# articles

feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 12_July_2015_(Icann_Plan_to_End_Website_Anonymity)
title: Icann Plan to End Website Anonymity
uri: Icann-Plan-to-End-Website-Anonymity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_July_2015_%28Icann_Plan_to_End_Website_Anonymity%29

content:
<p>
Icann Plan to End Website Anonymity 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/07/icann-plan-to-end-website-anonymity-could-lead-to-swatting-attacks">'Could
Lead to Swatting Attacks'</a>.
<p>
The US should end swatting entirely by 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#23_September_2014_(Militarization_of_US_thugs)">limiting
the use of SWAT teams to situations where they are really
necessary</a>.  Most SWAT teams should be eliminated.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 12_July_2015_(Proposed_encryption_ban_in_the_UK)
title: Proposed encryption ban in the UK
uri: Proposed-encryption-ban-in-the-UK
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_July_2015_%28Proposed_encryption_ban_in_the_UK%29

content:
<p>
Bruce Schneier: 
<a href="https://www.schneier.com/news/archives/2015/07/bruce_schneier_david.html">David
Cameron's Proposed Encryption Ban Would 'Destroy the Internet'</a>.
<p>
It would destroy human rights in the UK, too.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 12_July_2015_(US_training_60_Syrian_rebels)
title: US training 60 Syrian rebels
uri: US-training-60-Syrian-rebels
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_July_2015_%28US_training_60_Syrian_rebels%29
content:
<p>
The US is training a total of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/07/syrian-fighters-us-training-isis-ashton-carter-senate-hearing">60
Syrian rebels</a>.  No more than that could pass the admissions
criteria.
<p>
The criteria are surely not overly strict.  What the low number shows
is that this approach isn't going to work.
<p>
It might be more effective to train westerners to join the fight among
the Syrian Kurds.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 12_July_2015_(Crack_of_Hacking_Team_servers)
title: Crack of Hacking Team servers
uri: Crack-of-Hacking-Team-servers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_July_2015_%28Crack_of_Hacking_Team_servers%29
content:
<p>
A crack of the servers of Hacking Team obtained 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/07/leaked-documents-confirm-hacking-team-sells-spyware-repressive-countries/">information
proving it sells to repressive countries</a>.
<p>
One of Hacking Team's sales partners, a US company, gets lots of 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/07/baltimore-firm-supplying-united-arab-emirates-surveillance-software-won-special-export-license-state-department/">help
and support from the US government in selling to a repressive
state</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 12_July_2015_(SWAT_teams)
title: SWAT teams
uri: SWAT-teams
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_July_2015_%28SWAT_teams%29
content:
<p>
Most of the operations SWAT teams do have 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/07/new-swat-documents-give-snapshot-ugly-militarization-u-s-police/">no
need for the armaments of a SWAT team</a>.
<p>
The effect of using SWAT teams for them is generally to terrify people
for no reason, and 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#16_October_2014_(A_repeating_tendency_of_SWAT_raids)">occasionally
to kill them for no reason</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 12_July_2015_(Building_tall_buildings_using_wood)
title: Building tall buildings using wood
uri: Building-tall-buildings-using-wood
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_July_2015_%28Building_tall_buildings_using_wood%29

content:
<p>
Building tall buildings using wood 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/jul/07/tree-houses-are-wooden-skyscrapers-the-future-of-tall-buildings">can
greatly reduce the carbon footprint of their construction</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 12_July_2015_(Collapse_of_ice_caves_near_Seattle)
title: Collapse of ice caves near Seattle
uri: Collapse-of-ice-caves-near-Seattle
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_July_2015_%28Collapse_of_ice_caves_near_Seattle%29

content:
<p>
A tourist destination, ice caves near Seattle 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/07/ice-caves-seattle-collapse-high-temperatures">collapsed
due to high temperatures</a> that, in the past, were unusual.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 12_July_2015_(Greenhouse_gas_reduction_pledges)
title: Greenhouse gas reduction pledges
uri: Greenhouse-gas-reduction-pledges
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_July_2015_%28Greenhouse_gas_reduction_pledges%29
content:
<p>
The greenhouse gas reduction pledges that major countries have made
add up to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/07/major-polluter-pledges-not-enough-to-meet-emissions-targets-says-report">far
too little to avoid disaster</a>.


title: Complicity in US drone assassinations
uri: Complicity-in-US-drone-assassinations
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 12_July_2015_(Complicity_in_US_drone_assassinations)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_July_2015_%28Complicity_in_US_drone_assassinations%29

content:
<p>
The UK Parliament 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/07/mps-guidance-prosecuting-uk-spies-us-drone-strikes">wants
the government to clarify its criteria</a> for prosecuting UK
intelligence agencies and staff for complicity in US drone
assassinations.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 12_July_2015_(US_bombings)
title: US bombings
uri: US-bombings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_July_2015_%28US_bombings%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/06/americas-endless-air-wars">America's
Endless Air Wars</a>.
<p>
The US does not kill individual civilians intentionally, but it
intentionally attacks cities and roads in ways that inevitably kill
civilians.  Those killings are part and parcel of these wars.
<p>
Defeating a violent armed satanic cult, which is what PISSI
effectively is, justifies some violence.  But the US must limit its
bombings to battlefields where their casualties are understandable
and acceptable by the standards of Americans and Middle Easterners.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 12_July_2015_(Sahara_desert_spreading)
title: Sahara desert spreading
uri: Sahara-desert-spreading
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_July_2015_%28Sahara_desert_spreading%29
content:
<p>
The Sahara desert is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/07/winds-climate-change-blast-burkina-faso-farmers">spreading
in Burkina Faso</a> as human climate mayhem reduces rainfall and
increases temperature.
<p>
They shouldn't have so many children that they can't feed — the
rich countries must give them help in the form of reliable birth
control.


title: Thai student protesters freed on bail
uri: Thai-student-protesters-freed-on-bail
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 12_July_2015_(Thai_student_protesters_freed_on_bail)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_July_2015_%28Thai_student_protesters_freed_on_bail%29

content:
<p>
Thailand has freed a small group of student protesters on bail, but
they 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/07/thai-military-court-releases-14-student-protesters-after-calls-from-eu-and-un">still
face prosecution</a> by the military government.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 12_July_2015_(Corals_under_threat)
title: Corals under threat
uri: Corals-under-threat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_July_2015_%28Corals_under_threat%29
content:
<p>
The current 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/07/six-percent-of-worlds-coral-could-be-lost-in-current-mass-bleaching-say-scientists">coral
bleaching</a> event could kill 6% of the world's coral reef area.
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/07/scientists-say-warming-seas-could-kill-off-coral-reefs-in-pacific-atlantic-oceans">Ocean
heating</a> threatens to kill corals in the north Pacific and the
western Atlantic oceans, as well as in tropical areas.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Urgent:_Massachusetts_state_bills)
title: Urgent: Massachusetts state bills
uri: Urgent-Massachusetts-state-bills
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Massachusetts_state_bills%29

content:
<p>
Massachusetts citizens:
<a href="https://act1.myngp.com/Forms/8506455271172734976">support</a>
state bills for medical privacy, contraceptive coverage, rights of
pregnant workers, and gender-equality in wages.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Urgent:_Stop_krilling)
title: Urgent: Stop krilling
uri: Urgent-Stop-krilling
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_krilling%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://action.sumofus.org/a/cvs-antarctic-krill/">tell
CVS</a> to stop the krilling.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Urgent:_Protect_sharks)
title: Urgent: Protect sharks
uri: Urgent-Protect-sharks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_sharks%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/gpeace/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1827">tell
Bumble Bee</a> to stop killing sharks when it catches tuna.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 14_July_2015_(UK_wind_turbine_projects)
title: UK wind turbine projects
uri: UK-wind-turbine-projects
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28UK_wind_turbine_projects%29
content:
<p>
The UK's right-wing government is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/18/tories-end-onshore-windfarm-subsidies-2016">rushing
to end support for wind turbines</a>, which will cancel many planned
projects.
<p>
This was probably inevitable — they were endangering the profits
of fossil fuel companies, to which the UK's current government
reports.
<p>
It will also assure that the UK fails to meet its carbon emission
targets,
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2015/jun/18/wind-farm-subsidies-political-interest-trumps-the-national-interest">which
those companies don't want to meet</a>. (Those targets are too weak,
so meeting them is not enough anyway.)
<p>
This makes an interesting contrast with the government's stance on
fracking.  Lots of Britons want to block fracking locally, since it
could poison their water, but the government has
<a href="http://www.talkfracking.org/news/whats-in-the-infrastructure-act-2015/">denied
landowners the power to veto fracking under their land</a>.
<p>
The government minimizes the danger of fracking and exaggerates the
inconvenience of wind turbines.  How strange — but it makes
sense if we assume that the government is looking for excuses to boost
the profits of fossil fuel companies.


title: Urgent: Stop sale of Antarctic krill oil
uri: Urgent-Stop-sale-of-Antarctic-krill-oil
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 14_July_2015_(Urgent:_Stop_sale_of_Antarctic_krill_oil)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_sale_of_Antarctic_krill_oil%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on CVS to
<a href="http://action.sumofus.org/a/cvs-antarctic-krill/">stop
selling Antarctic krill oil</a>.  The catch of Antarctic krill is not
sustainable.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 14_July_2015_(Urgent:_Oppose_HR_2647)
title: Urgent: Oppose HR 2647
uri: Urgent-Oppose-HR-2647
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_HR_2647%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2943">call
on your congresscritter</a> to vote against HR 2647, a bill to allow
too much logging in federal forests.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 14_July_2015_(Single-use_bottles_of_water)
title: Single-use bottles of water
uri: Single-use-bottles-of-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Single-use_bottles_of_water%29
content:
<p>
A restaurant chain
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/09/selfridges-bans-plastic-water-bottles-in-oceans-conservation-initiative">will
stop selling single-use bottles of water</a> to reduce waste.


title: CVS cuts ties with Chamber of Commerce
uri: CVS-cuts-ties-with-Chamber-of-Commerce
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 14_July_2015_(CVS_cuts_ties_with_Chamber_of_Commerce)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28CVS_cuts_ties_with_Chamber_of_Commerce%29

content:
<p>
The drugstore chain CVS has
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/08/cvs-quits-us-chamber-commerce-over-craven-ties-tobacco-industry">cut
its ties with the US Chamber of Commerce</a> because of that
organization's lobbying on behalf of tobacco.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 14_July_2015_(Shells_Arctic_drilling_delayed)
title: Shell's Arctic drilling delayed
uri: Shell-s-Arctic-drilling-delayed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Shells_Arctic_drilling_delayed%29
content:
<p>
Shell's Arctic drilling is delayed because a ship supposed to deal
with ice and oil spills
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/08/new-warnings-after-vessel-breaks-doomed-shell-arctic-drilling-project">developed
a large hole in its hull</a>.
<p>
Operations in the Arctic are especially unreliable.  That's acceptable
for operations whose failure is not catastrophic.  If the worst danger
is a small chance some crew might die, as is always possible on the
sea, they may consider that acceptable.  But when the danger is
pollution of a large area for a century or more, we must not allow
them to risk it.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 14_July_2015_(Improving_Greeces_economic_health)
title: Improving Greece's economic health
uri: Improving-Greece-s-economic-health
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Improving_Greeces_economic_health%29

content:
<p>
Tsipras says that a deal with Europe
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/08/tsipras-eu-greeces-days-laboratory-austerity-are-over">must
aim at making Greece economically healthy</a>, not just at supporting
its creditors.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 14_July_2015_(US_ban_on_govt_funding_of_abortion)
title: US ban on gov't funding of abortion
uri: US-ban-on-gov-t-funding-of-abortion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28US_ban_on_govt_funding_of_abortion%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/07/08/congresswomen-introduce-historic-bill-ensure-coverage-abortion-services-all">Campaigning
to repeal the US ban</a> on government funding for abortion.
<p>
It won't be easy to pass this through Congress dominated by SCROTUS
(Sleazy Congressional Republicans of the United States), but the
effort can advance the cause.


title: Urgent: Reminder about Israel's colonies
uri: Urgent-Reminder-about-Israel-s-colonies
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 14_July_2015_(Urgent:_Reminder_about_Israels_colonies)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Reminder_about_Israels_colonies%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: urge Bernie Sanders to
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/bernie-tell-hillary-west">remind
Clinton</a> that Israel's colonies in the West Bank are not part of
Israel.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 14_July_2015_(Press_censorship_in_Rwanda)
title: Press censorship in Rwanda
uri: Press-censorship-in-Rwanda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Press_censorship_in_Rwanda%29
content:
<p>
Rwanda has had a free press for about two years — but now it is
<a href="http://cpj.org/blog/2015/07/hopes-of-independent-press-in-rwanda-fade-as-head-.php">reimposing
censorship</a>.


title: European Parliament favors plutocracy
uri: European-Parliament-favors-plutocracy
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 14_July_2015_(European_Parliament_favors_plutocracy)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28European_Parliament_favors_plutocracy%29

content:
<p>
The European Parliament
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/08/favoring-capitalist-interests-above-all-else-europes-parliament-backs-ttip">voted
in favor of the general thrust of the TTIP</a>: plutocrats thrusting a
sword into the belly of democracy.


title: Special prosecutor for killings by thugs
uri: Special-prosecutor-for-killings-by-thugs
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 14_July_2015_(Special_prosecutor_for_killings_by_thugs)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Special_prosecutor_for_killings_by_thugs%29

content:
<p>
New York State will set up a
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/07/08/new-york-to-get-special-prosecutor-for-f">special
prosecutor for killings by thugs</a>.  This is a step in the right
direction, but not a guarantee the team will really try to put killer
thugs behind bars.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 14_July_2015_(UK_thug_being_tried_for_perjury)
title: UK thug being tried for perjury
uri: UK-thug-being-tried-for-perjury
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28UK_thug_being_tried_for_perjury%29
content:
<p>
A thug in the UK
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/08/sean-rigg-custody-death-police-officer-perjury-charge-inquest-evidence">lied
about a prisoner who died under suspect circumstances</a>.  Amazingly,
the thug is being tried for perjury!


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Urgent:_Oppose_the_DARK_Act)
title: Urgent: Oppose the DARK Act
uri: Urgent-Oppose-the-DARK-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_the_DARK_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/monsanto_protection_act_v2">urge
your congresscritter</a> to oppose the DARK Act, even nastier now
— it would be a crime to label a product as GMO-free.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Decline_in_competition_in_the_US)
title: Decline in competition in the US
uri: Decline-in-competition-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Decline_in_competition_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
Due to concentration of businesses, and unimpeded mergers, overall
competition in the US has
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/07/american-corporations-are-getting-flabby-they-need-more-competition">declined</a>.
This may hold back increases in employment and wages.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Oil_trains)
title: Oil trains
uri: Oil-trains
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Oil_trains%29
content:
<p>
With so many trains carrying oil in North America, it is no wonder
that
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/08/bombs-our-backyards">several
explode every year</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Ethiopias_imprisoned_journalists)
title: Ethiopia's imprisoned journalists
uri: Ethiopia-s-imprisoned-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Ethiopias_imprisoned_journalists%29
content:
<p>
Since Obama is about to visit Ethiopia, the government
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/09/ethiopia-releases-journalists-bloggers-obama-zone-9">released
around 1/3 of the imprisoned journalists</a>.


title: Thailand returns Uighur refugees to China
uri: Thailand-returns-Uighur-refugees-to-China
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Thailand_returns_Uighur_refugees_to_China)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Thailand_returns_Uighur_refugees_to_China%29

content:
<p>
Thailand returned Uighur refugees to China even though they
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/09/thailand-forcibly-sends-nearly-100-uighur-muslims-back-to-china">may
face torture or imprisonment for no reason</a>.


title: Hacking Team's proposed death squad deal
uri: Hacking-Team-s-proposed-death-squad-deal
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Hacking_Teams_proposed_death_squad_deal)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Hacking_Teams_proposed_death_squad_deal%29

content:
<p>
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/08/hacking-team-emails-exposed-death-squad-uk-spying/">Hacking
Team Emails Expose Proposed Death Squad Deal, Secret UK Sales Push,
and Much More</a>.
<p>
In addition, they planned a campaign of deceptive denials in case
these actions were found out.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(UK_class_spite)
title: UK class spite
uri: UK-class-spite
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28UK_class_spite%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/08/osborne-class-spite-spin-backlash-budget-cynical-one-nation-fraud">[UK]
Class Spite Wrapped in Spin Will Feed a Backlash</a>.
<p>
The budget is mostly dooH niboR, with a few inadequate progressive
measures thrown in.
<p>
Young people are hit
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/08/george-osborne-budget-minimum-wage-benefit-cuts-young-people">especially
hard</a>.


title: Verizon trying to force fiber on customers
uri: Verizon-trying-to-force-fiber-on-customers
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Verizon_trying_to_force_fiber_on_customers)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Verizon_trying_to_force_fiber_on_customers%29

content:
<p>
Verizon is
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/business/2015/07/verizon-let-us-install-fiber-or-well-shut-off-your-phone-service/">trying
to force telephone customers one by one</a> to move from copper phone
connections to fiber.
<p>
I think the copper landline network should be maintained and extended,
and that includes the lifeline services.  States or the federal
government should aggressively prosecute any attempt to pressure
people to switch.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Cystic_fibrosis_treatment_patent)
title: Cystic fibrosis treatment patent
uri: Cystic-fibrosis-treatment-patent
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Cystic_fibrosis_treatment_patent%29
content:
<p>
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation developed a drug that treats that
disease, then
<a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2015-07-07/this-medical-charity-made-3-3-billion-from-a-single-pill">sold
the patent rights for 3 billion dollars</a>.  The new owner will
surely insist on extracting a much larger sum from the patent, which
will make the drug so expensive that many people with cystic fibrosis
can't afford it.
<p>
The option to do this in effect sets research charities against the
sick people they raised money to serve.  And it probably violates the
expectations of those who donated to these charities.


title: 27 years of global heating denial funded by Exxon
uri: 27-years-of-global-heating-denial-funded-by-Exxon
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(27_years_of_global_heating_denial_funded_by_Exxon)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%2827_years_of_global_heating_denial_funded_by_Exxon%29

content:
<p>
An email proves that Exxon's management was
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/08/exxon-climate-change-1981-climate-denier-funding">aware
of the danger of global heating in 1981</a>.
<p>
Its response was to
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2008-mar-jun.html#18%20May%202008%20(Wildlife%20changes%20and%20global%20warming)">fund
denial</a> for 27 years.
<p>
Remember to pronounce
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-mar-jun.html#30_June_2011_(Soon_Research_Grants)">the
"xx" in "Exxon"</a> correctly.  It is not pronounced like a single
"x".


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Baltimore_fires_thug_chief)
title: Baltimore fires thug chief
uri: Baltimore-fires-thug-chief
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Baltimore_fires_thug_chief%29
content:
<p>
Baltimore has fired its thug chief, who is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/08/baltimore-police-chief-fired-freddie-gray-protests-report">accused
of telling thugs not to arrest some rioters</a>, and perhaps through
similar policies conniving at the increased murder rate of the past
few months.
<p>
I wonder what change has caused that murder rate.  It is not likely
that the mentality of many people inexplicably and lastingly changed
in such a short time.  Some practical action must be responsible, but
what?  Perhaps orders from the thug chief?


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Berlusconi_convicted_of_bribery)
title: Berlusconi convicted of bribery
uri: Berlusconi-convicted-of-bribery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Berlusconi_convicted_of_bribery%29
content:
<p>
Berlusconi has been convicted of
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/08/silvio-berlusconi-sentenced-to-3-years-for-bribing-italian-senator">bribing
a senator</a> to change political alignment.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Human_rights_in_Tunisia_threatened)
title: Human rights in Tunisia threatened
uri: Human-rights-in-Tunisia-threatened
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Human_rights_in_Tunisia_threatened%29

content:
<p>
Tunisia's state of emergency
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/08/state-of-emergency-tunisia-fears-further-terrorist-attacks">threatens
the human rights won by the revolution</a>.
<p>
I can't see why finding underground terrorist networks requires
limiting journalism or public gatherings, so it seems like a
suspicious excuse.
<p>
The state of emergency is supposed to last only 30 days.  If it really
ends on schedule, Tunisia will survive it.  But will it end?


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(NSA_spying_inside_German_govt)
title: NSA spying inside German gov't
uri: NSA-spying-inside-German-gov-t
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28NSA_spying_inside_German_govt%29
content:
<p>
NSA spying inside the German government has
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/08/nsa-tapped-german-chancellery-decades-wikileaks-claims-merkel">affected
the staff of Merkel and her predecessors</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Britons_protest_Tories_killer_budget)
title: Britons protest Tories' killer budget
uri: Britons-protest-Tories-killer-budget
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Britons_protest_Tories_killer_budget%29

content:
<p>
Britons protested the Tories' killer budget with a
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/08/budget-hundreds-join-anti-austerity-protest-ban-parliament">die-in
in Parliament Square</a>, defying a ban on protests.
<p>
Banning protests is itself tyranny.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Getting_out_of_the_euro)
title: Getting out of the euro
uri: Getting-out-of-the-euro
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Getting_out_of_the_euro%29
content:
<p>
The euro-plutocrats told the Greek government to "get serious" —
that is, propose the sort of
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/07/eurozone-calls-on-athens-to-get-serious-over-greece-debt-crisis">big
budget cuts that the Greek people just voted against</a>.
<p>
The banksters' politicians have
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/08/greece-crisis-tsipras-under-pressure-to-submit-reform-blueprint-to-creditors">increased
their demands</a>, making agreement impossible.
<p>
Tsipras presented a serious proposal, including debt relief, and they
dismissed it out of hand.  Greece has no partner for peace in Europe.
All they want from Greece is surrender to further draining, which will
make the problem worse (as it has done every year since it started).
<p>
The loans that Greece wants forgiven are those that were made as part
of the "bailout" of the creditor-banks, which was supposed to give
Greece a way out of the crisis but (predictably) made it worse.
<p>
Getting out of the euro will enable Greece to have an
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/08/greece-catastrophe-eurozone-grexit-default">independent
fiscal policy</a>, which it needs.
<p>
However, that is not what most Greeks want.  When they elected Syriza,
they did not give Syriza a mandate to exit the euro.  The referendum
was about rejecting further bloodsucking by the banksters, but not
directly about leaving the euro.
<p>
Thus, Tsipras is obliged to try his best to end the austerity while
keeping Greece in the euro zone.  He has to give the banksters a
chance to accept this, so that if they reject it, it is clear that
they are responsible and that he did his best.
<p>
I think that is clear, now.  If the banksters continue punishing
Greece as much as they can, I think Greeks will accept leaving the
euro.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Drachma_printing_facilities)
title: Drachma printing facilities
uri: Drachma-printing-facilities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Drachma_printing_facilities%29
content:
<p>
The EU
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/08/can-greece-really-make-a-drachma-as-a-way-out-of-this-crisis">required
Greece to destroy its facilities for printing drachmas</a>, preparing
in advance a barrier to leaving the euro.
<p>
I have read that there is a euro printing plant in Greece.
I wonder if Greece could use that to print a form of drachma.
Or, more interesting, whether it could print euros.  Real euros,
indistinguishable from all the others.
<p>
Greece needs in the long run to get out of the euro zone,
but printing euros as an interim measure would give Greece
a way to teach the bastards a lesson.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(IRS_permits_electioneering)
title: IRS permits electioneering
uri: IRS-permits-electioneering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28IRS_permits_electioneering%29
content:
<p>
The IRS permits nonprofit organizations to channel money into
electioneering,
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/07/07/tax-laws-should-not-be-shroud-dark-money-donors">failing
to enforce the law against it</a>.


title: Canceled UK programs for renewable energy
uri: Canceled-UK-programs-for-renewable-energy
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Canceled_UK_programs_for_renewable_energy)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Canceled_UK_programs_for_renewable_energy%29

content:
<p>
The UK government has
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/08/clean-energy-switch-uk-falling-behind">cancelled</a>,
one by one, nearly all the programs to promote renewable energy.


title: Women missing from Pope's "radical" vision
uri: Women-missing-from-Pope-s-radical-vision
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Women_missing_from_Popes_radical_vision)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Women_missing_from_Popes_radical_vision%29

content:
<p>
Something's Missing From Pope Francis' "Radical" Vision of Equality:
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/08/somethings-missing-pope-francis-radical-vision-equality-women">Women</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Australian_wildlife_habitat_loss)
title: Australian wildlife habitat loss
uri: Australian-wildlife-habitat-loss
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Australian_wildlife_habitat_loss%29
content:
<p>
The biggest threat to Australian wildlife is habitat loss, but
government protection policies ignore that and
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/09/threatened-australian-wildlife-at-grave-risk-from-habitat-loss-study-finds">tend
to make that worse</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Public_funding_for_US_elections)
title: Public funding for US elections
uri: Public-funding-for-US-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Public_funding_for_US_elections%29
content:
<p>
Public funding for US elections could enable large numbers of people
to
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/08/part-rep-john-sarbanes-government-people-act/">overwhelm
the money that billionaires give</a>.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Burma_election)
title: Burma election
uri: Burma-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Burma_election%29
content:
<p>
Burma will have an election in November, but it won't be entirely free
due to the
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/08/burma-to-hold-general-election-on-8-november">perverse
exclusion of Aung San Suu Kyi</a>.  We don't know whether it will be
free in other respects.


feed_id: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Hacking_Team_bug_exploits)
title: Hacking Team bug exploits
uri: Hacking-Team-bug-exploits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Hacking_Team_bug_exploits%29
content:
<p>
Hacking Team found and secretly exploited bugs in many programs,
including one in
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/08/warning-adobe-flash-vulnerability-hacking-team-leak">Flash
Player</a>.
<p>
The crackers should not have published this information; they should
have sent it to the developers so the bugs could have been fixed.
Nonetheless, the users will be better off (on a time scale of a month
or more) having these bugs leaked and fixed, than having them kept
secret and exploited for a long time.


title: Teenager shot in back by Israeli officer
uri: Teenager-shot-in-back-by-Israeli-officer
feed_id:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html 13_July_2015_(Teenager_shot_in_back_by_Israeli_officer)

url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#13_July_2015_%28Teenager_shot_in_back_by_Israeli_officer%29

content:
<p>
The autopsy confirms that teenager Mohammed Kasbeh was
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/08/palestinian-teenager-shot-back-senior-israeli-soldier-mohammed-kasbeh">shot
in the back</a> by an Israeli officer, who then made a false report of
the circumstances.


feed_id: 61a2abde976f577a925e2a80845c0316
title: Urgent: Promote solar energy
uri: Urgent-Promote-solar-energy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Promote_solar_energy%29
content:
<p>
Citizens of Massachusetts: 
<a href="https://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/gov-baker-don-t-let-the-sun-set-on-ma-solar">call
on state officials</a> to continue the program that promotes solar
energy.


feed_id: b1ebece4f2bdc43480815ac8aeceb400
title: Urgent: Reinstate fired Metra employee
uri: Urgent-Reinstate-fired-Metra-employee
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Reinstate_fired_Metra_employee%29

content:
<p>
In the US: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/tell-metra-ensure-workers">call
on Metra</a>, the Chicago region commuter railroad, to insist its car
manufacturer reinstate the employee who was fired for raising safety
concerns.


feed_id: fa8dee73f5cacc573bd353edf8247b14
title: Urgent: Cut massive surveillance
uri: Urgent-Cut-massive-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Cut_massive_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.amnestyusa.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1839&ea.campaign.id=36747">call
on Obama</a> to cut massive surveillance now.


feed_id: 6ce594e3eea55c3cf4e67540606ec341
title: Uber upholds repression in China
uri: Uber-upholds-repression-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Uber_upholds_repression_in_China%29
content:
<p>
Uber in China tracks drivers and 
<a href="http://fusion.net/story/150389/uber-is-using-gps-to-punish-drivers-in-china-who-get-too-close-to-protests/">actively
pressures them to stay away from protests</a>.
<p>
The company could not prevent Chinese repression, but upholding it
in this way is complicity.


feed_id: 7427da811612d7b21476fc391e94abf4
title: Progeny of underfed rats prone to diabetes and obesity
uri: Progeny-of-underfed-rats-prone-to-diabetes-and-obesity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Progeny_of_underfed_rats_prone_to_diabetes_and_obesity%29

content:
<p>
Rats whose ancestors were underfed for 50 generations proved
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/10/western-diets-in-developing-nations-could-increase-obesity-study-suggests">particularly
susceptible to diabetes</a> and obesity once offered a normal diet.
<p>
The experiment with the normal diet was continued for only two
generations.  I wish they had studied several more generations to see
how long the effect lasted.  If it is due to epigenetic changes,
it would be likely to end in another generation or two.


feed_id: ae489266f9f73bffd0388fbf10d452e7
title: Germany's debts
uri: Germany-s-debts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Germanys_debts%29
content:
<p>
Thomas Piketty: 
<a href="http://thewire.in/2015/07/08/thomas-piketty-germany-has-never-repaid-its-debts-it-has-no-right-to-lecture-greece/">'Germany
Has Never Repaid its Debts. It Has No Right to Lecture Greece'</a>


feed_id: 16f3d01f3ce9c37e1fcb0c2870d7358a
title: Better health on streets with trees
uri: Better-health-on-streets-with-trees
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Better_health_on_streets_with_trees%29

content:
<p>
A study found that living on a street with trees goes with 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/10/more-trees-on-your-street-means-fewer-health-problems-says-study">better
health</a>, equivalent to having $10,000 more annual income.


feed_id: 6240408283f3b374e862f85e61ade4ab
title: European sea bass
uri: European-sea-bass
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28European_sea_bass%29
content:
<p>
European sea bass 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/10/sea-bass-stocks-on-brink-of-collapsing-warn-conservationists">urgently
need protection</a>.


feed_id: 9cb67ef2e89b4eefda84a8f15db3dbd1
title: Public assistance
uri: Public-assistance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Public_assistance%29
content:
<p>
A 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2015/jul/10/george-osborne-social-housing-not-marker-personal-failure">common
right-wing tactic</a> is the idea that needing public assistance is
some sort of personal failure.
<p>
Jeb Bush thinks the solution for US underemployment is for workers to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/reality-check/2015/jul/09/jeb-bush-work-longer-hours-economy">"work
more hours"</a>.  As if they were underemployed by choice.
<p>
In a developed economy, there isn't room for everyone to do well.
A certain fraction is forced to be poor, and if the society is humane,
it will give them assistance.
<p>
The size of the fraction forced to be poor can be changed by changing
laws and policies.


feed_id: bb110535d002e34d08ed05b3f7009858
title: Face recognition software
uri: 2015-07-15-Face-recognition-software
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Face_recognition_software%29
content:
<p>
It is urgent to 
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/07/how-good-facial-recognition-technology-government-regulation/397289/">establish
rules to limit use</a> of face recognition software.
<p>
The case that is most important to limit is recognition by the state
or for the state's use, because that 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">threatens
democracy itself</a>.


feed_id: 0d63ffc553574250f262fe7beac946d3
title: Fire on Vancouver Island
uri: Fire-on-Vancouver-Island
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Fire_on_Vancouver_Island%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/the-wettest-place-in-north-america-is-burning">The
Wettest Place in North America Is Burning</a>: Global heating has
brought drought even to Vancouver Island.
<p>
If we keep it up, the island's rainforest and its unusual tree species
could disappear.


feed_id: f10da67f5cd22f44b81bbbe4041c00cb
title: Particulate air pollution and floods
uri: Particulate-air-pollution-and-floods
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Particulate_air_pollution_and_floods%29

content:
<p>
Regional high levels of particulate air pollution 
<a href="http://phys.org/news/2015-07-mechanism-ties-human-caused-air-pollution.html">makes
floods more likely</a>.


feed_id: 9940b20b1c1feffb36aed4ac6265a216
title: The OPM breach
uri: The-OPM-breach
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28The_OPM_breach%29
content:
<p>
Those who cracked the Office of Personnel Management's computers
obtained personal data on 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/security/2015/07/call-it-a-data-rupture-hack-hitting-opm-affects-21-5-million/">21
million people</a>.


feed_id: ac374dcf63390a5963965bd14b8f56ac
title: Bumblebees dying from heat
uri: Bumblebees-dying-from-heat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Bumblebees_dying_from_heat%29
content:
<p>
Bumblebees are dying from heat in southern parts of Europe and North
America, but they have been 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/09/bumblebee-habitat-shrinking-europe-north-america-climate-change-study">unable
to colonize areas to the north</a>.
<p>
One possibility that occurs to me is that they can't survive cold
beyond a certain point.  One of the effects of global heating in the
northern temperate zone is an increase in very cold periods in winter.
That might make those areas uninhabitable for bumblebees even though
they now have a higher average temperature.


feed_id: 2f9ca6ea97aec2fb9c9c9300d871a738
title: Money spent on Afghan justice system
uri: Money-spent-on-Afghan-justice-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Money_spent_on_Afghan_justice_system%29

content:
<p>
The US has spent a 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/09/10-years-1b-later-little-progress-establishing-rule-law-afghanistan/">billion
dollars</a> trying to set up an honest system of justice in
Afghanistan, but has achieved little.


feed_id: bf224aaa26a6f78171fc944b99a54d42
title: Money collected by Dubya for speech to veterans
uri: Money-collected-by-Dubya-for-speech-to-veterans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Money_collected_by_Dubya_for_speech_to_veterans%29

content:
<p>
Dubya collected 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/09/who-did-george-w-bush-charge-100k-hear-him-speak-wounded-veterans-his-immoral-wars">$100,000</a>
for a speech to a group of veterans after causing them to be wounded
by sending them to occupy Iraq.


feed_id: 1faa0b3e8759683cc16dae1bf9ae6c3f
title: Racial discrimination in South Carolina
uri: Racial-discrimination-in-South-Carolina
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Racial_discrimination_in_South_Carolina%29

content:
<p>
South Carolina Removes the Physical Flag: 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/09/south-carolina-removes-physical-flag-can-it-remove-spiritual-illness-racial">Can
It Remove the Spiritual Illness of Racial Discrimination?</a>


feed_id: d97fcbeebc727c7b8e8e0fe771f16e06
title: "Registered sex offenders"
uri: Registered-sex-offenders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Registered_sex_offenders%29
content:
<p>
1/4 of the people in the "registered sex offender" list were added as
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/07/09/this-teen-had-sex-with-another-teen-so-a">minors
for having sex with other minors</a>.
<p>
There is a campaign of sexual repression that feeds on parents'
irrational fears about their children — and unwillingness
to recognize that they become sexual at different ages, often
younger than the parents would wish.


feed_id: 1b053657e022512ca434456e713e86f9
title: NYC thugs rarely encounter full disk encryption
uri: NYC-thugs-rarely-encounter-full-disk-encryption
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28NYC_thugs_rarely_encounter_full_disk_encryption%29

content:
<p>
New York City thugs encountered full disk encryption in 
<a href="http://www.wired.com/2015/07/manhattan-da-iphone-crypto-foiled-cops-74-times/">.1%
of their cases</a>.
<p>
They did not keep track of in what fraction of those cases the full
disk encryption caused a real impediment to the investigation.  That
might be a much smaller fraction.


feed_id: 8d74481470543af5290a1e9c97b604ed
title: Spain Government Goes Full Police State
uri: Spain-Government-Goes-Full-Police-State
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Spain_Government_Goes_Full_Police_State%29

content:
<p>
Spain Government Goes Full Police State; Enacts 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150705/18174231556/spain-government-goes-full-police-state-enacts-law-forbidding-dissent-unauthorized-photography-law-enforcement.shtml">Law
Forbidding Dissent, 'Unauthorized' Photography Of Law Enforcement</a>.


feed_id: 22fabab5de6963369035d442209ae37e
title: DNA collection
uri: DNA-collection
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28DNA_collection%29
content:
<p>
The Latest In The 'Collect It All' Collection: 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150707/08035431572/latest-collect-it-all-collection-entire-nations-dna.shtml">An
Entire Nation's DNA</a>.


feed_id: be3ce6ed25a95a90fcd65005578f8ea1
title: Insincere politicians
uri: Insincere-politicians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Insincere_politicians%29
content:
<p>
Standard practice for insincere politicians is to 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/09/hawkish-senator-peace-activist-you-make-world-incredibly-dangerous">accuse
their critics of the bad things they themselves do</a>.  Senator
Graham, after proposing endless war against Iran and PISSI, said that
peace activists such as Medea Benjamin "make the world incredibly
dangerous".


feed_id: acd7dccdf2e89dec2171b84fba24e909
title: Planned tax cut for corporations
uri: Planned-tax-cut-for-corporations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_%28Planned_tax_cut_for_corporations%29
content:
<p>
A bipartisan Senate plan to reduce taxes on 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/09/democrats-republicans-unite-bipartisan-plan-screw-domestic-businesses/">US-based
multinational corporations</a>.


feed_id: 4b61c77ce50d0c03823394f178f28f62
title: Volunteer
uri: 2015-07-15-Volunteer
url: http://stallman.org/index.html#volunteerList
content:
I am looking for people to monitor web sites for news articles I
     might be interested in.

     


feed_id: f88c892521f62b1b3496aefdda9dcde6
title: Volunteer
uri: 2015-07-15-Volunteer
url: http://stallman.org/index.html#volunteerList
content:
I am looking for people to write site-specific Firefox extensions
     or local scripts to operate specific web sites.

     


feed_id: c1fc76b7a9ef7d6f3e8e50f67c76f3cc
title: Volunteer
uri: 2015-07-15-Volunteer
url: http://stallman.org/index.html#volunteerList
content:
I am looking for people to help webmasters make simple but substantial changes in their
     web sites — for instance, to use the GNU Project's
     recommended terminology.

     


feed_id: 6d4c44a2884bb84bea37286a3157787a
title: Volunteer
uri: 2015-07-15-Volunteer
url: http://stallman.org/index.html#volunteerList
content:
I am looking for people to experiment to find good ways to attach
     fruits to a <a href="http://stallman.org/grav-mass.html">Grav-mass tree</a>.

	


feed_id: ef1ffcd761a78d1345fdf6e93b992608
title: ALEC
uri: ALEC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28ALEC%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/06/12868/four-ways-alec-tried-ruin-your-state-year">Four
Ways ALEC Tried to Ruin Your State This Year</a>.


feed_id: 24bf951c9347e9f4698710f5e3ac1f02
title: Mass extinction
uri: 2015-07-15-Mass-extinction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Mass_extinction%29
content:
<p>
Could the mass extinction we are causing lead to 
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/31661-mass-extinction-it-s-the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it">humanity's
extinction</a>?
<p>
I think complete extinction will be unlikely because humans are very
flexible: some humans will survive, even if reduced to stone-age
technology.  The vast majority will die, probably during this century.


feed_id: e0301321eccfd0205aad8dea6fb3f1e5
title: BP settlement
uri: BP-settlement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28BP_settlement%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-02/what-bp-s-18-7-billion-spill-settlement-means-for-the-environment">What
[Billionaire Polluters]' $18.7 Billion Spill Settlement Means for the
Environment</a>.


feed_id: f8107ae921da2bc8ce1c017f13ea71c9
title: The Greek referendum
uri: The-Greek-referendum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28The_Greek_referendum%29
content:
<p>
The Greek referendum revealed how the EU has become an undemocratic
instrument for imposing plutocracy.  
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/10/12-step-guide-eus-crisis-political-responsibility">Here
are details</a>.


feed_id: 8916982cfcc53fb0ab728bbec9d42d3d
title: UK greenhouse gas reduction program killed
uri: UK-greenhouse-gas-reduction-program-killed
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28UK_greenhouse_gas_reduction_program_killed%29

content:
<p>
The UK 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/10/uk-scraps-zero-carbon-home-target">killed
another program</a> for greenhouse gas reduction.


feed_id: 3177a70731be0fdbb9f2c7fbdf9f0274
title: Jailed for reporting on terrorism
uri: Jailed-for-reporting-on-terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Jailed_for_reporting_on_terrorism%29

content:
<p>
Jordan has 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/07/10/jordanian-court-orders-arrest-journalist-over-terrorism-reporting">jailed
a journalist for reporting on terrorism</a>.


feed_id: 76c6998696f90214b51920b2ce263553
title: Propaganda in West Virginia science museum
uri: Propaganda-in-West-Virginia-science-museum
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Propaganda_in_West_Virginia_science_museum%29

content:
<p>
West Virginia's science museum has made a mobile "exhibit" which is
just propaganda 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/10/pro-fracking-museum-exhibit-kids-industry-propaganda-wheels">in
favor of fracking</a>.


feed_id: 2cf1dcebabf6f0468d4b22db8795fcef
title: 60,000 Hondurans protest
uri: 60-000-Hondurans-protest
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%2860%2C000_Hondurans_protest%29
content:
<p>
Now 60,000 Hondurans have protested 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/07/10/news-release-massive-friday-march-torches-honduras-against-coup-ism">calling
for the coup-backed president to resign</a>.


feed_id: d517aa84167070d4b6b3c6140d6f5bee
title: Big tech and corporate supremacy treaties
uri: Big-tech-and-corporate-supremacy-treaties
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Big_tech_and_corporate_supremacy_treaties%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/09/big-tech-does-not-speak-internet">Big
Tech Does Not Speak for the Internet</a>.
<p>
In particular, what those companies say about corporate supremacy
treaties does not speak for internet users.


feed_id: 51499466ebae088a65b59e0736525bd1
title: Puerto Rico's unpayable debt
uri: Puerto-Rico-s-unpayable-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Puerto_Ricos_unpayable_debt%29
content:
<p>
How US corporations 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/09/roots-puerto-ricos-debt-crisis-and-why-austerity-will-not-solve-it">engineered</a>
Puerto Rico's unpayable debt.


feed_id: 8e5699332398ff8386a1c205d359612a
title: Military preparing to "protect" Americans
uri: Military-preparing-to-protect-Americans
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Military_preparing_to_protect_Americans%29

content:
<p>
The US military is preparing to 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/09/anglo-american-empire-preparing-resource-war">"protect"
Americans from a shortage of resources</a>; but this is to be done by
propping up US inequality.


feed_id: 5b474c8a921ef599f3eed382ed891f9d
title: US trade policy
uri: US-trade-policy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28US_trade_policy%29
content:
<p>
U.S. Trade Policy Is 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/09/us-trade-policy-pro-rich-not-free-trade">Pro-Rich,
Not Free Trade</a>.
<p>
However, the "free trade" treaties are really treaties 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#04_April_2013_(US%2FEU_corporate_power_grab)">for
corporate supremacy</a>: trade is a side issue.
<p>
I don't think the US needs to have high tariffs; tariffs are a side
issue.  To the extent that these treaties implement free trade, that
is harmful because it enables companies to shift production easily
from country to country, this pressuring countries to compete for
which will allow the worst abuse of workers.
<p>
That is the part of free trade that we need to get rid of.


feed_id: 8bb8afbaa04399e9cd6a2d7e89520b57
title: Windows source code
uri: Windows-source-code
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Windows_source_code%29
content:
<p>
Microsoft 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/wikileaks-china--microsoft-source-hack-google-2010-12">gave
Windows source code to Chinese companies</a> which are thought to have
provided it to the Chinese government to search for vulnerabilities.
<p>
This combines the real danger of proprietary software with the
mythical danger of free software: <em>you</em> can't get Windows
source code, but someone who wants to attack you can.


feed_id: 8959c36e32bfb82e6a9d12f835bb55c0
title: Siblings jailed for refusing to see father
uri: Siblings-jailed-for-refusing-to-see-father
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Siblings_jailed_for_refusing_to_see_father%29

content:
<p>
Three siblings in Michigan will be 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/10/michigan-judge-siblings-juvenile-detention">jailed
for years</a> for refusing to see their father.
<p>
If the mother has poisoned them against him — such things do
happen — that is her responsibility, not the childrens'.


feed_id: a62bad846b07dc8af727432b749a76f2
title: Obama denies Malaysia's human trafficking record
uri: Obama-denies-Malaysia-s-human-trafficking-record
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Obama_denies_Malaysias_human_trafficking_record%29

content:
<p>
The Obama regime has 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/09/are-human-rights-violations-already-being-trumped-corporate-trade-deal">decided
to deny Malaysia's human trafficking record</a>, to bypass a legal
requirement so that country can be included in the TPP.
<p>
The US has for decades misrepresented countries' human rights records
in order to continue selling them arms.


feed_id: 8b93cf804583e9078d6efc0b9297dbea
title: Sexual-Abuse-to-Prison Pipeline
uri: Sexual-Abuse-to-Prison-Pipeline
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Sexual-Abuse-to-Prison_Pipeline%29
content:
<p>
The Sexual-Abuse-to-Prison Pipeline: many US girls from minority
backgrounds are 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/09/locked-surviving-untold-story-sexual-abuse-prison-pipeline">imprisoned
for victimless "crimes" that are often a response to being sexually
abused</a>.
<p>
It is easy to say that they need help, not prison; but that's not
strong enough.  It would be better just to leave them alone than
to imprison them.


feed_id: 42e11f924f4eba9efe9b117a8d77badb
title: Unspecified mayhem thwarted
uri: Unspecified-mayhem-thwarted
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Unspecified_mayhem_thwarted%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://fair.org/home/got-to-be-thwarting-something-fbi-claims-it-stopped-unspecified-mayhem-possibly-on-july-4/">
Got to Be Thwarting Something: FBI Claims It Stopped Unspecified
Mayhem, Possibly on July 4.</a>
</p>
<p>That's the sort of argument the Obama regime uses to justify tracking
and spying on us in everything we do.</p>


feed_id: 997bd756a500eede1eeff27296f34acf
title: What to take from Hacking Team leak
uri: What-to-take-from-Hacking-Team-leak
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28What_to_take_from_Hacking_Team_leak%29

content:
<p>Important 
<a href="https://www.privacyinternational.org/?q=node/619">
political information</a>
 learned from the Hacking Team crack and leak.
</p>


feed_id: 16df3e7eaf632bd8ab59fb8569925397
title: Perversion of justice system
uri: Perversion-of-justice-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Perversion_of_justice_system%29
content:
<p>The irrational US response to allegations of "terrorism" has 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/11/edward-saids-son-is-trying-to-change-terrorism-prosecutions/">
perverted every stage of the US "justice system"</a>,
 and the effect is not limited to "terrorism" cases.
</p>


feed_id: 67c1f8a39709583c8ee712859d15d245
title: APA helped members collude in torture
uri: APA-helped-members-collude-in-torture
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28APA_helped_members_collude_in_torture%29

content:
<p>How the American Psychological Association 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/11/cia-torture-doctors-psychologists-apa-prosecution">
changed its rules</a>
 to help its members collude in torture.
</p>
<p>It obtained no useful intelligence, but 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/11/american-psychological-association-report-collusion-us-torture-">
boosted tyrants world-wide</a>.
</p>
<p>Some of these psychologists were instrumental in proposing torture
methods. They 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/10/us-torture-doctors-psychologists-apa-prosecution">
may even be prosecuted</a>.
</p>
<p>However, Dubya and Cheney were the ringleaders and we must concentrate
on prosecuting them.</p>


feed_id: 4ef43cdd7f4952f7b2e28e0185a6a348
title: Women in video games
uri: Women-in-video-games
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Women_in_video_games%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/10/teenage-boys-sexist-video-games">
60% of US highschool boys</a>
 say they think video games treat women as sex objects too much.
</p>
<p>The article shows a foolish blindnes when it talks about "
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Consume">
consuming media images</a>".
 If playing a game consumed it, you could not play for
very long.
</p>


feed_id: 7f707caee02a0ac450457af80835ffdc
title: Sanctuary laws make cities safer
uri: Sanctuary-laws-make-cities-safer
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Sanctuary_laws_make_cities_safer%29
content:
<p>Cities such as San Francisco with "sanctuary" laws, that refuse to
report or help deport illegal immigrants, are safer — because
these laws 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/07/sanctuary-cities-public-safety-kate-steinle-san-francisco">
encourage illegal immigrants to cooperate in catching
criminals</a>.
</p>


feed_id: db623f6e0afa097059627d6648d60cb7
title: Tourists still feel safe in Tunisia
uri: Tourists-still-feel-safe-in-Tunisia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Tourists_still_feel_safe_in_Tunisia%29

content:
<p>Tourists say they 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/11/tunisia-tory-mp-and-tourists-question-uk-travel-warning">
still feel safe</a>
 in Tunisia.
</p>
<p>Why 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/10/british-tourists-tunisia-terrorism-philip-hammond">
help terrorists</a>
 damage the Tunisian economy?
</p>


feed_id: 784066c41be6dd02f047eb92c8702960
title: Michigan judge rescinds punishment
uri: Michigan-judge-rescinds-punishment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Michigan_judge_rescinds_punishment%29

content:
<p>The Michigan judge changed her mind, and sent the disobedient children
(who refused to meet with their father) 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/10/michigan-judge-kids-juvenile-detention-summer-camp">
to a summer camp</a>.
</p>
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/notes/current.html#15_July_2015_(Siblings_jailed_for_refusing_to_see_father)">
Previous news</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 21f7b02cb4b77a9318ab59e36257f553
title: Guantanamo force-feeding
uri: 2015-07-16-Guantanamo-force-feeding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Guantanamo_force-feeding%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/10/judge-orders-pentagon-get-guantanamo-force-feeding-videos-ready-release/">
Judge Orders Pentagon to Get Guantanamo Force-Feeding Videos Ready for
Release.</a>
</p>


feed_id: ec30a2049aa429d5b8e858d0f7457cf3
title: Why did GCHQ spy on Amnesty?
uri: Why-did-GCHQ-spy-on-Amnesty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Why_did_GCHQ_spy_on_Amnesty%3F%29
content:
<p>Amnesty International and two British human rights organizations call
on
the UK to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/10/human-rights-groups-call-inquiry-why-gchq-spied-amnesty">
investigate why GCHQ spied on them</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 861e22a1230e4e1e081e66b68f7f150b
title: Doomsday machines
uri: Doomsday-machines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Doomsday_machines%29
content:
<p>The Soviet Union built and tested a 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/30/1397658/-The-Real-Doomsday-Machine?detail=email">
semi-automatic "doomsday machine" system</a>
 for automatic launch of a retaliatory missile strike.
</p>
<p>The Perimetr system was a response to the US's deployment of missiles
that threatened first-strike destruction of Soviet missiles.
Deploying those missiles was a far more aggressive and foolhardy act.</p>
<p>We now know that the doomsday machine was inherent in those missiles:
even without a Soviet retaliation, they would have triggered a nuclear
winter that would have destroyed civilization (and maybe humanity
too).</p>


feed_id: a35a1997bcde365003ab8ab28662651b
title: Taxing renewables
uri: Taxing-renewables
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Taxing_renewables%29
content:
<p>Taxing renewable energy like nonrenewable is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2015/jul/09/george-osborne-is-saving-green-pennies-but-spending-nuclear-pounds">
"saving green pennies,
but spending nuclear pounds."</a>
</p>


feed_id: 504df342aba62dedffb8dbd608275e95
title: UK minimum wage doesn't compensate for cuts
uri: UK-minimum-wage-doesn-t-compensate-for-cuts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28UK_minimum_wage_doesn%27t_compensate_for_cuts%29

content:
<p>The UK increase in minimum wage (which falls short of a "living wage")
is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/09/ifs-picks-the-budget-to-pieces-again">
far too small to compensate</a>
 for the welfare cuts.
</p>
<p>In addition, only a fraction of those hurt by the welfare cuts
will see a rise in wages.</p>


feed_id: 4025d621e5a76d7027702aff621f4ff6
title: How to kill a Monroe Bird
uri: How-to-kill-a-Monroe-Bird
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28How_to_kill_a_Monroe_Bird%29
content:
<p>Monroe Bird was shot and paralyzed for no reason by a security guard,
but 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/08/1400310/-The-devastating-death-of-Monroe-Bird-is-an-indictment-on-all-of-America?detail=email">
what killed him was the lousy US medical system</a>.
</p>


feed_id: ed127c92b03d4c37e00580a30c522f53
title: Surveillance stress
uri: Surveillance-stress
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Surveillance_stress%29
content:
<p>Many US workers are surveilled so much in their work that the 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/these-workers-have-new-demand-stop-watching-us/">
stress is making their lives hell</a>.
</p>


feed_id: c604f05038077f89125501b6377ce2d7
title: Up in Seattle
uri: Up-in-Seattle
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Up_in_Seattle%29
content:
<p>A house in Seattle has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jul/09/up-house-seattle-pixar-edith-macefield">
a history</a>
 that superficially reminds people of the story of the movie Up.
</p>


feed_id: 4632d4e63e087bea3e1a34f18f871394
title: Hacking Team an enemy of the internet
uri: Hacking-Team-an-enemy-of-the-internet
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Hacking_Team_an_enemy_of_the_internet%29

content:
<p>Hacking Team was one of five companies 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/11/hacking-team-hack-state-surveillance-human-rights">
listed by Reporters Without Borders</a>
 as the "corporate enemies of the internet" for helping
governments (even outright tyrannical ones) snoop on computers.
</p>


feed_id: 6cf88638cfeff412595209ca8b28af9e
title: Jail for speaking about asylum seekers
uri: Jail-for-speaking-about-asylum-seekers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Jail_for_speaking_about_asylum_seekers%29

content:
<p>Australian medical professionals are protesting the laws banning other
medical professionals from 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jul/11/australian-doctors-rally-over-threat-of-jail-for-speaking-about-asylum-seeekers">
reporting when their patients are mistreated</a>.
</p>


feed_id: a57d95ebc886af66be62237126e60aa7
title: Greek battleground
uri: Greek-battleground
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Greek_battleground%29
content:
<p>Bernie Sanders has 
<a href="https://www.sanders.senate.gov/custom404.cfm?request=/newsroom/recent-business/the-week-in-review-071015&remoteaddr=66.171.227.16">
cheered the Greeks for voting no</a>.
</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/07/greece-financial-elite-democracy-liassez-faire-neoliberalism">
Greece Is the Latest Battleground in the Financial Elite's War on
Democracy.</a>
</p>


feed_id: fd795cf80cc2875feafb0090afc2fbdc
title: US wants magic crypto powers
uri: US-wants-magic-crypto-powers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28US_wants_magic_crypto_powers%29
content:
<p>The US government wants the impossible: software with back doors that
only it can use. Even if one assumes that the US would never do wrong
using this power, 
<a href="https://cdt.org/blog/fbis-new-crypto-plan-build-thors-magic-hammer/">
the idea is nuts</a>.
</p>
<p>Of course, that assumption is a fundamental error. We must not
suppose that state agents use their power only for good. We 
<a href="https://stallman.org/articles/why-we-need-a-state.html">
need a state</a>,
 so we need democracy to keep control over it. If the state can
track everyone's actions and communications, 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">
democracy is doomed</a>.
</p>


feed_id: b3c900a58f75df30fd8f6b97c6ab2395
title: Almost-not-quite limiting global heating
uri: Almost-not-quite-limiting-global-heating
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Almost-not-quite_limiting_global_heating%29

content:
<p>The Global Commission on the Economy and the Climate report recommends
a plan of 10 steps that would 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/07/climate-commission-issues-blueprint-low-carbon-economy">
nearly go far enough</a>
 to avoid more than 2C of heating.
</p>
<p>Here is the 
<a href="http://2015.newclimateeconomy.report/misc/global-action-plan-at-a-glance/">
executive summary</a>
 of the plan.
</p>
<p>However, even if we limit global heating to 2C, that could ultimately
<a href="http://www.climatecentral.org/news/sea-levels-rise-20-feet-19211">
raise sea level by 20 feet (6 meters)</a>.
</p>
<p>Is part of your city less than 6 meters above sea level?</p>


feed_id: 292dd6dcb443c1faabb18fa417429369
title: Secrets of the torturers
uri: Secrets-of-the-torturers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Secrets_of_the_torturers%29
content:
<p>The Senate's CIA torture report has made it possible for prisoners in
Guantanamo to 
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/06/AR2010080605828.html">
present part of the details of how they were tortured</a>
 as evidence in military kangaroo courts.
</p>
<p>However, some aspects of torture remain a secret of the torturers.
For instance, we know that Abu Zubaydah lost his eye due to how the CIA
treated him, but precisely how remains a secret.</p>


feed_id: b2ff7a132376e32142821113e9d3b16c
title: Austerity not a solution
uri: Austerity-not-a-solution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Austerity_not_a_solution%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/austerity-has-failed-an-open-letter-from-thomas-piketty-to-angela-merkel/">
Prominent economists call on Merkel</a>
 to recognize that austerity is a
misguided response, not a solution for a country's debts.
</p>


feed_id: c12a82018220574b8b8e99bba049bca9
title: New Zealand's new censorship law
uri: New-Zealand-s-new-censorship-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#16_July_2015_%28New_Zealands_new_censorship_law%29
content:
<p>
New Zealand's new censorship law, supposedly meant to protect people
from online harassment, 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/07/nz-digital-communications-act-considered-very-harmful">provides
a great tool for online harassment</a>.


feed_id: 1c4d49bd6824ee48648fa04752adc3a3
title: A fair monetary system
uri: A-fair-monetary-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#16_July_2015_%28A_fair_monetary_system%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that a fair monetary system has to be based on a 
<a href="http://www.creationmonetaire.info/2015/07/game-over-for-greece-play-again-same-rules.html">universal
redistribution system</a>.


feed_id: 1e80734270cf40625ae74336c65d8c2f
title: Fossil Fuel Industry Must 'Implode'
uri: Fossil-Fuel-Industry-Must-Implode
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#16_July_2015_%28Fossil_Fuel_Industry_Must_Implode%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/10/fossil-fuel-industry-must-implode-to-avoid-climate-disaster-says-top-scientist">Fossil
Fuel Industry Must 'Implode' to Avoid Climate Disaster, Says Top
Scientist</a>.


feed_id: 9a63f2a5ee7b14e65cc58aa3d086d1e0
title: How the UK will "boost productivity"
uri: How-the-UK-will-boost-productivity
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#16_July_2015_%28How_the_UK_will_boost_productivity%29

content:
<p>
The UK government says it will "boost productivity" 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/10/government-plan-productivity-fixing-foundations">by
producing the wrong kind of houses</a>.
<p>
It's a distraction anyway, since the UK's problem isn't a lack of
production, it is that the rich take it all.


feed_id: 67b745319b482923c141e264e8f6a24b
title: Canada's new "terrorism" law
uri: Canada-s-new-terrorism-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#16_July_2015_%28Canadas_new_terrorism_law%29
content:
<p>
Canada has passed a law to 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/10/welcome-canada-dont-get-comfortable">revoke
citizenship of those convicted of "terrorism" in other countries</a>.
This applies even if they are convicted in countries like the US or
Egypt, where dissent or journalism can be labeled as "terrorism" and
courts don't follow the standards of justice.
<p>
This applies even to natural-born Canadians who had the bad luck to
receive citizenship in some other country, perhaps without asking for
it.


feed_id: 6f56574a832c29f84fa40548d2b98850
title: Foreign NGOs in Haiti
uri: Foreign-NGOs-in-Haiti
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#16_July_2015_%28Foreign_NGOs_in_Haiti%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/10/are-foreign-ngos-rebuilding-haiti-or-just-cashing">Are
Foreign NGOs Rebuilding Haiti Or Just Cashing In?</a>


feed_id: 742d5af9ec443c905f2157989549e5bc
title: Right-wing pattern
uri: Right-wing-pattern
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#16_July_2015_%28Right-wing_pattern%29
content:
<p>
A right-wing pattern: 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/10/george-osborne-july-budget-2015">offer
token support to the poor or downtrodden</a>, so that right-wing
supporters can tell themselves, "We're not really callous and greedy."
<p>
It is fatuous to judge whether a party can "run the economy well"
without thinking about what that means.  Do dooH niboR policies,
competently executed and enriching the rich, constitute running the
economy well, or running it badly?


feed_id: a7fbbfe84c34d1554ccb7506d747d6e8
title: US background checks for gun purchases
uri: US-background-checks-for-gun-purchases
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#16_July_2015_%28US_background_checks_for_gun_purchases%29

content:
<p>
The US background check for gun purchases should have stopped
Dylann Roof from buying a gun, but 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/10/dylann-roof-gun-fbi-background-check-failed-charleston-shooting">the
system failed</a>.
<p>
He also claims that it is part of a scheme by Germany to pressure
France.


feed_id: 23d8c13085ca6eb386ae34696c5b614b
title: Euro-banksters demand more oppression
uri: Euro-banksters-demand-more-oppression
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#16_July_2015_%28Euro-banksters_demand_more_oppression%29

content:
<p>
After Greece voted no, the euro-banksters said that their previous
demand wasn't oppressive enough; they now demand more.  This shows
they were not negotiating in good faith.  They want unconditional
surrender, not a solution.
<p>
So the Greek government 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/07/greece-caves">has
offered them more or less what they demanded</a>, asking in exchange
for some debt relief.
<p>
Varoufakis says that the euro-banksters had 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/10/germany-greek-pain-debt-relief-grexit">decided
by January</a> that they wanted Greece out of the euro.
<p>
However, the plutocrats of Europe now say that this is not good
enough.  
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/10/greeks-facing-day-of-judgment-in-struggle-to-stay-in-eurozone">They
object to giving Greece any debt relief</a> in exchange for budget
cuts.
<p>
However, France is pushing for some debt relief.
<p>
Meanwhile, the Greek parliament 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/10/greek-parliament-to-vote-on-new-cuts-for-cash-plan-to-break-deadlock">may
not approve the deal</a>.
<p>
That article lists the main points of the deal.
Many of them are not bad, but the new tax on foodstuffs
and the reduced salaries will really hurt.
<p>
Delaying retirement might be fine if Greece had full employment,
but what will it do to unemployed people who are fairly old
but still under 67?  They will never get another job.


feed_id: c164a985019ed61416abc1fd83aa4bc0
title: Attacked by 26 thugs
uri: Attacked-by-26-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#16_July_2015_%28Attacked_by_26_thugs%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/10/philadelphia-police-investigate-arrest-tyree-carroll">26
different thugs</a> attacked Tyree Carroll, at least some of them
after he was handcuffed.
<p>
I can't see the video; please don't use nonfree Flash Player to watch
it!  I can only read what the article says.
<p>
It appears Carroll may be culpable for some violence, but that doesn't
excuse hitting and kicking him once he was handcuffed and helpless.
And if a thug put him in a chokehold, he had reasonable fear for his
life.
<p>
Stopping someone for "riding a bicycle in the wrong direction" seems
like looking for an excuse.


feed_id: db326127598f5450802ebcee49c59ffb
title: Women in video games
uri: 2015-07-17-Women-in-video-games
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_%28Women_in_video_games%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/10/teenage-boys-sexist-video-games">
60% of US highschool boys</a>
 say they think video games treat women as sex objects too much.
</p>
<p>The article shows a foolish blindness when it talks about "
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Consume">
consuming media images</a>".
 If playing a game consumed it, you could not play for
very long.
</p>


feed_id: 450952e8c54a8b934ee77fd52d32c98c
title: Urgent: Cancel Oak Flat mining deal
uri: Urgent-Cancel-Oak-Flat-mining-deal
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Cancel_Oak_Flat_mining_deal%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/Apache_land">call on
Congress</a> to cancel the Oak Flat mining deal.


feed_id: 3601962f74c31c1558fcb6afd87b5259
title: Debt crises
uri: Debt-crises
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28Debt_crises%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/11/beyond-greece-world-filled-debt-crises">Many
countries</a> are suffering from debt crises.
<p>
The current international system, designed to make states repay loans
no matter what the cost to the people, creates a moral hazard: lenders
are too ready to lend money, even for dictators to steal, because they
assume there is no way the state can get rid of the debt.
<p>
Haiti was crushed for a century by a debt 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#16_May_2015_(Frances_debt_to_Haiti)">imposed
by France</a> in exchange for recognizing Haiti's independence.


feed_id: 03f5518f0ab24b031a381f93bbc2e96f
title: Fracking
uri: 2015-07-17-Fracking
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28Fracking%29
content:
<p>
A California study was unable to estimate the danger of pollution from
fracking because, for half the chemicals frackers use, they
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/10/new-study-exposes-fatal-flaws-california-fracking-rules">can't
find any data about their toxicity or biodegradability</a>.
<p>
In effect, fracking is a massive experiment with the public as the
test subjects.
<p>
The purpose of the experiment is to advance climate mayhem.
Due to the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#11_September_2014_(Methane_leaks_from_fracking)">pervasive
methane leaks</a>, fracking makes a big contribution to global
heating.
<p>
If our government were in the hands of statesmen, instead of flunkies,
we would ban fracking, thus designating those natural gas reserves as
part of the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-may-aug.html#19_July_2011_(The_Carbon_Bubble)">80%
of fossil fuels that must be left in the ground</a>.


feed_id: 47e67e561e13db298140e4e1e3edcc5b
title: Money spent promoting "charter schools"
uri: Money-spent-promoting-charter-schools
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28Money_spent_promoting_charter_schools%29

content:
<p>
The US has spent 
<a href="
http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/10/nearly-2500-bridges-nowhere-congress-considers-expanding-charter-program-despite">3
billion dollars</a> promoting "charter schools" (private replacements
for public schools), with little benefit.  Often these schools close
in a few years.
<p>
Charter schools 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/06/growing-evidence-charter-schools-are-failing">do
not in general provide a superior education</a>, as they were
supposedly going to do.
<p>
I suspect Congress's real motive for funding them is a lobby
connected with businesses that profit from them.


feed_id: c7c343d6f7b3ba5309f49e1637154446
title: Charities outsourcing donation requests
uri: Charities-outsourcing-donation-requests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28Charities_outsourcing_donation_requests%29

content:
<p>
Some large UK charities make a practice of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2015/jul/12/charity-fundraising-cold-calling-scandal">phoning
people aggressively to press for donations</a>.
<p>
Charities should not use businesses to do their fundraising.  Those
businesses tend to pay their employees badly as well as to be pushy
with the public.  But it endangers the charity, too: it can warp the
organization's attitudes, make it think of donors as money sources,
not as people who support a cause.  Thus, I think no charity
should ever outsource the requesting of donations.


feed_id: 3ca409c5d73fe5b6b5b81848ca90af2f
title: Freedom of panorama
uri: Freedom-of-panorama
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28Freedom_of_panorama%29
content:
<p>
Freedom of panorama has been 
<a href="http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-07/10/public-selfies-saved-by-a-german-pirate">saved
in Europe</a>.


feed_id: b453546e25563c59c02b14cac67c4723
title: NSA in contempt of the constitution
uri: NSA-in-contempt-of-the-constitution
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28NSA_in_contempt_of_the_constitution%29

content:
<p>
The NSA still 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/09/spying-internet-orders-magnitude-invasive-phone-metadata/">collects
broad information about Americans' internet activity</a> in contempt
of the constitution.


feed_id: e281aee168b1eec3434394d9818d5733
title: PISSI
uri: 2015-07-17-PISSI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28PISSI%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/09/islamic-state-why-so-resilient">What
has made PISSI so resilient</a>?


feed_id: 3fa693552b1d507deae79b2dfce4532a
title: College students and sex
uri: College-students-and-sex
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28College_students_and_sex%29
content:
<p>
College students often have sex hesitantly, not quite sure what they
really want, and often somewhat inebriated (though not unconscious).
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/07/09/what-have-we-learned-from-the-uva-rape-s">To
call this "rape" leads to devastating their lives</a>.
<p>
It might be a good thing to help students figure out more clearly
whether they want sex.  I am sure it would be good to lead them to
drink less alcohol.  But these are both more easily said than done.


feed_id: 3e8086db36894c2ef0a838cd47b8a9e4
title: Netherlands proposes massive surveillance
uri: Netherlands-proposes-massive-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28Netherlands_proposes_massive_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
The Netherlands 
<a href="http://arstechnica.co.uk/tech-policy/2015/07/new-dutch-law-would-allow-bulk-surveillance-compelled-decryption/">proposes
to authorize massive surveillance</a>.  Also, the spies will have the
power to force anyone to decrypt anything.
<p>
So you can't trust a company in the Netherlands with your data,
unless you live in a place like China whose government won't cooperate
much with the Dutch government.


feed_id: 560d00e3f3dbc10821773178f1dce9de
title: Privacy and security
uri: Privacy-and-security
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28Privacy_and_security%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://arstechnica.co.uk/tech-policy/2015/07/head-of-eu-data-protection-says-trading-privacy-for-security-is-a-false-fad/">"Trading
privacy for security"</a> is a "false fad".


feed_id: 306c3d2abebafe918df7376121bcad2e
title: TTIP
uri: 2015-07-18-TTIP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28TTIP%29
content:
<p>
European Parliament's TTIP Vote A 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/07/08/european-parliaments-ttip-vote-step-backward-public-health">Step
Backward for Public Health</a>.


feed_id: 6f610e6ffef491dd58f9f5bef33c3e8e
title: Life sentence for selling marijuana
uri: Life-sentence-for-selling-marijuana
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28Life_sentence_for_selling_marijuana%29

content:
<p>
Americans are 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/05/life-sentence-marijuana-pot-prison-commuted">regularly
condemned to life in prison</a> for selling small quantities of
marijuana.


feed_id: be4c014c9e6af5367cf61bae502ed8ba
title: NYC plans replacement for bail
uri: NYC-plans-replacement-for-bail
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28NYC_plans_replacement_for_bail%29
content:
<p>
New York City plans a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/08/18m-plan-replace-bail-new-york">replacement
for bail</a>, so that poor people are not jailed for months or years
awaiting trial.


feed_id: fae076c4834b53f78c4d10fad66888e1
title: Joining the military to afford college
uri: Joining-the-military-to-afford-college
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28Joining_the_military_to_afford_college%29

content:
<p>
For many American high school students, 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/12/college-education-instead-mindless-militarization">the
only way to afford college</a> is to join the military and pretend to
be "serving their country".
<p>
Some of them figure out who they are really serving, but that requires
overcoming intense psychological pressure to deny it.


feed_id: 2fa20c7ac3bb285d3e853766bab1589d
title: Ukraine's army fighting right-wing militia
uri: Ukraine-s-army-fighting-right-wing-militia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28Ukraines_army_fighting_right-wing_militia%29

content:
<p>
Ukraine's army and right-wing extremist militia are
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/12/ukraine-government-armed-standoff-right-sector-militia">fighting</a>.


feed_id: 39a3da42214c754aee0d2eba5ac67950
title: Surviving without banks
uri: Surviving-without-banks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28Surviving_without_banks%29
content:
<p>
Banks in Ireland were closed for 6 months in 1970, by a strike.
People got by, and concluded banks were 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/12/we-can-all-get-quite-well-without-banks-ireland-managed-survive-without-them
">less necessary than they appeared</a>.


feed_id: de0600cab9441cfd04adda11977dcb20
title: Hunger striker released and rearrested
uri: Hunger-striker-released-and-rearrested
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28Hunger_striker_released_and_rearrested%29

content:
<p>
Israel has released Khader Adnan after he spent
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/12/israel-releases-palestinian-hunger-striker-khader-adnan">56
days on hunger strike</a>.
<p>
He was never accused of a crime, just imprisoned as in Guantanamo.
<p>
He was arrested again the next day for praying at the al-Aqsa mosque.


feed_id: 018b07f0692866c157c9d50477d1b3d0
title: TTIP negotiations
uri: TTIP-negotiations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28TTIP_negotiations%29
content:
<p>
A broad coalition in Belgium 
<a href="https://edri.org/belgian-coalition-demands-suspension-ttip-negotiations/">calls
for an end to negotiations</a> on the TTIP.


feed_id: 884a4b6d4e8d001f312148acb5c6e221
title: Gender discrimination in advertising
uri: Gender-discrimination-in-advertising
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28Gender_discrimination_in_advertising%29

content:
<p>
An experiment using fictitious users demonstrates 
<a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-07/cmu-fwt070715.php">gender
discrimination in advertising</a>.


feed_id: e61ae8fa8bc03238926e33ff84cb5dd4
title: Protecting fossil fuel consumption
uri: Protecting-fossil-fuel-consumption
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28Protecting_fossil_fuel_consumption%29

content:
<p>
To protect fossil fuel consumption in Australia, the government has
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/12/abbott-government-extends-ban-on-renewable-energy-to-solar-panels">told
the Clean Energy Finance Corporation not to invest in developing solar
or wind power</a>.
<p>
Those forms of energy are no good because they are clean.


feed_id: bef1db75ffc88ee1f65360e4655b389f
title: UK ban on sending books to prisoners
uri: UK-ban-on-sending-books-to-prisoners
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28UK_ban_on_sending_books_to_prisoners%29

content:
<p>
The UK 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/12/ban-friends-and-family-sending-books-prison-prisoners-lifted-grayling">once
again allows books to be sent to prisoners</a>.


feed_id: 2dfea14d44d32bab7e4a85a9b7d2f331
title: The internet in China
uri: The-internet-in-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#17_July_2015_%28The_internet_in_China%29
content:
<p>
China has 
<a href="http://www.afr.com/technology/social-media/how-china-stopped-its-bloggers-20150703-gi34za">eliminated
the internet as a system for people to communicate about anything
socially important</a>.  This includes replacing the equivalent of
Twitter with a communications service that makes it hard to talk to
people you don't know.
<p>
The harassment campaign against the blogger who says he has been
"re-educated" resembles what the US did to 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-sep-dec.html#16_September_2012_(Prosecuting_only_the_whistleblower)">John
Kiriakou</a>, and tried to do to
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2011-mar-jun.html#27_May_2011_(Thomas_Drake_on_Trial)">Thomas
Drake</a>.


feed_id: 2233846df75fbd538d33e93a0c44a5f0
title: Human rights lawyers in China arrested
uri: Human-rights-lawyers-in-China-arrested
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#18_July_2015_%28Human_rights_lawyers_in_China_arrested%29

content:
<p>
Many human rights lawyers in China have been arrested and
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/13/china-targets-lawyers-in-new-human-rights-crackdown">accused
of being a "criminal gang"</a>.


feed_id: eb36c61ef4bdaf585cbdfa1eeb603b19
title: Restricting thugs' use of spy devices
uri: Restricting-thugs-use-of-spy-devices
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#18_July_2015_%28Restricting_thugs_use_of_spy_devices%29

content:
<p>
Oakland is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/13/oakland-law-enforcement-surveillance">developing
a law</a> to restrict the thugs' use of spy devices.


feed_id: 13eab7c8a0dbb3c6d341936945c3f227
title: UK's use of military drones
uri: UK-s-use-of-military-drones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#18_July_2015_%28UKs_use_of_military_drones%29
content:
<p>
The UK must come clean about
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/defence-and-security-blog/2015/jul/13/time-to-end-secrecy-surrounding-sas-and-drones">what
has happened from its use</a> of military drones.


feed_id: 87d31541809d97f0d0915008e7199e05
title: Iraq trying to take Falluja from PISSI
uri: Iraq-trying-to-take-Falluja-from-PISSI
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#18_July_2015_%28Iraq_trying_to_take_Falluja_from_PISSI%29

content:
<p>
Iraq is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/13/iraq-launches-new-offensive-to-drive-isis-from-anbar-province">trying
to take Falluja from PISSI</a>.
<p>
I predict this will be very difficult as long as the inhabitants of
Falluja fear being massacred by Shi'ites.  I suspect that one of the
motives behind PISSI's massacres of Shi'ites is to stir up the sort of
hatred that will make Sunnis feel their safety depends on PISSI.  In
any case, there is plenty of such hatred.
<p>
The challenge of fighting PISSI is to defeat it without becoming just
as bad.


feed_id: b219cb76b2fe6cb947c7586c07f88904
title: One year after bombardment of Gaza
uri: One-year-after-bombardment-of-Gaza
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#18_July_2015_%28One_year_after_bombardment_of_Gaza%29

content:
<p>
One year after Israel's unnecessary bombardment of Gaza, Gaza has
hardly been rebuilt, and
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/07/07/one-year-after-israeli-military-assault-gaza">tens
of thousands are still homeless</a>.


feed_id: 24d0ee190b06786571bbffb62cda0966
title: Alternatives to banks
uri: Alternatives-to-banks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#18_July_2015_%28Alternatives_to_banks%29
content:
<p>
Ellen Brown:
<a href="http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/guerrilla_warfare_against_a_hegemonic_power_the_challenge_20150710">ways
Greece can create alternatives</a> to the banks that the EU plutocrats
have crippled.


feed_id: 5db3609ad9669cdc046467e018908a3c
title: Obstacles on voting in the US
uri: Obstacles-on-voting-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#18_July_2015_%28Obstacles_on_voting_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
21 US states have imposed
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/13/voting-restrictions-2010-election">obstacles
on voting</a> since the Supreme Court made this easier to do.


feed_id: bb8ed8b3d1f5a5db4e219bd9c2981cc5
title: Corruption inquiry in Romania
uri: Corruption-inquiry-in-Romania
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#18_July_2015_%28Corruption_inquiry_in_Romania%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/13/romania-prime-minister-victor-ponta-questioned-corruption-inquiry">Romania's
Prime Minister Questioned in Corruption Inquiry</a>.


feed_id: 9dc9ad909e80a32579bf53fec2c97427
title: Effects of medications on moral decisions
uri: Effects-of-medications-on-moral-decisions
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#18_July_2015_%28Effects_of_medications_on_moral_decisions%29

content:
<p>
The effects of certain medications on people's level of concern for
others are
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2015/jul/13/how-do-common-medications-influence-moral-decisions">not
simple</a>.


feed_id: 4c8babb09e07bb4ca890f3018c7ab904
title: Video confirms Israeli Colonel shot teenager in back
uri: Video-confirms-Israeli-Colonel-shot-teenager-in-back
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#18_July_2015_%28Video_confirms_Israeli_Colonel_shot_teenager_in_back%29

content:
<p>
A video confirms that Colonel Shomer shot fleeing Mohammed Kasbeh in
the back, then
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/13/video-raises-doubts-over-account-of-israeli-officer-who-killed-palestinian-teenager">made
false accusations to defend himself</a>.
<p>
This confirms the close cultural connection between Israel and the US.


feed_id: 25f7c3599d04f7b2af2f85e984ef81e9
title: Underground network rescues Yazidi captives
uri: Underground-network-rescues-Yazidi-captives
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#18_July_2015_%28Underground_network_rescues_Yazidi_captives%29

content:
<p>
An
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/13/father-of-the-brave-the-yazidi-christian-who-rescues-hostages-from-isis">underground
network</a> rescues Yazidi captives from enslavement by PISSI.
<p>
Some of them
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/13/trojan-horse-school-islamic-state-propaganda">teach
Muslim students what PISSI really means</a>.
<p>
It seems to me that the PISSI's recruits need to dehumanize everyone
other than obedient, orthodox, PISSI-supporting Sunnis.  If they have
human feelings for any others, while realizing how PISSI would treat
them, they will find themselves unable to support PISSI.


feed_id: 78ac146d77225e8a0efba94f316880f0
title: Faux News on Birth Control and Coca-Cola
uri: Faux-News-on-Birth-Control-and-Coca-Cola
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#18_July_2015_%28Faux_News_on_Birth_Control_and_Coca-Cola%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/tarico20150709">Fox News
Freaks Out Over Seattle Clinics that Give Teens Better Birth Control
but not Coca-Cola</a>.
<p>
You shouldn't give anyone products of
<a href="http://killercoke.org">Coca-Cola Company</a>.
<p>
If we don't destroy our civilization, in a few decades we
will probably greatly extend the human life span.  We will need
a way to cope with the tendency towards
<a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/cull20150704">population
growth</a>, which would make civilization unsustainable.


feed_id: 1b3d692922ef913eff23c6b3fcd12ebd
title: Massive nonviolent action
uri: Massive-nonviolent-action
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#18_July_2015_%28Massive_nonviolent_action%29
content:
<p>
We may systematically underestimate the possibilities of
<a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/swanson20150709">massive
nonviolent action</a>: it might perhaps even have dissuaded Hitler
from genocide against the Jews.
<p>
However, it doesn't always work.  There were very large protests
against Dubya's invasion of Iraq, but he did not care.


feed_id: 6efdbf4014e306622f2c149653c45bbc
title: US system of criminal trials
uri: US-system-of-criminal-trials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#18_July_2015_%28US_system_of_criminal_trials%29
content:
<p>
<a href="media/babf103b.Kozinski_Preface.pdf" data-original-source="http://georgetownlawjournal.org/files/2015/06/Kozinski_Preface.pdf">Serious
flaws</a> pervade the US system of criminal trials.


feed_id: d248ee83a9c92345f4bd1d72f9702aed
title: EU rejects Greece's conditional surrender
uri: EU-rejects-Greece-s-conditional-surrender
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#18_July_2015_%28EU_rejects_Greeces_conditional_surrender%29

content:
<p>
The EU was unable to accept Greece's offer of conditional surrender.
Some countries' ministers
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/11/greece-euro-exit-bailout-alexis-tsipras">want
to kick Greece out of the euro, regardless</a>.


feed_id: eccf73819363b17365cb128e1b708ac6
title: Urgent: Stop deforestation
uri: 2015-07-19-Urgent-Stop-deforestation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_deforestation%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://action.sumofus.org/a/noodles-palm-oil/">call on Nissin
and Maruchan</a> to stop promoting deforestation.


feed_id: ab95b5cc536b6777d46ff479e63fa6b4
title: Urgent: "Trade" treaty transparency
uri: Urgent-Trade-treaty-transparency
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Trade_treaty_transparency%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://action.sumofus.org/a/trade-transparency/">call on
world leaders</a> to treat "trade" treaties transparently.
<p>
These treaties are not really about trade; their aim is 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-jan-apr.html#04_April_2013_(US%2FEU_corporate_power_grab)">corporate
supremacy</a>.


feed_id: b7370c1adea08b6ac25fe4325adabf83
title: Urgent: Drop ALEC
uri: Urgent-Drop-ALEC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Drop_ALEC%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://sierra.force.com/actions/SierraRise?actionId=AR0003331">call
on State Farm</a> to drop ALEC.


feed_id: b70280d7b165471cd2684db76f5c39a4
title: Urgent: No Wall Street cronies
uri: Urgent-No-Wall-Street-cronies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_No_Wall_Street_cronies%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/obama_sec_appoinments/">call
on Obama</a> not to appoint Wall Street cronies to the SEC.


feed_id: 144e361587429b675de5e60625ab09ba
title: Torture by psychologists
uri: Torture-by-psychologists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Torture_by_psychologists%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/13/psychologists-no-hippocratic-oath-torture-cia">Psychologists
Could Torture Because They Have No Hippocratic Oath</a>.


feed_id: b84cdf5fabf37b1359b3c0c9b2194b11
title: Greek democracy defeated
uri: Greek-democracy-defeated
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Greek_democracy_defeated%29
content:
<p>
Syriza has surrendered; Greek democracy has been 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/13/greece-bailout-eurozone-democracy-is-loser">defeated</a>.
<p>
It is not even a deal.  Greece is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/13/greek-rescue-deal-political-tumult-alexis-tsipras">required
to pass laws to harm itself</a> in a hurry; only then will the
arrogant banksters begin to discuss what Greece gets.
<p>
This "rescue" ensures Greece's debt will become 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/13/europe-greece-pushed-into-further-peril">even
more unpayable</a>.
<p>
Greece could prepare for that by 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/07/greece-surrenders-europe-now">printing
drachmas in advance</a>.
<p>
Greece and poor Americans are victims of the same system of class
warfare, even the 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/13/we-are-all-greeks-now">same
companies</a>.


feed_id: b9e10a9d09b038d3f7e11f29b91b6ca0
title: Number of sentences for minor crimes commuted by Obama
uri: Number-of-sentences-for-minor-crimes-commuted-by-Obama
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Number_of_sentences_for_minor_crimes_commuted_by_Obama%29

content:
<p>
Out of the thousands of Americans serving long sentences for minor crimes,
Obama has now 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/13/barack-obama-reduces-sentences-nonviolent-drug-crimes-prisoners">commuted
the sentences of 89</a>.


feed_id: 9cab07f672c497ffda1320a3e0cde717
title: From prison to homelessness
uri: From-prison-to-homelessness
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28From_prison_to_homelessness%29
content:
<p>
Americans released from prison 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/13/prison-created-poverty">tend
to become poor and homeless</a>.  This surely encourages recidivism;
you might want to avoid further crime, but find there is no other way.


feed_id: e1369b02a1cca670f92191580eabd327
title: US teachers say no to endorsement of Clinton
uri: US-teachers-say-no-to-endorsement-of-Clinton
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28US_teachers_say_no_to_endorsement_of_Clinton%29

content:
<p>
US teachers were shocked when the American Federation of Teachers
endorsed Clinton without consulting them.  Teachers seem to be 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/13/teachers-say-no-freaking-way-aft-endorsement-hillary-clinton">almost
entirely in favor of Bernie Sanders</a>.


feed_id: 3e77988ca0a5385ae5741376d778f058
title: 12 years of US drone assassination
uri: 12-years-of-US-drone-assassination
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%2812_years_of_US_drone_assassination%29

content:
<p>
After more than 12 years of US drone assassination, it is clear that
its use 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/13/terminating-our-terminators">works
against US strategic interests</a> by causing suffering.


feed_id: 97e201dc24117a3e25b16a6d97b094c6
title: Arrested for charging phone
uri: Arrested-for-charging-phone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Arrested_for_charging_phone%29
content:
<p>
Robin Lee was arrested for stealing electricity — 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/13/man-arrested-charging-iphone-london-overground-train">for
charging his phone in the London metro</a>.
<p>
When he pointed out that this was unacceptable behavior, they arrested
him for "unacceptable behavior".


feed_id: e75567aa531dc15b90968613f43f008f
title: Fight against plutocracy
uri: Fight-against-plutocracy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Fight_against_plutocracy%29
content:
<p>How to carry on the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/14/greece-defeat-european-movement-austerity">
fight against plutocracy in Europe</a>
 after the surrender of Greece.
</p>


feed_id: 2f04f6ece332a1ed879ed344b7ab9687
title: Inland ice melting
uri: Inland-ice-melting
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Inland_ice_melting%29
content:
<p>The reasons that Greenland's ice is melting include the fact that
heating
causes more rain.  When the rain goes under the ice, it 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2015/jul/14/global-warming-is-causing-rain-to-melt-the-greenland-ice-sheet">
helps the ice
slide into the sea</a>.
</p>
<p>Theoretical models of how fast the ice will melt tend to be
underestimates
because the fastest melting mode may not be obvious, and if you miss it,
you underestimate.</p>


feed_id: 436bd0e2c60ae52acea3ec8e33dbdaf9
title: Wi-fi extender project shut down
uri: Wi-fi-extender-project-shut-down
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Wi-fi_extender_project_shut_down%29
content:
<p>A proposed anonymizing wi-fi extender project has mysteriously
shut down, leading to 
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/why-were-plans-for-a-25-mile-anonymizing-wi-fi-extender-proxyham-killed">
suspicion that the developers were threatened</a>
 by someone.
</p>


feed_id: cfcb9f07371a8309d0f992cd91cbfd63
title: UK mass surveillance reforms
uri: UK-mass-surveillance-reforms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28UK_mass_surveillance_reforms%29
content:
<p>What the UK's proposed 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/14/mass-suveillance-reform-gchq-uk-intelligence-gathering-rusi-report">
reforms on mass surveillance</a>
 do and don't achieve.
</p>


feed_id: 31a1970a599f151c6458fb6e75cef50f
title: Useful marijuana research
uri: Useful-marijuana-research
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Useful_marijuana_research%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2015/07/elizabeth-warren-federal-government-marijuana-research">
Senator Warren: government must fund research into medical benefits of
marijuana, not just research into problems it causes.</a>
</p>
<p>The research into problems is useful nonetheless.  It shows, for
instance, that 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#27_June_2015_(Marijuana)">
driving under the influence of marijuana</a>
 is not a significant social problem.
</p>


feed_id: 5732ab35830977e89fdcf56e77b65663
title: Poitras sues US
uri: Poitras-sues-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Poitras_sues_US%29
content:
<p>Laura Poitras has sued the US for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jul/14/citizenfour-director-laura-poitras-sues-us-harassment-edward-snowden">
persistent harassment</a>
 when she entered the US.
</p>


feed_id: ff944d3de5b36e88f51d3346972ae9f2
title: Imprisonment of journalists
uri: Imprisonment-of-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Imprisonment_of_journalists%29
content:
<p>Journalists in Thailand face seven years in prison for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/14/australian-and-thai-journalists-on-trial-for-human-trafficking-report">
accusing military officers</a>
 of being involved in human trafficking.
</p>
<p>I have no facts about this, but it is a pattern known world-wide that
smugglers often pay off the officials responsible for stopping
smuggling.  It happens 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_July_2015_(US_Border_Patrol_deeply_corrupt)">
in the US Border Patrol</a>,
 for instance.
It would be hard for any country to avoid this.</p>
<p>The pretext for this prosecution is that the information threatened
national security.  That's what governments say about reporting that
threatens national embarrassment.  Compare this with Australia's ban
on 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#15_July_2015_(Jail_for_speaking_about_asylum_seekers)">
disclosing how the state treats refugees</a>
 and Spain's law against 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#14_July_2015_(Spain_Government_Goes_Full_Police_State)">
recording what thugs do</a>.
</p>
<p>The 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#03_April_2015_(Thai_military_ruler_threatens_journalists)">
threat to kill journalists</a>
 who do not report the "truth", reminds me of Egypt's 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_July_2015_(Egypt_to_reduce_journalism_to_parroting)">
ban on reporting any sources</a>
 except official ones.
</p>


feed_id: 1fa7a74c601383e4abadfaac3713483e
title: War on water fountains
uri: War-on-water-fountains
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28War_on_water_fountains%29
content:
<p>The bottled water lobby has been slowly 
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/we-dont-trust-drinking-fountains-anymore-and-thats-bad-for-our-health/2015/07/02/24eca9bc-15f0-11e5-9ddc-e3353542100c_story.html">
eliminating water fountains</a>
 in the US.
</p>
<p>A friend pointed out that "spring water" is an inaccurate term for
water pumped out of the ground — that is "ground water." If
bottled water contains water pumped out of the ground and is labeled
"spring water", it is false advertising.</p>


feed_id: 87822e51cdae22fca01778106cbd7377
title: Arrested for bad words
uri: Arrested-for-bad-words
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Arrested_for_bad_words%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/14/australian-woman-arrested-in-abu-dhabi-for-bad-words-on-facebook">
Australian Woman Arrested in Abu Dhabi for 'Bad Words' on
Facebook.</a>
</p>
<p>Though this involves Facebook, in this case the wrong is on Abu
Dhabi's part.</p>


feed_id: b10ce70e69bb7c4be868af0f1378caf8
title: Microsoft censors middle east
uri: Microsoft-censors-middle-east
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Microsoft_censors_middle_east%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/07/how-microsoft-bing-censors-middle-east">
How Microsoft Bing Censors the Middle East.</a>
</p>


feed_id: c8c12b882a1d5b6c194231b5dd9cd1c9
title: Guilty of travelling with money
uri: Guilty-of-travelling-with-money
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Guilty_of_travelling_with_money%29
content:
<p>The TSA found cash in a passenger's luggage, and 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/07/02/yoink-tsa-publicizes-man-traveling-with">
called the waiting thugs</a>
 to steal it.
</p>


feed_id: a516ca21d458b1b438412edc2a155fb7
title: Fantasy terrorists
uri: Fantasy-terrorists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Fantasy_terrorists%29
content:
<p>The FBI 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/13/massachusetts-man-arrested-isis-attack-plot">
has caught</a>
 another "terrorist plotter".
The information in the article suggests, though it is not enough to
prove it, that he is one more in the series of fantasy terrorists who
could never have done anything without the FBI's encouragement and
help.</p>


feed_id: 746694b314b4cf5209f9787cbe70304f
title: Green good for economy
uri: Green-good-for-economy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Green_good_for_economy%29
content:
<p>Curbing global heating is a 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/13/benefits-far-outweigh-costs-tackling-climate-change-lse-study">
good investment</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 81c8d7b27bbf5cea923fd3b6479171dd
title: Urgent: call on senators not to support Senator Murray
uri: Urgent-call-on-senators-not-to-support-Senator-Murray
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_call_on_senators_not_to_support_Senator_Murray%29

content:
<p>US citizens: call on your senators 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/tpp_sellout?t=1003&akid=14934.1183552.Nc_POq">
not to support Senator Murray</a>
 for a leadership position.
</p>


feed_id: 55d163adbf7f50fb2dce63b212039d14
title: Right-wing bestsellers
uri: Right-wing-bestsellers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Right-wing_bestsellers%29
content:
<p>Books by right-wing authors get on the New York Times bestseller list
because 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/11/1401317/-The-NY-Times-stops-letting-Conservatives-cheat-Maybe-Liberals-will-make-the-Bestseller-List-now?detail=email">
right-wing organizations buy their books in quantity</a>
 and give them away.
</p>


feed_id: 656a8b8920f746b4871c7a53a319c4a9
title: Russia sneaks further into Georgia
uri: Russia-sneaks-further-into-Georgia
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Russia_sneaks_further_into_Georgia%29

content:
<p>
Russia 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/14/georgia-accuses-russia-of-violating-international-law-over-south-ossetia">sneakily
advanced the "border" of "South Ossetia"</a> further into Georgia.


feed_id: b38472e93fa3d5d164a70b7333688d47
title: Converting CO2 into fuel
uri: Converting-CO2-into-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Converting_CO2_into_fuel%29
content:
<p>
A technology exists for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/jul/14/carbon-direct-air-capture-startups-tech-climate">converting
CO<sub>2</sub> in the air into fuel</a>.  It could be run by solar
power in a desert.
<p>
This means that all it takes is money, to cancel out future greenhouse
gas emissions and undo past emissions.  The natural way to raise this
money is by taxing fossil fuels.
<p>
Has humanity got the will to undo its harm?


feed_id: 837f24ca1eeb910a0a48d2ac24ec343d
title: Pittsburgh's privatized water authority
uri: Pittsburgh-s-privatized-water-authority
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Pittsburghs_privatized_water_authority%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/31830-residents-fight-back-against-pittsburgh-s-privatized-water-authority">Residents
Fight Back Against Pittsburgh's Privatized Water Authority</a>.


feed_id: a8916b42ce60d9709e790fa8cb331ccd
title: The deal negotiated with Iran
uri: The-deal-negotiated-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28The_deal_negotiated_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
The deal negotiated with Iran 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/14/iran-nuclear-deal-key-points">includes
many measures to block its progress towards making nuclear fuel</a>,
mostly lasting 15 years.
<p>
I think this is sufficient.  In 15 years, the situation is likely to
change so much that there is no point worrying now about what to do
then.  The US and Iran might be allies.
<p>
Republicans hate this deal, because 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/14/republicans-hate-iran-nuclear-deal">they
want a war instead</a>.
<p>
Of course, the religious oppression in Iran is still outrageous, and
oppression of dissent too; but not as bad as in Saudi Arabia and
Egypt, which the US considers allies.  We should try to end those
forms of repression, but we have little influence over Iran.  One
thing we know is that economic warfare doesn't help.
<p>
Without this deal, nothing could stop Iran from developing nuclear
weapons if it tried to.  I think that Iran did in the past intend to
develop nuclear weapons, but the weakness and division of Iraq removed
the main military threat to Iran, so now Iran would rather forego
nukes and get the sanctions lifted.


feed_id: fc6e2ae2c8da0a09f72f1e80c33de125
title: Snooping on students
uri: Snooping-on-students
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Snooping_on_students%29
content:
<p>
A program designed to let schools snoop on and censor students'
internet use turns out to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/14/security-flaw-found-in-school-internet-monitoring-software">let
others snoop on them too</a>.
<p>
The discussion of "encryption" suggests that the program sends
personal data to the company.  That ought to be a crime.


feed_id: fc90705769331955433b4f100c421b7a
title: Seaworld infiltrator
uri: Seaworld-infiltrator
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#19_July_2015_%28Seaworld_infiltrator%29
content:
<p>
Seaworld infiltrated an employee into animal rights protests who
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/14/seaworld-employee-animal-rights-protests-peta">acted
as a provocateur</a>, encouraging "aggressive" action.


feed_id: 8b6ecf6370e83cd5a100437fefca33ba
title: Sorry
uri: Sorry
content:
We just changed our RSS timestamps from noon (12 pm) to midnight (12 am) UTC.  All apologies if this caused your reader any grief.


feed_id: 9dda29be70bc670560a6c9fc4ab26b7c
title: Urgent: Commute more sentences
uri: Urgent-Commute-more-sentences
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Commute_more_sentences%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure2.convio.net/dpa/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1247">call
on Obama</a> to commute hundreds or thousands of sentences, not merely
dozens.


feed_id: 879190455ee9a121a6304f4a64c244a4
title: Mainstream media bias
uri: Mainstream-media-bias
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Mainstream_media_bias%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jul/15/australians-more-concerned-about-isis-than-climate-change-survey">Mainstream
media bias</a> has convinced the public in some regions (including the
US and Europe) that PISSI is a bigger threat than global heating.


feed_id: d2fb211442829b0a5d5d8a555fa80f7b
title: IMF says Greece needs more debt relief
uri: IMF-says-Greece-needs-more-debt-relief
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28IMF_says_Greece_needs_more_debt_relief%29

content:
<p>
The IMF says Greece needs 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/07/imf-throws-monkey-wrench-greek-soap-opera">more
debt relief</a>.


feed_id: 43e288cc6fb788b7516a9be52ab36028
title: Non-solution to urban hunger
uri: Non-solution-to-urban-hunger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Non-solution_to_urban_hunger%29
content:
<p>
We can't solve the problems of homelessness and urban hunger by 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/15/urban-poor-forage-food">having
poor people grow food in urban gardens</a>.


feed_id: dbe07cd045c2f4d6eeabf8a5911bc083
title: Use of shocking videos by anti-sex crowd
uri: Use-of-shocking-videos-by-anti-sex-crowd
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Use_of_shocking_videos_by_anti-sex_crowd%29

content:
<p>
Surgery is shocking to watch, and this includes abortions.
The anti-sex crowd are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/15/planned-parenthood-videos-abortion-truths">trying
to use the shocking videos</a> to turn people against abortion rights.


feed_id: f93da22704c31214db6669d7b2eeab74
title: Prosecuted for obtaining abortion pills
uri: Prosecuted-for-obtaining-abortion-pills
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Prosecuted_for_obtaining_abortion_pills%29

content:
<p>
A woman in Northern Ireland is being prosecuted for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/15/northern-ireland-pro-choice-protest-police-stations">obtaining
abortion pills for her daughter</a>.  Protesters have obtained
abortion pills and will dare the state to prosecute them too.
<p>
Giving birth is risky; unless you want a baby, it is an act of folly.
Giving birth also increases the stress that humanity places on Earth's
ecosystems, including global heating.  Discouraging abortion is the
opposite of what the world needs.


feed_id: c2ab4c209507628fb1cd75cc3a805e72
title: China's artificial islands
uri: China-s-artificial-islands
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Chinas_artificial_islands%29
content:
<p>
China's artificial islands 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/the-coral-triangle/2015/jul/15/preventing-ecocide-in-south-china-sea">could
cause fish stocks to collapse</a> around the South China Sea.
<p>
This is a foretaste of what 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-nov-feb.html#9%20December%202010%20(No%20more%20coral%20reefs%20by%202050)">global
heating and ocean acidification</a> could do globally.


feed_id: 3325cd8044a9791a75730d065a713949
title: LA thugs on hair trigger
uri: LA-thugs-on-hair-trigger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28LA_thugs_on_hair_trigger%29
content:
<p>
Videos showed thugs
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/15/ricardo-diaz-zeferino-video-of-shooting-by-los-angeles-police-made-public">shot
Ricardo Diaz Zeferino for no good reason</a>.  Apparently they were on
a hair trigger.
<p>
They suspected Diaz of being a bicycle thief.  If he were one, that
would not justify killing him, but in fact Diaz was searching for
the stolen bicycle.  It had been stolen from his brother.


feed_id: 7c8a29beb93dbf4bbf4b33613b602120
title: Dangerous arachnids in bunches of fruit
uri: Dangerous-arachnids-in-bunches-of-fruit
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Dangerous_arachnids_in_bunches_of_fruit%29

content:
<p>
Due to reduced pesticide use, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/shortcuts/2015/jul/14/scorpions-spiders-lizards-buying-bananas-become-so-dangerous">dangerous
arachnids</a> often arrive in bunches of fruit.
<p>
Suggestion: when putting the fruit in plastic bags, fill them with
pure nitrogen or CO<sub>2</sub>.  If it takes a few minutes for
ordinary air to leak in, the arachnids may die in that time.  If the
nitrogen or CO2 was obtained from the air, and returns to the air, it
won't do any harm there.
<p>
I'd love to find an elephant beetle in my bananas.  They can't hurt a
human and they must be spectacular.


feed_id: fdc9872ff5eca52a51d4c01075b215bd
title: Use of secret evidence in trials
uri: Use-of-secret-evidence-in-trials
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Use_of_secret_evidence_in_trials%29
content:
<p>
The UK is 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/14/ira-informant-martin-mcgartland-damages-claim-against-mi5-set-for-secret-trial">increasingly
using secret evidence in trials</a>.  The secret evidence is given by
spy officials who are accustomed to lying — in the US, we have
seen their counterparts 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#05_July_2013_(Senior_govt_officials_can_lie_to_Congress)">lie
to Congress</a> and show no shame when caught in the lie.


feed_id: a2d8810510b58ff437f51491bf4615cb
title: Self-harm and autism
uri: Self-harm-and-autism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Self-harm_and_autism%29
content:
<p>
Many teenage girls that harm themselves are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/jul/14/autism-girls-emotion-self-harm-school">somewhat
autistic</a>.


feed_id: ba06527e23bc115c77b17c9bbe6119e9
title: "Conspiracy" to have sex with horse
uri: Conspiracy-to-have-sex-with-horse
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Conspiracy_to_have_sex_with_horse%29

content:
<p>
A man was 
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3159931/Pennsylvania-man-arrested-traveling-Arizona-sex-horse.html">charged
in Arizona</a> with "conspiracy" to have sex with a horse.
<p>
Why should it be a crime to have sex with a horse?  In what sense is
that wrong?
<p>
A human can't have sex with a horse the way another horse would.
It's not possible.  Whatever the human does, it won't seem like
sex, to the horse.  It will seem like being touched.
<p>
There is a wide range of possible sexual acts.  Some would hurt the
horse, and perhaps are prohibited by other laws.  However, there are
obvious ways to have sex that wouldn't hurt the horse.  The horse
would experienced being stroked, and might not mind it.
<p>
This law prohibits all of them, indiscriminately.  Clearly it is
<em>not</em> a matter of protecting the horse, whatever its defenders
may claim.
<p>
What possible motive is there for a law like this?  I can only think
of one: perverse religiosity that hates sex and pleasure.
<p>
Because of the usual disparaging attitude towards 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/jul/14/sexual-fetish-research-erotic-desire-body">sexual
peculiarities</a>, it is easy to make people despise those who have
them, which facilitates putting them a prison or a mental hospital.
That's what many countries still do to homosexuals.
<p>
Keep this in mind when you see laws against other kinds of sexual
acts.


feed_id: 2d7069a23a3e62b2b5d3cb1a4b9d50cb
title: Model predicts solar minimum
uri: Model-predicts-solar-minimum
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Model_predicts_solar_minimum%29
content:
<p>
A model for solar variation predicts we are 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/07/13/new-little-ice-age-may-counteract-global">headed
for a solar minimum</a> which would reduce temperatures on Earth by
around 0.2C, for some decades in this century.
<p>
Remember that we are fighting against the fossil fuel plutocrats to
limit our heating of Earth to just 2.0C instead of the expected 5.0C.
If this model is accurate, the temporary dip will give us a little bit
of help, but it is not a substitute for what we need to do.


feed_id: fbcdc9d8867c79d6e5ea322785d7230a
title: Life-saving drugs on dark nets
uri: Life-saving-drugs-on-dark-nets
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Life-saving_drugs_on_dark_nets%29
content:
<p>
Some of the drugs Americans buy on dark nets are to 
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/why-i-had-to-buy-my-wifes-inhaler-on-the-dark-web">save
their lives</a>.
<p>
If we had a Canada-style National Heath Service, we would not have
these problems.


feed_id: 52b0ab9e0a2e9e613e6c9d56c1b4c3ac
title: Urgent: Drop ALEC
uri: 2015-07-20-Urgent-Drop-ALEC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Drop_ALEC%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://secure.sierraclub.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=16096">call
on UPS</a> to drop ALEC.


feed_id: 4616c292a5ffe450b8442212fcc8c3ab
title: Urgent: Renewable energy
uri: Urgent-Renewable-energy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Renewable_energy%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/Renewables_Bias">call on the
Department of Energy</a> to stop its bias against renewable energy.


feed_id: b08602788caab55cb4fc19496e03db70
title: Permanent, stable housing vs. shelters
uri: Permanent-stable-housing-vs-shelters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Permanent%2C_stable_housing_vs._shelters%29

content:
<p>
A large study finds that giving homeless families permanent, stable
housing can be 
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/07/the-best-way-to-end-homelessness/398282/">more
cost-effective</a> than shelters.


feed_id: 069a2a172d139426d03c5276289c9d9f
title: Bird flu
uri: Bird-flu
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Bird_flu%29
content:
<p>
Bird flu has forced US poultry farmers to kill almost 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/vital-signs/2015/jul/14/bird-flu-devastation-highlights-unsustainability-of-commercial-chicken-farming">50
million birds</a> in an attempt to stop the outbreak.
<p>
Factory farms are especially susceptible to the virus.


feed_id: 809f4f7ad59e8243b6a9485d2e4fb2d2
title: Loneliness of social media
uri: Loneliness-of-social-media
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Loneliness_of_social_media%29
content:
<p>
Middle-aged people turn to social media to compensate for absent
intimacy, but often it 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/14/midlife-lonely-isolated-social-media">leaves
them even more lonely</a>.


feed_id: 118b092095898ecd1b56cad1886a96f2
title: Violence against women
uri: Violence-against-women
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Violence_against_women%29
content:
<p>
Violence against women in the name of family "honor" is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/14/honour-abuse-crime-call-arms-battle-protect-women">common
in India and neighboring countries</a>, just as in the Middle East.


feed_id: f054b9090dabaecad43a5596e4814238
title: Greece
uri: 2015-07-20-Greece
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_%28Greece%29
content:
<p>
Many Greeks regard Tsipras as a traitor for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/14/greeks-alexis-tsipras-traitor-eurozone">agreeing
to crushing foreign rule after the Greeks voted to reject it</a>.
<p>
There certainly are viable alternatives, if Greece is willing to tell
the euro-banksters to go to hell.  For instance, Greece could print
lots more euros.  Or it could print them with the word "drachma"
across them.
<p>
Ireland did without its banks for half a year.  Greece can do it too.


feed_id: b34c6b5a763e0a54788e96ee84024572
title: Urgent: Mandatory overtime pay
uri: Urgent-Mandatory-overtime-pay
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#22_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Mandatory_overtime_pay%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.democracyforamerica.com/letter/overtime_comments/">support</a>
extending mandatory overtime pay to a lot more American workers.


feed_id: 5a891c23ecce36bc6cb68724238bc8fa
title: Iran refuses US no-notice inspections
uri: Iran-refuses-US-no-notice-inspections
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#22_July_2015_%28Iran_refuses_US_no-notice_inspections%29

content:
<p>
The US is paying now, in the deal with Iran, for its duplicity in
using inspections of Iraq's chemical and nuclear facilities as a 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/15/irans-refusal-allow-notice-inspections-legit-u-s-history-iraq/">front
for ordinary spying</a>.


feed_id: 38b26a34b4b3d8ec25dc7b669a68ecb8
title: EU greenhouse gas trading system
uri: EU-greenhouse-gas-trading-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#22_July_2015_%28EU_greenhouse_gas_trading_system%29
content:
<p>
Even weak moves to make the EU greenhouse gas emissions trading system
function are running into 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/15/green-campaigners-condemn-review-of-europes-emissions-trading">opposition
from lobbies</a>.


feed_id: fbec0b09fe148f1786ece2c00c107244
title: Tory attack on unions
uri: Tory-attack-on-unions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#22_July_2015_%28Tory_attack_on_unions%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/15/tory-attack-unions-work">This
Tory Attack on Unions Should Remind Us How Much We Need Them</a>.
<p>
I think the British unions should drop the "Labour" Party, which has
no great concern for working people, and start another.


feed_id: e772398f3ca8294d1f9b45ff68089958
title: Selling water
uri: Selling-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#22_July_2015_%28Selling_water%29
content:
<p>
An article I disagree with 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/15/demanding-nestle-pay-more-not-enough">argues
against selling water in British Columbia</a> (where it is abundant)
for shipment elsewhere.
<p>
I think it make sense to sell water if you have extra water.  However,
you should stop selling water if you cease to have extra; any treaty
that would make it hard to stop obviously must be abrogated.
<p>
As for fracking, which should be stopped for other reasons, it is
valid to fight it by denying access to the giant quantities of water
fracking needs, but that's not a principle, it's a tactic.
<p>
We should discourage the retail sale of bottled water, which is very
wasteful, but that's not the only way to distribute water from other
regions.


feed_id: 8dc4b132e475861ec03ccdc69acd0cf4
title: US sentencing system
uri: US-sentencing-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#22_July_2015_%28US_sentencing_system%29
content:
<p>
Commuting sentences must be followed by 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/15/correcting-unfair-sentencing-laws">fixing
the sentencing system</a>.


feed_id: bffd81ef88a6f8e0a2352c14f5bd4b17
title: TTIP revolving door
uri: TTIP-revolving-door
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#22_July_2015_%28TTIP_revolving_door%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/15/report-exposes-revolving-door-within-corporate-dominated-ttip-talks">Report
Exposes 'Revolving Door' Within Corporate-Dominated TTIP Talks</a>.


feed_id: 0948536e0862cce20723faed983b3beb
title: Protests after Greece passes austerity bill
uri: Protests-after-Greece-passes-austerity-bill
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#22_July_2015_%28Protests_after_Greece_passes_austerity_bill%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/15/greek-mps-pass-austerity-bill-as-athens-police-clash-with-protesters">Greek
MPs Pass Austerity Bill As Athens Police Clash with Protesters</a>.


feed_id: 4c16a785541c8e37e8ffd3d627c918b0
title: Another man choked to death by thug
uri: Another-man-choked-to-death-by-thug
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#21_July_2015_%28Another_man_choked_to_death_by_thug%29

content:
<p>
Another black man was 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/15/jonathan-sanders-mississppi-chokehold">choked
to death by a thug</a>.


feed_id: a1faa256faf12806e24b0a1dc25390be
title: Sperm whale population
uri: Sperm-whale-population
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#21_July_2015_%28Sperm_whale_population%29
content:
<p>
Estimates of the sperm whale population could be 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/15/japan-accused-of-falsifying-whaling-data">skewed
by falsified data reported by Japan</a> from whaling in the 1960s.


feed_id: 91095541c1b0b4ede9603770dc7f996d
title: Exxon's funding of global heating denial
uri: Exxon-s-funding-of-global-heating-denial
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#21_July_2015_%28Exxons_funding_of_global_heating_denial%29

content:
<p>
Exxon said in 2007 it would stop funding global heating denialism, but
it 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/15/exxon-mobil-gave-millions-climate-denying-lawmakers">has
continued</a>.


feed_id: 55fe2fa1c7b654a0573766da50d28b23
title: Global heating makes flights less efficient
uri: Global-heating-makes-flights-less-efficient
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#21_July_2015_%28Global_heating_makes_flights_less_efficient%29

content:
<p>
Global heating is making flights take longer and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/15/climate-change-costing-airlines-millions-of-dollars-in-extra-fuel-and-flying-time">burn
more fuel</a>.


feed_id: 9b3266a49972390469b25f97f614eb8a
title: "Bailout" increases Greece's debt
uri: Bailout-increases-Greece-s-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#22_July_2015_%28Bailout_increases_Greeces_debt%29
content:
<p>
The "bailout" for Greece's creditors increases Greece's debt to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/15/greece-european-drama-disaster-eurozone">225%
of GDP</a>.  That's almost double what it was before the previous
"bailouts".  However, all of the euro-zone is dominated by the
banksters and it can all come crashing down under their deficit
limits.
<p>
The IMF should veto the bailout for Greece's creditors, because the
plan can't achieve 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2015/jul/14/why-the-imf-should-not-aid-a-greek-bailout">the
stated goal of reducing Greece's debt</a>.
<p>
It would be easy to 
<a href="http://ellenbrown.com/2015/07/14/grexit-or-jubilee-how-greek-debt-could-be-annulled/">write
off Greek debt to banks</a>.


feed_id: d245e8f94f3220989de9a5078298331a
title: Low-cost, low-energy house
uri: Low-cost-low-energy-house
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#22_July_2015_%28Low-cost%2C_low-energy_house%29
content:
<p>
A low-cost, low-energy house in Wales 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/15/britains-first-energy-positive-house-opens-in-wales">will
make money on electricity</a>.
<p>
The UK had a plan to encourage building such houses, but the Tories
cancelled the plan to preserve fossil fuel profits.


feed_id: d62aa9053edbeea9fd7823432dc1ccab
title: Penalty for "false" information in Egypt
uri: Penalty-for-false-information-in-Egypt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#22_July_2015_%28Penalty_for_false_information_in_Egypt%29

content:
<p>
The penalty for "false" (i.e., disagreeing with official sources)
information in Egypt will not be imprisonment, only 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/16/egypt-drops-two-year-jail-penalty-for-journalists-in-proposed-anti-terror-law">a
fine that few Egyptian journalists could afford to pay</a>.
<p>
Altered in this way, the law will be a medium-sized step towards
tyranny rather than a giant step.


feed_id: b71649f50b254a47dffbae646341eea5
title: Retention of data from people that fly
uri: Retention-of-data-from-people-that-fly
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#22_July_2015_%28Retention_of_data_from_people_that_fly%29

content:
<p>
The Civil Liberties Committee of the European Parliament 
<a href="https://edri.org/ep-pushes-for-more-surveillance-and-profiling-of-eu-citizens/y">approved
data retention</a> for many records about people that fly.


feed_id: ee344084770736a017d9a9b1daafd9a4
title: HUD sneakily changing rules
uri: HUD-sneakily-changing-rules
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#22_July_2015_%28HUD_sneakily_changing_rules%29
content:
<p>
The Department of Housing and Urban Development is 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/15/obama-administration-finds-new-way-let-criminal-banks-avoid-consequences/">sneakily
changing rules</a> to permit two felonious banks to continue selling
certain government-guaranteed mortgages.


feed_id: d3d8259c751032916698768f9f609b6b
title: Urgent: Protect red wolves
uri: Urgent-Protect-red-wolves
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#23_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_red_wolves%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2947">call
for proper protection</a> of red wolves.


feed_id: 9ef92bdb041a5f181b8f0bc358de4dba
title: An attempt to monopolize use of a color
uri: An-attempt-to-monopolize-use-of-a-color
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#23_July_2015_%28An_attempt_to_monopolize_use_of_a_color%29

content:
<p>
We should not consider it "cute" when Pantone tries to monopolize use
of a color 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/jul/16/meet-minion-yellow-by-pantone-the-worlds-first-character-branded-colour">through
trademarks</a>.
<p>
The article has a fundamental confusion: it confuses copyright law
with trademark law by using the confusion term 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html">"intellectual
property"</a>.  Those two laws are totally different in what they do,
and it is a mistake to generalize about the two.


feed_id: ff683b8cee1d951f71c0c11b6abe8ea1
title: Use of tissues from aborted fetuses
uri: Use-of-tissues-from-aborted-fetuses
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#23_July_2015_%28Use_of_tissues_from_aborted_fetuses%29

content:
<p>
Planned Parenthood collects tissues from aborted fetuses, if the woman
consents, to 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/07/15/planned-parenthood-and-fetal-tissue">facilitate
medical research that can save the lives of human beings</a>.  You
need to be twisted to see a scandal in this.


feed_id: d8dfa3f02eec9ae7cc916d8b21a8fc8c
title: US oil companies bilk poor countries
uri: US-oil-companies-bilk-poor-countries
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#23_July_2015_%28US_oil_companies_bilk_poor_countries%29

content:
<p>
US oil companies pump oil in poor countries, then cheat the
governments by 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/15/zero-accountability-big-oil-wringing-profit-developing-countries">not
paying the royalties agreed on</a>.  The Dodd-Frank bill, which was
supposed to make them come clean, is not being enforced.


feed_id: f68f94782432210683f304532b4b4d3f
title: The War on Sharing
uri: 2015-07-23-The-War-on-Sharing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#23_July_2015_%28The_War_on_Sharing%29
content:
<p>
The latest attack in the War on Sharing: a company chose people based
on IP addresses to 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/15/sky-broadband-customers-targeted-allegedly-pirating-robert-redford-film">demand
they agree to pay an amount to be named later</a>.
<p>
Sharing 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/copyright-vs-community.html">should
be legal</a>.


feed_id: fbb9ffe5043bd411a090db5f0209925f
title: Texas denying birth certificates
uri: Texas-denying-birth-certificates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#23_July_2015_%28Texas_denying_birth_certificates%29
content:
<p>
Texas is 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/14/1402257/-The-model-state-of-Texas-denies-birth-certificates-to-immigrant-children-born-there">denying
birth certificates to children of immigrants</a>.


feed_id: 0b8425a2669a1bd60374f47cb8c6f152
title: UK's plans to support Syrian rebels
uri: UK-s-plans-to-support-Syrian-rebels
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#23_July_2015_%28UKs_plans_to_support_Syrian_rebels%29

content:
<p>
John Pilger: the UK was planning to fund rebels in Syria 
<a href="http://johnpilger.com/articles/from-pol-pot-to-isis-anything-that-flies-on-everything-that-moves">"two
years before the Arab Spring"</a>.
<p>
I don't entirely agree with him in regard to dealing with PISSI.
Using air power to stop PISSI's advance was justified and effective.
Recapturing Sunni cities with Shi'ite militias is a different matter.


feed_id: f4570545326f12e87f9a91d751f33294
title: Urgent: Thank Obama for pursuing peace
uri: Urgent-Thank-Obama-for-pursuing-peace
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#23_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Thank_Obama_for_pursuing_peace%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/president-obama-thank-1">thank
Obama</a> for pursuing peace with Iran.
<p>
My overall opinion of Obama is that he is a flunky for the plutocrats,
but on this issue he did the right thing.


feed_id: c807c5bb53d2372e04854409d1917f41
title: Arabs imprisoned for "incitement"
uri: Arabs-imprisoned-for-incitement
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#23_July_2015_%28Arabs_imprisoned_for_incitement%29
content:
<p>
Under Israeli rule, Arabs are 
<a href="http://972mag.com/imprisoned-for-incitement-on-facebook-only-if-youre-arab/108720/">imprisoned
for statements on the internet</a>, which are called "incitement".
Jews do it too, but they are never charged.
<p>
Some of these kinds of "incitement" are properly crimes.  Some of them
are exercise of free speech, and would be protected in the US by the
First Amendment.


feed_id: 143dec33b7650e56d09818acc1ffffd9
title: Economic pressure on Israel
uri: Economic-pressure-on-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#23_July_2015_%28Economic_pressure_on_Israel%29
content:
<p>
Economic pressure on Israel expresses faith that it
<a href="http://972mag.com/no-bds-does-not-unfairly-single-out-israel/108825/">has
enough democracy to be influenced by this</a>.


feed_id: 6170d8f94a608fbda97e266f33c7461e
title: Israel rejects political talks
uri: Israel-rejects-political-talks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#23_July_2015_%28Israel_rejects_political_talks%29
content:
<p>
Israel outright 
<a href="http://english.pnn.ps/2015/07/13/israel-tells-eu-it-will-have-only-non-political-talks-with-palestinians/">rejected
political talks with Palestine</a>.


feed_id: 2618377a379e526a3959b1e1fd3780ff
title: Israel's prisoners
uri: Israel-s-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#23_July_2015_%28Israels_prisoners%29
content:
<p>
Israel released Palestinian parliament member Riyad Mahmoud Radad
after
<a href="http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=766472 ">a year in
prison for "enticing marches in support of prisoners"</a>.
<p>
What sort of country puts people in prison for leading protest
marches?
<p>
Meanwhile, lawyer Shireen al-Eesawy is in 
<a href="http://www.imemc.org/article/72233">solitary confinement</a>
in conditions that border on torture.


feed_id: 6bc58e413e26d693881dd08debf1c807
title: Volunteer
uri: 2015-07-24-Volunteer
url: https://stallman.org/index.html#volunteerListAnc
content:
<p>I am looking for people to monitor web sites for news articles I
     might be interested in.</p>


feed_id: 7f9ba5324293d5157435a2494bbbf191
title: UK welfare cuts
uri: UK-welfare-cuts
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28UK_welfare_cuts%29
content:
<p>UK welfare cuts 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/20/lower-benefit-caps-exclude-poor-families-make-cities-unaffordable">
will force</a>
 poor families out of many regions of England.
</p>


feed_id: f7e4d903cb21cf26c7003c44177928c1
title: ALEC
uri: 2015-07-24-ALEC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28ALEC%29
content:
<p>ALEC 
<a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/07/12876/alecs-2015-agenda">
takes aim</a>
 at renewable energy, bees, and the ability to end a
recession.
</p>


feed_id: 50330144967384fcbea9989b61147f45
title: California's groundwater
uri: California-s-groundwater
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28California%27s_groundwater%29
content:
<p>California's groundwater, what remains of it, 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2015/07/california-groundwater-not-just-vanishing-also-widely-contaminated">
is increasingly contaminated</a>

by nitrates and uranium.
</p>


feed_id: 9d60bb6d0f6208fcc8d276d6c3be87ed
title: Factory in Philippines
uri: Factory-in-Philippines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Factory_in_Philippines%29
content:
<p>A factory in the Philippines burned two months ago, and most of the
workers
were killed because the factory had no fire escapes.  The government 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/jul/20/the-inside-story-of-the-kentex-disaster-74-workers-died-but-no-one-is-in-prison">
has
taken no action</a>
 against those responsible.
</p>
<p>Local corruption was clearly involved, but business globalization took
advantage of it.</p>


feed_id: c4013c52a58b0abe76301965d937e191
title: RSF
uri: RSF
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28RSF%29
content:
<p>RSF: Leaders
 <a href="http://en.rsf.org/leaders-who-publicly-threaten-17-07-2015,48116.html">
who publicly threaten</a>
 journalists.
</p>
<p>I think they have been unfair to President Correa in including him in
this list.  If you look at what they say he did, it consists of (1)
threatening to criticize one of his critic in the press, and (2)
saying that some journalists repeat right-wing propaganda (which they
do, in Ecuador, just as in the US).</p>


feed_id: 8f67a50fc52b89f93d10ce1fc79da72b
title: London thugs
uri: London-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28London_thugs%29
content:
<p>London thugs 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/19/occupy-london-counter-terrorism-presentation-al-qaida">
want</a>
 teachers to label protesters as terrorists.
</p>
<p>This persistent tendency indicates bad faith.  Right-wing governments
are exaggerating the danger of "terrorism" to use the fear against
democracy.</p>


feed_id: 07b0de802f8c9b02542dcfb6c06d0be5
title: Anti-marijuana activists
uri: Anti-marijuana-activists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Anti-marijuana_activists%29
content:
<p>Anti-marijuana activists 
<a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MARIJUANA_BUSINESS_LAWSUITS?CTIME=2015-07-13-16-20-04&SECTION=HOME&SITE=AP&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT">
are suing</a>
 the landlords, insurance companies, etc.
of state-legal marijuana sellers in Colorado and Washington, to drive
them
out of business.
</p>


feed_id: 18af100a95cd61f254573afb1dfddf73
title: Ivory Coast
uri: Ivory-Coast
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Ivory_Coast%29
content:
<p>In Ivory Coast, adults and children 
<a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/igwe20150612">
are killed</a>
 or tortured
after they are accused of "witchcraft".
</p>


feed_id: 90ac33c305cca4840b077962e2809e5c
title: Children in poverty
uri: Children-in-poverty
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Children_in_poverty%29
content:
<p>20% of children in the US 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/14/black-children-almost-4-times-more-likely-grow-poor-whites">
live</a>
 in poverty.  For black children, that is 38%.
</p>
<p>The US should be ashamed to leave any children in poverty.</p>


feed_id: 05d1e7e518e5dc4ecaa94057a7b827b8
title: Gates Foundation
uri: Gates-Foundation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Gates_Foundation%29
content:
<p>The Gates Foundation 
<a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/ian-fitzpatrick/secretive-and-seedy-how-aid-donors-are-opening-agribusiness-flood-gates">
held a meeting</a>
 about seed policy for Africa, with
seed company Syngenta, and international funding agencies — but
didn't invite any farmers.
</p>
<p>Farmers would have objected to plans to promote patented seeds.</p>


feed_id: 224039ca1a0c8e76fbfb8b5fd0831033
title: Body Cameras
uri: Body-Cameras
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Body_Cameras%29
content:
<p>Keep Body Cameras 
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/07/keep-body-cameras-off-public-school-educators/398030/">
Off</a>
 Public-School Educators.
</p>


feed_id: b62f1d06d770dee988fd69146ae77958
title: Back doors in encryption
uri: Back-doors-in-encryption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Back_doors_in_encryption%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/07/nsa-encryption-ungoverned-spaces/398423/">
Attacking</a>
 the argument for government back doors in encryption.
</p>
<p>The article does not mention another crucial point:
when the state has a concrete reason to suspect someone, 
enough to justify a search warrant, it can snoop on that
person's conversations in many other ways.</p>


feed_id: 95b3765917dfd78ab3e0f08dbbd41068
title: Internet of Things
uri: Internet-of-Things
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Internet_of_Things%29
content:
<p>The "internet of things", for those who don't reject it, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/15/internet-of-things-mass-surveillance">
will be</a>

the greatest mass surveillance infrastructure ever.
</p>
<p>The author
fears (and I agree) that it will direct people towards
being "intensely individualistic, segmented, micro-financialised" and
"semi-autonomous, tethered beings."  I too think this is a real
danger.</p>


feed_id: 48a0519d85ba5c8b9be72e3551b33c5c
title: UK Government
uri: UK-Government
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28UK_Government%29
content:
<p>The UK government 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/15/trade-unions-conservative-offensive-decades-strikes-labour">
plans</a>
 to make strikes illegal, usually.
</p>
<p>It also 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/15/pm-rigging-rules-by-changing-law-on-trade-union-political-funds-harman">
plans to interfere</a>
 with union funding for the Labour Party.
</p>
<p>Unions ought to fund a party that really stands for the non-rich,
not the center-right party that Labour has become.  But the right wing
does not want unions or workers to have any power.</p>


feed_id: 6999b7f558c3ba048680c61c2f303b03
title: Campaign to prosecute thugs
uri: Campaign-to-prosecute-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Campaign_to_prosecute_thugs%29
content:
<p>A year after a thug killed Eric Garner, mothers of various blacks
killed by US thugs 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/18/eric-garner-rally-charges-mothers-dead-men">
campaign</a>
 to prosecute the killers.
</p>


feed_id: a4e4f358b1c7f873050e544713d2d8f9
title: Wisconsin Supreme Court
uri: Wisconsin-Supreme-Court
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Wisconsin_Supreme_Court%29
content:
<p>The Wisconsin Supreme Court 
<a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/07/12887/five-things-know-about-scott-walker-john-doe-ruling">
has essentially destroyed</a>
 Wisconsin
campaign finance law, in a corruptly made decision that applies to the
judges' own campaigns.
</p>


feed_id: c044b981567efbfeff2939d831e9787b
title: Ku Klux Klan
uri: Ku-Klux-Klan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Ku_Klux_Klan%29
content:
<p>The Ku Klux Klan 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/19/kkk-clashes-south-carolina-racism">
is no longer a political force</a>
, but it is a symbol of
continuing racism in the US.
</p>


feed_id: bcfe3c019587e44bdfefb35c4bfca8c9
title: Uri Avnery
uri: 2015-07-24-Uri-Avnery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Uri_Avnery%29
content:
<p>Uri Avnery: as Obama tries to bring Iran into an alliance against
PISSI, Netanyahu 
<a href="http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1437156898/">
is determined</a>
 to fear Iran for no good reason.
</p>
<p>I am skeptical of the idea of defeating PISSI with Shi'ite armed
strength.  When Sunnis are ruled by Shi'ites, that gives them the
impetus to start terrorist groups.</p>


feed_id: 41ccb351a72576d95dfee91288dced94
title: Access to public records
uri: Access-to-public-records
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Access_to_public_records%29
content:
<p>Government agencies in Massachusetts 
<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/07/18/often-national-leader-massachusetts-ranks-near-bottom-government-transparency/HfjFvRd4RJI6QYIHBAobEP/story.html">
unfairly hamper access</a>
 to public records
The law is weak, and agencies disregard it.</p>


feed_id: aa3069e1ce5ada416e35ec237d18115b
title: Euro-cutbacks
uri: Euro-cutbacks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Euro-cutbacks%29
content:
<p>Euro-cutbacks 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/18/dublin-lisbon-madrid-beaten-bailout-no-comfort-athens">
were a "success"</a>
 in Ireland, Spain and Portugal, from the
viewpoint of the IMF and the banks.  It's not clear they were a success
for the non-rich.
</p>


feed_id: a9eb23e20505bc77d7decd186c5cdc0e
title: US prisoners
uri: US-prisoners
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28US_prisoners%29
content:
<p>Many US prisons 
<a href="https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/07/07/what-s-in-a-prison-meal">
don't feed</a>
 prisoners enough.
That might be good for the ones who are obese, but for the prisoners
that are not obese, it is dangerous.</p>


feed_id: 6f8404f8b8f6541dcffef06f7edd1cda
title: Traveling to school
uri: Traveling-to-school
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Traveling_to_school%29
content:
<p>A Senate bill 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/07/17/sen-mike-lee-added-a-free-range-kids-cla">
contains</a>
 a clause to refrain from harassing parents
that allow children to travel to school on their own.
</p>


feed_id: a194b7891e76c9797eb3c2ad2e28aa4a
title: College Safe Space
uri: College-Safe-Space
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28College_Safe_Space%29
content:
<p>Parents
 <a href="http://www.theonion.com/article/parents-dedicate-new-college-safe-space-honor-daug-50851?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=LinkPreview:1:Default">
Dedicate</a>
 New College Safe Space In Honor Of Daughter Who Felt
Weird In Class Once.
</p>


feed_id: 78dd78468ca4d887479f35b397b7314e
title: Mining
uri: Mining
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Mining%29
content:
<p>Mining for rare metals on the ocean floor 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/07/17/deep-sea-mining-regulations-need-stronger-environmental-protections">
requires</a>
 regulation for
environmental protection.
</p>


feed_id: 30e36b6c2511f1d1c279fde92cc16e9b
title: Torture against Communists
uri: Torture-against-Communists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Torture_against_Communists%29
content:
<p>The Philippines 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/17/us-and-philippines-face-peoples-tribunal-torture-disappearances-murder">
is accused</a>
 of using a campaign of murder and torture
against Communists, and social workers that help the poor, with US
backing and guidance.
</p>


feed_id: c478675e482af0e104b29e9198fa1879
title: Monitoring everyone
uri: Monitoring-everyone
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Monitoring_everyone%29
content:
<p>Mobile phone call and GPS records 
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2015/7/15/8970269/smartphone-depression-mental-health-detect">
show</a>
, roughly, whether the user is
depressed.
</p>
<p>I might agree to enable such monitoring by my doctor if I had been
depressed.  However, allowing the state to monitor everyone this way
is dangerous.</p>


feed_id: 7e01d3d0939995bc1a5518f0867c5283
title: "Smartphones"
uri: Smartphones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Smartphones%29
content:
<p>How stores 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/19/shopping-technology-tesco-waitrose">
plan</a>
 to use customers' "smartphones" to learn more about them
while getting them to buy more recklessly.
</p>
<p>The devices 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/19/mobile-phones-obsession-depression">
invite</a>
 dependence.
</p>
<p>If you want to be really smart, join me in opting out.</p>


feed_id: 40e81a7b356fa766f7c1bd652dc78600
title: Caroline Small
uri: Caroline-Small
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Caroline_Small%29
content:
<p>The thugs who shot Caroline Small 
<a href="http://investigations.myajc.com/caroline-small-shooting/">
were protected</a>
 by a thoroughly dishonest
prosecution.
</p>


feed_id: 2c61194120bdecbb0f234d2df950d602
title: Imitating ceremonial clothing
uri: Imitating-ceremonial-clothing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Imitating_ceremonial_clothing%29
content:
<p>Some Canadian events are starting 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/jul/17/osheaga-music-festival-headdress-cultural-appropriation">
to forbid</a>
 imitation native feather
headdresses.
</p>
<p>I think it is boorish to imitate the ceremonial clothing of some other
people, while neglecting its meaning; but that should not be
forbidden.  Nobody has the right to own a mode of dress.</p>


feed_id: df2d543c6e2270fa6c4346d50a371f87
title: Greece
uri: 2015-07-24-Greece
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Greece%29
content:
<p>Greece 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/18/greece-eu-debt-deal-what-lies-ahead">
has accepted</a>
 the banksters' suzerainty; this will lead
to ever-worsening disaster unless plenty of debt is cancelled.
</p>
<p>Meanwhile, as the left has cracked, Greeks may try the neo-Nazis that
blame poor immigrants instead of the banksters.</p>
<p>Varoufakis 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/18/greece-debt-crisis-reforms-fail-yanis-varoufakis">
says</a>
 that the foreign-imposed regime will fail.
</p>


feed_id: 73adee4988b090584db9260fede48921
title: Jonathan Sanders
uri: Jonathan-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Jonathan_Sanders%29
content:
<p>A thug 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/18/funeral-police-chokehold-victim-jonathan-sanders-mississippi">
kept a chokehold</a>
 on Jonathan Sanders for half an hour
to kill him, apparantly with malice aforethought.
</p>


feed_id: db8c704dd65a46d68178d062728a6569
title: California beach oil spill
uri: California-beach-oil-spill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28California_beach_oil_spill%29
content:
<p>The California beach oil spill 
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/speakout/item/31857-tests-reveal-toxic-cocktail-as-media-covers-up-california-oil-spill-s-root-cause">
contains</a>
 many toxic substances.
</p>


feed_id: aff95ab42cd919010e5ed09240e6b041
title: Southern white culture
uri: Southern-white-culture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Southern_white_culture%29
content:
<p>Southern white culture 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/18/ku-klux-klan-history-african-tradition-terrorize-black-americans">
is full</a>
 of traditions with African roots;
some of them were used by the original Ku Klux Klan.
</p>


feed_id: cc9dd4daea7fa61fe4c7a9cb67fa1b82
title: Genghis Khan
uri: Genghis-Khan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Genghis_Khan%29
content:
<p>A group of tourists, visiting Mongolia, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/18/british-tourists-northern-china-deported-inner-mongolia">
were accused</a>
 of "promoting
terrorism" for watching a terror video about Genghis Khan.
</p>
<p>Genghis was a real terrorist, just as bad as 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#29_September_2014_%28PISSI%29">
PISSI</a>
.
His forces
slaughtered the population of any city that did not immediately
surrender, to terrorize other cities into surrendering.</p>
<p>Even watching or distributing videos depicting real terrorism
should not be a crime.
</p>


feed_id: 3343ca6e9e6441502f928f4e6dc2034c
title: Chris Christie
uri: Chris-Christie
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Chris_Christie%29
content:
<p>Chris Christie 
<a href="http://link.thenation.com/53481ca417ffdeb835293bf12tvbo.2w53/Vaj8V8PoS_gk9nncAbb4c">
conspired</a>
 with the water industry to make a law
allowing cities to privatize water supply without a vote by the citizens.
</p>


feed_id: ab75ee093218eb58147f8b83e2b47586
title: Shell
uri: 2015-07-24-Shell
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Shell%29
content:
<p>Shell's emergency-handling ship 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/17/1403001/-Shell-says-FU-to-the-US-We-are-drilling-in-the-Chukchi-without-emergency-well-capping-equipment?detail=email">
was damaged severely</a>
 in a collision
with an uncharted reef, and has to go back to Portland for repair.
Shell plans to drill anyway.
</p>


feed_id: ec527d62b96b0f0e0be9bf2a8675e55d
title: Colorad thug
uri: Colorad-thug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Colorad_thug%29
content:
<p>A Colorado thug 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/16/1402819/-Colorado-Springs-Officer-Flying-Body-Slams-handcuffed-Woman-Face-First-to-the-Ground?detail=email">
threw a handcuffed woman</a>
 to the ground, which could
have killed her.
</p>


feed_id: 287f5485ee40e15d11ab5c1112090f7b
title: "Cryin'air"
uri: Cryin-air
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Cryin%27air%29
content:
<p>Cryin'air 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/17/ryanair-closes-denmark-operation-temporarily-to-sidestep-union-dispute">
has pulled its base out of Denmark</a>
 to avoid the laws
that protect workers' rights.
</p>
<p>It is a good idea to avoid Cryin'air ("Ryanair").</p>


feed_id: ad985856e54865e007ca33824637af81
title: Egyptian journalists
uri: Egyptian-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Egyptian_journalists%29
content:
<p>The head of an Egyptian journalistic organization 
<a href="http://www.cpj.org/2015/07/egyptian-security-forces-raid-news-network-offices.php">
has been arrested</a>
 and
accused of being supporting the Muslim Brotherhood — and of
possession of video editing equipment!
</p>
<p>The Muslim Brotherhood advocated trampling human rights — that's
inherent in political Islamism — but it did not try to crush
dissent
or abolish democracy.</p>


feed_id: f26f4975055f0e8c3c390d18a77e36b0
title: Fracking sites
uri: Fracking-sites
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Fracking_sites%29
content:
<p>People who live near fracking sites 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/16/can-simply-living-near-fracking-site-send-you-hospital">
are more likely to go to the
hospital</a>
 for heart or nervous system conditions.
</p>


feed_id: e4b2f813ab16b1803a33bd1d76183f6f
title: Military aid to Israel
uri: Military-aid-to-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Military_aid_to_Israel%29
content:
<p>Obama 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/16/rights-campaigners-disturbed-obama-offers-further-spike-israeli-military-aid">
has offered to increase</a>
 US military aid to Israel.
This 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/16/fire-next-time-next-gaza-war">
will enable</a>
 Israel to bomb Gaza more often.  It is already
planning to devastate Gaza even more.
The world has not pushed back very hard about the previous bombing.</p>
<p>It is interesting to see how Israel's tactical practices help
PISSI supporters try to take over from HAMAS.
</p>


feed_id: f83744d238ab7b5a54f8a2ecefdf1e14
title: Curb the use of tobacco
uri: Curb-the-use-of-tobacco
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Curb_the_use_of_tobacco%29
content:
<p>The US Chamber of Commerce 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/16/watchdogs-reveal-chamber-commerce-blowing-smoke-big-tobacco">
is pressuring</a>
 various governments around the world
not to take steps that curb the use of tobacco.
</p>
<p>The US Chamber of Commerce is poison — literally.</p>


feed_id: 996c69410bc93c4d4e09a34da0103f0b
title: Overuse of resources
uri: Overuse-of-resources
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Overuse_of_resources%29
content:
<p>Our overuse of Earth's resources 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/16/human-exploitation-nature-has-driven-planetary-health-edge">
is putting</a>
 a huge debt burden on future
generations.
</p>
<p>The authors do not realize that the term "anthropocene" encourages the
problem
they are concerned about.</p>


feed_id: e2eb2ea95d9917689aef9c19d463ee91
title: Banned political posters
uri: Banned-political-posters
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Banned_political_posters%29
content:
<p>Portland State University 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/07/16/portland-state-university-will-shut-down">
banned</a>
 political posters because they
might make some students feel uncomfortable.
</p>
<p>I think this is related to a change in people's idea of the purpose of
college: professional training, rather than developing the ability to
think.  For the latter, students obviously must confront uncomfortable
ideas.  For the former, ideas are an obstacle to some students'
training.</p>


feed_id: dee053206b40f896808fc95a7066704d
title: Chinese censorship
uri: 2015-07-24-Chinese-censorship
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Chinese_censorship%29
content:
<p>Chinese censorship 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2015/jul/21/louisa-lim-the-peoples-republic-of-amnesia-tiananmen-revisited-china">
has mostly erased</a>
 memory of the Tiananmen protests
and massacre: most younger Chinese don't know anything about it.
</p>


feed_id: 1e965074e11bb69c133f8f8cefbcf3e4
title: Disability
uri: Disability
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Disability%29
content:
<p>The UK's government 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/21/conservatives-redefining-sick-disabled-welfare-bill">
considers</a>
 permanent disability as a personal failing.
It subjects people with incurable conditions to repeated tests to
see if they can theoretically work, although practically speaking the
answer is clear in advance.</p>


feed_id: 69dec7ed64fb21fec655ed12f9d6004e
title: Sandra Bland
uri: Sandra-Bland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Sandra_Bland%29
content:
<p>There 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/17/1403147/-7-important-questions-about-the-arrest-assault-and-death-of-Sandra-Bland?detail=email">
are major mystieries</a>
 in the arrest and death of Sandra Bland.
</p>
<p>At least, they are mysteries for us; the thugs know most or all of
the answers.</p>


feed_id: 2478b7f5d35a3e6844de491996ed81de
title: Growing vegetables
uri: Growing-vegetables
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Growing_vegetables%29
content:
<p>A town in Florida (and many other places in the US) 
<a href="http://reason.com/archives/2015/07/20/turf-war">
ban growing
vegetables in your front yard</a>
.  Two residents are fighting back in
court.
</p>


feed_id: 781e332fa824caa63225b7db45733988
title: Protesters in Cambodia
uri: Protesters-in-Cambodia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Protesters_in_Cambodia%29
content:
<p>Protesters in Cambodia 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/21/cambodian-court-jails-11-opposition-activists-for-insurrection">
have been convicted</a>
 of "insurrection" and sentenced
to 20 years in prison.
</p>


feed_id: 42b399f0fcdc30e971071c5b78554697
title: Undermining female politicians
uri: Undermining-female-politicians
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Undermining_female_politicians%29
content:
<p>The media undermine female politicians 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jul/20/sexist-coverage-liz-kendall-female-politicians-damage-voter-perceptions">
by talking about their appearance</a>

instead of what they stand for.
Regardless of what is said about their
appearance, it costs them
support, based on a foolish and irrelevant reason.  I don't care what
Clinton looks like, and I don't care what Sanders looks like.</p>


feed_id: aa6631c3a3e17b95766b8faaaf1fcf47
title: Radium
uri: Radium
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Radium%29
content:
<p>High radium levels
 <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/17/1403032/-Oh-frack-now-there-s-radiation-in-Pennsylvania-s-water?detail=email">
have appeared in water</a>
 in Pennsylvania, and
fracking is suspected as the cause.
</p>


feed_id: e1472c8c1b071f936924d372f57bc97b
title: Human Rights Watch
uri: 2015-07-24-Human-Rights-Watch
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Human_Rights_Watch%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/20/new-probe-exposes-horrific-child-abuse-israeli-forces">
Human Rights Watch</a>
: Israeli forces are choking, beating, and abusing
Palestinian children as young as 11, arresting and coercing them into
confessions without granting them access to lawyers or even informing
their parents of their whereabouts.
</p>


feed_id: bfaec8694ffa2bea2aade4f99fd13e15
title: Canadian Surveillance
uri: Canadian-Surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Canadian_Surveillance%29
content:
<p>Canada's Anti-Terror Legislation 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/21/canada-anti-terror-lawsuit-bill-c51">
Faces Legal Challenge</a>
 by Free Speech
Advocates.
</p>
<p>In addition to banning journalism, it gives the government effectively
unlimited power for secret surveillance.</p>
<p>When you put this together with the government's attacks on science
and the climate, it seems that the Canadian government has declared
war on Canada.</p>


feed_id: 647402f663b987c6c616c59b9e99338b
title: Welfare
uri: 2015-07-24-Welfare
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Welfare%29
content:
<p>Children growing up in poverty 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/07/child-brain-poverty-academic-achievement">
have less brain development</a>
 in areas
required for academic and professional success.
After this, it won't be their fault if they are unqualified for good
jobs.  It will be the country's fault, for handicapping them in
childhood through inadequate welfare support.</p>


feed_id: 71068a74c26e28f7aa518a633c022d17
title: Organic farms
uri: Organic-farms
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Organic_farms%29
content:
<p>It is possible for an organic farm to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
but in practice 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/21/organic-farms-carbon-footprint-climate-change">
most of them don't do</a>
 that.
</p>
<p>A carbon tax would give a boost to the ones that do.</p>


feed_id: f318b9dc65de2d46ed596c111e3e6a77
title: New Orleans
uri: New-Orleans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28New_Orleans%29
content:
<p>The population of New Orleans decreased after Hurricane Katrina, but the
supply
of affordable housing decreased even more.  Many poor people now 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/20/new-orleans-katrina-pain-index-ten-who-was-left-behind">
have to pay half
their income</a>
 for rent.
</p>
<p>Most of the public schools have been converted into "charter schools",
and the public mostly disapproves of the change.</p>


feed_id: 4ee560d5951e9afee77f41cd6397a223
title: EU
uri: EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28EU%29
content:
<p>The EU 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/21/eu-countries-agree-textile-chemical-ban">
has agreed</a>
 to ban imports of clothing with nonylphenol
ethoxylates, which gets into rivers and harms fish.
</p>


feed_id: 0273117523ec232c4b2ef638ae999b5a
title: Republicans
uri: 2015-07-24-Republicans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Republicans%29
content:
<p>Republican candidates 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/21/republicans-chose-different-path-when-john-kerrys-war-record-was-questioned">
are defending</a>
 McCain from smears against his
military record, but they eagerly profited from smears against Kerry.
</p>


feed_id: bb209b996443645c29a5c5e7551e233c
title: 2015 is the hottest year
uri: 2015-is-the-hottest-year
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%282015_is_the_hottest_year%29
content:
<p>2015 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/21/climate-scientists-say-2015-on-track-to-be-warmest-year-on-record">
is on track to be the hottest year</a>
 since human records began,
judging from the first half of the year.
</p>


feed_id: 25dbd1c77ec381adbb71a8545429ac03
title: Global Heating
uri: 2015-07-24-Global-Heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Global_Heating%29
content:
<p>The main British scientific, engineering and medical organizations 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/21/act-on-climate-change-now-top-british-institutions-tell-governments">
call
for immediate and firm action</a>
 to but the brakes on global heating.
</p>
<p>Governments in the pockets of the fossil fuel industry are not
listening.  Ironically, only China plans to take firm action.  In
China, the fossil fuel interests are owned by "Communist" plutocrats
that will feel the consequences if climate mayhem impoverishes China.
In Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US, the owners of the fossil
fuel interests think they will get by ok if climate mayhem
impoverishes those countries.</p>


feed_id: 5a49d0f4c0f0862fd10a596b0d538837
title: Street lights
uri: Street-lights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Street_lights%29
content:
<p>Street lights and interior lights 
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/20/technology/a-light-bulb-goes-on-over-the-mall.html">
are being designed</a>
 to track people.
</p>
<p>This ought to be prohibited on the double, on streets and in any
place that the public is regularly admitted to (such as stores).</p>


feed_id: a6b278fe91c8ec11485b1869f15318d1
title: Ashley Madison
uri: Ashley-Madison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Ashley_Madison%29
content:
<p>I don't think that the purpose of Ashley Madison (facilitating sexual
affairs for married people) was bad in itself.  However, the company

<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/21/it-hurts-but-im-going-to-defend-ashley-madison-and-37-million-cheaters">
did many sleazy things</a>
, going as far as to accept pay to
delete
people's profiles, then not really deleting them.
</p>
<p>It also committed negligence that 
<a href="http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/20/9006213/ashley-madisons-data-breach-is-everyones-problem">
could leak data about its users</a>
, and the
worst instance was keeping so information about them in the first place.
</p>
<p>I feel no sympathy for the company, but I condemn 
<a href="http://stallman.org/articles/on-hacking.html">
the wrong that the
crackers (please don't call them "hackers")
have done</a>
 to the users of the site in taking their data hostage.</p>
<p>I also disagree with the crackers supposed moral grounds for trying to
shut the site down.  I don't regard monogamy as ethically privileged.
On the contrary, I disapprove of possessiveness and oppose the social
pressure for people to agree to monogamy which doesn't fit them.</p>
<p>Therefore, I do not criticize having an affair, and I reject the label
of
"cheating" for it.</p>


feed_id: 0488ce04d8779559ebc33d6ea9ec7052
title: California fines farmers
uri: California-fines-farmers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28California_fines_farmers%29
content:
<p>California is fining some farmers 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2015/07/caliornia-just-fined-one-district15-million-using-too-much-water">
for using water</a>
 after a notice to
cut back.
</p>
<p>It is too bad that crops and trees will be lost, but there is no way
California can avoid that.  All that can be done is to try to keep
things running at a level that is sustainable.</p>


feed_id: 910cbc4283e0a8e32ce5e6d4d9ee5fb7
title: Abortion
uri: 2015-07-24-Abortion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Abortion%29
content:
<p>Wisconsin, under Republican control, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/20/scott-walker-signs-bill-banning-abortions-after-20-weeks-wisconsin">
has made</a>
 abortion after 20 weeks
a crime.
</p>
<p>Abortions that late are only done because of special
circumstances.</p>
<p>The law is based on fantasy science; the anti-abortion forces claim
that a fetus can feel pain after 20 weeks.  This is impossible because
the fetus's brain is not connected then.</p>
<p>The directly contradicts Roe v Wade, so it ought to be
unconstitutional, but it is hard to count on that with today's Supreme
Court.  Doctors will be scared.</p>
<p>95% of US women who have abortions 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/womens-blog/2015/jul/14/women-rarely-regret-abortions-us-study-uk-reproductive-rights">
are subsequently content</a>
 with their
decision.
</p>
<p>I wonder what fraction of women that have babies later regret it.</p>


feed_id: d577d0b1dee408535332dbb2067f3664
title: Terrorists
uri: 2015-07-24-Terrorists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Terrorists%29
content:
<p>An expert who has interviewed many terrorists 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/20/david-cameron-anti-terror-strategy-wrong-expert-says">
says</a>
 that the details of
the ideology they choose to fight for are secondary in recruiting
them, and that focusing on ideology is largely missing the point.
</p>


feed_id: 3ed3cc01bd4ab492e12b6e822a91445d
title: Ashley Madison
uri: 2015-07-24-Ashley-Madison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Ashley_Madison%29
content:
<p>Crackers have obtained personal information from a controversial
dating site, Ashley Madison, and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/20/ashley-madison-hacked-cheating-site-total-shutdown">
are threatening</a>
 to release it unless
the site shuts down.
</p>
<p>My conclusion is that dating sites should not have users' personal
information, except for what the users choose to publish.</p>


feed_id: 78345ad7075beb293f7f5ea5c4d06818
title: Neocons
uri: 2015-07-24-Neocons
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Neocons%29
content:
<p>Neocons 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/20/seeking-war-end-world">
see</a>
 Iran as an opportunity for another US war.
</p>


feed_id: ed9f23a9bb5b7cfbca4436fcab5e7904
title: FBI's arrests for "terrorist plots"
uri: FBI-s-arrests-for-terrorist-plots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28FBIs_arrests_for_terrorist_plots%29
content:
<p>
The FBI 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/19/chattanooga-isis-terror-plots-homeland-security">claims
to have blocked 60 PISSI-inspired shooting attacks</a> in the US.
<p>
It could be true, but I am skeptical that these were real plans.
Every time the FBI arrests people for "terrorist plots", they turn
out to be 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-nov-feb.html#30_November_2012_(Judges_rebuke_in_FBI_entrapment_case)">fantasy
plots led and arranged by agents of the FBI</a>.  These 60 "plots"
could be more of that.


feed_id: da8ea325a175f439e407f95876c5eaa1
title: Urgent: SAFE Act
uri: Urgent-SAFE-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_SAFE_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: call on elected officials to 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/justicereformnow">support
the SAFE Act</a>, which would fix some of the causes of
over-imprisonment and make it easier for ex-cons to do something other
than crime.


feed_id: 9d2d996dd48789f4cb2a1fe616dc064c
title: Urgent: Break up banks "too big to fail"
uri: Urgent-Break-up-banks-too-big-to-fail
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Break_up_banks_too_big_to_fail%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.endcitizensunited.org/Too-Big-To-Fail">support</a>
breaking up the banks that are "too big to fail".


feed_id: cbd844817d7df6d4631d796791ad426a
title: Urgent: End repression of women
uri: Urgent-End-repression-of-women
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_End_repression_of_women%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://act.amnestyusa.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1839&ea.campaign.id=40434">call
on Sudan</a> to end repression of women for their clothing.


feed_id: 5f8770cd0647a2fb1069da6a2913bdd2
title: Urgent: No tax loophole for offshoring
uri: Urgent-No-tax-loophole-for-offshoring
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_No_tax_loophole_for_offshoring%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/irs_hedgefunds">tell the
IRS</a> not to give hedge funds a tax loophole for offshoring.


feed_id: 917c08f377a6c5f0903a30c11f529bcf
title: Urgent: US government job applications
uri: Urgent-US-government-job-applications
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_US_government_job_applications%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Call on Obama to 
<a href="https://action.aclu.org/secure/ban-the-box">remove the "have
you ever been in prison" box</a> from US government job applications.


feed_id: 09594636fcf9e9fc6f1097ff0e0436e6
title: Urgent: No tar sands pipeline expansion
uri: Urgent-No-tar-sands-pipeline-expansion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_No_tar_sands_pipeline_expansion%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: phone Obama and 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/call/whitehouse_clipper/">object
to expanding a tar sands pipeline</a>, which you might call
Keystone<sub>2</sub>.


feed_id: 2d2a5c73ee04f8252426e86b6ac42205
title: Corporations push for tax giveaway
uri: Corporations-push-for-tax-giveaway
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Corporations_push_for_tax_giveaway%29

content:
<p>
Corporations Push for 
<a href="http://ourfuture.org/20150714/next-big-one-repatriation-tax-holiday-giveaway-to-corporations">Giant
Repatriation Tax Giveaway</a>.


feed_id: f65ffe1eab75453098dee7c58a0cb6b9
title: UK's data retention law overturned
uri: UK-s-data-retention-law-overturned
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28UKs_data_retention_law_overturned%29

content:
<p>
A UK court 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/17/data-retention-and-surveillance-legislation-ruled-unlawful">overturned</a>
UK's data retention law.


feed_id: 5d1ae2cefb6210df4af36867189b504e
title: UK government gags scientists
uri: UK-government-gags-scientists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28UK_government_gags_scientists%29
content:
<p>
The UK government 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/17/government-gags-pesticide-advisers-refusal-support-bee-harming-neonicotinoids">appointed
scientists to give advice that neonicotinoids are safe to use</a>.  It
appears they were going to say "no", because the government ordered
them not to withhold information.


feed_id: ba160edbea145b71c27dae9e9bf4ddc5
title: War
uri: 2015-07-25-War
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28War%29
content:
<p>
What makes terrorism so bad is that it is war waged against civilians.
Thus, 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/17/can-attacking-military-sites-nation-war-terrorism/">attacking
soldiers</a> is not terrorism — it is war.


feed_id: 68851645477ee4ccd8e52130caa81302
title: Gunshot detection system records conversations
uri: Gunshot-detection-system-records-conversations
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Gunshot_detection_system_records_conversations%29

content:
<p>
ShotSpotter detects gunshots automatically, but its microphones also
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/17/shotspotter-gunshot-detection-schools-campuses-privacy">record
conversations</a>.
<p>
The system should be redesigned to do enough local processing so that
it can't transmit anyone's conversations over the net.


feed_id: 64a89d2d414f7544f6be0afe008708b4
title: Imprisoned for distributing disfavored views
uri: Imprisoned-for-distributing-disfavored-views
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Imprisoned_for_distributing_disfavored_views%29

content:
<p>
A British man 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/17/terrorism-sympathiser-jailed-muhammad-suleman-extremist-videos-al-qaida-magazine">will
be imprisoned for year</a> for distributing videos and a magazine
presenting disfavored views.
<p>
What point is there in defeating PISSI at the cost of abolishing basic
human rights?
<p>
When certain views are prohibited, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/17/genghis-khan-documentary-tourists-arrest-china">mistakes
will expand effect</a>.


feed_id: 5e4ba43536be8df8baf55c7e67e5aa2f
title: Aden taken
uri: Aden-taken
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Aden_taken%29
content:
<p>
The US and Saudi-backed faction in Yemen has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/17/aden-houthi-rebels-yemen-vice-president">taken
hold of the city of Aden</a>.  Since the Houthis hold most of Yemen,
this defeat for them moves that country further away from peace or
stable government.
<p>
Is this faction better than the Houthis?  I see no reason to think one
or the other deserves anyone's support.


feed_id: e97e007c9d6ab981fcbcdbdc4f83b606
title: China punishes musical group
uri: China-punishes-musical-group
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28China_punishes_musical_group%29
content:
<p>
China canceled concerts by a musical group as punishment 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jul/17/maroon-5-dalai-lama-tweet-may-have-led-to-cancelled-china-concerts">for
wishing the Dalai Lama happy birthday</a>.
<p>
The quoted hostile comments were posted, I expect, by the state's
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2010-jul-oct.html#7%20October%202010%20(The%20Fifty%20Cent%20Party)">troll
army</a>.


feed_id: 0774d9c1b10a13382ea673d846fcc338
title: Thugs in US public schools
uri: Thugs-in-US-public-schools
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Thugs_in_US_public_schools%29
content:
<p>
Stationing thugs in US public schools has a natural result:
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/14/1402119/-New-report-highlights-cases-of-police-brutality-inside-middle-and-high-schools">they
attack students</a>.


feed_id: ae2c2ce1bcf8b88c104ede7bd238f2b0
title: Goldman Sachs profited from Greek debt
uri: Goldman-Sachs-profited-from-Greek-debt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Goldman_Sachs_profited_from_Greek_debt%29

content:
<p>
Goldman Sachs 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/goldmans-greek-gambit/">helped
Greece hide part of its debt</a> so it could join the euro zone.
<p>
The deal was expensive for Greece, as that part of Greece's debt
doubled in a few years.  But it got Greece into the euro zone, which
was even worse for Greece.


feed_id: 36eecc8f8a07d69b00eaacc663d68038
title: Shortage of fresh water
uri: Shortage-of-fresh-water
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Shortage_of_fresh_water%29
content:
<p>
The drought in California, and water shutoffs for poor people, are
foretastes of the 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/the-california-drought-is-just-the-beginning-of-our-national-water-emergency/">big
shortage of fresh water forecast for 2030</a>.


feed_id: d0ae91c78df8611207fc71b03af6b77e
title: Mandatory minimum sentences
uri: Mandatory-minimum-sentences
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Mandatory_minimum_sentences%29
content:
<p>
Obama 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/16/barack-obama-prison-tour-criminal-justice-race-reform">called
for ending mandatory minimum sentences</a>, at least for nonviolent
drug offenses, and for removing some of the obstacles for ex-cons to
re-enter society.


feed_id: b6946d82851e7fa7b71f890a218470d4
title: Death of anti-thug-violence activist
uri: Death-of-anti-thug-violence-activist
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Death_of_anti-thug-violence_activist%29

content:
<p>
Texas thugs
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/16/women-suicide-texas-jail-sandra-bland-foul-play">attacked
an anti-thug-violence activist on the street</a>, put her in jail (for
false charges, I would guess), then claim her death in jail was
suicide.
<p>
Her friends don't believe it was suicide.


feed_id: 06a57997a642e0fff4d6fe292d8e0740
title: End of nuclear plant construction
uri: End-of-nuclear-plant-construction
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28End_of_nuclear_plant_construction%29

content:
<p>
Nuclear power plant construction is gradually grinding to a halt,
as 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/07/16/nuclear-trumped-renewables-worldwide-new-report-shows">renewable
energy is clearly cheaper as well as much safer</a>.


feed_id: d1441dd586875670b2975abf198d4be3
title: Treason charge against Netzpolitik
uri: Treason-charge-against-Netzpolitik
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Treason_charge_against_Netzpolitik%29

content:
<p>
Netzpolitik, a German journalism site, has been charged with treason
for 
<a href="https://netzpolitik.org/2015/federal-office-for-the-protection-of-the-constitution-brings-a-charge-the-federal-public-prosecutor-investigates-against-us-concerning-our-sources/">reporting
on German government surveillance of the German press</a>.
<p>
La Quadrature du Net: 
<a href="http://www.laquadrature.net/en/surveillance-we-must-support-netzpolitik-against-the-german-government-pressure">We
Must Support Netzpolitik Against the German Government Pressure!</a>


feed_id: 8208e4103a5d1208841b050470048b67
title: German leftists in support of Greece
uri: German-leftists-in-support-of-Greece
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28German_leftists_in_support_of_Greece%29

content:
<p>
German leftists have begun 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/15/radical-left-protests-across-germany-over-bailout-deal-coup-against-greeks">protests
in support of Greece</a> and plan to repeat them every week.
<p>
Right-wing German MPs object to further bailouts "for Greece",
absurdly claiming that it is Greece's fault that the past bailouts
"for Greece" did not reduce its debt.  That's ridiculous — they
never had a chance of reducing Greece's debt.
<p>
But in a way they are right.  The proposed bailout of Greece's
creditors will only increase Greece's debt, and it makes no sense to
do that.


feed_id: f76fa9ecfb33f6b3a408bfe6e2ab4c3d
title: Tories plan to change voter registration
uri: Tories-plan-to-change-voter-registration
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Tories_plan_to_change_voter_registration%29

content:
<p>
Following the Republican example, the Tories are planning to change
voter registration so as to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/16/labour-accuses-david-cameron-rigging-electoral-system">suppress
opposition voters</a>.


feed_id: b1fe0d2af68c4015fcf3aa94456c93f4
title: Banksters' economic invasion of Greece
uri: Banksters-economic-invasion-of-Greece
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Banksters_economic_invasion_of_Greece%29

content:
<p>
Jürgen Habermas, intellectual father of the European Union, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/16/jurgen-habermas-eu-greece-debt-deal">calls
it an undemocratic trap</a>.
<p>
The euro-banksters' economic invasion of Greece was the act of 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/16/crucifixion-greece-killing-european-project-debt-colony-breakup-eurozone">tyrants
punishing a rebel province</a>.  Suffering and humiliation are their
goal.
<p>
The financial elite has shown off its power to 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/15/greece-and-death-democracy-economics-and-civility">spit
on democracy, economics, and statesmanship</a>.
<p>
I suggest that Greece and Europe need a political party consisting of
real stake holders: the Wooden Stake Party, whose aim will be to put
stakes into the heart of the vampire banks.
<p>
But I think it is a mistake to put the blame on Germany.
The banksters are the culprits.


feed_id: 798e8e36ae8f1153d2768555125efcb5
title: Clinton and Bush's campaign funds
uri: Clinton-and-Bush-s-campaign-funds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Clinton_and_Bushs_campaign_funds%29
content:
<p>
Clinton and Bush have got 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/16/hillary-clinton-jeb-bush-lobbyist-donations">large
campaign donations from lobbyists</a>.
<p>
Vote for Sanders for president.


feed_id: c30486d85d62d6dfd4d57f5c75414087
title: Oceans will continue heating
uri: Oceans-will-continue-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Oceans_will_continue_heating%29
content:
<p>
The already emitted greenhouse gases will keep heating the oceans 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/16/warming-of-oceans-due-to-climate-change-is-unstoppable-say-us-scientists">for
centuries</a>.


feed_id: 8eeffd6cfd1a9d05d2fdf474d6b45560
title: Walker's illegal campaign activities
uri: Walker-s-illegal-campaign-activities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Walkers_illegal_campaign_activities%29

content:
<p>
Scott Walker's cronies on the Wisconsin Supreme Court 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/16/wisconsin-court-john-doe-scott-walker">ordered
an end to an investigation</a> of Walker's illegal campaign
activities.


feed_id: f10f63af68acdda0a261cb0c747b7adc
title: Drone assassinations and Iraq invasion
uri: Drone-assassinations-and-Iraq-invasion
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Drone_assassinations_and_Iraq_invasion%29

content:
<p>
The former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency acknowledges that
drone assassinations 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/16/retired-general-drones-create-terrorists-kill-iraq-war-helped-create-isis/">create
more terrorists than they kill</a>, and that the invasion of Iraq
helped create PISSI.


feed_id: 4e73b23ae1406e49c4d5654d2cce662e
title: Commercial fishing in the Arctic Ocean
uri: Commercial-fishing-in-the-Arctic-Ocean
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Commercial_fishing_in_the_Arctic_Ocean%29

content:
<p>
The Arctic countries have agreed to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/16/arctic-nations-to-bar-fishing-fleets-from-fast-thawing-seas-around-the-north-pole">ban
commercial fishing in the Arctic Ocean</a>.  This does not prohibit
other countries' ships from fishing there, however.


feed_id: 3e30a15a4c121530b0faf2d609af9fd0
title: Semi-enslaved US youths
uri: Semi-enslaved-US-youths
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Semi-enslaved_US_youths%29
content:
<p>
US youths are semi-enslaved to do door-to-door sales work.  They are
not literally forced to continue working, but 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/jul/16/people-trafficking-door-to-door-sales-us-abuse-exploitation-polaris-report">stopping
is very difficult</a>.


feed_id: 13f5fbfe9a4f8d44ba28417726685e98
title: Sandra Bland
uri: 2015-07-25-Sandra-Bland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Sandra_Bland%29
content:
<p>There 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/17/1403147/-7-important-questions-about-the-arrest-assault-and-death-of-Sandra-Bland?detail=email">
are major mysteries</a>
 in the arrest and death of Sandra Bland.
</p>
<p>At least, they are mysteries for us; the thugs know most or all of
the answers.</p>


feed_id: b18981315c5d218ad8b6c5b0451c5fcb
title: Jonathan Sanders
uri: 2015-07-25-Jonathan-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_%28Jonathan_Sanders%29
content:
<p>A thug 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/18/funeral-police-chokehold-victim-jonathan-sanders-mississippi">
kept a chokehold</a>
 on Jonathan Sanders for half an hour
to kill him, apparently with malice aforethought.
</p>


feed_id: 459db9d41c14ce173b2a12d5bf374f3b
title: Burmese journalists
uri: Burmese-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Burmese_journalists%29
content:
<p>Burmese journalists 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2015/jul/24/burmese-journalists-fined-for-defaming-president-thein-sein">
were fined</a>
 for "defaming the president".
In fact, they criticized what the president said.
</p>


feed_id: 56976a72ba06c7d4c36a43c9b467bd21
title: Australia's immigration autorities
uri: Australia-s-immigration-autorities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Australia%27s_immigration_autorities%29

content:
<p>Australia's immigration autorities 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jul/23/immigration-department-sought-private-medical-records-for-political-reasons">
asked</a>
 for medical records
of imprisoned refugees for political purposes — to publish
to make them look bad.
</p>


feed_id: d98a9c3c9a24fee79a6266d5d7893dbd
title: Monogamy
uri: Monogamy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Monogamy%29
content:
<p>A perfect example of how the idea that people should be monogamous

<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/24/ashley-madison-online-infidelity-dad">
poisons</a>
 people's lives.
</p>
<p>If you think that it's a
"betrayal" if your lover has sex with someone
else, perhaps you are obsessed with possession.</p>


feed_id: ff9ef0b22f5559818ec1d5ba6b5660df
title: High-tech "magic bullet"
uri: High-tech-magic-bullet
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28High-tech_magic_bullet%29
content:
<p>On the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/jul/24/monsanto-1bn-herbicide-bias-hi-tech-solutions">
danger of privileging</a>
 centralized high-tech "magic bullet" solutions
and disregarding other options.
</p>


feed_id: f1092797073dba25116d6ab524dddf11
title: Phytoplankton
uri: Phytoplankton
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Phytoplankton%29
content:
<p>Ocean acidification, together with heating, 
<a href="http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2015/ocean-acidification-phytoplankton-0720">
will cause</a>
 an upheaval in
phytoplankton populations.
</p>
<p>Since phytoplankton do most of the world's photosynthesis, and
generate most of the world's oxygen, this is playing with disaster.</p>


feed_id: 31481aa393614b2fc0faca13a7b64636
title: Population growth
uri: Population-growth
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Population_growth%29
content:
<p>China 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/23/china-may-adopt-two-child-policy-this-year-as-demographic-timebomb-looms">
is thinking about permitting</a>
 all families to have two children.
</p>
<p>I think it would be a mistake to open the door to more population
growth so early.  The world population is still going up, and China's
current population may be unsustainable.</p>
<p>The need for labor to care for old people will give China full
employment if it does not ruin things with more births.</p>


feed_id: f4fb318e2dc5e429c3849572011542c5
title: Surveillance
uri: 2015-07-26-Surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Surveillance%29
content:
<p>We 
<a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/en_uk/read/a-golden-key-for-encryption-is-mythical-nonsense">
must reject the idea that the state should be able to listen in
on all conversations</a>
 — even with a search warrant.
</p>


feed_id: 885227b26c5a74e567b4985bd37ef827
title: Racists dominates the US
uri: Racists-dominates-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Racists_dominates_the_US%29
content:
<p>Racists have dominated the US one way or another 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/11/16/1344692/-How-the-racists-of-the-South-have-ruled-this-nation-from-the-very-beginning?detail=email">
since
the US was founded</a>
 — aside from occasional interludes.
</p>


feed_id: 551011100178ad6eb4e457bdf5bd5c5d
title: TPP
uri: 2015-07-26-TPP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28TPP%29
content:
<p>The TPP 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/issues/tpps-copyright-trap">
threatens to impose</a>
 the Mickey Mouse Copyright Act on
several other countries.
</p>
<p>This is an example of a characteristic mistake that activists make:
they campaign against proposed changes for the worse, but don't
campaign to reverse past changes for the worse.  We need to eliminate
the Berne Convention and all the other treaties that impose it (they
are corporate supremacy treaties and bad for many other reasons).</p>


feed_id: 889c8f42f33030f386b4720fa7f2fc30
title: Julian Assange
uri: Julian-Assange
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Julian_Assange%29
content:
<p>Swedish prosecutors 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jul/23/julian-assange-ecuador-and-sweden-in-tense-standoff-over-interview">
are dragging out</a>
 the process of arranging to interview
Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy.  Ecuador says its law requires
signing an agreement, but the prosecutors have not bothered to propose
one.
</p>


feed_id: a4280d54261a397c136c456d69352b11
title: Greenhous gas emissions
uri: Greenhous-gas-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Greenhous_gas_emissions%29
content:
<p>The US 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/22/study-when-human-consumption-slows-planet-earth-can-heal">
decreased</a>
 greenhouse gas emissions 11% during the recession,
mainly caused by decreased economic activity.
</p>
<p>I don't believe it follows that growth can occur only through
increased emissions.  An all-out campaign for renewable energy
would produce lots of growth while reducing emissions.
However, the fossil fool lobby won't perit this.</p>


feed_id: 1819656a42532704d7abf0b5a25b75fd
title: White motorists
uri: White-motorists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28White_motorists%29
content:
<p>Thugs find ways to 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/22/1404515/-Cops-Pull-Over-a-Confederate-Sovereign-Citizen-and-His-Six-Loaded-Weapons-Not-dead?detail=email">
avoid shooting white motorists</a>
, even when they try to
pull a gun on the thug.
</p>


feed_id: 7ceeb87c4b7135437edc7306506930d1
title: Clinton
uri: 2015-07-26-Clinton
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Clinton%29
content:
<p>Clinton talks about curbing banks' power in minor ways, but the
banksters 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/22/hedging-wall-street-clintons-finance-reforms-reek-weak-kneed-populism">
know</a>
 she is still on their side.
</p>


feed_id: 63537d2d6edfa5332630dd8bef01d235
title: DARK act
uri: DARK-act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28DARK_act%29
content:
<p>The House of Representatives 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/07/23/consumers-health-advocates-and-farmers-mobilize-massive-movement-opposition">
passed</a>
 the DARK act, which would prohibit
states from requiring labeling of GMOs in food.
</p>


feed_id: 4b7c4a90d2ed7f4e739c8ec0964e97e6
title: Tunisia
uri: 2015-07-26-Tunisia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Tunisia%29
content:
<p>A Tunisian editor 
<a href="http://cpj.org/2015/07/tunisia-charges-editor-with-complicity-in-terroris.php">
faces charges of complicity in terrorism</a>
 after he
published information that must have come from an interview with a
terrorist.
He refuses to name his source.</p>
<p>Tunisia is considering abolishing human rights in the name of
anti-terrorism.</p>
<p>If this occurs, the victory of the Tunisian revolution will be
lost.</p>


feed_id: ecef6ced4489a0ca1b91dcf2bb23ef0c
title: LA thug sentenced to prison
uri: LA-thug-sentenced-to-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28LA_thug_sentenced_to_prison%29
content:
<p>An LA thug 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/23/los-angeles-police-officer-jail-assault">
has been sentenced to prison</a>
 for kicking a suspect who was
down on the ground.
</p>
<p>The suspect asked for an ambulance, but the thugs delayed calling one,
and it came too late to save her life.</p>


feed_id: 1a3d4dcc5cd3cce90e7ce176508d8856
title: Julian Cole
uri: Julian-Cole
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Julian_Cole%29
content:
<p>Thugs arrested Julian Cole, and effectively 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/23/ipcc-report-julian-cole">
killed him</a>
,
but the UK government won't say anything about how.
</p>


feed_id: 0bbb6d258dd958341c76f38ae44acbbc
title: Snooping on employees
uri: Snooping-on-employees
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Snooping_on_employees%29
content:
<p>Companies snoop on their employees' computers 
<a href="http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/how-human-resources-manipulates-and-spies-you-even-when-youre-not-work">
while they are not at work</a>
,
and sometimes even sabotage them.
</p>
<p>Another way of snooping on employees while not at work is testing for
use of marijuana.  It can't distinguish whether the marijuana was used
while the employee was on duty or off, or even on vacation weeks
before.</p>


feed_id: 0d09b7e9c01739284549522692f2c40c
title: Sandra Bland
uri: 2015-07-26-Sandra-Bland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Sandra_Bland%29
content:
<p>Did the thug that 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/23/sandra-bland-dashcam-video-analysis">
arrested</a>
 Sandra Bland do so illegally?
</p>


feed_id: 3fe36b4eab45f02be2e15d12c8939770
title: US Justice Department
uri: US-Justice-Department
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28US_Justice_Department%29
content:
<p>The Inspector General of the US Justice Department 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/?p=32750">
says that he can't
do his job</a>
 because information is being kept from him.
</p>


feed_id: 6a8bc7be88bdeb177a381d7a950a537b
title: Neonicotinoids
uri: Neonicotinoids
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Neonicotinoids%29
content:
<p>A study in Massachusetts collected samples of honey from beehives, and
pollen collected by foraging bees.  70% of the samples 
<a href="http://phys.org/news/2015-07-pesticides-pollen-foraging-bees-massachusetts.html">
contained</a>

neonicotinoids.
</p>


feed_id: c1d2cb6f724bb77c15e94b9b19055f35
title: Income inequality
uri: Income-inequality
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Income_inequality%29
content:
<p>A study estimates that 1/3 of the recent increase in income inequality

<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2015/07/tech-industry-income-inequality">
comes</a>
 from adoption of digital technology.
</p>
<p>Productivity
has increased greatly, but that doesn't raise workers'
wages because there are too few jobs and workers must compete for
them.</p>
<p>Proponents of laissez-faire policies argue that automation
inevitably
spreads its benefits to everyone.  Now we know that this claim is not
merely dubious, but already falsified.</p>


feed_id: dd91a81e8d5978e616d60a9191a1102c
title: Eating disorders
uri: Eating-disorders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Eating_disorders%29
content:
<p>The roots of eating disorders in teenagers 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/23/basis-for-eating-disorders-found-in-children-as-young-as-eight">
can be found</a>
 in
children as young as 8, who already feel dissatisfied with their bodies.
</p>


feed_id: 3a48bf1cf6081a836be0df6df0075875
title: Apple Music
uri: Apple-Music
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Apple_Music%29
content:
<p>Senator Franken 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/23/apple-music-us-senator-inquiry-treatment-streaming-competitors">
asked</a>
 for an anti-trust inquiry into Apple's competition
with other music-streaming services.
</p>
<p>The major music-streaming services are based on DRM, tracking, and
EULAs.  While unfair competition is always wrong, "fair" competition
would not legitimize these disservices.  Please join me in rejecting
all of them — insist on having your own DRM-free copy, so that
you can share copies, and never agree that you will not share them.</p>


feed_id: 4de65248cba70a82855fb12acbf773c1
title: Obama's visit to Kenya
uri: Obama-s-visit-to-Kenya
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Obama%27s_visit_to_Kenya%29
content:
<p>Obama's visit to Kenya 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/23/obama-kenya-visit-political-minefield">
highlights</a>
 the persecution of political
opponents and gay men.
</p>


feed_id: 70478a5bbdfe1de74bce176ac03afd33
title: Forest elephants
uri: Forest-elephants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Forest_elephants%29
content:
<p>African forest elephants seem to be a different species from savannah
elephants, and 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/radical-conservation/2015/jul/23/forest-elephants-evidence-science-species-ivory-crisis">
are headed faster</a>
 towards extinction, while little effort
against poaching is directed at them.
</p>


feed_id: 65afacc494db155f31e2676f51d8d752
title: Hostile architecture
uri: Hostile-architecture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Hostile_architecture%29
content:
<p>Artists symbolically 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/23/anti-homeless-spikes-inhumane-defensive-architecture">
resist</a>
 hostile architecture in London.
</p>
<p>I decided not to repeat the enemy's propaganda term, "defensive
architecture", because that presents this bad practice in
a favorable light.</p>


feed_id: 7a7d9046e83b73114059e1b1fd2c2c6b
title: People's genetic code
uri: People-s-genetic-code
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28People%27s_genetic_code%29
content:
<p>Posting people's genetic code 
<a href="http://sdtimes.com/sd-times-blog-using-dna-for-access-control/">
allows automation</a>
 of various sorts 
of bigotry.
</p>


feed_id: b39a558ff0bcb7645d44c371ea0f97e5
title: Pollution
uri: Pollution
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Pollution%29
content:
<p>Pollution 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/23/black-lives-matter-air-pollution">
Isn't Colorblind</a>
: Environmental Hazards Kill More Black Americans.
</p>
<p>What's happening is that the Americans with political clout don't see
a need to reduce pollution because it's cheaper to direct it at those
without clout.</p>


feed_id: 48a79b4cd5bb19c83bfbf63ed91a6a32
title: Thomas Jones
uri: Thomas-Jones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Thomas_Jones%29
content:
<p>"Thomas Jones" 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/23/seaworld-peta-espionage-ring-blackfish">
spied</a>
 on various activities that criticized Seaworld,
and activists present reason to suspect he wasn't the only
provocateur working for Seaworld.
</p>


feed_id: 24d194379d1fc369dbdb6b93f78bea88
title: Malaysia
uri: 2015-07-26-Malaysia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Malaysia%29
content:
<p>Malaysia 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/07/malaysia-drops-pretense-not-censoring-internet">
Drops</a>
 the Pretense of Not Censoring the Internet.
</p>


feed_id: ea18e4171f74441969b96eb0c8937ba6
title: Thomas Jennings
uri: Thomas-Jennings
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Thomas_Jennings%29
content:
<p>New York City thugs 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/07/video-nypd-beat-black-man-hands">
repeatedly hit</a>
 Thomas Jennings with sticks, both before
and after they handcuffed him.  He never resisted.
</p>
<p>New York City thugs are fond of saying that leaving small crimes
unpunished creates the climate for bigger crimes.  Jennings is not
dead, but if thugs are allowed to get away with nonfatal senseless
brutality, they will proceed to bigger forms.  These thugs should be
prosecuted as anyone else would be who did what they did.</p>


feed_id: a90fdf87d44a1e2eccb619a74c336783
title: I.S.I.
uri: I-S-I
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28I.S.I.%29
content:
<p>Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, 
<a href="https://www.privacyinternational.org/?q=node/627">
aims to record</a>
 all IP packets
travelling in or through Pakistan.
</p>
<p>There is no reason to presume that ISI would use this power only
against terrorists.  ISI has been accused of supporting the Taliban.</p>


feed_id: 8f6e0a56430e549dc5201efe195f3de2
title: British thugs
uri: British-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28British_thugs%29
content:
<p>In 1984, British thugs attacked striking miners, made false charges
against the miners, then covered it up.  The miners now 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/22/orgreave-truth-police-miners-strike">
demand</a>
 an
investigation into the actions of the thugs.
</p>


feed_id: 22664116ca6e75221c034ac152bfcdbf
title: Dodd-Frank's Bid
uri: Dodd-Frank-s-Bid
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Dodd-Frank%27s_Bid%29
content:
<p>Dodd-Frank's Bid to Clean Up Extractive Industries 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/jul/22/dodd-frank-act-section-1504-natural-resources-extractive-industries-oil-api-sec">
Stymied</a>
 by Oil Business.
</p>


feed_id: 334c09bc790a7f48719b0dfb643b818f
title: Campaigns funds
uri: Campaigns-funds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Campaigns_funds%29
content:
<p>Hilary Clinton, Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/22/top-fundraisers-hillary-clinton-jeb-bush-work-lobbying-firm/">
are all using the same
lobbying company</a>
 to raise money from businesspeople.
</p>


feed_id: dfff7b675d051564daee2849ae8fb69b
title: Child Overprotective Services
uri: Child-Overprotective-Services
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Child_Overprotective_Services%29
content:
<p>Child Overprotective Services 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/07/21/mom-arrested-for-abandoning-kids-in-food">
arrested a mother</a>
 for leaving her
children sitting 30 yards away where she could see them.
</p>


feed_id: 4d7b99d29d877a324ea8f9daa6322dc3
title: Tony Abbott
uri: Tony-Abbott
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Tony_Abbott%29
content:
<p>Tony Abbott's 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/22/tony-abbotts-fight-against-solar-and-wind-power-in-australia">
Fight Against Solar And Wind Power</a>
 in Australia.
</p>


feed_id: 83ad58cce148d613638dfa2790b04cd8
title: Sandra Bland
uri: 2015-07-26-Sandra-Bland
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Sandra_Bland%29
content:
<p>The published video of Sandra Bland's arrest, from the thug car's
camera, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/22/sandra-bland-texas-dashcam-footage-doctored">
seems</a>
 to have been edited.
</p>


feed_id: 07fc3fc257b0211cecbd86e8746732c2
title: Chilean officers
uri: Chilean-officers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Chilean_officers%29
content:
<p>Chilean officers 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/22/chile-army-custody-carmen-gloria-quintana-burned-alive-augusto-pinochet">
face prosecution</a>
 for burning dissidents to death.
</p>


feed_id: 88d04032551c69ee1aba83f7d802d60f
title: Increasing driving
uri: Increasing-driving
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Increasing_driving%29
content:
<p>Due to cheep oil, 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/07/chart-day-were-car-crazy-nation-yet-again">
per capita driving is increasing</a>
 again in the US.
</p>
<p>Lower prices for gasoline are convenient for the short term, but
harmful for the long term.</p>


feed_id: a849a11b1db8f30b6f12ae8c2bdfecc0
title: Brazilian thugs
uri: Brazilian-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Brazilian_thugs%29
content:
<p>35 killings in 3 days, in Manaus, Brazil, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/22/manaus-brazil-homicides-amazon">
may have been carried out</a>
 by
thugs.
</p>


feed_id: ddfb07fd6c83316b2c28e3eec769af8a
title: Slavery in Eritrea
uri: Slavery-in-Eritrea
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Slavery_in_Eritrea%29
content:
<p>In Eritrea, essentially everyone 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/22/eritrea-migrants-child-soldier-fled-what-is-going-on">
is conscripted</a>
 into lifelong slavery,
and everyone is terrified of the state.  3% of the population has fled.
</p>
<p>Rather than arguing about where these people should be resettled, I
suggest
grouping them in a neighboring country and arming them to capture Eritrea
from its dictator.</p>


feed_id: 772341bff1d031a721336d996160a310
title: CFAA
uri: 2015-07-26-CFAA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28CFAA%29
content:
<p>Senators 
<a href="https://cdt.org/blog/grahamwhitehouse-draft-bill-would-make-cfaa-worse/">
plan</a>
 to make the CFAA even worse, explicitly criminalizing
any violation of any service's terms of service.
</p>


feed_id: 4e6a788ac5b6333443941a82e6d84a20
title: Effects of global heating
uri: 2015-07-26-Effects-of-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Effects_of_global_heating%29
content:
<p>People around the US 
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/31963-mourning-the-changes-that-surround-us-readers-speak-out-on-climate">
describe</a>
 the visible effects of global heating.
</p>


feed_id: 5b42bf14d2e6e2f622277df0236f3d02
title: EU warns Israel
uri: EU-warns-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28EU_warns_Israel%29
content:
<p>The EU 
<a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4682220,00.html">
warned</a>
 Israel about "forced transfer" of Palestinian populations and
housing demolitions.
</p>


feed_id: ad1a5bf5b00df7c8f0380c404d060963
title: Israel shut down Palestinian TV
uri: Israel-shut-down-Palestinian-TV
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Israel_shut_down_Palestinian_TV%29
content:
<p>Israel 
<a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/06/israel-closes-tv-station-palestinian-identity-150621120713478.html">
shut down</a>
 the Palestinian TV station P48.
</p>


feed_id: d815eebf3fb7e9d5129b25bef1bf5e41
title: Bisphenol A
uri: Bisphenol-A
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Bisphenol_A%29
content:
<p>Bisphenol A can be ingested through the lungs, which means that
release into the air 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jul/21/bpa-exposure-hormone-disrupting-fda-missouri-study-bisphenol-endocrine">
is dangerous</a>
.
</p>


feed_id: 792902806db0b65fca0da31d7fefb139
title: AI
uri: AI
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28AI%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/wiley20150720">
Arguing</a>
 that we have a duty to develop computerized intelligence so
that intelligence will not be limited to one solar system.
</p>


feed_id: 771ed44926f4d8e15ed880eab59e00ab
title: UK thugs
uri: UK-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28UK_thugs%29
content:
<p>The UK thugs 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/21/plebgate-police-questioned-over-use-of-ripa-laws-to-seize-sun-phone-records">
used</a>
 warrantless digital snooping to find journalists'
sources.
</p>
<p>The UK must bury the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/knock.html">
R.I.P. Act</a>
 which authorizes this.
</p>


feed_id: 60f70c846fd9e20217eef3ccf68191b7
title: Kalamazoo river
uri: Kalamazoo-river
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Kalamazoo_river%29
content:
<p>5 years after the tar sands oil spill on the Kalamazoo river, the
spill 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/07/21/advocates-discuss-upcoming-anniversary-kalamazoo-river-tar-sands-spill-growing">
has not been cleaned up</a>
 and the toxic chemicals seem to be
affecting people's health.
</p>


feed_id: a93ffa31d20da2e32a76c399687efc1b
title: Uninhabitable cities
uri: Uninhabitable-cities
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Uninhabitable_cities%29
content:
<p>Even 2C of global heating 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/21/worlds-ocean-could-rise-higher-sooner-faster-most-thought-possible">
will make coastal cities such as New York,
London and Shanghai uninhabitable</a>
.
Parts of them will still be above water, but won't function as
cities.</p>
<p>You can add Miami, Washington DC, New Orleans, Tokyo, Mumbai and many
more.</p>
<p>If we get through this century with technological civilization intact,
we may be able to remove lots of CO2 from the atmosphere and convert
it to plastic.  Perhaps we could cut short the melting that way.
But getting through this century will not be easy, so it behooves
us to cut CO2 emissions as fast as humanly possible.</p>
<p>We also need to end growth of the human population.  In principle, the
idea that a person has the right to reproduce without limit is
unsustainable.</p>


feed_id: 622d9e8b28c15e6690cb81aca4852cef
title: Banksters' power
uri: Banksters-power
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Banksters%27_power%29
content:
<p>After 5 years, 1/3 of the rules required by the Dodd-Frank banking
reform law 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/21/five-years-later-unfulfilled-promise-dodd-frank">
have not been implemented</a>
.
The banksters have too much political power.</p>


feed_id: d353204a4b20cbe24f783474a3f413c6
title: Varoufakis
uri: Varoufakis
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Varoufakis%29
content:
<p>Varoufakis: the creditors 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/21/varoufakis-troika-forced-syriza-choice-between-suicide-or-execution">
did not want a mutually beneficial
agreement</a>
; they wanted to impose regime change on Greece.
</p>
<p>In effect, they have succeeded, at least for the while.</p>
<p>Varoufakis was wise to resign.  Tsipras should have done it, too.
If you cannot defeat an invading army, it is better to retreat and
remain hostile to it, than surrender and become a pillar for it.</p>


feed_id: 1b1381ca86750190201f55787d8307a0
title: Snowden
uri: 2015-07-26-Snowden
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Snowden%29
content:
<p>Snowden's 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/21/snowdens-plea-top-technologists-build-internet-people">
message</a>
 to the IETF meeting: build anonymity into the internet.
</p>


feed_id: 5ca3a1dd296473bd9ca36fb31cd70ae5
title: SCROTUS
uri: SCROTUS
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28SCROTUS%29
content:
<p>SCROTUS 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/07/21/attempt-block-irs-rulemaking-nonprofit-political-activity-would-exacerbate">
are trying to stop</a>
 the IRS from clarifying regulations for
how 501(C)4 tax-exempt organizations can do political campaigning.
</p>
<p>Wealthy (mostly Republican) donors fund such organizations, and want
their money to buy the most possible plutocratic power.</p>


feed_id: 178bde7dc566e02a47edee6ae50bd055
title: Planned Parenthood
uri: Planned-Parenthood
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Planned_Parenthood%29
content:
<p>Planned Parenthood's fetal tissue 
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/why-planned-parenthood-shouldnt-be-on-the-defensive/">
has helped</a>
 develop treatments for
diseases such as cystic fibrosis and Parkinson's.
Planned Parenthood should take pride in helping.</p>
<p>The only thing I would criticize about Planned Parenthood's conduct
is that it could have charged more, and used the money to finance
treatments for poor women that insurance does not cover.</p>


feed_id: cfbc8da1c14275091e81f93039e87510
title: Brighton bans smoking tobacco
uri: Brighton-bans-smoking-tobacco
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Brighton_bans_smoking_tobacco%29
content:
<p>Brighton, England, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/22/outdoor-smoking-ban-britain">
is planning to ban</a>
 smoking tobacco outdoors.
Since smoking is already banned in indoor public places, this would
make it almost intolerable for a smoker to be in Brighton for any
length of time.</p>
<p>Tobacco is death, and I urge people to quit, but prohibition is going
too far, and this is tantamount to prohibition if you are a visitor or
work outside your home.  People do have a right to kill themselves,
slowly or quickly.</p>


feed_id: a405e11be7a99a4c315c27895ddac9bb
title: US wars never end
uri: US-wars-never-end
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28US_wars_never_end%29
content:
<p>Modern US wars 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/22/america-war-iraq-libya-afghanistan-endless">
never</a>
 really end.
That is because there is no imaginable victory for the US, and the
US doesn't accept defeat either.</p>


feed_id: f375f1b05f3ef50bed2c391e483dff39
title: Global Heating
uri: 2015-07-26-Global-Heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Global_Heating%29
content:
<p>Political leaders 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2015/jul/22/global-warming-deniers-are-an-endangered-species">
are slowly yielding to pressure</a>
 to recognize global
heating as a big danger.
</p>
<p>This does not mean that they will take effective action to halt it.
Many remain just as much under the control of the fossil fuel
interests as they were before.  One can see this in the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/22/solar-power-subsidies-to-be-cut-under-plans-to-reduce-green-energy-costs">
UK's continued
elimination of subsidies</a>
 for renewable energy, while subsidies for
fossil fuels continue.
</p>


feed_id: f69be47717dd0be95665f11e48393434
title: AncestryDNA
uri: AncestryDNA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28AncestryDNA%29
content:
<p>AncestryDNA 
<a href="http://www.wired.com/2015/07/another-personal-genetics-company-selling-client-data/">
turns out</a>
 to be a scheme to get lots of people to hand in
their DNA sequence data to be correlated.
</p>
<p>For some unlucky people, knowledge of their DNA sequences could lead
to big problems (with insurance, for instance).  However, I think
tracking of people's movements and phone calls is more of a threat
to human rights and democracy.</p>


feed_id: ae5a0f2477b743559807c41ad7654345
title: Internet domain for students
uri: Internet-domain-for-students
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Internet_domain_for_students%29
content:
<p>The University of Mary Washington 
<a href="https://medium.com/bright/the-web-we-need-to-give-students-311d97713713">
gives</a>
 each student an internet
domain and teaches the student how to manage it.  The student's work
is there, under the student's control, and the student can keep it
after leaving the university.
</p>
<p>I like this very much — even though it's a shame they miss the
chance to support an allied philosophy, by 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
saying "open source" instead
of "free"</a>
.
</p>


feed_id: fa63fafaefea5a2b8460f4c32c06e0a5
title: Hossein Derakhshan
uri: Hossein-Derakhshan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Hossein_Derakhshan%29
content:
<p>Hossein Derakhshan 
<a href="https://medium.com/matter/the-web-we-have-to-save-2eb1fe15a426">
was imprisoned</a>
 in Iran for posting blogs.  When he
got out of prison, he concluded that social networking sites are
swallowing and destroying the World Wide Web.  Blogs were good for
conversations and thought, but the social networking sites are a sort
of television that manages people's ideas.
</p>


feed_id: 0c763b42c8f56cbc418cc6169f71c86d
title: Onion's satire
uri: Onion-s-satire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Onion%27s_satire%29
content:
<p>The Onion's satire — missiles 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/21/netanyahu-cheered-up-by-us-missile-offer-how-the-onion-scooped-haaretza">
will make</a>
 a cranky Netanyahu calm
down — was imitated by reality.
</p>


feed_id: ebda7e1329ff88e71aa50b0d90d50aab
title: Planned Parenthood video
uri: Planned-Parenthood-video
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Planned_Parenthood_video%29
content:
<p>A Planned Parenthood staffer 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/21/second-planned-parenthood-video-abortion">
discussed</a>
 the expenses and methods for
obtaining fetal tissue for research, and took a somewhat flip tone.
Or at least it appears that way, in an edited video made by an
antiabortion fanatic.
</p>
<p>If the video accurately represents what the staffer said, it doesn't
indicate anything wrong in what he does.  However, the theocrats will
try to spin the flip tone into a real wrong.</p>


feed_id: 555a69b8f775a965d58adcc6d552913c
title: Return near Fukushima
uri: Return-near-Fukushima
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Return_near_Fukushima%29
content:
<p>Japan 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/21/japan-accused-coercing-fukushima-refugees-return-unsafe-homes">
is pressuring</a>
 people to return to areas near Fukushima that
remain somewhat radioactive, by cutting the funds that enable them
to live somewhere else.
</p>


feed_id: 5f668427ef17aae264854b8a53343aad
title: Shooting guns into air
uri: Shooting-guns-into-air
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Shooting_guns_into_air%29
content:
<p>Shooting guns into the air to celebrate 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/20/1403570/-A-New-Southern-Wedding-Tradition-Yes-I-Wish-I-Was-Kidding?detail=email">
is substantially dangerous</a>

— to other people.
</p>
<p>It might be interesting to make a
"celebration gun" that fires the
charge in a bullet, but has a hole in the barrel so that the hot gas
escapes harmlessly and does not propel the bullet out of the gun.
With that, you could have the fun of shooting bullets but they could
not hit anyone.</p>


feed_id: ac4fb18226b502da4d342cc2ae1e6575
title: US-Saudi competition
uri: US-Saudi-competition
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28US-Saudi_competition%29
content:
<p>How US-Saudi oil competition 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/21/falling-oil-prices-fracking-us-iran-saudi-arabia-opec">
looks</a>
, from a shallow nationalist
perspective that ignores the danger of global heating.
</p>
<p>It's like two cars racing towards the edge of a cliff, each driver set
on being the first one over the edge.</p>


feed_id: b69d5534c46ae3c176cff508864d6cc9
title: Israel
uri: 2015-07-26-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Israel%29
content:
<p>The EU and US 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/21/israel-demolition-palestinian-village-khirbet-susiya-eu-protest">
have protested</a>
 Israel's plans to demolish the
Palestinian village of Khirbet Susiya.
</p>
<p>I've posted about 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#08_June_2015_(Israel_to_demolish_Khirbet_Susiya_again)">
Susiya</a>
 here before.
</p>


feed_id: bf7c76bc966fd18f802d91b403443ab2
title: EU
uri: 2015-07-26-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28EU%29
content:
<p>The EU 
<a href="http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2015/07/does-anybody-still-believe-that-the-eu-is-a-benign-institution/">
is becoming</a>
 an instrument of oppression.
</p>
<p>George Monbiot: The euro's financial system 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/07/greece-financial-elite-democracy-liassez-faire-neoliberalism">
is purpose-built</a>
 to keep
most people in poverty.
What used to be done to third-world countries 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/10/why-eus-increasing-failure-protect-nature-means-i-may-vote-no-referendum">
is now happening</a>
 to Greece.</p>
<p>"Everything good about the EU is in retreat;
everything bad is on the rampage."  He is coming to think
that it is a force for evil.
</p>
<p>Every political structure that obeys the plutocrats magifies their
force for
evil.</p>
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2005-jul-oct.html#18%20July%202005%20%28ID%20card%20plan%29">
I have said</a>
 since 2005 that the EU 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-sep-dec.html#31%20December%202004%20%28EU%20Constitution%20Favors%20Business%29
">
is undemocratic</a>
 and should either
be made democratic or abolished.
</p>
<p>Exiting the EU 
<5>would not guarantee</a>
 an end to right-wing policies in
any given country,
but it would enable a country to make another choice.
</p>


feed_id: 1569e222d2a527812a18caf0d9b968ab
title: Ocean heating
uri: 2015-07-26-Ocean-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Ocean_heating%29
content:
<p>
The Oceans Are Warming
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2015/jul/20/oceans-warming-faster-than-climate-models-predicted">Faster
Than Climate Models Predicted</a>.
<p>
2013 demonstrated that Arctic ice
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/20/arctic-sea-ice-volume-showed-strong-recovery-in-2013">would
rebound quickly if we can cool the Earth</a>.
<p>
How to cool the Earth?  One way is to invest in
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#20_July_2015_(Converting_CO2_into_fuel)">solar-powered
CO<sub>2</sub>-to-fuel converters</a>.


feed_id: c30962d32f5ac8c91faadcd11713af3e
title: Thai fishing industry
uri: Thai-fishing-industry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28Thai_fishing_industry%29
content:
<p>
Revealed: How the Thai Fishing Industry
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/jul/20/thai-fishing-industry-implicated-enslavement-deaths-rohingya">Traffics,
Imprisons And Enslaves</a>.


feed_id: 71eac5f2e86df7fd5e0d61e7875f126b
title: The euro is the "new Coke"
uri: The-euro-is-the-new-Coke
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_%28The_euro_is_the_new_Coke%29
content:
<p>
The euro is the
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/economics-blog/2015/jul/19/the-euro-the-new-coke-of-currencies">"new
Coke" of currencies</a>.
<p>
Since we mentioned Coke, remember the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-may-aug.html#27_July_2012_(Murders_of_Colombian_union_organizers)">world-wide
boycott of Coca Cola Company</a>, called in response to that company's
collaboration with right-wing terrorists in Colombia to murder union
organizers.


feed_id: cf30b40bc030f46237e986bb061d35a7
title: Urgent: Name fish species in market
uri: Urgent-Name-fish-species-in-market
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Name_fish_species_in_market%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call for
<a href="http://act.oceana.org/sign/obama_1-name-1-fish">marketing
each fish species under a different name</a> so that people can tell
what they are buying.


feed_id: 7984433c37cc7456556dd7b7b2e508a9
title: Urgent: Regulation of banksters
uri: Urgent-Regulation-of-banksters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Regulation_of_banksters%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.boldprogressives.org/survey/survey_wallstreet_appointments/">call
on presidential candidates</a> to commit to appointing officials that
will firmly regulate and prosecute banksters as needed.


feed_id: b17d39618c37365a006313e584d4d556
title: Urgent: Reject fossil fuel money
uri: Urgent-Reject-fossil-fuel-money
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_fossil_fuel_money%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/tell-the-2016-presidential-candidates-refuse-campaign-contributions-from-fossil-fuel-companies/">call
on presidential candidates</a> to reject money from fossil fuel
companies.


feed_id: 6fe6bf3daf60fff180257ece10e1430f
title: Urgent: Texas history classes
uri: Urgent-Texas-history-classes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Texas_history_classes%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: Call on Texas to
<a href="http://leftaction.com/action/fix-tx-textbooks">stop covering
up slavery and discriminatory laws</a> in history classes.


feed_id: 861576424edb1c5bebaf02be7a07f4ba
title: Urgent: Exxon-Mobil political spending
uri: Urgent-Exxon-Mobil-political-spending
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Exxon-Mobil_political_spending%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: call on Exxon-Mobil to
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/ucs/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=4771">publish
its political spending</a> to prove it does not fund global heating
denial.


feed_id: d286b788373faae148884139e080f8f4
title: Urgent: Reinstate the Glass-Steagall act
uri: Urgent-Reinstate-the-Glass-Steagall-act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Reinstate_the_Glass-Steagall_act%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://my.elizabethwarren.com/page/s/glasssteagall">support</a>
reinstating the Glass-Steagall act.


feed_id: df4c1d3bd6a7d9798a9a05fcbddc0cde
title: Urgent: Low Income Solar Act
uri: Urgent-Low-Income-Solar-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Low_Income_Solar_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="https://go.berniesanders.com/page/s/solar-act">support</a>
the Low Income Solar Act.


feed_id: 6194f4d0bbb37d0bb9d40a8056ab6efa
title: Australia's immigration authorities
uri: Australia-s-immigration-authorities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Australia%27s_immigration_autorities%29

content:
<p>Australia's immigration authorities 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jul/23/immigration-department-sought-private-medical-records-for-political-reasons">
asked</a>
 for medical records
of imprisoned refugees for political purposes — to publish
to make them look bad.
</p>


feed_id: 8d2074323076e122f40324a666478c5b
title: Greenhouse gas emissions
uri: 2015-07-27-Greenhouse-gas-emissions
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28Greenhous_gas_emissions%29
content:
<p>The US 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/22/study-when-human-consumption-slows-planet-earth-can-heal">
decreased</a>
 greenhouse gas emissions 11% during the recession,
mainly caused by decreased economic activity.
</p>
<p>I don't believe it follows that growth can occur only through
increased emissions.  An all-out campaign for renewable energy
would produce lots of growth while reducing emissions.
However, the fossil fool lobby won't permit this.</p>


feed_id: 6736a8b5b74a9b6314cc825c34fe7783
title: EU
uri: 2015-07-27-EU
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#26_July_2015_%28EU%29
content:
<p>The EU 
<a href="http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2015/07/does-anybody-still-believe-that-the-eu-is-a-benign-institution/">
is becoming</a>
 an instrument of oppression.
</p>
<p>George Monbiot: The euro's financial system 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/07/greece-financial-elite-democracy-liassez-faire-neoliberalism">
is purpose-built</a>
 to keep
most people in poverty.
What used to be done to third-world countries 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/10/why-eus-increasing-failure-protect-nature-means-i-may-vote-no-referendum">
is now happening</a>
 to Greece.</p>
<p>"Everything good about the EU is in retreat;
everything bad is on the rampage."  He is coming to think
that it is a force for evil.
</p>
<p>Every political structure that obeys the plutocrats magnifies their
force for
evil.</p>
<p>
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2005-jul-oct.html#18%20July%202005%20%28ID%20card%20plan%29">
I have said</a>
 since 2005 that the EU 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-sep-dec.html#31%20December%202004%20%28EU%20Constitution%20Favors%20Business%29
">
is undemocratic</a>
 and should either
be made democratic or abolished.
</p>
<p>Exiting the EU 
<5>would not guarantee</a>
 an end to right-wing policies in
any given country,
but it would enable a country to make another choice.
</p>


feed_id: 5619e14265d379ebfa499922dc011d1d
title: Twitter blocked in Turkey
uri: Twitter-blocked-in-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#27_July_2015_%28Twitter_blocked_in_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
Turkey blocked Twitter to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/22/turkey-blocks-twitter-to-stop-broadcast-of-suruc-bombing-images">shut
down criticism of the government</a>.
<p>
I think the protesters are being irrational, in that no government can
prevent specific bombings; at most it can make them more difficult and
less common.  I've seen 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#22_June_2015_(Kurds_take_town_from_PISSI)">accusations</a> 
that Turkey secretly supported PISSI<a href="#PISSI"><sup>*</sup></a>
in the past, and if that secretly continues, protesting against that
would make sense, but that's a different issue.
<p id="PISSI">
PISSI: 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2014-sep-dec.html#29_September_2014_(PISSI)">Pseudo-Islamic
State in Syria and Iraq</a>.


feed_id: 88e764da01ca9ecbce2c85c58a2f5594
title: Struggle of our generation
uri: Struggle-of-our-generation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#27_July_2015_%28Struggle_of_our_generation%29
content:
<p>
George Monbiot: The real 'struggle of our generation' is 
<a href="http://www.monbiot.com/2015/07/21/danger-mice/">not
terrorism</a> — in fact, that's way down on the list.


feed_id: 0f46f0ac92f034b50f912bd81477be0d
title: SCROTUS embarrassed
uri: SCROTUS-embarrassed
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#27_July_2015_%28SCROTUS_embarrassed%29
content:
<p>
SCROTUS<a href="#SCROTUS"><sup>*</sup></a> are embarrassed after being
caught defending sale of confederate flags in US national parks.  So
the Democrats offered a deal: they will agree to stop trying to ban
those flag sales, if the Republicans agree to 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/17/1403186/-House-Democrats-offer-to-negotiate-on-Confederate-flag-in-return-for-Voting-Rights-Act-nbsp-update">fix
the Voting Rights Act</a>.
<p>
The Voting Rights Act, which was designed to stop racists from
blocking blacks from voting, is substantive, whereas the flags are a
symbolic issue.  The Voting Rights Act effectively blocked some kind
of voter suppression until the Supreme Court 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#27_June_2013_(Supreme_Court_guts_the_Voting_Rights_Act)">reinterpreted
it</a>.  Changing the text of the law would
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_July_2015_(Urgent:_Voting_Rights_Advancement_Act)">restore
that lost effectiveness</a>.
<p id="SCROTUS">
<sup>*</sup> SCROTUS: Sleazy Congressional Republicans Of The United
States


feed_id: 85261afdda4dd46d562efc92e4c6bdc4
title: Volunteer
uri: 2015-07-28-Volunteer
url: https://stallman.org/index.html#volunteerListAnc
content:
<p>I am looking for people to write site-specific Firefox extensions
     or local scripts to operate specific web sites.</p>


feed_id: 0db2ec807629859b2b13ad95c56be24c
title: Urgent: Political spending disclosures
uri: Urgent-Political-spending-disclosures
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#27_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Political_spending_disclosures%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.endcitizensunited.org/Unmask-Donors">call on
Obama</a> to make federal contractors disclose political spending.


feed_id: f854c547d93ba8100255b7fee6182642
title: Urgent: Stop the revolving door
uri: Urgent-Stop-the-revolving-door
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#27_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_the_revolving_door%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://my.elizabethwarren.com/page/s/stoptherevolvingdoor">call
on presidential candidates</a> to pledge to appoint officials that
don't serve the industries they regulate.


feed_id: 3ac66e16b721ec99fa0574a711b0f59d
title: Urgent: Reject anti-environmental riders
uri: Urgent-Reject-anti-environmental-riders
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#27_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_anti-environmental_riders%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.earthjustice.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1739">call
on the Senate</a> to reject anti-environmental riders.


feed_id: ce80af8dac999954212004169c475cee
title: Urgent: Revoke Exxon settlement
uri: Urgent-Revoke-Exxon-settlement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#27_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Revoke_Exxon_settlement%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://environmental-action.webaction.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=11830">call
on Chris Christie</a> to revoke the give-away settlement that he made
with Exxon.


feed_id: 5b1d7738a2843bd0a2d79a2058731932
title: Urgent: Indict killers
uri: Urgent-Indict-killers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#27_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Indict_killers%29
content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/still-cant-breathe/">call
on Attorney General Lynch</a> to indict the killers of Eric Garner and
Ramarley Graham.


feed_id: 0c2e3bae97a4f5615022ad75d7e64b3b
title: Urgent: Curb global heating
uri: Urgent-Curb-global-heating
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#27_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Curb_global_heating%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://stallman.org/petitions/petition-climate/">tell Obama
not to pass the buck</a> on curbing global heating.


feed_id: 5b1f977f027e3edc55053d69c6d28782
title: Obama grants approval to drill Arctic
uri: Obama-grants-approval-to-drill-Arctic
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#27_July_2015_%28Obama_grants_approval_to_drill_Arctic%29

content:
<p>
Obama 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/22/shell-arctic-oil-drilling-obama-interior-department">granted
Shell approval</a> to drill oil wells in the Arctic.
<p>
The permission is currently inoperative because of the damaged
emergency response ship, but that only delays the preparations for the
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#28_February_2015_(Chance_of_major_oil_spill_in_Arctic)">predicted
spill</a>.


feed_id: cdfdc65098c1c162c7ed258922e4ec40
title: Urgent: Stop global heating denialism
uri: Urgent-Stop-global-heating-denialism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#29_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_global_heating_denialism%29

content:
<p>
Call on executives of Edelman (the biggest advertising company) to
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/edelman">stop working on
global heating denialism</a> or else quit.


feed_id: 5982cf3fab294cefcacabf2acd6e7ea7
title: Urgent: Deal with Iran
uri: Urgent-Deal-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#29_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Deal_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: Phone your senators in favor of the deal with Iran.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
and 888-355-3588.


feed_id: 9030a51ad91b6e52bf074ea77d7efcdf
title: Urgent: Reject deforestation-made palm oil
uri: Urgent-Reject-deforestation-made-palm-oil
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#29_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Reject_deforestation-made_palm_oil%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://action.sumofus.org/a/starbucks-palm-oil/">call on
Starbucks</a> to reject deforestation-made palm oil.


feed_id: 8030c9b2b8dd0290e1c14ec97fb677d3
title: Urgent: Oppose CISA
uri: 2015-07-29-Urgent-Oppose-CISA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#29_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_CISA%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your congresscritter to oppose CISA,
which is the new version of CISPA.  This bill would encourage
companies to "share" your personal data with Big Brother.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 888-818-6641
and 888-355-3588.


feed_id: ab3dc7fb7425726609415b22393da786
title: Urgent: North American boreal forest
uri: Urgent-North-American-boreal-forest
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#29_July_2015_%28Urgent%3A_North_American_boreal_forest%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/gpeace/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1791">call
on Rite Aid</a> to stop using paper made by logging the North American
boreal forest.


feed_id: dd380fa8c02c57703656520a8b784c12
title: Grass roots
uri: Grass-roots
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#30_July_2015_%28Grass_roots%29
content:
<p>
The Northern Virginia Tea Party is
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/07/oil-lobby-workshop/">
in cahoots with well-funded fossil
fuel lobbyists</a>, but it claims to be "grass roots".


feed_id: b305f76f1db842f00dad2096ef4efece
title: PISSI fighting with Turkey
uri: PISSI-fighting-with-Turkey
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#30_July_2015_%28PISSI_fighting_with_Turkey%29
content:
<p>
PISSI is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/23/turkish-soldier-killed-in-clashes-with-isis-across-syrian-border">fighting
with Turkey</a>, which is now sealing the border with the
PISSI-controlled areas of Syria.
<p>
There were reports that Turkey quietly supported PISSI in the past.
If that was true, it seems not to be true any more.  The Turkish army
is not a joke like the Iraqi army; PISSI will find it a powerful foe.
Alas, the long-standing 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2006-mar-jun.html#22%20May%202006%20(Turkish%20publisher%20facing%20criminal%20charges)">hostility
between Turkey and the Kurds</a> makes it unlikely Turkey will give
the Syrian and Iraqi Kurds much help against PISSI.


feed_id: 1026be1c829a87dfafd168edce40285f
title: Murder of Victor Jara
uri: Murder-of-Victor-Jara
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#30_July_2015_%28Murder_of_Victor_Jara%29
content:
<p>
Some of Pinochet's officers have been 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/23/chile-military-officers-victor-jara-killing">charged
with the murder of Victor Jara</a>.
<p>
Jara was a 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-nov-feb.html#13_February_2013_(Chile_asks_US_to_extradite_accused_assassin)">prominent
supporter</a> of President Allende, whom the military had overthrown
in a
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#11_September_2013_(American_reporter_killed_shortly_after_Sept_11_coup_in_Chile)">US-backed
coup</a>.


feed_id: 05b7a36f14287043d0d4af446dd81a60
title: The revolutionary Kurds of Syria
uri: The-revolutionary-Kurds-of-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#31_July_2015_%28The_revolutionary_Kurds_of_Syria%29
content:
<p>
The US may have promised Turkey that it 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/24/us-deal-turkey-isis-incirlik-airbase-erdogan-obama">would
oppose the revolutionary Kurds of Syria</a>.
<p>
They are the only group in the area that stands for human rights.


feed_id: 767bbdc269f5ab3bd44d30e785f956c8
title: Tory attacks on Green policies
uri: Tory-attacks-on-Green-policies
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#31_July_2015_%28Tory_attacks_on_Green_policies%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/24/green-policies-conservative-tory-attacks-environment">Tory
Attacks on Green Policies Signal Dark Times Ahead for the
Environment</a>.
<p>
Here are the 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/24/the-9-green-policies-killed-off-by-tory-government">9
green policies</a> they have abolished.


feed_id: d2d8a212997ee90eccc9aa918ae4cb95
title: Persecution of journalists
uri: Persecution-of-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#31_July_2015_%28Persecution_of_journalists%29
content:
<p>
The UK is 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/24/uk-met-police-snowden-investigation-journalists/">looking
for an excuse to prosecute</a> the journalists that reported the
Snowden revelations.
<p>
Journalist Khadija Ismayilova is facing 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/24/azerbaijan-khadija-ismayilova-on-trial">trumped-up
charges</a> in Azerbaijan.


feed_id: 6aebb3345526aa4981b9495790883d1e
title: The Islamic state
uri: The-Islamic-state
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#31_July_2015_%28The_Islamic_state%29
content:
<p>
The Islamic state is a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/24/how-to-think-about-islamic-state">"postmodern
collage"</a> that takes advantage of medieval religious barbarism for
shock value, but which exploits the moral void left by contemptuous
neoliberal subjection.


feed_id: a49c89fb799c4a60ebc9f725bfa9fa4f
title: Human trafficking in Thailand
uri: Human-trafficking-in-Thailand
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#31_July_2015_%28Human_trafficking_in_Thailand%29
content:
<p>
An 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/24/thai-officials-among-more-than-100-charged-with-human-trafficking">army
general</a> is one of 100 people charged with human trafficking in
Thailand.


feed_id: 4180ab26968ecfd7d7f564912f316592
title: SCROTUS negates EPA regulations
uri: SCROTUS-negates-EPA-regulations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#31_July_2015_%28SCROTUS_negates_EPA_regulations%29
content:
<p>
SCROTUS in the House passed a bill to negate EPA regulations for 
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/07/23/3683507/house-passes-coal-ash-bill/">disposal
of toxic coal ash</a>.


feed_id: 909a73a823b2996f3350e982b866fda7
title: Mesopotamia
uri: Mesopotamia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#31_July_2015_%28Mesopotamia%29
content:
<p>
The drying of Mesopotamia may have led to the 
<a href="http://phys.org/news/2015-07-abrupt-climate-cradle-civilization.html">start
of civilization there</a>.


feed_id: 617c287e93a81c540a7bb47f30edc691
title: Gouging for lifesaving drugs
uri: Gouging-for-lifesaving-drugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#31_July_2015_%28Gouging_for_lifesaving_drugs%29
content:
<p>
US doctors have launched a movement to pressure pharma companies to
<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/07/23/3683708/cancer-drugs-cost-doctors/">stop
gouging for lifesaving drugs</a>.


feed_id: 83ab7be1f8ca8605d60c4182f660d624
title: Volunteer
uri: 2015-08-01-Volunteer
url: https://stallman.org/index.html#volunteerListAnc
content:
<p>I am looking for people to help edit the
     pages on the site for me.  If you'd like to help me in this way,
     please write to rms at gnu period org.</p>


feed_id: 2468a4013d034721ef1e81ae3e311844
title: Sued for publishing laws
uri: Sued-for-publishing-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Sued_for_publishing_laws%29
content:
<p>
State Of Georgia 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150723/17125231743/state-georgia-sues-carl-malamud-copyright-infringement-publishing-states-own-laws.shtml">Sues
Carl Malamud</a> For Copyright Infringement For Publishing The State's
Own Laws.


feed_id: d9e4df7a5a30da846377ec5fd926b329
title: Thug sentenced to prison for perjury
uri: Thug-sentenced-to-prison-for-perjury
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Thug_sentenced_to_prison_for_perjury%29

content:
<p>
A Canadian thug has been 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/24/canada-officer-taser-death-perjury">sentenced
to prison for perjury</a>.  Why don't thugs get prosecuted for perjury
in the US?


feed_id: 12957615aaf3bd36398ef0ab816dea26
title: Many in Nation Tired of Explaining Things to Idiots
uri: Many-in-Nation-Tired-of-Explaining-Things-to-Idiots
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Many_in_Nation_Tired_of_Explaining_Things_to_Idiots%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/many-in-nation-tired-of-explaining-things-to-idiots">Many
in Nation Tired of Explaining Things to Idiots</a>.


feed_id: c2294160f34868e3583a1ddae91c220b
title: Olive oil production takes hit
uri: Olive-oil-production-takes-hit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Olive_oil_production_takes_hit%29
content:
<p>
Olive oil production has been hit by 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/24/olive-oil-prices-surge-drought-disease-spain-italy">disease
in Italy and drought in Spain</a>.
<p>
Global heating will mean more drought in Spain.


feed_id: ac7b7dfcc7074448daef535ac7b1e8d9
title: Snooping on Black Lives Matter protests
uri: Snooping-on-Black-Lives-Matter-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Snooping_on_Black_Lives_Matter_protests%29

content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/24/documents-show-department-homeland-security-monitoring-black-lives-matter-since-ferguson/">Committee
for Public Safety</a> (aka Department of Homeland Security) snoops on
Black Lives Matter protests.
<p>
If they are worried about potential violence, they should monitor the
thugs instead.


feed_id: 4377245a4b69f726016387c2682b6180
title: French total surveillance law
uri: French-total-surveillance-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28French_total_surveillance_law%29
content:
<p>
The UN criticized the French 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/24/france-big-brother-surveillance-powers">total
surveillance law</a>.


feed_id: 8aca1fdc91e0352b1f33bbfa528b2aa7
title: Urgent: Stop sale of neonicotinoids
uri: Urgent-Stop-sale-of-neonicotinoids
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Stop_sale_of_neonicotinoids%29

content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://action.sumofus.org/a/bee-victory/">call on True Value
and Ace Hardware</a> to stop selling neonicotinoids.


feed_id: 42e977f8dd42e5ea4cb383e7ad6c6d32
title: "Cybersecurity" bill
uri: 2015-08-02-Cybersecurity-bill
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Cybersecurity_bill%29
content:
<p>
The "cybersecurity" bill would
<a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Passcode/Passcode-Voices/2015/0722/Opinion-Why-the-information-sharing-bill-is-anti-cybersecurity">make
people's data less secure against crooks</a> (as well as against the
US government).


feed_id: 9e67d39eb54c21a46410c610fa080f3b
title: Illegal snooping by UK intel agencies
uri: Illegal-snooping-by-UK-intel-agencies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Illegal_snooping_by_UK_intel_agencies%29

content:
<p>
UK intelligence agencies have
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/23/intelligence-agency-policies-fail-protect-mps-spying-mi5-mi6-gchq">illegally
snooped on MPs</a>.


feed_id: 81359a0d92a926957e65c581e4ff4759
title: Thug's excuse for stopping Sandra Bland
uri: Thug-s-excuse-for-stopping-Sandra-Bland
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Thugs_excuse_for_stopping_Sandra_Bland%29

content:
<p>
Sandra Bland changed lanes because the thug (who later arrested her)
had appeared behind her car.  She was
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/22/1404628/-Dashcam-footage-clearly-shows-the-real-reason-Sandra-Bland-changed-lanes-in-the-first-place">getting
out of his way</a>.
<p>
I suspect he was seeking an excuse to harass her from the start.
<p>
If you view the video from Youtube,
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/whats-wrong-with-youtube.html">don't
visit the site directly</a>.


feed_id: 339890af08649a1e4d746b4ef22fe65e
title: Welfare recipients subjected to drug tests
uri: Welfare-recipients-subjected-to-drug-tests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Welfare_recipients_subjected_to_drug_tests%29

content:
<p>
Arizona subjected
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/22/1404639/-Arizona-drug-tested-87-000-welfare-recipients-and-found-they-are-flushing-taxpayer-dollars">87,000
welfare recipients</a> to drug tests.  Some 23 turned out positive and
were cut off from welfare benefits.
<p>
It is fortunate that this injustice struck so few people, but that is
no excuse for doing it at all.  The state is supposed to help people
that need help, not seek irrelevant excuses to abandon them.


feed_id: d319bf2ad7c2c2a83122994d0ab6f2c7
title: Gags imposed on rape victims
uri: Gags-imposed-on-rape-victims
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Gags_imposed_on_rape_victims%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/07/23/universities-think-title-ix-also-require">Some
US universities</a> impose gags on rape victims and others.


feed_id: 3d08fcb3436699a5b6b09275f828affd
title: Obama's approval of Arctic drilling
uri: Obama-s-approval-of-Arctic-drilling
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Obamas_approval_of_Arctic_drilling%29

content:
<p>
By approving Shell to drill in the Arctic, Obama showed he
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/23/obamas-approval-arctic-oil-drilling-bitter-betrayal">doesn't
really want to stop global heating</a>.


feed_id: 5a0a271aba5db69d2ec50d2d990442f0
title: Imprisonment for having books
uri: Imprisonment-for-having-books
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Imprisonment_for_having_books%29
content:
<p>
In the UK, people can be
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/23/girl-16-faces-london-court-over-links-to-alleged-melbourne-anzac-day-attack">imprisoned
for the books they have</a> — for instance, the Anarchists
Cookbook.


feed_id: 74c12886a1e07fe37683ac1b53205a19
title: Impact of global heating on investors
uri: Impact-of-global-heating-on-investors
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Impact_of_global_heating_on_investors%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/24/investors-could-lose-42tn-due-to-impact-of-climate-change-report-warns">Investors
Could Lose $4.2tn Due to Impact of [global heating], Report Warns</a>.


feed_id: 3b10e9574039871d6a2bc9e41edddccb
title: Bogus Burundi election
uri: Bogus-Burundi-election
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Bogus_Burundi_election%29
content:
<p>
Burundi's president "won" a bogus election for an
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/24/burundi-pierre-nkurunziza-wins-third-term-disputed-election">unconstitutional
third term</a>.


feed_id: e2b805dda395b6ff24bb86761c5d0146
title: Cab drivers protest Guber
uri: Cab-drivers-protest-Guber
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Cab_drivers_protest_Guber%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/24/rio-de-janeiro-uber-protest-taxis">A
thousand cab drivers</a> blocked a road in Rio de Janeiro to protest
Guber.
<p>
I call it "Guber" because it pays drivers peanuts, but the worst thing
about Guber is that it tracks passengers.  Of course, each passenger
has agreed to be tracked — but if we get total surveillance
because each person is convinced to agree to it, that does not reduce
its
<a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/surveillance-vs-democracy.html">danger
to democracy</a>.
<p>
We need to get rid of systems that amount to massive surveillance,
regardless of whether each victim agrees to be tracked.
<p>
There are
<a href="https://stallman.org/guber.html">many reasons to refuse to
buy from Guber</a>.


feed_id: a7a105aab65c0736d437cb95b943d5e0
title: Nationalizing Italian banks
uri: Nationalizing-Italian-banks
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28Nationalizing_Italian_banks%29
content:
<p>
Beppe Grillo calls for nationalizing the Italian banks to
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/24/beppe-nationalize-banks-throw-anti-democratic-straitjacket-eurozone">end
the 'anti-democratic straitjacket' of euro zone</a>.
<p>
It may be necessary to exit the euro zone as well.


feed_id: 978bfa8d74930a88d12902804cf33c04
title: DRM on United Airlines
uri: DRM-on-United-Airlines
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#01_August_2015_%28DRM_on_United_Airlines%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150721/18255431720/united-airlines-requires-you-to-install-special-brand-drm-to-watch-movies-flights.shtml">United
Airlines Requires You To Install Special Brand Of DRM To Watch Movies
On Flights</a>.  And agree to its EULA.  And install Flash Player.


feed_id: c352b616edb118578c8262f5b24ef9f9
title: Very urgent: Planned Parenthood
uri: Very-urgent-Planned-Parenthood
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Planned_Parenthood%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://actnow.prochoiceamerica.org/letter/pp-funding-stand-strong/">call
on your senators</a> to maintain funding for Planned Parenthood.
<p>
Also phone them!  Don't wait — the vote could be very soon.
<p>
The Capitol Switchboard numbers are 202-224-3121, 
888-818-6641 and 888-355-3588.


feed_id: 8f726f9c8f115e92d1221ccda4d12375
title: Republican response to mass shooting
uri: Republican-response-to-mass-shooting
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Republican_response_to_mass_shooting%29

content:
<p>
Republicans say to respond to a mass shooting in a totally ineffective
way
(<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/25/mass-shooting-politicize-pray-lafayette">prayer</a>)
rather than with something that might work (political action).


feed_id: 92b6f07378d4310a56f445dbe56b7171
title: Persecution of homeless people
uri: 2015-08-03-Persecution-of-homeless-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Persecution_of_homeless_people%29
content:
<p>
Los Angeles is intensifying the persecution of homeless people: it
will 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/25/criminalizing-homelessness-in-los-angeles/">confiscate
their mattresses without notices, and other property with short
notice</a>.  LA thugs also sometimes kill homeless people.


feed_id: 05048153a9f6b5b4be6b075f7cc3be80
title: Trump's campaign
uri: Trump-s-campaign
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Trumps_campaign%29
content:
<p>
Trump's campaign 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/25/donald-trump-veterans-john-mccain">falsely
cites people as supporters</a>.


feed_id: abc5ded61de1ff6209a56c3e466e2465
title: Bernie Sanders
uri: 2015-08-03-Bernie-Sanders
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Bernie_Sanders%29
content:
<p>
Bernie Sanders
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/25/can-bernie-sanders-be-less-white">joined
sit-ins for the civil rights movement</a>, but militant blacks today
don't appreciate this.


feed_id: b6bcbd137391cabc73bb2177fb59494d
title: Nurse charged for giving medical treatment
uri: Nurse-charged-for-giving-medical-treatment
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Nurse_charged_for_giving_medical_treatment%29

content:
<p>
Australia has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jul/25/adam-brookman-alleged-isis-nurse-arrested-after-returning-to-australia">charged
a nurse who did medicine for PISSI</a> for some sort of crime.
<p>
It is barbaric to prosecute medical professionals for giving medical
treatment, no matter what the context.


feed_id: d01733cf5f3263c8895a8872c63d74a8
title: Censorship by Microsoft Bing
uri: Censorship-by-Microsoft-Bing
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Censorship_by_Microsoft_Bing%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/07/how-microsoft-bing-censors-middle-east">How
Microsoft Bing Censors the Middle East and North Africa</a>.


feed_id: 78bc5e00324f53df9d0bbfdc47f0b7d9
title: Billionaires fund pro-Israeli occupation campaign
uri: Billionaires-fund-pro-Israeli-occupation-campaign
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Billionaires_fund_pro-Israeli_occupation_campaign%29

content:
<p>
Two billionaires have funded a campaign in US universities
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/31988-bds-opponents-launch-campus-maccabees-to-fight-student-divestment-efforts">against
divestment aimed at the Israeli occupation of Palestine</a>.


feed_id: 6d296e6451fdc5f6f178e13a767cd854
title: Merger of US medical insurance companies
uri: Merger-of-US-medical-insurance-companies
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Merger_of_US_medical_insurance_companies%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/24/healthcare-oligopoly-wave-continues-anthem-gobbles-cigna">Two
giant US medical insurance companies</a> want to merge.
<p>
Companies which together have more than 5% of a market should not be
allowed to merge.  However, in this case, the merger would
paradoxically take a step in the direction of single-payer health
care.  Once the major companies all merge, we could nationalize the
merged company and presto: single-payer health care.


feed_id: 7c893e048567208a3071e03a50a0947d
title: Animal rights activists charged with "terrorism"
uri: Animal-rights-activists-charged-with-terrorism
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Animal_rights_activists_charged_with_terrorism%29

content:
<p>
Animal rights activists who released thousands of minks from farms
have been 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/25/animal-activists-minks-domestic-terrorism-charges">charged
with "terrorism"</a>.
<p>
It is legitimate to charge them with property damage, and releasing
animals in areas where they are not native can do permanent 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2004-may-aug.html#16%20July%202004%20(Liberating%20Aquariam%20Fish)">ecological
damage</a>.  However, calling this "terrorism" is a distortion and an
absurdity.


feed_id: e28da61cf862ea6549061b32179a3eda
title: NY Times rewrites story
uri: NY-Times-rewrites-story
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28NY_Times_rewrites_story%29
content:
<p>
The New York Times rewrote a story about Hillary Clinton's private
email account to 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/24/1405261/-New-York-Times-dramatically-rewrites-a-new-Hillary-Clinton-email-story-after-midnight">cover
up the fact that prosecutors want to investigate her, personally</a>.


feed_id: 7fca3322dc208a5f12e834a85744df49
title: Sandra Bland prosecutor already lying
uri: Sandra-Bland-prosecutor-already-lying
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Sandra_Bland_prosecutor_already_lying%29

content:
<p>
A prosecutor is 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/24/1405282/-From-Yesterday-s-NYT-Sandra-Bland-Prosecutor-Inadvertenly-Shows-His-Cards">already
lying</a> to claim Sandra Bland committed suicide.
<p>
In addition to the bogus claim about the drug test, and the claim that
marijuana would encourage suicide is also bogus.
<p>
It isn't proven that she was murdered, but the prosecutor is clearly
biased against her and for the thug.


feed_id: 516bd5b2872c9991f85b4eca26ffb214
title: Landline phones
uri: Landline-phones
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Landline_phones%29
content:
<p>
It looks like 
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-kushnick/is-verizon-planning-on-be_b_7866124.html">Verizon
wants to get rid of landline phones</a> in large parts of the US.


feed_id: c6778876471c36a1d6ff834f848df18b
title: Scotland violates human rights
uri: Scotland-violates-human-rights
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Scotland_violates_human_rights%29
content:
<p>
Scotland violates human rights by 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/24/un-human-rights-body-criticises-police-stop-search-powers-scotland">allowing
thugs to search anyone on the street without grounds</a>.  As
elsewhere, this is used in discriminatory ways.


feed_id: 2717d58a08b59c8aad7acaa3ea05c82c
title: Puerto Rico's response to debt
uri: Puerto-Rico-s-response-to-debt
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Puerto_Ricos_response_to_debt%29
content:
<p>
Puerto Rico's response to debt: 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/25/puerto-rico-debt-crisis-billionaires-hedge-funds-good-news">suck
up to billionaires</a>.


feed_id: d3ef85c6b0b79456a74f84d5431382e7
title: Colorado's tightened gun laws
uri: Colorado-s-tightened-gun-laws
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Colorados_tightened_gun_laws%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/25/colorado-gun-control-laws-aurora-shooting">How
Colorado Has Tightened Its Gun Laws Since the Aurora Shooting</a>.


feed_id: d2d2968c20432949f21e568a2ece5916
title: Discrimination against gays
uri: Discrimination-against-gays
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Discrimination_against_gays%29
content:
<p>
Obama called on African countries to stop 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/25/barack-obama-african-states-abandon-anti-gay-discrimination">discrimination
against gays</a>.
<p>
He may have some influence with them.


feed_id: db0192a8479e31e870fab67737c87dc1
title: Jamaica to extend copyright
uri: Jamaica-to-extend-copyright
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Jamaica_to_extend_copyright%29
content:
<p>
Jamaica is about to extend copyright to last 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/07/anatomy-copyright-coup-jamaicas-public-domain-plundered">95
years after the author's death</a>.
<p>
Copyright lasts far too long in other countries.
It should be shortened to last 
<a href="http://gnu.org/philosophy/copyright-vs-community.html">10
years from date of publication</a>.


feed_id: 0c92e24a5e2d2e3006721108aec64308
title: Arizona's forfeiture law
uri: Arizona-s-forfeiture-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#02_August_2015_%28Arizonas_forfeiture_law%29
content:
<p>
The ACLU is suing to have Arizona's forfeiture law declared
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/cases/cox-v-voyles-et-al">unconstitutional</a>.
<p>
The US Constitution prohibits 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#14_May_2015_(Arbitrary_confiscation_by_DEA)">seizure
of property without due process of law</a>, forfeiture certainly does
that.
<p>
The term "forfeiture" is blackwhiting, but at present I don't
see a good substitute.


feed_id: 57c1b62659eb2a7f6378b9d01d1a2ffa
title: Urgent: Drop charges against Laura Browder
uri: Urgent-Drop-charges-against-Laura-Browder
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#03_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Drop_charges_against_Laura_Browder%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://act.weareultraviolet.org/cms/thanks/laura_browder">call
on prosecutors</a> to drop charges against Laura Browder, who left her
kids 30 yards away in the food court.


feed_id: 23f80b50fbc44ea41a069af2cb16b8b7
title: Urgent: $15 minimum wage
uri: Urgent-15-minimum-wage
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#03_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_15-dolllar_minimum_wage%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Support Bernie Sanders' campaign for a US 
<a href="https://go.berniesanders.com/page/s/min-wage">$15 minimum
wage</a>.


feed_id: a38d1af7ff9bcc616c3abd8002980978
title: Urgent: Stand with Planned Parenthood
uri: Urgent-Stand-with-Planned-Parenthood
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#03_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Stand_with_Planned_Parenthood%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: stand with Planned Parenthood; 
<a href="http://actnow.prochoiceamerica.org/sign/stand-pp/">urge
Congress</a> to resist SCROTUS' attempt to de-fund it.


feed_id: f2369bd9639afa5634821181b236bc3d
title: Urgent: Close gun sale loophole
uri: Urgent-Close-gun-sale-loophole
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#03_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Close_gun_sale_loophole%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.everytown.org/call/senate-loophole-calls">support
closing</a> the Charleston gun sale loophole.


feed_id: 98a60aba1152c9c619650371d4e5645f
title: Urgent: End gerrymandering
uri: Urgent-End-gerrymandering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#03_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_End_gerrymandering%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href=" http://act.endcitizensunited.org/Gerrymandering">call for an
end</a> to gerrymandering.


feed_id: 134020adb264e1ece6fab8cf9ba5884a
title: Revenue-neutral carbon emissions tax
uri: Revenue-neutral-carbon-emissions-tax
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#03_August_2015_%28Revenue-neutral_carbon_emissions_tax%29

content:
<p>
Carbon Washington proposes a 
<a href="http://carbonwa.org/">revenue-neutral carbon emissions
tax</a> in Washington state.


feed_id: 58c3a1a9188702d75a1a80a1b08e8437
title: Punishing students with disabilities
uri: Punishing-students-with-disabilities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#03_August_2015_%28Punishing_students_with_disabilities%29

content:
<p>
Students with disabilities tend to be 
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/07/school-discipline-children-disabilities/399563/">over-punished</a>
in US schools.


feed_id: 8c6cb78b35095e19d829b0c9ab27a80a
title: Palm oil plantations
uri: Palm-oil-plantations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#03_August_2015_%28Palm_oil_plantations%29
content:
<p>
Palm oil plantations use 
<a href="https://www.globalwitness.org/press-releases/violence-threats-and-false-promises-driving-liberia-palm-oil-expansion/">violence
and lies</a> to grab land and crush opposition.


feed_id: 5ab8b6b2c9da0d4726f32e8287688d4d
title: The World Health Organization
uri: The-World-Health-Organization
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#03_August_2015_%28The_World_Health_Organization%29
content:
<p>
The Ebola outbreak found the World Health Organization 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/science/2015/07/ebola-created-a-public-health-emergency-and-we-werent-ready-for-it/">unprepared</a>.


feed_id: 522b7af465c5fe894b7292bb6d71504a
title: Viewing images of child abuse
uri: Viewing-images-of-child-abuse
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#03_August_2015_%28Viewing_images_of_child_abuse%29
content:
<p>
In the UK, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/22/scale-of-child-abuse-images-online-is-shocking-says-nspcc">3/4
of the people caught viewing images of child abuse never do anything
to children</a>.
<p>
So don't presume that people who only look are guilty of harming
anyone else.


feed_id: d40202bc3139dcb2fbfafce1fb60af74
title: The "internet of things"
uri: The-internet-of-things
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#03_August_2015_%28The_internet_of_things%29
content:
<p>
The "internet of things" would extend the modern panopticon to every
detail of our activities — 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/23/panopticon-digital-surveillance-jeremy-bentham">if
we let it</a>.
<p>
I plan to keep my things firmly off the internet.


feed_id: 6a299c1e1fac444b51f0e89b60d903c7
title: Saudi bombardment of Yemen
uri: 2015-08-03-Saudi-bombardment-of-Yemen
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#03_August_2015_%28Saudi_bombardment_of_Yemen%29
content:
<p>
The US-backed Saudi bombardment of Yemen has become increasingly fatal
to civilians, to the point that President Hadi, whose side is
supposedly being supported this way, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/26/saudi-arabia-led-coalition-calls-ceasefire-yemen-120-die-airstrike">asked
them to suspend it</a>.


feed_id: ab2bc002a5e19600d5a58af05d6aa9f5
title: The Yuck Factor
uri: The-Yuck-Factor
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#03_August_2015_%28The_Yuck_Factor%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/tarico20150726">The Yuck
Factor</a> — What Planned Parenthood Smears, Homophobia, &
Middle School Have in Common.


feed_id: 29856f44b35300754e454003e13d6164
title: Equal rights for women in Kenya
uri: Equal-rights-for-women-in-Kenya
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#03_August_2015_%28Equal_rights_for_women_in_Kenya%29

content:
<p>
Obama, speaking in Kenya, called for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/26/barack-obama-condemns-tradition-women-second-class-citizens-nairobi">equal
rights for women</a>.


feed_id: 7695db40f2fc4173499a44168e508db8
title: Turkey's former support for PISSI
uri: Turkey-s-former-support-for-PISSI
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#03_August_2015_%28Turkeys_former_support_for_PISSI%29

content:
<p>
About Turkey's 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/26/isis-syria-turkey-us">former
support for PISSI</a>.


feed_id: 930a51710da03fce2528fac54f60ff9c
title: The piecework sweatshop economy
uri: The-piecework-sweatshop-economy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#03_August_2015_%28The_piecework_sweatshop_economy%29

content:
<p>
The 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/26/will-we-get-by-gig-economy">piecework
sweatshop economy</a> means we must disconnect social welfare from
having a single nearly-full-time job.
<p>
I don't use the term "gig economy" because fails to criticize it as it
deserves.  The term "social safety net" suggests a system that
provides only temporary help when something goes wrong, in between
nearly-full-time jobs.


feed_id: 41cb99c69bd9f0ba0c68a6a2087a5f6e
title: Very urgent: Oppose CISA
uri: Very-urgent-Oppose-CISA
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_CISA%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: phone your senators to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/03/cisa-homeland-security-privacy-data-internet">oppose
CISA</a>.
<p>
It is basically a repetition of 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2012-jan-apr.html#20_April_2012_(CISPA)">CISPA</a>,
which we defeated.


feed_id: 9e94c423590def1bdb4777ced69134f0
title: Outlawing discrimination against the poor
uri: Outlawing-discrimination-against-the-poor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Outlawing_discrimination_against_the_poor%29

content:
<p>
France is considering a law to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/27/france-discrimination-poor-poverty-illegal">outlaw
discrimination against the poor</a>.  For instance, rejecting an
(otherwise qualified) employment candidate because the candidate is
poor would be prohibited.
<p>
It makes sense to me.


feed_id: c3ee72313809c745924a7ccd9a4e5648
title: "Social-Responsibility Programs" ineffective
uri: Social-Responsibility-Programs-ineffective
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Social-Responsibility_Programs_ineffective%29

content:
<p>
Corporations' "Social-Responsibility Programs" are 
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/07/corporate-social-responsibility/399206/">ineffective</a>.
<p>
Perhaps the motive for these programs is to prevent laws that would be
effective.


feed_id: a8a99ca982ff544107531551af160a27
title: Social mobility in the US
uri: Social-mobility-in-the-US
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Social_mobility_in_the_US%29
content:
<p>
A new study established that social mobility in the US is 
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/07/america-social-mobility-parents-income/399311/">less
than previously thought</a>.


feed_id: 396e80a8e09cdfca690aa1b906343628
title: ALEC
uri: 2015-08-04-ALEC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28ALEC%29
content:
<p>
ALEC's 
<a href="http://www.alternet.org/economy/alecs-scary-corporate-agenda-7-their-most-anti-democratic-and-science-denying-ideas">antidemocratic
and anti-science</a> agenda.


feed_id: ad4cd8ed66ad95a8c736d27ebe8f3a07
title: Cuba leads in sending doctors to the poor
uri: Cuba-leads-in-sending-doctors-to-the-poor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Cuba_leads_in_sending_doctors_to_the_poor%29

content:
<p>
In sending doctors to treat the world's poor people, 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/27/are-some-cultures-better-others-cultivating-empathy">the
leader is Cuba</a>.


feed_id: 758a27ad279f9ce7fdc6860f18fac53f
title: Joke "theft"
uri: Joke-theft
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Joke_theft%29
content:
<p>
Twitter and some vicious comedians say repeating a joke is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/27/twitter-removes-lifted-jokes-copyright-infringment-claims">"theft."</a>
<p>
People have been repeating jokes they like for millennia.  These
comedians are making a power grab, and we should punish them with a
boycott (at least).
<p>
Of course, the concept of "intellectual property" is pure nonsense,
and we should consider any statement using that term as incoherent.


feed_id: 857a09a2ebba0f491b2bd4b0d1d67949
title: Corporate treaty negotiations
uri: Corporate-treaty-negotiations
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Corporate_treaty_negotiations%29
content:
<p>
Negotiations for a treaty to impose duties on multinational
corporations and outsourcers are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/jul/27/negotiating-and-fighting-for-a-binding-treaty-on-business-and-human-rights">not
going fast</a>.
<p>
By contrast, negotiations for treaties to give multinational
corporations and outsourcers additional privileges are 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-mar-jun.html#24_May_2015_(Obamas_secrecy_about_the_TPP)">going
really fast</a>.
<p>
That's proof that most governments have betrayed the people for the
corporations.


feed_id: 4e8a256624df2e7dffa4537191980053
title: Classified information sent through email
uri: Classified-information-sent-through-email
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Classified_information_sent_through_email%29

content:
<p>
Hillary Clinton 
<a href="http://www.networkworld.com/article/2952674/hillary-clinton-sent-classified-information-via-personal-email.html">sent
classified information through her personal email account and her
government email account</a>, according to a government investigation.
<p>
That information was not supposed to be sent on insecure networks at
all.


feed_id: f6e33e7a0408cc4a428599e43b759c10
title: Global heating denial
uri: 2015-08-04-Global-heating-denial
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Global_heating_denial%29
content:
<p>
Denialists 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2015/jul/27/daily-mail-telegraph-wrong-arctic-sea-ice">use
short-term fluctuations (noise)</a> to distract attention from the
long-term trend of global heating.


feed_id: 3f8b6099e6fbc04f1952940ed8bb285e
title: Obama visits Ethiopia
uri: 2015-08-04-Obama-visits-Ethiopia
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Obama_visits_Ethiopia%29
content:
<p>
Obama visited 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/27/barack-obama-first-visit-ethiopia-serving-us-president">Ethiopia</a>,
whose tyrannical government carries out 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2012-mar-jun.html#21_May_2012_(African_land_grab)">land
grabs for multinational companies</a> and whose proxy invasion of
Somalia (on behalf of the US) created 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#05_October_2013_(Where_al-Shabaab_came_from)">al-Shabaab</a>.
<p>
At least he 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/27/obama-urges-ethiopia-end-crackdown-political-press-freedom">criticized
repression</a> there.


feed_id: 7c8cadcfa95e55343e28211f3a7062ab
title: Turkish journalist fired for tweet
uri: Turkish-journalist-fired-for-tweet
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Turkish_journalist_fired_for_tweet%29

content:
<p>
A prominent Turkish journalist was fired for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2015/jul/27/turkish-newspaper-columnist-fired-over-tweet-critical-of-erdogan">a
tweet that accused President Erdoğan of being partly responsible
for the danger of PISSI</a>.  I hope he won't be prosecuted for saying
that.  Journalists in Turkey have been prosecuted in the past for
<a href="https://stallman.org/hrant-dink.html">expressing forbidden
opinions</a>, and for 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-jan-apr.html#29_March_2015_(Erdogan_on_rampage)">criticizing
Erdoğan</a>.


feed_id: b92c94bce30bb30e285613ea4fb788b6
title: Border zone within Syria
uri: Border-zone-within-Syria
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Border_zone_within_Syria%29
content:
<p>
The US and Turkey agreed to establish a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/27/turkey-isis-free-zone-syrian-border-us">border
zone within Syria</a> and exclude PISSI from it.
<p>
However, the Turkish army is now 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/27/turkey-shells-kurdish-held-village-in-syria">fighting
the revolutionary Kurds</a> in Syria, the only Syrian group that has
been able to stand up to PISSI.


feed_id: 451461d8ff71e12715aea818fea2fca7
title: Tigers in the Sunderbans
uri: Tigers-in-the-Sunderbans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Tigers_in_the_Sunderbans%29
content:
<p>
Only
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/27/only-100-tigers-left-in-bangladeshs-famed-sundarbans-forest">around
200 tigers</a> remain in the Sundarbans.
<p>
The Sundarbans are basically a swamp filled with bayous.  In 150 years
it will all be inundated.


feed_id: 9dd8bffa8666c116c8f47e933e4550bc
title: Texas voter ID law
uri: Texas-voter-ID-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Texas_voter_ID_law%29
content:
<p>
Texas's voter ID law 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/11/03/1252733/-90-Year-Old-Legendary-Speaker-of-the-House-Jim-Wright-Denied-Texas-Voter-ID-Card">almost
stopped former House Speaker Jim Wright from voting</a>.
<p>
The state was compelled to fix this, because it would be too big a
scandal to block a citizen who formerly held such a prestigious post
from voting.  But he has only one vote.  These laws succeed in
stopping thousands of unprestigious old people, blacks, hispanics,
poor people, and students from voting, and that's what matters to the
Republicans that adopt them.


feed_id: afe86cd9339c1d583cdb3e909331ab50
title: Urgent: Oppose TPP copyright trap
uri: Urgent-Oppose-TPP-copyright-trap
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_TPP_copyright_trap%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="https://act.eff.org/action/stop-the-tpp-s-copyright-trap">oppose</a>
the TPP's copyright trap.


feed_id: e8309244d16b99e386e599c69adf0360
title: New Orleans
uri: 2015-08-04-New-Orleans
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28New_Orleans%29
content:
<p>
The inhabitants of New Orleans have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/jul/27/new-orleans-hurricane-katrina-10-years-lessons">rebuilt</a>
with a struggle after Hurricane Katrina, which was preceded by decades
of decay.
<p>
I applaud them, but this can't last.  20 feet of sea level rise,
expected in the 2100s, will swamp the new levees.  Too bad they didn't
take this opportunity to 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2005-nov-feb.html#12%20February%202006%20(New%20Orleans%20may%20have%20to%20be%20abandoned%20entirely%20in%20a%20few%20decades)">move
the whole city to higher ground</a>.


feed_id: ed891698d2e4d6a31369478791bcfcc7
title: Urgent: Iran nuclear agreement
uri: Urgent-Iran-nuclear-agreement
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Iran_nuclear_agreement%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Call your senators at (202) 224-3121 and say, "I urge you
to join Sens. Feinstein, Durbin, and Heinrich in publicly stating that
you will vote yes on the Iran nuclear agreement."


feed_id: 323d470a6e0b8c3eb80176abb21c1208
title: Urgent: Protect sanctuary cities
uri: Urgent-Protect-sanctuary-cities
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Protect_sanctuary_cities%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.presente.org/sign/sanctuary">Call on Congress</a>
to protect sanctuary cities.


feed_id: 822bcbc6d28aa7c86abf6b89c4d62d27
title: Urgent: Ban "golden parachutes"
uri: Urgent-Ban-golden-parachutes
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Ban_golden_parachutes%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/presidential-candidates-fight-revolving-door/">Call
on candidates</a> to support banning companies from giving "golden
parachutes" to employees moving to government posts.


feed_id: 74277b275c34c2c75b6f50c3d24bb231
title: Urgent: Drop charges against Bree Newsome
uri: 2015-08-04-Urgent-Drop-charges-against-Bree-Newsome
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Drop_charges_against_Bree_Newsome%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: Call on the prosecutor to 
<a href="http://act.colorofchange.org/letter/tell-judicial-solicitor-dan-johnson-drop-charges-against-bree-newsome_copy4/">drop
charges against Bree Newsome</a>, who took down the confederate flag
that formerly was flown at the South Carolina state house.


feed_id: e78d5d1b256c232c1215b8d40d7a5bb3
title: Urgent: Oppose publishing smears in NY Times
uri: Urgent-Oppose-publishing-smears-in-NY-Times
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Oppose_publishing_smears_in_NY_Times%29

content:
<p>
Everyone: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/nyt-dont-help-iran-deal">Call
on the New York Times</a> not to publish smears against J Street for
supporting the nuclear deal with Iran.


feed_id: 04fe8912aa98251a60948477e0c2b382
title: Ads
uri: Ads
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Ads%29
content:
<p>
Arguing that advertising is a 
<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2015/07/14/4273200.htm">form
of pollution</a> and that would-be advertisers should be required to
pay people for their attention.
<p>
It would be hard to apply such a rule to disguised forms of paid
publicity, such as product placement.  But it could be applied in some
fields.
<p>
I am good at disregarding ads and using my time in another way, so I
am not bothered much by the ads themselves.  What I really object to
is the surveillance that is behind many kinds of ads today.


feed_id: 85ff9f65c96d84b05cc97fb72a2247d7
title: Regulations imposed on Greece
uri: Regulations-imposed-on-Greece
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Regulations_imposed_on_Greece%29
content:
<p>
Some of the regulations that creditors are imposing on Greece will
make for more production efficiency, at the expense of 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/20/greece-troika-and-maggie-thatcher">less
local production, less employment, and less local control</a>.
<p>
Efficiency is a mistaken goal when the benefit goes to the rich.


feed_id: 276317b03d1f890140c34e09f419af5d
title: Privatization of public education
uri: Privatization-of-public-education
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Privatization_of_public_education%29

content:
<p>
The 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/14/education-next-corporate-frontier">business
campaign to privatize public education</a> has global reach.
<p>
School vouchers to undermine public schools used to be proposed for
poor children, but now they are 
<a href="http://www.alternet.org/education/right-wing-alec-now-says-school-vouchers-are-kids-suburbia-not-poor">going
where the money is</a>.


feed_id: 633eafed77b0840b3adbb0fc6ec67f37
title: Seattle's effective birth control program
uri: Seattle-s-effective-birth-control-program
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Seattles_effective_birth_control_program%29

content:
<p>
Religious nuts are 
<a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/tarico201507014">trying
to abolish</a> Seattle's very effective birth control program for
teenagers.


feed_id: 1f92cc8cf1cd77bddc6f2cd68a6c21ec
title: UN rebukes UK for massive surveillance
uri: UN-rebukes-UK-for-massive-surveillance
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28UN_rebukes_UK_for_massive_surveillance%29

content:
<p>
The UN 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/23/britain-told-to-review-counter-terrorism-powers-by-un-human-rights-committee">rebuked
the UK for its massive surveillance</a>, lacking the protections
required for human rights.


feed_id: fb561f82d448131ad52d057c8d33ee41
title: Preparations made by Varoufakis
uri: Preparations-made-by-Varoufakis
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#04_August_2015_%28Preparations_made_by_Varoufakis%29

content:
<p>
Varoufakis is "accused" of planning to set up a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/26/greece-yanis-varoufakis-secret-plan-raid-banks-drachma-return">parallel
tax payment system in case the Greeks banks were shut</a>.
<p>
One might disagree with this as a policy, but I can't understand why
it would be scandalous to make preparations for possibly doing it.


feed_id: 2ef5693a5e4b4165eea61e9bc14f1c1c
title: Volunteer
uri: 2015-08-05-Volunteer
url: https://stallman.org/index.html#volunteerListAnc
content:
<p>I am looking for people to help edit the pages on the site for me.  If you'd like to
         help me in this way,
     please write to rms at gnu period org.</p>


feed_id: aa8477852bfe8b169c1336172471dd65
title: Copyright on "Happy Birthday"
uri: Copyright-on-Happy-Birthday
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#05_August_2015_%28Copyright_on_Happy_Birthday%29
content:
<p>
New evidence for the case that there is 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/07/filmmakers-fighting-happy-birthday-copyright-find-their-smoking-gun/">no
longer a copyright</a> on the song, "Happy Birthday".
<p>
I will continue singing a different version using the Volga boatmen's
song melody, just because it's fun.
<p>
The 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/07/warner-lawyers-1922-songbook-with-happy-birthday-lyrics-wasnt-authorized/">company
that extracts money from this</a> is trying to keep the case alive.


feed_id: ad4fb59bdd97578e5fbfc2b45f365f73
title: UK school children unfed in Summer
uri: UK-school-children-unfed-in-Summer
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#05_August_2015_%28UK_school_children_unfed_in_Summer%29

content:
<p>
UK school children get meals in school during the term, but 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/28/rich-poor-children-parents-holiday-food-camps">go
hungry for the summer</a>.


feed_id: 3a36239ccb2e5514df9a801cdfa1ff15
title: "Academic" global heating denial organization
uri: Academic-global-heating-denial-organization
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#05_August_2015_%28Academic_global_heating_denial_organization%29

content:
<p>
Abbott has 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/28/bjrn-lomborgs-4m-centre-rejected-by-flinders-university-academics">failed
again</a> to find an Australian university willing to take government
money to host a global heating denialist's "academic" organization.


feed_id: 601604c392cddac518557a927d71bf11
title: How much people think about sex
uri: How-much-people-think-about-sex
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#05_August_2015_%28How_much_people_think_about_sex%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/tarico20150728">Many
Americans overestimate</a> how much people in general want or think
about sex.


feed_id: 6509932274ee44a14e78561d61399c1b
title: China
uri: 2015-08-05-China
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#05_August_2015_%28China%29
content:
<p>
If you think that the US as a superpower is destructive, imagine what
a 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/28/whats-behind-beijings-drive-control-south-china-sea-hainan">totally
tyrannical China</a> will do as a superpower.


feed_id: 7f885fdb896d25a3bcc7b8d7cb226854
title: Awareness of global heating threat
uri: Awareness-of-global-heating-threat
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#05_August_2015_%28Awareness_of_global_heating_threat%29

content:
<p>
In the wealthiest countries, most people know about global heating but
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/28/climate-change-worlds-wealthiest-understand-but-only-half-see-it-as-threat">do
not see how it threatens them</a>.


feed_id: 934075634e7db6dbdf8956b86f3b0cf3
title: Prohibited publications
uri: Prohibited-publications
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#05_August_2015_%28Prohibited_publications%29
content:
<p>
North Korea is sending thugs to people's homes to 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/28/north-korea-music-bans-dissent">find
and destroy copies of prohibited publications</a>.
<p>
In the UK they 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2008-mar-jun.html#01%20June%202008%20(The%20crime%20of%20reading%20a%20book)">jail
people</a> who are found with copies of prohibited publications.


feed_id: 4a932f8873dbf5edce503fffac845d67
title: MPAA conspires with state attorney general
uri: MPAA-conspires-with-state-attorney-general
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#05_August_2015_%28MPAA_conspires_with_state_attorney_general%29

content:
<p>
The MPAA and Mississippi's attorney general conspired on a campaign to
smear Google in the mass media as an 
<a href="https://torrentfreak.com/mpaa-emails-expose-dirty-media-attack-against-google-150727/">excuse
to impose SOPA-style anti-sharing measures</a>.


feed_id: 62430fee1f7e3f1d9d4d1e424294d819
title: Copyright lawsuit against Carl Malamud
uri: Copyright-lawsuit-against-Carl-Malamud
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#05_August_2015_%28Copyright_lawsuit_against_Carl_Malamud%29

content:
<p>
More about 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150726/23080731763/even-if-state-georgia-can-copyright-legal-annotations-should-it.shtml">Georgia's
copyright lawsuit</a> against Carl Malamud.


feed_id: 32987b95d111466c29ea02fa0e71a733
title: Australia treats PISSI's secular enemies like PISSI
uri: Australia-treats-PISSI-s-secular-enemies-like-PISSI
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#05_August_2015_%28Australia_treats_PISSIs_secular_enemies_like_PISSI%29

content:
<p>
Australia 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/28/melbourne-man-charged-after-allegedly-trying-to-join-fight-against-islamic-state">threatens
to imprison a man</a> for trying to join the Kurdish army.
<p>
How stupid, treating PISSI's secular enemies just like PISSI itself!


feed_id: ee28ee3082116b26e5781fcd78e878e7
title: Massive surveillance
uri: 2015-08-05-Massive-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#05_August_2015_%28Massive_surveillance%29
content:
<p>
The NSA says it 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/27/nsa-will-destroy-14-years-archived-metadata-program-stops/">will
destroy its records of all US phone calls</a>.
<p>
This would be a great victory, except that this system of massive
surveillance will be replaced with a different system of massive
surveillance, where the phone companies keep the same records and
let the NSA search them.
<p>
In fact, at least one phone company 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#02_September_2013_(ATT_maintains_complete_database_of_cell_phone_calls)">already
does this</a>, and the records go back 25 years (maybe 27 years now)
instead of a mere 14 years.


feed_id: b00b1c80d71192dc88de144cb81ab2f1
title: Facebook's glorified collusion
uri: Facebook-s-glorified-collusion
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#05_August_2015_%28Facebooks_glorified_collusion%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150717/13543631672/indias-new-net-neutrality-guidelines-suggest-facebooks-internetorg-is-just-glorified-collusion.shtml">India's
New Net Neutrality Guidelines Suggest Facebook's Internet.org Is Just
Glorified Collusion</a>.


feed_id: a5c9f806e828ad4039525470779c32ce
title: Protection of humpback whales
uri: Protection-of-humpback-whales
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#05_August_2015_%28Protection_of_humpback_whales%29
content:
<p>
Humpback whales have 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/28/humpback-whales-comeback-australia-numbers-rebound">rebounded
in population</a>, thanks to protection measures.


feed_id: 7d7a4d58dd9f2a6a6c30e0794f805721
title: For-profit prison mistreats children
uri: For-profit-prison-mistreats-children
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#05_August_2015_%28For-profit_prison_mistreats_children%29

content:
<p>
A for-profit prison in Texas mistreats children so badly that it
amounts to 
<a href="
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/27/whistleblower-exposes-torture-and-child-abuse-profit-prison">abuse
and torture</a>, according to an ex-employee.


feed_id: 5f90bb6d2fc979b579ab6a0ec40e812b
title: Opposition to Olympic games
uri: Opposition-to-Olympic-games
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#05_August_2015_%28Opposition_to_Olympic_games%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/28/sports/olympics/boston-2024-summer-olympics-bid-terminated.html">Opposition
from city residents</a> has killed Boston's bid for the 2024 Olympic
games.
<p>
Opposition organizers held a 
<a href="http://www.nobostonolympics.org/">celebration</a>.
<p>
Hooray for the Boston area, but shifting the problem to some other
city is not good enough.  The Olympics must be reformed so that they
are no longer do permanent harm to the host city.  Perhaps that
requires making the Olympic games much smaller, or dividing them into
several smaller events.


feed_id: fe15843da969fcdb4e8e8dd54602eb6f
title: Urgent: Close the hedge-fund loophole
uri: Urgent-Close-the-hedge-fund-loophole
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#06_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Close_the_hedge-fund_loophole%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/tell-the-irs-close-this">call
on the IRS</a> to close the hedge-fund loophole.


feed_id: 130ee8ed388517d4e36d7ed283b375d4
title: US campaign funding system
uri: US-campaign-funding-system
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#06_August_2015_%28US_campaign_funding_system%29
content:
<p>
To fix the US campaign funding system requires 
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/21/opinion/the-only-realistic-way-to-fix-campaign-finance.html">public
funding</a>.  It can drown out even the billionaires.


feed_id: efadc12010915b02ceb78c8ea2d3e92d
title: Comcast's chief lobbyist
uri: Comcast-s-chief-lobbyist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#06_August_2015_%28Comcasts_chief_lobbyist%29
content:
<p>
Comcast 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150718/07083431681/comcast-really-wants-me-to-stop-calling-their-top-lobbyist-top-lobbyist.shtml">constructed
an excuse</a> to pretend that its chief lobbyist is something other
than a lobbyist.


feed_id: c12d309eef0beb49bfc6f7d7cde31761
title: Money and property seized by thugs
uri: Money-and-property-seized-by-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#06_August_2015_%28Money_and_property_seized_by_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Oklahoma thugs and prosecutor seized people's money and property.  In
a number of cases they went 
<a href="http://www.tulsaworld.com/homepagelatest/oklahoma-watch-law-enforcement-seizures-misspent-missing/article_a1620c4e-55d1-586d-88d4-1b6ea74232c0.html">missing</a>
or officials took them for personal use.


feed_id: f3d8ace4bed47482932ea0c90e4cb322
title: Raw data in science
uri: Raw-data-in-science
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#06_August_2015_%28Raw_data_in_science%29
content:
<p>
When scientists do not publish the raw data, they destroy much of the
<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/bengoldacre/deworming-trials">scientific
value</a> of their experiments.


feed_id: aef61cf48d0fa721d21af2802a8747ef
title: Fair-trade footballs
uri: Fair-trade-footballs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#06_August_2015_%28Fair-trade_footballs%29
content:
<p>
Offering 
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/scotland-blog/2015/jul/27/scottish-co-op-launches-fairtrade-football-campaign">fair-trade</a>
footballs (soccer balls).


feed_id: 933a5dd4a7a3594e16de3e54fbd7ad40
title: Voter suppression
uri: Voter-suppression
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#06_August_2015_%28Voter_suppression%29
content:
<p>
Republicans are trying a 
<a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/07/12889/saucy-suffragettes-party-voting-rights-wisconsin-are-rolled-back">broad
range of voter suppression measures</a>, hoping that each one will
block a few thousand more poor, old, student or minority voters.


feed_id: 748ca48cf1bc0e52f41328a26915de26
title: Russia disqualifying opposition candidates
uri: Russia-disqualifying-opposition-candidates
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#06_August_2015_%28Russia_disqualifying_opposition_candidates%29

content:
<p>
Russia is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/28/russian-opposition-activists-hunger-strike-election-disqualification-novosibirsk">disqualifying
opposition candidates</a> using 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2008-sep-dec.html#16%20December%202008%20(Bush%20paid%20to%20riot%20and%20stop%20recount)">tactics
reminiscent of Katherine Harris</a>.


feed_id: 2296ff007b574456ed272c42790d400b
title: Massive surveillance of trash
uri: Massive-surveillance-of-trash
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#06_August_2015_%28Massive_surveillance_of_trash%29
content:
<p>
Massive surveillance comes to 
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/28/garbage-cans-watching/">Americans'
trash</a>.


feed_id: 88e12f28aaf9e0d504f440ed7951d76a
title: Vulture funds
uri: Vulture-funds
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#6_August_2015_%28Vulture_funds%29
content:
<p>Vulture funds, attacking Puerto Rico, recommend what the IMF has done to
so
many poor countries: 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/28/hedge-funds-puerto-rico-close-schools-fire-teachers-pay-us-back">
push the people into poverty to pay them</a>.
</p>
<p>We must give the owners of those vulture funds what they are owed: to
experience poverty and homelessness for a while.  Perhaps they will feel 
more compassion.</p>


feed_id: 633521781830158598a742c4b5c106f6
title: Call to ban autonomous weaponry
uri: Call-to-ban-autonomous-weaponry
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#6_August_2015_%28Call_to_ban_autonomous_weaponry%29
content:
<p>A warning against beginning a "
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/07/musk-hawking-wozniak-call-for-ban-on-autonomous-weaponry-and-military-ai/">
military AI arms race</a>".
</p>


feed_id: 0ae0bf55b2cf369722bdb2b661202707
title: Urgent: end fracking in California
uri: Urgent-end-fracking-in-California
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#6_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_end_fracking_in_California%29

content:
<p>California citizens: call on Governor Brown to 
<a href="http://stopfrackinginca.org/#EnviroAct">
end fracking in California</a>.
</p>


feed_id: e8a035db81f218ab32ad784649a0ff95
title: Urgent: override cuts in Massachusetts
uri: Urgent-override-cuts-in-Massachusetts
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#6_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_override_cuts_in_Massachusetts%29

content:
<p>Massachusetts citizens: call on your state rep to 
<a href="https://act1.myngp.com/Forms/8434679152111517696">
override the governor's cuts</a>
 in birth control and public health.
</p>


feed_id: be75ea2a9746c0eea3490177429034d4
title: Civil forfeiture
uri: Civil-forfeiture
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#6_August_2015_%28Civil_forfeiture%29
content:
<p>An ACLU lawsuit highlights the 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/07/27/self-funding-cops-and-prosecutors-aka-ar">
corrupting effect of civil forfeiture</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 6ee7d5f451c9800379a2f76adcf2e661
title: No subservience to thugs
uri: No-subservience-to-thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#6_August_2015_%28No_subservience_to_thugs%29
content:
<p>Thugs are accustomed to breaking laws. Teaching people to be
subservient to them 
<a href="http://reason.com/archives/2015/07/27/cops-as-criminals">
reinforces the injustice</a>.
</p>


feed_id: e508aa2e894c21ffe07eed6992c71f40
title: Urgent: stop funding for ALEC
uri: Urgent-stop-funding-for-ALEC
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#6_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_stop_funding_for_ALEC%29
content:
<p>Everyone: call on Shell to 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/campaigns/1352?detail=email">
quit funding ALEC's global heating denialism</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 5e1893d7181e94144cdef487ba3999bc
title: Attack on Medicare debunked
uri: Attack-on-Medicare-debunked
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#6_August_2015_%28Attack_on_Medicare_debunked%29
content:
<p>Republicans that want to eliminate Medicare 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/24/1405342/-The-Republican-attack-on-Medicare-debunked-in-one-sentence?detail=email">
pretend we can't afford it</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 44c707d42dba3dfee7549ce5ec671b60
title: Gratuitous risk
uri: Gratuitous-risk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#6_August_2015_%28Gratuitous_risk%29
content:
<p>Complacent Americans are 
<a href="http://kuow.org/post/seattle-kids-have-lower-polio-vaccination-rate-rwanda">
skipping polio vaccination for their children</a>,
 which builds up gratuitous risk for everyone.
</p>


feed_id: c308b8c8fb93d2da0ab86f791687dac1
title: Illicit rainbows
uri: Illicit-rainbows
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#6_August_2015_%28Illicit_rainbows%29
content:
<p>Reportedly, the head of a school in Saudi Arabia has been 
<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/lesterfeder/saudi-authorities-reportedly-fine-school-more-than-25000-ove#.tiobXr63y">
imprisoned for painting rainbows</a>
 on the walls.
The rainbow is considered a symbol of homosexuality.</p>


feed_id: 06cb1f683a411a96e644ab86270f87d0
title: Vague change to TTIP
uri: Vague-change-to-TTIP
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#6_August_2015_%28Vague_change_to_TTIP%29
content:
<p>The EU, in negotiations for This Treaty Is Plutocratic, 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150717/01324831667/eu-proposes-to-reform-corporate-sovereignty-slightly-us-think-tank-goes-into-panic-mode.shtml">
proposed a vague change</a>
 to the foreign company supremacy rule.
It sounds nice, but might not change the substance much (or at all). 
This isn't good enough.</p>


feed_id: 8f283976e061e18662007ff1234d8050
title: Thug investigator fired
uri: Thug-investigator-fired
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#6_August_2015_%28Thug_investigator_fired%29
content:
<p>A Chicago official whose job was to investigate thugs for crimes of
violence found some of them culpable. His boss told him to change his
mind, and then 
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2015/07/21/chicagos-police-review-agency-fires-investigator-for-not-exonerating-cops/">
fired him</a>
 when he would not protect the thugs.
</p>


feed_id: 7f3ac2b7f2339c9d02a25dd5b264dc1e
title: Urgent: Equality Act
uri: Urgent-Equality-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#07_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Equality_Act%29
content:
<p>
US citizens:
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/Equality_Act">call on
Congress</a> to pass the Equality Act, which would ban discrimination
against queers in employment, business and housing.


feed_id: bddff8bf185acaab8c480946cde5accc
title: Bombing of residential complex in Yemen
uri: Bombing-of-residential-complex-in-Yemen
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#07_August_2015_%28Bombing_of_residential_complex_in_Yemen%29

content:
<p>
Bombing a residential complex in Yemen, which housed only civilians.
was prima facie a
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/28/while-backed-us-saudi-coalition-accused-war-crime-yemen">war
crime</a>.


feed_id: ee5dcbc2a77db1d19a8b69c3225dbf0c
title: FBI-encouraged bombing plot
uri: FBI-encouraged-bombing-plot
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#07_August_2015_%28FBI-encouraged_bombing_plot%29
content:
<p>
Harlem Suarez faces trial in Florida for an
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/28/isis-florida-harlem-suarez-bomb-plot">alleged
bombing plot</a>.
<p>
The things he reportedly wanted to do were quite nasty, but this looks
like another one of the FBI's fantasy plots.  I suppose he really said
at some time that he wanted to do those things.  If he was yielding to
the persuasion of an agent of the FBI, that will be suppressed.  If at
other times he said he didn't want to do them, that too will be
suppressed.  Would he ever have done or planned anything without the
FBI's encouragement?
<p>
In any case, referring to a conventional explosive bomb as a "weapon
of mass destruction" is bogus — an example of the way
governments typically lie.


feed_id: 45b47417da7f72956a5b34b8039e8005
title: Clinton on Keystone XL pipeline
uri: Clinton-on-Keystone-XL-pipeline
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#07_August_2015_%28Clinton_on_Keystone_XL_pipeline%29

content:
<p>
Hillary Clinton was asked where she stands regarding the Keystone XL
pipeline, and replied
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/28/hillary-clinton-refuses-position-keystone-xl-pipeline">"Elect
me and you'll see."</a>  She pretends that she is not allowed to take
a position.
<p>
What this tells me is that she is working for the fossil fuel
companies.


feed_id: 1e0ab11e0c3ab11f7d5358d3a2b9127b
title: Global heating and spread of ticks
uri: Global-heating-and-spread-of-ticks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#07_August_2015_%28Global_heating_and_spread_of_ticks%29

content:
<p>
Global heating is
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/28/tick-populations-booming-due-to-climate-change">enabling
ticks to boldly go where no tick has gone before</a>, and spread
diseases to additional populations of humans.


feed_id: cc17c58d46553e848ddefa90a96ca068
title: Russian prosecutors quit
uri: Russian-prosecutors-quit
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#07_August_2015_%28Russian_prosecutors_quit%29
content:
<p>
Russian prosecutors have quit their jobs
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/28/petr-pavlensky-artist-scrotum-red-square-interrogator">rather
than frame innocent people and/or dissidents</a>.


feed_id: bcc9b6f18130abf9422d9cc481c24dd2
title: "Terrorism" according to Erdo&gbreve;an
uri: Terrorism-according-to-Erdo-gbreve-an
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#07_August_2015_%28Terrorism_according_to_Erdogan%29
content:
<p>
Erdo&gbreve;an wants to
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/28/turkey-erdogan-not-possible-peace-process-kurdish-militants">prosecute
the newly elected officials of the HDP</a> for supposed links with
"terrorism".
<p>
"Terrorism" means nothing except an excuse to annul what the
voters said.


feed_id: 0ccb25cb84c5f428db4e0ab967aad049
title: Amazon mountain range at risk
uri: Amazon-mountain-range-at-risk
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#7_August_2015_%28Amazon_mountain_range_at_risk%29
content:
<p>Peru stalling new national park <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/andes-to-the-amazon/2015/jul/29/peru-stalling-new-national-park-unique-amazon-mountain-range/">for unique amazon mountain range.</a></p>


feed_id: 1c4116bdf7c7720aab0e85aec94a86b3
title: Fossil Fuel divestment
uri: Fossil-Fuel-divestment
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#7_August_2015_%28Fossil_Fuel_divestment%29
content:
<p>Fossil fuel industry <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/29/fossil-fuel-industry-still-winning-the-investment-war-experts-say/">still winning the investment war,</a> experts say.</p>
<p>Divestment is a weak way to cut back on fossil fuels. It is worth campaigning for, since we can do so, but it is far from enough.<p>


feed_id: 565a395c95a4379aaf47b401dce45854
title: Russia censors bitcoin
uri: Russia-censors-bitcoin
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#7_August_2015_%28Russia_censors_bitcoin%29
content:
<p>Russian censors threaten to <a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/2015/07/28/russian-censors-threaten-to-shut-down-business-website-for-writing-about-bitcoin/">shut down a business website</a> for writing about bitcoin.</p>
 


feed_id: e38a4000f68df46263ce88a2651bcaf5
title: Russia vs. anonymizers
uri: Russia-vs-anonymizers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#7_August_2015_%28Russia_vs._anonymizers%29
content:
<p>Russia leads the way in <a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/2015/07/28/russia-anonymizers-block-censor/">blocking access to anonymizing servers.</a></p>
<p>Russia is an overt tyranny that pretends (for fools) that it isn't one.
Would-be tyrannical states, such as the US and UK, can't be far behind.</p>


feed_id: 6f7925a8dff181117feb78d3790f0d0c
title: Turkey's political influence
uri: Turkey-s-political-influence
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#7_August_2015_%28Turkey%27s_political_influence%29
content:
<p>Perhaps Turkey bombarded PISSI <a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/29/turkeys-american-lobbyists-work-defeat-military-aid-isis/">in exchange for US approval</a> of
Turkey to make war on the Kurds.</p>


feed_id: 6026bee15d7b7a6c3ade6157adeea0f2
title: Urgent: rehire Israel Aranda
uri: Urgent-rehire-Israel-Aranda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#08_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_rehire_Israel_Aranda%29
content:
<p>US citizens: call on US Bank to <a href="https://www.coworker.org/petitions/us-bank-rehire-whistleblower-israel-aranda?akid=215.138770.yIBZN0&rd=1&t=1001">rehire Israel Aranda.</a></p>


feed_id: f5efed9885ed37ac3738614eb3961b3a
title: Off-duty thug threatens to shoot driver
uri: Off-duty-thug-threatens-to-shoot-driver
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#08_August_2015_%28Off-duty_thug_threatens_to_shoot_driver%29

content:
<p>
An off-duty (and not in uniform) thug in Massachusetts 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/27/1406119/-Off-duty-police-officer-caught-on-video-threatening-to-blow-a-hole-through-man-s-head">threatened
to shoot a driver</a> who perversely did not stop when being tailgated
by him.


feed_id: b7696cc5c628c3e8a39176872642d6c3
title: Arrest for burning confederate flag
uri: Arrest-for-burning-confederate-flag
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#08_August_2015_%28Arrest_for_burning_confederate_flag%29

content:
<p>
Patricia Cameron burned a confederate flag on July 4, at a rally in a
park.  A thug who habitually annoys her 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/27/1406168/-3-weeks-after-burning-a-Confederate-Flag-in-a-grill-police-arrest-a-Colorado-mom-at-midnight">arrested
her out of bed at midnight, weeks later</a>, for using a grill in the
park.


feed_id: 65dec55f80626d491bfd9168fc7adde0
title: The SAFE Act
uri: The-SAFE-Act
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#08_August_2015_%28The_SAFE_Act%29
content:
<p>
US prosecutors are 
<a href="http://reason.com/blog/2015/07/28/us-attorneys-group-digs-out-every-horrib">desperately
trying to defeat the SAFE Act</a>, a bill that would end mandatory
minimum sentences for nonviolent drug crimes, on the grounds that
we're winning and losing the War on Drugs and need every possible
weapon for it.
<p>
I've posted action notes calling for 
<a href="https://www.stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#25_July_2015_(Urgent:_SAFE_Act)">support
of the SAFE Act</a>.
<p>
We don't need "tools" to fight the War on Drugs, because it was a
misguided project from the start.  
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#26_May_2013_(Legalizing_solely_marijuana_is_misguided_goal)">We
should end it instead</a>.
<p>
When a war is on drugs, we must expect it to engage in random
violence, and that's 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2005-jul-oct.html#12%20July%202005%20(War%20on%20Drugs%20has%20failed)">exactly
what happens</a>.


feed_id: 769a06997ddcf4a4281eb9816ddf96d3
title: The Greek tax collection computer system
uri: The-Greek-tax-collection-computer-system
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#08_August_2015_%28The_Greek_tax_collection_computer_system%29

content:
<p>
Varoufakis says that the Greek tax collection computer system is
directly controlled by foreign creditor organizations, and that he 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/28/greek-crisis-brussels-rejects-yanis-varoufakist-claims-troika">had
to crack the system to set up an alternative system</a>.
<p>
The creditor organizations say it is not true, but I trust Varoufakis
and not them.  They could be twisting language.
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/29/yanis-varoufakis-greece-liquidity-plan-b-fallback">Yanis
Varoufakis Is Being Pilloried for Doing What Had to be Done</a>.


feed_id: 4002d890f71ad4ce766affaf911912c7
title: Volunteer
uri: 2015-08-09-Volunteer
url: https://stallman.org/index.html#volunteerListAnc
content:
<p>I am looking for people to help
     <a href="http://savannah.gnu.org/maintenance/HowToBecomeASavannahHacker">
     maintain and operate</a> savannah.gnu.org.</p>


feed_id: 0cf50ff891e799c153248818f9d3e6d7
title: Taliban and Pseudo-Islamic State
uri: Taliban-and-Pseudo-Islamic-State
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#08_August_2015_%28Taliban_and_Pseudo-Islamic_State%29

content:
<p>The war in Afghanistan <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/30/we-have-failed-afghanistan-again-and-again">has got more complex,</a> as the Taliban are rivaled
by the even more vicious Pseudo-Islamic State.</p>


feed_id: b38e4d9edc66e31fe4fbb13bd42f0bee
title: UK stopping solar power
uri: UK-stopping-solar-power
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#08_August_2015_%28UK_stopping_solar_power%29
content:
<p>The fossil UK government has succeeded in <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/30/uk-solar-growth-stalls-following-government-subsidy-cuts">stopping the growth of solar power.</a>
<p>Solar power threatens the fossil fuel companies that the Tories
consistently represent.  They might have preferred to cut all support
for renewable energy as soon as they first got into power, but that
would have been obvious.  By cutting a part at a time, and sometimes
replacing a bigger program with a different but smaller program,
they were more successful at denying what they were really doing.</p>


feed_id: fb297a5ca2d679430571fea08cd5c84d
title: Greenpeace India shutdown
uri: Greenpeace-India-shutdown
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#08_August_2015_%28Greenpeace_India_shutdown%29
content:
<p>Greenpeace India is <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Greenpeace-India-faces-cancellation-of-registration/articleshow/48181357.cms">threatened with shutdown</a> through arbitrary cancellation of its charter.</p>


feed_id: eb80ca134cf87de10def97d7299ae0af
title: Chris Christie vs. legalized marijuana
uri: Chris-Christie-vs-legalized-marijuana
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#08_August_2015_%28Chris_Christie_vs._legalized_marijuana%29

content:
<p>Chris Christie promises <a href="https://reason.com/blog/2015/07/29/no-one-will-be-getting-high-in-colorado">to crack down on marijuana users and growers</a> in states such as Colorado which have legalized it.</p>


feed_id: 94bdbf8df965bddc56696c44d02d1ecd
title: Deal with Iran
uri: Deal-with-Iran
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#08_August_2015_%28Deal_with_Iran%29
content:
<p>Experts say <a href="http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2015/us-iran-nuclear-deal-0724">the deal with Iran</a> is as good as could be hoped for and much better than no deal.</p>
<p>It provides an opportunity for the US to end its hostility towards
Iran, which would be a very good thing.</p>


feed_id: b6083ebaae491b35f6b9afb137b0006b
title: Urgent: support contraceptive access and privacy bills
uri: Urgent-support-contraceptive-access-and-privacy-bills
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#08_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_support_contraceptive_access_and_privacy_bills%29

content:
<p>Massachusetts citizens, <a href="https://act1.myngp.com/Forms/2670071629077282816">support contraceptive access and privacy bills.</a></p>


feed_id: e642e3ba2912766ee7f39f2b98488b9e
title: Urgent: Cancel Arctic oil drilling
uri: Urgent-Cancel-Arctic-oil-drilling
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Cancel_Arctic_oil_drilling%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://secure.sierraclub.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=16212">call
on Obama</a> to cancel Arctic oil drilling.


feed_id: 928d0a409c92e498452d1eb2ff37de7e
title: Urgent: Close gun background check loophole
uri: Urgent-Close-gun-background-check-loophole
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Close_gun_background_check_loophole%29

content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="http://act.everytown.org/letter/demand-a-vote">urge your
congresscritter</a> to vote to close the gun background check
loophole.


feed_id: 8c866cb617eace00e6d93da73ba00116
title: UN gives US low grades on human rights
uri: UN-gives-US-low-grades-on-human-rights
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28UN_gives_US_low_grades_on_human_rights%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/29/human-rights-un-committee-gives-us-low-grades-surveillance-detention-guantanamo">On
Human Rights, UN Committee Gives US Low Grades for Surveillance,
Detention at Guantanamo</a>.


feed_id: d1538d436b298b15bb45e8e1bccbbf75
title: Another Walter Mitty terrorist
uri: Another-Walter-Mitty-terrorist
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Another_Walter_Mitty_terrorist%29
content:
<p>
Harlem Suarez, facing charges of "terrorism", is indeed another Walter
Mitty terrorist, who would never have gone beyond daydreams unless
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/29/fbis-key-west-sting-target-incompetent-little-slow/">encouraged
by the FBI</a>.


feed_id: edddeebc2718bd1cae8e6df56e872950
title: Clinton's announcement about solar cells
uri: Clinton-s-announcement-about-solar-cells
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Clintons_announcement_about_solar_cells%29

content:
<p>
Clinton's big announcement about solar cells is 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/29/hillary-clinton-climate-change-plan">totally
inadequate</a> if judge as a policy to prevent global heating
disaster.


feed_id: de0c7d34c08efb7c67f544a99b094657
title: Thug that shot Samuel Dubose indicted
uri: Thug-that-shot-Samuel-Dubose-indicted
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Thug_that_shot_Samuel_Dubose_indicted%29

content:
<p>
The thug that shot Samuel Dubose has been 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/29/cincinnati-police-shooting-samuel-dubose">indicted</a>.


feed_id: dd7c94c1ce86a40a149053f60429fbe5
title: AT&T CEO's outrageous retirement package
uri: AT-T-CEO-s-outrageous-retirement-package
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28ATT_CEOs_outrageous_retirement_package%29

content:
<p>
Phil Gramm thinks it was an "outrage" that the CEO of AT&T got
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/29/former-gop-sen-phil-gramm-outrage-att-ceo-got/">only
75 million dollars</a> on his retirement.
<p>
Gramm may not realize that things can be worse.  I once met a worker
who retired with a lot less pension than that.


feed_id: c9713636daf5fc7cb0b7baa54c951c33
title: Overpopulation
uri: Overpopulation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Overpopulation%29
content:
<p>
An increase of 2.4 billion people predicted by 2050 will cause 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/jul/29/un-world-population-prospects-the-2015-revision-9-7-billion-2050-fertility">many
kinds of difficulties</a>.
<p>
Here's 
<a href="https://ia801402.us.archive.org/32/items/NinaVision/The_Stork.ogv">more
about those difficulties</a>.


feed_id: 07e88e39003350995ccbf95f684996c1
title: Pakistani journalists
uri: Pakistani-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Pakistani_journalists%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://en.rsf.org/pakistan-pakistani-journalists-live-in-24-07-2015,48143.html">Pakistani
Journalists Live in Growing Fear of Violence</a>.


feed_id: c749eda3025f181a0ec36bc077a9d658
title: Investment in fossil fuel
uri: Investment-in-fossil-fuel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Investment_in_fossil_fuel%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/29/fossil-fuel-industry-still-winning-the-investment-war-experts-say">Fossil
Fuel Industry Still Winning the Investment War, Experts Say</a>.
<p>
Divestment is a weak way to cut back on fossil fuels.  It is worth
campaigning for, since we can do so, but it is far from enough.


feed_id: b3a50f47ff8693e4c4cb886603db78e6
title: Peru Stalling New National Park
uri: Peru-Stalling-New-National-Park
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Peru_Stalling_New_National_Park%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/andes-to-the-amazon/2015/jul/29/peru-stalling-new-national-park-unique-amazon-mountain-range">Peru
Stalling New National Park for Unique Amazon Mountain Range</a>.


feed_id: 07e5dd0eaeaaf67455c4ce23900f2f84
title: West Bank construction
uri: West-Bank-construction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28West_Bank_construction%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/29/netanyahu-approves-west-bank-settlement-construction-demolition">Netanyahu
Approves More West Bank Construction</a>.


feed_id: 632bb9de1652070e98fdd03acde6e449
title: "Stop CISA" week
uri: Stop-CISA-week
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Stop_CISA_week%29
content:
<p>
The 
<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/07/stop-cisa-week-action-eff-joins-over-60-organizations-and-companies-opposing-cisa">"Stop
CISA" Week of Action</a>.


feed_id: 79cb5a9acf38e7b66296f47d473e46ee
title: Shell's "emergency management" ship
uri: Shell-s-emergency-management-ship
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Shells_emergency_management_ship%29

content:
<p>
Greenpeace protesters are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/29/activists-hang-from-bridge-portland-block-shells-arctic-oil-vessel">hanging
from a bridge to block Shell's "emergency management" ship</a> from
getting repaired in Portland.
<p>
Without this ship, Shell is not allowed to drill down to the oil.


feed_id: deabbb879ee05e92b959ba3454201c54
title: The Texas jail where Sandra Bland died
uri: The-Texas-jail-where-Sandra-Bland-died
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28The_Texas_jail_where_Sandra_Bland_died%29

content:
<p>
The Texas jail where Sandra Bland died has persistently 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/29/sandra-bland-police-custody-deaths">failed
to follow suicide prevention regulations</a>.
<p>
That's not directly pertinent if she was murdered.


feed_id: 1d6551776d2affdef26fc3d947c5d2ba
title: The right of association
uri: The-right-of-association
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28The_right_of_association%29
content:
<p>
South Australia 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jul/29/bikie-gangs-face-toughest-crackdown-yet-under-south-australias-proposals">proposes
to ban certain groups</a>, arbitrarily, and forbid more than two of
their members from being together at any time.
<p>
This is a direct violation of the right of association.  If those
groups are criminal, the state should have to prove this, not
simply declare them banned.


feed_id: 05250eca3f7d682725ff0a24966d188a
title: Sheriff culpable for Sandra Bland's death
uri: Sheriff-culpable-for-Sandra-Bland-s-death
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Sheriff_culpable_for_Sandra_Blands_death%29

content:
<p>
The Sheriff of Waller County is responsible for both of the actions
that led to Sandra Bland's death, and 
<a href="http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5068">should resign</a>.  The
same man was thug chief of a city in that area, and was fired for
bigotry.


feed_id: 84a3e95e3da7c8798a469a475727ad5a
title: SCROTUS promoting extinction
uri: SCROTUS-promoting-extinction
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28SCROTUS_promoting_extinction%29
content:
<p>
SCROTUS (*) are promoting extinction by 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/07/28/analysis-republican-attacks-endangered-species-600-percent-year">attacking
the Endangered Species Act</a> (as well as by promoting habitat
destruction and toxic emissions).
<p>
* Sleazy Congressional Republicans Of The United States.


feed_id: 3840652a781dbf2af958df60d837cd1b
title: "Test and punish" education
uri: Test-and-punish-education
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Test_and_punish_education%29
content:
<p>
Democrats in Washington must stop thinking of 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/28/battle-over-education-and-civil-rights">"test
and punish" education</a> as a civil rights measure.


feed_id: 0810f6b5a7406d46fce2b43b8cdb5a5a
title: Corporate supremacy treaties
uri: Corporate-supremacy-treaties
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Corporate_supremacy_treaties%29
content:
<p>
A Canadian mining company is 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/28/european-mining-dispute-illustrates-risks-corporate-friendly-trade-deals">trying
to use an existing corporate supremacy treaty</a> to punish Romania
for not authorizing a giant mountaintop removal mine.
<p>
New corporate supremacy treaties such as the TPP and TTIP would open
the doors to a lot more of this.
<p>
Calling them "trade treaties" is a misdirection — please don't
repeat that term.


feed_id: 30efcca8c04113739034ebdd7445259a
title: US "economic recovery"
uri: US-economic-recovery
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28US_economic_recovery%29
content:
<p>
How the US "economic recovery" 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/27/1406096/-The-ways-in-which-the-economy-never-recovered-from-2008">isn't
a real recovery</a>.


feed_id: 3dcdf52873309b17500f74148b4c4d57
title: Urgent: rehire Israel Aranda
uri: 2015-08-09-Urgent-rehire-Israel-Aranda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#08_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_rehire_Israel_Aranda%29
content:
<p>US citizens: call on US Bank to <a href="https://www.coworker.org/petitions/us-bank-rehire-whistleblower-israel-aranda">rehire Israel Aranda.</a></p>


feed_id: 8c2a389f5ee0d680c9adb5d3080ad853
title: Debtors' prison is part of cause of killings
uri: Debtors-prison-is-part-of-cause-of-killings
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Debtors%27_prison_is_part_of_cause_of_killings%29

content:
<p>There's a pattern: a black gets stopped for some traffic offense, then
get scared of being jailed for debt, "runs" away, and gets killed for running.</p>
<p>In other words, debtors' prison is part of the cause of killings.</p>


feed_id: 160d048df1b80c095a20e56f4f6ee8a7
title: Journalist disappeared in Turkmenistan
uri: Journalist-disappeared-in-Turkmenistan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Journalist_disappeared_in_Turkmenistan%29

content:
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2015/jul/30/human-rights-group-demands-release-of-turkmenistan-photojournalist">Journalist Saparmamed Nepeskuliev</a> has been disappeared for weeks in Turkmenistan.</p>


feed_id: 5f54ac1d875e97dea010abc7e3f6de34
title: Oxfam against coal
uri: Oxfam-against-coal
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Oxfam_against_coal%29
content:
<p>Oxfam says that <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/29/tony-abbott-wrong-on-coal-being-good-for-humanity-oxfam-report-shows">coal is not good for humanity.</a></p>


feed_id: 8d480d0b905442bf33683e1d0aa01314
title: Land grab in Ukraine
uri: Land-grab-in-Ukraine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Land_grab_in_Ukraine%29
content:
<p>The World Bank is funding a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/jul/30/ukraine-agribusiness-firms-quiet-land-grab-development-finance">land grab in Ukraine.</a></p>


feed_id: 93d6fd6aba998988553e69ce5b9c358d
title: US is giving fighter jets to Egypt
uri: US-is-giving-fighter-jets-to-Egypt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28US_is_giving_fighter_jets_to_Egypt%29

content:
<p>The US is <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/30/washington-delivers-f16s-egypt-military-package-unfrozen">giving fighter jets to Egypt's military government.</a></p>
<p>To say that Egypt is "delaying" on democratic reforms is an understatement.</p>
<p>Egypt continues the process of abolishing democracy there.</p>
<p>Occasionally it is necessary to fight PISSI and its offshoots, but in general
it can't be defeated that way.</p>


feed_id: fa8afed27cca233453f53a959f0c26b3
title: Urgent: stop Eritrean slave labor
uri: Urgent-stop-Eritrean-slave-labor
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_stop_Eritrean_slave_labor%29

content:
<p>US citizens: call on Canadian mining company Nevsun <a href="http://action.sumofus.org/a/nevsun-slavery/">to stop using slave labor in Eritrea.</a></p>
<p>
See the <a href="https://stallman.org/enslaved-workers.html">enslaved
workers</a> page.</p>


feed_id: d8d47d36724a098b9aebf27e41c0ebf3
title: Urgent: support regulation of campaign spending
uri: Urgent-support-regulation-of-campaign-spending
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_support_regulation_of_campaign_spending%29

content:
<p>Massachusetts citizens: support the Massachusetts constitutional
amendment saying that corporations are not people and <a href="http://passmassamendment.wikispaces.com/The+Language">allowing regulation of campaign spending.</a></p>


feed_id: f7be3e9939d26a65da147925bb1c0240
title: Saudi Arabia targeting hospitals
uri: Saudi-Arabia-targeting-hospitals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#9_August_2015_%28Saudi_Arabia_targeting_hospitals%29

content:
<p>MÃ©decins Sans FrontiÃ¨res accuses Saudi Arabia (backed by the US) of
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/jul/30/yemen-civilians-hospitals-targeted-air-strikes-bombing-medecins-sans-frontieres">
targeting hospitals</a>
 in Yemen, and says the naval blockade is killing
people by blocking medicines.
</p>


feed_id: 4d86e35d45eda626d5e9a014870ace9b
title: Learn to be wary
uri: Learn-to-be-wary
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#9_August_2015_%28Learn_to_be_wary%29
content:
<p>Some Americans are 
<a href="http://phys.org/news/2015-07-internet-private-conversations.html">
learning to be wary of devices</a>
 that can listen to their conversations. 
But some fools still care more about
convenience.
</p>


feed_id: dc5edd77ab54a0de3c5b1318cff57d6f
title: Oppose vaccination recall
uri: Oppose-vaccination-recall
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#9_August_2015_%28Oppose_vaccination_recall%29
content:
<p>A California senator, who is also a pediatrician, led the successful
campaign to make vaccination mandatory for children in school.  Now he
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/30/california-sb-277-vaccines-opponents-recall">
faces a recall campaign</a>.
</p>
<p>I urge people to campaign against these petitions.</p>


feed_id: e95403d4ea6a57866fa85f0cef08d5fd
title: Guber phantom cars
uri: Guber-phantom-cars
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#9_August_2015_%28Guber_phantom_cars%29
content:
<p>Guber (<a href="#Guber"><sup>*</sup></a>) 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/30/uber-denies-misleading-passengers-with-phantom-cars-on-app">
reportedly shows "phantom" cars on the map</a>,
 giving would-be passengers the impression that a car is available close
by.
</p>
<p>Guber denies doing this, but I don't trust Guber.</p>
<p id="Guber">
<sup>*</sup> I call it "Guber" because it pays the drivers peanuts.
</p>


feed_id: 4da524c1c70b41cd3c49912175d1bfed
title: Urgent: pass Low Income Solar Act
uri: Urgent-pass-Low-Income-Solar-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#9_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_pass_Low_Income_Solar_Act%29

content:
<p>US citizens: call on Congress to 
<a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/Solar_Act?nosig=1&t=1001&akid=15101.1183552.fPq-ir">
pass the Low Income Solar Act</a>.
</p>


feed_id: b351768e4ebe4f643a5d6e4de89d5ea7
title: US food insecurity
uri: US-food-insecurity
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#9_August_2015_%28US_food_insecurity%29
content:
<p>8 million Americans, age 50 to 64, are 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jul/29/baby-boomers-feeding-america-aarp-food-insecurity-health">
having trouble getting enough food</a>.
</p>


feed_id: dd6cef4262fd74da7bda6acec7d303ee
title: 20 years prison for minors
uri: 20-years-prison-for-minors
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#9_August_2015_%2820_years_prison_for_minors%29
content:
<p>Palestinian teenagers that throw stones will face 
<a href="http://www.imemc.org/article/72313">
20 years' imprisonment</a>
 by Israel.
</p>
<p>Currently Israel may 
<a href="https://stallman.org/notes/current.html#24_July_2015_(Human_Rights_Watch)">
imprison them without charges</a>
 for any length of time.
</p>


feed_id: 6f72953fe36609d5c19be1adf4503ea8
title: IDF not demolishing Susya
uri: IDF-not-demolishing-Susya
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#9_August_2015_%28IDF_not_demolishing_Susya%29
content:
<p>The Israeli Army seems to be 
<a href="http://972mag.com/has-the-idf-found-a-way-to-climb-down-the-susya-tree/109302/">
looking for a way to back down</a>
 from demolishing Susya.
</p>


feed_id: 5b70f595f0d5085276f39aa3ca9a5f72
title: Thugs on the side of Israeli bigots
uri: Thugs-on-the-side-of-Israeli-bigots
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#9_August_2015_%28Thugs_on_the_side_of_Israeli_bigots%29

content:
<p>Israeli uniformed thugs 
<a href="http://www.imemc.org/article/72386">
do nothing, or do harm</a>,
 when Israeli bigots attack Palestinians.
</p>


feed_id: 870d39655023053aa10338641bc802e8
title: Blood stains
uri: Blood-stains
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#9_August_2015_%28Blood_stains%29
content:
<p>Blood stains 
<a href="http://972mag.com/family-blood-stains-challenge-israeli-account-of-qalandiya-killing/109326/">
show Israeli soldiers</a>
 lied about how they killed Muhammad Abu Latifa.
</p>
<p>Israeli soldiers entered a Palestinian family house and 
<a href="https://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=766607">
shot a son, then the father and another son</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 8b279d2f725ad775fd236654cc03182b
title: Thugs caught lying
uri: Thugs-caught-lying
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#9_August_2015_%28Thugs_caught_lying%29
content:
<p>Two Cincinnati thugs were caught doing what thugs typically do:
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/30/samuel-dubose-video-police-killing-cincinnati">
confirming another thug's lies</a>.
</p>
<p>This is why I call them "thugs" in general.  Many thugs would not
engage in
gratuitous violence against the public.  But nearly all of them will
support
the lies of their brother or sister thug who has done so.</p>
<p>The few who value truth above thug solidarity, who refuse to lie to
get another thug off the hook for a crime, those deserve the honorable
title of "police officer".</p>
<p>The number of thugs that lie is far greater than the number that kill,
so punishing the liars is crucial.</p>


feed_id: 2a4512f93ed0d109812a5c4323604a86
title: Urgent: support the Schedules That Work Act
uri: Urgent-support-the-Schedules-That-Work-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#10_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_support_the_Schedules_That_Work_Act%29

content:
<p>US citizens: <a href="http://act.weareultraviolet.org/sign/schedules_that_work/?t=1001&akid=2200.1105163.LGx1IR">support the Schedules That Work Act.</a></p>
<p>Here's <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3071">information about the bill.</a></p>
<p>It doesn't go far enough, but it is a step forward.</p>


feed_id: e56c385c8fedf286043e2a1d77c894d3
title: Urgent: enforce the Civil Rights Act
uri: Urgent-enforce-the-Civil-Rights-Act
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#10_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_enforce_the_Civil_Rights_Act%29

content:
<p>US citizens: call on the EPA to <a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/tell-the-epa-to-address?source=mo.mp&id=126938-2794606-fr3qg3x&t=32">enforce the Civil Rights Act.</a></p>


feed_id: d96a49d8ae4ee78743ddc2679a767cc3
title: Urgent: Override state ag-gag bills
uri: Urgent-Override-state-ag-gag-bills
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#10_August_2015%28call_on_Congress_to_override_state_ag-gag_bills.%29

content:
<p></p>
<p>These bills <a href="http://act.credoaction.com/sign/ag-gag">criminalize undercover investigations</a> in farms to document cruelty to animals</p><p></p>
<p>It is an interesting contradiction that no Republican wants to criminalize undercover investigations in Planned Parenthood (whose videos don't really show anything wrong).</p><p></p>
<p>This is not the first time a law banning documenting the conditions of farms <a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2012-jan-apr.html#29_January_2012_(Corrupted_Laws)">has been proposed</a>.</p>
</li>


feed_id: d81f51695ed6cff5450462a533b97dc1
title: Urgent: End gerrymandering
uri: 2015-08-11-Urgent-End-gerrymandering
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#10_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_End_gerrymandering%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://www.dailykos.com/campaigns/1366">call for an end</a>
to Republican (and other) gerrymandering.


feed_id: 48312c57d1096c6cad6bab8f979dec99
title: Homeland Security tracks protests
uri: Homeland-Security-tracks-protests
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#10_August_2015_%28Homeland_Security_tracks_protests%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/07/homeland-security-surveillance-black-lives-matter">Homeland
Security Is Tracking Black Lives Matter. Is That Legal?</a>


feed_id: ab1a306444ba40076b86df9c3eabac8d
title: "Terrorism"
uri: 2015-08-11-Terrorism
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#10_August_2015_%28Terrorism%29
content:
<p>
<a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/28/dylan-roof-terrorist-animal-rights-activists-free-minks/">Dylann
Roof Is Not a "Terrorist" — but Animal Rights Activists Who Free
Minks From Slaughter Are</a>.
<p>
I don't moan for farmed minks, or other animals raised for slaughter.
Minks are carnivores, by the way, and they don't kill humanely.
Releasing caged American minks in Europe introduced an invasive
species; releasing them in America fortunately won't make much
difference.  I agree that it is legitimate to prosecute them.
<p>
But it is bullshit to call the act "terrorism".


feed_id: b5acca84d880bf1e117ceb546f63b764
title: Legal bribery of officials in the US
uri: Legal-bribery-of-officials-in-the-US
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#10_August_2015_%28Legal_bribery_of_officials_in_the_US%29

content:
<p>
Legal bribery of officials is normal in the US; simply 
<a href="http://fair.org/home/you-can-legally-bribe-a-government-official/">pay
after the official leaves office</a>.


feed_id: ebf7223f82d2de6f54df4137059a8651
title: IMF debt demands for Greece
uri: IMF-debt-demands-for-Greece
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#10_August_2015_%28IMF_debt_demands_for_Greece%29
content:
<p>The IMF demands debt relief for Greece, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/30/imf-will-refuse-join-greek-bailout-until-debt-relief-demands-met">refuses to participate
in another "bailout" without that.</a></p>
<p>The point is not to simply heap more debt on Greece to "bail out" the banks.</p>


feed_id: 6d002635943d6328d8c4633ea2a41fc9
title: Sanders supports Planned Parenthood
uri: Sanders-supports-Planned-Parenthood
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#10_August_2015_%28Sanders_supports_Planned_Parenthood%29

content:
<p>Sanders <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/07/29/sanders-statement-planned-parenthood">strongly supports Planned Parenthood.</a></p>


feed_id: d076502cade28093dde324efc4e65120
title: Protect the right to vote
uri: Protect-the-right-to-vote
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#10_August_2015_%28Protect_the_right_to_vote%29
content:
<p>To fight racism, <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/29/fight-racism-protect-right-vote">protect the right to vote.</a></p>


feed_id: 26c9eb65281d7f8d2ffcabfb098df569
title: Killers of Sam DuBose involved in previous death
uri: Killers-of-Sam-DuBose-involved-in-previous-death
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#10_August_2015_%28Killers_of_Sam_DuBose_involved_in_previous_death%29

content:
<p>The thugs that committed, then covered up, the killing of Sam DuBose
seem to have done something similar <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/30/samuel-dubose-officers-kelly-brinson">to another unarmed black man</a> 5 years ago.</p>


feed_id: 7bf8a839420c380aca53b97914877aae
title: Hungary's far-right government
uri: Hungary-s-far-right-government
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#10_August_2015_%28Hungary%27s_far-right_government%29

content:
<p>Hungary's government <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/30/viktor-orban-fidesz-hungary-prime-minister-europe-neo-nazi">is turning far-right.</a></p>


feed_id: 2053715ae5143b668d25e78944259bec
title: Computer search warrants
uri: Computer-search-warrants
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#10_August_2015_%28Computer_search_warrants%29
content:
<p>When the state gets a warrant to search a computer, <a href="https://cdt.org/press/cdt-argues-for-limits-on-government-searches-of-copied-hard-drives/">should it be able to keep the data forever and investigate it at will?</a></p>


feed_id: 803d4901bf70c4aceb5a36abdb9a66f1
title: NSA blames privacy advocates
uri: NSA-blames-privacy-advocates
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#10_August_2015_%28NSA_blames_privacy_advocates%29
content:
<p>NSA <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/07/government-tries-blame-privacy-advocates-keeping-telephone-records">Tries to Blame Privacy Advocates for Keeping Americans' Telephone Records.</a></p>


feed_id: dfcbb8c410c3054b58e28ea32a5f9825
title: California water conservation
uri: California-water-conservation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#10_August_2015_%28California_water_conservation%29
content:
<p>California cities have made <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/30/california-passes-targets-for-water-conservation">great strides in conservation,</a> but the real question is whether their water use is less than the rainfall
available nowadays.  If California literally runs out of water, it can
cut off irrigation, but cutting off cities would mean disaster.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/07/sorry-california-el-nino-wont-save-you-drought">Even el Niño won't cure California's drought.</a></p>


feed_id: 64f93c1cb1252cfd0f3deaf9708eb5c8
title: Money rules elections
uri: Money-rules-elections
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#10_August_2015_%28Money_rules_elections%29
content:
<p>US politicians have admitted that <a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/30/politicians-admitting-obvious-fact-money-affects-vote/">money rules elections since before 1900.</a></p>


feed_id: 8d76f510b897cc62376217b0e99249db
title: US is giving fighter jets to Egypt
uri: 2015-08-11-US-is-giving-fighter-jets-to-Egypt
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#09_August_2015_%28US_is_giving_fighter_jets_to_Egypt%29

content:
<p>The US is <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/30/washington-delivers-f16s-egypt-military-package-unfrozen">giving fighter jets to Egypt's military government.</a></p>
<p>To say that Egypt is "delaying" on democratic reforms is an understatement.</p>
<p>Egypt continues the process of 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#24_July_2015_(Egyptian_journalists)">abolishing
democracy</a> there.</p>
<p>Occasionally it is necessary to fight PISSI and its offshoots, but in general
it can't be defeated that way.</p>


feed_id: e209c4d553ecdb2ba3bb310d8c4ab4e2
title: Saudi Arabia targeting hospitals
uri: 2015-08-11-Saudi-Arabia-targeting-hospitals
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#9_August_2015_%28Saudi_Arabia_targeting_hospitals%29

content:
<p>Médecins Sans Frontières accuses Saudi Arabia (backed by the US) of
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/jul/30/yemen-civilians-hospitals-targeted-air-strikes-bombing-medecins-sans-frontieres">
targeting hospitals</a>
 in Yemen, and says the naval blockade is killing
people by blocking medicines.
</p>


feed_id: 76e03dbb5f658381dd48b153412540fd
title: Reporters Without Borders criticizes Winter Olympics
uri: Reporters-Without-Borders-criticizes-Winter-Olympics
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Reporters_Without_Borders_criticizes_Winter_Olympics%29

content:
<p>Reporters Without Borders criticizes the decision <a href="http://en.rsf.org/china-is-there-no-end-to-olympic-31-07-2015,48178.html">to hold the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.</a></p>
<p>I agree that it is not good to boost China and other tyrannical
countries with Olympic games.  The ironic thing is that the Olympic
Games impose tyranny, and the places they do the least harm are
in countries that are already tyrannical, such as China.
The sort of repression that games impose already pervades
China.  The debt they leave behind won't make much as difference
there.</p>

<p>Until the games are reformed, we must protect still-somewhat-free
cities from them.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Beijing already has the large facilities needed.  It is
more efficient to reuse them than build new ones somewhere else.</p>


feed_id: 4efb955f94484a1d16442f6bb1ec9dbf
title: China's "positive energy"
uri: China-s-positive-energy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28China%27s_positive_energy%29
content:
<p>China has recruited 18 million people to post "positive energy"; that is, <a href="http://advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/2015/07/30/how-chinas-online-civilization-army-turned-a-youth-street-fight-into-a-patriotic-s truggle/">support the government's propaganda line.</a></p>


feed_id: 50d58bfed426d2eb9566e9a9b9255b34
title: Australia forest fire
uri: Australia-forest-fire
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Australia_forest_fire%29
content:
<p>A forest fire is burning near Sydney, Australia, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/aug/01/firefighters-confident-of-tackling-blaze-threatening-homes-in-blue-mountains">in the middle of winter.</a></p>
<p>Alas, this is not a freak accident.</p>


feed_id: e336083e08709dd4721181e1b45dbf40
title: French government surveillance
uri: French-government-surveillance
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28French_government_surveillance%29
content:
<p>Surveillance of all citizens: <a href="http://www.laquadrature.net/en/surveillance-of-all-citizens-french-government-has-now-carte-blanche">French government has now carte blanche.</a></p>


feed_id: ce0df36258b20b895f6430f26429a3e2
title: Clinton's donors linked to banks
uri: Clinton-s-donors-linked-to-banks
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Clinton%27s_donors_linked_to_banks%29

content:
<p>1/3 of Clinton's principal campaign donors <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/31/hillary-clinton-third-top-backers-financial-industry">are connected to banks.</a></p>


feed_id: d3d83ce64007ab2a7b308089ba54572b
title: Tor Exit Relays in Every Library
uri: Tor-Exit-Relays-in-Every-Library
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Tor_Exit_Relays_in_Every_Library%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/07/crypto-activists-announce-vision-for-tor-exit-relay-in-every-library/">Crypto
Activists Announce Vision for Tor Exit Relay in Every Library</a>.


feed_id: 3770436cdfe98c46dc359e969b4de0de
title: US treatment of journalists
uri: US-treatment-of-journalists
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28US_treatment_of_journalists%29
content:
<p>
The US government 
<a href="http://www.cpj.org/blog/2015/07/in-times-of-war-pentagon-reserves-right-to-treat-j.php">threatens
to treat journalists like spies</a>.


feed_id: 4a8a343475abdf05fde612b2b339eecb
title: Ebola vaccine
uri: Ebola-vaccine
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Ebola_vaccine%29
content:
<p>
An 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/31/ebola-vaccine-trial-proves-100-successful-in-guinea">effective
vaccine for Ebola</a> has been developed.


feed_id: 767c0d71f7e5a839656f0d8f0b16ebe9
title: Mt Vesuvius
uri: Mt-Vesuvius
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Mt_Vesuvius%29
content:
<p>
The next eruption of Mt Vesuvius 
<a href="http://www.wired.com/2015/07/worlds-dangerous-volcano-threatens-huge-city/">could
force millions of people to flee their homes</a> for an indefinite
period, or simply kill them.


feed_id: b34c4ed94e96ac840974fd0b1de85084
title: Congresscritters treated to visit to Israel
uri: Congresscritters-treated-to-visit-to-Israel
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Congresscritters_treated_to_visit_to_Israel%29

content:
<p>
AIPAC is treating congresscritters to a visit to Israel, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/julian-borger-global-security-blog/2015/jul/31/the-looming-august-battle-for-the-iran-nuclear-deal">all
expenses paid</a>.
<p>
Shouldn't that be illegal?


feed_id: a9e9131ce26ed0a004c2085de29222a9
title: Dissidents burned by Pinochet's officers
uri: Dissidents-burned-by-Pinochet-s-officers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Dissidents_burned_by_Pinochets_officers%29

content:
<p>
Pinochet's officers burned two dissidents, one of whom died.  Pinochet
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/31/augusto-pinochet-chile-1986-burning-activists-cover-up">personally
had this covered up</a>.


feed_id: ce82ca5aab0572a1bf7e806b7f46a84f
title: The Korean War
uri: The-Korean-War
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28The_Korean_War%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/31/time-end-korean-war-lessons-past">Time
to End the Korean War: Lessons from the Past</a>.
<p>
The North Korean dictatorship is among the most horrible on Earth, but
we are not going to topple it with an invasion.


feed_id: 8cdc1188c24cebde8bdc4ac14ed11d0b
title: Repression of animal rights protesters
uri: Repression-of-animal-rights-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Repression_of_animal_rights_protesters%29

content:
<p>
Civil liberties lawyers have recognized that repression of animal
rights protesters is a 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/31/terrorism-activism-moving-green-scare-animal-rights">matter
of human rights</a>.
<p>
I don't particularly support animal rights; in particular, I am in
favor of farming of animals (though we need to do a lot less of it,
for environmental reasons), and I strongly support medical experiments
on animals.  However, I do support the human rights of those that
disagree with me on this issue.  The law against so-called "animal
rights terrorism" is on a par with the 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-may-aug.html#01_May_2013_(Ag-Gag_prosecution)">Ag-Gag
laws</a>: an attempt to put companies above criticism because of their
clout.


feed_id: da27b617ebdabbdbcb8682498706dc4b
title: Thugs
uri: 2015-08-11-Thugs
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Thugs%29
content:
<p>
Two thugs in Cincinnati that were 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/31/samuel-dubose-officers-corrorborated-false-claim">recorded
corroborating a false accusation</a> against Sam DuBuse will not be
tried.  Apparently they retracted their lies when actually
interrogated.
<p>
I am glad they saw the error of their ways, but I suspect this is
because they found out that evidence would catch them in the lie, and
not from any sudden attack of honesty.  We need to teach thugs that
lying leads to imprisonment.


feed_id: 59dd846bd48e4316093be2341008de6b
title: Prosecution of German journalists
uri: Prosecution-of-German-journalists
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Prosecution_of_German_journalists%29

content:
<p>
The prosecution of two German journalists for treason, because they
published information about massive surveillance, has been 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/31/germany-halts-treason-inquiry-journalists-surveillance-protests">"suspended"
in response to public outrage</a>.
<p>
This is not a final victory, because the prosecution could still be
resumed.  Nonetheless, Germany is beating the US, where the government
will not even "suspend" the prosecution of our hero, Edward Snowden.


feed_id: 9579f51177a22769b43ba09518892c0a
title: War on Drugs in UK
uri: War-on-Drugs-in-UK
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28War_on_Drugs_in_UK%29
content:
<p>
The UK government 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/31/laughing-gas-balloon-protest-drug-ban-parliament-square">wants
to massively broaden the War on Drugs</a>.  The excuse: someone died
from (mis)using nitrous oxide.
<p>
There are many pastimes which have a risk of fatal accidents.
Strangely, no one calls for prohibiting mountain climbing, skydiving,
or swimming with sharks.


feed_id: 1e7ac19d56d1061212540a634230dbff
title: Israel threatens to ban human rights groups
uri: Israel-threatens-to-ban-human-rights-groups
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Israel_threatens_to_ban_human_rights_groups%29

content:
<p>
Israel 
<a href="http://news.antiwar.com/2015/07/26/israel-launches-diplomatic-push-to-kill-human-rights-groups/">threatens
to ban human rights and peace groups</a> unless Europe stops funding
them.


feed_id: b5e2a17cb4105e97924774eeb4b11a8e
title: Investigation of war crimes in Gaza
uri: 2015-08-11-Investigation-of-war-crimes-in-Gaza
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Investigation_of_war_crimes_in_Gaza%29

content:
<p>
Israel is 
<a href="http://www.palestinechronicle.com/israels-endless-misery-for-gaza-is-no-policy-at-all/">making
some concessions</a> to international pressure to investigate war
crimes in Gaza, but it can't decide whether to strengthen HAMAS or
weaken it.


feed_id: b420a67304a8722aaec1b65288a6c2e8
title: California drought
uri: 2015-08-11-California-drought
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28California_drought%29
content:
<p>
Some areas in California literally have 
<a href="http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/07/drought-5000-californians-dont-have-running-water">no
water</a>, except from bottles.


feed_id: cd7a40252fdfe57dbc0dcdebe33d1b33
title: Obama rushing to get TPP approved
uri: Obama-rushing-to-get-TPP-approved
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Obama_rushing_to_get_TPP_approved%29

content:
<p>
Obama is 
<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/29/elites-aim-finalize-secret-profit-over-people-trade-deal-alarm-sounds">rushing</a>
to get the Treacherous Plutocratic Poison approved this year, to keep
it out of the election campaign.


feed_id: 92582bea14a011edff51ed7a4c0e5c89
title: Manchester threatens homeless protesters
uri: Manchester-threatens-homeless-protesters
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Manchester_threatens_homeless_protesters%29

content:
<p>
Homeless protesters in Manchester, England, are threatened with 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/31/manchester-honouring-homess-protesters-not-evicting">years
in prison</a>.  Any homeless people in the city who make nests to
sleep in could be imprisoned too.
<p>
I urge the protesters to dare the state to prosecute and be damned.


feed_id: 542f70bb2ebac9ea4e4fb309f3997259
title: UK fines accused people
uri: UK-fines-accused-people
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28UK_fines_accused_people%29
content:
<p>
The UK fines accused people (in effect) 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/jul/31/magistrates-resign-court-charges-encourage-innocent-plead-guilty">for
not pleading guilty</a>.
<p>
The US system of 
<a href="https://stallman.org/archives/2013-sep-dec.html#01_October_2013_(Civil_commitment)">plea
bargaining</a> is even worse.


feed_id: f9c888dd86119c4064a648bebc851e7f
title: Freedom of thought and freedom of speech
uri: Freedom-of-thought-and-freedom-of-speech
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Freedom_of_thought_and_freedom_of_speech%29

content:
<p>
Freedom of thought and freedom of speech must include freedom to
present 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2015/jul/31/i-believe-in-an-authority-greater-than-david-cameron-am-i-extremist">ideas
others consider "radical" or "extreme"</a>.
<p>
People often call the free software movement "radical".  I think they
are exaggerating — an idea which calls for reforming one aspect
of life is not big enough to truly be radical.  But that doesn't stop
them from making the claim.  Will the free software be banned?


feed_id: 3a191ba2bb55b66021cdfa3dc6b29ec4
title: Fanatical Israeli "settlers"
uri: Fanatical-Israeli-settlers
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Fanatical_Israeli_settlers%29
content:
<p>
Fanatical Israeli "settlers" appear to be responsible for 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/31/child-dies-after-suspected-jewish-extremist-attack-on-palestinian-home">setting
a Palestinian house on fire, which killed a baby</a>.  Three other
family members were critically burned.
<p>
Netanyahu condemned it, but it's part of a pattern that Israel 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/31/israel-hawks-dodge-blame-two-bloody-attacks-impunity-internal-divisions">does
not try very hard to end</a>.


feed_id: 05a95a014cc7a2cff0c6c5d156ff95d1
title: Urgent: Contraceptive access and privacy
uri: Urgent-Contraceptive-access-and-privacy
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Contraceptive_access_and_privacy%29

content:
<p>
Massachusetts citizens, 
<a href="https://act1.myngp.com/Forms/2670071629077282816">support</a>
contraceptive access and privacy bills.


feed_id: 4e8ad4811e0a60ed15b4580bb798aeea
title: Urgent: Rehire Israel Aranda
uri: Urgent-Rehire-Israel-Aranda
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_Rehire_Israel_Aranda%29
content:
<p>
US citizens: 
<a href="https://www.coworker.org/petitions/us-bank-rehire-whistleblower-israel-aranda">call
on US Bank</a> to rehire Israel Aranda.


feed_id: a9a1b1f71d7285acfacc5caa96e7cb60
title: Expiration of Roundup-Ready GMO patents
uri: Expiration-of-Roundup-Ready-GMO-patents
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Expiration_of_Roundup-Ready_GMO_patents%29

content:
<p>
The patents on Roundup-Ready GMO plants are expiring, 
<a href="http://www.technologyreview.com/news/539746/as-patents-expire-farmers-plant-generic-gmos/">just
as weeds have nearly made them obsolete</a>.


feed_id: 2f833aa35658ea48c6f3a1686aa04d49
title: Aging pipes poisoning tap water
uri: Aging-pipes-poisoning-tap-water
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Aging_pipes_poisoning_tap_water%29

content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/07/dont-drink-the-water/399803/">Aging
Pipes Are Poisoning America's Tap Water</a>.


feed_id: 690f85430cdf50204d2b600b3dc6fbf1
title: Peril of Weakening Encryption
uri: Peril-of-Weakening-Encryption
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Peril_of_Weakening_Encryption%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/07/former-national-security-officials-see-the-peril-of-weakening-encryption/399848/">Former
National-Security Officials Now See the Peril of Weakening
Encryption</a>.


feed_id: 11539cb9933614a4e5c085dbde0d0448
title: Afghan prisoners of war
uri: Afghan-prisoners-of-war
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Afghan_prisoners_of_war%29
content:
<p>
A US judge 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/30/guantanamo-bay-detainee-release-rejected-afghanistan-obama">says
Afghan prisoners of war need not be released</a>, because the US is
still fighting the war there.


feed_id: 8ce0d47a8590e1dd3c44bd1599cb0bea
title: Windows 10
uri: Windows-10
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Windows_10%29
content:
<p>
How Windows 10 
<a href="https://edri.org/microsofts-new-small-print-how-your-personal-data-abused/">abuses
users' personal data</a>.


feed_id: 016bfa05a076fb6888a5dd30b0ca057d
title: Spain's economy
uri: Spain-s-economy
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Spains_economy%29
content:
<p>
Spain's economy, 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/30/spanish-economy-back-to-pre-crisis-growth-levels">measured
in totals, has recovered from the crisis</a>.
<p>
However, ordinary people in Spain are remain much worse off
than before the crisis.


feed_id: b5cd010f597553cc52e24627a11a9bd4
title: Israeli troops acting like thugs
uri: Israeli-troops-acting-like-thugs
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Israeli_troops_acting_like_thugs%29

content:
<p>
Israeli troops 
<a href="http://972mag.com/family-blood-stains-challenge-israeli-account-of-qalandiya-killing/109326/">shot
and killed Muhammad Abu Latifa, and apparently lied about what
happened</a>.
<p>
They are doing a thug's job, so they act like thugs.


feed_id: d6841d4440051bbb0a6a5a4c8fb440af
title: Aggregated news articles
uri: Aggregated-news-articles
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Aggregated_news_articles%29
content:
<p>
Requiring Google to pay for aggregating a news article — upon
which Google stopped doing it — has been bad for news sites in
Spain.  It turns out that 
<a href="https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150725/14510131761/study-spains-google-tax-news-shows-how-much-damage-it-has-done.shtml">being
aggregated is good for a news site</A>.


feed_id: 93d7e64a644e319a4bff5487f137a8b1
title: Porn
uri: Porn
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Porn%29
content:
<p>
Lots of teenagers in the UK have watched porn, and quite a few 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/jul/30/cameron-promises-action-to-restrict-under18s-accessing-pornography">fear
they have been psychologically influenced by it</a>.
<p>
This is a real problem, but rather than making porn more forbidden
(and thus more attractive), I suggest giving them a chance to have
real sex with real people, together with education on how to please
your lover.


feed_id: 8644aad0dfa5d9cf9beff68a8cfb2aa1
title: Death while in thug custody
uri: Death-while-in-thug-custody
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Death_while_in_thug_custody%29
content:
<p>
Sarah Lee Circle Bear died after she was arrested, because 
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/29/1406774/-Native-American-mother-of-infants-dies-in-police-custody-after-her-repeated-pleas-for-help-ignored">thugs
ignored her when she said she was experiencing great pain</a> and
needed a doctor.
<p>
The article does not say why she was having such pain at that time,
but I have to wonder whether the thugs had something to do with it.


feed_id: 10815cf931535d97fe1225715070a5bb
title: Swat Team Statistics
uri: Swat-Team-Statistics
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015%28swat_team_statistics%29
content:
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/08/07/365-days-and-605-armored-military-vehicles-later-police-militarization-year-after">80% of SWAT team actions are raids on people's homes.</a></p><p></p>
</li>


feed_id: 635dacf97105e22c6a2bf554cffa19d7
title: Urgent: support the Clean Power Plan
uri: Urgent-support-the-Clean-Power-Plan
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_support_the_Clean_Power_Plan%29

content:
<p>US citizens: <a href="https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=A98AB113EDF70096C15B25F8A6E2D58F.app312a?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3805">support the Clean Power Plan.</a></p>
<p>And <a href="https://secure.sierraclub.org/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=4AE6091B7B9FF3B69A529871908ECF6E.app201a?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=16251&autologin=true&s_src=215GCOAN03">tell the Senate</a> you support the Clean Power Plan.</p>
<p>When I signed that, I said the US needs to do more than this.</p>


feed_id: 9027fafb4ed8d3befdc11d5371d58341
title: Urgent: support Medicare for all
uri: Urgent-support-Medicare-for-all
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_support_Medicare_for_all%29

content:
<p>US citizens: <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/campaigns/1335?detail=email">support Medicare for all citizens.</a></p>


feed_id: 43bd6e69fdcbdc8ad88f93a0c3f4a4bd
title: Urgent: object to Arctic drilling
uri: Urgent-object-to-Arctic-drilling
content: <p>US citizens:</p> <p>Phone the White House to object to Shell's drilling in Arctic waters.</p>
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Urgent%3A_object_to_Arctic_drilling%29


feed_id: 0e8201562682eab7fe8c1045e066b509
title: Rainforest in flames
uri: Rainforest-in-flames
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Rainforest_in_flames%29
content:
<p>A rainforest, normally the wettest place in the US, <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/31/paradise-burning-why-we-all-need-learn-word-anthropogenic">went up in flames.</a></p>
<p>This is just a taste of the disaster we are working on creating.</p>


feed_id: bc9258f8fe72d33d81cd0514e3ee56a8
title: Bank executives to prison
uri: Bank-executives-to-prison
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Bank_executives_to_prison%29
content:
<p>Three executives of Anglo-Irish Bank <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/31/anglo-irish-bank-officials-jailed-for-offences-related-to-financial-crash">have been sentenced to prison for fraud.</a></p>


feed_id: d2c3a83ae721b1a1519beac69c58d116
title: Boost wages for child care workers
uri: Boost-wages-for-child-care-workers
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Boost_wages_for_child_care_workers%29

content:
<p>A campaign to <a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/how-childcare-actually-causes-poverty-in-america/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Nation%20Daily%2020150731&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_term=daily">boost wages for US child care workers.</a></p>


feed_id: beefecc27f194ee91dfd479a709cfbe7
title: Varoufakis as scapegoat
uri: Varoufakis-as-scapegoat
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Varoufakis_as_scapegoat%29
content:
<p>Greeks who have sold out to the banksters <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/29/yanis-varoufakis-may-face-criminal-charges-over-greek-currency-plan">are making Varoufakis their scapegoat.</a></p>
<p>Even his defenders <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/29/in-defence-of-former-greek-finance-minister-yanis-varoufakis">are criticizing him.</a></p>
<p>It reminds me of the way many people in the free software community
feel obligated, whenever they say anything good about me, to insult me
as well.  The social pressure comes from certain people who sneer at
me, and sneer at anyone else that doesn't join them.</p>
<p>Varoufakis tried to get a decent break for Greece, from governments
that turned out to be dead-set on crushing Greece — but that was
not clear in advance.  To be timid, as fools recommend, would have meant
giving up on any possibility of victory.</p>


feed_id: e9c06e9938328f2844c04c6035def75c
title: Thug terrorizes black family
uri: Thug-terrorizes-black-family
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Thug_terrorizes_black_family%29
content:
<p><a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/30/1407339/-Cop-follows-black-family-home-terrorizes-them-at-gunpoint?detail=email">Thug Follows Black Family Home, Terrorizes Them at Gunpoint.</a></p>
<p>Two Men. One Armed And Violent, the Other Unarmed And Nonviolent. <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/30/1407259/-Two-men-One-armed-and-violent-the-other-unarmed-and-non-violent-One-white-one-black-one-dead?detail=email">One White, One Black, One Dead.</a></p>


feed_id: 511ba2607a1aa1365e00889eaa8a83f6
title: Light charges for thug
uri: Light-charges-for-thug
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Light_charges_for_thug%29
content:
<p>An ex-thug attacked a 69-year-old man, and amazingly <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/30/1407221/-Former-Georgia-police-officer-facing-assault-charge-for-needless-brutal-takedown-of-69-year-old-man?detail=email">faces criminal charges for it.</a></p>
<p>They are ridiculously light charges, for what he did.</p>


feed_id: 2fde21208bdf1565e54f04b6cf89631a
title: Koch brothers control Republican apparatus
uri: Koch-brothers-control-Republican-apparatus
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Koch_brothers_control_Republican_apparatus%29

content:
<p>The Koch brothers have effectively <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/30/1407296/-RNC-cries-uncle-the-Koch-takeover-is-nbsp-complete?detail=email">taken control of the Republican Party's campaign infrastructure apparatus.</a></p>


feed_id: 50db26924719eb1ce189ebbbda895a46
title: Israel force-feeding
uri: Israel-force-feeding
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Israel_force-feeding%29
content:
<p><a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/30/ignoring-calls-human-rights-experts-medical-community-israel-oks-legislative">Israel has legalized force-feeding of hunger strikers,</a> citing the US as an example to follow.</p>


feed_id: bef42b16b603550b59f6d4d811ec0e95
title: Thugs cut down protesters from bridge
uri: Thugs-cut-down-protesters-from-bridge
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Thugs_cut_down_protesters_from_bridge%29

content:
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/30/portland-shell-bridge-protesters-greenpeace-fined">Protesters dangling from a bridge blocked Shell's ship in Portland harbor</a> for almost two days.</p>
<p>The thugs <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/31/protesters-forcibly-removed-police-arctic-drilling-ship-escapes-blockade">cut some of them down from the bridge.</a>
<p>The fine on Greenpeace suggests that protesters must organize separately.</p>


feed_id: 647d274fc9d1246010b397fd205cfe4c
title: Institute of Peace
uri: Institute-of-Peace
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Institute_of_Peace%29
content:
<p>The "Institute of Peace" <a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/08/01/u-s-institute-peace-chair-calls-military-response-global-conflicts/">has become a lobby for war.</a></p>


feed_id: f38a86db54fa9f919fd6b3b23ad72f46
title: Computer notes
uri: Computer-notes
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Computer_notes%29
content:
<p>Taking notes with a computer <a href="https://hbr.org/2015/07/what-you-miss-when-you-take-notes-on-your-laptop">really hurts your recall —</a> more studies confirm this.</p>


feed_id: 230f13abe9be84c8bea7908f62ad9050
title: Tunisian counterterror law
uri: Tunisian-counterterror-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#11_August_2015_%28Tunisian_counterterror_law%29
content:
<p>In Tunisia: <a href="http://www.hrw.org/news/2015/07/31/tunisia-counterterror-law-endangers-rights">Counterterror Law Endangers Rights.</a></p>


feed_id: 8596c5cfa55889a5b6408b88d90fc949
title: Peru's phone records
uri: Peru-s-phone-records
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_August_2015_%28Peru%27s_phone_records%29
content:
<p>Peru's president has decreed that <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/28/perus-government-brings-in-sweeping-police-access-to-mobile-phone-metadata">the state can take 3 years of anyone's phone call records</a>, without even a warrant.</p>
<p>Sounds a lot like the US.</p>


feed_id: ad54e35cced978afa4b6da8fa04fadbe
title: Coastal flooding danger
uri: Coastal-flooding-danger
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_August_2015_%28Coastal_flooding_danger%29
content:
<p>Global heating <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/27/climate-change-triple-threat-flooding-new-york-los-angeles-boston">is increasing the flooding danger in many coastal US cities.</a></p>


feed_id: aacbbdb003cce1255b42cafd82feb9f6
title: Greeks threaten plutocratic order
uri: Greeks-threaten-plutocratic-order
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_August_2015_%28Greeks_threaten_plutocratic_order%29

content:
<p>For the euro-banksters, <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/08/02/specter-haunting-europe-specter-democracy">the Greek people represent an existential threat to plutocratic order.</a></p>
<p>The euro banking system <a href="http://www.nationofchange.org/2015/08/01/the-greek-coup-liquidity-as-a-weapon-of-coercion/">includes a cut-off switch for the banks of any country.</a></p>


feed_id: e3e36ce9f05dcfdf73245d4f15d50fd6
title: Fabricated WikiLeaks cable
uri: Fabricated-WikiLeaks-cable
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_August_2015_%28Fabricated_WikiLeaks_cable%29
content:
<p>Iran uses fabricated WikiLeaks cable <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/02/iran-fabricated-wikileaks-cable-smear-un-rights-rapporteur">to smear UN rights rapporteur.</a></p>


feed_id: 4329b461a1a107836a801d966fcac4d1
title: Copyright law
uri: 2015-08-12-Copyright-law
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_August_2015_%28Copyright_law%29
content:
<p>What if copyright law <a href="http://boingboing.net/2015/07/28/music.html">were interpreted to cover neural copies — memories?</a></p>


feed_id: b48d869a7b2d93c02ce04b5e99d8ad42
title: Internet of Guns
uri: Internet-of-Guns
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_August_2015_%28Internet_of_Guns%29
content:
<p>Guess what can go wrong with the 
<a href="http://www.wired.com/2015/07/hackers-can-disable-sniper-rifleor-change-target/">
Internet of Guns</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 0155a82e92e81946583ac5d0acd8bfc3
title: US thugs bought from Hacking Team
uri: US-thugs-bought-from-Hacking-Team
url:
https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_August_2015_%28US_thugs_bought_from_Hacking_Team%29

content:
<p>Hacking Team 
<a href="https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2015/jul/23/hacking-team/">
sold spy gear to US thug departments</a>.
</p>


feed_id: 8c07a6692eb89c090857e81169e02378
title: US housing segregation
uri: US-housing-segregation
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_August_2015_%28US_housing_segregation%29
content:
<p>
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/07/white-flight-alive-and-well/399980/">
Housing segregation</a>
 is taking over the US again.
</p>


feed_id: 1bfc142049c659574e937fc3cf080cc5
title: Australia pseudo-plan
uri: Australia-pseudo-plan
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_August_2015_%28Australia_pseudo-plan%29
content:
<p>Australia's pseudo-plan for cutting greenhouse emissions will
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/aug/03/biggest-polluters-able-to-increase-emissions-under-direct-action-study">
allow the most polluting businesses to emit more</a>.
</p>
<p>The right-wing government is working for the fossil fuel companies and
increasing emissions is its goal.  Naturally, it replaced an effective
reduction scheme with one that wouldn't reduce emissions much.  What
surprises me is that they have the nerve to increase them.</p>


feed_id: de4300134ed4931d6375d471c84f5d7f
title: Change for worse in Israel
uri: Change-for-worse-in-Israel
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_August_2015_%28Change_for_worse_in_Israel%29
content:
<p>Israel will 
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/02/israel-to-detain-west-bank-arson-attackers-without-trial">
begin violating the human rights of Jews</a>
 as it has always violated those of Palestinians.
</p>
<p>This is a change for the worse: imprisonment without trial must
cease.</p>


feed_id: 5afe7e879d3175122a5a6ebafa3061fc
title: Modesty tax on Dalits
uri: Modesty-tax-on-Dalits
url: https://stallman.org/archives/2015-may-aug.html#12_August_2015_%28Modesty_tax_on_Dalits%29
content:
<p>In what is now Kerala, until the early 20th century, Dalit women had to
<a href="http://ajaysekher.net/2012/08/28/nangeli-mulachiparambu-breasttax-travancore/">
pay a tax for permission to cover their breasts</a>
 in public.
</p>
<p>There have been places where no women covered their breasts, and
nobody thought that they should, and nobody complained about it except
foreign missionaries.  But it seems that Travancore was a place where
most women did cover their breasts, and Dalits were made an exception
to humiliate them.</p>


