vaccine booster
uri: Covid-19-vaccine-booster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Covid-19_vaccine_booster%29
content:
<p>
A Covid-19 vaccine booster dose gives <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/27/data-israel-covid-booster-shots-standard">much stronger immunity than
after just two doses</a>.


feed_id: d0d1223acd9e0fb3c30a60140d77794c
title: Large landlords expropriated
uri: Large-landlords-expropriated
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Large_landlords_expropriated%29

content:
<p>
*Berliners vote to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-election-berlin-landlords/berliners-vote-to-expropriate-large-landlords-in-non-binding-referendum-idUSKBN2GN0L8">expropriate large landlords</a> in non-binding referendum.*


feed_id: 88a309b5e22cd8b62af039909e71dbf5
title: Starmer's plan partially succeedes
uri: Starmer-s-plan-partially-succeedes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Starmer%27s_plan_partially_succeedes%29

content:
<p>
Starmer succeeded in implementing part of his plan to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/26/labour-leadership-rule-changes-pass--last-minute-unison-deal-starmer">make it hard for
the left to beat the plutocratists in the Labour Party</a>.
<p>
This comes after dropping part of the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#25_September_2021_(Starmer's_plan)">plan</a>.
<p>
In a few years, if the "centrists" (plutocratists) have gained a
bigger share as a result of this, they can propose the other part
again.


feed_id: 18893eda1262e513a50481ad52621ebb
title: Senator Sinema's conflict of interest
uri: Senator-Sinema-s-conflict-of-interest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Senator_Sinema%27s_conflict_of_interest%29

content:
<p>
Senator Sinema <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/09/26/kyrsten-sinema-private-equity-tax-loophole/">received a campaign funds from a private equity tycoon
after being an intern at his California winery</a>.
<p>
The bizarre part is that she did the internship in 2020, while already
a senator.  She was paid for the internship.  Is this not a conflict of
interest for a senator?
<p>
Anyway, this is part of why she is committed to keep taxes low
on those tycoons.
<p>
Sinema describes herself as having a nonstandard sexual preference.
In my opinion, that is neither good nor bad, it is just a neutral
personal characteristic, like one's hair color.  I think what's
important about Sinema is that she developed politically from
progressive to right-wing.
<p>
Please don't be led astray by identity politics!


feed_id: 484267f9e70adf9c1caec95ef88790fe
title: Spending priorities
uri: Spending-priorities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Spending_priorities%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/25/35-trillion-too-expensive-10-trillion-war-business-usual">What are Congress's spending priorities</a>?  An added $768 billion for one year
of added military spending passed easily.  An added $350 billion per year
to help civilians has met with fierce opposition.
<p>
This comes out of the Reaganite ideology that government should never
try to help ordinary people.


feed_id: 37c825c85b1b684729d1c6e78a70c315
title: Missing voices
uri: Missing-voices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Missing_voices%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/25/missing-voices-broadcast-coverage-afghan-withdrawal">US mainstream media coverage of the end of the US war in Afghanistan
was extremely slanted</a>.  Most people interviewed for their views were
current or former officials or soldiers.  Of the fewer Afghans interviewed,
most were not identified of asked for expertise.


feed_id: dbbce7d9d6ee510db15bfd051007e33b
title: Science vs. misinformation
uri: Science-vs-misinformation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Science_vs._misinformation%29
content:
<p>
*Fraudulent ivermectin studies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/25/fraudulent-ivermectin-studies-open-up-new-battleground-between-science-and-misinformation">open up new battleground between science and
misinformation</a>.*


feed_id: 48d33670f27edf3d590f39d01a1060cb
title: Pfizer CEO
uri: 2021-09-29-Pfizer-CEO
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#28_September_2021_%28Pfizer_CEO%29
content:
<p>
*Pfizer CEO — Biden's 'Good Friend' — Is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/23/pfizer-ceo-bidens-good-friend-privately-working-tank-drug-price-reforms">Privately Working to Tank Drug Price
Reforms</a>.*
<p>
Perhaps Biden can remain friends with people despite their being
politically opposed to him.  People used to consider it a virtue to be
able to separate personal friendship from political work.  I can do
this for minor disagreements, but not major ones.


feed_id: 48d87ecc7d544c3b66e1b920e64b6a8e
title: Very Urgent: Defend abortion rights
uri: Very-Urgent-Defend-abortion-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#30_September_2021_%28Very_Urgent%3A_Defend_abortion_rights%29

content:
<p>
In or near Boston: <a href="https://www.aclum.org/en/events/boston-rally-defend-abortion">rally</a> on Saturday Oct 2 to defend abortion rights.


feed_id: ab053fa7321326cac2677cbfeec12421
title: Denouncing treachery
uri: Denouncing-treachery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#30_September_2021_%28Denouncing_treachery%29
content:
<p>
An supporter that Starmer recruited to help him "unite the Labour party"
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/28/keir-starmer-leadership-labour-leader-left">denounces Starmer's treachery</a> 
  and explains precisely how it will maintain
plutocratist domination of the party.


feed_id: 51cb8411e4213ee20c8c179c8248c7d0
title: Delightful summer
uri: Delightful-summer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#30_September_2021_%28Delightful_summer%29
content:
<p>
The government of Alberta promised to eliminate Covid-19 precautions
and give everyone a delightful summer.  Instead <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-canada-alberta/after-government-pledge-of-best-summer-ever-covid-swamps-alberta-hospitals-premier-idUSKBN2GO0WV">they spread disease
and filled the hospitals</a>.


feed_id: cdfdfcaa957617191dfc2945d5e88cc6
title: Drought and hydroelectric power
uri: Drought-and-hydroelectric-power
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#30_September_2021_%28Drought_and_hydroelectric_power%29

content:
<p>
Drought could shut down hydroelectric power from Lake Powell and Lake
Mead.  This would be a big loss <a href="https://boingboing.net/2021/09/27/new-study-shows-that-drought-could-shut-down-the-biggest-us-hydro-plants-in-the-next-few-years.html">in US non-fossil-fuel generating capacity</a>.

<p>
As the years go by, this will become more and more likely.

<p>
This is an example of the sort of positive feedbacks that can
lead to global heating worse than models have predicted.


feed_id: ea0cd61860d91664817b1b19e36770ca
title: No need to collect metals from ocean bottom
uri: No-need-to-collect-metals-from-ocean-bottom
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#30_September_2021_%28No_need_to_collect_metals_from_ocean_bottom%29

content:
<p>
Arguments that humanity does not need to collect metals from the ocean
bottom <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/28/false-choice-is-deep-sea-mining-required-for-an-electric-vehicle-revolution">and could do ok banning that process</a>.

<p>
The hard part is how to get Nauru to cancel its demand to permit this.


feed_id: 3d6fc24c18b4ae740d8c6a85ac0c6486
title: Subcontracted workers
uri: 2021-09-30-Subcontracted-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#30_September_2021_%28Subcontracted_workers%29
content:
<p>
Meat processing in Europe uses subcontracted workers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/28/revealed-exploitation-of-meat-plant-workers-rife-across-uk-and-europe">so as to pay
them scraps and subject them to offal working conditions</a>.

<p>
Since meat production <a href="https://stallman.org/archives//2021-may-aug.html#23_August_2021_(Global_meat_and_dairy_companies)">harms the Earth's climate</a>,
                                                 and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-sep-dec.html#14_November_2018_(Tax_on_meat)">eating a lot of meat
endangers a person's health</a>,
                        it would be good for meat to get more expensive.

<p>
*Unions are calling for a Europe-wide ban <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/28/the-whole-system-is-rotten-life-inside-europes-meat-industry">on the use of subcontracted
   workers</a>.*

<p>
Hooray!  This should not be limited to meat packing.  Consider Amazon
warehouses, cleaning of businesses, delivery work, and many other fields.

<p>
Subcontracting's reason for existence is to permit mistreating workers,
so let's limit it to small amounts of work, for which full time workers
are not feasible.


feed_id: 56d3aa753a857309781cc5a711531a68
title: Cocaine in the river
uri: Cocaine-in-the-river
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#30_September_2021_%28Cocaine_in_the_river%29
content:
<p>
People urinating in a river after the Glastonbury music festival put
so much cocaine into the water <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-glastonbury/cocaine-and-ecstasy-found-in-river-at-glastonbury-festival-idUSKBN2GO1BK">that it endangers the eels that live
there</a>.


feed_id: 4ec0c8b1260f6d12f4085712a2232562
title: Urgent: Fossil Free Finance Act
uri: Urgent-Fossil-Free-Finance-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#30_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Fossil_Free_Finance_Act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.350.org/letter/cosponsor-ff-finance-act">support</a> the Fossil Free Finance act.


feed_id: 22cd7655a860dda77c3d7cc0b20fdf1a
title: March against abortion laws
uri: March-against-abortion-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#30_September_2021_%28March_against_abortion_laws%29
content:
<p>
* El Salvador women march against abortion laws <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-latam-abortion/el-salvador-women-march-against-abortion-laws-amid-planned-latin-america-wide-protests-idUSKBN2GO2AP">amid planned Latin
 America-wide protests</a>.*

<p>
If you send me a URL for a site that states the time and place of
future protests (either for one country or for Latin America
generally), and it functions adequately without running nonfree JS
code, I will link to them.

<p>
"Functions adequately" means you can find the list of planned future
protests in your country, with the time and place, so you can
participate.  It isn't useful to post details about protests that have
already taken place.


feed_id: 14731df436938ca23da25fc0e6be00a5
title: Cop26
uri: Cop26
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#30_September_2021_%28Cop26%29
content:
<p>
*Cop26 climate talks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/27/cop26-climate-talks-will-not-fulfil-aims-of-paris-agreement-key-players-warn">will not fulfill aims of Paris agreement, key
 players warn</a>.*

<p>
What is needed to put civilization on a path to saving itself?  Would
10,000 people blocking streets and gluing themselves to airplanes do
the job?


feed_id: 098dbba633beb0a017cc436975c98f58
title: Debate on crude language
uri: Debate-on-crude-language
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#30_September_2021_%28Debate_on_crude_language%29
content:
<p>
Angela Rayner, deputy leader of Labour, called Tories "scum".  Now
half the scum in Britain <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/26/angela-rayner-stands-by-remarks-calling-tories-scum">are distracting attention from their policies
of cruelty by rebuking her crude language</a>.

<p>
What Rayner said was totally justified, but the way Aneurin Bevan
(also working class) said it was more effective and harder to attack
superficially: "The Tories are lower than vermin."  Be using a less
common word to condemn them, and putting it inside a comparison, he
made it sound incisive rather than crude.

<p>
Rayner should not even hint at apologizing, but rather than defending
her insult, she should press the attack with varieties of brief but
substantial condemnations.


feed_id: c9ac2f730edc63f4e39677546f7f4637
title: Urgent: fund the IRS
uri: Urgent-fund-the-IRS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#30_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_fund_the_IRS%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/Fund_the_IRS_/">call on Congress</a> to fund the IRS and stop billionaire
tax dodging.

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


--


feed_id: c0aaee80d7f5fbb52d4ff610a9e2ed88
title: Urgent: stop deporting Haitians
uri: Urgent-stop-deporting-Haitians
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#30_September_2021_%28Urgent%3A_stop_deporting_Haitians%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://act.ayannapressley.com/sign/ap-em20210922-stop-deportations/">call on Biden</a> to stop deporting Haitians.

<p>
Those who come from South America via Mexico and have no claim to asylum
should be released back to Mexico so they can return to where they lived.


feed_id: dbfa6cb356cad545de8c3cb8528cc14b
title: Urgent: Line 3 pipeline
uri: 2021-10-01-Urgent-Line-3-pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Line_3_pipeline%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-president-biden-shut-down-the-line-3-pipeline-and-order-the-doj-to-stop-police-from-using-pain-compliance-torture-tactics-and-treating-protestors-like-terrorists-now">call on Biden</a> to shut down the Line 3 pipeline
  and stop local <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> from using "pain compliance" against protesters


feed_id: 7e5c50603d58ddeda7a5464c2141eed7
title: Urgent: eliminate filibuster
uri: Urgent-eliminate-filibuster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_eliminate_filibuster%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/dont-let-this-jim-crow-relic-restrict-the-freedom-to-vote?nowrapper=true">call on the Senate</a> to eliminate the filibuster
and pass the  Freedom to Vote Act.


feed_id: 45677ff3e0c31358e442cbf80dd3659d
title: Lasting Covid-19 symptoms
uri: Lasting-Covid-19-symptoms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Lasting_Covid-19_symptoms%29
content:
<p>
A study of around 270,000 Americans after they had Covid-19 found that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/28/covid-37-of-people-have-symptoms-six-months-after-infection">37% of them had a symptom over three months later</a>.

<p>
Some fraction of them may have developed the symptom from some other
cause by coincidence, or already had it before catching Covid-19.
It may be hard to distinguish those cases.


feed_id: 77dd942dccff11b6833c840c9ea2629b
title: Criticism of Israel
uri: 2021-10-01-Criticism-of-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Criticism_of_Israel%29
content:
<p>
Kylie Broderick, teaching assistant at the University of North
Carolina, has published criticism of Israel's treatment of
Palestinians.  An Israeli diplomat, and a US congresscritter, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/09/28/israel-palestine-unc-academic-freedom/">both
pressured the university to remove her from teaching</a>.

<p>
The diplomat cites the IHRA definition of "antisemitism",
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_March_2021_(Definition_of_antisemitism)">which was not designed for judging individuals or their views</a>,
                                                         to erroneously
construe Broderick's criticism of government policy as antisemitism.


feed_id: 5a297481ef5389315bb76c6b5ed33a65
title: Massacred children
uri: Massacred-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Massacred_children%29
content:
<p>
A hundred Mayan children were massacred in 1988 by the Guatemalan army.
A survivor reported the crime this year and the government planned to
exhume their skeletons, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-guatemala-war/search-for-remains-of-indigenous-children-killed-in-guatemala-massacre-blocked-by-residents-idUSKBN2GP04X">but unidentified "protesters" came in and
blocked the action</a>.

<p>
The protesters may be some of the soldiers who killed them, or their
relatives or associates.


feed_id: 3b189a8940a9c3fd5dbae35081d09baf
title: Cutting methane
uri: Cutting-methane
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Cutting_methane%29
content:
<p>
*Cutting methane <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/30/cutting-methane-should-be-a-key-cop26-aim-research-suggests">should be a key Cop26 aim, research suggests</a>.*


feed_id: 0c27934ca933b37c624be7fb5cb5f82a
title: Planning or preparing terrorist act
uri: Planning-or-preparing-terrorist-act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Planning_or_preparing_terrorist_act%29

content:
<p>
New Zealand made it a crime <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newzealand-security/new-zealand-tightens-terror-law-after-recent-is-linked-attack-idUSKBN2GQ05A">to plan or prepare for a terrorist act</a>.

<p>
I wonder whether the law criminalizes impossible fantasies of
terrorism &mdash; the sort of imaginary danger thing <a href="https://stallman.org/archives//2021-may-aug.html#30_August_2021_(Alleged_terrorists)">that the FBI loves to
protect Americans from</a>.

<p>
However, this law seems to be less bad than the UK's law
criminalizing possession of information <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-sep-dec.html#25 October 2004 (Charged with possessing a book)">"likely to be useful for
terrorism,"</a>
  as in the recent case of someone who was convicted in Britain of
possessing material presenting hateful opinions, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/28/court-of-appeal-to-review-sentence-of-white-supremacist-told-to-read-classsics">plus a page about how
to make a bomb</a>.

<p>
Convicting people for having copies of some publication, no matter what
publication that might be, is repression.

<p>
The bomb page could be useful for terrorism, but just having it
doesn't prove he was planning to make a bomb.  I think the New Zealand
law would require something to show that the accused was specifically
considering using them for a terrorist act, and would not in practice
criminalize mere possessing copies of publications.

<p>
However, there remains some danger of unjust convictions because
conclusions about intentions are hard to demonstrate conclusively.  It
will be easy to convict someone based on stereotypes about what people
in per demographic group are assumed to want to do.


feed_id: 595d7b07b32203665d0a5c6affe1b834
title: Violence against medical workers
uri: Violence-against-medical-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Violence_against_medical_workers%29

content:
<p>
Violence against US medical workers is increasing in states dominated
by Republican anti-vaxxers.  So hospitals <a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/09/health-workers-get-panic-buttons-as-covid-deniers-get-violent/">are taking various steps
to protect them</a>.


feed_id: a8e9fffbf632513f171bf31f8b20f04a
title: Continuing symptoms
uri: Continuing-symptoms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Continuing_symptoms%29
content:
<p>
A survey of English students and school staff who had Covid-19 found
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/sep/28/12-of-english-pupils-report-continuing-covid-symptoms-weeks-after-infection">high levels of continuing symptoms and substantial levels of
continuing disability</a>.


feed_id: 9a371c2add329efde54d53cbf8d447da
title: Artificial limits on housing density
uri: Artificial-limits-on-housing-density
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Artificial_limits_on_housing_density%29

content:
<p>
Artificial limits on housing density in major cities <a href="https://www.worksinprogress.co/issue/the-housing-theory-of-everything/">make housing
expensive</a>.
  It's obvious how this hurts the non-rich who live there.  This
article explains unobvious consequences that harm many aspects
of life and business.

<p>
There are a few points I disagree with.  I don't think innovation is
such a good thing, now that businesses choose which innovations to
foist on their customers.  And I think <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/children.html">a lower birth rate is
beneficial</a>.
  Nonetheless, there are so many harmful effects that I think the overall
conclusion is valid.


feed_id: 57a207da15b6fddcd44a9a38ce09c59a
title: Shortage in medical products
uri: Shortage-in-medical-products
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Shortage_in_medical_products%29
content:
<p>
Explaining the financial arrangements <a href="https://mattstoller.substack.com/p/the-villains-behind-our-medical-supply">that create shortages in all sorts
of medical products in the US</a>.
  Long ago, hospitals set up purchasing collectives; then in 1987
Congress legalized kickbacks for them.


feed_id: 2ab0cafb77df3c46c2d621b70105238e
title: Infrastructure bill
uri: 2021-10-01-Infrastructure-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Infrastructure_bill%29
content:
<p>
Pelosi promised that the House would not pass the reduced "bipartisan"
infrastructure bill unless it first passed the budget reconciliation
welfare bill.
               Yet she is now yielding to plutocratist Democrats in
the House who want to separate them (and thus kill the latter one).
But <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/28/we-arent-bluffing-progressives-hold-line-pelosi-moves-ahead-bipartisan-bill">progressive representatives refuse to let that happen</a>.


feed_id: 4e9b8bc17927064566e3d4653d0ac3aa
title: Inept messaging
uri: Inept-messaging
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Inept_messaging%29
content:
<p>
*Democrat's Inept Messaging: It's Not a $3.5 Trillion Bill <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/28/democrats-inept-messaging-its-not-35-trillion-bill-350-billion-year">But $350 Billion a
Year</a>.*

<p>
The fashion for stating the amount of money that a program or law
would control, spend, collect, or whatever, in terms of multiple years
always exaggerates, and it always interferes with comparing one
sum with another.  Good journalism calls for normalizing those figures
to a per-year basis.


feed_id: 17692a18ec9c62b56f0b8207b60718a6
title: Protest at Manchin's boat
uri: Protest-at-Manchin-s-boat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Protest_at_Manchin%27s_boat%29
content:
<p>
Rebuking Senator Manchin's rejection of poor West Virginians <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/28/flotilla-protest-manchins-yacht-tells-right-wing-democrat-dont-sink-our-bill">with a protest
at his boat in Washington DC</a>.

<p>
I expected to find a link to a video showing the boat, but I don't
see one in the article.  Have the protesters posted a video in a place
it could be accessed without running nonfree Javascript code?  If so,
I would like to link to it.


feed_id: fbb36e4c55301d63c636d8d3b1ff5a39
title: Drought and hydroelectric power
uri: 2021-10-01-Drought-and-hydroelectric-power
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#30_September_2021_%28Drought_and_hydroelectric_power%29

content:
<p>
Drought could shut down hydroelectric power from Lake Powell and Lake
Mead.  This would be a big loss <a href="https://boingboing.net/2021/09/27/new-study-shows-that-drought-could-shut-down-the-biggest-us-hydro-plants-in-the-next-few-years.html">in US non-fossil-fuel generating capacity</a>.

<p>
As the years go by, this will become more and more likely.

<p>
This is an example of the sort of positive feedbacks that can
lead to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> worse than models have predicted.


feed_id: 6563eac28e354d3af46a0da621971474
title: Debate on crude language
uri: 2021-10-01-Debate-on-crude-language
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#30_September_2021_%28Debate_on_crude_language%29
content:
<p>
Angela Rayner, deputy leader of Labour, called Tories "scum".  Now
half the scum in Britain <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/26/angela-rayner-stands-by-remarks-calling-tories-scum">are distracting attention from their policies
of cruelty by rebuking her crude language</a>.

<p>
What Rayner said was totally justified, but the way Aneurin Bevan
(also working class) said it was more effective and harder to attack
superficially: "The Tories are lower than vermin."  Be using a less
common word to condemn them, and putting it inside a comparison, he
made it sound incisive rather than crude.

<p>
Rayner should not even hint at apologizing, but rather than defending
her insult, she should press the attack with varieties of brief but
substantial condemnations.

<p>
<a href="media/62a79bb0.anuran-bevan.jpg" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/images/anuran-bevan.jpg">Relevant comic</a>.


feed_id: 936ce3b1531e753c6f32f257d6de1314
title: Urgent: Women's Health Protection Act
uri: 2021-10-02-Urgent-Women-s-Health-Protection-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Women%27s_Health_Protection_Act%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on the Senate to pass the <a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/senate-pass-womens-health-protection-act-2021/">Women’s Health Protection Act.</a>


feed_id: 5d725dd035d2201ebc1fcfd850167825
title: Urgent: Break up Wells Fargo
uri: Urgent-Break-up-Wells-Fargo
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Break_up_Wells_Fargo%29
content:
<p>

US citizens: call on the Federal Reserve to <a href="https://act.350.org/sign/warren-wellsfargo-fed/">break up Wells Fargo</a>.
Specifically, to split its banking activities from its investment activities.


feed_id: 9399846aa3d4b313e0f83019d5990327
title: Urgent: Build Back Better Act
uri: Urgent-Build-Back-Better-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Build_Back_Better_Act%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: phone your congresscritter at 1-888-516-5820 and say
to pass the Build Back Better Act, the bill to spend 350 billion a year
on aid and jobs for non-wealthy Americans.

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


feed_id: ad003aa40d96bf2b93cc7d73e0f7beb3
title: Reasons to demand bail
uri: Reasons-to-demand-bail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Reasons_to_demand_bail%29
content:
<p>

New York City prosecutors and judges work hard to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/09/28/rikers-island-crisis-judges-bail/">generate reasons to
demand bail</a>, even from people who are very likely to return to court
for trial.  This means putting them in Rikers Island jail, which is
a dangerous place to be.
<p>
If a person is homeless, that is an indication of bad government.  If
a homeless person needs to steal blankets, that is an indication of
even worse government.


feed_id: 4c7afa172fc4ea7e1bca4a4ecd24e5ac
title: Feelings and life stories
uri: Feelings-and-life-stories
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Feelings_and_life_stories%29
content:
<p>

A chain of charter schools tells students and teachers to put a lot of time
into <a href="https://nancyebailey.com/2021/09/25/cult-like-social-emotional-learning-questioning-valor-charters-and-powered-by-compass/">entering their feelings (and life stories) into a computer system</a>
connected with Facebook.
<p>
I suspect that Facebook uses this to learn general patterns of associations
so that it can improve its deductions about all the useds of Facebook.
Students already habituated to trusting untrustworthy companies with
sensitive information are easily induced to hand in more.


feed_id: a95d5f41ad0c4d32d29c04c3faae65d7
title: CIA and Julian Assange
uri: CIA-and-Julian-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28CIA_and_Julian_Assange%29
content:
<p>

The CIA investigated <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/26/trumps-cia-considered-kidnapping-or-assassinating-assange-report">kidnapping or assassinating</a> Julian Assange in 2017.
<p>
It even got <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/09/28/assange-kidnapping-wikileaks-cia-senate/">legislative approval</a> for a new concept, "non-state hostile
intelligence service," which it used to justify an operation of
"offensive counterintelligence."
<p>
The wrecker seems to have hated him intensely.


feed_id: 17316af24d1ed2cc36c5a206179c80dd
title: Contrasting tyrannies
uri: Contrasting-tyrannies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Contrasting_tyrannies%29
content:
<p>

Contrasting the diffuse tyranny of an oligarchy with the personal
tyranny of an autocrat, and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/27/americas-unpleasant-fate-oligarchy-or-autocracy">how that relates to America today</a>.
<p>
I disagree with the criticism of the "Liberal class".  If by Liberal
the author means defense of human rights, that is a principle, not a
class.  Human rights are vital for everyone, except an autocrat and
per servants.
<p>
If he refers to the broader political movement that we called Liberal,
which included government aid for the poor, civil rights and ending
racial segregation, women's rights and equality, environmental
protection, and peace, people now use "Progressive" to refer to more
or less the same thing.
<p>
It is only natural that questions arise of how far to go in fighting
fire with fire, and at what point we must refuse to match the enemy in
arson.


feed_id: 7f5618a559ec5c68f4da8269045f8b0d
title: Eliminate the debt ceiling
uri: Eliminate-the-debt-ceiling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Eliminate_the_debt_ceiling%29
content:
<p>

The US should <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/27/abolish-debt-ceiling-do-it-now">eliminate the debt ceiling</a>, which serves no good purpose
but provides plutocratists with an opportunity for bullying.


feed_id: 7f02d43a71f77d029e8dd5bd69b5e5b4
title: Fossil fuel gas subsidies
uri: Fossil-fuel-gas-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Fossil_fuel_gas_subsidies%29
content:
<p>

*EU lawmakers vote to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/28/eu-lawmakers-vote-prolong-fossil-fuel-gas-subsidies">prolong fossil fuel gas subsidies</a> until 2027.*
<p>
Note how the use of hydrogen is being treated as "low emissions", even
if it is made the cheap way by burning fossil fuel.  Likewise,
"biofuels" are treated as "low emissions" even if they are made from
crops that require fertilizers and pesticides, and wood chips are
treated as "low emissions" even if made from trees cut in another
continent.  The fallacy of these decisions is widely reported, but
politicians disregard it.


feed_id: 50a555f5ef8390716474145402490f27
title: Lip service from world leaders
uri: Lip-service-from-world-leaders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Lip_service_from_world_leaders%29
content:
<p>

Greta Thunberg says that world leaders are <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-climate-change-italy/30-years-of-blah-blah-blah-thunberg-questions-italy-climate-talks-idUSKBN2GO0GA">giving little more than lip service</a> to the need to cut greenhouse emissions.


feed_id: 46fe3ad3476c68908ca0ffd58f29b9ae
title: Labour Party's purges
uri: Labour-Party-s-purges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Labour_Party%27s_purges%29
content:
<p>

Ken Loach <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/28/democracy-keir-starmer-labour-left-ken-loach">condemns the Labour Party's purges</a> of Corbyn's supporters,
and those (including himself) who took a stand against purges.
Meanwhile, antisemitism in the party is no longer treated as a big
concern, now that Jewish Corbynites are the targets.  This confirms
that it was <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-nov-feb.html#20_February_2016_(Labour_Party_concerned_about_anti-semitism)">exaggerated as an excuse</a>.

<p>
I suppose the plutocrats don't care whether Labour is tamed or crippled,
as long as it can't won't make trouble for them.
<p>
Loach calls on those who have been driven out of Labour to start a new
party.


feed_id: 9f8ce6da3e95948c03f14615e3ca0f1d
title: Denying asylum
uri: Denying-asylum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Denying_asylum%29
content:
<p>

Biden continues the bully's excuse for <a href="https://theconversation.com/haitian-migrants-at-the-border-an-asylum-law-scholar-explains-how-us-skirts-its-legal-and-moral-duties-168556">denying people the right to come to the US border and ask for asylum</a>.
<p>
The excuse is that Covid-19 is a medical emergency, and any immigrant
who has Covid-19 is a threat because <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> might be infected.  We can
imagine situations where that would be a valid position, but not at
the border of Republican dominated Texas.  Border-crossers are hardly
significant, as a source of Covid-19 in Texas, compared with
Republican US citizens.
<p>
We can understand why the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> did this: it offered him a way to use
a scapegoat for distraction.  But unless Biden is no better, he should stop
using the excuse.


feed_id: 06819a6b3d520daba025e0c30cedfab7
title: Avoid ruining the ecosphere
uri: Avoid-ruining-the-ecosphere
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Avoid_ruining_the_ecosphere%29
content:
<p>

George Monbiot: it makes no sense to think of climate, biodiversity
loss, pollution, soil loss, and resource overuse as unrelated issues,
since they drive each other and may even potentiate each other.
<p>
He argues that the only way to avoid ruining the ecosphere is to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/29/green-growth-economic-activity-environment">reduce economic activity</a>.


feed_id: 9151453956678c38fd60d79e9562b40e
title: Housing in Berlin
uri: Housing-in-Berlin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Housing_in_Berlin%29
content:
<p>

The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/29/berlin-vote-landlords-referendum-corporate">referendum vote to seize some housing in Berlin</a> could inspire
important changes.
<p>
However, what is crucial is to eliminate the obstacles to building denser
housing near public transit.


feed_id: 8bd906ce742db56a6c01c73cd7918076
title: Unpredictable work schedules
uri: Unpredictable-work-schedules
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Unpredictable_work_schedules%29
content:
<p>

Some argue that eliminating precarious, unpredictable work schedules
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/sep/29/15-uk-minimum-wage-may-not-be-the-best-way-to-tackle-poverty">would be more effective</a> than increasing the minimum wage.
<p>
Why argue about it &mdash; let's do both!


feed_id: 9a815e93668487e4cba312539c370e64
title: Justice for Nigerians
uri: Justice-for-Nigerians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Justice_for_Nigerians%29
content:
<p>

*Nigerians could see <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/29/nigerians-could-see-justice-over-shell-oil-spills-after-six-decades">justice over Shell oil spills</a> after six decades.*


feed_id: 97ed8e31a6821bf1cd8d5f22cb6ce93e
title: Sargasso Sea seaweed
uri: Sargasso-Sea-seaweed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Sargasso_Sea_seaweed%29
content:
<p>

Sewage and fertilizer runoff from farms seems to be responsible for
the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-environment-caribbean-seaweed-science/scientists-come-closer-to-solving-caribbean-seaweed-mystery-idUSKBN2GP17X">enormous increase</a> in the area of Sargasso Sea seaweed.


feed_id: 336cb2c1aa2671e3b0da43f6a9d1bb89
title: Chinese-language newspapers
uri: Chinese-language-newspapers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_%28Chinese-language_newspapers%29
content:
<p>

Chinese-language newspapers in Australia use translators in China to
translate Australian news stories into English, and they translate in
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-china-media/australian-chinese-language-newspapers-print-censored-news-report-idUSKBN2GP1BS">accord with China's censorship rules</a>.
<p>
It would be wrong to try to fix this by ordering those newspapers how
to do their translation.  But it would be legitimate for Australia to
require newspapers that publish in foreign languages to state
prominently either that all the translators live in Australia, or that
they do not.


feed_id: c400ee3f352ad43bad5a966e77247d3e
title: Civil war
uri: Civil-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Civil_war%29
content:
<p>
Where is the outrage over the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/29/opinions/tigray-ethiopia-call-to-action-sesay-ujiri-agbor-tabi-akinnagbe/index.html">civil war in Ethiopia</a>?
In my case, it is stymied by my lack of understanding
of what's happening.
<p>
The information I've seen in the press is fragmentary.  I don't
understand what's occurring, nor why, nor the actions and motivations
of the belligerents.  Is Ethiopia intentionally starving Tigray?  Is
Eritrea doing so?  Are world powers doing so?
<p>
Did Ethiopia really more or less occupy Tigray, or was that Ethiopia's
lie?  If it was true, how did Tigray bounce back from near total
defeat and start attacking other regions?  If Tigray is now militarily
successful, how come its army cannot open a channel for food aid to
flow?
<p>
In the past, we would have seen reports from foreign correspondents
covering the events.  Are there any now?  If so, where can we see
their reporting?
<p>
Now Ethiopia has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/oct/01/ethiopia-expels-meddling-un-staff-as-famine-deepens-in-tigray-without-aid">expelled UN aid officials</a>.
The article does not clearly state the motive for expelling them.
Is this because there is no known reason?  Or does the article refrain
from stating it?


feed_id: 6f577573d7a7dc7e1c18b59c80bbb4ba
title: Eastern European troll farms
uri: Eastern-European-troll-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Eastern_European_troll_farms%29
content:
<p>
19 of the top 20 Facebook pages for American Christians are run by <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/09/16/1035851/facebook-troll-farms-report-us-2020-election/">Eastern
European troll farms</a>, according to a Facebook internal investigation.
<p>
What this amounts to is that the troll farms have developed channels
of mass influence in the US -- for elections, for instance.  Most of
the time, they will imitate what their target Christians would say.
On occasions, they say what some powerful entity tells them to say.


feed_id: 80b428559e3fa85a5149c6f185382778
title: Corporate lobbyists
uri: Corporate-lobbyists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Corporate_lobbyists%29
content:
<p>
*Corporate Lobbyists Are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/29/corporate-lobbyists-are-going-war-against-build-back-better-plan">Going to War</a> Against the Build Back Better Plan.*


feed_id: 6af61a8890ad5f808253fa474a6584f7
title: Special tax deductions
uri: Special-tax-deductions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Special_tax_deductions%29
content:
<p>
Rep Ro Khanna: Congress should end the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/28/congress-needs-end-20-billion-year-giveaway-big-oil">special tax deductions for
fossil fuels</a>.
<p>
Some propose to use a carbon tax instead to raise tax revenue.  I am
in favor of a carbon tax, but not as a way to raise tax revenue.  The
way to raise revenue is to end the special tax deductions.  The income
from the carbon tax should be redistributed to people with low incomes
so that the carbon tax does not ruin them.


feed_id: 8d8a8678079a08d8fb92299eb6e11f09
title: (satire) Significant setback
uri: (satire)-Significant-setback
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28%28satire%29_Significant_setback%29

content:
<p>
(satire) *WASHINGTON—In a maneuver that experts suggest could represent a
significant setback for the legislative ambitions of Democrats, the GOP
reportedly stalled an upcoming government funding bill Tuesday by
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/gop-stalls-government-funding-bill-by-detonating-50-ton-1847755034">detonating fifty tons of C-4 explosives</a> inside the Capitol building.*


feed_id: 7155f1a630139867a758c0837c10bab8
title: Financial scams
uri: Financial-scams
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Financial_scams%29
content:
<p>
The UK accuses the biggest social media of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/sep/28/social-media-giants-serve-as-gateway-for-scams-warns-finance-watchdog">advertising financial scams</a>.


feed_id: 03453c07fb36558072f33eab980bfd02
title: Means-testing
uri: Means-testing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Means-testing%29
content:
<p>
*Progressives Warn Democrats Against <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/28/progressives-warn-democrats-against-means-testing-reconciliation-bill-death">Means-Testing Reconciliation Bill
[Build Back Better]</a> to Death.*


feed_id: 94c69c4f8d014631ab546f64a9b058c3
title: Women's rights
uri: 2021-10-03-Women-s-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Women%27s_rights%29
content:
<p>
The US talked about the rights of Afghan women when <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/28/three-lessons-chart-path-forward-solidarity-afghan-women">that was useful as
a justification for war</a>, but has paid little attention to what Afghan
women said about the issue.  Here's a group that is trying to work with
Afghan women in defending their rights.


feed_id: 47ba3683a7ac944c41949519bf49bc52
title: Crimea
uri: 2021-10-03-Crimea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Crimea%29
content:
<p>
Ukraine is taking an <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-crimea/ukraine-offers-healthcare-online-schooling-to-residents-in-annexed-crimea-idUSKBN2GP1GP">interesting approach</a> to Putin's seizure of the
Crimea: treating residents of Crimea as Ukrainian citizens and giving
them various sorts of aid.


feed_id: 382497d2b717ae158cb72e4dc944be6b
title: Journalists arrested
uri: Journalists-arrested
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Journalists_arrested%29
content:
<p>
The Taliban <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/sep/29/fears-grow-for-photojournalist-arrested-by-taliban-as-executions-resume">arrested journalists who covered women's protests</a> in
Afghanistan.  One of them has not been heard from for a month.


feed_id: 1b6aa0e4e25b9c6688bedbfb33ab1244
title: Chinese abortion rights
uri: Chinese-abortion-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Chinese_abortion_rights%29
content:
<p>
Chinese women are very worried that China will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/29/abortion-pledge-adds-to-scepticism-over-womens-rights-in-china">restrict abortions
to force them to have babies</a>.
<p>
In China, as in many other parts of the world, life for people born
now is going to get very hard in a few decades.  People in North China
will have to deal with <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-jul-oct.html#4_August_2018_(Fatal_weather_in_2070)">fatal weather</a>.
<p>
Much of South China, a large region around the Yangtze River, will
face <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-may-aug.html#21%20May%202011%20(Yangtze%20River%20Problems)">sea level rise</a>.
Coping with the inconvenience of a falling population will be easy
by comparison.


feed_id: e42ec2db63c69e496f4153e78bd39922
title: Cultural appropriation
uri: 2021-10-03-Cultural-appropriation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Cultural_appropriation%29
content:
<p>
Culture is for appropriating.  But we still see people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2021/sep/28/for-us-black-hair-is-black-history-rihannas-fashion-show-sparks-row-for-styling-white-models-hair-in-braids">condeming the failure
to maintain the racial purity of cultural practices</a>.
<p>
Kwame Anthony Appiah <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#13_November_2020_(The_concept_of_cultural_appropriation)">demolished the condemnation of "cultural
appropriation"</a>,
and said it better than I could say it.  He also explains the correct
understanding of certain situations where people perceive offense and
conceptualize the issue as "cultural appropriation."
<p>
I did not appropriate this position from him -- I'm proud to have
thought of it independently.  But if I had learned it from him, I'd be
grateful.


feed_id: 5005cec22d4d189b5f2f26af32935078
title: Chevron
uri: Chevron
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Chevron%29
content:
<p>
Ecuadorians' lawyer against Chevron, Steven Donziger, has been
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/01/steven-donziger-lawyer-sentenced-contempt-chevron">sentenced to 6 months in prison for refusing to give Chevron all his
confidential communication with his clients</a>.
<p>
This is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#25_March_2021_(Lawyer_put_under_house_arrest)">part</a> <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#24_April_2020_(Judicial_harassment_of_environmental_lawyers)">of</a> <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#5_February_2020_(Chevron_crushes_the_life_of_Steven_Donziger)">Chevron's</a> <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#30_October_2015_(Chevron_paid_judge_to_lie)">long</a> <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#10_April_2015_(Chevron_Clean-up_Fraudulent)">scheme</a> to avoid paying its fine of ten billion
dollars for poisoning part of Ecuador.


feed_id: 465e0d81965e2fee818a8fa3d519c8a9
title: Regent Honeyeater
uri: Regent-Honeyeater
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Regent_Honeyeater%29
content:
<p>
Australia has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/30/if-the-regent-honeyeater-is-voted-off-the-island-in-the-bird-of-the-year-poll-its-love-song-may-be-lost-forever">driven the regent honeyeater almost to extinction</a>, and
it is pushing hard to finish the job.


feed_id: 3d256789553a86e81647ff9285a9a842
title: Sinema
uri: 2021-10-03-Sinema
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Sinema%29
content:
<p>
Arizona Democrats are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/29/if-sinema-wont-stand-arizona-democrats-we-will-vote-her-out">very angry with Senator Sinema and are threatening
to vote her out</a>.


feed_id: beec5965bd9990784204a5f9ceb82e14
title: EPA corruption
uri: EPA-corruption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28EPA_corruption%29
content:
<p>
*<a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/09/30/epa-whistleblowers-exposed/">EPA Officials Exposed Whistleblowers</a> Three Minutes After Receiving
 Confidential Complaint.*
<p>
The corruption seems to be very deep.


feed_id: 8bde3bab472468b06d877ae1c4b5cd6c
title: Penneast
uri: Penneast
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Penneast%29
content:
<p>
Local opposition has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/27/momentous-win-years-local-opposition-defeats-penneast-pipeline">defeated construction</a> of the Penneast fracked-gas
pipeline from Pennsylvania to New Jersey.


feed_id: cdf1b952aa952c017bbdc73303d0401d
title: Urgent: Facebook ad loophole
uri: Urgent-Facebook-ad-loophole
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Facebook_ad_loophole%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: call on Facebook to treat <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/dont-let-trump-exploit-this-dangerous-facebook-loophole?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-new-trump-sidestepping-his-facebook-ban-4">a person's political campaign ads
as if they came from that person</a>.


feed_id: a49299864b2c0f472467af07751c80df
title: HB580
uri: HB580
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28HB580%29
content:
<p>
*Section 51, part 6 of the Tennessee law <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/29/us/tennessee-law-hb-580-book-debate/index.html">makes lesson plans illegal if
students "feel discomfort, guilt, or anguish</a>."*
<p>
Children have no reason to feel personally guilty about events that
happened before they were born.  But they might well feel discomfort
and even anguish when they read about American slavery, Jim Crow, the
Vietnam War, the conquest and occupaton of Iraq, the Holocaust, the
Great Depression, or the Chinese cultural revolution.  Indeed, if the
lesson is clear, and students grasp what anguish people suffered
during those events, they will surely feel some anguish in sympathy.
<p>
The law, if applied generally, would be absurd.  But I don't think it
is meant to be applied generally.  I suspect it is meant to be applied
selectively in a racist way.


feed_id: 2e0c60c8acd88b058769f1683ba4ec22
title: Urgent: $25 billion to big oil
uri: Urgent-25-billion-to-big-oil
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_%2425_billion_to_big_oil%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Democratic leadership to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-democratic-leadership-strip-the-25-billion-taxpayer-giveaway-to-big-oil-from-the-infrastructure-bill-now?nowrapper=true">strip the $25 billion
taxpayer giveaway to Big Oil</a> from the infrastructure bill.


feed_id: d920867c0380d23c589b79cf4950c7f6
title: London thug
uri: London-thug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28London_thug%29
content:
<p>
A London thug arrested a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/30/the-guardian-view-on-the-police-and-women-face-up-to-the-problems">female stranger for no reason other than so
he could rape her and kill her</a>.  This shocking incident has threads
running to other, more frequent forms of injustice to women.
<p>
Lots of thugs <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/10/01/sarah-everard-police-killing-sentencing-london/">engage in violence towards women</a>.
<p>
Calling for a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/01/sarah-everard-murder-police-powers-stephen-lawrence-judicial-inquiry">thorough investigation</a> of this.


feed_id: a41c0b7206ff76d6931ed9b4b4004a83
title: Roman Dobrokhotov
uri: Roman-Dobrokhotov
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Roman_Dobrokhotov%29
content:
<p>
Putin is seeking to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/30/russia-fsb-seeks-to-arrest-journalist-who-worked-with-bellingcat">imprison editor and investigator</a> Roman
Dobrokhotov, who works with Bellingcat.


feed_id: e7e43269b25708e3d308631507f605fa
title: Official thugs
uri: Official-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Official_thugs%29
content:
<p>
*More than half of killings [by official thugs] are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/30/police-killings-not-reported-mislabelled-study">mislabelled or not
reported</a>, study finds.*
Killings of blacks and hispanics are more likely not to be properly
reported.
<p>
The article linked to just above displays symbolic bigotry by
capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid endorsing bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)  I object to bigotry, and
normally I decline to link to articles which promote it.  But I make
exceptions for some articles which give important information about
racism or the fight to eliminate racism.  That article is one of the
exceptions.


feed_id: 4778edb8a525e6aa2901b9ff544c9a66
title: Oath Keepers
uri: Oath-Keepers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Oath_Keepers%29
content:
<p>
The Oath Keepers' <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/01/capitol-attack-oath-keepers-far-right-militia-group">association with attacking the Capitol</a> was an
effective recruiting tool.
<p>
We saw this a year ago as the corrupter's supporters became
increasingly violent in their attacks on Democrats.  The more
violent they got, the more they excited people who wanted violence.


feed_id: bc6682b14e7453bea8433106db903d41
title: Plutocratist spending
uri: Plutocratist-spending
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Plutocratist_spending%29
content:
<p>
How to <a href="https://ggj.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/mailing/url?u=12500&qid=5295376">make the infrastructure and aid bill combo better</a>
by getting rid of plutocratist spending.


feed_id: 635d44cd06ee6b160ea91b07186923a1
title: (Satire) Nothing sounded good
uri: (Satire)-Nothing-sounded-good
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28%28Satire%29_Nothing_sounded_good%29

content:
<p>
(satire) *‘Bon Appétit’ Publishes Blank Issue After <a href="https://www.theonion.com/bon-appetit-publishes-blank-issue-after-nothing-sound-1847752629">Nothing Sounded
Good</a>.*

*The U.S. needs to make <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/09/28/us-needs-deep-reassessment-its-immigration-policies">its asylum policy</a> clear. It needs to define who
it will allow to seek asylum and apply that standard without
discrimination.*
<p>
If we do this, we should not expect the same results for Haiti and
Afghanistan, because there objective differences between the two
situations.
<p>
Afghanistan has been taken over by a government that seems to be
trying to kill people for having worked with the US.  That gives many
Afghans a claim for asylum under international treaties.  Although
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives//2021-jul-oct.html#1_October_2021_(Denying_asylum)">many Haitians have suffered greatly</a>, and part of the cause is due to
US wrongdoing,
they are not facing murder or torture if they remain in Haiti.
<p>
The US should do something to help the destitute people of Haiti, but
giving some of them asylum is not the only way, or necessarily the
best way.  Perhaps aid to poor people in Haiti would do a better job.


feed_id: 8a399a5bc15b2ae97f6532dcd1e94df6
title: Calling for Bolsonaro's impeachment
uri: Calling-for-Bolsonaro-s-impeachment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#4_October_2021_%28Calling_for_Bolsonaro%27s_impeachment%29

content:
<p>
*Mass protests in Brazil <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/02/mass-protests-in-brazil-call-for-bolsonaros-impeachment">call for Bolsonaro's impeachment</a>.*


feed_id: 97a7db1c3ed68315a165371938c28289
title: AI and embarrassing questions
uri: AI-and-embarrassing-questions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#4_October_2021_%28AI_and_embarrassing_questions%29
content:
<p>
AI language models <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/02/the-truth-about-artificial-intelligence-it-isnt-that-honest">often respond to embarrassing questions with falsehoods</a>.


feed_id: cba44124a73144754fb41b272b0e87f9
title: Build Back Better sabotage
uri: Build-Back-Better-sabotage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#4_October_2021_%28Build_Back_Better_sabotage%29
content:
<p>
Right-wing Democrats in Congress tried to sabotage the House plan to
insist on passing the Build Back Better welfare bill before
considering the badly compromised infrastructure bill.  But
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/10/02/gottheimer-congressional-progressive-caucus-infrastructure/">progressive Democrats stood firm and blocked this</a>.

<p>
Those right-wing Democrats could kill the bill straight out &mdash; but they would
draw lots of ire, and it would harm their chances of reelection.  We have to
hope they decide not to do that.


feed_id: 4befc92d956e0f22686e5da002c517b5
title: Reporting rich people income
uri: Reporting-rich-people-income
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#4_October_2021_%28Reporting_rich_people_income%29
content:
<p>
Biden proposes a system to make rich people <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/30/perspectives/jack-lew-wealthy-taxes/index.html">report all the income that they
receive through bank accounts</a>.

<p>
This would not fix the problem of tax evasion by rich people <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#24_March_2021_(Not_reporting_all_income)">that get
the income in other countries and hide it</a>,
                                           nor that of tax dodging by
corporations that shift the profit to countries which charge no tax on
it.


feed_id: ca1bd09e09004eb52baf643e66b3157a
title: Toxic positivity
uri: 2021-10-04-Toxic-positivity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#4_October_2021_%28Toxic_positivity%29
content:
<p>
"Toxic positivity" says that if anything goes wrong for you, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/30/opinions/toxic-positivity-and-cancer-survivor-column-powers/index.html">it was because
you did not have a positive enough mindset</a>.
    So have faith in a good future,
or whatever bad things happen to you will be your own fault.

<p>
This is reportedly one of the ingredients of Covid-19 denialism, too.


feed_id: 8a753569bc5acbf585d0c7378872a9e3
title: Undercover thugs
uri: 2021-10-04-Undercover-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#4_October_2021_%28Undercover_thugs%29
content:
<p>
A UK court investigation has ruled that the use of undercover <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to
infiltrate protest groups by forming sexual relationships with the
sincere participants violated their rights in many ways, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/sep/30/kate-wilson-after-spy-cops-case-the-met-is-beyond-redemption">and was
planned to do so</a>.

<p>
Best of all, it concluded there was no justification for investigating
those nonviolent campaigns at all.


feed_id: f8829efc1e517f0da889e29362c95e76
title: Urgent: fire Louis Dejoy
uri: Urgent-fire-Louis-Dejoy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#4_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_fire_Louis_Dejoy%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/take-action-demand-president-biden-remake-the-postal-governing-board-and-fire-louis-dejoy?nowrapper=true">call on Biden</a> to remake the Postal Governing Board and
fire Louis Dejoy.


feed_id: a5f0da83a2d9de9767644651dc4b0284
title: Obeying thugs commands
uri: Obeying-thugs-commands
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#4_October_2021_%28Obeying_thugs_commands%29
content:
<p>
Two Colorado <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> attacked a man for not obeying their commands.
They knocked him down, tased him, and put him in jail for 4 months,
while he only asking "Why this happen?"  <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/30/us/deaf-colorado-man-arrested-jailed-four-months/index.html">He is deaf</a>.

<p>
This illustrates the pattern that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are willing to get violent
very quickly, not checking for misunderstandings.


feed_id: a6f22d00409ee50d956d97547d3c7147
title: Stealing of student personal identification data
uri: Stealing-of-student-personal-identification-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#4_October_2021_%28Stealing_of_student_personal_identification_data%29

content:
<p>
Crackers attack school computer systems to steal students' personal
identification data, <a href="https://gooddaysacramento.cbslocal.com/2021/09/29/school-report-increasing-cyber-attacks-kids-risk-parents/">so as to use it for financial fraud</a>.

<p>
How about if schools were not allowed to ask for such data from students?
Indeed, why do they collect it nowadays?  What do they use it for?  Do they
use it to give it to companies that should not get it either?


feed_id: 5f1da1b0098bbfbff9326f49e00f5042
title: Flood insurance
uri: 2021-10-04-Flood-insurance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#4_October_2021_%28Flood_insurance%29
content:
<p>
The US government will raise the price of flood insurance <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/01/us/flood-insurance-rates-going-up-fema-climate/index.html">to match increased
flood risk</a>.

<p>
Subsidizing flood insurance encourages people to live in houses that
are likely to flood.  After each flood, people will repair them and
continue living there.  For society, having houses in those places is
repeated wasteful expense.

<p>
Once flooding becomes likely, it would be better for society to rescue
the homeowners by buying the flooded houses for what they would have
been worth in the absence of flood danger, and hold that land to
ensure no house is built there again.


feed_id: 20bfb5d2bb64ce8c6205fb10b6ae9406
title: Keeping misogynists out thugs department
uri: Keeping-misogynists-out-thugs-department
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#4_October_2021_%28Keeping_misogynists_out_thugs_department%29

content:
<p>
The London thug department <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/01/cressida-dick-must-be-held-accountable-over-couzens-case-says-ex-met-chief">has hardly bothered to keep violent
misogynists out</a>.

<p>
Two other <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> that joined the murdered, Couzens, in racist and misogynist
conversations <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/01/met-officers-investigated-over-couzens-whatsapp-group-are-still-on-duty">are being investigated but continue working</a>.

<p>
We should not imprison people for their opinions, but if cops
are racist or misogynist, they are unfit for their jobs.

<p>
The London <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department has warned women to distrust any
single non-uniformed individual <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/01/uk/london-police-advice-for-women-intl-gbr/index.html">that claims to be arresting them</a>.

<p>
For the reasons described in the article, it will be difficult to
follow this advice.  People will be afraid of prosecution for
"resisting arrest."  Would you have confidence that citing this
announcement would get you cleared instantly of such charges?  I would
not.

<p>
Moreover, cops can't do their legitimate job if people distrust them.
They have to win trust &mdash; and not just from women, but also from
blacks that expect to be harassed frequently by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> that are not
insane, merely racist.


feed_id: a0f2926dc940e5480b54f921fa18a373
title: Apologies
uri: Apologies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#4_October_2021_%28Apologies%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/ways-to-apologize-without-saying-sorry-1847770793">satire</a>) *Ways To Apologize Without Saying Sorry.*


feed_id: 2142d4bab4842b7b770325e5173bbb1f
title: Campaign funding violations
uri: Campaign-funding-violations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#4_October_2021_%28Campaign_funding_violations%29
content:
<p>
Former right-wing French president Sarkozy <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/30/europe/sarkozy-france-election-campaign-guilty-verdict-intl/index.html">has been convicted of
campaign funding violations</a>.

<p>
He was famous for launching prosecutions against people who spoke
sharply about him, including someone who said, "Sarkozy, I see you!"
to criticize a state action that resulted from Sarkozy's decision, and
someone who repeated to Sarkozy an insulting phrase that he had said
to a member of the public.


feed_id: b4fbf4150bb3c5d8169dfe41d454f31e
title: Antisemitism
uri: 2021-10-04-Antisemitism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#4_October_2021_%28Antisemitism%29
content:
<p>
Bristol University fired Professor David Miller for what it calls
"antisemitism".  He says that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/oct/01/bristol-university-sacks-professor-accused-of-antisemitic-comments">it was criticism of Zionism and its
propaganda</a>.

<p>
I can't judge from the limited quotes in the article whether his statements
include anti-semitism or are limited to politics.


feed_id: 4ac7d83c57884a2c3ec71492f01b986b
title: Wars
uri: 2021-10-04-Wars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#4_October_2021_%28Wars%29
content:
<p>
The US <a href="http://commonwonders.com/separating-the-cross-and-the-sword/">must stop thinking of its wars as sacred</a>.


feed_id: 0cf41ae50bbd6a0568a6498669f60fe7
title: Eastern European troll farms
uri: 2021-10-04-Eastern-European-troll-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#3_October_2021_%28Eastern_European_troll_farms%29
content:
<p>
19 of the top 20 Facebook pages for American Christians are run by <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/09/16/1035851/facebook-troll-farms-report-us-2020-election/">Eastern
European troll farms</a>, according to a Facebook internal investigation.
<p>
What this amounts to is that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">the troll</a> farms have developed channels
of mass influence in the US -- for elections, for instance.  Most of
the time, they will imitate what their target Christians would say.
On occasions, they say what some powerful entity tells them to say.


feed_id: 7a80f4b2449a57d06ff14eeef7ccf53a
title: Urgent: eliminate debt ceiling
uri: Urgent-eliminate-debt-ceiling
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_eliminate_debt_ceiling%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/test-231?nowrapper=true">call on Congress</a> to eliminate the debt ceiling.
  All it does is give Republicans a hostage once in a while.


feed_id: 24a7778570f5eb0b0293e37716cddc7d
title: Urgent: stop donating to insurrectionists
uri: Urgent-stop-donating-to-insurrectionists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_stop_donating_to_insurrectionists%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/these-companies-are-funding-trumps-insurrectionists?nowrapper=true">call on various big US companies</a> to stop donating to
insurrectionists in Congress.


feed_id: cd4216ad99d207c65a4bd1ba0da5d059
title: Urgent: Dial down investments in fossil fuels
uri: Urgent-Dial-down-investments-in-fossil-fuels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Dial_down_investments_in_fossil_fuels%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/add-your-name-become-a-grassroots-co-sponsor-of-this-climate-change-action-letter-to-secretary-yellen?nowrapper=true">sign this letter</a> calling on Treasury Secretary Yellen
to dial down investments in fossil fuels.


feed_id: f0c7028678bf354001d6b71a64f5e604
title: Urgent: stop funding climate disaster
uri: Urgent-stop-funding-climate-disaster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_stop_funding_climate_disaster%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-up-to-join-customers-for-climate-justice?nowrapper=true">call on big US banks</a> to stop funding climate disaster.


feed_id: 7dc523455e03662c735acb30bc702450
title: Talk in Montpellier
uri: Talk-in-Montpellier
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Talk_in_Montpellier%29
content:
<p>
Richard Stallman will be giving a talk in Montpellier, France, on October 22.

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/talks.html">More info</a>


feed_id: 32b5ff2ab1dd6476a0eccad4d08e409f
title: Most-favored-market
uri: Most-favored-market
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Most-favored-market%29
content:
<p>
YouTube blocked two RT TV channels for posting anti-vax propaganda.
In return, Russia threatened to block YouTube entirely, and then
threatened <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58737433">to block German TV channels unrelated to Google
unless YouTube relents</a>.

<p>
The first threat can be thought of as "retaliation in kind."
The second threat is nothing like that &mdash; it is more like
hostage-taking.

<p>
Putin has concluded that giant tech companies will surrender to any
demand whatsoever rather than lose a big market.  That seems to be
true if the market is China.  Can Putin get this most-favored-market
status too?


feed_id: bb0c135658945f02d5ce21dcbe8ea48c
title: Expansion Pack
uri: Expansion-Pack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Expansion_Pack%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/scientists-unlock-47-new-editable-genes-after-purchasin-1847764241">satire</a>) *Scientists Unlock 47 New Editable Genes After Purchasing
CRISPR Expansion Pack.*


feed_id: 4466e5e53d631011f1d95b7987ca68ae
title: Can't be fired for organizing
uri: Can-t-be-fired-for-organizing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Can%27t_be_fired_for_organizing%29

content:
<p>
*Settlement forces Amazon <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/09/settlement-forces-amazon-to-tell-workers-they-cant-be-fired-for-organizing/">to tell workers they can't be fired for
organizing</a>.*


feed_id: f852e9d5985b99a778dc85ca92c86474
title: Debt and climate crisis
uri: Debt-and-climate-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Debt_and_climate_crisis%29
content:
<p>
*Poor countries must not be forced <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/02/poor-countries-must-not-be-forced-to-take-on-debt-to-tackle-climate-crisis">to take on debt to tackle climate crisis</a>.*

<p>
It all comes down to whether we can overcome the power of the
plutocrats who seek to own the world regardless of the harm this does to
the rest of the world.


feed_id: 9778913ba45f9283274ac0b40cb0721b
title: Yanis Varoufakis on Angela Merkel
uri: Yanis-Varoufakis-on-Angela-Merkel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Yanis_Varoufakis_on_Angela_Merkel%29

content:
<p>
*Yanis Varoufakis: Angela Merkel <a href="https://www.jacobinmag.com/2021/09/yanis-varoufakis-angela-merkel-divided-europe-north-south-greece-debt-banks-bailout">Was Bad for Europe and the World</a>.*

<p>
I don't think she was solely responsible for the Euro zone decisions
that drove Greece into suffering, but she surely helped.


feed_id: e393a68bd63bfe293d08d5db1f454b66
title: Vaccination in care home
uri: Vaccination-in-care-home
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Vaccination_in_care_home%29
content:
<p>
The Tories insist that everyone working in a care home (US: nursing
home) be vaccinated by November 11, while critics say <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/oct/02/covid-unvaccinated-care-workers-should-get-another-job-says-javid">it will be hard
for those workers to get vaccinated that soon</a>.

<p>
Right-wingers do not seem to appreciate how hard it is for low-paid workers
to make arrangements for medical appointments around their work schedules,
which often they cannot control or even know in advance.

<p>
There seems to be an obvious win-win solution &mdash; to bring vaccination
teams to these institutions and vaccinate the workers there.  Why
don't Tories do this?

<p>
Is it a basic preference to punish the non-rich rather than help them?


feed_id: dbf60437b8f479af3fa39d512a52b4cc
title: Drier heat waves
uri: Drier-heat-waves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Drier_heat_waves%29
content:
<p>
*Drier heat waves <a href="https://www.climatecentral.org/news/drier-heat-waves-threaten-crops-in-iowa">threaten crops in Iowa</a>.*

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> threatens agriculture in many parts of the US, in
different ways.  We hear about some of the local threats occasionally,
but the overall danger is more than what we hear.


feed_id: 08f023036c0fd68901eb856e6673150e
title: Robots rather than raises
uri: Robots-rather-than-raises
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Robots_rather_than_raises%29
content:
<p>
As workers in advanced countries reject low-paid grueling work, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/oct/02/robots-stealing-jobs-labour-shortages-artificial-intelligence-covid">businesses seek
to replace them with robots rather than give them a raise</a>.

<p>
We still face the question of how to give the people who can't earn
more than a pittance a way to live a decent life, instead of starving
on the street.  Meanwhile, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#17_May_2021_(Food_production_and_climate_crisis)">climate mayhem threatens crop failures and
empty seas</a>
           &mdash; and thus much higher food prices.
Other forms of resource depletion and pollution threaten too.


feed_id: 70781f84bc5f453d4723056b39843e05
title: Long list of evils
uri: Long-list-of-evils
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Long_list_of_evils%29
content:
<p>
Ralph Nader presents a long list of evils <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/10/02/while-americans-sleep-our-corporate-overlords-make-progress-impossible">which get bipartisan support
from the Democratic and Republican parties</a>.

<p>
We should acknowledge and applaud the progressive Democrats that
challenge many of these policies.


feed_id: d71470775e7b64acf5b5c83009a69ae0
title: National security law for everyone
uri: National-security-law-for-everyone
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28National_security_law_for_everyone%29

content:
<p>
The UK government warned Britons who have called for sanctions against
Hong Kong's government that Hong Kong might accuse them of violating
the new "national security law" <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/23/foreign-office-warned-uk-based-hong-kong-critics-about-extradition-risk-abroad">and have them extradited from various
other countries they might visit</a>.

<p>
Several countries <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-hong-kong-idUSKCN24Z26L">have suspended or cancelled extradition agreements
with Hong Kong</a>.

<p>
Wikipedia lists the countries <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hong_Kong_surrender_of_fugitive_offenders_agreements">that have such agreements with Hong Kong</a>.

<p>
Normally, extradition treaties are conditioned on "dual criminality":
country C won't extradite anyone for an act unless that act is a crime
according to the laws of country C.  What the Hong Kong "national
security law" prohibits, disloyalty to Hong Kong, is surely not a
crime according to the laws of countries such as Portugal, nor surely
India or Indonesia.  Does that mean this danger is not real?

<p>
Governments that regularly trash human rights, such as Malaysia and
Singapore, might not respect the human rights stated in their laws and
treaties.  But India and Indonesia are getting involved in anti-China
alliances, and if they have a political decision to make about critics
of China's oppression, will surely seek opportunities to frustrate
China.

<p>
Can anyone find out more about this issue?


feed_id: 861709e299e76a570c7a6ee2b3cb4c7c
title: Supply-chain problems
uri: Supply-chain-problems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Supply-chain_problems%29
content:
<p>

Mergers, deregulation and "free trade" made the economy <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/01/america-supply-chain-shortages">vulnerable to
today's supply-chain problems and shortages</a>.


feed_id: ed27f835ce4ac450dae58c1a267b193c
title: Urgent: National Security Reforms and Accountability Act
uri: Urgent-National-Security-Reforms-and-Accountability-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_National_Security_Reforms_and_Accountability_Act%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to pass the <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/national_security_reforms_accountability_act">National Security Reforms
and Accountability Act</a>.

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


feed_id: a60869d4d69234db3a5dac75a2d587f3
title: Replacing flammable cladding
uri: Replacing-flammable-cladding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Replacing_flammable_cladding%29
content:
<p>

The Tories continue to dump the costs of replacing flammable cladding
&mdash; and fire prevention in the meantime &mdash; on many apartment buildings
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/oct/03/i-live-in-a-flammable-box-cladding-scandal-threatens-to-overshadow-johnsons-levelling-up-agenda">on the residents</a>, who can never pay it.
<p>
They rescued the residents of tall buildings but stubbornly refuse to
rescue shorter buildings.  I guess they feel a need to avoid giving
people the expectation that the government will help them in
adversity.


feed_id: 10a0286b19ccb1375e82cf2e674cf5f4
title: Classrooms too hot
uri: Classrooms-too-hot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Classrooms_too_hot%29
content:
<p>

<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">Global heating</a> effects will hasten the decay of America's dilapidated
schools, and make classrooms <a href="https://theconversation.com/as-heat-waves-intensify-tens-of-thousands-of-us-classrooms-will-be-too-hot-for-students-to-learn-in-164761">too hot for children to study in</a>.
<p>
Many schools already dismiss class when it gets to hot.  By 2025,
26,000 schools will need to install or upgrade air conditioning.
Republicans will surely oppose funding for this.


feed_id: 4128b294efa16c02e42f5797436e0157
title: Twitter's structural tendency
uri: Twitter-s-structural-tendency
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Twitter%27s_structural_tendency%29

content:
<p>

Research into use of Twitter, and mathematical modeling, show that its
structural tendency is to <a href="https://theconversation.com/social-media-is-reducing-climate-change-debates-to-your-views-on-veganism-167931">encourage polarization</a> and formation of camps
that are hostile to each other.


feed_id: 36dbce9e02af52dd40fd5e16c82053bf
title: Coffee bean price spike
uri: Coffee-bean-price-spike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Coffee_bean_price_spike%29
content:
<p>

*Coffee bean <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/sep/30/coffee-bean-price-spike-just-a-taste-of-whats-to-come-with-climate-change">price spike</a> just a taste of what’s to come with [climate mayhem].*


feed_id: f7a6d581e9463077bd5f0bad5076c46f
title: Council for National Policy
uri: Council-for-National-Policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Council_for_National_Policy%29
content:
<p>

The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/30/revealed-council-national-policy-republicans-extremists">"Council for National Policy"</a> secretly brings together Republican
officials with rich right-wing donors and leaders of hate groups.


feed_id: a9d1f6fcdad809a77e1736f806f34d66
title: Reducing incoming sunlight
uri: Reducing-incoming-sunlight
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Reducing_incoming_sunlight%29
content:
<p>

Studying the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/sep/30/geoengineering-by-gernot-wagner-review-a-stark-warning">possible side effects</a> of geoengineering designed to reduce
incoming sunlight.


feed_id: 2ea17c52d6b440fc227e0245cb591472
title: Cameras in Uyghurs homes
uri: Cameras-in-Uyghurs-homes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Cameras_in_Uyghurs_homes%29
content:
<p>

Uyghurs report on the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/30/uyghur-tribunal-testimony-surveillance-china">cameras in their homes</a> and prison cells.
These cameras now do face recognition and more general ethnic group
recognition.
<p>
Any system that tracks people's movements is prepositioned <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">repression
equipment</a>, waiting only for a government to dare to turn it on.


feed_id: 32ecff5efd10fd41815ba74deedc3191
title: China conceals loans
uri: China-conceals-loans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28China_conceals_loans%29
content:
<p>

China lends millions of dollars to non-state entities in many non-rich
countries, to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/30/42-nations-owe-china-hidden-debts-exceeding-10-of-gdp-says-report">conceal the loans from the World Bank</a>.  42 countries now
owe more than 10% of GDP to China in this hidden way.


feed_id: 3a54176e03a39d444abbff71ec30ba52
title: In jail without trial
uri: In-jail-without-trial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28In_jail_without_trial%29
content:
<p>

Israel has kept Mohammad El Halabi <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/30/help-son-aid-worker-wrongfully-imprisoned-israel-mohammad-el-halabi-hamas">in jail for five years without trial</a>.
<p>
Israel accuses him of giving aid money to Hamas, but it should either give
him a fair trial or let him go.


feed_id: 2eb87bef02ea0e001d74933feb27d697
title: Arrests over social media posts
uri: Arrests-over-social-media-posts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Arrests_over_social_media_posts%29

content:
<p>

*Belarusian [repression] forces <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-protests-security-arrests/belarusian-security-forces-detain-50-people-over-social-media-posts-on-minsk-shooting-rights-group-idUSKBN2GQ15N">[arrest] 50 people over social media
 posts</a> on Minsk shooting: rights group.* The shooting killed a
 repression officer and someone they say "resisted" repression
 officers.


feed_id: 038d0fa6494ece99e778339cad4dfd86
title: Mayor of Riace
uri: Mayor-of-Riace
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Mayor_of_Riace%29
content:
<p>

The mayor of Riace was admired for his efforts to integrate immigrants
and keep the town from fading away; but now they have been construed
as aiding illegal immigration and he has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/30/pro-refugee-italian-mayor-sentenced-to-13-years-for-abetting-migration">sentenced to prison</a>.


feed_id: 7f4ec9a4e37862d8761513ac5c3680f6
title: Republican's phony "audit"
uri: Republican-s-phony-audit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Republican%27s_phony_audit%29
content:
<p>

Republican's phony "audit" of Arizona votes failed in its ostensible
goal, but it achieved two things: it spread distrust for official
election results, and it will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/30/arizona-recount-republicans-got-what-they-wanted">undermine real audits and recounts</a> in
the future.
<p>
Sooner or later they will hold another "audit" and lie about what they find.


feed_id: d73f19a5301af9c19cb4ca4418a937c4
title: Texas demographics
uri: Texas-demographics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Texas_demographics%29
content:
<p>

As Texas demographics swing Democratic, Republicans are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/30/republicans-texas-voting-rights-gerrymandering-fight-to-vote-newsletter">redrawing the districts</a>
to retain control with a minority of votes.


feed_id: 838994969a5d71f659bdb3357d484ca2
title: Lobbying against the Build Back Better act
uri: Lobbying-against-the-Build-Back-Better-act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#5_October_2021_%28Lobbying_against_the_Build_Back_Better_act%29

content:
<p>

Apple, Amazon, Disney, Google and Microsoft give support to right-wing
organizations that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/01/apple-amazon-microsoft-disney-lobby-groups-climate-bill-analysis">lobby against the Build Back Better act</a>.  Some want
to make the poor poorer; some aim to continue <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> at full
speed.
<p>
Other companies that support these groups include medical companies
AstraZeneca, Bayer, Johnson&Johnson, plus Deloitte, Dow, Exxon, FedEx,
Goodyear, Intuit, United Airlines, and Verizon.


feed_id: 3b95bd1b0979703f642a80e245b1dc5e
title: Talk in France
uri: Talk-in-France
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Talk_in_France%29
content:
<p>
<p>Richard Stallman will be giving a talk in Claret, France, on October 10.</p>
<p><a href="https://stallman.org/talks.html">More info</a></p>
 


feed_id: 5bfec27d17c3ec2852bdd92c6b1a5307
title: Urgent: Another Assange rally
uri: Urgent-Another-Assange-rally
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Another_Assange_rally%29

content:
<p>
Boston area: come to the rally for Julian Assange on Oct 11 from 4pm to 5:30pm in
Boston Common, at the top of the main entrance to Park Street Station.


feed_id: 83787994b404e6dd5ac260befda70092
title: Pandora papers
uri: Pandora-papers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Pandora_papers%29
content:
<p>
The leaked "Pandora papers" show how many rich people have set up
international structures of shell companies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/oct/03/pandora-papers-biggest-ever-leak-of-offshore-data-exposes-financial-secrets-of-rich-and-powerful">to disguise what property
they own</a>.

<p>
For instance, the leaks show that King Abdullah of Jordan has
disguised his owning properties, in various countries, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/oct/03/king-of-jordan-hidden-property-empire-worth-more-than-100m-pandora-papers-reveal">worth 100
million dollars</a>.

<p>
These article make a moral assumption which we should reject:

<blockquote>
   Has everyone named in the Pandora papers done something wrong?

   No. Moving money offshore is not in or of itself illegal, 
</blockquote>

<p>
The invalid assumption is to equate legality with moral legitimacy.
That equation abdicates all moral judgment to the legislature of
whichever country has jurisdiction.

<p>
This is what plutocrats want us to assume.  If we accept it, then
when they have set up tax laws to assess them little tax, we will
conclude it is <em>right</em> for them to pay little tax.  This balderdash
helps plutocrats maintain their dominion, at the expense of everyone
else.

<p>
King Abdullah is a slightly unusual case because, in Jordan, he is a
monarch, more powerful than a plutocrat.  Internationally, though, he
is a plutocrat like any other.  So this applies to him too.

<p>
In the US, the tax on a building is charged by local government.
Disguising the owner's identity won't avoid that tax.  But if selling
the building brings in a profit, the owner may avoid paying taxes on
that capital gain by not reporting it.

<p>
Disguising the "beneficial owner" of a business can enable
the owner to dodge taxes on the income of the business.


feed_id: a4dc60455520463f3227f9101023c69e
title: Abortion restriction effects
uri: Abortion-restriction-effects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Abortion_restriction_effects%29
content:
<p>
What the Texas abortion-restriction law <a href="https://www.aclu.org/news/reproductive-freedom/cruel-and-violating-how-texas-abortion-law-assaults-our-fundamental-rights">does to women in Texas that
need an abortion.</a>


feed_id: b90b9e26774c8a1e04568d521da9f291
title: Searching for food in carcasses
uri: Searching-for-food-in-carcasses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Searching_for_food_in_carcasses%29

content:
<p>
Brazilians living in penury search for food in a heap of animal carcasses.
This reflects <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/03/outcry-in-brazil-over-photos-of-people-scavenging-through-animal-carcasses">the deep poverty that has struck Brazil</a>.

<p>
This was partly caused by Covid-19, and the government could not have
prevented that.  But I expect that the Workers' Party would have done
a better job of protecting the poor from hunger.


feed_id: aaa04e11ff6f202731d0e3adddac723a
title: Putting climate defense protesters in prison
uri: Putting-climate-defense-protesters-in-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Putting_climate_defense_protesters_in_prison%29

content:
<p>
The Tories want to put climate defense protesters in prison <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/oct/03/patel-pledges-six-months-in-prison-or-big-fines-for-motorway-protesters">for 6 months
for blocking highways</a>.

<p>
This is, apparently, higher priority than insulating millions of
houses, which is the highly efficient way of reducing greenhouse
emissions that the protesters demand.

<p>
When floods block highways, will the Tories put the flood waters in
prison?  If a flood continues for a week, they could sentence the
water to 4 years.


feed_id: 2c0a6fb72fafc1bff8ec76f83563a25c
title: Live of slaves on plantations
uri: Live-of-slaves-on-plantations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Live_of_slaves_on_plantations%29
content:
<p>
The Whitney Plantation in Louisiana is a museum <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/02/us/slavery-myths-clint-smith-blake-cec/index.html">of what life was like for
the slaves on plantations</a>.


feed_id: fc071d632079befd5c4691c138ebf4b9
title: Apologizing for racism against Chinese-Americans
uri: Apologizing-for-racism-against-Chinese-Americans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Apologizing_for_racism_against_Chinese-Americans%29

content:
<p>
San Jose, California, has apologized for acts of racism against
Chinese-Americans, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/01/us/san-jose-racism-apology-chinese/index.html">which included burning down the whole of Chinatown
where they lived</a>.


feed_id: aa29d12065a85d5ab85286cc436f1d59
title: Decertifying thugs
uri: Decertifying-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Decertifying_thugs%29
content:
<p>
California has passed a law to decertify <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> convicted of serious
crimes, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/30/us/california-police-reform-laws-decertification/index.html">so that they can't jump over to another thug department
elsewhere in the state</a>.


feed_id: 625cd88602823c9ad09e7a09eb9fbb68
title: Hiring bias
uri: Hiring-bias
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Hiring_bias%29
content:
<p>
A scientific experiment demonstrates <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/17/minority-ethnic-britons-face-shocking-job-discrimination">hiring bias against minority
racial groups in the UK</a>.
  All the applicants sent the same résumé, so there was no reason to
treat them differently except bias.

<p>
The amount of bias has not decreased since the 1960s.


feed_id: 3ab1eef2b86558669b0a248df8d7bd10
title: Sexism against female cops
uri: Sexism-against-female-cops
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Sexism_against_female_cops%29
content:
<p>
Female cops in London say the male cops hit them with persistent
sexism, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/02/senior-female-officer-wants-zero-tolerance-on-sexist-police-banter">and support each other in doing so</a>.


feed_id: 97681657203b6d48abbc8ec6d651e5d6
title: Religious mobs
uri: Religious-mobs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Religious_mobs%29
content:
<p>
Mobs of Hinduismists in the state of Chhattisgarh, India, are accusing
Christians of forcing Hindus to convert to Christianity, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/04/india-christians-living-in-fear-claims-forced-conversions">and using
that as an excuse for violent repression of Christians</a>.

<p>
There have been times and places where Christians forced people to
convert.  This happened in Spain in 1492 and after: the Spanish
monarchy forced all Jews and Muslims to become Christians.  But it is
absurd to imagine that Indian Christians would try to do this today,
since they are a minority surrounded by millions of Hindus.  This is
typical right-wing false accusation.

<p>
The real threat to religious freedom in Chhattisgarh is from the state
law that requires state approval for changing your religion.  I expect
that this was passed <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-sep-dec.html#08 September 2004 (Dalit Resistance)">for repression against Dalits</a>
                                                that want to become <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#13_October_2013_(Dalits_will_meet_to_convert_to_Buddhism)">Buddhist,
following Dr. Ambedkar</a>.


feed_id: e9325932cbb156698c7de274a939c61d
title: Torture sites
uri: Torture-sites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Torture_sites%29
content:
<p>
Abu Zubaydah, prisoner in Guantanamo, is suing to demand testimony of
agents that tortured him, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/10/03/when-will-us-acknowledge-its-secret-torture-site-poland">to prove that the US had a torture site in
Poland</a>.


feed_id: 8a4c22256f3806e423da28f6b1a3d0a0
title: Police departments
uri: Police-departments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Police_departments%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that the police departments of today <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/04/radical-police-not-fit-for-purpose">are fundamentally bad and
harmful</a>.

<p>
I find that plausible, but that doesn't necessarily mean that "no
police" would be better.  More likely, a gang would take over the role
of "keeping order", whatever order it prefers.

<p>
To replace today's <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments with something better, we need to have
a clear idea to make a replacement that is indeed better.


feed_id: fa99cf675e2e76aec7bf73031c76ecae
title: Rigging system to stay in power
uri: Rigging-system-to-stay-in-power
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Rigging_system_to_stay_in_power%29

content:
<p>
*In plain sight, Boris Johnson <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/01/boris-johnson-rigging-the-system-power-courts-protest-elections">is rigging the system to stay in power</a>.*


feed_id: c5c5567417540905c1bb7332287c26d0
title: Urgent: climate defense
uri: Urgent-climate-defense
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_climate_defense%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: phone the White House and tell Biden to show real support
for climate defense, by blocking new pipelines and wells &mdash; including
the Line 3 pipeline.

<p>
Call the White House at 202-456-1111.


feed_id: 9aa800b7f81f9d49cfff50b3e29bf772
title: About broken political promises
uri: About-broken-political-promises
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28About_broken_political_promises%29

content:
<p>
Sinema's former supporters confronted her forcefully but nonviolently
outside the door of her classroom and from the door of the Ladies Room
<a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/senator-kyrsten-sinema-locks-herself-in-arizona-state-university-bathroom-to-avoid-young-immigrant-activists">about her broken political promises to support progressive politics</a>.


feed_id: 9bfdd3971e2bf3fe078a6ab73a34e6c6
title: Insulate Britain activists
uri: Insulate-Britain-activists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Insulate_Britain_activists%29
content:
<p>
*Drivers clash with Insulate Britain activists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/04/drivers-clash-with-insulate-britain-activists-blocking-three-london-roads">blocking three London roads</a>.*

<p>
It can be effective to defy the state, but when protests' main effect
on ordinary people is to irritate them, they are counterproductive.
The protesters need to find a method that passersby will applaud once
they see what the protest stands for.


feed_id: 6aff5b9f15aa935272892ba0124554d2
title: Facilitating hiding wealth
uri: Facilitating-hiding-wealth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Facilitating_hiding_wealth%29
content:
<p>
The institutions and countries that facilitate hiding wealth and
property <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/10/04/us-denounced-biggest-peddler-financial-secrecy-after-pandora-papers-leak">are more important than the rich entities that own some of
the hidden property</a>.
  The US is perhaps the most important of those countries.


feed_id: daf40fdcce30984c8708acf9f74e994c
title: Using army to cope with extreme weather disasters
uri: Using-army-to-cope-with-extreme-weather-disasters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Using_army_to_cope_with_extreme_weather_disasters%29

content:
<p>
Former head of Australian military: Don't use the army to cope with
extreme weather disasters, because as those become ever more frequent,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/05/confront-climate-change-to-stop-military-being-diverted-to-natural-disasters-former-adf-chief-warns">the army will become unavailable for fighting</a>.

<p>
Rationally, he also calls for Australia to push hard to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.  He knows that the greatest threat to
national security today, for most countries, is global heating.


feed_id: 6434cf83dec0dd6169b7ad3fb7a9be04
title: Aedes aegypti
uri: Aedes-aegypti
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Aedes_aegypti%29
content:
<p>
It appears effective to attack Aedes aegypti <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/05/natural-bacteria-could-wipe-out-dengue-carrying-mosquitos-australian-research-suggests">by releasing sterile
males, infected with Wolbachia bacteria</a>.

<p>
What is not yet established is whether it is possible to carry this to
the point of total eradication in a region.  Mosquitoes evolve
quickly; they may evolve resistance to the Wolbachia bacteria's
sterilizing effect.

<p>
I think it would be wise to hit those mosquitoes with every possible
method at once, including draining every puddle they could grow in,
applying pesticides, and perhaps also spraying repellents.  The faster
their population decreases, the less chance they will have to evolve
resistance to the bacteria before they are all gone.


feed_id: 0a624a8d59e1fc05e7316b7a9883f60f
title: Cops circulating sexist insults
uri: Cops-circulating-sexist-insults
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Cops_circulating_sexist_insults%29

content:
<p>
The head of the London thug department, and the minister in charge of policing,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/03/vulgar-and-sexist-whatsapp-evidence-ignored-says-ex-met-detective">both received and ignored notice of cops circulating sexist insults</a>.

<p>
It should not be a crime to say such things, but when cops do it, that
implies they are not fit for the job.  A police officer's duty is to
protect the public; an officer who harbors a prejudice against some
demographic group cannot be expected to do it.  What's more, conversation
that derides that duty will discourage them from doing it.


feed_id: 237099d3f1301fc97066277e3554a926
title: Coral lost
uri: Coral-lost
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Coral_lost%29
content:
<p>
*14% of world’s coral <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/05/world-coral-lost-study-shows-reef-health">lost in less than a decade</a>, study shows.*

<p>
The article does not mention that ocean acidification will kill all
coral when it reaches a certain point.  However, if we curb CO2
emissions, that will limit the acidification as well as limit global
heating.

<p>
Those two changes in the ocean are not quite equivalent, however,
because there are other greenhouse gases that contribute to global
heating, and they do not contribute to ocean acidification.


feed_id: 5e49d0114209709afc0c679489e62383
title: Borrowing from IMF
uri: Borrowing-from-IMF
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Borrowing_from_IMF%29
content:
<p>
When the IMF lends to poor countries, <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2021/10/02/debt-trap/#global-arm-breakers">it imposes fees that make borrowing
quite expensive</a>.


feed_id: db17665153962f346273a07dc5acf438
title: USPS banking
uri: USPS-banking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28USPS_banking%29
content:
<p>
The USPS is trying out a rather lousy imitation of postal banking,
<a href="https://prospect.org/economy/usps-begins-postal-banking-pilot-program/">which charges 6 dollars per check cashed and tracks all purchases</a>.


feed_id: b365be0c2577c4edd0d1e4c6f2979879
title: Approving new coal mines
uri: Approving-new-coal-mines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Approving_new_coal_mines%29
content:
<p>
Australia keeps on approving new coal mines, arguing that they won't
cause climate damage <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/05/new-coalmine-mangoola-nsw-muswellbrook-approved-australia-environment-minister-sussan-ley">because people would otherwise get coal from some
other mine</a>.

<p>
This reasoning is willful blindness.  We know that the owners of the
new mine, once it is built, will demand policies to encourage people
to buy and burn more coal &mdash; because that's what fossil fuel companies
generally do.


feed_id: c987efca0e3dacdc6288ff9867515f07
title: Giving up on Delta variant
uri: Giving-up-on-Delta-variant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Giving_up_on_Delta_variant%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand has given up on trying to wipe out the current outbreak of
Delta variant.  It proves <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/05/anger-and-grief-new-zealanders-fearful-as-covid-elimination-strategy-ends">too transmissible to eradicate that way</a>.

<p>
The article is concerned with the fact that a smaller fraction of Maori are
vaccinated than of the population as a whole.  The right way to be concerned
about this is constructively.  If the government treats vaccinating the Maori
as vitally important, and works with Maori leaders to do so, it can get
the job done.

<p>
So Maori tend to live more people to an apartment?  That's because
they tend to be poor, and the country has a housing shortage (like
many other countries).  To correct that will require years, so the
issue is not pertinent for short term decisions.  For the medium term,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives//2021-may-aug.html#4_August_2021_(Housing_shortage)">the whole population needs to unblock construction</a>.

<p>
If all countries had adopted New Zealand's firm approach at the
outset, with equal carefulness, we would have eradicated Covid-19 in
2020 and the Delta variant would never have evolved.

<p>
If we don't hurry up and vaccinate the whole world, some new variant,
worse than Delta, could knock us back to square one.


feed_id: d6b17d0da025563b5770b48eb4c673b5
title: Interview with Facebook whistleblower
uri: Interview-with-Facebook-whistleblower
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Interview_with_Facebook_whistleblower%29

content:
<p>
An interview with Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen.  She
concluded from her experience in the company <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/10/facebook-is-tearing-our-societies-apart-whistleblower-says-in-interview/">that it would always
choose to do more harm in order to make more money</a>.

<p>
Curiously, she thinks there is something Facebook is basically good,
and worth preserving <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/oct/04/how-friend-lost-to-misinformation-drove-facebook-whistleblower-frances-haugen">if only it wouldn't promote hate and anger</a>.
  I disagree, because I criticize many other things about Facebook,
such as collecting personal data and identifying people.


feed_id: 04fa97b6d0bb7382a525d0b993f7aa38
title: Net zero emissions
uri: 2021-10-07-Net-zero-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Net_zero_emissions%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/05/mars-ceo-grant-reid-net-zero-emissions-business">CEO of Mars candies</a>: *To truly reach net zero emissions, we need to
transform the business supply chain.*

<p>
To some extent this article is meant to boost that company, but the basic
issue is valid.  Extracting or producing the ingredients, shipping them to the factory, and shipping products to consumers, cannot be neglected.

<p>
However, to expect every company that makes things to plan decarbonization
with its whole supply chain is unlikely to work.

<p>
This is why I favor a steadily increasing carbon tax.  If everyone
knows that the tax will increase a certain amount per year every year
until the greenhouse gas load starts falling, businesses will make
their investment decisions accordingly.

<p>
So the tax does not crush poor people, we should give them additional
state support that is far more than enough to cover the added cost of
paying the tax.  This way, they will all be better off than before
<em>and</em> will feel economic pressure to economize on polluting products
and activities.


feed_id: f29a14c5d6dbb9827fbfe4826a05a2ec
title: Ban on subcontracting
uri: Ban-on-subcontracting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Ban_on_subcontracting%29
content:
<p>
A committee head in the European Parliament <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/oct/05/eu-failing-to-stop-meat-industry-exploiting-agency-workers">has proposed to ban
subcontracting of workers</a>.

<p>
I basically agree, but I see a few cases that ought to be exceptions.
If the job to be done amounts to less than 3 hours per working day, or
if the work will last less than two months, it should be permissible
to hire a temp worker from a temp agency.


feed_id: edb7fc16b4a8519f82b29d292190825f
title: Obeying thugs commands
uri: 2021-10-07-Obeying-thugs-commands
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#4_October_2021_%28Obeying_thugs_commands%29
content:
<p>
Two Colorado <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> attacked a man for not obeying their commands.
They knocked him down, tased him, and put him in jail for 4 months,
while he was only asking "Why this happen?"  <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/30/us/deaf-colorado-man-arrested-jailed-four-months/index.html">He is deaf</a>.

<p>
This illustrates the pattern that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are willing to get violent
very quickly, not checking for misunderstandings.


feed_id: 722253d32a2e3605f2ef97593df0ae11
title: Talk in France
uri: 2021-10-08-Talk-in-France
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Talk_in_France%29
content:
<p>
<p>Richard Stallman will be giving a talk in Claret, France, on October 16.</p>
<p><a href="https://stallman.org/talks.html">More info</a></p>
 


feed_id: 2d3743f4c3d52dbb4314cf2ccd01513d
title: Decertifying thugs
uri: 2021-10-08-Decertifying-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Decertifying_thugs%29
content:
<p>
California has passed a law to decertify thugs convicted of serious
crimes, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/30/us/california-police-reform-laws-decertification/index.html">so that they can't jump over to another thug department
elsewhere in the state</a>.


feed_id: 78502a9e520b86a918eaf3ddc3748f33
title: Police departments
uri: 2021-10-08-Police-departments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Police_departments%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that the police departments of today <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/04/radical-police-not-fit-for-purpose">are fundamentally bad and
harmful</a>.

<p>
I find that plausible, but that doesn't necessarily mean that "no
police" would be better.  More likely, a gang would take over the role
of "keeping order", whatever order it prefers.

<p>
To replace today's thug departments with something better, we need to have
a clear idea to make a replacement that is indeed better.


feed_id: 402ba13f1206ccdf03fa24288f6cf04c
title: Urgent: Thanks Biden
uri: Urgent-Thanks-Biden
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_Thanks_Biden%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/thank-you-president-biden-for-expanding-vaccine-requirements-to-100-million-americans?nowrapper=true">Thank President Biden</a> for expanding vaccine
requirements to 100+ million Americans.


feed_id: 47c4976cf1c8aa13d8966de2eefa95d4
title: Urgent: support for insurrectionists
uri: Urgent-support-for-insurrectionists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_October_2021_%28Urgent%3A_support_for_insurrectionists%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/these-companies-are-funding-trumps-insurrectionists?nowrapper=true">rebuke companies</a> that support
insurrectionists in Congress.


feed_id: d9adf4d6c06a15dbb84db169274d7ace
title: Assad in Interpol
uri: Assad-in-Interpol
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_October_2021_%28Assad_in_Interpol%29
content:
<p>
Now that Interpol has accepted Syria as a member, Assad can use it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/05/interpol-faces-criticism-allowing-syria-rejoin-network">to
harass and perhaps even seize exiled Syrian dissidents</a>.


feed_id: a30bd94b9c492e9c538a5143fecb16ac
title: Facial recognition at Uber
uri: Facial-recognition-at-Uber
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_October_2021_%28Facial_recognition_at_Uber%29
content:
<p>
A former Uber driver is suing because <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/oct/05/ex-uber-driver-takes-legal-action-over-racist-face-recognition-software">Uber deactivated his account
when face-recognition software did not recognize his face</a>.
  Perhaps he just wasn't himself that day.  More likely the software
made a mistake and Uber took it out on him.

<p>
The driver is black and alleges that the software has a racially
skewed pattern of error.  Such racially skewed errors of face
recognition <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#19_December_2017_(Convictions_from_flawed_software)">have been measured</a>.

<p>
As long as face recognition systematically fails for certain people,
more accurate face recognition would avoid harming them.  However, if
face recognition gets more accurate and recognizes blacks as
accurately as it does whites, that will not make face recognition
acceptable.  The harm to human rights caused by accurately tracking
everyone will get worse.


feed_id: 3609e631dbca3e1d009dc70c2cb5cc47
title: Place to park hidden wealth
uri: Place-to-park-hidden-wealth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_October_2021_%28Place_to_park_hidden_wealth%29
content:
<p>
South Dakota has made itself a place to park hidden wealth, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/10/05/how-insanely-corrupt-south-dakota-became-magnet-wealth-hoarding-megarich">rivaling
Switzerland and the Cayman Islands</a>.


feed_id: ea57814a25fb9a6588024d11b01216d2
title: Federally financing huge profits
uri: Federally-financing-huge-profits
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_October_2021_%28Federally_financing_huge_profits%29

content:
<p>
Merck Sells Federally Financed Covid Pill to U.S. <a href="https://theintercept.com/2021/10/05/covid-pill-drug-pricing-merck-ridgeback/">for 40 Times What It Costs
to Make</a>.

<p>
This is the result of the Bayh-Dole Act, which allowed companies and
universities to have monopolies (patents and other kinds) over work
they did under federal contracts.  Its harmful effects are seen in the
software field, too.

<p>
The supposed reason was to encourage "technology transfer" to
manufacturers, but the harmful effects of that monopoly power were not
considered.


feed_id: ee708a19c26e974d7aa1a656fdd0257c
title: Women in Kabul
uri: Women-in-Kabul
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_October_2021_%28Women_in_Kabul%29
content:
<p>
Women in Kabul <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/04/asia/kabul-women-work-school-defiance-taliban-intl/index.html">continue to defy the Taliban by working, and even
protesting</a>.


feed_id: b0348aeff255a97a01020def6acb2205
title: Earth reflects less light
uri: Earth-reflects-less-light
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_October_2021_%28Earth_reflects_less_light%29
content:
<p>
Global heating effects have caused the Earth <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/04/weather/earth-dimming-climate/index.html">to reflect .5% less light
back into space, for the past 3 years</a>.

<p>
That excess light may be absorbed by the Earth.  Or it might be
reemitted in another frequency range that would not have been measured
by the technique used here.


feed_id: a6710154b00ee417e790b3006dbb9be7
title: Glorifying eating disorders
uri: Glorifying-eating-disorders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_October_2021_%28Glorifying_eating_disorders%29
content:
<p>
*Instagram promoted pages <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/04/tech/instagram-facebook-eating-disorders/index.html">glorifying eating disorders to teen accounts</a>.*


feed_id: 5081573493c448bc30c3df192c5c8059
title: 12-hour delay
uri: 12-hour-delay
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_October_2021_%2812-hour_delay%29
content:
<p>
After an undersea oil pipeline near Los Angeles started leaking oil,
there was an unexplained 12-hour delay <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/05/california-oil-spill-huntington-beach">before the owner started
efforts to keep the oil out of nearby wildlife areas</a>.
  One way or another, the company did not give sufficient attention
to the matter of leaks.

<p>
The company has had many safety violations: <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/04/us/beta-operating-company-violations/index.html">over a hundred in 11
years</a>.
  It was fined for them, but the fines do not seem to have convinced
the company to do adequate maintenance.  Not maintenance adequate to
prevent big leaks, that is.

<p>
The general standard of discipline for pipeline maintenance is
inadequate.  Some other pipelines have a history of repeated
violations.

<p>
What is clear is that the standard pipeline owners are expected to
meet is too low.  It assumes that a leak once in a while is ok.
Regulators will shut down a pipeline until a specific flaw is fixed,
but they won't make management learn to proactively detect and fix
problems before inspectors see it.

<p>
If the owner leaves it to inspectors to inform it about small
problems, it is effectively leaving it to the world press to inform it
of a disastrous leak.  If a pipeline has problems every month that the
company doesn't detect first, its chance of a spectacular problem is
much too high.

<p>
Does anyone know how to do maintenance to a level that would assure no
significant oil leaks?  Do oil pipelines need to be double, one pipe
inside another, like the double hulls of some tankers?  If they were
checked and maintained as carefully as the pipes inside a submarine,
would that be sufficient?

<p>
It will take decades for the coastal ecosystems to recover, and they
may not come back the same.


feed_id: b850bae2e39a4e32768697c178a8d1c8
title: Investigating thugs
uri: 2021-10-08-Investigating-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_October_2021_%28Investigating_thugs%29
content:
<p>
The Philippine government has investigated Do-Dirty's killer <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/04/asia/philippines-police-drugs-war-intl-hnk/index.html">and has found around 150 who it may charge with murder</a>.


feed_id: 72cf7e51f75fa85ba18125fb6e89fbf1
title: Cops in Oath Keepers
uri: Cops-in-Oath-Keepers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_October_2021_%28Cops_in_Oath_Keepers%29
content:
<p>
200 members of the Oath Keepers <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/10/02/oath-keepers-hack-exposes-law-enforcement-officers-across-us/5949281001/">identified themselves to the
organization as cops or retired cops</a>.


feed_id: 69bf92378346cd3194dc2a056fc4ca06
title: Get vaccinated
uri: Get-vaccinated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_October_2021_%28Get_vaccinated%29
content:
<p>
A black sports star calls on US blacks to do the rational thing: <a href="https://kareem.substack.com/p/why-athletes-need-to-lead-the-drive">get
vaccinated, to protect themselves and others</a>.

<p>
*The drowning man doesn’t ask if a racist made the life preserver
keeping him afloat, only that it works to save his life.*


feed_id: 0c57defbebc556e931348a7d05cf92db
title: Patriotic Billionaire
uri: Patriotic-Billionaire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_October_2021_%28Patriotic_Billionaire%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/patriotic-billionaire-only-invests-in-american-made-tax-1847796098">satire</a>) *Patriotic Billionaire Only Invests In American-Made Tax Havens.*


feed_id: 52d8c2b618f46f6ba74b9b455ebf40d2
title: Convicted thug
uri: Convicted-thug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_October_2021_%28Convicted_thug%29
content:
<p>
It turns out that the London <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> recently convicted of raping and
murdering a woman was accused, six years ago, of driving a car while
wearing nothing below the waste.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/04/wayne-couzens-case-how-do-you-lose-your-job-in-the-police">If he did so, does that matter</a>?

<p>
As far as I can see, lack of pants while driving has no significance
at all.  People a few feet away form the car generally cannot see the
absence of pants.  To call this "exposure" is exaggeration of the
facts.

<p>
His misogynist communications may well be connected with his crime,
but let's be careful not to demonize every unusual thing he did in
connection with sex.  You can't tell that someone will rape or murder
based on quirks, and we risk oppressing people if we suppose you can.


feed_id: b9744dee18da32913c508a40aeef8000
title: Convicted thug
uri: 2021-10-09-Convicted-thug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#8_October_2021_%28Convicted_thug%29
content:
<p>
It turns out that the London <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> recently convicted of raping and
murdering a woman was accused, six years ago, of driving a car while
wearing nothing below the waste.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/04/wayne-couzens-case-how-do-you-lose-your-job-in-the-police">If he did so, does that matter</a>?
<p>
As far as I can see, lack of pants while driving has no significance
at all.  People a few feet away form the car generally cannot see the
absence of pants.  To call this "exposure" is exaggeration of the
facts.
<p>
His misogynist communications may well be connected with his crime,
but let's be careful not to demonize every unusual thing he did in
connection with sex.  You can't tell that someone will rape or murder
based on quirks, and we risk oppressing people if we suppose you can.


feed_id: ac8f6db9637c7478b9ecb287d3b97f47
title: Georgia election results
uri: Georgia-election-results
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Georgia_election_results%29
content:
<p>
An investigation of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/05/donald-trump-criminal-investigations-georgia-election-interference">the corrupter's attempt to alter Georgia's
election results</a> could result in criminal charges against him.


feed_id: b01b4c8de283096d202c3067c8b5fcb7
title: Pandora papers
uri: 2021-10-09-Pandora-papers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Pandora_papers%29
content:
<p>
The Pandora papers show, *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/oct/05/money-from-worlds-biggest-bribe-scandal-invested-in-uk-property">Money from "world’s biggest bribe
scandal" invested in UK property</a>.*


feed_id: 24f84e218ef7704bbc10d0aee93797d8
title: Military budget
uri: Military-budget
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Military_budget%29
content:
<p>
*Stop Calling the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/10/05/stop-calling-military-budget-defense-budget">[US] Military Budget</a> a "Defense" Budget.*


feed_id: 4bff13f8c8e0eab6808b59ba7d2446a9
title: Journalists jailed
uri: Journalists-jailed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Journalists_jailed%29
content:
<p>
Burma has <a href="https://rsf.org/en/news/courage-and-struggle-myanmars-reporters-must-not-be-forgotten">jailed 100 journalists since the coup</a>.  As a result, we get very
little news about what is happening there now.


feed_id: 5612043128558b3fa0c3547a8a84f786
title: Moving the forests
uri: Moving-the-forests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Moving_the_forests%29
content:
<p>
*Can we <a href="https://grist.org/climate/can-we-move-our-forests-in-time-to-save-them/">move our forests</a> in time to save them?*
<p>
With most regions becoming too dry or too wet, as well as hotter,
there is no reason to assume there is any place an existing forest
ecosystem can go to.


feed_id: d7b4d52c13d1c41435a1b28a40eac137
title: Core ideology
uri: Core-ideology
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Core_ideology%29
content:
<p>
Senator Graham was booed for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/05/lindsey-graham-booed-covid-vaccine-republicans">suggesting to Republicans that they
merely think about getting vaccinated</a>.
<p>
Anti-vax has become their core ideology.


feed_id: 7501a8e5206a502be6930e0fcc75c664
title: Using Britain's government against Britain
uri: Using-Britain-s-government-against-Britain
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Using_Britain%27s_government_against_Britain%29

content:
<p>
*Access to the Tory party is being bought by a new class of tycoon
funders.* The Pandora Papers show how <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/05/access-tory-party-tycoon-funders-pandora-papers">British billionaires use the
British government against Britain</a>.
<p>
Britain shows that it's possible to be a banana republic without
actually being a republic.


feed_id: b3fefbca5c1353dfeb2bfead6c470b24
title: G7 tax plan
uri: G7-tax-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28G7_tax_plan%29
content:
<p>
The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/05/global-corporate-tax-deal-ripped-off-again-g7-uk-taxpayers">G7 tax plan</a> to tax multinational companies taxes them far too
little.


feed_id: 7eca68c1638aa3072af0ba8262a365c3
title: Rigging system to stay in power
uri: 2021-10-09-Rigging-system-to-stay-in-power
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#6_October_2021_%28Rigging_system_to_stay_in_power%29

content:
<p>
*In plain sight, Boris Johnson <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/01/boris-johnson-rigging-the-system-power-courts-protest-elections">is rigging the system to stay in power</a>.*


feed_id: 8894ded035463bcfe45071123e2c05be
title: Abu Zubaydah
uri: Abu-Zubaydah
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Abu_Zubaydah%29
content:
<p>
US officials are trying to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/06/cia-torture-secret-biden-administration-guantanamo-bay-supreme-court">conceal how the US tortured Abu Zubaydah</a>,
and the Supreme Court will decide the case.


feed_id: ef67b8278ef3357af10f27acaa60ab1a
title: Crusging protest
uri: Crusging-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Crusging_protest%29
content:
<p>
Enbridge, the company building the Line 3 pipeline, paid thugs in
Minnesota over 2 million dollars to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/05/line-3-pipeline-enbridge-paid-police-arrest-protesters">crush protests against its construction</a> --
  often in
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_December_2020_(Monitoring_cops)">especially thuggish ways</a>.


feed_id: 2eb8f91abfe67d45951ecf306c2d3bac
title: US utilities
uri: US-utilities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28US_utilities%29
content:
<p>
*Utilities <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/oct/05/utilities-cut-power-us-customers-covid-tax-credits">cut power to US customers</a> while taking huge Covid tax credits.*
<p>
The customers whose electricity was cut off were broke because their income
had disappeared.


feed_id: e625e3786a04a5b81b5594bef641b63d
title: Pervasive sexual harassment by thug department
uri: Pervasive-sexual-harassment-by-thug-department
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Pervasive_sexual_harassment_by_thug_department%29

content:
<p>
The Scotland thug department has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/06/police-scotland-boys-club-victimised-female-officer-tribunal-rules">convicted of pervasive sexual
harassment against females</a>.


feed_id: 10e1fc86cf6c9c3ef5c02dcc03ff7f62
title: Testifying
uri: Testifying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Testifying%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker has told his former officials and advisors to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/06/trump-aides-capitol-attack-house-select-committee">refuse to testify
in the congressional investigation</a> of the Jan 6 insurrection.


feed_id: 3aa99159d1641240b27dcefa5764e42f
title: Subsidies in 2020
uri: Subsidies-in-2020
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Subsidies_in_2020%29
content:
<p>
Fossil fuel subsidies, world-wide, amounted to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/06/fossil-fuel-industry-subsidies-of-11m-dollars-a-minute-imf-finds">6 trillion dollars</a> in 2020.
  This includes the damage done by heat waves, floods, and fires, and
the harm done to human health, because they are not held responsible
to pay for that.  These are not directly "subsidies", but letting them off
the hook for the damages is a form of subsidy.


feed_id: e41f19379b6dd6d13491998715efcac6
title: Fossil fuel subsidies
uri: 2021-10-09-Fossil-fuel-subsidies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Fossil_fuel_subsidies%29
content:
<p>
*Fossil fuel industry gets <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/06/fossil-fuel-industry-subsidies-of-11m-dollars-a-minute-imf-finds">subsidies of $11m a minute</a>, IMF finds.*


feed_id: 4c2a819a5d012d5dc61808d18358603f
title: Pervasive surveillance
uri: Pervasive-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_%28Pervasive_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
Even in Singapore, people are bothered by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/06/dystopian-world-singapore-patrol-robots-stoke-fears-of-surveillance-state">an increase in the already-pervasive
surveillance</a>.
<p>
Singapore's government says the robots will not try to identify people
_during the trial of these robots_.  Perhaps it's true, but so what?
<p>
I am in favor of reminding people to keep their distance and wear masks.
Identifying them is another matter -- it moves towards <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">a society in which
unsurveilled activity is impossible</a>.


