# articles

feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#3_October_2024_(California_clothes_recycling)
title: California clothes recycling
uri: California-clothes-recycling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#3_October_2024_(California_clothes_recycling)
content:
 
<p>
California is considering *the Responsible Textile Recovery Act,
which would <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/24/clothes-recycling-california-responsible-textile-recovery-act">require producers of apparel, towels, bedding and upholstery to
implement and fund a statewide reuse, repair and recycling program</a>
for their products.*
<p>
It may be difficult to design clothing to be recyclable -- and
clothing that people have actually worn out (as I often do) are
difficult to reuse or repair.  But if this law is done right, it could
pressure the companies that "produce" clothing to head in that
direction
<p>
I wonder how the bill deals with outsourcing of clothing production.
To try to enforce this law on the companies in poor countries which
really make the clothing would be ineffective.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(private_equity_firms)
title: Private equity
uri: 2024-10-07-Private-equity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(private_equity_firms)
content:
 
<p>
*US public sector workers' retirement savings invested in [fossil
fuel] projects that pump out a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/oct/01/private-equity-firms-us-pensions-fossil-fuel-projects">billion tonnes of emissions a year.*</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(climate_scientists)
title: Carbon capture
uri: 2024-10-07-Carbon-capture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(climate_scientists)
content:
 
<p>
Climate scientists called for cancellation of British plans for
large-scale generation of hydrogen gas from fossil fuel, with
hypothetical carbon capture to catch some of the CO2 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/sep/25/climate-scientists-call-on-labour-to-pause-1bn-investment-plans-carbon-capture-blue-hydrogen">that would
produce.</a>
Even if the carbon capture works (it has never been made to work
enough to be advantageous), this would still emit lots of greenhouse
gas.
<p>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_economy">"Blue hydrogen"</a> is supposed to sound similar to "green hydrogen", but
in terms of carbon footprint the two are very different.  "Green
hydrogen" is hydrogen made by electrolysis of water, using electricity
generated renew-ably.  That would be a low-carbon fuel.  But "blue
hydrogen" is hydrogen made by burning fossil fuel, and its production
emits CO2.
<p>
Alas, Labour just reaffirmed its decision "invest" around 30 billion
dollars in carbon capture and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/04/labour-to-commit-almost-22bn-to-fund-carbon-capture-and-storage-projects">continuing greenhouse gas emissions.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(louisiana_abortion_pills)
title: Abortion pills
uri: 2024-10-07-Abortion-pills
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(louisiana_abortion_pills)
content:
 
<p>
*[Louisiana] officials class mifepristone and misoprostol as "controlled substances" &mdash; which medics say could imperil women's lives if 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/01/louisiana-abortion-pills">they have hemorrhage.</a>
<p>
I think the aim is to confiscate supplies of these pills and perhaps
arrest people for carrying them into Louisiana.  People do this to
help women have abortions, in states where that is prohibited.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(swedish_gov_outlaw_poverty)
title: Outlaw poverty
uri: Outlaw-poverty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(swedish_gov_outlaw_poverty)
content:
 
<p>
The right-wing Swedish government 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/02/swedish-government-accused-of-trying-to-outlaw-poverty-over-begging-ban-plans">is trying to make begging a crime.</a>
<p>
i understand that it is unpleasant to be asked for money by a beggar.
But that is no justification for taking out your displeasure on people
who are in a much worse situation.  That bespeaks a cruel and callous
attitude.
<p>
I do dislike beggars who try to pressure me.  For the first, I learned
the firmness to say no.  It is very important to have that firmness.
I think it helped me develop the capacity to say no to worse things,
such as pressure to use nonfree software.
<p>
As for beggars that lie about their situations. I found a way to
<a>offer help to those who are honest 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/articles/responding-to-beggars.html">but not to those who are lying.</a>

<p>
 


title: Recent flooding
uri: Recent-flooding
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(floods_havoc_vienna_austria_climate)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(floods_havoc_vienna_austria_climate)

content:
 
<p>
How Vienna's flood defenses effectively limited damage from a storm
that caused 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/02/floods-havoc-vienna-austria-climate-crisis">disasters in other cities.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(flooding_us_cities)
title: Flooding us cities
uri: Flooding-us-cities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(flooding_us_cities)
content:
 
<p>
Animations show what floods predicted for the year 2100 would look like
on 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/03/flooding-us-cities-2100">towns of today.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_((satire)_micro_missionaries)
title: (satire) Micro-Missionaries
uri: (satire)-Micro-Missionaries
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_((satire)_micro_missionaries)
content:
 
<p>
(satire) *Vatican Dispatches Micro-Missionaries On First-Ever Trip To
Convert 
<a href="https://theonion.com/vatican-dispatches-micro-missionaries-on-first-ever-trip-to-convert-native-bacteria/">Native Bacteria.*</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(resilience_trauma_endured)
title: Resilience
uri: Resilience
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(resilience_trauma_endured)
content:
 
<p>
Denouncing the concept of "resilience" as a public performance that people
in misery owe to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/04/we-need-to-stop-talking-about-resilience-im-not-here-to-inspire-you-with-all-the-trauma-ive-endured">everyone else as inspiration.</a>
<p>
This reminds me of what it felt like in my worst years of rejection,
in the 1980s.  I would go for months or years without any romantic
possibility, without enough of a beginning that I could learn from it.
Often I would cry, berating myself as unlovable.  Then I would get out
of bed and walk over to the terminal.  If love was out of reach, I
would at least get something useful done.
<p>
If you can get yourself out of bed and into doing some good, and it
takes your mind off the pain, that's resilience, I guess.

<p>
 


title: Musk-rat
uri: Musk-rat
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(elon_musk_rightwing_political_donations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(elon_musk_rightwing_political_donations)

content:
 
<p>
The musk-rat has spent tens of millions of dollars on right-wing ads, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/oct/03/elon-musk-rightwing-political-donations">including hate ads, and started by 2022.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(new_study_lng_climate_study)
title: LNG study
uri: LNG-study
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(new_study_lng_climate_study)
content:
 
<p>
*New Study Confirms LNG is Worse 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/new-study-confirms-lng-is-worse-for-climate-than-coal">for Climate Than Coal.*</a>
<p>
Coal is worse an another way: it produces a lot of local toxic
pollution, as well as radioactive fallout (uranium).
<p>
So it is important to stop burning coal &mdash; but bot by replacing it with other
fossil fuels.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(anti_smart_cities_libertarians)
title: Libertarian Candidate
uri: Libertarian-Candidate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(anti_smart_cities_libertarians)
content:
 
<p>
A number of "Libertarian" local government candidates have been
elected in Australia.  They have campaigned on opposition to two very
different ideas: "smart cities" and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/03/anti-smart-cities-libertarians-score-local-council-election-wins-after-nsw-liberals-nomination-debacle-ntwnfb">15-minute neighborhoods.</a>
<p>
The idea that governments want to <Em>block</Em> people from traveling more
than 15 minutes away from home is absurd.  There is no possible
rational motive for such a goal, and no one who wants it. In Britain 
the idea of  <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jan-apr.html#9_April_2024_(paris_15_minute_city)"> "15-minute neighborhoods"</a> is that the services and
businesses people usually need should be available within 15 minutes
travel from every home.
<p>
That is a convenience, not a restriction, and I am in favor of it.  Some countries have implemented
that policy and people like it.
<p>
That goal has nothing to do with "smart cities", but those really can
be dangerous.  They tend to involve systems that (if we don't compel
states to design them for privacy) will track people's movements,
communications, and activities.  That is what China uses for its
pervasive repression scheme, <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#21_December_2020_(Social_credit_scores)">"social credit".</a>
<p>
I don't think any western country would use snoop cities to stop
people from traveling to places 20 minutes away from home.  Why would
they want that?  But many western countries might use these  <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#2_November_2019_(Google)">snoop-city
systems </a>to punish dissidents &mdash; such as those who protest against <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jul-oct.html#21_October_2023_(Energy_Intelligence_Forum,_London)">fossil fuel plans</a>
<p>
that would eventually 
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-nov-feb.html#18_January_2023_(Climate_protestors,_UK)">destroy civilization and kill most people.</a>
<p>
Alas, such tracking systems are not just hypothetical.  They are
called "mobile phones" and "payment cards".  That is why I refuse to
have a mobile phone, and don't use payment cards except for
emergencies.  You can join me in resisting them.


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(real_art_brain_stimulation_study)
title: Real art study
uri: Real-art-study
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(real_art_brain_stimulation_study)
content:
 
<p>
Looking at a real painting activates the brain far more than looking
at a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/oct/03/real-art-in-museums-stimulates-brain-much-more-than-reprints-study-finds">poster of the same image.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(tesco_workers_rights)
title: Workers’ rights laws
uri: Workers-rights-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(tesco_workers_rights)
content:
 
<p>
One of the problems that tend to result from the policy that help for
the non-rich can be funded only from "economic growth" is that it
gives plutocrats an all-purpose argument against any measures that
impede their exploitation of workers: 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/oct/03/tesco-workers-rights-laws-growth-bill-zero-hours-contracts">"That will mean less growth!"</a>
<p>
We should reject the trickle-down economy, by saying we believe in transfer
some of the rich people's ever-increasing riches to the rest of society.
They have been 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-jul-oct.html#16_October_2022_(Why_trickle-down_economics_is_still_taken_seriously)">increasing their share for decades;</a>
<p>
It is high time to re-balance that.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(wildfires_carbon_budget_study)
title: Wildfire study
uri: Wildfire-study
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(wildfires_carbon_budget_study)
content:
 
<p>
Wildfires, a consequence of global heating, are also 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/03/wildfires-are-burning-through-humanitys-carbon-budget-study-shows">accelerating
global heating,</a>
<p>
This is one example of the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#12_November_2014_(The_risks_of_global_heating)">potential positive feedbacks that, it was clear long ago,</a>
<p>
might prevent us from escaping from disaster even if we started to really try.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(britain_to_return_chagos_islands)
title: Years of dispute
uri: Years-of-dispute
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(britain_to_return_chagos_islands)
content:
 
<p>
The UK will hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
This will allow the exiled Chagosians (many of whom
live in Mauritius) to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/03/britain-to-return-chagos-islands-to-mauritius-ending-years-of-dispute"> return to the Chagos Islands.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_CNN_Stop_stoking_Hate)
title: Urgent: call on CNN
uri: Urgent-call-on-CNN
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_CNN_Stop_stoking_Hate)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on CNN to apologize to Rep. Rashida Tlaib for
falsely claiming she had attacked the Michigan 
<a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/CNN_Stop_Stoking_Hate/">Attorney General for
bring Jewish.</a>
<p>
In fact, Rep. Tlaib reproached her for arresting peaceful protesters.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_sanders_resolution)
title: Urgent: Sanders resolution
uri: Urgent-Sanders-resolution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_sanders_resolution)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on the Senate to pass Sanders's resolution to block
weapons 
<a href="https://act.ourrevolution.com/signup/bernie-resolution-gaza/?akid=6877.7207819.6zIqyO&rd=1">sales to Israel.</a>
<p>
When Sanders was young, he went to Israel and lived in a kibbutz.
That he now advocates refusing to arm Israel is proof of how clear
the case is for that policy.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_mayor_eric_adams_medicare)
title: Urgent: Eric Adams
uri: Urgent-Eric-Adams
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_mayor_eric_adams_medicare)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on NYC Mayor Adams to stop trying to force  retirees
onto 
<a href="https://act.newmode.net/action/be-hero-fund/tell-mayor-eric-adams-stop-trying-take-medicare-away-nyc-retirees?source_code=beahero_em092224&link_id=2&can_id=8b24519448cbedadde1c8a966f94caad&source=email-give-us-just-a-minute-of-your-time&email_referrer=email_2462105&email_subject=a-quick-action-to-help-retirees">Medicare "Advantage" plans.</a>
<p>
These insurance plans are convenient for people who are basically
well, but can get incredibly expensive for people who are sicker.
When that happens they are far more 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-jul-oct.html#26_October_2022_(Publicly_subsidized_insurers_raising_prices_on_Medicare_Advantage_Plans)">expensive than basic Medicare.</a>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Attorney General Nessel
uri: Urgent-Attorney-General-Nessel
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:nessel_drop_charges_against_campus)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:nessel_drop_charges_against_campus)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on Michigan Attorney General Nessel: 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-michigan-attorney-general-nessel-drop-charges-against-campus-protesters?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-take-action-against-this-violation-of-our-first-amendment-rights"> Drop charges
against campus protesters.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_elon_musk_trillionaire)
title: Urgent: Elon Musk trillionaire
uri: Urgent-Elon-Musk-trillionaire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_elon_musk_trillionaire)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to tax Elon Musk before 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tax-elon-musk-before-he-becomes-a-trillionaire?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-inequality-media-civic-action&source=group-inequality-media-civic-action">he becomes a
trillionaire.</a>
<p>
If the wrecker grabs the presidency, he will twist laws to help Musk
become a multi-trillionaire by the end of the wrecker's fourth term in
office.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_stop_maga_election)
title: Urgent: Stop MAGA election
uri: Urgent-Stop-MAGA-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_stop_maga_election)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on Georgia officials to sue to stop 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/stop-maga-election-interference?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-georgias-election-integrity-is-under-attack-from-maga-republicans-2">MAGA election
interference.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_abolish_death_penalty)
title: Urgent: abolish death penalty
uri: Urgent-abolish-death-penalty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_abolish_death_penalty)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call for abolition of the 
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/petition/abolish-death-penalty-now"> death penalty.</a>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: abolish filibuster
uri: Urgent-abolish-filibuster
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_abolish_filibuster_restore_reproductive)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_abolish_filibuster_restore_reproductive)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on Senate Democrats to abolish the filibuster to 
<a href="https://civicshout.com/p/abolish-the-filibuster-to-restore-reproductive-rights">restore reproductive rights.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_stop_funding_mark_robinson)
title: Urgent: stop funding Mark Robinson
uri: Urgent-stop-funding-Mark-Robinson
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_stop_funding_mark_robinson)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on DoorDash, Google, Walmart, CVS, and other major
corporations to stop funding Mark Robinson's Nazi-excusing and queer-hating
campaign for 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/corporations-stop-funding-mark-robinson?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-the-companies-are-supporting-a-nazi-sympathizer">governor of North Carolina.</a>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: USDA regulations
uri: Urgent-USDA-regulations
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_usda_proposed_regulations_sugar_school_meals)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_usda_proposed_regulations_sugar_school_meals)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: Support the USDA's proposed regulations to limit
the amounts of added sugar in 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/big-sugar-meals?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-big-sugar-2">foods included in school meals.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_comcast_amendment)
title: Urgent: call on Comcast
uri: Urgent-call-on-Comcast
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_comcast_amendment)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on Comcast to stop funding 
<a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/comcast-amendment4/">anti-abortion campaigns.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_stop_sane_washing)
title: Urgent: Call on Networks, Media, and Press
uri: Urgent-Call-on-Networks-Media-and-Press
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_stop_sane_washing)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on Networks, Media, and Press to stop 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/stop-sane-washing-trump?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-hd&source=group-hd">"sane-washing"
the corrupter.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_demand_cnn_josh_kraushaar)
title: Urgent: Demand CNN
uri: Urgent-Demand-CNN
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_demand_cnn_josh_kraushaar)
content:
 
<p>
In the US: call on CNN and Josh Kraushaar to issue a retraction to
correct their 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/demand-cnn-and-josh-kraushaar-issue-a-retraction-to-correct-their-false-reporting-on-rep-rashida-tlaib?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-justforeignpolicy&source=group-justforeignpolicy">false reporting on Rep. Rashida Tlaib.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_pentagon_elon_musk)
title: Urgent: Stop funding Elon Musk
uri: Urgent-Stop-funding-Elon-Musk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_pentagon_elon_musk)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on the Pentagon to stop funding Elon Musk's 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/pentagon-stop-funding-elon-musk?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-hd&source=group-hd">anti-democracy power grab.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_doj_texas_voter_purge)
title: Urgent: Investigate Texas Republicans' voter purge
uri: Urgent-Investigate-Texas-Republicans-voter-purge
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#6_October_2024_(Urgent:_doj_texas_voter_purge)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on the DOJ to investigate Texas Republicans' 
<a href="https://civicshout.com/p/tell-the-doj-investigate-texas-republicans-voter-purge">voter purge.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(activists_proof_israeli_arms_firm)
title: Arms firm protests
uri: Arms-firm-protests
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(activists_proof_israeli_arms_firm)
content:
 
<p>
*Activists say they have proof [Tory] ministers tried to influence police over
[protests against] 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/30/activists-say-they-have-proof-ministers-tried-to-influence-police-over-israeli-arms-firm-protests">Israeli arms firm [Elbit].*</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(veterans_groups_doj_impanel)
title: Indict Blinken
uri: Indict-Blinken
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(veterans_groups_doj_impanel)
content:
 
<p>
Leaked documents show that Blinken lied when he stated, in an official
report, that "we do not currently assess that the Israeli government
is prohibiting or otherwise restricting the transport or delivery of 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/veterans-groups-to-doj-impanel-grand-jury-indict-blinken">U.S. humanitarian assistance.”</a>
<p>
Veterans for Peace calls for him to be prosecuted.  I'd be satisfied
if the US government officially reversed that false statement and began
applying the law to arms shipments to Israel.

<p>
 


title: Tuvalu climate minister
uri: Tuvalu-climate-minister
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(australia_coalmine_tuvalu_climate_minister)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(australia_coalmine_tuvalu_climate_minister)

content:
 
<p>
Island countries in the Pacific are denouncing Australia for
authorizing expansion of some existing coal mines.  One leader accuses
Australia of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/01/australia-coalmine-decision-akin-to-drowning-its-pacific-neighbours-tuvalu-climate-minister-says">proceeding to drown them.</a>
<p>
This is true in the deepest sense, but superficially an exaggeration.
<p>
Humanity is indeed carrying out the inundation of the atolls.  Of
their habitable land, nothing atoll will remain.  Later, after global
heating and ocean acidification have caused the extinction of coral
(along with most mollusks and crustaceans), there will never be atolls
again.
<p>
The exaggeration is that this is not specifically the fault of coal,
nor specifically the fault of Australia.  All fossil fuels contribute.
and so does deforestation.  Australia participates in bringing global
disaster, but so do the US, China, Brazil, and many other countries.
<p>
It's inaccurate to put the blame on Australia alone.  Every country
that opens new mines or wells for fossil fuel is more or less to blame
for this crime-in-progress.  However, since Australia is one of the
major perpetrators, and located in the Pacific, it is entirely
legitimate for those victims-to-be to focus their ire there.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(labour_water_industry_analysis)
title: Water industry analysis
uri: Water-industry-analysis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(labour_water_industry_analysis)
content:
 
<p>
* Labour used “economically illiterate” analysis paid for by water
   companies in order to argue against the nationalisation [of the
   water companies] in 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/sep/29/labour-water-industry-analysis-argue-against-nationalisation">England.*</a>
<p>
I am not surprised by this &mdash; it is the soft of thing that 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jan-apr.html#10_March_2024_(1%2F5_councils_in_England,_section_114)">Tory Lite would do.</a>

<p>
 


title: Ex-Trump advisers
uri: Ex-Trump-advisers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(intelligencer_pro_russia_website_trump)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(intelligencer_pro_russia_website_trump)

content:
 
<p>
*[The corrupters' former] advisers help to grow pro-Russia website
 that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/19/intelligencer-pro-russia-website-trump">spreads misinformation.*</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(julian_assange_plenary_debate)
title: PACE hearing
uri: PACE-hearing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(julian_assange_plenary_debate)
content:
 
<p>
Julian Assange spoke to the Parliamentary 
<a href="https://pace.coe.int/en/news/9600/julian-assange-at-pace-hearing-ahead-of-a-plenary-debate-on-his-case-i-pleaded-guilty-to-journalism-">Assembly of the Council of
Europe.</a>
<p>
about how the US actions against him and others related to Wikileaks
put freedom of the press globally in danger.
<p>
The Council of 
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_Europe">Europe</a>
<p>
predates the European Union and has more countries as members.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(woke_politics)
title: Disease of our times
uri: Disease-of-our-times
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(woke_politics)
content:
 
<p>
Kenan Malik: *Too white? Too black? Too woke? Politics by labeling is
a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/sep/22/too-white-too-black-too-woke-politics-by-labelling-is-a-disease-of-our-times">disease of our times.*</a>
<p>
*There is, in fact, a long history of hate speech laws being used to
criminalize minorities.*

<p>
 


title: Brazil’s ‘Paradise’
uri: Brazil-s-Paradise
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(brazil_paradise_everything_is_burning)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(brazil_paradise_everything_is_burning)

content:
 
<p>
The Madeira river basin, in the Amazon, is beset by wildfires &mdash;
promoted by global heating and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/28/brazils-paradise-on-fire-the-forest-is-burning-animals-are-burning-trees-are-burning-everythings-burning">lit for the sake of deforestation.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(deep_intelligence_penetration)
title: Deep intelligence
uri: Deep-intelligence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(deep_intelligence_penetration)
content:
 
<p>
The Israeli air raid that killed Nasrallah killed 90 other
members of Hezbollah &mdash; probably 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/30/deep-intelligence-penetration-enabled-israel-to-kill-hassan-nasrallah">many of them leaders.</a>
<p>
It will not be easy to replace them with experienced new commanders.
<p>
There must still be hundreds of commanders who can order their units
to keep firing missiles.  That doesn't require cleverness, great
authority, or special cleverness.  For Hezbollah to change its course
of action will be far more difficult.  Especially difficult would be
any reduction in the level of conflict.  In effect, Hezbollah may now
be too weak to be flexible.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(scientists_criticise_un_agency)
title: Livestock emissions report
uri: Livestock-emissions-report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(scientists_criticise_un_agency)
content:
 
<p>
*Scientists criticize UN agency’s failure to withdraw livestock emissions
report,* which they criticized for understating the importance of reducing
these emissions for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/sep/30/scientists-criticise-un-agency-fao-failure-to-withdraw-livestock-emissions-report">avoiding climate disaster.</a>

<p>
 


title: Trumps small lead
uri: Trumps-small-lead
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(trump_gaining_on_harris_polls_theories)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(trump_gaining_on_harris_polls_theories)

content:
 
<p>
Robert Reich: *[The bullshitter] is gaining on Kamala Harris in the
polls. 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/01/trump-gaining-on-harris-polls-theories"> I have some theories why.*</a>
<p>
Basically, he theorizes that the bullshitter is attracting the major
media from the issues of substance where Harris would have an advantage.
<p>
It would be true.

<p>
 


title: Giant hybrid sheep
uri: Giant-hybrid-sheep
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(sheep_cloning_montana_hunting_prison)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(sheep_cloning_montana_hunting_prison)

content:
 
<p>
Arthur Schubarth of Montana was convicted of using tissue from large
Asian Marco Polo sheep to make a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/01/sheep-cloning-montana-hunting-prison">clone and then a "giant" hybrid.</a>
<p>
The judge seems to have said that the real crime was modifying breeds
of animals, but that is done all the time.  The article does not say
that the project involved any genetic engineering (as distinct from
ordinary breeding), but that is not a crime either.
<p>
Was this operation alleged to be harmful?  If so, how?  Are these
sheep dangerous to people?  Could they become feral and overgraze
areas?  I expect it would be easy to control their numbers by hunting,
or wipe them out if necessary.
<p>
Maybe all that is irrelevant to the accusation &mdash; it could be simply
that he did not have the required permits.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(haitians_springfield_ohio_housing)
title: Substandard housing
uri: Substandard-housing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(haitians_springfield_ohio_housing)
content:
 
<p>
*Overcharged for substandard housing: untold story of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/01/haitians-springfield-ohio-housing">Haitians in
 Springfield [Ohio].*</a>
 
 <p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(ukraine_seim_river_poisoning)
title: To stem ecocide
uri: To-stem-ecocide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(ukraine_seim_river_poisoning)
content:
 
<p>
Putin's men poisoned the Seym river, which flows into Ukraine and
merges into the Desna river.  This has killed all the animals in the
Desna as far as it has reached.  Humans cannot drink the water or even
swim in it.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/01/ukraine-seim-river-poisoning-chernihiv-ecocide-"></a>
This is chemical warfare, banned by a treaty that Putin has visibly
violated.
<p>
This may resolve an ancient philosophical quandary.  It must be
possible to step into the Seym river twice, but it may not be safe.

<p>
 


title: Algorithmic surveillance
uri: Algorithmic-surveillance
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(monitoring_uk_bank_accounts_privacy_blow)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(monitoring_uk_bank_accounts_privacy_blow)

content:
 
<p>
The UK may be planning to use massive surveillance on people who
receive government support, then use artificial intelligence to
heuristically raise 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/01/monitoring-uk-bank-accounts-for-benefits-would-be-huge-blow-to-privacy"> suspicion of fraud or errors.</a>
<p>
If this task is done "correctly" it will identify many cases that
might involve fraud or error.  To separate the real fraud or error
from the misidentified cases would require further investigation by
human beings.  Then the whole system might work correctly.
<p>
But there will be a tendency to skip the expensive second step and
presume that the computer's results are correct.  When they are not,
you may face a horrible runaround that could leave you homeless.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(h2a_worker_program)
title: H-2A worker program
uri: H-2A-worker-program
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(h2a_worker_program)
content:
 
<p>
*US farms are forcing workers to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/02/h2a-worker-program-migrant-farm-food">buy inedible, expensive meals.*</a>
<p>
Note that the workers described in the article are
US-government-authorized migrants.  Farms need workers, so US law
arranges for Mexicans to come and work.  The same law tries to
protect them from exploitation, but the greedy bastards that own the
farms never stop looking for loopholes in that protection.

<p>
 


title: Major storms
uri: Major-storms
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(natural_disasters_impact_mortality_study)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(natural_disasters_impact_mortality_study)

content:
 
<p>
Data analysis shows that a hurricane hitting the US generally causes
7,000 to 11,000 excess deaths in the damaged regions over the
following 15 years.  This makes it an important 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/02/natural-disasters-storms-impact-mortality-study">cause of death in
those regions.</a>
<p>
The study looked at statistics for the US, but I see no reason
this would not happen similarly in the rest of the world.
<p>
This method of analysis does not give information about the chains of
events that lead to these subsequent deaths.  The researchers
speculate that the causes might include "fallout from resulting
economic and job losses after storms, suddenly overstretched local
government budgets that under fund [medical] providers, the release of
environmental toxins as storms hit industrialized areas and the
unhealthy impact of stress upon those who have to endure hurricanes."
<p>
These effects happen even where there is no hurricane, but a hurricane
makes them happen to more people.  If we organize better social
responses to these problems after a hurricane, and they prevent some
of the delayed deaths, the same responses could help the people who
suffer these problems due to non-hurricane causes.
<p>
It looks like poverty plays a role in causing these deaths; it makes
people more vulnerable to whatever goes wrong.  Indeed, poverty
generally correlates with 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-nov-feb.html#1_January_2024_(Decreasing_life_expectancy)">lower life expectancy.</a>
<p>
If the US economic system were not based on dooH niboR, hurricane-caused delayed deaths
would be fewer.  However, even as global heating has been 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-may-aug.html#7_July_2024_(Hurricane_earliest_category_5_ever)">making
hurricanes more powerful,</a>
<p>
and thus likely to kill more, plutocratist economic policies and laws 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-may-aug.html#15_August_2024_(An_economic_myth)">have been increasing poverty,</a>
<p>
which likewise tends to kill more.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(election_lies_misinformation_media)
title: Misinformation media
uri: Misinformation-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(election_lies_misinformation_media)
content:
 
<p>
Why lawsuits for defamation are not adequate to protect society from 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/30/election-lies-misinformation-media">harmful
disinformation.</a>

<p>
 


title: Asylum restrictions
uri: Asylum-restrictions
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(biden_asylum_restrictions_immigration)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(biden_asylum_restrictions_immigration)

content:
 
<p>
Biden adopted the bully's policy to block people from asking the US
for asylum at the border with Mexico.  In practice, almost no one can
do that any more, but Biden wants to look even "tougher", so he has
announced a stricter theoretical criterion for maybe someday allowing 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/30/biden-asylum-restrictions-mexico-border-immigration">asylum requests to be taken again.</a>
<p>
People who have been oppressed at home are entitled to political
asylum.  The US is unable to respond promptly to all the requests
because its capacity to judge them is insufficient.  The remedy for
this is to train and hire more judges so it can respond reasonably
fast with "yes" or "no".  Then it could allow applicants to stay in
the US for the short time it will take to judge their requests.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(hurricane_helene_asheville)
title: Shattered Asheville
uri: Shattered-Asheville
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(hurricane_helene_asheville)
content:
 
<p>
Asheville, North Carolina, is far away from the coast, and people
called it a refuge from the danger of climate disaster.
<p>
Alas, Hurricane Helene was so powerful that it reached Asheville and
its rain flooded parts of the city.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/01/hurricane-helene-asheville-climate-change-nowhere-safe"></a>
I suppose that the flooding had to do with the major rivers that
meet there.
<p>
Fast, heavy rain can cause flooding in all sorts of places, and it
takes an engineering study to determine where that will happen.  The
engineering works to prevent flooding generally are adequate up to
some postulated level of rain a heavier rain than that would still
cause floods.
<p>
Geography can make refuges for some global heating effects, but some
are not so limited.  For instance, global heating effects are messing
up agriculture.  If (or when) there is a national or global shortage
of food because of ruined harvests, you won't be able to escape that
just by choosing the right neighborhood to live in.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(israel_human_shields_hypocrisy)
title: Doublespeak
uri: Doublespeak
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(israel_human_shields_hypocrisy)
content:
 
<p>
*U.S. Media's Doublespeak: Israelis Live in "Densely Populated Areas," 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/10/04/israel-human-shields-hypocrisy/">Palestinians Are "Human Shields".*</a>

<p>
 


title: Nuclear Power Deal
uri: Nuclear-Power-Deal
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(microsoft_nuclear_power_plant_taxpayers)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(microsoft_nuclear_power_plant_taxpayers)

content:
 
<p>
Microsoft and a utility company want to make a deal to 
<a href="https://gizmodo.com/microsofts-nuclear-power-deal-could-saddle-taxpayers-with-1-6-billion-federal-loan-2000506967">restart an old
nuclear power plant,</a>
<p>
to power LLMs (bullshit generators, which it likes to call 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#ArtificialIntelligence">"artificial intelligence")</a>
<p>
which it will use to enshittify its search engine and other "services".
<p>
That plan includes a contingent gift from the US government.  Worse, a
nuclear power plant's cost tends to increase enormously.  If that
happens, they would ask the US government for 
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunk_cost">more money and use the
"sunk costs" fallacy</a>
<p>
to manipulate the government into granting that request,
<p>
The government should respond, "Ask Microsoft to guarantee this loan".
<p>
But since enshittification harms the public, the ideal course of action
is to prevent it from happening.

<p>
 


title: Iranian oil refineries
uri: Iranian-oil-refineries
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(israel_iranian_oil_refineries_strikes)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(israel_iranian_oil_refineries_strikes)

content:
 
<p>
Netanyahu is talking about how to "retaliate" for Iran's attack
with many 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/02/israel-iranian-oil-refineries-retaliatory-strikes">ballistic missiles that caused almost no damage.</a>
<p>
It makes no sense to "retaliate" for an attack that did almost no
damage.  If you want peace, the useful strategy is to refrain from
responding and hope that opens a path to de-escalation.
<p>
I therefore suspect that Netanyahu is seeking an excuse for
more escalation.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(assisted_dying_bill_vote)
title: Assisted dying
uri: Assisted-dying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(assisted_dying_bill_vote)
content:
 
<p>
A proposal to entirely disconnect assisted suicide from the medical system
and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/02/politicians-vote-assisted-dying-bill-healthcare-system">medical practitioners.</a>
<p>
I think it is a reasonable idea.  The criterion of a terminal illness
has always seemed arbitrary to me.  Intractable pain clearly should be
considered a valid reason.
<p>
However, that is not the only situation which is a good reason for
suicide.  If I were sliding into dementia, and the most I could hope
ever to achieve by living was to have occasional moments when I could
be aware of what was happening, I would want to give an order to
dispense with my body's life when I myself (my mind) was fully dead.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(jd_vance_debate_performance)
title: Debate performance
uri: Debate-performance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(jd_vance_debate_performance)
content:
 
<p>
*JD Vance's debate lines were so polished you 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/02/jd-vance-debate-performance">could forget they made no sense.*</a>
<p>
This is the most deeply dangerous thing about the wrecker/Rants team:
they have developed s way of forming their public discourse out of
pure bullshit, treating real issues with contempts.
<p>
This is what makes them enemies of democracy in the US. 
<p>
The most significant real point Rants made was the one he made by
refusing to acknowledge that Biden won the 2020 election.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/01/walz-vance-debate-2020-election"></a>
They and their followers talk like gangsters (at least fictional
ones), making statements to threaten us, veiled with a pretense that
we're supposed to see through but gives them deniability.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(antarctic_plant_cover_growing)
title: Antarctica is ‘greening’
uri: Antarctica-is-greening
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(antarctic_plant_cover_growing)
content:
 
<p>
Global heating is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/04/antarctic-plant-cover-growing-at-dramatic-rate-as-climate-heats">speeding plants in Antarctica.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(ca_prop_6_prison_slavery_election)
title: Proposition 6
uri: Proposition-6
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(ca_prop_6_prison_slavery_election)
content:
 
<p>
Californians will vote on whether to abolish the practice
of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/04/california-prop-6-prison-slavery-election">forcing prisoners to work.</a>
<p>
That practice is bad for people outside prison, as the state collects
a low wage for the prisoners' labor.  If not for that, people would do those
jobs by choice and get a fair wage.

<p>
 


title: EU court rules
uri: EU-court-rules
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(eu_court_rules_gender_nationality_afghan)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(eu_court_rules_gender_nationality_afghan)

content:
 
<p>
The European Union's highest court ruled that any Afghan woman is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/oct/04/eu-court-rules-gender-and-nationality-enough-to-grant-afghan-women-asylum">entitled to asylum.</a>
<p>
This seems valid to me &mdash; and I expect the same arguments apply for
various other countries.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(stop_nuclear_arms_race)
title: Nuclear Arms Race
uri: Nuclear-Arms-Race
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(stop_nuclear_arms_race)
content:
 
<p>
When societies become more distrustful in general,
that can be exploited by politicians by promoting
belligerence, and arms companies 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/stop-nuclear-arms-race">will fund them to do so.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(william_barber_debates)
title: William Barber
uri: William-Barber
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(william_barber_debates)
content:
 
<p>
*William Barber [co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign] Says
Presidential 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/william-barber-debates">Debates "Failing" the Poor.*</a>
<p>
The article linked to just above displays symbolic bigotry by
capitalizing "black" but not "white".  (To avoid endorsing bigotry,
capitalize both words or neither one.)  <a href="https://www.stallman.org/articles/bigotry.html">I
denounce bigotry</a>, and normally I will not link to articles that
practice it.  But I make exceptions for some articles because I
consider them important &mdash; and I label them like this.
<p>
This article is important because the Poor People's Campaign
deserves people's attention.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(netanyahu_macron_call_for_halt)
title: Arms exports
uri: Arms-exports
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(netanyahu_macron_call_for_halt)
content:
 
<p>
President Macron of France is seriously trying to press the US to cut off
arms for 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/06/netanyahu-hits-out-at-macron-over-call-for-halt-to-arms-exports-to-israel">Israel to use in Gaza.</a>
<p>
I disagree with Macron on many issues, but it is good to see the president
of a significant country taking this stand.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(tiktok_misinformation_migrants_nyc)
title: Tiktok misinformation
uri: Tiktok-misinformation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(tiktok_misinformation_migrants_nyc)
content:
 
<p>
Fake testimonials on TikTok, purporting to be from unauthorized
immigrants and made in their own languages, are designed to fool people
back home to think they would be welcomed if they 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/sep/26/tiktok-misinformation-migrants-new-york-city">were smuggled into
the US.</a>
<p>
So it's not just minors that TikTok is likely to harm, and
it isn't mainly a mater of being owned by a Chinese company.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(google_ai_mushrooms)
title: Google's AI Mushrooms
uri: Google-s-AI-Mushrooms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(google_ai_mushrooms)
content:
 
<p>
Google is using artificial stupidity to generate false and misleading
"images" for recognizing 
<a href="https://www.404media.co/email/ba0f275c-1139-4f78-b5b8-a3448f220134/?ref=daily-stories-newsletter">particular species of mushrooms.</a>
<p>
I once had a friend who was learning to collect mushrooms, and I
looked at his very long study book.  For distinguishing species of
mushrooms, including distinguishing edible ones from deadly ones, one
needed to recognize subtle traits, and sometimes perform physical
tests.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(visa_doj_antitrust_investigation)
title: Visa debit-card monopoly
uri: Visa-debit-card-monopoly
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(visa_doj_antitrust_investigation)
content:
 
<p>
*US sues Visa for monopoly on debit-card use affecting 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/sep/24/visa-doj-antitrust-investigation">"price of nearly
everything".*</a>
<p>
It may be true that this affects the price that most purchasers pay
for most products.  More generally, monopolistic behavior does great
harm to society by giving big business too much power.  Prosecuting
is crucial and we need to make these 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives//2021-sep-dec.html#13_November_2021(Reich_inflation_prices)">laws stricter.</a>
But it may not affects the price of things I buy for cash &mdash; which is
almost every product I buy.
<p>
The exceptions are when I ask a friend to order something for me, and
later reimburse person.  Person will normally use a payment card to order
it, and the card's fee will be part of the amount I reimburse.  But that
does not happen often.
<p>
The reason I avoid paying with a card is not about that small fee.  It
is a negligible part of my spending, and not worth worrying about.
The reason is privacy.  I don't want the store to collect any personal
data for their data bases.
<p>
If the employee who receives my money gets interested in free software
or surveillance resistance, I don't mind telling person my name.  I will
even give her my pleasure card if that is useful.  It is unlikely the
employee would enter that data in the company's data base.

<p>
 


title: Silent departure
uri: Silent-departure
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(religion_rages_israels_secular_elite_contemplate)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(religion_rages_israels_secular_elite_contemplate)

content:
 
<p>
The demographic triumph in Israel of extreme right-wing Jews and
religious fanatic Jews has made secularist and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/06/as-war-and-religion-rages-israels-secular-elite-contemplate-a-silent-departure">peace-minded Jews seek
to move to other countries.</a>
<p>
for years, some have been moving away, but now it has become a stream.
<p>
I suggested that secularist, non fanatical Jews should make common
cause with Palestinians so as to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-sep-dec.html#26_November_2023_(Support_for_both_Palestinians_and_Israelis)">outvote the fanatics.</a>
<p>
I knew, of course, that that would be be difficult and unlikely, but
it seemed at least thinkable.  I am not sure it is even thinkable now.

<p>
 


title: Helene’s devastation
uri: Helene-s-devastation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(hurricane_helene_north_carolina_dispatch)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(hurricane_helene_north_carolina_dispatch)

content:
 
<p>
Some of the cities devastated by Hurricane Helene will take years to
rebuild.  Some are too 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/06/hurricane-helene-north-carolina-dispatch">wrecked to even try.</a>
<p>
Those who can try may face devastating storms every year, so they
will never finish the job.
<p>
Perhaps it is necessary to adopt new construction methods,
such as concrete supported on pillars talk enough
to keep the building dry.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(democracy_campaigners_saied)
title: President Saied
uri: President-Saied
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(democracy_campaigners_saied)
content:
 
<p>
Saied, dictator of Tunisia, seems likely to "win" an unfair election
with his critics and main 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/06/democracy-campaigners-criticise-president-saied-as-voting-begins-in-tunisia">opposing candidate in prison.</a>
<p>
He was elected when the voters were unhappy with the Islamist ruling
party and found in Saied the opposition that seemed to have a chance
of winning.  Some Americans voted for the corrupter in 2016 following
similar reasoning.  In both cases that was a disastrous mistake.
<p>
The lesson: <Em>never</Em> help elect an anti-democracy candidate or party,
no matter what the flaws of the incumbent government.

<p>
 


title: Israel’s lack of vision
uri: Israel-s-lack-of-vision
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(israel_iran_war_lebanon_military_doctrine)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(israel_iran_war_lebanon_military_doctrine)

content:
 
<p>
Iran's big missile attack did little harm to civilians because it was
carefully aimed at Israel's military facilities &mdash; and it 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/06/israel-iran-war-idf-lebanon-military-doctrine">did damage
to them.</a>
<p>
This might turn into a war of attrition.

<p>
 


title: Particle pollution
uri: Particle-pollution
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(pollutionwatch_rubbish_home_fires_woodburner)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(pollutionwatch_rubbish_home_fires_woodburner)

content:
 
<p>
*   Tests show adding just 10% of waste to a wood burner indoors can double
   its 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/04/pollutionwatch-rubbish-home-fires-wood-burner">particle pollution.*</a>
<p>
Burning wood inside a house is quite dangerous even 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#2_May_2021_(England_reducing_toxic_particulate_pollution)">without this increment.</a>

<p>
 


title: Harmful to climate
uri: Harmful-to-climate
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(494bn_subsidies_harmful_climate_report)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(494bn_subsidies_harmful_climate_report)

content:
 
<p>
*More than £494bn subsidies a year are harmful to the climate, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/sep/18/more-than-494bn-subsidies-a-year-are-harmful-to-the-climate-says-report">says report.*</a>
<p>
I think that is the total of subsidies paid by many different countries.

<p>
 


title: Fair taxes
uri: Fair-taxes
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(superyacht_private_jet_oxfam_climate_finance)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(superyacht_private_jet_oxfam_climate_finance)

content:
 
<p>
Proposing a tax on visits by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/sep/18/superyacht-private-jet-oxfam-climate-finance">private jets and super yachts.</a>
<p>
It could be a good idea, but there's no reason to limit it to <Em>private</Em> jets.
Some years ago the EU decided to tax commercial flights as a kind
of carbon tax.  It was a good idea, but other countries did not join in
and instead applied 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#3_September_2024_(Plane_emission_lobbying)">diplomatic pressure to make the EU cancel it.</a>
<p>
Taxing solely the private jets could be a first step towards taxing them all.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(ca_slavery_apology_reparation)
title: Racial disparities
uri: Racial-disparities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(ca_slavery_apology_reparation)
content:
 
<p>
California has apologized for its role in the system of slavery,
and has adopted a new system to give 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/27/california-slavery-apology-reparation">black students better education.</a>
<p>
I was surprised to learn, from the article above, that California
before the Civil War had a law that supported slavery.  That was
a concrete reason for the apology.
<p>
Where laws discriminated against blacks, the governments that once
enacted and enforced them ought to pay reparations to the descendants
of those who were the victims of them.  But we should reject the line
of thought which imposes a sort of original sin on all whites.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(us_uk_airstrikes_houthi_military)
title: Houthis’ capability
uri: Houthis-capability
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(us_uk_airstrikes_houthi_military)
content:
 
<p>
A leader of a Yemeni faction that opposes the Houthis says that the
US/UK attacks on the Houthis are totally ineffective at stopping the
Houthis from attacking shipping &mdash; and instead give the Houthis an
opportunity to boast that the US can't stop them from 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/24/us-uk-airstrikes-not-hurt-houthi-military-capability-yemen">attacking
shipping.</a>
<p>
I wonder why the US can't stop them from attacking shipping.  What
kinds of targets has the US been attacking in Yemen?  Is it trying to
deny the Houthis the means to attack shipping, or is it only trying to
cause "damage" that it supposed might make the Houthis stop attacking?
If the latter, of course that was ineffective.  If you think you're on
a mission from "god", damage won't make you abandon a fight.
<p>
And how is it that ships can come and go in Houthi ports without being
stopped and inspected for missiles and drones?
<p>
Has the US considered seizing the Houthi ports?

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(how_sheriffs_define_law_and_order)
title: Bruce Zuchowski
uri: Bruce-Zuchowski
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_October_2024_(how_sheriffs_define_law_and_order)
content:
 
<p>
Elected sheriffs in the US tend to be right-wing white men, and tend
to impose right-wing 
<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-sheriffs-define-law-and-order-for-their-counties-depends-a-lot-on-their-views-and-most-are-white-republican-men-239282">political views using the power of their office.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(trump_project_2025_hurricanes)
title: Project 2025
uri: 2024-10-13-Project-2025
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(trump_project_2025_hurricanes)
content:
 
<p>
*Project 2025 would "unequivocally" lead to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/08/trump-project-2025-hurricanes">more hurricane deaths,
experts warn.*</a>

<p>
 


title: Activist’s visa
uri: Activist-s-visa
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(australia_reviews_visa_terrorism_advocation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(australia_reviews_visa_terrorism_advocation)

content:
 
<p>
An Australian official is moving to revoke the visa of a visiting
Palestinian who said, speaking in an event this Oct 7, that it was the
occasion for “considerable celebration” as the anniversary of HAMAS's
hostage taking and killings.  Now the Australian is considering revoking
his 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/08/australia-reviews-pro-palestine-activists-visa-after-he-called-7-october-a-day-of-considerable-celebration">visa on grounds that he advocated terrorism.</a>
<p>
The official said, "But he did prove the point that many of us are
making in the lead up to the rallies on Monday, which is that the only
reason you would organize a pro-Palestinian protest on Monday, is if
you thought it was worthy of celebration."  This seems to be valid.
<p>
Both HAMAS and subsequently Israel were responding to terror attacks.
Both had grounds for belligerence if it were in accord with
international humanitarian law.  Both entities' retaliations instead
violated that law, committing atrocities.
<p>
I defend freedom of speech in a very firm way.  I don't think anyone,
whether citizen or visitor, should be prohibited to express those views,
even though I strongly disagree with those views.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(shasta_county_elections)
title: Shasta county
uri: Shasta-county
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(shasta_county_elections)
content:
 
<p>
A Republican official, extreme right-wing by the standards of 2022, is
now organizing the fight to defend some basic idea of truth and
justice 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/08/shasta-county-elections-redding-far-right-voting-covid">against the wave of trumpery.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(new_federal_lead_pipe_rule)
title: Lead Pipe Rule
uri: Lead-Pipe-Rule
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(new_federal_lead_pipe_rule)
content:
 
<p>
The corrupter ordered the US to adopt a nearly no-op rule about
poisonous lead and copper pipes.  Now it has been replaced with a plan
to eliminate nearly all lead in 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/new-federal-lead-pipe-rule-is-big-step-forward-replacing-weak-trump-action">American's faucet water.</a>

<p>
 


title: Harris Medicare plan
uri: Harris-Medicare-plan
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(harris_medicare_long_term_home_care)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(harris_medicare_long_term_home_care)

content:
 
<p>
*Harris announces plan for Medicare to cover 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/08/harris-medicare-long-term-home-care">long-term care at home.*</a>
<p>
This would be a big help for partially or completely disabled Americans,
and not just those 65 years old or older.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(utilities_only_2035)
title: Dirty Truth Report
uri: Dirty-Truth-Report
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(utilities_only_2035)
content:
 
<p>
*Utilities Only Planning Enough Clean Energy to Replace Half of Fossil
 Fuel Generation by 2035, 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/utilities-only-planning-enough-clean-energy-to-replace-half-of-fossil-fuel-generation-by-2035-new-sierra-club-report-finds">New Sierra Club Report Finds.*</a>
<p>
  They still plan to build lots of gas-fired power plants.  Using fossil
gas cause more 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-nov-feb.html#7_January_2023_(Clean_power_future,_US)">global heating than coal.</a>
<p>
This demonstrates that existing laws, plus existing pressure from
well-informed public opinion, are not sufficient to decarbonize rapidly.

<p>
 


title: Environmental reforms
uri: Environmental-reforms
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(nature_groups_albanese_leadership_reforms)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(nature_groups_albanese_leadership_reforms)

content:
 
<p>
A government can be far better than blatant plutocracy and still be
weak in resisting plutocracy's destruction of the eco-sphere.
Australia's 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/09/nature-groups-in-dismay-over-albanese-leadership-on-environmental-reforms">Labor Party seems to be an example.</a>

<p>
 


title: Chris Minns’ plan
uri: Chris-Minns-plan
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(nsw_australia_premier_police_protests)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(nsw_australia_premier_police_protests)

content:
 
<p>
*NSW [(a state in Australia)] premier says police should be able to
ban pro-Palestine protests 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/08/chris-minns-nsw-premier-police-pro-palestine-protests-cancel-power-ntwnfb">because they are too expensive.*</a>
<p>
This has 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/08/democracy-unions-revolt-chris-minns-palestine-protests-cost-nsw-police">met with opposition.</a>
<p>
Bravo for resisting this.
<p>
I agree that we should avoid the terms "pro-Israel" or "pro-Palestine"
because those terms tend to push society into a dichotomous choice.
<p>
My wish is well-being, peace and 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-may-aug.html#17_August_2024_(Student_protesters_suspended,_sueing_UCI)">freedom for both peoples.</a>
<p>
Decades ago, large demonstrations were run by organizations, and the
organizations appointed and trained Marshalls to keep the protest on
the track of nonviolence.  I am sure that practice greatly reduced the
cost of policing, as well as the probability that the official thugs
would go on a 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/emory-protests-arrests">rampage against protesters.</a>
<p>
That isn't 100% effective at 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jan-apr.html#20_April_2024_(undercover_stl_louis_police)">preventing rampages,</a>
<p>
but it surely helps.

<p>
 


title: Deforestation
uri: 2024-10-13-Deforestation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(deforestation_destruction_beef_soy_palm_oil)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(deforestation_destruction_beef_soy_palm_oil)

content:
 
<p>
*Demand for beef, soy, palm oil and nickel hindering efforts to halt 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/08/deforestation-destruction-demolition-beef-soy-palm-oil-nickel"> demolition by 2030, global report finds.*</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(robert_reich_bridgestone)
title: Maim and kill
uri: Maim-and-kill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(robert_reich_bridgestone)
content:
 
<p>
Robert Reich described how Bridgestone defeated the US government
legal effort to compel Bridgestone keep its factory workers safe.
Bridgestone responded by saying it would shut the factory rather
than 
<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/when-corporations-maim-and-kill-their">install the safety measures.</a>
<p>
It announced that threat by making a false assertion: that it would be
"uneconomical" to run the plant if it had safety measures.  With the
usual meaning of those words, that was not true: Bridgestone would
have made a profit even with the safety measures installed.  But it might
have made less from that plant than from a hypothetical replacement
plant somewhere else, without the safety measure.
<p>
To put an end to this sort of practice, we need laws that will prevent
businesses from winning disputes in that way.  Reich explains other changes
that would have strengthened his hand.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(timor_sea_gas_project_treaty)
title: Timor Sea gas project
uri: Timor-Sea-gas-project
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(timor_sea_gas_project_treaty)
content:
 
<p>
Australia and East Timor were formerly very hostile, but now they are
making joint plans to collaborate in planet roasting by extracting
undersea 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/08/ramos-horta-says-75bn-timor-sea-gas-project-could-begin-within-months-if-australia-signs-treaty">fossil gas.</a>
<p>
The world must hope that they can't come to agreement on the details.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(narges_mohammadi)
title: Narges Mohammadi
uri: Narges-Mohammadi
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(narges_mohammadi)
content:
 
<p>
Narges Mohammadi has been imprisoned in Iran since 3 years ago.  A
year ago she received Nobel peace prize, and the screws 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/10/nobel-laureate-narges-mohammadi-calls-for-peace-in-middle-east-from-iran-jail">made her
imprisonment harsher.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(gut_environmental_law)
title: Gut Environmental Law
uri: Gut-Environmental-Law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(gut_environmental_law)
content:
 
<p>
*An Oil Giant Railroads Its SCOTUS Connection To 
<a href="https://www.levernews.com/an-oil-giant-railroads-its-scotus-connection-to-gut-environmental-law/">Gut Environmental Law.*</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(vehicle_to_everything)
title: Vehicle-To-Everything
uri: Vehicle-To-Everything
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(vehicle_to_everything)
content:
 
<p>
Engineers are proposing a system for every car to communicate
constantly with every other nearby car, as well as with nearby
pedestrians (does that mean, their snoop-phones?) and 
<a href="https://www.perplexity.ai/page/vehicle-to-everything-tech-avRlEPthQvSqGfXxcHuZlA?utm_source=emaildigest&utm_campaign=digest082324">local non-mobile
surveillance systems.</a>
<p>
The result would be total surveillance of everyone.
<p>
It may be possible to design such a system such that it doesn't
identify any car or any person.  That could be safe as well as
beneficial.  But we cannot expect the manufacturers of today's
"connected cars" to value their customers' privacy.
<p>
If I were going to buy a "connected" car such as are made today, I
would choose a model that people know how to disconnect.  I expect
that each antenna needs to be either removed or covered with a Faraday
cage such that it cannot receive or transmit.

<p>
 


title: COP29
uri: COP29
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(cop29_host_country_rights_connections)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(cop29_host_country_rights_connections)

content:
 
<p>
The contract for holding the COP29 conference in Azerbaijan does not protect
the human rights of the participants from 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/cop29-host-country-agreement-lacks-rights-protections">Azerbaijan's repressive state.</a>
<p>
It also does not protect the conference's goal from Azerbaijan's
planet-roasting state.  Planet-roasters, including fossil fuel
companies, dominate this series of conferences so completely
that they are not fit for the purpose any more.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(un_peacekeepers_lebanon_israel)
title: UN peacekeepers
uri: UN-peacekeepers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(un_peacekeepers_lebanon_israel)
content:
 
<p>
*UN peacekeepers in Lebanon say Israel has fired on 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/10/un-peacekeepers-in-lebanon-say-israel-has-fired-on-their-bases-deliberately">their bases deliberately.*</a>
<p>
It did this in two different places at around the same time.  In one,
a drone reconnaissance seems to have been preparation for the attack.
Meanwhile, a number of Israeli tanks drove up to a UN peacekeepers'
position, apparently to threaten the peacekeepers into pulling out.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: guns at polling places
uri: Urgent-guns-at-polling-places
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(Urgent:_guns_too_dangerous_polling_places)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(Urgent:_guns_too_dangerous_polling_places)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on Congress to ban 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tell-congress-no-guns-at-the-polls?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-guns-are-way-too-dangerous-to-allow-at-polling-places-4">carrying guns at polling places.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(israel_gaza_war_university_campus)
title: Meaningful dialogue
uri: Meaningful-dialogue
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(israel_gaza_war_university_campus)
content:
 
<p>
US universities are confused and conflicted about how to deal with strongly opinionated students and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/06/israel-gaza-war-university-campus">their disagreeing view.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(iran_could_be_risky)
title: Escalation with Iran
uri: Escalation-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(iran_could_be_risky)
content:
 
<p>
Since Iran's missiles have shown they can hit Israel and do damage, further escalation by Israel 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/05/escalation-with-iran-could-be-risky-israel-is-more-vulnerable-than-it-seems">could result in a long war of attrition</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(oklahoma_schools_trump_bible)
title: 55,000 Bibles
uri: 55-000-Bibles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(oklahoma_schools_trump_bible)
content:
 
<p>
Oklahoma Republicans have found a clever way to corrupt the election:
by buying bibles from the corrupter's campaign. 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/05/oklahoma-schools-trump-bible">The price will be 
over 3 million dollars.</a>
<p>
They don't openly admit that the purchase has to be from his campaign,
but they make that inevitable by specifying details that other printed
bibles don't fit.
<p>
Government purchases coming directly or indirectly from electoral
campaigns ought to be illegal.

<p>
 


title: Brett Kavanaugh
uri: Brett-Kavanaugh
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(fbi_trump_brett_kavanaugh_sexual_assault_supreme_court)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(fbi_trump_brett_kavanaugh_sexual_assault_supreme_court)

content:
 
<p>
Accusing the wrecker of restraining the FBI from thoroughly investigating
the rape accusation against Brett Kavanaugh when he was nominated
for the 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/10/08/trump-fbi-brett-kavanaugh-sexual-assault-supreme-court/">Supreme Court.</a>


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(head_of_uk_energy_industry)
title: Energy industry
uri: Energy-industry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#12_October_2024_(head_of_uk_energy_industry)
content:
 
<p>
The head of the UK "energy industry" has been chosen as the new
head of the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/09/energy-industry-trade-body-chief-to-head-uks-climate-watchdog">"Climate Change Committee.</a>
<p>
I know nothing more about her besides that point about her previous experience,
but that one point is enough to make me suspect that the fox is now
in charge of keeping us chickens safe.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(New_article)
title: New article
uri: 2024-10-16-New-article
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(New_article)
content:
 
<p>
<a href="/articles/fire-prone.html">How can people continue to live in fire-prone areas?</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Criticizing_by_stock_trading)
title: Criticizing by stock trading
uri: Criticizing-by-stock-trading
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Criticizing_by_stock_trading)
content:
 
<p>
In China, there seems to be only one way <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/oct/09/zaho-de-sagazan-reinvents-french-love-song-freeform-dancing-socks">to criticize the government</a>
which is not forbidden: by stock trading.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(FEMA_cash_aid)
title: FEMA cash aid
uri: FEMA-cash-aid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(FEMA_cash_aid)
content:
 
<p>
The US government responds to right-wing irrational attacks
by taking special care to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/10/09/hurricane-milton-immigrants-fema/">give no cash aid to victims</a> who don't
have papers to prove citizenship.
<p>
What does it actually take to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/09/hurricane-milton-evacuation-logistics">evacuate during a weather
crisis</a>?  For many Americans, it is far beyond their means.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Urgent:_desist_from_surge_pricing)
title: Urgent: desist from surge pricing
uri: Urgent-desist-from-surge-pricing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Urgent:_desist_from_surge_pricing)
content:
 
<p>
Everyone: call on airlines to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/demand-airlines-stop-price-gouging-people-fleeing-disaster?delivery_id=106939958&nowrapper=true">desist from surge pricing</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Wildlife_population_falls)
title: Wildlife population falls
uri: Wildlife-population-falls
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Wildlife_population_falls)
content:
 
<p>
As average [wildlife] population falls <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/10/collapsing-wildlife-populations-points-no-return-living-planet-report-wwf-zsl-warns">reach 95% in some regions</a>,
experts call for urgent action but insist "nature can recover."*

<p>
 


title: Taylor-Greene's hurricane conspiracy
uri: Taylor-Greene-s-hurricane-conspiracy
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Taylor-Greene's_hurricane_conspiracy)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Taylor-Greene's_hurricane_conspiracy)

content:
 
<p>
A right-wing conspiracy theory claims that Hurricane Helene was
brought about by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/10/hurricane-conspiracy-theories-marjorie-taylor-greene">a business plot, intended to eliminate obstacles for
a lithium mine</a>.
<p>
The inventors of that myth are, it seems, trying to demonize building
batteries to facilitate decarbonization.
<p>
It is surprising how close the myth is to the truth.  There was no
conspiracy to cause Hurricane Helene -- nobody would know how to do
that intentionally.  But there is a conspiracy of fossil fuel
interests to maximize <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>, and that did cause this
hurricane to be so powerful and damaging.  The existence of this
conspiracy is well documented.
<p>
The difference between the truth and the myth is just enough for the
latter to put the blame on the wrong side.
<p>
*Study confirms Hurricane Helene fueled by Big Oil’s emissions:
 Greenpeace calls for <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/study-confirms-hurricane-helene-fueled-by-big-oils-emissions-greenpeace-calls-for-climate-polluters-to-pay">climate polluters to pay</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Abolishing_privacy_to_tax)
title: Abolishing privacy to tax
uri: Abolishing-privacy-to-tax
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Abolishing_privacy_to_tax)
content:
 
<p>
A British official wants to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/oct/10/uk-road-pricing-infrastructure-electric-vehicles-35bn-tax-shortfall">abolish privacy in the UK just to make
each motorist pay tax exactly in proportion to per driving</a>.
<p>
The short-term solution for the shortfall in tax funds is simple:
increase the tax rate on gasoline and diesel fuel. until the total
revenue reaches the former level.  That will speed the elimination of
all fossil fuel vehicles.
<p>
In a few years, when those are mostly gone, that method will no longer
solve the problem.  At that point Britain could tax all electricity
usage to get the money to pay for road maintenance.  Or tax the rich
in one way or another.
<p>
Armitt seems to treat as sacred the goal of measuring everyone's use
of roads so as to compute precisely how much value each person gets
from them.  Such exactitude is an improvement in theory, but it is not
crucial.  We should not accept Orwellian surveillance just to make the
tax perfectly fit the usage.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Growing_threats)
title: Growing threats
uri: Growing-threats
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Growing_threats)
content:
 
<p>
*MI5 chief: UK facing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/oct/08/mi5-chief-uk-facing-growing-threat-from-islamic-state-russia-and-iran">growing threat</a> from Islamic State, Russia and Iran.*
<p>
The threat includes assassinations and terror attacks.

<p>
 


title: Dutertes and Marcoses families power struggles
uri: Dutertes-and-Marcoses-families-power-struggles
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Dutertes_and_Marcoses_families_power_struggles)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Dutertes_and_Marcoses_families_power_struggles)

content:
 
<p>
*Two of the [Philippines'] most powerful political families, the
Dutertes and the Marcoses, are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/10/stage-set-for-battle-of-the-dynasties-as-rodrigo-duterte-eyes-return-to-politics-in-the-philippines">set for an epic struggle for power</a>.*
<p>
I expect that one of them will seek support from China.  It is the
obvious thing to do, for anyone that would sacrifice his country to
gain power over it.

<p>
 


title: Fossil fuel foreign aid quadrupled
uri: Fossil-fuel-foreign-aid-quadrupled
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Fossil_fuel_foreign_aid_quadrupled)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Fossil_fuel_foreign_aid_quadrupled)

content:
 
<p>
* Foreign aid for fossil fuel projects <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/10/foreign-aid-for-fossil-fuel-projects-quadrupled-in-a-single-year">quadrupled in a single year</a>,
&hellip; rising from $1.2bn in 2021 to $5.4bn in 2022.*
<p>
There should never be foreign aid to spend on increased planet roasting.
No matter what pain is caused by a local scarcity of fossil fuel,
it is not as bad as death for nearly everyone.

<p>
 


title: Workers' rights penalty enforcement
uri: Workers-rights-penalty-enforcement
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Workers'_rights_penalty_enforcement)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Workers'_rights_penalty_enforcement)

content:
 
<p>
The UK will have a new agency whose staff will actively enforce
penalties for violating workers' rights.
<p>
I've <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-sep-dec.html#11_November_2017_(Workers_rights)">called for the US to do this</a>.
Stealing N dollars from your employee
should be as serious a crime as stealing N dollars from a business,
and enforced similarly.

<p>
 


title: Police burning phones and passports
uri: Police-burning-phones-and-passports
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Police_burning_phones_and_passports)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Police_burning_phones_and_passports)

content:
 
<p>
*Croatian police accused of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/oct/10/photos-croatia-police-phones-passports-asylum-seekers">burning asylum seekers' phones and
 passports</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(The_wrecker_and_elites)
title: The wrecker and elites
uri: The-wrecker-and-elites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(The_wrecker_and_elites)
content:
 
<p>
Non-rich Americans who want to stop the elite from impoverishing them
see little to support in "centrist" Democrats.  Meanwhile, <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a>
falsely claims to oppose the elites even <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/10/democrats-elites-trump-musk-republicans">as he appears on stage with
them</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Social_Security_COLA_on_ballot)
title: Social Security COLA on ballot
uri: Social-Security-COLA-on-ballot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Social_Security_COLA_on_ballot)
content:
 
<p>
Republicans want to make Social Security payments <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/social-securitys-cola-is-on-the-ballot">decrease
in real value every year</a>.
They would do this by eliminating the cost of living adjustment
Thus they would drive old people into penury.

<p>
 


title: Israel attacked Children's hospital
uri: Israel-attacked-Children-s-hospital
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Israel_attacked_Children's_hospital)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Israel_attacked_Children's_hospital)

content:
 
<p>
Israel <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/10/catastrophic-situation-childrens-hospital-israel-renews-gaza-attacks">ordered the only children's hospital in North Gaza to evacuate</a>,
but there is no way to evacuate the children in intensive care, and no
place to bring them to.
<p>
To attack that hospital would be an atrocity, but such atrocities
have become normal for Israel.
<p>
To attack a hospital is generally a war crime.
Th attack the one and only hospital is even worse.
<p>
*On Thursday, UN investigators accused Israel of deliberately targeting
health facilities and killing and torturing medical personnel in Gaza.*

<p>
 


title: Robert Reich: media double standard
uri: Robert-Reich-media-double-standard
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Robert_Reich:_media_double_standard)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Robert_Reich:_media_double_standard)

content:
 
<p>
The <a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/double-standard">mainstream media double standard</a>: criticizing Harris any time
she does not reply to a point, while letting <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">the bullshitter</a> duck
all real issues all the time.

<p>
 


title: North Korean engineers deployed against Ukraine
uri: North-Korean-engineers-deployed-against-Ukraine
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(North_Korean_engineers_deployed_against_Ukraine)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(North_Korean_engineers_deployed_against_Ukraine)

content:
 
<p>
The US says that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/10/north-korea-engineers-deployed-russia-ukraine">North Korean military engineers are deployed</a> in
Putin's war against Ukraine.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Carbon_offset_fraud)
title: "Carbon offset" fraud
uri: Carbon-offset-fraud
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Carbon_offset_fraud)
content:
 
<p>
The ex-CEO of a company that sells carbon offsets has been charged
with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/04/ex-carbon-offsetting-boss-kenneth-newcombe-charged-in-new-york-with-multimillion-dollar">fraud for systematically exaggeration how much greenhouse emissions
a project would avoid</a>.
<p>
The idea of emissions offsets is full of loopholes.
Most of the exaggeration is a matter of making high estimates;
since there are no facts to compare with, it can't quite be
called "fraud".  But it does undermine the intended result.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(hurricane_helene_trump)
title: Helene response
uri: Helene-response
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(hurricane_helene_trump)
content:
 
<p>
*Fema chief warns ‘dangerous’ Trump 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/07/hurricane-helene-trump-misinformation">falsehoods hampering Helene response.*</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(trump_harris_inflation_economy)
title: Blame for inflation.
uri: Blame-for-inflation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(trump_harris_inflation_economy)
content:
 
<p>
*Trump is falsely blaming Harris for high prices. 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/09/trump-harris-inflation-economy">His plans will cause
huge inflation.*</a>
<p>
I wonder if that is why Republicans are pushing to remove the
cost-of-living 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-sep-dec.html#15_October_2020_(Social_Security)">adjustment from Social Security.</a>
<p>
With that, and high inflation, US retirees will be squeezed between the two.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(tim_walz_electoral_college)
title: Electoral college
uri: 2024-10-16-Electoral-college
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(tim_walz_electoral_college)
content:
 
<p>
Walz stated support for eliminating 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/09/election-tim-walz-electoral-college">the electoral college.</a>
<p>
I am in favor of that, but what Harris and Walz most importantly need
to call for is directing more of the nation's wealth generation to the
non-rich, as it did in the 1950s.

<p>
 


title: Free speech on campus
uri: Free-speech-on-campus
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(republicans_crackdown_universities_pro_palestinian_protests)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(republicans_crackdown_universities_pro_palestinian_protests)

content:
 
<p>
Republicans seek to bully US colleges with threats unless they repress
students' 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/09/republicans-crackdown-universities-pro-palestinian-protests">freedom of speech.</a>
<p>
Whatever your position on the war in Gaza, if you love civil liberties
you should fight those dangerous religious fanatics here in the US.
Nov 5th is your opportunity.

<p>
 


title: Societal collapse
uri: Societal-collapse
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(earths_vital_signs_climate_experts)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(earths_vital_signs_climate_experts)

content:
 
<p>
*Record emissions, temperatures and population mean more scientists are
looking into possibility of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/08/earths-vital-signs-show-humanitys-future-in-balance-say-climate-experts">societal collapse, report says.*</a>
<p>
I used to say that the best picture we have now of future climate
disaster is the Hunger Games, but I am having doubts about that.  In
the Hunger Games, there is an organized society with a state.  It can
still make some high-tech products.  It surely has a population in the
hundreds of thousands.
<p>
A high tech society needs global reasource, and that requires
communications and shipping that will no longer exist.
No one will be able to make an IC, let alone a computer.

<p>
 


title: Coalmines and gasfields
uri: Coalmines-and-gasfields
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(aus_coal_mines_gas_fields_methane_production)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(aus_coal_mines_gas_fields_methane_production)

content:
 
<p>
Coal mines and gas wells in Australia seem to be underestimating
their rate of methane leaks by as 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/oct/09/australias-coal-mines-and-gas-fields-may-be-emitting-twice-as-much-methane-as-declared-report-warns">much as a factor of two.</a>

<p>
 


title: Structural remedies
uri: Structural-remedies
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(google_us_gov_break_up_business_court_filing)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(google_us_gov_break_up_business_court_filing)

content:
 
<p>
The US government is considering breaking 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/oct/09/google-us-government-attempt-break-up-business-court-filing">Google up into separate
companies.</a>
<p>
Would that do anything about the injustices of Google?  Let's look at
them:
<ul>
<li>
Snooping on its users actions and identities.
<li>
Selling ads based on that data.
<li>
Requiring users to run nonfree software to use the services.
<li>
Pressuring users to identify themselves to use most services.
<li>
Using DRM for distribution of some ethings.
</ul>
<p>
I don't see how splitting up Google would correct these.
Perhaps Google itself would not use the collected data as a base
for advertising.  Perhaps instead Google would sell the use of
that data to various advertising companies.  I don't think that
would make that use of personal data acceptable and it would not help with the others.

<p>
 


title: Battleground voters
uri: Battleground-voters
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(election_harris_republican_endorsements)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(election_harris_republican_endorsements)

content:
 
<p>
*Endorsements from Republicans and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/09/election-harris-republican-endorsements">CEOs won’t help Kamala Harris win.*</a>
<p>
People who were Republicans in 2015, before <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a> became that
party's nominee, and who have not been sucked into his fantasy land,
can be persuaded by these endorsements.  It may cost <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a>
some votes.  But they are not so numerous as as the Democrats who gave
up on the party because Obama protected the rich from the 2009
financial crisis that was generated by those Republicans, rather than
saving the poor and middle-class.

<p>
 


title: Discrimination
uri: 2024-10-16-Discrimination
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(muslims_in_india_face_discrimination)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(muslims_in_india_face_discrimination)

content:
 
<p>
Some Indian states have passed laws to make it easy to boycott
restaurants that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/13/muslims-in-india-face-discrimination-after-restaurants-forced-to-display-workers-names">employ any Muslims.</a>
<p>
Clearly this is the work of Hinduismist party.

<p>
 


title: Cambridge exhibition
uri: Cambridge-exhibition
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(ai_dead_animals_cambridge_exhibition)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(ai_dead_animals_cambridge_exhibition)

content:
 
<p>
A museum in Britain that is supposed to be about science will present
"stories" about the "afterlife" of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/oct/14/ai-gives-voice-to-dead-animals-in-cambridge-exhibition">dead animals on display.</a>
<p>
The "stories" are constructed by 
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#ArtificialIntelligance">bullshit generators,</a>
<p>
 and they teach religion and superstition under the rubric of science.
 
 <p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(keir_starmer_slash_red_tape)
title: Investment summit
uri: Investment-summit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(keir_starmer_slash_red_tape)
content:
 
<p>
Starmer has surrendered to big business, and promises to "slash the red tape"
that is meant to protect the public from a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/oct/14/keir-starmer-promise-slash-red-tape-investment-summit">wide range of dangers.</a>
<p>
A previous period of "slashing red tape" weakened the building code
enforcement and permitted use of flammable materials in building tall
buildings.  It was not actually lawful, but builders knew
they could get away with it, because the red tape as no longer there
to stop them.  Some of the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-nov-feb.html#19_January_2023_(Right-wing_deregulation)">buildings had fatal fires. </a>
<p>
This shows what happens when a government says it will get the funds
to solve pressing problems by encouraging "economic growth".

<p>
 


title: Trump Bibles
uri: Trump-Bibles
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(donald_trump_bibles_printed_in_china)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(donald_trump_bibles_printed_in_china)

content:
 
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">The bullshitter</a> condemns trade with China, but he had his 
<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-god-bless-the-usa-bibles-printed-in-china/">special bibles
printed there.</a>
<p>
(Those are the very expensive bibles he is going to sell to
the state of Oklahoma.)
<p>
This in its own right is a minor issue, but it epitomizes his
dishonesty.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(families_seek_to_clear_names)
title: Former Dutch colony
uri: Former-Dutch-colony
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(families_seek_to_clear_names)
content:
 
<p>
Relatives call on the Dutch government to rehabilitate the
conscientious objectors who refused to fight against the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/14/families-seek-to-clear-names-of-men-who-refused-to-fight-for-former-dutch-colony">independence
of Indonesia.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Proposal_to_ban_Chinese-made_cars)
title: Proposal to ban Chinese-made cars
uri: Proposal-to-ban-Chinese-made-cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Proposal_to_ban_Chinese-made_cars)
content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/22/biden-rules-ban-chinese-made-cars-spying-fears"Biden administration proposes rules to ban Chinese-made cars over
spying fears. />*
</p>
<p>
They surely do spy, and we should not tolerate that.  But this threat
is not limited to cars made by Chinese companies.  What about all the
non-Chinese-made cars that are known to snoop on their users?
Shouldn't they be banned, too?
</p>
<p>
Instead of banning those cars, we could require them to give users
some control.  We could enable users to get rid of the snooping by
requiring cars to ask for the driver's permission before recording
and/or transmitting any information about their drivers and
passengers, including their identifies and their actions.
</p>
<p>
Or we could require all software delivered in cars to be free software
so that users could change it.  If you're allowed to work on your
car's brakes, why not its software too?
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Hostage_of_China_Michael_Kovrig)
title: Hostage of China Michael Kovrig
uri: Hostage-of-China-Michael-Kovrig
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Hostage_of_China_Michael_Kovrig)
content:
 
<p>

Michael Kovrig, held hostage by China for the release of accused
criminal Meng Wanzhou, was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/24/michael-kovrig-canadian-china-detention-torture">kept in solitary confinement for 6 months</a>
in a cell where the light was always on.  And interrogated for up to 9
hours a day, every day.
This is a form of torture.
</p>
<p>
I have no opinion about whether the accusations against Meng Wanzhou
were true, nor whether they were morally legitimate in principle.  I
don't know enough about that issue to have an opinion.  But I am
confident that the Chinese government did not care about those
questions.  It wanted hostages that Canada would feel a need to bring
home.
</p>
<p>
I makes me sad to know that the United States holds some prisoners in
similar conditions of torture.  Julian Assange could expect to be held
that way, if he had been sent to the US for trial.  Indeed, his
imprisonment in Britain was in conditions almost as bad as that, It is
wrong no matter which country does it.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Decrease_of_violent_crime_in_US)
title: Decrease of violent crime in US
uri: Decrease-of-violent-crime-in-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Decrease_of_violent_crime_in_US)
content:
 
<p>

  Violent crime in the US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/23/violent-crime-murder-rate-fbi-2023">decreased substantially in 2023</a>, including an
11% decrease in murders.
  Republicans pretend the rate is increasing.  The real flaws of
Democrats are due to being too right-wing, but the Republicans have
trouble repeating those criticisms.  So they have to make some up.
</p>
</li>

 


title: The muskrat promoting right-wing extremism
uri: The-muskrat-promoting-right-wing-extremism
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(The_muskrat_promoting_right-wing_extremism)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(The_muskrat_promoting_right-wing_extremism)

content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#musk">The muskrat</a> is promoting global right-wing extremism and has
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/23/elon-musk-to-present-atlantic-council-global-citizen-award-to-giorgia-meloni">appointed Italy's right-wing leader Meloni as the muskette</a>.
</p>
<p>
I wonder how long before Putin is invited to join.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(California_suing_Exxon)
title: California suing Exxon
uri: California-suing-Exxon
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(California_suing_Exxon)
content:
 
<p>

California is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/california-sues-exxon-for-plastics-deception">suing Exx-on for fraudulently telling the public
    that plastic was in general recyclable</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Saboteur-in-chief denied funds to states
uri: Saboteur-in-chief-denied-funds-to-states
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Saboteur-in-chief_denied_funds_to_states)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Saboteur-in-chief_denied_funds_to_states)

content:
 
<p>

(Former administration officials say [the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#s-i-c">saboteur-in-chief</a>]
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/13/trump-disaster-funding-warning">deliberately denied funds to states he deemed politically hostile</a>.*
</p>
<p>
  I recall <a href="archives/2016-sep-dec.html#18_December_2016_(Trump_may_threaten_sanctuary_cities)">reading about this at the time</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Campus police called on student protesters
uri: Campus-police-called-on-student-protesters
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Campus_police_called_on_student_protesters)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Campus_police_called_on_student_protesters)

content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/10/07/columbia-law-professors-protests-israel-gaza/">Columbia Law School Told Professors to Call Campus Police on Student
    Protesters.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Fertilizing_plankton_with_dust)
title: Fertilizing plankton with dust
uri: Fertilizing-plankton-with-dust
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Fertilizing_plankton_with_dust)
content:
 
<p>

The <a href="https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2024/10/09/climate-clarity-the-biggest-problems-the-best-solution/">article</a> identifies 
<ul>
  <li>Too Hot to Farm (and too wet for humans, or too dry for plants)</li>

  <li>Too Acidic for Fish (too much CO2 in the ocean).</li>
</ul>
<p>
The article suggests fertilizing plankton by dropping lots of dust in
the ocean as a way to remove CO2.  Would this really work?  Would it
be safe?  I don't know.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Turkey_blocking_aid_convoy)
title: Turkey blocking aid convoy
uri: Turkey-blocking-aid-convoy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Turkey_blocking_aid_convoy)
content:
 
<p>

  Turkey is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/10/11/turkey-gaza-aid-flotilla-block/">acting bizarrely to block an aid convoy</a> that wants to sail
for Gaza.
</p>
</li>

 


title: US meteorologists face death threats
uri: US-meteorologists-face-death-threats
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(US_meteorologists_face_death_threats)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(US_meteorologists_face_death_threats)

content:
 
<p>

  *US meteorologists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/11/the-middle-east-and-the-us-election-how-they-could-affect-each-other">face death threats</a> as hurricane [conspiracy ideation]
surges.
  Storms Helene and Milton have triggered rise of misinformation stoked
   by Trump and fellow Republicans.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Israeli soldiers killed journalists
uri: Israeli-soldiers-killed-journalists
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Israeli_soldiers_killed_journalists)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Israeli_soldiers_killed_journalists)

content:
 
<p>

  Israeli soldiers <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/10/11/gaza-journalists-targeted-israel-killed/">killed some of the journalists</a> covering the forced
migration of Palestinians from northern Gaza.  Other journalists who
witnessed this say the soldiers specifically targeted those they
killed.
</p>
<p>
Israel has killed so many Palestinian journalists that it is hard
to imagine that this was not systematically intentional.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(No_attention_paid_to_war_in_Sudan)
title: No attention paid to war in Sudan
uri: No-attention-paid-to-war-in-Sudan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(No_attention_paid_to_war_in_Sudan)
content:
 
<p>

  The world <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/11/world-humanitarian-disaster-sudan">hardly pays attention to the civil war in Sudan</a>.  I know why
I say little about it.
</p>
<p>
In my political notes, I do not set out to report news, but rather to comment
on the issues (political and moral) raised by the news.  If there is a problem,
what might be solutions.
</p>
<p>
The coverage of the civil war in Sudan, that I see, describes only the
tactical developments.  I can't draw any significant conclusions from
that.  Are these two sides merely factions fighting for power?  Does
either side stand for something &mdash; anything at all?  Why is the
fighting continuing?  I don't know anything about that, so I have
nothing to say, and I have no idea what might be a good outcome
to help attain it.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(The_wrecker's_failing_ebusinesses)
title: The wrecker's failing ebusinesses
uri: The-wrecker-s-failing-ebusinesses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(The_wrecker's_failing_ebusinesses)
content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker</a> started one ebusiness after another, and <a href="https://substack.com/redirect/a1e11ae4-f1c0-451d-bdfc-81ed98d93262?j=eyJ1IjoiOXphNzUifQ.398MFMMY4Q36MpDFEt1qySXXHPqTIVKEuEFw8fVXdT8">drove most of them to failure</a>.  He damaged the US when he was president, but this time
he has prepared to damage it a lot more.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Play_about_Ukrainian_children)
title: Play about Ukrainian children
uri: Play-about-Ukrainian-children
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Play_about_Ukrainian_children)
content:
 
<p>

  A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/12/i-will-return-play-brings-to-life-stories-of-ukrainian-children-taken-by-russia">play about Ukrainian children seized and imprisoned by the Putin forces</a>
was written by a journalist based on interviews with some of them.
</p>
<p>
Putin's excuse for imprisoning Ukrainian children is to protect them
from the danger of the war that Putin started by choice.  This is a
standard right-wing behavior pattern: creating a problem and insisting
on prolonging it, and citing that as an excuse for repression.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Books about China outside of China
uri: Books-about-China-outside-of-China
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Books_about_China_outside_of_China)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Books_about_China_outside_of_China)

content:
 
<p>

China is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/12/china-communist-party-banned-books-rules-xi-jinping">punishing people for reading books about China that they
    had acquired outside China</a>.
</p>
<p>
Xi does not want people to be exposed to other points of view at all.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Politicians excuses for not solving problems
uri: Politicians-excuses-for-not-solving-problems
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Politicians_excuses_for_not_solving_problems)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Politicians_excuses_for_not_solving_problems)

content:
 
<p>

Politicians that don't want to actually address society's big problems
can make excuses by saying they are "complex", and negotiating with business
about how to do it, and the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2024/oct/10/on-the-climate-crisis-housing-and-more-politicians-avoid-clarity-because-it-demands-action">businesses will ensure no progress</a> in reducing greenhouse emissions is made.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Georgia rule of hand-counting ballots
uri: Georgia-rule-of-hand-counting-ballots
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Georgia_rule_of_hand-counting_ballots)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Georgia_rule_of_hand-counting_ballots)

content:
 
<p>

How the Georgia rule of hand-counting ballots can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/07/georgia-hand-counting-ballots-2024-election-explained">introduce delays and
    possible confusion</a>.
</p>
<p>
Delays in the counting from any county are likely to spark imaginary
right-wing conspiracy theories.  In fact, there is a conspiracy &mdash; the
right-wing conspiracy that led to adopting this rule.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Arrests of those protesting Iran former president imprisonment
uri: Arrests-of-those-protesting-Iran-former-president-imprisonment
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Arrests_of_those_protesting_Iran_former_president_imprisonment)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Arrests_of_those_protesting_Iran_former_president_imprisonment)

content:
 
<p>

  Pakistan's government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/07/pakistan-bans-pashtun-group-ptm-crackdown-dissent">arrested the leaders</a> (and many other members) of
the main political party, which was protesting the imprisonment of the
former president, Imran Khan.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Deloitte threatened with loss of government contracts
uri: Deloitte-threatened-with-loss-of-government-contracts
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Deloitte_threatened_with_loss_of_government_contracts)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Deloitte_threatened_with_loss_of_government_contracts)

content:
 
<p>

*<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully's</a> supporters have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/07/trump-vance-deloitte-contracts">threatened Deloitte with the loss of
  lucrative government contracts</a> &hellip; because one of its employees
leaked critical comments about his presidential performance made by
his running mate JD Vance.
</p>
<p>
I don't care at all what happens to Deloitte, but the use of this sort
of bullying to spread repression throughout society is repression.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Governments' climate action shortfalls
uri: Governments-climate-action-shortfalls
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Governments'_climate_action_shortfalls)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Governments'_climate_action_shortfalls)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/world-energy-outlook-exposes-governments-climate-action-shortfall">World Energy Outlook Exposes Governments’ Climate Action Shortfall.</a>*
</p>
<p>
Every new oil or gas well, every new or enlarged coal mine, and every
new fossil gas export terminal, increases the danger.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Israel_attacking_town_of_Jabalia)
title: Israel attacking town of Jabalia
uri: Israel-attacking-town-of-Jabalia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Israel_attacking_town_of_Jabalia)
content:
 
<p>

  Israel is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/16/civilians-trapped-in-northern-gaza-by-israeli-offensive-against-hamas">attacking the town of Jabalia</a> in northern Gaza, full of civilians
with nowhere else to go.
</p>
<p>
Israel claims to have killed 50 HAMAS fighters or more, while counting
corpses found it had killed at least 350 people, of whom most are
surely civilians.  Israel claims that killing these civilians is excused
by (1) intending that HAMAS fighters be the ones to die and (2) telling
the civilians to evacuate and never mind whether they can.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Israeli army attacks on UN peacekeeping forces
uri: Israeli-army-attacks-on-UN-peacekeeping-forces
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Israeli_army_attacks_on_UN_peacekeeping_forces)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Israeli_army_attacks_on_UN_peacekeeping_forces)

content:
 
<p>

  Explaining the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/15/what-is-unifil-and-why-has-israel-been-firing-on-its-positions-in-lebanon">context and significance</a> of Israeli army attacks on UN
peacekeeping forces in the south of Lebanon.
</p>
</li>

 


title: India accused of working with criminal network
uri: India-accused-of-working-with-criminal-network
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(India_accused_of_working_with_criminal_network)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(India_accused_of_working_with_criminal_network)

content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/15/canadian-police-accuse-india-criminal-network-kill-dissidents">Canadian police accuse India of working with criminal network to kill
    dissidents.</a>* Indian dissidents living in exile, that means.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Financial repercussions of disasters
uri: Financial-repercussions-of-disasters
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Financial_repercussions_of_disasters)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Financial_repercussions_of_disasters)

content:
 
<p>

The damage from disasters such as modern hurricanes <a href="https://www.levernews.com/the-coming-financial-hurricane/">cause financial
    repercussions through many areas of the economy</a>.  They can ruin
insurance companies, banks, cities governments and states, as well as
individuals and families.
</p>
<p>
If we don't organize managed retreat from places that it isn't
sustainable to live in, we are likely to have an unmanaged retreat
which will be even more painful.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Cooperating in saving Amazon rain forest
uri: Cooperating-in-saving-Amazon-rain-forest
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Cooperating_in_saving_Amazon_rain_forest)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Cooperating_in_saving_Amazon_rain_forest)

content:
 
<p>

Can the presidents of Brazil and Colombia, cooperating, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/16/lula-and-petro-have-chance-of-lifetime-to-save-amazon-can-they-unite-idealism-realpolitik-to-pull-it-off-cop16-aoe">succeed in saving
    the Amazon rain forest</a>?
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Fixes_for_the_climate_crisis)
title: Fixes for the climate crisis
uri: Fixes-for-the-climate-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Fixes_for_the_climate_crisis)
content:
 
<p>

Rebecca Solnit: *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/16/climate-crisis-technology-ai">Tech barons are forever predicting some amazing new
    technology to fix the climate crisis. Yet fixes already exist.</a>*
</p>
<p>
The difficulties with the known solutions are mainly that some
businesses and billionaires are lobbying tooth and nail to stop us
from using them.  *Proposing we go for some false or nonexistent
solution has become an excuse constantly deployed as an excuse for not
supporting the solutions we have.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Sunken_slave_ship)
title: Sunken slave ship
uri: Sunken-slave-ship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Sunken_slave_ship)
content:
 
<p>

  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/oct/16/divers-explore-18th-century-slave-ship-off-mozambique">Exploring a sunken slave ship</a> in which the slaves tried to revolt.
They were defeated, locked in the hold, and later all died when
the ship sank in a storm.
</p>
<p>
I don't think those slaves regretted their revolt just because it
failed.  Better to fight than go meekly to subjugation.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Renewable energy could make fossil fuels cheaper
uri: Renewable-energy-could-make-fossil-fuels-cheaper
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Renewable_energy_could_make_fossil_fuels_cheaper)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Renewable_energy_could_make_fossil_fuels_cheaper)

content:
 
<p>

The International Energy tells us that sufficient progress in moving
to renewable energy <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/16/fossil-fuels-could-become-cheaper-and-more-abundant-says-iea">could make fossil fuels cheaper</a>.
</p>
<p>
That is true, but the IEA does not seen to realize that that would be
a deadly trap for society.  The lower price would threaten to entice
people to move back to, or continue using, fossil fuels and continue
driving the world into <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#climate">climate mayhem</a>.
</p>
<p>
The disadvantage of fossil fuels is not expense or scarcity.  It is the
harm they do by producing CO2.  A suitable carbon tax could make sure
these fuels continue becoming more expensive, so that humanity would continue to reduce its use of them.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Countering influence of misogyny and male supremacy
uri: Countering-influence-of-misogyny-and-male-supremacy
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Countering_influence_of_misogyny_and_male_supremacy)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Countering_influence_of_misogyny_and_male_supremacy)

content:
 
<p>

Some Australian schools <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/16/victoria-schools-respectful-relationships-toxic-masculinity-andrew-tate-law-changes-ntwnfb">try to counter the influence of right-wing misogyny and male supremacist campaigns</a>.
</p>
<p>
Right-wing politics is all about winning some groups' support by
teaching them to scapegoat other groups.  It looks like right wingers
have concluded that women will oppose them regardless, so they will
use women as scapegoats.
</p>
<p>
They don't really care about anyone who isn't rich.  Whether you're a
scapegoat, or being manipulated by teaching you to despise someone,
either way you're being used.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Talks_in_Peru,_22-31_Oct_2024)
title: Talks in Peru, 22-31 Oct 2024
uri: Talks-in-Peru-22-31-Oct-2024
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Talks_in_Peru,_22-31_Oct_2024)
content:
 
<p>
Richard Stallman's talks in Peru, in Spanish, in October 2024.
<br>Conferencias de Richard Stallman en el Perú, en español,
en el mes de octubre 2024.
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/talks.html#2024-10-22">El Movimiento del Software Libre y el Sistema Operativo GNU</a>
<br>2024-10-22 @ 14:00 p.m.
<br>Ubicación: Auditorio de Casa de la Cultura, Universidad Nacional de Cañete
<br>Cañete, Peru
<li>
<a href="/talks.html#2024-10-23">El Movimiento del Software Libre y el sistema operativo GNU La IA y la estupidez artificial</a>
<br>2024-10-23 @ 11:00 a.m.
<br>Ubicación: Auditorium Villa 2, Universidad Científica del Sur
<br>Lima - Chorrillos, Peru
<li>
<a href="/talks.html#2024-10-24">Free/Libre software and freedom in the digital society</a>
<br>2024-10-24 @ 10:00 a.m.
<br>Ubicación: Auditorio de Ciencias de la Computación, Universidad Nacional de San Agustín
<br>Arequipa, Peru
<li>
<a href="/talks.html#2024-10-26">El Movimiento del Software Libre y el sistema operativo GNU</a>
<br>2024-10-26 @ 18:00 p.m.
<br>Ubicación: Auditorium, Gobierno Regional de Tacna
<br>Tacna, Peru
<li>
<a href="/talks.html#2024-10-29"> El Movimiento del Software Libre y el sistema operativo GNU</a>
<br>2024-10-29 @ 11:00 a.m.
<br>Ubicación: Auditorio de la FIIS. Edificio de la Facultad de Ingeniería Industrial y de Sistemas, Universidad Nacional Federico Villareal
<br>Lima, Peru
<li>
<a href="/talks.html#2024-10-30">Por una sociedad digital libre</a>
<br>2024-10-30 @ 11:00 a.m.
<br>Ubicación:  Av. Antigua Panamericana Sur km 16.2. Villa El Salvador, Universidad Autónoma Auditorio de la Universidad Autónoma
<br>Lima, Peru
<li>
<a href="/talks.html#2024-10-31">El Movimiento del Software Libre y el sistema operativo GNU - Los sistemas de Aprendizaje Automático</a>
<br>2024-10-31 @ 11:00 a.m.
<br>Ubicación:  Auditorio: Celso Alfredo Alva Bravo - FISI Edificio de la FISI Panamericana Sur km 16.2. Villa El Salvador, Universidad Nacional de San Marcos
<br>Lima, Peru
</ul>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Ex-Twitter_censored_journalist)
title: Ex-Twitter censored journalist
uri: Ex-Twitter-censored-journalist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Ex-Twitter_censored_journalist)
content:
 
<p>
Musk made <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#extwitter">ex-Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/12/x-twitter-jd-vance-leaked-file">censor and then ban</a> a journalist who published
embarrassing leaked material that made Vance look bad.
<p>
Now we see what <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#musk">the muskrat</a> means by "freedom of speech".

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Gaza_journalists_targeted)
title: Gaza journalists targeted
uri: Gaza-journalists-targeted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Gaza_journalists_targeted)
content:
 
<p>
*Four Days in Gaza: <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/10/11/gaza-journalists-targeted-israel-killed/">Five Journalists Killed or Wounded</a>.*

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Support the Stop Wall Street Looting Act
uri: Urgent-Support-the-Stop-Wall-Street-Looting-Act
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Urgent:_Support_the_Stop_Wall_Street_Looting_Act)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Urgent:_Support_the_Stop_Wall_Street_Looting_Act)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritter to support the Stop Wall
Street Looting Act, which will prevent some abuses by private equity
corporations.
<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/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Jeremy_Loffredo_released)
title: Jeremy Loffredo released
uri: Jeremy-Loffredo-released
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Jeremy_Loffredo_released)
content:
 
<p>
*U.S. Journalist Jeremy Loffredo <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/10/11/us-journalist-jeremy-loffredo-released-israel-detained/">Released After Four Days</a> in Israeli [Jail].*
<p>
He had been accused of "aiding the enemy" by republishing (or was it
merely downloading) photos of sensitive places that had been published
by news outlets already.
<p>
*If Israel’s theory is that reporters illegally share information with
the enemy whenever the enemy reads the news, that could <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/11/journalist-jeremy-loffredo-israel-idf">criminalize a
whole lot of journalism</a>. If Israel has proof that Loffredo did
something more nefarious than that, it should say so, and be specific.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(UK_rich_threaten_to_move_if_taxed)
title: UK rich threaten to move if taxed
uri: UK-rich-threaten-to-move-if-taxed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(UK_rich_threaten_to_move_if_taxed)
content:
 
<p>
Rich UK citizens <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/11/super-rich-flee-britain-labour-tax-grab-exit">threaten to fully move away from the UK</a> if the UK
requires them to pay taxes.  Experience shows that few actually follow through on such threats.
<p>
I have an idea for how make it even less likely they will resist
taxation: require them to renounce their UK citizenship in order to
avoid being liable for UK taxes.  Then make it a crime for a
non-citizen to fund or support political campaigns in any fashion.
With this policy, the UK won't necessarily get those millionaire
jerks' taxes, but it will at least block them from buying elections.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Israel_complacent_to_HAMAS_attack)
title: Israel complacent to HAMAS attack
uri: Israel-complacent-to-HAMAS-attack
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Israel_complacent_to_HAMAS_attack)
content:
 
<p>
Israeli military officers report that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/07/intelligence-failures-before-7-october-attack-hamas-israel-gaza">their commanders and elected
officials had a negligently complacent attitude</a> regarding the
possibility of an attack by HAMAS in the year before HAMAS did attack.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Protect investors from green lending fraud
uri: Urgent-Protect-investors-from-green-lending-fraud
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Urgent:_Protect_investors_from_green_lending_fraud)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Urgent:_Protect_investors_from_green_lending_fraud)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on Federal Agencies: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/protect-investors-from-green-lending-fraud?nowrapper=true&referrer=&source=email-authorities-must-enforce-safe-green-lending-and-consumer-protections">the fight against global heating
should include strong consumer protections and access to fair and
affordable green loans</a>.
<p>
The petition fails to mention that online resource hubs must not
require people to run JS code.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Urgent:_Ceasefire_and_de-escalate)
title: Urgent: Ceasefire and de-escalate
uri: Urgent-Ceasefire-and-de-escalate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Urgent:_Ceasefire_and_de-escalate)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://act.winwithoutwar.org/act/biden-ceasefire-iran-oct?akid=10075.223515.uFJcLG&c0=biden-ceasefire-iran-oct.xK4zbr&rd=1&source=em20241003&t=1007">secure a ceasefire and de-escalate the threat
of regional war</a>.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Push back against required snoop-phones
uri: Urgent-Push-back-against-required-snoop-phones
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Urgent:_Push_back_against_required_snoop-phones)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#17_October_2024_(Urgent:_Push_back_against_required_snoop-phones)

content:
 
<p>
If you buy at Sam's Club, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/07/sams-club-scan-and-go-technology.html">push back against plans to require
all customers to be tracked trough snoop-phones</a>.
<p>
I suggest several ways to push back:
<ul>
<li>
Always pay cash there.
<li>
Tell the company that you object to these plans.
<li>
tell your state legislators that stores should be required
to accept anonymous payment in cash.
<li>
Spread the word.
</ul>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#19_October_2024_(elon_musk_unveils_tesla_cybercab)
title: Elon Musk unveils Cybercab
uri: Elon-Musk-unveils-Cybercab
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#19_October_2024_(elon_musk_unveils_tesla_cybercab)
content:
 
<p>
Tesla's new 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/oct/11/elon-musk-unveils-tesla-cybercab-self-driving-robotaxi">driverless taxi</a>
<p>
has the essential  <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-jul-oct.html#31_October_2022_(A_petition_to_Uber)">injustices of Uber</a>
<p>
and 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-may-aug.html#2_July_2024_(Uber_and_Lyft_driver_compensation,_US)">Lyft,</a>
<p>
because it surely will be tracked everywhere,Like all Tesla cars, and won't
allow people to pay cash anonymously.
<p>
It will have one other drawback for society: little or none of the
passenger's fare will go to provide support for workers without
technical skills.
<p>
We should prohibit driverless taxis, and prohibit cars from reporting
or recording where they have been.  In addition, we should require
all taxis to accept payment in cash with no penalty.

<p>
 


title: Labour’s investment summit
uri: Labour-s-investment-summit
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#19_October_2024_(starmer_red_tape_big_business_labour)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#19_October_2024_(starmer_red_tape_big_business_labour)

content:
 
<p>
Starmer Labour is buying in 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/15/starmer-red-tape-big-business-labour">fully to trickle-down.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#19_October_2024_(gaza_at_risk_intl_law)
title: Gaza at risk
uri: Gaza-at-risk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#19_October_2024_(gaza_at_risk_intl_law)
content:
 
<p>
* [Palestinian lawyer] Raji Sourani says west is "jeopardising
   something precious" by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/15/gaza-at-risk-of-becoming-graveyard-of-international-law-palestinian-lawyer">shielding Israel from legal consequences.*</a>
<p>
That is a valid point.  International humanitarian law reduces the
world's barbarism, to the extent that it is followed.  When countries
such as the US enable their best friends to violate these laws,
they debase the future conduct of countries in general.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#19_October_2024_(anti_zionist_beliefs_uk_tribunal)
title: Antidiscrimination laws
uri: Antidiscrimination-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#19_October_2024_(anti_zionist_beliefs_uk_tribunal)
content:
 
<p>
A British court found that condemning Zionism is not antisemitic,
and that it was culpable to fire a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/oct/14/anti-zionist-beliefs-worthy-respect-uk-tribunal-finds-israel">professor for such condemnation.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#19_October_2024_(nader_last_clear_chances)
title: Nader on the election
uri: Nader-on-the-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#19_October_2024_(nader_last_clear_chances)
content:
 
<p>
Ralph Nader suggests how the Democrats can win the election by miles &mdash;
by defying the orders from business and doing 
<a href="https://mailchi.mp/nader/last-clear-chances-for-november?e=555e9be067">things the non-rich want.</a>
<p>
I voted for Nader for president.  I wish he were running now.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#19_October_2024_(bob_woodward_mark_milley_trump)
title: Mark Milley
uri: Mark-Milley
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#19_October_2024_(bob_woodward_mark_milley_trump)
content:
 
<p>
*Retired US army general [Mark Milley] fears unusual action of being recalled to
uniform for retribution, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/11/bob-woodward-book-mark-milley-trump">[Bob Woodward] writes*</a>
<p>
General Milley tried to restrain the fascist 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-mar-jun.html#16_June_2020_(Refusing_to_violate_the_constitution)">from repressive actions.</a>
<p>
Other retired generals who were loyal to their country instead of
the fascist are likewise in danger.
<p>
I wonder where they can go to be safe.  Most countries that are
strongly hostile to the US are repressive themselves.  A person
who supports the freedom that the US stands for would not be
comfortable in them.
<p>
If the US becomes as repressive as its main adversaries, there will
be little safety for dissidents anywhere.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#19_October_2024_(axis_of_tyranny)
title: Axis of Tyranny
uri: Axis-of-Tyranny
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#19_October_2024_(axis_of_tyranny)
content:
 
<p>
The corrupter often changes his stance dramatically from one day to
the next.  But he is consistent 
<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-axis-of-tyranny-in-america-and">about his support for Putin.</a>
<p>
Either Putin is giving him crucial support for his efforts to take
over the US, or have such dirt on him that he wouldn't risk
disappointing Putin.
<p>
But if the corrupter gets to suppress dissent in the US as he
is aiming to, perhaps Putin's kompromat won't be effectively usable
any more.  Totally loyal trumpets just won't believe it.

 


title: I'm looking for information about Sam's Club
uri: I-m-looking-for-information-about-Sam-s-Club
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(I'm_looking_for_information_about_Sam's_Club)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(I'm_looking_for_information_about_Sam's_Club)

content:
 
<p>
I'm looking for some basic information about Sam's Club.  If you have
ever bought anything there, you probably know the answers.  If you'd
like to have a brief email conversation, please send me email,
at the gnu web site with address rms.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(Criticizing_by_stock_trading)
title: Criticizing by stock trading
uri: 2024-10-22-Criticizing-by-stock-trading
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(Criticizing_by_stock_trading)
content:
 
<p>
<i>[Posting again with the correct link his time]</i>
<p>
In China, there seems to be only one way <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/09/chinese-stocks-suffer-worst-fall-in-27-years-over-growth-concerns">to criticize the government</a>
which is not forbidden: by stock trading.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(Bail_bond_industry)
title: Bail bond industry
uri: Bail-bond-industry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(Bail_bond_industry)
content:
 
<p>
Bail funds are charities that raise bail for people accused of crimes
who are offered bail but can't afford it.  Bail bond companies and the
insurance companies that serve them are trying to outlaw those funds,
not overtly but <a href="Bail funds are charities that raise bail for people accused of crimes
who are offered bail but can't afford it.  Bail bond companies and the
insurance companies that serve them are trying to outlaw those funds,
not overtly but <a>sneakily">sneakily</a> by imposing regulations that would be nearly impossible to satisfy.

<p>
 


title: Lawsuit to prevent hiding toxic chemicals
uri: Lawsuit-to-prevent-hiding-toxic-chemicals
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(Lawsuit_to_prevent_hiding_toxic_chemicals)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(Lawsuit_to_prevent_hiding_toxic_chemicals)

content:
 
<p>
The regulation of toxic chemicals in the US is hamstrung by laws that
enable companies to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/17/lawsuit-prevent-hiding-toxic-chemicals">keep their use and their presence in any place
secret</a>.
<p>
The selfish interest of those who keep trade secrets is rational but
antisocial.  In many cases the only harm it does is to hold back the
general advance of technology.  But sometimes it does really nasty
things.  For digital hardware and software, it often gives companies a
way to subjugate their users.  Regarding use of toxic chemicals, it
endangers public health.
<p>
Why would legislators pass laws to "protect" companies instead of
protecting the people they harm?  I suspect it is partly because these
companies are influential and the legislators seek their support,
and partly because the legislators ask them for campaign funds.
<p>
But it is also partly the result of the mindset of "trickle down", which
assumes that the only way to get more funds for the state is to
let increase the size of the economy by letting companies have what
they want.  Unfortunately, what they want is often to be allowed to
harm the public.
<p>
Most Democrats in Congress got corrupted this way in the 80s and 90s.
(The exceptions are the progressive Democrats.)  Now in the UK
Starmer is guiding Labour into that sort of corruption.
<p>
Clearly our laws should say that any public need to know about the
presence of toxic substances in a business facility overrides the
desire to keep them secret.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(China_repressing_Uighurs)
title: China repressing Uighurs
uri: China-repressing-Uighurs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(China_repressing_Uighurs)
content:
 
<p>
Labour is pandering to business owners and to China by canceling the
plan to push for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/17/labour-backtracks-genocide-ruling-china-uyghurs-lammy-visit">formal condemnation of China's repression of Uighurs</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(Yahya_Sinwar_killed)
title: Yahya Sinwar killed
uri: Yahya-Sinwar-killed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(Yahya_Sinwar_killed)
content:
 
<p>
The Israeli army has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/18/yahya-sinwar-hamas-leader-death-idf-footage-stick-drone-gaza">killed HAMAS leader Yahya Sinwar</a>.
<p>
I forecast that his death will not change the military situation in
Gaza.  Normally the killing of leaders of underground military
campaigns does not eliminate the campaigns, not if they have the
popular support needed to recruit new fighters.  They will appoint
someone else as leader.
<p>
Killing Sinwar, personally, was completely justified given that he was
at large and fighting.  He launched the terrorist attacks of 7 Oct
2023.  However, his personal deserts are a secondary issue, given
what else was at stake.
<p>
The 42,000 (and perhaps tens of thousands more) killed in Gaza were
mostly civilians and Israel's little-discriminate killing of them
could not be excused by fighting HAMAS.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(Gaza_aid_letter)
title: Gaza aid letter
uri: Gaza-aid-letter
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(Gaza_aid_letter)
content:
 
<p>
US cabinet ministers sent Netanyahu a letter <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/15/us-israel-weapons-gaza-aid-letter">demanding Israel
reach specific targets</a> in allowing more aid into Gaza, with
a deadline, and suggesting that the US will enforce the Leahy law.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(Urgent:_Stop_US_aid_to_Israel)
title: Urgent: Stop US aid to Israel
uri: Urgent-Stop-US-aid-to-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(Urgent:_Stop_US_aid_to_Israel)
content:
 
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritter and ask per to insist
that the US cannot help Israel attack Iran unless Congress votes to
authorize it.  And then to argue and vote against authorizing it.
<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/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(New_York_big_oil_charges)
title: New York big oil charges
uri: New-York-big-oil-charges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#22_October_2024_(New_York_big_oil_charges)
content:
 
<p>
New York State prosecutors propose to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/17/new-york-big-oil-fueling-climate-disasters">charge big oil companies</a> with
reckless endangerment for knowingly taking a big risk of fueling
devastating hurricanes, rains and fires.
<p>
I wonder what the penalty would be if they are convicted.
What sort of penalty could be imposed that would help end <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>?

<p>
 


title: Alabama barred from purging non-citizens before election
uri: Alabama-barred-from-purging-non-citizens-before-election
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#21_October_2024_(Alabama_barred_from_purging_non-citizens_before_election)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#21_October_2024_(Alabama_barred_from_purging_non-citizens_before_election)

content:
 
<p>
*US judge bars Alabama from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/16/election-alabama-voting-rolls-registration">purging thousands</a> of voters before election.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#21_October_2024_(Global_food%2Fwater_crisis)
title: Global food/water crisis
uri: Global-food-water-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#21_October_2024_(Global_food%2Fwater_crisis)
content:
 
<p>
*More than half the world's food production will be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/16/global-water-crisis-food-production-at-risk">at risk of failure</a>
within the next 25 years as a rapidly accelerating water crisis grips
the planet, unless urgent action is taken to conserve water resources
and end the destruction of the ecosystems on which our fresh water
depends, experts have warned in a landmark review.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#21_October_2024_(Brown_University_estimates)
title: Brown University estimates
uri: Brown-University-estimates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#21_October_2024_(Brown_University_estimates)
content:
 
<p>
Brown University’s Costs of War Project estimates <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/go/57022?t=1011&akid=32742%2E96703%2Ephe95k">more than 100,000
have died already</a> in Gaza as a consequence of Israel's bombardment and
siege.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#21_October_2024_(Aurora_and_the_Alien_Enemies_Act)
title: Aurora and the Alien Enemies Act
uri: Aurora-and-the-Alien-Enemies-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#21_October_2024_(Aurora_and_the_Alien_Enemies_Act)
content:
 
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully</a> plans to stretch use the old <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-operation-aurora-alien-enemies-act-b2628134.html">Alien Enemies Act to deport</a>
non-citizens immediately based on fabricated vague accusations.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#21_October_2024_(Starmer's_green_revolution)
title: Starmer's "green revolution"
uri: Starmer-s-green-revolution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#21_October_2024_(Starmer's_green_revolution)
content:
 
<p>
Starmer Labour has pledged a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/oct/07/uks-22bn-carbon-capture-pledge-follows-surge-in-lobbying-by-fossil-fuel-industry-records-show">"green revolution" based on spending 22
billion UKP</a> on carbon capture plants, which have never worked
effectively.
  This was the response to fossil fuel industry lobbying.
Carbon capture may not be effective, but fossil fuel lobbying
is quite effective with Labour.
<p>
It is certainly possible to spend that much money on building them,
if you don't mind that they many not do much to reduce emissions.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Facial recognition in Google doorbell cameras
uri: Urgent-Facial-recognition-in-Google-doorbell-cameras
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Urgent:_Facial_recognition_in_Google_doorbell_cameras)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Urgent:_Facial_recognition_in_Google_doorbell_cameras)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Google to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-google-keep-facial-recognition-out-of-my-doorbell?nowrapper=true">remove the facial recognition feature
    from its doorbell cameras</a>.
</p>
<p>
While at it, the company should eliminate unlimited network access
to the images in the camera.  Access to them should be limited
to images from the past minute.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Global heating damage to Finland forests
uri: Global-heating-damage-to-Finland-forests
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Global_heating_damage_to_Finland_forests)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Global_heating_damage_to_Finland_forests)

content:
 
<p>

In Finland, <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> effects are damaging forests so much
that they are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/15/finland-emissions-target-forests-peatlands-sinks-absorbing-carbon-aoe">no longer carbon sinks</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Wrecker threatens to send military after "very bad people"
uri: Wrecker-threatens-to-send-military-after-very-bad-people
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Wrecker_threatens_to_send_military_after_very_bad_people)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Wrecker_threatens_to_send_military_after_very_bad_people)

content:
 
<p>

  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker</a> <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-military-national-guard-election-day-b2628522.html">threatened to "send the military"</a> after "some very bad
people, sick people, radical left lunatics."
</p>
<p>
He won't be able to do that this year, but if he captures the presidency
he or Vance will do it in 2028.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(UK_safer_phones_bill)
title: UK "safer phones" bill
uri: UK-safer-phones-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(UK_safer_phones_bill)
content:
 
<p>

* <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/oct/14/new-bill-could-force-social-media-firms-to-make-content-less-addictive-for-children">The UK "safer phones" bill could ban companies from applying [addicting]
    algorithms for young "doomscrolling" teens.</a>*
</p>
<p>
This is a wise idea, but why limit this protection to "young" teens?
These "algorithms", more precisely described as recommendation engines,
draw millions of people into disinformation which aids right-wing
demagogues, <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#plutocratist">plutocratist</a> servants of big business and business
associations, and enemies of your country (whichever country that is).
We should protect everyone from these.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Israel bombed residential building
uri: Israel-bombed-residential-building
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Israel_bombed_residential_building)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Israel_bombed_residential_building)

content:
 
<p>

Another bomb, another atrocity: Israel's air force <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/20/israeli-strike-on-gaza-multi-storey-residential-building-reportedly-kills-dozens">bombed a residential
    building in Gaza</a> and killed at least 73 people in it.
</p>
</li>

 


title: North Korean soldiers training in Russia
uri: North-Korean-soldiers-training-in-Russia
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(North_Korean_soldiers_training_in_Russia)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(North_Korean_soldiers_training_in_Russia)

content:
 
<p>

South Korean intelligence reports that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/18/north-korean-troops-russia-arrived-ukraine-seoul">North Korean soldiers are
    training for combat in Russia</a>, and that Russian ships transported them
from North Korea to Russia.
</p>
<p>
The US should help Ukraine operated forces there to sink future
transports.  That will be far more efficient than fighting them
on a front on land.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: President and Vice President of Philippines
uri: President-and-Vice-President-of-Philippines
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(President_and_Vice_President_of_Philippines)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(President_and_Vice_President_of_Philippines)

content:
 
<p>

The president of the Philippines (a Marcos) and the vice president (a
Duterete) were elected as a slate, but are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/18/philippines-vice-president-sarah-duterte-ferdinand-marcos-threat-remains-father">now enemies</a>, venting wild
rage at each other.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Florida abortion access ballot question
uri: Florida-abortion-access-ballot-question
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Florida_abortion_access_ballot_question)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Florida_abortion_access_ballot_question)

content:
 
<p>

"Health" department officials in Florida <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/18/florida-abortion-ad">ordered TV stations not to
    show an advertisement</a> to vote yes for the abortion access ballot
question.  A judge rebuked them, saying "It's the first amendment,
stupid."
</p>
<p>
It ought to be shocking that people have elected as officials
the sort of fanatics that would disregard the basis of our
system of freedom and democracy
</p>
<p>
Americans, it is up to us to stop them as they try
to destroy it.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(West_Bank_olive_harvest)
title: West Bank olive harvest
uri: West-Bank-olive-harvest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(West_Bank_olive_harvest)
content:
 
<p>

*[Palestinian] West Bank olive harvest <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/18/west-bank-olive-harvest-met-with-rising-israeli-violence-says-un">met with rising Israeli
    violence</a>, says UN.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Springfield Haitians call for charges against the bullshitter
uri: Springfield-Haitians-call-for-charges-against-the-bullshitter
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Springfield_Haitians_call_for_charges_against_the_bullshitter)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Springfield_Haitians_call_for_charges_against_the_bullshitter)

content:
 
<p>

  Haitians in Springfield have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/constitutional-lawyers-urge-clark-county-ohio-prosecutor-to-pursue-criminal-charges-against-donald-trump-and-jd-vance">called for charges against the bullshitter</a>
for fomenting violence against them by telling lies.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Ralph Nader on Israel's invasion of Lebanon
uri: Ralph-Nader-on-Israel-s-invasion-of-Lebanon
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Ralph_Nader_on_Israel's_invasion_of_Lebanon)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Ralph_Nader_on_Israel's_invasion_of_Lebanon)

content:
 
<p>

  Ralph Nader's <a href="https://mailchi.mp/nader/goodbye-lebanon-high-israeli-official-biden-says-ok-so-far?e=555e9be067">statement about Israel's invasion of Lebanon</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Law requesting data brokers delete data
uri: Law-requesting-data-brokers-delete-data
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Law_requesting_data_brokers_delete_data)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Law_requesting_data_brokers_delete_data)

content:
 
<p>

A pitifully weak attempt to solve a real problem: asking for a federal
law that would permit victims of domestic abuse and stalking to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/data-brokers-harm-abuse-survivors-we-need-a-law-to-stop-them">demand
    that data brokers delete information about them</a>.
</p>
<p>
Data, once collected, <em>will</em> be abused.  The way to prevent that abuse is to
facilitate refusing to hand it over in the first place.
</p>
<p>
Here is my proposal for protecting the specific people known to be in
particular danger, and everyone else who could be harmed if
individuals, businesses or governments use their personal data
against them without a search warrant: require services to be available
anonymously.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Little progress on reducing poverty
uri: Little-progress-on-reducing-poverty
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Little_progress_on_reducing_poverty)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Little_progress_on_reducing_poverty)

content:
 
<p>

World progress on reducing poverty until 2019 was concentrated in
China.  Since that year, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/oct/15/wars-debt-climate-crisis-covid-poverty-world-bank">we have made little progress anywhere</a>, and
little more progress is expected with the current system,
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Corruptor's_contempt_for_workers)
title: Corruptor's contempt for workers
uri: Corruptor-s-contempt-for-workers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Corruptor's_contempt_for_workers)
content:
 
<p>

  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">The corruptor</a> has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/23/trump-anti-worker-union-statements">repeatedly expressed his contempt for workers</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Disinformation_targeting_Tim_Walz)
title: Disinformation targeting Tim Walz
uri: Disinformation-targeting-Tim-Walz
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Disinformation_targeting_Tim_Walz)
content:
 
<p>

* <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/23/tim-walz-russia-disinformation">Groups in Russia created and helped spread viral disinformation
   targeting Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz, a
    senior US intelligence official said Tuesday.</a>*
</p>
<p>
I expected this.  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">The corrupter</a> and Putin are working together somehow,
and this is a natural part of their mutual assistance.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Stirring hatred between Muslims and Jews
uri: Stirring-hatred-between-Muslims-and-Jews
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Stirring_hatred_between_Muslims_and_Jews)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#25_October_2024_(Stirring_hatred_between_Muslims_and_Jews)

content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.404media.co/this-is-exactly-how-an-elon-musk-funded-pac-is-microtargeting-muslims-and-jews-with-opposing-messages/">This Is Exactly How an Elon Musk-Funded PAC Is Microtargeting Muslims and
    Jews With Opposing Messages</a>* &mdash; trying to stir up hatred between them.
</p>
<p>
That is typical right-wing tactics, to stir up spurious hostility
so as to weaken people's resistance.
</p>
</li>

 


title: UN relations
uri: UN-relations
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(israel_plan_unrwa_gaza_un_relations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(israel_plan_unrwa_gaza_un_relations)

content:
 
<p>
*Israel's plan to ban Unrwa from accessing Gaza marks new low in its 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/25/israels-plan-to-ban-unrwa-from-accessing-gaza-marks-new-low-in-its-relations-with-un">relations
with UN</a>
<p>
US only nation likely to be able to persuade Netanyahu to drop plan
condemned by 123 member states.*

<p>
 


title: Young male voters
uri: Young-male-voters
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(jd_vances_hometown_young_male_voters)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(jd_vances_hometown_young_male_voters)

content:
 
<p>
Republicans are *doing a really wonderful job of faking
relationships* with 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2024/oct/25/i-visited-jd-vances-hometown-heres-what-i-learned-about-young-male-voters">individual supporters.</a>
<p>
It always bothers me when an organization pretends that my support for
it is a personal relationship Rather than a political position.  I
don't make a fuss about it because that doesn't affect my support for
the cause (whichever cause that might be).  But since it feels
manipulative, I would rather the organization didn't do that.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(elon_musk_cfcdh)
title: Elon Musk’s declaration
uri: Elon-Musk-s-declaration
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(elon_musk_cfcdh)
content:
 
<p>
Musk is trying to destroy the Center for Countering Digital Hate for
sharply criticizing the slant of ex-Twitter towards right-wing hate.
His methods so far include (1) exaggeration and (2) trying to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/oct/25/anti-hate-group-vows-continue-work-elon-musk-declaration-war">stretch
the law (but failing so far).</a>
<p>
Overall I think his aim is to intimidate people into surrendering to
his encroachment on election law, as they would if he were emperor.
<p>
I am of two minds about on-line hate.  On the one hand, that hate can
whip up right-wing hate campaigns that undermine human rights
generally.  On the other hand, laws against expressing hatred as such
are a form of censorship, and the laws can easily be redirected to
suppress protests that the state does not like.

<p>
 


title: Nobel prize winners endorse Harris
uri: Nobel-prize-winners-endorse-Harris
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(nobel_prize_winners_endorse_kamala_harris)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(nobel_prize_winners_endorse_kamala_harris)

content:
 
<p>
*Nobel prize winners endorse Harris and warn [the corrupter] would
endanger future of science.  &hellip; letter by 82 laureates &hellip;
calls [the corrupter] a potential threat to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/25/nobel-prize-winners-endorse-kamala-harris">progress on climate crisis.*</a>

 


title: Urgent: Oppose weak e2e encryption and infringing free speech
uri: Urgent-Oppose-weak-e2e-encryption-and-infringing-free-speech
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(Urgent:_Oppose_weak_e2e_encryption_and_infringing_free_speech)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(Urgent:_Oppose_weak_e2e_encryption_and_infringing_free_speech)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: Tell lawmakers, "I oppose all bills that <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/hey-congress-your-internet-bills-suck">weaken end-to-end
encryption, infringe upon teenagers’ constitutional right to free
speech on the internet, and enable censorship of valuable online
    resources for abortion seekers and LGBTQ+ communities</a>."
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(LA_Times_editor_resigned)
title: LA Times editor resigned
uri: LA-Times-editor-resigned
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(LA_Times_editor_resigned)
content:
 
<p>

  The editor of the LA Times <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/oct/23/la-times-editor-resigns-presidential-endorsement">has resigned</a> after the paper's owner
forbade endorsing Harris for president.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Sanctions against political sponsors of Israelis
uri: Sanctions-against-political-sponsors-of-Israelis
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(Sanctions_against_political_sponsors_of_Israelis)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(Sanctions_against_political_sponsors_of_Israelis)

content:
 
<p>

  Calling for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/23/uk-sanctions-settlers-israel-politicians">US sanctions against the political sponsors of the Israelis</a>
who organize pogroms against Palestinians.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Weakening measures to move UK from fossil fuels
uri: Weakening-measures-to-move-UK-from-fossil-fuels
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(Weakening_measures_to_move_UK_from_fossil_fuels)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(Weakening_measures_to_move_UK_from_fossil_fuels)

content:
 
<p>

  British "centrists" find excuse after excuse to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/oct/23/pay-per-mile-road-pricing-system-tony-blair-thinktank">weaken the measures</a> that
are supposed to move the UK away from fossil fuels.
</p>
<p>
Look in the article for where they leap from "We may need to move
away from the gas tax someday" to "Let's ditch it now!"
</p>
<p>
A carbon tax ought to be programmed in advance
to increase gradually year by year.  That will encourage people to plan
to reduce their consumption, even with plans that take years.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Atlantic Ocean Circulation's breakdown
uri: Atlantic-Ocean-Circulation-s-breakdown
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(Atlantic_Ocean_Circulation's_breakdown)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(Atlantic_Ocean_Circulation's_breakdown)

content:
 
<p>

* <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/23/we-dont-know-where-the-tipping-point-is-climate-expert-on-potential-collapse-of-atlantic-circulation">Oceanographer Stefan Rahmstorf explains why [Atlantic Ocean
   Circulation's possible] breakdown could be catastrophic for both
    humans and marine life.</a>*
</p>
<p>
We don't know how much more <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> the system of circulation can stand
before it changes drastically.  By the time we know, it will be too late.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Azerbaijan set for fossil gas expansion
uri: Azerbaijan-set-for-fossil-gas-expansion
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(Azerbaijan_set_for_fossil_gas_expansion)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(Azerbaijan_set_for_fossil_gas_expansion)

content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/23/cop29-host-azerbaijan-set-for-major-fossil-gas-expansion-report-says">Cop29 host Azerbaijan set for major fossil gas expansion (around
    30%), report says.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Bullhorn expulsion
uri: Bullhorn-expulsion
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(swarthmore_protest_palestine_expulsion_bullhorn)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(swarthmore_protest_palestine_expulsion_bullhorn)

content:
 
<p>
Swarthmore College is accusing students of "assaulting" people in campus by
using megaphones to shout protest slogans, and 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/10/22/swarthmore-protest-palestine-expulsion-bullhorn/">threatens to expel them
as a punishment.</a>
<p>
The college administrators who allow such attacks to be made against freedom
of speech have demonstrated their unfitness for the job, and ought to resign.
Or, either than resigning, cancel the proceedings and join the side of
freedom of speech.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(roundup_weed_killer_deadly)
title: Roundup weedkiller
uri: Roundup-weedkiller
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(roundup_weed_killer_deadly)
content:
 
<p>
Bayer did not remove glyphosate from its weedkillers as promised,
but it did release new ones 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/new-roundup-weedkiller-45-times-more-toxic-to-human-health">that are very toxic.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(aberdeen_braces_sea_oil)
title: Aberdeen clean energy plan
uri: Aberdeen-clean-energy-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(aberdeen_braces_sea_oil)
content:
 
<p>
Global heating threatens to kill billions of people in this century.
But the short-term-thinking people of Aberdeen look with terror
measures to reduce the use of fossil fuels and see that 200,000 jobs
in that 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/oct/19/theyre-killing-us-aberdeen-braces-for-end-to-north-sea-oil-as-clean-energy-plan-takes-shape">field might disappear.</a>
<p>
Then they exaggerate and say, "They are killing us", but it is only
certain world-destroying jobs that would disappear.  This wouldn't
actually kill anyone.
<p>
If Britain makes its welfare system adequate, the disappearance of some
jobs won't be a disaster for anyone.  And it will help avoid a much bigger
disaster for everyone.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(musk_tax_gift_trump_win)
title: Musk tax gift
uri: Musk-tax-gift
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(musk_tax_gift_trump_win)
content:
 
<p>
If the wrecker takes the presidency and appoints Musk to a federal office,
Musk would get an 
<a href="https://www.levernews.com/musk-could-reap-huge-tax-gift-from-trump-win/">enormous tax break.</a>
<p>
But that would be tiny compared to the profit he could get by
bullying people into giving him almost anything he wants.
He would not be president, but he would be emperor, having more
power than any president ever had.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(horror_and_tears_lebanons_fear)
title: Rafik Hariri hospital
uri: Rafik-Hariri-hospital
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(horror_and_tears_lebanons_fear)
content:
 
<p>
Lebanese fear Israel will now 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/22/horror-and-tears-as-lebanons-hospitals-fear-same-fate-as-gaza">bomb their hospitals.</a>


<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(death_of_edwin_santos)
title: Death of Edwin Santos
uri: Death-of-Edwin-Santos
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(death_of_edwin_santos)
content:
 
<p>
A Venezuelan opposition figure who was seized by state suppression
forces on Wednesday 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/25/venezuelan-opposition-says-detained-activist-has-been-murdered">turned up dead on Friday.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(kamala_harris_plan_medicare)
title: Harris’s Medicare at Home!
uri: Harris-s-Medicare-at-Home
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(kamala_harris_plan_medicare)
content:
 
<p>
Sign in support of Harris's plan to have Medicare cover the cost of
at-home help for people who 
<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/take-action-support-kamala-harriss-medicare-at-home?nowrapper=true&referrer=group-social-security-works&source=group-social-security-works">medically need such help.</a>

<p>
 


title: Sudan’s deadly civil war
uri: Sudan-s-deadly-civil-war
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(guardian_view_on_foreign_powers_sudan)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(guardian_view_on_foreign_powers_sudan)

content:
 
<p>
Claiming that the civil war in Sudan continues because each side is
propped up by rich or 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/21/the-guardian-view-on-foreign-powers-in-sudan-struggling-for-advantage-while-civilians-starve">powerful Arab countries.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(mifepristone_lawsuit_abortion)
title: Lawsuit Against Mifepristone
uri: Lawsuit-Against-Mifepristone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(mifepristone_lawsuit_abortion)
content:
 
<p>
Many Republicans have been downplaying the abortion issue while some
states prepare a court case that could restrict 
<a href="https://jessica.substack.com/p/mifepristone-lawsuit-abortion">distribution of
mifepristone in the whole US.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(high_russian_death_toll)
title: High Russian death toll
uri: High-Russian-death-toll
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(high_russian_death_toll)
content:
 
<p>
It seems that the Putin forces recruit 20,000 soldiers per month,
while suffering 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/22/high-russian-death-toll-fails-shift-opinion-ukraine-war">casualties at about the same rate.</a>
<p>
They mostly recruit convicts and people from poor regions who join for
the money.  As a result, Russians in general don't feel upset about the
high casualties.  Russian generals don't care either.

<p>
 


title: Helen O’Sullivan
uri: Helen-O-Sullivan
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(australian_woman_shot_dead_israeli_forces_gaza_ntwnfb)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(australian_woman_shot_dead_israeli_forces_gaza_ntwnfb)

content:
 
<p>
Helen O’Sullivan was with Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi in an olive grove away
from everyone else, when the latter was 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/26/australian-woman-fellow-volunteer-shot-dead-israeli-forces-gaza-ntwnfb">killed by a sniper's bullet.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(trump_next_president_fascist)
title: Next president fascist
uri: Next-president-fascist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(trump_next_president_fascist)
content:
 
<p>
Some of the people who know the bully best 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/25/donald-trump-next-president-fascist">are calling him "fascist".</a>
<p>
More "lifelong Republican" former aides [of the bully] 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/25/election-former-officials-denounce-trump">denounce
ex-president in letter.</a>
<p>
*"Fascist", "conman", "predator", "cheat": what 11 former staffers of
[the corrupter] 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/25/election-trump-staffers-john-kelly"> say about him now.*</a>
<p>
One of the "staffers" was not exactly a staffer.  He was an elected
official: Vice President Pence, who refused to betray the Constitution
when the corrupter demanded it.

<p>
 


title: Nader warns about the wrecker
uri: Nader-warns-about-the-wrecker
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(ralph_nadar_us_chamber_of_commerce_warning)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(ralph_nadar_us_chamber_of_commerce_warning)

content:
 
<p>
Ralph Nader advises the US Chamber of Commerce that the wrecker will
be bad for its members. 
<a href="https://mailchi.mp/nader/to-chamber-of-commerce-trumpers-watch-what-you-wish-for?e=555e9be067">"Be careful what you wish for!"</a>

<p>
 


title: Netflix removing films
uri: Netflix-removing-films
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(netflix_palestinian_stories_israel_movies)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#28_October_2024_(netflix_palestinian_stories_israel_movies)

content:
 
<p>
Netflix abruptly disappeared nearly all the films in its 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/10/25/netflix-palestinian-stories-israel-movies/">"Palestinian
Stories" collection.</a>
<p>
This demonstrates a political aspect of the basic injustice of
streaming as a way of distributing works of art and opinion: nobody is
allowed to have a copy that is copyable, so the company can make the
work nonexistent.
<p>
The streaming dis-services take DRM (Digital Restrictions Management)
to the next level of injustice.  Please join me in refusing to use them
(I have never done so, not even once).
<p>
When the only copies that respect people's rights are unauthorized
copies, insist on unauthorized copies!

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Elect Democrats to the House and Senate
uri: Urgent-Elect-Democrats-to-the-House-and-Senate
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#30_October_2024_(Urgent:_Elect_Democrats_to_the_House_and_Senate)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#30_October_2024_(Urgent:_Elect_Democrats_to_the_House_and_Senate)

content:
 
  <p>
    Urgent note to US citizens
  </p>
<p>
It is vitally important that we elect Harris and Walz.
And that we elect Democrats to the House and Senate.
Please vote, and vote for them.
</p>
<p>
Since Bernie Sanders and Franklin D Roosevelt are not running for
president this year, we can't get the sort of president we really
need.  But we can elect a president who is good on many issues and
won't make things worse on the others.
</p>
<p>
Winning Congress is crucial because we must not allow right-wing
extremist Mike Johnson to remain Speaker of the House.  In that
position he could sabotage the election, and has made it clear he
wants to.  If we elect just a few more Democrats, he won't be speaker
any more.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_(Killing_of_Yahya_Sinwar)
title: Killing of Yahya Sinwar
uri: Killing-of-Yahya-Sinwar
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_(Killing_of_Yahya_Sinwar)
content:
 
<p>

The US and other powers said that the killing of Yahya Sinwar would
be an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/18/first-thing-harris-says-death-of-yahya-sinwar-is-chance-to-finally-end-israel-gaza-war">opportunity to end the fighting in Gaza</a>.
</p>
<p>
  However, Netanyahu is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/18/israel-gaza-airstrikes-hamas-leader-yahya-sinwar-death">not ready to stop killing Palestinians</a>.
</p>
<p>
I suppose that is because he will be out of the governing coalition
and on <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-jan-apr.html#4_April_2023_(Making_it_hard_to_remove_prime_minister)">trial for corruption</a> if he ever stops.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Mother of teenage protester arrested
uri: Mother-of-teenage-protester-arrested
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_(Mother_of_teenage_protester_arrested)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_(Mother_of_teenage_protester_arrested)

content:
 
<p>

Iran's religious terror agency has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/oct/18/nasrin-shakarami-arrested-mother-nika-protester-mahsa-amini-killed-iran-security-forces">arrested the mother of a teenage protester</a> who in 2022 was disappeared during a protest and later found
dead.
</p>
<p>
  Americans, if you don't want such <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-may-aug.html#14_August_2017_(Minnesota_mosque_bombing)">state terrorism</a> in the US,
  help defeat the Christian fanatics that are <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#22_June_2019_(Antiabortion_attacks)">trying now</a>
  to impose it.
</p>
<p>
If you are not an expert on how to so that, here is a way to try.
Tell people you know, and strangers too: "Trump has no heart, but he
does need a de-fib-relator."  You can tell them verbally and
textually.
</p>
<p>
If you say it verbally, I suggest learning to say "de-fib-relator"
with emphasis on the first three syllables and small pauses between
them.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Pre-screened ultra-loyalist Latinos
uri: Pre-screened-ultra-loyalist-Latinos
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_(Pre-screened_ultra-loyalist_Latinos)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_(Pre-screened_ultra-loyalist_Latinos)

content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/22/election-trump-latino-voters">[Corrupter's] "roundtable" in Miami packed with pre-screened
    ultra-loyalist Latinos.</a>*
</p>
<p>
Lies Within Lies &mdash; that is his motto.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Suppression of Pro-Palestinian Instagram Posts
uri: Suppression-of-Pro-Palestinian-Instagram-Posts
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_(Suppression_of_Pro-Palestinian_Instagram_Posts)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_(Suppression_of_Pro-Palestinian_Instagram_Posts)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/10/21/instagram-israel-palestine-censorship-sjp/">Meta's Israel Policy Chief Tried to Suppress Pro-Palestinian Instagram Posts.</a>*
  That manager was formerly a government official in Israel.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_((satire)_Cutting_emissions)
title: (satire) Cutting emissions
uri: (satire)-Cutting-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_((satire)_Cutting_emissions)
content:
 
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://theonion.com/report-finds-americans-need-to-cut-emissions-by-3-in-order-to-tell-themselves-they-did-their-best/">Report Finds Americans Need To Cut Emissions By 3% In Order To Tell
    Themselves They Did Their Best.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


title: (satire) Securing powerful Amish Vote
uri: (satire)-Securing-powerful-Amish-Vote
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_((satire)_Securing_powerful_Amish_Vote)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_((satire)_Securing_powerful_Amish_Vote)

content:
 
<p>

  (satire) *<a href="https://theonion.com/trump-vows-to-outlaw-electricity-to-secure-powerful-amish-vote/">[The wrecker] Vows To Outlaw Electricity To Secure Powerful Amish Vote.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


title: (satire) Showcasing Trump's most racist comments
uri: (satire)-Showcasing-Trump-s-most-racist-comments
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_((satire)_Showcasing_Trump's_most_racist_comments)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_((satire)_Showcasing_Trump's_most_racist_comments)

content:
 
<p>

  (satire) *<a href="https://theonion.com/both-campaigns-release-ads-showcasing-trumps-most-racist-comments/">Both Campaigns Release Ads Showcasing Trump’s Most Racist Comments.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


title: FAA review of Boeing's safety culture
uri: FAA-review-of-Boeing-s-safety-culture
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_(FAA_review_of_Boeing's_safety_culture)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_(FAA_review_of_Boeing's_safety_culture)

content:
 
<p>

  The FAA is starting a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/oct/18/new-boeing-faa-safety-review">general review of Boeing's safety culture</a>.
</p>
<p>
If <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> were president, his government would have let the big
corporation's executives judge for themselves what constitutes "safe
enough".
</p>
<p>
As it is, they have to do what the FAA demands.  But I expect they
will contribute to industry groups that lobby to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2021-mar-jun.html#18_June_2021_(Business_deregulation)">"cut red tape"</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: (satire) Letting Kamala Harris Speak
uri: (satire)-Letting-Kamala-Harris-Speak
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_((satire)_Letting_Kamala_Harris_Speak)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_((satire)_Letting_Kamala_Harris_Speak)

content:
 
<p>

  (satire) *<a href="https://theonion.com/bret-baier-admits-he-made-mistake-letting-kamala-harris-speak/">Bret Baier Admits He Made Mistake Letting Kamala Harris Speak.</a>*
</p>
<p>
(That refers to her interview on <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#faux">Faux News</a>.)
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_(Celtic_origins_of_Halloween)
title: Celtic origins of Halloween
uri: Celtic-origins-of-Halloween
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#29_October_2024_(Celtic_origins_of_Halloween)
content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/oct/18/halloween-isnt-some-frightful-us-import-its-origins-are-celtic">Halloween [in the UK] isn’t some frightful US import &mdash; its origins
    are Celtic.</a>*
</p>
<p>
However, in most other countries it is indeed a frightful US import, 
part of the "spend all your money on celebrating <em>now</em>!" industry.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Elon Musk's illegal campaign events
uri: Urgent-Elon-Musk-s-illegal-campaign-events
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Urgent:_Elon_Musk's_illegal_campaign_events)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Urgent:_Elon_Musk's_illegal_campaign_events)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on The FEC to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/fec-investigate-and-prosecute-elon-musk">investigate and prosecute</a> Elon Musk's
illegal campaign events now.
</p>
</li>

 


title: PAC pitting Arab and Jewish voters against Harris
uri: PAC-pitting-Arab-and-Jewish-voters-against-Harris
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(PAC_pitting_Arab_and_Jewish_voters_against_Harris)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(PAC_pitting_Arab_and_Jewish_voters_against_Harris)

content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/10/24/mitch-mcconnell-building-americas-future-elon-musk-harris-ads/">Mitch McConnell Funneled Cash to a PAC Pitting Arab and Jewish Voters
    Against Harris.</a>*
</p>
<p>
Another article said that the stir up hostility between those Arab
and Jewish voters while using them all.
</p>
<p>
This is one of the problems with political ads funded by anonymous
rich people &mdash; they can easily pat to say one thing to group A and the
opposite to group B, while keeping it secret from the public.
</p>
<p>
Targeted advertising makes it easier to do this.  It also fuels a
motor for pervasive tracking and surveillance &mdash; <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jan-apr.html#4_February_2020_(Surveillance_Capitalism)">"surveillance
    capitalism"</a>. I think we should abolish it.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Battery_backup_for_power_grid)
title: Battery backup for power grid
uri: Battery-backup-for-power-grid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Battery_backup_for_power_grid)
content:
 
<p>

  The US is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/24/power-grid-battery-capacity-growth">building battery backup for the power grid</a> so fast that it
makes all talk of needing nuclear power for that purpose absurd.
  Nuclear power is simply inferior to these batteries, in cost and in
time to construct.
</p>
</li>

 


title: US professors fired over activism over atrocities against Palestinians
uri: US-professors-fired-over-activism-over-atrocities-against-Palestinians
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(US_professors_fired_over_activism_over_atrocities_against_Palestinians)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(US_professors_fired_over_activism_over_atrocities_against_Palestinians)

content:
 
<p>

US professors at various universities <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/24/university-professors-discipline-palestine-support">have been fired, or are being
    "investigated"</a>, based on activism against Israel's atrocities against
Palestinians.
</p>
<p>
Columbia university Katherine Franke criticized Israeli ex-soldiers in
the Columbia campus for harassing Palestinians there.  Other
professors then accused her of creating a hostile environment for
Israeli ex-soldiers.
</p>
<p>
This shows the absurdity of this system, in which any statement
alleging harassment can be taken seriously as harassment.  This can be
twisted to target anyone who is not a nebbish.
</p>
<p>
I do not approve of Kanazi's poem, which aims to polarize society and
turn the political disagreement over Israel and Palestine into an
uncrossable rift between two camps.  I don't shun individuals for
<em>developing nonfree software</em>, and I certainly won't shun anyone for
disagreeing with me about this.
</p>
<p>
However, freedom of speech about political issues includes the right
to make statements such as that poem, and people should not be
punished for redistributing it.  People deserve the <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/copyright-vs-community.html">freedom to share
    copies of <em>any</em> published work</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Israel not "saving western civilisation"
uri: Israel-not-saving-western-civilisation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Israel_not_saving_western_civilisation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Israel_not_saving_western_civilisation)

content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/13/israel-is-not-saving-western-civilisation-nor-is-hamas-leading-the-resistance">Israel is not "saving western civilisation". Nor is Hamas leading
    "the resistance"</a>.
   *Both sides believe they have right on their side and use it as an
excuse to perpetuate bloodshed.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Hater's rhetoric revives hate groups
uri: Hater-s-rhetoric-revives-hate-groups
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Hater's_rhetoric_revives_hate_groups)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Hater's_rhetoric_revives_hate_groups)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/13/trump-anti-immigrant-racism-hate-white-supremacy-springfield">[The hater's] rhetoric revives hate groups across US.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Collapse_of_carbon_sinks)
title: Collapse of carbon sinks
uri: Collapse-of-carbon-sinks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Collapse_of_carbon_sinks)
content:
 
<p>

  * The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/14/nature-carbon-sink-collapse-global-heating-models-emissions-targets-evidence-aoe">sudden collapse [last year] of carbon sinks</a> [of forests and
land] was not factored into climate models &mdash; and could rapidly
accelerate <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>.*
</p>
<p>
This seems to be caused by changes in the climate big enough to disrupt natural processes on a large scale.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Trump kept backchannel open to Putin
uri: Trump-kept-backchannel-open-to-Putin
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Trump_kept_backchannel_open_to_Putin)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Trump_kept_backchannel_open_to_Putin)

content:
 
<p>

  Bob Woodward: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241009020213/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/08/us/politics/trump-putin-woodward-book.html">Trump kept backchannel open to Putin after leaving office.</a>
</p>
</li>

 


title: Starmer capitulating to big business
uri: Starmer-capitulating-to-big-business
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Starmer_capitulating_to_big_business)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Starmer_capitulating_to_big_business)

content:
 
<p>

*Starmer calls it slashing "red tape". In fact, he's just <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/15/starmer-red-tape-big-business-labour">capitulating to big
    business</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Views of attendees at fascist's rally
uri: Views-of-attendees-at-fascist-s-rally
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Views_of_attendees_at_fascist's_rally)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Views_of_attendees_at_fascist's_rally)

content:
 
<p>

Greg Palast reports on the views of attendees at <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#trump">the fascist's</a> rally:
<a href="https://donorbox.org/palast-i-want-to-help-warn-america">they are convinced that they will rebel if he loses</a>.
</p>
<p>
I think they are nerving themselves to start shooting.
</p>
<p>
I hope that, if they start actually pointing guns at people, US troops
will not hesitate to use guns to vanquish them.  In their way of
thinking, they are entitled to shoot people who won't support them,
and if you aren't ready for a gunfight, that implies they should bully
you.  They will bully the US army if commanders seem hesitant to
order "Fire!"
</p>
<p>
But if they see that the Army is prepared to return fire if they
shoot, they may still hesitate to start actual shooting.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Views on reparations for slavery from Britain
uri: Views-on-reparations-for-slavery-from-Britain
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Views_on_reparations_for_slavery_from_Britain)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_November_2024_(Views_on_reparations_for_slavery_from_Britain)

content:
 
<p>

Interesting views on the idea of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/29/should-britain-pay-for-the-horror-of-slavery">reparations for slavery from Britain
    to descendants of slaves</a>.
</p>
<p>
Although the individuals who participated were responsible for their
own actions, the state was responsible for maintaining the system of
slavery for denying equal rights to those who were slaves.  The state
does properly owe these reparations &mdash; and that British state still
exists.
</p>
<p>
To get the reparations from those who are wealthy today because
ancestors invested in slavery would be very just, but figuring out
who should owe how much may be very difficult &mdash; and may not be
necessary.
</p>
<p>
In the case of Britain, I have the impression that nearly everyone who
was rich from the 1600s to the 1800s got much of that wealth from
slavery.  Those whose business had nothing directly to do with slavery
nonetheless did profit from the greater wealth of the country that was
due to slavery.
</p>
<p>
So I think it would be sufficiently just, and much simpler, to get the
money for the reparations by increasing taxes on income and wealth
today,
</p>
<p>
  I've reached a <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#20_June_2019_(Reparations)">similar conclusion for reparations in the US</a>,
through a similar system.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#31_October_2024_(Flooding_train_station)
title: Flooding train station
uri: Flooding-train-station
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#31_October_2024_(Flooding_train_station)
content:
 
<p>

An "amorous couple" have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/25/melbourne-central-train-station-flooding-incident-flagstaff-amorous-couple-arrested">accused of flooding parts of train
    station</a> by setting off the sprinkler systems.
  They must have been very hot lovers to have that effect.
</p>
<p>
The article does not suggest that they did this intentionally, but if
it was not intentional, it makes no sense to punish them.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Musk's claim of living on Mars within years
uri: Musk-s-claim-of-living-on-Mars-within-years
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#31_October_2024_(Musk's_claim_of_living_on_Mars_within_years)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#31_October_2024_(Musk's_claim_of_living_on_Mars_within_years)

content:
 
<p>

  *   Kelly and Zach Weinersmith's book <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/oct/24/winner-of-royal-society-trivedi-science-book-prize-assesses-whether-humans-really-could-colonise-mars">overturns Elon Musk's claim</a> that we
   could live on the red planet within years while stressing the good
   reasons to pursue space settlement.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#31_October_2024_(Perils_of_climate_crisis)
title: Perils of climate crisis
uri: Perils-of-climate-crisis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#31_October_2024_(Perils_of_climate_crisis)
content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/24/we-need-a-dash-of-hope-but-is-too-much-diverting-our-gaze-from-the-perils-of-the-climate-crisis">We need a dash of hope, but is too much diverting our gaze from the
    perils of the climate crisis?</a>*
</p>
<p>
I don't think sugar-coating the situation is likely to help us start
taking real action.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#31_October_2024_(Opposing_the_fascist_in_public)
title: Opposing the fascist in public
uri: Opposing-the-fascist-in-public
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#31_October_2024_(Opposing_the_fascist_in_public)
content:
 
<p>

  Several important US business leaders <a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/political-cowardice-in-the-c-suites">privately oppose the fascist</a> but
refuse to say so in public.
</p>
<p>
That means, to be blunt about it, that they are too scared to oppose
his threats of retaliation if they do.  They are giving up a free society
without a fight.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#31_October_2024_(Israelis_for_ceasefire)
title: Israelis for ceasefire
uri: Israelis-for-ceasefire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#31_October_2024_(Israelis_for_ceasefire)
content:
 
<p>

*We, Israelis, are calling for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/24/israel-immediate-ceasefire-open-letter">global pressure on Israel to force an immediate
    ceasefire</a>.*
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: Presidential candidates on housing, taxes and other policies
uri: Presidential-candidates-on-housing-taxes-and-other-policies
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Presidential_candidates_on_housing,_taxes_and_other_policies)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Presidential_candidates_on_housing,_taxes_and_other_policies)

content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/29/trump-harris-economy-inflation-housing">Where do [the corrupter] and Harris stand on housing, taxes and other
    policies?</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Accusations_of_campaign_of_hate)
title: Accusations of "campaign of hate"
uri: Accusations-of-campaign-of-hate
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Accusations_of_campaign_of_hate)
content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/29/trump-harris-campaign-of-hate">[The bully] accuses Harris of "campaign of hate" one day after his
    racism-filled rally.</a>*
</p>
<p>
It is a standard right-wing disinformation tactic to accuse opponents
of doing the bad things that the right-wing does.  That way, when people
find out that the right wing is doing these things, they may suppose that
"everybody does them".
</p>
</li>

 


title: Money spent convincing fossil gas is "clean"
uri: Money-spent-convincing-fossil-gas-is-clean
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Money_spent_convincing_fossil_gas_is_clean)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Money_spent_convincing_fossil_gas_is_clean)

content:
 
<p>

Companies in the fossil fuel business are spending millions per year
to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/gas-industry-ramps-up-deceptive-effort-to-influence-democrats">convince Democrats that fossil gas is a "clean" energy source</a>.

 


title: Corrupter vs 20th century fascists
uri: Corrupter-vs-20th-century-fascists
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Corrupter_vs_20th_century_fascists)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Corrupter_vs_20th_century_fascists)

content:
 
<p>

  There are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/29/trump-rally-fascism-politics">subtle points in which the corrupter differs</a> from what 20th
century fascist leaders did to take power.
</p>
<p>
I'll take the author's word for this, but does it mean <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a>
is not a fascist?  How important are those details?  Are they big
enough to imply that he is not a fascist, or do they only make him a
somewhat different kind of fascist?
</p>
<p>
I'd say it is the latter.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Margaret Reid on joining climate protest
uri: Margaret-Reid-on-joining-climate-protest
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Margaret_Reid_on_joining_climate_protest)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Margaret_Reid_on_joining_climate_protest)

content:
 
<p>

Margaret Reid explains how <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/29/art-climate-action-fossil-fuel-companies">she felt it was her duty to join in a
    climate protest</a>, because preserving art is futile when we don't
preserve civilization.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Democrats_complicit_in_genocide)
title: Democrats complicit in genocide
uri: Democrats-complicit-in-genocide
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Democrats_complicit_in_genocide)
content:
 
<p>

Wajahat Ali: *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/29/democrats-harris-israel-gaza-palestinians-trump">Yes, I think Democrats are complicit in genocide. But
    Trump would be far worse.</a>*
</p>
<p>
He directly tackles the view, held by many, that "both sides are the
same evil."
</p>
<p>
To give the victory to someone who is a monster on many issues,
in order to punish a party that is a monster on one issue,
is an instance of "cutting off your nose to spite your face."
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Deaths_from_heat_waves)
title: Deaths from heat waves
uri: 2024-11-05-Deaths-from-heat-waves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Deaths_from_heat_waves)
content:
 
<p>

  Climate disaster <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/29/climate-crisis-caused-half-of-european-heat-deaths-in-2022-says-study">killed around 40,000 people in Europe</a> in 2022
through heat waves.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Corrupter hinting at "little secret"
uri: Corrupter-hinting-at-little-secret
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Corrupter_hinting_at_little_secret)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Corrupter_hinting_at_little_secret)

content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">The corrupter</a> hinted tantalizingly that Mike Johnson, the
by-hook-or-by-crook Speaker of the House, is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/28/trump-mike-johnson-little-secret-election">somehow going to steal
    the election</a>.
</p>
<p>
He could do this by arbitrarily rejecting the elections of some
states.  So it is not a mere vague suspicion.  It looks like he and
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a> are trying to suggest that he will do that.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Chemicals in mud after Hurricane Helene
uri: Chemicals-in-mud-after-Hurricane-Helene
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Chemicals_in_mud_after_Hurricane_Helene)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Chemicals_in_mud_after_Hurricane_Helene)

content:
 
<p>

*The Saturday following Hurricane Helene, soldiers warned Whitney
Anderson about the <a href="https://www.levernews.com/after-the-storms-the-toxic-secrets-left-behind/">[chemicals in the mud that could cause burns]</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Attackers_burn_some_early_ballots)
title: Attackers burn some early ballots
uri: Attackers-burn-some-early-ballots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#4_November_2024_(Attackers_burn_some_early_ballots)
content:
 
<p>

  Attackers <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/28/ballot-box-on-fire-washington-oregon">set fires that burned some early voting ballots</a>.
</p>
<p>
I have to suspect that this is part of the violence that Team
Tr&hellip;ance stirs up.  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker</a> has repeatedly suggested that
mail-in ballots somehow put the election in danger and that the 2020
election was "stolen", and many of his followers are inclined to
violence.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Working-class Britons
uri: Working-class-Britons
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(britain_white_working_class_slavery_reparations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(britain_white_working_class_slavery_reparations)

content:
 
<p>
*&hellip;Working-class white people were actually the
dispensable pawns of white supremacy. Or as Lyndon B Johnson put
it: "If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best
coloured man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him
somebody to look down on, and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/28/britain-white-working-class-slavery-reparations">he’ll empty his pockets for you."</a>
<p>
I made a link to that 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>
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 menton of
articles that practice it.
<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>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(donald_trump_climate_change)
title: Climate denialism
uri: Climate-denialism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(donald_trump_climate_change)
content:
 
<p>
*Five ways [that the wrecker as president] would be 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/28/donald-trump-climate-change-environment">disastrous for
 the climate.*</a>

<p>
 


title: Harris endorsement
uri: Harris-endorsement
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(la_times_owner_blocks_harris_endorsement)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(la_times_owner_blocks_harris_endorsement)

content:
 
<p>
The billionaire owner of the LA Times blocked it at the last minute
from publishing an already-written endorsement of Harris for
president.  Some editors resigned in protest, and 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/25/los-angeles-times-owner-blocks-harris-endorsement">many subscribers
have quit.</a>
<p>
Bezos blocked at the last minute an already written endorsement of
Harris for president, according to staff.  Some editors, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/oct/25/washington-post-will-not-endorse-presidential-candidate">staff and
subscribers are quitting.</a>
<p>
Since Bezos is not an ideological right-wing extremist, there are
suspicions that he was afraid the bully would punish his other
companies if he allowed an endorsement of Harris and then the bully
somehow became president.
<p>
People have asked what Musk hopes to get 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/22/elon-musk-is-trying-to-buy-the-us-election-for-donald-trump-what-does-he-want-in-return">if he can make the bully
president.</a>
<p>
I think Musk wants to be emperor.
<p>
The danger that billionaires pose to the American republic somewhat
resembles the way concentration of wealth destroyed the Roman Republic
(1).  Eventually the richest Roman of all, Julius Caesar, became so
powerful that no few in Rome could go against his wishes, not enough
to succeed in denying him anything.  He aimed for total power.
<p>
Later his nephew, Octavian, actually got that total power, so that no
one could safely oppose him at all.  This he obtained the official
position that we nowadays call "emperor".
<p>
If we defeat the bully this time, he may go away and leave us alone,
but Vance won't refuse the "support" of Musk, and they are not old
enough to be likely to disappear soon.  To be safe, we will have to
take away most of Musk's wealth.  And likewise for other billionaires.
<p>
1. There are many differences, of course.  The Roman Republic never
had goals such as democracy or equal rights.  The vote of a rich
citizen counted for more than that of a poor citizen, and a
sufficiently rich citizen was automatically a senator.  Wives had
little more rights than slaves.  Notwithstanding the revolt of
Spartacus, few ever said that slavery was wrong in general.
<p>
Nonetheless, there are similarities in the evolution of the system
into instability as the richest fortunes became greater.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(marwan_barghouti)
title: Marwan Barghouti
uri: 2024-11-06-Marwan-Barghouti
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(marwan_barghouti)
content:
 
<p>
*Israeli prison staff accused of assaulting 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/28/israeli-prison-staff-accused-of-assaulting-palestinian-detainee-marwan-barghouti">Marwan Barghouti [in his cell],*</a>
<p>
causing several wounds.
<p>
He is kept in solitary confinement, which is effective a  <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#2_May_2017_(Nonviolent_Palestinian_protest)">form of torture,</a>
<p>
and rarely allowed visits, even from lawyers.
So the attack could hardly have been done by anyone but the prison guards.

<p>
 


title: Israeli publishers
uri: Israeli-publishers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(sally_rooney_percival_everett_arundhati)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(sally_rooney_percival_everett_arundhati)

content:
 
<p>
Some famous writers have supported a campaign to boycott Israeli cultural
institutions, except those that have taken a stand 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/oct/28/sally-rooney-percival-everett-arundhati-roy-boycott-israel-palestine-gaza">against the
occupation or atrocities.</a>
<p>
The reason I call Isreal's massacres of Palestinians "atrocities" but
not "genocide" is that the meaning of the latter word is a matter of
magnitude of the acts in question, not just the kinds of acts.
<p>
Killing 20 people in cold blood is clearly an atrocity, but it is not
genocide.  Killing 40,000 people out of 2.3 million, by violence or
starvation, is a series of atrocities, but is it genocide?  I think
that is still stretching the word.  Killing 10% of the population of
Gaza might be genocide.  Enough additional killing (which I hope will
not occur) would surely make it genocide.  But I don't think there is
a precise line.
<p>
Why argue about that question of the meaning of the word?  Killing
tens of thousands of people is a grave and vicious act, and calling it
a series of atrocities expresses the gravity of the crime in a way
that is totally clear.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(georgia_russia_democracy_kremlin)
title: Georgian Dream party
uri: Georgian-Dream-party
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(georgia_russia_democracy_kremlin)
content:
 
<p>
Russia has more or less taken unofficial control of Georgia, through
the opposition is still fighting and claim that the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/28/georgia-russia-democracy-kremlin-election">election was
rigged.</a>

<p>
 


title: NAFTA jobs
uri: NAFTA-jobs
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(nafta_us_jobs_harris_democrats_trump)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(nafta_us_jobs_harris_democrats_trump)

content:
 
<p>
*   The working class saw Clinton’s support of Nafta, which cut most
   tariffs between US, Mexico and Canada, as "a betrayal".*  They continue
to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/28/nafta-us-jobs-harris-democrats-trump">blame Democrats for it.</a>
It <Em>was</Em> a betrayal and it <Em>was</Em> promoted by Democrats (though not as
many 
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Free_Trade_Agreement#Negotiation,_signing,_ratification,_and_revision_(1988%E2%80%9394)">Democrats as Republicans).</a>
<p>
But what counts in the election is what
they would do next year.  Overall, Democrats are inclined to resist the
demands of rich people and the businesses they own somewhat more 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#16_June_2019_(Policies_for_sale)">than Republicans would,</a>
<p>
though not as much as 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#23_July_2019_(Rich_Getting_Richer)">Bernie Sanders would.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(trump_veterans_va)
title: Trump VA warning
uri: Trump-VA-warning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(trump_veterans_va)
content:
 
<p>
The wrecker is threatening to upend the Veterans Administration, which
is likely 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/10/28/trump-veterans-va-darin-selnick-peter-orourke/">to kill many US veterans.</a>
<p>
It appears that he despises living veterans as much as he despises
veterans who are dead.
<p>
He also expressed his support for the Confederacy, and thu sin directly
for slavery, by saying he would rename Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg.
<p>
Soldiers, would you want your base to be named after an enemy general
that fought 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives//2021-nov-feb.html#30_January_2022_(Fort_Bragg)">against the United States?</a>
<p>
Soldiers, would you want your base to be named after an incompetent
general whose decisions helped the US so much that US generals said it
was unfortunate to have killed him?

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(musk_petition_giveaway_lawsuit)
title: Musk giveaway lawsuit
uri: Musk-giveaway-lawsuit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(musk_petition_giveaway_lawsuit)
content:
 
<p>
*Philadelphia DA sues Elon Musk and America Pac over $1m voter
giveaway,* calling 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/28/election-elon-musk-petition-giveaway-lawsuit">it *running an illegal lottery.*</a>
<p>
I am surprised that it is not a crime that can be prosecuted.
Prosecution might make Musk stop, but I think he will disregard have
his lawyers just let the process proceed, and resolve the suit next
Wednesday Nov 6 by paying whatever penalty is imposed, The amount he
would lose is probably insignificant to him.

<p>
 


title: (satire) School Shooters’ Parents
uri: (satire)-School-Shooters-Parents
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_((satire)_pros_cons_school_shooter_parents)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_((satire)_pros_cons_school_shooter_parents)

content:
 
<p>
(satire) *Pros And Cons Of 
<a href="https://theonion.com/pros-and-cons-of-prosecuting-school-shooters-parents/">Prosecuting School Shooters' Parents.*</a>

 


title: Urgent: Private equity in child care business
uri: Urgent-Private-equity-in-child-care-business
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Urgent:_Private_equity_in_child_care_business)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Urgent:_Private_equity_in_child_care_business)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/no-private-equity-in-child-care">keep private equity out of the child
    care business</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Stop amplifying election lies
uri: Urgent-Stop-amplifying-election-lies
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Urgent:_Stop_amplifying_election_lies)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Urgent:_Stop_amplifying_election_lies)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Big Tech to <a href="https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/stopelectionmisinfo_bigtech/">stop amplifying election lies</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Urgent:_Ban_surveillance_pricing)
title: Urgent: Ban surveillance pricing
uri: Urgent-Ban-surveillance-pricing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Urgent:_Ban_surveillance_pricing)
content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on lawmakers to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/surveillance-pricingcoming-to-a-store-near-you">ban surveillance pricing</a>.
</p>
<p>
They should go further than that and ban collecting personal data about
the purchaser.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Putin forces drones dropping grenades
uri: Putin-forces-drones-dropping-grenades
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Putin_forces_drones_dropping_grenades)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Putin_forces_drones_dropping_grenades)

content:
 
<p>

The <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#putinforces">Putin forces</a> are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/18/drones-carrying-explosives-stalk-streets-of-kherson-ukraine-russia">using specialized drones that drop grenades on
    civilians</a>.
  The drone controllers do not target a specific person; rather, they
generally attack anyone they come across.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Risk_of_Kessler_Syndrome)
title: Risk of Kessler Syndrome
uri: Risk-of-Kessler-Syndrome
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Risk_of_Kessler_Syndrome)
content:
 
<p>

As we increase the number of artificial satellites in Earth orbit, the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/oct/19/humanity-would-watch-helplessly-as-space-junk-multiplies-uncontrollably-has-the-number-of-satellite-launches-reached-a-tipping-point">danger of the Kessler Syndrome (a chain reaction of collisions)
  increases too</a>.  Humanity could bar itself from space entirely.
</p>
<p>
The movie Gravity showed an extremely fast chain reaction.  It might
actually take years, but be unstoppable nonetheless.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Mozambique opposition figures killed
uri: Mozambique-opposition-figures-killed
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Mozambique_opposition_figures_killed)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Mozambique_opposition_figures_killed)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/19/mozambique-opposition-figures-killed-protest-disputed-election-podemos">Mozambique opposition figures killed as protest grows over election results.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Time for climate delays has run out
uri: Time-for-climate-delays-has-run-out
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Time_for_climate_delays_has_run_out)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Time_for_climate_delays_has_run_out)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/24/crunch-time-for-real-un-says-time-for-climate-delays-has-run-out">"Crunch time for real": UN says time for climate delays has run out.</a>*
</p>
<p>
  *Time to act: UNEP paints <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/time-to-act-unep-paints-bleak-climate-picture-without-rapid-emissions-cut">bleak climate picture without rapid emissions cut</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: No memory of non-extremist Republican party
uri: No-memory-of-non-extremist-Republican-party
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(No_memory_of_non-extremist_Republican_party)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(No_memory_of_non-extremist_Republican_party)

content:
 
<p>

Today's US college students have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/24/turning-points-usa-university-campus-tour">no memory of a Republican Party that
    wasn't extremist</a>.  To those whose families were Republicans, the way they
find it now is normal.
</p>
</li>

 


title: "Ineffectual" carbon offsets slowing path to "real zero"
uri: Ineffectual-carbon-offsets-slowing-path-to-real-zero
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Ineffectual_carbon_offsets_slowing_path_to_real_zero)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Ineffectual_carbon_offsets_slowing_path_to_real_zero)

content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/28/corporations-using-ineffectual-carbon-offsets-are-slowing-path-to-real-zero-more-than-60-climate-scientists-say">Corporations using "ineffectual" carbon offsets are slowing path to "real
    zero"</a>, more than 60 climate scientists say.*
</p>
<p>
It is obvious that use of bogus "offsets" as an excuse not to do real
decarbonization keeps the greenhouse emissions high.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Wrecker's_campaign_ties_to_Russia)
title: Wrecker's campaign ties to Russia
uri: Wrecker-s-campaign-ties-to-Russia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Wrecker's_campaign_ties_to_Russia)
content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/11/02/trump-russia-putin-election/">[The wrecker's] Campaign's Ties to Russia Were No Hoax.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Putin_supports_US_neo-Nazi_group)
title: Putin supports US neo-Nazi group
uri: Putin-supports-US-neo-Nazi-group
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Putin_supports_US_neo-Nazi_group)
content:
 
<p>

  Putin is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/28/neo-nazi-the-base-recruitment-russia">supporting the propaganda of a US neo-Nazi group</a>.
</p>
<p>
  Putin and <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a> <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#19_October_2024_(axis_of_tyranny)">support each other</a>, too.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Spain's_apocalyptic_floods)
title: Spain's apocalyptic floods
uri: Spain-s-apocalyptic-floods
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(Spain's_apocalyptic_floods)
content:
 
<p>

*Spain's apocalyptic floods [following others in countries around the
world] show <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/02/spain-apocalyptic-floods-climate-crisis-worse-big-oil-cop29">two undeniable truths: the climate crisis is getting worse
    and Big Oil is killing us</a>.*
</p>
<p>
The annual COP conferences that was created to get the world o the
road to safety has been captured by <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a>, and it is hard to
see how the US and Russia could negotiate any sort of agreement about
fossil fuels.
</p>
<p>
  Some <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-may-aug.html#7_July_2022_(Thousands_protesting_in_England_against_high_cost_of_living)">large countries</a> could set up a carbon tax system on their own,
using the tax money to help the poor
<em>not</em> to subsidize specifically fossil fuel for poor people.
Maybe then other countries would join.
</p>
</li>

 


title: California high school to invest in clean energy
uri: California-high-school-to-invest-in-clean-energy
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(California_high_school_to_invest_in_clean_energy)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(California_high_school_to_invest_in_clean_energy)

content:
 
<p>

  *   A high school in California has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/02/high-school-divest-fossil-fuel">decided not to invest in coal</a>, oil
   or [fossil] gas, instead pledging to put money into clean energy..*
</p>
<p>
This was a demand made my the students.  Bravo!
But what we really need is to stop <em>anyone</em> from "investing" in fossil fuels.
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: Suspicions about Netanyahu's war aims
uri: Suspicions-about-Netanyahu-s-war-aims
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Suspicions_about_Netanyahu's_war_aims)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Suspicions_about_Netanyahu's_war_aims)

content:
 
<p>

*Increasingly violent siege of north [Gaza] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/02/fears-grow-israel-plans-seize-land-gaza-siege-netanyahu-war-aims">raises suspicions about Netanyahu’s
    war aims</a>.*
</p>
<p>
The concern is that he may aim to annex part or all of Gaza, and expel
any living Palestinians.  Before that,the fighting could kill most of
the people in North Gaza.  That would indisputably be <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(sally_rooney_percival_everett_arundhati)">genocide</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Tory_Party_snoopphone_app)
title: Tory Party snoopphone app
uri: Tory-Party-snoopphone-app
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Tory_Party_snoopphone_app)
content:
 
<p>

  The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/nov/02/conservatives-ordered-to-improve-data-handling">Tory Party released a snoopphone app</a> (nonfree, like nearly all of them)
which sends back data about its users.
</p>
<p>
I wonder what Tory supporters think about these nasty business practices
when used by that party against them.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Democracy's survival with the world's richest man
uri: Democracy-s-survival-with-the-world-s-richest-man
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Democracy's_survival_with_the_world's_richest_man)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Democracy's_survival_with_the_world's_richest_man)

content:
 
<p>

  *Can democracy survive now the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/02/elon-musk-donald-trump-us-presidential-elections">world’s richest man has it in his sights</a>?*
</p>
<p>
It is clear that some of the dirty things <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#musk">the muskrat</a> is doing ought to
be crimes punished by imprisonment.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(EU's_Common_Agricultural_Policy)
title: EU's Common Agricultural Policy
uri: EU-s-Common-Agricultural-Policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(EU's_Common_Agricultural_Policy)
content:
 
<p>

  The EU's Common Agricultural Policy was supposed to protect biodiversity and the environment, but has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/02/farm-subsidies-wrecked-europe-environments-common-agricultural-policy">failed to achieve that goal</a>.
  Things are getting rapidly worse.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Columbia_pays_$395,000_to_student)
title: Columbia pays $395,000 to student
uri: Columbia-pays-395-000-to-student
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Columbia_pays_$395,000_to_student)
content:
 
<p>

  *Columbia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/01/columbia-student-protest-lawsuit">pays $395,000 to student suspended</a> over protest "fart spray".*
</p>
<p>
I think Columbia went too far in punishing the student for expressing
perself in a way that was annoying but not actually harmful to anyone.
It is proper that the university was punished for this.
</p>
<p>
However, we must not forget that most of the punishment is being
directed mainly at critics of Israel's massacres, not at supporters of
them, and much of that punishment is also unjust.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(If_Trump_loses)
title: If Trump loses
uri: If-Trump-loses
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(If_Trump_loses)
content:
 
<p>

  *Republicans <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/01/republicans-donald-trump-polls-us-election-lawsuits">preparing to reject US election result</a> if Trump loses, warn
strategists.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Toxicity_of_PFAS_mixtures)
title: Toxicity of PFAS mixtures
uri: Toxicity-of-PFAS-mixtures
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Toxicity_of_PFAS_mixtures)
content:
 
<p>

  *PFAS mixtures <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/01/pfas-mixtures-water-toxic">more toxic than single compounds</a>, [which would
tend to be the danger worse than previous estimates.]*
</p>
</li>

Republicans challenging voters
 


title: Republicans with no particular authority or evidence are now empowered
uri: Republicans-with-no-particular-authority-or-evidence-are-now-empowered
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Republicans_with_no_particular_authority_or_evidence_are_now_empowered)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Republicans_with_no_particular_authority_or_evidence_are_now_empowered)

content:
 
<p>

to challenge large numbers of voters, forcing each one to prove
per eligibility to vote.  They cite various stretched reasons, but
the real reason is often the person's ethnic background.
</p>
<p>
  One of 900 voters challenged in Savannah had written her <a href="http://watchvigilantesinc.com/">doctoral thesis</a>
on this particular abusive system.
  She appealed this and won her voting rights back, but many others
really lose their voting rights.
</p>
<p>
I think the Voting Rights Act used to prohibit this, before voter-suppressing
Republicans took control of the Extreme Court and neutralized most of it.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Robert F Kennedy promised everything related to public health
uri: Robert-F-Kennedy-promised-everything-related-to-public-health
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Robert_F_Kennedy_promised_everything_related_to_public_health)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Robert_F_Kennedy_promised_everything_related_to_public_health)

content:
 
<p>

Robert F Kennedy Jr. says that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> would put him <a href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/robert-f-kennedy-trump-transition-chair-vaccines-public-health.html">in charge
    of everything related to public health</a>.
</p>
<p>
  Even worse, <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> is <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-banning-vaccines-president-rfk-fluoride-rcna178570">hinting at banning vaccines</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: UK deported man on administrative technicalities
uri: UK-deported-man-on-administrative-technicalities
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(UK_deported_man_on_administrative_technicalities)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(UK_deported_man_on_administrative_technicalities)

content:
 
<p>

  The UK <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/nov/01/eu-citizen-caught-up-in-home-office-residency-backlog-forcibly-removed-from-uk-costa-koushiappis">deported a man based on administrative technicalities</a> caused by
delays due to the pandemic, without the hearing he was entitled to, and
then gave him just three days to leave.
</p>
<p>
This demonstrates that humans can be as rigid as robots if they are
taught to do so.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Survey on making Big Oil pay for climate damage
uri: Survey-on-making-Big-Oil-pay-for-climate-damage
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Survey_on_making_Big_Oil_pay_for_climate_damage)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Survey_on_making_Big_Oil_pay_for_climate_damage)

content:
 
<p>

A survey of people in eight countries found that most want to <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/who-pays-for-climate-damages-making-big-oil-pay-is-most-popular-policy-option-research-finds">make
    Big Oil pay for the damage done by climate disaster</a>.
</p>
<p>
That would be fair, but will it be possible?  That depends how much
the damages add up to.  Eventually they will equal the total value of
all human wealth and all of nature.  Long before that, they will far
exceed the market value of the oil companies.
</p>
<p>
The point is, the idea of getting compensated for the destruction
of nature and human works is inherently foolish &mdash; an excuse for
not focusing on <em>preventing</em> that destruction.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Israel_to_sever_ties_with_Unrwa)
title: Israel to sever ties with Unrwa
uri: Israel-to-sever-ties-with-Unrwa
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Israel_to_sever_ties_with_Unrwa)
content:
 
<p>

*Israel formally tells UN of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/04/israel-formally-tells-un-of-intent-to-sever-all-ties-with-unrwa-relief-agency">intent to sever all ties with Unrwa
    relief agency</a>.*
</p>
<p>
I don't know whether this will make a difference to Palestinians in Gaza,
since Israel is already choking off food, water and medicine for them.
But it could overwhelm the West Bank with suffering.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Swing-state voters swapping with non-swing-state votes
uri: Swing-state-voters-swapping-with-non-swing-state-votes
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Swing-state_voters_swapping_with_non-swing-state_votes)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#6_November_2024_(Swing-state_voters_swapping_with_non-swing-state_votes)

content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/11/04/swing-state-vote-swap-kamala-harris-israel-gaza/">Swing-State Voters Disillusioned With Kamala Harris Can Swap for Two
    Non-Swing-State Votes.</a>*
</p>
<p>
A similar idea was used by supporters of Ralph Nader's presidential campaign
on at least one occasion.  It sends the desired message without risking
putting the worst candidate into office.
</p>
<p>
I voted for Nader at least once, I am proud to say.
</p>
<p>
If we had ranked choice voting, it would be easy to send such messages
without ever risking putting the worst candidate into office.  It is a
defect of our system that it compels people to vote for the so-so
candidate rather than the one they really support.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Written reprimand for Ohio sheriff's lieutenant
uri: Written-reprimand-for-Ohio-sheriff-s-lieutenant
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Written_reprimand_for_Ohio_sheriff's_lieutenant)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Written_reprimand_for_Ohio_sheriff's_lieutenant)

content:
 
<p>

  * [Ohio sheriff's lieutenant] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/04/ohio-police-lieutenant-democratic-voters">received written reprimand</a> for posting: "If you
support the Democrat Party I will not help you."
</p>
<p>
This illustrates the attitude of hostility that convinces Republicans
to act as if Democrats (the majority of Americans) were enemies to be
fought bitterly.
</p>
<p>
This is <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bully">the bully's</a> fault, and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-may-aug.html#26_August_2019_('Blame_the_poor'_playbook)">his strategy too.
  Before 2020 it would have been almost unthinkable.
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bully">The bully's</a> strategy is an attack on the unity of the United States,
and his use of it makes him an enemy of the United States.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Campaigning_in_churches)
title: Campaigning in churches
uri: Campaigning-in-churches
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Campaigning_in_churches)
content:
 
<p>

  *Texas House candidate <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/04/texas-congressional-campaign-churches">campaigning in churches</a>, in potential legal
 violation.*
</p>
<p>
Christian churches have long tried to disregard the law against
supporting political candidates.  Punishment by a slap on the wrist
encourages the defiance.  Since that is a systematic campaign, I think
the US needs to punish this enough to make churches think twice.
</p>
<p>
I would suggest revoking the tax exemption of any church caught doing
this.  That will make executives of churches take care, while not
making any person a martyr.
<!-- This is missing something--
  The US needs to show churches
that it will punish
 -->
</p>
</li>

 


title: Backdrop of extreme weather and ecosystem collapse
uri: Backdrop-of-extreme-weather-and-ecosystem-collapse
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Backdrop_of_extreme_weather_and_ecosystem_collapse)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Backdrop_of_extreme_weather_and_ecosystem_collapse)

content:
 
<p>

*   Representatives at the Cop16 summit in Colombia negotiated against a
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/04/two-sides-of-the-same-coin-governments-stress-links-between-climate-and-nature-collapse">backdrop of extreme weather and ecosystem collapse</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Tricked,threatened and driven in seatless U-Haul vans
uri: Tricked-threatened-and-driven-in-seatless-U-Haul-vans
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Tricked,threatened_and_driven_in_seatless_U-Haul_vans)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Tricked,threatened_and_driven_in_seatless_U-Haul_vans)

content:
 
<p>

* A dozen black canvassers were tricked, threatened, and <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/canvassers-elon-musk-america-pac-fired-stranded-michigan-mistreatment/">driven in
    seatless U-Haul vans [by Musk]</a>.  They were fired after WIRED
  reported on their plight &mdash; some without full pay or a way back home.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Punishment for activist in Singapore
uri: Punishment-for-activist-in-Singapore
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Punishment_for_activist_in_Singapore)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Punishment_for_activist_in_Singapore)

content:
 
<p>

[A political activist in Singapore] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/06/kokila-annamalai-singapore-activist-online-speech-laws-pofma-ntwnfb">faces punishment after refusing to
    "correct" online posts</a> criticizing Singapore’s death penalty and drug
laws.
</p>
<p>
Singapore strictly represses criticism of the government.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Moldovans fought off Russian election meddling
uri: Moldovans-fought-off-Russian-election-meddling
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Moldovans_fought_off_Russian_election_meddling)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Moldovans_fought_off_Russian_election_meddling)

content:
 
<p>

  *How Moldovans bravely <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/05/moldova-russia-election-meddling-democracy">fought off Russian election meddling</a> &mdash; and stood up for
democracy.*
</p>
<p>
If only we could say the same about the United States.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Truth_seemed_to_be_Haydn)
title: Truth seemed to be Haydn
uri: Truth-seemed-to-be-Haydn
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Truth_seemed_to_be_Haydn)
content:
 
<p>

  The truth <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/nov/05/what-are-you-haydn-the-hoaxers-who-fooled-the-classical-music-world">seemed to be Haydn for a while</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: China wants its embassy in UK bigger
uri: China-wants-its-embassy-in-UK-bigger
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(China_wants_its_embassy_in_UK_bigger)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(China_wants_its_embassy_in_UK_bigger)

content:
 
<p>

  China wants to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/05/china-blocking-uk-plans-beijing-east-london-mega-embassy-dispute">make its embassy to the UK much bigger</a>.
  Why would it want this?  One reason could be to keep Uygur and
Tibetan protesters, whose protests we should support, further away.
But if this allows China to have more diplomats in the UK, China would
use them for nefarious purposes, including espionage and intimidation
of oversees Chinese.  An inconvenient old embassy in Beijing is a price
worth paying to hamper that.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Disbelief_in_vanishing_glaciers)
title: Disbelief in vanishing glaciers
uri: Disbelief-in-vanishing-glaciers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Disbelief_in_vanishing_glaciers)
content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/05/people-do-not-want-to-believe-it-is-true-the-photographer-capturing-the-vanishing-of-glaciers">"People do not want to believe it is true"</a>: the photographer capturing the
vanishing of glaciers.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Conditions for workers in Persian Gulf countries
uri: Conditions-for-workers-in-Persian-Gulf-countries
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Conditions_for_workers_in_Persian_Gulf_countries)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#10_November_2024_(Conditions_for_workers_in_Persian_Gulf_countries)

content:
 
<p>

Migrant workers in the Persian Gulf countries are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/nov/05/migrant-workers-exposed-deadly-45c-temperatures-gulf-human-rights-report">compelled to work in
    temperatures of up to 45°C</a> for as much as 14 hours a day.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Blind woman denied benefits
uri: Blind-woman-denied-benefits
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(blind_woman_denied_benefits_dwp_interview)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(blind_woman_denied_benefits_dwp_interview)

content:
 
<p>
Sending letters to blind people who cannot read them is one of many
forms of idiotic careless contempt that the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/nov/09/blind-woman-denied-benefits-because-she-attended-dwp-interview-with-help-of-mother">UK government shows to
the handicapped.</a>
<p>
I think this attitude was instilled by the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2022-mar-jun.html#16_June_2022_(Tory_government_undermined_supervision_of_state_activities)">Tory government's
attitude.</a>
<p>
but Labour has a responsibility is to correct it, rather than disclaim
responsibility.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(trump_voters_revolution)
title: Trump voters want revolution
uri: Trump-voters-want-revolution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(trump_voters_revolution)
content:
 
<p>
*<a href="https://www.stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">[The wrecker's]</a> voters want a revolution. It’s time for progressives
to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/07/trump-voters-revolution-politics-right">offer their own.*</a>
<p>
*Democrats must 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/07/democrats-hope-vibes-action">offer more than just hope.*</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(trump_victory_despair)
title: Trump victory despair
uri: Trump-victory-despair
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(trump_victory_despair)
content:
 
<p>
If you ignore politics, your life may be easier for a while &mdash; until
nasty policies, that you failed to fight, ruin 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/07/trump-victory-despair-politics-fight">thousands or millions
of lives,</a>
<p>
and by chance yours is one of them.
<p>
*Why Democrats Lose Even When 
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/why-democrats-lose-to-republicans">Republicans Are So Endlessly Terrible*</a>

<p>
 


title: Harris on immigration border
uri: Harris-on-immigration-border
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(harris_trump_election_immigration)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(harris_trump_election_immigration)

content:
 
<p>
*Harris Ran to <a href="https://www.stallman.org/glossary.html#trump">[The wrecker's]</a> Right on Immigration &mdash; and Gained 
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/11/07/harris-trump-election-immigration-border/">Absolutely Nothing For It.*</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(plastic_pollution_analysis)
title: Plastic pollution analysis
uri: Plastic-pollution-analysis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(plastic_pollution_analysis)
content:
 
<p>
*[Plastic] pollution is affecting the climate, biodiversity, ecosystems, ocean
acidification and human health, 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/07/plastic-pollution-is-changing-entire-earth-system-scientists-find">according to analysis.*</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(trump_mass_deportation_plan)
title: Trump's deportation plan
uri: Trump-s-deportation-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(trump_mass_deportation_plan)
content:
 
<p>
The wrecker says he will deport all unauthorized immigrants and threatens
to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/08/trump-mass-deportation-plan">punish states that resist.</a>
<p>
This must be part of the reason California is allocating funds to
cope with that punishment.
<p>
If the wrecker goes ahead with this plan, then he will have to replace
them with authorized immigrants, or convince millions of Americans to
do the job.  For that, he would have to give those workers a big
raise.

<p>
 


title: Trump health coverage threatened
uri: Trump-health-coverage-threatened
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(trump_healthcare_coverage_threatened)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(trump_healthcare_coverage_threatened)

content:
 
<p>
*Incoming Trump presidency threatens millions of
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/08/trump-healthcare-coverage-threatened"> Americans’ [medical
 insurance].*</a>
 
 <p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(trump_press_freedom_stakes)
title: Trump press freedom
uri: Trump-press-freedom
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(trump_press_freedom_stakes)
content:
 
<p>
The wrecker's threat to freedom of 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/ng-interactive/2024/oct/27/trump-press-freedom-stakes">speech and journalism in the US.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(rebecca_solnit_trump)
title: Rebecca Solnit
uri: Rebecca-Solnit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(rebecca_solnit_trump)
content:
 
<p>
Rebecca Solnit: *Authoritarians like Trump love fear, defeatism,
surrender. 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/09/authoritarians-like-trump-love-fear-defeatism-surrender-do-not-give-them-what-they-want">Do not give them what they want.*</a>
<p>
One important point is distinguishing hope from optimism.

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(far_right_election)
title: Right wing extremists
uri: 2024-11-12-Right-wing-extremists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(far_right_election)
content:
 
<p>
Right wing extremists aimed to sow so much chaos that the election would
fail, and they could start an uprising to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/05/far-right-election-trump-harris">make the election irrelevant.</a>
<p>
They failed this time, it seems, but perhaps since the wrecker won they decided
it was time to relax.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(robert_reich_lessons)
title: Robert Reich:The Lesson
uri: Robert-Reich-The-Lesson
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(robert_reich_lessons)
content:
 
<p>
Robert Reich describes the misguided "lessons" that plutocratists want
the Democrats to 
<a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-lesson">learn from Harris's defeat.</a>

<p>
 


title: Trump-proofing
uri: Trump-proofing
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(cali_resistance_state_trump_fed_gov)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(cali_resistance_state_trump_fed_gov)

content:
 
<p>
California has already prepared to resist some forms of attack and reprisal
that the bully 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/07/california-resistance-state-trump-federal-government">could apply arbitrarily.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(yoav_gallant_israel_army)
title: Yoav Gallant
uri: Yoav-Gallant
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(yoav_gallant_israel_army)
content:
 
<p>
Netanyahu dismissed his war minister, Yoav Gallant, who then said there
is no "security reason" to continue the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/07/yoav-gallant-israel-army-nothing-left-to-do-in-gaza">fighting in Gaza.</a>
<p>
He accuses Netanyahu for rejecting a deal of hostages for peace for
invalid reasons.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(american_press_trump)
title: American press survival-ism
uri: American-press-survival-ism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#11_November_2024_(american_press_trump)
content:
 
<p>
Ways that the wrecker could preside over the effective elimination
of the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/07/american-press-trump"> free press in the US.</a>
<p>
One of many ways would be to follow Biden's beginning by prosecuting
publishers of leaks.
<p>
A couple of years from now, serious journalism about what the US government
is doing may have been forced into exile, much as serious journalism
about what the Russian government, Chinese government. and many other
repressive governments.

<p>
 


title: Wrecker will give Israel a 'blank check'
uri: Wrecker-will-give-Israel-a-blank-check
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Wrecker_will_give_Israel_a_'blank_check')

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Wrecker_will_give_Israel_a_'blank_check')

content:
 
<p>

  *[<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker</a>] will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/07/trump-blank-check-netanyahu-war-iran-panetta">give Israel ‘blank check’</a> which may mean all-out
war with Iran, says ex-CIA chief.*
</p>
<p>
If that happens, it could become a nuclear war if one side starts to
lose.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Evidence the bullshitter lied about Project 2025
uri: Evidence-the-bullshitter-lied-about-Project-2025
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Evidence_the_bullshitter_lied_about_Project_2025)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Evidence_the_bullshitter_lied_about_Project_2025)

content:
 
<p>

When <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">the bullshitter</a> said Project 2025 had nothing to do with him or
his plans, we suspected he was lying as usual.  Now there is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/08/trump-administration-project-2025">evidence
    of this</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Rise_in_emissions_of_flights)
title: Rise in emissions of flights
uri: Rise-in-emissions-of-flights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Rise_in_emissions_of_flights)
content:
 
<p>

*Analysis of 19m flights between 2019 and 2023 reveals <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/07/used-like-taxis-soaring-private-jet-flights-drive-up-climate-heating-emissions">50% rise in
    emissions</a>, condemned as "gratuitous waste".*
</p>
<p>
Any country can regulate private jet flights that begin in, end in, or
cross that country.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Children of two unauthorized immigrants
uri: Children-of-two-unauthorized-immigrants
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Children_of_two_unauthorized_immigrants)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Children_of_two_unauthorized_immigrants)

content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker</a> said he would wreak havoc by ordering that a child of two
unauthorized immigrants <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/litigation-certainty-trumps-call-end-birthright-citizenship-face-mount-rcna162314">no longer be considered a US citizen</a>.
</p>
<p>
Even the Extreme Court might reject the validity of such an order; but
if it were to be carried out, it would result in a vast increase in
deportations of people who never knew any country but the US, to
places where they <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#31_October_2016_(US_immigration_policy)">don't speak the language and can never fit in</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Reason_for_right-wing_victory)
title: Reason for right-wing victory
uri: Reason-for-right-wing-victory
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Reason_for_right-wing_victory)
content:
 
<p>

  Arguing that the <a href="https://newrepublic.com/post/188197/trump-media-information-landscape-fox">main reason for right-wing victory</a> is the highly
funded right-wing media that dominate "news" (including pseudo-news)
in the US nowadays.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(World's_food_production_at_risk)
title: World's food production at risk
uri: World-s-food-production-at-risk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(World's_food_production_at_risk)
content:
 
<p>

*   More than half the world's food production will be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/16/global-water-crisis-food-production-at-risk">at risk of failure
    within the next 25 years</a> as a rapidly accelerating water crisis grips
   the planet, unless urgent action is taken to conserve water resources
   and end the destruction of the ecosystems on which our fresh water
   depends, experts have warned in a landmark review.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Judge_bars_purging_of_voters)
title: Judge bars purging of voters
uri: Judge-bars-purging-of-voters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Judge_bars_purging_of_voters)
content:
 
<p>

  *US judge <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/16/election-alabama-voting-rolls-registration">bars Alabama from purging thousands of voters</a> before election.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Change in intestinal bacteria by PFAS
uri: Change-in-intestinal-bacteria-by-PFAS
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Change_in_intestinal_bacteria_by_PFAS)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Change_in_intestinal_bacteria_by_PFAS)

content:
 
<p>

  Evidence that PFAS cause <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/05/pfas-gut-health-kidney-disease">changes in intestinal bacteria</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Developer of encrypted messaging software leaves Australia
uri: Developer-of-encrypted-messaging-software-leaves-Australia
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Developer_of_encrypted_messaging_software_leaves_Australia)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Developer_of_encrypted_messaging_software_leaves_Australia)

content:
 
<p>

An Australian developer of encrypted messaging software has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/05/session-encrypted-messaging-app-developer-moves-out-of-australia-police-visit-switzerland">moved to
    Switzerland to escape the hostility of Australian laws</a>,
  including the law that allows the state to order employees to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2017-mar-jun.html#19_June_2017_(Public_cool_with_backdoors)">install
    backdoors in servers and in released software</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Ethnic_cleansing_of_North_Gaza)
title: Ethnic cleansing of North Gaza
uri: Ethnic-cleansing-of-North-Gaza
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Ethnic_cleansing_of_North_Gaza)
content:
 
<p>

  Netanyahu announced the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/06/palestinians-will-not-be-allowed-to-return-to-homes-in-northern-gaza-says-idf">ethnic cleansing of North Gaza</a>.
</p>
<p>
I must suspect that South Gaza will follow, but this is itself an enormous
war crime.
</p>
<p>
Biden can redeem himself morally by voting for a Security Council
resolution to order Israel to take this back, and calling for sanctions
otherwise.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Amazon, Meta and Apple congratulate Trump
uri: Amazon-Meta-and-Apple-congratulate-Trump
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Amazon,_Meta_and_Apple_congratulate_Trump)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Amazon,_Meta_and_Apple_congratulate_Trump)

content:
 
<p>

  *Heads of Amazon, Meta and Apple <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/06/trump-election-win-billionaires">swift to congratulate Trump</a> as Musk
celebrates and declares victory for himself.*
</p>
<p>
I boycott all of those companies, as well as Musk's companies.
You can join in!
</p>
</li>

 


title: (satire) America defeated America
uri: (satire)-America-defeated-America
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_((satire)_America_defeated_America)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_((satire)_America_defeated_America)

content:
 
<p>

  (satire) *<a href="https://theonion.com/america-defeats-america/">America defeated America at the ballot box.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Military_support_for_Ukraine)
title: Military support for Ukraine
uri: Military-support-for-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Military_support_for_Ukraine)
content:
 
<p>

People expect that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> will give his pal Putin a gift by
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/06/ukraine-trump-victory">ending military support for Ukraine</a>.
</p>
<p>
If Ukraine is weakened that way, it might be sensible for Ukraine to
seek a compromise peace that would be less disastrous than fighting
and losing.
</p>
<p>
However, Putin has the attitude of a cheap gangster: when a victim
starts to talk about making a deal, that means <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> is weak, so it is
time to demand more.  Putin would increase his demands to the maximum,
figuring that he will get all he demands, sooner or later, whenever
Ukraine can't hold a front line any more.
</p>
<p>
But what if we imagine bizarre ideas with the sort of audacity that
Putin has got away with?  I have a few wild ideas.
</p>
<p>
* Ukraine can attack Belarus and perhaps trigger a rebellion to
overthrow the dictator, Lukashenko, who is a client of Putin.  There
is a chance this would free Belaris.  At least, Putin might have to
send a large army there, enough to interfere with the attack on
Ukraine.
</p>
<p>
* Ukraine can attack Hungary and remove Orban, who is a client of
Putin.  Maybe Hungary's government would flip.
</p>
<p>
* The Biden can send several regiments to Ukraine, at Ukraine's
invitation, then station them the way of <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#putinforces">Putin forces'</a> advance,
ordering them not to fight unless attacked.  Putin will face the
choice of attacking the US troops and bringing NATO into the war, or
ceasing to pursue those lines of attack.
</p>
<p>
If Putin does attack them, it would be hard for <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a>
subsequently to pull the US out of the fight.  He would look like a
coward and a traitor if he did.  He does not want to look that way.
</p>
<p>
If this does not save Ukraine, it will at least help ensure that
Ukrainians can take refuge in NATO countries if their country is
conquered.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Democracy_in_intensive_care_unit)
title: Democracy in intensive care unit
uri: Democracy-in-intensive-care-unit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Democracy_in_intensive_care_unit)
content:
 
<p>

  What do you do <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/06/election-anxiety-is-consuming-me-alive">when democracy is in the intensive care unit</a>?
</p>
</li>

 


title: Living in Beit Iksa is like prison
uri: Living-in-Beit-Iksa-is-like-prison
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Living_in_Beit_Iksa_is_like_prison)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Living_in_Beit_Iksa_is_like_prison)

content:
 
<p>

  "<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/06/palestinian-village-beit-iksa-west-bank-israel-restrictions">Living in Beit Iksa is like living in prison.</a>"  The only way in or
out of that Palestinian village is through an Israeli checkpoint, and
if the guards see fit, they can block an ambulance from coming for you
while you die.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Vaccination and aid official's car in Gaza
uri: Vaccination-and-aid-official-s-car-in-Gaza
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Vaccination_and_aid_official's_car_in_Gaza)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#13_November_2024_(Vaccination_and_aid_official's_car_in_Gaza)

content:
 
<p>

  *Vaccination centre and aid official's car <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/03/polio-vaccination-centre-and-aid-officials-car-bombarded-in-gaza-says-un">bombarded in Gaza</a>, says UN.*
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: Democrats gave up on votes of most men
uri: Democrats-gave-up-on-votes-of-most-men
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Democrats_gave_up_on_votes_of_most_men)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Democrats_gave_up_on_votes_of_most_men)

content:
 
<p>

The Democrats gave up on the votes of most men.  An advisor <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/08/young-men-donald-trump-kamala-harris">argues that that
    was a terrible mistake</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Fossil fuel deals at climate summit
uri: Fossil-fuel-deals-at-climate-summit
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Fossil_fuel_deals_at_climate_summit)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Fossil_fuel_deals_at_climate_summit)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/08/cop29-ceo-filmed-agreeing-to-facilitate-fossil-fuel-deals-at-climate-summit">Cop29 CEO filmed agreeing to facilitate fossil fuel deals at climate summit.</a>*
</p>
<p>
I see little hope for efforts to preserve civilization and technology
fro the danger of <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>, but if it is to happen, the COP
conferences as they are are useless window dressing.  They mainly
serve the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a> as greenwashing.
</p>
<p>
They do provide funds for some useful conservation activities &mdash;
useful, that is, supposing we do save civilization by preventing
global disaster &mdash; but they won't help prevent global disaster.
</p>
<p>
Papua New Guinea has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/08/png-cop29-papua-new-guinea-un-climate-summit">denounced the conferences as a worthless waste of
    time</a>.  Bravo!
</p>
<p>
If there is to be any chance of replacing this broken process with one
that will work, it has to start with an ct of defiance like this one.
Then other countries have to follow that lead lead.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Labour's tax increases and regulations
uri: Labour-s-tax-increases-and-regulations
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Labour's_tax_increases_and_regulations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Labour's_tax_increases_and_regulations)

content:
 
<p>

The complaints from rich people and businesses, that Labour's tax
increases and regulations will be have some deleterious effects, show
that it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/05/rich-labour-budget-rachel-reeves-budget">would fix problems that vested interests don't want fixed</a>.
</p>
<p>
In a market-based economy, any change in one variable affects many
others.  Pulling on one string reshapes the rest of the network a
little.  Some of those secondary effects are good and some are bad.
</p>
<p>
The fallacy in those arguments is that they exaggerate the
significance of the bad secondary effect, inviting the reader to
assume that it will outweigh the primary benefit of the action.
Sometimes that does happen, but you can't take the word of
the complainers for that.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Foreign political leader's fear of the wrecker
uri: Foreign-political-leader-s-fear-of-the-wrecker
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Foreign_political_leader's_fear_of_the_wrecker)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Foreign_political_leader's_fear_of_the_wrecker)

content:
 
<p>

Fear of <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> is leading foreign political leaders to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/nov/08/david-lammy-dismisses-past-criticism-donald-trump-old-news">try to alter
    their past statements</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: (satire) Neuralink patient voting for Trump
uri: (satire)-Neuralink-patient-voting-for-Trump
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_((satire)_Neuralink_patient_voting_for_Trump)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_((satire)_Neuralink_patient_voting_for_Trump)

content:
 
<p>

  (satire) *<a href="https://theonion.com/neuralink-patient-unable-to-stop-hand-from-voting-for-trump/">Neuralink Patient Unable To Stop Hand From Voting For Trump.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Power_to_strip_tax_exemption)
title: Power to strip tax exemption
uri: Power-to-strip-tax-exemption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Power_to_strip_tax_exemption)
content:
 
<p>

  Republicans are trying to create the power to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/11/10/trump-nonprofit-tax-exempt-political-enemies/">strip the tax exemption</a>
from any organization that officials accuse of "supporting
terrorists", with no requirement to present any reason or evidence for
that accusation.
</p>
<p>
The group thus attacked would get a hearing, but it is hard to refute
an accusation that offers no specifics.  Even worse, there may be no
limits on what sort of action would constitute "support".  Would "End
the siege of Gaza" be construed as "support" for terrorists?
I wouldn't be surprised if <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bully">the bully's</a> followers said so,
</p>
<p>
This attack on the freedom of political association in the US, this
attempt to subvert the rule of law by injecting arbitrary power,
illustrates the commitment of right-wing extremists to the elimination
of the basic principles of human rights, such as "innocent until
proven guilty."
</p>
<p>
I expect the Senate to block this bill, for the rest of this year.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Tuition fees in UK universities going up
uri: Tuition-fees-in-UK-universities-going-up
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Tuition_fees_in_UK_universities_going_up)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Tuition_fees_in_UK_universities_going_up)

content:
 
<p>

  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/nov/08/university-tuition-fees-england-who-does-it-affect">Tuition fees in UK universities are going up</a>, and some students will
need bigger loans to pay for that,
</p>
<p>
The UK student loan system is fundamentally better than the US system,
because in the UK system the ex-student who has a low income does not
have to repay the loan.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Why_Taxation_isn't_theft)
title: Why Taxation isn't theft
uri: Why-Taxation-isn-t-theft
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Why_Taxation_isn't_theft)
content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://taxjustice.net/2014/10/08/money-taxation-isnt-theft/">No it's not your money: why taxation isn't theft.</a>*
Refuting the claim that however much you can extract
from the market is a measure of what you deserve.
</p>
</li>

 


title: The wrecker emboldened misogynists
uri: The-wrecker-emboldened-misogynists
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(The_wrecker_emboldened_misogynists)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(The_wrecker_emboldened_misogynists)

content:
 
<p>

  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker</a> has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/09/trump-your-body-my-choice">emboldened misogynists</a> to provocatively shout their
contempt for women and demand for power over them.
</p>
<p>
Some of them will act this out violently.  We must expect to see an
increase in rape.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Protected_nature_reserves)
title: "Protected" nature reserves
uri: Protected-nature-reserves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Protected_nature_reserves)
content:
 
<p>

  Many "protected" nature reserves are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/24/biodiversity-declining-even-faster-in-protected-areas-scientists-warn-cop16-30x30-conservation-target">not protected very effectively</a>;
biodiversity is declining within them, due to causes such as drilling
for oil.
</p>
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">Global heating</a> could also be contributing to that decline.  Protecting
a specific area of land won't preventing from getting hotter, and
getting much wetter, much drier, getting burned to the ground, or
getting flooded.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Criminalization of hostile public speech in UK
uri: Criminalization-of-hostile-public-speech-in-UK
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Criminalization_of_hostile_public_speech_in_UK)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Criminalization_of_hostile_public_speech_in_UK)

content:
 
<p>

  On <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/7/22912054/uk-grossly-offensive-tweet-prosecution-section-127-2003-communications-act">criminalization of hostile public posting and speech in the UK</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Moscow deporting anti-war Russians
uri: Moscow-deporting-anti-war-Russians
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Moscow_deporting_anti-war_Russians)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Moscow_deporting_anti-war_Russians)

content:
 
<p>

*   Moscow is using ties with neighboring countries to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/oct/28/long-arm-russia-putin-critics-in-exile">deport and arrest
    anti-war Russians who fled after invasion of Ukraine</a>.*
</p>
<p>
Soon <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#trump">the fascist</a> may help Putin do likewise to expat Russians in the US.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Fruitless pursuit of mythical moderate
uri: Fruitless-pursuit-of-mythical-moderate
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Fruitless_pursuit_of_mythical_moderate)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Fruitless_pursuit_of_mythical_moderate)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/11/07/briefing-podcast-harris-trump-election-results/">[Harris's] Fruitless Pursuit of the Mythical Moderate.</a>*
  The article attributes her defeat to her failure to take an overall
political position that would help struggling majority of Americans.
</p>
<p>
I emended the article title because it would be presumptuous to refer to
a person I don't know by per first name.
</p>
<p>
Rep. Jayapal: *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/11/progressive-caucus-democrats-populist-economic-policies">We've got to pick some big fights where people can't be
in denial or question whether or not we are standing up for them or
    whether we're standing up to the big corporate interests,</a>" the
Washington congresswoman said, adding: "It's a difficult message to
send when you're trying to court money from that community."
</p>
<p>
In other words, Democrats need to become what they once were: sincere
populists, defending the vital interests of the poor majority of the
US, to overcome the Republican phony populists who pretend to stand
for that majority by scapegoating smaller and poorer groups.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Coal and oil use continued to rise
uri: Coal-and-oil-use-continued-to-rise
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_(Coal_and_oil_use_continued_to_rise)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_(Coal_and_oil_use_continued_to_rise)

content:
 
<p>
*Despite nations’ pledges at Cop28 a year ago, the burning of coal,
oil and
gas <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/13/no-sign-of-promised-fossil-fuel-transition-as-emissions-hit-new-high
">continued to rise</a> in 2024.*
<p>
In other words, the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#planet">planet roasters</a> have defeated the campaign to save
civilization (and your lives) from destruction.

<p>
 


title: (Satire) Oklahoma ten commandments in womb law
uri: (Satire)-Oklahoma-ten-commandments-in-womb-law
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_((Satire)_Oklahoma_ten_commandments_in_womb_law)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_((Satire)_Oklahoma_ten_commandments_in_womb_law)

content:
 
<p>
(satire) *Oklahoma Law
Requires <a href="https://theonion.com/oklahoma-law-requires-ten-commandments-to-be-displayed-in-every-womb/">Ten
Commandments To Be Displayed In Every Womb</a>.*

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_(Big_oil_fossil_fuel_warning)
title: Big oil fossil fuel warning
uri: Big-oil-fossil-fuel-warning
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_(Big_oil_fossil_fuel_warning)
content:
 
<p>
*The Air Pollution Foundation, which was primarily funded by the
lobbying organization Western States Petroleum Association, publicly
claimed to want to help solve the smog crisis, but was set up in large
part
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/12/big-oil-fossil-fuel-warning">counter
efforts at regulation</a>.*
<p>
It was informed in 1955 of the future danger of <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_(Australia_lapsed_export_permits)
title: Australia lapsed export permits
uri: Australia-lapsed-export-permits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_(Australia_lapsed_export_permits)
content:
 
<p>
* Australia has amended or
lapsed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/13/australia-amends-or-ends-16-defence-export-permits-to-israel-amid-review-ntwnfb">at
least 16 defence-related export permits to Israel</a> in recent
weeks.*
<p>
This alone won't make Israel stop committing atrocities, but it can
blaze the trail for other countries to do so.

<p>
 


title: Trump administration health policy
uri: Trump-administration-health-policy
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_(Trump_administration_health_policy)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_(Trump_administration_health_policy)

content:
 
<p>
*Why the Trump administration will
be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/12/trump-adminstration-health-policy">bad
for [most] Americans' health</a>.*
<p>
The exceptions will be the millionaires.

<p>
 


title: Urgent: reduce plastic production
uri: Urgent-reduce-plastic-production
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_(Urgent:_reduce_plastic_production)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_(Urgent:_reduce_plastic_production)

content:
 
<p>
US citizens: call on World Leaders
to <a href="https://action.storyofstuff.org/sign/strong-international-plastic-treaty/?t=1013&utm_medium=email&akid=443061%2E1041074%2EXz6OLj">agree
on a strong treaty to reduce plastic production</a>.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_(Women_rejecting_all_men)
title: Women rejecting all men
uri: Women-rejecting-all-men
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_(Women_rejecting_all_men)
content:
 
<p>
Women in several countries are responding to arrogant right-wing
misogynous men
by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/12/donald-trump-election-sex-men-misogyny-feminism">rejecting
all men, for sex or for love</a>.
<p>
In a place where abortion and birth control are restricted, it is
obviously rational for women to reject penis-in-vagina sex with men
(except when they seek to get pregnant).  This doesn't require
rejecting all lovemaking, but that is what these women are doing.
<p>
The misogynists will deserve such rejection, but what will happen to
the young men who yearn for kind and tender love with a woman?  They
will well know that life makes that as unlikely as winning the
lottery.  They may join the misogynists only because no other path
proclaims itself as offering any hope.
<p>
Sensitive men will see that misogyny is a path to a dead end of
twisted hatred, not a path to happiness.  But when they reject that
path, where could they go instead?  They won't see any good path --
only despair.
<p>
With women hating them sight unseen, trying to be kind and considerate
won't be enough to give men an opportunity for love.  Even to learn
what constitutes "kind and considerate" requires feedback from someone
prepared to appreciate you when you make progress, and misandrists
will form a solid wall against that.
<p>
I am so sad for the men and for the women.

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_(Israel_bombing_farms)
title: Israel bombing farms
uri: Israel-bombing-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_(Israel_bombing_farms)
content:
 
<p>
*Cattle, crops and ancient olive groves: Lebanon’s farmers
"<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/nov/12/cattle-crops-and-ancient-olive-groves-lebanons-farmers-lose-everything-to-israeli-bombs">lose
everything</a>" to Israeli bombs.*
<p>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_(Republicans_and_abortion)
title: Republicans and abortion
uri: 2024-11-16-Republicans-and-abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#15_November_2024_(Republicans_and_abortion)
content:
 
<p>
Republicans will try
to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/12/trump-presidency-abortion-restrictions">attack
abortion rights</a> nationwide, despite their half-hearted pretense
before the election.

 


title: Vaccination decreases risk of long Covid
uri: Vaccination-decreases-risk-of-long-Covid
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Vaccination_decreases_risk_of_long_Covid)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Vaccination_decreases_risk_of_long_Covid)

content:
 
<p>

  Vaccination <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/30/britain-long-covid-lives-us-boosters">substantially decreases</a> the probability that an acute
Covid infection leads to long Covid that lasts for a year.
</p>
<p>
A large fraction of people suffering from long Covid are incapable of
working full time, or incapable of working at all.  Thus, long Covid
harms the national economy as well as the individuals who have it.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Cash payment recognized as necessary
uri: Cash-payment-recognized-as-necessary
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Cash_payment_recognized_as_necessary)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Cash_payment_recognized_as_necessary)

content:
 
<p>

  Norway and Sweden have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/30/sweden-and-norway-rethink-cashless-society-plans-over-russia-security-fears">recognized that cash payment is necessary</a>
for national security reasons.
  Sweden plans to urge all residents to keep cash at home and use
it regularly.
</p>
<p>
Hooray!
</p>
<p>
This is a response to the threat of sabotage and war from Putin.  That
aggression in waiting is the world's misfortune, and preparing to meet
the threat is necessary.  We can rejoice that the preparation will
provide at least one real benefit to society even if war is avoided.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Productivity losses from mass deportation
uri: Productivity-losses-from-mass-deportation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Productivity_losses_from_mass_deportation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Productivity_losses_from_mass_deportation)

content:
 
<p>

*[<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker's</a> threatened mass deportation] of migrant workers would
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/30/trump-deportation-plan-economic-disaster">trigger productivity losses and a new round of inflationary pricing
  pressure</a>.*
</p>
<p>
If he admits a comparable number of authorized migrant workers, that
would not have macroeconomic consequences, but he may find it hard to
reconcile that decision with the way he has demonized migrants.
</p>
<p>
If he tries to replace them with US citizen workers who will demand
better wages, he is likely to cause inflation, which will make his
supporters recognize one of the ways that he duped them.
</p>
<p>
I am in favor of giving farm workers a better standard of living, but
doing this without causing inflation would require taxing the rich to
subsidize that raise.
</p>
<p>
Measures to shift Americans' eating habits toward more healthful food
in more healthful quantities could reduce the amount of food we
actually need to grow.  But they must not be rushed, or imposed
harshly.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Two_intelligence_agents_charged)
title: Two intelligence agents charged
uri: Two-intelligence-agents-charged
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Two_intelligence_agents_charged)
content:
 
<p>

  The US has recently <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/13/cia-leak-israel-iran-attack-asif-rahman">charged two intelligence agents with crimes</a> for
separately leaking secret intelligence information to the public.
</p>
<p>
One of them, Asif Rahman, leaked information about Israel's plans for
attacking Iran.  That attack was to be retaliation for Iran's latest
attack, which was retaliation for Israel's previous attack, which was
retaliation for Iran's previous attack, and so on.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Imprisoned human rights lawyer on hunger strike
uri: Imprisoned-human-rights-lawyer-on-hunger-strike
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Imprisoned_human_rights_lawyer_on_hunger_strike)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Imprisoned_human_rights_lawyer_on_hunger_strike)

content:
 
<p>

Human rights lawyer Xu Zhiyong, imprisoned since 2020, is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/31/xu-zhiyong-hunger-strike-china-prison">now on
    hunger strike</a>, protesting mistreatment in prison and isolation from his
family.
</p>
<p>
If <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> achieves his goals, there are likely to be imprisoned
American human rights lawyers on hunger strike too.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Wrecker nominated Matt Gaetz as attorney general
uri: Wrecker-nominated-Matt-Gaetz-as-attorney-general
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Wrecker_nominated_Matt_Gaetz_as_attorney_general)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Wrecker_nominated_Matt_Gaetz_as_attorney_general)

content:
 
<p>

  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/13/republicans-matt-gaetz-trump-attorney-general">nominated Matt Gaetz</a>, a fanatical supporter for whom legal
rights count for nothing, to be attorney general.  There is talk that
Republicans in the Senate will reject him.
</p>
<p>
If they do so, it would indicate a degree of loyalty to values other
than obedience to <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> himself.  That would be a positive
change, if it happens.  But I am not confident they can do so,
since <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> will attack them for it.
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker</a> has shown a pattern of demanding outrageous things from
his supporters, and mobilizing the more extreme to bully the rest into
endorsing these things.  (One of many examples is claiming that the
2020 election was stolen by Democrats.)  I think he expects to do the
same thing to them over Matt Gaetz.
</p>
<p>
Robert Reich says this nomination is a test of <a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/matt-gaetz-as-ag-is-laughable-if">how loyal Republican
    senators are to the wrecker personally</a>.
  "If [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a>] can get 51 votes for Gaetz, he can get a Senate
majority for anything [he] wants to do."
</p>
</li>

 


title: Any red line Israel will be held to?
uri: Any-red-line-Israel-will-be-held-to
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Any_red_line_Israel_will_be_held_to_)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Any_red_line_Israel_will_be_held_to_)

content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/13/israel-joe-biden-aid-gaza">Is there any red line that Israel will be held to? Biden has just confirmed
    the answer is no.</a>*
</p>
<p>
No matter how bad things are, they can always get worse.  The hater
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/13/us-election-updates-2024-trump-cabinet-picks-department-of-government-efficiency-doge-musk-ramaswamy-huckabee">plans to support Israel 200%</a>.
  Instead of discouraging atrocities ineffectively, he will encourage
them.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Guardian to stop posting on ex-Twitter
uri: Guardian-to-stop-posting-on-ex-Twitter
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Guardian_to_stop_posting_on_ex-Twitter)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Guardian_to_stop_posting_on_ex-Twitter)

content:
 
<p>

  The Guardian said it will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/nov/13/the-guardian-no-longer-post-on-x-twitter-elon-musk">no longer post on ex-Twitter</a>.
  That sets a good example for everyone who ever posted on Twitter.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Project 2025 chief kicks Guardian reporter out of book event
uri: Project-2025-chief-kicks-Guardian-reporter-out-of-book-event
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Project_2025_chief_kicks_Guardian_reporter_out_of_book_event)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Project_2025_chief_kicks_Guardian_reporter_out_of_book_event)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/13/kevin-roberts-project-2025-book-events">"Go to hell": Project 2025 chief kicks Guardian reporter out of book event.</a>*
</p>
<p>
The author who spewed that hatred may soon have a chance to join the
wrecker in spewing hatred on everyone in the US who is not
subservient to the latter.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Democrats rally to defeat bill canceling tax exemptions
uri: Democrats-rally-to-defeat-bill-canceling-tax-exemptions
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Democrats_rally_to_defeat_bill_canceling_tax_exemptions)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#17_November_2024_(Democrats_rally_to_defeat_bill_canceling_tax_exemptions)

content:
 
<p>

  Democrats in Congress <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/11/12/congress-vote-trump-nonprofits-tax-exempt-terrorism/">rallied to defeat the bill</a> that would have
allowed canceling the tax exemptions of organizations based on
accusations with no specifics.
</p>
<p>
The injustice of that plan is fundamental.  Even with a non-fascist
president, it would be an intolerable attack in freedom and justice,
because it would amount to "guilty of unspecified crimes unless proven
innocent."
</p>
</li>

<p>
 


title: Urgent: Block coming arms sale to Israel
uri: Urgent-Block-coming-arms-sale-to-Israel
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Urgent:_Block_coming_arms_sale_to_Israel)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Urgent:_Block_coming_arms_sale_to_Israel)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Congress to pass Bernie Sanders's resolution to
<a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/sanders-weapons-resolution-post-election/">block the coming arms sale to Israel</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Confirmation of Biden's nominated judges
uri: Urgent-Confirmation-of-Biden-s-nominated-judges
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Urgent:_Confirmation_of_Biden's_nominated_judges)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Urgent:_Confirmation_of_Biden's_nominated_judges)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Senator Schumer to <a href="https://act.boldprogressives.org/survey/petition_2024_lameduck/">hasten confirmation of Biden's
    nominated judges and regulatory officials</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Urgent:_Equal_Rights_Amendment)
title: Urgent: Equal Rights Amendment
uri: 2024-11-20-Urgent-Equal-Rights-Amendment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Urgent:_Equal_Rights_Amendment)
content:
 
<p>

US citizens: phone Biden and urge him to do everything he can to
publish the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment. Call <a href="tel:(202)456-1111"> (202)456-1111</a> to reach the White House.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Obedience_to_the_fascist_leader)
title: Obedience to the fascist leader
uri: Obedience-to-the-fascist-leader
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Obedience_to_the_fascist_leader)
content:
 
<p>

What <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#trump">the fascist</a> leader's choices for major government positions
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/13/trump-america-first-foreign-policy">have in common is obedience to him</a>.
</p>
<p>
  This is a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/15/donald-trump-cabinet-picks-reaction-gaetz-gabbard-kennedy-hesgeth-rubio-waltz-noem">big change from 2017</a>.
</p>
<p>
The Supreme Leader wants officials that will serve <em>him</em>, not their
country or human rights.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Amsterdam arresting participants of peaceful protests
uri: Amsterdam-arresting-participants-of-peaceful-protests
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Amsterdam_arresting_participants_of_peaceful_protests)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Amsterdam_arresting_participants_of_peaceful_protests)

content:
 
<p>

  Amsterdam is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/13/amsterdam-police-detain-pro-palestine-protesters-defying-ban">arresting people</a> for participating in peaceful and harmless
protests for Palestinians' safety and human rights.
</p>
<p>
This is due to an "emergency order" that was a response, according to
the article, to violence started by Israeli soccer fans against
protesters peacefully condemning Israel's violence.
</p>
<p>
Maybe an emergency order was needed, but in order to serve its purpose
honestly it should have been enforced only against those who engaged
in violence, not against all protesters.
</p>
<p>
  Not surprisingly, the cops <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/14/dutch-authorities-investigate-alleged-police-violence-after-pro-palestinian-protest">vented violence</a> on the protesters
supporting the rights of Palestinians.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Grocery prices helped wrecker to victory
uri: Grocery-prices-helped-wrecker-to-victory
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Grocery_prices_helped_wrecker_to_victory)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Grocery_prices_helped_wrecker_to_victory)

content:
 
<p>

*<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/13/grocery-prices-donald-trump-climate-crisis-olive-oil-butter-extreme-weather-cost-of-living">Soaring grocery prices helped the wrecker to victory.  The climate crisis is
    only going to make this worse.</a>*
</p>
<p>
  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker</a> is steadfastly determined to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#5_November_2024_(donald_trump_climate_change)">exacerbate the climate crisis</a>.
  To keep America under the Tr&hellip;ance as the early stages of
agricultural failure grow and spread will require intensified
disinformation and repression.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Damage RFK Jr could do as Secretary of Health
uri: Damage-RFK-Jr-could-do-as-Secretary-of-Health
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Damage_RFK_Jr_could_do_as_Secretary_of_Health)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Damage_RFK_Jr_could_do_as_Secretary_of_Health)

content:
 
<p>

  Robert Reich <a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/trump-wants-robert-f-kennedy-jr-to">describes the damage</a> that RFK Jr would be likely to do
if he becomes Secretary of Health.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Global_plastic_production)
title: Global plastic production
uri: Global-plastic-production
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Global_plastic_production)
content:
 
<p>

  *Global plastic production <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/14/global-plastic-production-cut-pollution-waste-un-treaty">must be cut to curb pollution</a>, study says.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Palestinians running out of food and water
uri: Palestinians-running-out-of-food-and-water
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Palestinians_running_out_of_food_and_water)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Palestinians_running_out_of_food_and_water)

content:
 
<p>

Palestinians in Jabaliya in northern Gaza have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/14/israeli-strikes-intensify-on-three-fronts-as-talks-with-hezbollah-reach-critical-stage">run out of food and
    water</a> due to Israel's siege, so many of them are now forced to leave,
despite the danger and hardship of that.
</p>
<p>
I suppose those who are not capable of leaving will all die.
</p>
<p>
This is ethnic cleansing, a grave crime.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Spain's_floods_and_droughts)
title: Spain's floods and droughts
uri: Spain-s-floods-and-droughts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Spain's_floods_and_droughts)
content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/30/spain-deadly-floods-and-severe-droughts-are-two-faces-of-the-climate-change-coin">Spain's deadly floods and droughts are two faces of the climate crisis coin</a>.
   Scientists say violent weather battering Mediterranean is a harbinger
of what the rest of Europe can soon expect.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Death of Texas woman denied of miscarriage care
uri: Death-of-Texas-woman-denied-of-miscarriage-care
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Death_of_Texas_woman_denied_of_miscarriage_care)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Death_of_Texas_woman_denied_of_miscarriage_care)

content:
 
<p>

  *Texas woman <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/30/texas-woman-death-abortion-ban-miscarriage">died after being denied miscarriage care</a> due to abortion ban,
report finds.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Mississippi's firearm-related death rate
uri: Mississippi-s-firearm-related-death-rate
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Mississippi's_firearm-related_death_rate)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Mississippi's_firearm-related_death_rate)

content:
 
<p>

*Mississippi's firearm-related death rate was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/30/states-firearm-death-rates">nearly double that of
    Haiti</a>, which is plagued by political and gang violence.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Fire control by Australian aboriginals
uri: Fire-control-by-Australian-aboriginals
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Fire_control_by_Australian_aboriginals)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Fire_control_by_Australian_aboriginals)

content:
 
<p>

Australian aboriginals set fires to control the amount of shrubs, but
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/01/indigenous-cultural-burning-managed-australias-bushfires-long-before-colonisation-its-needed-now-more-than-ever-a-study-says">only in some regions.  In some other regions</a>, they almost never set
any fires.
</p>
<p>
Controlling large fires by setting small ones worked pretty well, but
one new complicating factor is that nowadays there are is a scattering
of man-made things that must not be burned &mdash; such as buildings and
fields of crops.
</p>
<!-- I don't think this is meant for this pol note -->
how-i-fought-to-graduate-without-using-non-free-software.html gives
more ideas, from a student who resisted very cleverly.
</li>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(survive_broligarchy_trump_world)
title: Surviving the broligarchy
uri: Surviving-the-broligarchy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(survive_broligarchy_trump_world)
content:
 
<p>
Advice for journalists, organizations and individuals about surviving under
fascism while dragging your 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/17/how-to-survive-the-broligarchy-20-lessons-for-the-post-truth-world-donald-trump">heels against its evil plans.</a>
<p>
In particular, don't obey demands by anticipation.  For instance, Anthony
Albanese, the PM of Australia, is resisting pressure from 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/17/anthony-albanese-says-kevin-rudd-will-remain-as-australia-ambassador-to-us">Australians who want to do that.</a>
<p>
I would add one more suggestion: if you can't refuse to obey when power
demands you do evil, at least refuse to disguise it.  Show explicitly
that you are obeying orders, not making a decision of your own.

<p>
 


title: RFK Jr. dangerous ideas
uri: RFK-Jr-dangerous-ideas
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(rfk_jr_vaccine_disinfo_public_health)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(rfk_jr_vaccine_disinfo_public_health)

content:
 
<p>
RFK Jr. promotes anti-vaccine disinformation, touts raw milk as a
supposed cure (never mind that it can give you an infection), and supports 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/17/robert-f-kennedy-public-health-usa-donald-trump-most-dangerous-ideas">conspiracy theories that demonize medicine.</a>

<p>
 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(canada_hindus_sikhs_tensions)
title: Hindus and Sikhs growing tension
uri: Hindus-and-Sikhs-growing-tension
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(canada_hindus_sikhs_tensions)
content:
 
<p>
Modhi's demonizaion of non-Hindus has extended to Canada, influencing some
of the 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/17/canada-hindus-sikhs-growing-tensions">Hindus there to attack Sikhs there.</a>

<p>
 


title: Massive gas industry expansion
uri: Massive-gas-industry-expansion
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(aus_exporting_climate_destruction)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(aus_exporting_climate_destruction)

content:
 
<p>
*Australia accused of "exporting climate destruction" on tiny Pacific
neighbours with massive 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/18/australia-accused-of-exporting-climate-destruction-on-tiny-pacific-neighbours-with-massive-gas-expansion-plans">gas expansion plans.*</a>
<p>
Australia is not alone in doing this, but every country doing this
deserves condemnation in these clear terms.

<p>
 


title: Biden lifts ban
uri: Biden-lifts-ban
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(biden_ban_lifts_ukraine_us_weapons)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(biden_ban_lifts_ukraine_us_weapons)

content:
 
<p>
Biden has authorized Ukraine to use long-range US missiles to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/17/biden-has-lifted-ban-on-ukraine-using-us-weapons-to-strike-deeper-into-russia-reports">attack
places in Russia.</a>
<p>
He should have done this months ago.  Nuclear weapons aside, Putin
attacks using every weapon he has available, in whatever ways will
cause harm to someone.  Even including war crimes.
<p>
Ukraine should not commit war crimes, and should not attack nuclear
weapons and facilities, but aside from that it should not hold back.
<p>
For his enemies to
restrain themselves in the hope that Putin will restrain himself is
foolish ince Putin doesn't do that.

 


title: Urgent: Reduce deforestation and environmental degradation
uri: Urgent-Reduce-deforestation-and-environmental-degradation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Urgent:_Reduce_deforestation_and_environmental_degradation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Urgent:_Reduce_deforestation_and_environmental_degradation)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on world leaders to <a href="https://act.ran.org/page/74162/petition/1">reduce deforestation and
    environmental degradation</a>, so as to preserve biodiversity.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Donations to group backing anti-abortion Republican
uri: Donations-to-group-backing-anti-abortion-Republican
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Donations_to_group_backing_anti-abortion_Republican)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Donations_to_group_backing_anti-abortion_Republican)

content:
 
<p>

Amazon, DoorDash and CVS donate *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/31/amazon-doordash-cvs-fund-anti-abortion-republican">to group backing hardline
    anti-abortion Republican</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: (satire) Law that women voters show husband's ID
uri: (satire)-Law-that-women-voters-show-husband-s-ID
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_((satire)_Law_that_women_voters_show_husband's_ID)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_((satire)_Law_that_women_voters_show_husband's_ID)

content:
 
<p>

  (satire) *<a href="https://theonion.com/new-indiana-law-requires-women-voters-to-show-husbands-id/">New Indiana Law Requires Women Voters To Show Husband’s ID.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Torture Trial against defense contractor
uri: Torture-Trial-against-defense-contractor
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Torture_Trial_against_defense_contractor)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Torture_Trial_against_defense_contractor)

content:
 
<p>

  *Abu Ghraib <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/10/31/abu-ghraib-torture-trial-caci/">Torture Trial Against Virginia-Based Defense Contractor</a>
[CACI] Begins Again.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Google's_fine_by_Putin)
title: Google's fine by Putin
uri: Google-s-fine-by-Putin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Google's_fine_by_Putin)
content:
 
<p>

Putin's obedient servants have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/31/russia-20-decillion-fine-against-google-symbolic-youtube-ban-pro-kremlin-media">fined Google more money than exists in
    the world</a>, as a punishment for not allowing Putin's PR.
</p>
<p>
This won't make Google change anything, but I expect that Putin's
friend in the White House will do so by February.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Krill fishing restrictions in Antarctica
uri: Krill-fishing-restrictions-in-Antarctica
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Krill_fishing_restrictions_in_Antarctica)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Krill_fishing_restrictions_in_Antarctica)

content:
 
<p>

*China and Russia team up to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/02/china-russia-team-up-krill-fishing-restrictions-antarctica">undermine krill fishing
    restrictions</a> in Antarctica.*
</p>
<p>
These restrictions are designed to protect whales, penguins and seals.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Israel's_ban_on_UNRWA)
title: Israel's ban on UNRWA
uri: Israel-s-ban-on-UNRWA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Israel's_ban_on_UNRWA)
content:
 
<p>

  *Israel's ban on UNRWA will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/01/israel-ban-on-unrwa-will-annihilate-healthcare-for-palestinians">annihilate healthcare for Palestinians</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Argentina extraditing Brazilian extremists
uri: Argentina-extraditing-Brazilian-extremists
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Argentina_extraditing_Brazilian_extremists)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Argentina_extraditing_Brazilian_extremists)

content:
 
<p>

  Argentina is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/16/argentina-seeks-arrests-of-61-rightwing-rioters-from-brazil">working to extradite Brazilian extremists</a>,
    supporters of Bolsonaro, who participated in the
  <a href="attack">attack on government ministries</a>
    just after Bolsonaro lost the last presidential election.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Real_life_zombie_apocalypse)
title: Real life zombie apocalypse
uri: Real-life-zombie-apocalypse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Real_life_zombie_apocalypse)
content:
 
<p>

  Rebecca Solnit describes the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/nov/16/zombie-apocalypse-dangerously-disconnected-world-rebecca-solnit">real life zombie apocalypse</a>: people
trained slowly by automatic systems to withdraw their attention from
all other people.
</p>
<p>
Since I refuse to carry a portable tracking and listening device, I
sometimes need to ask people passing by, "Would you please make a
phone call for me?"  Nowadays, the hardest part of this is to get the
attention of people in phone trance, who don't seem to notice a live
person speaking.  People seem to be willing to help, provided they see
you are there.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Coal, oil and gas lobbyists granted access to Cop29
uri: Coal-oil-and-gas-lobbyists-granted-access-to-Cop29
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Coal,_oil_and_gas_lobbyists_granted_access_to_Cop29)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Coal,_oil_and_gas_lobbyists_granted_access_to_Cop29)

content:
 
<p>

  *Over 1,700 coal, oil and gas lobbyists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/15/coal-oil-and-gas-lobbyists-granted-access-to-cop29-says-report">granted access to Cop29</a>, says report.*
</p>
<p>
  *Almost 500 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/16/500-carbon-capture-lobbyists-cop29-climate">carbon capture lobbyists granted access</a> to Cop29 climate summit.*
</p>
<p>
Their numbers show the amount of money that seeks to direct the world
away from the path that we can be confident would actually save
civilization, which is that of diminishing greenhouse emissions.  That
illustrates how these conferences are <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#14_November_2024_(Fossil_fuel_deals_at_climate_summit)">corrupt at the core</a>.
</p>
<p>
  *Cop summits <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/15/cop-summits-no-longer-fit-for-purpose-say-leading-climate-policy-experts">‘no longer fit for purpose’</a>, say leading climate policy
experts .*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Lawsuit for information on Trump mass deportation plans
uri: Lawsuit-for-information-on-Trump-mass-deportation-plans
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Lawsuit_for_information_on_Trump_mass_deportation_plans)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#21_November_2024_(Lawsuit_for_information_on_Trump_mass_deportation_plans)

content:
 
<p>

  *ACLU <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/18/trump-mass-deportation-aclu-lawsuit">files lawsuit</a> to gain information about Trump mass deportation plans.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Ukraine's use of long-range missiles
uri: Ukraine-s-use-of-long-range-missiles
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(Ukraine's_use_of_long-range_missiles)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(Ukraine's_use_of_long-range_missiles)

content:
 
<p>

  It is not clear whether <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/18/letting-ukraine-fire-missiles-into-russia-unlikely-to-have-decisive-effect">Ukraine's use of long-range US missiles</a> will
make a big difference to the outcome of the war.
</p>
<p>
Biden has authorized them only in relation to the Kursk salient.  It
would make sense to use them in whatever ways would most impair
Putin's war effort.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(Boys_venting_misogyny_in_schools)
title: Boys venting misogyny in schools
uri: Boys-venting-misogyny-in-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(Boys_venting_misogyny_in_schools)
content:
 
<p>

  Teenage boys in the US are now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/15/the-boys-in-our-liberal-school-are-different-now-that-trump-has-won">venting misogyny in school</a>.  Girls in
one school have noticed this and are wondering what can be done about
it.
</p>
<p>
An idea occurs to me: the girls in a school could set up a web site
where they anonymously rate the boys on how misogynist they are in
everyday interactions in school.  (It would <em>not</em> be focused on dating
or anything like dating.)  They could tell the boys were to look at
the ratings, but not give them accounts to alter anything in the site.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(The_Palestine_Exception_rules)
title: The "Palestine Exception" rules
uri: The-Palestine-Exception-rules
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(The_Palestine_Exception_rules)
content:
 
<p>

*From Campus to the Courts, the <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/11/18/gaza-protest-campus-palestine-exception/">"Palestine Exception"
    Rules University Crackdowns</a>.*
</p>
<p>
  I looked at the <a href="https://captimes.com/opinion/guest-columns/opinion-uw-madison-not-acting-in-good-faith-with-student-protesters/article_e4867ce6-0e19-11ef-95e1-bba73476bbef.html">article</a>
  for which Dahlia Saba and Vignesh Ramachandran were accused and
threatened with punishment.  It is democratic participation, pure and
simple, and trying to punish people for that is vicious opposition to
democracy.  For a university administration even to consider such
intimidation shows a lack of respect for democracy and academic
freedom.
</p>
<p>
I expect this repression to get far worse when America's highest
officials are overt enemies of democracy, acting on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/18/trump-universities-antisemitism">administrators who
    have no sense of loyalty</a> to freedom of speech.  Others expect it too.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Iranian plot to kill former justice minister Irwin Cotler
uri: Iranian-plot-to-kill-former-justice-minister-Irwin-Cotler
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(Iranian_plot_to_kill_former_justice_minister_Irwin_Cotler)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(Iranian_plot_to_kill_former_justice_minister_Irwin_Cotler)

content:
 
<p>

*Canada reportedly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/18/iran-canada-irwin-cotler-assassination-plot">foils Iranian plot to kill former justice minister Irwin
    Cotler</a>,* who was campaigning to have the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
designated as "terrorist".
</p>
<p>
I can well believe that it merits that determination, but such decisions
should be made by trial, not by administrative fiat.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Relying on natural carbon sinks for greenhouse goals
uri: Relying-on-natural-carbon-sinks-for-greenhouse-goals
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(Relying_on_natural_carbon_sinks_for_greenhouse_goals)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(Relying_on_natural_carbon_sinks_for_greenhouse_goals)

content:
 
<p>

* By relying on natural carbon sinks such as forests and peat lands to
   offset emissions, governments can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/18/countries-nature-cheat-net-zero-targets-paris-agreement-cop29">appear closer to greenhouse gas
    goals than they actually are</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Gaetz pick raises fears of "retribution"
uri: Gaetz-pick-raises-fears-of-retribution
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(Gaetz_pick_raises_fears_of_retribution)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(Gaetz_pick_raises_fears_of_retribution)

content:
 
<p>

*Gaetz pick raises fears that [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bully">the bully</a>] will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/18/matt-gaetz-donald-trump-department-of-justice">seek "retribution" on
    political foes</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Climate target "deader than a doornail"
uri: Climate-target-deader-than-a-doornail
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(Climate_target_deader_than_a_doornail)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(Climate_target_deader_than_a_doornail)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/18/climate-crisis-world-temperature-target">World's 1.5°C climate target "deader than a doornail"</a>, experts say.*
</p>
<p>
Indeed, the world's governments have talked for years about curbing
    <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>, but have chiefly <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#15_October_2024_(Carbon_offset_fraud)">promoted excuses</a> rather than
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#8_September_2024_(Battery_storage_vs_nuclear_power_plants)">solutions</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Suppression of Hong Kong's civil society
uri: Suppression-of-Hong-Kong-s-civil-society
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(Suppression_of_Hong_Kong's_civil_society)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(Suppression_of_Hong_Kong's_civil_society)

content:
 
<p>

  * The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/19/the-guardian-view-on-a-showtrial-in-hong-kong-a-new-authoritarian-low">jailing of 45 pro-democracy activists</a> testifies to the ruthless
   suppression of [Hong Kong's] once-vibrant civil society.*
</p>
*Information about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/19/who-are-the-hong-kong-47-hk47-trial-pro-democracy-activists">some of those activists</a>.*
<p>
*Starmer twice <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/nov/19/keir-starmer-declines-to-directly-condemn-jailing-hong-kong-pro-democracy-figures">declines to directly condemn jailing of Hong Kong
    pro-democracy figures</a>.*
</p>
<p>
The UK economy, as that is normally understood surely benefits from
trade with China.  Whether poor Britons participate in that benefit, I
am not sure.  But if the price of that trade is to legitimize
repression, in the long run he world loses.
</p>
<p>
The US may be next.  Those who don't dare to criticize Chairman Xi
won't dare to criticize <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> either.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(Trial_for_1989_murder_of_Jesuits)
title: Trial for 1989 murder of Jesuits
uri: Trial-for-1989-murder-of-Jesuits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#22_November_2024_(Trial_for_1989_murder_of_Jesuits)
content:
 
<p>

  *El Salvador ex-president <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/19/alfredo-cristiani-el-salvador-trial">among 11 to face trial</a> for 1989 murder of
 Jesuits.*
</p>
<p>
That murder was an international scandal for the right-wing government
of the time, and boosted support by Americans for the resistance.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Urgent:_Support_Bernie_Sanders)
title: Urgent: Support Bernie Sanders
uri: Urgent-Support-Bernie-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Urgent:_Support_Bernie_Sanders)
content:
 
<p>

US citizens:Support Bernie Sanders: <a href="https://act.ourrevolution.com/signup/bernie-agenda-fight-gop/">urge Democrats in Congress
    to resist Republicans</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Oppose "Moms for Liberty" Co-Founder as Education Secretary
uri: Urgent-Oppose-Moms-for-Liberty-Co-Founder-as-Education-Secretary
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Urgent:_Oppose_Moms_for_Liberty_Co-Founder_as_Education_Secretary)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Urgent:_Oppose_Moms_for_Liberty_Co-Founder_as_Education_Secretary)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/oppose-the-appointment-of-a-moms-for-liberty-co-founder-as-education-secretary">Oppose the Appointment of a "Moms for Liberty"
    Co-Founder as Education Secretary</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Tracker_for_fascist's_appointees)
title: Tracker for fascist's appointees
uri: Tracker-for-fascist-s-appointees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Tracker_for_fascist's_appointees)
content:
 
<p>

*New Tracker Keeps Tabs on [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#trump">the fascist's</a>] <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/new-tracker-keeps-tabs-on-trump-appointees-conflicts-of-interest">Appointees' Conflicts of
    Interest</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: British surgeon on what he saw in Gaza
uri: British-surgeon-on-what-he-saw-in-Gaza
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(British_surgeon_on_what_he_saw_in_Gaza)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(British_surgeon_on_what_he_saw_in_Gaza)

content:
 
<p>

A British surgeon who has worked as a volunteer in Gaza <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/nov/19/a-war-surgeons-perspective-on-crimes-in-gaza">reports on what
    he saw there</a>, including an apparent campaign by Israeli snipers to 
render men permanently disabled.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Employees punished for showing support to Gaza
uri: Employees-punished-for-showing-support-to-Gaza
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Employees_punished_for_showing_support_to_Gaza)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Employees_punished_for_showing_support_to_Gaza)

content:
 
<p>

  UC San Francisco is <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/11/19/ucsf-medical-palestine-speech/">punishing employees</a> for showing support
for Gaza under attack.
</p>
<p>
I think it is legitimate for an organization that provides crucial
service to the public to insist that employees <em>in work activities</em>
stay neutral on political issues &mdash; provide this policy is general and
unbiased.
</p>
<p>
However, to punish employees for advocating political views <em>outside
    of work activities</em>, as UCSF did to Marya, is a violation of their
human rights.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Calling China and India developing countries
uri: Calling-China-and-India-developing-countries
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Calling_China_and_India_developing_countries)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Calling_China_and_India_developing_countries)

content:
 
<p>

  *China and India <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/19/china-india-developing-countries-cop29-climate-talks">should not be called developing countries</a>, several
Cop29 delegates say.*
</p>
<p>
I agree.  China and India are economic powers.  They are now among the
countries that exploit others, rather than among the countries that
get exploited.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Threat of ordering military to deport non-citizens
uri: Threat-of-ordering-military-to-deport-non-citizens
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Threat_of_ordering_military_to_deport_non-citizens)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Threat_of_ordering_military_to_deport_non-citizens)

content:
 
<p>

  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker</a> <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/11/19/trump-deportation-plan-military/">seems to be serious</a> about ordering the US military to
participate in deporting millions of non-citizens from the US.
</p>
<p>
I have never advocated "open borders".  However, the US has a duty to
give asylum to those who those who ask for it and meet the international
criteria for deserving it.  It must not create <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-jan-apr.html#15_January_2019_(Asylum_seekers_in_Mexico)">artificial obstacles</a>,
such as <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> set up when he was president before,
and Biden more or less <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#7_October_2024_(biden_asylum_restrictions_immigration)">continued</a>.
Instead, the US must speed up making the correct decisions about
asylum cases, so that immigrants entitled to asylum are not subject to
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2020-jul-oct.html#23_July_2020_(Cruelty_of_absurd_deportation)">cruel treatment</a> during <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2023-mar-jun.html#14_May_2023_(Title_42_replaced_with_harsher_policy)">years of waiting</a>.
</p>
<p>
And there is no excuse for gratuitous acts of cruelty,
such as <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2018-mar-jun.html#15_June_2018_(Families_separated_at_US_border)">separating families</a>
  and deporting people who came to the US and <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2016-jul-oct.html#31_October_2016_(US_immigration_policy)">could not fit
    in</a> in the countries they supposedly "came from".
</p>
</li>

 


title: Brazilian police arrest five over 2022 plot to assassinate Lula
uri: Brazilian-police-arrest-five-over-2022-plot-to-assassinate-Lula
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Brazilian_police_arrest_five_over_2022_plot_to_assassinate_Lula)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Brazilian_police_arrest_five_over_2022_plot_to_assassinate_Lula)

content:
 
<p>

  *Brazilian police <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/19/brazilian-police-arrest-five-over-plot-to-assassinate-lula-after-2022-election-win">arrest five</a> [military and police] over plot to
assassinate Lula after 2022 election win.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Resolution to black arms deal defeated
uri: Resolution-to-black-arms-deal-defeated
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Resolution_to_black_arms_deal_defeated)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Resolution_to_black_arms_deal_defeated)

content:
 
<p>

Bernie Sanders's resolution to block the new arms deal to Israel
<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/11/20/bernie-sanders-block-weapons-arms-israel-gaza/">was defeated</a>.
</p>
<p>
I agree with what Sanders is quoted in this article as saying.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Jan 6 rioter convicted of conspiring to kill federal employees
uri: Jan-6-rioter-convicted-of-conspiring-to-kill-federal-employees
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Jan_6_rioter_convicted_of_conspiring_to_kill_federal_employees)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Jan_6_rioter_convicted_of_conspiring_to_kill_federal_employees)

content:
 
<p>

One of the Jan 6 rioters has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/20/tennessee-man-capitol-riot-convicted">convicted of subsequently conspiring
    with others to kill federal government employees</a>.
</p>
<p>
I wonder if <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> will pardon him for this.  The article does
not say whether he was convicted of anything on Jan 6, 2021.
</p>
</li>

 


title: US vetoed Security Council resolution
uri: US-vetoed-Security-Council-resolution
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(US_vetoed_Security_Council_resolution)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(US_vetoed_Security_Council_resolution)

content:
 
<p>

  The US <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/20/un-gaza-vote-veto">vetoed a Security Council resolution</a>
  that demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire"
   in the war between Israel and [HAMAS], along with "the immediate
   and unconditional release of all hostages".
</p>
<p>
All the other members of the Security Council voted for the
resolution.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Private_equity_parasites)
title: Private equity parasites
uri: Private-equity-parasites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#24_November_2024_(Private_equity_parasites)
content:
 
<p>

Private equity parasites did their usual trick of threatening to move
to a different country, to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/oct/31/how-private-equity-convinced-labour-to-go-easy-on-its-multimillion-pound-tax-perk">bully Labour into dropping its plan to tax
    them more</a>.
</p>
<p>
I suggest that countries impose the higher taxes private equity
deserves to pay is to impose them, not on the fund organizers or fund
"investors", but on the companies they own &mdash; so that the "investors"
and "funds" can't get out of it by relocating to a tax haven.
</p>
<p>
  This would go well with <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-jul-oct.html#3_September_2024_(Health_Over_Wealth_bill)">another reform I have proposed</a>, which is to
require private equity funds to obey the rules that exist for public
corporations.
  This makes sense, because private equity investing is effectively a
subterfuge to evade those rules.  To be airtight, this requirement
should be imposed by a country, not on the private equity funds set up
in that country, but rather on those that own part of businesses in
that country.
</p>
<p>
  Private equity funds are <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2019-sep-dec.html#24_December_2019_(Buying_to_gouge)">often company-wreckers</a>.  They buy a
company, then sell it off so loaded with debt that will will
go broke and shut down.
If the result of justified regulation and taxation on private equity
funds is to make them sell off all assets in your country, your
country will be better off.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Close Data Broker Loophole
uri: Urgent-Close-Data-Broker-Loophole
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Urgent:_Close_Data_Broker_Loophole)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Urgent:_Close_Data_Broker_Loophole)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Senate Democrats to <a href="https://act.demandprogress.org/sign/fourth-amendment-not-for-sale-24/">close the Data Broker
    Loophole</a>, that allows agencies like ICE, CBP, and the FBI bypass the
4th Amendment and spy on everyday people's location and online
activity without a warrant.
</p>
<p>
In my view, that change would be a change for the better, but would
not be adequate.  We are entitled to use devices controlled by us, not
be companies.  We should be able to make sure they do not tell anyone
where we go.
</p>
<p>
But closing the Data Broker Loophole is at least a change for the
better.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Revoke Musk's security clearance
uri: Urgent-Revoke-Musk-s-security-clearance
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Urgent:_Revoke_Musk's_security_clearance)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Urgent:_Revoke_Musk's_security_clearance)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Biden to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/revoke-musks-security-clearance">revoke Musk's security clearance</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Evidence global heating supercharging deadly weather
uri: Evidence-global-heating-supercharging-deadly-weather
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Evidence_global_heating_supercharging_deadly_weather)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Evidence_global_heating_supercharging_deadly_weather)

content:
 
<p>

  *Analyses are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/18/climate-crisis-to-blame-for-dozens-of-impossible-heatwaves-studies-reveal">stark evidence</a> of how <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> is already
supercharging deadly weather beyond anything ever experienced by
humanity.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Thugs_shot_victim_of_break_in)
title: Thugs shot victim of break in
uri: Thugs-shot-victim-of-break-in
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Thugs_shot_victim_of_break_in)
content:
 
<p>

Brandon Durham called 911 because people broke into his home.
While he was struggling to take a knife away from one of them,
a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/20/las-vegas-911-caller-police-officer">thug arrived and shot him dead</a>.
</p>
<p>
His relatives want the <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">thug</a> to be tried for this hasty killing
which predictably invited a deadly mistake.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Republican party turning into playpen for oligarchs
uri: Republican-party-turning-into-playpen-for-oligarchs
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Republican_party_turning_into_playpen_for_oligarchs)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Republican_party_turning_into_playpen_for_oligarchs)

content:
 
<p>

*The Republicans were always the party of big business, but [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a>] is
turning them into a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/20/the-guardian-view-on-donald-trumps-plutocrats-money-for-something">playpen for oligarchs</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Harris ran from popular Biden policies
uri: Harris-ran-from-popular-Biden-policies
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Harris_ran_from_popular_Biden_policies)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Harris_ran_from_popular_Biden_policies)

content:
 
<p>

  *Harris <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/20/harris-ran-popular-biden-policies">ran from the Biden policies</a> that were actually popular with voters*
  and adopted more <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#plutocratist">plutocratist</a> policies instead.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Agents of the wrecker's vengeance
uri: Agents-of-the-wrecker-s-vengeance
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Agents_of_the_wrecker's_vengeance)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Agents_of_the_wrecker's_vengeance)

content:
 
<p>

  *[<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker's</a>] cabinet picks are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/20/trump-cabinet-picks-contempt-rage-vengeance">agents of his contempt, rage and vengeance</a>.*
</p>
<p>
  *An <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/20/democrats-donald-trump-falling-us-wages">economic populism for the majority</a> &mdash; irrespective of gender,
race, religion, [and sexual] or gender [identity] &mdash; is the way
forward.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: International criminal court ordered arrest of Netanyahu
uri: International-criminal-court-ordered-arrest-of-Netanyahu
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(International_criminal_court_ordered_arrest_of_Netanyahu)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(International_criminal_court_ordered_arrest_of_Netanyahu)

content:
 
<p>

  The International Criminal Court has <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/11/21/icc-netanyahu-arrest-us-war-crimes/">ordered the arrest of Netanyahu</a>
and his former minister of defense, Galant.
</p>
<p>
I hope they are convicted, but it won't be easy to arrest them.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Bolsonaro formally charged with plotting coup
uri: Bolsonaro-formally-charged-with-plotting-coup
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Bolsonaro_formally_charged_with_plotting_coup)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Bolsonaro_formally_charged_with_plotting_coup)

content:
 
<p>

  Bolsonaro is now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/21/jair-bolsonaro-charged-coup-plot">formally charged with plotting a coup</a> after the election
that brought back Lula.
</p>
</li>

 


title: US anti-trust case against Google
uri: US-anti-trust-case-against-Google
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(US_anti-trust_case_against_Google)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(US_anti-trust_case_against_Google)

content:
 
<p>

  What the US anti-trust case against Google is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/nov/21/what-does-us-department-of-justice-google-chrome">asking the judge to impose</a>.
  Most of these proposed measures I see no specific flaw in.  But I do see
two specific flaws:
</p>

<ul>
<li>
The measure to make Google's web crawl data available to competitors
at a nonzero price would excludes noncommercial search engines a
priori.
</li>

<li>
Chrome is proprietary malware.  No matter which company releases it,
your freedom can only suffer if you use it.

However, its variant, Chromium, is of some benefit to the free world.
You would not <em>run</em> it if you are wise, since it contains some nonfree
code for doing web DRM.  But free software supporters use it as the
basis to make Ungoogled Chromium, which is much closer to being usable
in freedom.  (I don't know precisely how close.)

Spinning Chrome off to another company might lead to the elimination
of support for Chromium.  That company might make Chrome purely
proprietary, and that would indeed be a loss.
</li>
</ul>
</li>

 


title: Reopen investigation of Kavanaugh's attacks on various women
uri: Reopen-investigation-of-Kavanaugh-s-attacks-on-various-women
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Reopen_investigation_of_Kavanaugh's_attacks_on_various_women)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Reopen_investigation_of_Kavanaugh's_attacks_on_various_women)

content:
 
<p>

Call on the FBI to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-the-fbi-reopen-the-kavanaugh-sexual-assault-investigation">reopen the investigation of Kavanaugh's
    various sexual attacks on various women</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Exclude biomass energy from climate plans at COP29
uri: Exclude-biomass-energy-from-climate-plans-at-COP29
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Exclude_biomass_energy_from_climate_plans_at_COP29)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#26_November_2024_(Exclude_biomass_energy_from_climate_plans_at_COP29)

content:
 
<p>

*Call on countries around the world to <a href="https://act.stand.earth/s/3047513/D7S7p053">exclude biomass energy from their
    national climate plans at COP29</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Prosecuted for not tracking child at all times
uri: Prosecuted-for-not-tracking-child-at-all-times
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Prosecuted_for_not_tracking_child_at_all_times)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Prosecuted_for_not_tracking_child_at_all_times)

content:
 
<p>

While Brittany Patterson brought one child to a medical appointment,
her 10-year-old went out for a walk.  Lunatic officials are
<a href="https://www.freerangekids.com/free-range-kids-brittany-patterson-and-arresting-moms-whose-kids-take-a-walk/">prosecuting her for not tracking him during that time</a>.
</p>
<p>
As it happens, she had no way to do that except to cancel her child's
appointment.  That would have been far more likely to cause harm to her
kids than what she is being prosecuted for doing.
</p>
<p>
If you want to live in a country where everyone is tracked and
monitored all the time, go live in China.  Don't bring China here!
</p>
</li>

 


title: Fee of $9 for driving in Manhattan
uri: Fee-of-9-for-driving-in-Manhattan
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Fee_of_$9_for_driving_in_Manhattan)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Fee_of_$9_for_driving_in_Manhattan)

content:
 
<p>

  *New York City plan to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/22/congestion-fee-nyc">charge $9 fee for driving in Manhattan</a> approved.*
</p>
<p>
I support this plan to charge for driving in downtown and midtown
Manhattan provided it does not have the byproduct of tracking who goes
there, and in particular it is possible to pay without being subject
to injustice such as identifying yourself or running nonfree software.
</p>
<p>
But the article fails to say whether the fee system has those unjust
aspects.  Like so much journalism these days, it focuses on monetary
cost while disregarding cost that may (or may not) accrue to our
freedom.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Suggestions_for_Biden_to_act)
title: Suggestions for Biden to act
uri: Suggestions-for-Biden-to-act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Suggestions_for_Biden_to_act)
content:
 
<p>

  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/22/trump-biden-civil-liberties">Five suggestions for Biden to act</a>, while still president, to impede some of the
destruction that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> plans to do.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Wrecker's officials linked to Project 2025
uri: Wrecker-s-officials-linked-to-Project-2025
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Wrecker's_officials_linked_to_Project_2025)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Wrecker's_officials_linked_to_Project_2025)

content:
 
<p>

Some of <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker's</a> choices for official positions have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/22/project-2025-trump-picks">direct links
    to Project 2025</a>,
which tends to <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-may-aug.html#10_August_2024_(The_liar's_ties_to_Project_2025)">confirm the suspicion</a> (which I mentioned then)
   that he was lying when he said
that Project 2025 had nothing to do with him.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Trust_of_the_working_class)
title: Trust of the working class
uri: Trust-of-the-working-class
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Trust_of_the_working_class)
content:
 
<p>

*The Democratic Party Is Toast If It Doesn't <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/11/17/democrats-next-time-try-fighting-for-the-working-class">Earn Back the Trust of the
    Working Class</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Democrats need working-class candidates
uri: Democrats-need-working-class-candidates
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Democrats_need_working-class_candidates)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Democrats_need_working-class_candidates)

content:
 
<p>

  *The Democrats need to recruit more working-class candidates. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/22/democrats-working-class-candidates">Here's how</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Americans'_medical_insurance)
title: Americans' medical insurance
uri: Americans-medical-insurance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Americans'_medical_insurance)
content:
 
<p>

A former official under <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker</a> expects the wrecker to make
non-wealthy Americans' medical insurance <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/22/trump-ex-health-secretary-interview">weaker and more expensive</a>.
</p>
<p>
The article makes the mistake of seeing a contradiction between this
and what <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">the bullshitter</a> said to the public to win votes, but there is
no reason to suppose he wasn't bullshitting then.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(California_limits_on_PFAS)
title: California limits on PFAS
uri: California-limits-on-PFAS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(California_limits_on_PFAS)
content:
 
<p>

  California limits on PFAS in products are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/22/pfas-california-prop-65">having a real effect</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: GM cutting costs by firing workers
uri: GM-cutting-costs-by-firing-workers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(GM_cutting_costs_by_firing_workers)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(GM_cutting_costs_by_firing_workers)

content:
 
<p>

Robert Reich: Enormously profitable GM says that it "must cut costs"
by firing workers, and <a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/gm-corporate-greed-and-the-reason">most Democrats don't show outrage</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Secretary of defense who anticipates a civil war
uri: Secretary-of-defense-who-anticipates-a-civil-war
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Secretary_of_defense_who_anticipates_a_civil_war)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Secretary_of_defense_who_anticipates_a_civil_war)

content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#trump">The fascist</a> wants to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/22/trump-defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-book">appoint a secretary of defense who anticipates
    a civil war</a> &mdash; perhaps anticipating that <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#trump">the fascist's</a> oppression will
cause one.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Protection_from_pollution)
title: Protection from pollution
uri: Protection-from-pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Protection_from_pollution)
content:
 
<p>

  *<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#epa">EPA</a> staff fear Trump will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/11/environmental-protection-agency-staff-react-trump-second-term">destroy how it protects Americans from pollution</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Musk and Zuck's era of disinformation
uri: Musk-and-Zuck-s-era-of-disinformation
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Musk_and_Zuck's_era_of_disinformation)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Musk_and_Zuck's_era_of_disinformation)

content:
 
<p>

*First came the bots, then came the bosses &mdash; we're entering <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/12/elon-musk-mark-zuckerberg-disinformation">Musk and Zuck's
    new era of disinformation</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Actors in Hollywood afraid of bullshitter
uri: Actors-in-Hollywood-afraid-of-bullshitter
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Actors_in_Hollywood_afraid_of_bullshitter)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Actors_in_Hollywood_afraid_of_bullshitter)

content:
 
<p>

Sebastian Stan, who stars in The Apprentice, a biopic of [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#bullshitter">the bullshitter</a>]
focusing on his association in the 1970s with lawyer Roy Cohn,
has said that other actors in Hollywood are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/nov/21/the-apprentice-actor-sebastian-stan-says-hollywood-stars-are-afraid-of-trump">too “afraid” of the
    president-elect</a> to participate in press with him.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Book_about_Musk)
title: Book about Musk
uri: Book-about-Musk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Book_about_Musk)
content:
 
<p>

A successful author, whose other nonfiction books have been successful,
wrote a book about Musk.  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/nov/23/we-live-in-a-climate-of-fear-graphic-novelists-elon-musk-book-cant-find-uk-or-us-publisher">No company dares to publish it in the US</a>.
</p>
<p>
I assume that this book is mot actually libelous, because he surely
knows by now how to have a lawyer check that, and how rewrite to avoid
libel.  It would follow that this is a new form of intimidation:
people so powerful that no one dares publish even truthfully about
them.
</p>
<p>
I suggest posting the book on a web site under a Creative Commons
license &mdash; that way, at least people could read it.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Cop29_negotiating_text)
title: Cop29 negotiating text
uri: Cop29-negotiating-text
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#27_November_2024_(Cop29_negotiating_text)
content:
 
<p>

  *Saudi Arabia accused of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/23/revealed-saudi-arabia-accused-of-modifying-official-cop29-negotiating-text">modifying official Cop29 negotiating text</a>.*
</p>
<p>
All participating nations are supposed to have the same access.
Favoritism towards one of them is allowing it to cheat.  In this case
it would seem to be favoritism from Azerbaijan (a planet-roaster
state) towards <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#salafi">Salafi Arabia</a> (another planet-roaster state).
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Urgent:_Equal_Rights_Amendment)
title: Urgent: Equal Rights Amendment
uri: 2024-11-30-Urgent-Equal-Rights-Amendment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Urgent:_Equal_Rights_Amendment)
content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on President Biden to <a href="https://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/ERA_publication_2024/">publish the Equal Rights
    Amendment as having been adopted</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: No cuts to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid
uri: Urgent-No-cuts-to-Social-Security-Medicare-or-Medicaid
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Urgent:_No_cuts_to_Social_Security,_Medicare_or_Medicaid)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Urgent:_No_cuts_to_Social_Security,_Medicare_or_Medicaid)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call for <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/forms/no-cuts-to-social-security-medicare-or-medicaid">no cuts to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Reject attacks on transgender rights
uri: Urgent-Reject-attacks-on-transgender-rights
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Urgent:_Reject_attacks_on_transgender_rights)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Urgent:_Reject_attacks_on_transgender_rights)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on Congress to <a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/urge-congress-reject-trans-attacks/">reject attacks on transgender rights</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Destruction of Israel's left-wing newspaper
uri: Destruction-of-Israel-s-left-wing-newspaper
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Destruction_of_Israel's_left-wing_newspaper)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Destruction_of_Israel's_left-wing_newspaper)

content:
 
<p>

The Israeli government is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/24/israeli-government-orders-officials-to-boycott-left-leaning-paper-haaretz">trying to destroy Israel's left-wing
    newspaper</a>, Haaretz, by boycotting it for being left-wing.
  No alleged crimes or wrongs are needed as justification &mdash; merely
not supporting the dictator is enough.
</p>
<p>
Ironically, I have boycotted Haaretz for years for a different kind of
reason &mdash; for having a paywall.
</p>
<p>
Haaretz had a substantial importance for the world even after Israel
became mostly right-wing.  I used to make links to Haaretz articles
recommended by Israeli peace activists.
</p>
<p>
But then it set up a solid paywall, so I had to stop.  By my principles
it is wrong to make a link to anything that requires readers to (1)
identify themselves or (2) run a nonfree program.  The paywall
requires both, so I could no longer post links to Haaretz articles (or
read them myself, usually).
</p>
<p>
Haaretz still has a potential value to the world, if only it would let
down the paywall at least for some important articles.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Algorithms deciding who to deport
uri: Algorithms-deciding-who-to-deport
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Algorithms_deciding_who_to_deport)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Algorithms_deciding_who_to_deport)

content:
 
<p>

  The UK government is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/nov/11/ai-tool-could-influence-home-office-immigration-decisions-critics-say">using algorithms in deciding who to deport</a>.
</p>
<p>
The deportation department says that a human makes the final decision,
but if that is true it does not imply that an algorithm takes most of
the decision.
</p>
<p>
Algorithms should never play a significant role in decisions about how
a person will be treated by the law.  Inevitably that leads to gross
injustices that a robot does not understand.  Even when a human gets
involved, <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#perse">perse</a> may ape the rigidity of s robot.  When there is a mistake
or omission in the data, robots typically are hard to convince of this.
</p>
<p>
  It is ironic that the article insists that a <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">bullshit generator</a>
  is "artificial intelligence" but a system that represents knowledge
and makes deductions is not.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Cop29_rules_for_carbon_offsets)
title: Cop29 rules for carbon offsets
uri: Cop29-rules-for-carbon-offsets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Cop29_rules_for_carbon_offsets)
content:
 
<p>

  Cop29 has agreed on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/24/cop29s-new-carbon-market-rules-offer-hope-after-scandal-and-deadlock">new rules for carbon offsets</a>.
  The rules are meant to assure that a carbon offset really will
result in a reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions.  But will these
rules really achieve that goal?
</p>
<p>
Given that some experts already have doubts, I would expect they have
valid grounds for those doubts.
</p>
<p>
One specific reason to doubt is that whether any particular offset
plan really does reduce emissions depends on future developments of
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>, which we can't reliably anticipate.  For instance, if
we plant many square miles of trees, even supposing we have chosen
good trees for the local climate and situation, we cannot be sure
whether <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a> will kill them all.
</p>
</li>

 


title: "Consultants" in Democratic party defeat
uri: Consultants-in-Democratic-party-defeat
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Consultants_in_Democratic_party_defeat)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Consultants_in_Democratic_party_defeat)

content:
 
<p>

Arguing that "consultants" who control (or represent) funding sources
directed the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/democratic-party-consultants">Democratic Party down to defeat</a>.
</p>
<p>
My mother belonged to a local Democratic Party club when I was young
and lived in NYC with her.  It was quite active.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(RFK_and_measles_vaccination)
title: RFK and measles vaccination
uri: RFK-and-measles-vaccination
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(RFK_and_measles_vaccination)
content:
 
<p>

RFK Jr went to Samoa to participate in a campaign that cast doubt on
measles vaccination.  At <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/26/rfk-jr-samoa-visit-measles-outbreak-vaccines">least 83 people died from this outbreak</a> which
followed.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Crypto sweep puts Congress on notice
uri: Crypto-sweep-puts-Congress-on-notice
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Crypto_sweep_puts_Congress_on_notice)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Crypto_sweep_puts_Congress_on_notice)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/11/07/crypto-donors-trump-congress-regulations/">Crypto Sweep Puts Congress on Notice</a>: Vote With Us or We’ll Come
 After You With Millions.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Megachurch founder suffers health incident
uri: Megachurch-founder-suffers-health-incident
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Megachurch_founder_suffers_health_incident)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Megachurch_founder_suffers_health_incident)

content:
 
<p>

  *Megachurch founder TD Jakes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/25/td-jakes-health-incident-sermon">suffers health incident during sermon in Texas</a>.*
</p>
<p>
Does he ever claim that material harm is a punishment "sent by god"?
If so, that can be used against him now.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Investigation against corrupter ended
uri: Investigation-against-corrupter-ended
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Investigation_against_corrupter_ended)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Investigation_against_corrupter_ended)

content:
 
<p>

The special counsel who was investigating <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter's</a> 2020 crimes
decided to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/25/trump-criminal-case-dismissed">end the investigation</a> because it is impossible to indict
the president.
</p>
<p>
  Robert Reich says he <a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-special-counsel-jack-smith-just">should have put the charges on hold instead</a>.
</p>
<p>
It may not matter.  Maybe <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a> will pardon himself.  Maybe he
will corrupt the US government so thoroughly that no trial of him or
his friends could ever convict.  Those are possibilities, and if they
occur, it could have become futile to keep the indictment alive.
</p>
<p>
  But they are not inevitable.  They might <em>not</em> have happened.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(US_military_invited_to_us_LLAMA)
title: US military invited to us LLAMA
uri: US-military-invited-to-us-LLAMA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(US_military_invited_to_us_LLAMA)
content:
 
<p>

  Meta <a href="https://theintercept.com/2024/11/24/defense-llama-meta-military/">invited the US military to use LLAMA</a> to choose places to bomb.
(So far, only for exercises.)  Marketing materials show it gives a
nonsensical answer to a foolish question that it ought to have rejected.
</p>
<p>
I conjecture that those marketing materials were written to convince
politicians to spend billions on the system, rather that the
commanders who might in theory someday actually use it.  But that
doesn't necessarily imply it <em>would</em> work better in real life.
</p>
</li>

 


title: PFAS and microplastics more toxic when combined
uri: PFAS-and-microplastics-more-toxic-when-combined
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(PFAS_and_microplastics_more_toxic_when_combined)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(PFAS_and_microplastics_more_toxic_when_combined)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/25/pfas-microplastics-toxic">PFAS and microplastics become more toxic when combined</a>* &mdash; for water
fleas, at least.
</p>
<p>
To measure how they affect humans is a very difficult study, since it
would take many years and there is no way to create a control group
of humans who have not been exposed.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Corrupter's choice for Department of Defense
uri: Corrupter-s-choice-for-Department-of-Defense
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Corrupter's_choice_for_Department_of_Defense)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Corrupter's_choice_for_Department_of_Defense)

content:
 
<p>

<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">The corrupter's</a> choice to head the Department of Defense <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/25/pete-hegseth-book-attacks-nato-alliances">openly advocates
    committing war crimes</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Turkish woman convicted for sharing Guardian article
uri: Turkish-woman-convicted-for-sharing-Guardian-article
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Turkish_woman_convicted_for_sharing_Guardian_article)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Turkish_woman_convicted_for_sharing_Guardian_article)

content:
 
<p>

  *Turkish woman <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/25/turkish-woman-convicted-under-anti-terror-laws-for-sharing-guardian-article">convicted under anti-terror laws for sharing Guardian article</a>*
about a British volunteer fighting in Kurdish forces in Syria.
(For Rojava, I suppose.)
</p>
<p>
One person's terrorist is another person's freedom fighter.  The
Guardian may well have glorified the volunteers who went to Rojava to
fight for human rights, but surely that article did not promote
terrorism.  However, to Erdoğan any army that opposes Turkey might be
called "terrorist".
</p>
</li>

 


title: We must defend elective abortions
uri: We-must-defend-elective-abortions
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(We_must_defend_elective_abortions)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(We_must_defend_elective_abortions)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/25/elective-abortions-kentucky-lawsuit">We must defend elective abortions</a>, not just the most politically
palatable cases* (in which a woman might die because doctors obeyed
anti-abortion laws).
</p>
</li>

 


title: 10 million fewer Americans voted in 2024
uri: 10-million-fewer-Americans-voted-in-2024
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(10_million_fewer_Americans_voted_in_2024)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(10_million_fewer_Americans_voted_in_2024)

content:
 
<p>

  Robert Reich: <a href="https://robertreich.substack.com/p/there-was-no-red-shift-there-was">10 million fewer Americans voted in 2024 than in 2020</a>.
This is why Harris lost.
</p>
<p>
Reich puts it down to the Democratic Party's visible abandonment of
poor and working-class Americans.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Soul-searching after Amsterdam violence
uri: Soul-searching-after-Amsterdam-violence
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Soul-searching_after_Amsterdam_violence)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Soul-searching_after_Amsterdam_violence)

content:
 
<p>

  *‘Who benefits from this?’ <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/15/who-benefits-from-this-soul-searching-after-the-amsterdam-violence">Soul-searching after the Amsterdam violence</a>.*
  This includes a detailed history of various waves of violence,
coming from different groups and directed at various groups, starting
at a football game in Amsterdam.  <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#thug">Thugs</a> shut down <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#19_November_2024_(Amsterdam_arresting_participants_of_peaceful_protests)">peaceful rallies against
    massacres in Gaza</a>, conflating them with part of the violence.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Corrupter showing us how he intends to rule
uri: Corrupter-showing-us-how-he-intends-to-rule
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Corrupter_showing_us_how_he_intends_to_rule)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Corrupter_showing_us_how_he_intends_to_rule)

content:
 
<p>

*With these outrageous appointments, [<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a>] is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/15/outrageous-appointments-donald-trump-anti-vaxxer">showing us
    exactly how he intends to rule</a>.*
</p>
<p>
In my view, these nominations are a way of giving the middle finger to
the public and the law.  He is declaring his intent to let
billionaires trash anything and crush anyone, by appointing officials
ready to ignore any laws that ought to restrain them.
</p>
<p>
<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">The corrupter's</a> nominee to head the Department of the Interior has a
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/accountable-us-statement-on-doug-burgums-nomination-to-lead-the-interior-department">history of giving in to fossil fuel companies</a>.
</p>
<p>
  *RFK Jr could have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/nov/15/rfk-jr-disastrous-global-impact-public-health-us-secretary-trump">disastrous global impact on public health</a>, experts fear.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Sabotage of CFPB's open banking rule
uri: Sabotage-of-CFPB-s-open-banking-rule
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Sabotage_of_CFPB's_open_banking_rule)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Sabotage_of_CFPB's_open_banking_rule)

content:
 
<p>

  *Big Banks <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/big-banks-trying-to-sabotage-cfpbs-open-banking-rule">Trying to Sabotage CFPB's Open Banking Rule</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Malcolm X's family sues FBI, CIA and NYPD
uri: Malcolm-X-s-family-sues-FBI-CIA-and-NYPD
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Malcolm_X's_family_sues_FBI,_CIA_and_NYPD)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Malcolm_X's_family_sues_FBI,_CIA_and_NYPD)

content:
 
<p>

  *<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/15/malcolm-x-murder-lawsuit">Malcolm X's family sues FBI, CIA and NYPD for $100m</a>,* accusing them
of knowing in advance about the plan to murder him and allowing it to
happen.
</p>
<p>
It would be good to expose this, but I have a feeling that a decades-delayed
fine against governments will not in itself do much to deter future
crimes of this sort.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Treaty to limit plastic pollution
uri: Treaty-to-limit-plastic-pollution
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Treaty_to_limit_plastic_pollution)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Treaty_to_limit_plastic_pollution)

content:
 
<p>

In the negotiations for a treaty to limit plastic pollution, the
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/27/plastic-lobbyists-biggest-group-un-treaty-talks-busan-korea">biggest contingent of participants are the plastic lobbyists</a>.
</p>
<p>
How did this happen, I wonder?  What determines how many lobbyists ca
n participate in the conference?  Are the companies allowed register
however many they can afford to pay fees for?
</p>
<p>
What enables these lobbyists to get in the way of a good treaty?
Are the governments which want unlimited plastic production
using their votes to support the lobbyists?  If so, if the
real opposition is from those governments, are the lobbyists
a red herring?
</p>
<p>
but if that is not the case, why don't the governments
and other parties that want the talks to succeed
quash the activities of those lobbyists, or limit how
many are allowed?
</p>
</li>

 


title: Terminal for cloudy Microsoft Server
uri: Terminal-for-cloudy-Microsoft-Server
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Terminal_for_cloudy_Microsoft_Server)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Terminal_for_cloudy_Microsoft_Server)

content:
 
<p>

If Microsoft gets its way, your next computer will be nothing but
a <a href="https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/windows-365-link%E2%80%94the-first-cloud-pc-device-for-windows-365/4302687">terminal for a cloudy Microsoft server</a>.
</p>
<p>
As we know, there is no cloud &mdash; only other entities' computers.
In this case, it would be Microsoft's computers, that would
do your computing in whatever way Microsoft wants.
</p>
<p>
With Microsoft, the future of computing is <em>controlled totally by
    Microsoft</em>.  All local software is remotely changed by Microsoft, so
there is nothing you can choose.
</p>
<p>
Microsoft claims it is completely secure because it can't do anything
locally &mdash; it can only be a terminal.  File storage, account
management, and even configuration are possible only in Microsoft's
servers.  Whatever this may mean for security against Cap'n Cracker,
it implies total <em>insecurity</em> if you are attacked by Microsoft,
or <a href="https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-surveillance.html">by any entity Microsoft chooses to aid</a>.
</p>
<p>
You might even be compelled, some day, to converse with a piece of
"artificial intelligence" (properly known as a <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#ArtificialIntelligance">bullshit generator</a>)
  to ask Microsoft for whatever it might be.
</p>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Bolsonaro_military_coup_plot)
title: Bolsonaro military coup plot
uri: Bolsonaro-military-coup-plot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#29_November_2024_(Bolsonaro_military_coup_plot)
content:
 
<p>

About the military coup plot which Bolsonaro is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/27/jair-bolsonaro-coup">accused of helping to
    organize</a>.
</p>
<p>
Reportedly the coup did not occur because some of the high commanders
refused to join it.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel
uri: Cease-fire-between-Hezbollah-and-Israel
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Cease-fire_between_Hezbollah_and_Israel)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Cease-fire_between_Hezbollah_and_Israel)

content:
 
<p>

  Biden has brought about a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/27/biden-hezbollah-israel-ceasefire">cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel</a>.
</p>
<p>
Israel has achieved its war aims in Lebanon, which were simple: an end
to attacks by Hezbollah in support of HAMAS.  In effect, Hezbollah has
accepted a substantial decrease in its power and territory, but has
not lost anything really crucial.  The Lebanese army is supposed to
maintain control in southern Lebanon.
</p>
<p>
The previous agreement, which Hezbollah broke in Oct 2023, likewise
said that the Lebanese army was to maintain control in southern
Lebanon and keep Hezbollah from dominating that territory.  The
Lebanese army unable to do that, as Hezbollah was stronger.  Hezbollah
is now weaker, so perhaps the agreement can establish peace.  Or it
might fall apart.
</p>
<p>
This Lebanon agreement does nothing to prevent the killing of
additional tens or hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Musk_wants_to_eliminate_CFPB)
title: Musk wants to eliminate CFPB
uri: Musk-wants-to-eliminate-CFPB
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Musk_wants_to_eliminate_CFPB)
content:
 
<p>

  Why would Musk care if the <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/musk-effort-to-eliminate-cfpb-is-intolerable-corruption">CFPB continues to protect Americans</a>?
</p>
<p>
He surely owns shares in some large US banks, and if the CFPB were
eliminated, those banks would squeeze some additional billions out of
their non-rich customer.  Must would get some of that.
</p>
<p>
But I doubt that is enough money to move Musk to have an opinion about
the question.  I think he must have some other kind of motive,
more emotional than financial.
</p>
<p>
I conjecture that he has come to hate people who advocate regulating
businesses.  That he wants to eliminate anything that could limit his
power to make people obey.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Accused of firing on Imran Khan supporters
uri: Accused-of-firing-on-Imran-Khan-supporters
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Accused_of_firing_on_Imran_Khan_supporters)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Accused_of_firing_on_Imran_Khan_supporters)

content:
 
<p>

  *Pakistan army and police <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/27/pakistan-army-and-police-accused-of-firing-on-imran-khan-supporters">accused of firing on Imran Khan supporters</a>.*
</p>
<p>
I don't know enough about this situation to draw any conclusion
about which side &mdash; if any &mdash; supports human rights and democracy.
Both sides are using force, but the army is shooting and seems
to be covering up the casualties.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Saltwater_in_the_Delaware_river)
title: Saltwater in the Delaware river
uri: Saltwater-in-the-Delaware-river
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Saltwater_in_the_Delaware_river)
content:
 
<p>

Drought and sea level rise are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/27/salt-delaware-river">bringing salt water into the Delaware
    river</a>, threatening to spoil the drinking water of millions.
</p>
<p>
The drought may be due to <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#global%20heating">global heating</a>.  The sea level rise
certainly is.
</p>
</li>

 


title: (satire) Single day of retirement
uri: (satire)-Single-day-of-retirement
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_((satire)_Single_day_of_retirement)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_((satire)_Single_day_of_retirement)

content:
 
<p>

(satire) *<a href="https://theonion.com/report-most-americans-have-enough-saved-for-absolutely-incredible-single-day-of-retirement/">Most Americans Have Enough Saved For Absolutely Incredible
    Single Day Of Retirement.</a>*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Wrecker's promise to loosen crypto regulations
uri: Wrecker-s-promise-to-loosen-crypto-regulations
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Wrecker's_promise_to_loosen_crypto_regulations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Wrecker's_promise_to_loosen_crypto_regulations)

content:
 
<p>

  *[<a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">The wrecker's</a>] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/27/trump-crypto-extremism">promise to loosen crypto regulations</a> may be boon for
extremist groups* (such as his own).
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Climate_denial_theme)
title: Climate denial theme
uri: Climate-denial-theme
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Climate_denial_theme)
content:
 
<p>

*Climate denial a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/27/trump-cabinet-picks-climate-change">unifying theme of [the world-wrecker's] cabinet
    picks</a>, experts say.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Warrant for Myanmar military leader
uri: Warrant-for-Myanmar-military-leader
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Warrant_for_Myanmar_military_leader)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Warrant_for_Myanmar_military_leader)

content:
 
<p>

*ICC prosecutor <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/27/international-criminal-court-prosecutor-seeks-arrest-warrant-myanmar-military-leader-min-aung-hlaing">seeks arrest warrant for Myanmar military
    leader</a>&hellip; for crimes against humanity over deportation and
persecution of Rohingya minority.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Rule on contested words and phrases
uri: Rule-on-contested-words-and-phrases
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Rule_on_contested_words_and_phrases)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Rule_on_contested_words_and_phrases)

content:
 
<p>

The University of Sydney is considering a rule <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/27/university-of-sydney-review-proposes-civility-rule-ntwnfb">requiring speakers to
"make the meaning of contested words and phrases clear to the
    audience</a>."
</p>
<p>
I can see a lot of vagueness in that rule.  Does this apply to any
word or phrase whose meaning someone contests at that moment?  Or
would there be a specific published list of words and phrases that
must be made clear if and when used?
</p>
</li>

 


title: Big tech no friend to progressives
uri: Big-tech-no-friend-to-progressives
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Big_tech_no_friend_to_progressives)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Big_tech_no_friend_to_progressives)

content:
 
<p>

The big tech companies have proved they are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/27/democrats-tech-google-apple-musk-trump">no friends of progressives,
    democracy, or civil liberties</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Banks trading highly leveraged assets
uri: Banks-trading-highly-leveraged-assets
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Banks_trading_highly_leveraged_assets)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Banks_trading_highly_leveraged_assets)

content:
 
<p>

  Banks are finding ways to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/nov/24/remember-the-global-financial-crisis-well-high-risk-securities-are-back">trade highly leveraged assets</a> that cause
a risk of global financial crash.
</p>
<p>
The laws passed around 2009 to try to prevent this were not as strong
as the depression-era Glass-Steagall law that was partly repealed in
1999.  When bankers get powerful enough to repeal the protections
meant to stop them from crashing society, it shows their corrupting
influence has prevailed.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Putin continues his nuclear panic campaign
uri: Putin-continues-his-nuclear-panic-campaign
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Putin_continues_his_nuclear_panic_campaign)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Putin_continues_his_nuclear_panic_campaign)

content:
 
<p>

Putin continues his nuclear panic campaign by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/21/putin-says-russia-fired-experimental-ballistic-missile-into-ukraine">firing an experimental
    hypersonic missile at Kyiv without a warhead</a>.
  We are supposed to be terrified because, as Putin reminded us
repeatedly, that model of missile could have been launched with a
nuclear warhead (though it wasn't).
</p>
<p>
The message Putin communicates this way is, "Be afraid!  If I really
were crazy, I might fire a nuclear weapon at you.  Hey, aren't you
afraid yet?"
</p>
<p>
Hypersonic missiles have a practical advantage: that they are hard to
intercept.  Aside from that, they are not much different from an
ordinary ballistic missile.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Arrests of climate protesters in Australia
uri: Arrests-of-climate-protesters-in-Australia
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Arrests_of_climate_protesters_in_Australia)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#30_November_2024_(Arrests_of_climate_protesters_in_Australia)

content:
 
<p>

  Hundreds of climate protesters have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/27/rising-tide-protesters-arrested-canberra-blocking-road-parliament-house-ntwnfb">arrested in Australia recently</a>
for disruptive but nonviolent protests against the fossil fuel juggernaut
of death.
</p>
</l>

 


title: Urgent: Standard transition ethics pledge
uri: Urgent-Standard-transition-ethics-pledge
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Urgent:_Standard_transition_ethics_pledge)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Urgent:_Standard_transition_ethics_pledge)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#corrupter">the corrupter</a> to <a href="https://act.commoncause.org/petitions/trump-must-submit-an-ethics-pledge">sign the standard transition
    ethics pledge</a>.
</p>
<p>
It might be effective for Biden to order refusal to cooperate with the
corrupter's transition team until he formally agrees to this ethics
pledge.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Unequivocal solidarity with European Jews
uri: Unequivocal-solidarity-with-European-Jews
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Unequivocal_solidarity_with_European_Jews)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Unequivocal_solidarity_with_European_Jews)

content:
 
<p>

*   It should be possible to campaign for Palestinian freedom, condemn
   racist Israeli football fans and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/16/violence-amsterdam-polarising-radicalising-middle-east-conflict-palestine">still show unequivocal solidarity with
    European Jews</a>.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: Nomination of Russian asset to head of CIA
uri: Nomination-of-Russian-asset-to-head-of-CIA
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Nomination_of_Russian_asset_to_head_of_CIA)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Nomination_of_Russian_asset_to_head_of_CIA)

content:
 
<p>

Reaction to <a class=glossary href="/glossary.html#wrecker">the wrecker's</a> nomination of a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/16/trump-cabinet-tulsi-gabbard-democratic-reactions">Russian asset to head the
    CIA</a>.
</p>
<p>
Think about what this would mean.  Every person secretly working for
the CIA would be reported to Putin's (renamed) KGB, and available to
its assassins.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Speed_limits_in_Wales)
title: Speed limits in Wales
uri: Speed-limits-in-Wales
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Speed_limits_in_Wales)
content:
 
<p>

Wales changed most roads to have a 20mph speed limit.  It reduced
deaths and injuries on the roads, but a right-wing grass-roots campaign
was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/18/wales-20mph-speed-limit-lives-money-policy">launched to fight it</a>.
</p>
<p>
It turns out that the organizing was done by people who just
happened to be Tory politicians.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Stop advertising on ex-Twitter
uri: Urgent-Stop-advertising-on-ex-Twitter
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Urgent:_Stop_advertising_on_ex-Twitter)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Urgent:_Stop_advertising_on_ex-Twitter)

content:
 
<p>

Everyone: call on Walmart, the NFL and the Wash Post to <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-walmart-nfl-and-the-washington-post-to-stop-advertising-on-x/?nowrapper=true">stop
    advertising on ex-Twitter</a>.
</p>
<p>
Here's how to make the actionnetwork.org letter campaign linked above
function without running the site's nonfree JavaScript code.
</p>
<p>
First, make sure you have deactivated JavaScript or are using the
LibreJS plug-in.
</p>
<p>
I have done the next step for you: I added `?nowrapper=true' to the
end of the campaign URL before posting it above.  That should bring
you to a page that starts with, "Letter campaigns will not work
without JavaScript!"
</p>
<p>
They indeed won't work without some manual help, but the following
simple method seems adequate for many of them, including this one.
</p>
<p>
To start, fill in the personal information answers in the box on the
right side of the page.  That's how you say who's sending the letter.
</p>
<p>
Then click the "START WRITING" button.  That will take you to a page
that can't function without nonfree JavaScript code.  (To ensure it
doesn't function perversely <em>by running</em> that nonfree code, you can
enable LibreJS or disable JavaScript.)  You can finish sending without
that code By editing its URL in the browser's address bar, as follows:
</p>
<p>
First, go to the end and insert `&nowrapper=true'.  Then tell the
browser to visit that URL.  This should give you a version of the page
that works without JavaScript.  Enter the subject and body of your
letter.  Finally, click on the "SEND LETTER" button, and you're done.
</p>
<p>
This method seems to work for letter campaigns that send the letters
to a fixed list of recipients, the same recipients for every sender.
Editing and revisiting the URL is the only additional step needed to
bypass the nonfree JavaScript code.  I'm sure you'll agree it is a
small effort compared with the benefit of supporting the campaign
without opening your computer to unjust (and potentially malicious)
software.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Pardoned people imprisoned for drug offenses
uri: Urgent-Pardoned-people-imprisoned-for-drug-offenses
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Urgent:_Pardoned_people_imprisoned_for_drug_offenses)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Urgent:_Pardoned_people_imprisoned_for_drug_offenses)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on Biden to to <a href="https://engage.drugpolicy.org/secure/tell-biden-free-victims-drug-war">pardon people imprisoned for drug
    offenses</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Reject Pam Bondi as attorney general
uri: Urgent-Reject-Pam-Bondi-as-attorney-general
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Urgent:_Reject_Pam_Bondi_as_attorney_general)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Urgent:_Reject_Pam_Bondi_as_attorney_general)

content:
 
<p>

  US citizens: call on senators to <a href="https://act.pfaw.org/sign/urge-senate-reject-pam-bondi/">reject Pam Bondi as attorney general</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Urgent: Call on block of Project 2025
uri: Urgent-Call-on-block-of-Project-2025
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Urgent:_Call_on_block_of_Project_2025)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Urgent:_Call_on_block_of_Project_2025)

content:
 
<p>

US citizens: call on officials at all levels of government to <a href="https://act.commoncause.org/petitions/stop-trumps-anti-democracy-project-2025-agenda">block
    Project 2025</a>.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Israeli Parliament member suspended
uri: Israeli-Parliament-member-suspended
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Israeli_Parliament_member_suspended)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Israeli_Parliament_member_suspended)

content:
 
<p>

An Israeli member of Parliament has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/29/israel-knesset-benjamin-netanyahu-peace">"suspended" for condemning Israel's
    war crimes</a>.  He describes how the space for democracy in Israel is being
squeezed down to nothing.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Greeks_tried_a_general_strike)
title: Greeks tried a general strike
uri: Greeks-tried-a-general-strike
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Greeks_tried_a_general_strike)
content:
 
<p>

  Greeks <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/22/greece-general-strike-economy-austerity">tried to hold a general strike</a>, but they were in such penury
that they could not afford to miss a day of work.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Racists shutting down antiracist events
uri: Racists-shutting-down-antiracist-events
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Racists_shutting_down_antiracist_events)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Racists_shutting_down_antiracist_events)

content:
 
<p>

  Racist harassers are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/nov/23/anti-racism-talks-cancelled-amid-threat-of-far-right">shutting down antiracist events</a> in London
by threatening violence.
</p>
<p>
They ought to organize to defeat any violence, rather than giving up
at the first threat.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Catastrophic_marine_heatwaves)
title: Catastrophic marine heatwaves
uri: Catastrophic-marine-heatwaves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Catastrophic_marine_heatwaves)
content:
 
<p>

*‘Catastrophic’ marine heatwaves are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/23/catastrophic-marine-heatwaves-are-killing-sealife-and-causing-mass-disruption-to-uk-fisheries">killing sealife and causing mass disruption to UK fisheries</a>.*
</p>
<p>
If it is that bad around Britain, you can imagine what a disaster
the heatwaves in tropical areas such as Florida have been.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Weakening commitment to act on climate crisis
uri: Weakening-commitment-to-act-on-climate-crisis
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Weakening_commitment_to_act_on_climate_crisis)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Weakening_commitment_to_act_on_climate_crisis)

content:
 
<p>

  *Huge election year worldwide sees <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/23/election-climate-change-far-right">weakening commitment</a> to act on
climate crisis.*
</p>
<p>
I suspect that many billionaires are supporting right-wing candidates
who will allow them to wipe out civilization (and most humans)
unhindered.
</p>
</li>

 


title: Volume of plastic waste in 10 years
uri: Volume-of-plastic-waste-in-10-years
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Volume_of_plastic_waste_in_10_years)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Volume_of_plastic_waste_in_10_years)

content:
 
<p>

  *World will be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/24/world-unable-cope-10-years-talks-un-global-treaty-to-end-plastic-waste">"unable to cope" with volume of plastic waste</a> in 10 years, warns expert.*
</p>
</li>

 


title: US military developing autonomous weapons
uri: US-military-developing-autonomous-weapons
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(US_military_developing_autonomous_weapons)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(US_military_developing_autonomous_weapons)

content:
 
<p>

  It looks like the US military is <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/public-citizen-replicator-killer-robot">developing autonomous weapons</a>.
  Its vague non answers provoke suspicions but make it hard to know for certain.
</p>
</li>

 


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Higher_levels_of_PFAS_in_blood)
title: Higher levels of PFAS in blood
uri: Higher-levels-of-PFAS-in-blood
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2024-sep-dec.html#3_December_2024_(Higher_levels_of_PFAS_in_blood)
content:
 
<p>

  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/30/pfas-toxic-chemicals-low-income-neighborhoods">Higher levels of PFAS in the blood</a> correlate with (1) lack of access
to fresh food and (2) proximity of toxic waste sites.
  All three tend to correlate with poverty.
</p>
<p>
As a result, when we see correlation between those factors and medical
problems, it is not trivial to determine which of them cause medical
problems, and which simply correlate with things that cause medical
problems.
</p>
</li>

 


