# articles

feed_id: db06f5280cd949f011699b96e594350e
title: Murder of civilians
uri: Murder-of-civilians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#5_August_2020_%28Murder_of_civilians%29
content:
<p>
British troops in Afghanistan are suspected of having murdered 15
civilians, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/02/mod-asked-why-it-withheld-evidence-on-33-suspected-afghan-civilian-executions-sas-soldiers">and a court is demanding explanations</a>.


feed_id: e499cb50f3d3e946e92a94fccb461c58
title: Renaming references to eugenics supporting professors
uri: Renaming-references-to-eugenics-supporting-professors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#5_August_2020_%28Renaming_references_to_eugenics_supporting_professors%29

content:
<p>
University College London quietly renamed references <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/02/ucl-has-a-racist-legacy-but-can-it-move-on">to its former professors
that supported the idea of eugenics</a>.

<p>
What should we say about someone in the past who did important good
things and important bad things?  I think it depends on the relative
importance of the good and the bad in the impact of that person's life.

<p>
Rutherford says that science refuted eugenics.  Saini says that's
false because science created eugenics &mdash; but that, if true, would not
make Rutherford's claim false.  It could be that science created
eugenics <em>and</em> subsequently refuted eugenics.

<p>
But I think it is more valid to say that eugenics, as regards race,
was pseudoscience created by racism.

<p>
To correct one error: sex-specific abortion is not a form of eugenics,
because it does not alter (or aim to alter) the future gene pool.
This is because sex is not a characteristic that can be altered by
selection.  Among humans, having a female parent does not make you
more likely to be female, just as having a male parent does not make
you more likely to be male.

<p>
It's otherwise for aphids: having a male parent increases an aphid's
chance of being male.  Indeed, aphids with solely a female parent are
always female.

<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2006-jan-apr.html#10 January 2006 (About half a million fetuses)">My views on sex-specific abortion</a>.


feed_id: d210e071940383e71879b432fe08acad
title: Covid-19 an secrecy
uri: Covid-19-an-secrecy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#5_August_2020_%28Covid-19_an_secrecy%29
content:
<p>
*Secrecy has harmed UK government's response to Covid-19 crisis, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/02/secrecy-has-harmed-uk-governments-response-to-covid-19-crisis-says-top-scientist">says top
scientist</a>.*


feed_id: bdce22f1455ff3648803a372e8dc82e3
title: (satire) Cutting phone lines to prevent coronavirus data
uri: (satire)-Cutting-phone-lines-to-prevent-coronavirus-data
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28%28satire%29_Cutting_phone_lines_to_prevent_coronavirus_data%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reportedly <a href="https://www.theonion.com/ron-desantis-cuts-phone-line-outside-nursing-home-so-no-1844578433">cut the phone line</a> outside a local nursing home Monday so no one inside could report any coronavirus data.*


feed_id: 8cf6c65114da2be830442ba10a763e34
title: Human Rights Violations by US thugs
uri: Human-Rights-Violations-by-US-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Human_Rights_Violations_by_US_thugs%29

content:
<p>

*Amnesty Report Details <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/04/world-watching-amnesty-report-details-human-rights-violations-us-police-during">Human Rights Violations by US [thugs]</a> During Racial Justice Protests.*


feed_id: 9b5d3787ee0d5393ceb808d50b61185d
title: Asymptomatic children and transmission of Covid-19
uri: Asymptomatic-children-and-transmission-of-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Asymptomatic_children_and_transmission_of_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>

New evidence suggests that asymptomatic children <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/covid-19-may-spread-more-easily-schools-than-thought-report-warns">contribute significantly</a> to transmission of Covid-19.
<p>
Covid-19 spreads easily among US military personnel because many of them are right-wing anti-maskers.  When the military sends personnel from base to base, some of them <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/04/naval-officers-spouse-why-us-military-puts-empire-over-public-health">bring Covid-19 and spread it</a> to the people that live near the base, and the rest of that region or country.


feed_id: aa6b2497a6eb68a91f1a745888896c83
title: AI system to judge immigration applications
uri: AI-system-to-judge-immigration-applications
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28AI_system_to_judge_immigration_applications%29

content:
<p>

The UK has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/04/home-office-to-scrap-racist-algorithm-for-uk-visa-applicants">stopped using an AI system</a> to judge immigration applications after determining that it suffers from PIPO.
<P>
PIPO, a term I just coined, stands for "prejudice in, prejudice out." This failure is common in AI systems trained on the actual behavior of people in a system where there is systematic prejudice.
<P>
In an ironic way, though, converting the prejudiced habits of officials into a program made the existence of the prejudice easy to demonstrate.  Will that pave the way to eliminating the prejudice, or will the ministry only drive it underground?


feed_id: 410226e89d1e47a8f73a80120952babb
title: Researchers have released a free(libre) recipe for a possible Covid-19 vaccine
uri: Researchers-have-released-a-free(libre)-recipe-for-a-possible-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Researchers_have_released_a_free%28libre%29_recipe_for_a_possible_Covid-19_vaccine%29

content:
<p>

Researchers have released a <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/k7qpky/scientists-just-released-a-diy-coronavirus-vaccine-under-a-creative-commons-license">free(libre) recipe</a> for a possible Covid-19 vaccine that people can make at home. However, there is no study to verify its safety or efficacy.
<p>
The article includes a statement that is confusingly vague because it uses the term <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">"intellectual property"</a>. I would expect it is trying to talk about patents, but doing a bad job of saying so.


feed_id: 906c01e5bee18a52a6cbfae62bcec738
title: School teacher on home-schooling
uri: School-teacher-on-home-schooling
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28School_teacher_on_home-schooling%29

content:
<p>

A school teacher talks about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/04/the-teacher-who-decided-to-unschool-her-own-children">home-schooling her own children</a>.


feed_id: 29c7a464c8a6b3062451b55b415d8f69
title: Humanity is an endangered species
uri: Humanity-is-an-endangered-species
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Humanity_is_an_endangered_species%29

content:
<p>

*Humanity Is an Endangered Species. Can We Do What it Takes to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/07/13/humanity-endangered-species-can-we-do-what-it-takes-save-ourselves">Save Ourselves</a>?*


feed_id: bf4dead986eea7d4dd5d337a6117d812
title: (satire) Owls' hard cocaine habit
uri: (satire)-Owls-hard-cocaine-habit
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28%28satire%29_Owls%27_hard_cocaine_habit%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *&hellip;ornithologists at Bowdoin College released a groundbreaking new study Monday that attributed owls’ nocturnal lifestyle to their hard <a href="https://www.theonion.com/ornithologists-attribute-owls-nocturnal-lifestyle-to-h-1844363607">cocaine habit</a>.*


feed_id: 297d419d7426df454dea5a9baba5fdf4
title: Mumbai installs female figures on traffic lights
uri: Mumbai-installs-female-figures-on-traffic-lights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Mumbai_installs_female_figures_on_traffic_lights%29

content:
<p>

*Mumbai installs female figures on traffic lights.   Campaigners in India say the move helps <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/04/a-small-but-powerful-signal-mumbai-instals-female-figures-on-traffic-lights">dispel the notion</a> that only men should be out in public.*


feed_id: 0c09bb42d1b1270cb8a8de6fd2fb8523
title: Musicians beaten, jailed and killed
uri: Musicians-beaten-jailed-and-killed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Musicians_beaten%2C_jailed_and_killed%29

content:
<p>

*[Musicians] taking on political roles from Algeria to Zambia have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/04/ghetto-presidents-musicians-risk-all-to-take-on-authoritarian-rule-in-africa">beaten, [jailed] and killed</a>.*


feed_id: 44eb88a3bc6ac9fa7838466ddfffab61
title: Curfew on Kashmir
uri: Curfew-on-Kashmir
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Curfew_on_Kashmir%29
content:
<p>

India imposed a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/04/kashmir-curfew-brought-in-as-region-marks-one-year-since-special-status-revoked">curfew on Kashmir again</a>, lest Kashmiris protest on the first anniversary of the special repression there.


feed_id: a0501374ad22d20ab46bf0bb762e2561
title: Truman's decision to drop nuclear bombs on Japan
uri: Truman-s-decision-to-drop-nuclear-bombs-on-Japan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Truman%27s_decision_to_drop_nuclear_bombs_on_Japan%29

content:
<p>

On Truman's decision to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/04/harry-truman-grandson-hiroshima-nuclear-atom-bomb">drop nuclear bombs</a> on Japan.
<p>
Bombing of Germany killed more people and was ineffective against the factories that were usually the military targets.  Some Allied generals considered this bombing a war crime.


feed_id: 86f9483f247f85f4dfebe4738bb46f01
title: Many European countries face second wavelet of Covid-19
uri: Many-European-countries-face-second-wavelet-of-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Many_European_countries_face_second_wavelet_of_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>

Many European countries reopened business and transport too completely and are now facing a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/04/global-report-france-could-lose-control-of-covid-19-at-any-time">second wavelet of Covid-19</a>.


feed_id: 017e032245461787bdf19059ededfe19
title: Covid-19 deaths in San Quentin prison
uri: Covid-19-deaths-in-San-Quentin-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Covid-19_deaths_in_San_Quentin_prison%29

content:
<p>

21 prisoners have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/04/san-quentin-covid-19-deaths-prison-outbreak">died of Covid-19</a> in San Quentin prison. Ironically, 9 prisoners on death row have died from Covid-19. One must wonder if this has been chosen as an official alternate method of execution.


feed_id: 23b142e0ee33f05042b077dbd9aae774
title: Violence and trauma cause children to mature faster
uri: Violence-and-trauma-cause-children-to-mature-faster
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Violence_and_trauma_cause_children_to_mature_faster%29

content:
<p>

Violence and trauma cause children to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/aug/03/children-who-suffer-violence-or-trauma-age-faster-study-finds">mature faster and get old faster</a>.


feed_id: 81a7f455aac6d8906fc2e46323413b79
title: Investigation of the Trump family business covers various kinds of corruption
uri: Investigation-of-the-Trump-family-business-covers-various-kinds-of-cor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Investigation_of_the_Trump_family_business_covers_various_kinds_of_corruption%29

content:
<p>

The Manhattan district attorney said that his investigation of the Trump family businesses covers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/03/donald-trump-tax-investigation-new-york">various kinds of corruption</a>.


feed_id: 9df9872a35fc5145fb07560e7dc4c43f
title: North Korea probably now has nuclear missiles.
uri: North-Korea-probably-now-has-nuclear-missiles
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28North_Korea_probably_now_has_nuclear_missiles.%29

content:
<p>

North Korea <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/04/north-korea-has-probably-developed-nuclear-devices-to-fit-ballistic-missiles-un">probably now has nuclear missiles</a>. This is unfortunate, but dictator Kim decided to do this, there was no way to stop him.
<p>
The issue for the US, and for South Korea and Japan, is what significance to assign to this.  I think that it does not need to lead to war.  Kim thinks of North Korea as his property, and he does not want to get it nuked, so why would he launch nukes?
<p>
He may feel so much safer, with his nukes, that he would look for peaceful relations with other countries.
<p>
North Korea is a totalitarian hell.  But we cannot change that by threatening war.  Meanwhile, China is developing into a totalitarian hell; Xinjiang is worse than North Korea, if what I have read is anything to go by.  And we cannot change that either.  Since North Korea does not threaten to take over the world, we may as well make peace with it.


feed_id: 5eca3f94768a601e83f3abcf02bfa0bf
title: Vaccine for Covid-19
uri: Vaccine-for-Covid-19
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Vaccine_for_Covid-19%29
content:
<p>

It would be very advantageous to have a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/02/us/politics/coronavirus-vaccine.html">vaccine for Covid-19</a> by the end of this year, but rushing things is dangerous.
<p>
The reason vaccines are generally very safe is that researchers take the time to make sure they are very safe before introducing them.  The risk of a carefully tested vaccine may not be zero, but it is negligible compared with the risk of the disease it prevents.  But that won't apply to a vaccine which has not been carefully tested.


feed_id: 4f0a25955f6ff52873fb8cf9f8ff3d11
title: (satire) U.S. Department of Homeland Security praised Bolivian leaders
uri: (satire)-U-S-Department-of-Homeland-Security-praised-Bolivian-leaders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28%28satire%29_U.S._Department_of_Homeland_Security_praised_Bolivian_leaders%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *&hellip; officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security praised Bolivian leaders Monday for <a href="https://www.theonion.com/u-s-praises-bolivian-leaders-for-eliminating-voter-fra-1844575086">eliminating voter fraud</a> through their refusal to hold general elections.*


feed_id: 5719a2d93fdf3f93430cfa80e7e0c877
title: Pandemic in deep south
uri: Pandemic-in-deep-south
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Pandemic_in_deep_south%29
content:
<p>
*How decades of racism and poverty <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/us-deep-south-racism-poverty-fuel-coronavirus-pandemic">help fuel the pandemic in America's deep
south</a>.*

<p>
We could eliminate large parts of these problems with Medicare for All
and other progressive programs.


feed_id: f85bd77d98aebf41df8472fa78c72fc8
title: Stop buying deforestation beef
uri: Stop-buying-deforestation-beef
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Stop_buying_deforestation_beef%29
content:
<p>
Greenpeace is pressuring UK supermarket chains <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/05/tesco-urged-to-ditch-meat-company-over-alleged-links-to-amazon-deforestation">to stop buying beef
from Brazilian companies that accept cattle from deforested land</a>.


feed_id: c5d5c5e023cd6e3d20c5c4489d4348c9
title: Internet gambling
uri: Internet-gambling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Internet_gambling%29
content:
<p>
The UK is considering regulating internet gambling <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/05/britain-rewrite-gambling-law-smartphones">so that it can't
ruin people</a>.


feed_id: d6789ce74e8baab9c8821eaadeed76d2
title: Covid-19 with no recovery
uri: Covid-19-with-no-recovery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Covid-19_with_no_recovery%29
content:
<p>
Some people never really recover from Covid-19 &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/05/brain-fog-phantom-smells-and-tinnitus-my-experience-as-a-covid-long-hauler">they continue to have
a variety of incapacitating symptoms</a>.


feed_id: 57ae41fbe4ddae066a07f261aa5caf54
title: Torture, message, disappearing
uri: Torture-message-disappearing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Torture%2C_message%2C_disappearing%29

content:
<p>
Merdan Ghappar, prisoner in Xinjiang, had a chance <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/secret-footage-uighur-detention-merdan-ghappar-chinese-prison-xinjiang">to send out messages
about torture practices there</a>.
  Then he disappeared.

<p>
His uncle, an expat who condemns China, thinks China imprisoned Merdan
because he had an activist expat uncle.  He believes the messages were
genuine.


feed_id: 3078fea79f63ca98fe2d9a96db0c9089
title: Birthright citizenship
uri: 2020-08-06-Birthright-citizenship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Birthright_citizenship%29
content:
<p>
Many European countries don't have birthright citizenship.
Here's an example of someone born in France, who has lived
in Belgium since infancy, who is struggling <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/meet-david-born-in-france-raised-in-belgium-facing-removal-to-the-drc">not to be deported
to a country where he would be persecuted</a>.


feed_id: 18c2e13183b6fec9e1eb21a9c22de257
title: Suing abuse of monopoly
uri: Suing-abuse-of-monopoly
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Suing_abuse_of_monopoly%29
content:
<p>
*   A New York bill would make it easier <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/aug/05/antitrust-bill-new-york-easier-to-sue-big-tech">to sue big tech companies for
   alleged abuses of their monopoly powers</a>.*


feed_id: b0f3f6c60f7aa99236410ae5638a0d07
title: Right-wing democrat replaced
uri: Right-wing-democrat-replaced
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Right-wing_democrat_replaced%29
content:
<p>
Another "moderate" (right-wing) Democrat in Congress has been
replaced, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/05/cori-bush-missouri-primary-winner-beats-democratic-incumbent-clay">this time by progressive Cori Bush</a>.


feed_id: 18646a6a83f50887f7e406b186beb9d3
title: Damaged ecosystems favor pathogens
uri: Damaged-ecosystems-favor-pathogens
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Damaged_ecosystems_favor_pathogens%29

content:
<p>
*Rats and bats that host pandemic pathogens like Covid-19 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/05/deadly-diseases-from-wildlife-thrive-when-nature-is-destroyed-study-finds">increase in
damaged ecosystems, analysis shows</a>.
   It found that the damage
benefits smaller, more adaptable creatures that also carry the most
pathogens that can pass to humans.*

<p>
Farms in the middle of wilderness also bring these animals in closer
contact with humans, from which they could pick up diseases
that can also infect humans, and later transmit them back to humans
with some sort of mutations.


feed_id: df011f51ce7828eb28411f258fb534ed
title: Turned into a colony
uri: Turned-into-a-colony
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Turned_into_a_colony%29
content:
<p>
*A year on from a devastating siege, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/05/devastating-siege-kashmir-colony-india-crushing-dissent">Kashmir is being turned into a colony</a>.*

<p>
It is subject to what <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/05/modi-brutal-treatment-of-kashmir-exposes-his-tactics-and-their-flaws">is in effect a permanent military occupation</a>,
  with the repression that would normally imply.


feed_id: d05244e22c5db2000614d87cf627eaef
title: Census sabotage
uri: Census-sabotage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Census_sabotage%29
content:
<p>
Further census sabotage: the anti-voter plans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/04/us-census-bureau-trump-americans">to cut the census off a
month early</a>.


feed_id: 598d7f9bd66f77236df7d3b7a00dfb37
title: Obesity guidelines
uri: Obesity-guidelines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Obesity_guidelines%29
content:
<p>
*Landmark obesity guidelines in Canada <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/aug/04/obesity-chronic-illness-guidelines-canada">treat problem as chronic illness</a>.*


feed_id: b9c8d128e7de36281214e025dd02cdd5
title: Pointing gun at protesters
uri: Pointing-gun-at-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Pointing_gun_at_protesters%29
content:
<p>
The spouse of the L.A. district attorney pointed a gun at protesters
at their home, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/04/husband-los-angeles-district-attorney-charged-with-pointing-a-gun-at-black-lives-matter-protesters">and faces criminal charges for doing so</a>.

<p>
I don't know the facts, but I agree with the ideas underlying the
protesters' criticism of DA Lacey's conduct in office.  I think the
couple has the right to insist that the protesters get off their
porch, but Mr Lacey had no right to threaten their lives with a gun,
so I think the charges against him are morally valid.

<p>
The protesters have a right to protest nearby, on the sidewalk, as
long as they don't harass people going in and out.  (Think of the
right-wing protesters outside the doors of abortion clinics, who
harass patients and staff.)


feed_id: 73e6c0613773e0c70d323252b65e85cc
title: Horrible under house arrest
uri: Horrible-under-house-arrest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Horrible_under_house_arrest%29
content:
<p>
Colombia's ex-president Álvaro Horrible is under house arrest <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/04/colombia-alvaro-uribe-supreme-court-house-arrest">during
an investigation into charges he tried to frame an opposition
politician</a>.

<p>
I hope he will someday face charges for supporting the right-wing
paramilitares, who were and perhaps still are <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jan-apr.html#26_January_2012_(Colombian_Gang)">the most dangerous
terrorists in Colombia</a>.


feed_id: e3ac61406b1653b0d43edd6b344a4baf
title: Failure to obey
uri: Failure-to-obey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Failure_to_obey%29
content:
<p>
Many of the Portland protesters arrested by federal <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> were charged
with the most minor of crimes, such as "failure to obey".  The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
were evidently seeking any excuse to arrest someone.  And when the
protesters were released from jail, <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/defendant-shall-not-attend-protests-in-portland-getting-out-of-jail-requires-relinquishing-constitutional-rights">their release conditions included
"may not participate in protests."</a>

<p>
That condition may be unconstitutional in the US, but it has been
used often against protesters arrested in the UK.


feed_id: 850b5be0d2a3e805db61775a7072a718
title: A bill would require consent for doing face recognition
uri: A-bill-would-require-consent-for-doing-face-recognition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#7_August_2020_%28A_bill_would_require_consent_for_doing_face_recognition%29

content:
<p>

A bill would require businesses to get your <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/04/privacy-advocates-herald-bill-curb-corporate-use-enormously-invasive-facial">explicit consent</a> for doing face recognition with your photo.
<p>
This is a good first step, but not enough to prevent the danger. We need to <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">prohibit the deployment of systems that can systematically watch or identify people</a>. And not only by business.


feed_id: b9e14117879b3acf2a996fe51195e236
title: SEC launches probe into Kodak
uri: SEC-launches-probe-into-Kodak
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#7_August_2020_%28SEC_launches_probe_into_kodak%29
content:
<p>

*SEC Launches <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/04/sec-launches-probe-kodak-after-warren-raised-questions-over-lucrative-covid-19-deal">Probe Into Kodak</a> After Warren Raised Questions Over Lucrative Covid-19 Deal With Trump.*


feed_id: c9f1bd27d6ecc457a1e5418712153995
title: (satire) New Republican slogan
uri: (satire)-New-Republican-slogan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28%28satire%29_New_Republican_slogan%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/desperate-trump-campaign-strategists-wondering-how-much-1844607816">New Republican slogan</a>: a vote for Biden is a vote for seeing the dentist twice a year.*


feed_id: d1783ec3bea23b42674e70d9d002d5e8
title: India jails Kashmiris that criticize the occupation of Kashmir
uri: India-jails-Kashmiris-that-criticize-the-occupation-of-Kashmir
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28India_jails_Kashmiris_that_criticize_the_occupation_of_Kashmir%29

content:
<p>

India jails Kashmiris that criticize the occupation of Kashmir. To get out of jail, they have to <a href="https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bond-of-silence-buys-freedom-in-kashmir/1698670">promise not to criticize the government</a>. As far as I can tell, this is forever, but it would be tyrannical even if it lasted for one day.
<p>
They were jailed without legitimate charges or trial, which is tyrannical too.


feed_id: e41fc9477a955c178898cfe7b3138033
title: Blanket surveillance of US internet communication
uri: Blanket-surveillance-of-US-internet-communication
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Blanket_surveillance_of_US_internet_communication%29

content:
<p>

Senator Schiff tried to enable blanket surveillance of US internet communication, by proposing an amendment specifically <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/08/05/adam-schiff-sought-allow-domestic-surveillance-selling-out-dreamers-during">permitting such surveillance</a> of unauthorized immigrants.
<p>
The article argues that the FBI could have used this as an excuse to collect everyone's data and look through it to see who was an unauthorized immigrant.


feed_id: 64d75b6952c6d3659797df58c4a4d976
title: (satire) Weather service failed to stop a recent hurricane
uri: (satire)-Weather-service-failed-to-stop-a-recent-hurricane
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28%28satire%29_Weather_service_failed_to_stop_a_recent_hurricane%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *&hellip; critics slammed the National Weather Service Wednesday after new evidence showed they <a href="https://www.theonion.com/evidence-shows-national-weather-service-failed-to-stop-1844595883">failed to stop a recent hurricane</a> despite having advanced warning.*


feed_id: 7b7d54bd8a8f4948c6dc7f5a796b1d23
title: Cambridge thug department's military assault weapons
uri: Cambridge-thug-department-s-military-assault-weapons
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Cambridge_thug_department%27s_military_assault_weapons%29

content:
<p>

The Cambridge thug department said it had no military weapons.  City councilors demanded a full inventory, and <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/08/04/metro/cambridges-police-chief-said-city-doesnt-get-military-equipment-an-inventory-says-department-has-64-m4-rifles/">discovered it had 64 military assault weapons</a>.
<p>
The M4 assault rifle is not merely "military-style."  It is a smaller, newer variant of the M16, and the US Army is moving to it.
<p>
As for the armored vehicle, indeed it is not a "tank".  A tank, by definition, has a cannon.  Nonetheless, it may mount other weapons.  I doubt that Cambridge has ever had an event for which it needed an armed and armored vehicle, and if it ever did, surely Cambridge could ask for help from Boston.  The bridges to Boston are just a few hundred meters long.
<p>
Every city should force its <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department to furnish an inventory. Don't be distracted by the question of "What weapons do you get?" The main question is, "What weapons do you have?"


feed_id: d0a5608d25266d19af3114d22949b82f
title: Missouri voters passed an initiative to extend Medicaid to more people
uri: Missouri-voters-passed-an-initiative-to-extend-Medicaid-to-more-people
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Missouri_voters_passed_an_initiative_to_extend_Medicaid_to_more_people%29

content:
<p>

Missouri voters <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/05/people-missouri-accomplish-what-its-gop-lawmakers-refused-do-nearly-10-years-approve">passed an initiative</a> to take advantage of Obama's medical insurance law to extend Medicaid to more people.
<p>
Why is the state legislature is controlled by Republicans when most of the people in the state want things like Medicaid extension?  Why do a majority of the state's voters vote for those Republican state legislators?
<p>
Perhaps they don't.  Perhaps Republicans maintain control be gerrymandering.  They do that in many states.


feed_id: 6bae1b4207b75bdea0b8ee8b1969569a
title: Covid-19 vaccine &mdash; developed by Moderna, funded by US government
uri: Covid-19-vaccine-developed-by-Moderna-funded-by-US-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Covid-19_vaccine_%2526mdash%3B_developed_by_Moderna%2C_funded_by_US_government%29

content:
<p>

Moderna is developing a vaccine against Covid-19, with the US government paying the full cost.  If it works, it will <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/08/05/paying-twice-vaccine-moderna-taking-taxpayers-ride">charge record prices</a> for doses of the vaccine.


feed_id: d4fff7c4e7da0088db6a60260c75fe37
title: China is imposing censorship on global cinema
uri: China-is-imposing-censorship-on-global-cinema
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28China_is_imposing_censorship_on_global_cinema%29

content:
<p>

Because China is an important market for cinema, China is imposing <a href="https://pen.org/report/made-in-hollywood-censored-by-beijing/">censorship on global cinema</a> (and first of all US cinema) by censoring release of movies in China.
<p>
The report suggests that if a company works on an obscure film that China objects to, it will punish big hit films that the company is involved with.


feed_id: de5182c6eed1142630e889872836d65f
title: Urgent: phone your congresscritter and ask per to sponsor the We The People amendment
uri: Urgent-phone-your-congresscritter-and-ask-per-to-sponsor-the-We-The-P
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#6_August_2020_%28Urgent%3A_phone_your_congresscritter_and_ask_per_to_sponsor_the_We_The_People_amendment%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: phone your congresscritter and ask per to sponsor the We The People amendment.  Or thank per if perse has already done so. Here is a <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-joint-resolution/48/cosponsors?searchResultViewType=expanded">list of sponsors</a> in the House of Representatives.

     <p>The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
       and 888-355-3588.</p>

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


feed_id: 71adcb613c41701d62461c583f5228ed
title: Covid-19 and factories
uri: Covid-19-and-factories
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#7_August_2020_%28Covid-19_and_factories%29
content:
<p>
*A garment factory supplying Gap, American Eagle and Amazon was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/aug/06/covid-outbreak-exposes-dire-conditions-at-guatemala-factory-making-us-brands">at the
centre of one of the worst Covid-19 outbreaks in Guatemala</a>.*
  Over 200 people there contracted the disease.


feed_id: 0753a75c6d8e316b9ba6fd3854b950c2
title: Fiberglass boats
uri: Fiberglass-boats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#7_August_2020_%28Fiberglass_boats%29
content:
<p>
*How fibreglass boats <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/06/nautical-not-nice-how-fibreglass-boats-have-become-a-global-pollution-problem">have become a global pollution problem</a>.*

<p>
I wonder, do we know of any safe way to dispose of fiberglass boats?


feed_id: 82175c1664838349c4acc1a87415f499
title: Tax on wealth gains
uri: Tax-on-wealth-gains
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#7_August_2020_%28Tax_on_wealth_gains%29
content:
<p>
Sanders proposes <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/06/new-sanders-bill-would-tax-obscene-pandemic-windfall-billionaires-fund-peoples">a 60% tax on the wealth gains of billionaires</a>.

<p>
In principle, income tax ought to be able to do the same job.
But they have ways of putting their gains outside income tax.
If this method gets the job done, and is simpler to enact,
I see no reason not to do it.


feed_id: 457f96816d8a231599f492789de70b65
title: NRA accused of fraud
uri: NRA-accused-of-fraud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#7_August_2020_%28NRA_accused_of_fraud%29
content:
<p>
New York State has accused the National Rifle Association of fraud
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/06/nra-new-york-attorney-general-lawsuit-wayne-lapierre">and seeks to dissolve it</a>.


feed_id: 7eacf1f0734bd1b30040ff53e907f0f1
title: Shutting down parties
uri: Shutting-down-parties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#7_August_2020_%28Shutting_down_parties%29
content:
<p>
Los Angeles will shut off the water and electricity to mansions
that hold large parties, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/06/los-angeles-parties-covid-19-water-power-shutoff">since they threaten public health</a>.

<p>
With Covid-19 running rampant in that region, this is justified and necessary.


feed_id: ea3f98235dd66273c3d241ae8be03423
title: Tuberculosis houses
uri: Tuberculosis-houses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#7_August_2020_%28Tuberculosis_houses%29
content:
<p>
During the great depression of the 1930s, some US states distributed
tiny houses where a family member sick with tuberculosis could live
and avoid transmitting it to the rest of the family.  <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/06/naomi-klein-coronavirus-youth-covid-19-future-unemployment/">This was part of
FDR's New Deal</a>.

<p>
Why not do the same now for Covid-19?

<p>
The job would be easier now, since Covid-19 will usually stop being
contagious after a few weeks.  The state could then retrieve the
no-longer-needed tiny house and autoclave it, and provide it to
someone else.

<p>
The article calls this "learned helplessness", but I think it is
intentional sabotage on the part of the Republicans.  Then have done
plenty to demonstrate their ill will in dealing with Covid-19.


feed_id: 780c2a16dab1978838fdfb26e9ad96ed
title: Lifetime voting ban on felony
uri: Lifetime-voting-ban-on-felony
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#7_August_2020_%28Lifetime_voting_ban_on_felony%29
content:
<p>
*Iowa ends lifetime voting ban <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/05/iowa-voting-felony-lifetime-ban-ended">on people with felony convictions</a>.*
  No US state now formally has such a ban, but Florida's Republicans
have constructed an excuse to partially continue it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/06/republicans-florida-amendment-4-voting-rights">by
disenfranchising them until they pay all fees or fines</a>.

<p>
Will Floridians run another ballot petition to insist that the previous one
means what it says?


feed_id: afdfbdefeb77dd765a8eea3110ba5919
title: Deleting false information
uri: Deleting-false-information
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#7_August_2020_%28Deleting_false_information%29
content:
<p>
Facebook deleted one of the bullshitter's postings <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/aug/05/facebook-donald-trump-post-removed-covid-19">for spreading false
information about Covid-19</a>.


feed_id: f5b879eb986a8e281dbfce33258c0b61
title: Antitrust laws
uri: Antitrust-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#7_August_2020_%28Antitrust_laws%29
content:
<p>
US antitrust law used to prohibit "vertical integration".  If we bring
that back, it would prohibit a product <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2020/08/04/attack-surface-preview/#vertical-integration">from depending unavoidably on
an online service set up by the same company</a>.
  At least, for large companies.

<p>
I think we should prohibit it separately, so that the prohibition
applies to small companies too.


feed_id: 979aa06f6b4b7a5d6c4a1d1aa14ab3eb
title: Reducing oil and gas extraction
uri: Reducing-oil-and-gas-extraction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#7_August_2020_%28Reducing_oil_and_gas_extraction%29
content:
<p>
Billionaire Polluters says <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/04/has-bp-just-woken-climateemergency-oil-giant-announces-40-production-cut-2030">it will reduce oil and gas extraction 40%
in the coming decade</a>.

<p>
Not enough, of course, but it is an important step.


feed_id: e366d2ec291aef7403897965417425a6
title: Divesting
uri: 2020-08-07-Divesting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#7_August_2020_%28Divesting%29
content:
<p>
*Manchester university <a href="https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/asa-winstanley/manchester-university-divests-firms-complicit-israeli-occupation">divests from firms complicit in Israeli occupation</a>.*


feed_id: 1de1ab6eade5d8eceb82fae926f93b51
title: Simple fuck up
uri: Simple-fuck-up
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#7_August_2020_%28Simple_fuck_up%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/relieved-trump-administration-thankful-to-finally-get-e-1844607682">satire</a>) *White House
   officials reportedly breathed a sigh of relief Tuesday after Tropical
   Storm Isaias gave them a simple, run-of-the-mill hurricane relief
   effort to fuck up.*


feed_id: fc3dddff62f92afa843dc55eff1be543
title: Electing autocratic president
uri: Electing-autocratic-president
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#7_August_2020_%28Electing_autocratic_president%29
content:
<p>
Sri Lanka seems to be trying hard to let people vote despite Covid-19,
but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/sri-lanka-election-vote-coronavirus-rajapaksa">its president has been increasingly autocratic</a>.

<p>
When his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa was president, he had his critics
murdered, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2009-jan-apr.html#09 January 2009 (Sri Lankan editor assassinated)">including the famous journalist Lasantha Wickramatunga</a>,
  who forecast he would be murdered.


feed_id: 77979780e5ac15dff9e5b3d1fddaeccd
title: The Censorship of 'Cancel Culture'
uri: The-Censorship-of-Cancel-Culture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#8_August_2020_%28The_Censorship_of_%27Cancel_Culture%27%29

content:
<p>

*The Censorship of 'Cancel Culture' May Ultimately Be <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/05/censorship-cancel-culture-may-ultimately-be-most-dangerous-social-justice-champions">Most Dangerous</a> for Social Justice Champions.*


feed_id: 1ce7055c8a03d184d52afa0ac66697f0
title: Evidence that the US had no military need to use nuclear weapons against Japan
uri: Evidence-that-the-US-had-no-military-need-to-use-nuclear-weapons-again
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#8_August_2020_%28Evidence_that_the_US_had_no_military_need_to_use_nuclear_weapons_against_Japan%29

content:
<p>

Presenting <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/05/nuclear-war-or-invasion-false-dichotomy-hiroshima-and-nagasaki">evidence</a> that the US had no military need to use nuclear weapons against Japan, because it already knew that Japan was looking for a way to surrender while saving face.
<p>
President Truman later said that he did believe, when he <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/07/harry-truman-and-the-nuclear-bombs-dropped-on-hiroshima-and-nagasaki">made the decision</a>, that the only choices were bomb or invade.
<p>
I wonder whether he was aware that most high-ranking US generals said that Japan would surrender soon anyway.  Were those views transmitted to him?  Perhaps his advisors kept him away from that idea.
<p>
One argument in the first article is that the use of nuclear weapons made little difference to Japan's willingness to surrender, because non-nuclear bombing had done far more damage.  If we accept that as valid, what are its full consequences?  There were US generals at the time who said conventional (non-nuclear) bombing of cities was an atrocity.


feed_id: e1e12d34930ee60f020908617fb16874
title: (satire) "The Boys of Summer"
uri: (satire)-The-Boys-of-Summer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#8_August_2020_%28%28satire%29_The_Boys_of_Summer%29
content:
<p>

(satire) *Eagles vocalist Don Henley <a href="https://www.theonion.com/don-henley-sues-both-presidential-campaigns-for-not-usi-1844621906">filed suit</a> Wednesday against both Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s campaigns for not playing "The Boys Of Summer" at their events.*


feed_id: 1881fcd93fdf8fb58b4b33eada0141aa
title: Gun control groups send ironic condolences to the NRA
uri: Gun-control-groups-send-ironic-condolences-to-the-NRA
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#8_August_2020_%28Gun_control_groups_send_ironic_condolences_to_the_NRA%29

content:
<p>

*'Thoughts and Prayers': Gun Control Groups Send <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/06/thoughts-and-prayers-gun-control-groups-send-ironic-condolences-after-new-york-ag">Ironic Condolences</a> [to the NRA, in case it loses the case and gets dissolved].*


feed_id: a9ad273a8a453c81d56c6a927a459c31
title: Proposing to decriminalize all drugs
uri: Proposing-to-decriminalize-all-drugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#8_August_2020_%28Proposing_to_decriminalize_all_drugs%29

content:
<p>

Proposing to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/08/06/drug-policy-alliance-proposes-federal-all-drug-decriminalization-releases-new">decriminalize all drugs</a>, and let medical agencies decide how the government should deal with each one.


feed_id: bcef7b5f84ecd4569447a453c37e9c6a
title: (satire) Replacing officers with social workers
uri: (satire)-Replacing-officers-with-social-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#8_August_2020_%28%28satire%29_Replacing_officers_with_social_workers%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *The mayor outlined a plan that dramatically restructured the municipality’s approach to public safety, <a href="https://www.theonion.com/minneapolis-announces-plan-to-replace-police-officers-w-1844627586">replacing its nearly 850 police officers with a similar number of social workers</a>, who would be dispatched to city streets and have at their disposal firearms, bulletproof vests, tear gas, &hellip;*


feed_id: a163028400529df5effcd0ab07fe025b
title: Twitter blocked the DNC from condemning one of the bullshitter's lies
uri: Twitter-blocked-the-DNC-from-condemning-one-of-the-bullshitter-s-lies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#8_August_2020_%28Twitter_blocked_the_DNC_from_condemning_one_of_the_bullshitter%27s_lies%29

content:
<p>

Twitter blocked the DNC from <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/06/politics/twitter-democratic-national-committee-trump/index.html">condemning one of the bullshitter's lies</a> because it mistook those tweats for support.
<p>
It's not only Twitter that finds that condemnation of a statement can be quite similar to supporting it.  People can also fail to distinguish. Repeating bullshit, even to attack it, can backfire and spread it instead.
<p>
When you want to condemn something that someone else said, don't repeat that statement in a prominently visible way.


feed_id: 978b8102912661de339a5cfb50601d0b
title: Pompeo's New Hierarchy of Rights
uri: Pompeo-s-New-Hierarchy-of-Rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#8_August_2020_%28Pompeo%27s_New_Hierarchy_of_Rights%29

content:
<p>

*In Pompeo's <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/06/pompeos-new-hierarchy-rights-religion-and-property-not-humans-are-top">New Hierarchy of Rights</a>, Religion and Property, Not Humans, Are at the Top.*


feed_id: 2e48bc22dfbb69797041b5e37223b47a
title: USPS work rule changes are delaying mail for as much as a week
uri: USPS-work-rule-changes-are-delaying-mail-for-as-much-as-a-week
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#8_August_2020_%28USPS_work_rule_changes_are_delaying_mail_for_as_much_as_a_week%29

content:
<p>

USPS work rule changes are delaying mail for as much as a week.  This poses a real threat to postal voting.  Democrats plan to insist on <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/06/elections-are-sacred-democrats-demand-postmaster-general-reverse-policies">including support for USPS</a> and elections in the next relief bill.
<p>
Can there be a next relief bill?  Senate Republicans say they will not agree to one unless it cuts Social Security.  They could easily reject anything that will help fair elections, for their own reelection's sake.   They need only old out for three more months.


feed_id: 6544f6ad7f199374e53761cee23538c8
title: Amazon offers several new surveillance microphone products
uri: Amazon-offers-several-new-surveillance-microphone-products
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#8_August_2020_%28Amazon_offers_several_new_surveillance_microphone_products%29

content:
<p>

Amazon offers several new <a href="https://www.cpomagazine.com/data-privacy/amazons-new-smart-products-raise-all-kinds-of-alexa-privacy-concerns/">surveillance microphone products</a>, meant to be carried around by people during daily life.  That will enable them to listen to whoever the device's "owner" comes near.
<p>
But don't worry &mdash; Amazon is learning how to talk the talk about privacy in a way that more people would find comforting.
<p>
A voice command system that is safe for its owner would be one that runs only free software, and does the whole job locally, communicating with other sites only when asked to.  With the software inside free, the owner of this device would truly own it.
<p>
But even that would not respect the privacy of other people nearby. How to deal with that issue is not obvious.


feed_id: 9131f722d4d516f654f0c651c927c40b
title: Urgent: End harassment of Palestinian scientists and academics and release Prof. Imad Barghouthi
uri: Urgent-End-harassment-of-Palestinian-scientists-and-academics-and-rel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#8_August_2020_%28Urgent%3A_End_harassment_of_Palestinian_scientists_and_academics_and_release_Prof._Imad_Barghouthi%29

content:
<p>

Everyone: Demand an <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/demand-an-end-to-the-harassment-of-palestinian-scientists-and-academics-and-an-immediate-release-of-prof-imad-barghouthi">end to the harassment of Palestinian scientists and academics and an immediate release of Prof. Imad Barghouthi</a>.


feed_id: 0b473be0f528d4a2da64a8b79b86d90d
title: Fiberglass boats
uri: 2020-08-08-Fiberglass-boats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#7_August_2020_%28Fiberglass_boats%29
content:
<p>
*How fiberglass boats <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/06/nautical-not-nice-how-fibreglass-boats-have-become-a-global-pollution-problem">have become a global pollution problem</a>.*

<p>
I wonder, do we know of any safe way to dispose of fiberglass boats?


feed_id: ef6c6e014efad9132ce1571a74808db9
title: Protests have galvanized black voters' determination to register to vote
uri: Protests-have-galvanized-black-voters-determination-to-register-to-vo
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#9_August_2020_%28Protests_have_galvanized_black_voters%27_determination_to_register_to_vote%29

content:
<p>

Protests have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/07/black-voters-mobilzation-surge-voting-rights">galvanized black voters' determination</a> to register to vote.


feed_id: 707d93bd173886fc290976e85d58c21f
title: Thug who was friendly with menacing right-wing counterprotesters
uri: Thug-who-was-friendly-with-menacing-right-wing-counterprotesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#9_August_2020_%28Thug_who_was_friendly_with_menacing_right-wing_counterprotesters%29

content:
<p>

Black Lives Matter protesters in Nutley New Jersey <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/6/21355999/twitter-cyber-harassment-felony-charges-police-protests-retweet">posted a photo</a> of a thug who was friendly with menacing right-wing counterprotesters and had hid has badge number.  Instead of firing that thug, the thug department placed felony charges against the people who posted that photo.
<p>
Now the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> chief should be fired.


feed_id: 2e443268baba052e84135e740b80ef70
title: The Department of Homeland Security is a rogue agency
uri: The-Department-of-Homeland-Security-is-a-rogue-agency
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#9_August_2020_%28The_Department_of_Homeland_Security_is_a_rogue_agency%29

content:
<p>

*The Department of Homeland Security is a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/07/dhs-homeland-security-rogue-agency">rogue agency</a>. Democrats must take action.*
<p>
We know that rogue agencies with the power to jail or shoot people will only pretend to reform.  It will always be the Department of Harshness and Sadism.  Defund the DHS along with the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department.


feed_id: 5bfc2a7f515cb1cc083895b479f4cb01
title: The last fully intact ice shelf in the Canadian Arctic
uri: The-last-fully-intact-ice-shelf-in-the-Canadian-Arctic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#9_August_2020_%28The_last_fully_intact_ice_shelf_in_the_Canadian_Arctic%29

content:
<p>

*   The last fully intact ice shelf in the Canadian Arctic <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/07/canadian-ice-shelf-area-bigger-than-manhattan-collapses-due-to-rising-temperatures">has collapsed</a>, losing more than 40% of its area in just two days.*


feed_id: 308b11da334137bad13c6fa63346db06
title: Utah BLM protesters
uri: Utah-BLM-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#9_August_2020_%28Utah_BLM_protesters%29
content:
<p>

*Utah BLM protesters could get <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/07/utah-black-lives-matter-protesters-life-prison-paint">life in prison for splashing paint</a>.*


feed_id: e998d6b5505dc5ea30571c84b3004b3a
title: Biden's choice of climate advisers
uri: Biden-s-choice-of-climate-advisers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#9_August_2020_%28Biden%27s_choice_of_climate_advisers%29

content:
<p>

Biden's <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/07/joe-biden-climate-policy-advisers/">choice of climate advisers</a> suggest he will not push to reduce greenhouse emissions.


feed_id: 12e345736254a27376a4ceebb6a42bbf
title: ICE resisted Coronavirus testing
uri: ICE-resisted-Coronavirus-testing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#9_August_2020_%28ICE_resisted_Coronavirus_testing%29

content:
<p>

*ICE <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/07/ice-coronavirus-testing-detainees-mesa-verde/">Resisted Coronavirus Testing</a> to Avoid Releasing [prisoners].*
<p>
It's the same coverup philosophy that the wrecker followed: if they don't test the prisoners they can pretend that none are sick.


feed_id: b0dfdba4dd867ded85ef0b56626b9f2e
title: If the UK shuts the NHS for normal medical care during a second wave of Covid-19
uri: If-the-UK-shuts-the-NHS-for-normal-medical-care-during-a-second-wave-o
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#9_August_2020_%28If_the_UK_shuts_the_NHS_for_normal_medical_care_during_a_second_wave_of_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>

If the UK shuts the NHS for normal medical care during a second wave of Covid-19, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/06/nhs-shutdown-risks-thousands-of-deaths-in-covid-19-second-wave">it risks</a> letting thousands of patients die from other treatable causes.


feed_id: d91f80cfeec5eb88c294bfa74fb80bae
title: Covid-19 and heart problems
uri: Covid-19-and-heart-problems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#9_August_2020_%28Covid-19_and_heart_problems%29
content:
<p>

Around 4/5 of people who test positive for Covid-19 <a href="https://theweek.com/speedreads/927908/even-mild-coronavirus-cases-cause-lasting-cardiovascular-damage-study-shows">have heart problems</a> afterward, as found by one study of 100 patients.


feed_id: 9d468b5340ac4bbf126ca494dd35dc68
title: Acting State Dept. Inspector General Resigns Just Months After Predecessor Fired
uri: Acting-State-Dept-Inspector-General-Resigns-Just-Months-After-Predece
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#9_August_2020_%28Acting_State_Dept._Inspector_General_Resigns_Just_Months_After_Predecessor_Fired%29

content:
<p>

*Acting State Dept. Inspector General <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/05/doesnt-smell-right-acting-state-dept-inspector-general-resigns-just-months-after">Resigns</a> Just Months After Predecessor Fired.*


feed_id: 91f99deb7b2f15fb12ee2b9425828b33
title: Urgent: release prisoners that there is no need to keep in prison
uri: Urgent-release-prisoners-that-there-is-no-need-to-keep-in-prison
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#9_August_2020_%28Urgent%3A_release_prisoners_that_there_is_no_need_to_keep_in_prison%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on US state governors to <a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/tell-governors-embrace-clemency-pathway-redemption">release prisoners</a> that there is no need to keep in prison.


feed_id: 674317577e7835d8607b4166721d83d4
title: Urgent: Call for the firing, arrest and charging of the thugs who killed Breonna Taylor
uri: Urgent-Call-for-the-firing-arrest-and-charging-of-the-thugs-who-kill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#9_August_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Call_for_the_firing%2C_arrest_and_charging_of_the_thugs_who_killed_Breonna_Taylor%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call for the <a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/justice-for-breonna-corps/">firing, arrest, and charging</a> of the thugs who killed Breonna Taylor.


feed_id: 9f2670b88968374a89f308b06e2dd113
title: Urgent: Prohibit police state practices that the conman is using
uri: Urgent-Prohibit-police-state-practices-that-the-conman-is-using
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#9_August_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Prohibit_police_state_practices_that_the_conman_is_using%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://www.signherenow.org/petition/trump-authoritarianism/dfa/?refcode=g-Merkley0721.d-20200721.m-24440.s-155668">prohibit police state practices</a> that the
conman is using.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
  and 888-355-3588.</p>
<p> If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: 158b913030db4764d88b7bad126f31c6
title: Amazon's book store promotes medical quackery
uri: Amazon-s-book-store-promotes-medical-quackery
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Amazon%27s_book_store_promotes_medical_quackery%29

content:
<p>

Amazon's book store, like Facebook, heavily <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/08/amazon-algorithm-curated-misinformation-books-data">promotes medical quackery</a>.


feed_id: 931998aebb821e5a0e556a2f35d6a0ba
title: New York State's recent primary election discarding 20% of postal ballots
uri: New-York-State-s-recent-primary-election-discarding-20-of-postal-ball
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28New_York_State%27s_recent_primary_election_discarding_20%2525_of_postal_ballots%29

content:
<p>

New York State's recent primary election seems to be <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/07/16/new-york-mail-in-ballots-thrown-out/">discarding 20% of postal ballots</a> in certain areas.   It depends on post offices to take special steps with ballots, and often they forget to do so.
<p>
That makes the system vulnerable.


feed_id: 697218c150e2b2dadcda96efc61095a7
title: US thug departments were applying a double standard to prosecute Black Lives Matter protesters
uri: US-thug-departments-were-applying-a-double-standard-to-prosecute-Black
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28US_thug_departments_were_applying_a_double_standard_to_prosecute_Black_Lives_Matter_protesters%29

content:
<p>

Leaked documents from US thug departments show that they were applying a double standard, grasping at straws to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/07/15/george-floyd-protests-police-far-right-antifa/">accuse and prosecute Black Lives Matter protesters</a>, while turning a blind eye to right-wing extremists, despite knowing that the latter were the real threat of violence.


feed_id: af1eb7c613f815f132c0e0c7e46b292e
title: Mitre is developing for the US government...
uri: Mitre-is-developing-for-the-US-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Mitre_is_developing_for_the_US_government...%29

content:
<p>

Mitre is <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2020/07/13/inside-americas-secretive-2-billion-research-hub-collecting-fingerprints-from-facebook-hacking-smartwatches-and-fighting-covid-19/">developing for the US government</a> *a prototype tool that can [crack] smartwatches, fitness trackers and home thermometers for the purposes of homeland security; software to collect human fingerprints from social media websites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the FBI; support in building what the FBI calls the biggest database of human anatomy and criminal history in the world; and a study to determine whether someone’s body odor can show they’re lying.*
<p>
Anyone who can crack a device with a microphone can make it listen to you all the time.


feed_id: 343185a34ba85dbfbf484ccd536ace58
title: New FSF video about nonfree software in education
uri: New-FSF-video-about-nonfree-software-in-education
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28New_FSF_video_about_nonfree_software_in_education%29

content:
<p>

The <a href="http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/the-university-of-costumed-heroes-a-video-from-the-fsf">new FSF video</a> about nonfree software in education is great.


feed_id: 0cc66c9dc95fe4c7cb7fb6711af238db
title: Google Nest is taking over the security company ADT
uri: Google-Nest-is-taking-over-the-security-company-ADT
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Google_Nest_is_taking_over_the_security_company_ADT%29

content:
<p>

Google Nest is taking over the security company ADT.  That means ADT alarm systems will start <a href="https://blog.google/products/google-nest/partnership-adt-smarter-home-security/">>feeding Google information</a> about what happens in the customers' homes. For "smart", read "snooping."
<p>
The only home security device you should trust is one that runs all free software, and communicates encrypted with a service, sending it no data except what you want it to receive.
  


feed_id: 05bec4fab4a9102cb7e1001d26bc117b
title: The police lie, all the time
uri: The-police-lie-all-the-time
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28The_police_lie%2C_all_the_time%29
content:
<p>

*The Police Lie. All the Time. Can Anything Stop Them?* San Francisco DA Boudin: "<a href="https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/08/police-testilying.html">Police are allowed to lie and get away with it</a> over and over and over again in matters big and small&hellip; When you have a system of that kind of impunity, it snowballs. It teaches, encourages, and enforces bad behavior."
<p>
The problem of violence by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> is a consequence of their ability to lie to excuse it, so cracking down on testifying is vital to ending their violence.


feed_id: c788cc35b281b35944af8db07eb3d381
title: [The hypocrite] wants to see Chinese apps removed from U.S. app stores
uri: The-hypocrite-wants-to-see-Chinese-apps-removed-from-U-S-app-stores
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28%5BThe_hypocrite%5D_wants_to_see_Chinese_apps_removed_from_U.S._app_stores%29

content:
<p>

*[The hypocrite] wants to see 'untrusted' Chinese apps like TikTok and WeChat <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/05/pompeo-untrusted-chinese-apps-should-be-removed-from-us-stores.html">removed from U.S. app stores</a>, Pompeo says.*
<p>
*There are calls to ban TikTok in Australia &mdash; but you [and Australia] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/jul/16/there-are-calls-to-ban-tiktok-in-australia-but-you-should-worry-about-facebook-too">should worry about Facebook</a> too*
<p>
Let's ban those Chinese surveillance apps, then proceed to ban the <em>other</em> apps that users can't trust &mdash; meaning, all the ones that are <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">>not free/libre software</a>.
  


feed_id: bc9d0f2ba31478a7a86e1b1a5980b55c
title: US thugs have their own secret criminal gangs
uri: US-thugs-have-their-own-secret-criminal-gangs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28US_thugs_have_their_own_secret_criminal_gangs%29

content:
<p>

US thugs are so lawless that we should not be terribly surprised to learn that they have their own <a href="https://boingboing.net/2020/08/05/la-taxpayers-paid-out-55-mill.html">secret criminal gangs</a>.
<p>
Also their own right-wing <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/police-protests-floyd-law-enforcement-today-rant_n_5ee3ef5fc5b699cea53196b4">social media hate groups</a>.


feed_id: 256df2e2177c36cf1fa96f40c68b1167
title: Prescriptions from VA pharmacies arriving late
uri: Prescriptions-from-VA-pharmacies-arriving-late
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Prescriptions_from_VA_pharmacies_arriving_late%29

content:
<p>

Some US veterans say their prescriptions from the VA pharmacies have arrived <a href="https://connectingvets.radio.com/articles/usps-delays-veterans-affairs-mail-order-prescriptions">as much as 20 days late</a>.
<p>
This suggests that the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/07/usps-us-postal-service-changes-mail-in-ballots">cheater's efforts to sabotage voting by mail</a> are very effective.  And the saboteur plans to go even further.


feed_id: 1999cd5d3f2f2f2389c0e85507a4f908
title: "greed-with-power" status of the 500 largest U.S. corporations
uri: greed-with-power-status-of-the-500-largest-U-S-corporations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28greed-with-power_status_of_the_500_largest_U.S._corporations%29

content:
<p>

Ralph Nader: Economists should develop [an index] to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/07/ranking-infinite-greed-power-and-controls-giant-corporations">rank the "greed-with-power" status</a> of the 500 largest U.S. corporations.
<p>
I think his proposed term, "hedonistic index", does not do justice to the proposal: that word does not imply greed or power.  There is nothing evil about hedonism as such &mdash; imperfect, yes, but not evil.


feed_id: b6070ab8b1ba5585aca9f0870d635e1d
title: UK police considering criminal charges against thug
uri: UK-police-considering-criminal-charges-against-thug
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28UK_police_considering_criminal_charges_against_thug%29

content:
<p>

UK police are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/07/west-yorkshire-police-knee-on-neck-video-prompts-criminal-investigation">considering criminal charges</a> against one thug who put his knee on a person's neck.
<p>
I have to acknowledge that the UK treats discipline for its cops very seriously.  When the government decides that a practice is unjust or endangers the public, it can take firm action to teach cops not to do it.  I wish the US could do likewise.


feed_id: 55b760f1907390d886e3167261dc0017
title: Senate Republicans are yielding only a little on new relief bill
uri: Senate-Republicans-are-yielding-only-a-little-on-new-relief-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Senate_Republicans_are_yielding_only_a_little_on_new_relief_bill%29

content:
<p>

Senate Republicans seem to be <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/07/dems-rebuke-legislative-malpractice-trump-team-talks-collapse-and-tens-millions-face">feeling pressure</a> to compromise on a new relief bill, but they are yielding only a little.
<p>
This article does not mention the damaging provisions that Senate Republicans previously insisted on including in any relief bill. Those include giving businesses immunity for dangerous working conditions that let workers transmit Covid-19, and cutting Social Security in the future.  They would do lasting harm, and we should not agree to them in exchange for temporary aid.  In the long term, that would be a change for the worse.
<p>
Have the Republicans dropped those demands?  Can anyone tell me?
<p>
The article mentions the need to provide funds to the CDC, the postal service, election protection, and Covid-19 testing, but it does mention them in regard to the negotiations.  Have Senate Republicans agreed to funds for those?  Can anyone tell me?


feed_id: c2626d3dd33596e6104aa0dccdec3283
title: eLearning-industrial complex
uri: eLearning-industrial-complex
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28eLearning-industrial_complex%29
content:
<p>

The <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/07/how-covid-19-normalizing-elearning-industrial-complex-us-higher-eduction">eLearning-industrial complex</a>: online courses teach subject material without the rest of what people get from college.
<p>
It may succeed in training people for professions but it is not designed to create an educated people.
<p>
This is in addition to the injustice of nonfree software, which today's remote education forces onto students from grade 1.


feed_id: 8715bb682abdeee9cbb1150287cfabb7
title: Urgent: Extend the census deadline
uri: Urgent-Extend-the-census-deadline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Extend_the_census_deadline%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on the Senate to <a href="http://act.pfaw.org/sign/urge-senate-to-extend-census-deadline/">extend the census deadline</a>.
<p>The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641 and 888-355-3588.</p>
<p>If you call, please spread the word!</p>


feed_id: d9ad0ffbb62f2b7b77dce7fdbe555c9d
title: Artificial abortion impediments
uri: Artificial-abortion-impediments
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Artificial_abortion_impediments%29

content:
<p>
Arkansas's artificial abortion impediments <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/08/07/federal-appeals-court-reverses-ruling-blocked-arkansas-abortion-restrictions">will take effect at the end
of this month unless another court decision blocks them again</a>.


feed_id: f21f26823ac99f7a92d24718aa948d0a
title: Blockade of police station
uri: Blockade-of-police-station
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Blockade_of_police_station%29
content:
<p>
*Young people have blockaded a police station in north-west London,
accusing [thugs] of assaulting and arresting youth workers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/07/london-police-station-blockaded-after-14-year-olds-arrest">who had gone
to investigate the arrest of a 14-year-old</a>.*


feed_id: e39a24a5bd3c7a87b69e16b4597fa7a3
title: Worth fighting for
uri: Worth-fighting-for
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Worth_fighting_for%29
content:
<p>
*"It is worth fighting for a system that puts public health ahead of
profits: Medicare for All," <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/07/lets-make-it-happen-declares-jayapal-medicare-all-after-single-payer-canada-lauded">said a doctor touting Canadian system</a>.*


feed_id: 8705b4805d16f6e49ee3d6c313ed1e9d
title: Dow and Coronavirus
uri: Dow-and-Coronavirus
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Dow_and_Coronavirus%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/dow-skyrockets-after-coronavirus-begins-trading-on-new-1844651298">satire</a>) *Dow Skyrockets After Coronavirus Begins Trading On New York Stock Exchange.*


feed_id: ef065280101e55d1d8d480ff50cdbedf
title: Stamp and ballot
uri: Stamp-and-ballot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Stamp_and_ballot%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that requiring a voter to buy a stamp to mail in a ballot
<a href="https://lawandcrime.com/opinion/if-trumps-postmaster-general-raises-mail-in-ballot-stamp-price-that-could-be-an-unconstitutional-poll-tax/">is a kind of poll tax, and thus unconstitutional</a>.

<p>
Ironically, ballots that don't have stamps (because they are in states
which prepay for mailing back ballots) <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_(New_York_State's_recent_primary_election_discarding_20%_of_postal_ballots)">run a risk of being rejected
for not carrying a postmark</a>.

<p>
This shows that the US hodgepodge of voting systems was not designed
with the proper goal of helping every authorized voter to cast a ballot.


feed_id: 8c040bc6c7734cf30abfafbacc6a5d5d
title: Thug harassement
uri: Thug-harassement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Thug_harassement%29
content:
<p>
London <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> decided to search Ryan Colaço and his car for no obvious
reason.  They strip-searched him, found nothing, but still jailed him.
They searched his car, too, and must have decided to search the inside
of the glass of one window, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/08/man-wants-police-to-pay-for-car-window-they-smashed-during-search">because when he got it back that window had
been smashed</a>.

<p>
Oh, he faces charges of "resisting".  Perhaps the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> were getting
fed up after searching him 20 times and never finding anything to make
it worth while.


feed_id: 3db1954b047388bfea7367cd3ee6fc32
title: Progressive win
uri: Progressive-win
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Progressive_win%29
content:
<p>
A progressive candidate <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/07/outraised-250-1-progressive-marquita-bradshaw-upsets-establishment-opponent">won the Democratic primary for senator in Tennessee</a>.

<p>
For any Democrat to win there will be difficult, but I think a
progressive has a better chance of inspiring support than a right-wing
"centrist".


feed_id: a79aefff209af60b787179b4f47a1b6e
title: Hypersensitivity
uri: 2020-08-10-Hypersensitivity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Hypersensitivity%29
content:
<p>
Hypersensitivity <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/aug/08/nasa-to-change-harmful-and-discriminatory-planet-and-galaxy-nicknames">is spreading everywhere</a>.

<p>
Ancient Americans (aka 1491), by Charles Mann, discusses the terms
"Eskimo" and "Inuit" on page 341.  It seems that neither term is
welcomed by the entire group in question, which spans from Alaska to
Greenland.

<p>
As for "Siamese twins", it is true that the phenomenon of conjoined
twins is a general human trait and not specific to people from Siam.
But why in the world would people from Siam feel offended by it?

<p>
While we are on the subject, the kingdom which used to call itself
"Siam" (the name of the region) changed its name to "Thailand" in the
1930s as a declaration of ethnic prejudice.  "Thaï" is the name of the
majority ethnic group, so the name "Thailand" asserts that other
ethnic groups there are subordinate.  In other words, it stands for
Thai supremacism.


feed_id: 5620905189b50fd564958380a118522d
title: Holocaust lens
uri: Holocaust-lens
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Holocaust_lens%29
content:
<p>
Peter Beinart: Israelis dehumanize Palestinians by seeing them through
the "Holocaust lens" <a href="https://mondoweiss.net/2020/07/the-cultural-importance-of-peter-beinart/">and perceiving them as antisemites when they campaign
for their rights</a>.

<p>
Beinert advocates a combined state with equal rights for Israelis and
Palestinians.  Roger Cohen argues that <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/31/opinion/israeli-palestinian-peace.html">two separate states are still necessary
and still possible</a>.


feed_id: 05d9b203c5320cfcd09d03968e976d46
title: Cleaning up Timor sea
uri: Cleaning-up-Timor-sea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Cleaning_up_Timor_sea%29
content:
<p>
*Calls for Woodside to pay $200m <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/aug/09/calls-for-woodside-to-pay-200m-to-clean-up-moribund-timor-sea-oil-site-it-ran-until-2016">to clean up moribund Timor Sea oil site it ran until 2016</a>.*

<p>
This is fair &mdash; but fossil fuel companies usually go to great lengths
not to pay to clean up their own messes.


feed_id: 94e98b6c4d44cdb3ed036dcf6d6f1005
title: Sabotaging election campaign
uri: Sabotaging-election-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Sabotaging_election_campaign%29
content:
<p>
*Jeremy Corbyn accuses Labour officials <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/aug/07/jeremy-corbyn-accuses-labour-officials-of-sabotaging-election-campaign">of sabotaging election campaign</a>.*

<p>
I can't follow the description of the events in this article, as it
depends on too much else.  But it is not inherently implausible. The
"moderate" (plutocratist) wing of Labour certainly went to great
lengths to defeat Corbyn.


feed_id: 33b9569f9f5d4124b8ff7e024e855983
title: Coal mines
uri: 2020-08-10-Coal-mines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Coal_mines%29
content:
<p>
Modi has a last-ditch plan to build 40 new unneeded coal mines <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/08/india-prime-minister-narendra-modi-plans-to-fell-ancient-forest-to-create-40-new-coal-fields">just
before the coal ceases to be worth much</a>.


feed_id: c065e58c894f595cc3f87639cdd3b509
title: International shipping
uri: International-shipping
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28International_shipping%29
content:
<p>
*Behind the Beirut explosion lies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/08/beirut-explosion-lawless-world-international-shipping-">the lawless world of international shipping</a>.*

<p>
It seems that the authorities in Beirut did not know about, or didn't
check for, the danger of that particular cargo.


feed_id: 229dd8ad9fdcd185ea63b29abba384ea
title: Farms and Covid-19
uri: Farms-and-Covid-19
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Farms_and_Covid-19%29
content:
<p>
Many farms and food plants in California did little or nothing to
protect workers from Covid-19, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/08/california-covid-19-central-valley-essential-workers">and kept them in the dark when
Covid-19 started spreading among them</a>.


feed_id: 280141dc2ca21ab18a19cd51e8eda61b
title: Medical quackery
uri: Medical-quackery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#10_August_2020_%28Medical_quackery%29
content:
<p>
Amazon <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/08/amazon-algorithm-curated-misinformation-books-data">heavily promotes medical quackery</a>.


feed_id: 57f4233b085c73903219da22a9a5e0ef
title: Resignation of government
uri: Resignation-of-government
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#11_August_2020_%28Resignation_of_government%29
content:
<p>
The Lebanese are demanding the resignation of the government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/10/beirut-blast-judge-questions-security-chiefs-as-third-minister-resigns">for allowing
the deadly and destructive explosion in Beirut</a>.

<p>
I have to wonder what people wish the ministers had done.
2700 tons of ammonium nitrate take up around 1.4 million cubic meters.
It is not trivial to get rid of so much material.

<p>
After receiving on July 20 the report, "This dangerous chemical could
explode at any time, but it has been stored here for six years with no
trouble yet," I can understand why the ministers did not rush
desperately to move it within two weeks.  They would have had no plan
ready, and figuring out what to do with it would take time.

<p>
I wonder why the danger of the chemical was noted only just now, and
not earlier.

<p>
Lebanon was in economic distress already, and surely can't afford to
rebuild its port facilities.  But I can think of one country that
will offer to pay for it: China.


feed_id: eb3d65b94693a008ebc5fe8100e43a74
title: Wages and isolation
uri: Wages-and-isolation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#11_August_2020_%28Wages_and_isolation%29
content:
<p>
To make a policy of test, trace and isolate function, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/aug/10/nhs-test-and-trace-will-fail-unless-government-pays-wages-say-unions">the state must supply
the lost wages of those who are require to isolate</a>.

<p>
Every worker needs to have paid sick leave to be able to afford to
stay home to avoid infecting others at work.


feed_id: 7d0d07e0486ecf02fcee3db6afe7e495
title: Tanker spill
uri: Tanker-spill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#11_August_2020_%28Tanker_spill%29
content:
<p>
An oil tanker ran aground on a reef near Mauritius and is breaking up.
So far it has spilled 1000 tons of oil, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/10/mauritius-calls-for-urgent-help-to-prevent-oil-spill-disaster">which has polluted coral reefs
and mangroves</a>.

<p>
The practice of shipping large quantity of oil is a recipe for
occasional disaster.  An island like Mauritius, which is not rich,
cannot afford to be ready to deal with a problem like this in case it
happens.


feed_id: a888a0ca2b1eeb17da0a868a591fa990
title: Neonicotinoids and birds
uri: 2020-08-11-Neonicotinoids-and-birds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#11_August_2020_%28Neonicotinoids_and_birds%29
content:
<p>
Neonicotinoids used on crop seeds damage birds' reproduction.
The poison accumulates in a bird, over the years, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/10/pesticides-us-birds-species-biodiversity-study">and interferes
with its ability to reproduce successfully</a>.


feed_id: c5f70c55600c269726f24ca884c3c0a3
title: Grow with less water
uri: Grow-with-less-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#11_August_2020_%28Grow_with_less_water%29
content:
<p>
A kind of genetically engineering can make a plant grow much faster
and use less water.  It has been tested on tobacco, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/10/gene-manipulation-using-algae-could-grow-more-crops-with-less-water">but the idea is to
use it on food plants</a>.

<p>
Each genetically engineered product ought to be judged on its
individual characteristics, but that does not mean they should be
accepted without scrutiny.

<p>
Can anyone find out what kind of "algae" the added protein comes from?
In particular, which phylum is it in?  In any case, it can't be
"closely related" to a flowering plant.


feed_id: 7efbf661a9031f669a9e59d503b7edd9
title: Sharing with authorities
uri: Sharing-with-authorities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#11_August_2020_%28Sharing_with_authorities%29
content:
<p>
*Leaked Documents Reveal What TikTok Shares with Authorities &mdash; <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/10/blueleaks-tiktok-law-enforcement-privacy/">in the
 U.S.</a>*


feed_id: 3c0187b9f2db9ce94e541263c346ae62
title: English-medium education
uri: English-medium-education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#11_August_2020_%28English-medium_education%29
content:
<p>
*Why is India obsessed with English-medium education &mdash; <a href="https://scroll.in/article/969356/why-is-india-obsessed-with-english-medium-education-when-it-goes-against-scientific-consensus">when it goes against scientific consensus</a>?*

<p>
The article also describes Hindi as an artificially constructed
compromise version of regional languages.  Since I don't speak Hindi
or any of those, I wonder how different they are.


feed_id: 64bd329a74c99e196d292b52dee5a3b9
title: Not seeing what was promised
uri: Not-seeing-what-was-promised
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#11_August_2020_%28Not_seeing_what_was_promised%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand PM Ardern promised progressive changes before winning election,
but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/10/jacinda-ardern-must-use-her-power-to-push-new-zealand-to-more-progressive-politics">she did not implement them</a>.
  Instead, she signed the TPP, <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">which is a business-supremacy treaty</a>.

<p>
Perhaps she is New Zealand's Obama.

<p>
I encourage New Zealanders to vote Green.


feed_id: 96d17630de72e85440f4be4cbc966eb3
title: Raising islands
uri: Raising-islands
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#11_August_2020_%28Raising_islands%29
content:
<p>
Kiribati plans to raise its islands <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/10/kiribatis-presidents-plans-to-raise-islands-in-fight-against-sea-level-rise">to protect them against sea-level rise</a>.

<p>
This might work for 50 years, but not indefinitely.  If we do not curb
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>, sea-level rise will accelerate.  Eventually it will go
too fast for raising the islands to compensate for.

<p>
It will also be expensive.  If <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> causes the US and China
to collapse, which could happen in 50 years, no one will be able to
offer that sort of support.

<p>
Dredging the lagoon to get the materials could perhaps harm the
wildlife in the lagoon, but that is just speculation.  Perhaps the
conditions in the lagoon make it safe.


feed_id: 612a2e556101f7237e8b8a74c6ba25c3
title: Complaints against officers
uri: Complaints-against-officers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#11_August_2020_%28Complaints_against_officers%29
content:
<p>
*Within the Boston Police Department, <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/18/metro/within-boston-police-department-complaints-against-officers-are-rarely-confirmed-or-result-punishment/">complaints against officers are rarely
confirmed or result in punishment</a>.*


feed_id: ce1a24902cee74451b3a8c82e044db7d
title: Tyrant versus his people
uri: Tyrant-versus-his-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#11_August_2020_%28Tyrant_versus_his_people%29
content:
<p>
The tyrant of Belarus is preparing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/09/belarus-election-lukashenko-landslide-victory-fixing-claims">to claim he has "won" reelection
with an amazing 80% of the vote</a>.

<p>
Protests <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/10/new-leader-or-new-crackdown-belarus-has-entered-a-new-era">have broken out all around the country</a>.
  There are reports that some riot <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> are switching sides and joining
the protests.


feed_id: 80076cf9bcdcb36895f5c80cab409ce7
title: Election delays
uri: Election-delays
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#11_August_2020_%28Election_delays%29
content:
<p>
*Bolivia protesters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/09/bolivia-protesters-bring-country-to-standstill-over-election-delays-covid-19-evo-morales">bring country to standstill over election delays</a>.*


feed_id: d425f330bcac5b6f2d6dc3604ddafc29
title: No economic boost on fast reopening
uri: No-economic-boost-on-fast-reopening
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#11_August_2020_%28No_economic_boost_on_fast_reopening%29

content:
<p>
Economic analysis shows that rapidly reopening business, as red states
have done, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/07/analysis-shows-rapid-and-reckless-reopenings-not-only-bad-public-health-economy-too">failed to give them an economic boost</a>.
  The resulting wave
of Covid-19 prevented the hoped-for benefits, even as it put people
at some risk of death, and a likelihood of long-term medical damage.


feed_id: 4a3ee34be8e007d3e6873d52a73112e1
title: Reasons to disqualify for running
uri: Reasons-to-disqualify-for-running
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#11_August_2020_%28Reasons_to_disqualify_for_running%29

content:
<p>
*Progressives are pointing to Susan Rice's past fossil fuel
   investments &mdash; including stock in the company behind the Keystone XL
   Pipeline &mdash; and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/07/fossil-fuel-investments-and-hawkish-foreign-policy-among-serious-issues-progressives">her hawkish foreign policy as reasons to disqualify her from the running</a>.*

<p>
It is unlikely anyone would be chosen as a national security adviser
without being hawkish.  If you seek someone who will end wars rather
than start them, that is not a fruitful place to look.


feed_id: a9b89b10c3fddbe22788763e5f7678d8
title: A letter from the Arctic
uri: A-letter-from-the-Arctic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28A_letter_from_the_Arctic%29
content:
<p>

*'As the tundra burns, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/11/arctic-tundra-paris-climate-agreement">we cannot afford climate silence</a>': a letter from the Arctic.*
<p>
The article treats withdrawing from the Paris treaty as if it were a real and enormous act of climate sabotage.  To be sure, the wrecker is committing large real acts of sabotage <em>also</em>, but this is only symbolic sabotage.  The Paris climate treaty specified an <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jul-oct.html#05_September_2015_(Paris_climate_action)">insufficient goal</a>, its signatories <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jul-oct.html#06_September_2015_(Paris_climate_deal_not_strong_enough)">did not pledge enough</a> to reach that goal,and most of them are <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-sep-dec.html#06_September_2015_(Paris_climate_deal_not_strong_enough)">doing much less</a> than what they pledged.
<p>
Pulling out of the Paris treaty is only a demonstration of bad faith.


feed_id: 49058af4746d3d7d3e6fd76e8a1e81bb
title: Displacement of more than a million across the Sahel
uri: Displacement-of-more-than-a-million-across-the-Sahel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28Displacement_of_more_than_a_million_across_the_Sahel%29

content:
<p>

*[Covid-19 is expected] to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/aug/11/covid-to-displace-more-than-a-million-across-the-sahel-new-tool-predicts">displace more than a million</a> across the Sahel, new tool predicts.*


feed_id: 146074907cccd7e126e425c4f8c29f1e
title: Global heating is extending the range of Lyme disease
uri: Global-heating-is-extending-the-range-of-Lyme-disease
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28Global_heating_is_extending_the_range_of_Lyme_disease%29

content:
<p>

Global heating is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/11/ticks-lyme-disease-climate-change-us"extending the range of Lyme disease</a> and other diseases spread by ticks.


feed_id: 157f63a43451120df187ed55a9f048a8
title: It's time to tax the obscene wealth of the rich
uri: It-s-time-to-tax-the-obscene-wealth-of-the-rich
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28It%27s_time_to_tax_the_obscene_wealth_of_the_rich%29

content:
<p>

Sanders: *The pandemic is helping the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/11/the-pandemic-is-helping-the-rich-get-even-richer-its-time-to-tax-their-obscene-wealth">rich get even richer</a>. It's time to tax their obscene wealth.*


feed_id: e8b283bb96c905be8cdbd10ad0984324
title: Up to 30 million Americans may be evicted
uri: Up-to-30-million-Americans-may-be-evicted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28Up_to_30_million_Americans_may_be_evicted%29

content:
<p>

Up to 30 million <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/11/evictions-us-coronavirus-protections">Americans may be evicted</a> by the end of September.
<p>
Since there won't be many would-be tenants with money to rent those apartments, some of the landlords may decide they have little to gain my evicting their current tenants.  At least, I hope so.  But what we need is for a decent government to protect them.  And pay their rent, if the landlord is a person who isn't rich.


feed_id: 0bbf0dcb7fa0b4471d7b8270570d2399
title: Billionaires are protected by millions of "useful idiots"
uri: Billionaires-are-protected-by-millions-of-useful-idiots
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28Billionaires_are_protected_by_millions_of_useful_idiots%29

content:
<p>

The riches of US billionaires are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/11/why-would-anyone-argue-against-billionaires-paying-more-tax-just-see-useful-idiot-theory">protected by millions of "useful idiots"</a>, worshipers of the Cult of the Invisible Hand.


feed_id: 41e1ecf67a87b7300cd47511b099de54
title: Florida's unemployment benefits system
uri: Florida-s-unemployment-benefits-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28Florida%27s_unemployment_benefits_system%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/11/florida-unemployment-coronavirus-benefits-system">Florida's unemployment benefits system</a> was designed by sadistic Republicans to make it difficult to get benefits.


feed_id: aad6f6e09e64ae7b74b92996df8256c0
title: Russia coronavirus vaccine
uri: Russia-coronavirus-vaccine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28Russia_coronavirus_vaccine%29
content:
<p>

Releasing a vaccine that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/11/russia-coronavirus-vaccine-will-it-work-is-it-safe-sputnik-v"hasn't been carefully tested</a> can backfire in many ways &mdash; depending on how well it actually works.


feed_id: 5f3e61dd809d0ccf2faccaa2d81582db
title: Tyrant of Belarus has shut off mobile phone internet connection and app communication
uri: Tyrant-of-Belarus-has-shut-off-mobile-phone-internet-connection-and-ap
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28Tyrant_of_Belarus_has_shut_off_mobile_phone_internet_connection_and_app_communication%29

content:
<p>

The tyrant of Belarus has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/11/belarus-president-cuts-off-internet-amid-widespread-protests">shut off mobile phone internet connection and app communication</a>, to hamper protests.


feed_id: a094ac9aac995f2e3aeff5f4cb6520f8
title: Alex Morse attacked with a vague story about sex
uri: Alex-Morse-attacked-with-a-vague-story-about-sex
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28Alex_Morse_attacked_with_a_vague_story_about_sex%29

content:
<p>

Alex Morse, the progressive challenging Rep. Neal, has been <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/09/critics-warn-against-smear-campaign-creepy-victorian-moralizing-aimed-progressive">attacked with a vague story about sex</a> which is supposed to be somehow wrong.


feed_id: f972902bc4e83a56cfedaf70df307526
title: London thugs stopping blacks at higher frequency than whites
uri: London-thugs-stopping-blacks-at-higher-frequency-than-whites
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28London_thugs_stopping_blacks_at_higher_frequency_than_whites%29

content:
<p>

London thugs stop and search blacks at 10 times the frequency per capita of whites.  They stopped Dawn Butler, MP, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/09/system-needs-to-change-dawn-butler-on-being-stopped-by-police">for the third time</a>, this time as a passenger with another black driving, then gave excuses that appealed to bigotry.
<p>
She presents arguments that the only possible reason for stopping them was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/11/black-mp-stopped-by-police-racial-profiling-black-people-arrests">racial profiling</a>.


feed_id: 0f12e058baee2afc6377c44409078705
title: America's PPE shortage
uri: America-s-PPE-shortage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28America%27s_PPE_shortage%29
content:
<p>

*America's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/10/us-ppe-coronavirus-shortage-america">PPE shortage</a> could last years without strategic plan, experts warn.*


feed_id: cc478d9cd33ffae858294e5dd8a67171
title: Street fridges of food
uri: Street-fridges-of-food
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28Street_fridges_of_food%29
content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/10/no-one-should-go-hungry-sidewalk-fridges-of-free-food-help-americans-survive-pandemic">Street fridges of [gratis] food</a> help Americans survive [Covid-19] pandemic.*


feed_id: 2b101ac223b43f03bc672c0342db04e0
title: Dutch meat-processing companies
uri: Dutch-meat-processing-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28Dutch_meat-processing_companies%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/10/i-feel-worthless-workers-tell-of-gruelling-life-in-dutch-meat-plants">Dutch meat-processing companies</a> hire workers through contractors and then mistreat and intimidate them.
<p>
There is an obvious solution: change the laws about subcontracted workers so that the ultimate beneficial employer has full employer's responsibility for them.  The main reason companies subcontract is to evade responsibility


feed_id: 8a6e44c8249326ccede7d2425b9863f1
title: Highest Covid-19 excess mortality rate in Europe
uri: Highest-Covid-19-excess-mortality-rate-in-Europe
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28Highest_Covid-19_excess_mortality_rate_in_Europe%29

content:
<p>

England had the highest Covid-19 excess mortality rate in Europe.  The reason is the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/10/england-worst-covid-figures-austerity-inequality">unceasing Tory campaign for dooH niboR</a>. The Tories made the poor poorer so they were more vulnerable, and it cut the NHS so it could not do enough.


feed_id: 8bca45619f706775d0125de8355feb04
title: Cutting down the Amazon forest to grow corn
uri: Cutting-down-the-Amazon-forest-to-grow-corn
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28Cutting_down_the_Amazon_forest_to_grow_corn%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/10/the-amazon-is-the-vagina-of-the-world-why-women-are-key-to-saving-brazils-forests-aoe">Cutting down the Amazon forest</a> to clear land to grow corn is reducing the rainfall and increasing the temperature, thus reducing yields of corn.
<p>
I don't see any objective validity in thinking of the Amazon as "the vagina of the world".  It is a personal mental association; you can think that if it pleases you.  However, if it motivates people to campaign effectively against deforestation, I'm all for that.


feed_id: 014be5556917e7f4c7a52eb5f108208d
title: Difficulty convicting the thugs that killed Breonna Taylor
uri: Difficulty-convicting-the-thugs-that-killed-Breonna-Taylor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28Difficulty_convicting_the_thugs_that_killed_Breonna_Taylor%29

content:
<p>

Kentucky laws and Supreme Court decisions make it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/10/breonna-taylor-killing-officers-may-never-be-arrested">difficult to convict the thugs</a> that killed Breonna Taylor of murder.  But reckless manslaughter may be possible.


feed_id: 410e7cbbe2e1704b123e701539d94c7e
title: When thugs rape people they say are suspects
uri: When-thugs-rape-people-they-say-are-suspects
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28When_thugs_rape_people_they_say_are_suspects%29

content:
<p>

In the US, when <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/10/phoenix-police-officers-rape-sexual-assault">thugs rape people they say are suspects</a>, it is rare to bring them to justice.
<p>
I object to describing any one crime as "sexual assault" because that is vague about the severity of the crime.  This article often uses that term to refer to many crimes that differ in severity but raise the same issue. That may be a valid practice.


feed_id: b972b0639da14bf47e69dd5f3100dfb5
title: Global heating is extending the range of Lyme disease
uri: 2020-08-12-Global-heating-is-extending-the-range-of-Lyme-disease
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28Global_heating_is_extending_the_range_of_Lyme_disease%29

content:
<p>

Global heating is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/11/ticks-lyme-disease-climate-change-us">extending the range of Lyme disease</a> and other diseases spread by ticks.


feed_id: c6d986038e7b8ae5da7215d37b402a5d
title: Russia coronavirus vaccine
uri: 2020-08-12-Russia-coronavirus-vaccine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28Russia_coronavirus_vaccine%29
content:
<p>

Releasing a vaccine that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/11/russia-coronavirus-vaccine-will-it-work-is-it-safe-sputnik-v">hasn't been carefully tested</a> can backfire in many ways &mdash; depending on how well it actually works.


feed_id: 8f37ddcab86e9c4124ac185a579fc99a
title: China has the money to suck UK universities into a system of corruption
uri: China-has-the-money-to-suck-UK-universities-into-a-system-of-corruptio
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28China_has_the_money_to_suck_UK_universities_into_a_system_of_corruption%29

content:
<p>

50 years ago, British companies' money corrupted a UK university.  Now, China
has the money to suck them into a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/11/academic-freedom-is-precious-so-why-have-uk-universities-sold-out-to-china">system of corruption</a>.
<p>
Something similar has happened in Australia, and I expect it is happening in the US as well.
<p>
Meanwhile, China exercises its tyranny over Chinese students studying
abroad.
<p>
I would not want universities outside China to exclude Chinese from
studying or cut off Chinese labs from research collaboration.  But we
must make sure they can't get sucked in to the point where they don't
dare say no when they must.


feed_id: 818d5477134982997f46875e610ee9fd
title: Facebook suspended one of the cheater's PACs
uri: Facebook-suspended-one-of-the-cheater-s-PACs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Facebook_suspended_one_of_the_cheater%27s_PACs%29

content:
<p>

Facebook has <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-election/facebook-bars-pro-trump-pac-from-advertising-citing-repeated-false-posts-idUSKCN25236I">suspended one of the cheater's PACs</a> for false advertising.


feed_id: 53bba39b30f285f3d9ae7cc516658768
title: How capitalists make use of plutocratist politicians and parties
uri: How-capitalists-make-use-of-plutocratist-politicians-and-parties
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28How_capitalists_make_use_of_plutocratist_politicians_and_parties%29

content:
<p>

How capitalists make use of plutocratist politicians and parties to
<a href="https://www.alternet.org/2020/08/why-capitalism-is-in-constant-conflict-with-democracy/">claim most of society's wealth</a> for themselves.


feed_id: 476f5b56abd4cac7a49e2c01c8ba1255
title: The Satanic Temple has published a "sanctified" ritual which includes carrying out an abortion
uri: The-Satanic-Temple-has-published-a-sanctified-ritual-which-includes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28The_Satanic_Temple_has_published_a_sanctified_ritual_which_includes_carrying_out_an_abortion%29

content:
<p>

The Satanic Temple <a href="https://announcement.thesatanictemple.com/rrr-campaign41280784">has published</a> a "sanctified" ritual which includes
carrying out an abortion.  Based on this, it asserts that the
Religious Freedom Restoration Act makes state laws to restrict
abortion invalid against an abortion thus sanctified.
<p>
I am not an expert on that law, and I would love to see a lawyer's
report on whether this argument is likely to prevail in federal court.
I hope it does.


feed_id: 32736bd7fe1b0328871d228cb8af3842
title: Call to resurrect the Office of Technology Assessment
uri: Call-to-resurrect-the-Office-of-Technology-Assessment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Call_to_resurrect_the_Office_of_Technology_Assessment%29

content:
<p>

Ralph Nader calls on Pelosi to <a href="https://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/news/200/ralph-nader-and-colleagues-call-on-nancy-pelosi-to-revive-office-of-technology-assessment/">resurrect the Office of Technology
Assessment</a>, which was eliminated by plutocratist Republicans in the 1990s.
<p>
Plutocratists find the rational evaluation of technology a nuisance.
When it agrees with what plutocrats demand, they find it superfluous;
when it disagrees, they call it an obstacle.


feed_id: 4168fa50ed93a929fd9f3d7dc6406631
title: Penalty for bribing doctors
uri: Penalty-for-bribing-doctors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Penalty_for_bribing_doctors%29
content:
<p>

Novartis agreed to a <a href="https://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/news/200/james-e-miller-on-the-678-million-novartis-false-claims-settlement/">penalty of almost 700 million dollars</a> for
a program of (in effect) bribing doctors.


feed_id: 88e16c0e2b013edeb2d8af9f9b999c47
title: Eliminating cookies and "behavioral advertising"
uri: Eliminating-cookies-and-behavioral-advertising
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Eliminating_cookies_and_behavioral_advertising%29

content:
<p>

The Dutch equivalent of the BBC found it made more money by
<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/can-killing-cookies-save-journalism/">eliminating cookies and "behavioral advertising"</a>, and selling ads based
on the specific articles they would accompany.
<p>
This seems like a step forward towards privacy, but I can't tell how
close it actually gets.  Cookies are one way of tracking users, but
there are others.  Does the broadcaster use IP addresses to determine
the user's location?
<p>
Does the advertiser send ads directly to the user?  If so, it might
use various nefarious means to get information about the user without
the direct help of the broadcaster &mdash; including IP address location
and browser profiling.


feed_id: 81c344e29604f9eb2f734ff8b0b67bce
title: Harm that face recognition in schools can do
uri: Harm-that-face-recognition-in-schools-can-do
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Harm_that_face_recognition_in_schools_can_do%29

content:
<p>

Fight for the Future reports on several kinds of <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/10/privacy-advocates-demand-ban-facial-recognition-schools-response-damning-study">harm that face
recognition in schools can do</a>.
<p>
To the extent that "exacerbating racial biases" refers to the reported
lesser accuracy of today's recognition algorithms for black faces, I
consider that an advantage for blacks.  (If the algorithms were
greatly inaccurate for everyone, we would all be safe from them.)
<p>
However, this disparity is likely to be temporary.  I am sure that
companies are working hard on making recognition accurate for all
human faces.  Unless we assume that this is impossible, we should not
base our campaign against face recognition on the current disparity in
accuracy.
<p>
On the other hand, to the extent that correct recognition of all
students would potentiate the effect of the racial bias in other
aspects of the school, that harm will get worse if recognition becomes
uniformly accurate.  If we can demonstrate this, it will be a good
argument to use, one that will tend to get stronger.


feed_id: ad446619ab68e2e879ea09794d3ba4ad
title: ACLU calls for breaking up the Department of Harshness and Sadism
uri: ACLU-calls-for-breaking-up-the-Department-of-Harshness-and-Sadism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28ACLU_calls_for_breaking_up_the_Department_of_Harshness_and_Sadism%29

content:
<p>

The ACLU calls for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/10/citing-years-chaos-and-impunity-aclu-calls-breakup-department-homeland-security">breaking up the Department of Harshness and Sadism</a>
and cutting its overall funds.


feed_id: 5215a6eaad4f5ce335a12d00660a416c
title: Evaluating the significant steps that Billionaire Polluters has announced
uri: Evaluating-the-significant-steps-that-Billionaire-Polluters-has-announ
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Evaluating_the_significant_steps_that_Billionaire_Polluters_has_announced%29

content:
<p>

Evaluating the significant steps that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bp">Billionaire Polluters</a> has
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/10/bp-plans-keep-it-ground-sort">announced</a>, and how they fall short of its share of what must be done
to avoid <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> disaster.


feed_id: 195875919aa4d7d5a6a94f5e69f05b21
title: (satire) Violent vortex of wind
uri: (satire)-Violent-vortex-of-wind
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28%28satire%29_Violent_vortex_of_wind%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Promising that those responsible for the widespread damage
would soon be held accountable, Chicago Police Department officials
condemned Black Lives Matter protesters Tuesday for <a href="https://www.theonion.com/chicago-pd-condemns-black-lives-matter-for-creating-vio-1844686924">creating a
violent vortex of wind</a> that destroyed property.*


feed_id: 520b9a3932e36ba2498083edc865164f
title: Elimination of regulations on methane emissions from oil and methane wells
uri: Elimination-of-regulations-on-methane-emissions-from-oil-and-methane-w
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Elimination_of_regulations_on_methane_emissions_from_oil_and_methane_wells%29

content:
<p>

The Environmental Poisoning Agency plans to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/11/trump-epa-plan-gut-emission-rules-oil-and-gas-industry-denounced-beyond">completely eliminate regulations</a> on
methane emissions from oil and methane wells.
<p.
The wrecker has been chipping steadily away at the US regulations that
limit toxic pollution and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.  It looks like he has decided to
try eliminating them entirely while he still has a chance.


feed_id: 1a5b7c261dd4ef1b565743506cce0f66
title: British POW soldiers
uri: British-POW-soldiers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28British_POW_soldiers%29
content:
<p>

British soldiers who had been prisoners of war in Burma <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/aug/11/letters-british-objections-plot-bridge-on-the-river-kwai">were very unhappy</a>
with the film, Bridge on the River Kwai.


feed_id: 261b9e6a4371b753eedf75e97292cf95
title: A California court ordered Uber and Lyft to treat drivers as employees
uri: A-California-court-ordered-Uber-and-Lyft-to-treat-drivers-as-employees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28A_California_court_ordered_Uber_and_Lyft_to_treat_drivers_as_employees%29

content:
<p>

A California court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/aug/10/uber-lyft-ruling-california-judge">ordered Uber and Lyft</a> to treat drivers as employees
following the California law which says they are. This is not
a final decision, however, and I expect those companies
will appeal all the way to the Supreme Court.

Treating their drivers as employees &mdash; where they do so &mdash; can greatly
reduce the way those companies mistreat <em>their drivers</em>.  It does
nothing to correct the injustices they do to all <em>customers</em>: making
them run nonfree software, making them identify themselves, and making
a dossier about the movements of each one.  These injustices are the
essential reasons to reject those dis-services.
<p>
As long as they continue, I refuse to get into an Uber car even if
someone else booked the ride.


feed_id: ca6e010488bdf7b55e6e0f88def2600d
title: The cheater's executive order pretends to help the unemployed and the poor
uri: The-cheater-s-executive-order-pretends-to-help-the-unemployed-and-the
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28The_cheater%27s_executive_order_pretends_to_help_the_unemployed_and_the_poor%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#cheater">The cheater</a> issued executive orders that pretend to help unemployed
and poor Americans cope with the consequences of Covid-19.  But they
don't really do the jobs they pretend to do, they leave out lots of
people, and they have intolerable side effects.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/09/progressives-call-trump-executive-orders-what-they-are-illegal-inadequate-misleading">They are also
unconstitutional</a>, since the president does not have the power to order
such things.
<p>
More about the absurdity of his <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/11/real-people-are-paying-ultimate-price-trumps-monstrous-failures">supposed "remedy"</a>.
<p>
I must disagree, however, with calling them a "failure".  I think that his goals are such that they constitute a "success" according to them.


feed_id: 5fb50482696d7e57b92597ad466b0dff
title: Urgent: Support the MORE act
uri: Urgent-Support-the-MORE-act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Support_the_MORE_act%29
content:
<p>

US citizens: call on your congresscritter to <a href="https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/its-time-end-federal-war-marijuana">support the MORE Act</a>,
which decriminalizes marijuana and does other related good things.

     <p>The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
       and 888-355-3588.</p>
     <p>If you call, please spread the word!</a>


feed_id: dac8693039610abcc610271acb362eb7
title: Up to 30 million Americans may be evicted
uri: 2020-08-13-Up-to-30-million-Americans-may-be-evicted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#12_August_2020_%28Up_to_30_million_Americans_may_be_evicted%29

content:
<p>

Up to 30 million <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/11/evictions-us-coronavirus-protections">Americans may be evicted</a> by the end of September.
<p>
Since there won't be many would-be tenants with money to rent those
apartments, some of the landlords may decide they have little to gain
my evicting their current tenants.  At least, I hope so.  But what we
need is for a decent government to protect them.  And pay their rent,
if the landlord is a real person who isn't rich.  (Rich landlords
should bear the loss of that rent.)


feed_id: 8e4c25f903f4853937e141a29a60137e
title: Student against military and monarchy
uri: Student-against-military-and-monarchy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Student_against_military_and_monarchy%29

content:
<p>
Thai students are protesting, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/12/thailand-protesters-cross-the-rubicon-and-risk-all-to-criticise-the-monarchy">criticizing the government (which is
military in essence) and the monarchy</a>.


feed_id: 555feaa307a5278061b28a47ae116a18
title: Pushing homeless people on the street again
uri: Pushing-homeless-people-on-the-street-again
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Pushing_homeless_people_on_the_street_again%29

content:
<p>
The UK gave housing to every homeless person, to avoid transmission of
Covid-19.  Now it plans to push them out on the street again, along
with thousands or millions of destitute people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/aug/12/homeless-people-mustnt-be-abandoned-to-life-on-the-streets-again">that will soon be
evicted</a>.


feed_id: ab750f933a56213a80ec62e558fab617
title: Stop lending to oil extraction
uri: Stop-lending-to-oil-extraction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Stop_lending_to_oil_extraction%29
content:
<p>
Indigenous people in the distant Amazon region <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/12/european-banks-urged-to-stop-funding-oil-trade-in-amazon">call on European banks
to stop lending to oil extraction there</a>.


feed_id: 1a9fa54eb4f40a67266c717f41c81651
title: Rentier capitalism
uri: Rentier-capitalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Rentier_capitalism%29
content:
<p>
The UK suffers from a particular form of capitalism &mdash; rentier
capitalism &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/12/ppe-britain-rentier-capitalism-assets-uk-economy">where the main income is to those who have something
others need to pay rent for</a>.

<p>
This creates growing inequality.


feed_id: 3ef11127832bc16216798d86a9c380e3
title: Hydro energy storage system in the Grand Canyon
uri: Hydro-energy-storage-system-in-the-Grand-Canyon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Hydro_energy_storage_system_in_the_Grand_Canyon%29

content:
<p>
A pumped hydro energy storage system  proposed for a tributary that flows
into the Grand Canyon <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/12/navajo-nation-dams-big-canyon-pumped-storage-project">is meeting lots of opposition</a>.

<p>
I wonder how long a pumped hydro system could continue to function in
a land which <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> is making ever more arid as time goes on.
Of all the possible places, why there?


feed_id: 543dd89f6e54fee31493a95b774125cf
title: Defeating plutocratist
uri: Defeating-plutocratist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Defeating_plutocratist%29
content:
<p>
Ilhan Omar defeated a well-funded plutocratist challenger <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/12/ilhan-omar-sees-victory-minnesota-democratic-primary-squad">in the
Democratic primary</a>.


feed_id: c340b57d2fab15f974269f7006f89e73
title: Dangerous cop techniques
uri: Dangerous-cop-techniques
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Dangerous_cop_techniques%29
content:
<p>
Cops are taught unscientific methods of trying to determine
who is lying, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/12/blueleaks-law-enforcement-police-lie-detection/">and a dangerous technique for extracting confessions</a>.

<p>
When they believe that these methods are valid, they become overconfident
and more likely to believe bad conclusions.  Both of them are unjust to people
who feel little confidence, even if they are telling the truth and not guilty.


feed_id: 3fd1e9631348893c0730abe78c4923d1
title: Ban of antisemitic conspiracy and blackfaces
uri: Ban-of-antisemitic-conspiracy-and-blackfaces
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Ban_of_antisemitic_conspiracy_and_blackfaces%29

content:
<p>
*Facebook and Instagram <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/aug/12/facebook-and-instagram-ban-antisemitic-conspiracy-theories-and-blackface">ban antisemitic conspiracy theories and blackface</a>.*


feed_id: 78e15435589a33ac9c859c09dc493406
title: Global heating is accelerating
uri: Global-heating-is-accelerating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Global_heating_is_accelerating%29
content:
<p>
Global heating is accelerating, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/12/hottest-decade-climate-crisis-2019">the past decade (2010-2019)
was the hottest ever recorded</a>.


feed_id: c2dbe061861a97261f72add61a51696a
title: Not worth living
uri: Not-worth-living
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Not_worth_living%29
content:
<p>
Some people in nursing homes feel life <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/aug/12/care-home-residents-losing-will-to-live-amid-covid-restrictions-in-england">is not worth living under the
isolation restrictions nursing homes must follow</a>.


feed_id: afb9354dca047fa462a1b056a5658747
title: Structural reforms
uri: Structural-reforms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Structural_reforms%29
content:
<p>
The IMF <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/11/if-ever-there-was-a-moment-for-change-in-lebanon-this-must-surely-be-it">is threatening to rescue Lebonon with "structural reforms."</a>

<p>
"Structural reforms", in IMF jargon, means cutting taxes on the rich,
telling the poor to sink or swim, charging money for public school,
basically the plutocratist agenda.  At least, that is what it meant
in the past.


feed_id: 2dc26819117d1a7b4e4c5ee91cf28681
title: Demolishing home of innocent is an injustice
uri: Demolishing-home-of-innocent-is-an-injustice
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Demolishing_home_of_innocent_is_an_injustice%29

content:
<p>
Israel's supreme court ruled against demolishing the home of a
Palestinian family, <a href="http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=82253">recognizing that it is an injustice to
punish innocent relatives of someone accused of crime</a>.

<p>
If this policy holds, it would be a step forward for Israel,
which has made a practice of punishing the innocent in this way.


feed_id: 93f0453e207d4dc3b090dffb4cb2f101
title: Shooting bystanders
uri: Shooting-bystanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Shooting_bystanders%29
content:
<p>
An Israeli soldier shot Dalia Sammoudi through her window as she was
trying to close it to keep tear gas out.  An ambulance came, but
soldiers fired shots to block it from reaching her house.  Eventually
the soldiers let the paramedics go and get her, <a href="https://imemc.org/article/israeli-soldiers-kill-a-palestinian-woman-in-her-home-in-jenin/">but she died on reaching the hospital</a>.


feed_id: aa608ddfbd91de7fe49a7fa3d2fe8832
title: Not supporting Defund the Police
uri: Not-supporting-Defund-the-Police
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Not_supporting_Defund_the_Police%29

content:
<p>
Biden chose a running mate who is female and black, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/11/kamala-harris-trailblazer-joe-biden-running-mate-vp">and probably
does not support Defund the Police</a>.


feed_id: d8c561ad2fe0cbfa701834c2204b1bc8
title: Thugs against queer rights
uri: Thugs-against-queer-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Thugs_against_queer_rights%29
content:
<p>
Thousands of Poles protested for queer rights in Warsaw, <a href="https://apnews.com/05c628a726ecbb83c106161ce26a9ce6">and
were attacked by thugs</a>.


feed_id: 995378de78e33234bb84cfb018bb42e1
title: Elimination of regulations on methane emissions from oil and methane wells
uri: 2020-08-13-Elimination-of-regulations-on-methane-emissions-from-oil-and-methane-w
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_August_2020_%28Elimination_of_regulations_on_methane_emissions_from_oil_and_methane_wells%29

content:
<p>

The Environmental Poisoning Agency plans to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/11/trump-epa-plan-gut-emission-rules-oil-and-gas-industry-denounced-beyond">completely eliminate regulations</a> on
methane emissions from oil and methane wells.
<p>
The wrecker has been chipping steadily away at the US regulations that
limit toxic pollution and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.  It looks like he has decided to
try eliminating them entirely while he still has a chance.


feed_id: 1b91afc049f1d752fdfd55514f887dff
title: Aboriginal cultural heritage sites
uri: Aboriginal-cultural-heritage-sites
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#14_August_2020_%28Aboriginal_cultural_heritage_sites%29

content:
<p>
The mining company BHP already <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/aug/13/bhp-shareholders-demand-immediate-stop-to-mining-that-disturbs-aboriginal-heritage">has permission to destroy 40
"Aboriginal cultural heritage sites"</a>.

<p>
Some of these sites have ancient art or material for archaeological
investigation; those should be protected, and no one should be
authorized to permit their destruction.

<p>
Since I don't know the definition of "cultural heritage site",
I don't know whether all of these sites have any tangible relics
of past.  If some do not, I don't have an opinion about them.


feed_id: e73f8463018a02d4a6971210c2c978e8
title: Fighting for right to extract oil
uri: Fighting-for-right-to-extract-oil
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#14_August_2020_%28Fighting_for_right_to_extract_oil%29

content:
<p>
Greece and Turkey are close to war over which one <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/13/greek-military-put-on-high-alert-as-tensions-with-turkey-rise">will extract oil from the
sea bottom near both countries</a>.

<p>
The right answer is clear: <em>neither one</em>.  The existing fossil fuel facilities,
if fully utilized, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#26_October_2013_(The_carbon_budget)">will destroy civilization</a>.
                                               There is no room in the
<p>
carbon budget for <em>any</em> new facilities.  In a sane world, the great
powers would already have agreed to put a ceiling on the ultimate
total extraction, and would clamp down firmly on any attempt to
increase it.


feed_id: cae1863468df6391a363f53a53465074
title: Too many foxes killed
uri: Too-many-foxes-killed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#14_August_2020_%28Too_many_foxes_killed%29
content:
<p>
Germans have killed too many foxes; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/13/plagues-of-field-mice-decimating-crops-say-german-farmers">now field mice are destroying
farms</a>.


feed_id: 3c4bde876461a7e1be0e0517d42d0317
title: Repression doesn't stop
uri: Repression-doesn-t-stop
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#14_August_2020_%28Repression_doesn%27t_stop%29
content:
<p>
Even thoroughly assimilated Uighurs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/21/the-perfect-uighur-outgoing-and-hard-working-but-still-not-safe-from-chinas-camps">face repression in China for any
action that raises suspicion</a>.


feed_id: eddd9e8dcd1093912d815fe062b02389
title: Settler attacks
uri: Settler-attacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#14_August_2020_%28Settler_attacks%29
content:
<p>
*Emboldened by promises of annexation, Israeli settler attacks
(against Palestinians and their property) <a href="https://mondoweiss.net/2020/08/emboldened-by-promises-of-annexation-israeli-settler-attacks-soared-in-july/">soared in July</a>.*


feed_id: 11a6b7d1e55a4294aa285c510bf9a2fc
title: October surprise
uri: October-surprise
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#14_August_2020_%28October_surprise%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker has tried hard to provoke Iran into war, but Iran's
leaders are too clever to take the bait.  The only big result so far
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/11/will-october-surprise-be-trump-provoked-war-iran">is a permanent alliance between Iran and China</a>.

<p>
The wrecker dearly wants an October surprise, so if he can't convince
Iran to provide a war, maybe he will start the war himself.


feed_id: 03a84f39d8728baac5d0c0017bd4078b
title: Edtech
uri: Edtech
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#14_August_2020_%28Edtech%29
content:
<p>
Edtech provides a bad education, but it is drooling <a href="https://prospect.org/api/amp/education/ed-tech-cashes-in-on-the-pandemic/">at the thought of
swallowing public education and spitting out the teachers</a>.

<p>
It is not a coincidence that they make students run proprietary software.
That helps them make sure students offer up their personal information
and control what students do.


feed_id: 6046e2a5e99d9a66dec54b432ee3d963
title: Militia against protesters
uri: Militia-against-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#14_August_2020_%28Militia_against_protesters%29
content:
<p>
Bolivians have set up road blocks to protest the repeated postponement
of the coming election.  The government <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/08/12/international-community-should-condemn-violent-repression-pro-democracy-protests">is sending right-wing militias to
attack the protesters</a>.


feed_id: 74ea3216043f3b60d344a76341588c2b
title: His foreign policy, and ours
uri: His-foreign-policy-and-ours
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#14_August_2020_%28His_foreign_policy%2C_and_ours%29
content:
<p>
*Saudi Crown Prince's Hit Squads <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/12/saudi-crown-princes-hit-squads-reflect-his-foreign-policy-and-ours">Reflect His Foreign Policy &mdash; And Ours</a>.*


feed_id: 19f629c42f917de2f1a299708ef27bed
title: Kamala Harris
uri: 2020-08-14-Kamala-Harris
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#14_August_2020_%28Kamala_Harris%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/nib-biden-campaign-gets-kamala-harris-quickly-up-to-sp-1844701660">satire</a>) *Biden Campaign Gets Kamala Harris Quickly Up To Speed On
Candidate’s Plans For Presidential Funeral Service.*

<p>
(<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/conservatives-warn-radical-kamala-harris-will-impose-he-1844703306">satire</a>) *Conservatives Warn Radical Kamala
   Harris Will Impose Her Christian Beliefs On American Populace.*


feed_id: 3694a6110da6a6ae5c9a36feba10bcb7
title: Coronavirus in aerosols
uri: Coronavirus-in-aerosols
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#14_August_2020_%28Coronavirus_in_aerosols%29
content:
<p>
Coronavirus <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/12/study-shows-unambiguous-evidence-covid-19-infectious-air-researchers-claim">can spread in aerosols</a> (small droplets that don't sink).


feed_id: f0c686d3432377962e6ce162a422058e
title: Food insecurity
uri: 2020-08-14-Food-insecurity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#14_August_2020_%28Food_insecurity%29
content:
<p>
16% of adults in the UK (outside of Scotland) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/12/coronavirus-lockdown-hits-nutritional-health-of-uks-poorest">have suffered food insecurity
since the start of Covid-19</a>.
  I expect the fraction of children is larger.

<p>
Can anyone show me an article with comparable figures for the USA?


feed_id: 378303620afa94dd8eceaea0310777b8
title: Project to combat child suffering
uri: Project-to-combat-child-suffering
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#14_August_2020_%28Project_to_combat_child_suffering%29

content:
<p>
*Amid Pandemic and Economic Pain, UNICEF Unveils First-Ever Project <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/12/amid-pandemic-and-economic-pain-unicef-unveils-first-ever-project-combat-child">to Combat
Child Suffering in US</a>.*


feed_id: ae2a4ba90b7393abb5c650a4ae56b2dc
title: Wall street and Harris
uri: Wall-street-and-Harris
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#14_August_2020_%28Wall_street_and_Harris%29
content:
<p>
*With Warren Sidestepped, Wall Street Execs <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/12/warren-sidestepped-wall-street-execs-cheer-bidens-pick-harris-vp">Cheer Biden's Pick of
Harris for VP</a>.*

<p>
She endorsed Medicare for All, then changed <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/12/message-left-about-kamala-harris-and-us">to a supposedly "centrist" position
that Wall Street likes</a>.

<p>
On the other hand, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/12/biden-harris-ticket-set-climate-groups-demand-transformative-action-day-one-if">she does endorse the Green New Deal</a>.

<p>
Now Comes the Difficult Work <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/12/now-comes-difficult-work-pushing-biden-harris-ticket-left">of Pushing the Biden-Harris Ticket Left</a>.

<p>
However, I think the message Biden sent by appointing Harris is that he will
pay little attention.


feed_id: e7b71b3061479758ddfebc00422df2ee
title: Muslims protest at insult to prophet
uri: Muslims-protest-at-insult-to-prophet
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#14_August_2020_%28Muslims_protest_at_insult_to_prophet%29

content:
<p>
Indian thugs shot at Muslims <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-53747331">protesting an insult to Mohammed</a>.

<p>
Those protesters had a right to protest; but if their demand is to
censor negative statements about Mohammed, their cause is unjust.  You
have a right to criticize, condemn, or make fun of any religion, and
any prophet, even the prophet that tells people that they are using
evil, oppressive software which is an abomination.

<p>
Indian law includes many forms of censorship.  The book Lajja, by
Taslima Nasrin, which is about the oppression of Hindus in Bangladesh
(where she was from) was banned in the adjoining state of India.


feed_id: 4177c5a23984dcf535bd677447a09b21
title: Thugs charged with murdering George Robinson
uri: Thugs-charged-with-murdering-George-Robinson
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28Thugs_charged_with_murdering_George_Robinson%29

content:
<p>

Three thugs from Jackson, Mississippi, have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/14/george-robinson-three-mississippi-police-officers-charged-murder">charged with murdering
George Robinson in 2019</a>.


feed_id: ada5da17648b72842654a3ef36ec0feb
title: Arresting passengers who did not have "smart" phones
uri: Arresting-passengers-who-did-not-have-smart-phones
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28Arresting_passengers_who_did_not_have_smart_phones%29

content:
<p>

In April, Hawaii announced a <a href="https://papersplease.org/wp/2020/04/29/no-cellphone-not-at-address-on-your-id-hawaii-threatens-arrests/">policy of arresting arriving passengers
who did not have "smart" phones</a>.
<p>
Does anyone know if someone was really arrested in this way?


feed_id: da0419aff30bd3cadebcf4010e578d0b
title: The wrecker admitted to sabotaging vote by mail
uri: The-wrecker-admitted-to-sabotaging-vote-by-mail
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28The_wrecker_admitted_to_sabotaging_vote_by_mail%29

content:
<p>

The wrecker admitted that he is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/13/donald-trump-usps-post-office-election-funding">undermining the USPS</a> to sabotage
voting by mail.


feed_id: 35a6ab37f464a51f1c5a97043e9cef09
title: Temperature and CO2 changes reduce the numbers of some species
uri: Temperature-and-CO2-changes-reduce-the-numbers-of-some-species
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28Temperature_and_CO2_changes_reduce_the_numbers_of_some_species%29

content:
<p>

* <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/13/marine-food-webs-could-be-radically-altered-by-heating-of-oceans-scientists-warn">Temperature and CO2 changes</a> reduce the numbers of some species
(usually the ones humans eat) and promote the growth of algae.*


feed_id: 8af8e1baddfc6cc94e2ff6dddea737f7
title: Portlanders nightly violent protests
uri: Portlanders-nightly-violent-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28Portlanders_nightly_violent_protests%29

content:
<p>

Portlanders have held <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/13/portland-protests-police-federal-courthouse">nightly violent protests</a> near a thug union
headquarters and in other places.
<p>
To protest a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> union is a great idea, but violence plays into the
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>' hands.
<p>
In my dreams, I see a thousand blacks come to these protests with
banners and clothing saying, "NO VIOLENCE".  They can tell the
protesting Portlanders (who are nearly all white), "Don't use violence
in our name!"


feed_id: e24e521b9a4b7b657a3ffd4eb0c9b4d7
title: Israel and UAE alliance against Iran
uri: Israel-and-UAE-alliance-against-Iran
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28Israel_and_UAE_alliance_against_Iran%29

content:
<p>

Israel and the UAE have made peace, and an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/13/foe-of-a-foe-interests-uae-friend-of-israel-conventions-us-trump-iran">alliance against Iran</a>.
<p>
Peace between them is a good thing, in and of itself.  However,
cementing permanent occupation of Palestine is not good.  If it helps
Netanyahu draw the US into war with Iran, which he wishes to do, that
will be very very bad.


feed_id: d95f963b077ba3286274a759e5428f19
title: Belarusians accuse Lukashenko regime of beatings and torture
uri: Belarusians-accuse-Lukashenko-regime-of-beatings-and-torture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28Belarusians_accuse_Lukashenko_regime_of_beatings_and_torture%29

content:
<p>

*Belarusians accuse Lukashenko regime of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/13/belarusians-accuse-lukashenko-regime-of-beatings-and-torture">beatings and torture</a>.*
<p>
  Protesters have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/13/belarus-tens-of-thousands-on-streets-challenge-lukashenko">filled the streets</a> of Minsk and are keeping
  ostentatiously peaceful.


feed_id: 97052ed35c2d3c99ed0e93c1b98dc04a
title: UK grouse-shooting businesses kill threatened and protected birds of prey
uri: UK-grouse-shooting-businesses-kill-threatened-and-protected-birds-of-p
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28UK_grouse-shooting_businesses_kill_threatened_and_protected_birds_of_prey%29

content:
<p>

Every year, grouse-shooting businesses in the UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/12/call-grouse-shooting-licensed-rise-bird-prey-deaths">kill threatened and
protected birds of prey</a> so they can have more grouse for their
customers to shoot.  This year they took advantage of Covid-19 to do
it even more.


feed_id: 7bef804ce30f584c7f184c1ffc8360f3
title: Global brands employ Uighur Muslims as ‘forced labour’
uri: Global-brands-employ-Uighur-Muslims-as-forced-labour
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28Global_brands_employ_Uyghur_Muslims_as_%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%98forced_labour%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%99%29

content:
<p>

*Global brands employ Uighur Muslims as <a href="https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/global-brands-employ-uyghur-muslims-forced-labour">‘forced labour’</a>.*


feed_id: 2b009ed37e16adc4a15a3e9950371c8e
title: TSA planning to use nonfree phone app for ID
uri: TSA-planning-to-use-nonfree-phone-app-for-ID
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28TSA_planning_to_use_nonfree_phone_app_for_ID%29

content:
<p>

The TSA allows passengers to fly without officially valid ID, and has
a procedure to verify who they are.  It is planning to <a href="https://papersplease.org/wp/2020/08/11/tsa-considers-new-system-for-flyers-without-id/To:">replace that
procedure with a nonfree phone app</a>.


feed_id: 7d0a66537854170d1a91e02978ad9dbd
title: Antibody tests suggest UK Covid-19 infection rate 10 times the official count
uri: Antibody-tests-suggest-UK-Covid-19-infection-rate-10-times-the-officia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28Antibody_tests_suggest_UK_Covid-19_infection_rate_10_times_the_official_count%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/13/up-to-6-of-englands-population-may-have-had-covid-study-suggests">Antibody tests suggest</a> that 6% of the UK population has had Covid-19.
That is 3.4 million people, 10 times the official count.
<p>
It is puzzling that only 32% of those 3.4 million reportedly had no
Covid-19 symptoms.  That implies 2.4 million did have symptoms; how
did the system overlook them?
<p>
Has it been demonstrated that antibodies to other diseases don't test
positive on this test?  It would be useful to do that experiment in
New Zealand, where hardly anyone has had Covid-19 &mdash; but there do seem
to be asymptomatic cases spreading the disease occasionally.


feed_id: 934ba7b74ad85e2101d09095e63b8ecd
title: Glyphosate levels drop after one week of eating pesticide-free food
uri: Glyphosate-levels-drop-after-one-week-of-eating-pesticide-free-food
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28Glyphosate_levels_drop_after_one_week_of_eating_pesticide-free_food%29

content:
<p>

Most people in the US have glyphosate in their blood.  But the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/08/11/drop-dramatically-after-one-week-eating-organic">level
drops 70%</a> in one week of eating pesticide-free food.
<p>
To develop practical advice from this, we need to know which foods
contain people substantial amounts of glyphosate.


feed_id: 4949a812d4878de4b2bafc85ef751f81
title: Trump's wall threatens endangered species
uri: Trump-s-wall-threatens-endangered-species
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28Trump%27s_wall_threatens_endangered_species%29

content:
<p>

*Scientists warned Trump's wall would threaten endangered species.*
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/13/trump-border-wall-mexico-endangered-species">They were right</a>.


feed_id: c4808db6c3ee17366c81c7f9400be456
title: Healthcare staff pressured to work even when showing symptoms of Covid
uri: Healthcare-staff-pressured-to-work-even-when-showing-symptoms-of-Covid
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28Healthcare_staff_pressured_to_work_even_when_showing_symptoms_of_Covid%29

content:
<p>

*US hospitals pressure healthcare staff to work <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/13/us-nurses-doctors-covid-19-symptoms-working">even if they have Covid
symptoms</a>.*
<p>
That practice should be a crime, but the first step is to make sure everyone
has paid sick leave.


feed_id: 784f82ade7596f3bf9166fe300acfbda
title: Urgent: Stop advertising on Faux News
uri: Urgent-Stop-advertising-on-Faux-News
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_advertising_on_Faux_News%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#faux">Faux News</a> Advertisers to stop supporting racism and
disinformation &mdash; that is, to <a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/journ_fox_ad_boycott">stop advertising in Faux News</a>.


feed_id: dc236ec7c4e3f8bdcd3ccaed2b158796
title: Urgent: Defend the US Postal Service
uri: Urgent-Defend-the-US-Postal-Service
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Defend_the_US_Postal_Service%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/defend-our-post-office/">defend the US Postal Service</a>.

     <p>The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
       and 888-355-3588.</p>

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


feed_id: 5f47cbab92444a74441ed0c8e2e11cae
title: Urgent: Abortion access for all
uri: Urgent-Abortion-access-for-all
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#15_August_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Abortion_access_for_all%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://www.rightsforall.org/postcard/">make abortion access for all</a> a top priority.


feed_id: d165e17d0342cd1816f29d3590fbd190
title: Urgent: Call on Waycross to fire the thugs that shot a bunch of Black teenagers
uri: Urgent-Call-on-Waycross-to-fire-the-thugs-that-shot-a-bunch-of-Black
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_Waycross_to_fire_the_thugs_that_shot_a_bunch_of_Black_teenagers%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Waycross to fire the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> that stalked then
<a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/stop-shooting-our-children-waycross-ga/">shot at a bunch of Black teenagers and children</a> for being in a car.


feed_id: d0bb9348272d8ef778a129aaf9da7179
title: A commitment to sustaining peace is more urgent than ever
uri: A-commitment-to-sustaining-peace-is-more-urgent-than-ever
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28A_commitment_to_sustaining_peace_is_more_urgent_than_ever%29

content:
<p>

*A "<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/13/un-chief-pandemic-must-be-met-commitment-peace">commitment to sustaining peace</a> is more urgent than ever," United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said Wednesday.*


feed_id: 64722143f1b5b7ce5a90f1e310c2c03f
title: The wrecker doesn't want law or order
uri: The-wrecker-doesn-t-want-law-or-order
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28The_wrecker_doesn%27t_want_law_or_order%29

content:
<p>

*[The wrecker] Doesn't Want Law or Order. <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/13/trump-doesnt-want-law-or-order-he-wants-chaos-and-division">He Wants Chaos and Division</a>.*
<p>
I think he is training those federal <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to forget all vestiges of
loyalty towards democracy and the Constitution, and obey whatever
orders he gives them.  I fear the purpose is a coup.


feed_id: 5724c9181ce57da39d25d234fdec6ff2
title: Fantasy recommendations for Biden
uri: Fantasy-recommendations-for-Biden
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28Fantasy_recommendations_for_Biden%29

content:
<p>

Here is a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/13/joe-biden-wins-then-what">series of fantasy recommendations</a> for Biden supposing he overcomes Republican election-theft and subsequent resistance to his
inauguration.
<p>
I agree with most of them, but there are a few I disagree with.


feed_id: 0979fbf870cc2405a773e6b81be8dd3f
title: Protest camp on state property
uri: Protest-camp-on-state-property
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28Protest_camp_on_state_property%29
content:
<p>
Tennessee Republicans have made it a felony <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/13/tennessee-gop-targets-racial-justice-movement-turning-encampment-protests-felonies">to set up a protest camp
on state property</a>.


feed_id: 6febd28bf80038d92508bc06d64a7fed
title: Tracking apps imposed by employers
uri: Tracking-apps-imposed-by-employers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28Tracking_apps_imposed_by_employers%29

content:
<p>
Tracking apps imposed by employers on their employees violate users' privacy
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/08/13/report-workplace-coronavirus-tracing-apps-institute-dystopian-mass-surveillance">for their locations and for their medical data</a>.
  Some may violate the HIPAA medical privacy law.


feed_id: dfd96ca31401b2d1a72f26fafb27c98c
title: Promotion of holocaust denial
uri: Promotion-of-holocaust-denial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28Promotion_of_holocaust_denial%29
content:
<p>
Search on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Reddit <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/16/facebook-algorithm-found-to-actively-promote-holocaust-denial">promotes holocaust
denial</a>.

<p>
This may not be the result of a specific decision by those companies.
I've read that Nazis have figured out how to manipulate the data that
search algorithms operate on.  Even if those companies, or some of
them, do not intentionally support right-wing extremism, being its
helpless tool is bad too.

<p>
I've seen arguments that the tendency of algorithms to promote
extremist material &mdash; at least on Facebook and Twitter &mdash; is because
they have been designed to show people things that make them want to
stay on the site longer.  That relates to the business models that
make these sites so harmful in other ways.


feed_id: c719dcaec83dc67b9a66084438688a14
title: Working sick
uri: Working-sick
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28Working_sick%29
content:
<p>
Workers that make sandwiches in England get sick pay, but it is less
than their normal pay, and since that is barely enough, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/16/covid-19-ms-sandwich-makers-sick-pay-self-isolated-union">the result
is that they work even while sick</a>.


feed_id: 3113e586394d7573171a5f512b3d346a
title: Public health agency
uri: Public-health-agency
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28Public_health_agency%29
content:
<p>
The Tory ministers who sidelined England's public health agency,
and directed the response to Covid-19 inconsistently themselves,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/aug/16/ministers-criticised-over-plan-to-scrap-public-health-england">now plan to abolish it</a>.


feed_id: c80f2fd3254cee3d37f3bd3ca339c198
title: Debt in developing countries
uri: Debt-in-developing-countries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28Debt_in_developing_countries%29
content:
<p>
*Debt in developing countries <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/16/debt-in-developing-countries-has-doubled-in-less-than-a-decade">has doubled in less than a decade</a>.*

<p>
Little by little it converts the population of those countries into
debt slaves.


feed_id: e71791eff7a9b270e591bfb5f98efd7b
title: Tasing of teenagers
uri: Tasing-of-teenagers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28Tasing_of_teenagers%29
content:
<p>
In the UK, nonwhite nohispanic teenagers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/16/bame-children-three-times-more-likely-to-have-taser-used-on-them-by-police">are three times as likely to be
tased than other teenagers</a>.

<p>
Please do not refer to teenagers as "children".  We must stop
infantilizing them.


feed_id: cbe0e17d56e3ae18b011b91023ab2f06
title: Fairphone
uri: Fairphone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28Fairphone%29
content:
<p>
Fairphone aims <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/aug/15/ethical-phone-maker-covid-fairphone">to eliminate the injustice in the supply chain for
portable phones</a>.

<p>
I am all in favor of this.  Alas, the project does not address the
injustice that these products <a href="https://gnu.org/malware/malware-mobiles.html">do to their <em>users</em></a>.
  So I will continue to do without one.


feed_id: 62081ef64e8c13ab0715860e712d9912
title: New Spanish pun
uri: 2020-08-18-New-Spanish-pun
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28New_Spanish_pun%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/spanish-puns.html#cama-sutra">Comportarte bien en la cama</a>.


feed_id: 8e856302c6c88af9eaf915abd301dd7f
title: Ads attack
uri: Ads-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28Ads_attack%29
content:
<p>
NYT: *Trump Ads Attack Biden <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/15/us/politics/trump-campaign-ads-biden.html">Through Deceptive Editing and Hyperbole</a>.*

<p>
They found this in two thirds of the ads they studied.


feed_id: 637a0d515ff43e2ba1c128fbce026e63
title: Fighting racism and poverty
uri: Fighting-racism-and-poverty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28Fighting_racism_and_poverty%29
content:
<p>
Focusing politics on fighting racism will not eliminate poverty.  The
main cause of poverty in the US is <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>, and the best way to
reduce the poverty of blacks <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/15/trouble-disparity">is to change the systems that reduce most
Americans to poverty</a>.

<p>
The article's point is valid as regards the economic consequences of
racism, but racism does other kinds of wrong as well.  Blacks are not
only more likely to be poor, they are also more likely to be stopped
on the street by <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>, beaten by thugs, shot by thugs.  Poor blacks
are more likely to be denied good education, good jobs, and good
medical care, than poor whites.  They are more likely to be convicted
of crimes than whites whose conduct is similar.

<p>
Redistribution of wealth would eliminate much of the suffering of
blacks today (along with that of other groups), but racism would still
be an injustice.

<p>
Thus, we should campaign against racism.  But don't get distracted
from <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#doohnibor">dooH niboR</a>!


feed_id: 2003842f09156cff8a03a089a920d12b
title: Badly broken
uri: Badly-broken
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28Badly_broken%29
content:
<p>
Ralph Nader: many blatant forms of decay <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/15/needed-indicators-measuring-injustice-and-societal-decay">show that the US is badly broken</a>.


feed_id: 8bcf051e18fafb45e49569e644ce1fe1
title: Optionally manned
uri: Optionally-manned
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28Optionally_manned%29
content:
<p>
The US military wants to develop "optionally manned" vehicles and ships
so their crews <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/07/20/world-killer-robots-not-national-security">won't be vulnerable to fast-spreading diseases</a>.

<p>
Requiring fewer human operators does not raise any particular issue,
except that such systems will be very expensive to develop and probably
won't work reliably.  However, designing them to operate without humans
means they must either be remote-controlled &mdash; dependent on communications
that will be slow and can be jammed &mdash; or autonomous killers.

<p>
The concept of "optionally manned" seems designed to smooth over that
morally and practically important frontier and thus evade attention to
crossing it.


feed_id: ec3c2a38179c37c2d09c39e93b6d0d95
title: Visible identification for thugs
uri: Visible-identification-for-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28Visible_identification_for_thugs%29

content:
<p>
AOC introduced a bill to require federal thugs <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/07/20/bill-mandate-identifying-info-officer-uniforms-aoc-says-us-should-not-have-secret">to wear visible
identification</a>.


feed_id: 09c95162d91b98c63b37cdbc941c4d64
title: Plastic in fish
uri: Plastic-in-fish
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_%28Plastic_in_fish%29
content:
<p>
Plastic is accumulating in the fish that Pacific islanders eat;
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/16/the-plastic-we-use-unthinkingly-every-day-is-killing-our-planet-and-slowly-but-surely-killing-us">their main source of protein</a>.

<p>
Once <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#23_September_2014_(Ocean_acidification)">all the coral are gone</a>,
                             much of the fish will be gone, and this problem
will be replaced with a worse problem.


feed_id: 8da6ebcf526f505213a7116940a41dba
title: Many protesters suffer from lasting injuries caused by "nonlethal" weapons
uri: Many-protesters-suffer-from-lasting-injuries-caused-by-nonlethal-wea
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Many_protesters_suffer_from_lasting_injuries_caused_by_nonlethal_weapons%29

content:
<p>

Many protesters <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/12/george-floyd-protests-lingering-trauma-non-lethal-weapons-scars">suffer from lasting injuries</a> caused by "nonlethal"
weapons that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> used against them.  In many cases they used these
weapons indiscriminately.
<p>
We need to change laws so that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> can't do such things with impunity.


feed_id: 504a0bbccfaddb4eb8693934709a5086
title: Constitutionality of Mexico's new copyright law
uri: Constitutionality-of-Mexico-s-new-copyright-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Constitutionality_of_Mexico%27s_new_copyright_law%29

content:
<p>

Mexico will <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/08/road-victory-human-rights-mexico">reconsider the constitutionality</a> of its new copyright law.


feed_id: 212c3c5b0e21b70793678913c37299ac
title: To make a good society and cope with life's challenges
uri: To-make-a-good-society-and-cope-with-life-s-challenges
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28To_make_a_good_society_and_cope_with_life%27s_challenges%29

content:
<p>

To make a good society, and cope with life's challenges, we need to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/16/solidarity-forever-essential-workers-public-goods-and-how-we-are-together">throw off
the values and principles</a> that the right wing has taught us.
<p>
These include, "Rich people are wealth creators," "It is shameful to
be poor," and "You shouldn't ever have to make any sacrifices for others."


feed_id: fc8c5eb9fef2f010869c1a6321336c60
title: Ten year anniversary of recognition of water as a basic human right
uri: Ten-year-anniversary-of-recognition-of-water-as-a-basic-human-right
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Ten_year_anniversary_of_recognition_of_water_as_a_basic_human_right%29

content:
<p>

*On the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/16/our-race-against-clock-affirm-water-human-right">ten year anniversary</a> of the United Nations historic vote to
recognize water as a basic human right,* &hellip; what next?


feed_id: d198aaab23ab8f43d36c048702832577
title: Hundreds of workers fall ill after cleaning up coal ash spill
uri: Hundreds-of-workers-fall-ill-after-cleaning-up-coal-ash-spill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Hundreds_of_workers_fall_ill_after_cleaning_up_coal_ash_spill%29

content:
<p>

*Hundreds of workers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/17/coal-spill-workers-sick-dying-tva">fell ill</a> after cleaning up America’s largest
industrial disaster (coal ash spill) without proper gear. At least 50
have died.*
<p>
It would help to make some kinds of failures crimes for which the
individuals responsible can be punished.*


feed_id: c89ac84dffc131edce69ba675607db9b
title: In Poland we've become spectators at the dismantling of democracy
uri: In-Poland-we-ve-become-spectators-at-the-dismantling-of-democracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28In_Poland_we%27ve_become_spectators_at_the_dismantling_of_democracy%29

content:
<p>

*In Poland we've become <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2020/aug/17/poland-democracy-andrzej-duda-politics-populism">spectators</a> at the dismantling of democracy.*


feed_id: 97930f3f42fc95c8861037d631878764
title: Sweden's Covid-19 strategist
uri: Sweden-s-Covid-19-strategist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Sweden%27s_Covid-19_strategist%29
content:
<p>

*Sweden's Covid-19 strategist, Anders Tegnell, appears to have asked
if <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/17/swedens-covid-19-strategist-under-fire-over-herd-immunity-emails">higher death rate for older people might be acceptable</a>.*


feed_id: cd43d47884068331b27c464429fe7386
title: Why Republicans (and plutocratist Democrats) want to undermine the post office
uri: Why-Republicans-(and-plutocratist-Democrats)-want-to-undermine-the-pos
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Why_Republicans_%28and_plutocratist_Democrats%29_want_to_undermine_the_post_office%29

content:
<p>

Why Republicans (and plutocratist Democrats) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/17/trump-wants-to-destroy-usps-we-cant-allow-him-to-get-away-with-it">want to undermine the post office</a>.


feed_id: 615bcda5b7c6656fcf47854d9416906e
title: California's "fusion center" used to track planned protests
uri: California-s-fusion-center-used-to-track-planned-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28California%27s_fusion_center_used_to_track_planned_protests%29

content:
<p>

The FBI and DHS are using Northern California's "fusion center" to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/17/blueleaks-california-ncric-black-lives-matter-protesters/">track
planned protests</a>, leaked documents show.


feed_id: 9ddb3d58620cd8ecda89e9a302001065
title: The conman has withdrawn the nomination of William Pendly
uri: The-conman-has-withdrawn-the-nomination-of-William-Pendly
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28The_conman_has_withdrawn_the_nomination_of_William_Pendly%29

content:
<p>

The conman has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/17/trump-william-perry-pendley-blm-nomination">withdrawn the nomination</a> of climate denialist William
Pendley to officially head the Bureau of Land Management.  This is so
Republican senators won't be criticized for voting for him.
<p>
However, it makes no practical difference since Pendley is already,
and will continue to be, the acting head of that agency.


feed_id: 73a89edb4cb0a3e42052f73bc8eb58e1
title: Second wave of Covid-19 in European countries
uri: Second-wave-of-Covid-19-in-European-countries
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Second_wave_of_Covid-19_in_European_countries%29

content:
<p>

Most European countries are entering a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/17/global-report-alarm-over-covid-case-rates-19-european-countries">second wave of Covid-19</a>. It looks like they reopened some activities which they should not have.


feed_id: 5164bc81e963c95f5bcb91a4215212b8
title: Thankyou stops producing bottled water
uri: Thankyou-stops-producing-bottled-water
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Thankyou_stops_producing_bottled_water%29

content:
<p>

*‘Silly product’: Thankyou <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/aug/18/silly-product-thankyou-stops-producing-bottled-water-citing-environmental-damage">stops producing bottled water</a>, citing environmental
damage.*
<p>
I carry a refillable water bottle with me when I travel, and I almost
never buy bottled water except in countries where the tap water is not
safe.


feed_id: 28b5948f7964ad9209872d125616bac3
title: Calling for elimination of rent and mortgage payments during Covid-19
uri: Calling-for-elimination-of-rent-and-mortgage-payments-during-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Calling_for_elimination_of_rent_and_mortgage_payments_during_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>

Calling for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/17/us-cancel-rent-eviction-tsunami">elimination of rent payments and mortgage payments</a> during
the Covid-19 pandemic.


feed_id: 8035ba658add3b6a060128775b30d43f
title: Oxford University gave a Chinese businessman a certificate in exchange for a donation
uri: Oxford-University-gave-a-Chinese-businessman-a-certificate-in-exchange
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Oxford_University_gave_a_Chinese_businessman_a_certificate_in_exchange_for_a_donation%29

content:
<p>

Oxford University gave a Chinese businessman a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/16/how-fake-award-for-a-tycoon-left-oxford-university-open-to-chinese-influence">certificate with the
title of "Academician"</a> in exchange for a donation, reasoning that the
word means nothing in OXford's terms.
<p>
The title "academician" may have little significance for Oxford, but
in Russia and China it is used for members of a prestigious and
important national academy.  Thus, this award may be effective for
impressing people in those countries.  Maybe that is why Chan King Wai
arranged to receive the award with a big ceremony.  I wonder whose idea
it was to use that particular title &mdash; Mr Chan's?


feed_id: 9e1e968813541668c5a8498106992835
title: State department continuing to investigate an "emergency" arms sale to Salafi Arabia
uri: State-department-continuing-to-investigate-an-emergency-arms-sale-to
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28State_department_continuing_to_investigate_an_emergency_arms_sale_to_Salafi_Arabia%29

content:
<p>

Despite the worst the wrecker could do, the inspector general of the
State Department is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/12/emergency-was-sham-top-democrat-says-ig-report-saudi-arms-deal-deeply-damning-pompeo">continuing to investigate an "emergency" arms sale</a>
to <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>.  The office found that the "emergency" was fake.


feed_id: 83d61d8fe75e4ecfe6c3888f5f883e6e
title: Death Valley reached record temperature of 130F
uri: Death-Valley-reached-record-temperature-of-130F
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Death_Valley_reached_record_temperature_of_130F%29

content:
<p>

Coming soon to hot places near you: Death Valley reached a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/17/climate-activists-and-scientists-raise-alarm-after-death-valley-endures-potentially">record
temperature of 130F</a>, which is 54.4C.
<p>
People in England now feel they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/17/considering-air-con-how-much-uk-climate-has-changed-already">need air conditioning</a> &mdash; a measure of
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> over recent years.


feed_id: 65c1652cbb6fd8f4aa50cec5691e69a9
title: Belarus opposition calls for general strike
uri: Belarus-opposition-calls-for-general-strike
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Belarus_opposition_calls_for_general_strike%29

content:
<p>

*Belarus opposition <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/17/belarus-opposition-calls-for-general-strike-after-biggest-protests-yet">calls for general strike</a> after biggest protests yet.*


feed_id: 5ec18e45aabbbff3e4f62bf7d2040148
title: UK agent who organized the 1953 coup in Iran describes everything in an interview
uri: UK-agent-who-organized-the-1953-coup-in-Iran-describes-everything-in-a
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28UK_agent_who_organized_the_1953_coup_in_Iran_describes_everything_in_an_interview%29

content:
<p>

The UK agent who with US support organized the 1953 coup in Iran, that
overthrew Mossadegh's democratic government, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/17/british-spys-account-sheds-light-on-role-in-1953-iranian-coup">described everything in
an interview</a>.  The transcript is totally incriminating.
<p>
Iran has never had a democratic government with human rights in all
the time since then.


feed_id: 23a57f47df573bc0047099ef5c77b94b
title: Extreme weather just devastated 10m acres (15k square miles) in the midwest
uri: Extreme-weather-just-devastated-10m-acres-(15k-square-miles)-in-the-mi
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Extreme_weather_just_devastated_10m_acres_%2815k_square_miles%29_in_the_midwest%29

content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/17/extreme-weather-midwest-climate-crisis">Extreme weather just devastated</a> 10m acres (15k square miles) in the
midwest. Expect more of this.*
<p>
Various kinds of problems caused by our intensive agriculture are acting
to bring it to a halt.
<p>
As US corn production drops, the US will have to produce less beef.
That will curb <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> and may help reduce obesity.


feed_id: 499f54cd8040f4c931df1f7ba9ac6e92
title: Microplastics and Bisphenol A found in samples from people with neurodegenerative diseases
uri: Microplastics-and-Bisphenol-A-found-in-samples-from-people-with-neurod
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Microplastics_and_Bisphenol_A_found_in_samples_from_people_with_neurodegenerative_diseases%29

content:
<p>

A study examined 47 tissue samples from people with neurodegenerative
diseases and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/17/microplastic-particles-discovered-in-human-organs">found microplastics and Bisphenol A</a> in all of them.
<p>
Perhaps those substances are associated with those diseases.  Or
perhaps those tissue samples microplastic and Bisphenol A because
everyone has them.


feed_id: 31c237892a381e59f2795102c072a722
title: The US government is trying to seize money Edward Snowden earned from speaking engagements
uri: The-US-government-is-trying-to-seize-money-Edward-Snowden-earned-from
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28The_US_government_is_trying_to_seize_money_Edward_Snowden_earned_from_speaking_engagements%29

content:
<p>

Edward Snowden has reportedly earned $1.2 million from 5 years of
speaking engagements.  The US government is trying to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/17/edward-snowden-speaking-fees">seize that</a>.
<p>
His income works out to 240k per year &mdash; an amount that is comfortable
but won't make him rich.  He probably has a lot of expenses for
security and bodyguards.
<p>
I wonder how the US expects to seize the money.  Surely Snowden is not
leaving it in a place where the US could take it.


feed_id: 753bc4f57ff84744849ddebd11e47c06
title: Scores determined by an algorithm
uri: Scores-determined-by-an-algorithm
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Scores_determined_by_an_algorithm%29

content:
<p>

An important annual college entrance exam was cancelled this year,
and the company that runs it issued <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/algorithm-set-students-grades-altered-futures">"predicted" scores</a> determined
by an algorithm from whatever personal academic data was available.
Some students feel they got unfairly low scores.
<p>
I have no way of judging how close the "predicted" scores are to what
those students would have got &mdash; and neither do they, nor
universities, nor anyone else.  Some teachers say that all their
students got surprisingly low grades this year, which is reason to
think the predictions were off.  I don't see a proof that the
prediction algorithm was broken (though it might be), but this way of
handling the exam was bad, because students cannot tell they were not
cheated.
<p>
I presume that applicants send universities all the other data that
the algorithm used.  If this exam provides something useful to
universities, that is because it gives some independent information
about each applicant, information not redundant with the other data.
A substitute that is in fact redundant with the other data provides no
independent information, it only gives the impression of doing so.  It
is phony.


feed_id: 590b9173d9a7b0bb0e470451e2e73308
title: Possibly pardoning Edward Snowden
uri: Possibly-pardoning-Edward-Snowden
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Possibly_pardoning_Edward_Snowden%29

content:
<p>

The wrecker made noises about possibly <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/16/dems-urged-say-yes-snowden-should-be-pardoned-after-trump-floats-possibility">pardoning Edward Snowden</a>.
<p>
Although his main job is destroying democracy, he does other things on
the side, and occasionally one of them is good.  Snowden is a great
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-mar-jun.html#11_June_2013_(NSA_whistleblower_Edward_Snowden_in_Hong_Kong)">hero</a>, and I hope the wrecker does pardon him.  However, when weighed
against the horrible things the wrecker continues to do, this would
not go far in earning my overall good opinion.
<p>
I urge all Americans, including elected officials, to support
Snowden's cause.  I would hesitate to urge them to push hard for it,
because doing that might move the wrecker to drop the idea.


feed_id: 6fdc0d486bb2d26039583ed4da8be404
uri: (satire)-unmarked-federal-vehicles-taking-people-off-the-street-seems
title:
(satire) unmarked federal vehicles taking people off the street seems disturbing to people right now

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28%28satire%29_unmarked_federal_vehicles_taking_people_off_the_street_seems_disturbing_to_people_right_now%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *"We get that unmarked federal vehicles taking people off the
street seems disturbing to people right now, but within a few
months, <a href="https://www.theonion.com/dhs-secretary-assuages-concerns-about-protester-abducti-1844445570">this will just seem like an everyday occurrence that isn’t
worth a second thought</a>."*
<p>
Sad to say, that could really happen.  The way they make that happen
is by doing something else even worse.


feed_id: 9c6908e827b877a2a0440d2cb8064227
title: Trump's Attack on the Postal Service Now Endangers Democracy
uri: Trump-s-Attack-on-the-Postal-Service-Now-Endangers-Democracy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Trump%27s_Attack_on_the_Postal_Service_Now_Endangers_Democracy%29

content:
<p>

*Trump's Attack on the Postal Service Now <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/12/trumps-attack-postal-service-now-endangers-democracy">Endangers Democracy</a>.*
<p>
The post office is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/12/us-postal-service-was-never-business-stop-treating-it-one">not supposed to be a business</a>.  It is ok to subsidize it.


feed_id: 5a36c1e207dfaaccf6de46d698b54ddb
title: Afghan women are pressing to preserve some rights
uri: Afghan-women-are-pressing-to-preserve-some-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Afghan_women_are_pressing_to_preserve_some_rights%29

content:
<p>

Afghan women are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/aug/13/peace-where-rights-arent-trampled-afghan-womens-demands-ahead-of-taliban-talks">pressing to preserve some rights</a> under peace with the Taliban.


feed_id: b6ce74394149dbe2ae6cc0e86c6483b3
title: As economic growth becomes increasingly unsustainable
uri: As-economic-growth-becomes-increasingly-unsustainable
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28As_economic_growth_becomes_increasingly_unsustainable%29

content:
<p>

As economic growth becomes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/16/weve-got-to-start-thinking-beyond-our-own-lifespans-if-were-going-to-avoid-extinction">increasingly unsustainable</a>, it also
provides ever less benefit to most of the people in the developed world.


feed_id: 226b08fefa74e3347f0025b066a8c8a8
title: Experts and volunteers scramble to save Mauritius's wildlife
uri: Experts-and-volunteers-scramble-to-save-Mauritius-s-wildlife
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Experts_and_volunteers_scramble_to_save_Mauritius%27s_wildlife%29

content:
<p>

*Experts and volunteers scramble to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/16/experts-and-volunteers-scramble-to-save-mauritiuss-wildlife-after-oil-spill">save Mauritius's wildlife</a> after oil spill.*


feed_id: cc78ce7b355ec2d7f3d763ed582bec62
title: 10,000 students and others protested in Bangkok
uri: 10-000-students-and-others-protested-in-Bangkok
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%2810%2C000_students_and_others_protested_in_Bangkok%29

content:
<p>

10,000 students and others protested in Bangkok for a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/16/thousands-call-for-reforms-to-monarchy-in-bangkok-protests">change in the
country's government</a>.
<p>
The Thai generals overthrew democracy several times, and eventually imposed
a new constitution.


feed_id: 13c716a2421261269589a0ac743d82c9
title: Australian officials illegally bugged East Timor's negotiating team
uri: Australian-officials-illegally-bugged-East-Timor-s-negotiating-team
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Australian_officials_illegally_bugged_East_Timor%27s_negotiating_team%29

content:
<p>

Australian officials illegally bugged East Timor's negotiating team
for a treaty that covered dividing oil resources.  A whistleblower
revealed this.  The culpable officials are not on trial; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/17/witness-k-is-in-the-dock-but-institutions-vital-to-australias-democracy-are-on-trial">the
whistleblower and per lawyer are</a>.
<p>
Meanwhile, the state is suppressing the whistleblower's name.  Is it
really secret?  Has <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> been disappeared?  Are per relatives friends
threatened with prosecution if they tell anyone what happened to
so-and-so?  Do they have to pretend that so-and-so became a hermit?
<p>
Has anyone published who Witness K is?
<p>
Is this secrecy supposedly for the benefit of Witness K?  If so, does
it really provide any benefit to per?  Does <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> want to keep per
name secret, or is it being done to hurt per.  Or is <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> being bullied into
cooperating with the secrecy?


feed_id: 0247423ddd488a7a0af9433d7f373812
title: Tens of thousands rallied in Belarus
uri: Tens-of-thousands-rallied-in-Belarus
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Tens_of_thousands_rallied_in_Belarus%29

content:
<p>

Tens of thousands rallied in Belarus (perhaps 100,000) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/16/we-will-win-vast-belarus-rally-adamant-lukashenko-must-go">demanding that
Lukashenko leave office</a>.  Lukashenko's thugs did not intervene.


feed_id: e5bd0b8d469a6db85a00ba5d43a5594f
title: Apple's use of Siri for snooping
uri: Apple-s-use-of-Siri-for-snooping
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Apple%27s_use_of_Siri_for_snooping%29

content:
<p>

Calling for a full investigation of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/14/apple-siri-secret-surveillance-campaign-investigation">Apple's use of Siri for
snooping</a>.
<p>
That investigation will be useful, but we already know the root cause:
nonfree software.  Apple controls the client-side Siri software.
Apple controls iOS.  That gives Apple power over the user, and that power
corrupts.


feed_id: 03c53c7679e86fe636b8cc63eafd940f
title: Disastrous poverty
uri: Disastrous-poverty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Disastrous_poverty%29
content:
<p>

Disastrous poverty is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/13/gop-blocks-covid-relief-experts-warn-wave-despair-and-devastating-anecdotes-show">spreading around the United States</a>.


feed_id: 00f4212322bfff805629ebe90e6b5250
title: Poor children remote education
uri: Poor-children-remote-education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Poor_children_remote_education%29
content:
<p>
Massachusetts is investigating many impoverished parents <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/08/15/metro/your-childs-no-show-virtual-school-you-may-get-call-states-foster-care-agency/">because their
children are not participating in remote education</a>.

<p>
The ironic part is that someone who rejects the injustice of Zoom or
Google Classroom or Microsoft Teams might also be threatened with
this.  However, I don't think these parents reject that software on
political grounds.  I suspect rather that they are desperately trying
to make enough money to feed and house those children, leaving them no
time to make sure that the children are being surveilled by the
school's software.


feed_id: 1d5e0d9f2936dfaa05e7208a84a3d3c7
title: Hostile environment for veterans
uri: Hostile-environment-for-veterans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Hostile_environment_for_veterans%29

content:
<p>
The UK's "hostile environment" <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/17/fiji-born-veterans-immigration-battle-after-leaving-british-army">applies even to its military veterans</a>.

<p>
The fundamental wrong here is the intent to look for every possible
bureaucratic excuse to kick someone out.


feed_id: e2099f78c67989dd3b35b678d4614e58
title: Suing USPS
uri: Suing-USPS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Suing_USPS%29
content:
<p>
Some state attorneys general are planning to sue to make the USPS
reverse its changes and offer adequate mail delivery service, <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/08/16/metro/mass-attorney-general-discusses-possible-lawsuit-with-other-states-prevent-cutbacks-us-postal-operations/">as it did
until recently</a>.

<p>
Given that Chief Justice Roberts is no trumpet, the Supreme Court
might indeed order the USPS to deliver ballots expeditiously.  But it
would not surprise me if the wrecker and DeJoy defy the order long
enough to ruin the election anyway.

<p>
Thus I urge people to rely rather on ballot-returning organizations,
or vote in person.


feed_id: 51baa73b4572721d9c722459fd0a3feb
title: Giving actual protesters a chance to speak
uri: Giving-actual-protesters-a-chance-to-speak
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Giving_actual_protesters_a_chance_to_speak%29

content:
<p>
FAIR: Mainstream media rarely give actual protesters <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/17/activist-voices-missing-corporate-coverage-uprisings">a chance to speak
when covering Black Lives Matter protests</a>.


feed_id: 5685f1067467b97cda4dee29d2529294
title: Oil leases
uri: 2020-08-19-Oil-leases
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Oil_leases%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker wants to sell oil leases for the Arctic National Wildlife
Reserve this year, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/17/trump-alaska-arctic-wildlife-refuge-drilling">to make it difficult to prevent future oil drilling
there</a>.

<p>
To stay within <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#26_October_2013_(The_carbon_budget)">the carbon budget</a>,
  We need strong measures to discourage _all_ new fossil fuel
facilities, and a heavy carbon tax.  I think that they would make
actual drilling in the remote arctic unviable.


feed_id: 33feea0cdba2f776acb4827e33616dc0
title: Racism is thug departments
uri: Racism-is-thug-departments
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Racism_is_thug_departments%29
content:
<p>
The UK needs to recognize and break up <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/aug/15/kevin-maxwell-we-need-police-officers-who-think-different-not-just-look-different">the racism that pervades its thug
departments</a>.

<p>
It is difficult to correct racism in <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments by hiring from
minority groups, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/381ddbb1-e493-4875-86da-4fa4368ef839">because the same racism targets them and forces them out</a>.


feed_id: 989f22e5644e1dad519df7e6a3c57fff
title: Getting food to eat
uri: Getting-food-to-eat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Getting_food_to_eat%29
content:
<p>
12% of US adults recently reported they couldn't always get food to
eat.  11%-20% of adults with children reported they couldn't always get food for their children.  <a href="https://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/tracking-the-covid-19-recessions-effects-on-food-housing-and">Larger numbers are unable to pay rent</a>.


feed_id: 64dd56147f46f81b4a60bad3f9ec48ab
title: School reopening survey for parents
uri: School-reopening-survey-for-parents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28School_reopening_survey_for_parents%29

content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/your-school-districts-reopening-survey">satire</a>) School reopening survey for parents.


feed_id: 11548502b9743e556c5eb46c2c928f2f
title: Suing Apple
uri: Suing-Apple
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Suing_Apple%29
content:
<p>
The company that makes Fortnight has sued Apple, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/13/21367963/epic-fortnite-legal-complaint-apple-ios-app-store-removal-injunctive-relief">claiming that its app store
is an illegal monopoly</a>.
  Ironically, the reason is that Apple enforced its rules against
in-app payments, rules which protect the public, against a game, which
is surely exploitative.

<p>
The app store gives Apple power over users of iMonsters, and it would
be great to make Apple allow users to install games freely.  However,
if the only result is to make Apple permit exploitative apps, without
giving users more freedom, that would be no victory for users.

<p>
It is a fundamental conceptual matter to try to define freedom in
terms of how many options a person has.  Freedom means having control
of your own life.


feed_id: 5c54b457b342cbd75b905ec2632bc4e4
title: Strippers are employees
uri: Strippers-are-employees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Strippers_are_employees%29
content:
<p>
The National Labor Relations Board ruled that strippers (at least at
one strip club) <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qj4xeb/national-labor-board-rules-in-favor-of-strippers-who-want-to-unionize">are employees and can unionize</a>.


feed_id: 735d02d578e82f2c16ca4df87d66f561
title: Exploiting vulnerability to get MAC addresses
uri: Exploiting-vulnerability-to-get-MAC-addresses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Exploiting_vulnerability_to_get_MAC_addresses%29

content:
<p>
TikTok exploited <a href="https://boingboing.net/2020/08/11/tiktok-exploited-android-secur.html">an Android vulnerability to obtain user MAC
addresses</a>.


feed_id: a69df87cabbe19c7bd634c8f6a67511b
title: Compelling a person to enter a password
uri: Compelling-a-person-to-enter-a-password
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Compelling_a_person_to_enter_a_password%29

content:
<p>
Different US courts have reached varying conclusions about whether the state can compel a person <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/08/nj-supreme-court-no-5th-amendment-right-not-to-unlock-your-phone/">to enter a password to give  access to data</a>.


feed_id: 37a6dc159e4d62ca2d2bb51867867ee4
title: Facial recognition and first amendment
uri: Facial-recognition-and-first-amendment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Facial_recognition_and_first_amendment%29

content:
<p>
Clearview AI argues in court that the First Amendment gives it an
inalienable right <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2020/08/15/wish-youd-share/#clearview-1a">to collect our photos and identify the people in
them by their faces</a>.

<p>
This involves distorting the first amendment on top of the
error of giving corporations human rights.


feed_id: 208cbac75f689dae4b0d5d53d468d45c
title: Handouts to biggest businesses
uri: Handouts-to-biggest-businesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Handouts_to_biggest_businesses%29
content:
<p>
Democrats joined Republicans in tremendous handouts to the biggest
businesses, <a href="https://newleftreview.org/issues/II123/articles/robert-brenner-escalating-plunder">disguising this as helping struggling Americans</a>.


feed_id: 87d69639dc8e984bee33b558756ddba1
title: Nowhere to use the toilet
uri: Nowhere-to-use-the-toilet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Nowhere_to_use_the_toilet%29
content:
<p>
Once again, homeless people in New York City <a href="https://www.thecity.nyc/2020/8/13/21365521/nyc-homeless-bathroom-penn-station-subways-manhattan">have nowhere to use the
toilet</a>.

<p>
They also have trouble getting water to drink.


feed_id: b907e264d4b7977e309a28b0941dd450
title: Christian fanatics in South Korea
uri: Christian-fanatics-in-South-Korea
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Christian_fanatics_in_South_Korea%29

content:
<p>

Christian fanatics in South Korea have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/18/south-korea-warns-it-is-on-brink-of-new-covid-crisis-as-church-linked-to-outbreak-seoul">caused another outbreak</a> of Covid-19.
<p>
The first outbreak was largely boosted by fanatics in another church.
<p>
The supporters of the wrecker are mostly Christian fanatics, too, and
they readily accepted the idea of exposing each other to Covid-19
by not wearing masks.


feed_id: 9bd7f7a0327f19a18665d61d22834278
title: Paul Manafort was in communication with Russian spy agent
uri: Paul-Manafort-was-in-communication-with-Russian-spy-agent
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Paul_Manafort_was_in_communication_with_Russian_spy_agent%29

content:
<p>

A Senate investigation found that Paul Manafort was in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/18/donald-trump-us-senate-report-russia-campaign">regular communication</a>
with an agent of the Russian spy agency, GRU.


feed_id: 3ce85c9170851f78fd134bb5527e7e5b
title: Toronto thug department will pay $16.5m
uri: Toronto-thug-department-will-pay-16-5m
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Toronto_thug_department_will_pay_%2416.5m%29

content:
<p>

*Toronto [thug department will] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/18/g20-protesters-toronto-police-canada">pay $16.5m to protesters</a> wrongfully
held at 2010 G20 summit.*
<p>
I wonder, will this payment cause a loss to those who wrongly arrested
them?


feed_id: 40eab2d9d31bf5073bd56599d5428948
title: Atlantic ocean plastic
uri: Atlantic-ocean-plastic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Atlantic_ocean_plastic%29
content:
<p>

*Atlantic ocean plastic <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/18/atlantic-ocean-plastic-more-than-10-times-previous-estimates">more than 10 times</a> previous estimates.*


feed_id: 8700482a5361a2e4646b19956dba8d99
title: Positive Covid-19 test to vote by mail
uri: Positive-Covid-19-test-to-vote-by-mail
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Positive_Covid-19_test_to_vote_by_mail%29

content:
<p>

Louisiana official proposes to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/18/louisiana-election-proposal-positive-covid-test-mail-in-voting">require a positive Covid-19 test</a>
to vote by mail.  People who might <em>catch</em> it would not be allowed
to vote more safely.


feed_id: 7e0ded023f67f4eb61192591a0a1127c
title: Oil leases
uri: 2020-08-20-Oil-leases
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Oil_leases%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker wants to sell oil leases for the Arctic National Wildlife
Reserve this year, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/17/trump-alaska-arctic-wildlife-refuge-drilling">to make it difficult to prevent future oil drilling
there</a>.

<p>
To stay within <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#26_October_2013_(The_carbon_budget)">the carbon budget</a>,
  We need strong measures to discourage _all_ new fossil fuel
facilities, and a heavy carbon tax.  I think that they would make
actual drilling in the remote arctic nonviable.


feed_id: 9f80f2723cd41cefb7d588ad1a6bc29c
title: Oxford University gave a Chinese businessman a certificate in exchange for a donation
uri: 2020-08-20-Oxford-University-gave-a-Chinese-businessman-a-certificate-in-exchange
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Oxford_University_gave_a_Chinese_businessman_a_certificate_in_exchange_for_a_donation%29

content:
<p>

Oxford University gave a Chinese businessman a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/16/how-fake-award-for-a-tycoon-left-oxford-university-open-to-chinese-influence">certificate with the
title of "Academician"</a> in exchange for a donation, reasoning that the
word means nothing in Oxford's terms.
<p>
The title "academician" may have little significance for Oxford, but
in Russia and China it is used for members of a prestigious and
important national academy.  Thus, this award may be effective for
impressing people in those countries.  Maybe that is why Chan King Wai
arranged to receive the award with a big ceremony.  I wonder whose idea
it was to use that particular title &mdash; Mr Chan's?


feed_id: e4549a9860999df66ba000c04f110591
title: Public lands used in ways that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions
uri: Public-lands-used-in-ways-that-contribute-to-greenhouse-gas-emissions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Public_lands_used_in_ways_that_contribute_to_greenhouse_gas_emissions%29

content:
<p>

The US is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/17/public-lands-are-key-fighting-climate-change">allowing public lands to be used</a> in ways that contribute massively
to greenhouse gas emissions.


feed_id: 6e58f97c4c2356211d615541034b6198
title: First-Ever survey of Sanders delegates
uri: First-Ever-survey-of-Sanders-delegates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28First-Ever_survey_of_Sanders_delegates%29

content:
<p>

*First-Ever <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/08/17/first-ever-survey-sanders-delegates-shows-views-ticket-half-disapprove-quarter">Survey of Sanders Delegates</a> Shows Views of Ticket: Half
"Disapprove," a Quarter "Approve," a Quarter "Ambivalent".*
<p>
This refers to the delegates chosen by people who voted for Sanders in
Democratic primaries and caucuses.
<p>
AOC <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/17/ocasio-cortez-welcomes-help-anti-trump-republicans-defeating-president-rejects">rebuked the Democratic Party</a> for cooperation with Republicans that
are trying to define the Democratic Party as "centrist" (which means, plutocratist).


feed_id: 853d5f1eb06e870d5db81725457121c4
title: Changes to Postal Service suspended until after election
uri: Changes-to-Postal-Service-suspended-until-after-election
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Changes_to_Postal_Service_suspended_until_after_election%29

content:
<p>

DeJoy said that "all changes being made to the Postal Service would be
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/18/politics/post-office-dejoy/index.html">suspended until after the November 3 election</a>."
<p>
Does this mean that the wrecker had given up on sabotaging voting by
mail?  That seems too good to be true.  Is there a catch?
<p>
Does "changes being made" include the changes that were made recently,
which have slowed mail delivery, sometimes by a week or more.  If not,
those could be enough by themselves to mess up the election.


feed_id: 0f34bd205f64d81e2f6975cc82a44e1c
title: England thug being investigated
uri: England-thug-being-investigated
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28England_thug_being_investigated%29

content:
<p>

A thug in England is being investigated for just <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/18/west-yorkshire-police-investigate-officer-filmed-telling-suspect-ill-choke-you-out">threatening to choke
a suspect</a>.
<p>
It seems that the UK is determined to put an end to chokeholds, and I think
its methods have a chance of success.


feed_id: 51c3480d8405cddf6cbdab756f56084c
title: Genetically engineered chestnut trees
uri: Genetically-engineered-chestnut-trees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Genetically_engineered_chestnut_trees%29

content:
<p>

Chestnut blight wiped out the American chestnut tree.  A genetic
engineering project is ready to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/08/18/researchers-plan-release-genetically-engineered-american-chestnut-trees-forests">introduce resistant trees</a>.  Should we
allow this?
<p>
I think the worries that the blight resistance might fail are foolish.
Likewise the concern about Phytophthora cinnamomi.  If the GE chestnut
trees can't survive, we know what will happen &mdash; they will die, just
as all American chestnut trees died before.  That would be a failure
but not a disaster.
<p>
Could some other worse thing happen?  It is not impossible.  Perhaps
we should do a further experiment of growing a substantial number GE
chestnut trees for 20 years in a number of test plots whose other
contents are wild, and not allowing the chestnuts' seeds to get loose.
<p>
However, the only way to know for certain is to try them.  The loss of
chestnut trees was damage to the forest, so bringing them back means
repairing the damage.  We should not be too frightened to try.


feed_id: 318ef57f34e605b9cdbca20cecf278f4
title: Attacks on members of the press covering ongoing protests
uri: Attacks-on-members-of-the-press-covering-ongoing-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Attacks_on_members_of_the_press_covering_ongoing_protests%29

content:
<p>

More than 600 attacks against members of the press covering the
ongoing protests have been <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/18/watchdog-calls-authorities-drop-absurd-charges-against-journalists-covering-black">reported to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker</a>.
Many of the victims face bogus criminal charges.
<p>
Justice requires more than dropping the charges.  The <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> who lied must
be fired or punished.


feed_id: 6589332a14ab6a6bbc53119f59aeb5c7
title: Israel's annexation wall
uri: 2020-08-20-Israel-s-annexation-wall
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Israel%27s_annexation_wall%29
content:
<p>

Israel's annexation wall &mdash; which annexed part of the West Bank by
cutting it off from the rest &mdash; is not well maintained.  There are
many gaps where people cross without being checked, with tacit Israel
approval.  Which shows that the wall is <a href="https://www.972mag.com/separation-barrier-breaches-illusion/">not very important</a> in
preventing terrorism, but also raises the question of why Israel
allows this.


feed_id: d206b36030dcc7a60bbce7bd7ccddf8d
title: The fundamental Republican scam
uri: The-fundamental-Republican-scam
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28The_fundamental_Republican_scam%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/18/republicans-struggle-reboot-their-small-government-personal-responsibility-scam">The fundamental Republican scam</a>, since the 1930s: run up the national debt
with tax cuts for the rich, and spending that doesn't help most people.
Then use the debt to demand cuts in spending that does help most people.
<p>
The article speaks of the "two Santas".  There is a crucial difference
between them: giving in the form of welfare programs helps the people
who need it most, whereas giving tax cuts mainly helps the people whose
high incomes ought to require them to pay a lot of taxes.


feed_id: 402cfef9517eeb934c710f13210f1308
title: Countries lead by women
uri: Countries-lead-by-women
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Countries_lead_by_women%29
content:
<p>

Countries lead by women really did a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/18/female-led-countries-handled-coronavirus-better-study-jacinda-ardern-angela-merkel">better job of acting effectively</a>
to stop Covid-19.


feed_id: f7e906513c3f44b26cb9e0ed12b07bea
title: Lessons from HIV
uri: Lessons-from-HIV
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Lessons_from_HIV%29
content:
<p>

Drawing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/18/hiv-aids-pandemic-coronavirus-covid-19-lessons">lessons</a> for Covid-10 from HIV.


feed_id: fdee4d89dd241a5cbbc927eccb4231a9
title: Age gap
uri: Age-gap
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Age_gap%29
content:
<p>
The latest manifestation of modern prudery <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/19/big-age-gap-relationship-sex-consent-adults">attacks relationships with
age gaps</a>.


feed_id: 445d8ed59ae1bbf1f766f933c012c748
title: At party's own risk
uri: At-party-s-own-risk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28At_party%27s_own_risk%29
content:
<p>
*Democrats spurn AOC and uplift Bill Clinton <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/19/dnc-marginalize-leftists-aoc-uplifts-clinton-bloomberg">at the party's own risk</a>.*


feed_id: dc8b24e7e1fbced2af6bd7e7ac2ae66e
title: Advising
uri: Advising
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Advising%29
content:
<p>
*MPs 'advising' big business undermines democracy. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/19/mps-advising-big-business-democracy-second-jobs-sajid-javid">Second jobs should be
banned</a>.*

<p>
It is a conflict of interest.  The equivalent for members of the US Congress
is already banned.  Some subtle, indirect ways for businesses to corrupt
them are banned too, but not enough.


feed_id: 995a86f3e0506ebdb2a5fdf6c5125aa0
title: Paying for thugs damage
uri: Paying-for-thugs-damage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Paying_for_thugs_damage%29
content:
<p>
Some NYC thugs <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> people frequently, and they sue, so the city has
to keep on paying damages.  <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/19/nypd-bronx-police-settlements/">There are 190 thugs that were cited in at
least 5 lawsuits in the last 5 years</a>.

<p>
The cost to the city is almost 70 million dollars a year.

<p>
If the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> had to pay some of this, they would clean up their act.


feed_id: b2f990bcb50eb71c9f16849500fbe176
title: Protesters sinking to violence
uri: Protesters-sinking-to-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Protesters_sinking_to_violence%29
content:
<p>
Protesters in Portland, Oregon, seem to have sunk to habitual
violence, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/19/portland-riot-protesters-building-fire">and without taking care to choose targets</a>.

<p>
If there is another side to this story, I'd like to see it.


feed_id: 2876f1cfa43b0e56faa94040c34b5fa8
title: Reducing powers of Parliament
uri: Reducing-powers-of-Parliament
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Reducing_powers_of_Parliament%29
content:
<p>
Bogus Johnson is trying to reduce the powers of Parliament, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/19/johnson-parliament-cummings-britain-democracy">and thus
reduce democracy in the UK</a>.


feed_id: 24c0f06b60a7d873c44aaa7e36e773a0
title: Not even trying
uri: Not-even-trying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Not_even_trying%29
content:
<p>
The spending needed to deal with the economic crisis would be a great
opportunity to cut greenhouse gas emissions, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/19/the-guardian-view-on-coronavirus-and-the-climate-crisis-seize-this-chance">but governments are not
even trying</a>.

<p>
*Greta Thunberg and Fellow Activists Decry 'Political Inaction' on Climate
 Crisis <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/19/greta-thunberg-and-fellow-activists-decry-political-inaction-climate-crisis-after">After Two Years of School Strikes</a>.*


feed_id: 927ef1c9e6e45f2d86f93825313dace6
title: Excluding fortunes from taxes
uri: Excluding-fortunes-from-taxes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Excluding_fortunes_from_taxes%29
content:
<p>
Explaining the tools that the rich use exclude fortunes from estate taxes,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/19/how-hide-fortune-during-pandemic">and how a tax on inheriting could tax those fortunes</a>.


feed_id: 66bf36c0d349024cc7803a5ec90f5056
title: Heat-resistant corals
uri: Heat-resistant-corals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Heat-resistant_corals%29
content:
<p>
*Heat-resistant corals offer hope as climate crisis warms up oceans*,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jul/21/heat-resistant-corals-offer-hope-as-climate-crisis-warms-up-oceans">against the threat of global heating</a>.

<p>
However, ocean acidification is another matter.  The same CO2 that
heats the atmosphere also dissolves in the seas as carbonic acid.
Once the water gets too acid, coral (and many other organisms) won't
be able to make their shells.

<p>
If we discover corals that can stand acidic water as well as heat,
that would be an occasion for relief.  Otherwise, we had better cut
our CO2 emissions on the double.


feed_id: 567fc06f9092bb743cdf92e994889d81
title: Co-housing and isolation
uri: Co-housing-and-isolation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Co-housing_and_isolation%29
content:
<p>
Co-housing of several families together <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/05/escape-from-the-nuclear-family-covid-19-should-provoke-a-re-think-of-how-we-live-coronavirus-naomi-klein-civilian-conservation-corps/">makes isolation much easier to
get through</a>.


feed_id: 85a840009576d8fcd98f873ebdeb26a0
title: Shutting down parliament for a month
uri: Shutting-down-parliament-for-a-month
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Shutting_down_parliament_for_a_month%29

content:
<p>
Trudeau decided to shut down Canada's parliament for a month, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/18/justin-trudeau-scandal-prorogue-parliament">despite
the crucial decisions that need to be made soon</a>.

<p>
There is a suspicion his purpose is to delay a corruption inquiry.


feed_id: 5d6546a3fcf1561d420ebf68b2891f6c
title: Wildfires and precautions
uri: Wildfires-and-precautions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Wildfires_and_precautions%29
content:
<p>
Due to global heating, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/19/california-fires-lake-dome-evacuations">California already has many dangerous wildfires</a>,
  as well as power cuts as a precaution <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/18/california-wildfires-governor-declares-state-of-emergency">against starting more fires</a>.
  It is unpleasant when the air conditioning cuts out and it is hotter
than body temperature outside.  Installing solar power systems can help avoid
this problem from both sides.


feed_id: ad58e79d504c2a9d3d383e7077747c73
title: Defending your vote
uri: Defending-your-vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#20_August_2020_%28Defending_your_vote%29
content:
<p>
Greg Palast's suggestions for how to stop Republicans <a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/we-can-bust-the-ballot-burglary/">from taking away
your vote this year</a>.


feed_id: 89a9b1769e2fc468d4f619f9236e5a5c
title: Oil leases
uri: 2020-08-20-Oil-leases
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#19_August_2020_%28Oil_leases%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker wants to sell oil leases for the Arctic National Wildlife
Reserve this year, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/17/trump-alaska-arctic-wildlife-refuge-drilling">to make it difficult to prevent future oil drilling
there</a>.

<p>
To stay within <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#26_October_2013_(The_carbon_budget)">the carbon budget</a>,
  We need strong measures to discourage <em>all</em> new fossil fuel
facilities, and a heavy carbon tax.  I think that they would make
actual drilling in the remote arctic nonviable.


feed_id: 5bfef78863b9d2f13d330a7ea5cd345d
title: NYT Urges Biden to Shun His Party’s ‘Left-Leaning Brand
uri: NYT-Urges-Biden-to-Shun-His-Party-s-Left-Leaning-Brand
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28NYT_Urges_Biden_to_Shun_His_Party%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%99s_%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%98Left-Leaning_Brand%29

content:
<p>

*NYT Urges Biden to Shun His Party’s ‘Left-Leaning Brand'.*
<p>
*Being concerned with working-class Americans, to the New York
Times and corporate Democrats, means portraying yourself as "an
average guy," <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/20/nyt-urges-biden-shun-his-partys-left-leaning-brand">not offering policies that will actually help the
working class</a>.*
<p>
It is noteworthy that a party controlled by the right-wing
plutocratists, which just rejected the Green New Deal and Medicare for
All, is called "left-leaning."  That has been the right-wing strategy
for decades: to call Democrats "liberal" if they are not on the
extreme right-wing.


feed_id: b715a2b9711e106cadd032a98ee106e6
title: Steve Bannon charged with planning to defraud donors
uri: Steve-Bannon-charged-with-planning-to-defraud-donors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28Steve_Bannon_charged_with_planning_to_defraud_donors%29

content:
<p>

Steve Bannon has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/20/steve-bannon-arrest-web-anti-immigration-conservatives-build-wall">been charged with planning to defraud donors</a> with a
charity that was supposed to build the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a>'s border wall.


feed_id: 21598dc20e56db4f8f78e1bab4284087
title: New Toyotas will upload data to AWS
uri: New-Toyotas-will-upload-data-to-AWS
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28New_Toyotas_will_upload_data_to_AWS%29

content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theregister.com/2020/08/18/aws_toyota_alliance/">New Toyotas will upload data</a> to AWS to help create
custom insurance premiums based on driver behaviour.*
<p>
Before you buy a "connected" car, make sure you can disconnect its
cellular antenna and its GPS antenna.  If you want GPS navigation, get
a separate navigator which runs free software and works with Open
Street Map.


feed_id: d78e5f56336d993a1d72fbd1263d1c8c
title: Department of the Interior vetting David Bernhardt
uri: Department-of-the-Interior-vetting-David-Bernhardt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28Department_of_the_Interior_vetting_David_Bernhardt%29

content:
<p>

The Department of the Interior collected some 250 pages of information
when vetting David Bernhardt as secretary of that department.  Public
Citizen calls for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/08/19/interior-department-must-scrutinize-secret-bernhardt-files">checking them for past ethics rule violations</a>.


feed_id: 7852abcb756e769590ebeb7226739eb5
title: House bill to restore mail service to 'Pre-DeJoy levels'
uri: House-bill-to-restore-mail-service-to-Pre-DeJoy-levels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28House_bill_to_restore_mail_service_to_%27Pre-DeJoy_levels%27%29

content:
<p>

*House Democrats Unveil Bill to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/19/house-democrats-unveil-bill-restore-mail-service-pre-dejoy-levels-and-require-usps">Restore Mail Service</a> to 'Pre-DeJoy Levels' and
Require USPS to Treat All Ballots as First Class.*


feed_id: 42699ee62004cc8d4353aa3dade64c1c
title: (satire) The economic impacts of Covid-19.
uri: (satire)-The-economic-impacts-of-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28%28satire%29_The_economic_impacts_of_Covid-19.%29

content:
<p>

(satire) The <a href="https://www.theonion.com/economic-impact-of-the-coronavirus-pandemic-1844768838">economic impacts</a> of Covid-19.


feed_id: 14ef2d83c4ba2948cf7691a0808ec1a9
title: Banner which said, "White Silence Is Violence", ordered taken down
uri: Banner-which-said-White-Silence-Is-Violence-ordered-taken-down
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28Banner_which_said%2C_White_Silence_Is_Violence%2C_ordered_taken_down%29

content:
<p>

Cops in London ordered people to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jul/23/police-order-removal-of-white-silence-is-violence-banner-in-london">take down a banner</a> on their house
which said, "White Silence Is Violence."
<p>
It was wrong to make them take it down.  If people wish to say that,
freedom of expression gives them the right to do so.  Sad to say, most
countries do not fully respect freedom of expression.  The UK
practices considerable <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jul/23/police-order-removal-of-white-silence-is-violence-banner-in-london">censorship</a> of opinions.
<p>
Now for a related question: whether that statement is valid.  I
criticize it as a moral distortion.  To explain why, I will compare it
with two somewhat similar statements that have been made in past.
<p>
One such statement was, "If you're not part of the solution, you're
part of the problem."  This does not assert that those people are
evil, or even that they oppose solving the problem, only that their
inaction is problematical.  That can well be true.  For instance,
people who don't reject Facebook are part of society's Facebook
problem.  People who don't reject Zoom are part of society's Zoom
problem.  How much of the blame for those problems should fall on the
people who have been lead into the trap is a subtle question; my
answer is to call them "victim co-perpetrators."  They do not deserve
the same criticism as the <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">developers of those proprietary traps</a>.
<p>
Now consider the statement, "If you're not with us, you're against
us."  This one goes further than the previous one; it equates
neutrality with opposition &mdash; which is a false equation.  In some
situations it is valid to say, "Joining us is your moral duty," but
that is different from "Not joining us is the moral equivalent of
opposing us."
<p>
Equating silence with "violence" adds an exaggeration, untrue because
because not all opposition is violent, and unfair because violence
against a good cause is worse than nonviolent opposition to it.  That
slogan combines two levels of wrong, first equating silence to
opposition, then equating opposition to violence.


feed_id: 167f2314c3d7f0a0ede00911a07c0f0d
title: Jordan is trying to crush the teacher's union
uri: Jordan-is-trying-to-crush-the-teacher-s-union
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28Jordan_is_trying_to_crush_the_teacher%27s_union%29

content:
<p>

Jordan is trying to crush the teacher's union by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/19/jordan-arrests-1000-teachers-in-crackdown-on-union">arresting 1000 teachers</a>.


feed_id: 0e9225c3317757ec8082903ab99e8782
title: The world is still in a state of climate crisis denial
uri: The-world-is-still-in-a-state-of-climate-crisis-denial
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28The_world_is_still_in_a_state_of_climate_crisis_denial%29

content:
<p>

Greta Thunberg: *After two years of school strikes, the world is still
in a state of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/19/climate-crisis-leaders-greta-thunberg">climate crisis denial</a>.*
<p>
Each year wasted reduces the part of the disaster that we can still
avoid if we start now.
<p>
*Greenpeace Gives Democratic Platform C+ on Climate, Calling for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/19/greenpeace-gives-democratic-platform-c-climate-calling-action-scale-science-and">'Action at
the Scale That Science and Justice Demand'</a>.*


feed_id: 4df2d1d25c0e89493017cefbfb9f3081
title: English landowners have stolen our rights
uri: English-landowners-have-stolen-our-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28English_landowners_have_stolen_our_rights%29

content:
<p>

George Monbiot: *English landowners have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/19/pandemic-right-to-roam-england">stolen our rights</a>. It is time to reclaim them.*


feed_id: 58a2ae5d9f1fe019d47a0c3ea608f6de
title: Reimagining policing
uri: Reimagining-policing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28Reimagining_policing%29
content:
<p>
*Austin’s Vote to “Reimagine” Policing <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/19/austin-police-department-budget-cuts/">Prompts Threats From [Texas]
State Officials</a>.*


feed_id: 35f8cf1c2aeccba70b50dafe1ed13e78
title: Sexual assaults in jeans factories
uri: Sexual-assaults-in-jeans-factories
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28Sexual_assaults_in_jeans_factories%29

content:
<p>
*Fashion's dirty secret: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/aug/20/fashion-industry-jeans-lesotho-garment-factory-workers-sexual-violence">how sexual assault took hold in jeans factories</a>.*


feed_id: 6e93055718a44839bbd3d840d4510909
title: Exporting jobs
uri: Exporting-jobs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28Exporting_jobs%29
content:
<p>
The US financial and business system <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/14/1006428/unmade-in-america/">knows only how to export jobs</a>.

<p>
In many fields, all expertise has been lost, so it is nearly impossible
to start a plant to make anything.


feed_id: 64fb4bfe42cca55128c2c4df63e4c634
title: Sick opposition leader
uri: Sick-opposition-leader
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28Sick_opposition_leader%29
content:
<p>
Alexei Navalny, Russian opposition leader, is mysteriously sick.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/20/alexei-navalny-russian-opposition-figure-unconscious-in-hospital-says-aide">His associates say he was poisoned</a>.


feed_id: 8871c4b6ef09b3cf9436657eba8fd29c
title: More painful encounter with Covid-19
uri: More-painful-encounter-with-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28More_painful_encounter_with_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>
Contending that privatization of public services (including medical care),
which was done in the name of saving money, has made Australia's encounter
with Covid-19 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/20/the-spread-of-coronavirus-is-not-the-fault-of-individuals-but-a-result-of-neoliberalism">far more painful and far more expensive</a>.


feed_id: 3d72247b4ff3d71bed356ae75d3cb84b
title: Abandoning ship
uri: Abandoning-ship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28Abandoning_ship%29
content:
<p>
Owners of old ships frequently abandon them, with their cargos and crews.
The crews may be trapped, unable to leave the ship.  Once in a rare while,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/20/cancer-of-the-industry-beiruts-blast-proves-lethal-risk-of-abandoning-ships">the ship's cargo eventually explodes</a>.

<p>
I will make a radical proposal: require ship owners to post a
sufficient bond with an international organization, in case the ship
can't pay its fees or becomes abandoned.  Without that bond, the ship
should not be allowed to leave port, and any country can seize it and
sell or scrap it.


feed_id: 18bb8ed3fd5f98b69917f10dc924ce3d
title: Cheating workers
uri: Cheating-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28Cheating_workers%29
content:
<p>
The prestigious dum sum chain, Din Tai Fung, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/aug/20/din-tai-fung-restaurants-allegedly-underpaid-workers-and-used-fake-timesheets-australian-court-told">systematically cheated
its workers in Australia</a>.


feed_id: 219660e8fbe3c2f4afc770aa8ae283b0
title: Local gas utility campaign
uri: Local-gas-utility-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28Local_gas_utility_campaign%29
content:
<p>
The local gas utility organized a campaign to defeat Seattle's plan to
prohibit gas pipelines in new buildings.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/20/gas-industry-waging-war-against-climate-action">This seems to be a
nationwide practice</a>.


feed_id: 21a8d6c02d38814f91b06aac96974d72
title: Damage
uri: Damage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28Damage%29
content:
<p>
How global heating in various US reasons: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/20/climate-crisis-environment-america">damage so far, and damage
expected within 30 years</a>.


feed_id: 1f49c3d02b49f44f524d30103aab279a
title: Not so different positions
uri: Not-so-different-positions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28Not_so_different_positions%29
content:
<p>
The Democratic Convention is showcasing Republicans who support Biden.
The goal <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/20/anti-trump-republicans-democratic-convention-biden-dnc">is to convince other Republicans to vote for Biden</a>.

<p>
For me it is a reminder the Biden's positions aren't that different
from some Republicans, as they used to be before the "tea party".


feed_id: e0a48d88764053a2b42e406892a5cb51
title: Compensation for lead poisoning
uri: Compensation-for-lead-poisoning
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28Compensation_for_lead_poisoning%29

content:
<p>
Michigan will pay Flint residents $600 million as compensation for the
lead poisoning Michigan's Republican government caused <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/20/michigan-pay-600m-flint-residents-drinking-water-disaster-lead">when it meddled
with Flint's water supply</a>.

<p>
Lead exposure causes lasting brain damage.  I don't think there is any
way to reverse it &mdash; the lead-poisoned children and teenagers of Flint
cannot be made well.  They may not be able to earn a living.  I think
each one may need lifetime support, and if there are more than 600 of
them, I don't think a million each will pay for that.


feed_id: e52de290c9a45c08a4f80775c4a349eb
title: Record loss of ice
uri: Record-loss-of-ice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#21_August_2020_%28Record_loss_of_ice%29
content:
<p>
*The Greenland ice sheet lost a record amount of ice in 2019, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/20/greenland-ice-sheet-lost-a-record-1m-tonnes-of-ice-per-minute-in-2019">equivalent
to a million tonnes per minute across the year</a>.*


feed_id: 39caf8cf2802257d55c92ebd2d928a8a
title: The charge against Bannon and others
uri: The-charge-against-Bannon-and-others
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28The_charge_against_Bannon_and_others%29

content:
<p>

The charge against Bannon and others is that they raised funds to
"build a wall", then used the funds for their own <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/20/who-is-steve-bannon-charges-we-build-the-wall-trump">personal benefit</a>.


feed_id: d7ab65c8f2d44dfd420a1e8b618ac967
title: Guber and Lyft shutdowns in California
uri: Guber-and-Lyft-shutdowns-in-California
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28Guber_and_Lyft_shutdowns_in_California%29

content:
<p>

Guber and Lyft hope that by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/aug/20/lyft-california-suspend-services-drivers-ab5">shutting operations in California</a> they can
rouse their selfish customers to demand California resume allowing
the companies to take advantage of their drivers.
<p>
Since I say they are both of those companies are based on <a href="https://stallman.org/uber.html">injustice</a>
<em>to the customer</em>, I think that getting them to shut down is a fine way to get rid of them.
However, they may win the battle this way, thanks to the selfish
customers.
<p>
What will happen while they are shut?  Most of those drivers will be
available in taxicabs, where they will make more money, and you will
be able to get their services anonymously without having to run any
nonfree software.


feed_id: 7768ee1a1b0419d30efcb78f9535d664
title: Repression was palpable around hospitalized Alexei Navalny
uri: Repression-was-palpable-around-hospitalized-Alexei-Navalny
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28Repression_was_palpable_around_hospitalized_Alexei_Navalny%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/20/a-cup-of-tea-then-screams-of-agony-how-alexei-navalny-was-left-fighting-for-his-life">Repression was palpable</a> around hospitalized Alexei Navalny.
<p>
It will be easy to kill him in the hospital, and I expect that to
happen.


feed_id: 51881daa42cb0e45159094b2a2c29b44
title: Lukashenko's last strike against the opposition
uri: Lukashenko-s-last-strike-against-the-opposition
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28Lukashenko%27s_last_strike_against_the_opposition%29

content:
<p>

Lukashenko's last strike against the opposition is to put
the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/20/belarus-opposition-faces-criminal-case-as-protests-continue">opposition leaders on trial</a> and sentence them to many years
in prison.


feed_id: b6afe2ad0e144ea922d8c5a34bbcbbdf
title: Former presidents of Mexico accused of corruption
uri: Former-presidents-of-Mexico-accused-of-corruption
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28Former_presidents_of_Mexico_accused_of_corruption%29

content:
<p>

Mexico is prosecuting the former head of its oil company, Pemex.
He has accused three former presidents, Enrique Peña Nieto, Felipe Calderón,
and Carlos Salinas, of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/20/mexico-corruption-former-presidents-emilio-lozoya">involvement in the corruption</a>.


feed_id: 14815946215a462c3f66bd58c3243e4c
title: Facebook banning antifa groups which have never been violent
uri: Facebook-banning-antifa-groups-which-have-never-been-violent
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28Facebook_banning_antifa_groups_which_have_never_been_violent%29

content:
<p>

Facebook has banned the pages of many violence-promoting right-wing
groups.  Insisting on a false equivalence, it has also <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/20/facebook-bans-antifascist-pages/">banned some
long-standing antifa groups</a> which have never been violent.


feed_id: bddfa8c8846d0ce6d94ab9e5026308a8
title: Global charity estimates 1.5 million women will have unsafe abortions amid pandemic
uri: Global-charity-estimates-1-5-million-women-will-have-unsafe-abortions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28Global_charity_estimates_1.5_million_women_will_have_unsafe_abortions_amid_pandemic%29

content:
<p>

*With Lockdowns Cutting Off Access, Global Charity Estimates <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/19/lockdowns-cutting-access-global-charity-estimates-15-million-women-will-have-unsafe">1.5 Million Women
Will Have Unsafe Abortions Amid Pandemic</a>.*


feed_id: 3ad4c320dbf09bcb567721a6ca7c54d5
title: Post Office saboteur opposes reconnection of sorting machines
uri: Post-Office-saboteur-opposes-reconnection-of-sorting-machines
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28Post_Office_saboteur_opposes_reconnection_of_sorting_machines%29

content:
<p>

Post Office saboteur DeJoy <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/19/postal-union-leaders-warn-removal-mail-sorting-machines-and-other-dejoy-damage-may">firmly opposes reconnection of the sorting machines</a>
that he has already pulled out of service.


feed_id: 4824053303e747357d127e1110afc725
title: White-collar crime is barely prosecuted in the United States
uri: White-collar-crime-is-barely-prosecuted-in-the-United-States
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28White-collar_crime_is_barely_prosecuted_in_the_United_States%29

content:
<p>

*White-collar crime is <a href="https://www.jacobinmag.com/2020/08/donald-trump-doj-white-collar-crime-jail">barely prosecuted</a> in the United States. It’s time
for that to change.* This is not something that was started by the wrecker.  It has
been happening for decades.
<p>
One thing we need to do is change laws so that corporate executives
are responsible for criminal conduct by the corporation.
If that puts them under more responsibility than they can carry out,
perhaps the corporation should split into multiple corporations,
each small enough for the executives to keep track of what is going on.


feed_id: 1e5de3cc9417dc245ee780a8321cbf2e
title: Absurd sex panics
uri: Absurd-sex-panics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28Absurd_sex_panics%29
content:
<p>

*The Left Needs to Stop Falling for Absurd Sex Panics.*
Such as the one <a href="https://jacobinmag.com/2020/08/alex-morse-neal-massachusetts-sex-panic">fabricated against Alex Morse</a>.
<p>
This means dismissing the idea that people with some sort of "status"
should not have sex (except with someone with equal "status").


feed_id: 25fc12e0feca5909f7430777fa0e23fa
title: USPS considering allowing big commercial bank to set up ATM terminals
uri: USPS-considering-allowing-big-commercial-bank-to-set-up-ATM-terminals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28USPS_considering_allowing_big_commercial_bank_to_set_up_ATM_terminals%29

content:
<p>

As people call for the USPS to bring back postal banking, it is
considering instead allowing a big commercial bank to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/20/warnings-dejoy-scheme-kill-postal-banking-usps-reportedly-considering-plan-let-wall">set up ATM
terminals</a> in post offices.
<p>
Postal banking in the US operated until around 1970, as I recall.


feed_id: 1db1b15f017e8fb087ce06cb5d2c9238
title: Reforms to reinvigorate production of medicines
uri: Reforms-to-reinvigorate-production-of-medicines
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28Reforms_to_reinvigorate_production_of_medicines%29

content:
<p>

Proposing reforms to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/20/reclaim-public-medicine-public-health">reinvigorate production of medicines</a>, end
gouging, and make them available to all Americans.


feed_id: aebc8aea57c54a1cf169acc5307afb29
title: Amazon is close to being a monopoly for internet sales
uri: Amazon-is-close-to-being-a-monopoly-for-internet-sales
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28Amazon_is_close_to_being_a_monopoly_for_internet_sales%29

content:
<p>

Amazon is so <a href="https://ilsr.org/amazons_tollbooth/">close to being a monopoly for internet sales</a>
by most companies that it can gouge them.  It drives many
of them into bankruptcy.
<p>
If you do internet purchases, making a point of not buying
through Amazon is a way you can personally push back.


feed_id: bb9d947ef9e9bddbc356d8f9635e9652
title: The harm done by budget cuts for the poor during the Great Depression
uri: The-harm-done-by-budget-cuts-for-the-poor-during-the-Great-Depression
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28The_harm_done_by_budget_cuts_for_the_poor_during_the_Great_Depression%29

content:
<p>

Demonstrating that the harm done by budget cuts for the poor during
the Great Depression <a href="https://voxeu.org/article/fiscal-austerity-and-rise-nazis">fueled the rise of the Nazis</a>.
<p>
The worst-off people switched to the Communist Party,
those who were hit badly but were not totally destitute chose
the Nazi Party.
<p>
Spreading poverty in the US, since 2009, could have had a similar
effect in the US today.


feed_id: 728013beb17baa5c3c4df15b33555fd4
title: Walls of death
uri: Walls-of-death
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28Walls_of_death%29
content:
<p>

*'Walls of death': <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/18/walls-of-death-surge-in-illegal-drift-nets-threatens-endangered-species">surge in illegal drift nets threatens endangered species</a>.*
<p>
Sending naval ships to seize their forbidden nets could put a stop to
this practice.  One ship could watch several fishing boats at a time,
by visiting each one daily or sending drones to look.  The cost to the
fishing boat owner of losing net after net, or going a long time
without actually fishing, would be prohibitive.


feed_id: a619958c4e52e6b2ee1acbaf88e1d200
title: Housing stock is often unsuitable for working at home
uri: Housing-stock-is-often-unsuitable-for-working-at-home
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28Housing_stock_is_often_unsuitable_for_working_at_home%29

content:
<p>

Housing stock is often <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/aug/18/working-from-home-is-a-luxury-many-renters-in-the-uk-can-ill-afford">unsuitable for working at home</a>.  Many people that
can't simply work over the net could work at home if their homes
were suitable.
<p>
That doesn't mean people are better off if they never go to a shared
workplace.  And we probably will lick Covid-19.


feed_id: 872c6ce2b9cd582ad11a3ba8b9a71d57
title: Urgent: define "habitat" in a way that supports conservation
uri: Urgent-define-habitat-in-a-way-that-supports-conservation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28Urgent%3A_define_habitat_in_a_way_that_supports_conservation%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine
Fisheries Service to <a href="https://act.defenders.org/page/21629/action/1">define "habitat"</a> in a way that supports conservation.


feed_id: c24b3dfb476e4e56dfa0fd87b3bb06f1
title: Urgent: Divest from US bail bond companies
uri: Urgent-Divest-from-US-bail-bond-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#23_August_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Divest_from_US_bail_bond_companies%29

content:
<p>

Everyone: call on Fairfax Financial Holdings to <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/prem-watsa-exit-racist-bail-industry">divest</a>
from US bail bond companies.


feed_id: 21c01467fe7fb592777f85f80e1f379e
title: Facebook pressuring fact-checkers to change rulings
uri: Facebook-pressuring-fact-checkers-to-change-rulings
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Facebook_pressuring_fact-checkers_to_change_rulings%29

content:
<p>

*Facebook is quietly pressuring its independent fact-checkers to <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90538655/facebook-is-quietly-pressuring-its-independent-fact-checkers-to-change-their-rulings">change
their rulings</a>.*


feed_id: afb9f175f71068cfcff730a2ed1b1e66
title: Environmental Poisoning Agency has encouraged poisoning of Americans
uri: Environmental-Poisoning-Agency-has-encouraged-poisoning-of-Americans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Environmental_Poisoning_Agency_has_encouraged_poisoning_of_Americans%29

content:
<p>

Ten ways the Environmental Poisoning Agency has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/21/trumps-toxic-wake-10-ways-epa-has-made-life-more-hazardous".encouraged poisoning</a>
of Americans.
<p>
The EPA used to be the Environmental Protection Agency, and it really
did protect the environment, though often it was strangely slow to
act.  I suppose that polluting businesses had partly corrupted it.
Now, however, polluting businesses have captured it entirely.


feed_id: 7ac2fa42f7cc567a2c27a969b41e1515
title: Copyright on recorded lectures
uri: Copyright-on-recorded-lectures
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Copyright_on_recorded_lectures%29
content:
<p>

Remote education has restimulated the dispute between professors and
universities over who gets the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/21373669/recorded-lecture-capture-copyright-universities-coronavirus-fears">copyright on recorded lectures</a>.
<p>
I don't care much which side wins that dispute, because it is a side
issue.  What is important is that <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/online-education.html">educational resources should be
free</a>.


feed_id: 85c3c70154817eb9fbb7b81fd26e977f
title: Mainstream Democrats are opposed to primary challenges against incumbent Democrat officials
uri: Mainstream-Democrats-are-opposed-to-primary-challenges-against-incumbe
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Mainstream_Democrats_are_opposed_to_primary_challenges_against_incumbent_Democrat_officials%29

content:
<p>

Mainstream Democrats are opposed to primary challenges against
incumbent Democrats officials &mdash; but <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/20/nancy-pelosi-endorsing-joe-kennedy-over-ed-markey-critics-charge-reveals-ridiculous">only if the challenger is
progressive.</a>
<p>
I voted for Markey today.


feed_id: eecbd41a6e2d84ee8cc6488af8a0fc9d
title: A Gates-funded agriculture initiative
uri: A-Gates-funded-agriculture-initiative
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28A_Gates-funded_agriculture_initiative%29

content:
<p>

A Gates-funded agriculture initiative in Rwanda is pushing farmers
to grow <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/20/replacing-hunger-malnutrition">more corn and less of other things</a>.  The result is to increase
production, if it is measured in calories. However, it leads to a vulnerable monoculture society, and to more
dependence on fertilizer.


feed_id: e193d722a22f4dd7da1f07b093df6c61
title: Obama inspiration syndrome
uri: Obama-inspiration-syndrome
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Obama_inspiration_syndrome%29
content:
<p>

Don't catch the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/20/obama-inspiration-syndrome">Obama Inspiration Syndrome</a>.
<p>
*If Joe Biden Rejects His Progressive Base, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/20/if-joe-biden-rejects-his-progressive-base-trump-will-win">Trump Will Win</a>.*


feed_id: 42d8a609c849a0f022ea5559c020c196
title: Covid-19 offers an opportunity for climate action
uri: Covid-19-offers-an-opportunity-for-climate-action
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Covid-19_offers_an_opportunity_for_climate_action%29

content:
<p>

Covid-19 offers an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/aug/22/covid-climate-change-royal-institution-christmas-lectures-planet-earth-users-guide-pandemic">opportunity for climate action</a>.


feed_id: d0deb86aaf6db4dc737aba4b93ec8a93
title: Most protests in Portland are peaceful, but the violent ones get the media attention
uri: Most-protests-in-Portland-are-peaceful-but-the-violent-ones-get-the-m
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Most_protests_in_Portland_are_peaceful%2C_but_the_violent_ones_get_the_media_attention%29

content:
<p>

Most protests in Portland <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/22/police-portland-oregon-riot-protest">are peaceful</a>, but the violent ones get the
media attention and make the movement look bad.


feed_id: baf2547a9b6928b58551b1544aa264c0
title: H P Lovecraft was an unabashed racist
uri: H-P-Lovecraft-was-an-unabashed-racist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28H_P_Lovecraft_was_an_unabashed_racist%29

content:
<p>

H P Lovecraft was an <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-08-13/lovecraft-country-hbo-hp-lovecraft-racism-explained">unabashed racist</a>.  He hated Jews, blacks, and
non-white immigrates, and did not hesitate to say so. What shall we make of this today?
<p>
Nnedi Okorafor, a fantasy writer who received an award which came with
a bust of Lovecraft, is a member of a group he hated.  Hatred of
blacks still exists today, and is an important moral-political issue.
She objected to the choice of trophy, and got it changed.
<p>
I too am a member of a group he hated, and that hatred still exists
today.  Antisemitism is also an important moral-political issue.  But
I don't think it matters much today what Lovecraft's opinions were a
century ago, about these points or any other.  He has no political
influence now.
<p>
So our choice is whether to dwell on his politics, or let it be
forgotten and think about him only for his fiction.
<p>
I think the latter is wiser, overall.  The change Ms Okorafor achieved
was, marginally, a step forward, but there is no point pushing it
further.  There are so many bigots alive today, and so many practices
that are part of systemic racism, that de-Lovecraftizing literary
activities on account of his bigotry is a distraction from effective
activism.
<p>
I would not be reluctant to read his work knowing that he would have
hated me if he had met me, just as I wouldn't hesitate to listen to
Wagner for the like reason.  As it happens, I don't especially like
their work, but that is a different matter.


feed_id: f7a9ace48144e3d865d431bfa28e1023
title: Sex-selective abortion in India
uri: Sex-selective-abortion-in-India
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Sex-selective_abortion_in_India%29

content:
<p>

Sex-selective abortion <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/aug/21/selective-abortion-in-india-could-lead-to-68m-fewer-girls-being-born-by-2030">continues increasing</a> in some parts of India.
Parents want sons, not daughters.
<p>
Aborting a fetus doesn't do wrong to anyone, but the preference for
boys is part of a structure of systemic sexism that pervades Indian
society, and the other parts of the system do do wrong to females.
<p>
I support trying to eliminate that structure, but that can't be
achieved by banning sex-selective abortion.  Part of that system is a
requirement for parents to pay a dowry when a daughter marries.  That
can be such a hardship that it is difficult to convince parents not to
try to avoid it.  It may be easier to reduce that requirement, for
instance by making it easier for women to learn good jobs.
<p>
Anything that reduces poverty in India, or reduces the birth rate,
can help too, as well as being good in its own right.
<p>
However, there is no excuse for trying to stop women from having
abortions for whatever reasons.


feed_id: 7936450ced858ed7a525b9f5e49e5acf
title: Belarus's struggle is a reminder of the value of freedom
uri: Belarus-s-struggle-is-a-reminder-of-the-value-of-freedom
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Belarus%27s_struggle_is_a_reminder_of_the_value_of_freedom%29

content:
<p>

*Belarus's struggle is a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/21/belarus-freedom-protests">powerful reminder</a> of the value of freedom.*
<p>
Freedom is important even if it doesn't go all the way: "The oligarch
who runs the factory next won’t be any worse than the state is now."
And if you get some democracy, you can try to get rid of the oligarchs
as the next step.


feed_id: f4099b9d9cc93f9b34392ea421c69c02
title: The wrecker to station thugs at voting booths
uri: The-wrecker-to-station-thugs-at-voting-booths
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28The_wrecker_to_station_thugs_at_voting_booths%29

content:
<p>

The wrecker said he will station <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> at voting booths, which is a
well-known way of trying to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/08/21/lawyers-committee-civil-rights-under-law-denounces-trumps-plan-station-law">discourage people from voting</a>.
<p>
To see the harm this can do, put it together with the practice, in
many parts of the US, of burdening poor people with fines, then late
fees, then fines for not paying fines, more than they can ever pay
off.  They are entitled to vote &mdash; but they might be rationally scared
to pass by a <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> to reach the voting booth.


feed_id: f807071af4e806d0d5ead788bf23bfb2
title: Monaco seeks to prosecute whistleblower
uri: Monaco-seeks-to-prosecute-whistleblower
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Monaco_seeks_to_prosecute_whistleblower%29

content:
<p>

Monaco <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/aug/21/mps-call-on-uk-to-help-whistleblower-facing-extradition-to-monaco-jonathan-taylor-dutch-firm-oil">seeks to prosecute</a> a whistleblower who revealed bribes
paid by a supposedly-Dutch company based in Monaco.


feed_id: b82ceca62b7812edffd8846d1250a0ed
title: Covid-19 led to a 9.3% reduction in humanity's footprint
uri: Covid-19-led-to-a-9-3-reduction-in-humanity-s-footprint
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Covid-19_led_to_a_9.3%2525_reduction_in_humanity%27s_footprint%29

content:
<p>

* Covid-19 led to 9.3% <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/21/human-consumption-of-the-earths-resources-declined-in-2020">reduction in humanity’s ecological footprint</a>
compared with same period last year.*
<p>
That is far from sufficient to reach sustainability.


feed_id: 43bde2e3d33dc1a8771f821a705a53a4
title: World production of syringes
uri: World-production-of-syringes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28World_production_of_syringes%29
content:
<p>

World production of syringes is adjusted to meet the typical annual demand.
If we do get a vaccine for coronavirus, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/21/syringe-shortage-covid-19-vaccine-experts">we will need a lot more</a>.
<p>
Countries' competing to buy up the production, and leave other
countries without, is <em>not</em> a solution.  That is the failure we will get
if we fail to cooperate.


feed_id: 881a280004e58a2acfc56117f31d5b87
title: Help dismantle structural racism in the US
uri: Help-dismantle-structural-racism-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Help_dismantle_structural_racism_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>

*Want to dismantle structural racism in the US? Help <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/21/gerrymandering-republicans-us-election-structural-racism">fight gerrymandering</a>.*


feed_id: 9aec9ec4c1fef0475984c454ccca4260
title: If Joe Biden rejects his progressive base
uri: If-Joe-Biden-rejects-his-progressive-base
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28If_Joe_Biden_rejects_his_progressive_base%29

content:
<p>

*If Joe Biden <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/20/if-joe-biden-rejects-his-progressive-base-trump-will-win">Rejects His Progressive Base</a>, Trump Will Win.*
<p>
Biden shows his disdain for progressives at almost every opportunity,
and when he doesn't, the Democratic Party does.


feed_id: a64cc0d0be8ae2b58a2a67b467849084
title: California prisoners sick from breathing smoke from wildfires
uri: California-prisoners-sick-from-breathing-smoke-from-wildfires
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28California_prisoners_sick_from_breathing_smoke_from_wildfires%29

content:
<p>

The smoke from wildfires in California has forced evacuation of
thousands of people, but the state <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/21/california-fires-prisons-covid-outbreaks">refuses to evacuate</a> the prisoners
who are now getting sick from breathing the smoke.
<p>
The same prisons are also full of coronavirus, and smoke inhalation
causes irritation of the respiratory tract, which can make people
suffer worse from Covid-19 &mdash; which is also spreading in those prisons.
<p>
This shows that climate disaster is already starting.  California's
fires are outside what was "normal", because <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/21/the-climate-crisis-has-already-arrived-just-look-to-californias-abnormal-wildfires">they are the future</a>.
<p>
The forests that California has had will not be able to survive in the new
California that human folly has made.


feed_id: 5ed07b094515ba25f166db072fd0c166
title: HEROES Act
uri: 2020-08-24-HEROES-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28HEROES_Act%29
content:
<p>
The HEROES Act passed by the House of Representatives was written by
the plutocratist Democrats, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/05/15/coronavirus-relief-house-heroes-act-progressives/">mostly disregarding progressive representatives
as well as outside progressive organizations</a>.


feed_id: 8b2eb6b9fbb6e6570fade2631e4cba18
title: Private equity losses
uri: Private-equity-losses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Private_equity_losses%29
content:
<p>
"Private equity" parasites are demanding the UK government subsidize their
losses <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/23/first-private-equity-holds-us-to-ransom-now-it-wants-us-to-bail-out-its-losses">or else they will fire tens of thousands of workers</a>.

<p>
This is what greedy bastards do once they get an arm around a
country's throat.


feed_id: 979030bea7f6e61fa18c913dd8eb00b0
title: Promotions for complaints
uri: Promotions-for-complaints
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Promotions_for_complaints%29
content:
<p>
*Despite Huge Number of Misconduct Complaints,
 Cops at NYPD's 75th Precinct <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/23/nypd-75th-precinct-police-misconduct/">Keep Getting Promotions</a>.*


feed_id: e3f2017b18f70f6056ed0804cf575dec
title: Resigning over blog post
uri: Resigning-over-blog-post
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Resigning_over_blog_post%29
content:
<p>
Australian government employee Josh Krook resigned rather than delete and
alter <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/aug/24/australian-public-servant-condemns-censorship-after-blogpost-cost-him-his-job">two uncontroversial blog posts he had made, at the demand of his boss</a>.

<p>
I can imagine blog posts it would be legitimate to ask an employee to
delete, or fire per for making.  But in this case, the reasons were
quibbling and dishonorable.


feed_id: 798cef488fb48e95b28489b9eb7d860f
title: Still headed for disaster
uri: Still-headed-for-disaster
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Still_headed_for_disaster%29
content:
<p>
Thirty years ago, the IPCC warned humanity we were headed for disaster.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/23/the-observer-view-on-the-climate-catastrophe-facing-earth">Humanity has done little to change course</a>.

<p>
The reason, as we know, is that oil company money controls our politics.
Oil company money gave us Biden instead of Sanders, and keeps him toeing the
line against the necessary measures.

<p>
The fires now burning in California have burned .7% of the state's
area already.  Perhaps 1% of the state's forest area (I have no
figures for that).  These fires are not natural &mdash; they were started,
indirectly but knowingly, by the oil companies.


feed_id: 1b22bb10db90106c6096efbc5fd80e15
title: Democracy under siege
uri: Democracy-under-siege
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Democracy_under_siege%29
content:
<p>
*From Washington to Minsk, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/23/from-washington-to-minsk-democracy-is-under-siege-and-losing-the-battle">democracy is under siege&hellip;and losing the battle</a>.*


feed_id: 7b0ccf3469d5397ca572c366e926c08a
title: Training Uighurs to perform dances
uri: Training-Uighurs-to-perform-dances
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Training_Uighurs_to_perform_dances%29

content:
<p>
China trains some Uighurs to perform dances and act happy for visiting
journalists, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/23/how-china-uses-muslim-press-trips-to-counter-claims-of-uighur-abuse">but they are under tight surveillance and very
frightened</a>.

<p>
One reported who denounced this said, "China is doing what the British
and Americans do. They’re producing fake stories in the service of
their imperialism."  The US does indeed misrepresent its actions, and
sometimes those actions are violent and cruel.  But they are not
totalitarian.


feed_id: 86831ed019aa0d908a132b3ed34a76a8
title: Shot dead by thugs
uri: Shot-dead-by-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Shot_dead_by_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Louisiana thugs shot Trayford Pellerin dead <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/23/louisiana-shooting-police-kill-black-man-trayford-pellerin">as he was walking away
from them</a>.

<p>
Since he was armed with a knife, he may have been a danger to the
public (though not to those <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>).  But I am confident that if he had
been white they would have seen how to disarm him without killing him.


feed_id: 0ef59e4ae25857184b08c4e7f7c15cfb
title: School through a computer system
uri: School-through-a-computer-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28School_through_a_computer_system%29

content:
<p>
Educators oppose the harmful effects <a href="https://commercialfreechildhood.org/edtech_statement/">of doing school through a
computer system</a>.


feed_id: cc81f7856b7b935522e1d7f9573ab4ae
title: Model for Nazis
uri: Model-for-Nazis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Model_for_Nazis%29
content:
<p>
The Nazis studied the Jim Crow laws of the US as a model <a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2020/8/12/caste_isabel_wilkerson">for how
to formulate repression of Jews in Germany</a>.

<p>
The article also places US racism in a broader spectrum of caste
systems.

<p>
One thing I dislike about the article is that it endorses bigotry by
capitalizing "black" and not "white".  I think they should be treated
the same.  For the most part, I decline to link to articles which do
that.  I made an exception for this article because I think its point
is important.

 


feed_id: 9df02a6da5111aed7fda2965fbbb194e
title: Population challenge
uri: Population-challenge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Population_challenge%29
content:
<p>
*Addressing [the] Population Challenge <a href="https://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/addressing-population-challenge-not-impossible">Is Not Impossible</a>.*


feed_id: ea5a92ee7c5e687d8f8ab054b67aefd9
title: Newsweek
uri: Newsweek
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Newsweek%29
content:
<p>
Newsweek was once a real, albeit not very deep, news magazine.
Now its web site serves <a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/158968/newsweek-rise-zombie-magazine">as a place to plant right-wing disinformation</a>.


feed_id: 08f24004e3927a5ed70d9d1e38a26de8
title: Location data
uri: Location-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Location_data%29
content:
<p>
Various phone apps sneakily send location data to companies.  Some of
those companies sell locations to law effacement agencies which,
legally, <a href="https://boingboing.net/2020/08/19/ignoring-warrants-the-secret.html">are supposed to obtain search warrants to get that data</a>.


feed_id: 749bd0272474d913e315619d2643c89b
title: Mosquito fatal gene
uri: Mosquito-fatal-gene
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Mosquito_fatal_gene%29
content:
<p>
The clever technique of decreasing a mosquito population by releasing
large numbers of male mosquitos with a fatal gene <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-49660-6">has flaws in practice</a>.

<p>
One flaw is that some viable offspring do develop, containing just
part of the added gene.  This has the effect of transferring other genetic
differences coming from the strain from which the fatal males were made.

<p>
Another is that eventually the population evolves resistance, in the
form of genes that make females mate preferentially with the
nonmodified males, even though they are fewer.


feed_id: ba683fa6ae6483552e98a4043952b0e8
title: Environmental Poisoning Agency has encouraged poisoning of Americans
uri: 2020-08-24-Environmental-Poisoning-Agency-has-encouraged-poisoning-of-Americans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#24_August_2020_%28Environmental_Poisoning_Agency_has_encouraged_poisoning_of_Americans%29

content:
<p>

Ten ways the Environmental Poisoning Agency has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/21/trumps-toxic-wake-10-ways-epa-has-made-life-more-hazardous">.encouraged poisoning</a>
of Americans.
<p>
The EPA used to be the Environmental Protection Agency, and it really
did protect the environment, though often it was strangely slow to
act.  I suppose that polluting businesses had partly corrupted it.
Now, however, polluting businesses have captured it entirely.


feed_id: 392170928e0546a87b7cf110a0655676
title: A commission is the wrong way to investigate the wrecker's crimes
uri: A-commission-is-the-wrong-way-to-investigate-the-wrecker-s-crimes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#25_August_2020_%28A_commission_is_the_wrong_way_to_investigate_the_wrecker%27s_crimes%29

content:
<p>

A commission is the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/22/commission-investigate-presidential-crimes-terrible-idea">wrong way</a> to investigate the wrecker's crimes.
The right way is with prosecutors and a court.


feed_id: 04c7c6f917fc846c019977d45a94aedf
title: The Tories said they wouldn't choose a no-deal exit from the EU
uri: The-Tories-said-they-wouldn-t-choose-a-no-deal-exit-from-the-EU
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#25_August_2020_%28The_Tories_said_they_wouldn%27t_choose_a_no-deal_exit_from_the_EU%29

content:
<p>

The Tories said they wouldn't choose a no-deal exit from the EU,
but they have made it happen by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/aug/21/michel-barnier-brexit-time-wasting-uk-means-post-brexit-deal-unlikely-says-eu-chief-">refusing to really negotiate</a>.


feed_id: 5d1720a2f078cbaa776b8d6894c052c7
title: Urgent: Hero pay and paid leave to frontline Kroger workers
uri: Urgent-Hero-pay-and-paid-leave-to-frontline-Kroger-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#25_August_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Hero_pay_and_paid_leave_to_frontline_Kroger_workers%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Kroger to <a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/Hero_Pay_Kroger">give frontline workers hero pay and
paid leave</a>.


feed_id: 298db51be5fb5767af9a5d91b3a8b4c9
title: Probably poisoned
uri: Probably-poisoned
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#25_August_2020_%28Probably_poisoned%29
content:
<p>
German doctors say that Alexei Navalny was probably poisoned, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/24/alexei-navalny-tests-point-to-possible-nerve-agent-attack-experts-say">and it looks
like nerve agent</a> &mdash;
   perhaps the same one used to poison the Skripals.


feed_id: a9114d3edf461d8e92b68cce7a6bacba
title: Babies respiratory capacity
uri: Babies-respiratory-capacity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#25_August_2020_%28Babies_respiratory_capacity%29
content:
<p>
Even moderate levels of air pollution (below EU limits) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/24/infants-exposed-to-air-pollution-have-less-lung-power-as-adolescents-study">damage
babies' future respiratory capacity</a>.


feed_id: 58dabcaa5081b9a66e1331722d310ad1
title: Candidate vaccines
uri: Candidate-vaccines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#25_August_2020_%28Candidate_vaccines%29
content:
<p>
China is giving several candidate Covid-19 vaccines <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/24/china-has-been-giving-potential-coronavirus-vaccine-to-key-workers-since-july">to workers who face
exposure in their work</a>.

<p>
There is a good side to this and a bad side, but if these candidates
have passed the test for safety, I suppose those people have little to
lose by trying them.


feed_id: 5f3c15676d190bf3249cc31c90e6df4c
title: Taking advantage of workers before firing them all
uri: Taking-advantage-of-workers-before-firing-them-all
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#25_August_2020_%28Taking_advantage_of_workers_before_firing_them_all%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#guber">Guber</a> and Lyft are taking advantage of workers' desperation to get work
even for low wages, but they don't plan to make a profit this way.
They are losing money <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/24/gig-economy-uber-lyft-insecurity-crisis">hoping for the driverless cars that would enable
them to fire all those workers</a>.

<p>
It would be a good thing to abolish these giant parasites, but that alone
won't give workers a decent life.

<p>
The article gives further interesting economic analysis of the situation.


feed_id: 235d15be76f137482fcc820b0553d712
title: IQ and green
uri: IQ-and-green
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#25_August_2020_%28IQ_and_green%29
content:
<p>
Research found that children have higher IQs and fewer behavior
problems <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/24/children-raised-greener-areas-higher-iq-study">if they grew up in neighborhoods with more green spaces</a>.
  The study controlled for family income.


feed_id: cf960f4802644ba86c7d027328f783bc
title: Beached whales
uri: 2020-08-25-Beached-whales
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#25_August_2020_%28Beached_whales%29
content:
<p>
No one knows what causes groups of beaked whales to beach together,
which is almost always fatal, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/24/beached-whale-increase-may-be-due-to-military-sonar-exercises-say-experts">but it could be that military sonar is
damaging their hearing</a>.

<p>
I wonder if it would be possible to make a hose whose tip resembles a
fish, so that whales would grab it in their mouths and then be able to
suck fish paste through it.  That might save some of them in the short
term.  Perhaps they would then be ok, or perhaps we could learn
what lasting injury they have.


feed_id: a5da4dab96e6d02f77bb3862096d2b83
title: Vulnerable dictator
uri: Vulnerable-dictator
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#25_August_2020_%28Vulnerable_dictator%29
content:
<p>
Lukashenko jailed two more opposition leaders, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/24/two-opposition-leaders-arrested-in-belarus-after-day-of-protest">and is threatening to
shoot people</a>.

<p>
The fact that he hasn't already arrested and/or shot masses of protesters
shows that he feels vulnerable.


feed_id: 43851f51b3331ac99587a87a6087bdb5
title: Nuclear sabotage
uri: Nuclear-sabotage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#25_August_2020_%28Nuclear_sabotage%29
content:
<p>
*Iran says 'sabotage' <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/24/iran-says-sabotage-caused-blast-at-natanz-nuclear-site">caused blast at Natanz nuclear site</a>.*

<p>
I expect that the US and/or Israel carried out the sabotage
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#13_July_2020_(A_string_of_fires_and_explosions_in_Iran)">in the hope of triggering a war</a>.


feed_id: 3b5b2e602b5fbe2a9a5327b3dea65c37
title: Overcoming political firewall of the USPS
uri: Overcoming-political-firewall-of-the-USPS
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#25_August_2020_%28Overcoming_political_firewall_of_the_USPS%29

content:
<p>
Mnuchin worked for years, step by step, to overcome the political firewall
of the USPS <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/22/business/economy/dejoy-postmaster-general-trump-mnuchin.html">and put a Republican operative in charge</a>.

<p>
The records of meetings are proof that they made some sort of plans
together.  Their denials that they were plotting to sabotage the
election are merely a Republican's word &mdash; no proof of anything.  I am
sure Mnuchin denied that the bank he headed had a plan to defraud
thousands of people (maybe hundreds of thousands) of their homes, and
he would have been prosecuted for that if Kamala Harris had not let
him go.


feed_id: 3444cff7c073f2cc11c8aa10b1d8b368
title: Pressuring FDA
uri: Pressuring-FDA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#25_August_2020_%28Pressuring_FDA%29
content:
<p>
Companies that make Covid-19 antibody tests are pressuring the FDA to
relax its standards for approving them.  <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/08/22/metro/do-it-yourself-coronavirus-testing-sparks-kudos-caution/">Here's a snapshot of that pressure</a>.

<p>
It is unfortunate that we don't have plentiful, cheap, accurate tests
&mdash; but that does not imply that the FDA's standards of accuracy are
too strict.  It might, or might not, be better to relax them
temporarily for his.  Whether this is so depends on more information
than the article presents, and on modeling of the consequences of
using them in large numbers.  I cannot judge the answer.


feed_id: cf7f503bf7440bf5d1c6ee5b2de1ff74
title: Tainted water
uri: Tainted-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#26_August_2020_%28Tainted_water%29
content:
<p>
*Industrial runoff and lax standards have tainted water across the US.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/24/the-us-is-in-a-water-crisis-far-worse-than-most-people-imagine">Senators and doctors are calling me, asking what to do</a>.*

<p>
The three main threats to US water supply are (1) poisoning it, (2)
decreasing rain, and (3) emptying the aquifers.  The article deals
with (1).  To prevent (2), <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#3_July_2020_(No_Arizona_rainy_season)">we need to curb global heating</a>.
                                                            To prevent (3),
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#27_August_2012_(World_may_be_forced_into_vegetarianism)">we need to eat less meat</a>.


feed_id: de29d7483d2a5b1d7f3fe82fb325fdac
title: Stopping big fishing fleets
uri: Stopping-big-fishing-fleets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#26_August_2020_%28Stopping_big_fishing_fleets%29
content:
<p>
Can less powerful countries stop big fishing fleets <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/25/can-anyone-stop-china-vast-armada-of-fishing-boats-galapagos-ecuador">from sucking all the fish out of their waters</a>?

<p>
One step that may help is to seize and sell boats that are breaking
rules rather than just chasing them away.

<p>
What about the bulk of the ocean, which is not under any country's
jurisdiction?  We used to depend on the limited fishing capacity of
human fishing fleets to avoid wiping oceans clean of fish, but that
solution is not adequate any more.


feed_id: e7509a1867fd2f1888426e29ed72e421
title: Control of state
uri: Control-of-state
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#26_August_2020_%28Control_of_state%29
content:
<p>
*It may seem Putin controls the Russian state personally. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/25/alexei-navalny-putin-russian-activist-russia">The reality is more
dangerous</a>.*

<p>
I won't take those claims as established certainty, but all of it could
be true.


feed_id: ce09bd0b59625f9aeb2a128a3114cba5
title: Individual calling for protest
uri: Individual-calling-for-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#26_August_2020_%28Individual_calling_for_protest%29
content:
<p>
Ken Hinds is being prosecuted for calling for a Black Lives Matter
protest in London.  Supposedly mere individuals <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/25/black-organiser-of-uk-anti-racism-rally-threatened-with-arrest">have no right to do
such a thing</a>.


feed_id: 579859add8fc95a45992334d9bfca9d3
title: Flaws in death penalty convictions
uri: Flaws-in-death-penalty-convictions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#26_August_2020_%28Flaws_in_death_penalty_convictions%29

content:
<p>
A planned federal execution illustrates many flaws <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/25/lezmond-mitchell-execution-navajo-nation/">that tend to
appear in death penalty convictions</a>.


feed_id: 06791792f9a8ca8dc74c5b681281ee68
title: Ensuring military supports constitution
uri: Ensuring-military-supports-constitution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#26_August_2020_%28Ensuring_military_supports_constitution%29

content:
<p>
Urging General Milley to ensure that the US military supports the
Constitution and an orderly transition to a new president, <a href="https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2020/08/all-enemies-foreign-and-domestic-open-letter-gen-milley/167625/">if the
wrecker loses the election</a>.


feed_id: 07971608bb1fbf61598a59c8d9f196a8
title: Groundwork for democracy
uri: Groundwork-for-democracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#26_August_2020_%28Groundwork_for_democracy%29
content:
<p>
*We must lay the groundwork now for the kind of mass action that defends
democracy and evicts <a href="https://portside.org/2020-08-14/what-if-trump-wont-leave">this despicable, racist, wannabe authoritarian
from the White House</a>.*


feed_id: 270a72cb13d575d23f4fd3ec0204ae08
title: Soon-to-be widows and orphans
uri: Soon-to-be-widows-and-orphans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#26_August_2020_%28Soon-to-be_widows_and_orphans%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://politics.theonion.com/rnc-features-tribute-from-family-members-of-americans-w-1844829321">satire</a>) *Applauding the soon-to-be bereaved widows and orphans for
   their profound sacrifices, the Republican National Convention kicked
   off Monday evening with a tribute from family members of Americans who
   will die if Donald Trump wins a second term.*


feed_id: 87a6f9de7508c7e911c5964f07ca2642
title: Lawsuits to block vote-by-mail
uri: Lawsuits-to-block-vote-by-mail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#26_August_2020_%28Lawsuits_to_block_vote-by-mail%29
content:
<p>
Republican-packed courts are granting Republican lawsuits <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/24/mail-voting-does-not-cause-fraud-judges-are-buying-gops-argument-it-does">to block
vote-by-mail initiatives in various states</a>.


feed_id: d613ae9a496d85e7045108cb92956487
title: Also killed a white man
uri: Also-killed-a-white-man
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#26_August_2020_%28Also_killed_a_white_man%29
content:
<p>
(<a href="https://www.theonion.com/officer-points-to-unarmed-white-man-he-once-killed-to-p-1844828750">satire</a>) *Officer Points To Unarmed White Man He Once Killed To Prove He's Not Racist.

<p>
   "Look at all the people I’ve
brutally beaten and killed before judging me, alright?"*

<p>
Maybe the others were in the vicinity of a protest.


feed_id: 8c0776dc0b351e7d5e870286ff67033c
title: Pebble mine
uri: Pebble-mine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#26_August_2020_%28Pebble_mine%29
content:
<p>
The Army Corps of Engineers blocked the proposed Pebble Mine, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/08/24/major-reversal-trump-administration-stalls-pebble-mine">demanding a
plan to mitigate the damage that the mine would do</a>.
  An adequate plan may be impossible, or may cost so much that the
mine becomes unprofitable to start.  Let's hope that the corps does
not settle for an inadequate plan.


feed_id: c493db3c85be7c85ebcbcc5a96a6ba73
title: One-time special tax on billionaires
uri: One-time-special-tax-on-billionaires
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#26_August_2020_%28One-time_special_tax_on_billionaires%29

content:
<p>
Proposing a one-time special tax <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/24/it-time-one-time-pandemic-wealth-tax-billionaires-windfall-gains">on the billionaires' 2020 windfall</a>.

<p>
In general, I don't think we should limit their tax increases to one
time, but I am in favor of this proposal.


feed_id: 4d991b476327bca13e0f74ed3c00d25f
title: Investing in fossil fuel projects
uri: Investing-in-fossil-fuel-projects
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#26_August_2020_%28Investing_in_fossil_fuel_projects%29

content:
<p>
A US government "development" organization <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/08/24/report-shows-opics-energy-portfolio-still-investing-billions-fossil-fuels">is investing billions in
fossil fuel projects</a>.


feed_id: 1d01bbbc18532de07c02055e2e8d1213
title: Reading on a screen
uri: Reading-on-a-screen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#26_August_2020_%28Reading_on_a_screen%29
content:
<p>
Reading on a screen is not conducive to reading carefully &mdash; it encourages
people to skim.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/24/deep-literacy-technology-child-development-reading-skills">Students may never learn to do the former</a>.


feed_id: 1ebf79c75ef322bd9e8623cd536c8e81
title: Infected twice
uri: Infected-twice
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#26_August_2020_%28Infected_twice%29
content:
<p>
One case of a person infected twice by different varieties of Covid-19
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/24/first-confirmed-coronavirus-reinfection-raises-immunity-concerns">has now been demonstrated with certainty</a>.
  Per second infection was asymptomatic; such cases can easily go undetected
until the world sets up massive testing.

<p>
The virus has mutated into distinct strains while spreading massively.
If all governments had jumped on it early, as a few Asian countries
did, it would not have had a chance to mutate much.  Thus, if the
existence of different strains has some important consequences &mdash; for
instance, if one vaccine doesn't do for all of them &mdash; that is also
the fault of the bad choices many governments made starting in March
and even February.

<p>
It is not conclusively ruled out that a person could be infected twice
by the same strain.


feed_id: 5185b4b6635deae4cea0e6a3be07de87
title: Covid-19 as a pretext
uri: Covid-19-as-a-pretext
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28Covid-19_as_a_pretext%29
content:
<p>
*Chile police using Covid-19 quarantine <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/aug/26/chile-police-covid-19-quarantine-protest">as pretext to crush protest, activists
say</a>.*


feed_id: 76fca3e6a9c89f7f714350d81ddee48d
title: Ever drier
uri: Ever-drier
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28Ever_drier%29
content:
<p>
The US Southwest, which has always been rather dry, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/26/wildfires-us-south-west-colorado-arizona-new-mexico-utah">is getting ever drier,
and the result is fire</a>.


feed_id: ff2553026bd7979d801430dd30b2b2c0
title: Agricultural collapse
uri: Agricultural-collapse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28Agricultural_collapse%29
content:
<p>
*Unless we change course, the US agricultural system could collapse.
Our food supply comes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/26/us-farming-agriculture-food-supply-danger">from an environmentally unsustainable system that
is going to unravel</a>.*

<p>
There are different problems in different regions, but what they add up to
is, it's unsustainable, so it will stop whether we are ready or not.


feed_id: 77d974714cf490f2e0871cb9296e7d38
title: Drilling in Arctic
uri: Drilling-in-Arctic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28Drilling_in_Arctic%29
content:
<p>
*Norway <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/26/norway-plans-to-drill-for-oil-in-untouched-arctic-areas-svalbard">plans to drill for oil in untouched Arctic areas</a>.*


feed_id: 785fecb2553467961bd2a556da2402ae
title: Risk of fracture
uri: Risk-of-fracture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28Risk_of_fracture%29
content:
<p>
*Antarctica: 60% of ice shelves at risk of fracture, research
suggests.  Collapse of shelves <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/26/antarctica-ice-shelves-risk-fracture-collapse">would accelerate loss of Antarctic ice
sheet and increase sea-level rise</a>.*


feed_id: 9342cfb0e779c849a1b36f8482c8e6e4
title: Hypothetical profit
uri: Hypothetical-profit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28Hypothetical_profit%29
content:
<p>
A US company bought a gold mine in Guatemala.  Later, under public
pressure, Guatemala shut the mine down.  Now the company is using the
ISDS clause in a business-supremacy treaty with the US <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/08/24/mining-depths-corruption-new-report-exposes-omissions-and-misrepresentations">to make Guatemala
400 million dollars in hypothetical future profits</a>.

<p>
Mines tend to be toxic; I expect the reason for shutting the mine was
to put an end to the poisoning of people, ecosystems and/or water
supplies.  But <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">the business-supremacy treaties</a>
                                               don't value people,
ecosystems or water supplies.


feed_id: f0da63d757548a9257803f5bbd020c52
title: Deficit reduction
uri: Deficit-reduction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28Deficit_reduction%29
content:
<p>
Biden's transition team leader says that, if elected, Biden <a href="https://www.jacobinmag.com/2020/08/biden-democratic-national-convention-austerity">will
cancel promises to help Americans in the name of deficit reduction</a>.

<p>
Another way to reduce the deficit would be to tax the rich to grab
back this year's enormous handouts.  Or transferring spending from the
military.  But those wouldn't please the plutocrats,

<p>
Modern monetary theory explains that the whole idea that "there is no
money available to spend" is misguided.  Creating more money is fine
if it activates idle capacity.  If it exceeds the idle capacity, it
can cause inflation.


feed_id: b6fcb66726f4271838a81e4cba088112
title: Biden leading attention away from real issues
uri: Biden-leading-attention-away-from-real-issues
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28Biden_leading_attention_away_from_real_issues%29

content:
<p>

The mainstream media are congratulating Biden for leading attention
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/25/media-praise-bidens-centrist-coalition-steering-clear-progressive-demands">away from real issues</a> and replacing them with vacuous feel-good patriotism.
<p>
It reminds me of Obama's vacuous slogans of "hope" and "change".


feed_id: 33f363a471b25db5b7bf25362e1aa343
title: Palestinian family is defying an Israeli order
uri: Palestinian-family-is-defying-an-Israeli-order
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28Palestinian_family_is_defying_an_Israeli_order%29

content:
<p>

A Palestinian family is <a href="https://imemc.org/article/palestinian-family-refuses-to-demolish-its-own-home-in-east-jerusalem/">defying an Israeli order</a> to demolish its own house.


feed_id: 22b87613b9c87265e3df1463f36fee9a
title: Israel is concealing a million old documents
uri: Israel-is-concealing-a-million-old-documents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28Israel_is_concealing_a_million_old_documents%29

content:
<p>

Israel is concealing a million old documents that should have been
opened to the public, because they give <a href="https://www.counterpunch.org/2020/08/21/how-israel-wages-war-on-palestinian-history/">embarrassing information</a>
about the past lives and treatment of Palestinians.


feed_id: 8a4fe79f1969c04a05063b820e7baa65
title: Israeli court exonerated soldier and thug that murdered
uri: Israeli-court-exonerated-soldier-and-thug-that-murdered
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28Israeli_court_exonerated_soldier_and_thug_that_murdered%29

content:
<p>

An Israeli court exonerated the soldier and <a href="https://mondoweiss.net/2020/07/revenge-against-palestinians-is-understandable-israeli-judge-says-in-acquitting-two-security-officers-who-attacked-innocent-man/">thug that murdered</a> Haftom
Zarhum, a refugee from Eritrea, who was passing by a place where a
Palestinian had shot people earlier that day.  They guessed, based on
no information, that Haftom Zarhum was the killer.
<p>
It is crazy to legitimize such random acts of revenge.  If they thought he
was the killer, they should have held him, not killed him.


feed_id: 6834afc5e00963f3d95c9b9faa459681
title: The wrecker's plan to cut off Social Security
uri: The-wrecker-s-plan-to-cut-off-Social-Security
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28The_wrecker%27s_plan_to_cut_off_Social_Security%29

content:
<p>

The wrecker's plan to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/25/confirming-progressive-warnings-social-security-actuary-says-trump-payroll-tax-cut">cut off the payments</a> to Social Security would
destroy the system by 2023.
<p>
I've doubted for years that Social Security would still be functioning
when it was my time to receive it.


feed_id: f2ff3981277ab069c39de28560d4b63d
title: DeJoy testified to Congress
uri: DeJoy-testified-to-Congress
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28DeJoy_testified_to_Congress%29
content:
<p>

DeJoy testified to Congress about his <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/25/demands-removal-dejoy-intensify-after-postmaster-general-shows-he-doesnt-know-basics">sabotage of the US Postal Service</a>,
but he didn't take it seriously.
<p>
Of course he should be replaced, but the board is controlled by
Republicans and they know their mission just as he knows his.  He
agreed to restore the deactivated sorting machines if the USPS gets a
billion dollars in extra funding, but since he's a Republican he would
not hesitate to change his mind if that funding is approved.  Not that
the Republicans in the Senate would permit it.


feed_id: d8ef0ee46a67b940e96eccb6698ab963
title: The world has entered "post-capitalism"
uri: The-world-has-entered-post-capitalism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28The_world_has_entered_post-capitalism%29

content:
<p>

Yanis Varoufakis says that the world has entered "post-capitalism":
<a href="https://www.yanisvaroufakis.eu/2020/08/21/something-remarkable-just-happened-this-august-how-the-pandemic-has-sped-up-the-passage-to-postcapitalism-lannan-institute-virtual-talk/">financial markets are decoupled</a> from the economy of actual production.


feed_id: 7ba150c6889b0ca9ef87c804206e683a
title: US college requires nonfree app which records their location
uri: US-college-requires-nonfree-app-which-records-their-location
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28US_college_requires_nonfree_app_which_records_their_location%29

content:
<p>

At least one US college requires all students to install a <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2020/08/19/coronavirus-albion-security-flaws-app/">nonfree app</a>
which records their location at all times.
<p>
The bugs discovered in the app's associated dis-service are just icing
on the cake.  Unintentional malfunctionalities may well be fixed when
reported; intentional ones won't be.
<p>
Every portable phone &mdash; even if not "smart" &mdash; has its location
tracked by the phone system whenever it is communicating.  A college
can't get that data from the phone, but the government sure can.  I
consider this tracking creepy, so I refuse to carry one of those
devices.


feed_id: 4542a23425525cbf7aed18b8cd051aac
title: Israel has been bombing Gaza
uri: Israel-has-been-bombing-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28Israel_has_been_bombing_Gaza%29
content:
<p>

Israel has been <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/25/israeli-bombing-gaza-continues-us-media-show-little-interest">bombing Gaza</a> most every day since Aug 6, and has
intensified the blockade, cutting off fuel for electric generation.
<p>
Israel is also <a href="https://news.antiwar.com/2020/08/23/israel-bans-imports-into-gaza-except-food-and-medicine/">blocking</a> most other imports into Gaza.
<p>
Hamas has been sending balloon bombs to Israel, which (like the
occasional missiles) rarely actually hurt anyone.
<p>
This resembles what Israel has done to Gaza many times since it withdrew
colonies and troops from there.


feed_id: d3bca681cb08dc58b193ad11fb160c6b
title: US small business if conditions do not improve
uri: US-small-business-if-conditions-do-not-improve
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28US_small_business_if_conditions_do_not_improve%29

content:
<p>

A poll found that 1/5 of US small businesses expect to go out of
business close in the next 6 months, if <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/25/big-box-stores-thrive-1-5-small-businesses-expect-close-next-6-months-without-urgent">conditions do not improve</a>.


feed_id: 126ebc2310b6771a972b9ebc5a7cf565
title: Africa to be declared free of wild polio
uri: Africa-to-be-declared-free-of-wild-polio
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28Africa_to_be_declared_free_of_wild_polio%29

content:
<p>

*Africa to be declared <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/aug/25/africa-to-be-declared-free-of-wild-polio-after-decades-of-work">free of wild polio</a> after decades of work.*
<p>
Only Afghanistan and Pakistan still have polio.


feed_id: 7e2ad9f5ae4ac4ac84414907099bb2a4
title: Earthworms spread to the Arctic
uri: Earthworms-spread-to-the-Arctic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28Earthworms_spread_to_the_Arctic%29

content:
<p>

Global heating has enabled earthworms to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/25/the-aliens-to-watch-how-the-humble-earthworm-is-altering-the-arctic-aoe">spread to the Arctic</a>, and they
threaten to upset the ecosystems there.


feed_id: b15af1e5db69707999dc43f77c560217
title: Republicans are promoting another quack "treatment"
uri: Republicans-are-promoting-another-quack-treatment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28Republicans_are_promoting_another_quack_treatment%29

content:
<p>

Republicans are promoting another <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/25/oleandrin-covid-19-mike-lindell-trump-phoenix">quack "treatment"</a> for Covid-19:
an extract from the oleander plant.


feed_id: a5d773fe1014b8af6979709c95cc3b6c
title: Venezuela is giving false low figures
uri: Venezuela-is-giving-false-low-figures
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#27_August_2020_%28Venezuela_is_giving_false_low_figures%29

content:
<p>

Venezuela is giving <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/aug/25/venezuela-coronavirus-covid-death-toll-maracaibo">false low figures</a> for deaths from Covid-19.


feed_id: 06c8e28a8765e7823d359daa759b6e27
title: Hostile armed white vigilantes
uri: Hostile-armed-white-vigilantes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28Hostile_armed_white_vigilantes%29
content:
<p>

A group of hostile armed white vigilantes came to a Black Lives Matter protest
in Kenosha.  One hostile armed white man <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/26/kenosha-militia-protest-shooting-facebook">killed two protesters</a>.
<p>
The group did not have a list of members, but the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/26/kyle-rittenhouse-kenosha-murders-blm-protest-militia">killer considered himself
part of it</a>.
<p>
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/26/whats-happening-kenosha-wisconsin-shooting-jacob-blake-protests">summary</a> of the situation there.


feed_id: 70d85e0a873f0752a15c1e6d7f7500fb
title: Why the US indicted Steve Bannon but not his co-conspirator
uri: Why-the-US-indicted-Steve-Bannon-but-not-his-co-conspirator
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28Why_the_US_indicted_Steve_Bannon_but_not_his_co-conspirator%29

content:
<p>

Greg Palast inquires why the US indicted Steve Bannon <a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/why-didnt-the-justice-dept-indict-kobach-as-well-as-bannon/">but not his
co-conspirator</a> Kris Kobach.


feed_id: d1f5504dd5375d862f6138ee099d7657
title: If Democrats don't do more
uri: If-Democrats-don-t-do-more
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28If_Democrats_don%27t_do_more%29
content:
<p>

*Why the DNC's Platform Will Guarantee a Loss <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/25/why-dncs-platform-will-guarantee-loss-if-democrats-dont-do-more">If Democrats Don't Do More</a>.*


feed_id: c5f1aebb93cf04e97fdedc588ae8cd39
title: Billionaires that talk about sharing some of the wealth
uri: Billionaires-that-talk-about-sharing-some-of-the-wealth
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28Billionaires_that_talk_about_sharing_some_of_the_wealth%29

content:
<p>

Billionaires that talk about sharing some of the wealth <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/25/dont-be-fooled-wolf-woke-clothing-how-worlds-billionaires-are-cashing-covid-19">don't necessarily
translate that into actions</a>.


feed_id: 24fbd71fef12a6d4226795f3d1bef25d
title: Senate Dems Climate Report
uri: Senate-Dems-Climate-Report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28Senate_Dems_Climate_Report%29
content:
<p>

*Senate Dems <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/08/25/senate-dems-climate-report-underwhelming-and-inadequate">Climate Report</a>: Underwhelming and Inadequate.*


feed_id: e49a87a9a89385aa152ba14af98be6a5
title: Australia's planet-roaster government is reaching for natural gas
uri: Australia-s-planet-roaster-government-is-reaching-for-natural-gas
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28Australia%27s_planet-roaster_government_is_reaching_for_natural_gas%29

content:
<p>

Australia's planet-roaster government is reaching for natural gas as a
way to keep burning <em>something</em>.  But it has underestimated the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/26/methane-released-in-gas-production-means-australias-emissions-may-be-10-higher-than-reported">greenhouse impact</a> by ignoring the methane leaks before the gas arrives to
be burned.


feed_id: bbe3cf13677d1ee54558036fe00637cc
title: Urgent: Drop charges against Sadie Dean
uri: Urgent-Drop-charges-against-Sadie-Dean
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Drop_charges_against_Sadie_Dean%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on Tampa to <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/defend-tampa5/">drop charges against Sadie Dean</a> and fire
the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department chief.
<p>
Here's <a href="https://www.cltampa.com/news-views/local-news/article/21143317/pinellas-county-sheriffs-bruised-and-mistreated-black-lives-matter-activist-after-posing-as-apartment-maintenance-staff">more information</a>.


feed_id: f0274250bbc99eafa66490207703248f
title: Urgent: Fire and prosecute the thug that shot Jacob Blake
uri: Urgent-Fire-and-prosecute-the-thug-that-shot-Jacob-Blake
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Fire_and_prosecute_the_thug_that_shot_Jacob_Blake%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on  Kenosha to <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justice_for_jacob/">fire and prosecute the thug</a> that shot
Jacob Blake.
<p>
He <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/25/wisconsin-police-fire-teargas-during-second-night-of-protest-over-shooting-of-black-man">shot Jacob Blake seven times</a> in the back at close range. Blake was not killed, but he is paralyzed from the waste down.
<p>
He seems to have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/27/kenosha-police-officer-who-shot-jacob-blake-named-as-rusten-sheskey">had a knife</a>, but was not doing anything with it when he was shot.


feed_id: e627b4299c6a2e3e1b8b7137b4e1b0f9
title: Vote Biden or Green
uri: Vote-Biden-or-Green
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28Vote_Biden_or_Green%29
content:
<p>
If your state is a swing state, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/25/only-real-leftist-argument-voting-joe-biden-november">vote for Biden</a>.

<p>
Otherwise, vote Green &mdash; <a href="https://howiehawkins.us/address-to-the-delegates-at-the-green-party-convention/">vote for Howie Hawkins</a>
 and Angela Walker for president/VP.

<p>
I delayed my decision hoping that Biden would support the progressive
programs that the US and the world desperately need, but by choosing
Harris he reaffirmed his rejection of them.  If we keep voting for the
plutocratist lesser evil, each time the plutocrats give us something
worse than the previous lesser evil.


feed_id: c650c24ae8f83558dbe90f782cd6feb4
title: Wave of massacres
uri: Wave-of-massacres
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28Wave_of_massacres%29
content:
<p>
Colombia is plagued by a wave of massacres <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/27/colombia-massacres-violence-farc-civil-war">related to various armed
groups</a>.

<p>
To really understand this we would need to know which groups carried
out the massacres.  They often stem from unresolved disputes about
which group will dominate some local area.


feed_id: 0d4dd99e4157d3c2e46a4c582d0d377b
title: Microphones in hotel rooms
uri: Microphones-in-hotel-rooms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28Microphones_in_hotel_rooms%29
content:
<p>
Google wants to install its microphones <a href="https://www.theregister.com/2020/08/27/google_assistant_hotel_rooms/">in thousands of hotel rooms</a>.

<p>
It says that there will be a switch to turn off the microphone.
We will have to see whether that physically disconnects the microphone,
or only tells the computer not to accept commands from the microphone.


feed_id: ee38968c546d450e883bbd8f2a27c75b
title: Repression of the homeless
uri: Repression-of-the-homeless
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28Repression_of_the_homeless%29
content:
<p>
Tories in part of England plan repression of the homeless, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/aug/27/dorset-homeless-people-face-fines-sleeping-doorways-tory-plans">San Francisco style</a>.


feed_id: b838c6ede7f47ed0c5bdd7f946d904f9
title: Support to Lukashenko
uri: Support-to-Lukashenko
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28Support_to_Lukashenko%29
content:
<p>
Russia offered Lukashenko support <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/27/belarus-protests-putin-ready-to-send-lukashenko-military-support">in the form of troops or thugs</a>.


feed_id: e19648943ea1086ddd12e06913434f42
title: Links between officers and racism
uri: Links-between-officers-and-racism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28Links_between_officers_and_racism%29

content:
<p>
*A former FBI agent has documented links <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/27/white-supremacists-militias-infiltrate-us-police-report">between serving officers and
racist militant activities in more than a dozen states</a>.*


feed_id: 81feab48db90e81ad8886b77c0a01d3d
title: Talent and luck
uri: Talent-and-luck
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28Talent_and_luck%29
content:
<p>
The difference between people who become rich and people who don't is
largely luck.  One you have a certain level of talent, <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2018/03/01/144958/if-youre-so-smart-why-arent-you-rich-turns-out-its-just-chance/">it is just
chance how successful you are</a>.

<p>
The article doesn't look at the moral implications of this, but I think
they are the most important aspect.  There is no need to let people who succeed
get rich from it.  What they deserve is a decent life, which is what
everyone deserves.


feed_id: f592049bcc1667dba6daa72dd42cfd2f
title: Natural capital
uri: 2020-08-29-Natural-capital
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28Natural_capital%29
content:
<p>
Does it make sense to "invest" in "natural capital" <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/aug/27/joint-venture-looks-to-invest-billions-in-natural-capital-projects-to-help-combat-climate-change">for a financial
profit</a>?

<p>
Our society needs to put great efforts into protecting the aspects of
nature that we depend on &mdash; for instance, to shift to consuming
resources sustainably, and clean up those that are poisoned, and to
protect those that face the threat of being poisoned.  The payoff for
society from that will not be financial gain &mdash; it will be survival.

<p>
However, the idea of making this a private investment for profit
presumes a way to capture the benefits as profit for the investment.
The articles says nothing about how that might work, but I fear it
will cause great trouble.


feed_id: fe8daf75816af5e1608c8c4c83e65f56
title: Smartphone addiction
uri: Smartphone-addiction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#28_August_2020_%28Smartphone_addiction%29
content:
<p>
*[Some people's] smartphone addiction <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/our-smartphone-addiction-is-costing-the-earth-1299378/2">is costing the Earth</a>.*

<p>
The article says "our", to which I respond, "Speak for yourself!"


feed_id: 40868f3fa4b9b9b95b8eda1d93091bc2
title: Call on Verizon to drop sponsorship of an arms and surveillance expo
uri: Call-on-Verizon-to-drop-sponsorship-of-an-arms-and-surveillance-expo
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#30_August_2020_%28Call_on_Verizon_to_drop_sponsorship_of_an_arms_and_surveillance_expo%29

content:
<p>

Everyone: call on Verizon to <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/verizon-dont-sponsor-hate-abuse">drop sponsorship</a> of an arms and
surveillance expo for <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments.


feed_id: f734191ef247b1e2e70f356ce874fe31
title: Venezuela is using coronavirus as cover to crack down on dissent
uri: Venezuela-is-using-coronavirus-as-cover-to-crack-down-on-dissent
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#30_August_2020_%28Venezuela_is_using_coronavirus_as_cover_to_crack_down_on_dissent%29

content:
<p>

Human Rights Watch says Venezuela is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/28/venezuela-human-rights-watch-coronavirus-crackdown">using coronavirus as cover</a> to
crack down on dissent.


feed_id: 0f5f128624972565a7a66673a6fcfb3f
title: Giancarlo Granda, the man at the center of a sex scandal involving Jerry Falwell Jr.
uri: Giancarlo-Granda-the-man-at-the-center-of-a-sex-scandal-involving-Jer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#30_August_2020_%28Giancarlo_Granda%2C_the_man_at_the_center_of_a_sex_scandal_involving_Jerry_Falwell_Jr.%29

content:
<p>

*Giancarlo Granda, the man at the center of a sex scandal involving
Jerry Falwell Jr, detailed on Friday how the evangelical leader and
outspoken ally of Donald Trump <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/28/jerry-falwell-jr-giancarlo-granda-becki-enjoyed-watching">“enjoyed watching” his wife and Granda
having sex</a>.*
<p>
Good for him!  And good for the other two!  I am glad for all of them.
But it was very wrong of the Falwells to go on hypocritically saying
that it is wrong to do things like that.


feed_id: 08fe429c976dcdb8aff4c7257dc61682
title: Survey found 1/4 of young adults in the US had considered suicide
uri: Survey-found-1-4-of-young-adults-in-the-US-had-considered-suicide
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#29_August_2020_%28Survey_found_1%252F4_of_young_adults_in_the_US_had_considered_suicide%29

content:
<p>

A recent survey found that <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/28/the-social-fabric-of-the-u-s-is-fraying-severely-if-not-unravelling/">1/4 of young adults</a> in the US had
considered suicide in the past 30 days.
<p>
More than half have mental disorders.
<p>
This may be partially due to isolation from denial of physical
contact.  I suspect it is also partly due to awareness that global
heating disaster is going to turn their lives upside down, and perhaps
kill them, before they are old.


feed_id: 3ee582c0cca3f84adf99e92b9c5d6e7b
title: Permission to destroy aboriginal sites in Australia
uri: Permission-to-destroy-aboriginal-sites-in-Australia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#29_August_2020_%28Permission_to_destroy_aboriginal_sites_in_Australia%29

content:
<p>

It is very easy for mining companies in Australia to get permission to
destroy old aboriginal sites.  They have obtained such permission for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/aug/28/more-than-100-aboriginal-sacred-sites-some-dating-before-the-ice-age-could-be-destroyed-by-mining-companies">hundreds of sites</a>which they have not destroyed yet.
<p>
The sites which are of archaeological significance, or might be so &mdash;
which means, all or nearly all of them &mdash; should be protected
unconditionally for the sake of science.


feed_id: c9469f396df9d0b0fab3f5b13db0694d
title: (satire) The notoriety Covid-19 craves
uri: (satire)-The-notoriety-Covid-19-craves
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#29_August_2020_%28%28satire%29_The_notoriety_Covid-19_craves%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Fox News announced Wednesday that they had limited their
pandemic coverage to avoid giving the Covid-19 the notoriety it craved.*

https://www.theonion.com/fox-news-limits-pandemic-coverage-to-avoid-giving-coron-1844855729


feed_id: e07587a6523ba2d873cc6b017780c958
title: UK preemptively arrested some Extinction Rebellion activists
uri: UK-preemptively-arrested-some-Extinction-Rebellion-activists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#29_August_2020_%28UK_preemptively_arrested_some_Extinction_Rebellion_acttivists%29

content:
<p>

The UK has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/26/extinction-rebellion-co-founder-roger-hallam-held-on-damage-plot-charge">preemptively arrested</a> some Extinction Rebellion activists for
some sort of protest plan.


feed_id: 0a5b3e0a8a73d10fdd78fc683ebcab88
title: All about Democratic turnout
uri: All-about-Democratic-turnout
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#29_August_2020_%28All_about_Democratic_turnout%29
content:
<p>

*Despite DNC Focus on Winning 'Biden Republicans,' New Poll Suggests <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/26/despite-dnc-focus-winning-biden-republicans-new-poll-suggests-beating-trump-all">Beating
Trump 'All About Democratic Turnout'</a>.*
<p>
I think the reason that the "centrist" corporatist Democrats choose to
aim for support from Republicans is that pre-wrecker Republicans are
closer to their corporatist positions than progressives are.


feed_id: 56f3380dc8a00db7cc31d2b9cd2fe7fa
title: The US fossil fuel companies stay afloat only because of government subsidies
uri: The-US-fossil-fuel-companies-stay-afloat-only-because-of-government-su
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#29_August_2020_%28The_US_fossil_fuel_companies_stay_afloat_only_becuase_of_government_subsidies%29

content:
<p>

The US fossil fuel companies stay afloat (those that aren't already
bankrupt) <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/08/27/big-oil-and-coal-big-trouble-despite-billions-bailouts">only because of government subsidies</a>.  The wrecker has
effectively increased the subsidies by cutting what these companies
have to pay for extracting publicly owned resources.


feed_id: cbb37e9965dc5dd7553bcb40cb7b24cc
title: Outrage grows over police treatment of alleged Kenosha Killer
uri: Outrage-grows-over-police-treatment-of-alleged-Kenosha-Killer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#29_August_2020_%28Outrage_grows_over_police_treatment_of_alleged_Kenosha_Killer%29

content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/27/outrage-grows-over-police-treatment-alleged-kenosha-killer-kyle-rittenhouse-compared">Outrage Grows</a> Over Police Treatment of Alleged Kenosha Killer Kyle
Rittenhouse Compared to Shooting Victim Jacob Blake.*
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> showed respect and support to the armed vigilante, not even
arresting him for the shooting.  Shouldn't they be fired for that, at least?
<p>
(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/blue-lives-matter-supporters-say-kyle-rittenhouse-not-r-1844869225">Blue Lives Matter</a>
supporters told reporters Thursday that Kyle Rittenhouse’s actions did
not reflect the nonviolent tactics favored by most police-state
apologists.*


feed_id: a3fe7c859bfa05fc3d38a00c5856a9ee
title: A deal that shields a vaccine company from liability
uri: A-deal-that-shields-a-vaccine-company-from-liability
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#29_August_2020_%28A_deal_that_shields_a_vaccine_company_from_liability%29

content:
<p>

The EU is being criticized for a deal that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/27/eu-signs-deal-astrazeneca-critics-warn-dangerous-precedent-big-pharma-pushes-covid">shields a vaccine company
from liability</a>.
<p>
Vaccinating everyone for a certain disease might save 1% of the
population from death or grave injury due to that disease, and
might cause grave harm to .001%.  If each of the people thus harmed
sued the company, it could go broke.  It makes sense for the
government to shield the vaccine makers from liability <em>provided it
covers the .001%'s treatment and losses in some other way</em>.
<p>
In a country with a national medical system, that arrangement is easy
to implement, and is good for everyone concerned.  The people suffer
far fewer sicknesses and deaths.  The nation has fewer sick people to
treat, fewer disabled people to support, and fewer deaths to
compensate.  Then the vaccine manufacturer can charge a reasonable
amount for the vaccine and make a reasonable, steady profit.  National
medical systems negotiate the price of every medicine, so the company
cannot gouge.
<p>
The US is a weird case because it does not have a national medical
system.  The few who get sick from the vaccine, and need treatment or
care, can only afford it by suing the vaccine company (or <em>someone</em>
with deep pockets).  If they can't sue the vaccine company, they go
without treatment.  Under these circumstances, it would be cruel
to excuse the company from liability.
<p>
But what the US really needs is not medical liability, but a national
medical system &mdash; Medicare for All.  Then we could limit liability
suits to cases where the company did something wrong.


feed_id: 94cd831f8716a6895c2473225ff2a549
title: Unsafe chemical plants on the US Gulf coast
uri: Unsafe-chemical-plants-on-the-US-Gulf-coast
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#29_August_2020_%28Unsafe_chemical_plants_on_the_US_Gulf_coast%29

content:
<p>

The US Gulf coast is full of unsafe chemical plants, some of which
leak toxins all the time.  Putting that together with a hurricane is
acutely risky, and in Louisiana one of these
accidents-waiting-to-happen <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/27/hurricane-laura-batters-louisiana-massive-chemical-leak-spews-toxic-smoke-near-lake">just stopped waiting</a>.


feed_id: 73f4f17af8e0d0d16b8db9ea550dee68
title: 21 new coal mines
uri: 21-new-coal-mines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#29_August_2020_%2821_new_coal_mines%29
content:
<p>

Coal companies think they can get a state in Australia to approve <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/28/nsw-plan-for-21-coal-plants-would-create-seven-years-of-nations-emissions-expert-says">21
new coal mines</a>.
<p>
The demand for coal has been declining.


feed_id: d025d7b8599ac6335802410d0961f204
title: QueasyJet is being sued for asking a woman to change seats
uri: QueasyJet-is-being-sued-for-asking-a-woman-to-change-seats
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#29_August_2020_%28QueasyJet_is_being_sued_for_asking_a_woman_to_change_seats%29

content:
<p>

QueasyJet is being sued for asking a woman to change seats because her
neighbor <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/27/woman-sues-easyjet-after-being-told-to-move-seats-due-to-ultra-orthodox-jewish-men">objected to the presence of a woman</a> in the next seat.
<p>
If your neighbor is doing nothing wrong to you, but for some reason
you don't want to sit next to per, that's your problem.  You can live
with it, or ask to move, or get off the plane.  This is obvious to
most of us, but religion sometimes encourages people to think they
should dominate others.


feed_id: 6b3512050025d22e70fb54268b134d5f
title: (satire) DNC Chair Tom Perez
uri: (satire)-DNC-Chair-Tom-Perez
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#29_August_2020_%28%28satire%29_DNC_Chair_Tom_Perez%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *[DNC] Chair Tom Perez asked a conference room
full of truck drivers, home healthcare workers, and retail associates,
offering them candy when they provided desired responses to 2020
candidates and <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/friend-you-understand-friend-gesture-democratic-lea-1844718225">shocking them</a> with a small electric baton when they did
not. "Me Tom. Me say, 'Joe Biden good, Donald Trump bad.' Say it with
Tom, now: 'Biden good, Trump bad.'"*


feed_id: b7190e2d8cf0709cadedd7455367ba7a
title: One of the tentative ideas for keeping migrants away
uri: One-of-the-tentative-ideas-for-keeping-migrants-away
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#29_August_2020_%28One_of_the_tentative_ideas_for_keeping_migrants_away%29

content:
<p>

One of the tentative ideas for keeping migrants away from the Mexican border
was to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/27/unconscionable-unsurprising-trump-border-officials-proposed-heat-ray-weapon-deter">fire a microwave heat ray at them</a>. Kirstjen Nielsen vetoed it because she wasn't that cruel.


feed_id: 57c88e7251b8468dcd0b39ed1bd11def
title: The wrecker's henchmen forced the CDC to sabotage its testing guidelines
uri: The-wrecker-s-henchmen-forced-the-CDC-to-sabotage-its-testing-guidelin
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#29_August_2020_%28The_wrecker%27s_henchmen_forced_the_CDC_to_sabotage_its_testing_guidelines%29

content:
<p>

The wrecker's henchmen forced the CDC to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/27/we-need-answers-now-says-warren-after-explosive-reports-indicate-top-trump-officials">sabotage its testing
guidelines</a>.  They made the decision when Dr Fauci was getting
operated on, to keep him in the dark.


feed_id: 04fef20b8a8c5c559874a6b5d935f027
title: Tories offered to pay low-wage workers to self-isolate
uri: Tories-offered-to-pay-low-wage-workers-to-self-isolate
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#29_August_2020_%28Tories_offered_to_pay_low-wage_workers_to_self-isolate%29

content:
<p>

The Tories offered to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/27/trial-to-pay-13-a-day-for-low-paid-in-england-to-self-isolate-a-slap-in-face-say-critics-coronavirus">pay low-wage workers to self-isolate</a>,
but their plan won't do the job because the pay offered is less than
they earn if they go to work while sick.
<p>
People who get better pay, and have savings, could appreciate a
program to pay only part of what they are temporarily not earning.
But the low-wage workers live from paycheck to inadequate paycheck.


feed_id: 2ed6a5bc175e462648b33db8ff2e1ac0
title: New prosecutor for Ferguson
uri: New-prosecutor-for-Ferguson
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#29_August_2020_%28New_prosecutor_for_Ferguson%29
content:
<p>

The new prosecutor for Ferguson sought to prosecute the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> that killed
Michael Brown, but he <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/27/wesley-bell-michael-brown-darren-wilson-ferguson-police/">found it was impossible</a>.  They did not have
the basis to convict him for the killing.


feed_id: 55608c356c9141da25fcf6c0bdb639a0
title: Expelling journalists
uri: Expelling-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#31_August_2020_%28Expelling_journalists%29
content:
<p>
Lukashenko is expelling foreign journalists, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/29/belarus-authorities-strip-accreditation-from-foreign-journalists">and prosecuting some
Belarussian journalists</a>.
  That can only mean he is preparing for an
atrocity.


feed_id: 15e319d9b162b36823ecb36e01dc1bc4
title: Civil asset forfeiture
uri: Civil-asset-forfeiture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#31_August_2020_%28Civil_asset_forfeiture%29
content:
<p>
Sometimes the Theater of Security Agency presents a tragedy,
<a href="https://boingboing.net/2020/08/28/the-dea-seized-a-retired-railr.html">the frequently repeated "civil asset forfeiture"</a>.


feed_id: f280cccb2fc3719e13b28542e53a3a73
title: Mail-in ballots
uri: Mail-in-ballots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#31_August_2020_%28Mail-in_ballots%29
content:
<p>
When mail-in ballots make it through the USPS, the gauntlet is not
finished.  Many localities and states <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/28/mail-votings-potential-problems-only-begin-post-office-underfunded-underprepared">are not prepared to handle large
quantities of postal ballots</a>.

<p>
In addition, as Greg Palast has informed us, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#18_August_2020_(Bring_your_postal_ballot_to_an_authorized_election_office)">local officials have opportunities
to discriminate in rejecting postal ballots, and they use them</a>.

<p>
I decided to use early voting rather than postal voting.


feed_id: 2672120df210a0eb6b1f1045f657b37f
title: Using charity
uri: Using-charity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#31_August_2020_%28Using_charity%29
content:
<p>
The rich use charity (along with buying politicians) to avoid paying
their fair share of taxes.  This charity will not correct the huge
injustices of our time &mdash; <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/28/patronizing-evil-nonprofit-sector-perpetuates-worst-legacies-capitalism">that requires government programs</a>.

<p>
The article makes many criticisms against the US nonprofit sector, and
some of them are mistaken.  For instance, I think museums are an
important contribution to society.  But the article's main points are
valid.

<p>
Near the end the article presents a grab-bag of criticisms, some of
which are logically invalid.  For instance, when ACLU offices
discriminated against queer people, that was wrong, but that does not
invalidate the ACLU's work.  It should not reduce in the slightest our
appreciation of the ACLU's campaign to make it illegal to discriminate
against queer people, or for many other legal rights.  We must reject
the fallacy that failure to totally live its principles makes an
organization (or a person) worthless.


feed_id: c45502d981b07096d6e3cedf7dbbee7e
title: At the request of customer
uri: At-the-request-of-customer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#31_August_2020_%28At_the_request_of_customer%29
content:
<p>
*USPS is telling people their mail is being held 'at the request of the
customer.' <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/08/27/usps-delayed-packages/">It isn’t true</a>.*


feed_id: 7269b703b55fca544adfacc3f5e4fe2b
title: NBA players' strike
uri: NBA-players-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#31_August_2020_%28NBA_players%27_strike%29
content:
<p>
NBA players went on strike, and quickly won agreement to use NBA
stadiums as special safe voting facilities in elections starting this
year.  <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/28/securing-real-change-voting-rights-nba-players-strike-wins-use-stadiums-polling">Also for efforts to promote voting and promote criminal justice
reform</a>.


feed_id: b8f155b6a42ec73baf92ed9d5416370e
title: Military weapons for thugs
uri: Military-weapons-for-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#31_August_2020_%28Military_weapons_for_thugs%29
content:
<p>
The BREATHE Act would stop the Pentagon from filling US <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>
departments <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/28/small-towns-dont-need-military-helicopters">with military weapons and systems</a>.


feed_id: 6ef0ca7b7cd0b6886e06f912c4d62d72
title: Reverting to Obama's foreign policy
uri: Reverting-to-Obama-s-foreign-policy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#31_August_2020_%28Reverting_to_Obama%27s_foreign_policy%29

content:
<p>
Biden would probably revert <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/28/bidens-troubling-foreign-policy">to Obama's foreign policy, more or less</a>.

<p>
This might include <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">more and worse business-supremacy treaties</a>.
  One of the few good things that the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> has done was reject the TPP
and eliminate the ISDS clause from NAFTA.


feed_id: 9e4512c02addff99c5dda9190cc9c810
title: Riot Kitchen activists
uri: Riot-Kitchen-activists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#31_August_2020_%28Riot_Kitchen_activists%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> in Kenosha organized in advance to arrest Riot Kitchen activists
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/28/video-shows-officers-unmarked-vehicles-surround-arrest-activists-kenosha-crime">who came equipped to prepare and hand out food</a>.

<p>
I suspect that someone gave the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> a false tip about these
food-serving activists.  However, that doesn't explain or excuse
their breaking the window of the minivan.


feed_id: e3f59cfe4abdf6108bcbddf137cf71e8
title: Thin Blue Line
uri: Thin-Blue-Line
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#31_August_2020_%28Thin_Blue_Line%29
content:
<p>
*The Thin Blue Line <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/28/kyle-rittenhouse-violent-pro-trump-militias-police/">Between Violent [wrecker] Militias and [the
uniformed thugs]</a>.*


feed_id: ebfa5322269be26057c24371584a4b8a
title: Contempt proceedings
uri: Contempt-proceedings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#31_August_2020_%28Contempt_proceedings%29
content:
<p>
*House Democrats <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/28/house-democrats-contempt-mike-pompeo-ukraine">launch contempt proceedings against Mike Pompeo</a>.*

<p>
He is likely to disregard the contempt vote just as he disregards
subpoenas.  Can the House manage to arrest him?


feed_id: 05ff36c9447a3e3e17566a1f356d1205
title: Presenting smear as true
uri: Presenting-smear-as-true
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#31_August_2020_%28Presenting_smear_as_true%29
content:
<p>
The local news media in Western Massachusetts presented the smear
against Alex Morse as true, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/27/alex-morse-massachusetts-local-media/">then said nothing about how it was a
scheme</a>.


feed_id: 371669238bf7c684da38b97f92fd570c
title: Felony charges for protesters
uri: Felony-charges-for-protesters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#31_August_2020_%28Felony_charges_for_protesters%29
content:
<p>
*Protesters in Multiple States <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/08/27/black-lives-matter-protesters-terrorism-felony-charges/">Are Facing Felony Charges, Including Terrorism</a>.*


feed_id: 47e451ba2af3cef8800285aa38312a42
title: What a person looks at
uri: What-a-person-looks-at
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#31_August_2020_%28What_a_person_looks_at%29
content:
<p>
This article projects a tremendous danger of surveillance and
manipulation in cameras <a href="https://mssv.net/2020/08/16/digital-sight-management-and-the-mystery-of-the-missing-amazon-receipts/">to scrape and understand everything a person
looks at</a>.

<p>
Unfortunately, the author doesn't recognize that free software offers at least
part of a way to avoid the danger.


feed_id: 5e4d670a3f0d494bfb1cebea7e26edde
title: Legal supply for addicts
uri: Legal-supply-for-addicts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-may-aug.html#31_August_2020_%28Legal_supply_for_addicts%29
content:
<p>
Calling for Canada to offer addicts <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/28/canada-drugs-fentanyl-regulation-british-columbia">a legal supply of opioids</a>.

<p>
This approach has reduced the harm that they do
in the Netherlands,
                    and in Portugal.
  I think it even reduces the number of people that become addicted.

<p>
We might wish that opioids had never been invented &mdash; but the real
effect of prohibiting them is nothing like that.


feed_id: 10682401a5e977129468262c0e7e604f
title: Plans to put dooH niboR in charge of Ecuador
uri: Plans-to-put-dooH-niboR-in-charge-of-Ecuador
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Plans_to_put_dooH_niboR_in_charge_of_Ecuador%29

content:
<p>

President Moreno is planning to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/29/ecuador-austerity-imf-disaster">allow the IMF to put dooH niboR
in charge of Ecuador</a>.
<p>
This is to please foreign creditors.
<p>
The idea that the IMF would ever <em>help</em> a country it lends to is,
alas, folly.  That's what it was initially intended for, but its
mission, since the 1980s if not earlier, was to impoverish the poor.


feed_id: 4c5eac5e5f929a7d471dd9e5eee7e3c5
title: Covid vaccine rush could make pandemic worse
uri: Covid-vaccine-rush-could-make-pandemic-worse
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Covid_vaccine_rush_could_make_pandemic_worse%29

content:
<p>

*Covid vaccine rush <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/aug/30/covid-vaccine-rush-could-make-pandemic-worse-say-scientists">could make pandemic worse</a>, say scientists.*
<p>
If people use a vaccine that is not very effective, they could start
taking foolish risks, imagining that the vaccine protected them.  This
would play into the hands of the Republicans who wish to spread the
disease.  The wrecker could pretend to be protecting us while achieving
the opposite.
<p>
The long-term effect might be to encourage distrust for all vaccines,
including those that have been thoroughly tested.


feed_id: cde4cdff970c42c38cd553a97a78890f
title: People in Belarus felt they could ignore politics
uri: People-in-Belarus-felt-they-could-ignore-politics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28People_in_Belarus_felt_they_could_ignore_politics%29

content:
<p>

People in Belarus felt they could ignore politics and live under the regime.
Now they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/30/reporting-on-belarus-courage-violence-and-creepers-with-cameras">no longer consider that safe</a>.


feed_id: ff65e60e8b56c5d7c571a48c24153af8
title: Michael Moore warns repeat of 2016 Trump win
uri: Michael-Moore-warns-repeat-of-2016-Trump-win
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Michael_Moore_warns_repeat_of_2016_Trump_win%29

content:
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/29/michael-moore-donald-trump-repeat-2016-warning">Michael Moore warns</a> that Donald Trump is on course to repeat 2016 win.*


feed_id: 954295fd4e87dc067e5a7f3c0918ee3f
title: Germany integrating refugees
uri: Germany-integrating-refugees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Germany_integrating_refugees%29
content:
<p>

Germany has been very successful in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/30/angela-merkel-great-migrant-gamble-paid-off">integrating a large number of
refugees</a>.


feed_id: 59d2d748607fc97e79f37fb04df548ef
title: The British Museum is starting to acknowledge slave-owning past
uri: The-British-Museum-is-starting-to-acknowledge-slave-owning-past
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28The_British_Museum_is_starting_to_acknowledge_slave-owning_past%29

content:
<p>

The British Museum is starting to acknowledge the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/30/it-is-not-hans-sloane-who-has-been-erased-from-history-but-his-slaves">slave-owning past of
its founder</a>.


feed_id: 0f665b9c5f9ef068ff44b6488939a4c7
title: Public transit faces death spiral
uri: Public-transit-faces-death-spiral
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Public_transit_faces_death_spiral%29

content:
<p>

*Public transit <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/30/public-transit-transport-death-spiral-congress">faces 'death spiral'</a> without $32bn injection from Congress.*


feed_id: 1aa2c6eccf9f75842c03b8af035a6e25
title: Extinction Rebellion proposes a citizens’ assembly
uri: Extinction-Rebellion-proposes-a-citizens-assembly
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Extinction_Rebellion_proposes_a_citizens%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%99_assembly%29

content:
<p>

Extinction Rebellion proposes a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/30/extinction-rebellion-democracy-climate-emergency-bill-citizens-assembly">citizens’ assembly designed to feed
proposals to Parliament</a>.  Any proposal that gets 80% support in the
assembly, Parliament would be required to vote on.


feed_id: ffcdbee3a9048307909f488c78b43d19
title: Protesters marched again in Minsk
uri: Protesters-marched-again-in-Minsk
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Protesters_marched_again_in_Minsk%29

content:
<p>

Protesters marched again in Minsk <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/30/belarus-protesters-defy-crackdown-to-march-through-minsk-lukashenko">despite Lukashenko's threats</a>.


feed_id: 114f5c7015e6ff5b7cd0f956e7ced2ec
title: Intelligence officials stopped from testifying about threats to election security
uri: Intelligence-officials-stopped-from-testifying-about-threats-to-electi
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Intelligence_officials_stopped_from_testifying_about_threats_to_election_security%29

content:
<p>

The wrecker has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/30/outcry-as-us-intelligence-stops-in-person-reports-to-congress-on-election-security">stopped intelligence official from testifying</a> to
Congress about threats to election security.


feed_id: 5a49ffa3187332759ca7d945a6fd74a9
title: Urgent: Call on your senators to pass the Delivering for America Act
uri: Urgent-Call-on-your-senators-to-pass-the-Delivering-for-America-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Call_on_your_senators_to_pass_the_Delivering_for_America_Act%29

content:
<p>

US citizens: call on your senators to pass the <a href="https://action.aclu.org/send-message/tell-senate-save-usps">Delivering for America
Act</a>.

<p>The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
     and 888-355-3588.</p>

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


feed_id: 28c46a06bb9352fa1f1eb33b845dc520
title: Pope Pius XII stayed silent when Nazis rounded up Italian Jews
uri: Pope-Pius-XII-stayed-silent-when-Nazis-rounded-up-Italian-Jews
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#31_August_2020_%28Pope_Pius_XII_stayed_silent_when_Nazis_rounded_up_Italian_Jews%29

content:
<p>

Pope Pius XII <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/08/29/907076135/records-from-once-secret-archive-offer-new-clues-into-vatican-response-to-holoca">stayed silent</a> while Mussolini let Nazis round up
Italian Jews in order to murder them.
<p>
Recently opened Vatican archives show he was persuaded by an advisor
who argued that it would appear inconsistent for the Catholic Church
to object to oppression of Jews, after having itself oppressed them
for centuries.
<p>
The archives also show that later, after the war ended, the pope
ordered followers to keep Jewish orphans away from their relatives so
as to raise them as Catholics.


feed_id: 6dfa8b9a73ddf26498844a69dd209cdd
title: Airships presented as a way to reduce emissions of air travel
uri: Airships-presented-as-a-way-to-reduce-emissions-of-air-travel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#31_August_2020_%28Airships_presented_as_a_way_to_reduce_emissions_of_air_travel%29

content:
<p>

A company that makes airships presents them as a way to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/29/uk-firm-flying-high-as-eco-friendly-airship-project-gathers-pace">reduce
the emissions of air travel</a>.
<p>
However, that company's airships apparently won't reduce emissions the
tiniest bit, since it plans to use them as a sort of aerial cruise
ship.
<p>
I am puzzled by the claim that they will travel faster than trains.
Fast trains today sometimes take passengers station to station
averaging 175 miles per hour, while these airships seem to be tested
only up to 50 knots.


feed_id: d231abd58a5d6c3c36c5ec25530ca7c7
title: Payroll tax for Social Security and Medicare
uri: Payroll-tax-for-Social-Security-and-Medicare
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#31_August_2020_%28Payroll_tax_for_Social_Security_and_Medicare%29

content:
<p>

The bullshitter has invited employers to collect the payroll
tax for Social Security and Medicare <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/29/exposing-trumps-payroll-tax-deferral-wage-theft-treasury-signals-millions-workers">for the rest of 2020 next year
instead of this year</a>. When they do so, it will increase workers' pay this year, and
decrease it by the same amount next year, for no net benefit.
<p>
I wonder what will happen if a worker is fired at the end of the year.
Will they get an actual one-time benefit?  Or will they be forced to
repay this advance anyway?


feed_id: 3fa5fbfddfc7d60cd3f03f9beac26ebb
title: When the wrecker's officials violate the Hatch Act
uri: When-the-wrecker-s-officials-violate-the-Hatch-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#31_August_2020_%28When_the_wrecker%27s_officials_violate_the_Hatch_Act%29

content:
<p>

When the wrecker's officials violate the Hatch Act by campaigning while
acting in their official capacity, the mainstream press <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/29/press-normalizes-trumps-lawlessness-use-tools-presidency-broaden-appeal">doesn't
mention that this is illegal</a>.
<p>
Barr won't prosecute it, and I suspect that regional Justice
Department officers won't dare.  In effect, the wrecker has
put himself and his supporters above the law.


feed_id: 7e7cae986667b31db3f9f57243af9045
title: So much of life is lost when you work from home
uri: So-much-of-life-is-lost-when-you-work-from-home
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#31_August_2020_%28So_much_of_life_is_lost_when_you_work_from_home%29

content:
<p>

*Relationships, advice, careers… so much of life is lost <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/29/working-from-home-might-feel-great-now-but-do-you-want-make-a-career-of-it">when you work from home</a>.*


feed_id: c501b8684a9208c5e73f5f0eee078098
title: Indigenous tribe appeals for help with coronavirus
uri: Indigenous-tribe-appeals-for-help-with-coronavirus
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#31_August_2020_%28Indigenous_tribe_appeals_for_help_with_coronavirus%29

content:
<p>

*Indigenous tribe in Ecuador appeals for help to deal with coronavirus.*
<p>
*Achuar people blame illegal logging for spread and are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/aug/30/indigenous-tribe-in-ecuador-appeals-for-help-to-deal-with-coronavirus">asking
international community for aid</a>.*


feed_id: b366941cf6da8b0f58dfcaef5de8f49b
title: It will get easier to engineer something worse than Covid-19
uri: It-will-get-easier-to-engineer-something-worse-than-Covid-19
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#31_August_2020_%28It_will_get_easier_to_engineer_something_worse_than_Covid-19%29

content:
<p>

Covid-19 was not engineered by humans, but it will get easier and easier for
humans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/29/covid-19-catastrophe">engineer something worse</a>.  How can we avert this?


feed_id: d0a13afffbc8b2f5583cc0a6fc335e07
title: Covid-19 is spreading fast in France
uri: Covid-19-is-spreading-fast-in-France
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#31_August_2020_%28Covid-19_is_spreading_fast_in_France%29

content:
<p>

Covid-19 is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/29/france-records-exponential-increase-in-covid-19-cases">spreading fast in France</a>, almost as fast as its peak in
the spring.
<p>
Obviously the current measures are not enough to stop it.  Why does
the government delay taking adequate measures?
<p>
Victoria is setting a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/aug/29/victorias-new-coronavirus-cases-fall-to-lowest-rate-in-two-months-as-18-more-die-from-covid-19">wise example</a>.


feed_id: 2e10cda7631707b40259a088225b09b0
title: The Republican Convention presenting empathy and concern
uri: The-Republican-Convention-presenting-empathy-and-concern
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#31_August_2020_%28The_Republican_Convention_presenting_empathy_and_concern%29

content:
<p>

The Republican Convention did an effective job of presenting empathy
and concern for ordinary people.  Even though it is total bullshit,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/29/liberals-dismiss-trump-republicans-peril">it can win them votes</a>.


feed_id: c8724ee024d6ccd7b321bc6cbf3cad88
title: Rebuilding the destroyed ancient cities of Syria
uri: Rebuilding-the-destroyed-ancient-cities-of-Syria
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#31_August_2020_%28Rebuilding_the_destroyed_ancient_cities_of_Syria%29

content:
<p>

The physical and moral challenges of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/aug/29/how-syrias-blasted-cities-are-rising-from-the-ruins">rebuilding the destroyed ancient
cities</a> of Syria.


feed_id: 93d1b7ac1f3ced1aa22e5072fa73b796
title: Truce
uri: Truce
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Truce%29
content:
<p>
Hamas (Gaza) and Israel have agreed on a truce, and perhaps more &mdash; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/31/hamas-and-israel-agree-end-to-cross-border-bombing-in-gaza">Israel
is supposed to alleviate the blockade of Gaza</a>.


feed_id: 70067e2e041bb8ddf2ef9a3b165a30dd
title: Advances at work
uri: Advances-at-work
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Advances_at_work%29
content:
<p>
*Researchers found "nice, generous" people advanced at work <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/aug/31/getting-ahead-isnt-a-nasty-business-us-study-reveals">just as much
as bullies</a>.*

<p>
Maybe this is yet another example where each person who succeeds
jumps to the conclusion that success depends on per own characteristics,
while in fact <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#28_August_2020_(Talent_and_luck)">it is just chance at work</a>.


feed_id: 93eeab200acd23478257eba6b4739724
title: Climate refugee
uri: Climate-refugee
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Climate_refugee%29
content:
<p>
Experts object to the term "climate refugee", but I think their
arguments are valid only for short term &mdash; before climate disaster
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/31/how-helpful-is-the-term-climate-refugee">gets bad enough to make regions uninhabitable</a>.

<p>
Imagine if it became impossible to live in California, due to fire,
smoke, and the failure of agriculture.  That's the sort of massive
disaster that "climate refugee" goes with.


feed_id: b99efad4c6faebb6d3fc2e196a1bc85d
title: Not censoring book
uri: Not-censoring-book
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Not_censoring_book%29
content:
<p>
*Thomas Piketty <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/aug/31/thomas-piketty-refuses-to-censor-latest-book-for-sale-in-china">refuses to censor latest book for sale in China</a>.*


feed_id: ed5bfb45fd05965e075172dd571b7aab
title: On Atheism and Humanism
uri: On-Atheism-and-Humanism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28On_Atheism_and_Humanism%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/aug/31/alice-roberts-atheism-humanism">On Atheism and Humanism</a>.

<p>
Theists sometimes challenge me to prove there are no gods.  I can't do
that, but I can show that god-based theories of the universe can't
explain anything, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Not_even_wrong">so they aren't even wrong</a>.


feed_id: e71f3cf470142719d2299f8339531179
title: Buying from oppressors
uri: Buying-from-oppressors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Buying_from_oppressors%29
content:
<p>
Amazon and IBM are buying from Chinese companies <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/31/why-are-us-companies-buying-tech-from-chinese-firms-that-spy-on-muslims">that make systems
used for repression of Uighurs</a>.

<p>
*Ban US cotton imports from Xinjiang, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/aug/31/ban-us-cotton-imports-from-xinjiang-say-human-rights-campaigners">say human rights campaigners</a>.*


feed_id: 4de680a1930f864f638d26a954edacb0
title: Inciting violence
uri: Inciting-violence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Inciting_violence%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> urged right-wing extremists to protest in Portland, where
they got into fights with local anti-racist protesters.  One
right-wing protester was shot dead.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/31/portland-police-protest-unlawful-fatal-shooting">We don't know who shot him</a>.


feed_id: 75442659d7a8413612cc5c0e6646592c
title: Peace
uri: 2020-09-01-Peace
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Peace%29
content:
<p>
*Sudan government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/31/sudan-government-agrees-peace-deal-rebel-groups">agrees to peace deal with five rebel groups</a>.*


feed_id: 1d36782217d3ce4b2c5399294853936d
title: Carbon offsetting
uri: 2020-09-01-Carbon-offsetting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Carbon_offsetting%29
content:
<p>
*Australia’s big polluters [have been] required to offset <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/31/australias-big-polluters-required-to-offset-just-12-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-past-year">just 1.2% of
greenhouse gas emissions</a>.*

<p>
However, even if they were required to offset 100% of the greenhouse
gas emissions, that might do little good, since many schemes for
"offsetting" emissions <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_August_2019_(Carbon_offsetting)">are of questionable effectiveness</a>.
  In effect, schemes for industries to "offset" emissions are a way to
avoid being made to actually reduce emissions.


feed_id: 60d568b7fa24abed2d6814043c17af4c
title: Tricked into video
uri: Tricked-into-video
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Tricked_into_video%29
content:
<p>
*N.Y.C. Tenants Say <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200831110026/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/28/nyregion/nyc-tenants-rnc-video-trump.html">They Were Tricked Into Appearing in R.N.C. Video</a>.*


feed_id: fd8f346b541f43c4625ac5d4d2a38a22
title: Preparing for Covid-19 at school
uri: Preparing-for-Covid-19-at-school
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#1_September_2020_%28Preparing_for_Covid-19_at_school%29

content:
<p>
How a large high school <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/30/oldham-biggest-secondary-school-plans-covid-ready-reopening">is getting ready to receive students and
reduce Covid-19 transmission</a>.


feed_id: 48cc169c17c01e348f23ae40c6491bb6
title: Cops in school in the UK
uri: Cops-in-school-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%28Cops_in_school_in_the_UK%29
content:
<p>

Having cops in a school <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/05/police-schools-manchester">harms students</a> in the UK,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-nov-feb.html#11_January_2014_('Groundbreaking'_Guidelines_to_Stop_'School-to-Prison_Pipeline')">just as it does in the US</a>.

[pol note explaining the school to prison pipeline.
Pick one that has an article that really explains.
Then save that reference in the cache file for future occasions.]


feed_id: 5f155faf85edc1f60ea73bdaebd51d11
title: Bully wants to punish journalist who reported his contempt for US soldiers that died in wars.
uri: Bully-wants-to-punish-journalist-who-reported-his-contempt-for-US-sold
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%28Bully_wants_to_punish_journalist_who_reported_his_contempt_for_US_soldiers_that_died_in_wars.%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> has repeatedly expressed his contempt for US soldiers that
died in wars.  Now he wants to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/05/trump-fox-news-journalist-jennifer-griffin-soldiers-losers">punish a journalist</a> who reported this.
<p>
About the US soldiers that died or were injured in Iraq, the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">bully</a> is
half right.  They <em>were</em> duped &mdash; by Dubya.  He started the war <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-jan-apr.html#30%20January%202004%20(Iraq%20war)">>based
on lies</a>. All the US military personnel that Dubya hijacked to make the Bush
forces were duped, and <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> is guilty of an enormous crime, against
them and against Iraqis.
<p>
They deserve condolences for that, not contempt.  They wanted to
serve their country &mdash; it is not their fault that <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dubya">Dubya</a> lied to them
about what they would be doing.
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> has contempt for them because he is heartless.  He lives by
duping people; to excuse this, he believes that anyone who is duped
deserves to be duped.
<p>
Now he has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/04/veterans-groups-condemn-trump-national-disgrace-over-reports-he-called-fallen">mad veterans</a>, many of who supported him, very angry.
  


feed_id: 65434e83c05ef03d7c848bd9e6362f65
title: Navalny poisoning
uri: Navalny-poisoning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%28Navalny_poisoning%29
content:
<p>

*Navalny poisoning forces Merkel's party to ask: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/05/navalny-poisoning-forces-merkels-party-to-ask-how-do-we-hit-back-at-putin">how do we hit back at Putin?</a>*
<p>
Here's a suggestion: switch to renewable energy as fast as possible.
It's vitally necessary anyway, and it will eliminate demand for
Russia's key exports (fossil fuels).


feed_id: c68741dd1aeb41cf7408b77c22f23115
title: UK thugs arrest extinction rebellion protesters
uri: UK-thugs-arrest-extinction-rebellion-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%28UK_thugs_arrest_extinction_rebellion_protesters%29

content:
<p>

UK thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/05/over-600-arrests-made-at-extinction-rebellion-protests-in-london">arrested</a> over 500 Extinction Rebellion protesters in London.
<p>
The excuse in many cases was Covid-19.  Of course, protesters must
take care not to spread Covid-19, but did they really fail to do that?
I expect Extinction Rebellion to be very careful about health.
<p>
One of their protests was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/05/climate-activists-accused-of-attacking-free-press-by-blockading-print-works">blocking delivery</a> of Murdoch's right-wing
denialist almost-monopoly newspapers.
<p>
This has been labeled an "attack on the free press".  If they kept
it up for a long time, I would agree, but they did it for just one
day.


feed_id: c35150e7a0e15b3a2cb0ac01cfd68833
title: Australia rapidly building renewable electric generation
uri: Australia-rapidly-building-renewable-electric-generation
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%28Australia_rapidly_building_renewable_electric_generation%29

content:
<p>

Australia has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/sep/06/with-record-new-solar-and-wind-installed-australias-clean-energy-is-booming-for-now">rapidly building renewable electric generation</a> and
large batteries for storage.  However, it is not encouraging any new
investment.
<p>
I wonder if this is due to the current planet-roaster government
which came in a few years ago.


feed_id: 703401a6cfe2ec1c0db6e12f8114c2a9
title: China arrests foreigners as hostages
uri: China-arrests-foreigners-as-hostages
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%28China_arrests_foreigners_as_hostages%29

content:
<p>

China <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/sep/06/tit-for-tat-chinas-detention-of-australian-cheng-lei-is-ringing-alarm-bells">arrests foreigners</a> as hostages.


feed_id: d009cdf7461a0b1362140347f3715462
title: The bully is trying to put an end to any antiracism training
uri: The-bully-is-trying-to-put-an-end-to-any-antiracism-training
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%28The_bully_is_trying_to_put_an_end_to_any_antiracism_training%29

content:
<p>

The bully is trying to put an end to any <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/04/trump-antiracism-training-white-privilege-critical-race-theory">antiracism training</a> that
presents the idea that the United States or any race or ethnicity is
"inherently racist or evil."
<p>
I would object to training people in those ideas, but does that ever
happen?  A priori, it seems unlikely.
<p>
It is undeniably true that racism systematically gives whites a
certain advantage over blacks in our society.  It is the converse of
the disadvantage that racism systematically imposes on blacks.  To
recognize this does not assert that whites are evil.


feed_id: f8ffc6e5236d5c14fcb49bb0e17daff0
title: Republicans are sending disinformation about Democratic candidates
uri: Republicans-are-sending-disinformation-about-Democratic-candidates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%28Republicans_are_sending_disinformation_about_Democratic_candidates%29

content:
<p>

Republicans are <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/04/politics/pennsylvania-minnesota-mailers-misinformation/index.html">sending disinformation</a> about Democratic candidates
including fake images, along with applications for postal ballots.


feed_id: e7ba5e6384aecca39f38b4302a443d7d
title: A strained excuse to shut down Stars and Stripes
uri: A-strained-excuse-to-shut-down-Stars-and-Stripes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%28A_strained_excuse_to_shut_down_Stars_and_Stripes%29

content:
<p>

The bully's henchman has found a strained excuse to <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/09/04/trump-and-stars-and-stripes-attacking-american-icon-column/5706859002/">shut down Stars
and Stripes</a>, an editorially-independent newspaper for military personnel
and others.
<p>
This is going to anger veterans, just when they are angry at being
called "losers" and "suckers."


feed_id: 7f1abaf09d1dc439faba5a53d10b8d11
title: (satire) Microdosing Eucharist throughout day
uri: (satire)-Microdosing-Eucharist-throughout-day
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%28%28satire%29_Microdosing_Eucharist_throughout_day%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *Pope Maintains Divine Buzz By <a href="https://www.theonion.com/pope-maintains-divine-buzz-by-microdosing-eucharist-thr-1844883506">Microdosing Eucharist Throughout Day</a>.*


feed_id: 0f55f7c9cc236a69fee7cc091dafbd0b
title: Don't dump climate crisis on children to fix
uri: Don-t-dump-climate-crisis-on-children-to-fix
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%28Don%27t_dump_climate_crisis_on_children_to_fix%29

content:
<p>

*Greta Thunberg: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/sep/04/greta-thunberg-dont-dump-climate-crisis-on-children-to-fix-venice-film-festival">don't dump climate crisis on children to fix</a>.*


feed_id: 411191d8c7d03eb790772624146922ee
title: (satire) Tell everyone who will listen it wasn't coronavirus that killed me
uri: (satire)-Tell-everyone-who-will-listen-it-wasn-t-coronavirus-that-kill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%28%28satire%29_Tell_everyone_who_will_listen_it_wasn%27t_coronavirus_that_killed_me%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *"Tell everyone who will listen
that it wasn’t coronavirus that killed me—it was asthma, and high
cholesterol, and blood pressure!" <a href="https://local.theonion.com/tell-the-world-i-also-had-asthma-conservative-begs-d-1844932197">the dying Trump supporter reportedly
told the hospital staff</a> between gasps for breath*


feed_id: 10c964dd7a1f8c2bd3dece3d79c310e9
title: Conspiracy-theorists held a protest in Melbourne
uri: Conspiracy-theorists-held-a-protest-in-Melbourne
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%28Conspiracy-theorists_held_a_protest_in_Melbourne%29

content:
<p>

Conspiracy-theorists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/sep/05/melbourne-anti-lockdown-protests-dozens-arrested-in-violent-clashes-with-police">held a protest in Melbourne</a>, and did not wear masks.
<p>
They are entitled to the right to protest, even in an idiotic cause.
They are not entitled to the right to spread disease.  For
intentionally doing that, they deserved to be arrested.


feed_id: bd69fc10766529001a37280ce448ff07
title: 93% of Black Lives Matter demonstrations
uri: 93-of-Black-Lives-Matter-demonstrations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%2893%2525_of_Black_Lives_Matter_demonstrations%29

content:
<p>

*93% of [Black Lives Matter] demonstrations have
involved <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/05/nearly-all-black-lives-matter-protests-are-peaceful-despite-trump-narrative-report-finds">no serious harm to people or property</a>.*
<p>
The 7% exceptions play into right-wing hands.  Nearly all the protesters
know what to do.  Can they organize to lead the rest?


feed_id: c77d39194757ad1d87421af09f862dbe
title: Justice is coming slowly for Cherry Groce
uri: Justice-is-coming-slowly-for-Cherry-Groce
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%28Justice_is_coming_slowly_for_Cherry_Groce%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/sep/05/the-man-who-shot-my-mum-is-still-living-his-life-cherry-groces-son-on-life-after-police-brutality">Justice is coming slowly</a> for Cherry Groce, paralyzed by a shot by a
London <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>, but at least it may teach someone how to avoid doing this
to someone else.


feed_id: 7a608054ef3e080828667a1437c72822
title: Britain's obsession with school uniform
uri: Britain-s-obsession-with-school-uniform
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%28Britain%27s_obsession_with_school_uniform%29

content:
<p>

*Britain's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/05/britain-school-uniform-reinforces-social-divisions-children">obsession with school uniform</a> reinforces social divisions.*
<p>
Perhaps it is something more sinister than an innocent obsession.


feed_id: 67bb0882b62a3378ee1ab994911e575c
title: Coronavirus is likely to remain at high levels into the winter
uri: Coronavirus-is-likely-to-remain-at-high-levels-into-the-winter
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#7_September_2020_%28Coronavirus_is_likely_to_remain_at_high_levels_into_the_winter%29

content:
<p>

The US is still failing to manage Coronavirus properly and therefore the
disease is likely to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/05/america-covid-autumn-winter-coronavirus">remain at high levels</a> into the winter.
<p>
You can help retail workers remain employed by rejecting on-line
orders and delivery.  A job in a store is a better job than a
gig-economy job delivering packages.


feed_id: 9d0e8f96b35b03e1c77514a8b83b0c54
title: Rochester thugs suffocated Daniel Prude
uri: Rochester-thugs-suffocated-Daniel-Prude
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Rochester_thugs_suffocated_Daniel_Prude%29

content:
<p>

Rochester thugs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/03/daniel-prude-spit-hood-suffocation-death-black-man-police">suffocated Daniel Prude</a> by putting a hood over his face
and pushing it into the ground.  Then they lied about it.
<p>
I can understand the need for the spit hood, but there was no need to
shove his face down.  And no possible excuse for lying.
<p>
I think the chief of the <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> department deserves to be fired if he
asserted those lies were valid.
<p>
People <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/04/rochester-police-accused-unnecessarily-aggressive-behavior-during-protest-over">protested peacefully</a> about the killing, and the thugs attacked
them violently for no apparent reason.


feed_id: 82b244431079a50d21e2e4aafaadbef6
title: Palantir plans to go public
uri: Palantir-plans-to-go-public
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Palantir_plans_to_go_public%29
content:
<p>

Palantir, the great repression-planning company, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/04/palantir-ipo-ice-immigration-trump-administration">plans to go public</a>.


feed_id: d81dbcb4c9ada76fe6202264e816caec
title: Republicans suing to stop large numbers of postal ballots
uri: Republicans-suing-to-stop-large-numbers-of-postal-ballots
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Republicans_suing_to_stop_large_numbers_of_postal_ballots%29

content:
<p>

Republicans are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/03/fighting-against-voting-rights-everywhere-trump-rnc-sue-democratic-montana-governor">suing many states</a> to try to stop them from
sending out large numbers of postal ballots.
<p>
Even if they lose the lawsuits, they will delay sending out the
ballots.  With that on one side and post office sabotage on the other,
they can cause ballots not to be counted.


feed_id: 376918945afb86b2ea23a8dede1fb767
title: Graduated income tax
uri: Graduated-income-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Graduated_income_tax%29
content:
<p>

In Illinois, vote for the <a href="https://www.civicfed.org/iifs/blog/graduated-income-tax-proposal-part-ii-guide-illinois-plan">graduated income tax</a>.


feed_id: e450929dbb9e21d940f225c08b67882a
title: Journalists paved path to Assange's US Gulag
uri: Journalists-paved-path-to-Assange-s-US-Gulag
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Journalists_paved_path_to_Assange%27s_US_Gulag%29

content:
<p>

*For Years, Journalists Cheered Assange’s Abuse. Now They’ve Paved His Path To
a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/09/03/years-journalists-cheered-assanges-abuse-now-theyve-paved-his-path-us-gulag">US Gulag</a>.*


feed_id: 7f200986b39288b7a8eed5516a010173
title: (satire) Spotify celebrates 100th dollar given to artists
uri: (satire)-Spotify-celebrates-100th-dollar-given-to-artists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28%28satire%29_Spotify_celebrates_100th_dollar_given_to_artists%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *&hellip; streaming service Spotify
<a href="https://www.theonion.com/spotify-celebrates-100th-dollar-given-to-artists-1844943985">reportedly celebrated</a> Thursday the platform’s 100th dollar given to
artists.*


feed_id: 93c34ec533351812801f7320c02d1a9e
title: Oil companies hope to increase plastics to make up for decreased use of fossil fuels
uri: Oil-companies-hope-to-increase-plastics-to-make-up-for-decreased-use-o
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Oil_companies_hope_to_increase_plastics_to_make_up_for_decreased_use_of_fossil_fuels%29

content:
<p>

Oil companies are hoping that increased production of plastics will
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/04/war-on-plastic-could-strand-oil-industrys-300bn-investment">make up for decreased combustion</a> of fossil fuels.  Alas,  it seems that
life can't tolerate plastics.


feed_id: 111a9a1a3eae7e1d0a88b226a056331f
title: Thugs shoot Portland protester instead of arrest him
uri: Thugs-shoot-Portland-protester-instead-of-arrest-him
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Thugs_shoot_Portland_protester_instead_of_arrest_him%29

content:
<p>

<a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> went to arrest the man accused of killing a right-wing extremist
protester in Portland, but they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/04/man-linked-to-death-of-far-right-protester-in-portland-shot-deadby-us-marshals-reports">shot him dead</a> instead.
<p>
I have to suspect they killed him by choice.


feed_id: 5454a078d8b28932c747118efe57fa47
title: Proposed system to replace today's capitalism
uri: Proposed-system-to-replace-today-s-capitalism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Proposed_system_to_replace_today%27s_capitalism%29

content:
<p>

Varoufakis has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/sep/04/yanis-varoufakis-capitalism-isnt-working-heres-an-alternative">proposed a system</a> to replace today's capitalism.  It
still uses markets for goods and services, but workers are always
co-owners as every enterprise is a cooperative.
<p>
I don't understand how the levies on countries for having an imbalance
of trade or payments would function.  If this is meant to pressure
countries not to have imbalances, what could they do to avoid them?
<p>
I am also worried by the idea that people would make all their
payments using central bank accounts &mdash; because that implies tracking,
which is dangerous.  And I am not convinced that the 5% flat tax on
business income would bring in enough funds for the <a href="https://stallman.org/articles/why-we-need-a-state.html">state to do its
many jobs</a>.
<p>
Perhaps I would see these are not real problems if I understood
better.  Perhaps some details could be changed.  In any case, it is an
interesting area to explore.


feed_id: bbeaa8feb0655e7cbf161808af2dd9a5
title: Wrecker has cut down payments for oil and gas extracted
uri: Wrecker-has-cut-down-payments-for-oil-and-gas-extracted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Wrecker_has_cut_down_payments_for_oil_and_gas_extracted%29

content:
<p>

One of the planet-roasting policies that the US has maintained for
decades is allowing oil and gas extractors to pay only a small amount
for what they extract.  That was always bad.  But the wrecker has cut
down the payments to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/04/trump-cuts-oil-and-gas-drillers-rent-on-public-lands-as-state-budgets-suffer">nearly zero</a> for hundreds of wells.


feed_id: af6bb780346c2268cfc4f1286cca2947
title: Hong Kong security law may break international law
uri: Hong-Kong-security-law-may-break-international-law
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Hong_Kong_security_law_may_break_international_law%29

content:
<p>

Seven UN special rapporteurs say, *Hong Kong security law <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/04/hong-kong-security-law-may-break-international-laws-china-human-rights-un">'may break
international laws</a>'.*  It conflicts with treaties that China has signed.
<p>
This can have an effect on China but only if other countries condition
some decisions on this.
<p>
I would expect that the lawless behavior of uniformed US <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>
violates some treaties.  And what about Guantanamo. and wars of
aggression?  Not that one country's wrongs excuse another country's
wrongs &mdash; but would be easier to enforce the treaties if breaking them
were unusual and unaccepted.


feed_id: 605b203ebed01696255ea922eff68d7d
title: Russian media operation targeted and used freelance writer
uri: Russian-media-operation-targeted-and-used-freelance-writer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Russian_media_operation_targeted_and_used_freelance_writer%29

content:
<p>

*I'm a freelance writer. A Russian media operation targeted and used me.*
The site PeaceData offered to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/sep/04/russia-media-disinformation-fake-news-peacedata">pay him for a weekly column</a>.


feed_id: 6809af1f3d5f2400e4a8fcf924d1773b
title: Greystone Nursing Homes
uri: Greystone-Nursing-Homes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Greystone_Nursing_Homes%29
content:
<p>

*Greystone Nursing Homes, Whose Executives Gave $800,000 to Trump,
Are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/09/04/nursing-homes-coronavirus-deaths-greystone/">Epicenters of Covid-19 Deaths</a>.*
<p>
Businesses that pay off officials expect something specific in return.
Perhaps in this case it is permission to cut corners on safety.


feed_id: 126f5494f91e305c2e59a096064bc80e
title: Tories pushed reopening so hard that Covid-19 is increasing
uri: Tories-pushed-reopening-so-hard-that-Covid-19-is-increasing
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Tories_pushed_reopening_so_hard_that_Covid-19_is_increasing%29

content:
<p>

Tories have pushed reopening so hard that Covid-19 is increasing.  Now
some parts of England are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/04/covid-tests-running-out-in-north-east-england-gateshead-as-cases-surge">running out of coronavirus tests</a>.


feed_id: f57fb7168fdcdd7612f3d56d95bf7884
title: An Australian warns Britain about Tony Abbott
uri: An-Australian-warns-Britain-about-Tony-Abbott
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28An_Australian_warns_Britain_about_Tony_Abbott%29

content:
<p>

An Australian <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/04/brits-aussie-tony-abbott-trade-envoy">warns Britain</a> about engaging Australian buffoon Tony Abbott
as trade negotiator.
<p>
I think Abbott could do worse than fail, though.  He would be
excellent at giving the conman whatever he wants, and lauding it.
Johnson makes mistakes, but I think he knows what Abbott will do,
and that is what he wants.
<p>
I wish I had confidence that Biden would protect the US (and the UK)
from that bad <a href="https://stallman.org/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business-supremacy treaty</a>
but Obama would not.


feed_id: 7beb8115f483380dd27620481c8c65ac
title: Iran holding a hostage to collect a debt from the UK
uri: Iran-holding-a-hostage-to-collect-a-debt-from-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Iran_holding_a_hostage_to_collect_a_debt_from_the_UK%29

content:
<p>

Iran is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/sep/04/uk-defence-secretary-acknowledges-debt-owed-to-iran-over-shahs-tank-order">holding Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe hostage</a> to collect a valid
debt from the UK.
<p>
It is wrong to hold people as hostages, but the UK should have paid
this debt willingly.


feed_id: 7c0af3308f7bad20bb6a5762a3b38b80
title: Police officer tried to stop a thug from choking someone and was fired
uri: Police-officer-tried-to-stop-a-thug-from-choking-someone-and-was-fired
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Police_officer_tried_to_stop_a_thug_from_choking_someone_and_was_fired%29

content:
<p>

In 2009, a Buffalo <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#police">police officer</a> jumped on a thug's back to stop
him from choking someone.  She was <a href="https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/policy/criminal-justice/black-buffalo-cop-stopped-another-officers-chokehold-she-was-fired">fired, and lost her pension</a>
while one year from retirement.
<p>
Now she is suing to demand her pension.


feed_id: a6ac861663cabb0526cc3d40b682ad28
title: Republican congresscritter who fanatically defends the right to carry guns
uri: Republican-congresscritter-who-fanatically-defends-the-right-to-carry
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Republican_congresscritter_who_fanatically_defends_the_right_to_carry_guns%29

content:
<p>

A Republican congresscritter who fanatically defends the right to
carry guns says <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/03/id-drop-any-10-you-gop-rep-clay-higgins-threatens-shoot-armed-black-protesters">he would shoot</a> any blacks that carry guns at a protest.
<p>
Does this mean he advocates the right to carry guns only for whites?
<p>
Does he now believe that guns should be prohibited at demonstrations?
I'm in favor of that, as long as it applies to everyone.


feed_id: 79b4fc35005440854e20ae0d37a5fee2
title: Antiwar Candidate
uri: Antiwar-Candidate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Antiwar_Candidate%29
content:
<p>

*Joe Biden, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/09/03/joe-biden-dont-let-donald-trump-run-antiwar-candidate">Don’t Let Donald Trump</a> Run as the Antiwar Candidate!*


feed_id: 02f05f4a01fdc43a9af81cf4d8f998e2
title: Inducing people to try to vote twice
uri: Inducing-people-to-try-to-vote-twice
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#6_September_2020_%28Inducing_people_to_try_to_vote_twice%29

content:
<p>

  Inducing people to try to vote twice is a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/03/president-just-committed-felony-trump-tells-nc-residents-vote-twice-openly">felony in North Carolina</a>,
  but the basic principle of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#trumpery">trumpery</a> is that supporters of the wrecker
  can disregard any law.


feed_id: 83a0b48bb3c59be6cfc507b08608e680
title: Foreign workers in Dubai being left to starve
uri: Foreign-workers-in-Dubai-being-left-to-starve
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Foreign_workers_in_Dubai_being_left_to_starve%29

content:
<p>

Foreign workers in Dubai who have lost their jobs are being <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/sep/03/i-am-starving-the-migrant-workers-abandoned-by-dubai-employers">left to
starve</a>.
<p>
The recently announced <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/sep/03/i-am-starving-the-migrant-workers-abandoned-by-dubai-employers">policy change</a> would allow foreign workers to quit their jobs, and get new work or depart.
That is a good thing, but it does not help those who can't find new work,
and can't afford to depart.
<p>
The UK does something similar to unauthorized foreign workers: they have to beg
for food and shelter.


feed_id: 6adb57135b84947ce7285e1f7f6412fe
title: Collection of phone records about all Americans
uri: Collection-of-phone-records-about-all-Americans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Collection_of_phone_records_about_all_Americans%29

content:
<p>

An appeals court has ruled that the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/03/edward-snowden-nsa-surveillance-guardian-court-rules">collection of phone records about
all Americans was illegal</a>.
<p>
This is but one of many systems of surveillance that Snowden revealed to us.
That is why we need to repeal that part of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#26_April_2015_(Sun_Must_Go_Down)">PAT RIOT act</a>.


feed_id: 804dfe5fb3534ff421677ac706552398
title: Operation Condor
uri: Operation-Condor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Operation_Condor%29
content:
<p>

Prosecutors increasingly pursue the surviving perpetrators of the
international terrorist plot known as Operation Condor, a conspiracy
of dictators in South America that <a href="Https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/sep/03/operation-condor-the-illegal-state-network-that-terrorised-south-america">operated with the support of the
US</a>.


feed_id: 9ec9029222edbee1adee0d5053fc0383
title: French thugs act with impunity
uri: French-thugs-act-with-impunity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28French_thugs_act_with_impunity%29

content:
<p>

*Undercover journalist Valentin Gendrot describes culture where
[French <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>] act with impunity.*  He joined a thug department
and reported on the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/03/french-reporter-who-joined-police-exposes-racism-and-violence-valentin-gendrot">violence and lies</a> he witnessed.
<p>
What an interesting reversal it is for <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to be the target of an
undercover investigation.  We need more of these.


feed_id: d49f17a6b0691f1ef27c689ac4a0d3b5
title: The wrecker urged voters to submit two ballots
uri: The-wrecker-urged-voters-to-submit-two-ballots
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28The_wrecker_urged_voters_to_submit_two_ballots%29

content:
<p>

The wrecker urged voters in North Carolina to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/03/north-carolinians-should-vote-twice-says-trump-despite-illegality">submit a postal ballot
and then vote in person</a>.
<p>
The voting system ought to detect such attempts and block the double
voting.  That does not mean it is good for thousands of people to test
it in this way.  Especially if Republican officials might be tempted
to let whites get two votes.


feed_id: 3dca2ac219d0444315e4606c73415eb6
title: Repressive regime in the UK making protest very difficult
uri: Repressive-regime-in-the-UK-making-protest-very-difficult
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Repressive_regime_in_the_UK_making_protest_very_difficult%29

content:
<p>

The repressive regime in the UK has not officially banned peaceful
protest, but is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/03/extinction-rebellion-rights-peaceful-protest-threat-police">hemming it in with laws that make it very difficult</a>.


feed_id: ce14c2baa87cd57b73742b634615f8b9
title: Portuguese children sue 33 countries
uri: Portuguese-children-sue-33-countries
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Portuguese_children_sue_33_countries%29

content:
<p>

*Portuguese children <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2020/sep/03/portuguese-children-sue-33-countries-over-climate-change-at-european-court">sue 33 countries</a> over [causing global heating].*


feed_id: d2d2d7dce78cf5499c0d390db3cd0000
title: France to reduce greenhouse emissions by investing in bicycle riding
uri: France-to-reduce-greenhouse-emissions-by-investing-in-bicycle-riding
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28France_to_reduce_greenhouse_emissions_by_investing_in_bicycle_riding%29

content:
<p>

France plans a substantial effort to reduce greenhouse emissions
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/03/france-launches-big-green-recovery-plan-part-100bn-stimulus-covid">investing in bicycle riding</a>.
<p>
This, however, can't possibly do enough.


feed_id: e2b6d36e80bc449eb555dbfc8edd3796
title: Wild elephants in Africa are dying by the hundreds
uri: Wild-elephants-in-Africa-are-dying-by-the-hundreds
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Wild_elephants_in_Africa_are_dying_by_the_hundreds%29

content:
<p>

Wild elephants in Africa are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/03/why-are-elephants-dying-the-race-to-solve-the-mystery-of-mass-die-offs-aoe">dying by the hundreds</a>.  Scientists
are trying to figure out the cause.


feed_id: f652c69fdd6a4eb4b4d4b88c0f41ff15
title: Test for Covid
uri: Test-for-Covid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Test_for_Covid%29
content:
<p>
*Arizona university <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/03/arizona-university-prevents-potential-covid-outbreak-testing-feces">prevents potential Covid outbreak by testing feces</a>.*


feed_id: 653382fa6abc6b99fd7275cfd6f6637c
title: Environmental sabotage
uri: Environmental-sabotage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Environmental_sabotage%29
content:
<p>
Various US government agencies are scurrying to complete acts of
environmental sabotage by Jan 20, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/03/trump-fast-track-fossil-fuel-projects-during-pandemic">in case the saboteur in chief loses
reelection</a>.


feed_id: ac2b6ba81c1f133acc9d1c04db80c193
title: Lending
uri: Lending
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Lending%29
content:
<p>
Oportun lends to poor people, initially on fairly reasonable terms;
but if something goes wrong (such as unemployment), it demands high
interest.  <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/the-loan-company-that-sued-thousands-of-low-income-latinos-during-the-pandemic">They can get caught and never get out</a>.

<p>
Companies like this are bottom feeders.  If people are lucky, these companies can help them squeak by.  If they are unlucky, they get caught.  But the real
cause of the problem is the low income many Americans get, and the high cost
of everything medical.


feed_id: 75832a883afd3de6f2d1e17819f62d77
title: Trade treaties
uri: 2020-09-07-Trade-treaties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Trade_treaties%29
content:
<p>
The US trade treaty with Jordan led to a big increase in clothing
production there, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/29/sexual-assault-forced-labor-wage-theft-garment-workers-in-jordan-suffer-for-us-brands">but didn't do much to reduce the cruelty to workers
there</a>.

<p>
As a general solution, I suggest that importing countries pass laws
requiring the label on an article of clothing carry the name of the
company that actually made the article.  This could help hold that
company accountable, and it will make buyers more aware of how
the production system operates.


feed_id: ffbce8bd018109a17fd8f96e124b1e75
title: Giant fires
uri: Giant-fires
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Giant_fires%29
content:
<p>
California is being hit by giant fires and coronavirus quarantines at the
same time.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/03/california-wildfires-covid-19">Even in cities, thousands of people are evacuating</a>.

<p>
If <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a> proceeds unabated, I envision that in 2050 there
will be 20 or 30 regional disasters like this each year in the US, and
no place will be safe.  We must take drastic measures <em>now</em>.


feed_id: 1e83b73dd685c18c77a449aa8e41904e
title: Dishonest sex smear
uri: Dishonest-sex-smear
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Dishonest_sex_smear%29
content:
<p>
The dishonest sex smear defeated Alex Morse; <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/09/02/alex-morse-primary-result-richard-neal/">plutocratist Rep. Neal
will probably his megacorporations for one more term</a>.


feed_id: 031bf43da8a1bd02609ff7bac6c4b88b
title: College data
uri: College-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28College_data%29
content:
<p>
Consumer Reports found that the College Board web site gives data to
many surveillance capitalism companies <a href="https://medium.com/cr-digital-lab/student-tracking-and-the-college-board-512a94d60ec3">when students sign up on its
web site</a>.


feed_id: 22be060811134b8ad5215a0c74be4757
title: Additional people dying
uri: Additional-people-dying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Additional_people_dying%29
content:
<p>
Some 12,000 additional people died in the UK in March and April
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/sep/02/pandemic-may-have-hastened-non-covid-deaths-in-england-and-wales">from causes unrelated to Covid-19</a>.

<p>
This seems to be because they couldn't go to a hospital for treatment.
This reinforces the importance of taking measures to keep the infection
rate low.


feed_id: 4e2022cb63746d0e2a744c1818d2754b
title: Removed voter registrations
uri: Removed-voter-registrations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Removed_voter_registrations%29
content:
<p>
ACLU of Georgia and Greg Palast: *&hellip;the State had likely removed
in 2019 the voter registrations of nearly 200,000 Georgia citizens on
the grounds that they had moved from the address on their voter
registration application. However, <a href="https://www.gregpalast.com/aclu-releases-palast-fund-georgia-voter-purge-errors-report/">none of these citizens had
moved</a>,&hellip;*


feed_id: 35fe67726d6d913640c1594758e5f35d
title: No time
uri: No-time
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28No_time%29
content:
<p>
Markey's victory speech: "There is no time for compromise on the
existential threat to our time. We must pass a Green New Deal... The
time to be timid is past. The age of incremental-ism is over. Now is our
moment to think big, to build big, to be big. <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/02/age-incrementalism-over-declares-green-new-deal-champion-ed-markey-after-defeating">This is what this
election is all about</a>."

<p>
He is right &mdash; so how are we going overcome the opposition of Biden,
Pelosi, and so on.


feed_id: e891d6c9d01058ecd26f2e01827a0688
title: Unofficial thugs
uri: Unofficial-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Unofficial_thugs%29
content:
<p>
Official <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> and white vigilantes (unofficial thugs) tend to support
each other because they mostly share the same ideology: <a href="https://www.jacobinmag.com/2020/08/kenosha-kyle-rittenhouse-police-shooting-vigilantes">maintaining a
social order which incorporates racism and plutocracy</a>.


feed_id: 5e336dfba8ae97dcd34d96c8a8bb8024
title: DeJoy calendar
uri: DeJoy-calendar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28DeJoy_calendar%29
content:
<p>
Congress has subpoenaed various documents from DeJoy including his
calendar of meetings, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/02/now-says-aoc-wheres-his-unaltered-calendar-house-dems-subpoena-postmaster-general">which he has concealed so far</a>.


feed_id: 62694866d3d7769243a9c5db5243ed71
title: Mailed ballots
uri: Mailed-ballots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Mailed_ballots%29
content:
<p>
Around a million primary election ballots were mailed to voters within
a week of the election, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/02/fiasco-clearly-foreseeable-usps-watchdog-probe-found-1-million-primary-ballots">meaning they very likely arrived too late to
be sent back and counted</a>.

<p>
This is <em>not</em> a matter of artificial mail delays in the USPS, but
if it happens again in November, the consequences will add to the
consequences of those delays.


feed_id: 4a70e236b868b1a11d3c8cc11f88808c
title: Amazon and unions
uri: Amazon-and-unions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Amazon_and_unions%29
content:
<p>Amazon advertised for staff <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/02/disgusting-says-bernie-sanders-amazon-job-post-seeking-anti-union-psy-ops-expert">to interfere with union organizing</a>.</p>

<p>Amazon later said that ad was posted "in error", which probably means
the hiring was supposed to be done quietly.  Amazon has long made a practice
<a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/3azegw/amazon-is-spying-on-its-workers-in-closed-facebook-groups-internal-reports-show">of monitoring staff's discussions about unionization</a>.</p>


feed_id: 2ae9fac034d594ae371da37bdf7d1cc9
title: Somalia
uri: 2020-09-07-Somalia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Somalia%29
content:
<p>
The US is still carrying out bombing in Somalia, to fight
al-Shaabab, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/02/latest-us-military-report-somalia-airstrikes-makes-no-mention-civilians-killed">but now it blames all civilian casualties on the enemy</a>.

<p>
It is worth reminding people that al-Shaabab was created when Ethiopia
intervened, on behalf of the US, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2006-sep-dec.html#28 December 2006 (War in Somalia)">to destroy the "Islamic courts"
government that had established peace in Somalia</a>.
  Somalia has not known peace since then.


feed_id: d86595aa6dd7c0a9ca394db6f0d396d6
title: The city of Hoboken has sued Exxon
uri: The-city-of-Hoboken-has-sued-Exxon
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28The_city_of_Hoboken_has_sued_Exxon%29

content:
<p>

The city of Hoboken has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/02/city-hoboken-files-climate-suit-against-exxon-most-ruthless-deceitful-and">sued Exxon</a> for the damages of the predicted
consequences of <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#global heating">global heating</a>.  In the case of Hoboken, the damages
will be due to inundation of much of the city.


feed_id: 791bd15a2eaa67c3a37ad0acd9d0c8cc
title: Amnesty International condemns US sanctions
uri: Amnesty-International-condemns-US-sanctions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Amnesty_International_condemns_US_sanctions%29

content:
<p>

Amnesty International <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2020/09/02/us-sanctions-against-icc-staff-creates-chilling-effect-international-justice">condemns US sanctions</a> against the staff of the
International Criminal Court.
<p>
The corrupter is fairly consistent about one thing: protecting the
crooks that are working for him.


feed_id: b8abd5276b7ae11dbc6300fedb590250
title: Extinction Rebellion protests
uri: Extinction-Rebellion-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Extinction_Rebellion_protests%29

content:
<p>

Extinction Rebellion has launched a series of protests in London and
Manchester, to remind the UK that the part of the disaster we can still
avoid <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/02/wewanttolive-extinction-rebellion-launches-fresh-wave-uk-protests-demanding-climate">gets smaller with each year of insufficient action</a>.
  


feed_id: e7bef9d2f6f7a25f844b0a858b902ca1
title: Urgent: Stop hushing up the human causes of extreme weather
uri: Urgent-Stop-hushing-up-the-human-causes-of-extreme-weather
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#4_September_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_hushing_up_the_human_causes_of_extreme_weather%29

content:
<p>

Everyone: call on US national TV news to stop hushing up the <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-the-media-tell-the-truth-about-the-climate-crisis">human causes of extreme weather</a>.

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


feed_id: e80f113f5817f035485aaddfd46359e2
title: BLM protesters charged using gang laws
uri: BLM-protesters-charged-using-gang-laws
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28BLM_protesters_charged_using_gang_laws%29

content:
<p>
Black Lives Matter protesters are being charged with felonies for minor
property damage, under laws intended for <a href="https://theappeal.org/gang-laws-criminalize-protest">shutting down street gangs</a>.


feed_id: 33235944a24e6078aefe4613b9df4253
title: Compel charitable foundations to do more
uri: Compel-charitable-foundations-to-do-more
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Compel_charities_to_do_more%29
content:
<p>
One way to help the poor is to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/02/congress-urged-enact-emergency-charity-stimulus-unlock-profits-rich-serve-common">compel charitable foundations to spend
more than the current legal minimum on serving their purposes</a>.
<p>
As for <a href="https://stallman.org/glossary.html#dodge">dodge-assisting funds</a> (my term for them), these function as a
scheme for rich people to buy what they want and dodge taxes
on the money.  We should abolish them outright.  However, while they
do exist, this change would not make them any worse.


feed_id: bf4ddf322e84c42f950b996dac3114aa
title: Biden war apologies when?
uri: Biden-war-apologies-when
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Biden_war_apologies%29
content:
<p>
If Biden wants to lead a moral renewal of the US, he should start by <a href="https://theintercept.com/2020/09/02/biden-foreign-policy-war/">apologizing for its wars</a>.


feed_id: 0d84d71a2455fe4221853114393774ae
title: Urgent: Everyone: call US TV news to stop hushing human causes of extreme weather
uri: Urgent-Everyone-call-US-TV-news-to-stop-hushing-human-causes-of-extr
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Urgent%3A_Call_tv_news_on_human_causes_of_extreme_weather%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: call on US national TV news to stop hushing up the <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-the-media-tell-the-truth-about-the-climate-crisis">human causes of extreme weather</a>.


feed_id: eb43c21be1fa303771df53447c6b880f
title: Wrecker blocks Biden rumors
uri: Wrecker-blocks-Biden-rumors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Wrecker_blocks_Biden_rumors%29
content:
<p>
The wrecker blocked circulation of an intelligence warning that <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dhs-withheld-july-intelligence-bulletin-calling-russian-attack/story?id=72747130&cid=social_twitter_abcn">Russia was going to spread rumors that Biden was mentally ill</a>.


feed_id: df0e2752d8748f28a5a4f4c7bfa26dda
title: Banning real news
uri: Banning-real-news
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Banning_real_news%29
content:
<p>
Facebook threatens to ban real news <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/03/if-facebook-carries-out-its-threat-australian-feeds-will-be-awash-with-even-more-misinformation">rather than pay a tax to Australia
for carrying it</a>.

<p>
One response for Australia would be to ban Facebook entirely.  That would
get rid of a lot of problems.


feed_id: ffee30f328e9cd601a165cbbdd06e836
title: Asphalt
uri: Asphalt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Asphalt%29
content:
<p>
*Asphalt roads <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/02/asphalt-roads-make-city-air-pollution-worse-in-summer-study-finds">make city air pollution worse in summer, study finds</a>.*


feed_id: 69725ce294ba1119545c9268d95d9fff
title: Death spiral
uri: Death-spiral
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Death_spiral%29
content:
<p>
The Tories' campaign to undermine the NHS has gone so far <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/01/nhs-waiting-times-patients-private-companies">that private
medicine could push it into a death spiral</a>.

<p>
The deaths would be those of Britons who can't afford private treatment.


feed_id: f3895e1b76da4707cab3327c733550e4
title: Rigging for minority
uri: Rigging-for-minority
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Rigging_for_minority%29
content:
<p>
*   In more and more races, the GOP doesn’t have broad enough appeal to
   fairly produce an election majority, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/09/01/six-ways-right-shredding-vote">so it has resorted to rigging the
   system so a minority prevails</a>.*


feed_id: 793eae8ff8169eb199aa3ff20b23ce85
title: Help
uri: Help
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Help%29
content:
<p>
People beg for help on the internet <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/02/crowdfunding-welfare-state-pandemic">because the government fails
to carry out its responsibilities</a>.

<p>
Shame on the government.


feed_id: 9d001ba4bf1d8ee65711b78aa3fc2259
title: Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act
uri: Circular-Economy-and-Plastic-Pollution-Reduction-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Circular_Economy_and_Plastic_Pollution_Reduction_Act%29

content:
<p>
California’s Circular Economy &amp; Plastic Pollution Reduction Act <a href="https://action.storyofstuff.org/go/71272?t=1001&akid=221515%2E1041074%2E2NcAl2">was
narrowly defeated in the state assembly</a>.


feed_id: ce9475ed4f58859bad3bb29c6367ff80
title: Excuses
uri: Excuses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Excuses%29
content:
<p>
* Pointing the finger in the wrong direction (at foolish individuals)
excuses those in power <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/02/selfish-covidiots-blame-british-government-greek">for failing to support people to stay at
home</a>.*


feed_id: 13e7fcaed4887dd9bacb2cfad8424941
title: Vaccine-derived polio
uri: Vaccine-derived-polio
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Vaccine-derived_polio%29
content:
<p>
*Vaccine-derived polio <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/sep/02/vaccine-derived-polio-spreads-in-africa-after-defeat-of-wild-virus">spreads in Africa after defeat of wild virus</a>.*


feed_id: 471abeaab552d1d1bfb40f91d924da6c
title: Torture and jail for protesters
uri: Torture-and-jail-for-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Torture_and_jail_for_protesters%29

content:
<p>
*Iranians tortured and jailed after mass protests, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/02/iran-iranians-tortured-and-jailed-after-mass-protests-amnesty-report-says">Amnesty report says</a>.*


feed_id: 6d9a05c754452a38b470f61ec4dd8dd1
title: Poisoned
uri: 2020-09-07-Poisoned
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Poisoned%29
content:
<p>
*Alexei Navalny poisoned with Novichok, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/02/alexei-navalny-poisoned-with-novichok-says-german-government-russia">says German government</a>.*

<p>
The Kremlin will say us that anyone in Russia can get novichoks
from the nearest pest control company.  But it must have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/02/using-novichok-against-navalny-is-a-russian-message-of-menace">wanted us to know
that this poisoning was carried out by the Russian state</a>.


feed_id: fca925a0dc612b845b037b65a095b4b8
title: Disregard the CDC's new perverse non-testing guidelines
uri: Disregard-the-CDC-s-new-perverse-non-testing-guidelines
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Disregard_the_CDC%27s_new_perverse_non-testing_guidelines%29

content:
<p>

Harold Varmus, former director of the National Institutes of Health,
calls on Americans to <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200903002816/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/31/opinion/cdc-testing-coronavirus.html">disregard the CDC's new perverse non-testing
guidelines</a>.


feed_id: 072321a3226e8c352740db8c90f3cf22
title: Exclude fossil fuel representatives
uri: Exclude-fossil-fuel-representatives
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Exclude_fossil_fuel_representatives%29

content:
<p>

Influential progressive groups call on Biden to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/01/isnt-just-good-policy-its-good-politics-145-groups-demand-biden-ban-fossil-fuel">exclude fossil fuel
representatives</a>, in his campaign now and from his government later.
<p>
The absence of such people would not guarantee good policies, but their
presence would enable them to impose bad ones.


feed_id: 2d4882bc880ae29314d628ea154e5d5b
title: Student privacy pledge
uri: Student-privacy-pledge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Student_privacy_pledge%29
content:
<p>

400 edtech companies have signed a <a href="https://thehill.com/opinion/cybersecurity/514555-student-privacy-pledge-delivers-neither-privacy-nor-enforcement">"student privacy pledge"</a>, but they suffer
no penalty when they violate it.
<p>
Aside from the lack of enforcement, <a href="https://studentprivacypledge.org/privacy-pledge/">the pledge itself</a> is too weak.
It excludes only a limited subset of the possible
misuses of student data.  The right way to handle most student data is
<em>never to let any organization other than the school get its hands on
the data</em>.
<p>
There are a few special circumstances in which student data needs to
be held by an organization outside the school itself.  Standardized
tests are one of these.  In those circumstances, the proper pledge is,
"We pledge not to keep any copy of the student's data other than name,
address, identification number and overall test results.  We pledge
not to allow any use of these data, except that specific schools
by the student can verify the test results."
<p>
Another special case is for plagiarism checking.  The school should
never reveal to such a site anything about the student who wrote the
paper being checked &mdash; not even that the same student wrote some other
previous paper.  The school should invent a new "student name" for
each paper and only the school should know which student that
corresponds to.
  


feed_id: d2cbe19500f56dddd2c6643dfbaba0f1
title: (satire) *[invented name]
uri: (satire)-invented-name
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28%28satire%29_%2A%5Binvented_name%5D%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *[invented name]
expressed worry Tuesday that Donald Trump retweeting him would
<a href="https://local.theonion.com/conspiracy-theorist-worried-his-credibility-undermined-1844919689">undermine his credibility</a> as a conspiracy theorist.*


feed_id: ab88c6224bbe548c9d9f8d54036671f7
title: Progressives have launched the New People's Party
uri: Progressives-have-launched-the-New-People-s-Party
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Progressives_have_launched_the_New_People%27s_Party%29

content:
<p>

Progressives have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/09/01/new-peoples-party-rises-amid-grim-election-options">launched the New People's Party</a>.
<p>
If it is to succeed, they will need to change the name.
But I wonder, what is the advantage of this party over the Green Party?


feed_id: 9184a62934183c1b6e379d30813f01a9
title: Republicans are flooding the internet with deceptive videos
uri: Republicans-are-flooding-the-internet-with-deceptive-videos
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Republicans_are_flooding_the_internet_with_deceptive_videos%29

content:
<p>

*Republicans are <a href="https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/09/01/tech/trump-facebook-twitter-fact-check/index.html">flooding the internet with deceptive videos</a> and Big Tech
isn't keeping up.*


feed_id: 619b810754c46bc9bff1745aed680275
title: (satire) A cure for the side effects of the fast-tracked Covid-19 vaccine
uri: (satire)-A-cure-for-the-side-effects-of-the-fast-tracked-Covid-19-vacc
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28%28satire%29_A_cure_for_the_side_effects_of_the_fast-tracked_Covid-19_vaccine%29

content:
<p>

(satire) *the FDA reportedly
promised Tuesday to <a href="https://www.theonion.com/fda-promises-to-fast-track-cure-for-side-effects-of-fas-1844917490">fast-track</a> a cure for the side effects of the
fast-tracked Covid-19 vaccine.*


feed_id: 1e4ee467840c98e6b553688c07009cae
title: Counter-meeting to the wrecker's Kenosha meeting
uri: Counter-meeting-to-the-wrecker-s-Kenosha-meeting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Counter-meeting_to_the_wrecker%27s_Kenosha_meeting%29

content:
<p>

Jacob Blake's father <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/01/family-jacob-blake-hosts-block-party-voter-drive-drown-out-pain-and-division-brought">organized a counter-meeting</a>, voting drive, and
block party to counter the wrecker's meeting elsewhere in Kenosha.


feed_id: 78d37e3d16720ab13742c5a518b5e32d
title: Pope Francis called for urgent climate defense action
uri: Pope-Francis-called-for-urgent-climate-defense-action
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Pope_Francis_called_for_urgent_climate_defense_action%29

content:
<p>

Pope Francis <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/01/creation-groaning-pope-francis-denounces-endless-growth-humanitys-assault-nature">has denounced</a> the practice of consuming resources faster
than the natural world can replace them, and called for urgent climate
defense action.


feed_id: 8f73167420a8b3282632a9dec93014e4
title: Misleading apparent lead
uri: Misleading-apparent-lead
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Misleading_apparent_lead%29
content:
<p>

If mainly Democratic voters vote by mail,
the wrecker could get a <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/09/01/red-mirage-democratic-data-firm-predicts-post-election-chaos-over-false-trump">misleading apparent lead</a> if the mail-in ballots
are counted later.


feed_id: fc1631c5b29188295ada7f90ba1dca0a
title: Tell Gilead your publicly-funded COVID-19 treatment must be gratis
uri: Tell-Gilead-your-publicly-funded-COVID-19-treatment-must-be-gratis
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#3_September_2020_%28Tell_Gilead_your_publicly-funded_COVID-19_treatment_must_be_gratis%29

content:
<p>

Everyone: tell Gilead: Your publicly-funded COVID-19
treatment <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/gilead-coronavirus_treatment_free/">must be gratis</a>.
<p>
This argument is not the best one to use, because it only works some
of the time.  Should a company be allowed to gouge on medical treatments
merely because it did not use public funds?  I don't think so.


