# articles

title: Counter-terrorism: UN- vs govt-strategy
uri: Counter-terrorism-UN-vs-govt-strategy
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Counter-terrorism:_UN_strategies_vs_govt)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Counter-terrorism:_UN_strategies_vs_govt)

content:
 
<p>
*Australia’s new UN counter-terror chief fears
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/02/australias-new-un-counter-terror-chief-fears-world-repeating-same-mistakes-of-the-past-in-israel-gaza-conflict">world repeating ‘same
mistakes’</a>
of the past in Israel-Gaza conflict: &hellip; [namely, trying
to] counter terrorism with military might.*
<p>
This is more wisdom than we expect to find in
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#24_June_2013_(The_proper_response_for_terrorism)">government responses to terrorism</a>.
The usual mistakes come out of political pressure, the
demand to "strike the enemy" even if it is counterproductive to do so.

<p>
 


title: War journalists targeted by Israel
uri: War-journalists-targeted-by-Israel
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(War_journalists_targeted_by_Israel)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(War_journalists_targeted_by_Israel)

content:
 
<p>
Reporters Without Borders has concluded that
<a href="https://rsf.org/en/rsf-video-investigation-death-reuters-reporter-issam-abdallah-lebanon-journalists-vehicle-was">Israel intentionally attacked</a>
press vehicles in Lebanon,
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#17_October_2023_(General_war_journalism)">killing and injuring</a>
some of the reporters.

<p>
 


title: The UN on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
uri: The-UN-on-the-Israeli-Palestinian-conflict
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(The_UN_on_the_Israeli-Palestinian_conflict)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(The_UN_on_the_Israeli-Palestinian_conflict)

content:
 
<p>
War crimes that HAMAS and Israel seem to have committed,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/31/have-war-crimes-been-committed-in-israel-and-gaza-and-what-international-laws-apply">according to the UN</a>.
<p>
HAMAS, as a terrorist organization, makes no effort to disguise
its war crimes as anything but war crimes.  That makes it easy
to be certain that that's what they are.
<p>
Israel presents supposed excuses which surely can't be valid, but the
UN won't state the conclusion as a certainty without an investigation.
<p>
UNRWA, which provides humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees in Gaza
and the West Bank, says that a cease fire is essential to save the
civilians there, who are all in danger from
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/30/entire-population-of-gaza-becoming-dehumanised-says-un-commissioner">the siege</a>
imposed by Israel.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Israel%26ndash;HAMAS_war)
title: Israel&ndash;Gaza crisis
uri: Israel-Gaza-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Israel%26ndash;HAMAS_war)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/an-overwhelming-tragedy">Robert Reich</a>
refutes several simplistic, foolish and very wrong things
people have said to him about the fighting in Gaza.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Too_much_war_info_)
title: Too much war info?
uri: Too-much-war-info
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Too_much_war_info_)
content:
 
<p>
Advice on how to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/31/distressing-images-and-videos-can-take-a-toll-on-our-mental-health-how-can-we-stay-informed-without-being-traumatised">protect yourself</a>
from the damaging influence of images of war and injury.
<p>
The suggestions in the article seem good to me, but my basic advice is
to view articles about the war in Gaza as text only, using a
non-graphical browser.  That way you can block all video and images of the violence.
<p>
The text is sufficient for finding out what has happened, and it won't
hammer your psyche as images would.
<p>
Please don't speak of "consuming" news. 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Consume">Here's why not</a>.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Manaus,_Amazonas_historic_drought)
title: Manaus, Amazonas historic drought
uri: Manaus-Amazonas-historic-drought
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Manaus,_Amazonas_historic_drought)
content:
 
<p>
Drought in the Amazon no-longer-rain-forest has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/oct/31/amazon-isnt-a-cause-its-our-home-rio-negro-brazil-indigenous-climate-crisis">reduced the Rio Negro
to a trickle</a>.
This endangers the human inhabitants.  I expect it endangers the animals and plants, too.  Humans are more
adaptable than most species, but the way they adapt to disappearance of their niches can be awfully destructive.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Netanyahu_invokes_HAMAS)
title: Netanyahu invokes HAMAS
uri: Netanyahu-invokes-HAMAS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Netanyahu_invokes_HAMAS)
content:
 
<p>
Arguing that a long-term peace between Israel and Palestine requires
<a href="Https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/03/war-israel-hamas-conflict-peace-extremists">defeating the extremists</a>
on each side, whose reciprocal violence helps the other side's extremists stay in power.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Keep int'l criminal out of int'l civilian diplomacy
uri: Urgent-Keep-int-l-criminal-out-of-int-l-civilian-diplomacy
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Keep_int'l_criminal_out_of_int'l_civilian_diplomacy)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Keep_int'l_criminal_out_of_int'l_civilian_diplomacy)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on the Senate to
<a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/reject-abrams?akid=9368.223515.Par7pY&c0=reject-abrams.SloD-M&rd=1&source=em20231031_1&t=1006">reject Elliot Abrams</a>
as an advisor for US diplomacy.
<p>
Considering the sort of advice he has given  in the past, it is a mistake
to suggest anyone listen to him now.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Jabalia_masacre_analysis)
title: Jabalia massacre analysis
uri: Jabalia-massacre-analysis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Jabalia_masacre_analysis)
content:
 
<p>
Analyzing
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/01/jabalia-camp-airstrike-gaza">the Israeli attack</a>
on the Jabalia refugee camp, which killed at least 195 noncombatants who were sheltering there.
<p>
The article compares what Israel says about the attack with other facts observed afterwards.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Palestinian_futures)
title: Palestinian futures
uri: Palestinian-futures
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Palestinian_futures)
content:
 
<p>
Bernie Sanders: beyond immediate humanitarian aid, Palestinians need
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/01/gaza-humanitarian-pause-bernie-sanders">a
political solution</a>
that gives them democracy in their own state.
<p>
Contrast this with <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS's</a> efforts to
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/11/01/brian-mast-palestinian-civilians-gaza-aid-aipac/">prohibit humanitarian aid to Gaza</a>
in the name of hatred for HAMAS.
<p>
*The Guardian view on Gaza after the war: there must be
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/01/the-guardian-view-on-gaza-after-the-war-there-must-be-a-plan-for-the-future-of-palestinians">a plan for the
future</a>
of Palestinians.*

<p>
 


title: Urgent: ETHICS Act can ban congressional members' stock trading
uri: Urgent-ETHICS-Act-can-ban-congressional-members-stock-trading
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(ETHICS_Act_can_ban_congressional_members'_stock_trading)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(ETHICS_Act_can_ban_congressional_members'_stock_trading)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-members-of-congress-should-not-own-or-trade-stock?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-afr-advocacy-fund-c4&source=group-afr-advocacy-fund-c4">call on Congress</a>
to ban members of Congress from owning or trading individual stocks, by passing the ETHICS Act.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(The_wellness_consumer_force)
title: The "wellness" consumer force
uri: The-wellness-consumer-force
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(The_wellness_consumer_force)
content:
 
<p>
*Wellness &hellip; presents collective social ills as
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2023/nov/01/wellness-industry-healthcare-women-stress">problems for the
individual to solve</a>
through some alchemy of consumer behavior.*  Some will benefit, by chance or the placebo effect;
meanwhile, the main effect is distractive.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Rail_v_truck,_AUS_freight)
title: Rail v truck, AUS freight
uri: Rail-v-truck-AUS-freight
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Rail_v_truck,_AUS_freight)
content:
 
<p>
Australia's rail freight industry group calls for measures to shift
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/02/dwindling-use-of-rail-freight-puts-australias-emissions-targets-at-risk-industry-warns">freight back to trains</a>,
from trucks, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to avoid the other damage
that truck traffic does (to roads, and to lungs).

That could be wise &mdash; but the group snuck in a call to increase
efficiency by eliminating some safety precautions.  I hope Australians
are aware of what such corner-cutting caused in the US &mdash; for
example, the disastrous
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#5_August_2023_(ohio_train_derailment)">derailment in East Palestine</a>
and the workers who have to
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-sep-dec.html#5_December_2022_(Biden_imposes_no_paid_sick_days_for_railroad_workers)">fight for sick leave</a>.
<p>
If trucks get an unfair advantage from not being charged for their
environmental cost, adding charges or taxes should be a fine way of
moving freight back to trains.  Investment in track and facilities are
legitimate methods, too.  But the safety of the public and train
workers should not be treated as mere capital to invest.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Foreigners_crackdown,_PAK)
title: Foreigners crackdown, PAK
uri: Foreigners-crackdown-PAK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Foreigners_crackdown,_PAK)
content:
 
<p>
Pakistan is systematically deporting Afghans that lack visas, even
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/01/pakistan-starts-mass-deportation-of-undocumented-afghans">people
who face repression</a>
if sent back to Afghanistan.
<p>
There is no excuse for deporting people to where they face repression.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Hold medical insurance companies accountable
uri: Urgent-Hold-medical-insurance-companies-accountable
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Urgent:_Hold_medical_insurance_companies_accountable)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Urgent:_Hold_medical_insurance_companies_accountable)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/medicare-advantage-advertising/?t=1001&akid=31425%2E96703%2EX0HWjQ">call on Biden</a>
to hold medical insurance companies accountable for their practices in
Medicare Advantage, including predatory marketing tactics, treatment
denials, shrinking networks, and over-billing Medicare by billions of dollars.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!
White House: <a href="tel:+12024561111">+1-202-456-1111</a>
and (TTY/TDD) +1-202-456-6213

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Reject secret commissions on SS and Medicare
uri: 2023-11-05-Urgent-Reject-secret-commissions-on-SS-and-Medicare
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Urgent:_Reject_secret_commissions_on_SS_and_Medicare)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Urgent:_Reject_secret_commissions_on_SS_and_Medicare)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-now-no-closed-door-commissions-to-cut-social-security-and-medicare-2?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-afr-advocacy-fund-c4&source=group-afr-advocacy-fund-c4">call on Congress</a>
to reject secret commissions intended to cut Social Security and Medicare.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Leahy_Laws_and_Israel_aid,_US)
title: Leahy Laws and Israel aid, US
uri: Leahy-Laws-and-Israel-aid-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Leahy_Laws_and_Israel_aid,_US)
content:
 
<p>
*Congressional progressives say
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/03/israel-aid-democrats-leahy-act-congress">proposed $14.3bn [military aid to
Israel]</a>
breaches 1997 Leahy act as assault on Gaza has overwhelmingly harmed civilians.*

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Minors employed in dangerous jobs
uri: Urgent-Minors-employed-in-dangerous-jobs
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Urgent:_Minors_employed_in_dangerous_jobs)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Urgent:_Minors_employed_in_dangerous_jobs)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: Support <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/greedy-corporations-are-behind-the-push-to-roll-back-child-labor-laws-become-a-grassroots-supporter-of-the-stop-child-labor-act-to-end-child-labor">stricter US laws against employing minors
    in dangerous jobs</a>.
</p>
<p>
These laws are generally called "child labor laws", but they cover 17-year-olds
and they are certain not children.  So that name is misleading.  I support the
substance of these laws, despite the misleading name.
</p>

 


title: Urgent: Corporate profiteering off of Covid treatments
uri: Urgent-Corporate-profiteering-off-of-Covid-treatments
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Urgent:_Corporate_profiteering_off_of_Covid_treatments)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Urgent:_Corporate_profiteering_off_of_Covid_treatments)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/big-pharma-greed-pfizer/?t=1001&akid=31435%2E96703%2EMYDssU">stop corporate profiteering off of
    Covid treatments</a> by guaranteeing access to all Americans.
</p>

 


title: Urgent: Call on NBC to drop the Republican primary debate
uri: Urgent-Call-on-NBC-to-drop-the-Republican-primary-debate
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Urgent:_Call_on_NBC_to_drop_the_Republican_primary_debate)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Urgent:_Call_on_NBC_to_drop_the_Republican_primary_debate)

content:
 
<p>

  Everyone: call on NBC to <a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/nbc_rumble_debate/">drop the Republican primary debate</a> &mdash; don't
partner with the right-wing site Rumble.
</p>

 


title: Starmer driving voters from Labour
uri: Starmer-driving-voters-from-Labour
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Starmer_driving_voters_from_Labour)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Starmer_driving_voters_from_Labour)

content:
 
<p>

  Starmer is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/oct/31/keir-starmer-is-putting-labour-on-a-path-to-a-voter-boycott">driving voters away from Labour</a>.
</p>

 


title: Australia US alliance if the wrecker returns
uri: Australia-US-alliance-if-the-wrecker-returns
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Australia_US_alliance_if_the_wrecker_returns)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Australia_US_alliance_if_the_wrecker_returns)

content:
 
<p>

  *Almost 40% think Australia should <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/01/almost-40-think-australia-should-dump-us-alliance-if-donald-trump-returns-as-president-poll-finds">dump US alliance if [the wrecker] returns</a> as
president, poll finds.*
</p>
<p>
An alliance with a US ruled by a right-wing autocrat would be much
like an alliance with Russia under Putin &mdash; stomach-turning.
</p>

 


title: Money pumped into "carbon bomb" projects
uri: Money-pumped-into-carbon-bomb-projects
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Money_pumped_into_carbon_bomb_projects)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Money_pumped_into_carbon_bomb_projects)

content:
 
<p>

*Banks [in the US, Europe and China] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/31/banks-pumped-more-than-150bn-in-to-companies-running-carbon-bomb-projects-in-2022">pumped more than $150bn in to
    companies running "carbon bomb" projects</a> in 2022.*
</p>

 


title: Arrest decision for chanting "jihad"
uri: Arrest-decision-for-chanting-jihad
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Arrest_decision_for_chanting_jihad)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Arrest_decision_for_chanting_jihad)

content:
 
<p>

The UK government asserts that "jihad" means support for terrorism,
but the cops disagree and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/oct/23/met-must-explain-decision-over-jihad-chant-at-protest-says-minister">refused to arrest people for chanting "jihad"</a>.
</p>
<p>
What does "jihad" mean?  I do not speak Arabic, but I've heard it
defined as "struggle" and just as broad as that English word.  It could
refer to any struggle, even that of studying hard for a good grade,
even a struggle within oneself.
</p>
<p>
Historically, one struggle for which that word was used was the
continuing attempt of Islam to conquer the world and convert or
subjugate all non-Muslims.  A person who chants "jihad" <em>with this
meaning</em> in a country that respects religious freedom is threatening a
religious war &mdash; much as Republicans in the US do in the name of
Christianity.
</p>
<p>
The early Muslims openly proclaimed that violent goal.  However, in
more recent times, many groups of Muslims have reinterpreted that goal
peacefully or rejected it outright.  Meanwhile, I as a scientific
Atheist leaning towards secular humanism defend the right not to
endorse any religion.
</p>
<p>
The word has also been used to refer to the struggle to end the
Israeli occupation of Palestine.  Some interpret this as aiming for an
independent Palestine alongside Israel, while others interpret it as
aiming to eliminate Israel and take over its territory, a goal I do
not support.
</p>
<p>
As I'm told, "jihad" in this general context could mean fighting, or
it could mean nonviolent protests such as Palestinians in the West
Bank took up in the 2000s.  Which one it means would depend on
subtleties of context which I, as a non-Arabic-speaker, do not try to
grasp.
</p>
<p>
Should people be arrested at a protest for chanting, "Struggle,
struggle, struggle"?  I don't think so, not even if they say it in
Arabic.
</p>

 


title: Bogus Johnson comment on SARS-Cov-2
uri: Bogus-Johnson-comment-on-SARS-Cov-2
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Bogus_Johnson_comment_on_SARS-Cov-2)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Bogus_Johnson_comment_on_SARS-Cov-2)

content:
 
<p>

* [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bogus-johnson">Bogus Johnson</a>] had said his party felt [SARS-Cov-2] virus was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/oct/31/boris-johnson-favoured-older-people-accepting-their-fate-covid-inquiry-hears">"nature's
    way of dealing with old people</a>."*
</p>

 


title: Campaign to make insulin affordable in the US
uri: Campaign-to-make-insulin-affordable-in-the-US
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Campaign_to_make_insulin_affordable_in_the_US)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Campaign_to_make_insulin_affordable_in_the_US)

content:
 
<p>

The documentary Pay or Die describes the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/oct/31/pay-or-die-documentary-insulin-price">campaign to make insulin
    affordable in the US</a>.
</p>
<p>
  The campaign passed a law in Minnesota to provide inexpensive
insulin to some of the people who need it.  The article is not clear;
in particular, I can't tell whether the law prevents the usual gouging
or only has the state subsidize the gouging.
</p>
<p>
If we are thinking about how to broader problem of providing all
Americans with the medical treatment they need, that detail makes a
big difference.
</p>

 


title: "Kill switch" for concerts in Malaysia
uri: Kill-switch-for-concerts-in-Malaysia
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Kill_switch_for_concerts_in_Malaysia)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Kill_switch_for_concerts_in_Malaysia)

content:
 
<p>

Malaysia will require concerts by foreign musicians to have a "kill switch"
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/01/malaysia-issues-kill-switch-order-to-cut-controversial-concerts-the-1975">shut off the performance instantly if they violate censorship rules</a>.

 


title: Chinese use Halloween to criticize the state
uri: Chinese-use-Halloween-to-criticize-the-state
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Chinese_use_Halloween_to_criticize_the_state)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Chinese_use_Halloween_to_criticize_the_state)

content:
 
<p>

Chinese people made use of Halloween costumes to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/01/halloween-costumes-in-shanghai-poke-fun-at-chinese-authorities">allude to criticism
    of the state</a>, which they are forbidden to present in more direct ways.
</p>

 


title: Conviction of Extinction Rebellion co-founder
uri: Conviction-of-Extinction-Rebellion-co-founder
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Conviction_of_Extinction_Rebellion_co-founder)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Conviction_of_Extinction_Rebellion_co-founder)

content:
 
<p>

*Extinction Rebellion co-founder <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/01/extinction-rebellion-co-founder-guilty-breaking-window-department-transport-hs2-protest-gail-bradbrook">[convicted] of breaking window at HS2
    protest</a>.*
</p>
<p>
For me, to be "guilty" and to be "convicted" are not the same thing at
all.  The former is a moral question and the latter is a judicial
question.  The article describes the result of a trial in which the
accused was forbidden to explain the issue at stake.
</p>
<p>
The issue at stake was whether to build the high-speed train line HS2.
I have never been convinced that building it was a mistake.
I have never seen a convincing explanation of why high-speed train lines
were not useful in Britain given how useful they are in France and Spain.
</p>

 


title: Countries poised to do little at Cop28
uri: Countries-poised-to-do-little-at-Cop28
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Countries_poised_to_do_little_at_Cop28)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Countries_poised_to_do_little_at_Cop28)

content:
 
<p>

*In 2023 we've seen climate destruction in real time, yet rich countries are
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/01/climate-destruction-rich-countries-cop28">poised to do little at Cop28</a>.*
</p>

 


title: US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
uri: US-Dietary-Guidelines-Advisory-Committee
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(US_Dietary_Guidelines_Advisory_Committee)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(US_Dietary_Guidelines_Advisory_Committee)

content:
 
<p>

  The US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/oct/06/us-government-nutrition-panel-report">consists of 20 people</a>.
9 of them have links to agribusiness, pharma companies and other companies
whose products that committee will recommend for or against,
</p>
<p>
I'd expect the members of that committee need to come from academic
research.  I'd also expect that the same companies sponsor nearly all
the research, so that there is hardly anyone qualified to be on the
panel who is not under their influence.
</p>

 


title: Registrations of 26,000 voters cancelled in Ohio
uri: Registrations-of-26-000-voters-cancelled-in-Ohio
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Registrations_of_26,000_voters_cancelled_in_Ohio)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Registrations_of_26,000_voters_cancelled_in_Ohio)

content:
 
<p>

The Ohio secretary of state, who is an anti-abortion crusader, did
"voter list maintenance" just before the election and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/03/ohio-republican-election-secretary-of-state-voter-purge">cancelled the
    registrations of 26,000 people</a>.
What a shame it will be if this enables them to defeat the abortion
rights referendum.
</p>
<p>
  Republicans are also <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/03/ohio-abortion-vote-misinformation-warning">spreading false information about the referendum</a>.
  Some of it is easy to ignore, since it is labeled as coming from
Republicans.  But Republican voters who support abortion rights (many do)
might be influenced by it.
</p>
<p>
Cheating is the Republican Party's standard method of "winning" an election.
A Republican scoundrel like this one will feel no embarrassment when exposed
for cheating.  The only thing they care about is when a court thwarts them.
</p>

 


title: Sea lice overwhelmed Icelandic fish farm
uri: Sea-lice-overwhelmed-Icelandic-fish-farm
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Sea_lice_overwhelmed_Icelandic_fish_farm)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Sea_lice_overwhelmed_Icelandic_fish_farm)

content:
 
<p>

  Sea lice have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/03/sea-lice-outbreak-icelandic-salmon-farm-welfare-disaster-footage-shows">overwhelmed an Icelandic fish farm</a>, infesting a million fish,
which had to be slaughtered right away.
</p>

 


title: Scarlett Johansson sues over transformed image
uri: Scarlett-Johansson-sues-over-transformed-image
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Scarlett_Johansson_sues_over_transformed_image)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Scarlett_Johansson_sues_over_transformed_image)

content:
 
<p>

  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/nov/01/scarlett-johansson-artificial-intelligence-ad">Scarlett Johansson has sued over use</a> of a transformed image of her,
generated by software.
</p>
<p>
The article calls the software "AI", but I think that is a mistaken
way to describe it.  I expect it was a "generative" language model,
and what they do <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#ArtificialIntelligence">should not be called "intelligence"</a>.
</p>
<p>
On the substantive issue, I agree with Ms Johansson.  The software did
not merely analyze the style of that image; it went on to make a
modified version of the image itself, which was then published.  That
is something we would agree is "using her image".
</p>

 


title: Ten reasons to fight cashless contagion
uri: Ten-reasons-to-fight-cashless-contagion
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Ten_reasons_to_fight_cashless_contagion)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_November_2023_(Ten_reasons_to_fight_cashless_contagion)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://brettscott.substack.com/p/10-reasons-to-fight-cashless-society">10 reasons to fight cashless contagion.</a>*
</p>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Iranian_mother_jailed)
title: Iranian mother jailed
uri: Iranian-mother-jailed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Iranian_mother_jailed)
content:
 
<p>

  *Iranian mother <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/02/iran-mother-mahsa-yazdani-jailed-13-years-after-denouncing-death-of-son-shot-at-protest">jailed for 13 years</a> after denouncing death of son shot
at protest.*
</p>

 


title: Opportunity to express dissatisfaction with Chairman Xi
uri: Opportunity-to-express-dissatisfaction-with-Chairman-Xi
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Opportunity_to_express_dissatisfaction_with_Chairman_Xi)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Opportunity_to_express_dissatisfaction_with_Chairman_Xi)

content:
 
<p>

Chinese people are using the funeral of former leader Li Keqiang as an
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/02/li-keqiang-funeral-in-china-brings-out-crowds-despite-suppression-effort">opportunity to express dissatisfaction with Chairman Xi</a>.
</p>

 


title: UK was not prepared for 2020 pandemic
uri: UK-was-not-prepared-for-2020-pandemic
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(UK_was_not_prepared_for_2020_pandemic)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(UK_was_not_prepared_for_2020_pandemic)

content:
 
<p>

At the start of 2020 the UK government had <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/02/covid-inquiry-more-than-just-few-bad-apples-state-unprepared-pandemic">no plans and no
    preparations</a> for how it would deal with a respiratory epidemic.  But
this was but one example of a general systematic incompetence.
</p>
<p>
Just about every part of the system that would be stressed by
Covid-19, or needed to deal with Covid-19, was in tatters.  But that
was not coincidence.  It resulted from a general inability to
rationally address public needs and spend the needed funds to do it.
</p>
<p>
Labour won't be able to do better unless it is prepared to spend
enough to make the NHS work well and likewise other services needed
for dealing with an epidemic.  To do that, it needs money to spend.
It needs to make the rich pay their fair share in taxes.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Chimp_reconnaissance)
title: Chimp reconnaissance
uri: Chimp-reconnaissance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Chimp_reconnaissance)
content:
 
<p>

Scientists have recorded that chimps <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/nov/02/chimps-use-military-style-tactics-to-gain-advantage-on-rivals-study-reveals">climb hills to observe the
    numbers and location of rival groups</a> of chimps.
</p>

 


title: (satire) Fired for having food in their system
uri: (satire)-Fired-for-having-food-in-their-system
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_((satire)_Fired_for_having_food_in_their_system)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_((satire)_Fired_for_having_food_in_their_system)

content:
 
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/amazon-fires-employee-who-tested-positive-for-having-fo-1850964434">Amazon Fires Employee Who Tested Positive For Having Food In
    Their System.</a>*
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_((satire)_Coyote_in_Tyson's_coop)
title: (satire) Coyote in Tyson's coop
uri: (satire)-Coyote-in-Tyson-s-coop
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_((satire)_Coyote_in_Tyson's_coop)
content:
 
<p>

  (satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/tyson-files-for-bankruptcy-after-dang-coyote-gets-into-1850971475">Tyson Files For Bankruptcy After Dang Coyote Gets Into Coop Again.</a>*
</p>

 


title: Law prohibiting lawsuits against pesticide companies
uri: Law-prohibiting-lawsuits-against-pesticide-companies
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Law_prohibiting_lawsuits_against_pesticide_companies)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Law_prohibiting_lawsuits_against_pesticide_companies)

content:
 
<p>

Pesticide lobbies are pushing a federal law to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/03/pesticide-regulation-cancer-bayer-roundup-law-legislation">prohibit lawsuits by the public
    against pesticide companies</a> alleging they were poisoned by toxic pesticides.
</p>

 


title: French museum exhibit about Genghis Khan
uri: French-museum-exhibit-about-Genghis-Khan
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(French_museum_exhibit_about_Genghis_Khan)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(French_museum_exhibit_about_Genghis_Khan)

content:
 
<p>

A French museum exhibit about Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/03/blockbuster-show-on-genghis-khan-opens-in-france-after-row-with-china">rejected cooperation with China</a> on account of the censorship and
propaganda demands China made.  It has now gone ahead with the
cooperation of Mongolia instead of China.
</p>

 


title: UK scientific advisors on Covid plans
uri: UK-scientific-advisors-on-Covid-plans
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(UK_scientific_advisors_on_Covid_plans)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(UK_scientific_advisors_on_Covid_plans)

content:
 
<p>

The UK's official government science advisors could tell ministers that their
plans for dealing with Covid-19 were absurd, but they were <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/03/scientific-advisers-covid-inquiry-chris-whitty-scientists">not allowed to tell
    the public this</a> &mdash; and they were used to give an air of scientific legitimacy
to the absurd plans.
</p>
<p>
I think that science officials in the US are more independent than in
the UK, and that this problem is less here.  But it must have been
difficult for an official who is in principle allowed to state per own
views to the public to disagree publicly with <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bully">the bully</a> when that last
was president.
</p>

 


title: LNG facility predicted to endanger humpback whales
uri: LNG-facility-predicted-to-endanger-humpback-whales
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(LNG_facility_predicted_to_endanger_humpback_whales)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(LNG_facility_predicted_to_endanger_humpback_whales)

content:
 
<p>

A new LNG export facility for Canada's Pacific coast is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/07/how-a-huge-new-lng-plant-spells-dire-trouble-for-whales-off-canadas-coast">predicted to
    endanger humpback whales</a> with the number of collisions that they would
suffer with ships transporting the fossil gas.
  This is not to mention that exporting the gas would drive us faster
into climate disaster, when what we need to do is put the engines into
"full reverse".
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Snow_White_remake)
title: Snow White remake
uri: Snow-White-remake
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Snow_White_remake)
content:
 
<p>

Disney has a plan to remake Snow White with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/nov/03/snow-white-and-the-depressing-culture-war-over-disney-woke-remake">drastic changes to give it
    a woke moral</a>.
</p>
<p>
I have no particular esteem or attachment for the story of Snow White.
I am sure I saw the old Disney cartoon once when I was a child but I doubt
I would ever watch it again.  If it disappeared, I would not miss it.
</p>
<p>
But it makes no sense to alter an old story in the drastic way that
appears to be proposed (assuming it is a real plan, not trolling).
Projects to confront real issues, by situating them in old stories
that disregarded them, can result in interesting reading.  But this
project does nothing like that.  It would restage Snow White in a
totally unrealistic woke world of the past, one that wasn't even
imagined back then.
</p>
<p>
The book, <em>Catherine Called Birdy</em>, was a bit of a stretch for
plausibility for a young noblewoman in the 13th century, but not
utterly unimaginable, and that made it fun.  The movie made from that
book went far beyond credibility &mdash; it became propaganda to inculcate
an openly defiant form of feminism, an attitude that exists today but
was not even imagined back then.
</p>
<p>
Indeed, the only reason I can see for someone to want to stage Snow
White in a woke world that never existed is the goal that <em>all</em>
stories (for children, at least) must support a certain ideological
position.  That project seems like brainwashing to me.
</p>
<p>
The article I linked to participates in the campaign to eliminate each
word that means a person with certain characteristics or in a certain
role, and replace it with a phrase that contains the word "people"
together with modifiers.
</p>
<p>
The motivations for some of these proposed changes to English are
well-meaning, but I doubt that they would improve society in the ways
that their proponents claim.  Meanwhile, they would mutilate English.
I've decided not to go along with this campaign.  I will continue
using the <a href="../antiglossary.html#enslaved person">nouns</a>.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(New_imitation_vintage_clothing)
title: New imitation "vintage clothing"
uri: New-imitation-vintage-clothing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(New_imitation_vintage_clothing)
content:
 
<p>

  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2023/nov/04/its-scarily-good-vintage-clothing-market-is-flooded-with-fakes">New imitation "vintage clothing" is being made and sold</a>.  Is there
anything wrong with this?
</p>
<p>
In my opinion, there is nothing bad about it.  If people want clothing in
a style that was made a few decades ago, why shouldn't people get it?
</p>
<p>
Pretending that newly made similar clothes are old is a false
pretense, but that matters only if the people buying those old-styled
clothes make a fuss about whether they are "genuine old".  Why should
that matter to anyone?  There is no reason to pay attention to it.
Some people may try to profit because other people pay inordinate
attention to the difference between "genuine old" clothes and new
imitations, but is no reason to care whether they succeed in profiting
from that.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Arguing_purpose_of_job_interviews)
title: Arguing purpose of job interviews
uri: Arguing-purpose-of-job-interviews
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Arguing_purpose_of_job_interviews)
content:
 
<p>

Arguing that interviews with job candidates <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/04/if-chatbots-can-ace-job-interviews-for-us-maybe-its-time-to-scrap-this-ordeal">obtain nearly no real
    information</a> about the candidates &mdash; rather they act as a Rorschach test
for the interviewers, while giving them an opportunity for them to
convert their biases into an appearance of real information.
</p>
<p>
  People like me, who reject <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/who-does-that-server-really-serve.html">SaaSS</a>
and therefore will not use today's language
model generative systems, will however be put to a real test on which we
don't have a chance to cheat.
</p>

 


title: A Briton added to sex offender list
uri: A-Briton-added-to-sex-offender-list
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(A_Briton_added_to_sex_offender_list)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(A_Briton_added_to_sex_offender_list)

content:
 
<p>

  A Briton has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/03/somerset-gimp-suit-man-banned-wearing-writhing-ground">put on the sex offender list</a> for
dressing up in all-covering black costume with a full-face mask
and lying down to "writhe" on the ground.
</p>
<p>
The court ordered him not to own such a costume, and not to own a mask
that covers even part of the face, on pain of imprisonment.  Does this
sentence him to Covid-19?
</p>
<p>
This decision seems to say that the bounds of crime are defined by
other people's imagination.  It cannot be just to imprison anyone on
grounds that other people can so easily twist.
</p>
<p>
Simply being put on the sex offender list might directly render the
convicted man unemployed and/or homeless.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Changing_a_model's_skin_color)
title: Changing a model's skin color
uri: Changing-a-model-s-skin-color
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Changing_a_model's_skin_color)
content:
 
<p>

  If any model's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/nov/04/fashion-model-ai-image-tiktok">skin color could be altered at will in photos</a>,
would that be unfair to non-white models, or would it eliminate
one of the sources and mechanisms of prejudice?
</p>
<p>
I don't know the answer, but I think it is a question that calls for
an answer supported by careful thought, evidence, and reasons.
</p>

 


title: Tory minister says homelessness is a "choice"
uri: Tory-minister-says-homelessness-is-a-choice
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Tory_minister_says_homelessness_is_a_choice)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Tory_minister_says_homelessness_is_a_choice)

content:
 
<p>

The Tory minister in charge of how homeless people are treated
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/nov/04/suella-braverman-says-rough-sleeping-is-lifestyle-choice">claims that homelessness is a "choice"</a>.
</p>
<p>
That is not true in Britain today &mdash; the forms of state aid and
support that helped prevent homelessness have been cut so much that
many people are destitute.
</p>

 


title: Politicians who delay climate action
uri: Politicians-who-delay-climate-action
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Politicians_who_delay_climate_action)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Politicians_who_delay_climate_action)

content:
 
<p>

  *Politicians who delay climate action <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/04/politicians-who-delay-climate-action-must-live-with-consequences-says-who-expert">must live with consequences</a>,
 says [doctor in charge of environmental health at WHO].*
</p>
<p>
It should not come as a surprise that this is so, but it is good to
see it stated openly.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(School_in_Jerusalem_wins_award)
title: School in Jerusalem wins award
uri: School-in-Jerusalem-wins-award
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(School_in_Jerusalem_wins_award)
content:
 
<p>

*Integrated [and bilingual] Jewish-Arab school in Jerusalem <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/04/integrated-jewish-arab-school-in-jerusalem-wins-award-for-overcoming-adversity">wins award
    for overcoming adversity</a>.*
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Climate_model_advances)
title: Climate model advances
uri: Climate-model-advances
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Climate_model_advances)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/02/heating-faster-climate-change-greenhouse-james-hansen">James Hansen</a>
says that scientists have hitherto underestimated the
Earth's climate sensitivity, so <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> in coming years will
exceed the current predictions of climate models.
<p>
In particular, we will reach 1.5°C of heating in a few years
and 2°C of heating by 2050.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Israel's_war_splits_US_Democrats)
title: Israel's war splits US Democrats
uri: Israel-s-war-splits-US-Democrats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Israel's_war_splits_US_Democrats)
content:
 
<p>
Rashida Tlaib
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/04/rashida-tlaib-video-biden-palestine-biden">accuses Biden of supporting</a>
"the genocide of the Palestinian people."
I think that is somewhat of an exaggeration &mdash; Israel is indeed committing
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#29_October_2023_(Civilian_casualty_figures_for_Gaza)">mass murder of noncombatants</a>
Palestinians, but that is not the same thing as genocide.
<p>
The difference is clear enough, but even though I disagree with Tlaib
on this point, I still support her politically.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Labour_and_a_Palestinian_state)
title: Labour and a Palestinian state
uri: Labour-and-a-Palestinian-state
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Labour_and_a_Palestinian_state)
content:
 
<p>
Labour makes a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/04/labour-will-work-for-a-palestinian-state">commitment to push</a>
for a Palestinian state.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(HAMAS%26ndash;IDF_tactical)
title: HAMAS&ndash;IDF tactical
uri: HAMAS-IDF-tactical
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(HAMAS%26ndash;IDF_tactical)
content:
 
<p>
Privately, Israeli officials recognize that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/04/as-their-soldiers-fight-hand-to-hand-in-gaza-israelis-wonder-about-the-endgame">there is no obvious way</a>
Israel can destroy HAMAS.  And no obvious way to free the hostages except to trade for them.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Waterborne_illness,_GAZA)
title: Waterborne illness, GAZA
uri: Waterborne-illness-GAZA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Waterborne_illness,_GAZA)
content:
 
<p>
*Polluted water supplies and salty groundwater are making people [in
Gaza] ill, with UN warning of threat of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/04/lack-of-clean-drinking-water-for-95-of-people-in-gaza-threatens-health-crisis">child deaths from dehydration</a>.*

<p>
 


title: Palestinian state versions and visions
uri: Palestinian-state-versions-and-visions
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Palestinian_state_versions_and_visions)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Palestinian_state_versions_and_visions)

content:
 
<p>
Difficulties
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/04/israel-palestine-is-the-two-state-solution-the-answer-to-the-crisis">that must be</a>
overcome to set up two states in Israel/Palestine.
<p>
One big obstacle is HAMAS.  Another is the Israeli violent nationalist/racist right wing.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(HAMAS'_strategy)
title: HAMAS' strategy
uri: HAMAS-strategy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(HAMAS'_strategy)
content:
 
<p>
Netanyahu says that as long as HAMAS continues to hold over 200 hostages,
he
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/03/full-force-offensive-in-gaza-will-carry-on-till-hostages-freed-says-netanyahu">will continue</a>
holding over 2 million hostages (the population of Gaza).
<p>
Meanwhile, he will continue the attacks that kill some of both groups of hostages.
<p>
*Pleas to end the suffering in Gaza are growing louder, but
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/02/gaza-ceasefire-israel-hamas">neither side</a>
actually wants a ceasefire.*
<p>
In Gaza, both sides are committing war crimes.  Even if they both
prefer to continue them, the rest of the world should insist they
stop.  Israel, in particular, can fight HAMAS if it wants to
but only if it avoids committing war crimes.
<p>
Note how this situation differs from the war in Ukraine.  Putin orders
the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#putinforces">Putin forces</a> to commit unceasing war crimes, but Ukraine doesn't
retaliate in kind.  Putin is committing aggression but Ukraine is not.
<p>
Thus, Ukraine is entitled to keep fighting to recover the territory
that the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#putinforces">Putin forces</a> have seized, but the Putin forces are not
entitled to continue their war of aggression or their war crimes.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Russia's_war_with_West)
title: Russia's war with West
uri: Russia-s-war-with-West
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Russia's_war_with_West)
content:
 
<p>
*Continued support for Ukraine will
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/04/continued-support-for-ukraine-will-cost-the-west-less-than-letting-putin-win">cost the west less</a>
than letting Putin win.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Palestinians_are_not_HAMAS)
title: Palestinians as not "HAMAS"
uri: Palestinians-as-not-HAMAS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(Palestinians_are_not_HAMAS)
content:
 
<p>
*Bernie Sanders calls for end to Israeli [air] strikes and killing of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/05/bernie-sanders-israeli-hamas-war">thousands [of Gazans]</a>.*
<p>
He explicitly said that aid for Israel should be conditioned on ending
the bombardments that kill civilians.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(HAMAS_as_not_resistance)
title: HAMAS as not "resistance"
uri: HAMAS-as-not-resistance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_November_2023_(HAMAS_as_not_resistance)
content:
 
<p>
HAMAS and Israel have given themselves over to heartless vengeance;
Palestinians and Israelis
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/05/in-middle-east-as-in-greek-tragedy-justice-must-prevail-over-moral-absolutism">should instead aim</a>
for the wisdom to bring
about justice.
<p>
The author follows Aeschylus by using the Greek Furies to stand for
heartless vengeance, and Athena to stand for wisdom and justice.  But
I think that where Israelis that serve vengeance get that idea is from
the Hebrew Bible, which describes acts of genocide without a qualm.

 


title: The insurrectionist and Putin attack truth
uri: The-insurrectionist-and-Putin-attack-truth
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(The_insurrectionist_and_Putin_attack_truth)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(The_insurrectionist_and_Putin_attack_truth)

content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">The insurrectionist</a> in the US, and Putin in Russia, attack Truth in
the same way.  However, Putin <a href="https://politicalviolenceataglance.org/2022/03/22/putins-aspiration-to-control-reality/">adds censorship to disinformation</a>
and uses the two together.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Benefits owed to drivers by Guber and Lyft
uri: Benefits-owed-to-drivers-by-Guber-and-Lyft
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Benefits_owed_to_drivers_by_Guber_and_Lyft)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Benefits_owed_to_drivers_by_Guber_and_Lyft)

content:
 
<p>

  Unionized drivers in NYC <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/02/uber-lyft-settlement-new-york-driver-lawsuit">compelled Guber and Lyft to pay benefits</a> that they
owed the drivers under state law, including sick pay.
</p>
<p>
I celebrate this victory for the drivers, but remember that both of
those companies continue exploiting drivers in large parts of the US,
and in other countries.  And that's not to mention their injustice to
the <em>customers</em>: making them <a href="/uber.html">run nonfree software</a>, and <a href="/lyft.html">identify
    themselves to be tracked</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Broad_definition_of_extremism)
title: Broad definition of extremism
uri: Broad-definition-of-extremism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Broad_definition_of_extremism)
content:
 
<p>

* [UK] Government officials have drawn up deeply controversial
proposals to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/04/plans-to-redefine-extremism-would-include-undermining-uk-values">broaden the definition of extremism</a> to include anyone
   who “undermines” the [UK]’s institutions and its values.*
</p>
<p>
If this is applied to protesters, it would be a tool for repression.
However, it might do some good if applied to Tories.  Would Bogus
Johnson qualify as "undermining", perhaps?  How about various current
Tory ministers?
</p>
</li>

 


title: Tracking cell phone movement in Australia
uri: Tracking-cell-phone-movement-in-Australia
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Tracking_cell_phone_movement_in_Australia)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Tracking_cell_phone_movement_in_Australia)

content:
 
<p>
The Australian government uses an American company which keeps a big
database to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/06/home-affairs-locate-x-paying-mobile-phone-tracking-tool">search and track the movements of cell phones in Australia</a>.
</p>
<p>
The company builds its phone locations database by buying location
data accumulated by various apps.  I'd say it should be a crime for
apps to report the phone's location.  But that won't be enough to stop
the snooping.
</p>
<p>
If the software on the phone were free/libre, the users could make sure
the apps can't get the location.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Tax raise on landlords if rents go up
uri: Tax-raise-on-landlords-if-rents-go-up
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Tax_raise_on_landlords_if_rents_go_up)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Tax_raise_on_landlords_if_rents_go_up)

content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/06/greens-brisbane-city-council-battle-landlords-rent-prices-freeze">Greens threaten Brisbane landlords with huge [tax] rises if they
    increase rents .</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Don't believe rich will do the right thing
uri: Don-t-believe-rich-will-do-the-right-thing
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Don't_believe_rich_will_do_the_right_thing)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Don't_believe_rich_will_do_the_right_thing)

content:
 
<p>

*It’s easy to be dazzled by the super-rich, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/05/sam-bankman-fried-elon-musk-rish-sunak-silicon-valley-spell">don’t believe that
    they’ll do the right thing</a>.*
</p>
<p>
I would suggest that on certain issues &mdash; for instance, climate
defense, and reducing the inequality of wealth &mdash; they are almost
certain to do evil, when it comes to their businesses.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Senator Tuberville blocking reassignments of generals in military
uri: Senator-Tuberville-blocking-reassignments-of-generals-in-military
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Senator_Tuberville_blocking_reassignments_of_generals_in_military)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Senator_Tuberville_blocking_reassignments_of_generals_in_military)

content:
 
<p>

Senator Tuberville is blocking all reassignments of generals in the US
military, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/07/tommy-tuberville-trump-military-holds">as a blackmail campaign</a> demanding that the military stop helping
servicewomen travel to get an abortion.
</p>
<p>
This is the Republican Way: take hostages, whatever you can grab, and
threaten them in order to impose (1) your prejudices and (2) your
power on the whole US.
</p>
<p>
  The new speaker of the House is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#21_September_2023_(Urgent:_Reject_Republican_plans_to_cut_Medicaid,_Medicare,_and_Social_Security)">following the same approach</a>, but he has a bigger hostage &mdash; the operation of most of the US government &mdash; and is making a bigger demand &mdash; to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
</p>
<p>
Both are following the general principles of the Republican Party.
That party has tried to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives//2021-sep-dec.html#20_November_2021_(Gerrymandering">rig elections</a> for <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#11_November_2014_(Voter_Suppression">decades</a>;
the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives//2021-nov-feb.html#8_January_2022_(Insurrection)">insurrectionist has led it</a> to try to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#3_August_2023_(trump_fraud_elections_2020)">steal elections after the
    fact</a> as well.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Compassion,_not_cruelty)
title: Compassion, not cruelty
uri: Compassion-not-cruelty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Compassion,_not_cruelty)
content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/07/rough-sleeping-milton-keynes-rehousing-suella-braverman">Compassion, not cruelty, is the answer to rough sleeping</a> &mdash; we have
the proof in Milton Keynes.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Junk food advertisers using antisocial media
uri: Junk-food-advertisers-using-antisocial-media
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Junk_food_advertisers_using_antisocial_media)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Junk_food_advertisers_using_antisocial_media)

content:
 
<p>

Junk food advertisers using antisocial media now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/07/junk-food-brands-target-children-social-media-data-who-prof-teresa-davis">lure children on-line
    into working for the advertising campaign themselves</a>, by "building a
relationship" with individual children.
</p>
<p>
If a child believes this relationship involves real concern about per
on the company's part, that is an abusive relationship.  Society should
not allow that sort of abuse.
</p>
<p>
When the media says "children", we often don't know how old those
people really are.  Often some of the "children" are really
adolescents.  In this case, I don't think that alters the conclusion.
Manipulation like this is done to adolescents, and it is done to
adults &mdash; it's abusive and wrong regardless of the victim's age.
</p>
<p>
If "building a relationship" with a victim requires an employee's
time, the number of victims a company can do this to will be limited.
But using a chatbot to talk with each victim would enable the company
to use any number of victims in parallel.
</p>
</li>

 


title: China charging penalties to poor countries
uri: China-charging-penalties-to-poor-countries
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(China_charging_penalties_to_poor_countries)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(China_charging_penalties_to_poor_countries)

content:
 
<p>

  China is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/06/china-worlds-biggest-debt-collector-as-poorer-nations-struggle-with-its-loans">charging penalties to many poor countries</a> that can't
pay back what China lent them a few years ago.
</p>
<p>
  This makes me think of what the US, and the IMF, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives//2021-jul-oct.html#7_October_2021_(Borrowing_from_IMF)">have done to poor countries</a>.
  Will China be worse, or better, as a creditor?
</p>
</li>

 


title: Cruise knew of self-driving car problems
uri: Cruise-knew-of-self-driving-car-problems
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Cruise_knew_of_self-driving_car_problems)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Cruise_knew_of_self-driving_car_problems)

content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/11/06/cruise-self-driving-cars-children/">Cruise Knew Its Self-Driving Cars Had Problems Recognizing Children &mdash;
    and Kept Them on the Streets.</a>*
</p>
<p>
I expect that the technology for driverless cars will eventually be
perfected so that it drives properly.  Especially if governments don't
permit them to drive on the street until that is achieved.
</p>
<p>
But that doesn't imply that these cars will not be designed to injure
people in ways other than flaws in driving &mdash; such as snooping,
tracking, and seizing people.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Fee_to_store_fertilized_embryos)
title: Fee to store fertilized embryos
uri: Fee-to-store-fertilized-embryos
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Fee_to_store_fertilized_embryos)
content:
 
<p>

Some British would-be parents <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/nov/07/fertility-patients-uk-unable-to-keep-stored-embryos-cost-of-living-crisis">can't afford the fee to maintain and store
    fertilized embryos</a> they have made.
</p>
<p>
It is unfair to lure patients into paying many thousands for fertility
treatments only to find that additional junk fees make their purchase a
waste.  These services should quote a full, inclusive price at the
outset, so that patients won't start unless they can afford to finish.
</p>
<p>
Perhaps that full price should include the cost of gestating the
embryos and raising the resulting child.  That way, a patient won't start
to pay the price unless she can count on being able to get to the end.
</p>
</li>

 


title: UK looking to ban march in support of Palestine
uri: UK-looking-to-ban-march-in-support-of-Palestine
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(UK_looking_to_ban_march_in_support_of_Palestine)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(UK_looking_to_ban_march_in_support_of_Palestine)

content:
 
<p>

  The UK government is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/07/justice-secretary-alex-chalk-calls-for-armistice-day-pro-palestine-march-to-be-postponed">groping for an excuse to ban a march</a> in London in support of Palestine and Palestinians.
</p>
<p>
Instead of overtly banning the march, the justice minister called on
the organizers to cede to the recommendation of the cops, whose
recommendation is (naturally) to cancel it.  The difference is so subtle
that I don't see it makes any difference.
</p>
<p>
The reason given is that the route of the march goes near a memorial
to Britons who died in World War I, where others will meet on that day
for mourning.  However, it seems that the march stays two miles away
from that place.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Trudeau talks of backing down on heating oil tax
uri: Trudeau-talks-of-backing-down-on-heating-oil-tax
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Trudeau_talks_of_backing_down_on_heating_oil_tax)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(Trudeau_talks_of_backing_down_on_heating_oil_tax)

content:
 
<p>

  Trudeau is talking about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/07/canada-trudeau-carbon-tax-pause-climate-policy">chickening out on the proposed tax on heating oil</a>,
which is meant to lead Canada away from using fossil fuel for heating.
</p>
<p>
People need help in paying for heating their homes, but canceling tax
incentives to avoid destroying civilization is the wrong way to do it.
A better way is to give people a subsidy to help them pay the cot of
heating.
</p>
<p>
The crucial point is that people should be allowed to use the subsidy
for anything.  So if they make heating cheaper, they can use some of that
money for other things.
</p>
<p>
That subsidy system will help poor people afford heating, but still
give them (and everyone else) an incentive to invest in doing the job
more efficiently.
</p>
</li>

 


title: EU watering down car pollution rules
uri: EU-watering-down-car-pollution-rules
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(EU_watering_down_car_pollution_rules)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_November_2023_(EU_watering_down_car_pollution_rules)

content:
 
<p>

  *EU poised to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/07/eu-poised-to-water-down-new-car-pollution-rules-after-industry-lobbying">water down new car pollution rules</a> after industry
 lobbying.*
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: defend the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
uri: Urgent-defend-the-Consumer-Financial-Protection-Bureau
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Urgent:_defend_the_Consumer_Financial_Protection_Bureau)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Urgent:_defend_the_Consumer_Financial_Protection_Bureau)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritter and your two senators
and tell them to reject <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#scrotus">SCROTUS's</a> latest plans to ruin the CFPB:
<ul>
<li>The CFPB Restructuring Rider, which would strip authority at the   
  agency from its independent director and hand it over to a   
  five-member commission, two of whom “must have private sector   
  experience in the provision of consumer financial products and   
  services.” (In other words … your henhouse security team must   
  have at least 40% foxes.)    
<li>The Small Business Lending Rider would prevent the CFPB from   
  even collecting data on lending to women and minority-owned   
  businesses to ensure fair lending practices. (Because if there’s   
  no data on the problem, they can pretend it doesn’t exist.)    
</ul>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Protect the Right of Organizing
uri: Urgent-Protect-the-Right-of-Organizing
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Urgent:_Protect_the_Right_of_Organizing)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Urgent:_Protect_the_Right_of_Organizing)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/demand-congress-show-up-for-workers-and-pass-the-pro-act-today?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-take-action-demand-congress-show-up-for-workers-and-pass-the-pro-act">call on Congress</a>
to stand with workers and pass the PRO Act.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Urgent:_Ceasefire_in_Gaza)
title: Urgent: Ceasefire in Gaza
uri: Urgent-Ceasefire-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Urgent:_Ceasefire_in_Gaza)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-congress-we-demand-a-ceasefire-now?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-we-demand-a-ceasefire-now">call on Congress</a>
to pass the Gaza Ceasefire resolution.
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: convert to renewable energy
uri: Urgent-convert-to-renewable-energy
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Urgent:_convert_to_renewable_energy)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Urgent:_convert_to_renewable_energy)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: Call for
<a href="https://act.350.org/sign/nov-23-em-us-renewable-energy-now/">fast conversion to renewable energy</a>
so as to reduce <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> disaster.
<p>
The petition lists sensible specific goals, but also a simplistic
slogan which is exaggerated.  I think the sensible specific goals are the petition's real point.

<p>
 


title: Diplomatic stir, US State Dept
uri: Diplomatic-stir-US-State-Dept
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Diplomatic_stir,_dissent_in_US_State_Dept)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Diplomatic_stir,_dissent_in_US_State_Dept)

content:
 
<p>
US diplomats at the State Department filed an
<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/06/u-s-diplomats-slam-israel-policy-in-leaked-memo-00125538">internal "dissent"</a>
memo criticizing the US diplomatic stance on the war in Gaza.  The memo called for the US
to call for a cease fire and criticize Israel's actions which constitute war crimes.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Atrocities_as_policy,_ISR)
title: Atrocities as policy, ISR
uri: Atrocities-as-policy-ISR
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Atrocities_as_policy,_ISR)
content:
 
<p>
Israeli officials have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/24/israel-gaza-world-leaders-un-genocide-palestinians">explicitly stated that they plan</a>
mass murder, mass hunger, mass thirst and mass sickness in Gaza.  And annexation.
<p>
None of those is a part of legitimate self-defense against HAMAS.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Two-states,_no_Netanyahu)
title: Two-states, no Netanyahu
uri: Two-states-no-Netanyahu
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Two-states,_no_Netanyahu)
content:
 
<p>
*The two-state solution has been a diplomatic failure, [thus far].  It's
also still the best
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/06/peace-israel-palestinians-joe-biden-benjamin-netanyahu-two-state-solution">answer we’ve got</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Inside_Gaza)
title: Inside Gaza
uri: Inside-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Inside_Gaza)
content:
 
<p>
*UN-run shelters in Gaza are so crowded that it is
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/06/conditions-worsen-in-gaza-shelters-there-are-lots-of-diseases-now">impossible to
count the people</a>
needing food, water, medicine and other basics, administrators say.*

<p>
 


title: Ceasefire demands, Statue of Liberty
uri: Ceasefire-demands-Statue-of-Liberty
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Ceasefire_demands,_Statue_of_Liberty)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Ceasefire_demands,_Statue_of_Liberty)

content:
 
<p>
*<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/500-jewish-new-yorkers-take-over-statue-of-liberty-demanding-a-ceasefire">500 Jewish New Yorkers</a>
take over Statue of Liberty demanding a ceasefire.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Pro-palestinian_rallies,_US)
title: Pro-Palestinian rallies, US
uri: Pro-Palestinian-rallies-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Pro-palestinian_rallies,_US)
content:
 
<p>
*Protesters [organized by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/06/statue-of-liberty-protest-gaza-ceasefire">Jewish Voice for Peace</a>]
stage sit-in demanding ceasefire in Gaza at Statue of Liberty.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Myanmar_military_losses)
title: Myanmar military losses
uri: Myanmar-military-losses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Myanmar_military_losses)
content:
 
<p>
A
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/07/myanmar-junta-facing-biggest-challenge-yet-after-new-offensive-by-armed-groups-analysts-say">rebel alliance in Burma</a>
has made substantial military progress
against the military rulers.
<p>
The military rulers get support from China, which makes western
sanctions against them ineffective.  But they have failed to satisfy
China's demand to crack down on swindling and cheating of Chinese by
people in Burma.  The rebels say they will do it.  If they can win
China's cooperation, the military government might fall.
<p>
I do wonder whether China can corrupt the rebels, so that their
victory would not make things much better.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Prisons_restricting_reading)
title: Prisons restricting reading
uri: Prisons-restricting-reading
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Prisons_restricting_reading)
content:
 
<p>
Prisons in the US increasingly
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/07/us-prison-books-magazines-ban-high-rate">censor the books and magazines</a>
mailed to prisoners, often for trivial reasons.
<p>
They often don't bother to tell the prisoners what they have have blocked or why.

<p>
 


title: Natural consequences of Palestinian damages
uri: Natural-consequences-of-Palestinian-damages
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Natural_consequences_of_Palestinian_damages)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Natural_consequences_of_Palestinian_damages)

content:
 
<p>
*Israel’s
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/07/israels-attempt-to-destroy-hamas-will-breed-more-radicalisation-un-expert-says">attempt to destroy Hamas</a>
will breed more radicalization, UN expert says.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(PFAS_legislation_battles)
title: PFAS legislation battles
uri: PFAS-legislation-battles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(PFAS_legislation_battles)
content:
 
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/07/us-chemical-industry-110-million-thwart-pfas-legislation">US chemical industry</a>
likely spent $110m trying to thwart PFAS legislation, study finds.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Palestinian_human_rights)
title: Palestinian human rights
uri: Palestinian-human-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Palestinian_human_rights)
content:
 
<p>
*Is it too much to ask people to view
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/07/palestinians-human-rights-israel-gaza">Palestinians as humans</a>?
Apparently so [with some people].*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Another_14th-Ammendment_case,_MN)
title: Another 14th-Amendment case, MN
uri: Another-14th-Amendment-case-MN
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Another_14th-Ammendment_case,_MN)
content:
 
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/02/minnesota-supreme-court-case-trump-2024-ballot-eligibility">Minnesota supreme court</a>
to hear case challenging [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">the insurrectionist</a>]'s 2024 eligibility.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Corporate_ISDS_powers)
title: Corporate ISDS powers
uri: Corporate-ISDS-powers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_November_2023_(Corporate_ISDS_powers)
content:
 
<p>
*It's
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/its-time-to-exit-isds-200-labor-environment-and-other-civil-society-groups-urge-biden-to-eliminate-extreme-corporate-powers-from-existing-trade-pacts">Time to Exit ISDS</a>:
200+ Labor, Environment, and Other Civil Society Groups Urge Biden to Eliminate Extreme Corporate Powers From Existing Trade Pacts.*
<p>
A <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#isds">ISDS</a> clause, which I describe as standing for
<a href="/business-supremacy-treaties.html">"I Sue Democratic States"</a>,
subjugates all the signatory countries to the power of businesses
located in the other signatory countries.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Georgia_stretched_its_RICO_law)
title: Georgia stretched its RICO law
uri: Georgia-stretched-its-RICO-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Georgia_stretched_its_RICO_law)
content:
 
<p>

  Georgia has stretched its RICO law into <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/06/atlanta-cop-city-police-protesters-charged-rico-law">repression of "Cop City" protesters</a>.
</p>
<p>
When the federal RICO law was first adopted, and used against the
Mafia (which was its stated purpose), I read about it and concluded it
created a danger of repression because its criteria were too lax.
They were not designed to carefully allow prosecution only of
organized crime gangs, while protecting other activities such as
protest campaigns.
</p>
<p>
When a criminal law carries long sentences and can be stretched to
cover protest campaigns, it will be used against protest campaigns --
in other words, for repression.  That is now happening.  The danger of
the RICO laws is real.
</p>
<p>
A just society needs to punish extortion and protect protests.
How will we fix RICO laws to draw a line carefully between them?
</p>
</li>

 


title: Corrupter's "testimony" in civil trial
uri: Corrupter-s-testimony-in-civil-trial
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Corrupter's_testimony_in_civil_trial)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Corrupter's_testimony_in_civil_trial)

content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">The corrupter's</a> "testimony" in his civil trial for business fraud
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/06/trump-org-trial-testimony-takeaways-what-we-learned">gives few pertinent facts</a>, because it focuses on venting contempt for
the judge, the attorney general, and the idea that he should be judged
according to the laws that apply to everyone else.
</p>
<p>
With this approach he managed to "win" one presidential election, and
is trying to steal the subsequent one.  Naturally he persists in it.
Judge Engoron threatened to cut off his testimony if he persists in
giving no pertinent information.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Calls for Biden not to seek re-election
uri: Calls-for-Biden-not-to-seek-re-election
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Calls_for_Biden_not_to_seek_re-election)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Calls_for_Biden_not_to_seek_re-election)

content:
 
<p>

  *Biden faces calls <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/06/biden-trump-poll-democrats-swing-states">not to seek re-election</a> as shock poll rattles
senior Democrats.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Big Oil's methods of crushing protests
uri: Big-Oil-s-methods-of-crushing-protests
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Big_Oil's_methods_of_crushing_protests)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Big_Oil's_methods_of_crushing_protests)

content:
 
<p>

Big Oil's methods of crushing protests against pollution projects
include <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2023/11/06/new-report-reveals-big-oils-playbook-to-silence-climate-protests/">SLAPP lawsuits and laws to criminalize many kinds of protests</a>.
</p>
<p>
The companies also procure the overzealous support from <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments,
whose staff tend to be right-wing.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Global_costs_of_food_industry)
title: Global costs of food industry
uri: Global-costs-of-food-industry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Global_costs_of_food_industry)
content:
 
<p>

*Global health and environmental costs of food industry are $10tn a year – UN
</p>
<p>
  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/06/global-health-disease-environmental-costs-food-industry-10tn-dollars-a-year-un-fao">[The food industry's] "price tag"</a> of non-communicable diseases,
malnutrition, poverty and harm to planet is 10% of global GDP, says UN
food agency.*
</p>
<p>
These costs are not all the same in kind.  It might be possible to
entirely avoid the noncommercial diseases caused by harmful diets, as
well as malnutrition and poverty, at no cost by improving some aspects
of social organization.
</p>
<p>
However, diseases caused by byproducts of food production, and "harm
to planet", are a different kind of matter.  We could surely reduce
those, but we cannot assume a priori that reducing them to zero is
possible.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Hospitals trying to collect medical debt
uri: Hospitals-trying-to-collect-medical-debt
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Hospitals_trying_to_collect_medical_debt)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Hospitals_trying_to_collect_medical_debt)

content:
 
<p>

Many US hospitals try to collect medical debt by suing patients to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/06/hospitals-lawsuits-atrium-north-carolina">claim
    part of the value of their homes</a>.
  It is perfectly logical, in an economy which values profit for the rich
over the lives of everyone else.
</p>
<p>
Note how Belk's medical insurance required him to go back to the
hospital company that had sued him before.  It did not cover treatment
anywhere else.  That is a common nastiness of private medical
insurance in the US.  A national medical system would not do that.  It
also would not put patients into debt for failure to be rich.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Houses_burned_in_Berry_Creek)
title: Houses burned in Berry Creek
uri: Houses-burned-in-Berry-Creek
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Houses_burned_in_Berry_Creek)
content:
 
<p>

Berry Creek was a village of fairly poor people, which was burnt up by
a violent wildfire.  Hardly anyone there had insurance, so <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/06/california-wildfire-berry-creek-climate-crisis">now they
    don't have houses either</a>.
  There is also no longer a gas station or an elementary school.
</p>
<p>
This looks like what low-income Americans can expect in the age of
climate disaster.
</p>
<p>
Socialist policies to help poor people hit with disasters will help
for a while.  As long as the rich have plenty, taxing them will make
it possible to spare poor people from being crushed by disaster costs.
</p>
<p>
But some day society as a whole won't be able to afford the cost of
recovering from disasters, no matter how we redistribute that cost.
There will be no remedy then.
</p>
<p>
What we should have done was acted to prevent things from <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#23_September_2023_(Wildfire_VS_economic_emmissions,_CAN)">getting that
    bad</a>.  However, the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a> had the political power and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Big_Oil's_methods_of_crushing_protests)">stopped
    society from doing this</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Sacramento thugs stop car at gunpoint
uri: Sacramento-thugs-stop-car-at-gunpoint
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Sacramento_thugs_stop_car_at_gunpoint)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Sacramento_thugs_stop_car_at_gunpoint)

content:
 
<p>

Sacramento <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> stopped an 8-year-old passenger in a car, and his
mother who was driving the car, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/oct/24/boy-and-mother-held-gunpoint-police-sacramento-mistaken-identity">at gunpoint</a>.  She was terrified they
would shoot him.
</p>
<p>
It turns out they had mistaken the boy for someone else who was older
and accused of serious crimes.  Everyone makes mistakes, but this kind
of mistake creates a danger of killing someone.
</p>
<p>
I speculate that the fact that the boy and his mother are black made
incorrect recognition more likely, and led the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> to react with
fear and suspicion that could have been deadly.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Avoiding teaching history of Middle East
uri: Avoiding-teaching-history-of-Middle-East
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Avoiding_teaching_history_of_Middle_East)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Avoiding_teaching_history_of_Middle_East)

content:
 
<p>

Nearly all schools in England avoid teaching history of the Middle East, for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/nov/05/schools-in-england-block-lessons-on-middle-east-over-fears-of-bias-claims">fear of accusations of bias</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Petition published by German Jews
uri: Petition-published-by-German-Jews
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Petition_published_by_German_Jews)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Petition_published_by_German_Jews)

content:
 
<p>

German Jews published this petition <a href="https://www.nplusonemag.com/online-only/online-only/freedom-for-the-one-who-thinks-differently/">accusing the German government of
    banning almost any public indication of support for Palestinians</a>,
and almost any public criticism of Israel's violence in Gaza.
</p>
</li>

 


title: China plan to reduce methane emissions
uri: China-plan-to-reduce-methane-emissions
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(China_plan_to_reduce_methane_emissions)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(China_plan_to_reduce_methane_emissions)

content:
 
<p>

China has published a plan to reduce methane emissions, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/08/china-methane-plan-climate-agreement-us">without
    quantitative commitments</a>.
</p>
<p>
I would very much like to see how experts in the field evaluate that plan.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Rise_in_antisemitism)
title: Rise in antisemitism
uri: Rise-in-antisemitism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Rise_in_antisemitism)
content:
 
<p>

  *Rise in antisemitism <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/24/rise-in-antisemitism-brings-germans-back-to-most-horrific-times">"brings Germans back to most horrific times."</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


title: UK children who experience destitution
uri: UK-children-who-experience-destitution
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(UK_children_who_experience_destitution)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(UK_children_who_experience_destitution)

content:
 
<p>

  *More than 1 million <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/oct/24/more-than-1-million-uk-children-experienced-destitution-last-year-study-finds">UK children experienced destitution last year</a>, study
finds.
</p>
<p>
  *The Tories have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/24/tories-poverty-destitute-history-politics">created a new poverty</a> &mdash; one so deep and vicious it requires
Victorian vocabulary.*
</p>
<p>
I think the arrogant rich feel that poor people have it too good if
they don't face destitution.
</p>
<p>
The question, for Britain's near future, is whether Labour will agree
to tax the rich enough to have the funds to reverse all the aspects of
this newly imposed poverty.
</p>
</li>

 


title: London thug chief stands firm for freedom of expression
uri: London-thug-chief-stands-firm-for-freedom-of-expression
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(London_thug_chief_stands_firm_for_freedom_of_expression)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(London_thug_chief_stands_firm_for_freedom_of_expression)

content:
 
<p>

  The London <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> chief <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/07/no-grounds-to-ban-pro-palestine-march-in-london-on-armistice-day-met-believes">stood firm for freedom of expression</a>,
resisting pressure from Tory politicians who demanded he ban
a march to express support for Palestine.
</p>
<p>
Anti-semitism is a big danger, and prejudice is never a good thing.
But when governments try to protect people from anti-semitism, they
can turn into a danger to freedom of expression if they push the
boundary too far.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Violent_crime_decrease_in_2022)
title: Violent crime decrease in 2022
uri: Violent-crime-decrease-in-2022
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_November_2023_(Violent_crime_decrease_in_2022)
content:
 
<p>

  The FBI reports that violent crime <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/4258799-is-crime-going-up-in-america-some-types-are-new-fbi-data-shows/">decreased in 2022</a>, with in
particular a 6% decrease for murder.
  However, hate crimes increased.  Also, property crimes increased.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Reject new LNG facilities
uri: Urgent-Reject-new-LNG-facilities
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Urgent:_Reject_new_LNG_facilities)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Urgent:_Reject_new_LNG_facilities)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on the Department of Energy to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-no-fossil-fuel-infrastructure">reject any proposed
    new LNG facilities</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Clean economy must be unionized
uri: Urgent-Clean-economy-must-be-unionized
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Urgent:_Clean_economy_must_be_unionized)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Urgent:_Clean_economy_must_be_unionized)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: Insist that the clean economy <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-if-you-agree-the-clean-economy-must-be-unionized-4">must be unionized</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Urgent:_Pass_Justice_for_All_Act)
title: Urgent: Pass Justice for All Act
uri: Urgent-Pass-Justice-for-All-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Urgent:_Pass_Justice_for_All_Act)
content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/add-your-name-to-fight-for-justice-for-all">pass the Justice for All Act</a>.
  It would extend nondiscrimination law to cover sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity,  and various characteristics linked with race or sex
</p>
<p>If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent Nationwide automatic voter registration
uri: Urgent-Nationwide-automatic-voter-registration
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Urgent_Nationwide_automatic_voter_registration)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Urgent_Nationwide_automatic_voter_registration)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-make-voter-registration-automatic-nationwide-2">implement automatic voter
    registration nationwide</a>.
</p>
<p>If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Urgent:_Freight_electrification)
title: Urgent: Freight electrification
uri: Urgent-Freight-electrification
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Urgent:_Freight_electrification)
content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on the White House to set a national strategy for <a href="https://evergreenaction.com/blog/electrifying-us-trucks-is-possible">freight
    electrification</a> alongside a strong heavy-duty vehicle rule.
</p>
<p>
If you have disabled the page's JavaScript, you may get a blank
response after signing.  That does not mean anything is wrong; your
signature has probably been sent in properly.  The blank screen has
text that is rendered invisible by CSS; if your browser gives you a
way to disable the CSS in the page (as Icecat does), that should make
the text appear.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Apple's_objection_to_Jon_Stewart)
title: Apple's objection to Jon Stewart
uri: Apple-s-objection-to-Jon-Stewart
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Apple's_objection_to_Jon_Stewart)
content:
 
<p>

Apple reportedly had objections to what Jon Stewart said in his video
program &mdash; it <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20231031180441/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/19/business/media/jon-stewart-the-problem-ends.html">canceled the show</a> after he had criticized China, and something the article describes as "AI".
  (It could be that what he criticized was actually large language
models, which may be an important issue but are not <a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#ArtificialIntelligence">"intelligence"</a>.)
</p>
<p>
We should protect the media from censorship by commercial interests by
not allowing companies that make or sell other products to be involved
in the business of making or distributing audio or video programs.
</p>
<p>
I expect that Apple does much worse things than this in its distribution
of video programs.  For instance, I suspect it requires viewers to
run nonfree software with DRM,  compels them to identify themselves,
and imposes an immoral "antisocializing" contract where you promise
not to share a copy with anyone else.
(Not coincidentally, this resembles the <a href="media/3f1e898d.ebooks.pdf" data-original-source="https://stallman.org/ebooks.pdf">bad things that commercial e-books do</a>.)
</p>
<p>
My response to any disservice which asks me to accept of those forms
of mistreatment is to invite it to jump in the lake.
</p>
</li>

 


title: (satire) Those with abortions to be re-impregnated
uri: (satire)-Those-with-abortions-to-be-re-impregnated
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_((satire)_Those_with_abortions_to_be_re-impregnated)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_((satire)_Those_with_abortions_to_be_re-impregnated)

content:
 
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/supreme-court-rules-anyone-who-had-abortion-under-roe-m-1850995600">Supreme Court Rules Anyone Who Had Abortion Under Roe Must
    Be Re-Impregnated.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


title: (satire) Biden downplays importance of winning election
uri: (satire)-Biden-downplays-importance-of-winning-election
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_((satire)_Biden_downplays_importance_of_winning_election)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_((satire)_Biden_downplays_importance_of_winning_election)

content:
 
<p>

  (satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/biden-campaign-downplays-importance-of-winning-election-1850995470">Biden Campaign Downplays Importance Of Winning Election.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Japan_continues_catching_whales)
title: Japan continues catching whales
uri: Japan-continues-catching-whales
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Japan_continues_catching_whales)
content:
 
<p>

Japan continues catching whales, even though one of the targeted species
<a href="https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15048927">seems to have decreasing population</a>.
</p>
<p>
A Japanese friend speculates that Japanese whaling is subsidized somehow,
since not many people seem to buy whale meat.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Google_remote_attestation_system)
title: Google remote attestation system
uri: Google-remote-attestation-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Google_remote_attestation_system)
content:
 
<p>

Google says that it will use its remote attestation system ("Web
Environment Integrity") only in the <a href="https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/02/google_abandons_web_environment_integrity/">most oppressive scenario: as DRM</a>.
</p>
<p>
Making Google drop the rest of the plan is a tactical advance, but it
is not victory.  Google still plans to prevent playing "embedded
video" through an application that users can trust.  Why could users
trust that application?  Precisely because Google <em>could not</em> trust it
to impose Google's control over the users.
</p>
<p>
As long as companies have a way to control whether we use applications
that we have modified, we are not safe!  Our goal should be to
prohibit the sale or distribution of computer systems that allow
remote servers to do remote attestation of the software you choose to
run on your computer to talk to them with.
</p>
</li>

 


title: When to rule on insurrectionist's qualification to run for president
uri: When-to-rule-on-insurrectionist-s-qualification-to-run-for-president
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(When_to_rule_on_insurrectionist's_qualification_to_run_for_president)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(When_to_rule_on_insurrectionist's_qualification_to_run_for_president)

content:
 
<p>

Minnesota's supreme court ruled that the time to rule on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/08/minnesota-supreme-court-rejects-effort-block-trump-states-2024-primary">whether the
    insurrectionist is qualified to run for president</a> will be when the
Republican Party nominates him for the general election &mdash; not before
the primary.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Enlisting Ukrainian PoWs to fight against Ukraine
uri: Enlisting-Ukrainian-PoWs-to-fight-against-Ukraine
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Enlisting_Ukrainian_PoWs_to_fight_against_Ukraine)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Enlisting_Ukrainian_PoWs_to_fight_against_Ukraine)

content:
 
<p>

The <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#putinforces">Putin forces</a> have proudly announced that they are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/08/ukrainian-pows-being-sent-to-fight-their-own-army-russian-news-claims">enlisting
    Ukrainian PoWs</a> to fight against Ukraine.
</p>
<p>
There is no easy way to determine whether any part of this story is
true.  Perhaps the Ukrainian PoWs were forced to agree to this.
Perhaps they are not really Ukrainian PoWs.  Perhaps they are not
really Ukrainian.  Perhaps they are not really soldiers.  The only way
to find out what, if anything, in this claim is the truth is to get
other evidence.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Uyghur_film-maker_tortured)
title: Uyghur film-maker tortured
uri: Uyghur-film-maker-tortured
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Uyghur_film-maker_tortured)
content:
 
<p>

  *Uyghur film-maker claims he was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/08/uyghur-film-maker-ikram-nurmehmet-claims-he-was-tortured-by-authorities-in-china">tortured by [state thugs] in China</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Abortion rights defeated Republicans
uri: Abortion-rights-defeated-Republicans
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Abortion_rights_defeated_Republicans)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Abortion_rights_defeated_Republicans)

content:
 
<p>

Abortion rights were at stake in several state-level elections in the
US this week, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/08/abortion-winning-issue-rights-victories-2024-election">abortion rights defeated the Republicans in each
    one</a>.
</p>
<p>
Almost 60% of Americans support abortion rights, and that support is
firm.  In 2024 ten or more states are likely to have votes about
abortion rights, and abortion rights will probably win each of them.
This could defeat the Republicans in their bid to establish a fascist
system in the US.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Australia's subsidies to fossil fuels
uri: Australia-s-subsidies-to-fossil-fuels
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Australia's_subsidies_to_fossil_fuels)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Australia's_subsidies_to_fossil_fuels)

content:
 
<p>

Pacific Islands demand that Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/08/pacific-islands-forum-australia-under-pressure-to-rein-in-fossil-fuel-subsidies">cease its subsidies to fossil
    fuels</a>.
</p>
<p>
They know these subsidies are working to inundate them (except for the
volcanoes),
</p>
</li>

 


title: Congenital syphilis increase in US
uri: Congenital-syphilis-increase-in-US
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Congenital_syphilis_increase_in_US)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Congenital_syphilis_increase_in_US)

content:
 
<p>

  Congenital syphilis in the US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/nov/08/epidemic-congenital-syphilis-std-cdc">increased by a factor of 10</a> from 2012 to
2022.  This measures the disorganization and inadequacy of the US
medical system, which fails to notice and treat these infections.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Big firms reveal carbon emissions
uri: Big-firms-reveal-carbon-emissions
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Big_firms_reveal_carbon_emissions)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Big_firms_reveal_carbon_emissions)

content:
 
<p>

  *California to require big firms to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/oct/09/california-carbon-emissions-law">reveal carbon emissions</a> in first law of
its kind.*
  This will apply to all large companies doing business in California,
so the whole US will get the benefit, and in many cases the rest of
the world as well.
</p>
</li>

 


title: HAMAS success as result of planning
uri: HAMAS-success-as-result-of-planning
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(HAMAS_success_as_result_of_planning)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(HAMAS_success_as_result_of_planning)

content:
 
<p>

HAMAS succeeded (for some hours) with its attack on Oct 7 as a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/09/how-did-hamas-manage-to-carry-out-its-rampage-through-southern-israel">result
    of discipline, attention, and planning</a> at many levels.
</p>
<p>
What strikes me is that this resembles what I read about how Israel
won the Six-Day War.  But it seems that Israel has ceased to pay
careful attention, and thus made itself vulnerable.
</p>
<p>
I suspect that this reflects a kind of contempt for Palestinians.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Shooting_Afghan_men_while_asleep)
title: Shooting Afghan men while asleep
uri: Shooting-Afghan-men-while-asleep
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Shooting_Afghan_men_while_asleep)
content:
 
<p>

A government inquiry accused elite British troops in Afghanistan
of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/oct/09/sas-troops-executed-afghan-males-of-fighting-age-inquiry-hears">shooting young Afghan men while they were in asleep in bed</a>,
and of making a practice of "executing Afghan males of fighting age".
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Perilous_presidential_campaign)
title: Perilous presidential campaign
uri: Perilous-presidential-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_November_2023_(Perilous_presidential_campaign)
content:
 
<p>

  *Robert F Kennedy Jr's siblings <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/oct/09/robert-f-kennedy-jr-siblings-presidential-campaign">condemn his "perilous" presidential campaign</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Number_of_retail_jobs_eliminated)
title: Number of retail jobs eliminated
uri: Number-of-retail-jobs-eliminated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Number_of_retail_jobs_eliminated)
content:
 
<p>

A study reports that private equity and hedge funds have <a href="https://united4respect.org/press-release/people-who-work-at-walmart-sears-amazon-formerly-toys-r-us-more-join-forces-together-as-united-for-respect-2-2-2-2-5-3/">eliminated at
    least 1.3 million retail jobs</a> in the US in the past decade.
</p>
<p>
They have also reduced competition in retail.  Competition among the
big middlemen is how capitalism sometimes benefits to producers and
consumers; if that competition is lost, capitalism becomes <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#29_October_2023_(According_to_venture_capitalist_Marc_Andressen)">sheer
    exploitation</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Right_to_food)
title: Right to food
uri: Right-to-food
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Right_to_food)
content:
 
<p>

  *UN hunger expert: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/09/united-nations-right-to-food-us-hunger">US must recognize "right to food" to fix broken system</a>.*
</p>
<p>
These days, the US always produces enough food for everyone to have
something to eat.  If anyone can't obtain food, it is due to
right-wing politics that advocates behavior modification by denial of
food.
</p>
<p>
In 10, 20 or 30 years, when no-longer-natural disasters are even more frequent
and harvests are often lost, that may no longer be the case.  Insufficiency
of food will arrive sooner or later if we keep making things worse.
</p>
<p>
We can deduce that establishing a human right to food implies a human
right to a stable climate and a stable environment &mdash; including a
stable chemical environment.  Continued use of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-mar-jun.html#7_May_2023_(Species_threatened_by_Neonicotinoid_Insecticides)">neonicotinoid
    pesticides</a>,
for example, would make future violation of the right to
food probable, and therefore have to be forbidden.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(French_law_for_influencers)
title: French law for "influencers"
uri: French-law-for-influencers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(French_law_for_influencers)
content:
 
<p>

A new French law tries to make "influencers" <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/11/france-social-media-influencers-feel-heat-law-paid-content">acknowledge when their
    publications are actually paid ads</a>.
</p>
<p>
This law seems like a step forward, but in my view the mere intent to
act as an influencer is wrong in spirit.  If the goal of a
presentation is to get me to buy a product, that alone will make me
think of it as a trap &mdash; so why look at it?
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Civilian_deaths_in_Gaza)
title: Civilian deaths in Gaza
uri: Civilian-deaths-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Civilian_deaths_in_Gaza)
content:
 
<p>

* Each recorded fatal Israeli airstrike on Gaza since 7 October has
caused an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/10/civilian-death-rate-in-israeli-airstrikes-higher-than-in-past-conflicts-study-finds">average of 10.1 civilian deaths</a>, a monitoring group has
   said, amid warnings that reported civilian casualty figures are
   likely to be an underestimate..*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(EU_targets_to_restore_land)
title: EU targets to restore land
uri: EU-targets-to-restore-land
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(EU_targets_to_restore_land)
content:
 
<p>

*   [New EU] Legislation will set <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/10/eu-strikes-landmark-deal-nature-restoration-law">targets to restore 20% of EU land and seas by
    2030, and 90% of degraded habitats by 2050</a>.*
</p>
<p>
This is amazingly ambitious.  I am impressed.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Israelis kidnapped by HAMAS viewed as partisan
uri: Israelis-kidnapped-by-HAMAS-viewed-as-partisan
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Israelis_kidnapped_by_HAMAS_viewed_as_partisan)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Israelis_kidnapped_by_HAMAS_viewed_as_partisan)

content:
 
<p>

A campaign of posturing about Israelis kidnapped by HAMAS and held hostage
is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/10/israel-red-white-kidnapped-posters-flyers-palestine-conflict">viewed by supporters of one side or the other as partisan</a>.
</p>
<p>
This tendency to close one's eyes to the suffering of people on the
other side is the main obstacle to peace.  If people on each side
assume, "If they aren't crushed, we must be crushed," they tend to
reject any plan other than to crush the other side.  Often they do
this without recognizing they rejected anything.
</p>
<p>
Often they do this by dehumanizing everyone "on the other side",
they crush all but the worst part of themselves.
</p>
<p>
  The Anti-Defamation League <a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/11/11/palestine-israel-protests-ceasefire-antisemitic/">lists peace rallies by Jews</a> in its database
of "antisemitism", and calls them "anti-Israel".
  This equates calling on Israel to cease war crimes with seeking
to destroy Israel.  Meanwhile, a Republican elected official
  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/10/florida-republican-michelle-salzman-palestine">called for genocide of the Palestinians</a>.
  Perhaps this should not be a surprise, since we know that the
Republican Party now includes Nazis.
</p>
<p>
The same sort of extremist thinking can be seen on the Palestinian side
in the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/10/funerals-for-west-bank-dead-jenin-israel-hamas-war">young men that "want to be martyred"</a>.
  They have dehumanized themselves, and often others too.  HAMAS
supporters care nothing about committing war crimes.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Israeli soldiers firing at people in hospital
uri: Israeli-soldiers-firing-at-people-in-hospital
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Israeli_soldiers_firing_at_people_in_hospital)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Israeli_soldiers_firing_at_people_in_hospital)

content:
 
<p>

Israeli soldiers surrounding the al-Shifa hospital are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/11/middle-east-leaders-hold-emergency-summit-amid-strikes-on-gaza-hospital">firing at anyone
    inside they see moving</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Musk promoting unvetted accounts on Ex-Twitter
uri: Musk-promoting-unvetted-accounts-on-Ex-Twitter
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Musk_promoting_unvetted_accounts_on_Ex-Twitter)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Musk_promoting_unvetted_accounts_on_Ex-Twitter)

content:
 
<p>

*As false war information spreads on [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#extwitter">Ex-Twitter</a>], <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20231107005113/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/08/israel-hamas-disinfo-musk-twitter-x/">Musk promotes
    unvetted accounts</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Birds_resistant_to_avian_flu)
title: Birds resistant to avian flu
uri: Birds-resistant-to-avian-flu
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Birds_resistant_to_avian_flu)
content:
 
<p>

*   Research shows birds with small alterations to one gene are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/oct/10/worlds-first-flu-resistant-chickens-could-pave-way-for-gene-edited-uk-poultry">highly
    resistant to avian flu</a>.*
  They are not totally resistant, but maybe could lead with further
research to a variety that would be,
</p>
<p>
I think sort of genetic engineering would be beneficial, in and of itself.
But if it is patented, it could put all chicken farming, for practical
purposes, under the control and power of the patent holder.  We <a href="media/1dcfd209.45_1_stallman.pdf" data-original-source="https://www.luc.edu/media/lucedu/law/students/publications/llj/pdfs/45_1_stallman.pdf">should
    not allow such patents</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: McDonald's and Amazon's ties to alleged labor trafficking
uri: McDonald-s-and-Amazon-s-ties-to-alleged-labor-trafficking
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(McDonald's_and_Amazon's_ties_to_alleged_labor_trafficking)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(McDonald's_and_Amazon's_ties_to_alleged_labor_trafficking)

content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/oct/10/trafficking-inc-five-takeaways-amazon-mcdonalds-middle-east">McDonald's and Amazon's ties to alleged labor trafficking: five key
    takeaways.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Old_stamps_at_UK_post_office)
title: Old stamps at UK post office
uri: Old-stamps-at-UK-post-office
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Old_stamps_at_UK_post_office)
content:
 
<p>

The UK post office declared all old stamps unusable and replaced them with
new stamps carrying bar codes.  People who follow the recommended procedure
for exchanging the valid but unusable old stamps are often told they
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/nov/11/royal-mail-stamp-swap-customers-were-sent-warnings">were "used or fake", or sent too few</a>.
</p>
<p>
It seems that society has got in the habit of imposing incompetent service
and declaring it satisfactory.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Steps towards ceasefire cannot be one-sided
uri: Steps-towards-ceasefire-cannot-be-one-sided
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Steps_towards_ceasefire_cannot_be_one-sided)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Steps_towards_ceasefire_cannot_be_one-sided)

content:
 
<p>

[Australia's foreign minister] Penny Wong says, "steps towards
ceasefire" in Israel-Hamas war <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/12/penny-wong-says-steps-towards-ceasefire-in-israel-hamas-war-cannot-be-one-sided">"cannot be one-sided."</a>
</p>
<p>
Actually, it's just the opposite: if you are committing war crimes, it
behooves you to stop &mdash; regardless of what your enemies are doing.
Neither Israel nor HAMAS can justify continuing crimes on the grounds
that "our enemy is committing crimes and/or fighting us."
</p>
</li>

 


title: Anti-abortion Republican legislators in Ohio
uri: Anti-abortion-Republican-legislators-in-Ohio
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Anti-abortion_Republican_legislators_in_Ohio)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Anti-abortion_Republican_legislators_in_Ohio)

content:
 
<p>

Now that Ohio citizens have voted to amend Ohio's constitution to
protect the right to have an abortion, anti-abortion Republican
legislators are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/11/ohio-republicans-move-to-exclude-judges-interpreting-abortion-rights-law">looking for ways to undermine it</a>.
</p>
<p>
I wonder, how gerrymandered is Ohio?  Would fair districting and
protecting every citizen';s right to vote remove Republicans from
power there?
</p>
</li>

 


title: Pressure by Israeli diplomat to cancel college course
uri: Pressure-by-Israeli-diplomat-to-cancel-college-course
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Pressure_by_Israeli_diplomat_to_cancel_college_course)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Pressure_by_Israeli_diplomat_to_cancel_college_course)

content:
 
<p>

An Israeli diplomat and others tried to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/08/israeli-diplomat-bard-college-apartheid-debate">pressure Bard College to cancel
    a course</a> that would compare the occupation of the West Bank to apartheid.
</p>
<p>
  Eminent opponents of apartheid, including <a href="https://stallman.org/archives//2021-nov-feb.html#1_January_2022_(Western_obituaries_for_Desmond_Tutu)">Desmond Tutu</a>,
  have remarked on his similarity.
</p>
<p>
  The <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#19_September_2023_(IHRA_criterion_for_antisemitism)">IHRA criterion for antisemitism</a> has been criticized for drawing this line
in the wrong place.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Human-cause heating behind extreme droughts
uri: Human-cause-heating-behind-extreme-droughts
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Human-cause_heating_behind_extreme_droughts)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Human-cause_heating_behind_extreme_droughts)

content:
 
<p>

  *Human-caused heating <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/08/extreme-droughts-in-syria-iraq-and-iran-since-2020">behind extreme droughts</a> in Syria, Iraq and Iran, study
finds.
  [Such] droughts &hellip; used to happen once
every 250 years but now expected once a decade.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Methane from Texas oil and gas production
uri: Methane-from-Texas-oil-and-gas-production
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Methane_from_Texas_oil_and_gas_production_)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Methane_from_Texas_oil_and_gas_production_)

content:
 
<p>

*Oil and gas production in Texas is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/08/texas-methane-oil-and-gas-study-climate">spewing out double the rate of
    methane</a>, a powerful greenhouse gas, than in the more regulated state of
New Mexico, new satellite data shared with the Guardian shows,
   prompting calls for tougher curbs of “super-emitter” sites that risk
   tipping the world into climate breakdown.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Australia's_drug_sniffer_dogs)
title: Australia's "drug sniffer" dogs
uri: Australia-s-drug-sniffer-dogs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Australia's_drug_sniffer_dogs)
content:
 
<p>

When Australia's "drug sniffer" dogs indicate sniffing drugs, 75% of the time
the following search <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/09/nsw-police-sniffer-dogs-incorrectly-detect-illicit-drugs-despite-costing-taxpayers-46m-over-past-decade">does not find any drugs</a>.

<ul>
<li>Maybe drug mules have adopted a clever new way to hide the drugs,
so dogs can sniff them but humans can't find them.
</li>

<li>Maybe these dogs do a bad job.</li>

<li>Maybe all "drug sniffer" dogs do a bad job.  How would we know?</li>

<li>I've read that the cops that control the dogs actually decide
whether to report that the dog "sniffed drugs" on any given person.
Maybe these cops make that decision based on a whim to harass certain
  people, and maybe those people mostly don't carry any drugs.</li>
</ul>
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Ties_to_military_contractors)
title: Ties to military contractors
uri: Ties-to-military-contractors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Ties_to_military_contractors)
content:
 
<p>

* Nine of 12 members of the [congressional committee] charged with
   avoiding nuclear conflict <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/10/us-congress-nuclear-weapon-committee-conflict-interest">have financial ties to [military]
    contractors</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Invertebrate species at risk of extinction
uri: Invertebrate-species-at-risk-of-extinction
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Invertebrate_species_at_risk_of_extinction)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#13_November_2023_(Invertebrate_species_at_risk_of_extinction)

content:
 
<p>

Around 25% of invertebrate species are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/10/food-soil-water-how-the-extinction-of-insects-would-transform-our-planet">estimated to be at risk of
    extinction</a> in the mass extinction that humans are bringing about.
</p>
<p>
This includes important pollinators.  The loss of pollinators will cause
problems for the growth of food.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Urgent:_Contraception_rights)
title: Urgent: Contraception rights
uri: Urgent-Contraception-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Urgent:_Contraception_rights)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: Stand for <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-stop-the-assault-on-birth-control-access-now-3?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-just-strategy&source=group-just-strategy">defense of the right to get and use
contraception</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Flash_drought_dangers)
title: Flash drought dangers
uri: Flash-drought-dangers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Flash_drought_dangers)
content:
 
<p>
On <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/02/flash-droughts-increasing-climate-weather-wildfires">the danger of "flash droughts"</a>, which can lead to a destructive wildfire
before government agencies wake up and try to prevent that.

<p>
 


title: Anti-union Republican-controlled states
uri: Anti-union-Republican-controlled-states
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Anti-union_Republican-controlled_states)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Anti-union_Republican-controlled_states)

content:
 
<p>
Republican-controlled states are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/10/anti-union-desantis-republican-florida-alaska">attacking public-sector workers right
to have effective unions</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Ultra-processed_oil_food_tax)
title: Ultra-processed_oil food tax
uri: Ultra-processed_oil-food-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Ultra-processed_oil_food_tax)
content:
 
<p>
Colombia has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/10/colombia-junk-food-tax-improve-health-acc">introduced an extra tax</a> on ultra-processed foods.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Al-Shifa_hospital)
title: Al-Shifa hospital
uri: Al-Shifa-hospital
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Al-Shifa_hospital)
content:
 
<p>
Attacking Israeli troops are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/11/fears-for-thousands-sheltering-at-gaza-city-hospital-as-israeli-forces-close-in">closing in on al-Shifa hospital</a> in
Gaza, *where it is said more than 50,000 people may have taken
shelter.*
Israel has already bombed or shelled near the hospital and even on
its grounds.  That is likely to kill thousands of civilians.  It is
surely a war crime.
<p>
The army is also bombarding buildings in a nearby refugee camp.  It
says the buildings were used by HAMAS.  Does that mean there are no
civilians in or near them.  Israel arbitrarily declared any civilians
in northern Gaza are ipso facto "terrorisms".  If that could make it
legitimate to bombard them with artillery or air attacks, humanitarian
law would be a pushover.

<p>
 


title: Ukraine's counteroffensive stalls
uri: Ukraine-s-counteroffensive-stalls
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Ukraine's_counteroffensive_stalls)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Ukraine's_counteroffensive_stalls)

content:
 
<p>
*As its counteroffensive stalls, Ukraine signals <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/11/as-its-counteroffensive-stalls-ukraine-signals-readiness-for-a-long-war">readiness for a long war</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Two-state_agreement)
title: Two-state agreement
uri: Two-state-agreement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Two-state_agreement)
content:
 
<p>
A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/11/as-a-former-palestinian-negotiator-i-know-bidens-two-state-solution-is-sheer-delusion">two-state agreement in Israel/Palestine cannot happen</a> if Israel
insists on its "security" demands for Gaza or on its history of
annexation in the West Bank.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(The_insurrectionist)
title: The insurrectionist
uri: The-insurrectionist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(The_insurrectionist)
content:
 
<p>
*[<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">The insurrectionist</a>] suggests <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/10/trump-fbi-rivals-2024-election">he would use FBI to go after political
rivals if elected in 2024</a>.*
<p>
Hilary Clinton warns that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">the insurrectionist</a>, if he makes himself president,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/09/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-adolf-hitler">would eliminate further elections, much as Hitler did</a>.  We can be sure of this,
because he tells us his hostile intentions himself.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Stealing_to_feed_their_children)
title: Stealing to feed their children
uri: Stealing-to-feed-their-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Stealing_to_feed_their_children)
content:
 
<p>

*Garment workers in Bangladesh say <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/07/workers-for-fast-fashion-brands-fear-starvation-as-they-fight-for-higher-wages">their pay is so low</a> that they
have to steal to feed their children.
<p>
One jaw of the vice they are in is that the businesses pay them too
little.  The other jaw of the vice is that they have had children
that they cannot afford to raise -- and they expect to go on having
children regardless of whether they can afford to raise them.
<p>
To have a lasting solution for this problem, both need to change.  The
businesses must pay the workers a living wage, and the workers must
limit their reproduction to the amount they can provide for.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(AI_economic_crisis)
title: AI economic crisis
uri: AI-economic-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(AI_economic_crisis)
content:
 
<p>
Artificial Intelligence, put in charge of banking, could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/09/yuval-noah-harari-artificial-intelligence-ai-cause-financial-crisis">cause a
economic crash</a>.  The AIs could invent new types of financial
instruments that humans can't understand how to regulate properly, and
their use could lead to a crash.
<p>
That should not be surprising, since human bankers already did just that, and
the crash came in 2007.
<p>
It seems to me that the crucial cause of that crash was the
deregulation that allowed banks to invent and use dangerous new
financial instruments.  The lesson we should draw is never to
deregulate them.  Neither human nor nonhuman intelligences can cause a
crash by means of incomprehensible innovative financial instruments if
inventing and using innovative financial instruments is strictly
punished.

<p>
 


title: Dr Martin A Smith's Gaza proposal
uri: Dr-Martin-A-Smith-s-Gaza-proposal
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Dr_Martin_A_Smith's_Gaza_proposal)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Dr_Martin_A_Smith's_Gaza_proposal)

content:
 
<p>
Proposing to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/09/the-two-state-solution-is-not-the-only-way-out-of-the-israel-palestine-crisis">give Gaza to Egypt and give the West Bank to Jordan, as a
path to peace</a>.
<p>
Would Palestinians accept being ruled by Egypt (a brutal military
dictatorship) and Jordan (a monarchy with a limited amount of
democracy and without freedom of expression).

<p>
 


title: Ocasio-Cortex and Taylor-Greene unite in push to free Assange
uri: Ocasio-Cortex-and-Taylor-Greene-unite-in-push-to-free-Assange
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Ocasio-Cortex_and_Taylor-Greene_unite_in_push_to_free_Assange)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Ocasio-Cortex_and_Taylor-Greene_unite_in_push_to_free_Assange)

content:
 
<p>
*Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Marjorie Taylor-Greene <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/nov/10/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-and-marjorie-taylor-greene-unite-in-push-to-free-julian-assange">unite in push to free
Julian Assange</a>.*
<p>
It is ironic that elected officials from the two ends of the political
spectrum have joined to defend Assange, and freedom of the press.
However, their letter might influence Biden more if some elected
officials from the middle joined in.

<p>
 


title: Bangladesh opposition party supporters arrested
uri: Bangladesh-opposition-party-supporters-arrested
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Bangladesh_opposition_party_supporters_arrested)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Bangladesh_opposition_party_supporters_arrested)

content:
 
<p>
The ruling party in Bangladesh has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/10/bangladesh-opposition-crackdown-election-sheikh-hasina-awami-league-bnp">jailed 10,000 supporters of the
opposition party</a>.

<p>
 


title: Why Biden doesn't get credit for good things he has done
uri: Why-Biden-doesn-t-get-credit-for-good-things-he-has-done
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Why_Biden_doesn't_get_credit_for_good_things_he_has_done)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Why_Biden_doesn't_get_credit_for_good_things_he_has_done)

content:
 
<p>
Robert Reich theorizes <a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/why-biden-isnt-getting-credit">why Biden does not get credit for the good things
he has done</a>: when he speaks, he focuses on substantial points rather
than emotional impact.
<p>
I agree that Biden has done some good things for the US economy, for
clean energy, and for the well-being of poor Americans, and that the
public does not give him the credit those actions deserve.  At the
same time, he has done quite a few bad things to set against those
good things.
<p>
Thus, while Biden's record puts him miles above any Republican,
it also puts him disappointingly far below a progressive Democrat.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Lloyd's_of_London_insurers)
title: Lloyd's of London insurers
uri: Lloyd-s-of-London-insurers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Lloyd's_of_London_insurers)
content:
 
<p>
*Lloyd’s of London insurers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/09/lloyds-of-london-insurers-dominate-underwriting-of-fossil-fuel-projects-study-shows">dominate underwriting of fossil fuel
projects</a>, study shows.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Rwanda_repression_campaign)
title: Rwanda repression campaign
uri: Rwanda-repression-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Rwanda_repression_campaign)
content:
 
<p>
*Rwanda accused [by Human Rights Watch of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/10/rwanda-accused-of-broad-campaign-of-repression-against-dissidents">broad campaign of repression
against dissidents</a>, [even dissidents in exile].*


 


title: Urgent: Reject GOP attempts to cut IRS funding
uri: Urgent-Reject-GOP-attempts-to-cut-IRS-funding
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Urgent:_Reject_GOP_attempts_to_cut_IRS_funding)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Urgent:_Reject_GOP_attempts_to_cut_IRS_funding)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/irs-funding-nov23/">reject GOP attempts to cut IRS
    funding</a>.
</p>
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Urgent:_No_war_crimes)
title: Urgent: No war crimes
uri: Urgent-No-war-crimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Urgent:_No_war_crimes)
content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Congress: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-now-to-congress-no-war-crimes-in-our-names-or-with-our-tax-dollars">No war crimes in our names</a> or with our
tax dollars.
</p>
<p>
  Israel has a right to <em>defend itself</em> from HAMAS, but not a right to
  commit massive <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-may-aug.html#25_July_2021_(Israel">war crimes against Palestinians in general</a>,
  and it cannot excuse them by ordering Palestinians to "Leave
northern Gaza or else be considered `terrorists'."
</p>
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Outdoor_cats_in_Australia)
title: Outdoor cats in Australia
uri: Outdoor-cats-in-Australia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Outdoor_cats_in_Australia)
content:
 
<p>

Australians are learning to recognize the importance of not letting
pet cats <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/nov/12/from-beloved-pet-to-biodiversity-villain-what-now-for-australias-cats">roam outdoors and kill wildlife</a>.
</p>
<p>
The issue is somewhat different in Europe and Africa, since wildcats
(from which domesticated cats were bred) have been present there since
before humans.  To some extent, the ecosystem is adapted to their
existence.  However, that adaptation depends partly on the presence of
larger predators that limit the number of wildcats.
</p>
</li>

 


title: US supporters of Israel and Palestine
uri: US-supporters-of-Israel-and-Palestine
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(US_supporters_of_Israel_and_Palestine)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(US_supporters_of_Israel_and_Palestine)

content:
 
<p>

*[Many] US supporters of Israel and Palestine <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/29/us-support-divided-israel-palestine-gaza-war">fail to admit
    suffering of other side</a>.*
</p>
<p>
They become *so entrenched in [their]
views that to give an inch, even to acknowledge someone else’s
suffering, feels like a betrayal [of the side one supports].*
</p>
<p>
I do not want to try to compare the gravity of HAMAS's war crimes
with the gravity of Israel's war crimes.  But we can easily see that
Israel commits fresh war crimes every day, while HAMAS does not.
</p>
<p>
It's not that HAMAS has reformed or learned anything about the
morality of killing or seizing civilians.  It is simply that the
current tactical situation offers HAMAS no opportunities to commit its
forms of war crimes.  It is nonetheless true that the newly committed
war crimes are committed by Israel.  Therefore, in regard to putting
an end to the war crimes, we must focus on Israel's continuing war
crimes, which It cannot excuse by citing the crimes of its enemies,
</p>
<p>
"Retaliation" and "deterrence" are not excuses for war crimes.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Australia's counterpart to Chelsea Manning
uri: Australia-s-counterpart-to-Chelsea-Manning
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Australia's_counterpart_to_Chelsea_Manning)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Australia's_counterpart_to_Chelsea_Manning)

content:
 
<p>

Australia is putting its counterpart to Chelsea Manning on trial for
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/13/whistleblower-david-mcbride-court-trial-alleged-australia-war-crimes-defence-leaks">leaking secret information</a> about Australian soldiers' covered-up war
crimes in Afghanistan.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Australian_deportation_prison)
title: Australian deportation prison
uri: Australian-deportation-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Australian_deportation_prison)
content:
 
<p>

When a non-citizen commits a serious crime in Australia, after per
prison sentence, Australia's practice is to keep per in deportation
prison until deportation actually occurs &mdash; which was meant not to be
very long.  But what if someone is impossible to deport?  In practice
this resulted in a sentence of life in prison.
</p>
<p>
  A court ruled that Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/13/australia-indefinite-immigration-detention-high-court-ruling-80-people-free">must release those people</a>
if actual deportation can't happen in the foreseeable future.
</p>
<p>
This is just, and safe.  Citizens who commit the same crimes are not
sentenced to life in prison.  If it's not too dangerous to release the
citizens who commit these crimes, why should it be more dangerous to
release non-citizens who commit them (when deporting them is impossible).
</p> 
</li>

 


title: Treaty to reduce plastic production
uri: Treaty-to-reduce-plastic-production
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Treaty_to_reduce_plastic_production)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Treaty_to_reduce_plastic_production)

content:
 
<p>

Negotiations are proceeding for a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/12/countries-meeting-nairobi-kenya-global-plastic-pollution-treaty">global treaty to reduce total plastic
    production</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Cruel_performative_politics)
title: Cruel performative politics
uri: Cruel-performative-politics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Cruel_performative_politics)
content:
 
<p>

*Across the globe, compassion for migrants has given way to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/12/across-the-globe-compassion-for-migrants-has-given-way-to-cruel-performative-politics">cruel,
    performative politics</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(From_the_river_to_the_sea_chant)
title: "From the river to the sea" chant
uri: From-the-river-to-the-sea-chant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(From_the_river_to_the_sea_chant)
content:
 
<p>

  A thoughtful analysis of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/nov/12/momentum-founder-jon-lansman-says-leftwingers-in-denial-about-pro-palestinian-slogans">what's wrong</a> about the "From the river to the
sea" chant.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(How_the_BBC_is_funded)
title: How the BBC is funded
uri: How-the-BBC-is-funded
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(How_the_BBC_is_funded)
content:
 
<p>

  The BBC is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/nov/12/bbc-licence-fee-is-regressive-tax-broadcasters-former-chair-says">funded by a fee</a> imposed on everyone who watches television
in the UK.  This is rightly criticized as a regressive funding scheme
since rich and poor pay the same amount.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Climate_change_in_haiku_poetry)
title: "Climate change" in haiku poetry
uri: Climate-change-in-haiku-poetry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Climate_change_in_haiku_poetry)
content:
 
<p>
Usually "climate change" is a euphemism for climate disaster, but in
one special case, the tradition of haiku poetry, the mere <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/14/lost-to-the-climate-crisis-japan-haiku-poets">fact of
    change in climate</a>
   is a disaster in itself regardless of the details.
</p>
<p>
Perhaps future haiku poets could use the contrast between real
seasonal weather patterns (of that time) and the haiku traditions of
seasonal weather patterns to illuminate something about human beings.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Pilot program for stop-and-search in England
uri: Pilot-program-for-stop-and-search-in-England
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Pilot_program_for_stop-and-search_in_England)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Pilot_program_for_stop-and-search_in_England)

content:
 
<p>

A pilot program for stop-and-search in England (1) displays racial
bias and (2) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/13/england-stop-and-search-does-not-cut-violence-thinktank">does not reduce violence</a>.
  This is no surprise, but it does show that stop-and-search is an injustice
now as it was before.
</p>
<p>
I made the above link to an article because it tells us something
important about racism.  Racism is an intense form of bigotry; it is a
collective injustice that I condemn, and support the campaign against.
I think posting a link to that article will help that campaign.
</p>
<p>
Ironically, that article itself embodies symbolic bigotry by
capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid this bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)  I denounce lesser forms of
bigotry too, and I don't want to normalize symbolic bigotry by letting
it pass without calling it out.  Normally I avoid any mention of
articles that practice it.
</p>
<p>
I had conflicting feelings about that article based on these two valid
goals: to make a link, because of its important point about racism, or
not to link, to avoid normalizing the article's own bigotry.  I
concluded that the first goal could not be neglected, and made the
link.  But the second goal also should not be neglected &mdash; hence this
note to criticize the article's own bigotry.
</p>
</li>

 


title: China's investment in renewable electricity
uri: China-s-investment-in-renewable-electricity
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(China's_investment_in_renewable_electricity)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(China's_investment_in_renewable_electricity)

content:
 
<p>

  China has recently <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/13/chinas-carbon-emissions-set-for-structural-decline-from-next-year">increased investment in renewable electricity</a>, and its
greenhouse emissions could fall starting next year.
</p>
<p>
This is a relief and a good example for the world.  The rest of the
world needs to overcome the power of the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a> so we can
make other countries do likewise.
</p>
<p>
We should not overgeneralize.  China remains an expansionist
repressive dictatorship; there is no sign of a change in that.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Fired_Amazon_drivers_picketing)
title: Fired Amazon drivers picketing
uri: Fired-Amazon-drivers-picketing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Fired_Amazon_drivers_picketing)
content:
 
<p>

  *Drivers for Amazon unionized, were fired and are now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/13/amazon-drivers-union-fired-strike">picketing around US</a>.*
  This illustrates how outsourcing of workers facilitates mistreating
them.
</p>
<p>
We need laws to limit outsourcing, or perhaps instead to make the ultimate
beneficial employer (to borrow a term from the field of <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-jan-apr.html#21_March_2022_(Wealth-hiding_facilities)">wealth-hiding</a>)
  responsible for respecting workers' rights notwithstanding the outsourcing.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Philippine Senator released from jail
uri: Philippine-Senator-released-from-jail
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Philippine_Senator_released_from_jail)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Philippine_Senator_released_from_jail)

content:
 
<p>

Philippine Senator de Lima, jailed for investigating President
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#dodirty">Do-Dirty's</a> murderous "war on drugs", has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/13/duterte-critic-leila-de-lima-granted-bail-after-six-years-in-jail">released from jail</a>.
</p>
<p>
She was never actually convicted on any of the charges, but spent six years
in jail anyway.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(UK_Minister_of_Cruelty_dismissed)
title: UK Minister of Cruelty dismissed
uri: UK-Minister-of-Cruelty-dismissed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(UK_Minister_of_Cruelty_dismissed)
content:
 
<p>

  The UK's Minister of Cruelty has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/nov/13/suella-braverman-sacking-brings-down-curtain-on-turbulent-tenure-as-uk-home-secretary">dismissed and replaced</a>.
  The new minister is a Tory too, and may be expected to be more or
less cruel, but won't necessarily base his career on showing how cruel
he can be.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Right_to_protest_in_UK)
title: Right to protest in UK
uri: Right-to-protest-in-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(Right_to_protest_in_UK)
content:
 
<p>

  Tories <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/13/how-will-recent-and-future-legislation-affect-the-right-to-protest-in-the-uk">persistently attack the right to protest</a> in the UK, by giving the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> departments ever more powers to criminalize protests.
</p>
</li>

 


title: White faces generated by generative learning models
uri: White-faces-generated-by-generative-learning-models
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(White_faces_generated_by_generative_learning_models)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#14_November_2023_(White_faces_generated_by_generative_learning_models)

content:
 
<p>

*White faces generated by [generative learning models] are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/13/white-faces-generated-by-ai-are-more-convincing-than-photos-finds-survey">more
    convincing than [real] photos</a>, finds survey.*
</p>
<p>
Does the capability to generate very credible unreal faces count as
knowing or understanding something?  If it does, I would have to say
this system qualifies as "artificial intelligence".  But I don't think
it does.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(US_Supreme_Court_code_of_ethics)
title: US Supreme Court code of ethics
uri: US-Supreme-Court-code-of-ethics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(US_Supreme_Court_code_of_ethics)
content:
 
<p>

  The US Supreme Court has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2023/nov/13/us-supreme-court-ethics-code">adopted a code of ethics</a>, but is it any good?
</p>
<p>
People are criticizing this code on the grounds that they don't trust
the right-wing justices to heed it.  That is a valid point, but under
public pressure they might heed it.  That leads to a second question:
supposing they do heed this code, is it adequate?
</p>
<p>
For instance, what does it say about the situation where a justice has
received gifts from a rich person and then a case arises in which the
giver has interests at stake, or political views?  If it doesn't call
for recusal in that situation, then it winks at corruption.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Report_from_al-Shifa_hospital)
title: Report from al-Shifa hospital
uri: Report-from-al-Shifa-hospital
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Report_from_al-Shifa_hospital)
content:
 
<p>

  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/13/in-the-circle-of-death-gaza-doctors-say-patients-are-under-siege-in-al-shifa">Report from al-Shifa hospital in Gaza</a>: around 2500 people remain
there, and Israeli troops that surround it shoot when people try to
enter or leave.
  Patients in intensive care are likely to die because there is no
electricity.  The hospital also has no food and no water, so other
patients may die too.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Milei alienated military veterans
uri: Milei-alienated-military-veterans
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Milei_alienated_military_veterans)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Milei_alienated_military_veterans)

content:
 
<p>

Milei, the right-wing candidate for president of Argentina alienated
military veterans by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/13/javier-milei-argentina-thatcher-praise-falklands-veterans">confirming his adoration for Margaret Thatcher</a>,
the Tory prime minister.
</p>
<p>
Thatcher sent a fleet to liberate the Falkland Islands from the
Argentine military dictatorship.  (That's the same dictatorship
that tortured Argentines who were on the left, then <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-nov-feb.html#8_February_2022_(Supporting_claim_on_islands)">murdered them
    by dropping them into the ocean from airplanes</a>.)
</p>
<p>
Liberating the Falklands, whose population is of English descent, was
the only good thing Thatcher did that I know of.  That had the
indirect result of restoring democracy in Argentina.  Aside from that,
her actions were to break unions, reward greed and crush the poor.  I
would guess that those things are what Milei admires her for.  He also
admires Bolsonaro and <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">the insurrectionist</a>, according to Wikipedia.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Companies that make political donations
uri: Companies-that-make-political-donations
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Companies_that_make_political_donations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Companies_that_make_political_donations)

content:
 
<p>

*Companies that make political donations are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/14/firms-that-donate-to-political-parties-twice-as-likely-to-win-government-contracts-analysis-finds">more than twice as likely
    to win government contracts</a> and should be banned from working with
   departments for an entire electoral cycle, according to a key
   transparency group.*
</p>
<p>
I second that.  Preventing what is effectively a form of corruption is
important.
</p>
<p>
A counterargument is that those who award contracts may have no idea
of recent donations to political parties.  My response to that is, yes
but so what?  Preventing what is effectively a form of corruption is
important.  Making it safe for businesses to donate to political
parties is basically harmful.
</p>
<p>
Indeed, it would be better to prohibit such donations outright.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Tory plan to ban glorifying terrorism
uri: Tory-plan-to-ban-glorifying-terrorism
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Tory_plan_to_ban_glorifying_terrorism)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Tory_plan_to_ban_glorifying_terrorism)

content:
 
<p>

*   [the Tory] plan to ban the glorifying of terrorism <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/nov/13/plan-to-tighten-law-on-glorifying-terrorism-could-criminalise-crowd-at-murrayfield">risks
    criminalizing "supporters of the suffragettes</a>, Nelson Mandela, or even
   the crowd at Murrayfield belting out Flower of Scotland".*
</p>
<p>
The idea of trying to prohibit any opinions one finds odious leads
invariably to tyranny, though the path that goes there may be crooked.
That includes prohibition of a hostile attitude to some ethnic or
religious group, no matter which group it may be.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Historical context of Israel-Palestine conflict
uri: Historical-context-of-Israel-Palestine-conflict
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Historical_context_of_Israel-Palestine_conflict)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Historical_context_of_Israel-Palestine_conflict)

content:
 
<p>

Putting the century-long conflict between Israel and Palestine into a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/13/israel-palestine-racism-antisemitism">historical context</a> along with European racism and antisemitism.
</p>
<p>
It should be noted that the Jews who lived under Islamic kingdoms did
not enjoy equal rights.  All Jews there, along with all Christians
there, were officially designated as inferior to Muslims.  They were
never allowed to forget this.  I expect that is part of the reason
some of them chose to emigrate to Israel.
</p>
</li>

 


title: We must redesign our production and use of plastics
uri: We-must-redesign-our-production-and-use-of-plastics
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(We_must_redesign_our_production_and_use_of_plastics)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(We_must_redesign_our_production_and_use_of_plastics)

content:
 
<p>

Since "biodegradable" plastic doesn't biodegrade in nature, and since
it is not feasible to clean all the microplastics out of the ocean, we
must <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/13/godfather-microplastics-richard-thompson-how-to-stop-them">redesign our production and use of plastics</a> to avoid filling
nature with them.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Fighting gold mining in Ecuador's rainforest
uri: Fighting-gold-mining-in-Ecuador-s-rainforest
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Fighting_gold_mining_in_Ecuador's_rainforest)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Fighting_gold_mining_in_Ecuador's_rainforest)

content:
 
<p>

An indigenous local police force <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/13/illegal-gold-mining-ecuador-amazon-ai-cofan-indigenous-guardians-mobilise">fights gold mining in Ecuador's
    rainforest</a>.
  They use modern drones to discover the miners and to record video to
prove in court that they were mining.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Un-Hungarian activities commission
uri: Un-Hungarian-activities-commission
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Un-Hungarian_activities_commission)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Un-Hungarian_activities_commission)

content:
 
<p>

Orbán has established an Un-Hungarian Activities commission to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/13/hungary-plan-target-foreign-influence-ngo-media-fears-sovereignty">investigate and pressure human rights groups</a> and journalistic
organizations that get foreign support.
</p>
<p>
It will also investigate foreign support to political parties.  That
does not seem dangerous to me, because it seems proper to me to
prohibit foreign donations to political parties.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Japan's_whaling)
title: Japan's whaling
uri: Japan-s-whaling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Japan's_whaling)
content:
 
<p>

  Japan's whaling is <a href="https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14406553">very heavily subsidized</a>.
  The subsidy amounts to twice the commercial revenue
from sale of whale meat.
</p>
<p>
I wonder why the Japanese government spends so much money on an
activity whose main product is disapproval from the rest of the world.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Insurrectionist's Veterans-Day speech
uri: Insurrectionist-s-Veterans-Day-speech
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Insurrectionist's_Veterans-Day_speech)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Insurrectionist's_Veterans-Day_speech)

content:
 
<p>

*[<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">The insurrectionist's</a>] Veterans-Day speech <a href="https://boingboing.net/2023/11/13/trumps-veterans-day-speech-mirrors-hitlers-statements-almost-word-for-word.html">mirrors Hitler's
    statements</a> almost word for word.*
</p>
<p>
I doubt this was a coincidence &mdash; I think <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">the insurrectionist</a> was given
specific advice by Nazis.
</p>
<p>
*In denying that Trump sounds like a Nazi, his spokesman <a href="https://www.salon.com/2023/11/13/exactly-how-dictators-speak-alarm-as-spox-vows-that-critics-existence-will-be-crushed/">sounds a lot
    like &hellip; Goebbels</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Australian law on deportation prison
uri: Australian-law-on-deportation-prison
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Australian_law_on_deportation_prison)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Australian_law_on_deportation_prison)

content:
 
<p>

  Australian legislators are rushing to pass a law to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/15/albanese-indefnite-detention-ruling-emergency-legislation">partly reverse</a> the
court decision against holding non-Australian criminals in deportation
prison for life simply because it is impossible to deport them.
</p>
<p>
There are crimes that justify keeping the culprit in prison for life.
Such a sentence could be carried out, when imposed, for criminals
whether they are Australians or not.
</p>
<p>
But whether the criminal is kept in prison for life must not depend on
whether the culprit is an Australian citizen.  If the culprit of a
certain crime, being an Australian citizen, would eventually be
released (perhaps paroled), a non-Australian culprit should be
released from prison just the same (and possibly then deported).
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(God_Save_Abortion_in_Indiana)
title: God Save Abortion in Indiana
uri: God-Save-Abortion-in-Indiana
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(God_Save_Abortion_in_Indiana)
content:
 
<p>

Nadya Tolokonnikova, formerly of Pussy Riot, went to Indiana and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/14/pussy-riot-nadya-tolokonnikova-indiana-abortion-ban-protest">sang
    God Save Abortion</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Rain_and_cold_in_Gaza)
title: Rain and cold in Gaza
uri: Rain-and-cold-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Rain_and_cold_in_Gaza)
content:
 
<p>

* Rain and cold in Gaza will lead to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/14/winter-rains-bring-further-suffering-to-besieged-people-in-gaza">further increase in waterborne
    diseases, bacterial infections and diarrhea</a> in children, says
   WHO.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Woman_who_fled_Salafi_Arabia)
title: Woman who fled Salafi Arabia
uri: Woman-who-fled-Salafi-Arabia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#16_November_2023_(Woman_who_fled_Salafi_Arabia)
content:
 
<p>

  *Woman who fled [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a>] with daughter <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/14/saudi-arabia-activist-daughter-custody-us">wins court battle to stay in US</a>.*
  She faced the risk of being executed if she went to <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> as
that country's court demanded.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Oppose Republican aims to cut Social Security
uri: Urgent-Oppose-Republican-aims-to-cut-Social-Security
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Urgent:_Oppose_Republican_aims_to_cut_Social_Security)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Urgent:_Oppose_Republican_aims_to_cut_Social_Security)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: affirm that we, the public, <em>oppose</em> <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-the-public-opposes-republican-cuts-to-social-security-including-raising-the-retirement-age">Republican aims to cut Social Security</a>, including raising the retirement age.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Overturn Corporations United decision
uri: 2023-11-20-Urgent-Overturn-Corporations-United-decision
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Urgent:_Overturn_Corporations_United_decision)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Urgent:_Overturn_Corporations_United_decision)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-we-must-overturn-citizens-united">overturn the Corporations United decision</a>.
</p>
<p>
The organization called itself "Citizens United", but it represented
the "rights" of corporations to try to buy elections, so I think the name
"<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corporationsunited">Corporations United</a>" is more accurate.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Urgent:_Cease_fire_in_Gaza)
title: Urgent: Cease fire in Gaza
uri: Urgent-Cease-fire-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Urgent:_Cease_fire_in_Gaza)
content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/congress-ceasefire">call on Congress to push for a cease fire in Gaza</a>.
</p>
<p>
The war in Gaza and the war in Ukraine are both wars, but they are not
morally parallel.  Putin attacked Ukraine; Ukraine is fighting to
recapture what Putin has taken, while he orders every war crime he can
think of.  We should help Ukraine win.
</p>
<p>
Not so in Gaza.  Both sides have made war crimes their policy; both
deserve considerable reproach; neither size deserves our full support.
</p>
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Fair, independent redistricting in every state
uri: Urgent-Fair-independent-redistricting-in-every-state
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Urgent:_Fair,_independent_redistricting_in_every_state)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Urgent:_Fair,_independent_redistricting_in_every_state)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on all US state legislatures to choose fair,
independent <a href="https://act.commoncause.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-we-need-fair-independent-redistricting-2">redistricting in every state</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: REAL Supreme Court code of conduct
uri: Urgent-REAL-Supreme-Court-code-of-conduct
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Urgent:_REAL_Supreme_Court_code_of_conduct)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Urgent:_REAL_Supreme_Court_code_of_conduct)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to pass a <a href="https://act.commoncause.org/petitions/we-need-the-strongest-possible-supreme-court-code-of-conduct-2"><em>real</em> Supreme Court code for
    conduct</a>.
</p>
<p>
It should also cover all the sorts of corruption we have seen.
Alas, that is not in the petition, but it is worth signing anyway.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Warrantless mass surveillance by NSA and FBI
uri: Urgent-Warrantless-mass-surveillance-by-NSA-and-FBI
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Urgent:_Warrantless_mass_surveillance_by_NSA_and_FBI)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Urgent:_Warrantless_mass_surveillance_by_NSA_and_FBI)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on senators Schumer and Durbin <a href="https://act.freepress.net/sign/no-section-702-fisa/">not to reauthorize
    warrantless mass surveillance</a> by the NSA and FBI.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Humanitarian_pauses_in_Gaza)
title: Humanitarian pauses in Gaza
uri: Humanitarian-pauses-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Humanitarian_pauses_in_Gaza)
content:
 
<p>

The UN Security Council <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/15/un-israel-humanitarian-pause-gaza-resolution">adopted a resolution calling for "humanitarian
    pauses"</a> in Gaza that would last for days, enough for aid to
effectively reach people.
</p>
<p>
Short truces lasting days are not equivalent to a permanent cease
fire, but they would head in that direction.  Supposing Israel does
them at all.
</p>
<p>
The US abstained, but unless it pressures Israel to heed this resolution,
Israel may ignore it.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(MPs_voted_cease-fire_in_Gaza)
title: MPs voted cease-fire in Gaza
uri: MPs-voted-cease-fire-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(MPs_voted_cease-fire_in_Gaza)
content:
 
<p>

  56 Labour MPs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/15/brave-labour-mps-have-voted-with-their-conscience-where-is-keir-starmers">voted to demand a cease-fire in Gaza</a>. but Starmer was
unmoved.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Rules_of_war)
title: Rules of war
uri: Rules-of-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Rules_of_war)
content:
 
<p>

George Monbiot: *We owe it to humanity to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/18/rules-of-war-israel-hamas-crimes-violence">see the rules of war are
    observed</a> &mdash; no matter how tough a test the Israel-HAMAS conflict
proves.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Almost-collisions between airplanes
uri: Almost-collisions-between-airplanes
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Almost-collisions_between_airplanes)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Almost-collisions_between_airplanes)

content:
 
<p>

An FAA panel has made recommendations for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/15/faa-plane-crashes-air-traffic-control">how to prevent the "near miss"
    almost-collisions between airplanes</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Overpaid_CEOs_underperform)
title: Overpaid CEOs underperform
uri: Overpaid-CEOs-underperform
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Overpaid_CEOs_underperform)
content:
 
<p>

  *10 Years of Study Shows <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/10-years-of-study-shows-overpaid-ceos-underperform">Overpaid CEOs Underperform</a>.*
</p>
<p>
That is an interesting irony, but even if those CEOs with super-high
salaries provided benefits worth those salaries, it would still be
unfair to society for management to get such a high fraction of the
company's income.
</p>
</li>

 


title: US and China's joint climate plan
uri: US-and-China-s-joint-climate-plan
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(US_and_China's_joint_climate_plan)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(US_and_China's_joint_climate_plan)

content:
 
<p>

  *US and China’s joint climate plan <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/15/us-china-climate-plan-analysis">leaves key questions unanswered</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Centuries_to_capture_carbon)
title: Centuries to capture carbon
uri: Centuries-to-capture-carbon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Centuries_to_capture_carbon)
content:
 
<p>

Using carbon capture to capture the emissions that will result from 6
years of the UAE's oil exports <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/15/capturing-cop28-chiefs-oil-firm-emissions-would-take-centuries-study">would take centuries</a>.
</p>
<p>
That "solution" is a distraction, nothing more.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Global heating making Mongolia dry
uri: Global-heating-making-Mongolia-dry
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Global_heating_making_Mongolia_dry)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Global_heating_making_Mongolia_dry)

content:
 
<p>

  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">Global heating</a> is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/15/dust-hail-and-bank-loans-the-mongolian-herders-facing-life-without-grass">making Mongolia dry</a>, and wiping out the grass that
Mongols' traditional herding way of life is based on.
</p>

 


title: UAE oil and fossil gas extraction
uri: UAE-oil-and-fossil-gas-extraction
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(UAE_oil_and_fossil_gas_extraction)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(UAE_oil_and_fossil_gas_extraction)

content:
 
<p>

  The UAE has ambitious plans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/15/cop28-host-uae-oil-plans-data">expand its oil and fossil gas extraction</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Cameron_in_UK_cabinet)
title: Cameron in UK cabinet
uri: Cameron-in-UK-cabinet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Cameron_in_UK_cabinet)
content:
 
<p>

Cameron, returning to the UK cabinet, is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/nov/15/david-cameron-urged-to-disclose-the-jobs-he-gave-up-to-make-cabinet-return">suspected of having conflicts
    of interest</a> due to working for companies, or even for other countries.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Outbreak of dengue fever in Jamaica
uri: Outbreak-of-dengue-fever-in-Jamaica
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Outbreak_of_dengue_fever_in_Jamaica)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Outbreak_of_dengue_fever_in_Jamaica)

content:
 
<p>

Record heat this year, caused by <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/15/jamaicas-dengue-fever-outbreak-shows-the-deadly-effects-of-record-heat">caused an outbreak
    of dengue fever</a> in Jamaica.
</p>
<p>
Coming soon to a city or village near you?
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(IRS_audit_of_Microsoft)
title: IRS audit of Microsoft
uri: IRS-audit-of-Microsoft
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(IRS_audit_of_Microsoft)
content:
 
<p>

An IRS audit of Microsoft found that it owes <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/irs-microsoft-audit-back-taxes-puerto-rico-billions">$29 billion dollars
    in back taxes</a>.
  *The IRS rejected Microsoft’s attempts to channel profits to a small
factory in Puerto Rico that burned Windows software onto CDs.*
</p>
<p>
Cory Doctorow: *<a href="https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/13/pour-encoragez-les-autres/">Microsoft put their tax-evasion in writing and now they owe $29
    billion.</a>*
</p>
<p>
*"Tax avoidance" (which is [supposedly] legal) isn't a separate
phenomenon from "tax evasion" (which is not), but rather a thinly
veiled euphemism for it:&hellip; The tax-avoidance strategies revealed
   in the IRS Files are obviously tax evasion, and the IRS simply let it
   slide [until Biden fixed it].*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Sweetened_sodas_in_the_UK)
title: Sweetened sodas in the UK
uri: Sweetened-sodas-in-the-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Sweetened_sodas_in_the_UK)
content:
 
<p>

UK policies designed to discourage sweetened sodas seem to have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/nov/15/fewer-children-in-england-having-teeth-out-since-sugar-tax-began-study-finds">improved
    the health of children's' teeth</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Heirloom_plant_varieties)
title: Heirloom plant varieties
uri: Heirloom-plant-varieties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Heirloom_plant_varieties)
content:
 
<p>

Arguing that trying to preserve "heirloom" plant varieties unchanged
conflicts with the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/18/heirloom-seeds-genetics-sustainable-agriculture">need for crops to adapt to handle the extreme
    weather</a> that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> exacerbates every year.
</p>
<p>
The author perhaps does not know that, among science-fiction fans and
writers, "sci-fi" is a term of disparagement that we applied to movies
because they give priority to special effects and visual
impressiveness rather than to the events in the story.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(George_Santos's_lies)
title: George Santos's lies
uri: George-Santos-s-lies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(George_Santos's_lies)
content:
 
<p>

  George Santos's lies: *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/16/george-santos-lies-ethics-report-explainer">from serious to mundane to bizarre.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Pledges to reduce production of oil and gas
uri: Pledges-to-reduce-production-of-oil-and-gas
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Pledges_to_reduce_production_of_oil_and_gas)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#19_November_2023_(Pledges_to_reduce_production_of_oil_and_gas)

content:
 
<p>

*the U.S. Department of Energy-led framework [for monitoring methane
release] will not require producers to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/doe-s-methane-monitoring-framework-misses-the-mark-on-climate-goals">make or keep pledges</a> to reduce
 their overall production of oil and gas and, as a result, will be
 weaponized by the fossil fuel industry to justify increased
 production.*
</p>
<p>
The article describes other flaws too.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Antisemitism)
title: Antisemitism
uri: 2023-11-22-Antisemitism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Antisemitism)
content:
 
<p>
Even leftist Jews, who advocate an end to the occupation of Palestine,
feel <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/16/antisemitism-uk-universities-jewish-students">in danger from the surge of antisemitism that is stimulated by
present condemnation of Israel's occupation policies and war crimes.
<p>
It takes some moral maturity to separate (1) Israel's treatment of
Palestinians from (2) Jews as such from (3) Israel's existence as a
haven for them.  It's the same moral maturity that we need in order to
separate (1) HAMAS from (2) Palestinians.
<p>
We all need to develop and activate this maturity, now more than ever.

<p>
 


title: Environment secretary donations from climate denialist thinktank funder
uri: Environment-secretary-donations-from-climate-denialist-thinktank-funde
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Environment_secretary_donations_from_climate_denialist_thinktank_funder)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Environment_secretary_donations_from_climate_denialist_thinktank_funder)

content:
 
<p>
*UK environment secretary <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/nov/17/steve-barclay-environment-secretary-donation-lord-hintze-climate-sceptic-thinktank">took donation from funder of climate
[denialist] thinktank</a>.*
<p>
"Climate skeptic" is what <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> denialists like to call
themselves, so that they sound respectable.  As soon as I saw that
term, I suspected they were denialists.  But before asserting that
they are, I verified that the article actually says so.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Al-Shifa_hospital)
title: Al-Shifa hospital
uri: 2023-11-22-Al-Shifa-hospital
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Al-Shifa_hospital)
content:
 
<p>
*IDF evidence so far <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/17/idf-evidence-so-far-falls-well-short-of-al-shifa-hospital-being-hamas-hq">falls well short</a> of al-Shifa hospital's being Hamas HQ.*
<p>
Thus, Israel has not demonstrated sufficient grounds to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/17/can-hospitals-be-military-targets-international-law-israel-gaza-al-shifa">designate
al-Shifa hospital as a "military objective"</a> and attack it.  The attack remains
a war crime.
<p>
But not as big a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/17/gaza-un-starvation-disease">war crime as starving the population of Gaza</a>.  *Gaza
faces "immediate possibility" of starvation as disease spreads, UN
[World Food Program] says.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_((Satire)_Sex_education)
title: (Satire) Sex education
uri: (Satire)-Sex-education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_((Satire)_Sex_education)
content:
 
<p>
(satire) *Only Sex Education In Country Now Just <a href="https://www.theonion.com/only-sex-education-in-country-now-just-pressing-ear-to-1851018444">Pressing Ear To
Shared Wall To Hear Noises From Next Door</a>.*
<p>
  If an Onion page appears blank, try disabling Javascript entirely or
  telling LibreJS to blacklist all scripts in the page, then
  right-click and select item "Reveal hidden HTML". Or use a browser
  such as lynx that doesn't implement Javascript and CSS.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Crisis_pregnancy_centers)
title: Crisis pregnancy centers
uri: 2023-11-22-Crisis-pregnancy-centers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Crisis_pregnancy_centers)
content:
 
<p>
Ohio Republicans plan to increase subsidize the "crisis pregnancy
centers" that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/16/ohio-tax-credit-pregnancy-crisis-center-donation">use trickery to lead women away from getting abortions</a>.
<p>
They use trickery to fool women into consulting them, rather than
consulting a real abortion clinic as those women set out to do.  And
once that first trickery gives them an opportunity, they use trickery
to convince women not to get abortions.
<p>
Then they use trickery to deny their use of trickery.
<p>
I call the proposal a "subsidy" because it seems to go beyond making
private donations to those disinformationists deductable.
<p>
The article says that several states subsidize this disinformation --
all of them Republican-controlled, I presume.  The Republican slogan
should be Disinformation Я Us.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Ban_surveillance)
title: Ban surveillance
uri: Ban-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Ban_surveillance)
content:
 
<p>
Surveillance advertising's data collection <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/29/ban-surveillance-ads/">makes people vulnerable fraud</a>.
<p>
Doctorow says we should ban surveillance advertising.  I say we should
ban the surveillance, period.  Regardless of what the surveiller's
motivation is, collecting personal data in a database harms people.
<p>
For instance, suppose the data is not used for advertising but is used
to set what you pay for medical insurance.  If the data collected from
a fitbit includes _where you are_ -- and it can hardly fail to do so
-- that is a grave attack on your privacy.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Rwanda_untrustworthy)
title: Rwanda untrustworthy
uri: Rwanda-untrustworthy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Rwanda_untrustworthy)
content:
 
<p>
The UK Supreme Court recognized that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/15/rishi-sunak-to-bring-in-emergency-law-after-courts-rwanda-ruling">Rwanda proved untrustworthy</a>
when it allowed Israel to park asylum-seekers there.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(AI_control_plan)
title: AI control plan
uri: AI-control-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(AI_control_plan)
content:
 
<p>
*Tech companies are pushing the idea that the only way to make AI safe
is to leave them in control. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/16/rishi-sunak-ai-plan-big-tech-control-protect">Trusting them could lead to disaster</a>.*
<p>
The author doesn't fully appreciate to what extent this is true.
The only way they would _not_ be in control is if they release
the software and make it libre -- so we change it for ourselves.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Bombardment_threats)
title: Bombardment threats
uri: Bombardment-threats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Bombardment_threats)
content:
 
<p>
*Israel <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/16/israel-drops-leaflets-warning-people-to-flee-southern-gaza-towns">drops leaflets</a> warning people to flee southern Gaza towns.*
<p>
Most people in Gaza have had little food and water for weeks.  How are
they supposed to be capable of walking for miles, carrying or dragging
the possessions they have saved?  And where could they find other
shelter?
<p>
Even if they were provided with the wherewithal to move, to order
thousands of civilians to move or be bombarded is, as I understand it,
a war crime which nothing can possibly excuse.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(UCS_findings_on_climate_goals)
title: UCS findings on climate goals
uri: UCS-findings-on-climate-goals
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(UCS_findings_on_climate_goals)
content:
 
<p>
*UCS Study Finds US Can <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/ucs-study-finds-us-can-reap-significant-economic-health-benefits-from-meeting-climate-goals">Reap Significant Economic, Health Benefits</a>
from Meeting Climate Goals.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Protesting_climate_destruction)
title: Protesting climate destruction
uri: Protesting-climate-destruction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Protesting_climate_destruction)
content:
 
<p>
Protesters intentionally <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/16/climate-protesters-cleared-of-causing-criminal-damage-to-hsbc-london-hq">destroyed fancy windows in the headquarters
of HSBC</a> to protest its funding climate destruction.  They were charged
and tried, and the jury ruled to acquit them.
<p>
It seems the jury accepted the protesters' argument that they were
trying to prevent a much graver crime.

<p>
 


title: Tories want to consider Rwanda safe
uri: Tories-want-to-consider-Rwanda-safe
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Tories_want_to_consider_Rwanda_safe)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Tories_want_to_consider_Rwanda_safe)

content:
 
<p>
Since the British supreme court has ruled that Rwanda is not a safe
place to deport inconvenient foreigners, the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/nov/16/westminster-peers-and-mps-pledge-to-block-sunaks-new-rwanda-plan-on-asylum-seekers">Tories are trying to rush through
a law to declare it "safe"</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Meat_overpriced)
title: Meat overpriced
uri: Meat-overpriced
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Meat_overpriced)
content:
 
<p>
*Lawsuit Highlights <a href="https://prospect.org/power/2023-10-03-lawsuit-highlights-why-meat-overpriced/">Why Meat Has Been Overpriced</a> [in the US] for 40 Years.*
<p>
It is good to increase the price of meat, so that people will eat less
of it (and live longer) and we will produce less of it (and reduce
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> and deforestation).  But the extra should go to taxes,
not profits.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Corporate_diversity_programs)
title: Corporate diversity programs
uri: Corporate-diversity-programs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Corporate_diversity_programs)
content:
 
<p>
According to Cory Doctorow, corporations push <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/11/equal-opportunity-class-war/#inclusive-scabbing">diversity programs as a
way of convincing workers</a> that *their grievances are best addressed by
trusting corporate leadership to correct their error of their ways –-
and not by forming a union.*
<p>
I made the article link above it tells us something important about
fighting unjust business power, and secondarily racism too.
<p>
Ironically, that article embodies symbolic bigotry by capitalizing
"black" but not "white".  (To avoid this bigotry, capitalize both
words or neither one.)  I denounce all forms of bigotry, and I don't
want to normalize symbolic bigotry by letting it pass without calling
it out.   Here I am doing that.

<p>
 


title: Landlords and anonymous corporations
uri: Landlords-and-anonymous-corporations
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Landlords_and_anonymous_corporations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Landlords_and_anonymous_corporations)

content:
 
<p>
Landlords that hide their names and addresses behind anonymous
corporations find that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/16/hidden-landlords-limited-liability-companies-llcs-rental-property">a convenient way to get away with illegal
harassment and eviction</a>.
<p>
The obvious solution is to make it a felony to register such a
corporation as the owner of a rental property, and punish it with
confiscation of the property.  There is no reason for leniency in
stopping abuse of power.


 


title: Dictatorship supporter elected in Argentina
uri: Dictatorship-supporter-elected-in-Argentina
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#22_November_2023_(Dictatorship_supporter_elected_in_Argentina)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#22_November_2023_(Dictatorship_supporter_elected_in_Argentina)

content:
 
<p>
A right-wing supporter of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/20/argentina-presidential-election-far-right-libertarian-javier-milei-wins-after-rival-concedes">murderous 1970s military dictatorship was elected</a>
president in Argentina.  I fear for that country.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#22_November_2023_(Direct_air_capture)
title: Direct air capture
uri: Direct-air-capture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#22_November_2023_(Direct_air_capture)
content:
 
<p>
Direct air capture of CO2 is useful in principle.  But since it takes
a lot of energy, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/19/carbon-dioxide-direct-air-capture">would it reduce atmospheric CO2 more than reducing
fossil fuel generation by that same amount of energy</a>?

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#22_November_2023_(Fortified_tunnel)
title: Fortified tunnel
uri: Fortified-tunnel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#22_November_2023_(Fortified_tunnel)
content:
 
<p>
Israel has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/19/idf-israel-army-footage-claims-hamas-tunnel-al-shifa-hospital-gaza">published a video</a> showing a fortified tunnel under al-Shifa
hospital which it asserts was made by HAMAS.
<p>
If this is true, as it may be, HAMAS may have violated the rules of
war by building that tunnel.  Using the tunnel for fighting would
surely have violated them.
<p>
That would not however imply open season on patients and doctors in
al-Shifa for the Israeli army.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#22_November_2023_(Ex-convict_policies)
title: Ex-convict policies
uri: Ex-convict-policies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#22_November_2023_(Ex-convict_policies)
content:
 
<p>
Australia is rushing to make new policies for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/16/labor-emergency-immigration-detention-bill-strict-visa-conditions-electronic-monitors-curfews">ex-convicts who are
foreigners that it is impossible to legally deport</a>.
But they seem to be based on confusion of purpose.
<p>
The imprisonment policy that the court rejected was used ex-convicts
who would be deported if that were allowable.  However, they have been
mixed with policies that seem to be directed at a possible threat to
the community posed by the convict.
<p>
Each of those two purposes calls for its own response; mixing them up
is a mistake.
<p>
For making sure the state can find the ex-convict in case deporting
per ever becomes an option, keeping track of per movements is
justified and should be sufficient.
<p>
As for protecting the community from a possible threat posed by the
ex-convict, whatever Australia does with Australian ex-convicts is
presumably adequate (or Australia should change that policy).  So it
should be adequate for non-Australian criminals too.
<p>
I presume that Australia makes these decisions for specific
ex-convicts based on what crime each committed.  For instance, if the
crime was bank robbery or embezzling, there is probably no need to
care whether the criminal goes near a school.
<p>
If Australian courts accept a certain restriction for a certain
category ex-convicts when they are Australians, I expect it will
accept the same restriction for the same category of foreign
ex-convicts.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#22_November_2023_(Nonviolent_protest_in_Atlanta)
title: Nonviolent protest in Atlanta
uri: Nonviolent-protest-in-Atlanta
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#22_November_2023_(Nonviolent_protest_in_Atlanta)
content:
 
<p>
400 or so people came to Atlanta for a nonviolent protest against Cop
City.  They held a nonviolence training first.  They brought gas masks
because they expected the thugs to attack them with violence.
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/16/atlanta-police-cop-city-protest-grenades-snipers-terrorism">That's exactly what the thugs did</a>.  They started attacking as soon as the protesters came close.
The thugs also attacked press.
<p>
The thug department seems to be run by Putin.  Is it perhaps run by a
follower of a supporter of Putin?  That would be, a follower of the
insurrectionist -- a Republican.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Eliminate legal obstacles to abortions
uri: Urgent-Eliminate-legal-obstacles-to-abortions
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Urgent:_Eliminate_legal_obstacles_to_abortions)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Urgent:_Eliminate_legal_obstacles_to_abortions)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-break-down-barriers-to-abortion-support-the-abortion-justice-act">eliminate the legal obstacles</a> that
make abortions hard to get even when they are not prohibited.
</p>
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Ban racist gerrymandering
uri: Urgent-Ban-racist-gerrymandering
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Urgent:_Ban_racist_gerrymandering)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Urgent:_Ban_racist_gerrymandering)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to protect democracy by <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/ban-racist-gerrymandering-23/">banning racist
    gerrymandering</a>.
</p>
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Keep the insurrectionist off the ballot
uri: Urgent-Keep-the-insurrectionist-off-the-ballot
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Urgent:_Keep_the_insurrectionist_off_the_ballot)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Urgent:_Keep_the_insurrectionist_off_the_ballot)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on state officials to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/trump-is-disqualified-tell-election-officials-to-keep-trump-off-the-ballot-now">keep the insurrectionist off
    the ballot</a> for the next election &mdash; for engaging in insurrection.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Murder organizer of prison strikes
uri: Murder-organizer-of-prison-strikes
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Murder_organizer_of_prison_strikes)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Murder_organizer_of_prison_strikes)

content:
 
<p>

*Alabama [prison <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thug</a>] accused of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/17/alabama-prison-lawsuit-robert-earl-council">encouraging prisoners to murder organizer of
    [prison] strikes</a>.*
</p>
<p>
They did not actually try to kill that organizer, it seems.
But he is in considerable danger of violence from the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Australian whistle-blower forbidden to state defense
uri: Australian-whistle-blower-forbidden-to-state-defense
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Australian_whistle-blower_forbidden_to_state_defense)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Australian_whistle-blower_forbidden_to_state_defense)

content:
 
<p>

Australia's equivalent of Chelsea Manning, who revealed war crimes by
soldiers in Afghanistan, was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/17/australian-military-whistleblower-pleads-guilty-over-afghan-files-leak">forbidden to state his defense or enter
    documents in evidence</a>.  He responded by pleading guilty to three of
the five charges.
</p>
<p>
I don't quite understand why he responded that way, but the article
does not say what happened to the other two charges.  Was this a sort
of plea bargain?  That would make sense.
</p>
<p>
In any case, he has boosted the campaign for changing the law so that
whistleblowers like him will bot be prosecuted.
</p>
</li>

 


title: HAMAS and Netanyahu unwilling to contemplate peace
uri: HAMAS-and-Netanyahu-unwilling-to-contemplate-peace
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(HAMAS_and_Netanyahu_unwilling_to_contemplate_peace)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(HAMAS_and_Netanyahu_unwilling_to_contemplate_peace)

content:
 
<p>

Jonathan Freedland: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/17/hamas-benjamin-netanyahu-ceasefire">Neither HAMAS nor Netanyahu (and his government)
    is willing to contemplate peace</a>.  The only way to have peace in
Israel/Palestine is to get rid of both of them.
</p>
<p>
Freedland thinks Israel can eliminate HAMAS, and says that various
other powers expect this, but I don't think that is possible.  An
underground guerrilla movement is almost impossible to eradicate as
long as new supporters want to join.  I do not think that Israel
should be allowed to commit enormous war crimes in the name of
attempting to do that.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Textbooks_rejected_in_Texas)
title: Textbooks rejected in Texas
uri: Textbooks-rejected-in-Texas
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Textbooks_rejected_in_Texas)
content:
 
<p>

Republicans in a Texas school committee <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/17/texas-republican-school-board-climate-textbooks">rejected some textbooks for
    teaching about global heating</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Political donations by rich right-wingers
uri: Political-donations-by-rich-right-wingers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Political_donations_by_rich_right-wingers)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Political_donations_by_rich_right-wingers)

content:
 
<p>

Rich right-wingers <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2023/11/17/donorstrust-funneled-134-million-to-right-wing-groups-in-2022/">anonymously donated $134 million to political
    campaigns</a> in 2022.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Crossing_border_without_papers)
title: Crossing border without papers
uri: Crossing-border-without-papers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Crossing_border_without_papers)
content:
 
<p>

Texas is about to make it a crime, under state law, to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/17/sb4-texas-law-mexico-border-abbott-immigration">cross the
    border from Mexico without papers</a>.  Also, <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> will be allowed arrest
anyone on vague suspicion of having entered Texas by crossing the
border without papers.
   We know that they will make that judgment based on racial profiling.
</p>
<p>
Since immigration is normally a federal matter, it is not clear states
are allowed to make laws about it.  But we cannot trust today's
Supreme Court to insist on that.
</p>
<p>
But even if it does, that decision will probably take months, during
which <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> will eagerly arrest anyone who looks or sounds foreign.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(School_strike_4_climate)
title: School strike 4 climate
uri: School-strike-4-climate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(School_strike_4_climate)
content:
 
<p>

*School Strike 4 Climate: Australian students <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/17/school-strike-4-climate-australian-students-skip-classes-en-masse-to-call-for-action">skip classes en masse to
    call for action</a>.*
</p>
<p>
I wish the web site for climate actions permitted access without running
nonfree software.  If it did, I could post a link to it, and I could
even join actions sometimes myself.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Threat of boycott north-east Atlantic mackerel
uri: Threat-of-boycott-north-east-Atlantic-mackerel
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Threat_of_boycott_north-east_Atlantic_mackerel)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Threat_of_boycott_north-east_Atlantic_mackerel)

content:
 
<p>

* Seafood companies and retailers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/17/uk-among-nations-condemned-for-epic-mackerel-overfishing-disaster">threaten to boycott north-east
    Atlantic [mackerel]</a> catch after two-decade failure to agree sustainable
   quotas.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Punishing cases of environmental damage
uri: Punishing-cases-of-environmental-damage
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Punishing_cases_of_environmental_damage)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Punishing_cases_of_environmental_damage)

content:
 
<p>

*[A new EU] directive <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/17/eu-criminalises-environmental-damage-comparable-to-ecocide">punishes [the] most serious cases of
    environmental damage</a>, including habitat loss and illegal logging.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Georgia concealing evidence on shooting of protester
uri: Georgia-concealing-evidence-on-shooting-of-protester
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Georgia_concealing_evidence_on_shooting_of_protester)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Georgia_concealing_evidence_on_shooting_of_protester)

content:
 
<p>

  The state of Georgia is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/oct/16/georgia-cop-city-police-shooting-evidence-manuel-paez-teran">concealing the evidence</a> about the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a> that
shot a protester who was in the forest near Cop City.
</p>
<p>
Since state officials give no valid reason for doing this, we are
entitled to suspect the worst: that Georgia is covering up a felony
committed by the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Ideological Subversion of Biology
uri: Ideological-Subversion-of-Biology
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Ideological_Subversion_of_Biology)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Ideological_Subversion_of_Biology)

content:
 
<p>

  The <a href="https://skepticalinquirer.org/2023/06/the-ideological-subversion-of-biology/">Ideological Subversion of Biology</a>.
</p>
<p>
It contains this quotation from Ernst Mayr:
</p>
<blockquote>
Equality [of rights] in spite of evident non-identity is a somewhat
sophisticated concept and requires a moral stature of which many
individuals seem to be incapable. They rather deny human variability
and equate equality with identity. Or they claim that the human
species is exceptional in the organic world in that only morphological
characters are controlled by genes and all other traits of the mind or
character are due to “conditioning” or other non-genetic factors. … An
ideology based on such obviously wrong premises can only lead to
disaster. Its championship of human equality is based on a claim of
identity. As soon as it is proved that the latter does not exist, the
support of equality [of rights] is likewise lost. (Mayr 1963)
</blockquote>
<p>
I agree with Mayr, as do the authors of the paper.  I advocate equal
rights for all humans, though we should and do impose practical tests
of ability and knowledge for specific activities such as driving a
motor vehicle and practicing medicine.  As for facts, about individual
humans or about biology and medicine, we can ascertain them by
observation and by scientific inquiry, and we should respect the facts
we find.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Judge_in_insurrectionist's_case)
title: Judge in insurrectionist's case
uri: Judge-in-insurrectionist-s-case
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Judge_in_insurrectionist's_case)
content:
 
<p>

The judge in <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">the insurrectionist's</a> criminal case for misuse of secret
documents is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/17/trump-classified-documents-trial-delay">allowing a lot of slippage</a> in the trial.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Google_antitrust_trial)
title: Google antitrust trial
uri: Google-antitrust-trial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Google_antitrust_trial)
content:
 
<p>

  *Here are <a href="https://www.bigtechontrial.com/p/secrecy-is-systemic">seven ways</a> that Judge Mehta is allowing Google to hide the Google
antitrust trial.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Public pension money funding private firms
uri: Public-pension-money-funding-private-firms
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Public_pension_money_funding_private_firms)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Public_pension_money_funding_private_firms)

content:
 
<p>

*   Billions of dollars in public pension fund money <a href="https://prospect.org/labor/2023-10-04-workers-funding-misery-private-equity-pension-funds/">flow to private
    equity–owned firms</a> that union-bust, violate labor laws, and put
   workers’ safety at risk.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Tweet accusing Jews of "hatred against whites"
uri: Tweet-accusing-Jews-of-hatred-against-whites
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Tweet_accusing_Jews_of_hatred_against_whites)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#21_November_2023_(Tweet_accusing_Jews_of_hatred_against_whites)

content:
 
<p>

  *Elon Musk <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/16/elon-musk-antisemitic-tweet-adl">agrees with tweet accusing Jews of "hatred against whites"</a>.*
</p>
<p>
There's no way of understanding that as anything other than
antisemitism.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Stop big tech taking over auto industry
uri: Urgent-Stop-big-tech-taking-over-auto-industry
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_big_tech_taking_over_auto_industry)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_big_tech_taking_over_auto_industry)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on the Federal Trade Commission to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/ftc-stop-big-tech-from-taking-over-the-auto-industry">Stop Big Tech
    from taking over the auto industry</a> (through "connected cars").
</p>
<p>
The actions this advocates would be a step forward, but nowhere near
enough.
</p>
<p>
We should prohibit systematic tracking of the location or
movements of any vehicle or vehicles that can lawfully be used on
public streets, except when authorized by a search warrant that must
specify the vehicles to be tracked, the geographical of such tracking,
and the period of time within which it may be done.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Israeli use of white phosphorus
uri: Urgent-Israeli-use-of-white-phosphorus
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Urgent:_Israeli_use_of_white_phosphorus)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Urgent:_Israeli_use_of_white_phosphorus)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to demand the Israeli government <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/go/34272?c0=white-phosphorus.XA2BtO">ban the use
    of white phosphorus</a> (except for generating fog).
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Urgent:_Ban_assault_weapons)
title: Urgent: Ban assault weapons
uri: 2023-11-24-Urgent-Ban-assault-weapons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Urgent:_Ban_assault_weapons)
content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-ban-assault-weapons-11">ban assault weapons</a>.
</p>
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Commit to 100% renewable energy
uri: Urgent-Commit-to-100-renewable-energy
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Urgent:_Commit_to_100%25_renewable_energy)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Urgent:_Commit_to_100%25_renewable_energy)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: phone the White House and call on Biden to commit
to 100% renewable energy as the target for COP28.
</p>
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!
White House: <a href="tel:+12024561111">+1-202-456-1111</a>
and (TTY/TDD) +1-202-456-6213</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(AI_and_labor_in_the_future)
title: AI and labor in the future
uri: AI-and-labor-in-the-future
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(AI_and_labor_in_the_future)
content:
 
<p>

If AI leads to decreased demand for labor in the future, a universal
basic income <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/16/ai-is-coming-for-our-jobs-could-universal-basic-income-be-the-solution">could reduce the resulting problems</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Climate crisis harms human health
uri: Climate-crisis-harms-human-health
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Climate_crisis_harms_human_health)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Climate_crisis_harms_human_health)

content:
 
<p>

  *The climate crises <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/16/from-cholera-to-kidney-disease-10-ways-the-climate-crisis-is-wrecking-peoples-lives-acc">harms [human] health</a>.  Diseases will spread faster and
   further, and kill more people, as the effects of record heat,
   floods, drought and storms escalates.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Claims that anonymous posts are a threat
uri: Claims-that-anonymous-posts-are-a-threat
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Claims_that_anonymous_posts_are_a_threat)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Claims_that_anonymous_posts_are_a_threat)

content:
 
<p>

*Nikki Haley Says Anonymous Social Media Posts Are a "National Security
Threat," <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/tv/nikki-haley-says-anonymous-social-media-posts-are-a-national-security-threat-demands-all-users-verify-identity/">Demands All Users Verify Identity</a>.*
</p>
<p>
Right-wing disinformation and hate are the main "national security
threat" in antisocial media platforms, but Republicans have become
experts at spreading those messages under their own names and avoiding
punishment or obstacles.  I guess Haley thinks this new censorship requirement will hit only progressives.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Democracy's vital feedback mechanism is broken
uri: Democracy-s-vital-feedback-mechanism-is-broken
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Democracy's_vital_feedback_mechanism_is_broken)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Democracy's_vital_feedback_mechanism_is_broken)

content:
 
<p>

*The news has become intolerable and inhumane. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/19/the-news-has-become-intolerable-and-inhumane-democracys-vital-feedback-mechanism-is-broken">Democracy’s vital
    feedback mechanism is broken</a>.*
</p>
<p>
It helps, I find, to read news articles rather than watching video.
With text, it is easier to stay calm while finding out what happened.
Then you can react emotionally to what you have learned, rather than whatever
image someone shows you.
</p>
<p>
Another advantage is that you can read words faster than you can hear
someone speak them.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Corbyn recognizes HAMAS as terrorist group
uri: Corbyn-recognizes-HAMAS-as-terrorist-group
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Corbyn_recognizes_HAMAS_as_terrorist_group)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Corbyn_recognizes_HAMAS_as_terrorist_group)

content:
 
<p>

Jeremy Corbyn was reluctant to call HAMAS a terrorist group, but now has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/nov/18/jeremy-corbyn-calls-hamas-terrorist-group-after-previous-demurral">publicly recognized that it is one</a>.
   I'm glad, because it means that he and I are more or less in
agreement now.  I was disappointed that he disagreed with me on this
point.  However, I still supported him rather than Starmer.  The UK
government is not in charge of either HAMAS or Israel, but it is in
charge of whether to make poor people in the UK suffer for the sake of
the rich.  Starmer refuses to tax the rich to reverse their
multi-decade neoliberal wealth grab.  Corbyn wants to do that.
</p>
<p>
  I've already <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(The_UN_on_the_Israeli-Palestinian_conflict)">contrasted HAMAS and the Israel</a>.
Both are committing war crimes, but they are not similar, not mirror images of each other.
It is not that simple.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Defamation law to ward off election subversion
uri: Defamation-law-to-ward-off-election-subversion
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Defamation_law_to_ward_off_election_subversion)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Defamation_law_to_ward_off_election_subversion)

content:
 
<p>

  *Groups increasingly use defamation law to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/18/election-2020-defamation-lawsuit-giuliani-lindell">ward off US election subversion</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Modi_prosecuting_author)
title: Modi prosecuting author
uri: Modi-prosecuting-author
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Modi_prosecuting_author)
content:
 
<p>

If Modi gets away with prosecuting world-famous author Arundhati Roy
for a comment on Indian history, his party <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/20/arundhati-roy-india-author-freedom-of-speech">won't hold back from
    persecuting any kind of opposition</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Children_with_lead_poisoning)
title: Children with lead poisoning
uri: Children-with-lead-poisoning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Children_with_lead_poisoning)
content:
 
<p>

  *Half of children in poorer countries <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/oct/20/half-of-children-in-poorer-countries-have-lead-poisoning-says-study-acc">have lead poisoning</a>, says
 study.*
</p>
<p>
The number of people that die from lead poisoning fails to measure the
harm it does.  Lead exposure damages a child's brain and leads to
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-jan-apr.html#9_March_2022_(Leaded_brains)">lower intelligence</a>.  The US suffered a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-mar-jun.html#14_June_2014_(Rate_of_violence_in_US_schools_has_been_declining)">decades-long crime wave</a>
at the hands of the young men who, due to lead exposure as children, were not
smart enough to recognize that crime would lead to consequences that
would ruin their lives.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Europe_and_the_African_migration)
title: Europe and the African migration
uri: Europe-and-the-African-migration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Europe_and_the_African_migration)
content:
 
<p>

  *Europe will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/oct/20/europe-will-never-discourage-african-migration-while-it-funds-the-corruption-that-drives-it">never discourage African migration</a> while it funds the
corruption that drives it.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Delay_in_redrawing_Louisiana_map)
title: Delay in redrawing Louisiana map
uri: Delay-in-redrawing-Louisiana-map
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Delay_in_redrawing_Louisiana_map)
content:
 
<p>

  *US supreme court <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2023/oct/19/black-voters-louisiana-us-supreme-court">allows delay</a> in redrawing Louisiana map that dilutes Black
voters’ power.*
</p>
<p>
That means that Louisiana's congressional delegation elected in 2024
will be gerrymandered in favor of Republicans.
</p>
<p>
Republicans only "win" elections nationally with the help of cheating:
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives//2021-sep-dec.html#20_November_2021_(Gerrymandering)">gerrymandering</a>
and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#11_November_2014_(Voter_Suppression)">voter-suppression</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Evacuation_of_al-Shifa_hospital)
title: Evacuation of al-Shifa hospital
uri: Evacuation-of-al-Shifa-hospital
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Evacuation_of_al-Shifa_hospital)
content:
 
<p>

The Israeli army forced doctors and patients to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/19/gazas-main-hospital-has-become-a-death-zone-says-who">evacuate al-Shifa
    hospital</a>.
  Aside from 32 babies that will be taken to Egyptian hospitals,
there is nowhere safe for them to go.  I expect the number of
Palestinians killed in Gaza far exceeds 12,000.  I would not be
surprised if it were double or triple that.
</p>
</li>

 


title: US warming faster than global average
uri: US-warming-faster-than-global-average
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(US_warming_faster_than_global_average)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(US_warming_faster_than_global_average)

content:
 
<p>

  *   The US is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/14/us-national-climate-assessment-global-warming-report">warming faster than the global average</a> and its people are
   suffering &hellip; a disaster every three weeks costing at least $1bn.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Exhibit to promote Lord of the Rings
uri: Exhibit-to-promote-Lord-of-the-Rings
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Exhibit_to_promote_Lord_of_the_Rings)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Exhibit_to_promote_Lord_of_the_Rings)

content:
 
<p>

The Italian government is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/14/italian-pm-giorgia-meloni-to-open-jrr-tolkien-exhibition">funding an exhibit to promote Lord of the
    Rings</a>, which has been adopted by right-wing extremists in Italy.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Amazon brings robots into warehouses
uri: Amazon-brings-robots-into-warehouses
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Amazon_brings_robots_into_warehouses)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Amazon_brings_robots_into_warehouses)

content:
 
<p>

  *Fears of employee displacement as Amazon <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/oct/18/amazon-robot-warehouses-digit-workers">brings robots into warehouses</a>.*
</p>
<p>
Amazon already destroyed a large fraction of US jobs in retail by
driving competing other stores out of business.  The jobs that remain
in Amazon warehouses, which often lead to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-jan-apr.html#17_April_2022_(Amazon_warehouse_workers_rate_of_injury_is_double)">injury and illness</a>,
  are few by comparison.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Exports_of_waste_plastic)
title: Exports of waste plastic
uri: Exports-of-waste-plastic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#23_November_2023_(Exports_of_waste_plastic)
content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/17/waste-plastic-eu-ban-exports-non-oecd-countries">EU agrees to ban exports of waste plastic to poor countries</a>.*
</p>
<p>
Poor countries, desperate for foreign currency, often agree to accept
large quantities of waste, which there is no safe way to dispose of
so they have to keep it forever.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Laws that forbid domestic abusers from owning guns
uri: Urgent-Laws-that-forbid-domestic-abusers-from-owning-guns
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Urgent:_Laws_that_forbid_domestic_abusers_from_owning_guns)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Urgent:_Laws_that_forbid_domestic_abusers_from_owning_guns)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on the Supreme Court to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-keep-guns-from-domestic-abusers">uphold laws</a> that forbid
domestic abusers from owning guns.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Enforceable Supreme Court code of ethics
uri: Urgent-Enforceable-Supreme-Court-code-of-ethics
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Urgent:_Enforceable_Supreme_Court_code_of_ethics)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Urgent:_Enforceable_Supreme_Court_code_of_ethics)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to give us an <a href="https://act.commoncause.org/petitions/we-need-a-real-supreme-court-code-of-conduct">enforceable Supreme Court code
    of ethics</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Urgent:_Support_REDUCE_Act)
title: Urgent: Support REDUCE Act
uri: Urgent-Support-REDUCE-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Urgent:_Support_REDUCE_Act)
content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on your senators to <a href="https://environmental-action.webaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=55464">support the REDUCE Act</a>.
</p>
<p>
This would add a tax to production of non-recycled plastic in order to
decrease the amount of throw-away plastic.
</p>
<p>
If you phone, please spread the word!                              
Main Switchboard: <a href="tel:+12022243121">+1-202-224-3121</a>
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Permits for new fossil gas export facilities
uri: Urgent-Permits-for-new-fossil-gas-export-facilities
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Urgent:_Permits_for_new_fossil_gas_export_facilities)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Urgent:_Permits_for_new_fossil_gas_export_facilities)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-the-biden-administration-to-stop-natural-gas-exports">cancel permits for new fossil gas export
    facilities</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Urgent:_USPS_Board_of_Governors)
title: Urgent: USPS Board of Governors
uri: Urgent-USPS-Board-of-Governors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Urgent:_USPS_Board_of_Governors)
content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/usps-bog">appoint Rep. Brenda Lawrence and Sarah
    Anderson</a> to the USPS Board of Governors, in order to replace
Postmaster DeJoy
</p>
</li>

 


title: Putin forces committed "willful killing"
uri: Putin-forces-committed-willful-killing
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Putin_forces_committed_willful_killing)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Putin_forces_committed_willful_killing)

content:
 
<p>

A UN report finds that the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/21/un-finds-further-evidence-of-russian-war-crimes-in-ukraine">Putin forces committed "willful killing,
   torture, rape and other sexual violence, and the deportation of
    children to the Russian Federation"</a> in Ukraine.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(US_Railroad_workers)
title: US Railroad workers
uri: US-Railroad-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(US_Railroad_workers)
content:
 
<p>

  *[US] Railroad companies have <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/railroad-safety-union-pacific-csx-bnsf-trains-freight">penalized workers</a> for taking the time to
make needed repairs and created a culture in which supervisors
threaten and fire the very people hired to keep trains running
safely. Regulators say they can’t stop this intimidation.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Long sentences handed to Just Stop Oil protesters
uri: Long-sentences-handed-to-Just-Stop-Oil-protesters
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Long_sentences_handed_to_Just_Stop_Oil_protesters)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Long_sentences_handed_to_Just_Stop_Oil_protesters)

content:
 
<p>

*   Long sentences handed to two Just Stop Oil protesters for scaling
   [a] bridge over the Thames are a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/20/just-stop-oil-protesters-jail-terms-potentially-breach-international-law-un-expert-says">potential breach of international
    law</a> and risk silencing public concerns about the environment*
&mdash; UN special rapporteur for "<a href="../antiglossary.html#climatechange">climate change</a>"
and human rights.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Profitable_export_businesses)
title: Profitable export businesses
uri: Profitable-export-businesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Profitable_export_businesses)
content:
 
<p>

For UK Tories, the point of science is to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/19/jeremy-hunt-to-announce-us-inspired-science-and-technology-scheme">make profitable export
    businesses</a>.
</p>
<p>
I wonder if Starmer would be any different.  My guess is no.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Milei_as_president_of_Argentina)
title: Milei as president of Argentina
uri: Milei-as-president-of-Argentina
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Milei_as_president_of_Argentina)
content:
 
<p>

  Milei as president of Argentina <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/20/argentina-milei-abortion-womens-rights">would be no "libertarian."</a>
Quite the contrary, he wants to prohibit abortion again.
</p>
<p>
In the US a few years ago, the people who call themselves "libertarian"
sought above all to stop the government from aiding the non-rich.
I concluded that they were, first and foremast, <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#anti">antisocialists</a>.
</p>
<p>
However, I hear that many of them have taken up right-wing conspiracy
theories and anti-vax.  Perhaps they are no longer worth distinguishing
from the right-wing in general.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Supreme Court ethics rules full of holes
uri: Supreme-Court-ethics-rules-full-of-holes
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Supreme_Court_ethics_rules_full_of_holes)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Supreme_Court_ethics_rules_full_of_holes)

content:
 
<p>

When the Supreme Court justices modified the ethics rules for other
federal judges to write an ethics code for themselves, they sabotaged
it at several levels, <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/17/red-team-black-robes/">intentionally ripping it full of holes</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Palestinian writer Mosab Abu Toha
uri: Palestinian-writer-Mosab-Abu-Toha
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Palestinian_writer_Mosab_Abu_Toha)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Palestinian_writer_Mosab_Abu_Toha)

content:
 
<p>

Palestinian writer Mosab Abu Toha, who won an American Book Award, was
on the way to Rafah with his family so they could go to Egypt and then
to the US.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/20/palestinian-poet-mosab-abu-toha-arrested-by-israelis-in-gaza-family-says">He did not make it to Egypt</a> &mdash; the Israeli army arrested
him, along with hundreds of other men who were all fleeing south
along with their families.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Senator Manchin not running again
uri: Senator-Manchin-not-running-again
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Senator_Manchin_not_running_again)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Senator_Manchin_not_running_again)

content:
 
<p>

Senator Manchin, who has been undermining the Democratic Party from
within, said he <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/10/joe-manchin-running-president-2024">will not run again for the senate</a>.
  Maybe he plans to be the
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/11/20/joe-manchin-senate-nonprofit-heather-bresch/">figurehead of the "No Labels" party</a>,
which calls itself "centrist" but is funded by billionaires that also fund Republicans.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Ads_on_Ex-Twitter)
title: Ads on Ex-Twitter
uri: Ads-on-Ex-Twitter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Ads_on_Ex-Twitter)
content:
 
<p>

Media Matters reports that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#extwitter">Ex-Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.mediamatters.org/twitter/musk-endorses-antisemitic-conspiracy-theory-x-has-been-placing-ads-apple-bravo-ibm-oracle">shows ads for big companies in close relation to Nazi postings</a>.  Several companies have responded by ceasing
to buy ads on <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#extwitter">Ex-Twitter</a>.
</p>
<p>
That article displays what it asserts are examples of that practice.
</p>
<p>
The Musk-ox said he would <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/elon-musk-threatens-thermonuclear-lawsuit-twitter-x-ad-boycott-media-matters/">sue Media Matters out of existence</a>.
  Presuming the evidence presented is true &mdash; and it is inconceivable
that Media Matters would present false examples &mdash; I don't see what
grounds <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#extwitter">Ex-Twitter</a> could have for a valid suit.  But maybe the idea in
the Musk-mellon head purpose is to run Media Matters into the ground
with legal expenses before it can get a decision.
</p>
<p>
He also called the companies which stopped advertising "oppressors".
That is clearly true in the case of <a href="/apple.html">Apple</a>.
It is an oppressor through the <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html">nonfree software</a>
and <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/who-does-that-server-really-serve.html ">SaaSS</a>
it controls, and the <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">surveillance</a>
it carries out on millions.  However, Musk is no better,
as the Tesla car does similarly nasty surveillance.
</p>
<p>
Why does he insult them?  Clearly Musk is not trying to win their
business back.  I don't think he ever wanted Twitter to make money for
him.  I think he wants to use <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#extwitter">Ex-Twitter</a> to build up a fascist
following like the one that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#insurrectionist">the insurrectionist</a> has.
</p>
<p>
Maybe they will then have their armies fight it out, much as Julius
Caesar and Pompeius Magnus fought over who would be emperor of Rome.
Our mission will be to defeat them both.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Falsifying_facts_in_a_movie)
title: Falsifying facts in a movie
uri: Falsifying-facts-in-a-movie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Falsifying_facts_in_a_movie)
content:
 
<p>

  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/20/the-crown-napoleon-artistic-licence-distort-history">Falsifying facts in a movie</a> that purports to show history is deception,
and wrong.
</p>
<p>
I am always very disappointed when I recognize, or learn later, that
some detail of a historical movie has been altered for entertainment
purposes.
</p>

 


title: Support for both Palestinians and Israelis
uri: Support-for-both-Palestinians-and-Israelis
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Support_for_both_Palestinians_and_Israelis)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Support_for_both_Palestinians_and_Israelis)

content:
 
<p>

*How can I, as a leftwing Jew, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/20/leftwing-jew-show-support-israelis-and-palestinians">show support for both Palestinians and
    Israelis</a>?*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Hellish_3°C_of_climate_heating)
title: Hellish 3°C of climate heating
uri: Hellish-3-C-of-climate-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Hellish_3°C_of_climate_heating)
content:
 
<p>

  *World facing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/20/world-facing-hellish-3c-of-climate-heating-un-warns-before-cop28">"hellish" 3°C of climate heating</a>, UN warns before Cop28.*
</p>
<p>
That's twice the amount of <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> that the ecosphere has
experienced so far, but I expect it will more than double the harmful
consequences.  The Earth's system's are chaotic, and each small
increment of heating can cause occasional disasters in various parts
of them.  Before we get to 3°C, I expect most of us will starve.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Funding_for_US_government)
title: Funding for US government
uri: Funding-for-US-government
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Funding_for_US_government)
content:
 
<p>

  The Republicans <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/11/14/house-gop-government-funding-plan/">continued funding for most parts of the US government</a>
until Feb 2, but certain departments' funding will end on Jan 19.
</p>
<ul>
The latter include
<li> Food and Drug Administration</li>
<li> Department of Veterans Affairs</li>
<li> Transportation Department</li>
<li> Department of Housing and Urban Development</li>
<li> Energy department</li>
and others.
</ul>
<p>
This will give them an opportunity to threaten to shut down those
departments and not the rest of the government.  But why those
particular departments?
</p>
<p>
My theory is that shutting those departments would harm a lot of
non-rich Americans, but without much blowback from rich people whose
support they depend on.
</p>
<p>
We will see in January the rest of the hostage-takers' strategy.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Courage to stand up to pharmaceutical industry
uri: Courage-to-stand-up-to-pharmaceutical-industry
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Courage_to_stand_up_to_pharmaceutical_industry)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Courage_to_stand_up_to_pharmaceutical_industry)

content:
 
<p>

Bernie Sanders: *People should not die because of their income or
   where they were born.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/20/poor-people-in-the-developing-world-have-a-right-to-medicine">We must have the courage to stand up to the
    pharmaceutical industry.</a>*
<p>
I advocate a radical solution that would really do the job: eliminate
patents on medicines, and have the state run and pay for clinical
trials so that drug companies cannot <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-sep-dec.html#10_October_2011_(Drug_Trials)">corrupt them</a>.
  This way their argument that only patents can provide the
expense will be gone.
</p>
</li>

 


title: ALEC supporting Israel's war in Gaza
uri: ALEC-supporting-Israel-s-war-in-Gaza
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(ALEC_supporting_Israel's_war_in_Gaza)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(ALEC_supporting_Israel's_war_in_Gaza)

content:
 
<p>

ALEC, the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#plutocratist">plutocratist</a> and right-wing group that lobbies US state
legislatures, is taking a break from attacking Americans' freedom and
well-being, and now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/20/alec-state-leglislatures-pro-israel-resolution">lobbying for state resolutions to support Israel's
    war in Gaza</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Vigil for those killed in Gaza
uri: Urgent-Vigil-for-those-killed-in-Gaza
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Urgent:_Vigil_for_those_killed_in_Gaza)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Urgent:_Vigil_for_those_killed_in_Gaza)

content:
 
<p>
Thru Dec 3: In London, join <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/23/together-for-humanity-plans-mass-vigil-to-bridge-divisions-over-israel-gaza-war">Together for Humanity's vigil for those
who have been killed in Gaza</a>.

<p>
 


title: US thwarts plot to kill separatist
uri: US-thwarts-plot-to-kill-separatist
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(US_thwarts_plot_to_kill_separatist)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(US_thwarts_plot_to_kill_separatist)

content:
 
<p>
*US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/22/us-thwarts-plot-to-kill-sikh-separatist-and-issues-diplomatic-warning-to-india">thwarts plot to kill Sikh separatist</a> and issues diplomatic warning
to India.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Jezebel_killed_by_AI_systems)
title: Jezebel killed by AI systems
uri: Jezebel-killed-by-AI-systems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Jezebel_killed_by_AI_systems)
content:
 
<p>
The news site Jezebel was <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/11/ad-jacency/#brand-safety">killed by AI systems designed to funnel
advertising money to sites that are safe because they avoid
controversy.
<p>
The same systems may deny ads to <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#extwitter">Ex-Twitter</a> now that it presents Nazi
material, but any benefit of reducing income to <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#extwitter">Ex-Twitter</a> will
not compensate for the loss of news coverage.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Yugoslavia's_past_horrors)
title: Yugoslavia's past horrors
uri: Yugoslavia-s-past-horrors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Yugoslavia's_past_horrors)
content:
 
<p>
*Former Yugoslavia countries must <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2023/nov/23/former-yugoslavia-countries-war-crimes-past-risk-return-conflict-council-of-europe-official-says">face past horrors or risk return to
conflict</a>, Council of Europe official says.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Pesticides_in_baby_food)
title: Pesticides in baby food
uri: Pesticides-in-baby-food
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Pesticides_in_baby_food)
content:
 
<p>
Non-"organic" commercial baby food in the US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/23/baby-food-pesticides-study">still contains
pesticides</a>, but it shows up somewhat less often than it did in 1995,
and some very toxic pesticides no longer appear.
<p>
That shows some progress.
<p>
The article gives no information about the levels of these pesticides,
but the level is crucial.  If the levels found this year are
considerably less than the levels found in 1995, that would be
substantial progress.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(PM2.5_particulate_pollution)
title: PM2.5 particulate pollution
uri: PM2-5-particulate-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(PM2.5_particulate_pollution)
content:
 
<p>

*[PM2.5 particulate air pollution from] US coal power plants <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/23/coal-power-plants-deaths-pollution">killed at
 least 460,000 people in past 20 years</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(OpenAI)
title: OpenAI
uri: OpenAI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(OpenAI)
content:
 
<p>
The OpenAI board has not explained the somersaults in that organization,
but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/nils-pratley-on-finance/2023/nov/23/openais-directors-have-been-anything-but-open-what-the-hell-happened">this article explains that its structure was ripe for trouble</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://gizmodo.com/ai-safety-openai-sam-altman-ouster-back-microsoft-1851038439">This article</a> reports that the infighting was a battle between the
board, which tried to carry out the organization's nonprofit mission,
and Sam Altman, who had set up a for-profit LLC nominally under
OpenAI's control and wanted to use it for large profit.
<p>
Most of the staff of the LLC supported Altman, and so did Microsoft,
and this could make it appear that Altman was defying unjust power.
But it seems to be exactly the opposite.
<p>
Here's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/23/huge-egos-are-in-play-behind-the-firing-and-rehiring-of-openais-sam-altman">another pertinent article</a>.
<p>
Although the name of the organization has "AI" in it, I still maintain
that GPT4 and ChatGPT do not qualify for the term "artificial
intelligence" since they do not know or understand what their output
purports to talk about.
<p>
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/who-does-that-server-really-serve.html">Their software is very tightly restricted</a> -- it is not released as
free software, nor even as nonfree software.  People can use it,
but only as SaaSS.

<p>
 


title: Ex-Twitter displaying ads on bizarre disinformation
uri: Ex-Twitter-displaying-ads-on-bizarre-disinformation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Ex-Twitter_displaying_ads_on_bizarre_disinformation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Ex-Twitter_displaying_ads_on_bizarre_disinformation)

content:
 
<p>
Accusing <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#extwitter">Ex-Twitter</a> of <a href="https://www.newsguardtech.com/misinformation-monitor/november-2023/">displaying ads for major companies
on tweets of bizarre disinformation</a>.
<p>
It is disappointing that the article caters to Musk by omitting the
name "Twitter" and calling the company exclusively by the name that Musk
wants people to use.  Must they cater to someone like him?

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(ChatGPT_Gender_Bias)
title: ChatGPT Gender Bias
uri: ChatGPT-Gender-Bias
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(ChatGPT_Gender_Bias)
content:
 
<p>
When ChatGPT is asked to generate letters of recommendation, it
<a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/chatgpt-replicates-gender-bias-in-recommendation-letters/">reproduces gender bias</a>.
<p>
This does not surprise me.  LLMs work by reproducing patterns that are
typical in the material it was trained with).  These systems do not
understand any of the patterns, so they would not be able to avoid
reproducing those that embody bias.
<p>
This is why I refuse to refer to those systems as "artificial
intelligence."

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(GPT-4_fake_medical_data_set)
title: GPT-4 fake medical data set
uri: GPT-4-fake-medical-data-set
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(GPT-4_fake_medical_data_set)
content:
 
<p>
Scientists demonstrated use of GPT-4 to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03635-w">create a fake medical data set</a>,
purporting to compare the outcomes of various types of medical
procedures -- which were not really carried out.
<p>
I do not describe GPT-4 as "artificial intelligence" because I reserve
that term for systems that really know or understand something.  These
"generative" models can imitate the form of real writing or data, but
the output is not based on any knowledge or understanding of the
subject matter supposedly being described.

<p>
 


title: Harvard Law Review about Gaza bombing
uri: Harvard-Law-Review-about-Gaza-bombing
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Harvard_Law_Review_about_Gaza_bombing)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Harvard_Law_Review_about_Gaza_bombing)

content:
 
<p>
Harvard Law Review <a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/11/21/harvard-law-review-gaza-israel/">solicited and then killed an article arguing that
Israel's bombing of Gaza fits the official definition of "genocide"</a>.
Insiders report that the editors, who are 104 in number, voted to kill
the article because they were afraid of likely retaliation against
them in their careers otherwise.
<p>
Academic freedom includes the freedom to argue for either side of that
question.  Threats to intimidate scholars for arguing it are an attack
on academic freedom, and therefore an attack on the United States and
on freedom in it.

<p>
 


title: Tories starved vital state activities
uri: Tories-starved-vital-state-activities
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Tories_starved_vital_state_activities)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Tories_starved_vital_state_activities)

content:
 
<p>
Tories, practicing neoliberalism, have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/22/britain-money-bank-bailouts-state-failure">starved many vital state
activities</a>.  Adding up the shortfalls suggests that around 70 billion
UKP per year would be needed to fix things up in a reasonable time.
<p>
That doesn't count the cost of decarbonizing.  Dependence on fossil
fuels was not introduced since Thatcher by Tories, since it already
existed, but Britain must nonetheless do its share to fix that.
<p>
The easy and natural way to get this money is by taxing the rich.
Easy, that is, if the rich can't prevent the state from trying.  Any
other way would cause real difficulties.

<p>
 


title: Gaza kill rate comparable to Bosnia, Syria, and Yemen
uri: Gaza-kill-rate-comparable-to-Bosnia-Syria-and-Yemen
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Gaza_kill_rate_comparable_to_Boania,_Syria,_and_Yemen)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Gaza_kill_rate_comparable_to_Boania,_Syria,_and_Yemen)

content:
 
<p>
Comparing the rate of killing of civilians in Gaza <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/22/gaza-children-death-toll-israel-hamas">with the rate in
Bosnia, Syria and Yemen</a> shows that the rate of killing in Gaza, when
measured as fraction of population killed per unit time, is on the
order of 50 times faster in Gaza.
<p>
Being opposed to sexism, I see no significance in whether a person killed
was male or female.  People have the right to life regardless of sex,
and regardless of gender.
<p>
I suspect that figures about the number of "children" killed really
count the number of minors killed -- which would be much larger, since
many minors are adolescents, not children.  But if these figures
really do count only children, that would place tighter limits on what
fraction of those killed could be HAMAS fighters.  Some minors will be
combatants, but hardly ever will a child be a combatant.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Wrecker_learned_from_problems)
title: Wrecker learned from problems
uri: Wrecker-learned-from-problems
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Wrecker_learned_from_problems)
content:
 
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker</a> has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/22/trump-revenge-game-plan-alarm">learned from problems encountered in his first term</a> as
president.  If he gets to try again, he will move immediately to
convert US government institutions into tools for the repression of
anyone he considers an enemy.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Lake_Titicaca)
title: Lake Titicaca
uri: Lake-Titicaca
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Lake_Titicaca)
content:
 
<p>
Lake Titicaca is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/22/everything-is-dry-and-very-sad-lake-titicaca-gripped-by-drought-crisis">suffering from a prolonged drought</a> which has made it
shrink in inconvenient ways.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Billionaires_funding_the_fascist)
title: Billionaires funding the fascist
uri: Billionaires-funding-the-fascist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#27_November_2023_(Billionaires_funding_the_fascist)
content:
 
<p>
*Billionaires are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/21/donald-trump-anti-democratic-agenda-billionaires-neofascism">lining up to fund [the fascist]'s anti-democratic
agenda</a>.  &hellip; The more disturbing [his] public proclamations
become, the more US plutocrats seem to want him to win.*


 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Ag-gag_law)
title: Ag-gag law
uri: 2023-11-28-Ag-gag-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Ag-gag_law)
content:
 
<p>
An Australian state already imposes an enormous fine for "trespassing"
on a farm, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/13/victorian-biosecurity-bill-could-see-fines-for-trespassing-on-farms-double-to-115000">is planning to double it</a>.  This seems to be meant as a
kind of ag-gag law.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Electronic_warfare)
title: Electronic warfare
uri: Electronic-warfare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Electronic_warfare)
content:
 
<p>
Export controls are not fully effective in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/26/russia-wages-electronic-warfare-using-uk-made-tech-ukraine-dossier-claims">denying Russia access to
advanced components to put into its drones</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Fleeing_northern_Gaza)
title: Fleeing northern Gaza
uri: Fleeing-northern-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Fleeing_northern_Gaza)
content:
 
<p>
*Palestinians describe <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/26/palestinians-describe-fleeing-northern-gaza">fleeing northern Gaza</a>.*
<p>
*Israel told us to move to south Gaza. Then it said <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/26/israel-south-gaza-strip-pause-fighting">it would bomb the south
too</a>. So where do we go now?*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(War_crimes)
title: War crimes
uri: 2023-11-28-War-crimes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(War_crimes)
content:
 
<p>
Australian whistlelower David McBride explains why his conscience
insisted he <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/27/war-crimes-whistleblower-david-mcbride-reveals-why-he-went-to-the-media">tell the news media secrets about war crimes in
Afghanistan</a>, once the army itself chose not to investigate them
seriously.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Jailed_without_trial)
title: Jailed without trial
uri: Jailed-without-trial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Jailed_without_trial)
content:
 
<p>
Israel asserts that all the Palestinian prisoners that Israel offered
to release are terrorists, but <a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/11/26/palestine-israel-prisoners/">most of them were never put on trial</a>
for any alleged crime.  They were jailed arbitrarily.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Fossil_gas_drilling)
title: Fossil gas drilling
uri: Fossil-gas-drilling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Fossil_gas_drilling)
content:
 
<p>
Fossil gas companies in Canada are <a href="Fossil gas companies in Canada are drilling more new wells now that
they expect the Trans Mountain Pipeline to be finished soon.">drilling more new wells</a> now that
they expect the Trans Mountain Pipeline to be finished soon.
<p>
In the long term, <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> is the main threat to the national
security of every country.  What's the use of maintaining a large army
if you don't use it to make other countries stop drilling?

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Press_freedom_laws_in_jeopardy)
title: Press freedom laws in jeopardy
uri: Press-freedom-laws-in-jeopardy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Press_freedom_laws_in_jeopardy)
content:
 
<p>
*EU laws to protect press freedom <a href="*EU laws to protect press freedom in jeopardy, campaigners claim.*">in jeopardy</a>, campaigners claim.*

<p>
 


title: South Korea may deport Xi critic to China
uri: South-Korea-may-deport-Xi-critic-to-China
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(South_Korea_may_deport_Xi_critic_to_China)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(South_Korea_may_deport_Xi_critic_to_China)

content:
 
<p>
A refugee fled China to South Korea, on a high-tech variant of a boat,
and South Korea may <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/22/xi-critic-who-fled-on-jetski-to-south-korea-will-die-if-sent-back-to-china-says-father">deport him instead of giving him asylum</a>.

<p>
 


title: Billionaires think they're above civil society
uri: Billionaires-think-they-re-above-civil-society
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Billionaires_think_they're_above_civil_society)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Billionaires_think_they're_above_civil_society)

content:
 
<p>
Douglas Rushkoff: Today's richest billionaires are not richer than
their counterparts of 120 years ago, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/nov/25/we-will-coup-whoever-we-want-the-unbearable-hubris-of-musk-and-the-billionaire-tech-bros">they think of themselves as
above civil society</a>, not part of it.
<p>
They believe that *with enough money, one can escape the harms created
by earning money in that way. &hellip; with enough genius and
technology, they can rise above the plane of mere mortals&ellip;*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Palestinians_buried_under_rubble)
title: Palestinians buried under rubble
uri: Palestinians-buried-under-rubble
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Palestinians_buried_under_rubble)
content:
 
<p>
In addition to the list of 15,000 Palestinians known to have been
killed by Israel's attacks, there is another list of 6,000
Palestinians who were <a href="In addition to the list of 15,000 Palestinians known to have been
killed by Israel's attacks, there is another list of 6,000
Palestinians who were buried under rubble of collapsed buildings.">buried under rubble</a> of collapsed buildings.
They were almost certainly killed by that, but that is not proof, so
they are usually not included in the "number of those killed".
<p>
The report that northern Gaza has been reduced to rubble, that there
is nothing to return to there except the possibility of digging up
corpses of relatives, suggests that the Israeli government intended to
achieve permanent ethnic cleansing by demolishing all structures so
there is no way for a million people to live there even with aid.
<p>
Will it continue by doing the same to southern Gaza?  Is this a plan
to drive the whole population of Gaza into Egypt as re-refugees?

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Trance-Pacific_Partnership)
title: Trance-Pacific Partnership
uri: Trance-Pacific-Partnership
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Trance-Pacific_Partnership)
content:
 
<p>
The UK is trying to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/nov/25/uks-flagship-post-brexit-trade-deal-worth-even-less-than-previously-thought-obr-says">sell its democracy for a tiny economic boost</a>,
by signing up to the <a href="https://stallman.org/trance-pacific-partnership.html">Trance-Pacific Partnership</a>.  This is a <a href="/business-supremacy-treaties.html">business-supremacy treaty</a> that contains an <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#isds">ISDS</a> clause
that allows businesses to demand "compensation" over any laws or policies
that arguably cause the to have lower profits than they might have had.

The article reports that the economic boost is likely to be even
tinier than was previously forecast, but that side issue is nothing
compared to the suffering and injustice that handing foreign
businesses increased power over the country will cause.

When such clauses block the measures needed to cut down greenhouse
emissions, as in the case of the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-sep-dec.html#17_November_2022_(Energy_Charter_Treaty)">Energy Charter Treaty</a>, they are
likely to cause megadeaths or even gigadeaths.  A war could easily be
less deadly than obeying the treaty, so threatening war against any
countries that stand in the way of canceling the treaty could be the
moral choice.

<p>
 


title: Private jet and expensive large seating tax
uri: Private-jet-and-expensive-large-seating-tax
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Private_jet_and_expensive_large_seating_tax)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Private_jet_and_expensive_large_seating_tax)

content:
 
<p>
It makes logical sense to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/25/poor-pay-net-zero-rishi-sunak-carbon-tax">put heavy taxes on using private jets, and
on flying in expensive (large) seats</a>.
<p>
However, Piketty's suggestion makes economic sense, but it is unjust
because it requires total surveillance of everyone's carbon emissions.
Taxes are compatible with a free society; higher tax rates for the
wealthy are also compatible.  But total surveillance destroys freedom.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Renewable_generation_investment)
title: Renewable generation investment
uri: Renewable-generation-investment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Renewable_generation_investment)
content:
 
<p>
Australia's government has proposed a <a href="Australia's government has proposed a large additional investment in
renewable generation, and batteries.">large additional investment</a> in
renewable generation, and batteries.
<p>
This will be a big step forward <em>provided</em> Australia takes advantage of
it to reduces its extraction and use of fossil fuels.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Halt_fossil_fuel_extraction)
title: Halt fossil fuel extraction
uri: Halt-fossil-fuel-extraction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Halt_fossil_fuel_extraction)
content:
 
<p>
It has become urgent to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/greenpeace-reaction-to-iea-report-the-oil-and-gas-industry-in-net-zero-transitions">halt further development of fossil fuel
extraction</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Sinn_Fein)
title: Sinn Fein
uri: Sinn-Fein
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Sinn_Fein)
content:
 
<p>
Sinn Fein leaders are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/nov/23/sinn-feins-rising-tally-of-lawsuits-fuels-fears-it-is-trying-to-stifle-scrutiny">suing many of those that publish about them</a>,
including news organizations and political opponents.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Palestinian_writer_released)
title: Palestinian writer released
uri: Palestinian-writer-released
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Palestinian_writer_released)
content:
 
<p>

Palestinian writer Mosab Abu Toha was arrested by the Israeli army at
a checkpoint on his way to leave Gaza, but he has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/21/palestinian-poet-mosab-abu-toha-released-israel">released with
    only a beating</a>.
</p>
<p>
The Israeli army should explain why it physically attacks men who it arrests
solely for being men.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Bernie Sanders' condition on military aid to Israel
uri: Bernie-Sanders-condition-on-military-aid-to-Israel
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Bernie_Sanders'_condition_on_military_aid_to_Israel)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Bernie_Sanders'_condition_on_military_aid_to_Israel)

content:
 
<p>

Bernie Sanders called for the US to condition military aid to Israel
on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/21/bernie-sanders-israel-us-military-aid-democrat-backlash">ending its "almost total warfare against the Palestinian people."</a>
</p>
<p>
*   Sanders’ demands include a post-war commitment by Israel to pursue
   "broad peace talks for a two-state solution" as well as to ensure
   displaced Gazans are able to return to their homes and that Israel will
   not reoccupy or continue its blockade of the enclave.*
</p>
<p>
Bravo, Bernie!
</p>
</li>

 


title: Case challenging legislative maps
uri: Case-challenging-legislative-maps
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Case_challenging_legislative_maps)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Case_challenging_legislative_maps)

content:
 
<p>

*Wisconsin supreme court to hear high-stakes case <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/21/wisconsin-supreme-court-redistricting-lawsuit">challenging
    [gerrymandered] legislative maps</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Political_attack_on_human_rights)
title: Political attack on human rights
uri: Political-attack-on-human-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Political_attack_on_human_rights)
content:
 
<p>

  *Political attack on human rights is a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/21/political-attack-on-human-rights-is-a-dangerous-assault-on-uk-democracy-says-hrw-director">"dangerous" assault on UK democracy</a>,
says HRW director.*
</p>
<p>
*She says that government actions regarding asylum seekers, climate
   activists and pro-Palestine protesters are starting to "look very much
   like authoritarianism."*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Australian coal magnate proposed coal-fired plant
uri: Australian-coal-magnate-proposed-coal-fired-plant
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Australian_coal_magnate_proposed_coal-fired_plant)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Australian_coal_magnate_proposed_coal-fired_plant)

content:
 
<p>

An Australian coal magnate applied for environmental approval for a
proposed coal-fired generating plant, saying he would <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/23/queensland-rejects-clive-palmer-carbon-neutral-coal-fired-power-station-waratah-coal">make it "carbon-neutral" by sweeping emissions under various different rugs</a>.
</p>
<p>
What's amazing is that the environmental regulator refused to look for
an excuse to be fooled.  Instead it did what was obviously right, and
denied approval.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Four-day cease fire with release of hostages
uri: Four-day-cease-fire-with-release-of-hostages
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Four-day_cease_fire_with_release_of_hostages)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Four-day_cease_fire_with_release_of_hostages)

content:
 
<p>

Israel and HAMAS have agreed on a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/22/officials-list-300-palestinians-to-be-freed-under-hostage-deal">4-day cease fire with release of
    hostages and prisoners</a>.
</p>
<p>
  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/22/secrecy-public-anger-israel-hamas-ceasefire-deal">Pressure from Biden</a> joined with pressure from relatives of hostages
to make Netanyahu agree to a temporary cease fire deal.
</p>
<p>
  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/22/four-day-truce-israel-hamas-gaza-hostage-release">*The Gaza truce is a ray of hope in the darkness.*</a> Either side could
snuff it out, but perhaps pressure can keep it going.
</p>
<p>
It is good that pressure to recover hostages led to this step towards
peace, and away from continued larger war crimes, but in general it is
unwise for any government to prioritize the freeing of some hostages
above larger issues.
</p>
<p>
  When there is a war, there are <em>always</em> much bigger issues at stake
than hostages or prisoners of war.  Any country at war faces bigger issues.
Some of these issues will be moral duties, while others will be vital
national interests.  If I were a hostage, I would as a patriot not want
my government to distract itself from either of those for the side issue
of ransoming hostages such as me.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Americans_short_of_food)
title: Americans short of food
uri: Americans-short-of-food
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Americans_short_of_food)
content:
 
<p>

  Nowadays 28 million Americans are <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/new-study-us-hunger-soaring-due-to-federal-aid-cuts">often short of food</a>.
  39 million face food insecurity at some time in the year.
</p>
<p>
Hunger in the US is one of the key goals of the Republican Party,
along with low wages.  It was suggested that the real goal
is to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#26_September_2023_(On_unemployment:_quotes_from_above)">make working people desperate, so that they will suck
    up to rich people</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Work-from-home_disabled_chef)
title: Work-from-home disabled chef
uri: Work-from-home-disabled-chef
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Work-from-home_disabled_chef)
content:
 
<p>

  How is a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/nov/22/mobility-issues-lose-benefits-chef">disabled chef supposed to work from home</a>?
</p>
<p>
No one has any idea &mdash; the Food Transfer Protocol that we discussed in
the 1970s was only a joke.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(German_meaning_of_Never_again)
title: German meaning of "Never again"
uri: German-meaning-of-Never-again
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(German_meaning_of_Never_again)
content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/22/israel-hamas-war-opens-up-german-debate-over-meaning-of-never-again">Israel-Hamas war opens up German debate over meaning of "Never again".</a>*
</p>
<p>
The debate between "Never again against us Jews" and "Never again
against anyone" has existed among Jews for decades &mdash; perhaps, I
suspect, since Israel in 1967 captured territory whose population was
mostly Arab.  I see this as a question of who one has learned to
empathize with and uphold rights for.
</p>
<p>
  Here is the letter that represents the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/22/the-principle-of-human-dignity-must-apply-to-all-people">"Never again against anyone" position</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Call for progressive carbon taxes
uri: Call-for-progressive-carbon-taxes
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Call_for_progressive_carbon_taxes)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Call_for_progressive_carbon_taxes)

content:
 
<p>

  Thomas Piketty calls for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/22/ban-private-jets-to-address-climate-crisis-says-thomas-piketty">progressive carbon taxes</a>, as well as banning
private jets and "oversize vehicles" (SUVs?).
</p>
<p>
I think this alone would not cut emissions enough, but it would establish
a new public awareness that we must take decarbonization seriously.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(PFA_called_GenX)
title: PFA called "GenX"
uri: PFA-called-GenX
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(PFA_called_GenX)
content:
 
<p>

The Netherlands has designated a PFA called "GenX" a hazardous, so it
can't be disposed of there.  So it is paying a subsidiary of Dupont to
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/22/epa-pfas-import-north-carolina-netherlands">import GenX "waste" into the US</a> and do something or other with it in
North Carolina.  However, people there fear it will be leak, or leak
slowly after being dumped in of "deep wells", so they convinced the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#epa">EPA</a>
to block the shipment.
</p>
<p>
Banning PFAs is the first crucial step towards ending that form of
pollution, but we will still need to find a safe way to dispose of the
stocks of PFAs that already exist.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Pakistan holding ransom Afghan exiles
uri: Pakistan-holding-ransom-Afghan-exiles
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Pakistan_holding_ransom_Afghan_exiles)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Pakistan_holding_ransom_Afghan_exiles)

content:
 
<p>

  Pakistan is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/22/pakistan-under-fire-for-shocking-830-exit-fee-for-refugees-who-fled-taliban">holding for ransom some 45,000 Afghan exiles</a> to whom the
UK and US want to give asylum, charging $830 to allow each of those
exiles to leave Pakistan.
</p>
<p>
That puts Pakistan in the amazing self-contradictory position of demanding
they leave and blocking them from leaving.
</p>
<p>
The only other case of demanding ransoms for people to leave was when
the Soviet Union agreed to allow Jews to emigrate, and charged a
ransom for each "exit visa".
</p>
<p>
Do the US and UK give Pakistan any foreign aid?  It would be natural
to threaten to deduct these exit ransoms from that aid.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Copper-wire_phone_lines_in_UK)
title: Copper-wire phone lines in UK
uri: Copper-wire-phone-lines-in-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Copper-wire_phone_lines_in_UK)
content:
 
<p>

  The UK is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/nov/20/as-uk-landlines-go-digital-fears-grow-for-vulnerable-people-whose-home-phone-is-a-lifeline">replacing all copper-wire phone lines</a> with digital
connections that won't function during a power outage.  This is asking
for trouble for people outside the "usual case" that everyone is
supposed to fit into.
</p>
<p>
That includes people like me, who don't have a mobile phone.
</p>
<p>
The US has more or less done the same, so copper-wire phone lines are
now quite expensive.  When I moved here I couldn't afford that, so I
had to accept a phone connection that depends on local AC power.  I
obtained a UPS, a gift from a friend who didn't need it any more.  But
it can only keep the phone connection running for a few hours.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Peter Carey asked to censor study
uri: Peter-Carey-asked-to-censor-study
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Peter_Carey_asked_to_censor_study)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Peter_Carey_asked_to_censor_study)

content:
 
<p>

* Peter Carey tells inquiry he was asked by Accounting Standards Board
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/24/academic-peter-carey-censored-study-partners-board-pwc-kpmg-deloitte-ey">omit details</a> [from a report criticizing actions of consultant
   companies PwC, KPMG, Deloitte and EY] because partners from PwC,
   KPMG, Deloitte and EY sat on the board.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Wildfire smoke slowed corn crop maturation
uri: Wildfire-smoke-slowed-corn-crop-maturation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Wildfire_smoke_slowed_corn_crop_maturation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Wildfire_smoke_slowed_corn_crop_maturation)

content:
 
<p>

The smoke that came from big wildfires in Canada this year <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/23/canada-wildfires-cause-us-crop-damage">slowed the
    maturation (now) of corn crops</a> in parts of the northern US.
</p>
<p>
This illustrates how one problem caused indirectly by <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>
can cause another problem, which is therefore also caused indirectly
by <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>.
</p>
<p>
We don't know about all those potential causal relationships, so we
cannot predict their effects.  Therefore, climate forecasts do not
include those effects.  But generally any big change in the overall
environment tends to create abnormal environments for various systems.
</p>
<p>
Since nearly every system is adapted to its environment &mdash; by some
combination of evolution and human design &mdash; an abnormality in that
environment tends to harm some systems.  In other words, most
surprises are bad.
</p>
<p>
This is why I generally expect the real course of future
climate-related events to be somewhat worse, usually, than what
scientists will have forecast based on known effects.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Concept of "stalemate" with Ukraine and Putin forces
uri: Concept-of-stalemate-with-Ukraine-and-Putin-forces
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Concept_of_stalemate_with_Ukraine_and_Putin_forces)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Concept_of_stalemate_with_Ukraine_and_Putin_forces)

content:
 
<p>

The concept of "stalemate" is based on a presumption that each side's
resources are limited.  Ukraine can defeat the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#putinforces">Putin forces</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/23/yale-historian-says-west-can-break-ukraine-stalemate-more-military-aid">given more
    supplies</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Extreme_heat_wave_in_Madagascar)
title: Extreme heat wave in Madagascar
uri: Extreme-heat-wave-in-Madagascar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Extreme_heat_wave_in_Madagascar)
content:
 
<p>

An extreme heat wave in Madagascar during October would have been
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/23/madagascar-record-heatwave-climate-crisis-study">"virtually impossible" without human-caused global heating.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Enslavement of workers in broad range of fields
uri: Enslavement-of-workers-in-broad-range-of-fields
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Enslavement_of_workers_in_broad_range_of_fields)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#28_November_2023_(Enslavement_of_workers_in_broad_range_of_fields)

content:
 
<p>

  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/24/the-people-targeting-you-with-cyberscams-may-themselves-be-victims-of-slavery">Enslavement of workers</a> applies to a broad range of fields of work &mdash;
even including carrying out internet scams.
  I'm concerned that some countries will prosecute the slaves for the
crimes they were forced to commit.
</p>
<p>
It is a mistake to associate the injustice of enslavement of workers
with specific fields of work.  I've read about <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-nov-feb.html#18_January_2023_(Taboo_terms,_field_work)">many areas</a>
  and there are surely more.
</p>
<p>
This article contains an example of the tendency to undermine the word
"survivor".  This happens when people apply it to experiences which
are painful, maybe also harmful, but unlikely to kill their victims.
This is an exaggeration; in a few decades time, it won't achieve its
goal any more, as "survivor will have come to mean no more than
"victim".
</p>
<p>
The cruelty that slaves experience is horrible in reality; there is no
need to exaggerate it by calling the victims "survivors".
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: Meta designed to get children addicted
uri: Meta-designed-to-get-children-addicted
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#29_November_2023_(Meta_designed_to_get_children_addicted)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#29_November_2023_(Meta_designed_to_get_children_addicted)

content:
 
<p>
*Meta (Facebook) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/27/meta-instagram-facebook-kids-addicted-lawsuit">designed platforms to get children addicted</a>, court
documents allege.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#29_November_2023_(Antisemites_supporting_Israel)
title: Antisemites supporting Israel
uri: Antisemites-supporting-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#29_November_2023_(Antisemites_supporting_Israel)
content:
 
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/27/jewish-antisemitism-support-israel-gaza-zionism">Antisemites supporting Israel is weird. Jewish support of them is even
weirder.</a>*  But that's what's happening with the wrecker and the muskrat.

<p>
 


title: UAE plan to use Cop28 to sell oil and gas
uri: UAE-plan-to-use-Cop28-to-sell-oil-and-gas
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#29_November_2023_(UAE_plan_to_use_Cop28_to_sell_oil_and_gas)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#29_November_2023_(UAE_plan_to_use_Cop28_to_sell_oil_and_gas)

content:
 
<p>
The UAE planned to use the Cop28 climate conrerence as a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/27/cop28-host-uae-planned-promote-oil-deals-climate-talks">sales
platform for its own oil and gas exports</a>.
<p>
In other words, putting an oil emir in charge of reducing use of
fossil fuels led him to do all the worst things we imagined.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#29_November_2023_(HAMAS)
title: HAMAS
uri: HAMAS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#29_November_2023_(HAMAS)
content:
 
<p>
*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/27/hamas-cannot-continue-to-rule-gaza-says-eu-foreign-affairs-chief">HAMAS cannot continue to rule Gaza</a>, says EU foreign affairs chief.*
<p>
The world would be a better place if Gaza were not ruled by HAMAS, but
I think that there is no practical and acceptable way to bring that
about, except by committing a far bigger crime against humanity than
those HAMAS has committed.
<p>
The Palestinian Authority, undermined and weakened by Israel, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/27/corrupt-discredited-could-a-reformed-palestinian-authority-run-gaza">would
not be able to win support in Gaza</a>,
and wisely won't agree to try,
unless the situation for Palestinians becomes much less oppressive.
<p>
Israel helped <a href="https://stallman.org/notes/2009-jan-apr.html#22%20February%202009%20(Israel%20and%20Hamas%20threaten%20human%20rights)">strengthen HAMAS in the 1980s as a way of weakening the PA</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#29_November_2023_(Alaafi_Arabia_oil_and_gas_plan)
title: Alaafi Arabia oil and gas plan
uri: Alaafi-Arabia-oil-and-gas-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#29_November_2023_(Alaafi_Arabia_oil_and_gas_plan)
content:
 
<p>
*[Salafi] Arabia is driving a huge global investment plan to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/27/revealed-saudi-arabia-plan-poor-countries-oil">create demand
for its oil and gas in developing countries</a>, an undercover
investigation has revealed.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#29_November_2023_(Surgeon_saw_massacre_unfold)
title: Surgeon saw massacre unfold
uri: Surgeon-saw-massacre-unfold
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#29_November_2023_(Surgeon_saw_massacre_unfold)
content:
 
<p>
*London surgeon [Prof Ghassan Abu-Sittah] says <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/27/london-surgeon-says-saw-massacre-unfold-working-gaza-hospitals">he saw "massacre
unfold"</a> while working in Gaza hospitals, and claims destruction of
Palestinian health system was an Israeli objective.*
<p>
He says that he recognized burns caused by white phosphorus, having
learned during a previous bombardment of Gaza what they look like.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#29_November_2023_(Assange_rally)
title: Assange rally
uri: 2023-11-29-Assange-rally
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#29_November_2023_(Assange_rally)
content:
 
<p>
The next Boston rally for Julian Assange will be Monday, December 11
at 1pm-2:30 on the Boston Common, near the main entrance to Park St
Station.


 


title: Michigan requirements for renewable electricity
uri: Michigan-requirements-for-renewable-electricity
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#30_November_2023_(Michigan_requirements_for_renewable_electricity)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#30_November_2023_(Michigan_requirements_for_renewable_electricity)

content:
 
<p>

  Michigan has adopted <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/statement-gov-whitmer-signs-michigans-clean-energy-legislation-into-law">strong requirements</a> for renewable electricity
generation, requiring all electric generation to be carbon-free by
2040.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#30_November_2023_(Musk_toured_Kibbutz_in_Israel)
title: Musk toured Kibbutz in Israel
uri: Musk-toured-Kibbutz-in-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#30_November_2023_(Musk_toured_Kibbutz_in_Israel)
content:
 
<p>

  Musk <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/28/hamas-invites-elon-musk-visit-gaza">toured a Kibbutz in Israel</a> that was attacked by HAMAS, to observe
the damage HAMAS did.  In response, HAMAS invited Musk to tour a city
in Gaza to observer the damage that the Israeli army did.
</p>
<p>
It seems fair for a prestigious observer to observe the damage done by
Israel to Palestinians as well as the damage done by HAMAS to
Israelis.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Sea water flowing up Thailand's main river
uri: Sea-water-flowing-up-Thailand-s-main-river
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#30_November_2023_(Sea_water_flowing_up_Thailand's_main_river)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#30_November_2023_(Sea_water_flowing_up_Thailand's_main_river)

content:
 
<p>

Due to sea-level rise, salt water increasingly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/29/history-fades-as-rising-sea-levels-slowly-destroy-thailands-temple-murals">flows up the Chao
    Phraya</a>, Thailand's main river, spoiling the fields that some day it
will inundate.
</p>
<p>
The salt is also causing centuries-old temple murals to fade.
At least it is possible to protect some of those temples by
moving them to high ground.  But it is not feasible to move thousands
of square miles of fields to higher ground.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Student Strike in support of trans athletes
uri: Student-Strike-in-support-of-trans-athletes
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#30_November_2023_(Student_Strike_in_support_of_trans_athletes)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#30_November_2023_(Student_Strike_in_support_of_trans_athletes)

content:
 
<p>

Students at Monarch high school, near Miami, planned to strike on Tuesday
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/28/florida-students-protest-trans-athletes-monarch-high-school">in support of their principal and some other staff</a>, who were punished for
allowing trans students to participate in sports.
</p>
</li>

 


title: US demands Israel respects civilian lives in Gaza
uri: US-demands-Israel-respects-civilian-lives-in-Gaza
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#30_November_2023_(US_demands_Israel_respects_civilian_lives_in_Gaza)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#30_November_2023_(US_demands_Israel_respects_civilian_lives_in_Gaza)

content:
 
<p>

Reportedly the US is demanding that Israel <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/28/cia-and-mossad-chiefs-fly-to-qatar-for-talks-on-how-to-extend-gaza-truce">respect and preserve
    civilian lives</a> if it starts fighting in Gaza again.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Urgent:_Expand_Social_Security)
title: Urgent: Expand Social Security
uri: 2023-12-01-Urgent-Expand-Social-Security
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Urgent:_Expand_Social_Security)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: phone (202) 224-3121 three times, once to ask for your
representative in Congress, then once for each of your two senators,
and say to each one something like this:
    
<blockquote>
I’m a constituent, and I’m calling to ask [name of official] to
publicly speak out against the so-called fiscal commission.  Social
Security and Medicare are popular and vital programs to our nation’s
economic security. Any changes to those programs should be handled
through regular order, not behind closed doors.  Voters want to see
Social Security expanded, not cut!
</blockquote>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Gaza_humanitarian_crisis)
title: Gaza humanitarian crisis
uri: Gaza-humanitarian-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Gaza_humanitarian_crisis)
content:
 
<p>
The temporary cease-fire in Gaza <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/29/next-phase-of-gaza-war-risks-unprecedented-humanitarian-crisis">has not enabled humanitarian aid to
enter in sufficient quantity</a> for the civilians of Gaza, nor permitted aid
workers and machines to enter to remove rubble of collapsed buildings.
<p>
Reportedly Israel has been brought to agree not to repeat in southern
Gaza some of the enormous war crimes it committed in northern Gaza.
But how could it avoid that, if it does fight HAMAS in the south?

<p>
 


title: Billionaires opposing to save the world from climate mayhem
uri: Billionaires-opposing-to-save-the-world-from-climate-mayhem
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Billionaires_opposing_to_save_the_world_from_climate_mayhem)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Billionaires_opposing_to_save_the_world_from_climate_mayhem)

content:
 
<p>
George Monbiot conjectures why <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/29/cop28-billionaires-blocking-action-save-planet-protest">billionaires mostly oppose efforts to
save the world from climate mayhem</a>, even those billionaires whose
investments are not in fossil fuels.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Pollution_deaths)
title: Pollution deaths
uri: Pollution-deaths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Pollution_deaths)
content:
 
<p>
*Air pollution from fossil fuels "<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/29/air-pollution-from-fossil-fuels-kills-5-million-people-a-year">kills 5 million people a year</a>"
[according to a study].*

<p>
 


title: Indian agent tried to kill separatist
uri: Indian-agent-tried-to-kill-separatist
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Indian_agent_tried_to_kill_separatist)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Indian_agent_tried_to_kill_separatist)

content:
 
<p>
An <a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/11/29/india-assassination-plot-us-citizen-nikhil-gupta/">Indian agent in the US tried to hire a hitman to kill a Sikh
separatist who was living in the US</a>.  The hitman was an undercover
cop, who turned him in, and now he is on trial.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Deportation_over_minor_charges)
title: Deportation over minor charges
uri: Deportation-over-minor-charges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Deportation_over_minor_charges)
content:
 
<p>
Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/30/stateless-man-reveals-life-after-immigration-detention-ntnfb">put refugees in deportation prison for many years</a> because of
minor charges.
Australia's new plan is to treat them as dangerous
criminals, although they never were dangerous.
<p>
It appears that the wish to deport them was vindictive
rather than necessary.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: International Day Against DRM
uri: Urgent-International-Day-Against-DRM
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Urgent:_International_Day_Against_DRM)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Urgent:_International_Day_Against_DRM)

content:
 
<p>
The <a href="http://www.fsf.org/news/worldwide-community-of-activists-protest-overdrive-and-others-forcing-drm-upon-libraries">International
Day Against DRM is Dec 9</a> -- do something to call for the
abolition of Digital Restrictions Management.

<p>
 


title: Punishing jurors if they try to learn about the case
uri: Punishing-jurors-if-they-try-to-learn-about-the-case
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Punishing_jurors_if_they_try_to_learn_about_the_case)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Punishing_jurors_if_they_try_to_learn_about_the_case)

content:
 
<p>
The Australian Capital Territory plans to punish jurors if they try
to learn anything on their own about the case under trial.
<p>
What this suggests to me is a plan to make damned sure that
whistleblowers get <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-nov-feb.html#18_February_2018_(Internal_whistleblowers)">the sort of trial that makes jurors ashamed
afterward of voting to convict</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Unsafe_AI_safety_pact)
title: Unsafe "AI" "safety" pact
uri: Unsafe-AI-safety-pact
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Unsafe_AI_safety_pact)
content:
 
<p>
An international agreement about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/27/ai-safety-pact-us-uk">developing "artificial intelligence"
to be "safe by design"</a> strikes me as alarmingly unsafe.
<p>
I fear that the plan presumes that AI systems will never be released
as free software -- that the software will be available only in the
form of servers controlled by some company or other, running software
that the users cannot ever obtain copies of, let alone change.
<p>
Using a server controlled by someone else to do your own computing
(which we call SaaSS, <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/who-does-that-server-really-serve.html">Service as a Software Substitute)
is never safe -- it is even more unsafe than running a <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">nonfree
program</a>.
<p>
But the people who negotiated this agreement have no concept
of that issue.
<p>
If what I hear is correct, machine-learning AI systems have <em>already</em>
been used to disrupt democracy.  I refer to the recommendation
algorithms that many platforms use to decide what to show each user.
Reportedly these operate by machine learning and are designed to learn
how to make the platform's <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#used">useds</a> want to stay on the platform longer.
<p>
These platforms have promoted the spread of disinformation, which has
had the effect of helping violent extremists spread hatred.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: abolish tipped minimum wage
uri: Urgent-abolish-tipped-minimum-wage
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Urgent:_abolish_tipped_minimum_wage)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Urgent:_abolish_tipped_minimum_wage)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/our-economy-will-never-provide-workers-what-they-need-as-long-as-we-have-a-two-tiered-wage-system-abolish-the-tipped-minimum-wage?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-we-cant-continue-with-a-two-tiered-wage-system">abolish the tipped minimum wage</a>.
<p>
This means that waiters would receive the same minimum wage as other
workers, and tipping would not be de rigueur.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Halt massive CO2-emitting project
uri: Urgent-Halt-massive-CO2-emitting-project
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Urgent:_Halt_massive_CO2-emitting_project)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Urgent:_Halt_massive_CO2-emitting_project)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on the Biden administration to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/urgent-tell-biden-administration-to-halt-massive-fossil-fuel-project-add-your-voice-for-climate-justice?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=nov24nocp2lng-full-base">halt massive
CO2-emitting project</a> -- the largest LND export project ever
considered.

<p>
 


title: Binance disregarded financial rules
uri: Binance-disregarded-financial-rules
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Binance_disregarded_financial_rules)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(Binance_disregarded_financial_rules)

content:
 
<p>
Binance and its CEO pled guilty to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/28/techscape-binance-changpen-zhao">disregarding financial rules</a>,
such that money was sent to Iran and Syria, to ransomeware, and various
other criminals.
<p>
However, the large fine will not necessarily make this change.
<p>
At the very least, Binance (and each of its divisions even if sold to
some other company) should be required to have an independent
compliance monitor forever, and these monitors should be paid directly
by the federal government (not by Binance) using money that Binance
will pay each year as a fine.  That will make it hard for Binance to
exert improper influence over them.

<p>
 


title: University presidents testifying before Congress
uri: University-presidents-testifying-before-Congress
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(University_presidents_testifying_before_Congress)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#1_December_2023_(University_presidents_testifying_before_Congress)

content:
 
<p>
*US university presidents to testify before Congress over <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/28/university-presidents-testify-congress-antisemitism-harvard-mit">claims of
antisemitic protests on campuses</a>.*
<p>
Antisemitism is a vicious attitude, just like antimuslimism, racism
and sexism.  However, the right to express those attitudes is part
of freedom of speech.
<p>
Many countries other than the US have prohibited expression of those
attitudes.  Whether that reduces them is not at all clear, but it certainly
infringes on freedom of speech.



 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Tracy_McCarter)
title: Tracy McCarter
uri: Tracy-McCarter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Tracy_McCarter)
content:
 
<p>
When Tracy McCarter's estranged husband came to attack her, and fell
onto the knife she was pointing at him to keep him away, there was
evidence to prove she had not intentionally stabbed him.  But <a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/11/30/nypd-domestic-violence-lawsuit/">a thug
claimed she had said so</a>.  Then the prosecutor subpoena'd her email,
did not inform her, and did not share the evidence with her defense.

<p>
 


title: Australia large fossil fuel project
uri: Australia-large-fossil-fuel-project
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Australia_large_fossil_fuel_project)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Australia_large_fossil_fuel_project)

content:
 
<p>
Australia is considering <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/01/over-20-bn-tonnes-of-co2-could-be-emitted-if-australian-fossil-fuel-projects-up-for-approval-go-ahead">approving large fossil fuel projects</a> that
could emit 10 times Australia's remaining greenhouse emissions budget.
<p>
Many Australian industries are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/30/its-climate-christmas-but-data-dump-shows-australia-has-a-long-way-to-go-on-emissions">emitting just as in 2003</a>.
<p>
The Labor government was a big step om from the previous right-wing
government that would tell basically any lie to wreck Earth as a place
to live.  But it is still surprisingly bad compared with what
civilization needs to survive.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Lead_pipes_need_replaced)
title: Lead pipes need replaced
uri: Lead-pipes-need-replaced
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Lead_pipes_need_replaced)
content:
 
<p>
New <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#epa">EPA</a> rules will require <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/30/replace-lead-drinking-water-pipe-epa">replacement of all lead water pipes in the US</a>.
<p>
This is worth doing because lead in childrens' drinking water
permanently reduces their intelligence.

<p>
 


title: Investigating supermarkets' two-tier pricing
uri: Investigating-supermarkets-two-tier-pricing
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Investigating_supermarkets'_two-tier_pricing)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Investigating_supermarkets'_two-tier_pricing)

content:
 
<p>
The UK is proposing to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2023/nov/29/cma-right-to-investigate-supermarkets-two-tier-pricing-tactics">investigate supermarkets' practice of charging more
to customers that won't help track them</a>.
<p>
Instead of investigating them, the right thing to do is prohibit
stores from charging more if they don't identify themselves.
<p>
The article cites "defenses" for stores "right" to pressure people to
help stores track them, but those are irrelevant because tracking
people is doing wrong to them.  Buying anonymously does not do wrong
to a seller; it is everyone's right.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(ChatGPT_output_personal_data)
title: ChatGPT output personal data
uri: ChatGPT-output-personal-data
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(ChatGPT_output_personal_data)
content:
 
<p>
Hackers tricked ChatGPT into <a href="https://boingboing.net/2023/11/29/google-tricks-chatgpt-into-exposing-itself.html">outputting personal data</a> contained in its
training materials.
<p>
If it were intelligent, it would have noticed this and hushed up.  To
refer to these language models as "artificial intelligence" <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#ArtificialIntelligence">misleads
the public</a>,
so please don't.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Speech_parts_deleted)
title: Speech parts deleted
uri: Speech-parts-deleted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Speech_parts_deleted)
content:
 
<p>
Robert de Niro was giving a speech, reading from a text he had
prepared, and discovered that <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/robert-de-niro-claims-trump-remarks-were-slashed-at-awards-night">parts of it, condemning the fascist and
right-wing disinformationists, had been deleted</a>.
<p>
He <a href="https://variety.com/2023/film/news/robert-de-niro-apple-censors-trump-criticism-gotham-speech-1235810832/">condemned Apple</a> for demanding the deletion.
<p>
The attempt failed to trick him -- he read the deleted part from
another copy of his text.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Perscription_medication_coverage)
title: Prescription medication coverage
uri: Prescription-medication-coverage
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Perscription_medication_coverage)
content:
 
<p>
Some US medical insurance plans are removing drugs from the list they
cover, without warning.  The result is that many people <a href="https://www.levernews.com/why-drugs-are-disappearing-from-your-insurance-coverage/?utm_source=newsletter-email&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=newsletter-article&attribution_id=65668c66c7f8000001fc7850&attribution_type=post">suddenly have
to pay a lot more for prescription medicines</a>.

<p>
 


title: Attacks could leave people fleeing
uri: Attacks-could-leave-people-fleeing
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Attacks_could_leave_people_fleeing)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Attacks_could_leave_people_fleeing)

content:
 
<p>
The UN agency that feeds and houses Palestinian refugees in Gaza
warns that an Israeli attack on the south could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/30/israeli-assault-on-southern-gaza-could-lead-to-1-million-refugees-unrwa-chief-warns">send a million people
fleeing with nowhere to go</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Biodiversity_catastrophe)
title: Biodiversity catastrophe
uri: Biodiversity-catastrophe
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Biodiversity_catastrophe)
content:
 
<p>
*"A biodiversity catastrophe": <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/29/a-biodiversity-catastrophe-how-the-world-could-look-in-2050-unless-we-act-now-aoe">how the world could look in 2050</a> –- unless we
act now.*
<p>
The causes include <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>, deforestation, invasive species,
and depletion of natural resources.
<a>*10 ways
the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/29/10-ways-in-which-climate-crisis-and-nature-are-linked-aoe">climate
crisis and nature loss are linked</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Cop28_sponsors)
title: Cop28 sponsors
uri: Cop28-sponsors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Cop28_sponsors)
content:
 
<p>
Most of the companies that have "sponsored" the Cop28 climate
conference <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/29/most-sponsors-cop28-not-signed-up-to-un-net-zero-targets">have not made commitments to reduce their own greenhouse
emissions</a> in accord with the UN science-based targets.
<p>
This leads to the suspicion that their motives for associating with
the event do not include reducing greenhouse emissions.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Gaza_and_aid)
title: Gaza and aid
uri: Gaza-and-aid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Gaza_and_aid)
content:
 
<p>
Gaza is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/28/deaths-from-disease-in-gaza-could-outstrip-deaths-from-war-un-says">not getting enough aid</a> to meet even basic emergency needs, the
UN has warned, and the population is so ravaged by hunger, bombing and
the lack of clean water that deaths from disease could outstrip those
from war.*

<p>
 


title: Religious symbol limits for EU staff
uri: Religious-symbol-limits-for-EU-staff
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Religious_symbol_limits_for_EU_staff)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Religious_symbol_limits_for_EU_staff)

content:
 
<p>
An EU court ruled that offices can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/29/government-offices-in-eu-can-ban-wearing-of-religious-symbols-court-rules">limit the wearing of religious
symbols by the staff</a>, in order to maintain an air of religious
neutrality.
I think that is a reasonable policy.
<p>
The court decision tried to allow some flexibility but block arbitrary
discrimination, but I think it did not entirely succeed at the latter.
<p>
To close the door on arbitrary bias, the court's decision should have
included a requirement that any distinctions made between some
religious symbols and others must give equal treatment to all symbols
that are equal as regards how prominent and visible they are.
<p>
It makes sense to distinguish between large religious symbols that
everyone in the office can't help noticing and tiny ones that might
even be under a garment.  Thus, it is legitimate to regulate religious
headgear more strictly than pendants or bracelets.  But the law should
require that all kinds of religious headgear be treated alike,
regardless of which religion they represent.
<p>
A veil is a different kind of issue.  Inside an office, it is
reasonable to require that the staff show their faces.  However, for a
government to require people on the street to expose their faces to
facial recognition cameras is a step along the path that leads to
Chinese-style repression.
<p>
The <a href="https://stallman.org/notes/2010-jul-oct.html#09%20October%202010%20(Veil%20ban%20hypocrisy%20revealed%20by%20NiqaBitch)">right to cover one's face in public</a> should be a human right for
everyone.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Gaza_journalists)
title: Gaza journalists
uri: Gaza-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Gaza_journalists)
content:
 
<p>
*Who will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/29/atrocities-gaza-journalists-media">shine a light on the atrocities in Gaza</a> if all the
journalists are wiped out?*
<p>
I wonder if journalists in Gaza have the same chance of being killed
as ordinary civilians, or a higher chance?  Either one is possible.
How many journalists are there in Gaza?
<p>
In theory, journalists could be safer than other civilians, but I
don't see how that could be possible.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Amazon_union_busting)
title: Amazon union busting
uri: Amazon-union-busting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#2_December_2023_(Amazon_union_busting)
content:
 
<p>
*Employees at facility in Kentucky allege <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/29/amazon-union-busting-kentucky-air-hub">Amazon is retaliating against
them</a> as they push for union representation.*


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Pandering_for_pandas_ceased)
title: Pandering for pandas ceased
uri: Pandering-for-pandas-ceased
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Pandering_for_pandas_ceased)
content:
 
<p>
Countries seem to have ceased being willing to pander to China in
order to obtain the loan of a few pandas to a zoo.
<p>
China used to be able to get substantial concessions <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#11_September_2019_(Panda_politics)">in exchange for
the loan of pandas</a>.
<p>

<p>
 


title: HIV rates higher in countries with anti-LGBT laws
uri: HIV-rates-higher-in-countries-with-anti-LGBT-laws
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(HIV_rates_higher_in_countries_with_anti-LGBT_laws)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(HIV_rates_higher_in_countries_with_anti-LGBT_laws)

content:
 
<p>
*In countries that criminalise gay sex, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/dec/01/anti-lgbtq-laws-are-impeding-elimination-of-aids-un-says">HIV infection rates are higher</a>
and access to lifesaving drugs and services are denied.*

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Increase capital requirement
uri: Urgent-Increase-capital-requirement
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Urgent:_Increase_capital_requirement)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Urgent:_Increase_capital_requirement)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: To avoid another bank bailout, <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/bank-capital?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-afr-advocacy-fund-c4&source=group-afr-advocacy-fund-c4">support the Federal
Reserve's proposal to increase capital requirements on large banks</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Visa_ban_for_Israeli_settlers)
title: Visa ban for Israeli "settlers"
uri: Visa-ban-for-Israeli-settlers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Visa_ban_for_Israeli_settlers)
content:
 
<p>
*US to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/01/visa-ban-israel-extremist-palestine">impose visa bans on Israeli extremist "settlers"</a> for violence
against Palestinians.*
<p>
Bravo -- those people are terrorists.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Santos_expelled)
title: Santos expelled
uri: Santos-expelled
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Santos_expelled)
content:
 
<p>
*Republican George Santos <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/01/george-santos-expelled-congress-vote">expelled from Congress in bipartisan vote</a>.*
<p>
Santos is a crook and lied to his constituents.  In and of itself, his
expulsion is a good thing, and he deserved it.  But I worry that
this willingness to expel representatives who have not committed a
crime might make it easier to expel representatives such as Rashida
Tlaib for honestly standing for unusual views.

<p>
 


title: Belgian court orders faster emissions cut
uri: Belgian-court-orders-faster-emissions-cut
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Belgian_court_orders_faster_emissions_cut)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Belgian_court_orders_faster_emissions_cut)

content:
 
<p>
In a powerful victory for climate campaigners, the Brussels court of
appeal ordered Belgium to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/01/belgian-court-orders-faster-emissions-cuts-as-countrys-climate-targets-insufficient">cut its planet-heating pollution</a> by at
least 55% from 1990 levels by 2030.*

<p>
 


title: Carbon-intensive industries fight to keep polluting
uri: Carbon-intensive-industries-fight-to-keep-polluting
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Carbon-intensive_industries_fight_to_keep_polluting)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Carbon-intensive_industries_fight_to_keep_polluting)

content:
 
<p>
*Just like oil and gas businesses, and petro-states, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/01/the-guardian-view-on-cop28-energy-companies-are-not-the-only-ones-with-a-carbon-addiction">carbon-intensive
industries including meat will fight to keep on polluting</a>.*

*Felicity Huffman says she <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/01/felicity-huffman-college-admissions-first-interview">paid to have her daughter’s college
testing scores raised</a> because she felt pressed to give her child “a
chance at a future”* -- instead of someone else's child.
That's a selfish person's response to a painful imposed competition.
<p>
Another response is possible: to join together to campaign for a
society that gives everyone a chance at a future.

<p>
 


title: Rwanda judicial system not independent
uri: Rwanda-judicial-system-not-independent
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Rwanda_judicial_system_not_independent)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Rwanda_judicial_system_not_independent)

content:
 
<p>
Rwanda's judicial system is not independent, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/30/rwandan-courts-will-not-protect-refugees-rights-say-daughters-of-genocide-hero">therefore does not
try to do justice</a>.  It does what "president" orders.  So it can hardly
be trusted to protect the rights of people seeking asylum in Britain
(or anywhere).
<p>
It might, quite the contrary, try to win favors from a UK government
by making refugees disappear before their asylum cases are heard.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Abetting_colonialists)
title: Abetting colonialists
uri: Abetting-colonialists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Abetting_colonialists)
content:
 
<p>
Handing over the Falkland Islands (and their inhabitants) to
Argentina's ambition would be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/30/respect-the-right-of-falkland-islanders-to-self-determination">abetting colonialists</a>.
<p>
Don't be led astray by the fashionable term "global south" -- we must
not judge the morality of an action by whether the country committing
it <em>thie time</em> is on the "historical victims" list.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: dismiss Moore v. United States
uri: Urgent-dismiss-Moore-v-United-States
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Urgent:_dismiss_Moore_v._United_States)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Urgent:_dismiss_Moore_v._United_States)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on the Supreme Court to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/dismiss-moore-v-us?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-patriotic-millionaires&source=group-patriotic-millionaires">dismiss Moore v. United
States</a>.
<p>
Supreme Court members Roberts and Alito <a href="https://www.levernews.com/justices-have-financial-interest-in-major-tax-case/">own stock in companies that could
win around 30 billion dollars</a> from a decision they will soon participate in.
<p>
There were apparent falsehoods in the claims made in the case.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Misleading_sustainability_claims)
title: Misleading sustainability claims
uri: Misleading-sustainability-claims
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#3_December_2023_(Misleading_sustainability_claims)
content:
 
<p>
*Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are facing formal complaints
over their sustainable flight claims after being accused of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/30/airlines-virgin-atlantic-british-airways-face-formal-complaints-over-contested-sustainability-claims">misleading
potential customers about the environmental credentials of aviation</a>.*


<p>
 


title: Wrecker's trial if he becomes president again
uri: Wrecker-s-trial-if-he-becomes-president-again
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Wrecker's_trial_if_he_becomes_president_again)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Wrecker's_trial_if_he_becomes_president_again)

content:
 
<p>

If <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> becomes president again in 2025, that would <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/01/georgia-trial-trump-steve-sadow">postpone
    his trial</a> for trying to steal the 2020 election until he ceases
to be president.
</p>
<p>
That could mean, until he dies, since he would surely block any fair election
if he gets that much power again.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Israel's_new_military_approach)
title: Israel's "new" military approach
uri: Israel-s-new-military-approach
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Israel's_new_military_approach)
content:
 
<p>

  Israel's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/01/israels-military-strategy-threatens-to-worsen-humanitarian-crisis-in-south">"new" military approach</a> to attacking southern Gaza is not all
that different from the way it attacked northern Gaza.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Damage_to_hospitals_in_Gaza)
title: Damage to hospitals in Gaza
uri: Damage-to-hospitals-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Damage_to_hospitals_in_Gaza)
content:
 
<p>

  Examining <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/01/hospital-damage-in-gaza-during-israeli-offensive-a-visual-investigation">heavy damage done to 10 hospitals in Gaza</a>, mostly done by
Israeli bombardment.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Air_pollution_in_Rome)
title: Air pollution in Rome
uri: Air-pollution-in-Rome
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Air_pollution_in_Rome)
content:
 
<p>

High levels of air pollution in Rome have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/01/toxic-air-particle-pollution-mental-health-rome-study">related to high levels
    of some mental disorders</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(History_of_racism_through_art)
title: History of racism through art
uri: History-of-racism-through-art
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(History_of_racism_through_art)
content:
 
<p>

  Studying the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/dec/01/the-black-atlantic-exhibition-takes-an-unflinching-look-at-the-sins-of-the-past-and-offers-a-vision-of-repair">history of racism through art</a> donated to Cambridge
University.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Australian_national_security_laws)
title: Australian "national security" laws
uri: Australian-national-security-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Australian_national_security_laws)
content:
 
<p>

  An Australian official <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/01/australia-secrecy-laws-review-national-security-information-act">calls for changes</a> in "national security" laws
that permitted an accused official to be secretly prosecuted, secretly
convicted and secretly kept in jail, based on evidence that was kept
secret from him and his lawyers.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Meta-Facebook trying to wipe out FTC
uri: Meta-Facebook-trying-to-wipe-out-FTC
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Meta-Facebook_trying_to_wipe_out_FTC)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Meta-Facebook_trying_to_wipe_out_FTC)

content:
 
<p>

Meta-Facebook is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/advocates-decry-metas-attempt-to-shut-down-the-ftc">suing to wipe out the Federal Trade Commission</a>.
</p>
<p>
With our current Supreme Court, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-jan-apr.html#9_April_2022_(Right-wing_radicals_on_US_Supreme_Court)">dominated by right-wing members</a>
some of whom are <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jan-apr.html#9_April_2023_(Expensive_gifts_received_by_Justice_Thomas)">corrupt</a> and have personal interests in the decision,
that is not guaranteed to fail.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Ex-Rep_Santos'_response)
title: Ex-Rep Santos' response
uri: Ex-Rep-Santos-response
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Ex-Rep_Santos'_response)
content:
 
<p>

  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/01/george-santos-lies-fact-check">How Ex-Rep Santos responded</a> when confronted about some of his lies.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Tory ministers ignored ruling on trafficked foreigners
uri: Tory-ministers-ignored-ruling-on-trafficked-foreigners
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Tory_ministers_ignored_ruling_on_trafficked_foreigners)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Tory_ministers_ignored_ruling_on_trafficked_foreigners)

content:
 
<p>

  Two Tory ministers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/dec/01/patel-and-braverman-accused-of-denying-trafficking-victims-leave-to-remain-in-uk">successively disregarded a court decision</a> that
foreigners who had been trafficked into the UK were entitled to stay
there.  Those ministers simply did not give them permission to stay.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Extreme weather could shut down hospitals
uri: Extreme-weather-could-shut-down-hospitals
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Extreme_weather_could_shut_down_hospitals)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Extreme_weather_could_shut_down_hospitals)

content:
 
<p>

  *Extreme weather could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/02/extreme-weather-could-shut-down-one-in-12-hospitals-worldwide-report-warns">[temporarily] shut down one in 12 hospitals</a>
 worldwide, report warns.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(US_pressure_on_Israel)
title: US pressure on Israel
uri: US-pressure-on-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(US_pressure_on_Israel)
content:
 
<p>

Reportedly Israel is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/02/israel-united-states-rift-war-hamas">defying US pressure to avoid killing massive numbers
    of Palestinians</a> in Gaza.
</p>
<p>
Israel's plans to attack HAMAS are based on the assumption that
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/02/israel-using-hamas-prisoners-to-track-down-terror-chiefs">killing its leaders will destroy the organization</a>.
</p>
<p>
  This approach to a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#23_July_2012_(Guerrilla_war_spreading_in_Syria)">guerrilla organization</a> with popular support
basically never works.
</p>
<p>
HAMAS <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/02/as-the-ceasefire-ends-a-question-from-history-lingers-will-israel-win-the-battle-but-lose-the-war-against-hamas">hopes that Israel will lose the war</a> by being unable to wipe out
HAMAS, while committing more and more atrocities.   That could happen.
</p>
<p>
Israel would be wiser to refrain by choice from massacring
Palestinians, based on recognizing the moral (and legal) obligation to
do so.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Iran_using_Gaza_conflict_as_cover)
title: Iran using Gaza conflict as cover
uri: Iran-using-Gaza-conflict-as-cover
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Iran_using_Gaza_conflict_as_cover)
content:
 
<p>

  *Iran <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/dec/02/iran-using-gaza-conflict-as-cover-to-step-up-executions-of-protesters">"using Gaza conflict as cover" for execution of 127 people</a> since
war began.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Voluntary pledges to reduce greenhouse emissions
uri: Voluntary-pledges-to-reduce-greenhouse-emissions
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Voluntary_pledges_to_reduce_greenhouse_emissions)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Voluntary_pledges_to_reduce_greenhouse_emissions)

content:
 
<p>

The oil emir who is president of Cop28 has <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/over-320-organizations-reject-the-cop28-presidencys-oil-and-gas-decarbonization-charter">proposed voluntary pledges
    to reduce greenhouse emissions</a>.
  Climate defense activists have denounced
this as insufficient and demand commitments for reductions.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Nonviolent obstruction to block deep sea mining
uri: Nonviolent-obstruction-to-block-deep-sea-mining
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Nonviolent_obstruction_to_block_deep_sea_mining)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Nonviolent_obstruction_to_block_deep_sea_mining)

content:
 
<p>

  Activists are using <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/02/deep-sea-miners-turn-water-hoses-on-greenpeace-activists-in-the-pacific">nonviolent obstruction to block deep sea mining</a>.
  The deep sea has ecosystems, and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-may-aug.html#17_July_2023_(Sea_mining_results:_large_implications)">mining can wipe them out</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Murder_of_Berta_Cáceres)
title: Murder of Berta Cáceres
uri: 2023-12-04-Murder-of-Berta-Cáceres
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Murder_of_Berta_Cáceres)
content:
 
<p>

Honduras has accused someone of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/02/honduras-arrest-warrant-issued-over-of-activist-berta-caceres">organizing the murder of Berta
    Cáceres</a>.  He was an executive of the company building the dam that she
organized protests against.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Measures_to_cut_methane_emissions)
title: Measures to cut methane emissions
uri: Measures-to-cut-methane-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Measures_to_cut_methane_emissions)
content:
 
<p>

  *US outlines <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/02/us-outlines-measures-to-cut-methane-emissions-by-80-in-next-15-years">measures to cut methane emissions</a> by 80% in next 15
 years.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Checking heartbeats to detect illness
uri: Checking-heartbeats-to-detect-illness
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Checking_heartbeats_to_detect_illness)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Checking_heartbeats_to_detect_illness)

content:
 
<p>

  A kiosk using a laser could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/dec/02/laser-reads-heartbeat-through-throat-could-replace-stethoscopes">check people's heartbeats</a> and detect some sorts
of illnesses 
  Then it could send the information to various commercial partners
of the company that installed the kiosk.
</p>
<p>
I don't think that approach is trustworthy.  It is better to have this
medical device in a clinic, since the clinic would have at least a
minimal obligation to protect your privacy.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Nowhere_safe_in_Gaza)
title: Nowhere safe in Gaza
uri: Nowhere-safe-in-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Nowhere_safe_in_Gaza)
content:
 
<p>
*Airstrikes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/03/airstrikes-leave-no-safe-place-for-palestinians-in-southern-gaza">leave no safe place</a> for Palestinians in southern Gaza.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Gas_emissions)
title: Gas emissions
uri: Gas-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Gas_emissions)
content:
 
<p>
*Greenhouse gas <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/03/greenhouse-gas-emissions-soar-with-china-us-and-india-most-at-fault">emissions soar</a> -– with China, US and India most at fault.*

<p>
 


title: What happened to the American Dream
uri: What-happened-to-the-American-Dream
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(What_happened_to_the_American_Dream)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(What_happened_to_the_American_Dream)

content:
 
<p>
Robert Reich: today's billionaires are <a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/what-really-happened-to-the-american">undermining the sense that we
are all "in it together"</a> so that making society better off tends to
help us all.  The result is the disintegration of society.
<p>
Arguing about a "free market" for businesses is a distraction from the
question of whether our markets are <em>fair</em> to the non-rich.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Amazon_locking_in_customers)
title: Amazon locking in customers
uri: Amazon-locking-in-customers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Amazon_locking_in_customers)
content:
 
<p>
Amazon locks in customers by <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/29/aethelred-the-unready/#not-one-penny-for-tribute">getting them to pay in advance</a> for "free
shipping".  Then it makes sellers raise their prices so they can pay
to "qualify for prime", and to do that, they have to charge even higher
prices in any other store.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Neoliberalism)
title: Neoliberalism
uri: 2023-12-05-Neoliberalism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Neoliberalism)
content:
 
<p>
*Before neoliberalism can destroy our lives, it must first convince us
that we are all disconnected. "There is no such thing as society,"
isn't just an empty slogan: it's a weapon for dismantling the
democratically accountable structures that can stand against
industrial tyrants.*
<p>
Lately neoliberalism has suffered some setbacks in the US from <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/24/coalescence/#solidarnosc">citizens
in solidarity, with partial US government support for us</a>.
<p>
<a href="https://locusmag.com/2023/11/commentary-by-cory-doctorow-dont-be-evil/">Enshittification of the important network services</a> was also the
consequence of US government acceptance of monopolies, which had
continued since Reagan established it and Clinton endorsed it.
<p>
Blocking new mergers and some of the nasty actions of monopolies is
necessary but not sufficient.  We need to restore the competition that
we used to have, by breaking up the monopolies.
<p>
My <a href="/articles/progressive-tax-on-business-gross-income.html">tax
system for multinational companies</a> is designed to pressure them to
break themselves up.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Cop28)
title: Cop28
uri: Cop28
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Cop28)
content:
 
<p>
In Cop28, the US
is <a href="https://www.levernews.com/internal-doc-reveals-us-troubling-climate-summit-plans/?utm_source=newsletter-email&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=newsletter-article&attribution_id=6569156027d2650001e04828&attribution_type=post">supporting
the weak voluntary system for carbon reduction</a>.  We need to speed
this up, and mandatory reductions will do that.

<p>
 


title: Extracting resources for electric vehicles
uri: Extracting-resources-for-electric-vehicles
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Extracting_resources_for_electric_vehicles)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_December_2023_(Extracting_resources_for_electric_vehicles)

content:
 
<p>
The problems caused by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/dec/01/do-electric-cars-have-problem-mining-for-minerals">extracting resources for electric vehicles</a> will
be tiny compared with the problems caused by extracting resources for 
cars that burn fuel.


 


title: UK age verification for porn sites
uri: UK-age-verification-for-porn-sites
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(UK_age_verification_for_porn_sites)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(UK_age_verification_for_porn_sites)

content:
 
<p>
It appears that the proposed UK law about who can access porn sites
will require all visitors to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/dec/05/pornography-websites-will-have-to-check-users-ages-under-draft-guidelines">identify themselves, or run nonfree
software which is likely to snoop on them</a>.
<p>
The intended purpose of that law is to prevent minors from accessing
porn sites.  To exclude everyone under 18 is unreasonably strict.
They try to justify this by referring to all minors as "children".
Even a person of age 17 is a "child" according to them.
<p>
To exclude only children -- real children -- from porn sites might be
ok in principle.  But how to determine whether a given user is under
the specified age?  The methods mentioned in the article either
directly require a user to identify perself, or indirectly require per
to make perself vulnerable to being identified.
<p>
"Contacting your mobile network provider to allow your phone to access
[porn]" would seem to permit only access through devices that are
untrustworthy: mobile phones, communicating through a cellular
network).
<p>
Regarding "Facial age estimation technology", one question is, will
that glimpse of your face enable identifying you by facial recognition?
Another question is, how will they make sure it is operating on a
real-time image of your own face rather than someone else's?  I
suspect that will depend on locked-down nonfree software, simply
because I don't see how else it could work.
<p>
I don't have a concrete idea of what a "digital identity wallet" would
do, but I have a hunch that only locked-down nonfree software will be
accepted.
<p>
If you know more about those last two approaches, and if you can tell
whether they can be made to work without unjust surveillance or unjust
nonfree software, I would appreciate your telling me about them.
<p>
GNU Taler can be used for age verification in a way that does not
permit web sites to identify the user, and does not require nonfree
software.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Don't approve seismic blasting
uri: Urgent-Don-t-approve-seismic-blasting
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Urgent:_Don't_approve_seismic_blasting)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Urgent:_Don't_approve_seismic_blasting)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on the Interior Department to refuse to <a href="https://environmental-action.webaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=55483&tag=email_blast:127264&supporter_KEY=229474">approve seismic
blasting in northern Alaska</a>.
<p>
In addition to preventing the harm to wildlife that the blasting
itself would do, it would impede the extraction of additional fossil
fuels from that region.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Urgent:_Cease_fire)
title: Urgent: Cease fire
uri: Urgent-Cease-fire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Urgent:_Cease_fire)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on Biden to
pressure <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/ceasefire-lapse?akid=9441.223515.juGe3K&c0=ceasefire-lapse.sIHK_X&rd=1&source=em20231202_2&t=1007">HAMAS
and Israel to accept a cease fire</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Record_carbon_emission_levels)
title: Record carbon emission levels
uri: Record-carbon-emission-levels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Record_carbon_emission_levels)
content:
 
<p>
*Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/05/global-carbon-emissions-fossil-fuels-record">reached record levels again</a>
in 2023, as experts warned that the projected rate of warming had not
improved over the past two years.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Greenwashing)
title: Greenwashing
uri: 2023-12-06-Greenwashing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Greenwashing)
content:
 
<p>
*Leading News Outlets Are <a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/12/05/fossil-fuel-industry-media-company-advertising/">Doing the Fossil Fuel Industry’s Greenwashing</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Disproportionate_force)
title: Disproportionate force
uri: Disproportionate-force
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Disproportionate_force)
content:
 
<p>
*Israel’s use of disproportionate force is a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/05/israel-disproportionate-force-tactic-infrastructure-economy-civilian-casualties">long-established tactic –- with a
clear aim</a>.
<p>
The strategy goes well beyond defeating an opponent: it seeks to
destroy key infrastructure and the economy, with many civilian
casualties.*

<p>
 


title: Australia stepped up corruption investigation
uri: Australia-stepped-up-corruption-investigation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Australia_stepped_up_corruption_investigation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Australia_stepped_up_corruption_investigation)

content:
 
<p>
Australia has stepped up the investigation of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/06/over-870-australian-federal-public-servants-acted-corruptly-over-six-years-investigation-finds">accusations of corruption
against federal functionaries</a>.
Bravo, Australia!

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Disposable_vape_ban)
title: Disposable vape ban
uri: Disposable-vape-ban
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Disposable_vape_ban)
content:
 
<p>
France is on the way to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/dec/05/french-parliament-backs-proposal-to-ban-vapes">banning disposable vapes</a>.
I support this measure.  For a given intensity of use, vaping
nicotine may be less dangerous than smoking tobacco, but it seems
to spread addiction among masses of people.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Union_strike_against_Tesla)
title: Union strike against Tesla
uri: Union-strike-against-Tesla
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Union_strike_against_Tesla)
content:
 
<p>
Danish unions are supporting Swedish unions that are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/05/danish-union-joins-strike-action-against-tesla-by-swedish-workers">demanding
recognition from Tesla</a>.
Imagine what workers could achieve if US unions could do this with
European unions.
<p>
The UAW is aiming to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/05/uaw-tesla-us-unions">reach the jumping-off point</a> for that
by organizing the remaining US car manufacturers.

<p>
 


title: Biographies of ordinary medieval residents
uri: Biographies-of-ordinary-medieval-residents
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Biographies_of_ordinary_medieval_residents)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Biographies_of_ordinary_medieval_residents)

content:
 
<p>
Archaeologists at Cambridge University have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/dec/01/archaeologists-life-stories-medieval-cambridge">reconstructed the
"biographies"</a> of hundreds of the city's ordinary medieval residents by
examining their skeletons in detail.*
<p>
Such research would be impossible in the US, due to the law <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-sep-dec.html#27_December_2011_(Unburied_Skeleton)">NAGPRA</a>
which declares that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#3_May_2012_(Bones)">any indigenous religion or nationalism trumps
science and history</a>.
<p>
Indigenous people are entitled to the same rights as anyone else,
including to practice their religions, but it does not follow that the
wishes suggested by their religions should be our commands.

<p>
 


title: Israel using computer systems to choose where to bomb
uri: Israel-using-computer-systems-to-choose-where-to-bomb
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Israel_using_computer_systems_to_choose_where_to_bomb)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(Israel_using_computer_systems_to_choose_where_to_bomb)

content:
 
<p>
The Israeli army is using a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/01/the-gospel-how-israel-uses-ai-to-select-bombing-targets">computer system to choose which houses to
bomb in Gaza</a>.
<p>
The opacity provided by the magic word "AI" provides plenty of
opportunity to paint the system as trying to avoid collateral damage,
while tuning it so that such efforts are cursory and predictably
inadequate.  We could equally well describe it as accepting a
considerable risk of killing civilians.
<p>
The input to the system includes a list of houses in which some
inhabitant is suspected of being a HAMAS fighter.  That is a recipe
for blowing up lots of houses, in which probably no HAMAS fighter is
in residence during the bombardment, and killing tens or hundreds of
thousands of relatives or bystanders.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(PFOA_causes_cancer)
title: PFOA causes cancer
uri: PFOA-causes-cancer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#6_December_2023_(PFOA_causes_cancer)
content:
 
<p>
The evidence that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/01/forever-chemical-in-english-tap-water-samples-carcinogenic-who-rules">PFOA causes cancer in humans is mounting up</a>.
So is the amount of PFOA in our environment, since we keep making more
and it accumulates without degrading.


<p>
 


title: Expensive cystic fibrosis treatments
uri: Expensive-cystic-fibrosis-treatments
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_(Expensive_cystic_fibrosis_treatments)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_(Expensive_cystic_fibrosis_treatments)

content:
 
<p>
There are now real treatments for cystic fibrosis -- <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/05/the-guardian-view-on-cystic-fibrosis-treatments-a-rollercoaster-ride-for-the-sick">but so expensive</a> that
most people even in wealthy countries cannot benefit from them.
<p>
It is self-defeating to encourage development of new and better drugs
with a system that tells patients to drop dead.  We should abolish
patents on medicines and fund the research with public funds instead.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_(Apocalyptic_conditions)
title: Apocalyptic conditions
uri: Apocalyptic-conditions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_(Apocalyptic_conditions)
content:
 
<p>
The UN says that Israel's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/05/un-martin-griffiths-idf-campaign-southern-gaza-apocalyptic-conditions">bombardment and attacks in Gaza make it
impossible to do anything to protect civilians</a> there.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_(Informant_faces_life_imprisonment)
title: Informant faces life imprisonment
uri: Informant-faces-life-imprisonment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_(Informant_faces_life_imprisonment)
content:
 
<p>
* Dual Haitian-American citizen attended meetings in south Florida and
Haiti ahead of the assassination [of Haiti's president] and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/05/haiti-ex-dea-informant-guilty-assassination-president-moise">faces
life imprisonment</a>.*

<p>
 


title: Lawsuit to terminate nonviable pregnancy
uri: Lawsuit-to-terminate-nonviable-pregnancy
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_(Lawsuit_to_terminate_nonviable_pregnancy)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_(Lawsuit_to_terminate_nonviable_pregnancy)

content:
 
<p>
*Texas woman <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/05/texas-woman-emergency-abortion-lawsuit">files emergency lawsuit</a> to terminate her non-viable pregnancy.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_((Satire)_Health_Insurance)
title: (Satire) Health Insurance
uri: (Satire)-Health-Insurance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_((Satire)_Health_Insurance)
content:
 
<p>
(satire) *Horse Without Health Insurance <a href="https://www.theonion.com/horse-without-health-insurance-unable-to-afford-being-s-1851072026">Unable To Afford Being Shot
In The Head</a>.*
<p>
  If an Onion page appears blank, try disabling Javascript entirely or
  telling LibreJS to blacklist all scripts in the page, then
  right-click and select item "Reveal hidden HTML". Or use a browser
  such as lynx that doesn't implement Javascript and CSS.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_((Satire)_Mindful_acceptance)
title: (Satire) Mindful acceptance
uri: (Satire)-Mindful-acceptance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_((Satire)_Mindful_acceptance)
content:
 
<p>
(satire) *Company Wellness Seminar <a href="https://www.theonion.com/company-wellness-seminar-teaches-mindful-acceptance-of-1851067216">Teaches Mindful Acceptance Of Pay Cuts</a>.*
<p>
  If an Onion page appears blank, try disabling Javascript entirely or
  telling LibreJS to blacklist all scripts in the page, then
  right-click and select item "Reveal hidden HTML". Or use a browser
  such as lynx that doesn't implement Javascript and CSS.
  
<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_(Military_aid_warning)
title: Military aid warning
uri: Military-aid-warning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_(Military_aid_warning)
content:
 
<p>
*White House warns it is ‘<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/04/white-house-ukraine-military-aid-warning">out of money and nearly out of time</a>’ to aid
Ukraine.*
<p>
America's right-wing extremists have come to the rescue of Russia's
right-wing extremists, and I fear they will continue their alliance
in an attempt to subjugate the US completely.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_(Joan_Donovan)
title: Joan Donovan
uri: Joan-Donovan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_(Joan_Donovan)
content:
 
<p>
*Joan Donovan says [her funding from Harvard] was cut off for
criticizing [Meta-Facebook] when <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/dec/04/facebook-harvard-joan-donovan">university was receiving $500m
from Mark Zuckerberg’s charity</a>.*

<p>
 


title: IDF had copious information about HAMAS's attack
uri: IDF-had-copious-information-about-HAMAS-s-attack
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_(IDF_had_copious_information_about_HAMAS's_attack)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#7_December_2023_(IDF_had_copious_information_about_HAMAS's_attack)

content:
 
<p>
Israeli intelligence had <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/04/hamas-drew-detailed-attack-plans-for-years-with-help-of-spies-idf-says">copious information about HAMAS's plans</a> for
the attack, but dismissed it all as an impossible fantasy.
<p>
This has no effect on moral questions.  Not on judging the <a href="https://stallman.org/notes/2009-jan-apr.html#23%20January%202009%20(War%20crimes)">war crimes</a>
(murder and hostage-taking)
 that were committed in that attack (and
planned in writing).
<p>
Nor on the war crimes of Israel's response, the siege and <a href="https://stallman.org/notes/2014-nov-feb.html#07_February_2015_(Increase_in_antisemitism)">bombardment</a>.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Climate_policy)
title: Climate policy
uri: Climate-policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Climate_policy)
content:
 
<p>
*We need power to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/07/we-need-power-to-prescribe-climate-policy-ipcc-scientists-say">prescribe climate policy</a>, IPCC scientists say.*
<p>
This approach would be morally legitimate, but I tend to think that
it would not work in practice -- governments will not grant scientists
that sort of power until they are ready to carry out the measures that the
know conscientious scientists would have to establish.

<p>
 


title: Snooping and censoring book readers
uri: Snooping-and-censoring-book-readers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Snooping_and_censoring_book_readers)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Snooping_and_censoring_book_readers)

content:
 
<p>
Activists in various political causes have noticed that <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/25-human-rights-organizations-call-on-2024-congress-to-investigate-big-tech-and-publishings-stranglehold-over-digital-books">e-books give
distributors of books power</a> to snoop on readers and power to censor
books they disapprove of.
<p>
Their campaign does not recognize that these dangers come out of the
DMCA, making them reasons to demand repeal of the DMCA, and that the
only effective and lasting way to eliminate the dangers is to repeal
the DMCA.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Issam_Abdallah)
title: Issam Abdallah
uri: Issam-Abdallah
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Issam_Abdallah)
content:
 
<p>
An Israeli tank <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/07/journalist-issam-abdallah-killed-by-israeli-tank-firing-in-quick-succession">fired several shells</a> at a group of journalists in Lebanon,
killing one and injuring six more.
<p>
There was no fighting nearby and the Israeli army could not have been
unaware of the journalists.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Oppose school voucher programs
uri: Urgent-Oppose-school-voucher-programs
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Urgent:_Oppose_school_voucher_programs)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Urgent:_Oppose_school_voucher_programs)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on your state education board to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/stop-school-vouchers?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-school-vouchers-2">oppose school
voucher programs</a> and protect our public education system.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Urgent:_Renew_ceasefire)
title: Urgent: Renew ceasefire
uri: Urgent-Renew-ceasefire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Urgent:_Renew_ceasefire)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/go/34272?c0=ceasefire-lapse.sIHK_X&source=em20231204&t=1006&akid=9446%2E223515%2EwmKq76">get the Gaza ceasefire renewed</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Urgent:_Invest_in_community_needs)
title: Urgent: Invest in community needs
uri: Urgent-Invest-in-community-needs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Urgent:_Invest_in_community_needs)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: sign to say, instead of investing in war and policing,
let's <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-instead-of-investing-in-war-and-policing-lets-invest-in-our-communities-needs?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-instead-of-funding-war-and-militarized-police-lets-invest-in-human-needs">invest in our communities' needs</a>.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Stop giving the fascist a free pass
uri: Urgent-Stop-giving-the-fascist-a-free-pass
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_giving_the_fascist_a_free_pass)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Urgent:_Stop_giving_the_fascist_a_free_pass)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on TV news networks to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-demand-news-networks-stop-giving-trump-a-free-pass?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-inequality-media-civic-action&source=group-inequality-media-civic-action">stop giving the fascist a
free pass</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Global_heating)
title: Global heating
uri: 2023-12-08-Global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Global_heating)
content:
 
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">Global heating</a> effects are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/04/roman-forts-hadrians-wall-history-climate-crisis-artefacts">destroying artifacts</a> that have been preserved
in British bogs for hundreds or thousands of years.
These include handwritten letters and documents from Roman times.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(More_autocratic)
title: More autocratic
uri: More-autocratic
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(More_autocratic)
content:
 
<p>
*A second [wrecker] term [as president] will be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/04/a-second-trump-term-will-be-far-more-autocratic-than-the-first-hes-telling-us">far more autocratic
than the first</a>. He’s telling us.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Climate_protester_arrests)
title: Climate protester arrests
uri: Climate-protester-arrests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Climate_protester_arrests)
content:
 
<p>
*[UK <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thugs</a>] make <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/04/police-arrest-climate-protesters-london">630 arrests</a> of climate protesters in London in one month.*
Some of them were kept in jail for days.
<p>
The true supporters of the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a> will arrest any number of
people to keep the oil and profits flowing.  As more people recognize the
deadliness of the path we are on, the repression required will increase.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Oil_industry_swindle)
title: Oil industry swindle
uri: Oil-industry-swindle
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Oil_industry_swindle)
content:
 
<p>
*Warning: the UK government’s hydrogen plan <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/04/uk-government-hydrogen-plan-oil-industry-taxpayer-blue-hydrogen-climate-crisis">isn’t green at all, it’s
another oil industry swindle.*
<p>
They keep <a href="https://stallman.org/archives//2021-may-aug.html#22_August_2021_(Blue_hydrogen)">bringing back the same swindles</a>, rearranged in each country.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Relentless_bombing)
title: Relentless bombing
uri: Relentless-bombing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Relentless_bombing)
content:
 
<p>
*Palestinians in Khan Younis report relentless bombing.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/04/the-doors-and-windows-shattered-palestinians-in-khan-younis-report-relentless-bombing">People are
not even safe</a> in Rafah as Israeli bombardment spreads across the south
of the Gaza Strip, and living conditions are described as desperate.*
<p>
*20 people killed in airstrikes that hit two homes in Rafah, a town <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/07/israel-pounds-250-gaza-targets-in-a-day-as-un-chief-warns-order-may-break-down">IDF
told Palestinians to flee to</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Liz_Cheney)
title: Liz Cheney
uri: 2023-12-08-Liz-Cheney
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Liz_Cheney)
content:
 
<p>
*Liz Cheney mulls <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/05/liz-cheney-trump-election-2024">third-party run</a> to block [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker's</a>] victory.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Clean-up_bill)
title: Clean-up bill
uri: Clean-up-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#8_December_2023_(Clean-up_bill)
content:
 
<p>
*Without Reform to Federal Oil and Gas Drilling Requirements,
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/without-reform-to-federal-oil-and-gas-drilling-requirements-u-s-taxpayers-could-face-a-nearly-18b-clean-up-bill">U.S. Taxpayers Could Face a Nearly $18B Clean-Up Bill</a>.*
<p>
The decision to count only drilling on federal lands omits a large part of
the oil drilling, but the fossil companies are <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#8_October_2020_(Dumping_debt)">clever at skipping out on
their future responsibilities</a>.
Ultimately the public will have to pay for
much of that cleanup too.
<p>
But full cleanup is not always feasible.  The oil from the <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#19_April_2020_(Damage_remaining_from_the_Big_Spill)">Big Spill</a>
is still present on beaches on the US Gulf Coast, and still slowly
poisons wildlife, although it does not attract attention by killing
massive numbers of animals at once.
<p>
These costs of cleanup are just a tiny fraction of the cost of the
additional disasters that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#18_January_2019_(Burning_plastic)">burning the petroleum will cause</a>.
But this
fraction is easy to prevent, so we would be fools not to do so.


<p>
 


title: Prosecuting or suing media organizations
uri: Prosecuting-or-suing-media-organizations
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Prosecuting_or_suing_media_organizations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Prosecuting_or_suing_media_organizations)

content:
 
<p>
If <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> becomes president again, he will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/06/donald-trump-media-kash-patel">prosecute or sue media
organizations</a> that criticize him truthfully.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Netanyahu)
title: Netanyahu
uri: 2023-12-09-Netanyahu
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Netanyahu)
content:
 
<p>
*Biden’s rhetoric toward the Netanyahu government is toughening. But
critics say <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/06/joe-biden-israel-gaza-rhetoric-analysis">his words aren’t backed up</a> by the threat of action.*
<p>
I agree with those critics.  Netanyahu's mass murder in Gaza has continued
for weeks.  Biden must insist that it stop.

<p>
 


title: Crime to desecrate religious texts
uri: Crime-to-desecrate-religious-texts
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Crime_to_desecrate_religious_texts)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Crime_to_desecrate_religious_texts)

content:
 
<p>
Denmark is passing a law to privilege religion by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/07/danish-mps-vote-to-ban-desecration-of-religious-texts-after-quran-burnings">making it a crime</a>
to burn, cut or dirty a religious scripture.
<p>
This is a surrender to bullying by people who demand we all bow down to
their religion.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Silicon_valley_spell)
title: Silicon valley spell
uri: Silicon-valley-spell
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Silicon_valley_spell)
content:
 
<p>
*It’s easy to be dazzled by the super-rich, but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/05/sam-bankman-fried-elon-musk-rish-sunak-silicon-valley-spell">don’t believe that
they’ll do the right thing</a>.*
<p>
Or that their ideas of what is good for people in general are better
than those of a person who cares more about people in general.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Tyre_extinguishers)
title: Tyre extinguishers
uri: Tyre-extinguishers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Tyre_extinguishers)
content:
 
<p>
Spending time with one of the Tyre Extinguishers, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/05/monsters-of-the-road-what-should-the-uk-do-about-suvs">who remind owners of
SUVs</a> what damage they do by buying and using an SUV.

<p>
 


title: Legal challenges over arms exports
uri: Legal-challenges-over-arms-exports
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Legal_challenges_over_arms_exports)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Legal_challenges_over_arms_exports)

content:
 
<p>
*The Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq and the UK-based
Global Legal Action Network have applied for a judicial review
of the [UK] government's export licences for the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/06/uk-government-faces-legal-challenge-over-arms-exports-to-israel">sale of British weapons</a>
capable of being used in Israel’s action in Gaza.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Carbon_pricing)
title: Carbon pricing
uri: 2023-12-09-Carbon-pricing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Carbon_pricing)
content:
 
<p>
New ideas for how to discourage <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/07/carbon-pricing-would-raise-trillions-needed-to-tackle-climate-crisis-says-imf">high-carbon-intensity products in favor</a>
of less dangerous products.

<p>
 


title: Non-viable pregnancies can get aborted
uri: Non-viable-pregnancies-can-get-aborted
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Non-viable_pregnancies_can_get_aborted)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Non-viable_pregnancies_can_get_aborted)

content:
 
<p>
*Texas judge rules woman with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/07/texas-judge-abortion-ruling-non-viable-pregnancy">non-viable pregnancy can have an abortion</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(NHS)
title: NHS
uri: 2023-12-09-NHS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(NHS)
content:
 
<p>
The Tory <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/dec/07/long-nhs-waiting-lists-are-forcing-us-to-go-private">strangulation of Britain's National Health Service</a>
is achieving its effect: millions of Britons are now limited
to private medical treatment.
Often they cannot afford that, so they are without medical treatment at all.
<p>
I've asserted before that <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-jan-apr.html#3_March_2022_(Private_medical_treatment_in_Britain)">this was the Tories' goal</a>.
In the past, one could hope Labour would fix this.  But <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#10_September_2023_(NHS_crisis_in_UK)">Starmer
refuses to tax the rich</a>,
and without more funds he will be unable to
fix it.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Georgia_gerrymandering)
title: Georgia gerrymandering
uri: Georgia-gerrymandering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Georgia_gerrymandering)
content:
 
<p>
A court ordered Georgia Republicans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/07/georgia-republicans-new-map-black-voters">create another majority-black
election district</a>, and they did, but they cheated: they made a new one
by taking apart an old one.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Greece_and_Turkey)
title: Greece and Turkey
uri: Greece-and-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Greece_and_Turkey)
content:
 
<p>
After 100 years of hostility since the end of the war between them,
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/07/erdogan-hails-new-era-of-friendship-with-greece-during-historic-visit-to-athens">Greece and Turkey</a> have made a friendship agreement in an effort to
end the hostility.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Insulin_prices)
title: Insulin prices
uri: Insulin-prices
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Insulin_prices)
content:
 
<p>
Biden is thinking of legally <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/sanders-statement-on-white-house-proposal-to-consider-price-as-a-factor-in-breaking-patent-monopolies-on-some-taxpayer-funded-prescription-drugs">imposing a lower price on insulin</a>.  Sanders calls for going well beyond that, including reducing prices for other drugs whose
development was funded by public funds.
<p>
I agree, but we need more than that, We must <a href="media/1dcfd209.45_1_stallman.pdf" data-original-source="https://www.luc.edu/media/lucedu/law/students/publications/llj/pdfs/45_1_stallman.pdf">prevent patents from
being a tool to impose unconscionable prices</a> on drugs sold in the US
or elsewhere,  The thorough way would be to eliminate patents from
medicine.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Rostin_Behnam)
title: Rostin Behnam
uri: Rostin-Behnam
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#9_December_2023_(Rostin_Behnam)
content:
 
<p>
The Revolving Door Project reports that the head of the Commodities
Future Trading Commission, <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/the-revolving-door-project-a-government-ethics-watchdog-alerts-media-of-possibility-that-cftc-chair-rostin-behnam-is-considering-leaving-government-to-cash-out-in-private-industry">Rostin Behnam</a>, is considering resigning
early to work for business.
<p>
This raises the concern that his new employer might be paying him off
for subtle past corruption or paying to use of his influence for
subtle future corruption.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_December_2023_(Urgent:_Fossil_fuel_ads)
title: Urgent: Fossil fuel ads
uri: Urgent-Fossil-fuel-ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_December_2023_(Urgent:_Fossil_fuel_ads)
content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Facebook/Instagram to <a href="https://act.350.org/sign/nov-23-em-us-meta-stop-fossil-fuel-ads/">stop showing fossil fuel ads</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_December_2023_(Digital_bank_statements)
title: Digital bank statements
uri: Digital-bank-statements
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_December_2023_(Digital_bank_statements)
content:
 
<p>

  Several UK banks are trying to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/dec/07/why-wont-mbna-send-me-paper-statements">almost-force</a> their customers into
receiving statements only digitally.
</p>
<p>
The pressure being imposed is unconscionable.
</p>
<p>
It might be useful for customers to respond by telling your bank that
if it doesn't reverse this policy you will switch to
NAME-OF-OTHER-BANK, after verifying that the other bank is in fact
better.
</p>
</li>

 


title: (satire) Void between centrist Democrats and Republicans
uri: (satire)-Void-between-centrist-Democrats-and-Republicans
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_December_2023_((satire)_Void_between_centrist_Democrats_and_Republicans)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_December_2023_((satire)_Void_between_centrist_Democrats_and_Republicans)

content:
 
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://www.theonion.com/third-party-candidate-promises-to-fill-whatever-void-st-1851066184">Third-Party Candidate Promises To Fill Whatever Void Still
    Left Between Centrist Democrats, Centrist Republicans.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_December_2023_(Storing_asylum_seekers_in_Rwanda)
title: Storing asylum seekers in Rwanda
uri: Storing-asylum-seekers-in-Rwanda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_December_2023_(Storing_asylum_seekers_in_Rwanda)
content:
 
<p>

  The Tories plan to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/dec/06/sunaks-bill-aims-to-block-uk-human-rights-law-to-save-rwanda-scheme">override human rights laws</a> that prohibit storing
asylum seekers in Rwanda.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Banks lobbying to be able to take foolish risks
uri: Banks-lobbying-to-be-able-to-take-foolish-risks
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_December_2023_(Banks_lobbying_to_be_able_to_take_foolish_risks)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_December_2023_(Banks_lobbying_to_be_able_to_take_foolish_risks)

content:
 
<p>

  Big US banks are lobbying hard for Congress to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/dec/06/wall-street-testify-congress-bank-regulations">let them take foolish risks</a>.
  They are sure they will be bailed out at the public expense of their
unwise risks get them in trouble.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Triple SUV parking tariffs in Paris
uri: Triple-SUV-parking-tariffs-in-Paris
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_December_2023_(Triple_SUV_parking_tariffs_in_Paris)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_December_2023_(Triple_SUV_parking_tariffs_in_Paris)

content:
 
<p>

  *Paris mayor plans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/08/paris-mayor-plans-to-triple-suv-parking-tariffs-cut-air-pollution">triple SUV parking tariffs to cut air pollution</a>.*
 ("Air pollution" here includes the kind that makes the ecosphere sick as well
as the kinds that make millions of humans individually sick.)
</p>
<p>
Discouraging SUVs will also reduce the total deaths and injuries from
collisions.
</p>
<p>
This increase will not apply to residents of Paris, which seems to me
a big omission.  What every nation with a lot of cars needs is a
nationwide policies to discourage the purchase of larger vehicles.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Reduction in greenhouse emissions from buildings
uri: Reduction-in-greenhouse-emissions-from-buildings
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_December_2023_(Reduction_in_greenhouse_emissions_from_buildings)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#10_December_2023_(Reduction_in_greenhouse_emissions_from_buildings)

content:
 
<p>

The EU has basically agreed to an enormous program to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/08/eu-agrees-deal-to-cut-emissions-in-homes-and-buildings">reduce the
    amount of greenhouse emissions from buildings</a>.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#11_December_2023_(powerful_countries_cop28)
title: Countries and blocs are stymieing efforts to undermine a reduction in fossil fuels
uri: Countries-and-blocs-are-stymieing-efforts-to-undermine-a-reduction-in
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#11_December_2023_(powerful_countries_cop28)
content:
 
<p>
Powerful countries and blocs, including the US, are stymieing and
undermining efforts towards agreeing to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/08/this-may-be-our-last-chance-cop28-talks-enter-final-phase">reduce use of fossil fuels.</a>
<p>
OPEC 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/08/opec-rails-against-fossil-fuel-phase-out-at-cop28-in-leaked-letters">lobbyists are there too.</a>
<p>
*At least 475 carbon-capture 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/08/at-least-475-carbon-capture-lobbyists-attending-cop28">lobbyists attending Cop28.*</a>
<p>
Whether it will do much to reduce global heating is dubious, but it
will certainly help them keep selling a larger amount of fossil fuels.
<p>
*What happens if the 1.5C target for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/08/what-happens-if-the-15c-target-for-global-heating-is-missed">global heating is missed?*</a>

<p>
 


title: Gun violence gentrification study
uri: Gun-violence-gentrification-study
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#11_December_2023_(gun_violence_gentrification_study)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#11_December_2023_(gun_violence_gentrification_study)

content:
 
<p>
A survey found that US neighborhoods now gentrifying had a 30% higher
rate of gun violence, and those that gentrified in 2014-2019 had a 60%
higher rate.
<p>
In each case, they are compared with neighborhoods that have not been
gentrifying during the time period.
<p>
There is no information about how gentrification relates to the the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/08/gun-violence-gentrification-study">higher rate of violence.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#11_December_2023_(nasa_unregulated_sites)
title: NASA hands over control as new era of moon missions readies
uri: NASA-hands-over-control-as-new-era-of-moon-missions-readies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#11_December_2023_(nasa_unregulated_sites)
content:
 
<p>
Special scientific sites on the Moon are in danger of being messed up
by commercial activity, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/dec/08/nasa-hands-over-control-as-new-era-of-moon-missions-readies-for-lift-off">which is currently unregulated in the US.</a>
<p>
let alone internationally.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#11_December_2023_(uk_discouraging_refugees)
title: Refugees facing destitution
uri: Refugees-facing-destitution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#11_December_2023_(uk_discouraging_refugees)
content:
 
<p>
The UK has a new means of discouraging refugees: those waiting for a
decision on their asylum requests (this takes years) 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/dec/08/help-us-support-refugees-facing-destitution-to-rebuild-their-lives-in-safety">are now left
homeless.</a>
<p>
Instead of paying to give them places to stay, the state is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/dec/08/tories-rwanda-asylum-deal">paying Rwanda
to accept them.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#11_December_2023_(uk_anti_strike_law)
title: UK anti-strike law is ‘galvanizing moment’ for unions
uri: UK-anti-strike-law-is-galvanizing-moment-for-unions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#11_December_2023_(uk_anti_strike_law)
content:
 
<p>
The British Trade Union Council says it will defend any worker who
is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/dec/08/uk-anti-strike-law-is-galvanising-moment-for-unions-says-tuc-boss">prosecuted for striking.</a>
<p>
That is good, but the tactic that sometimes wins, against a government
that won't go so far as to kill thousands of nonviolent resisters, is
to pack the jails.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Intolerable_killings)
title: Intolerable killings
uri: Intolerable-killings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Intolerable_killings)
content:
 
<p>
*[UK] Labour steps
up <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/dec/09/labour-steps-up-criticism-of-intolerable-killings-in-gaza">criticism
of "intolerable" killings</a> in Gaza.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Seeds_for_HUD)
title: Seeds for HUD
uri: Seeds-for-HUD
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Seeds_for_HUD)
content:
 
<p>
Boosterism about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/10/climate-experts-warn-against-focus-technological-solutions-cop28">possible inventions for removing CO2 from the air</a>
are seeds for HUD -- hope, uncertainty and doubt.
<p>
No one knows whether those schemes will work well enough to make a
difference to the climate crisis, but PR campaigns can make them look
like almost a sure thing.  The danger is that people will accept this
HUD are an excuse not to take firm measures now to drastically cut
fossil fuel use.
<p>
A few years from now, when the supposed miracle remedies turn out to
have achieved little, they will at least have achieved a few more
years of burning fossil fuels at full speed.  Which I think is what the
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a> are aiming for.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Inundated_with_records_requests)
title: Inundated with records requests
uri: Inundated-with-records-requests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Inundated_with_records_requests)
content:
 
<p>
*Local elections officials inundated with <a href="*Local elections officials inundated with records requests by rightwing
activists.*">records requests by rightwing
activists</a>.*
<p>
Pre-emptively publishing the things that can be published is a good approach.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Closed-door_cop_city_meetings)
title: Closed-door cop city meetings
uri: Closed-door-cop-city-meetings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Closed-door_cop_city_meetings)
content:
 
<p>
*Closed-door meeting <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/10/cop-city-atlanta-vote-referendum">thwarts bid to let Atlanta residents vote</a> on Cop
City.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Immigrant_surveillance_boom)
title: Immigrant surveillance boom
uri: Immigrant-surveillance-boom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Immigrant_surveillance_boom)
content:
 
<p>
*[US] Private Prison Firms <a href="https://www.levernews.com/private-prison-firms-set-to-cash-in-on-immigrant-surveillance-boom/?utm_source=newsletter-email&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=newsletter-article&attribution_id=65725ea86d897700013d9e06&attribution_type=post">Set To Cash In</a> On Immigrant Surveillance Boom.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Free_market_is_a_myth)
title: "Free market" is a myth
uri: Free-market-is-a-myth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Free_market_is_a_myth)
content:
 
<p>
Robert Reich debunks <a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-biggest-myth-of-all">the myth that an ideal "free market" would
exist in the absence of government</a>.   Each market is based on rules,
and in the absence of a government to make the rules, the rules are
determined by the power of the strongest.
<p>
*The so-called “free market” is a myth that prevents us from
examining [frequent, small] rule changes and asking whom they
serve. The myth is therefore highly useful to those who do not want
such an examination and who don’t want the public to understand how
power is exercised and by whom.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Irrational_amorality)
title: Irrational amorality
uri: Irrational-amorality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Irrational_amorality)
content:
 
<p>
How Kissinger <a href="https://fpif.org/rescuing-realpolitik-from-henry-kissinger/">stretched rational Realpolitik into irrational amorality</a>.
He did not appreciate the long-term importance of supranational
aspects of our world: respect for human rights, respect for the rules
of war, respect for truth, and protecting the ecosphere in which we
all live.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_((Satire)_Minimizing_civilians)
title: (Satire) Minimizing civilians
uri: (Satire)-Minimizing-civilians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_((Satire)_Minimizing_civilians)
content:
 
<p>
(satire) *Israel Assures It <a href="https://www.theonion.com/israel-assures-it-doing-everything-possible-to-minimize-1851085308">Doing Everything Possible To Minimize Civilians</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Urgent:_WIC_benefits)
title: Urgent: WIC benefits
uri: Urgent-WIC-benefits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Urgent:_WIC_benefits)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/wic-benefits/?t=1001&akid=31568%2E96703%2ER60d8z">fund continued aid to parents and
children (WIC)</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Censoring_history)
title: Censoring history
uri: Censoring-history
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Censoring_history)
content:
 
<p>
Former plantations in Texas, turned into museums, have <a href="https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-historical-commission-book-removal/">censored their
bookstores</a> to remove books that discuss the slavery once practiced at
those plantations.

<p>
 


title: Gazans starting to freeze and starve
uri: Gazans-starting-to-freeze-and-starve
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Gazans_starting_to_freeze_and_starve)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Gazans_starting_to_freeze_and_starve)

content:
 
<p>
People in Gaza are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/10/people-will-die-in-the-streets-gaza-dreads-onset-of-winter-as-disease-rises">starting to freeze as well as starve</a>.  Many do not
have warm clothes to put on, as they have only what they could carry when
driven from their homes by bombing or threats of bombing.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(FBI_trained_by_Israeli_army)
title: FBI trained by Israeli army
uri: FBI-trained-by-Israeli-army
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(FBI_trained_by_Israeli_army)
content:
 
<p>
The FBI got training for years from the Israeli army, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/08/us-police-agencies-idf-files-blueleaks">learning how to treat
Americans the way the Israeli army treats Palestinians</a>.

<p>
 


title: ALEC pushing to eliminate human rights
uri: ALEC-pushing-to-eliminate-human-rights
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(ALEC_pushing_to_eliminate_human_rights)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(ALEC_pushing_to_eliminate_human_rights)

content:
 
<p>
Right-wing extremists have been pushing for years for a constitutional
convention that would rewrite the constitution at will to <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2023/12/08/alec-policy-summit-features-push-to-legally-force-a-constitutional-convention/">eliminate many
human rights</a>.  Now ALEC is trying to make the last push.
<p>
I have given to Common Cause to help fund opposition to this.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Urgent:_Billionaires_Income_Tax)
title: Urgent: Billionaires Income Tax
uri: Urgent-Billionaires-Income-Tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Urgent:_Billionaires_Income_Tax)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: support the "<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/add-your-name-become-a-grassroots-co-sponsor-of-the-billionaires-income-tax?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-patriotic-millionaires&source=group-patriotic-millionaires">Billionaires Income Tax</a>".

<p>
 


title: Ken Paxton demands doctors disregard court order
uri: Ken-Paxton-demands-doctors-disregard-court-order
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Ken_Paxton_demands_doctors_disregard_court_order)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Ken_Paxton_demands_doctors_disregard_court_order)

content:
 
<p>
The Texas attorney general demands doctors and hospitals disregard the
court order that authorizes giving Kate Cox an abortion to remove her
nonviable fetus.
<p>
He also threatens to fabricate excuses to persecute people involved
in running those hospitals.
<p>
His intimidation campaign displays contempt for the laws he has sworn
to enforce.  Not just twisting them, but tying them in knots.

<p>
 


title: Governments giving up trying to stop mass atrocities
uri: Governments-giving-up-trying-to-stop-mass-atrocities
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Governments_giving_up_trying_to_stop_mass_atrocities)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Governments_giving_up_trying_to_stop_mass_atrocities)

content:
 
<p>
Activists say that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2023/dec/08/un-and-us-efforts-to-stop-mass-atrocities-have-waned-activists-warn">governments are giving up on trying to stop mass
atrocities</a>.
<p>
Power-bloc rivalries get in the way, as each side in a local dispute
tends to get sponsorship from some power bloc.
<p>
I wonder if power blocs can make deals -- "We'll do X to help end the
mass murder in country A if you'll do Y to help end the mass murder in
country B."

<p>
 


title: Moving US rapidly from fossil fuel electricity
uri: Moving-US-rapidly-from-fossil-fuel-electricity
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Moving_US_rapidly_from_fossil_fuel_electricity)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Moving_US_rapidly_from_fossil_fuel_electricity)

content:
 
<p>
Proposing a plan to move the US <a href="https://act.evergreenaction.com/go/5083?t=1002&akid=13899%2E263952%2EmmjA6L">rapidly away from fossil fuel electric
generation</a> <em>without</em> presuming the federal government will actively help.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Cashless_Australian_future)
title: Cashless Australian future
uri: Cashless-Australian-future
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Cashless_Australian_future)
content:
 
<p>
Australia is in danger of being pushed into <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/09/my-whole-world-revolves-around-cash-why-some-australians-fear-being-left-behind-by-a-cashless-future">being unable to use cash</a>.
<p>
What is the use of resisting China if you fall into Chinese-style
surveillance?  Australians, defend your freedom and anonymity by
firmly insisting on paying cash.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Urgent:_disqualify_the_wrecker)
title: Urgent: disqualify the wrecker
uri: Urgent-disqualify-the-wrecker
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Urgent:_disqualify_the_wrecker)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: support Common Cause's legal effort to <a href="https://act.commoncause.org/forms/add-my-name-trump-must-be-disqualified-in-2024-2?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=120523-Trump-14th-Amendment-no-image">disqualify
the wrecker as a candidate for president in 2024</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Urgent:_Pentagon_audit)
title: Urgent: Pentagon audit
uri: Urgent-Pentagon-audit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Urgent:_Pentagon_audit)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/pentagon-waste/?t=1025&akid=31549%2E96703%2EyW0XbT">force the Pentagon to pass an audit</a>.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Support cease-fire in Gaza
uri: Urgent-Support-cease-fire-in-Gaza
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Urgent:_Support_cease-fire_in_Gaza)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Urgent:_Support_cease-fire_in_Gaza)

content:
 
<p>
It looks like the US will once again <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/08/us-to-oppose-arab-backed-resolution-calling-for-urgent-gaza-ceasefire">veto a UN security council resolution
calling for a cease-fire in Gaza</a>.
<p>
Please phone the White House to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#4_November_2023_(Gaza_war_pause_wanted)">support the goal of a full cease-fire</a>.


<p>
 


title: Urgent: Free as in Freedom, 2nd edition
uri: Urgent-Free-as-in-Freedom-2nd-edition
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Urgent:_Free_as_in_Freedom,_2nd_edition)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Urgent:_Free_as_in_Freedom,_2nd_edition)

content:
 
<p>
You can order <a href="https://shop.fsf.org/books/free-freedom-20-richard-stallman">Free as in Freedom, 2nd edition</a>, from the FSF shop.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Dissident fear of attacks by Chinese agents
uri: Dissident-fear-of-attacks-by-Chinese-agents
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Dissident_fear_of_attacks_by_Chinese_agents)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Dissident_fear_of_attacks_by_Chinese_agents)

content:
 
<p>

Hong Kong dissident Agnes Chow, now living in Canada is still <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/08/hong-kong-activist-agnes-chow-life-in-exile-safety">afraid of
    attacks by Chinese overseas agents</a>
  who make threats in various other countries
against those who <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-mar-jun.html#5_May_2023_(Michael_Chong)">criticize China's repression</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Current_minister's_planned_cuts)
title: Current minister's planned cuts
uri: Current-minister-s-planned-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Current_minister's_planned_cuts)
content:
 
<p>

*[The current minister's] planned cuts will mean the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/08/tory-austerity-jeremy-hunt-cuts-public-services">death of public
    services</a>. The lives of Britain’s most vulnerable people are on the
   line.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Extraction_above_all_else)
title: Extraction above all else
uri: Extraction-above-all-else
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Extraction_above_all_else)
content:
 
<p>

  Argentina's new president puts <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/dec/09/from-horrible-to-merely-bad-will-javier-milei-take-his-chainsaw-to-the-environment-in-argentina">extraction above all else</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Elimination of ranked choice votes
uri: Elimination-of-ranked-choice-votes
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Elimination_of_ranked_choice_votes)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Elimination_of_ranked_choice_votes)

content:
 
<p>

London voters chose a system of voting for mayor which allowed each
voter an element of ranked choice.  Now the Tories, in control of the
national government, have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/dec/09/sadiq-khan-urges-progressives-to-back-him-amid-concern-about-new-voting-system">eliminated that</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Plans to seize a region of Guyana
uri: Plans-to-seize-a-region-of-Guyana
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Plans_to_seize_a_region_of_Guyana)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#12_December_2023_(Plans_to_seize_a_region_of_Guyana)

content:
 
<p>

President Maduro of Venezuela appears to be planning to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/09/us-flyover-guyana-venezuela-border-disputed-territory">seize a region
    of neighboring Guyana</a> in order to extract oil and gas there.
</p>
<p>
This territorial dispute is not new.  20 years ago, maps of Venezuela
made by the state showed that region as a part of Venezuela.  What is
new is the intent to seize it by force.  Chávez never showed any sign
of doing that; indeed, the UN was considering the issue of which country
that region should be part of.
</p>
<p>
As in any dispute between countries about which one(s) will get to
extract how much of the fossil fuels in a given region, the right
answer is <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#21_March_2019_(Falling_short_in_climate_defense)">"Nobody will extract it!  Leave it in the ground!"</a>
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


